The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for June 18, 2024

43 YEARS AGO

JUNE 18, 1981

Local weather observer Earl Windham reported 1.12 inches of rain on June 11 and .56 inches on June 12. He reported a high of 94 degrees on June 411 and lows of 70 degrees on June 11, 12, 13 and 14.

This is the new Evergreen Church of Christ, which is under construction on the Middle Road. The congregation hopes to have its first service in the new building July 12.

The Evergreen City Council met Tuesday night at City Hall with Mayor Pro-tem Aubrey D. Padgett presiding in the absence of Mayor Lee F. Smith. The council voted to discontinue the demand charge on the auditorium portion of the L&N Depot, which is owned by the Murder Creek Historical Society, according to City Clerk Miller Sellers.

The Council adopted a resolution to establish a personnel system for the City of Evergreen.

Chief Ed Bundy of the Evergreen Police Department stands beside one of the signs marking a handicapped parking space. These signs have been placed in the downtown area and at the Public Library and City Hall. Only vehicles operated by handicapped persons will be allowed to use these spaces. Vehicles must have markings, placards, decals or license plates that are issued to such handicapped persons by the State. An ordinance adopted by the City Council can be found elsewhere in this issue of The Courant.

58 YEARS AGO
JUNE 16, 1966

The first cotton bloom of the 1966 crop was brought to The Courant this week by Leslie Crosby, who has had this honor and also that of the first bale to the gin on a number of occasions in the past.
Crosby is a well-known farmer of Rt. E, Evergreen, and has enjoyed good success over the years with cotton and other crops as well as livestock.

Final rites held for local merchant Elbert Northcutt: Elbert Calloway Northcutt, 73, died in a Mobile hospital Thursday morning, June 9. He was a leading merchant of this city who had been active in the clothing business here for over 54 years.
Mr. Northcutt was born in Monroe County, the son of the late Sarah Tom Morris Northcutt and James Nelson Northcutt. He moved with his family as a young boy to Conecuh County, residing here until his death. He was married to the former Ella Henderson on Dec. 25, 1915, they having celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary this past Christmas, and she survives him.
Mr. Northcutt began working as a clerk with F.L. Riley Department Store as a young man of 19. After several years association with this firm, he joined the staff of I. Long & Sons Dept. Store and worked with them until he opened his own business, Northcutt’s, also known as the New York Cash Store, in 1935. Although his business was twice destroyed by fire, Mr. Northcutt through good management and personal knowledge of the people of the area, built up over the years one of the leading men’s and boys’ stores in this area.

We Buy Old Coins of All Kinds – Western Auto Store – Pete Wolff.

73 YEARS AGO
JUNE 21, 1951

Local Masonic Lodge Elects New Officers: At a recent meeting of Greening Lodge No. 53, A.F.A.M., new officers for the ensuing year were elected. They are: Alfred Long, worshipful master; Lloyd G. Hart, senior warden; A.B. Hansen, junior warden; F.L. Cardwell, treasurer; Robert Glass, secretary; Robert Quarles, senior deacon; Clarence Carrier, junior deacon; Ed Carrier, tyler; E.A. Brown, marshall; Sam Granade, chaplain; Loftin Shell and Frank Britt, stewards.

Downing Lodge 580, A.F. and A.M., of Castleberry held their annual meeting Friday night at the Masonic Hall with Benjamin Barlow presiding. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: William Stanley Howell, worshipful master; William James Ellis, senior warden; Alton W. Thompson, junior warden; C.N. Jackson, treasurer; C.U. LeCroy, secretary; S.A. McGraw, senior deacon; C.W. Albreast, junior deacon; and C.A. Poole, tyler.

Edward Evers and James Hassell represented Evergreen High School at Boys State at the University of Alabama.

Mr. and Mrs. Lauris Jones arrived here Sunday from Cambridge, Mass., where he attended Harvard University receiving his Masters Degree in Public Health Engineering. They will spend this week with his mother, Mrs. Ralph McCreary.

