Problems of the world could be solved easily this time of year

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 “Problems of world could be solved easily this time of year,” was originally published in the Sept. 4, 1986 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

According to the world news, it won’t be long before our leaders and those of the Soviet Union will meet once again at the bargaining table and try to discuss world peace. As the leaders of the great nations juggle to and fro, each trying to outsmart the other, the peoples of the world wait anxiously for any small sign that might lead to an uneasy peace.

I don’t profess to be smart, but I think that I could offer a solution that would solve the problems of the world and would bring the leaders together for all times. After a few trips to the back woods of Monroe County, following my instructions, life would never be the same.

By the time the world leaders could assemble here, the time would be just about right to begin the operation that would bring to the world powers a very peaceful solution.

Short pants, pullover shirts

First, I would have them dress in short pants and pullover shirts, with the sleeves cut off at the shoulders. If you’re wondering about these items of wear, I will explain later.

Next we would need to locate some muscadine or bullis vines growing in tall trees. Tall trees are best for this type of operation. A good place to find this type of trees and bullis vines is along Flat or Limestone creek.

After a few miles of walking through the underbrush we would reach the trees where they vines hung heavy with the black, juicy bullises. Time would be given everyone to pull shoes off in preparation for the climb and vine-shaking.

The smaller leaders would be elected by popular vote to scamper up the trees and pick the harder-to-get bullises that couldn’t be shaken loose by the heavier guys, the vine shakers.

As the ripe muscadines fell to the ground, a close watch would have to be made so as not to let the fat boys start eating before the climbers could get down out of the trees and get and even start.

An art to eating

Then at his own choosing, each could put one, two or a dozen of the delicious juicy bullises in his mouth. Then he could chew down and feel the wonderful-tasting nectar drive this taste buds completely mad.

There is an art to eating bullises. One has to acquire the knack of swallowing the juice and being able to separate the hulls and cores at the same time. This might call for a little schooling prior to the departure for the muscadine vines.

After everyone had had his fill of the wonderful, wonderful juice from the bullises, a survey would be made as to the skinned knees and elbows of the tree climbers and as to whether any of the vine shakers had been bumped on the head by a rotten tree limb during the climbing and shaking.

You can tell when you have had enough when you can hear the juice in your stomach slosh as you walk.

The short pants and the cutoff shirts are appreciated when, after all the eating and fellowship, you start back toward your transportation. The cool waters of the nearby creek beckon, and you all lie down in the shallow waters for an hour or so of relaxation, while waiting for the muscadine juice to settle in your stomachs.

Avoiding a mad rush

Then, after a lengthy stay in the waters of the creek, plans to begin to formulate for a muscadine hunt the next day and the next. This is the appropriate time casually to mention about the wild possum grapes or the sweet persimmons that can be found over the next ridge.

This is when care has to be taken not to start a mad rush through the underbrush and have the world leaders forget completely all about the affairs of the nations.

My solution to the affairs of the world is not without loopholes. I’m sure our space program would suffer unless we could start a rumor that there were muscadines, persimmons and wild grapes growing in abundance on the moon.

But there would be no thought of fighting and killing. The only people hurt would be the slower ones who would get trampled when they got in the way of the fast boys on their way to the vines and tall trees in the backwoods of Monroe County.

(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.)

Claiborne, Alabama event drew a crowd of 12,000 in April 1925

Masonic Hall at Perdue Hill

One of the most significant events in Monroe County history took place on April 6, 1825 when French General Marquis de Lafayette visited the town of Claiborne. Lafayette played an important role in the American Revolution, and his 1825 visit to Claiborne was part of a national tour in which he viewed much of the nation that he had a hand in creating.

During his visit to Claiborne, Lafayette visited the home of prominent lawyer, James Dellet, who would later be elected to Congress. Lafayette also visited the Masonic Hall at Claiborne, which is now located at Perdue Hill. If you go to the Masonic Hall today, you will find an historical marker that describes Lafayette’s visit to Claiborne and designates the site as being part of “The Lafayette Trail.”

Fast forward to April 9, 1925 when an estimated crowd of 12,000 people descended on Claiborne to witness the ceremonies marking the 100^th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit. In all likelihood, this crowd of 12,000 was probably the largest crowd to ever assemble for a single event in county history. To put this in perspective, this number represents nearly two-thirds of the county’s current population.

During that event, Lafayette was represented by French Consul General M. deSimonin, a member of the French embassy in Washington, who arrived at Claiborne aboard the steamboat, John Quill. He was escorted by Congressman John McDuffie, who represented Dellet. Others welcoming the Frenchman to Claiborne were a company of prominent Monroe County men, a group of Confederate veterans, Boy Scouts, Indians and a Marine Corps band from Pensacola.

According to The Journal’s 1966 Centennial edition, “high on the bluff overlooking the placid Alabama was the site chosen for staging the drama designed to reenact the notable event 100 years ago. Every town, village and community in Monroe and adjoining counties contributed their quota of participants in the festive occasion.”

I say all that to say that plans are currently in the works for a 200th anniversary event in April of next year at Perdue Hill. I spoke with Agee Broughton of Claiborne on the phone last week, and he and others are in the early stages of planning an event to mark the bicentennial of Lafayette’s famous visit. He joked that he hopes that he doesn’t have to find parking for 12,000 people in Perdue Hill next year, but plans are to have a very nice event next April.

