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

Lee Roy Jordan of Excel.

10 YEARS AGO
JUNE 27, 2013

Ferry makes trial runs at Haines Island: Monroe County’s new ferry made some trial runs Wednesday of last week and drew a small crowd of anxious Packer’s Bend residents.
County Engineer Robert English said the trial runs were not perfect, but that was expected since it was the first time.
“We asked Joey Castillow and some of the Rescue Squad members if they would be there just in case,” said English. “We appreciate them being there.”
Castillow, who owns Castillow Towing on Highway 136 near Excel, was hired by Etowah County to transport the ferry to Haines Island. He is also a member of the county’s rescue squad.

Monroe County Dixie Youth League’s 7- and 8-year-old all-stars recently finished runners-up in the South Sub-District 4 tournament in Thomasville. Team members are Jackson Moorer, Reese Chastain, Averett Hines, James Reese Witherington, Eason Pipkin, Noah Jordan, Coach Jason Pipkin, Tanner Pipkin, Cade Ledkins, J.D. Lawson, Eli Smith, Bryant Waters, Tyler Wiggins, Coach Matt Moorer, Coach Ryan Chastain and Coach Patrick Stabler.

City gets new postmaster: Patrons of the U.S. Post Office in Monroeville are greeted by a big smile from new postmaster Diane Jackson McGinnis. McGinnis, who grew up at Uriah and graduated from J.U. Blacksher High School in 1989, was recently appointed postmaster after working 13.5 years at the post office in Atmore. She held the position of supervisor before being promoted postmaster.

35 YEARS AGO
JUNE 23, 1988

Waiman’s plans grand opening: A ribbon-cutting at 8 a.m. Thurs., June 30, will start grand-opening festivities at Waiman’s, the supermarket in Frisco City that was formerly McKissick’s.
Kenneth E. Waisner and Eastman C. Foster of Pensacola bought the store from Joe McKissick, effective June 6, and it represents the first expansion for their company, Waiman’s, Inc. They also own the food store that until recently was Brooks Real Value in Atmore. They have renamed it as Waiman’s.

10-year-old all-stars: The Monroe County Dixie Youth all-star team for 10-year-olds was announced during closing ceremonies June 11 at Bud Lathram Field on South Mount Pleasant Avenue in Monroeville. The players and coaches named to the 1988 all-star team are Ashley Boothe, Brandon Norris, Chris McKinley, Luke McKinley, Trey Andrews, Wes Kennedy, Will Crim, Collins Taylor, Coach John Rice, Wesley Welch, Mitchell Murphy, Coach Roy Black, Johnny Pipkins, Brandon Lee, John Acreman and Coach Andy Grissette. The tournament for the 10-year-old all-stars is expected to be held the week of July 4-9.

American Legion officers elected: American Legion Post 61 elected officers for the coming year at its June meeting. They are: Post Commander, Thomas Stallworth; First Vice Commander, Dr. Larry Knight; Second Vice Commander, Alvin Bayles; Adjutant, Dr. Mason McGrew; Sergeant At Arms, LaVaughn Byrd; Chaplain, John Turberville; and Chairman of the Membership Committee, James E. Witherington.

60 YEARS AGO
JUNE 27, 1963

New Postal Code Will Be Effective July 1: ZIP code, the Post Office Department’s new system of improved mail dispatch and delivery, goes into effect nationally July 1, according to postmasters in the Monroe County area.
Postmaster John L. Betts of Monroeville has announced that the five-digit ZIP code for Monroeville is 36460. Postmaster Virlie Sawyer of Frisco City lists the number for that post office at 36445. The ZIP code number for the Burnt Corn post office is 36431, Sam Lowery said.
Postmasters stressed the importance to all citizens of learning their city’s ZIP code and using it in their return addresses on all correspondence.

Lee Roy Jordan Will Play In All America Game Saturday Night: Lee Roy Jordan, Excel’s famous All American center, will play in the All America football game in Buffalo’s War Memorial Stadium Saturday night, June 29. The gridiron classic will star 60 of the nation’s All Americans and will be televised. Local viewers may see it over the ABC TV network, Channel 3, Pensacola, Fla., at nine o’clock Saturday night.

