The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Oct. 30, 2023

21 YEARS AGO
OCT. 24, 2002

Windham signs “Encounters” book: Jane Ellen Cason, an employee with the Monroe County Heritage Museums in Monroeville, watches Katherine Tucker Windham, storyteller, author and journalist, autograph her book “Encounters” last week during a reception at the Old Monroe County Courthouse. Tucker’s book is filled with numerous photographs she’s taken during her career.

Frisco pounds Shields: Frisco City High School improved to 4-4 on the season and to 4-2 in region play Friday night in Beatrice, beating region rival J.F. Shields 60-6.
In Friday night’s win over Shields, Frisco senior Travoris Hill led the Whippets with two touchdowns and 169 yards rushing on 21 carries. Tony Williams led the Whippet defense with 15 tackles.
(Other top Frisco players in that game included Willie Calhoun, Warren Davison, Norman Lee, Eric McCants, Lequentin Robinson, Antonio Sanders and Jeff Williams. Top Shields players were Delarrian Broadhead, Jeremy Chatman, Donte Lefall, Richard Lett and Joseph Manuel, Scott Blackmon was Frisco’s head coach, and Philip Griffin was Shields’ head coach.)

Ron Oudenaarden, 40, of Monroeville became a U.S. citizen during a ceremony Sept. 24 at the federal courthouse in Atlanta. Oudenaarden, a native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, took the Oath of Allegiance along with 85 other candidates. Oudenaarden, the information technology manager at Alabama River Pulp, has lived in Monroeville for 10 years with his wife, Montez, and their two children, Andrew and Laura.

46 YEARS AGO
OCT. 27, 1977

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently completed dredging operations on the Alabama River, which widened four channels from which boats are launched, according to Charles Reese, assistant resource manager. The project included work at Issac Creek at the Claiborne Lock & Dam site, Silver Creek, McDuffie’s Landing and Bell’s Landing, Reese said. The corps also removed stumps and logs from the channels and put reflective markers on stumps which could not be removed.

The Monroe Academy Volunteers remained one of four undefeated teams in the Alabama Private School Association 3A division by defeating Escambia Academy of Canoe, 29-6, Friday night in Volunteer Stadium. In a big offensive show, Monroe had two backs to gain over 100 yards rushing in the game. Frank Carter was the leading rusher with 150 yards in 19 carries and Randall Norris added 135 yards in 15 carries.
(Other top MA players in that game included Tommy Bowden, Sammy Carter, Larry Gaston, Mitch Jones, Jim Masingil, Kevin Norris, Ken Robinson, Trip Stallworth and Mike Stanton. Vance McCrory was MA’s head coach.)

Monroeville First Baptist Church conducted a groundbreaking ceremony Sunday, marking the start of construction on a $600,000 Christian life building and expanded parking facility. Pictured at the ceremony, held at the conclusion of the morning worship service, are Dr. Robert Jackson, pastor; George Thomas Jones, Karl Mims Lazenby, Joe Hyde, G.M. McNider, George Heard and Stan Bentley, all of the First Baptist Church.

71 YEARS AGO
OCT. 23, 1952

Is it a bird… is it a beast… is it Superman? No, it’s just a few of the local candidates of the South Alabama Shrine Club, who were paraded through the crowded downtown streets of Monroeville prior to recent initiation ceremonies holding a long rope. Shown are Bill Joe Falkenberry of Monroeville, Reo Kirkland, Escambia County Probate Judge-elect of Brewton, Charlie Floyd of Peterman and Joel Hardee of Monroeville. Following the entourage on the extreme right are two unidentified members of the degree team from the Abba Temple, Mobile.

The Beatrice High Eagles racked up their first win of the season Friday night in their third home game by edging the Excel High Panthers, 13-12. The Eagles began their scoring parade on the receipt of the kickoff by marching in a drive from their own 20-yard stripe. Fullback Glenn Brown carried the pigskin over to pay dirt from 18 yards out. The second marker was tallied in the third period when right end Vernon Anderson went around end from the Excel 35 to tally again. The single conversion for the Eagles was made by Max Miller, quarterback, on a keep play when he plunged through the middle. The Panthers’ left halfback Jack Sawyer racked up both tallies for the Excel eleven, both in the second quarter and both by line plunges.

Drilling operations on Monroe County’s 11^th oil test well, located near Megargel, were scheduled to get under way some time Wednesday night. The test, which is located on the property of J.F. Dusenbury, 2-1/2 miles west of Megargel, is the fourth to be made in the county during 1952.

96 YEARS AGO
OCT. 27, 1927

ANOTHER FISH STORY: Mr. E.T. Clapp relates this incident as having occurred on a recent fishing excursion: Mr. Clapp was having excellent luck landing bream of good size when he observed a submerged limb of a treetop overhanging Hollow Creek, violently agitated. Believing the disturbance occasioned by a trout of large size, he fastened a bream of suitable size to his hook and made a cast. No sooner had the bait struck the water than it was vigorously seized. After some struggle with the object attached, he succeeded to his astonishment in drawing to land a full-grown mink whose pelt would have realized some $15. In detaching the hook, the animal got away. In disappointment, Mr. Clapp was forced to resume his quest for the finny tribe.

The work of surfacing the Monroeville-Franklin highway with gravel has reached a point within the corporate limits of the city and the work of surfacing the last link on two sides of the public square will probably be completed by the last of the week. The Toulmin Construction Co. has done very efficient work on this project and has been awarded the contract for similar treatment of the Monroeville-Belleville highway.

The Journal learns that Well No. 2 of the Jaggers Oil Co. has been located on lands of Mr. B.H. Stallworth upon the advice of Mr. J.E. Barnes, geologist, associated with the company. The derrick is now being erected and drilling will probably begin during the coming week.

121 YEARS AGO
OCT. 23, 1902

Circuit court adjourned Saturday after a busy week and the Judge and Solicitor returned to their homes. The case exciting the greatest interest tried during the term was that of the State vs. Jesse Pittman, charged with the murder of the late Sheriff John S. Harrengton. This case was called Wednesday morning and occupied all that and the following day, the State being represented by Solicitor Elmore and Messrs. Stallings and McCorvey, and the defense by Messrs. Hibbard, Miller, Wiggins, Hybart and Bayles. The case was argued with ability and at considerable length on each side, and went to the jury under the charge of the court about noon Friday. The jury shortly afterward returned a verdict of “not guilty.” Mr. Pittman was released on bond in other cases pending against him.

Attention, Veterans! There will be a meeting of Camp George W. Foster, United Confederate Veterans, Monroeville, Nov. 8. Election of delegates to State Reunion, Nov. 12-13, and other business of importance. Every member urgently requested to attend. – Thos. J. Emmons, Commander; F.M. Jones, Adjutant.

Mr. C.L. Hare of Auburn, who has been attending at the bedside of his brother, Mr. F.W. Hare, for several weeks, left Tuesday for Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he will take a special course in chemistry at the agricultural college of that state.

Monroeville will lose one first-class dentist in the removal of Dr. S.W. Yarbrough to Mobile, and gain another in the person of Dr. W.A. Lovett, late of Bessemer, who will open an office here on Nov. 1. Dr. Lovett has had eight or nine years successful experience and comes highly recommended both as a man and as a master of his profession. We take pleasure in commending him to any who may need his services.

What’s the ‘spookiest’ experience you’ve ever had?

Masonic Hall at Perdue Hill, Alabama.

Halloween is this coming Tuesday, and in the spirit of that creepy holiday, I’ve been thinking a lot about the “spookiest” experience I’ve ever had.

I didn’t have to think long as I remembered a chilly October night in 2016 when I spent an entire night in the Old Claiborne Masonic Hall at Perdue Hill. At the time I was working for the newspaper in Evergreen and had teamed up with Josh Dewberry of The Monroe Journal and paranormal investigator John Higginbotham to investigate the old building.

This old Masonic lodge, which sits at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and Monroe County Road 1, is one of the oldest buildings in Southwest Alabama, and is just the kind of place you’d expect to find supernatural activity.

Built in 1824 on a high bluff along the Alabama River at Claiborne, the lodge was moved to Perdue Hill in 1884. During its heyday, it was used for a wide variety of purposes, including as a Masonic Hall, by various churches, as a school, courtroom, meeting place, social hall and voting house. It also hosted famous Revolutionary war hero General Lafayette in 1825, and William B. Travis, the hero of the Alamo, practiced law in the building in the 1830s.

