Century-old news highlights from October 1923 editions of The Wilcox Progressive Era in Camden, Alabama

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

In the Oct. 4, 1923 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold reported that “relatives in Camden received a cablegram from Honolulu with the sad news of the sudden death of our former townsman, Mr. Will Alford, age 68, who passed away Thursday of last week. Mr. Alford left here several years ago with his wife and only child, Mrs. Norman Godbold, when Mr. Godbold was appointed as U.S. Assistant District Attorney at Honolulu.”

Also that week it was reported that “Miss Sallie Hall Neville has returned from Pensacola, and will again take over the management of the Neville Hotel. She will be assisted by Mrs. Madeline McDowell.”

In the Oct. 11, 1923 edition of The Progressive Era, under the headline “Camden High Defeats Demopolis 20 to 6,” it was reported that “Coach Melton’s High School warriors defeated Demopolis High on the local field last Friday, 20 to 6. The entire Camden team played a good game, the line holding at all times, the touchdown made by the Demopolians resulting from a pretty forward pass. The work of Sam Jones, Powe and Miller captured from a Camden standpoint, Powe going through the entire Demopolis team for 90 yards and touchdown, the other two touchdowns being credited to Sam Jones.”

Also that week, it was reported that “the ginners report for the month of September has been gotten out by Mr. Will Liddell, and he states that there were ginned in Wilcox County during September up to the 25^th day last year 5,275 bales of cotton, and this year up to the same date, 932 bales.”

In the Oct. 18, 1923 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that the “baseball fans of Camden wish to thank Dr. J. Paul Jones for keeping them posted on the recent world series games. Dr. Jones received the returns by radio and would phone the results downtown.”

It was also reported that week that the “high wind Tuesday made all the pecan growers get busy, for the ground was covered with fine nuts. Very fortunately the hogs have not been turned out for the winter, and the nuts can be picked up.”

In the Oct. 25, 1923 edition of the paper, under the headline “Death of Lumberman,” it was reported that Jackson C. Mills, a well-known lumberman of Camden, Wilcox County, died at a Selma hospital today after a short illness. He leaves a wife and six children. The body was shipped to Elrod, his former home, where the funeral will take place on Tuesday.”

Also that week, under the headline “New Pastor For Camden Baptist Church,” readers learned that the “Rev. L.A. Nall, formerly of Bay Minette, has accepted a call to the Camden Baptist Church, he comes highly recommended. He will preach every second and fourth Sundays. The Era extends him a hearty welcome.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. On the first Thursday of next month, I plan to take a look at the events of November 1923 in Wilcox County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Alabama Department of Archives and History’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. Their friendly staff will be more than happy to get you started.