He noted that his group of organizers are trying to secure the services of an historical reenactor, who plays the part of General Lafayette at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. The Masonic Hall will also likely figure heavily in next year’s event, just as it did nearly 200 years ago when Lafayette entered its doors to talk with Claiborne’s Freemasons. Mr. Broughton noted that as details become more firm, they will be provided to the newspaper, so that everyone can make plans to attend what looks to be another rare event in the county’s history.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Aug. 27, 2024

24 YEARS AGO
AUG. 24, 2000

Evergreen weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.11 inches on Aug. 20. He also reported highs of 103 degrees on Aug. 17 and Aug. 18 and a low of 62 degrees on Aug. 14.

New chamber director named Wednesday: The Conecuh County Economic Development Authority named a new managing director of the Conecuh-Evergreen Chamber of Commerce and CCEDA last Wednesday afternoon.
The authority picked Eric Basinger to take over the position from interim director John Raines.
Basinger received his Master’s degree in Public Administration from Auburn University and received his bachelor’s degree in History at the University of West Alabama.
Basinger is a long-time resident of Fultondale, which is approximately 173 miles from Evergreen.

Dr. Stanley Barnes was among the many who attended a special open house in honor of Dr. Maria R. Cumagun (Dr. Cherry) at Roberts Clinic last Thursday. Dr. Cherry recently joined the staff of Roberts Clinic in Evergreen.

A memorial service was held for the late Sgt. Harvey Salter on Sun., Aug. 20. Friends and family joined together in memory of Sgt. Salter for what would have been his 56^th birthday and his 11^th year with the Evergreen Police Department. Pictured are Officer Levi Kelley Sr., Sgt. Wayne Stewart, Cpl. Derek Gessner and Johnnie Ackron.  

49 YEARS AGO
AUG. 28, 1975

Local weather reporter Earl Windham reported 0.1 inches of rain on Aug. 22 and 1.5 inches on Aug. 23. He reported a high of 95 on Aug. 24 and a low of 71 on Aug. 22.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Holcombe killed this big rattlesnake on the Brownville Road after running over him with a motorcycle. The snake was 55 inches long and had nine rattles and a button.

Rev. A.C. Joseph, Rt. C, found this unusual egg. It measured four inches in diameter and had another egg inside it.

Michael Brown and James C. Johnson of Johnson Roofing Construction Co. killed this monster rattlesnake on the Skinnerton-Lone Star Road. The snake was five feet, eight inches long and had 13 rattles and a button.

Cecil Andrews killed this big rattlesnake off the Brooklyn Road. The snake was 4-1/2 to five feet long and had nine rattles.

Red Level Lodge burns mortgage: The Fairmont Lodge No. 238, F.&A.M., and Chapter 450 Order of the Eastern Star of Red Level will have a mortgage burning Saturday night at seven o’clock. The public is invited and supper will be served.

Jones Mortuary, Inc., Conecuh County’s newest funeral home, will hold open house this Sunday afternoon from two until four o’clock. Jones Mortuary is located on Highway 31 South, at the Highway 84 intersection at Fairview. Robert Jones, widely known funeral home operator of Monroeville, is president of the new funeral home here.

74 YEARS AGO
AUG. 24, 1950

Susan Bozeman celebrated her tenth birthday Tuesday afternoon with a picture show party and to her home afterwards for refreshments.

Aubrey E. Burt, age 73, well known and highly respected citizen of this city, died at a Greenville hospital Aug. 16 after a brief illness. He suffered a fractured hip from a fall just one week prior to his death. The cause of his death was said to have been pneumonia.
Mr. Burt was born and reared at Belleville. He lived here and elsewhere in this county until about 15 years ago when he moved to Atmore where he resided until about one year ago when he moved back here.
Interment was in Magnolia Cemetery.

Evergreen Garment Co. To Hold Open House Friday: The people of Conecuh County are invited to inspect the new building of the Evergreen Garment Co. at a formal opening tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 25. The company has been in operation for several weeks, but the open house will mark the formal opening of the building.
Officials of the company invite the people of the county to come in and look over the building between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m.

THOMAS-KING: Mrs. J.M. King, a former resident of this county now residing in Phoenix, Arizona, announces the marriage of her youngest daughter, Carolyn Louise to Mr. Donald Wayne Thomas, also of Phoenix. The wedding occurred Aug. 12 at Las Vegas, Arizona.

87 YEARS AGO
AUG. 26, 1937

City Authorities Will Open New Street Soon: City officials announce that right-of-way has been secured for the opening of a new street connecting West Front and McMillan running along the L&N Railroad leading north. Work will start on this project in a few days. In order to open the street it will be necessary to move several small houses generally known to local citizens as the ‘Amos quarters’ and of course to grade and level up the ground.
Opening this street will eliminated the dead end on West Front Street caused by the building of the overhead bridge and at the same time give an outlet to McMillan Street leading toward town without crossing the railroad at a very dangerous crossing.

Postmaster Robert L. Stallworth states that Evergreen post office will shortly inaugurate the delivery of all parcel post addressed to patrons of this office living within the incorporated limits of the city, or in some cases slightly out of the limits or to the extent that patrons are now being served by city carriers with other classes of mail.

Burnt Corn Citizen Dies Saturday Night: Following a long illness of a year or more, Herbert Ellis, age 58, well known and beloved citizen of Burnt Corn died at his home Saturday night at nine o’clock.