On Oct. 21, 2016, we arrived at the Masonic Hall around 8:30 p.m. and investigated the building into the wee hours of the night. For different reasons, Josh and John had to head home around 2 a.m., but I elected to spend the night, mainly so that I wouldn’t have to drive back to Perdue Hill a few hours later to return the building’s keys to its caretaker. As soon as my colleagues left, I locked the front door, stretched out on a bench downstairs, covered up with a sleeping bag and fell asleep.

Suddenly and without warning, around 2:50 a.m., I jolted awake to the sound of footsteps coming from the second floor. The building is so old that it’s almost impossible to move, and especially walk, without making some sort of noise on the creaking, wooden floors.

Alone there in the dark, straining my ears, my heart began to beat like a trip-hammer as, after a short pause, I heard another of these “step” noises. In all, I'd say there were seven or eight of these “steps,” and one of them - the last one - was very loud, almost a bang like someone dropped a small rock on one of the glass display cases upstairs.

Looking back, I probably should have grabbed my Maglite and investigated the source of the noise. Instead, at the time, this just didn’t seem like the thing to do, so I laid there for what seemed like a long time, listening, not moving a muscle, before eventually falling back to sleep. I awoke around 6:15 a.m., not long before the sun began to rise in the east. I packed up my gear, loaded it into my truck, and returned the key to the caretaker.

Over the years, I’ve thought a lot about that night at the Masonic Hall. Is it haunted? Do ghosts walk the second floor in the middle of the night when no one’s around? Do past events at the lodge play themselves out over and over again when the building is empty? I admit to not knowing the answers to these questions, but I can say that I do believe that few buildings in this part of the state are as ripe for supernatural activity as this nearly 200-year-old Masonic lodge.

Singleton tells of October's beautiful wildflower - the goldenrod

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 “The beauty of the hill country,” was originally published in the Oct. 23, 1997 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

The hot, humid days of September have slowly disappeared over the distant horizons, and the cool autumn days of October have appeared on the scene. We know that the lazy days of Indian summer have come upon us. Along with these days of carefree feelings and the lust for wandering, also brings forth across the hill country the beautiful wildflower – the goldenrod.

There are some that refer to this wild beautiful flower as a weed. But, this wildflower, with all its beauty, dotes the open fields and along the roadsides for many a mile throughout our state. These rich yellow blossoms sway in the autumn winds as endless waves on a open sea, being tossed to and fro by the witch devils or whirlwinds as they swirl across the covered hillsides and open fields.

So far as anyone knows, there is no known use for the beautiful wild goldenrod, other than the Creator saw fit to place it upon this earth so that man might gaze upon its beauty and know that it, too, has a place in the overall picture of our universe. Its raw primitive beauty is something to behold as these wild beauties cover the rough rocky hillsides here throughout the deep South. We spent huge amounts of money on our domestic flowers, such as camellias, azaleas, and many more. But, out there among the rocks and wild underbrush, this beautiful yellow flower covers the landscape without any assistance whatsoever from mankind.

There are some who say they suffer from hay fever or sinus and that the goldenrod’s pollen does much to agitate their nasal system. They say that when they come near this wild beauty, they find themselves coughing, sneezing and large tears streaming from their eyes. The people will tell you that they wish that this wild gypsy flower didn’t exist. These poor creatures will tell you that they wish that the goldenrod would disappear on the winds of oblivion.

But, there are some, who like myself, think that this wildflower’s beauty is such until it was voted to be our state flower at one time in a past period. For many years when we used to sing the stirring words of our state’s son, one could visualize the wild yellow goldenrod being tossed by the gentle winds across the vast open countryside at harvest time.

As I watch and study this hardy and rugged golden flower, I am reminded of a young beautiful country maiden standing in the autumn winds with her golden hair blowing in the winds of a cool October afternoon. This beautiful country girl has lived her life in a type of competition against the trials and complexes of back country living. Yet, she remains as fresh and as beautiful as this slender wild beauty that survives there among the thorns and brush.

I am of the opinion that we made a mistake when our legislature voted to replace this wild beauty with the camellia. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that the camellia is not a pretty flower. But, the camellia has to be petted; it has to be cared for almost on a daily basis. The wild goldenrod continues to spread its raw and primitive beauty in the harsh conditions of the open country. I think that a state flower should represent the strength and endurance of its people. It should be a symbol of both the good times and also the periods of the hard times that our state has gone through. As I stated earlier, the camellia has to be petted and pampered, but the beautiful goldenrod survives unattended along the rocky slopes of our countryside. Its strong slender beauty calls out to all that will listen and reminds us of the spacious land and skies that we most always take for granted.

So, as I ride the back roads of our county and see the wild beautiful goldenrods swaying in the evening breeze, I know that true beauty does not have to be petted and pampered. There on the rough rocky slopes, the wild goldenrod blossoms in all its splendor. Its determination to bring its wild primitive beauty to the steep rocky slopes proves once again that beauty is to be found where ever one might wander and seek it.

And, as I stand and admire the golden covered hillsides, I am reminded once again of that young beautiful golden-haired mountain girl, charming, graceful and very beautiful; standing there on the side of a steep hill, looking into the sunset with no fear of tomorrow. A young lady who has witnessed some hard times, but knows that somewhere in the distance there are good times, also. The wild goldenrod is a thing of breathtaking beauty. If there is any doubt in the minds of my readers, seek out the hill country and decided for yourself. The beauty is there, you will not be disappointed. To view this magnificent handiwork of the Great Spirit, means that life can take on a new meaning to those that are the most troubled and view our world from a different perspective.

And, as one travels the back roads of our county, one will find that these wild beautiful goldenrods are most wonderful this October. Do yourself a favor, seek out the high hills and admire the primitive beauty that the Creator has placed there for us to view and enjoy. Become a part of your surroundings. Raise your arms to the heavens and let our God know that this small part of His creation is appreciated.

(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, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, 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 Oct. 24, 2023

U.S. Navy destroyer USS Sarsfield (DD-837) 

20 YEARS AGO
OCT. 23, 2003

Kayla Bass was crowned the 2003 Homecoming Queen at Sparta Academy during homecoming activities on Fri., Oct. 10, 2003.

Vernon Lyman Carlson, age 81, of Evergreen died Wed., Oct. 15, 2003 in an Evergreen hospital. He was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from June 1940 to June 1946 and was a Pearl Harbor survivor.

Local weather reporter Harry Ellis reported no rain between Oct. 13, 2003 and Oct. 19, 2003. He reported a high temperature of 80 degrees on Oct. 14 and a low of 45 on Oct. 16.

Rodney Hildreth came before the (Evergreen city) council during the informal session and asked them to consider renaming a street in Evergreen for Sgt. Troy Jenkins, who was killed in combat in the Iraq War. Hildreth said that Jenkins was a hero who gave his life for his country and should be honored for his sacrifice.
He suggested the possibility of naming the section of Highway 31 & 84 through Evergreen that currently has three names or possibly Liberty Hill Drive.
Mayor Lomax Cassady thanked Hildreth for this request and said the council would consider it and make a decision at a later date.

The Sixth Annual Thanksgiving in Conecuh ‘Caring Through Sharing’ is planned for Nov. 27, 2003.

35 YEARS AGO
OCT. 27, 1988

Skipper Construction Co. is making rapid strides in the construction of the home office and terminal building for Evergreen Transportation Co. in the Evergreen Industrial Park. Walter Poole and Pat Poole recently founded Evergreen Transportation, which is growing at a fast rate.

Attorney Windell C. Owens of Monroeville today announces that Jack Booker Weaver of Brewton is now a member of his law firm.

Local weather reporter Harry Ellis reported .66 of an inch on Oct. 21, 1988. He reported a high temperature of 80 degrees on Oct. 18 and a lows of 43 on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24.

A Baldwin County man who became lost in a heavily wooded area near Evergreen was found after several hours Sunday afternoon. He was unharmed.
Sheriff Edwin Booker’s office was notified about 1:40 o’clock Sunday afternoon that a man had walked into a heavily wooded area off the J.P. Howard Road at the old P.W. Barlow place and had not returned.
When Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene, they learned that Gary Donald Thomas, 49, of Baldwin County had walked into the woods to take a picture of the old home place and had not returned. He had been gone nearly two hours.
The Sheriff’s office called in the Conecuh County Rescue Squad as well as the Sheriff’s track dogs. In less than two hours, Thomas had been returned safely to his family. He had gotten turned around and had traveled more than two miles through the woods. He was found on the Brooklyn Road by a member of the search party.

