In the March 1, 1923 edition of The Wilcox Progressive
Era, publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold reported, under the headline “Two Pine
Hill Girls On All-State Basketball Team,” that “at the recent basketball
tournament held for high school girls at Montevallo, the Pine Hill High School
was eliminated early in the game by the strong Atmore team, which was in the
finals with Selma, the people of Pine Hill should feel proud of the showing made
by their team, in the selection of the all-state team Miss Margaret Dunn was
named as one of the centers and Miss Elizabeth Weatherly as one of the guards.
Miss Margaret Farish of Atmore was also selected on the all-state team and she
really belongs to Wilcox County. She is the daughter of Dr. Farish, formerly of
Coy, Ala.”
Also that week from the Lower Peach Tree community, it was
reported that the “old bay boat ‘Baldwin’ passed up the river this week towing
four barges to Walnut Bluff to be loaded with cross ties. The captain stated he
had enough work on this river to last for a period of three months.”
In the March 8, 1923 edition of The Progressive Era, it
was reported that “baseball practice was begun the past week at the Wilcox
County High School. A large number of candidates are out for the different
positions and Coach Salter should turn out a fast team. Most of last year’s
team, with the exception of Carl Pruitt and John Burgess, are back.”
In news from the Furman community, it was reported that “interest
is being manifested in road improvement. Volunteer overseers are rushing the
apportioners for complete lists of hands and supplies of tools. Mr. D.P.
Robbins began work on the section of road in his charge Friday, when he put in
an excellent oak culvert.”
In the March 15, 1923 edition of the newspaper, it was
reported that the “Wilcox County High School will open the baseball season
Fri., March 23, at Barrett Park against Coach Pope’s Pine Hill aggregation and
from reports he has a speedy bunch of youngsters and a battle royale is looked
for. Julian Steen will probably be the pitching selection for Camden. Mayor
Paul Everett Jones will be on hand to toss the first ball over, and this alone
is worth the price of admission. Come and watch his smoke.”
Elsewhere in that week’s paper, it was reported that “Mrs.
J.L. Bonner had the misfortune last week to have her fowl house destroyed by
fire. The fire caught from a brooder and all of her chickens were burned.”
In the March 22, 1923 edition of the paper, readers
learned that “it is feared that the cold spell this week will cause the death
of a great many poor cows in the county. The cattle have wintered very well up
to the present time.”
Elsewhere in that week’s paper, it was reported that “the
recent rains and cold weather have made the roads so bad that some of the
drummers made their rounds the first part of the week on the train.”
In the paper’s March 29, 29123 edition, it was reported
that “Sheriff Watson has captured eight or 10 stills and arrested 15 to 18
violators of the prohibition law during the two months that he has been in
office.”
Readers that week also learned the disappointing news that
the “baseball game between Pine Hill and Camden was called off last Friday on
account of rain, Coach Salter has been in communication with the Pine Hill
management and this game will be played in the near future.”
Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. On the first Thursday of next month, I plan to take a look at the events of April 1923 in Wilcox County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Alabama Department of Archives and History’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. Their friendly staff will be more than happy to get you started.
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