A telegram from Senator Dixie Bibb Graves addressed to Mayor J.R. Brooks which was received on Tuesday of this week announced that federal authorities had approved the allocation of $11,928 to the City Evergreen for a street surfacing project to be set up under the Works Progress Administration on terms similar to those by which other paving projects have been done during the past two years.

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

P-47 Thunderbolt 

FIVE YEARS AGO
AUG. 22, 2019

Whitey Lee lake closed: Unless Monroeville takes preventative measures soon at Whitey Lee Park’s lake, the city could have to rebuild the lake’s dam and portions of Park Drive that circles the lake.
Civil engineers Paxton Reiss and Jeremy McMath of CivilSoutheast in Andalusia said a recent inspection of the lake’s settling pond, overflow drain system, the dam and erosion near a section of Park Drive shows that the city has some serious issues at the lake.
Reiss said the failure of the settling pond not to do what it was designed to do has allowed a large amount of sediment to enter the lake.

Third place: Defending champion Brandon Shehan of Uriah finished third in the Buck-Master’s National 3D Indoor Archery Tournament last weekend in Montgomery. Shehan was one of five contestants from Alabama to finish in the top 12, which included first-place shooter Joseph Goza of Henagar in Dekalb County. He is the son of Greg and Kathy Shehan of Goodway.

Monroe County District Court’s Character in Action Program: The Monroe County District Court announced its new Character in Action Program. The program is a partnership between the District Court, Monroe County Schools and Southwest Alabama Behavioral Healthcare Systems. The purpose of the Character in Action Program is to highlight demonstrations of outstanding character in junior high and high school students in Monroe County. Students will be nominated monthly by teachers, counselors or peer mentors and will receive a Character in Action shirt, certificate of recognition and take part in a recognition ceremony at the Monroe County Courthouse.

30 YEARS AGO
AUG. 25, 1994

Repton has new council member: Grady “Ray” Busby, a former Repton Town Council member, was sworn in Aug. 2 to finish the unexpired term of James Hall. Hall resigned from the council after being transferred in his job. Busby’s term will expire in 1996.

MA to open its grid season Friday: Monroe Academy will kick off its 25^th year of football tomorrow (Friday) at MA when the Volunteers take on Wilcox Academy at 7:30 p.m.
New head coach Tim Carter, a former standout running back and linebacker for the Volunteers in the mid-1980s, knows the Volunteers will have their hands full with the team from Camden.
MA has 19 varsity players and has been reclassified from 3A to 2A this season because of a drop in the number of boys in grades 9-12.

New officers: The Order of the Eastern Star Monroeville Chapter No. 155 installed 14 new officers during its 80^th installation ceremony in July, according to Mamie Lou York, a publicity representative for the chapter. Bruce and Dorothy Jernigan were installed as Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron; Glenn Gladwell and Ramona Booker were named as Associate Patron and Associate Matron; Colleen Pickens will serve as secretary; Myrtle Fore, treasurer; Melanie Green, conductress; Reba Green, associate conductress; Mary Ann McLaurin, chaplain; Barbara Craven, marshal and Carolyn West is the organist. Mary Gladwell will be Adah; Charlotte Hayes, Ruth; Carol Sims, Esther; Martha Andrews, Martha; and Eloise Green, Electa.

55 YEARS AGO
AUG. 28, 1969

Schools To Begin Term Tomorrow: Tomorrow (Friday) will be the first day of school for Monroe County. The buses will run and all students are expected to be at school by 8 a.m.
(Monroe County schools at that time included Monroe County High School, Monroeville Elementary School, Monroeville Rosenwald, Union High, Beatrice High School, Monroe County Training School, Frisco City High School, J.U. Blacksher High School and Excel High School.)

First Cotton Is Ginned Thursday: The first bale of cotton to be ginned in Monroe County this year was reported Aug. 21 to The Journal. D.C. Thompson reports ginning a bale weighing 515 pounds at the W.E. Deer & Co. gin at Claiborne. The cotton was grown in Mexia and was harvested almost a week earlier than the county’s first bale in 1968.

Lay Cornerstone: Richard O. Tatum, Worshipful Master of Alabama Lodge No. 3, the Monroeville Masonic Lodge, hands material for the cornerstone to Howard Blackwell, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Alabama, just before the laying of the cornerstone of the Monroeville Lodge on Sat., Aug. 23, at 5 p.m. Mr. Blackwell holds the highest office in the Masonic Order in Alabama. According to the rules of the order, he presides at all cornerstone laying ceremonies. In addition to members of Alabama Lodge No. 3, many out of town members were present for the ceremonies and the program held later.

80 YEARS AGO
AUG. 24, 1944

Lt. Hayles Completes 106 Combat Missions: First Lieut. Malcolm F. Hayles of Monroeville is pilot of the 12^th Air Force P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bomber now blasting enemy communications, motor transports and gun positions in support of Allied ground troops in the Mediterranean theater. Lt. Hayles arrived overseas Feb. 1, 1944 and has completed 106 combat missions over enemy territory. He has destroyed one ME-109. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hayles.

JOHNSON LATHRAM SERIOUSLY WOUNDED: Friends of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Lathram are distressed to know that on Tuesday of this week they were advised by the War Department that their son, Johnson, was seriously wounded in action on Aug. 3. While no details have been as yet received, his family has known that Johnson has been in France for the past two and one half months.