50 YEARS AGO
OCT. 25, 1973

Harper resigns; Sessions is back: In a surprise move, Mayor Coy L. Harper resigned his office Wednesday morning. The letter made the resignation effective immediately.
The city council in a special meeting Wednesday afternoon elected former two-term mayor Henry Sessions to fill the unexpired term of nearly three years. He was to be installed at a meeting last night.

Navy Fireman Johnnie R. Barnes, son of Mr. John H. Barnes, and husband of the former Miss Cindy Glass, both of Rt. 2, Castleberry, crossed the Arctic Circle while participating with NATO’s Atlantic fleet in an annual naval exercise here named ‘Swift Move.’ More than 30 ships from seven countries took part in the maneuvers. He is serving on board the destroyer USS Sarsfield.

From “The Colyum” by Bob Bozeman – I’m not going into the UFO bit this week as it has been thoroughly covered on radio, TV and in the daily newspapers. I’m sure all of you know that three persons saw a UFO over City Hall last Wednesday night. Two were policemen who tried to focus spotlights on the object but were unable to do so.
Frankly, I don’t know what they saw, but I still believe there is a logical explanation for UFOs and it doesn’t involve creatures and spaceships from another planet.

66 YEARS AGO
OCT. 24, 1957

Joe L. Grace, seaman apprentice, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rinnie A. Grace of Belleville, Ala. is serving aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge with the U.S. Seventh Fleet in the Far East.

W. Paul McMillan of Evergreen will again serve as Christmas Seal Sale Chairman for Conecuh County. Mr. McMillan is principal of Evergreen City School.

At a meeting Monday night the Evergreen City Council officially turned the municipality-owned Evergreen Golf Course over to the Evergreen Golf Club.
The council met with members of the golf club and worked out the transfer Monday night. The golfers will also have charge of and be responsible for the clubhouse at the course, some four miles north of town on U.S. 31.

The Courant has a new employee these days – Arthur Pendleton, who came to us from Milton, Fla. Arthur is a printer and had considerable experience in this work in the shops at Milton.

From “As a Man Thinketh” by R.G. Bozeman – I am at a loss to understand why so many people took it for granted when it was announced that I had sold The Courant to my son, Bob, that I was retiring.
I, of course, had no such thing in mind. I have never thought I would be happy unless I could keep busy at something or other. I don’t fish, hunt or play golf and I just plain hate loafing. I once was a pretty fair amateur gardener, but, for lack of practice, I guess I must have lost that art by now. So, there isn’t much left to keep me occupied but continuing my work right here with The Courant.

80 YEARS AGO
OCT. 28, 1943

Miss Elizabeth Riley received word that her nephew, Winston Riley of Montgomery, is missing in the Pacific. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Riley, who were former residents of Evergreen.

Edsel E. Johnson, second class seaman, spent several days last week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Johnson. He has been in the Navy six weeks and finished his basic training at Bronson Field, Pensacola, Fla. After returning to camp, he will be given four weeks training in Commando School at Bronson Field. Before entering the Navy, he was manager of the Montgomery Advertiser route here.

Mrs. J.E. Evers, Edward Evers, Mrs. Arthur Mason and daughters, Dorothy and Dolores attended the Barnum and Bailey Circus in Montgomery Monday.

IMPORTANT! Check Date Of Expiration: If your time is out, or will be out soon, it will pay you to renew at once as the subscription rate on this newspaper will be raised after Sat., Oct. 30, 1943, to $2 per year to all subscribers, old and new, in the county.
We will accept new subscriptions or renewals through Sat., Oct. 30, 1943, at the old rate of $1.50 per year to those who get their mail in Conecuh County. Effective Mon., Nov. 1, 1943, the rate will be $2 per year. – NO EXCEPTIONS – DO NOT ASK.

Was TKAM’s Boo Radley really a vampire?

Robert Duvall as 'Boo Radley' in 1962.

Halloween is a little over a week away, and with that spooky holiday in mind, I’d like to revisit one of my favorite arguments. For several years, I’ve gotten a kick out of defending the idea that Harper Lee’s world-famous novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” is really a thinly-veiled horror novel. While it’s not an in-your-face horror story like those by Stephen King or Edgar Allan Poe, a close examination of “TKAM” will show that there is a lot in the book to prove that it’s a horror novel.

Right out of the gate, we learn that the Finch family – Atticus, Jem and Scout – live next door to the mysterious Radley family. A close reading of the novel lets us know that the Radley house is nothing more than the neighborhood haunted house, and that it’s occupied by the local boogeyman, Arthur “Boo” Radley. Among other things, the house was said to have a “dreary face,” that it was “droopy and sick” and that children believe that a “haint” or “phantom” lived there.

The Radley house was also feared by other children in the town, including Scout’s schoolmate Cecil Jacobs. Cecil lived on the same street as the Finches, at the far end next door to the post office. He was so afraid of the Radley house that he walked a mile out of the way each day to keep from passing it on his way to school.

Also consider that just a few pages into Chapter One, when Jem and Scout first meet Charles Baker Harris, aka, “Dill,” the children bond over a discussion of the world-famous vampire, Count Dracula. Dill gains Jem’s respect when Jem learns that seven-year-old Dill had seen the movie “Dracula” in the theatre. Dill recounts the movie to Jem, who said the movie sounded better than Bram Stoker’s book, which was published in 1897.

While it may be a stretch, I think you could also make the argument that Boo Radley was a vampire. We all know that sunlight will reduce a vampire to ashes, and I think it’s important to note that there isn’t one single scene in the entire novel where Boo makes an appearance during the day. He’s always seen at night, and is often described as prowling around and looking in the windows of sleeping neighbors.

Jem tells Dill that Boo “dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch.” Boo’s hands were said to be “blood-stained” and that he had a “long jagged scar across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time.”

Later in the book, when Scout comes face to face with Boo, she describes him as having a face “as white as his hands, but for a shadow on his jutting chin. His cheeks were thin to hollowness; his mouth was wide; there were shallow, almost delicate indentations at his temples, and his gray eyes were so colorless I thought he was blind.”

Also let us not forget that the novel’s ultimate climax takes place on Halloween night 1935. It’s on this night that Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout as they walk through the dark woods between their school and home. Ewell’s attack is foiled by none other than Boo Radley, who was again stalking the night.

In addition to all of that, the novel is full of other references to superstitions and the supernatural, including incantations, secret signs, “hot steams,” changelings, mandrake roots and a host of other unusual subjects.

In the end, let me know if you’ve spotted any other references to superstitions or the supernatural in “TKAM.” 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 idea that the novel is a thinly-veiled horror novel.

The Monroe Journal News Flashback for Oct. 23, 2023

U.S. Senator Jeremiah Denton

12 YEARS AGO
OCT. 27, 2011

Excel Groundwater Fest a success: The first-ever Excel Groundwater Festival is being called a success, and Mayor Jenny Countryman said she expects it to be a building block for future events.
A total of 75 fourth graders at Excel School participated in the event, sponsored by the Town of Excel and the Alabama Rural Water Association (ARWA).
“The water festival is something the Town of Excel and ARWA hope to do each year,” Countryman said. “Plans are to expand the festival to the 11^th and 12^th grade students, providing them with the understanding of the importance of water. This year’s festival was a great success.”
In conjunction with the festival, the town hosted an art contest. Branston Lambert took first place in the contest, followed by Sarah Watson James in second.

Vols hold off Rangers: Monroe Academy had to hold off Lyman Ward Military Academy in Camp Hill Friday night to claim their ninth straight win.
MA’s Volunteers outscored the Rangers 21-7 in the second half to record a 28-14 win against a team that came into the game with just one win.
Justin Rowell finished the contest with 195 yards and four touchdowns on a season-high 34 carries. On defense, middle linebacker Watson Kennedy had an outstanding game, recording nine solo tackles and an assist.
(Other top MA players in that game included Craig Bryan, Trent Day, Hunter Glass, Cameron Ingram, Jacob Johnson, Austin Jordan, Jake McKenzie, Peyton Powell, Jonathan Simpson, Wesley Stabler and Joseph Watson. Mitchell Turberville was MA’s head coach.)