88 YEARS AGO
JUNE 18, 1936

The house known as the Wilson “old place,” on West Front Street is being renovated by the Rutland Hardware Co. and when the work is finished shortly will be used by the firm as a funeral home.
The Rutland funeral home, when completed, will be the only exclusive funeral home in Conecuh County.

An automobile accident late Sunday night near the Conecuh-Butler county line claimed the life of Solomon Kendrick, 22-year-old son of David Kendrick, well known resident of Beat One.
The youth, who was known to his friends as “Tops,” was almost instantly killed when an automobile he was driving overturned just across the line in Butler County.
Deep sand ruts in the road are believed to have caused Kendrick to lose control of the car.

George W. Foshee, prominent farmer of the Cohassett community, died Sunday afternoon at his home near the eastern border of the county after an illness which began about two years ago. He was in his 64^th year.
Mr. Foshee had spent his entire lifetime at Cohassett and passed away in the old family home there. While principally a farmer, he also was engaged in the ginning business at Red Level and had been in the sawmill business for many years.
He was a Baptist and a Mason and funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the Long Branch Baptist Church where services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. R.D. Wright. At the grave, fraternal exercises were conducted by members of the Red Level Masonic lodge.

103 YEARS AGO
JUNE 15, 1921

The body of Rix Smith, who died of wounds in France about two years ago, reached here on Friday night last and on Saturday morning was conveyed to Old Town cemetery for interment. Rev. S.P. Lindsay officiated at the funeral and made a very appropriate talk. Quite a number of overseas soldiers were present at the interment.

J.I. McKinney, superintendent of the L&N Railroad, and connected with the road in one way or another for the past 50 years, will voluntarily retire on July 1. He deserves a well earned rest.

Masonic Officers Elected: The annual election of officers of the local Masonic lodge held on Thursday night last resulted in the selection of the following: L.J. Mixon, worshipful master; Geo. M. Jones, senior warden; J.R. Brooks, junior warden; M.S. Baldwin, treasurer; J. Lamar Kelly, secretary; R.H. Jones, senior deacon; R.E. Ivey, junior deacon; F.N. Hawkins, tyler; Jerry Murphy and R.J. McCreary, stewards; Dr. J.G. Dickinson, chaplain; and Sam Craig, marshal.

Dr. H.T. Fountain of Burnt Corn attended the dedication of the White House of the Confederacy and his name should have appeared among those representing Conecuh, but The Courant was not advised of the fact.

Irish Potato Season at Repton Closes: Repton, Ala., June 11 – Repton has about finished shipping Irish potatoes for the season, having shipped something like 30 cars from Repton and vicinity. Each car contained about 500 bushels. The price received was about $1 per bushel on an average.
This is the first time Repton has planted Irish potatoes, but the experiment has clearly demonstrated the fact that Repton can compete with any place in the state growing Irish potatoes.

The Monroe Journal News Flashback for June 17, 2024

Crayon A. Stacey

25 YEARS AGO
JUNE 17, 1999

Log truck runs into train near Vredenburgh: No one was injured in a wreck between a train and a log truck Wednesday of last week but workers were still on the scene Friday trying to clean up.
Monroe County Sheriff Tom Tate said the log truck was reportedly unable to stop at the railroad tracks on River Ridge Road, near Vredenburgh. The truck had almost made it across safely when the train collided with the last few feet of the trailer.
The collision caused three engines and at least two box cars to derail and spill fuel.

Hanks to nationals: Excel senior Andy Hanks will compete for a national championship in bareback bronc and bull riding events July 19-25 in Gillete, Wyoming.
He will compete in the National High School Finals Rodeo in the bareback bronc and bull riding events. The national finals will be telecast live on TNN Aug. 15 at 1 p.m.
Hanks earned a chance to compete by ranking as reserve champion in bareback and as the average winner in bull riding in the recent Alabama High School State Finals Rodeo in Montgomery.
He is also a member of the Wrangler Jeans all-star rodeo team.

New officer: Monroe County Bank has hired Robert England as its new assistant vice president of operations. England comes to Monroe County from South Alabama Bank in Mobile. He said he is excited about the new job and looks forward to serving his customers here.

