Is Harper Lee's ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ a horror novel?

Many readers have probably noticed all the out-of-town visitors and school children in downtown Monroeville this week due to the start of the popular “To Kill a Mockingbird” play on the square. This is a great time for Monroeville to put its best foot forward as we get the chance to make a good impression on these guests. It’s also a good time of year to talk about the novel and the movie, which are favorites far and wide.

For some time I’ve enjoyed defending the position that “TKAM” is a thinly-veiled horror novel. While it’s not over-the-top like your typical Stephen King horror tale, there is a lot between the covers of “TKAM” to shore up the idea that it’s a low-key horror novel.

For those who don’t think so, consider this. The story centers on the Finch family – Atticus, Jem and Scout – who live next door to the reclusive Radley family. A close reading of the novel shows that the Radley house is nothing more than the neighborhood haunted house, and it is occupied by the local boogeyman, “Boo” Radley. The book also rocks on until its ultimate climax on Halloween night 1935.

Among other things, the book is also filled with references to the supernatural and a wide variety of superstitions, including haints, incantations and secret signs. By way of example, in Chapter 4, Jem and Scout introduce Dill to the concept of “Hot Steams.” Hot Steams – or warm places that travelers pass through on the road – are said to be spirits of the dead who can’t go to heaven.

“What’s a Hot Steam?” asked Dill.

“Haven’t you ever walked along a lonesome road at night and passed by a hot place?” Jem asked Dill. “A Hot Steam’s somebody who can’t get to heaven, just wallows around on lonesome roads an’ if you walk through him, when you die you’ll be one too, an’ you’ll go around at night suckin’ people’s breath.”

Dill then asked, “How can you keep from passing through one?”

“You can’t,” said Jem. “Sometimes they stretch all the way across the road, but if you hafta go through one you say, ‘Angel-bright, life-in-death; get off the road, don’t suck my breath.’ That keeps ‘em from wrapping around you.”

Keep in mind that Jem, Scout and Dill are young children. With that said, I can’t help but wonder where Jem and Scout first heard about Hot Steams. It’s unlikely that they heard it from their rational attorney father, Atticus, but maybe they picked it up from Calpurnia or from some other child at school. The book offers no clues to this.

Hot Steams and the “Angel-bright” incantation also pop up in Harper Lee’s second novel, “Go Set a Watchman.” In that book, Scout, aka Jean Louise Finch, makes fun of the idea that she and her friends once believed in such irrational superstitions. Jean Louise is much older in this book, but seems to look back fondly on the days when her brother and Dill innocently believed in such things.

In the end, let me know if you’ve spotted any other references to superstitions or the supernatural in “TKAM” or “Go Set a Watchman.” No doubt there are other references that I have missed. I’m sure there is even more evidence between the pages of “TKAM” to shore up the thesis that the novel is a thinly-veiled horror novel.

Wilcox County's Matthews Landing Mounds, Dale Site described in Alabama Indian mound book

Last week in this space I wrote about a great book called “Native American Mounds In Alabama: An Illustrated Guide to Public Sites.” This 68-page book, published in 2017 by Archetype Books in Memphis, was written by Dr. Gregory L. Little. This book contains a wealth of information about Indian mounds, artifacts, standing stones, stone memorials, caves, stone effigies, shell heaps and other archaeological sites throughout Alabama, including Wilcox County.

In last week’s paper, I talked about how the book contains information on two Wilcox County sites, the “Furman Site” and the “Liddell Site.” Not long after the paper came out, it was brought to my attention that the book also contains information on two other sites in Wilcox County. These sites are known as the Matthews Landing Mounds and the Dale Site.

The Matthews Landing site consists of two mounds and a village area located on private property about nine miles west of Camden, near the Alabama River at Possum Bend. According to Little, these mounds have been called the “best-preserved and most important Mississippian mound site for nearly 100 miles along the Alabama River.” The two mounds were once large with multiple tiers, however, erosion from excavations, floods and cultivation have spread them out and greatly reduced their height, Little said.

Little notes that the Matthews Landing site actually had three mounds, but the third mound is about a quarter of a mile away and is known as the Dale Site. C.B. Moore excavated the mounds in 1899, finding several burial urns associated with 30 burials. C.B. Moore was Clarence Bloomfield Moore of Philadelphia, an archaeologist who studied and excavated Indian sites throughout the Southeast before his death in 1936.

The large mound at the Dale Site was described by Moore as a “truncated pyramid.” The mound complex was not rediscovered until 1980, Little said. Not far from here is the Furman Site.

As discussed last week, the Furman Site was a small Mississippian era village with two low platform mounds on the east side of the Alabama River, about eight miles west of Camden. This site, which was excavated by Moore, consists of a platform mound that was utilized over a long time period for intrusive burials. Intrusive burials were burials that occurred at sites with much earlier, pre-existing burials.

For readers who missed last week, the Liddell Archaeological Site is on private property near Camden. This ancient village, another Mississippian site, was occupied as early as 9,000 B.C. To put this into perspective, this was about 6,500 years before the pyramids were built in Egypt.

The Liddell Site has yielded up several burial urns and some researchers believe that this site was close to the famous walled village of Maubila. Many of you will remember from school that Maubila was where Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto fought Chief Tuscaloosa in 1540. According to Little’s book, excavations at the Liddell Site have also shown that the village houses were rectangular with packed clay floors.

In the end, I highly recommend that anyone interested in Alabama history, get a copy of this book. Also, if anyone in the reading audience knows of other ancient Indian sites in Wilcox County, please let me know. No doubt there are many others in the deep woods along the Alabama River and elsewhere just waiting to be documented.

Singleton tells of the exploits of a disorganized turkey hunter

Hank Williams Jr. 

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Turkey hunters are often misunderstood,” was originally published in the April 16, 1987 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

This story is dedicated to those faithful and true-blue turkey hunters who arise in the early-morning hours and brave the elements to go forth for one slim chance at bringing home that prize gobbler that waits for the taking in the bottoms along the creek.

Friday: 9 p.m. You practice with your new turkey caller while your wife calls out threats and makes noise about calling the family lawyer and filing for divorce because you are ruining her television programs.

Saturday, 12:01 a.m. You start packing for departure at 4 a.m. You had forgotten to pack because of your practice session with the new turkey caller.

1:30 a.m. You are loading your vehicle to include your off-the-road three-wheeler. Your neighbors are shouting insults and telling you to go jump in a hole because of the noise you are making and the fact that you have turned on all the outside lights around your house.

2:30 a.m. You start to bed among the insults and dirty names from your wife, whom you have waked up while setting the clock radio to come on at 4 a.m.

3:15 a.m. You are still awake because of the excitement and expectations of bagging that trophy gobbler. More mumblings and bad names coming from your wife’s side of the bed.

3:55 p.m. You have finally dozed off, just minutes before the electric alarm radio blasts forth. You had opened the volume to the maximum in fear you might not hear it. More nasty words and insults from your wife as Hank Williams Jr. is singing “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight.”

4:15 a.m. More abuse and nasty words as you get dressed and try to slip out of the house to your waiting pickup truck. You have forgotten something – your shotgun. You tiptoe quietly back to the den door to retrieve your gun. You reach for your keys; then you remember that you left them on the desk in the bedroom where your wife is sleeping. After knocking several minutes on the door to no avail, you go around to the front door and ring the doorbell.

4:30 a.m. The door swings open. The maddest woman you have ever seen, in the form of your wife, is standing in the door, crouched in a fighting stance that would make King Kong cringe in fear.

4:31 a.m. You mumble an apology after falling over a chair. You had not turned on the den lights, trying not to disturb the sleeping neighbors.

4:32 You open the door of your pickup truck. You are holding your shotgun by the grip, trying to place it in the gun rack behind the seat. The gun goes off. You remember that you forgot to place the safety in the “on” position when you loaded it in the den earlier last night. Both barrels go off, destroying the right door glass of your practically new pickup truck, not to mention your neighbor’s brand new bird feeder that was purchased only yesterday.

4:34 a.m. All the lights in the neighborhood come one. Words of death float on the winds and the early morning air. You jump into your truck amidst the broken glass and tattered upholstery. You pull out in the street, hear a terrible noise and realize that you forgot to tie down your three-wheeler and also forgot to latch the tailgate in the upright position.

4:35 a.m. The street is lined with shouting neighbors, still clad in their sleeping clothes, telling you where to go and what to do with your three-wheeler.

4:36 a.m. After loading your three-wheeler all by yourself without any assistance from your impolite neighbors, you are on your way to your before-daylight date with that prized gobbler.