Alabama Lodge No. 3 Sets Officer Installation Services July 9: New officers for Alabama Lodge No. 3 will be installed July 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the new Masonic Lodge located on Drewry Road.
Officers elected June 18 for the new year include G.M. Gladwell, Worshipful Master; Luther Napp, Senior Warden; Jim H. Andrews, Junior Warden; J.F. Wade, Treasurer; W.S. Nash, Secretary; R.J. Miller, Senior Deacon; V.M. Spears, Junior Deacon; M.E. Stacey, Chaplain; and Joseph Thames, Tyler.

85 YEARS AGO
JUNE 23, 1938

Mr. R.F. Hudson, publisher, and Mr. Atticus Mullin, staff writer of the Montgomery Advertiser, of Montgomery, spent Tuesday here attending the Monroe Mills celebration.

Master Truman Capote Entertains Friends: Master Truman Capote, who recently arrived from New York to spend the summer here, delightfully entertained his friends on Thursday night, June 16, with a party at the home of Misses Nannie and Jennie Faulk.
The guests arrived at 7:30 o’clock and were ushered into the living room, where they enjoyed games of all kinds. Truman proved himself an excellent host in choosing the entertainment for his guests.
As the evening progressed, delicious cake and punch were served by the Misses Faulk.
Those who enjoyed the hospitality of Truman during the evening were: Rayford Smith, Dick Carter, Jennings Faulk Carter, Salina Wiggins, Sonny Gardner, A.J. Locklin, Ramona Farish, Helen Cameron, Jane Black, Nelle Lee, Dot Simmons, Tom Gardner, Frances Hastings, Bill McMillan, Charles Baggett, Sarah Ann McCall, Sylvia Parnell and Mildred Feagin.

Tunnel Springs Masons Elect Officers, Coming Year: At a regular meeting of Tunnel Springs Lodge No. 587, held on June 17, the following officers were elected for the coming year: J.L. Tatum, Worshipful Master; J.M. Holloway, Senior Warden; Jule J. McMillan, Junior Warden; S.B. Nettles, Treasurer; W.S. Nash, Secretary; S.E. Helton, Senior Deacon; A.P. Walters, Junior Deacon; J.C. Morris, Senior Steward; G.L. Nettles, Junior Steward; Clyde Brown, Chaplain; and L.R. Gulsby, Tyler.

111 YEARS AGO
JUNE 27, 1912

Recently Elected Masonic Officers: Mizpah Lodge No. 667 at Manistee – J.W. Wilkinson, Worshipful Master; J.F. Grimes, Senior Warden; J.J. Curry, Junior Warden; Wm. Florey, Treasurer; Robt. T. Lambert, Secretary; Thomas Stacey, Senior Deacon; L.A. Hale, Junior Deacon; George Stacey, Tyler; B.F. Lambert and Robert Stacey, Stewards; D.S. Seker, Chaplain; and W.W. Grimes, Marshal.

Mr. G.B. Sellers is having material placed on the ground for the erection of a new dwelling on north Main Street (in Monroeville).

Work on the extension of the railroad is progressing rapidly. Steel has been laid to a point within a little more than two miles of the city and the road is still a-coming.

Monroeville-Pine Apple Ball Game: The Monroeville and Pine Apple baseball teams will cross bats on the diamond at Schuster on July 4, and it is expected that a game will be pulled off that will be worth going miles and miles to see. A large number of “rooters” for the Monroeville team will go up Wednesday afternoon and it is quite certain that Pine Apple will not be lacking in this respect. The usual Fourth of July Picnic will be served at Schuster.

Mr. C.T. Simmons of Scotland, now in his 87^th year and in good health, is visiting his son, Mr. C.M. Simmons.

Governor O’Neal has appointed Mr. J.W. Urquhart Tax Commissioner for Monroe County. J.M. Simpson resigned.

Mr. Frank Bigger has temporarily suspended his school at McGill until the press of farm work is over. The school will be resumed in July.