50 YEARS AGO
JUNE 20, 1974

New Monroeville chief hired: A 36-year-old Montgomery man with four years’ military and five years’ civilian police experience has been appointed Monroeville police chief. He will take over the job July 1.
The Monroeville City Council appointed Roy F. Sanders last Thursday night, filling a vacancy in the top police-department slot that has existed since Chief James Maples and the other 11 members of the department resigned in a pay dispute May 3.
With Sanders’ hiring, 10 of the previous 13 police-department jobs have been filled – all but two of them with the former policemen who resigned.

Newman named new coach at Frisco City High School: A new Frisco City High School football coach was hired last week by the Monroe County School Board.
The new coach, Cecil L. “Corky” Newman, has been coaching football for 15 years – 13 of them in Alabama. An Alexander City native, his football record totals 93 wins, 53 losses and six ties.
He comes to Frisco City from Lake Placid, Fla., where as athletic director he coached and taught biology and physical education for the past two years. He also coached at Autaugaville High School in Autauga County for 12 years. He also has coached at Citronelle High School.

Summer happiness: Happiness for these three youngsters is finding Monroe County’s first cotton bloom of the 1974 season in their father’s cotton field, which they did Tuesday morning. Displaying the blooms are Mitchell Ward, 4; Ken Ward, 3; and Malinda Ward, 9. Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Ward of Megargel, farm some 250 acres of cotton.

75 YEARS AGO
JUNE 16, 1949

Uriah Student Attends ‘Boys State” Meeting On University Campus: Maston Mims, Uriah High School student, has been selected by the school to attend Boys State, which is now in session at the University of Alabama.
The Uriah student is president of the student body for the coming school year, president of the senior class, president of the FFA and a member of the Beta Club. The Uriah PTA sponsored the trip.

Funeral services for Crayon A. Stacey, 30, of McCullough, former Monroe County resident, were held from the Mineola Baptist Church Sunday. He was drowned at Smith Lake Friday when his boat overturned while he was fishing with his brother and a friend, Jack Blackman. The accident occurred at the junction of the Alabama and Little Rivers.

There will be a square dance at the Perdue Hill Masonic Hall Friday night beginning at 8 p.m. The dance is sponsored by the Perdue Hill Women’s Club. A small admission, for the benefit of the club, will be charged.

Ralph Stewart pitched Monroeville to its third straight league victory Tuesday night and his fifth straight win when he threw a brilliant four-hit shutout at the State Farm aggregation in a game played here.
On Thursday night of last week, he beat the league-leading Atmore team, 6-3, on their home diamond. The Sunday before, he had handed them their first defeat of the season in a game played here.

Robert McMillan “Mack” Feagin, son of the late Foy F. Feagin, will succeed his father as operator of the Monroeville Pharmacy here. Mr. Feagin, who has operated a pharmacy in Pensacola for the past 17 months, will continue in charge of operations in both stores, but will make his home in Monroeville.

100 YEARS AGO
JUNE 19, 1924

FIRST COTTON BLOOMS: The Journal has received first cotton blooms from the following farmers: John Bigger, June 8; R.T. Youngblood, June 10; John Nettles, Mexia, June 13; W.H. Richardson, Monroeville Route A. Mr. Richardson has 15 acres in bloom. B.R. Biggs, Tunnel Springs, Route 1, June 17. The earliest blooms this year are a few days behind last year’s reports.

Mr. A.L. Slaughter of Lower Peachtree has drilled a deep well at his plantation home in Packers Bend, Monroe County, and struck an overflow of the finest clear sulphur water with 30 pounds of pressure. The water will run out of a two-inch pipe 60 feet high at the rate of 35 gallons a minute. Mr. and Mrs. Slaughter and the entire neighborhood are delighted over this wonderful well, which is 516 feet deep.

