100-year-old news headlines from The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Alabama

Lister Hill

Today marks the first Friday of the month, so it’s time to take another trip back down memory lane for a look at some of the interesting things that happened in Wilcox County a century ago, way back in May 1923.

In the May 3, 1923 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold reported that “Camden lost to Selma at Selma Friday by the score of 4 to 1 in one of the prettiest high school games of the season. The game was featured with long hits, double plays and sensational catches.”

Also that week it was reported that “Mr. Lister Hill of Montgomery, who is a candidate for Congress to fill the place made vacant by the death of Judge Tyson, was in Camden Monday and spoke to the voters of the county at the courthouse, just before court opened. He was accompanied by Mr. Will Hill of Montgomery, who married a Pine Apple girl, Miss Corrie Melton.”

In the May 10, 1923 edition of The Progressive Era, readers learned that “Mr. James T. Campbell died at his home in Mt. Hope beat last Saturday, aged 68 years. Mr. Campbell by trade and profession was a wheelwright and farmer and in faith a Baptist and a Democrat. Mr. Campbell had many friends. He was well informed, hospitable and charitable.”

Readers that week also learned that “on May 25, a barbecue dinner and public speaking will be held by the Parent-Teacher’s Association of the Moore Academy of Pine Apple. Lister Hill, a candidate for Congress from this district, will be the speaker for the occasion. The friends and patrons of the school are urged to attend.”

In the May 17, 1923 edition of the newspaper, readers learned that “in one of the fastest and best games of the season, Camden won the last home game of the season by the score of 4 to 1. The locals made only two hits during the game while the visitors were making six. However, they made up for their weak batting by running the bases in Big League style, and by taking advantage of every chance, succeeding in making four scores against some good fielding by the visitors, J. Connor and Sam Jones stealing at will on the Plucky little catcher from Greenville.”

It was also reported that week that “Rev. Dr. Wash Crumpton of Montgomery preached in the Baptist church last Sunday to a large audience. Dr. Crumpton is a son of Wilcox County that we are all proud of. He was born in Camden 81 years ago. His sermon was strong and full of practical thoughts.”

In the May 24, 1923 edition of the paper, it was reported that the “Wilcox County High School boys were unable to return home in their cars from Grove Hill, where they had gone to play ball last weekend, the bridges having washed away. They made the trip home on the Southern railroad via Catherine, where they were met in cars by Dr. E. Bonner, Mr. J.M. Bonner, Mr. Moss, Mr. Mitchell and Prof. Luckie. They left their cars at Thomasville in charge of Prof. Claude Hardy.”

Readers that week also learned that “Mr. M.L. Wilson of the New Business Department of the Alabama Power Co., is spending several days in Camden, making a survey of the town with the expectation of running the power company’s line to Camden and other points. It is hoped that he will make a favorable report, as lights will add much to our town.”

In the May 31, 1923 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that “Mrs. Margaret Archibald, who has been visiting the family of Mr. Wilbert Archibald, has returned to her home in Aliceville. Mrs. Archibald was much interested in meeting those who attended the Wilcox Female Institute in 1860-61-62, when her grandfather, Mr. H.P. Hatfield, had charge of this school. She visited the cemetery where lies the remains of her aunts, Miss Helen Phelps and Miss Helen Hatfield. She doesn’t feel sure of having located the graves and shall be very grateful for any information that may be given.”

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 June 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.