5:42 a.m. You pull up to the place where you are to leave your pickup truck and travel the rest of the way on the three-wheeler. You remember that you didn’t load the ramps that you would need to get the three-wheeler out of the pickup. In a sudden flare of temper, you snatch the three-wheeler out of the truck. It bounces to a standstill only after the foot peg rakes your left leg from knee to ankle. You lie down in the cold, wet dew and hurt.

5:55 a.m. You are picking your way down through the tall grass. The light on the three-wheeler was broken back when it rolled off the truck in the street in front of your house.

6:15 a.m. After sideswiping a tall pine tree and bending the throttle control on the handlebar, you finely get the three-wheeler stopped after a mad, hair-raising dash through the tall timber.

6:25 a.m. You hide your three-wheeler behind a huckleberry bush and then move about 10 yards over and sit down with your back against a tall pine tree. You are going to catch your breath before you start calling that prize gobbler to you for his last sunrise in this world.

9:30 a.m. You bolt awake at the noise around you. You must have fallen to sleep. You swing your trusty double-barrel around in the direction of the noise behind the huckleberry bush. Something is coming out of the bushes. You discharge both barrels in that direction. Two very frightened armadillos take off down the hill untouched.

9:31 a.m. You begin to smell gasoline very strongly. You make your way toward the huckleberry bush from where the armadillos came.

9:32 a.m. You gaze in awe at the destruction that the double-barrel made when the charges of No. 4 shot struck the fuel tank and the front tire of your three-wheeler.

4:15 p.m. You turn your pickup into your drive amid cold stares and ugly mumblings from across the street. You decide to wait about unloading the destroyed three-wheeler until your neighbors go inside. You do not wish to discuss how you pushed the three-wheeler backwards like a wheelbarrow while carrying the front end over the rough terrain. Or why you didn’t kill a turkey.

6 p.m. Returning from the hamburger joint, where supper was purchased. Wife refused to cook because she was still very mad about last night’s events.

6:02 p.m. Considering taking up golf. Saw some fellows just now returning from the golf course. All were laughing and joking as though everything went well. Thinking about giving up turkey hunting completely – until next year for sure.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for April 25, 2023

18 YEARS AGO

APRIL 27, 2000

Evergreen weather observer Harry Ellis reported .03 inches of rain on April 20 and .32 inches on April 23. He reported a high of 87 on April 20 and a low of 43 on April 22.

Project EverFUN in full swing: Project EverFUN kicked off this week with a ground-breaking ceremony on Monday afternoon in Evergreen Municipal Park. Mayor Lomax Cassady, Zebbie Nix and many other dignitaries of the community who contributed to the project were present. Cassady and Nix unearthed the first two shovelfuls of dirt and the work began.

Mayor Lomax Cassady is shown holding the squirrel that caused a major power outage in Evergreen recently. This small critter found itself in a world of trouble when it entered the substation in the industrial park and subsequently blew all three fuses.

The Castleberry Strawberry Festival Beauty Pageant was held March 25, 2000 at Conecuh County Junior High School. Winners in the Teen Miss Strawberry division were second runner-up, Amber Cutts; Teen Miss Strawberry, Melinda Idell Tolin; and first runner-up and Most Photogenic, Avington Hart.

Fairview Baptist Church welcomes new pastor: Fairview Baptist Church welcomes as their new pastor Bro. Darrell Black, his wife Debra, daughter Carey and son Nick.

Bro. Black and his family are from Cantonment, Fla. and they accepted the call to pastor Fairview Baptist Church in February of this year.

43 YEARS AGO

APRIL 24, 1975

Evergreen weather observers Earl Windham reported 0.4 inches of rainfall on April 13 and 2.9 inches on April 14. Total rainfall for that month, through April 20, was reported at 16.2 inches. He reported a high of 78 degrees on April 15 and a low of 36 degrees on April 18.

Evergreen FFA calf is grand champion: A Charolais steer fed by the Evergreen FFA Chapter and shown by Jimmy McNeil won the grand championship of the annual Conecuh County 4-H and FFA Fat Calf Show held here Monday at the Conecuh Stockyard Show Arena. The steer weighed 1,190 pounds and graded choice. Conecuh-Monroe Counties Gas District paid a premium 91 cents per pound for the champ.

Conecuh County Sheriff Edwin L. Booker announces that Larry Morrison has been named chief deputy sheriff. Morrison formerly served with the Evergreen Police Department and has been a law enforcement officer for the past seven years. Morrison is a graduate of Evergreen High School and the Alabama Police Academy.

Pickney D. Bowles Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy met April 15 in the home of Mrs. Coy Harper with Mrs. Fred Mills as co-hostess. Mrs. Ray Owens introduced the speaker, Miss Annie Hagood, who gave a most interesting program on the Confederate Air Force. Mrs. Dan Brown gave a beautiful “In Memoriam” honoring Miss Demoval Hagood, deceased, a beloved teacher and a dear member of the UDC.

68 YEARS AGO

APRIL 27, 1950

C.W. Presley Wants Song On “Railroad Bill” – C.W. Presley of McKenzie, Ala., Route 1, is interested in securing a copy of song which was written years ago about “Railroad Bill,” desperado of Escambia County, some years ago. Mr. Presley has one stanza of the song which runs something like this:

“Railroad Bill” cut a mighty dash,

Shot McMillan, by a lightning flash.

Mis’ McMillan, she whooped and she bawled,

She said, “That’s my husband for I heard him fall.”

If anyone has any information regarding this song, Mr. Presley will appreciate hearing from you.

CONECUH CHAPTER NO. 217 HONORS MRS. RAE: Conecuh Chapter No. 217 Order of the Eastern Star honored Mrs. Rhoda Rae, worthy grand matron, and Mrs. Merle Chapman, grand condustress and other grand officers at a dinner at Fairview last Thursday evening.

Mrs. Carrie Pierce, worthy matron, welcomed the honored guest and presented each with a corsage. This being the golden jubilee of the Alabama Grand Chapter, the golden tones with green were used in the decorations.

At the conclusion of the dinner, a special meeting of the chapter was held at the Masonic Hall, which was decorated with spring flowers. Mrs. Marrie Pierce, worthy matron, and Herbert Mellinger, worthy patron, presided in the East. Mrs. Rhoda Rae, worthy grand matron, was introduced by conductress Ponline Langham, and was escorted to the East and grand honors given her.

93 YEARS AGO

APRIL 22, 1925

W.A. BOUTWELL – Resolution Adopted by Conecuh Lodge A.F.&A.M. No. 733, Belleville, Ala. – The subject of this memorial was born in Pike County and later moved to Lowndes County, where he resided until about 15 years ago when he moved to Conecuh County and remained until death came.

Mr. Boutwell was born Oct. 20, 1842 and died on March 11, 1925. He was made a Mason 40 years ago and lived it in a creditable manner.

Simple, straightforward, unassuming, unselfish to a degree, of rugged honesty and sincerity of purpose, and yet withal gentile in his nature, the life of this good man breathes the spirit of the old south, of a regime that is lofty and massive and yet graceful. His noble life and exemplary character are cherished by his brethren of the mystic tie.

Resolved that this memorial be inscribed upon the records of this lodge, a copy furnished his relatives and that the same be published in The Evergreen Courant. – J.D. Skinner, J.E. Baggett, J.A. Reid, Committee.

WELCOME: Quite a crowd was disappointed at Welcome church Sunday night, it being announced last week there would be preaching, and the preacher did not come. We feel that is the reason we never have a large congregation. We have been disappointed so many times.

HERBERT: The picture show at Herbert Thursday night was enjoyed by everyone.

139 YEARS AGO

APRIL 24, 1879

THE EVERGREEN STAR

Hon. F.M. Walker, our popular Probate Judge, is rusticating for a while in Henry County. Hope the judge will have a good time generally.

“Jack” Jones, Evergreen’s efficient and obliging postmaster, has given a new bond to the amount of $16,500. Some of the best men of our county are upon Mr. Jones’ bond.

We are requested to announce that the Historical Society of Conecuh County will meet in the courthouse in Evergreen on Saturday next at 10 o’clock.

TO THE PUBLIC: The undersigned returns thanks to the public for the generous patronage bestowed in the past (especially during court) and respectfully solicits a continuance of same in the future. My saloon is well stocked with the BEST brands of wines, brandies, whiskies, cigars, etc. and my endeavors will be to please all. Give me a call. – W.H. Hawkins, Proprietor, Gem Saloon.