MASONIC OFFICERS: At a meeting of Tunnel Springs Lodge No. 578, held on June 13, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: F.S. Dailey, Worshipful Master; C.J. Jackson, Senior Warden; G.L. Nettles, Junior Warden; S.B. Nettles, Treasurer; W.S. Nash, Secretary; J.J. Dailey, Senior Deacon; P.S. Jackson, Junior Deacon; and S.E. Helton, Tyler.
Alabama Lodge No. 3, Q. Salter, Worshipful Master; H.A. Baggett, Senior Warden; K.J. Lazenby, Junior Warden; L.L. Hendrix, Treasurer; J.A. Lazenby, Secretary; R.L. Ryland, Senior Deacon; J.J. Hestle, Junior Deacon; and A.L. Nettles, Tyler.

J.C. Harrison of Montgomery, assistant inspector of jails and almshouses, was a visitor to Monroeville the first of the week on official business.

146 YEARS AGO
JUNE 18, 1878

A little son of Dr. Chapman of the Bursonville neighborhood, named Clarence, about eight years old, took a gun and went out in the woods a few weeks ago and killed an owl which measured four feet, eight and three-eighth inches from tip to tip. This is a big owl story, but Capt. W.L. Mims expects us to believe it.

Died at the residence of R.I. Bradley in Claiborne, Monroe County, the 30^th of April 1878, his infant daughter, Georgia Estell, aged one month and 13 days, and on the 6^th of May, his infant son, George Gordan, aged one month and 18 days. The twin buds were nipped from the parent stem, ere they had known them well.

Perdue Hill – The new saloon of the Hill is handsomely fixed up, and looks neat, cozy and enticing. The liquors and cigars are the best brands, the wines are the best the market affords, and the best of beer is always kept on tap.

We are requested to announce that there will be preaching at the Methodist church in Monroeville the fifth Sunday in this month.

For sale: A very desirable residence with six rooms, well furnished, comfortably and conveniently arranged together with necessary outbuildings and a tract of good upland, situated about 10 miles northeast of Monroeville in a good neighborhood, unsurpassed for good water and good health, and offers a rare opportunity to persons desiring either a summer or a permanent residence. Price low. – Apply to Thos. S. Wiggins, Monroeville, Ala.

Plane disappeared in Monroe County, Alabama in June 1961

An example of a Cessna 182.

Each passing year around the middle of June, I am reminded of the fact that we are approaching the anniversary of one of the most unusual aviation incidents in Monroe County history. The mystery began on the night of June 17, 1961 when a Cessna 182 took off in Tennessee and vanished, only to be found over three and a half years later in Monroe County.

The plane was owned by the Security Life Investment Co. of Nashville, Tenn. and was occupied by Gene McGill, 18, of Mobile and John O. Leu, 22, of Nashville. McGill, who worked for the firm, was the plane’s pilot, and Leu was the company’s treasurer and the son of the firm’s president, Frank R. Leu. The plane was last heard from when McGill radioed air traffic controllers that he was turning back due to bad weather.

Once it became apparent that the plane had crashed, a massive search was launched that included the Civil Air Patrol, which established its search headquarters in Evergreen. Other searchers included members of the Monroe County Rescue Squad, helicopters from Fort Rucker, several other light airplanes, radio-equipped automobiles, searchers on horseback and four friends of the plane’s occupants from Nashville.

The search covered a wide area because an oil slick and other evidence found a week after the crash led many to believe that the plane had crashed into the Alabama River near Mount Vernon in Mobile County. Also residents of Tunnel Springs in Monroe County reported hearing a plane that sounded like it was in trouble on the night of the crash. A group on horseback, which was led by Albert Nettles Jr., also searched the Packer’s Bend area of Monroe County without any luck.

Despite best efforts, bad weather kept rescuers, especially those in helicopters and planes, from finding the crashed plane, and Civil Air Patrol Col. H.L. LeMien called off the search after about a week, saying that the area involved had been thoroughly searched.

Mystery surrounded the fate of the plane for over three and a half years until Dec. 30, 1964 when 15-year-old Edmond Jerkins of Stapleton made an unusual discovery while squirrel hunting near Uriah. According to reports, Jerkins came upon wreckage in a wooded area, and the wreckage was covered by three year’s worth of fallen leaves. At first, Jerkins didn’t know that it was a plane until he removed leaves from the plane’s body and found the aircraft’s serial number.

