Old newspaper excerpts from The Monroe Journal newspaper of Monroe County, Alabama

Cpl. Sidney Manning

FOUR YEARS AGO
MARCH 21, 2019

Banks is named top teacher: Shanaveia Banks of Monroeville has been named the Monroe County Public School System’s Teacher of the Year for the 2018-2019 school term. Banks, who is the daughter of Sharon Banks and granddaughter of Minnie Banks, teaches reading and science to fifth graders at Monroeville Middle School. Before joining the MMS staff, she taught fifth grade for the Conecuh County Public School System for four years.

Mura gets 18 strikeouts: J.U. Blacksher’s Landon Mura set a new strikeout record at the school Friday evening when he fanned 18 batters in the Bulldogs’ 4-1 victory over visiting Excel.
According to JUB head coach Justin Mixon, Mura’s 18 strikeouts are the most ever recorded by one pitcher in a seven-inning contest at the school.
(Other top JUB players in that game included Will Brown, Talon Daughtry, Dawson Hollinger, Michael Redditt, Damon Rolin and Peyton Wilkins.)

100^th anniversary: Mt. Gillead Baptist Church No. 2 in Freemanville will celebrate its 100-year anniversary at 4 p.m. Sun., March 24. The church was organized in 1919 under the leadership of Rev. W.O. Alexander and was named after Mt. Gillead Baptist Church in Perdue Hill, since most of the families moved to the Freemanville community from Perdue Hill.

Monroeville Mayor Sandy Smith gave the oath of office to the city’s two newest policemen Tuesday evening during the council meeting. Randy McKinley and Peyton Andrews recently completed the required state training for law enforcement personnel.

29 YEARS AGO
MARCH 17, 1994

Marine Pvt. Juble J. Burgess, son of Andy J. and Linda S. Burgess of Route 2, Frisco City, recently completed recruit training. During the training cycle at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., recruits are taught the basics of battlefield survival, introduced to typical military daily routine and personal and professional standards.

Monroe Academy defeated Jackson Academy 11-4 Saturday to win the Grove Hill Academy tournament and record its sixth straight baseball victory since opening the season with a loss to Meadowview Christian School.
Johnny Pickens struck out eight batters, walked three and gave up two hits Saturday in four innings to pitch the Vols past Jackson. Luke McKinley got two hits and three RBI.
(Other top MA players in that game included Shenandoah McLaurin, Bill Rice, Landry Sawyer and Brian Walker. Joey Cameron was MA’s head coach.)

25^th anniversary: James and Edna Maughon celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary Feb. 15. They were honored with a reception given by their children Feb. 13. About 50 friends and relatives attended.

Visitors to downtown Excel on Saturday may think they’ve stepped into the past during the first “Pioneer Days in Excel” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to Carol Casey, co-chairwoman of the event. Proceeds will benefit the Excel Senior Citizens Center. Town hall will be transformed into a museum for the day with exhibits of old pictures, vintage clothing and church histories.

54 YEARS AGO
MARCH 20, 1969

Power Company Worker Injured: Sidney White, 55, foreman of an Alabama Power Co. transmission line crew received a serious leg injury Thursday afternoon, March 13, at 2 p.m. The crew was at work on a new power transmission line south of Monroeville when the accident occurred. Mr. White was taken to the Monroe County Hospital and later transferred to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham.

Lee Wins Turkey Calling Award: Ben Rodgers Lee, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Lee of Monroeville, placed second in the annual world championship turkey calling contest sponsored by the Mobile County Wildlife and Conservation Association. Cobb Scarbrough of Grove Hill won the first-place trophy, and Ralph Loftin of Sweet Water won third place.

Maughon-Reed Vows Are Pledged Recently: Miss Edna Earle Reed and James William Maughon were united in marriage recently at the home of the bride in Frisco City. The double-ring ceremony was performed by the Rev. W.Q. Howe, pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Frisco City. Miss Yvonne Chancey of Frisco City served as maid of honor. Henry Levon Maughon of Mobile was best man.

A car belonging to Alvin Sawyer of Mexia was destroyed by fire about 8:30 a.m. Thurs., March 13, on South Alabama Avenue. Mrs. Sawyer was driving the car when it caught fire. She managed to get out before the inside was completely enveloped in flames.

79 YEARS AGO
MARCH 16, 1944

Sergeant Bradley Killed In Action: Staff Sergeant Ulmer E. Bradley Jr., 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ulmer E. Bradley of Blacksher, Ala., was killed over Germany on Jan. 5, according to news transmitted to the parents last week. Sgt. Bradley, a nephew of Major Charles Scott, now serving in the United States Army, was a tail gunner on a Liberator.

Franklin Boy Killed In Action: William McKinley of Franklin, who was serving with the Armed Forces somewhere in Italy, has been reported killed in action. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert McKinley of Franklin, received a message Monday, conveying the news of his death, which occurred Feb. 28.

Cpl. R.E. Lambert of Frisco City, who is stationed somewhere in Italy, has recently been awarded the merit badge for heroic service, according to news received by his family.

Sgt. J.H. Booker, son of Mr. A.N. Booker of Tunnel Springs, who is a tail gunner on a heavy bombardment crew, is completing his last phase of combat training at the Alamogordo, New Mexico Army Air Base. Sgt. Booker was graduated at Tyndall Gunnery School, Panama City, Fla.

WINNERS IN KITE FLYING CONTEST: The following winners have been announced in the kite flying contest sponsored by the Boy Scouts: Kenneth Hundley, Bobby Lindsey, Bennett Pearson, Bob Ryland, A.B. Blass Jr., J.T. Hughes, Neal Terry, Sanders Lambert and W.O. Thompson. Monroeville merchants gave prizes to all winners.

104 YEARS AGO
MARCH 20, 1919

William H. Frye, who sailed for France with the Rainbow Division, has returned home. He was severely gassed on July 26 last, but has fully recovered.

The Alabama Public Service Commission has ordered the Gulf, Florida & Alabama Railroad Co. to erect a depot at Megargel. The citizens of Megargel filed a petition with the commission asking for better service of the railroad company. The building will be erected inside of 90 days.

MANNING OF ALABAMA: In the age of chivalry, it was the practice to confer knighthood for gallantry upon the field of battle, the ceremony being performed in the field. Something like the ancient form took place Monday in the great field near Remagenon, on the west bank of the Rhine, when, in the presence of 20,000 American troops, mostly from our state, General Pershing, the commander of our armies in France, called Corporal Sidney Manning of the 167th Infantry to the front and conferred upon him the congressional medal of honor, the highest recognition of the young soldier’s extraordinary gallantry. Cpl. Manning is a son of Mr. Barney Manning, who was born and reared in Monroe County.
Cpl. Manning, before the war, was a farmer’s boy, living near Brewton, Escambia County, Ala. As a soldier, he performed all his duties conscientiously and well. In the forward movement on the Ourcq River in France, he was platoon leader and he and his men gained and held an important position under heavy fire. All but seven in his platoon were killed or wounded and he himself was wounded in nine places, but continued to fight and to inspire his comrades. He well deserved to be distinguished by his general. In honoring him, the whole command was honored – and also his state. His great service will not be forgotten.