A.W. JOHNSTON – Practical Boot and Shoe Maker, Evergreen, Ala. – Offers his services to the people of Evergreen and vicinity. All work guaranteed and prices satisfactory.

A new candidate for your patronage made its appearance on our streets yesterday under the name of the Evergreen News. Mr. C.S. James is the proprietor.

NOTICE: An election for mayor and four councilmen of the Town of Evergreen, to serve for the ensuing year, will be held on the first Monday in May next. Mr. Mertins and Y.M. Rabb have been appointed managers of said election. – G.R. Farnham, Mayor.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for April 24, 2023

Chris Hines of Evergreen, Ala.

11 YEARS AGO
APRIL 26, 2012

Warriors record baseball victory: Sparta Academy finished the 2012 season with a win Monday of last week by beating Atmore Christian, 11-4, in Evergreen.
Eli Tyree led Sparta on offense, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a three-run home run. Ethan Roberts followed closely with a 3-for-4 showing at the plate.
Drew Hardin finished the game with two hits. Hunter Hanks, Jacob Hendrix, Taylor Chavers and Jacob Lee chipped in one hit each.

Hines to host hoops tourney: Conecuh County basketball legend Chris Hines announced on Monday that the Hines Basketball Academy’s inaugural Spring Fever Classic Basketball Tournament will be held on May 11-13 at Hillcrest High School in Evergreen. All proceeds from the tournament will go to the Hines Basketball Academy to help pay for upcoming basketball camps in Conecuh County and different summer sports activities for Conecuh County youth, organizers said.

SA girls tie for state title: Sparta Academy’s girls track and field team tied for the AISA’s AA state title during the recent state track and field meet in Selma, and one member of the team (Grace Matlock) was named the state’s top triple jumper.
During the state qualifying round and state finals on April 18-19 at Jordan Memorial Stadium in Selma, the team tied Escambia Academy for first place in the Alabama Independent School Association’s AA Division.
(Members of the team were Alex Etheridge, Ashley Riley, Rachel Riley, Emily Rodgers, Stephanie Martin, Matlock, April Palmer, Brandy Moorer, Kaitlyn Beverly, Charlie Conway and Coach Russ Brown.)

36 YEARS AGO
APRIL 23, 1987

Warriors win 3 games, lose 1: The Sparta Academy Warriors won three baseball games and lost one in recent action.
Sparta defeated Fort Dale-SBA, 10-7, in Greenville on April 7. Jeff Walker was the winning pitcher, giving up six hits and seven runs. Sparta had 12 hits and 10 runs. Walker, Tim Wilson, Johnny Brock and Brad Watts had two hits each.
Sparta defeated Crenshaw Christian Academy, 12-2, in a game played in Evergreen April 10. Lee Wild was the winning pitcher, giving up four hits and two runs. Watts had two hits, including a triple. Jeff Carrier, Walker and Brock also had two hits each.
Wilcox Academy defeated Sparta, 10-4, in Evergreen April 14. Walker was the losing pitcher. Wilcox had 10 hits and 10 runs while Sparta had six hits and four runs. Mike Osban had two hits and Carrier and Wild one hit each.
Wild hurled a three-hitter in Evergreen April 16 as Sparta blanked Escambia Academy, 10-0. Sparta had 13 hits and 10 runs. Jeff Walker had a single, a double and a triple. Kenny Bledsoe, Robbie Bolton and Brock had two hits each.

From “The Colyum” by Bob Bozeman: I have just finished reading “Bowl, Bama, Bowl” by Al Browning and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you are a football fan, I heartily recommend it. If you are a Crimson Tide fan, it is a must for your library.
Al Browning is a native of Brewton and some of you may know him. He is a 1973 graduate of the University of Alabama and served nine years as sports editor and columnist with The Tuscaloosa News.

61 YEARS AGO
APRIL 26, 1962

Already hitting the 1962 baseball season with a smashing success, the Evergreen Aggies, along with their coach, Lewis Ramsey, are mighty proud of their efforts. They are Arlie Phillips, Tommy Hartley, Marvin Padgett, Leon Stinson, Robert Rigsby, Donnie Jones, Grady Ralls, Eddie Lambert, Jimmy Pate, Duncan Roberts, Sid Lambert, Don Holcomb, Bonner Ridgeway, Legran Lynch, Frank Pugh, Ronnie Jones, Willie Mack Pate, Jimmy Weaver, Conner Warren and Coach Ramsey. As of Tuesday morning, the Aggies had four wins out of five games.

Jimmy Ryan of Greenville won his fifth Evergreen Invitational Golf Tournament championship on April 12 while defending champion Bill McGehee finished second and Bayne Petrey third to bolster home club pride. McGehee has won the local tourney twice and current Club President Bonnie King is the only other local golfer to keep the title at home.

Quarterback To Post Election Returns, Sell Snacks May 1: The Evergreen Quarterback Club will sponsor a concession stand and vote return tally Tuesday night, May 1, next to the Courthouse, Tom Tidwell, president, said today. Up to the minute reports on all local and state election returns will be prominently posted on a large blackboard. All proceeds from the drinks and snacks will go to support and athletic program of Evergreen High School.

86 YEARS AGO
APRIL 22, 1937

Evergreen High School: Tuesday morning we were very glad to have “Shorty” Propst, a former Alabama football star, visit us. Coach Propst was in search of future football material for Memphis college.

Bulldogs Lose to Georgiana, 14 to 4: Georgiana High defeated the Evergreen Hi Bulldogs last Friday afternoon by a score of 14 to 4 on the Georgiana diamond.
Jim Lane, starting Bulldog hurler, was wild and inefficient, and his mates’ bobbles added to the rout of the locals.

Robert Kendall Jr. of Evergreen resigned as president of the new Interstate Baseball League at a meeting held in Brewton last night, being succeeded by James McCurdy Jr. of Flomaton.
C.R. James of Evergreen was elected league statistician, and William N. McGehee treasurer at Wednesday night’s meeting.
Practice sessions by the local club are to be held beginning late this week at Gantt Field and all residents of Conecuh County who desire to participate in baseball this summer are urged to contact Mack Binion Jr. or Cumbie Snowden, so that the roster may be prepared in time for submission to the league office.

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

Masonic Lodge at Perdue Hill

22 YEARS AGO
APRIL 26, 2001

Schools abolish portables: Monroe County’s public school system became one of the few in the state this week to boast of the elimination of portable classrooms.
Students at Excel School and J.U. Blacksher High School at Uriah began moving into the new classroom additions at their respective schools Monday.
At Excel, the new 20-classroom building will house the high-school students in grades 7-12, and at Blacksher the new eight-classroom addition will house the school’s fourth, fifth and sixth grades.

Blacksher wins seventh straight area crown: J.U. Blacksher High School’s baseball team clinched the school’s seventh straight area championship last Thursday at Uriah, beating area rival Frisco City High School, 12-6.
Blacksher senior right-hander Jason Matheny, who belted a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to tie the score 3-3, pitched the last three innings of the game to get the save. He struck out seven of the 14 batters he faced.
(Other top Blacksher players in that game included Keddrick Parker, Cliff Risher, J.B. Wilkins and Jesse Williams. Blacksher’s head coach was Skip Bell.)

Brenda K. Taite of Ellicott City, Md. recently donated 10 copies of “Pillar of Fire” by Taylor Branch to the Monroe County Library in memory of her mother, Johnnie Mae Powell Taite, and her grandmother, Georgia Mae Powell Watson. Branch was Taite’s civil rights movement instructor at Goucher College in Maryland.

47 YEARS AGO
APRIL 22, 1976

Ms. Johnson joins The Journal: Rheta Grimsley Johnson joined the Monroe Journal staff last week as an associate editor, succeeding Dianne Sellers, who had been an associate editor for about five years.
(Johnson) will work here as a news reporter, photographer and editor.
Mrs. Sellers resigned to devote full time to family responsibilities.

Whippet baseball team: The Frisco City Whippets fielded one of their youngest baseball teams ever this season for a short, six-game schedule. Members of the squad are Rance Wiggins, Mike Williams, Bill King, Michael Stevens, Julius Lambert, Dennis Curry, Frank Starr, Jeff Kilpatrick, Ben Wiggins, Mitch Johnson, Ray Charles Bailey, Johnny Ridgeway, Larry Walden, Cosby Logan, Ricky Barganier and Coach Herbert Haddock.