37 YEARS AGO
OCT. 23, 1986

Dailey new police chief: Bill Dailey was appointed Tuesday night by the Monroeville City Council as police chief, replacing Charles Colbert, who had been chief for 12 years.
Dailey, who had been Colbert’s second-in-command as the police department’s only captain, was given the option of retaining Colbert in another job. For the moment, the captain’s slot was left vacant. Dailey talked with Colbert privately Tuesday night after the council’s decision, and again Wednesday morning. No agreement had been released by 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Excel High School’s senior football players said their farewells to the school’s football stadium Friday with a 20-0 victory over Georgiana High.
Randy Brown led Excel’s rushers with 108 yards on 20 carries. Stacey Kelly sparked Excel’s defense with 10 solo tackles and six assists.
(Other top Excel players in that game included Jerome Anderson, Shannon Countryman, Paul Felts, Greg Hall, Ricky Johnson, Marcus Jordan, Lance Marrow, Derrick McCants and Dale Watson. Ed Parrish was Excel’s head coach.)

Mike Denton to visit here for his father: Mike Denton, adult son of U.S. Sen. Jeremiah Denton, will campaign for his father in Monroeville Saturday afternoon.
David Long, secretary of the Monroe County Republican Party, said the younger Denton would arrive at the Harvest Festival on Courthouse Square around 1:15 p.m.
Mike Denton, 27, is general manager of Tidewater Steel Co. in Chesapeake, Va., which employs 85 people.

62 YEARS AGO
OCT. 26, 1961

Burglars Enter Kelly Mill Store: A burglar or burglars forced entrance into the Kelly Mill Mercantile Co. Store at Dottelle early Sunday morning, forced open a safe and escaped with approximately $75 in small change, according to Riley Kelly.
Evidence indicated that the burglary was perpetrated after the night watchman left about 4 a.m. Two large locks on the front door were broken to gain entrance, the combination was knocked off the safe door and then the lock was picked.

Whippets Whip Aggies 14-13 In Homecoming Thriller Friday Night: The Frisco City High School Whippets “squeaked” by the Evergreen Aggies Friday night in a thriller before a huge homecoming crowd at the Frisco City stadium. Final score was Frisco City 14, Evergreen 13.
The Whippets broke into the end zone in the second frame when a 32-yard pass from Joe Kelly to Bill Sawyer netted their first touchdown. Johnny Dorough kicked the extra point.
In the third quarter, Whippet fullback Ed Brown went over from six yards out for the second Frisco City touchdown. Johnny Dorough again kicked the extra point. This time it meant victory for the Whippets.(Other top FCHS players in that game included Mike Lawrence, Larry Till and Ronnie Wiggins.)

Police Chief Warns Of Fake Salesman: Monroeville Police Chief Jesse Crutchfield urges merchants not to purchase ads in any policeman magazine unless the advertising solicitor carries a letter of introduction from the Monroeville Police Department.
“There have been no complaints at the present time of any illegal ad selling,” Mr. Crutchfield said. “However, I have received word that a fake solicitor may come into the area within the next few days.”

87 YEARS AGO
OCT. 22, 1936

Moore In Charge Of Local Water Company: Effective Oct. 15, Mr. T.B. Moore became local manager of the Monroeville office of the Alabama Water Service Co., succeeding V.T. Collier, who had managed that office during the past several years. Mr. Moore comes to Monroeville from Leeds.

Frisco City Downs Camden By Big Score: Frisco City High School’s football eleven continued its successful season by trouncing the Camden team 59-0 in a game played on the Frisco field last Friday afternoon.
Frisco City will journey to Jackson this Friday evening, Oct. 23, to play a night game with the strong Clarke County team.
On the following Friday night, Oct. 30, Monroeville will go to Frisco City for a night game on Frisco City’s newly-lighted field. This will be the first game on the field since it was equipped for night playing.

Mrs. A.C. Lee spent last weekend at Biloxi, Miss.

Judge McDuffie In Who’s Who: Judge John McDuffie of Monroeville is among a hundred and twenty Alabama graduates listed in the recent issue of Who’s Who in America. Judge McDuffie received his LL.B. degree from the University in 1908.

Cotton Crop Of 18,074 Bales Ginned: Monroe County ginnings had reached 18,074 bales on Oct. 1 of this year, according to the Department of Commerce figures. This is approximately 1,500 bales lower than the figures for Oct. 1 of last year when to that time the total ginnings amounted to 19,505 bales.

113 YEARS AGO
OCT. 27, 1910

Collector Marshall and Assessor Finklea are touring the county looking after tax matters.

R.L. Coxwell is taking in the sights of the agricultural exposition in Montgomery.

On Friday night, Oct. 28, 7:30 o’clock, a Halloween party will be given at the courthouse. Admission 15 cents. All are invited, both young and old.

A preliminary hearing in the case of the State vs. J.R. Bailey, Brutus Bailey, Russian Bailey and Fate Solomon, charged with the killing of John Johnson was had before County Judge Slaughter last week, resulting in the defendants being bound over in the sum of $2,000 each to await the action of the grand jury.
From the evidence brought out in the trial it appears that the deceased created some disturbance on the church grounds on the night of the killing during services. The Baileys remonstrated and endeavored to get the man to leave. A quarrel ensued, resulting in the killing. Only one witness was examined by the defendants and their line of defense was not indicated.

There has been unusual activity in the building line in Monroeville during the last few months and the indications are that the good work will continue for some time to come.

For Sale – a few thoroughbred S.C. Brown Leghorn and Rhode Island Red cockerels. Mrs. H.C. Fountain, Burnt Corn, Ala.

T.P. Buffington of Excel has set the pace for the farmers of his community by growing 94 bushels of corn on one acre.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Oct. 18, 2023

46 YEARS AGO
OCT. 20, 1977

Hospital may open about noon today: Evergreen and Conecuh County may have a hospital open again today.
Bill McKenzie, president of Evergreen Hospital, Inc., states that his corporation completed the purchase of the Conecuh County Hospital from the Conecuh County Hospital Association on Tuesday.
This morning, representatives from the Alabama Dept. of Public Health, Bureau of Licensure and Certification are here making a final inspection.
Barring some unforeseen problem coming up, McKenzie believes that the license will be issued and the hospital will open its doors at around noon today.
Facing seemingly insurmountable financial problems, the Conecuh County Hospital Association voted to close the hospital in May. Shortly after that, the association began negotiations with McKenzie, which were culminated Tuesday.

Mrs. Jo Ann Jones and Mrs. Mamie Lambert and Mrs. Correan Salter, directors of the Pilot Club of Evergreen, are in the office of attorney Wm. D. Melton signing the incorporation papers of the Pilot Club of Evergreen. The Pilots are a service club of business and professional women founded on ‘friendship and service.’

Last Friday was observed here as ‘Pilot Founders Day’ by proclamation by Mayor O.B. ‘Bert’ Tuggle. The mayor signed the document as Pilot Barbara C. Gantt witnessed.

61 YEARS AGO
OCT. 18, 1962

Accident Kills Two, Several Injured: Last Saturday night a one-car accident near the city limits of Evergreen, on Alabama 83, killed two persons and injured four others. A 1954 Mercury, driven by Edward R. Weekly of Satsuma, Ala., was the death car.
The driver was killed along with Willis Weekly, also of Satsuma.

Local Methodists Will Hear Orr On Layman’s Day: J. Herbert Orr, industrialist, churchman and civic leader of Opelika, will be the guest speaker this Sunday at the Evergreen Methodist Church. His talk will highlight the observance of Layman’s Day.
Orr is one of America’s pioneers in the field of magnetic recording tape.
Orr was founder and president of Orradio Industries, Inc., one of the first tape manufacturing plants in the nation. Since establishing this firm Orr has had an important part in the progress and development of the magnetic tape industry.

Early reports good on UF Fund drive: Conecuh County’s annual United Fund appeal moves into high gear this week completion of the industrial division canvass slated for Friday.
Tony Smith of Southern Coach & Body Co., chairman of the industrial division, states that the payroll deduction plan seems to be the most popular method of giving among those employed by local industries, although cash gifts are certainly in order if preferred by the individual.

76 YEARS AGO
OCT. 16, 1947

Bank Bandit Kills Self After Thrilling Chase: A masked bandit obtained $800 in a holdup of the Farmers Exchange Bank in McCullough Tuesday, then killed himself two hours later when he was cornered in a wooded area near Goodway, State Highway Patrolman Tom P. Melton (of Evergreen) reported.
Melton identified the robber as W.C. Ethredge, about 30, of Atmore and said Ethredge had lived in McCullough at one time.
According to information received from Patrolman Melton, the bandit rented a 1941 Chevrolet Coupe in Pensacola, Fla. early Tuesday morning and drove to McCullough arriving about 2 p.m. Mrs. Terry Prestwood was on duty in the bank and two or three depositors waiting when Ethredge entered. He ordered them to stand aside and took all the money in sight, about $800. He told them not to leave the bank until he made his getaway. Mrs. Prestwood notified her husband who gave chase in his own car.
The robber fired on Prestwood as soon as he came in sight, then stopped his car, fired three shots, one going through the windshield but failed to wound Prestwood, and continued his flight. When the cars passed the Atmore State Prison Farm, Deputy Warden Lias Lambert and Prison Guard Charlie Sizemore joined the chase along with two dog boys and bloodhounds.
Ethredge turned off Highway 11 onto a county road, abandoned his car and fled into the woods. The two dogs were released and the party continued the chase into the woods. The officers heard two shots and then found Ethredge dead with one shot in his left breast and one shot above his right ear. He was clutching a .38 caliber Smith-Wesson revolver in his right hand and money from the bank in his left.

