The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Feb. 26, 2024

USS Smalley

21 YEARS AGO
FEB. 27, 2003

Cancer center ground-breaking Friday: The Monroe Health Foundation Cancer Treatment Center received a financial boost Monday when Temple Inland donated another $25,000 for construction of the new center.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the cancer center will be tomorrow (Friday) at 12:30 p.m. at the site on South Alabama Avenue between Regions Bank and Johnson Funeral Home, across the street from the Winn-Dixie Shopping Center.
The $25,000 donation increased the campaign’s cash and pledges to $1,088,000.

Excel opens season with 11-1 rout of Red Level: Excel School opened its baseball season Saturday in Excel with an 11-1 win over Red Level High School at Murphy Park.
Senior right-hander Neal Jordan went the distance on the mound, tossing a one-hitter while striking out six. At the plate, the Panthers got a pair of doubles and two RBIs from Seth Mack.
(Other top Excel players in that game included Derek Wiggins, Brandon Crutchfield and Justin Whatley.)

MA’s Paula Stacey named to AISA Teacher Hall of Fame: Monroe Academy teacher Paula Stacey of Monroeville will be honored at the Alabama Independent School Association’s fourth annual Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremonies March 10 at the Montgomery Civic Center.
Stacey, who has taught English and speech at MA since 1975, is one of nine inductees to be honored. A reception honoring the Class of 2003 will begin at 6:15 p.m. with the banquet and induction ceremonies starting at 7 p.m.

46 YEARS AGO
FEB. 23, 1978

Measles epidemic threatens Monroe: An alert has been declared in Monroe County by the state Health Department concerning an epidemic of red measles in Escambia County, head nurse with the Monroe County Health Department.
Mrs. Kilpatrick said a vaccination program for all types of immunizations, planned earlier by the county department and schools, was being stepped up because of the epidemic. The vaccinations will be administered in all schools in the county next week, she said.
Anyone who had a measles shot prior to 1967 or when he was less than one year old needs another shot, she said.

Vols capture District 3 title: In the district championship game Saturday night, the Monroe Academy Vols blasted Wilcox Academy, 44-30.
Tommy Bowden led the scoring in the game with 11 points. Kevin Norris hit for 10, O’Neal Jordan eight, and Frank Carter and Mitch Jones six apiece.
Tommy Bowden of Monroe was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Kevin Norris was named to the all-tournament team.

11 arrested: Game wardens Bill Boone and Donald Turberville confiscated these 16 traps and arrested 11 persons in three days for illegal trapping. Charges ranged from trapping without a license to failure to mark traps. The maximum penalty for such offenses is a $500 fine, the officers said. They urged persons who discover illegal traps to notify them immediately.

71 YEARS AGO
FEB. 26, 1953

MCHS Tigers Top Evergreen 70-64: The Monroe County High Tiger cagers finished off their regular season in cage play Tuesday night by shaving the Evergreen Aggies 70-64 in Evergreen.
The MCHS hardwoodmen outscored their Evergreen hosts in the first, third and fourth quarters, netting by periods 19, 12, 21 and 18 points as opposed to 14, 14, 20 and 16 points for the Conecuh County group. High point man for the Tigers was forward Vincent Tomlinson with 37 points while Frazier, center, paced the Aggies with 22.

Joseph Marshall Jr. Serving In Korea: With the 1^st Cavalry Division in Japan – Pvt. Joseph Marshall Jr., whose wife, Sylvia, lives in Beatrice, Ala., is now serving with the 1^st Cavalry Division in Japan.
A veteran of 11 months of service in Korea with the 74^th Combat Engineers, Marshall entered the Army in August 1943. His mother, Delia Marshall, lives in Chestnut.

Charles I. Sims Takes Part In Caribbean Operation Springboard: While serving aboard the destroyer USS Smalley, Charles I. Sims, sonarman third class, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Sims of Monroeville, participated in Operation Springboard in the Caribbean. The ship conducted intensive anti-submarine warfare, anti-aircraft and shore bombardment gunnery and seamanship exercises. After the exercises, the Smalley returned to Newport, R.I., her homeport.

The Excel High School Panther cage five finished off its season by racking up another high score victory of 96-72 over Lyeffion on Friday night. High scorer for Excel was forward Jack Sawyer with 26 points while Booker, center, and Chavers, guard, with 20 points each, paced Lyeffion.

96 YEARS AGO
FEB. 23, 1928

The Mobile Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will unveil a memorial tablet on the grave of the late Mrs. Katherine Salter Kitchen in the cemetery at the Baptist church on Fri., Feb. 24, under the direction of Mrs. Ervin Vass of Mobile, chairman of historical spots.

Mr. J. Mack Stallworth, the veteran and efficient postmaster at Beatrice, was among Monroeville friends the first of the week.

Mrs. J.P. Farish went to Birmingham the first of the week to hear the celebrated singer, John McCormich.

On Friday afternoon, Feb. 10, 1928, Mr. R.L. Stallworth, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Monroe County, passed away after an illness of long duration. When he was about 17 years of age, the Civil War was in full swing, and he was sent to the University of Alabama, where he was given some of the principles of military training. He at this time enlisted in the Confederate army and became one of the bravest and most enthusiastic soldiers. He was honored at one time during the Civil War by being chosen a Bradford Scout, a responsibility that entailed much courage and physical strength. The Confederate reunions have been a source of much joy to him in recent years and he attended many of them, coming home thrilled after having seen his comrades.

Hon. J. Miller Bonner of Camden was a visitor to Monroeville Saturday. Mr. Bonner is a prominent candidate for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and has already made a pretty thorough canvas of the state and feels confident of his nomination.

121 YEARS AGO
FEB. 26, 1903

Sheriff M.M. Fountain went to Texas last week where he contemplated investing in a carload or so of stock.

The Commissioners court will hold an adjourned term on Monday next to complete arrangements preliminary to letting contract for the new courthouse.

Alabama Lodge No. 3, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Perdue Hill, Alabama, has been reorganized with the following officers, viz: N.A. Agee, Worshipful Master; E.R. Morrissette, Senior Warden; W.E. Broughton, Junior Warden; W.B. Marshall, Junior Deacon; J.F. Gaillard, Senior Deacon; J.M. Coxwell, Secretary; J.D. Frye, Treasurer; G.W. Carter, Tyler.

Capt. J.J. Lufkin has recently returned from Chicago where he went to purchase a locomotive for the Manistee & Repton Railroad.

Mr. J.B. McMillan will soon be in a position to conduct the express business of Drewry and vicinity for the L&N Railroad. This departure will make the station of more importance and is a step toward the erection of a waiting room and warehouse at his point.

Chapter Meeting: The regular convocation of Monroe Chapter No. 122 will be held on Tuesday evening, March 3, 1903. A full attendance is desired. Work in Royal Arch degree. Visiting companions cordially welcomed. – F.M. Jones, Secretary.