Perdue Hill structure on historical register: The Perdue Hill Masonic lodge has been added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage by the Alabama Historical Commission. The lodge, over 150 years old, is owned by the Perdue Hill Women’s Club.
Mrs. Walter Agee, president of the Women’s Club, was informed by letter of the commission’s decision to include the lodge in its listing of historical, architectural and archaeological landmarks. The commission called the lodge “worthy of both recognition and restoration.”
The two-story building was moved from its original site at Claiborne in 1884 to Perdue Hill. According to Mrs. Agee, the fee for moving the building by ox cart from Claiborne to Perdue Hill, about two miles, was $7. The Masonic lodge was first nominated as a historical site in 1973 as the result of a historical survey originating through the Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission office in Camden.

72 YEARS AGO
APRIL 26, 1951

Moonshine Again Poured Out By Town Council: For the second consecutive meeting night, the Monroeville town council, after disposing of the regular business, disposed of several gallons of “moonshine” by pouring it into the town’s sewers.
Two weeks ago, at the last meeting prior to the one Tuesday night, some 25 gallons were disposed of in this manner. This week, the “take” was smaller, amounting to some four or five gallons.
The destroyed whiskey had been confiscated by town law enforcement officers.

Monroe County High, by trimming Frisco City 9-8 Monday afternoon and Repton 3-1 Tuesday afternoon, pulled its record above the .500 mark with the prep season half gone.
(Top MCHS players in those games included Billy Dailey, Havard Jaye, Karl Mims Lazenby, Bobby Moore, John Arther Morgan, Jackie Pickett, Russell Smith and Joe Stevens.)

Local Guard Unit Organization Near: The organization of a national guard unit in Monroeville was nearing a successful conclusion this week. Monroeville attorney Windell C. Owens, one of the commissioned officers assisting in setting up the unit, reported early this week that only two more enlisted men were needed for formal organization of the unit.
Special meetings were held Monday night of this week – when physical examinations were given enlistees – and Wednesday night to push the organization.

97 YEARS AGO
APRIL 22, 1926

The epidemic of influenza which prevailed in this community for several weeks during March and April has subsided and nearly all victims are convalescing.

LOST: Male fox hound, white with brown ears and brown spots on body. Reward if found. Notify Raymond Fountain, Monroeville, Ala.

TAKEN UP: At my place on April 10, one black mule with white white mouth, weight 700 or 800 pounds. Owner can get same upon identification of property and payment of expenses. George Wiggins, Hixon, Ala.

Miss Gertrude Mann of Mobile is spending some time with friends in Monroeville, guest of Mrs. B.F. Ray. During her stay, Miss Mann, who is expert and experienced in stenography and typewriting, will give lessons in this work. Anyone desiring to acquire these very useful accomplishments may arrange with Miss Mann for lessons.

A modern electric Frigidaire plant is being installed at Nettles Place, which will add greatly to the serving of all kinds of soft drinks. It is the first one of its kind in this section and this store is to be congratulated on keeping pace with the times.

FOR REPRESENTATIVE: I hereby announce myself a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Representative in the state legislature from Monroe County, Alabama, subject to the action of the Democratic Primary election to be held on, to-wit: Aug. 10, 1926. – A.C. Lee

Hon. John McDuffie announces himself for re-election to Congress from the first district. The fact that he has no opposition is the highest compliment his friends could pay him for his faithfulness and efficiency.

122 YEARS AGO
APRIL 25, 1901

D.C. Henderson has been appointed by the governor a Notary Public in Pineville beat.

Dr. Yarbrough sent to this office a few days since the largest radish we have ever seen, weighing eight pounds. It was too large to be of edible quality.

Sheriff Harrengton returned Monday from a trip to the Gulf City.

Several cases of mumps are reported in the vicinity of Monroeville.

There were no services at the Presbyterian church last Sunday, Rev. Mr. Haney being detained, presumably by bad weather.

Frost is reported several mornings past, but the injury to fruit and vegetables in most instances was slight. In a few cases, however, early cotton on low lands was damaged and may necessitate replanting.

Some farmers complain that the recent heavy rains so packed the soil over cotton that had just been planted that it will be next to impossible for the tender plants to break their way through the hard crust that has formed on the surface. Unless another timely shower come, extra work will be entailed.

A washout on the Southern Alabama near Foshee last Thursday as a result heavy rains, caused a delay of a day and a half in the running of trains. The passenger train was held at Flomaton until Friday afternoon but went north on regular schedule on that day.

Quick trip to Baldwin County, Alabama leads to ‘Crystal Lake’

Byrnes Lake in Baldwin County, Alabama

Crystal needed me to run some errands in Malbis and Daphne on Saturday, so I got up before daylight and set off early in order to take care of what needed to be done. I got finished around 10 o’clock and then began easing back towards the house. As I made my way north on State Highway 225, I thought about all the landmarks that can be seen along this 24-mile-long scenic highway between Spanish Fort and Stockton.

Not far out of Spanish Fort is the Historic Blakeley State Park. Its claim to fame is that it’s the site of the Battle of Fort Blakeley, which was the last major battle during the War Between the States. I’ve done some hiking and camping here in the past, and it’s a fine place to spend a weekend, especially if you like Alabama history.

I recently read in a book called “Native American Mounds in Alabama” by Dr. Gregory L. Little that there are some old Indian mounds in this park. I’d never heard of those mounds before, and Little’s book says you can see them by hiking the park’s Cockleshell Mound Trail. This trail will take you to a 30-foot-tall pyramid-shaped mound that has a base 100 feet long.

A little farther up the road is the historic Saluda Hill Cemetery, which dates back about 200 years. Among the graves there is the grave of Zachariah Godbold, the only known Revolutionary War veteran buried in Baldwin County. Just eye-balling it, I’d say that there are about 30 old graves there today inside a brick wall enclosure.

Just up the highway from there is the relatively new Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery. This cemetery is filling up quickly. The first burials there were made in April 2013 and in just 10 years, over 3,500 people have been buried there.

Between there and the Crossroads community, you’ll come to Byrnes Lake Road. I’d read about Byrnes Lake before, but had never seen if for myself. Not having anywhere pressing to be on Saturday morning, I turned down the paved road to the lake for a quick look around.

A few miles later, I got out of my vehicle and walked out onto the wooden dock at the boat landing. Several full-sized trucks with empty boat trailers were parked a short distance away, but no one else was around. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

It was then that I remembered that Byrnes Lake is somewhat famous because its where “Friday the 13^th Part VII: The New Blood” was filled in 1987. Those of you who have seen this movie will remember that it’s the one where a teenage girl unwittingly releases hockey mask-wearing Jason Voorhees from his tomb at the bottom of “Crystal Lake,” allowing him to go on another killing spree. The cast of this movie included Terry Kiser, who is probably most famous for his role as Bernie Lomax in the 1989 movie, “Weekend at Bernie’s.”

In the end, if you ever find yourself on State Highway 225 with a few minutes to spare, any of these landmarks are worth checking out. Aside from the state park, it doesn’t cost anything to visit the other locations. Of course, I wouldn’t suggest rewatching “Friday the 13^th Part VII” until after your trip to Brynes Lake.

Wilcox County sites included in 'Native American Mounds in Alabama' by Dr. Gregory L. Little

Longtime readers of this column will know that I’ve had a long-standing interest in Indian mounds. As best that I can remember, this goes back to when I was around 10 years old, when my parents took us to see the famous mounds at Moundville. Since then, I’ve read everything I’ve come across about Indian mounds in Alabama.

During the past week, a buddy of mine loaned me a copy of a great book called “Native American Mounds In Alabama: An Illustrated Guide to Public Sites” by Dr. Gregory L. Little. Published in 2017 by Archetype Books in Memphis, this 68-page book contains a wealth of information about Alabama Indian mounds, artifacts, standing stones, stone memorials, caves, stone effigies, shell heaps and other archaeological sites. The book is also chock full of interesting maps, illustrations, aerial photos and pictures taken by Little’s wife, Dr. Lora Little.

As you might have imagined, this book also contains information about Indians mounds in Wilcox County. The first of these is what the author calls the “Furman Site,” a small Mississippian era village with two low platform mounds on the east side of the Alabama River, about eight miles west of Camden. This site, which was excavated by C.B. Moore, consists of a platform mound that was utilized over a long time period for intrusive burials.

Just a few notes about some of the finer points mentioned above. The Mississippian era lasted from about 800 A.D. to 1600 A.D. and saw the development of some of the most complex Indian societies in the Southeast. C.B. Moore was Clarence Bloomfield Moore of Philadelphia, an archaeologist who studied and excavated Indian sites throughout the Southeast before his death in 1936. Intrusive burials were burials that occurred at sites with much earlier, pre-existing burials.