91 YEARS AGO
OCT. 20, 1932

Citizens of Evergreen, Conecuh County and the entire surrounding section were saddened this week to learn of the sudden death of Edward Johnston McCreary, who died at 11 o’clock Monday night following a stroke of paralysis which came upon him about four o’clock Monday afternoon.
Mr. McCreary was one of Evergreen’s oldest and most highly respected citizens. He was born at Johnstonville in this county, Feb. 5, 1864, the son of the late John A. and Marcella J. McCreary. At an early age he removed with his parents to Evergreen where he has resided continuously since.

Conecuh Co. Gins 4,373 Bales By October 1st: The official ginners’ report shows that prior to Oct. 1, there were 4,373 bales of cotton ginned in Conecuh County. On the same date in 1931, Conecuh had ginned 7,407 bales.

Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Riley and family left Evergreen Saturday for Greensboro, where they will have charge of the Greensboro hotel. There many friends here will regret to learn of their removal.

The many friends of Miss Gussie Riley will regret to learn that she has been confined to her bed, suffering from an injury received Sunday when she was hooked by a cow.

106 YEARS AGO
OCT. 17, 1917

Castleberry: A carload of 25 fine horses from Colorado were unloaded here Sunday.

Save the Blown Down Timber: There is a vast quantity of timber throughout this section which was blown down by the recent hurricane, and unless persons who own it take prompt measures to utilize and get something out of it, much of it will go to decay. The Pensacola Excelsior Co. of Pensacola, Fla. writes The Courant requesting us to call attention of timber owners to the fact that practically all of this pine timber can be utilized by that concern if it is properly prepared for shipment before it begins to deteriorate. There are thousands of trees that can be turned into money which otherwise would be a total loss.

Send The Courant to the Soldier Boys: Send The Courant to your son or brother in the Army service. He wants the news from home and The Courant will serve as a letter. The dollar you spend in this way will be a pleasure and comfort to him and he will appreciate it as much as anything you could do for him.

G.R. Boulware returned on Saturday from the veterans reunion. He says Birmingham entertained the veterans royally – the best reunion he has attended in a long while.

President Pettis of the Fair Association has had two large signs stretched across the principal streets, advertising the County Fair. President Pettis is proving to be the right man in the right place. He believes in publicity.

The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Oct. 16, 2023

FIVE YEARS AGO
OCT. 18, 2018

Homecoming queens crowned: J.U. Blacksher senior Sky Cruise was crowned homecoming queen Friday night during a pregame ceremony at John Sawyer Memorial Field at Uriah. Alana Anderson was crowned Excel High School’s 2018 homecoming queen during pregame festivities of the EHS v. Bayside Academy game last Friday in Excel.

Monroe Academy’s defense strangled Pike Liberal Arts School’s offense Friday night in Troy to key the Volunteers’ 28-0 win, which wrapped up another AISA, 3A, Region 2 title for MA.
Offensively, the Vols were led by juniors Carter Ledkins and Grayson Stacey. Ledkins completed eight of 14 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns (TDs) and rushed 16 times for 54 yards and a TD.
Defensive standouts included: senior tackle Micha Norris, five solos, four assists, a half sack and 4.5 tackles for loss; senior nose tackle Marcus Owens, three solos, two assists and 2.5 tackles for a loss; senior linebacker Max Carter, two solos, three assists and two TFLs; John Walker Horton, a senior outside linebacker, one solo, four assists, 1.5 sacks and two TFLs.
(Other standout MA players in that game included Corey Barnes, Bryce Black, Max Carter, Colby Higdon, Clay Moye, Marcus Owens and Jordan Witherington.)

Thomas earns certificate: Anthony Thomas, who serves as a member of Monroeville’s City Council, received certification as a municipal official Tuesday after completing a 40-hour program.

30 YEARS AGO
OCT. 21, 1993

New ambulance service to open: Beginning Nov. 1, residents in Monroe County and part of Conecuh County will have a choice of ambulance companies with the opening of Monroe County Ambulance Service, Inc.
According to owner Mitch Guy, the service will start with offices in Monroeville and Repton. The home office is across from VF Factory Outlet on Drewry Road, and Lisa Stanton is office manager. The manager for the Repton office, located in the town’s Volunteer Fire Department building, is Tracey Salter.
Substations are also planned for the Megargel or Uriah area as well as Beatrice.

Whippets avenge previous loss: Frisco City High School upended Excel High School 12-6 Saturday in Excel to avenge a 21-20 loss to the Panthers that took place earlier this season in Frisco City.
Frisco’s run-and-shoot offense generated a total offense of 268 yards. Tony Gibbs completed six of 18 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. Roy Bonner, a senior linebacker, amassed 20 tackles to lead Frisco’s defense.
Excel’s offense piled up 318 total yards. Clifton Nettles, who carried the ball 15 times for 98 yards, led the charge. Joey Salter, Matt Melton and Jason Watson led Excel’s defense with four tackles each.
(Other top FCHS players in that game included Adrian Bullard, Derrick Harris, Marando Lambert, Eddie Logan, Shannon Smith, Carlos Snell and Eric Williams. Top Excel players included James Bonner, Rodney Carroll, Timothy Hands, David Lowery, James Martin, Dennis Parker, Steven Pharr and Durrand Watson. John Harper was FCHS’s head coach, and Bo Bishop was Excel’s head coach.)

55 YEARS AGO
OCT. 17, 1968

Museum To Show Indian Artifacts: A special showing of Indian artifacts will be held in the Monroe County Museum Sunday afternoon, Oct. 20.
Mrs. Dickie Williams, president of the Monroe County Museum & Historical Society, said the Sunday showing of Indian relics and lore will be from 1:30 until 3:30.
Anyone having Indian artifacts such as arrowhead collections, costumes or other items is urged to exhibit them at the museum.

Coach Buddy Rhodes’ Uriah Bulldogs added another victory to their record for the season when they won over Repton, 34-13, Friday night in Repton.
(Top Blacksher players in that game included Jessie Bohannon, Joe Dale Harris, Danny McGee, Howard Metts and Mike Norris. Top Repton players included Andy Higdon.)

Services Are Held For Isadore Katz: Funeral services for Isadore Katz, 60, prominent Monroeville merchant, were conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday from the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel here with burial in Monroeville Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Katz, who had lived in Monroeville most of his life, died at Monroe County Hospital Monday night after a lingering illness. Born in Selma, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Katz, natives of Russia who were pioneer residents of Monroe County.
A member of the volunteer fire department fire department of Monroeville for more than 20 years, Mr. Katz served for the last 15 years as chief of the department. A veteran of World War II, he was a leader in civic affairs of the county and was named Monroeville’s Man of the Year in 1967 by the local Kiwanis Club. He was a former president of the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce and a charter member of the Kiwanis Club here.

80 YEARS AGO
OCT. 21, 1943

The many friends of Charles Ray Skinner will be interested to learn that he completed his course as bombardier at Big Springs, Texas on Oct. 2 and has been commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant. Charles Ray spent last week here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M.E. Skinner, leaving Sunday for his new assignment at Salt Lake City, Utah.

Lt. Israel Katz arrived from Tucson, Arizona enroute to Nebraska where he has been transferred.

HINES-HAGAN: Mrs. Annie B. Jackson of Monroeville announces the marriage of her daughter, Florence, to Cpl. Harvey Allan Hagan of Washington, D.C., now stationed with the Mobile Air Warning Service. They will be at home after Oct. 25 at 138 Norton Lane, Country Club Village.

Mesdames W.C. Watson, R.L. Kennedy, Clara Hendrix, Rob McMillan and Mr. W.S. Nash attended the Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, in Montgomery, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lt. Eugene Austin is at home with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Austin, Monroeville, Route 1, after spending 16 months in the Aleutian Islands. He will report to his new assignment in a few days.

Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Dauphin of Fountain received news last week that their son, Capt. Ray Dauphin, had been slightly injured in action. Capt. Dauphin is in command of a Fighter Squadron somewhere in England.

130 YEARS AGO
OCT. 19, 1893

The Geo. W. Foster Camp of Confederate Veterans will meet in Monroeville on Sat., Oct. 28. All veterans are cordially invited to attend.

KILLING AT MT. PLEASANT: A difficulty occurred at Mount Pleasant last Saturday night between Tom Gentry and John Warren in which Gentry stabbed and shot Warren, inflicting injuries from which the latter died. Gentry gave himself up to an officer and was brought to Monroeville and lodged in jail.

MEXIA is the name of the new post office recently established 3-1/2 miles west of Monroeville with Mr. W.J. Newberry as postmaster. It is served daily by the Monroeville and Claiborne mail route and will prove a great convenience to the people of the neighborhood. Those desiring their papers sent to Mexia will please advise this office.

JONES MILL: I wish to correct a statement in last week’s Journal in reference to the Bear Creek Mill ditch. The ditch has been completed only about one mile up Little Bear Creek. – Subscriber

Mr. B.F. Wiggins arrived Tuesday night from Lonoke, Arkansas with his lovely bride and is the recipient of the warm congratulations of his many friends.

OYSTER SUPPER: Miss Imogen Russell and her school will give an Oyster Supper Nov. 14 and 21 for the purpose of raising funds to repair the Academy.

The weather has become quite fall-like. Light frosts are reported by early risers.

‘Hotel that nobody ran’ burned 11 years ago in Beatrice, Alabama

Historic Robbins Hotel in Beatrice, Alabama.

As hard as it is to believe, yesterday (Thursday) marked 11 years since the historic Robbins Hotel burned in Beatrice.

Oct. 12, 2012 fell on a Friday, and it was on that day that, in less than an hour, fire reduced this Beatrice landmark to a pair of chimneys and smoldering porch steps despite the best efforts of firefighters from Beatrice, Monroeville, Peterman and Vredenburgh. Firefighters were called to the 170-year-old structure just before 3 p.m. that day and within an hour almost the entire hotel was on the ground.

Also known as the Robbins-Finklea Hotel, the structure was originally built around 1840 as a one-story home. Daniel and Barbara Bradley Robbins bought the property in 1860, around the time that the War Between the States broke out.

Barbara Robbins converted the home into a boarding house around 1905. After her death, her daughters, Minnie Robbins (affectionately known throughout the community as Miss Minnie) and Rachel Robbins Davison, took over the boarding house and later changed it to a hotel. In 1948, Oliver Burton “O.B.” Finklea bought the building with the intention of a quick sale, but soon discovered that the hotel could practically run itself.

A 1954 article from The Ford Times described the building as having 14 rooms with a fireplace in each, snow white linens, flowers in vases and the covers turned back on the beds. With no general manager, the hotel was known as the “hotel that nobody ran.” Guests registered at a book in the lobby, chose an unoccupied room, and were asked to “leave your dollars on the bed when you check out,” paying $2.50 to $3 per night.

Travelers also enjoyed a meal prepared by Nellie Andress, the only servant at the hotel. After Finklea's death in 1958, the property was threatened with demolition. In 1962, a group of hunters purchased the hotel and it became a private hunting camp. In October 2012, the property was divided among 15 individuals and was used primarily as a place for hunters to stay and for social events.

Years and years ago, I used to cover the Beatrice Town Council meetings when their meetings were held at the old town hall building on Robbins Street. This squat, red-brick building was located next door to the old Robbins Hotel, not far from the railroad tracks that passed through the town. As best that I can remember, the only time I ever went inside the hotel was during a Leadership Now history tour led by the late Al Nettles in 2005.

If you travel down Robbins Street today, you will see a relatively new historical marker that marks the site of the old hotel. This marker was erected earlier this year by well-known Monroe County real estate developer, Jess Martin, who has deep family ties to the Beatrice area.

In the end, it’s always a shame to lose a historical site like the Robbins Hotel, and it falls to us to keep their memory alive. So many years have now gone by that this old hotel has doubtless passed from the memory of many Monroe County residents, especially those who were youngsters in 2012. On the other side of the coin, many in the Beatrice area no doubt retain fond memories of the “hotel that nobody ran.”

Early Auburn football star of 'National Fame' once coached Pine Apple, Alabama high school team

Benjamin Joseph "Sheep" Lamb

I believe that The Wilcox Progressive Era has some of the most observant readers of any newspaper in all of Alabama. By way of example, consider the following.

Over a month ago, way back in the newspaper’s Sept. 7 edition, I reviewed all of the big news events from over a century ago in September 1923. In that column, I rehashed how in the Sept. 20, 1923 edition of the paper, under the headline “FOOT BALL GAME,” readers were invited on “Friday afternoon, to come and see Sam Jones, Robert Riggs & Co. battle the Lads from Pine Apple. The Pine Apple team is being coached by the famous Sheep Lamb, a player of National Fame.”

A few days ago, a reader reached out to me wanting to know more about this item, including “Who the heck was Sheep Lamb?” With that in mind, let’s deep dive into the short news item mentioned above to see what we can learn when we examine it closely. As with most things, there is more than meets the eye.

First, this short paragraph was published deep in the paper, on Page 5, near the lower left-hand corner of the page. This indicates that the football game probably wasn’t considered important enough to make the front page that week. An event that did make the front page that week was a series of public speaking engagements in Camden, Pine Apple and Pine Hill that featured Prof. Allen G. Loehn of Birmingham-Southern College, Chattanooga lawyer Boyd W. Hargraves and W.M. Howe, who was the regional director of the Near East Relief for Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

I thought it was also interesting that the headline printed the word “football” as two words. Back in those days, “football” and “baseball” were often written as two words. This seems to have fallen out of practice in the 1930s.

The article also reports that the game was to be played on “Friday afternoon.” The paper was published on Sept. 20, which was a Thursday, so the following Friday would have been the next day, Sept. 21. While the article doesn’t specifically mention the game’s start time, games in those days typically kicked off around 3 p.m., around the time that school let out. These were the days when very few schools had lighted football fields.

While it doesn’t specifically say who would be playing Pine Apple, I think it’s safe to presume that it was the high school team from Camden. Sam Jones and Robert Riggs must have been well known players on the Camden squad that the reading audience would have known. The game was also presumably played in Camden since the article doesn’t indicate that it was to be played anywhere else.

“Sheep Lamb” was the nickname of Benjamin Joseph Lamb, who played tackle at Auburn University between 1908 and 1912. A native of Eutaw, Lamb was named “All Southern” twice during his college career, and he apparently was Pine Apple’s head coach in 1923, when he was 35 years old. Records reflect that the 1923 season was the first season that the school at Pine Apple fielded a team.

No account of this game’s outcome appeared in the following week’s paper. However, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society, Camden won this game, 73-0. AHSFHS records also indicate that the game was played on Sat., Sept. 22.

In the end, there was much to be gleaned from this short, 35-word paragraph. If anyone in the reading audience has more to add, please let me know. It’s highly possible that there is more to learn from reading between the lines.

Singleton: Many tall tales told of encounters with 'vicious beast' in Monroe County, Alabama

Lower jaw and tusks of boar found in Franklin, Ala.

(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 “Look for a tall tree: Wild boar is a dangerous animal,” was originally published in the May 19, 1977 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

If there is any doubt in anyone’s mind that we have one of the most dangerous animals on the North American continent right here in Monroe County, you can be assured that we do. This animal is known throughout the South and is respected by hunters far and near.

Many a tall tale has been told about this vicious beast and the encounters with it. Many are true; a great number of hunters and woodsmen carry scars on their bodies that will bear witness to the fact that these animals are not to be underestimated.

Many a good hunting dog has been crippled or killed by their savage attacks, and many a hunter has spent the better part of a day or night in a tall tree to stay beyond the reaches of their razor-sharp tusks.

The wild boar ranges along the lowlands that border the rivers and large creeks in this area. He feeds on the small, tender roots and acorns that are to be found in abundance in the low, wet areas or bottoms. He has a very keen sense of hearing and smell.

Contrary to the belief that hogs are noisy creatures, these wild boars can easily slip up on a person without being seen or heard. They will most often attack when they are harassed or when cornered.

Their method of attack is rushing wildly toward their victims, slashing out with the long tusks that protrude from their lower jaws. These tusks can easily take off an arm or leg, or kill or cripple the best hunting dog. Wild boars have been known to kill or cripple whole packs of well-trained dogs when cornered.