Jerkins notified the authorities and when they arrived at the crash site, about 12 miles northwest of Uriah near Popular Springs Church at Jeddo, they found the remains of McGill and Leu. Authorities confirmed their identities from their wallets and baggage inside the plane, which was largely still intact and unburned. Apparently, the plane had nosed straight into the ground and debris from the crash was confined to a 25-foot area around the plane.

In the end, if you know of any other unusual aviation incidents from this area, I’d be interested to hear about them, so shoot me an e-mail at news@monroejournal.com.

Oxford Stroud was one of Wilcox County's most remarkable men

Oxford Stroud

Tomorrow – June 14 – marks the birthday of one of the most remarkable men to ever call Wilcox County home, novelist Oxford Stroud.

Stroud was born Oxford Simeon Stroud Jr. in Demopolis on June 14, 1924 to Oxford Stroud and Viola Goode Liddell, who also became a well-known Alabama writer. After living briefly in New Mexico and Linden, Stroud moved to Camden in 1932, when he was just seven or eight years old. Stroud spent his formative years in Camden and went on to graduate from high school in 1943.

Like thousands of young American men in the 1940s, Stroud soon found himself involved in World War II. Stroud ended up in the U.S. Army Air Corps, now known as the U.S. Air Force, and went on to serve in the Eighth Air Force in England. (If you visit Stroud’s grave in Camden today, you’ll see that it bears a special bronze marker denoting his World War II service.)

After the war, Stroud briefly attended Oxford University in England before going on to attend Southwestern University, now known as Rhodes College, in Memphis, Tenn. From there, he transferred to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, which is now known as Auburn University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn in 1949 and a master’s degree in 1953.

That same year, he began teaching English composition and literature at Auburn and continued to do so for the next 30 years before officially retiring in 1983. During his time at Auburn, Stroud wrote a wide variety of poems and short stories, and students far and wide knew him for his recipes for kudzu tea. He also wrote a textbook in 1979 called “Writing Prose That Makes a Difference and the Grammar Minimum.”

Stroud is arguably best known for his two novels, which were both published after his retirement from Auburn. His first novel, “Marbles,” was published in 1991. This novel, which was based on a short story called “Baptism,” is said to have been inspired by Stroud’s childhood experiences in Camden.

Stroud’s second novel, “To Yield a Dream,” was published three days after Stroud passed away from melanoma in March 2002. While I have not read it, I’ve been told that “To Yield a Dream” is very different than “Marbles.” I’ve also been told that Stroud was working on a sequel to “Marbles” at the time of his death, but that book, as yet, remains unpublished.

I also think it’s significant that while Stroud lived in Auburn from the late 1940s all the way through 2002, his remains were returned to Camden for burial. His mother often described herself as “geophagistic,” that is, she was deeply tied to the land that she came from, and perhaps, as they say, the apple did not fall far from the tree. If you go to the Camden Cemetery today, you’ll find Stroud’s grave there near his mother’s and a host of other relatives.

In the end, I’d be interested to hear from any readers with more information about Stroud’s writings, his early years in Camden and his military exploits.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for June 4, 2024

FOUR YEARS AGO

JUNE 4, 2009

Local weather reporter Harry Ellis reported .40 inches of rain on May 25, .10 inches of rain on May 26 and .50 inches of rain on May 27. He reported a high of 90 degrees on May 31 and lows of 61 degrees on May 29 and May 30.

On May 10, a Flat Rock pet owner observed a raccoon fighting with his dog. He killed the raccoon and took it to Dr. Carl Wilson, who is Conecuh County’s rabies officer and the county’s only veterinarian.

Thomas Guy Hartley, age 89, died Sun., May 31, 2009. He was born in Butler County in 1919 and had been a resident of Evergreen for the past 60 years. He was a veteran of World War II and served with the 1105 Signal Co. Service Group in the U.S. Army. He was involved in campaigns in North Africa, Naples, Sicily and Rome. He was awarded the American Service Medal of Good Conduct and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with four Bronze Stars.