Another Wilcox County site mentioned in the book is the Liddell Archaeological Site, which is on private property near Camden. This ancient village, another Mississippian site, was occupied as early as 9,000 B.C. To put this into perspective, this was about 6,500 years before the pyramids were built in Egypt and about 4,000 years before the beginnings of Stonehenge in England.

The Liddell Site has yielded up several burial urns and some researchers believe that this site was close to the famous walled village of Maubila. Many of you will remember from Alabama History class that Maubila was where Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto fought Chief Tuscaloosa in 1540. According to Little’s book, excavations at the Liddell Site have also shown that the village houses were rectangular with packed clay floors.

In the end, I highly recommend that anyone interested in reading more about Indian mounds in Alabama, procure a copy of this book. The above information is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what’s between the covers of this book. The book may be only 68 pages long, but it’s jammed packed full of information, and it’s a must-read for anyone interested in Alabama history.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for April 18, 2023

22 YEARS AGO
APRIL 19, 2001

Evergreen weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.04 inches of rain on April 13, 0.16 inches on April 14 and 0.28 inches on April 15. He reported a high of 88 degrees on April 10 and a low of 58 on April 15.

C’berry Strawberry Festival slated for April 21: Strawberries, strawberries and more strawberries. The final preparations for the 15^th annual Castleberry Strawberry Festival are now being made. Along with fresh strawberries for sale, residents can enjoy crafts, food, pony rides, a dunking booth and continuous entertainment in Castleberry on April 21.
This year the line-up for entertainment will include New Revelation, a gospel group from Pensacola, Fla. New Revelation has been at the festival for the past four years. Also performing will be Perfect Image from Mobile who perform songs from the 50s, 60s and top 40 country.

Anniversary celebration honors Dr. S.C. Tucker: The 38^th Anniversary celebration in honor of Dr. Sidney C. Tucker as pastor of Belleville Missionary Baptist Church will begin Fri., April 29, at 7 p.m. with Rev. J.O. Malone of Monroeville as guest speaker. The program will climax Sun., April 22, at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. W. Oliver, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Tunnel Springs and Lilly Baptist Church of Monroeville.

47 YEARS AGO
APRIL 15, 1976

Weather Report: Earl Windham reports that rainfall for the first three months of 1976 was considerably less than for the same period in 1975. Last year, the three-month total was 24.2 inches compared to 14.09 inches this year.
Rainfall by months in 1975 was January, 7.1 inches; February, 8.6 inches; and March, 8.5 inches compared to this year’s January, 4.84 inches; February, 2.85 inches; and March, 6.4 inches.
(Windham also reported highs of 82 on April 5 and April 11 and a low of 40 on April 10.)

Fat Calf Show is set here Monday: The 31^st Annual Conecuh County 4-H and FFA Fat Calf Show will be held Monday at the Conecuh County Cooperative Stockyard Show Arena, starting at nine o’clock.
The show, considered the best county show in the state, is sponsored by the Conecuh County Fat Calf Show Committee, an affiliate of the United Fund, and the State Department of Agriculture & Industries in cooperation with the Extension Service of Auburn University and the State Department of Vocational Agriculture.
Twenty-eight exhibitors will show calves.

Genie Webb will represent Conecuh County in the State Spelling Bee finals in Birmingham on May 1. To achieve this honor, she had to win both her school and county spelling bees. Genie is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Webb of Evergreen and a sixth-grade student at Marshall Middle School.

71 YEARS AGO
APRIL 19, 1951

Dennis Bailey Jr. Shows Champion At Conecuh County Fat Calf Show: A 725-pound Black Angus-Hereford crossbreed owned and shown by Dennis Bailey Jr. was judged the Grand Champion of the Sixth Annual Conecuh County 4H-FFA Fat Calf Show held Monday at the Conecuh Cooperative Stockyard. The Reserve Champion was owned and shown by Dudley Ellis.
Something like 1,000 people took in the show in which 33 fine beef calves were entered. Entertainment before the show was provided by the Evergreen High School Band under the direction of Frank Wilkerson. Charlie Roberts and his String Band played during the show.
Vernon Millsap, President of the Evergreen Junior Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the show each year, was master of ceremonies during the show.

Boy Scout News: The weekly meeting was opened at five o’clock Monday by the troop repeating the pledge to the flag. Mr. Mac said we were going to furnish our own tents. We met behind the City School this Wednesday and practiced our camporee events. Then we held our patrol meetings. We closed the meeting by singing “Taps.” After the meeting, Mr. Engle showed us a film entitled “Wheels Across Africa.” – Troop Scribe, David McKenzie.

Mrs. Warren E. Bolton and daughter, Sherry Lynn, are leaving today for Norfolk, Va. where she will join her husband, S. H-1c Warren E. Bolton of the U.S. Navy.

97 YEARS AGO
APRIL 21, 1926

Quick and efficient work on the part of John Oliver Monday night prevented a conflagration when he discovered the residence of Lamar Matkin on fire, climbed to the roof and extinguished the blaze before serious damage could be done.

MT. UNION: Mesdames R.C. Smith and G.L. McIntyre attended the Andalusia District Campaign of the Women’s College of Montgomery, held in the Methodist Church at Andalusia last Wednesday.

MAY DAY FESTIVAL AT EVERGREEN: Plans for the May Day Festival, to be held in Evergreen Friday, April 30, under the auspices of the Parent-Teachers Association, Orpheus and civic clubs, are rapidly maturing.
Under the direction of Mr. W.B. Sexton as general chairman, with Mrs. L.D. King Jr., as assistant, the public is assured a day of wonderful entertainment. Dr. W.G. Hairston has charge of the grounds and will have the City School campus in readiness.
Music for the day will be furnished by the Evergreen Orchestra. Mrs. S.P. Shoemaker is chairman of the committee on music.
One of the main features of the day will be an automobile parade. Mrs. Gilma Dunn, the chairman, expects at least one hundred and fifty cars to enter.
Three handsome prizes will be offered for the best decorated cars.
The May Queen and her attendants will lead the parade. Much interest is being manifested in the choice of a queen. The voting for the May-day Queen has started.

Founder of ‘Alabama’s Oldest Bank’ was born in Monroe County, Alabama

Most readers will remember that Saturday was pretty much a washout, with rain that started early that morning and continued on and off for most of the day. James was gone with his buddies to Claiborne, and Harper was gone to a crawfish boil, so Crystal and I decided to go riding around. We eventually ended up in Brewton.

After visiting a couple of antique stores and getting a bite to eat, we found ourselves on Belleville Avenue. Those of you familiar with this part of Brewton will know that the Escambia County Courthouse, the Brewton Post Office and the Escambia County Board of Education, as well as several large churches, are located along this street. Here you will also find the Bank of Brewton.

I’d been by this bank many times before Saturday, but had never taken the time to stop and read the historic marker outside. Having no particular place to be on Saturday afternoon, I pulled over for a closer look. Here’s what the marker said:

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BANK OF BREWTON: Recognized as “Alabama’s Oldest Bank,” the Bank of Brewton opened for business on Monday, Jan. 7, 1889. Brewton, Alabama was a prosperous town in the late 1800s. A local resident, Charles Sowell, participated in the flourishing times. A native of Monroe County, Alabama and a wounded veteran of the Civil War, Sowell settled in Brewton. After a brief stint as a railroad station agent, he began a timber industry that produced a sizeable fortune. In 1888 Sowell commented, “If I take all of my gold and silver and put it on a wagon, two mules could not pull it. We need a bank.” Sowell started organizing the bank that would be the first bank in Escambia County, Alabama and the first bank between Mobile and Montgomery. The Bank of Brewton was initially a private bank in 1889, but received a state charter in 1891. Its original location was a few doors down from this spot. In 1912 the bank moved into a building at this site, acquired an adjacent building known as the Lovelace Hotel in 1957 and constructed a new building in its place in 1964. The Bank of Brewton had only 11 presidents in the first 119 years of its existence. The quality of labor of its early leaders and the support of local citizens is what has established the historic value of the institution.

----- 0 -----

I was surprised to learn of Charles Sowell’s connection to Monroe County, and a little research revealed that he was born in Monroeville in 1835. Sowell died in 1918 at the age of 82, but his obituary says that he lost an arm at Nashville during the War Between the States. He is buried in the Union Cemetery in Brewton.

In the end, let me hear from you if you have any additional information about Sowell’s ties to Monroe County. It would be interesting to know what unit he served in and what battles he participated in. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that he still has more than a few relatives living in Monroe County today.

Millers Ferry Lock & Dam began with 17 sticks of dynamite in April 1963

Millers Ferry Lock & Dam in Wilcox County, Alabama.