CHARLES SKINNER AWARDED OAK LEAF CLUSTER: First Lieutenant Charles R. Skinner, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin E. Skinner, Monroeville, has added the first Oak Leaf Cluster to the previously awarded Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy. Skinner, recently promoted, is a bombardier in a Liberator heavy bombardment unit. He has flown 36 missions over such targets as the oil fields at Ploesti, the aircraft factories at Vienna and the submarine pens at Toulon. He said, “For concentrated hell, you can’t beat Vienna. It’s impossible to fly through that flak without being hit.”

130 YEARS AGO
AUG. 23, 1894

Captain James D. Vick of the steamer Tinsie Moore was in Monroeville this week, greeting his many friends. He informed us that the Tinsie, which has been lying up for repairs during the past three or four weeks, has been thoroughly overhauled and put in excellent condition for the coming season. She will be afloat again the first week in September, making weekly trips on her old schedule and solicits a continuance of the liberal patronage extended her in the past.

The Journal was a little premature in announcing the award of the watermelon prize a few weeks since. On the 18^th inst., Mr. Sam H. Tucker, one of Monroeville’s most successful farmers, left at this office a melon weighing 52 pounds, which was equal in flavor to the melon sent us by Mr. Coxwell and exceeding it five pounds in weight. The contest is still open, gentlemen.

The baseball contest between the Ridge and the Monroeville teams, which was to have taken place on last Saturday, was postponed until next Saturday.

The erection of a big sawmill on the waters of Mill Creek is the morsel of general topic among these people. It is intimated that the projectors intend erecting a canal with suitable locks to drift the upper timber to the boom at the proposed site, increasing quantity and force of water.

New Photographer In Town: Our new photographers, the Messrs. Wallace & Bruce from Mobile, who are now in the former gallery here, are turning out as fine work as has ever been done in the state. As they will remain till the 28^th inst., you have a good opportunity to have some fine photographs made at home. Give them a call.

Sunday sunset at Claiborne landing cloaks sandbar in long shadows

While Crystal and Harper were out school shopping Sunday, James and I made a late afternoon trip to the river at Claiborne. He’d been tinkering with his boat motor on and off for most of the day, and he wanted to put it in the water to see if everything was good to go. A glance at my watch told me it was after five o’clock, the sun would be down in a couple of hours.

“If we’re going to go, we’d better hurry.”

Thirty minutes later we had the boat in the river. James captained us up the river and after a brief field trial, he was satisfied that his motor was working fine. His 18-horsepower outboard had lived to churn the waters another day.

With the August sun sinking towards the western horizon, long shadows cloaked the far bank as James guided the boat to the nameless sandbar across from the mouth of Limestone Creek. Five minutes later, with the boat aground in the sand, we were swimming in the shallows, the dark water as warm as wool. There wasn’t a breath of wind, the surface of the river was as slick as a polished mirror.

We took turns skipping rocks towards the east bank, discussing the various merits of each stone before sending it side-armed into the distance. Three fishing pole lengths from the bank, I could no longer feel the river bottom. Only when invisible minnows began to nip at my toes, did my thoughts turn to Two-Toed Tom and the Stokes Alligator.

As the day continued to wane, other boaters began to make their way, one by one, to the landing. All of these boats were piloted by young men, some with female companions, some without, lone wolves on the water. We could hear their voices, small in the distance, as they took turns hauling their boats out of the water.

Ba-bump, ba-bump went the trucks over the Highway 84 bridge.

Sitting in the shallows, my hand fell on a dark brown freshwater mussel, about the size of a Skoal can. I examined it closely, the thin line of its two halves sealed tightly in my fist. To see if it was alive, I worked the shell open with my thumbnail.

James watched quietly.

I told him that these mussels probably tasted good if cooked right and that they had likely been a big part of the diet of the ancient Indians who lived here thousands of years before Europeans arrived. I thought of the burial mound not far from the mouth of Limestone Creek and imagined the smell of mussels roasting on their cook fires. My mouth watered as I recalled that I hadn’t eaten all day.

In the end, we climbed back into the boat. One ignition turn later, we were headed towards the landing, the truck and eventually home. The sun dipped below the edge of the earth. Another day had come to a close.

The Monroe Journal News Flashback for Aug. 19, 2024

Alabama Gov. Fob James

TWO YEARS AGO
AUG. 18, 2022

Over 4,000 attend rodeo: Over 4,000 rodeo fans descended on Frisco City on Friday and Saturday nights to attend the Second Annual Monroe County Rodeo.
The rodeo, which was sponsored by the Monroeville/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce and the Monroeville Kiwanis Club, attracted over 1,700 fans on Friday night and over 2,500 on Saturday night, according to Chamber Executive Director Penelope Hines.
“Fun was had by people of all ages,” Hines said. “And we had a large amount of out-of-town tags that were noticed by volunteers parking the cars.”

MA visits No. 7 Jackson Ac. Friday at 7: Monroe Academy will get an early test Friday when the Volunteers take on Jackson Academy in Jackson at 7 p.m. to open the 2022 football season.
“We’ve got to establish the run to be successful this season,” said Monroe head coach Mitchell Turberville. “The key will be how well our offensive and defensive lineman play. We’ve got experience at the skill positions, which is good, but it all starts up front with the linemen.”