Workers this week began laying the way for new pavement as part of the ongoing project to expand and improve the U.S. Highway 84 bridge in downtown Repton.

Conecuh County’s annual Relay for Life event will be held tomorrow (Friday) night at Middleton Airfield and will begin with a survivor’s reception at 6 p.m.

19 YEARS AGO

JUNE 2, 1994

Local weather reporter Harry Ellis reported .06 inches of rain on May 27 and .04 inches of rain on May 29. He reported a high of 85 on May 24 and a low of 54 on May 23.

Dennis R. Culbreth of Evergreen, Ala., received the doctor of ministry degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary May 20 during the Louisville, Ky., school’s 173rd commencement.

Beverly Borden, valedictorian of Hillcrest High School, is among the high school valedictorians being saluted by WSFA TV this summer in a program called THE BEST OF THE CLASS. This series of television announcements identifies those students from south and central Alabama who had the highest grade point average in their graduating class.

William Garrett was named as the new manager of the Evergreen Piggly Wiggly approximately six months ago. Garrett comes to the Evergreen store from the Piggly Wiggly in Luverne.

Polls in Conecuh County will open next Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. and remain open until 6 p.m. as the people of Conecuh County vote on local and statewide elections. Although most of the interest on the statewide level is in the governors race there has been a great deal of interest locally in who will succeed four-term sheriff Edwin L. Booker.

Eleven men are vying for the Democratic nomination for Sheriff of Conecuh County. They are West Booker Jr., Coy Covin, Dudley L. Godwin, McAllard (Mac) Goneke, Thomas W. Hall, Jimmy Allen Hawsey, J.B. Jackson, Dennis R. Owens, James Powell, John L. (Butch) Salter and Robert S. Taylor.

34 YEARS AGO

JUNE 7, 1979

Weatherman Earl Windham reports rainfall of .31 of an inch on May 29; .27 on March 30; 2.04 on May 31; .16 on June 2; and .95 on June 3. His weekly comment was: ‘Well, I saw Old Bob taking his knee bends and Dennis Majors was seen watering his flowers Sunday afternoon.’

All I can say, Ole Earl, is that after you saw me taking my ‘knee bends,’ I went out to the golf course and almost got drowned. It might have only rained .95 of an inch at your house, but the ‘bottom fell out’ at the golf course.

An ordinance was passed changing the meetings of the Evergreen City Council from the first and third Thursday nights of each month to the first and second Tuesday nights at seven o’clock at the council meeting last Thursday night.
The council had traditionally met on first and third Tuesdays, but changed to Thursdays several months ago at the request of Councilman Lomax Cassady. At that time, Cassady was in a business which required him to be out of town on Tuesday nights. He is now engaged in the insurance and real estate business here, so the return to normal was enacted.

Dr. Warren E. Henry, world renowned scientist and native of Conecuh County, was the respondent for black Alabama achievers in the sciences, during the first Roots Alabama Black Homecoming Celebration in Birmingham, May 26, at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center.
Born in the China community to the late Nelson Henry Sr. and Mrs. Mattie Henry, Dr. Henry is recognized as one of the nation’s most eminent physicists.

49 YEARS AGO
JUNE 4, 1964

Mr. Fitzhugh Ellington, minster of the Evergreen Church of Christ, this month begins the 13th year of his ministry here.

About 50 youths are expected to participate in the Evergreen Rotary Club’s 5th annual Conecuh County’s 4-H Fish & Wildlife Camp next Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Camp Director Elbert Williams.
The camp is permanently located at Tal Stuart’s Pond near Belleville.

Frank T. Salter of Evergreen won nomination to the office of Judge of Probate of Conecuh County over veteran Judge Lloyd G. Hart in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary Election. Nomination is tantamount to election in Conecuh.

Oscar Lee Hendricks, ETI, and Mrs. Hendricks left Mobile by plane last Friday to fly to San Francisco, Calif. Mrs. Hendricks will fly to Tokyo, then go to her sister’s home in Yokohoma, to await Seaman Hendrick’s transfer to the repair ship Ajak at Sasebo, Japan, where she will join him.