This coming Monday – April 17 – will mark 60 years since the ground-breaking ceremonies in 1963 for the Millers Ferry Lock & Dam.

Located on the Alabama River, northwest of Camden, this lock and hydroelectric dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Construction began after the April 17, 1963 ground breaking and was finished in 1974. The Millers Ferry Powerhouse began operations in 1970 and was upgraded in 1996.

The ground-breaking ceremony for the project was a banner day in Wilcox County history. Speakers at the event included Gov. George Wallace, Senator Lister Hill and Powell Pierpoint, who was the general counsel for the Department of the Army. About 3,000 people were on hand for the event and listened as Wallace told the crowd that “the dream of seeing industrial and farm products flow from the Coosa-Alabama Rivers is a bright and promising future.”

Other prominent officials taking part in the event included former Senator Miller Bonner; Robert F. Henry, president of the Coosa-Alabama River Association; Col. Daniel A. Raymond, the Mobile District Engineer with the Corps of Engineers; George Cleere, Executive Vice-President of the River Improvement Association; and a Congressional delegation that included Carl Elliott, John Davis, Armistead I. Selden Jr., Albert Rains and George Grant.

Once all the speeches over, Col. Raymond pushed a lever that detonated 17 sticks of dynamite. The remaining crater officially marked the site for the lock and dam. Newspaper accounts noted that this explosion marked the start of one of two or three of the greatest projects ever launched in the United States for the development of natural resources and was predicted to help move more than two million tons of commerce on rivers through Alabama.

Following the ground-breaking explosion, the crowd of 3,000 enjoyed what had to have been one of the largest meals ever served in Wilcox County. Wilcox County Agent Frank Barnett, Cecil Gaston, Connel Dean, Pete Jones, Percy Gates and a Mr. Couch were responsible for preparing a “huge barbecue.” This big meal included 198 hams and shoulders, weighing about 2,200 pounds. They also went through 500 pounds of chickens, 250 pounds of pork and 150 pounds of beef to make Brunswick stew for the event.

April 17 fell on a Wednesday, but cooking for the event began on the previous Tuesday afternoon and went on all night with local jail inmates assisting with the cooking. During the meal, a large number of women from all over the county assisted in 20 different serving lines at one time. Newspaper accounts said that the entire crowd of 3,000 was served in less than an hour.

In the end, the construction of the lock and dam had a big impact on Wilcox County. Not only does it generate electricity, the dam also created the William “Bill” Dannelly Reservoir, which covers 27 square miles and features about 500 miles of shoreline. Most readers today probably don’t remember how the Millers Ferry area looked prior to the dam’s construction, but there are probably still a few people who were present at the historic ground breaking 60 years ago on April 17, 1963.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for April 12, 2023

Willard Scott

33 YEARS AGO
APRIL 12, 1990

Evergreen weather reporter Harry Ellis reported .53 inches of rain on April 2 and .19 inches on April 9. He reported a high of 79 degrees on April 5 and lows of 37 degrees on April 6 and April 7.

Mrs. Susie Pittman, a resident of Evergreen Nursing Home, celebrated her 106th birthday on Sun., April 1. Mrs. Pittman received a telegram from President and Mrs. George Bush wishing her a Happy Birthday and Willard Scott of The Today Show on NBC wished her a Happy Birthday during his segment of the show Monday morning.

Annie Pearl Oliver, 57, of Evergreen was killed when her vehicle collided with another car, driven by Edward P. Reeves of Brewton. Ernestine Roach, also of Evergreen, a passenger in Ms. Oliver’s vehicle, was injured and taken to Andalusia Hospital. The accident occurred at 3:45 p.m. Monday on U.S. 84, about four miles west of River Falls, troopers said.

Two men who escaped from the Conecuh County Jail early Wednesday morning of last week were apprehended later that same day on the Old Sparta Road, according to Conecuh County Sheriff Edwin L. Booker. William James Furger of Wisconsin and Terry Johnson, aka Terry Smith, of Virginia City, Ala. were caught late Wednesday afternoon after a citizen called the sheriff’s office and reported seeing two men fitting the description of the escapees walking down the Old Sparta Road.

48 YEARS AGO
APRIL 10, 1975

Weather reporter Earl Windham reported 0.1 inches of rain on April 1 and 0.2 inches of rain on April 2. He reported a high of 76 on April 2 and a low of 35 on March 31.

The newly organized Evergreen Lions Club will meet at noon today at the Evergreen Jaycees’ Hut. The club has 20 members and is still accepting charter members. Evergreen has not had a Lions Club since the 1930s.

Don McInnis is new Trooper: Don L. McInnis was accepted as a recruit by the Alabama State Troopers on March 26. He is now attending recruit school.

Formal dedication of Evergreen’s new “Avenue of Flags” will be held downtown Sunday afternoon at two o’clock. A representative of the State Commander of the American Legion will be the featured speaker. The Evergreen High School Band will play. It is also anticipated that there will be a flyover by U.S. Navy jets.
The “Avenue of Flags” is in the park area on the West Front Street side of the L&N. Funds for the flags were raised by the Pilot Club of Evergreen and many of the flags were donated as memorials.
The City maintains the flags at City Hall and the Evergreen Police Department displays them on holidays and other special occasions.
A special invitation to all veterans of all wars to attend and take part in the dedication is extended by Alma Martin Post 50, the American Legion and by the Pilots.

63 YEARS AGO
APRIL 14, 1960

Annual Fat Calf Show begins at nine Monday: One of the biggest and best of a long line of successful Conecuh County Fat Calf Shows is to be staged here Monday. Events get underway in the annual show at nine o’clock Monday morning at the Conecuh Cooperative Stockyard on North Main Street.
Kenneth Copeland, general chairman of the show, said today that 46 calves will be entered by county 4-H and FFA members. A large crowd is expected to be on hand to witness the show and give encouragement to the youngsters taking part in it.

Armed Escapee Is Nabbed Here Tues.: An escaped prisoner from the Georgia State Prison at Leesburg was captured in front of Olen’s Department Store in downtown Evergreen Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock by Conecuh County Sheriff James (Shorty) Brock, Evergreen Police Chief Johnny Andrews, Deputy Sheriff Mancel Pearce and Highway Patrol Sgt. Tom Melton.
The escapee was identified as Russell Lee Harris, 32, a former resident of Brewton. Harris has been using the alias of Harold L. Robinson. He was driving a 1957 Cadillac hardtop, which he parked and entered Wild Brothers Hardware store, West Front Street, Evergreen. He asked the clerk to sell him a box of shells for a .25-caliber automatic that he had on his person and shells for a .32-caliber pistol, which was found by arresting officers hidden in the stolen automobile. Also found in the Cadillac was a 1959 Georgia license plate with the numerals, 34-A-25.
Harris was serving a sentence in Georgia for murder.

78 YEARS AGO
APRIL 12, 1945

An early morning fire last Thurs., April 5, virtually destroyed the new home and contents of Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Gilmore on Magnolia Street. The fire originated in the kitchen from an oil stove while the cook was preparing breakfast. The flames spread quickly to all parts of the house and the entire building was in flames when the fire department arrived.

A telegram from the War Department received by Mrs. Louise Pierce Crawford April 8 announced the sad news that her husband, Pfc. Neadie Crawford, was killed in action in Germany on March 24. Pfc. Crawford was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Crawford.
General Marshall paid this tribute to Pfc. Crawford: ‘Pfc. Crawford served valiantly in a supreme hour of his country’s need. His memory will live in the grateful heart of our nation.’

Top Sgt. James Freeman, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.T. Freeman of Nashville, Tenn., formerly of this county, was killed in action in Germany on March 30, according to a report which reached relatives here this week. Sgt. Freeman was a paratrooper and had only been overseas about one month when he was killed. He had been in the regular army for about 10 years or since he graduated from Evergreen High School. He was a nephew of Clarence Miller, well known local citizen.

93 YEARS AGO
APRIL 10, 1930

16-Year-Old Girl Hangs Self To Rafter: The body of Emma Lizzie Bolden, age 16, was found suspended from a rafter by a short piece of rope at the home of her brother, Will Bolden, Friday, April 4, at noon by her sister-in-law, Mrs. Will Bolden. When found the girl was not dead, but she lived only about 20 minutes and never regained consciousness. Her neck was not broken. The physician stated that death resulted from strangulation.
The Bolden family with whom she made her home, as well as the young woman, had been at work in the field earlier in the day. The girl went to the house at 11 o’clock to prepare dinner for the family. It seems that she tied herself securely around the neck after having tied the rope to the rafter, and it is supposed that she kicked the chair upon which she was standing away in order to hang herself.
Reports coming to this paper say that the girl was to have been married on April 13 to McRay Cotten of Evergreen and it is said that her brother was opposed to the marriage. Some advance opinion that this caused her to commit the unfortunate act.
Funeral services were held at Mt. Zion Sat., April 5, and interment made in the cemetery at that church.
She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Albert Joiner, one sister and two brothers.

