Tuesday, August 15, 2023

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Aug. 15, 2023

Dr. Eugene Allen Smith
20 YEARS AGO
AUG. 21, 2003

Evergreen weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.07 inches of rain on Aug. 12, 0.5 inches on Aug. 13 and 0.6 inches on Aug. 16. He also reported a high of 92 degrees on Aug. 15 and a low of 69 degrees on Aug. 12.

Joy Wilson, owner of Joy’s in downtown Evergreen and Evergreen-Conecuh County Chamber of Commerce Secretary Shani Meeks invite everyone to come by Joy’s during Business After Hours next Thurs., Aug. 28, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Joy says she will have many new items on display along with some delicious refreshments.

Frank Chavers was recognized at last week’s meeting of the Evergreen Kiwanis Club for his 10 years of service.

Evergreen students admitted to School of Math and Science: The Office of Admissions is pleased to announce that 116 new students from all corners of the state will leave the comforts of home to become part of the unique and challenging environment at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science. Thirty-eight counties are represented in the entering classes of 2005 and 2006.
The new students at ASMS this academic year from Conecuh County are Candace Samuels, daughter of James and Jacquelene Royster of Evergreen; Ralph Grace II, son of Ralph and Gheta Grace of Evergreen; and Katie Fountain, daughter of Kenneth and Jeanell Fountain of Repton.

45 YEARS AGO
AUG. 17, 1978

Former Mayor Henry Sessions death saddens: Former Evergreen Mayor William Henry Sessions, 64, died Thursday morning, Aug. 10, at 11:45 o’clock of an apparent heart attack at the Sam Cope summer home near Gulf Shores.
Mayor Sessions was a native of Troy, a member of a prominent, pioneer South Alabama family. He lived in Montgomery for a number of years and had lived in Evergreen over 31 years.
He served on the Evergreen City Council one term, 1960-64, and then as mayor from 1964 to 1972, when he chose not to seek re-election. He served part of an unexpired term as mayor in 1973-76.
He was a member and former president of the Evergreen Rotary Club and a Mason and Shriner.
Mayor Sessions and his late father-in-law, C.H. Moorer, founded Conecuh Quick Freeze, Inc. in 1947. This firm became a most successful meat processing firm and enjoyed an enviable reputation for its quality products, particularly hickory smoked sausage, hams and turkeys. Under Mayor Sessions’ able management, Conecuh Quick Freeze, Inc. grew from a small locker plant into a meat processor employing around 50 people and its products gained wide acceptability under the “Conecuh Maid” label.
He volunteered for service in the U.S. Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor and saw many months of combat service with the Seabees (Navy Construction Battalion) in the South Pacific during World War II.
Graveside services were Saturday morning at 11 o’clock at Magnolia Cemetery with Dr. Sam Granade and the Rev. Braxton McCurley officiating.

70 YEARS AGO
AUG. 20, 1953

Local National Guard Unit At Fort McClellan For Two Weeks Training: Battery “C,” 177th Field Artillery Battalion (N.G.U.S.), local Guard unit, left Sun., Aug. 16, for Fort McClellan, Ala., for summer camp and two weeks training. The unit is part of the famed 31st Dixie Division.
Lt. Wiley Sanders Jr. will be in command of the unit at camp. Lt. Sanders was appointed 2nd Lt. and assigned to the unit in May of this year. This will be his first experience as a Guardsman as he served in the Navy during World War II.

Oil Hunt Continues With Drilling On Well Near Evergreen: Drillers are now seeking oil only one and one-half miles from Evergreen’s southeastern city limits.
Lyle Cashion Company’s rig was moved during the weekend to land owned by Dr. John W. Deming of Alexandria, La. and began drilling what is known as the John W. Deming No. 1.
The rig is located a short distance south of the Evergreen-Brooklyn highway and can be seen from the highway. Access to it is possible by taking the road leading to the home of H.S. Hagood.

Rochester, N.Y., Aug. 11 - George M. Jones of Evergreen was awarded a master of music degree at the University of Rochester’s recent 103rd commencement.
Jones, who lives at 113 Bruner Ave., took his undergraduate work at the University of Rochester also, receiving a bachelor of music degree in 1951.

95 YEARS AGO
AUG. 16, 1928

CASTLEBERRY: Prof. Geo. M. Veazey, Principal of the Conecuh County High School, very ably filled the pulpit at the Baptist Church Sunday morning and night for the regular pastor, Rev. R.D. Wright.

Andalusia Man Called By Death: Judge J.M. Prestwood, Prominent Citizen, Dies At Home In Andalusia: Stricken suddenly Wednesday night about nine o’clock, Judge J. Morgan Prestwood, 47, died at 9:30 o’clock. Judge Prestwood was taken slightly sick Tuesday, but no alarm was felt over his condition until he took a sudden turn for the worse early Wednesday night and passed away within a few minutes.
Judge Prestwood was prominently identified with the civic, religious and political life of Andalusia for many years and had served this senatorial district composed of Conecuh, Covington and Butler counties in the Alabama legislature as state senator during the Kilby administration. He later was elected mayor of Andalusia and in 1927 was named circuit judge by Gov. Bibb Graves.
In the Democratic primary of last May, Judge Prestwood was nominated for a full term and would have been re-elected in the November general election had not death intervened.

J.H. Robison made a trip from Birmingham to Mobile via an air mail plane during the past weekend. He left Birmingham at 7:10 a.m. and arrived Mobile 9:30 a.m.

Dr. W.A. Stacey of Skinnerton presented a 10-pound rutabaga at this office this week. Believe it or not, it’s the truth.

120 YEARS AGO
AUG. 19, 1903

Attention Veterans: All members of Camp Capt. Wm. Lee, United Confederate Veterans, are requested to meet in the Circuit court room in Evergreen at 10 o’clock a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, 1903. A full attendance is expected. By order of the commander. – P.D. Bowles, Commander; N. Stallworth, Adjutant.

Dr. E.A. Smith of Tuscaloosa, State Geologist, spent several days here last week. He is investigating the limestone formation in this section of the state.

Death of Elisha Hart: Elisha Hart, a worthy and esteemed citizen of this county, died on the 12th inst. at his home in Old Town beat, after a lingering illness, aged about 70 years. Mr. Hart was an unpretentious man, plain in his walk and conversation, honest and faithful to every trust, and his example in life is worthy of emulation by all.

Change of Management: I wish to give notice to my friends and the public generally that I am again in charge of the old Delmonico, now the New Magnolia Hotel, near the depot, and will endeavor to please all who favor me with their patronage. The tables will at all times be supplied with the best the market affords, and the rooms kept clean and comfortable. I solicit the same liberal patronage accorded me while in charge of the business before. Yours to please, F.N. Hawkins.

Death of John C. Donald: A.H. Donald received a telegram on Saturday afternoon announcing the death of his brother, John C. Donald, at his home in Columbia, S.C. Mr. Donald was born in this county in 1853, and removed in 1878 to Atlanta, where he remained for a few years, removing from there to Columbia, where he has sine resided.

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