Corps say river dredging at Claiborne to begin soon: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that dredging for small boat traffic will begin soon at the “Claiborne pool.”
According to Corps’ officials, Construction Solutions International (CSI) will use a barge with excavator equipment to begin maintenance dredging operations of the small boat access on the “Claiborne pool.” The work will progress upstream from the Lock and Dam and may require the temporary closure of the boat ramps located upstream.

27 YEARS AGO
AUG. 21, 1997

Receives grant: The Uriah Water system, through the Monroe County Commission, recently received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) check for $500,000 to extend water service 28 miles to 125 households in the Eliska and Rocky Hill communities and install a 100,000-gallon storage tank and a 250 gallon-per-minute gavel well and treatment facility. Receiving the check were Monroe County Commissioners Carlisle McClure and Jeral Jordan, Governor Fob James and Uriah Water Board members Albert Hollinger and Fred Brake.

Lyeffion native Elaine Covin has been hired to coach women’s softball at Alabama Southern Community College in Monroeville.
Covin, a 24-year veteran of the Conecuh County public school system, lives in Evergreen with her husband, Danny.
Covin is a graduate of the former Lyeffion High School in Lyeffion, Patrick Henry Junior College (Alabama Southern Community College), Livingston University (University of West Alabama) in Livingston and Troy State University in Troy. She holds a master’s degree in physical education and science, and has earned an associate degree in Emergency Medical Services from L.B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia.
In addition to coaching softball, Covin will teach Emergency Medical Services classes at ASCC.
Covin replaces Marsha Tourtellot, whose contract with ASCC wasn’t renewed for the 1997-98 school term. Tourtellot was at ASCC a year. She did not field a team, but did recruit some players for the program.

52 YEARS AGO
AUG. 17, 1972

Two former Monroe Academy athletes will leave Saturday for Livingston University, where they will participate in the athletic program of the school. Johnny Mac Hollinger, halfback and linebacker on last year’s state championship team, will play football for Livingston, while Robert Dunn, who participated in all sports at MA, will be playing baseball and serving as a manager for the football team. Both are 1972 graduates at Monroe Academy.

Local Guardsmen on parade: Pfc. Billy Taylor of Monroeville, member of Detachment 2, 778^th Maintenance Co., Alabama National Guard, carries the company banner in parade held at Camp Shelby, Miss., where the local guard unit is undergoing two weeks of summer training. Warrant Officer George Singleton of Monroeville is shown behind him.

Beetles forced cutting in Claiborne Cemetery: Trees in the Old Claiborne Cemetery were cut and sold for pulpwood several weeks ago because they were infested with the southern pine beetle and were in danger of dying.
W.E. Deer, Claiborne merchant-farmer who said he directed the cutting, said it was done with the approval of the Union Sunday School at Perdue Hill, which is representative of the churches of the Claiborne-Perdue Hill area.
Furthermore, Deer said, every effort was made to avoid damage to the cemetery, and the broken markers evident there today are the work of vandals over a period of several years. A check of the cemetery since the cutting was concluded reveals relatively little recent damage, and a representative of a paper company who visited the site said removal of the trees was a “wise decision.”

77 YEARS AGO
AUG. 21, 1947

Ginning Season Is Under Way In County: The cotton ginning season is under way once more in Monroe County with several bales reported ginned thus far.
The county agent’s office said reports are that Albert Boroughs of Perdue Hill ginned what was probably the county’s first bale last weekend and that several bales have been ginned in Frisco City and vicinity and a few in Monroeville this week.

Frisco Grill Opens At Frisco City: Frisco City’s newest restaurant – the Frisco Grill – opened to the public Saturday. Located in the new Frisco Theatre building, the restaurant is operated by the theater management. It is open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily.

Baseball Play-Offs Will Begin Today: Playoffs in the Tri-County Baseball League are scheduled to get under way this afternoon with Atmore meeting McCullough at McCullough and Flomaton playing host to Evergreen.
Monroeville and Frisco City, other members of the league, were eliminated from the finals during regular season play which closed early this week.
Frisco City was eliminated from the finals in its last game Sunday afternoon when Evergreen pushed across four runs in the ninth to rack up a 4-0 victory. M. Watson was the losing pitcher, giving up six hits, while Wendell Hart was the winner.
Two three-game series have been planned for the playoffs, with the winners meeting to determine the championship of the league.

140 YEARS AGO
AUG. 18, 1884

A shocking and horrible death: Last Saturday week, in company with couple of friends, Mr. James Latham left Monroeville for his home about five or six miles in the country. When about two miles from town, and near the residence of Mr. Monroe Blackwell, Latham remarked to his friends that he would beat them to some cattle that were in the road, a short distance ahead, and putting spurs to his horse, a spirited young animal, rushed forward, and reaching the cattle, before they could get out of the way, the horse attempted to jump over one laying down, and stumbling, threw Latham and rolled over on him, fracturing his skull and injuring him internally. Mr. L. was carried in to Mr. Blackwell’s by his friends in an insensible condition. He never spoke afterwards and died on Monday following at 11 o’clock. He was a hardworking, industrious young man and whiskey is supposed to have been the cause of his death.