Harvesting and marketing of the 1930 strawberry crop is fast getting underway in this county. Express shipments have been going out for over a week but no carlot shipments were made until the latter part of last week at which time several cars were shipped from Castleberry. Evergreen shippers loaded their first cars Monday of this week.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for April 10, 2023

26 YEARS AGO
APRIL 10, 1997

Steve Hawsey killed this turkey on April 2 in the Lyeffion community. The gobbler weighed 19-1/2 pounds, had a 10-inch beard and one-inch spurs.

Eric Leach, age seven, of Evergreen caught this four-pound bass recently in his Paw Paw’s pond.

Little League Opening Day this Saturday: The Evergreen Little League will be holding its Opening Day this Sat., April 12, at 3 p.m. A brief opening ceremony will be held with games to follow. There will be plenty of concessions available and everyone is cordially invited to attend.

Foxy Mama broke the record April 2 on the bridge in Pensacola, Fla. She reeled in this spot tail red fish that weighed nine pounds, four ounces on the bridge that stands more than 30 feet over the water. Foxy said when she hooked him, she started screaming for help to reel him in because she couldn’t do it alone. Her daughter, Cynthia, and her friend, Pete, had to help her.

41 YEARS AGO
APRIL 8, 1982

It will be action like this at the Donkey Basketball Games at Evergreen High School’s Memorial Gymnasium starting at seven o’clock Monday night. Band members will play students in the first game and the teachers will get into action in the second fun-filled “contest.” Advance tickets are $2.50 for adults and $2 for students under 14. At the door prices will be $3 and $2.50. The band boosters are sponsors.

Allen Padgett of Evergreen started the 1982 season off right as he won second place at the Atmore Dragway on Saturday, first race of the points. Wesley Baggett of Castleberry made it a 1-2 finish for Conecuh as he copped first place.

Romey Godwin, 83, of Castleberry isn’t getting older, he’s just getting better when it comes to hunting wild turkeys. He killed this fine gobbler on March 26. Statistics were, weight, 17 pounds, and beard, 8-3/4 inches.

Tommy Hall did not have ‘April Fool’ played on him last Thursday when he went to the woods. He bagged this fine wild turkey, held by wife, Kaye, on April 1. The gobbler weighed 17-3/4 pounds and had a 10-3/4 inch beard and 7/8-inch spurs.

It was cool (in the wind, downright cold) Monday morning, but that didn’t keep Hillary Harper from his appointed rounds in the woodlands of Conecuh County and he brought home this fine gobbler: weight, 18-1/2 pounds; beard, 11-1/8 inches; and spurs, 1-1/16 inches.

Burnside-Ott, a division of Military Aviation at Whiting Field NAS near Milton, Fla., not only has the best helicopter mechanics in the world, but also some of the best turkey hunters. Here Clifford Higdon, a flight line troubleshooter, displays his fourth monster gobbler of the 1982 spring season. This one weighed 19-3/4 pounds and had a 10-1/2 inch beard and one-inch spurs.

56 YEARS AGO
APRIL 13, 1967

Wilbur Baggett is one of the local turkey hunters who has had good luck this spring gobbling season. Wilbur displays his big 19-1/2 pound gobbler which sported an 11-1/2 inch beard. Naturally, he got him in the Sandy Creek Swamp.

From “Front Page, Upper Left Corner” by Bob Bozeman – “Fore” is the word out at the Evergreen Golf Club today. The local golfers have a full field of 112 competing in their annual spring invitation tournament. The field is probably the fastest in the history of the meet with seven former winners entered and over half of the 32 entered in the championship flight holding championships of various tournaments in the past.
Local golfers are really happy to have such a large field and regret that a number of golfers who attempted to enter had to be turned down as registration was filled. There is a limit to the number who can play in the one-day meet and 112 is just about the limit if all matches are to be completed before dark.
At noon, the ladies of the Evergreen Study Club will serve a delicious luncheon to the golfers and visitors. There is no admission charged and spectators are welcome. Come on out, if you will… and you probably can get some of that lunch at a reasonable price.

An important meeting of the Evergreen Senior Baseball League will be held Friday night at 7:30 at the Courthouse. All managers, umpires and officials are urged to attend and any persons interested in the program are invited.

71 YEARS AGO
APRIL 10, 1952

Many Golfers Expected For Tournament Today: With prospects for good weather to prevail, members of Evergreen Golf Club are expecting a record number of golfers to attend the Club’s Seventh Annual Tournament which is to be held at the golf course today. The course is reported to be in excellent condition.
The tournament begins at 8:30 this morning and will continue throughout the day. With the large number of entrants that are expected it will doubtless be a full day and will probably take well over into the late afternoon to complete the contests in the 10 flights. Trophies will be awarded to winners, runnerups and consolation winners in each flight.
Registration fee is $5 which includes lunch and refreshments.

Baseball Takes Over Sports Scene: The Evergreen High baseball team, after its initial game with Lyeffion last Tuesday afternoon, will play Repton in Repton on Fri., April 11.
The squad line up is as follows: pitchers, Wayne Andrews, Cotton Quinley, Lavon Shaver, Jimmie Frazier; catchers, Hosea King, Shirley Frazier; first basemen, Hoot Evers, Wayne Douglas; second basemen, Billy Lewis, Robert King; third basemen, Donahue Edson; shortstop, Hagood Lucas, Charles King; outfielders, Cullen Edson, Richard Taylor, Roger Peacock, John Mosely, Herman Coburn, Neal Hyde and Wendall Tolbert.

86 YEARS AGO
APRIL 8, 1937

Dr. H.C. Fountain attended the AKC Dog Show in Birmingham Sunday.

Evergreen High School: Our baseball team lost its first game of the season to Brewton last Tuesday by a score of two to one. The Evergreen batteries were Lane and Hart. The outstanding players were James Lane, Raiford Key, Wendell Hart and Billie Wiggins. The base-running and failure to hit in pinches resulted in the boys’ defeat.
Every Tuesday the local Bulldogs will play baseball at Gantt Field.
Jerome Weaver and Tom Rountree are at Holmes Junior College in Goodman, Miss., for spring football practice. They intend to enroll there next year.

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

Gov. James E. Folsom

40 YEARS AGO
APRIL 14, 1983

Library makes final payment on LaSalle: The Monroe County Library made its final payment Tuesday night on the former LaSalle Hotel and Restaurant building, which will become the new location of the library.
Rachel Hardee, chairman of the library board, gave a check of $6,000 to R.J. Robinson, representing the building’s former owner, Dwight Harrigan of Fulton, in a ceremony in the LaSalle. The building was bought for $125,000 in December 1981, but Harrigan allowed as much time as necessary to raise the money to pay for it.

MA spikes Sparta 12-1: The Monroe Academy Volunteers took their third District 3 win Tuesday of last week in Monroeville as they swamped Sparta Academy 12-1 in five innings. Jeff Brown was the Volunteer pitcher, giving up one run, three hits and two bases on balls. The righthander had four strikeouts. (Other top MA players in that game included Tim Carter, Pat Downs, Donald Foster, Steve Lambert, Keith Langham, Michael McCrory, Steven Simmons and Don Smith. Eddie Tyler was MA’s head coach.)

Rains hit county roads: A storm system that caused flooding in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama last week dumped more than seven inches of rain in the Monroeville area and caused damage to several Monroe County roads and bridges. Officials at Claiborne Lock and Dam expect the rain-swollen Alabama River to crest at Claiborne-Murphy Bridge by noon today (Thursday) at around 53 feet.

65 YEARS AGO
APRIL 10, 1958

MCHS Student Wins County Spelling Bee: Mack Lloyd, eighth-grader at Monroe County High School, was winner of the annual Monroe County “Spelling Bee” held Friday at the high school in Beatrice.
Alternate winner was Michael Kilpatrick, seventh-grader at Excel High School.
Third-place winner in the county match was Sue Lambert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O.L. Lambert, Frisco City, and seventh-grader at the Frisco City school.