On one occasion near my home a few days back, a wild boar injured a horse so severely that the horse had to be destroyed.

The tusks and lower portion of the jaw bone pictured here were found near the Franklin community. This boar was a rather large one and quite old.

The best defense against a wild boar is to stay away from it. Be careful when going into the swamps alone. Remember a wounded boar is most dangerous, and a good, tall tree is a welcome sight when being chased by one.

 (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, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, 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 Oct. 10, 2023

William Barret Travis of the Alamo.

15 YEARS AGO
OCT. 9, 2008

Evergreen weather reporter Harry Ellis reported no rainfall between Sept. 29 and Oct. 5. He reported highs of 87 degrees on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 and lows of 50 on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. Total rainfall for the month of September 2008 was 0.6 inches.

Mayor’s race still undecided: At press time, the winner in the hotly contested runoff election for Evergreen mayor remained unclear. With 10 uncounted provisional ballots still in limbo, unofficial results showed challenger Pete Wolff III with a two-vote lead over incumbent Larry Fluker.
According to unofficial results posted at Evergreen City Hall, Wolff received 1,025 votes, and Fluker got 1,023.

Sausage Fest set for Saturday: Saturday will be a day of fun and entertainment in Evergreen as crowds are expected to flock to downtown Evergreen for the Fifth Annual Evergreen Sausage Festival.
The festival is scheduled to begin Saturday at 8:45 a.m. and will end at 5 p.m., organizers said. The day will begin with greetings from Evergreen’s mayor and a welcome from Chamber of Commerce President P.J. Stallworth.

SER Fly-in to be held Oct. 24-26: This year’s South East Regional Fly In is just a few weeks away and looks to bring scores of visitors to Conecuh County as part of the annual aviation event.
This year’s Fly In commonly referred to as SERFI, is scheduled for Oct. 24-26 at Middleton Airfield in Evergreen. Admission to the event is $5 a day and $10 for the entire weekend. Children under age 12 will be admitted for free with a parent or guardian.

40 YEARS AGO
OCT. 13, 1983

Conecuh County’s 1984 Junior Miss, Kim Watson, was chosen at the annual Junior Miss Pageant at Evergreen City School on Saturday night. Kim is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Palmer Watson of Bermuda and is a senior at Monroe Academy. The Junior Miss competition is sponsored by the Pilot Club of Evergreen. A large crowd filled the City School auditorium for the pageant. Kim will represent Conecuh County in the Alabama Junior Miss Competition in Birmingham.

Agreement reached on the sale of Poole: IU International Corp. has reached an agreement to acquire Poole Truck Line Inc., a motor carrier headquartered in Evergreen. The acquisition was announced today by IU Chairman John Gilray Christy and Poole President Walter Poole.
The transaction is subject to approval by the Interstate Commerce Commission. Terms were not disclosed.
The truck line will continue to operate under its own name, and no change in management and personnel or operations is planned.
Poole provides truckload freight service to customers throughout the U.S. with a fleet of 900 tractors and 1,400 trailers. In 1982, Poole’s revenues were about $55 million.

Evergreen weather observer Earl Windham reported no rain between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8. He reported a high of 90 on Oct. 5 and a low of 51 on Oct. 2.

65 YEARS AGO
OCT. 9, 1958

Baptist Group Sets ‘Clean-up Day’ For Old Beulah Cemetery: Baptists of the Conecuh Association announced today that they have undertaken the clearing off of the historic Old Beulah Cemetery as an initial effort toward preserving the ancient burying ground which is so rich in history of the early days of this county.
The Association voted to clean up the cemetery next Wednesday. Each church in the association is to send at least two representatives who will meet with the others at the cemetery at seven o’clock Wednesday morning to spend the day cutting back grass and undergrowth.
Old Beulah Cemetery is the oldest known cemetery in the county. Located on land now belonging to Thomas E. McMillan of Brewton, the cemetery is between Sparta and Brooklyn off the old road.
The cemetery was established by the pioneer families of this county who also organized the first Baptist Church, Beulah, under the guidance of the Rev. Alexander Travis, father of Col. William Barrett Travis, a hero of the Alamo, and many other leading pioneer citizens of this county were buried at Beulah.
Baptist along with those of other faiths regret that for many years the cemetery has not received proper care. Vandals have created havoc with many of the historic markers.
The clean-up scheduled Wednesday may be just the first step in a long-range program to restore and preserve the landmark for posterity.

90 YEARS AGO
OCT. 12, 1933

EVERGREEN EDUCATOR VISITS THE CAPITOL: W.Y. Fleming, former superintendent of education for Lee County and for the past two years principal of the Second District Agricultural School at Evergreen, was a capitol visitor Saturday and said he probably would not enter the race for state superintendent setting at rest rumors that had been current in the department of education recently. It is the second time the popular educator has been mentioned for the post prior to as many campaigns. He was Lee County Superintendent for 16 years and is proud of the fact that he is “an Auburn man.”

Former Citizen Dies At Canoe Home: Rounding out a long and useful life of 81 years, Mr. A.F. Etheridge passed away at his home at Canoe, Ala., Tues., Oct. 3. He was laid to rest in Sardis Cemetery near Canoe.
Deceased spent many years of his long life in this county and will be remembered by a host of friends who will also greatly deplore his death. For the past two years, he had made his home at Canoe. Mr. Etheridge was at one time a deputy sheriff of Conecuh County.

Cooke Players Here Week Beginning Oct. 23: Playing under the auspices of the Parent-Teacher Association Cooke Players, well-known company which has been enthusiastically received by audiences throughout Alabama and other states will open a week’s engagement here for the week beginning Oct. 23, programs to be rendered in the City School auditorium.
Doors open each night at 7:15 and the curtain rises at 8 p.m. Price of admission is 10 cents for school children and 25 cents for adults.

140 YEARS AGO
OCT. 11, 1883
CONECUH-ESCAMBIA STAR

Our town council has recently taken extra precaution and have employed extra help to render the quarantine against all places infected with yellow fever thoroughly effective. All avenues of approach will be guarded and no person will be permitted to enter the town who cannot show that he has not been in an infected place within 20 days. Our country friends are assured that they may visit Evergreen with impunity.

The town has been under quite an excitement in regard to the yellow fever for the past week. Various rumors reach us from Brewton as to the sickness there.

Dr. McCreary is finishing the courthouse with brick made in Montgomery.

There will be a partial eclipse of the moon on the night of the 16^th. The eclipse will commence at one and end at 54 after 2.

There will be a meeting of the Conecuh Guards next Monday night, the 15^th inst. Business of importance will be transacted, and it is especially desired and ordered by the captain that every officer and member be present.

We noticed in the depot one day this week a cast-iron water wheel, patented by Mr. J.E. Mancil of this county. Mr. Mancil has been working on it for several years and claims for it superiority in several particulars over other cast wheels of the same kind.

Mr. L.N. Amos of Burnt Corn has raised a pumpkin, which weighs 96 pounds. Who can beat it?

The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Oct. 9, 2023

General James Alexander Ulio

FOUR YEARS AGO
OCT. 10, 2019

Representative Bradley Byrne held a town hall meeting Monday at City Hall in Monroeville. He answered an array of questions concerning the potential impeachment of President Donald Trump, healthcare, education and infrastructure. Approximately 50 citizens from around Monroe County gathered to meet Byrne and voice their concerns, gain clarity on certain issues and hear from their peers.

‘Dogs pound WC 50-zip: J.U. Blacksher scored 49 or more points in a single game for the fifth time this season, and the Bulldogs’ defense pitched their first shutout Friday night when they destroyed Washington County (WCHS) 50-0.
Blacksher’s offensive leaders included: Kaderian “K.D.” Rabb, three of four passing for 148 yards and two touchdowns, and eight rushes for 69 yards to tally 217 total yards.
Defensively, Jaylin Hunt and Tucker Spence led the Bulldogs in tackles. Hunt had four tackles, including three for losses and Spence had four tackles with two for losses.
(Other top Blacksher players in that game included Andrew Dawson, Justin Heffington, Deon Hill, JaDaniel Nettles, Kane Singleton, Jaiveyon “J.T.” Tucker and Peyton Wilkins. Wes Sims was head coach.)

Shelton and Spann earn CMO: Town of Beatrice Mayor Annie M. Shelton and Council member Lynda M. Spann earned the professional designation of Certified Municipal Official after completing 40 credit hours of training conducted or endorsed by the Alabama League of Municipalities. Shelton and Spann are members of the 24^th graduating class of Certified Municipal Officials and were recognized for their accomplishments during graduation ceremonies held in Prattville on Oct. 3.