Improvements: Judge Sowell having purchased the new store house on the east side of the public square, of Mr. Travis Simmons, has moved it over and attached it to the store house at present occupied by Messrs. Sowell & Son. This will give the firm more room in the transaction of their large mercantile business, adds no little to the appearance of that part of the town. Judge Sowell also purchased the same time the old Monroeville hotel, now occupied by Mr. Jones.

Mrs. Leslie and Mrs. Hibbard are spending the summer over the Bay, the former at Howards and the latter at Battles Wharf. One of the proprietors of the hotel at Howards, Mr. John Bradley, was formerly of Monroe and has hosts of friends in the county who wish him well in his new field of labor.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Aug. 13, 2024

USS Oakland.

35 YEARS AGO
AUG. 10, 1989

Harry Ellis reports no rainfall during the week, but plenty of high temperatures. Ellis, the local weather reporter, recorded high temperatures of 91 degrees on Aug. 4, Aug. 5 and Aug. 6 in 1989 and a low temperature of 66 on Aug. 7.

County Coroner Danny Garnett congratulates Jeff Armstrong, 25, whose prompt action saved a youngster’s life at the Carver Recreation Center Swimming Pool on July 14. Armstrong was the lifeguard on duty at the pool when his cousin, Trey Barlow, 5, had a seizure. Armstrong pulled the youngster from the pool, got the water out of lungs and got him breathing again. The victim was taken to Evergreen Hospital and then transferred to a Montgomery hospital in critical condition, but is doing OK now. Garnett credits Armstrong’s prompt action and trained procedures with saving the youngster’s life.

Mrs. Allie R. Faircloth celebrated her 100th birthday Aug. 5. On Aug. 6, about 200 family members, friends and relatives gathered at her home on the Appleton Road, Rt. 2, Castleberry, for a covered dish lunch. Mrs. Faircloth is a remarkable lady as she still enjoys working in her flower beds in the summer and then crocheting during the winter months. She was blessed with seven children, 24 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren. She credits her long life and good health to her faith in God.

57 YEARS AGO
AUG. 10, 1967

U.S. Air Force Major Samuel W. Hanks, son of Mrs. Opal L. Hanks of 2054 S. Bucker Road, Mobile and formerly of Conecuh County, has been decorated with the Bronze Star Medal at Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, for meritorious service while engaged in military operations against Viet Cong. Major Hanks, a member of the Pacific Air Forces, was cited for his performance as an air operations officer at Bien Hoa.

Evergreen city limits extension is now law: The City of Evergreen over doubled in size on July 31 and bet you didn’t even notice it.
Gov. Lurleen B. Wallace signed into law on July 31 Act. No. 106 which extended the city limits of Evergreen. With her signing of the Act, it became law and the city’s size increased from 6.25 square miles to 16 square miles.
The enlarging of the City began with the introduction of House Bill 227 by State Represenative Wm. D. (Billy) Melton. The bill passed the House on June 20 and was signed by Speaker Rankin Fite. It passed the Senate on July 11 and was signed by Lt. Gov. Albert Brewer.
The act was signed into law at 9:05 p.m. on July 31 by Gov. Wallace. It was received and enrolled by Secretary of State Mabel Amos at 11:27 a.m. on Aug. 1.

The first bales of cotton of the 1967 crop were ginned in Conecuh County on Tuesday. Both Castleberry Gin Co. and Evergreen Gin Co. reported ginning bales on that date.
J. Ed Glass, president of the Castleberry Gin. Co. reported that he ginned a bale brought to his gin by W.J. Davis, Route 2, Repton.
Crum Foshee of Evergreen Gin Co. also reported ginning a bale on Tuesday for Isaac Franklin and Les Crosby of Rt. E, Evergreen.

79 YEARS AGO
AUG. 9, 1945

H.S. Hagood Gins First Bale Today: The first bale of cotton of the 1945 season to be ginned here is being ginned today for H.S. Hagood at the gin plant of Evergreen Mfg. Co.

Conecuh County Schools Will Open Sept. Third: Announcement was made this week by County Superintendent of Education Harvey G. Pate that all schools of Conecuh County would open Mon., Sept. 3. The teachers institute will be held on Sat., Sept. 1.
Supt. Pate announced that for the first few weeks short schedules would be observed in order that pupils might assist in harvesting the cotton and peanut crops.

Aboard the USS Oakland: James E. Raines, seaman, first class, USNR, son of Mrs. Cummie Raines, Rt. 1, Evergreen, Ala., fought aboard this light cruiser when she helped sink a Jap destroyer and a 7,500-ton transport and shoot down 12 Jap plans as highlights of her combat career of 40 naval actions.

Mrs. W.M. Bateman and little son, Billy Bob, left Tuesday for New Orleans, where they will go by plane to the Panama Canal Zone to join her husband.

Jap City Dissolved By Atomic Bomb: GUAM – Equal in destructive power to an attack by 2,000 B-29s normally loaded with high explosive and incendiary bombs, the first single atomic bomb dropped on Japan dissolved the city of Hiroshima in a vast cloud of dust.