The Alma Martin Post No. 50 of the American Legion will hold its annual June Dance Saturday night June 6 at Ft. Dave Lewis Armory.

64 YEARS AGO
JUNE 2, 1949

John Carson Carter, son of Dr. and Mrs. W.R. Carter, Repton, Ala., received his high school diploma from Marion Military Institute, Marion, Ala., on May 26, 1949. He received the highest scholastic honor in his class of 47 and gave the salutary address, the valedictory address being given by the honor cadet of the College Dept.

Work is fast approaching completion on a vast remodeling project at the Bank of Evergreen. The building is being done over entirely on the inside. The working space is being shifted over from the west to the east side of the building, incidentally shifting the lobby, which has been decreased in size considerably to make room for an office in front. In addition to the old entrance, which will be retained as heretofore, an other entrance has been made to enter the lobby from the hallway.
New and modern fixtures and equipment are being installed including individual tellers’ cages. The safety deposit vault is being enlarged and new safety box equipment is being installed which will provide many more boxes. The interior will be redecorated throughout.

Mrs. Glenn Walker left Wednesday for Talladega to attend the dance revue of the Frank Jones’ School of the Dance which her granddaughter Glenda Walker is a pupil.

The Evergreen Vacation Bible School will open at the City School at 8:30 Monday morning June 6. All young people of the community between the ages of four to 16 are invited to attend.

The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for June 3, 2024

22 YEARS AGO
JUNE 6, 2002

Julie Stuckey captures Junior Miss title Saturday night: Last Saturday night, after weeks of practice and three hours of performing in front of a packed Nettles Auditorium, Julie Stuckey, a Monroe Academy senior, experienced what she described as “an amazing feeling – one of disbelief.”
She captured the 2003 Monroe County Junior Miss title, as well as awards in poise and fitness areas of competition. Stuckey amassed a total of $8,200 in scholarship money.

Monroeville defeats Foley in Legion play: Monroeville American Legion Post 61 defeated Foley 5-4 at Monroe County High School in Monroeville Friday to open the 2002 season.
Excel’s Neal Jordan picked up the win on the mound. Jordan, a 6-5 right-hander, gave up nine hits and struck out nine.
(Other top local players in that game included Josh Black, Bryson Crutchfield, Tyler Dawson, Daniel Harper, Colby Mixon, Brett Pate, Chase Reeves, Blake White, Derek Wiggins, J.B. Wilkins and Bonner Williams.)

City’s police jurisdiction changes: Monroeville Police Chief Rudolph Munnerlyn wants to make citizens aware of a recent change to the city’s police jurisdiction.
Traditionally, the city’s police jurisdiction extended up to 1-1/2 miles from the city limits. A state law now requires the city to move its police jurisdiction out to three miles from the city limits.

47 YEARS AGO
JUNE 2, 1977

Branch bank ribbon-cutting: The official ribbon-cutting and open house for the People’s Exchange Bank of Monroe County’s new Monroeville branch was held Sunday afternoon. Participating in the ceremony were Francis Stallworth, Dennis Stallworth Sr., Dr. Joel Hardee, James Bigger Jr., bank executive vice president Tommy Black, Monroe Griffin, bank vice president Harry S. Gilmore, Lindsey Finklea, Dick Wible and Dr. Robert Jackson. The new branch is located at Southtown Plaza in Monroeville.

Uriah’s Rhodes is Lions all-star: Ben Rhodes, a senior catcher, pitcher and infielder for the J.U. Blacksher High School Bulldogs, was chosen to advance to the Alabama Lions Club state all-star game Saturday at Rickwood Field in Birmingham.
Rhodes, who has been offered a scholarship to L.B. Wallace State Junior College in Andalusia, has not been offered a four-year grant to play baseball. The game Saturday will be attended by most four-year college scouts from around the state and he is hoping for an offer.

A new ambulance service began operating last week in the Monroe County area. Larry’s Ambulance Service, Inc. is headquartered in Bill’s Trailer Court on South Alabama Avenue in Monroeville. The service has a 1975 Chevrolet ambulance and a staff of five, including owner-operator Larry Mitchell.
Mitchell said the service has been inspected by state authorities and given a provisional license. A permanent license is expected after a radio, now on order, is installed in the ambulance, he said.

