The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Sept. 19, 2023

Dr. Eugene A. Smith

29 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 15, 1994

Evergreen weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.28 inches of rain on Sept. 8. He reported a high of 87 degrees on Sept. 6 and a low of 61 on Sept. 5.

Heritage Day set Oct. 15; various activities planned: Conecuh County’s 14^th Annual Heritage Day will be held Sat., Oct. 15, in downtown Evergreen. Heritage Day is sponsored by the Evergreen-Conecuh County Chamber of Commerce with cooperation of citizens from all over Conecuh County.
Activities for the day include a mini-fair, arts and crafts, live entertainment throughout the day, displays and exhibits, children’s activities and food booths, according to Veronica Lambert, Chairperson of the Conecuh Heritage Committee.

Commission accepts contract for new roof on courthouse: The Conecuh County Commission voted in their regular meeting Monday to award the contract to replace the roof on the Conecuh County Courthouse.
The contract was awarded to Lambert Roofing Company. The contract will cost approximately $105,500.

Commissioner Frank Pate then informed the other commission members the Cripple Bridge in his district had become impassable. The commissioner stated that the bridge is used by many of the community members and should be replaced as soon as possible. The cost to replace the bridge will be approximately $9,600. The commissioners voted to go ahead with the replacement.

54 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 18, 1969

First wedding ever for Baptist Church at Burnt Corn: When Miss Margaret Catherine Salter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Salter of Burnt Corn, became the bride of Elliott DeWitt Sadler Jr. of Beatrice on Sept. 6 this was the first wedding ever to take place in the Burnt Corn Baptist Church, although the church was first organized in the year 1821.
The church had stood idle for a number of years until it was reactivated and reorganized on Easter Sunday 1967 and renamed Burnt Corn Baptist Church. The Rev. D.F. Hickman is the pastor and the church is very active in the community with 20 members on roll.

Arson is suspected in the fire which created this havoc at Conecuh Printing Co. early Friday morning. The fire was discovered just as it started by City Policemen Salter and Daw who were “shaking doors” about 3:15 a.m. and they turned in the alarm immediately. Thanks to prompt and efficient work by the Evergreen Fire Department with an assist from the Andalusia firemen, the fire was contained when it might easily have burned out the south end of East Front Street. French Dry Cleaners had some smoke and water damage as did Harper Furniture Company’s warehouse. The second story of the building, unoccupied, was damaged heavily. Salter, who was behind the building, saw a man run from the area, jump in a car parked across from Evergreen Methodist Church and drive away at high speed. A state fire marshal investigated the fire and state toxicologist is also working on it. Herbert Harpe, owner of the printing firm, said he had partial insurance coverage. The building is owned by Mr. and Mrs. M.S. Holley.

66 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 19, 1957

Balloon Number Four Found Near Wilcox By W.R. Diamond: A part of Conecuh’s fourth balloon to fall was found last Tuesday by W.R. Diamond of Owassa, Rt. 1, about one mile east of Wilcox (or Greggville).
Alvin Diamond, his son, brought the radiosonde gear, similar to that found by J.L. Fields, by The Courant office Saturday morning. According to the data on the box, the balloon was released from the Montgomery Weather Station on Aug. 23, 1957.
Also brought in by Diamond was the parachute which let the gear float to earth gently. This parachute is on display in the window of The Evergreen Courant.
Very little else of the balloon was found except for some plaited nylon lines, and some of the fabric of the balloon.
The radio sonde gear was returned to the Radiosonde Reconditioning Center at Joliet, Ill. by Alvin Diamond.

The County Agent, Mabry Huggins, issued a warning this week for farmers and residents to be on the alert for Army Worms, reported to be making a comeback in this section.

Martin Is Appointed As Night Policeman: A new policeman was appointed to the Evergreen City Police Department. He is Chester Martin, a resident of this city for two years before accepting a position of manager of the B.C. Moore and Sons store at Adel, Ga. While Martin lived here before, he worked at Evergreen Heading Co., Evergreen Hardware and was assistant manager for a year of the Evergreen store of B.C. Moore and Sons. He is presently working on the night shift.

79 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 21, 1944

PFC Burley C. Wallace Killed In Action Aug. 8: Friends and relatives were made sad when news came in a telegram Sun., Sept. 17, that Pfc. Burley C. Wallace, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Wallace of Garland, Ala., Rt. 1, Asbury community, was killed in action in France Aug. 8, 1944.
Pfc. Wallace was drafted into service Oct. 23, 1941. He was sent to Camp Croft, S.C.., later to Fort Custer, Michigan. Then April 1, 1942, he was sent to Iceland, at which place he served 18 months. He was then transferred to England, then to North Ireland. From Ireland, he was assigned duties in France. It was during the last assignment that he gave his life Aug. 8, 1944.
Special memorial services will be held Sun., Sept. 24, 1944 at 11 o’clock a.m. at Asbury Church.

102 Year Old Woman Passes At Nichburg: Madora Nicholson of the Nichburg community died at her home last Tuesday night at the age of 102, following a short illness. Her husband, George Nicholson, preceded her in death some eight years ago at the age of 96, soon after they had celebrated the 72^nd anniversary of their marriage. The authenticity of her age was undisputed by the oldest residents of the county as she was a slave in the Cunningham family and reputedly nursed Mr. John Cunningham, who has attained considerable age himself.
“Aunt Madora,” as she was known, enjoyed unusual good health until the past few months. She was the mother of 17 children, several of whom preceded her in death.

96 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 15, 1927

Wednesday marked the official opening of the Evergreen Cotton Exchange, upstairs in the Newton building.

Conecuh County teachers over 100 strong took peaceful possession of this town early this morning, where they will hold a two days Annual Institute. The meetings are being held in the beautiful City School building, where there is ample room for the joint sessions and departmental sessions too. Miss Norma Smith of the State Department of Education at Montgomery, is assisting Supt. M.A. Hanks and County Supervisor, Mrs. Jeretta Newton in conducting the institute.

BODY OF DR. SMITH IS LAID TO REST: Tuscaloosa, Ala., Sept. 8 – With scores of friends gathered from all parts of the state to pay him homage, last rites for Dr. Eugene A. Smith, state geologist, who died Wednesday, were held at the residence yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock. Ben Harrison, lay leader of the Episcopal church, officiated.
Following the simple but beautiful ceremony, interment took place at Evergreen cemetery. The grave was bedecked with many floral designs, sent by friends and admirers of the distinguished scientist, professor and businessman.
Dr. Smith held the position of state geologist since 1873 being appointed by the legislature to that office upon its revision of the state geological and agricultural survey. During his lifetime, he was a professor at the University of Alabama, and held many and various important offices.
The pallbearers were: Dr. George Denny, president, University of Alabama; Walter B. Jones, assistant geologist; Robert Hodges, chemist of geological survey; H.E. Wheeler, head of natural history department, University of Alabama; Prof. S.J. Lloyd, professor of chemistry, University of Alabama; and Roland Harper, geological survey department.