89 YEARS AGO
AUG. 8, 1935

Ulay Pitts Held For Killing Ben Smith: Ulay Pitts, young white man age about 21 years, is being held in the county jail charged with the murder of Ben Smith, white man age about 59 years, the shooting having occurred last Friday morning about eight o’clock near Smith’s home.
It seems from the facts The Courant has been able to gather that Pitts, who was a brother-in-law of Smith’s, they having married sisters, was farming on Smith’s place. He and his wife, according to the story told to officers, were passing Smith’s home that morning and he called Smith and told him to figure up what he owed and he would come back by shortly and settle with him. At this point, it seems that Smith went out toward where Pitts and wife were and a fuss arose between them. According to the story told by both Pitts and his wife, and corroborated by Walt Jordan, another witness, Smith took after Pitts with a pair of knucks and chased him up the road out of sight of the house and of Jordan and Mrs. Pitts. What took place after that was not witnessed by anyone except Pitts himself. He says that he fell down and when he regained his feet, Smith was so close upon him that he had to shoot him to keep him off.
Four shots were fired with a .32 caliber automatic, all of which took effect. The shot which resulted in Smith’s death passed through the abdomen. The other three took effect in his legs.

Mr. C.E. Mills, good farmer living five miles south on Castleberry highway, ginned two bales of cotton at the gin plant of the Evergreen Manufacturing Co. Tuesday of this week, being the first of the 1935 season to be ginned here and so far as The Courant has learned, the first to be ginned in Conecuh County.

117 YEARS AGO
AUG. 14, 1907

The 15^th annual session of the Agricultural school will open on Mon., Sept. 2. The school will be presided over by Prof. W.W. Hall with the following corps of assistants: Prof. W.G. Slappey, Latin and mathematics; Miss Susie Carmichael, English and history; Miss Vida Mae Jones, principal preparatory department; Miss Irene Chapman, assistant in preparatory department; Miss Kate Colyer, principal primary department; Miss Carrie Clindenen, assistant in primary department; Prof. R.E. Black, director music department.
The chair of Agriculture and allied sciences has not been filled as yet but will be by the opening of school.
The matriculation fee for each term will be $4 for primary and $6 for collegiate department.

Dave Lee, John Barnett and Lillie Aarons, who were arrested in Pine Barren, Fla. about two weeks ago by Sheriff J.F. Irwin and who were suspected of the murder of Jim Bullock, which occurred near Gravella last March, were given a preliminary hearing before Judge F.J. Dean Friday and were released from custody.
Dave Lee and John Barnett proved that they were in Pine Barren at the time the crime was committed. Jane Barnett, wife of John Barnett, who was arrested shortly after the murder of Bullock, and who was also shortly afterwards released and again re-arrested, was bound over to await the action of the grand jury without bail.
The testimony of some witnesses showed that she knew something about the crime.

The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Aug. 12, 2024

President Warren G. Harding

26 YEARS AGO
AUG. 13, 1998

Beatrice appoints new councilman: The Beatrice Town Council appointed John Winters to fill the unexpired term of F.D. Stallworth, who recently died.
Winters, 40, is a Beatrice native and procurement forester with Georgia-Pacific. He graduated from Mississippi State in 1981 with a BS degree in forestry.

Trotter, Till win LJ tournament; Bowden sinks hole-in-one: Brad Trotter and Ricky Till won the 34^th annual Lucian Jones Golf Member-Guest Tournament that was held Friday and Saturday at the Vanity Fair Golf and Tennis Club in Monroeville.
Trotter, a Monroeville resident, and Till recorded the most points in the two-day, 36-hole event, collecting 103.
Dr. Jack Whetstone, who served as tournament chairman this year, said club member Sam Bowden of Monroeville was excited about the hole-in-one he recorded during the tournament.
Bowden received an expense paid trip to the Bahamas for his feat, according to Dr. Whetstone. The trip was donated by Sales Ford of Monroeville.

DA elected: District Attorney Tommy Chapman has been elected as a member-at-large to the board of directors for the Alabama District Attorneys Association. Chapman was elected to the post during the Association’s annual meeting July 21-24 in Orange Beach. He has previously served as president, vice president, secretary-treasurer and a member of the board of directors. He is district attorney for the 35^th Judicial Circuit and serves Monroe and Conecuh counties.

51 YEARS AGO
AUG. 9, 1973

New MCHS stadium: Construction of Monroe County High School’s new athletic stadium and fieldhouse is well under way with work being done by Lazenby Electric Co. of Monroeville as general contractor and Lum Childs of Frisco City, who has contracted to move the dirt necessary to create the bowl-like stadium. When completed, the facility is expected to seat nearly 4,000 persons.

Ollie church to dedicate new facility: Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Ollie will hold homecoming services as well as dedication services for its new educational building Sun., Aug. 12.
The Rev. Lamar Coker, pastor of the church, will bring the message during the morning worship hour. At 1:30 p.m., the Rev. Hertis Ward, who pastored the church for 14 years, will deliver the dedication address.

New ambulance in operation: Monroe County Hospital’s new ambulance service was inaugurated Monday night when the vehicle made an emergency trip to carry a local baby to a Mobile hospital.
Hospital Administrator Robert Hardison said the new ambulance, a Dodge maxi-van, was delivered to the hospital early this week and that it meets all state and federal specifications for ambulances.
Frank Wolfe, who has been named director of ambulance services, will be available at the hospital during the day to drive the ambulance, Hardison said, and will take the vehicle to his home at night. A special phone number will be set up to ring at Wolfe’s home at night as well as at the hospital, he explained.
The $10,387 vehicle was ordered from J&P Ambulance Sales Co. in Dothan several weeks ago.