29 YEARS AGO
OCT. 13, 1994

Fair in progress: Rainy weather didn’t dampen the spirits of about 200 fair-goers who braved the unseasonable cold here Tuesday night after the annual Kiwanis Monroe County Fair officially opened with a ribbon-cutting at 5 p.m.
Also, Angela Petty, a senior at Excel High School, was chosen “Fairest of the Fair” at the pageant Tuesday. Second-place winner was Lasonja Kennedy, a senior at J.F. Shields High School. Brandi Bayles was chosen third-place. Claire McKinley, a senior at Monroe County High School, won the poise and appearance division.

MA pounds Jackson in West Region battle: Monroe Academy inched closer to nailing down a spot in the Alabama Independent School Association’s state playoffs for 2A teams Friday when the Volunteers trounced Jackson 32-8 at MA.
Brad McKinley paced the Vol’s offense with 114 yards on 18 carries. MA’s defensive leaders included Johnny Pickens with seven tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
(Other top MA players in that game included Robin Chandler, Walker Davis, Brian Walker and Westley Welch. Tim Carter was MA’s head coach.)

Coxwell listed: Will Coxwell, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Milton Coxwell Jr. of Monroeville, was named to the academic dean’s list at Darlington School in Rome, Ga.

54 YEARS AGO
OCT. 9, 1969

Warrant Served In Teacher Death: A first-degree murder warrant has been served on Paul Samuel Lewis, who was indicted by an Autauga County grand jury in the July 21 slaying of Miss Jacqueline Ann Hill, Monroeville school teacher.
The Mobile County sheriff’s office said it served the warrant on Lewis Thursday at Searcy State Hospital in Mt. Vernon, where the accused 21-year-old man has been confined since shortly after his arrest in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 10. Officials said he was placed in the hospital guardhouse following the serving of the warrant.
Miss Hill, 22, disappeared on July 21, while returning to Monroeville from Birmingham. Her decomposed body was discovered Aug. 1 in a shallow grave north of Prattville off Highway 31, which she had been traveling toward Monroeville.
Authorities said no date has been set for Lewis’ arraignment in the case and that Searcy State Hospital officials will have to determine whether Lewis is sane enough to appear in court. At the time of Lewis’ arrest in Florida, he was reported to be an escapee from a mental institution in that state.

Excel Wings Again: Excel continued a winning streak by rolling through Jay, Fla. Friday night with a final score of 42 to 8. The decisive win was made on the ground, through the air and really Jay had a 12-man team if Excel’s Larry Flowers can be counted. He spent most of the night in Jay’s backfield, playing drop the hankie with the Jay quarterback. It is likely that the Jay quarterback wakes up at night dreaming that Flowers is chasing him.
(Other top Excel players in that game included Jimmie Dale Dawson, Eddie Hands, Mike Ledkins and Tony Narrimore. Carvel Rowell was Excel’s head coach.)

79 YEARS AGO
OCT. 12, 1944

Charles R. Skinner Prisoner In Germany: The host of friends of First Lt. Charles Ray Skinner and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M.E. Skinner of Monroeville are delighted to learn that he is alive after being shot down over enemy territory some weeks ago, and is a prisoner of war in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner received a telegram from Adj. General J.A. Ulio last Saturday, stating that the International Red Cross reports him a prisoner of war and that a letter of information follows from the Marshal General.

Mr. Joe Reddoch attended the World Series ball games in St. Louis last week.

Mrs. Drayton White of DeKalb, Miss. was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Lee, the first of the week.

James McCoy Pridgeon of Uriah, stationed at Ardmore, Okla., has been promoted from Lieutenant to the rank of Captain.

Henry W. Pridgeon writes that he is serving in the South Sea Islands. Henry lived at Uriah before entering the armed services.

Pvt. Willie Lee Tatum of Niagara Falls, N.Y. is spending his furlough with relatives at Pine Orchard and Monroeville.

John M. Sowell Called By Death: Mr. John M. Sowell passed away at his home here Saturday night. He was born at Claiborne in 1866 and at the age of nine years came to Monroeville. For more than 40 years, he taught in the schools in this and adjoining counties. He was a member of the Methodist Church, Alabama Lodge No. 3 and the Royal Arch Chapter.

129 YEARS AGO
OCT. 11, 1894

Heavy rains have fallen during the past week, causing many of the larger streams to overflow and greatly retarding cotton picking. In some instances, considerable losses have been sustained.

IN MEMORIAM: On the 27^th of September last, at his home near Claiborne, Alabama, W.J. Robison peacefully and painlessly breathed his last, surrounded by affectionate family and devoted friends.
“Jesse” Robison was born and reared in Monroe County. He was of a well known and respected family. In the days of his early manhood, he became occupied in mercantile business at Claiborne. At the commencement of the Civil War, he enlisted with a company composed largely of the finest young men of the county, by whom he was greatly beloved, and whom, before the close of the war, he commanded. It was as a gallant Confederate soldier that the splendid qualities of manhood exhibited by Jesse Robison first evoked public admiration and praise. No braver or more faithful soldier ever drew sword in defense of his country. He never shirked duty of any kind and was ever found in the forefront of the fight, cheering and leading his men.
He was no less faithful to his civic trust. He died holding the responsible office of tax collector of his county for the second term, the duties of which position he faithfully and conscientiously discharged. He was for a time a member of the county executive committee of the Democratic party, where, as ever elsewhere, he satisfactorily acquitted himself of the responsibilities placed upon him. He was a true man, a useful citizen, a faithful public servant, honored and respected in every relation of life.

‘Ghost Riders of McConnico’ is a spooky tale from Monroe County

Crystal and I were out riding around on Sunday afternoon, and we eventually found ourselves on County Road 1. Not far from Perdue Hill, we pulled over at the old McConnico Cemetery for a brief look around.

For those of you unfamiliar with this cemetery, it’s one of the oldest in Monroe County. No one is exactly sure when the first burial took place here, but most sources say it was in the 1820s, not long after Alabama became a state. Just eyeballing it, I would say that this cemetery contains about 500 graves, many of which are unmarked.

This cemetery takes its name from a man named William Washington McConnico, an early Alabama pioneer, who also served in the state legislature. He donated the land for the cemetery a short time before his death in 1830. While the cemetery today does contain a marker in memory of McConnico, it’s said that he’s actually buried at his old homeplace, about a mile away.

Those of you who have been to this old cemetery will also know that it’s one of the spookiest places in all of Monroe County. While there on Sunday, I could not help but think of the “Ghost Riders of McConnico,” the best-known ghost story associated with this location.

Stories of these ghostly riders vary, but the most popular version of this spooky tale says that travelers near this cemetery late at night claim to have seen 12 ghostly cavalrymen mounted on grey horses. They ride side by side in a long column, and they are dressed in full cavalry uniforms with sabers, harness, the whole nine yards. However, the riders are said to wear no headgear.

Witnesses say that the riders wear white gloves, folded across the pommels of their saddles, their reins hanging loose. Witnesses describe these riders as “corpse-like” and say that each rider has a white cloth tied around his head. It’s said that this method was used in the 1800s to prepare corpses for burial. Witnesses go on to say that these riders move silently up the road, not even the hooves of the horses make a sound.

For those of you interested in reading more about this story, you can find more details about it in Kathryn Tucker Windham’s 1982 book, “Jeffrey’s Latest 13: More Alabama Ghosts.” This book dedicates an entire chapter to the “Ghost Riders of McConnico” and talks about how Mr. and Mrs. Charles Locklin saw the 12 ghostly riders. The Locklins supposedly encountered the riders many, many years ago as they traveled down County Road 1 in a wagon.

Windham’s version of the tale describes the riders as “Union horsemen.” In her story, it’s theorized that the cavalrymen were the victims of Confederate raider Lafayette Seigler, who would ambush Yankee patrols and cut off their ears. Supposedly, this is why the riders are seen wearing white bandages around their heads.

This tale is also included in George Buster Singleton’s 1991 book, “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers.” Singleton, who wrote a weekly column for The Journal for many years, was widely known for his ghost stories and spooky tales.

“Perhaps (the ghost riders) are the spirits of the followers of Morgan, Forrest or Stuart, killed in some daring raid away from their beloved Southland, now seeking familiar haunts in the night,” Singleton wrote. “Or perhaps they are those who, unhappy in death, are destined to ride forever in search of a peace that was never found in life.”