Pvt. Aubrey E. Grant, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl F. Grant, Uriah, is scheduled to depart Fort Benning, Ga. in mid-April for Europe under “Operation Gyroscope,” the Army’s unit rotation plan.
Grant is a member of the 3^rd Infantry Division, which is replacing the 10^th Infantry Division in Germany. Grant is a 1953 graduate of J.U. Blacksher High School.

Grayson Simmons, a student at the University of Alabama, spent the weekend in Monroeville with his parents.

Jimmy Faulkner, Southwest Alabama’s own candidate for governor, will bring his fast-moving campaign to Monroeville at 1 p.m. Monday, April 14. It will be one of more than 300 speeches Faulkner, who was runner-up to Gov. James E. Folsom in 1954, is making throughout the state. He will be in Uriah at 9:30 a.m. and Frisco City at 11 a.m.
The Bay Minette businessman and former state senator from Baldwin, Escambia and Monroe counties, will be accompanied by the world famous, Statesmen Quartet, which will sing gospel songs before and after Faulkner makes an important talk on matters concerning the gubernatorial race.

90 YEARS AGO
APRIL 13, 1933

Useful Citizen Is Called By Death: Mr. James E. Lazenby died at his home about 7:30 Tuesday evening at the age of 81.
He came to Monroeville about 25 years ago from Forest Home and engaged in a mercantile business until he retired about six years ago.
Interment was made in the Methodist cemetery Wednesday afternoon at four o’clock, following services at the Methodist Church.

SCHOOL TO PRESENT PLAY ON NEXT FRIDAY EVENING: “Just A Little Mistake” and “School Spirit,” two one-act plays, will be given at the high school auditorium Friday evening at 8 o’clock. Admission is five cents and 10 cents. Proceeds for benefit of the dramatic club to be organized at the beginning of the next school term.

MORRISSETTE-FARISH: Mr. and Mrs. Edward Robison Morrissette announce the marriage of their daughter, Helen Scott, to Miller Rufus Farish on April 11, 1933.

MONROEVILLE GIRL WINS COLLEGE DEBATE: Miss Alice Stallworth, who is a student at the Alabama College, Montevallo, recently represented the college in a debate with Mercer University. Miss Stallworth and Miss Azalia Painter, the debating team, upheld the affirmative side of the subject “That the United States Should Cancel the Inter Allied War Debts.” The decision of the judges was in favor of the affirmative side. The Alabama College team will go to Auburn on Fri., April 21, to meet the API team.

115 YEARS AGO
APRIL 9, 1908

Mr. J.W. Rook, representing the Pitner Gasoline Light Co. of Chicago, was here this week installing plants for the Baptist and Methodist churches, the Masonic Lodge and Messrs. Barnett & Bugg.

There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the benefit of the children on the grounds of the Methodist church on Saturday afternoon, April 18. Each child participating in the hunt must pay a fee of 10 cents. On the same afternoon, the ladies will serve free chocolate and cake at some convenient places on Court Square and accept thank offerings which will be devoted to worthy enterprises of the church.

The circuit court is grinding away on the criminal division this week. Quite a number of cases have been disposed of, among them being that of the state against George Phillips for assault with intent to murder, resulting in a verdict of guilty and sentence to 20 years in the penitentiary.
In the case of Wiley Harris, charged with murder, the charge was reduced to manslaughter in the second degree and a fine of $250 imposed. There were also several convictions for violation of the revenue and prohibition laws and fines imposed ranging from $50 to $100. There are several cases of the same nature on the call for today.

DEATH OF GEORGE HOLMAN: Mr. George Holman died at his home at Repton on Saturday night, April 4, 1908, at the ripe old age of 97 years. The burial was at the Methodist cemetery in Monroeville on Sunday afternoon, the services being conducted by Rev. Mr. Strickland.
Mr. Holman was for many years a citizen of Monroe, being among the early settlers of the county. He was a prosperous farmer and stockman and an upright citizen.

140 YEARS AGO
APRIL 9, 1883

Hon. W.C. Sowell, our worthy probate judge, who was so seriously ill last week, of which mention was made in The Journal, is, we are happy to say, convalescent, and is rapidly recuperating. There are few better men than Judge Sowell, and Monroe could ill afford to lose him.

THE JONES HOTEL: I have leased the Old Monroeville Hotel and am having it repaired, devoted and improved and am preparing to accommodate the traveling public at very moderate prices. I solicit full share of the patronage of the traveling public and guarantee their satisfaction. – W.B. JONES

Wash Jones has planted the champion watermelon patch.

Charlie Yarbrough has established an art gallery in Monroeville.

All the gambling houses in Montgomery have been closed till after the municipal election.

T.W. RUSSELL – Breeder of Pit-Games – Genuine Kentucky Dominiques, Georgia Shawl Necks and Claibornes. Eggs for sale, $3 per 13 from crosses-Shawl and Claiborne, Kentucky Doms and Claiborne. Blue and White Pigeons for sale, 50 cents per pair. Address T.W. Russell, Monroeville, Monroe County, Ala.

M.C. Osborn has been removed as U.S. Marshall for the middle and southern districts of Alabama, and Paul Strobach has been appointed in his stead. The administration swapped the devil for the witch.

George Singleton writes of the lessons of the War Between the States

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Ancestors’ mistakes make good lessons,” was originally published in the April 14, 1988 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

I have been requested by some readers to write again on the Civil War. I thank them for their interest and their faith in me, and I hope that through these articles more interest will be created about this period in our history and more attention will be devoted to the lessons in our ancestors’ mistakes.

During the hectic days of the dreaded war, many strange and fascinating events took place among the soldiers who wore both the Blue and Gray uniforms. Some of these strange happenings continue even to this day to baffle the scholars of the war and that period in history.

Very few realize that four of Abraham Lincoln’s brothers-in-law wore the uniform of the Confederacy. One of these, Lt. David P. Todd, was charged with brutality to Union prisoners in Richmond, Va.

Criticized Lincoln

Mary Lincoln’s brother, Dr. George C. Todd, was a volunteer surgeon, and was quoted as saying that President Lincoln was “one of the greatest scoundrels unhung.”

Ben Hardin Helm, killed as a Confederate general at Chickamauga, was married to one of Mary Lincoln’s sisters. Mary’s other two sisters were also married to Confederate officers.

At the Battle of Bull Run, Frederick Hubbard of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans, who wore the uniform of the Gray, for the first time in seven years met Henry Hubbard of the 1^st Minnesota Infantry, who wore the uniform of the Union Army. The brothers were wounded, and by coincidence were placed side by side in a stable which served as a hospital.

Gen. Jeb Stuart’s chief of staff, Maj. H.B. McClellan, had four brothers who wore the uniform of the Union Army and also a first cousin, George B. McClellan, who was twice commander of the Army of the Potomac.

Confederate sons-in-law

Would you believe that Gen. Philip St. George Cooke of the Union Army had three daughters who married generals, one with the Union and two with the Confederates? One of the latter was Mrs. Jeb Stuart. Gen. Cooke’s son, John, became a Southern general, and did not speak to his father for several years after the war. When Stuart made his famous ride, around a big Union army, he galloped through a sector where his father-in-law was in command.

And during the terrible battle of Gettysburg, John Wentz, an 87-year-old farmer, hid in the cellar of his home while, in the yard above, his son, whom he had not seen for 24 years, fought in Gray with the Washington Artillery of New Orleans. The younger Wentz entered the cellar, found his father sleeping, and left a note pinned to his coat.

And not far away was another divided family. John Culp, owner of Culp’s Mill, had one son in Gray and one in Blue. Both took part in the bitter fighting for the slopes of their home place.

During a part of the above battle, Capt. John L. Inglis of the Confederate Army led his Florida company on a valiant charge, overran the Federal guns, and accepted the surrender of the commander, his brother.

The soil of our great nation is stained with the blood of brother against brother, father against son. The four years from 1861 through 1865 were like no other period our nation and the world had ever witnessed.

I believe that with the passing of my generation, the little knowledge that us who have loved and studied the period surrounding the Civil War will disappear into oblivion. And with this passing, some of the greatness that has endured among our people will have disappeared also. Then our fantasy world will purse only the pleasant things; the world of make believe will sprout forth a fairy-tale history, which has already begun to appear on the horizon. What a great pity!

Remember that history does not repeat itself. Only the people repeat themselves, when they let ignorance and the lack of self-discipline guide them away from the lessons that history left so that we might benefit.

“Those that heed not the lessons left to us by our ancestors are doomed to stagger and fall by the pathways of history, and be trampled by the masses, who have heeded these lessons, and have gained strength and discipline by their teachings…”

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)