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.