72 YEARS AGO
JUNE 5, 1952

Cpl. Harvey Coleman, who has recently returned to the United States from Korea where he was wounded three times, is now spending a 30-day furlough here with his father, Nobe Coleman. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Ikner and sons, and with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Landcaster and other relatives and friends in his hometown.

New Water Well Appears Probable For Monroeville: A new water well for the Monroeville area, potentially in the offing last week, appeared to be nearer reality, early this week.
Reports on drills tests completed Saturday revealed the water source at a location in front of the American Legion Clubhouse here was capable of producing 106 gallons per minute. Another test is being made near the old hangar across from the local clubhouse.

Talent Still Sought For Community House Broadcast On Sunday: A search is still being made this week for local talent for the special telephone musical request program to be broadcast over Station WMFC Sunday which will aid the fund campaign for construction of the local community house.
Station Manager George Shurden reported Wednesday that very few persons have thus far volunteered their talents for the show.
The feature, to be broadcast immediately following the local baseball game Sunday afternoon, will include the filling of requests through records and live talent performances for which donations to be the community house drive will be asked.
B.H. Stallworth, president of the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce, stated this week that no further donations have been received in the campaign and that a total of around $4,500 is still needed to finish the $30,000 quota.

97 YEARS AGO
JUNE 2, 1927

The first cotton bloom this season was brought to The Journal office Monday by H.J. Lamar of Perdue Hill, Route 1. This bloom was reported about a week earlier than last year.

Teachers employed in the High School and Grammar School during the past session have returned to their various homes, while the girls and boys who have attended out-of-town schools and colleges are at home to spend vacation.

MASONIC MEETINGS: The regular meetings of Alabama Lodge No. 3 are held on Friday evenings before the first and third Sundays in each month at 7:30. Regular convocation of Monroe Chapter No. 122 held on Monday evening before the first Sunday in each month.

TAKEN UP: Black horse mule, no marks or brands. Will deliver to owner on payment of expenses. LaFayette Williams, Uriah, Ala.

DEATH OF MRS. HOLMES: Mrs. Nannie Holmes, aged 80 years, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. T.W. Swanson, at Finchburg on Tues., May 30, after an illness of 10 days. Funeral and interment took place at Tensaw, her former home, on Tuesday. Mrs. Holmes is survived by one son, Dr. Sibley Holmes of Foley, and Mrs. Swanson of Finchburg.

The World War, one of the finest motion pictures on the screen, will be shown at the New Theater on June 16-17, under the auspices of the American Legion.

122 YEARS AGO
JUNE 5, 1902

Mr. F.M. Dobson, the contractor who has recently built the new courthouses at Bay Minette and Brewton, was here this week endeavoring to interest the commissioners in improvements in Monroe.

Mr. Riley Kelly, formerly railroad agent at Monroe and later at Beatrice, was in town Saturday and favored the Journal with a pleasant call. Mr. Kelly has temporarily given up railroad work on account of his health and is on the farm this year.

M.D. Harrison, one of Excel’s prosperous farmers, is here this week serving as a petit juror. He says crop prospects in his neighborhood are as promising as he has ever known during the 10 or 12 years of his residence in that section.

The familiar figure of S.H. Dailey, Esq., of Kempville, is visible on the streets and about the courtroom this week. He is holding down his standing job as one of Sheriff Harrengton’s most efficient special deputies.

Peterman: Hog cholera is raging in this community and many of our neighbors have lost nearly all their hogs.

Perdue Hill: Our vicinity was visited by a wind and hail storm Saturday. The greatest damage reported was over the river on Capt. J.C. Hybart’s plantation, where the plums and blackberries were destroyed and a great famine is threatened.

Poplar Springs: We learn that the Blacksher Company had the misfortune to have their new Engine sunk in the river some time ago. The barge upon which it was being conveyed to Mt. Pleasant sank carrying it down and we learn that it also came near upsetting the boat towing the barge.