76 YEARS AGO
AUG. 12, 1948

Funeral Services Held For Judge Fountain: Funeral services for Judge Murdoch McCorvey Fountain, 79, prominent in Monroe County public life for 44 years, were held here at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Reed Polk, Baptist minister, officiating.
Judge Fountain died at his home Friday afternoon after a long illness.
Judge Fountain was tax collector of Monroe County for the past five years. He served nine years as sheriff and 24 years as probate judge prior to being elected tax collector.
He was born in Scotland, Ala. and had been a resident of Monroeville for 44 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, a Mason and a 32^nd Degree Shriner.

Completion Of Lake At Recreation Area Forecast This Week: The lake at the Monroeville public recreation area sponsored by the Vanity Fair Foundation neared completion Wednesday as workers closed the valve to allow water to flow into the lake.
Aubrey Cobb, Vanity Fair maintenance engineer, said late Wednesday the lake was half filled with water and should be fully by Saturday.
The local Red Cross chapter has announced that two Monroeville youths, Locke Thompson and Carl Watson, have completed life guard training in a Louisiana school and will serve as life guards at the lake.
The spillway on the dam was scheduled to be finished by today (Thursday). Construction on tennis courts and a baseball diamond for the area is already underway.

101 YEARS AGO
AUG. 9, 1923

News of the death of President Harding in San Francisco on Thursday night was received in Monroeville a few minutes after the event by radio. The President’s death occurred at 7:30 Pacific time, and was received here about 8:45 Central time. There being two hours difference in time in the two zones, the message was broadcasted only five minutes after the occurrence. The message was picked up by C.L. Hybart, Esq. and Mr. E.J. Ward, both of whom have radio receiving sets.

Hon. J.M. Davison of Brewton was a visitor to Monroeville the first of the week. Mr. Davison began the practice of law in Monroeville in 1872 and although he has resided in our neighboring county of Escambia for many years, he yet feels a warm interest in the affairs of his native county and has hosts of friends here.

Forty-five cases were on the docket at the term of the county court held Monday. A number of the charges were for violations of the prohibition laws and in several cases of conviction, hard labor sentences were imposed in addition to fines.

Miss Janie Mae Eppes has returned to her home at Dayton after a pleasant visit to her friend, Mrs. A.B. Coxwell. Miss Eppes had charge of the music department of the Monroe County High School for several years and has hosts of friends in Monroeville who are always delighted to welcome her visits.

FOR SALE: Ford Sedan, practically new. Not run enough to properly limber up. A bargain for some fortunate buyer. Apply at The Journal office.

136 YEARS AGO
AUG. 9, 1888

Prof. W.M. Webb, who has been spending some time in attending prominent school institutes in various portions of Alabama and other states, has returned to Perdue Hill and is soliciting in the interest of the famous Perdue Hill High School, which will open about the first of September.

We congratulate the town and our local baseball club on the adoption of a rule imposing a fine upon its members for the use of profanity. Its treasury has been already augmented.

We confidently look for the first bale of new cotton within the next two weeks.

The work of erecting the palisade around the jail is rapidly nearing completion.

An ice cream supper will be given by the ladies of Monroeville Aug. 16, the proceeds of which are to be used in the purchase of a bell for the Baptist church. A beautiful silk quilt will also be disposed of, on the same night, proceeds to be appropriated to church purposes. Neighboring communities are cordially invited to attend.
The quilt above referred to is said by some who have seen it, to be one of the handsomest and most artistically wrought articles of the kind ever seen in this section, and reflects much credit upon the skill and tastes of those who have contributed the squares of which it is composed.

Monroe Chapter No. 4, Perdue Hill, elected for the ensuing year the following officers: N.A. Agee, H.P.; J.W. Leslie, K.; H.J. Savage, S.; P. Bradley, Treasurer; John DeLoach, Secretary; I.D. Roberts, C.H.; J.H. Savage, P.S.; J.F. Gaillard, R.A.C.; I.B. Slaughter, Jno. B. Williams and C.L. Slaughter, M.V.; Wm. Tomlinson, Sentinel.

Cookbook contains little known facts about Peterman, Alabama

My wife and I rode up to the Peterman Historical Society’s “big sale” Saturday, and it should come as no surprise that I found something interesting to talk about. While going through the stuff in the old train depot, I found a neat book called “Recipes & Remembrances from Peterman, Alabama.” Published by the historical society in 1997, this 114-page book contains not only recipes, but also a lot of historical information about the Peterman community.

Aside from all the recipes, the book contains historical photos, family histories, cemetery lists and other historical information. What follows are a few little know facts that I gleaned from the pages of this book.

* The first settles in Peterman came in 1815 and settled on Walker’s Creek, about two miles south of Peterman. This would have been about four years before Alabama became a state.

* The first school in this part of the county was known as the Brushy Creek School.

* In the early days, the Peterman area was called Pleasant Ridge, and the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church was founded in 1896. The Rev. John Williams was the church’s first pastor. Evant Thomas Andress and Calvin Smith were the first deacons.

* Bay City Logging moved into the Peterman area around 1880 and built a logging railroad from the Alabama River through Peterman, Burnt Corn and Pine Orchard. Pat Galliger was the superintendent of the company, which was headquartered near the old George Pacific plant on modern-day Highway 21. Bay City Logging left the area around 1903.

* The railroad came through present-day Peterman in 1900 and the community was named “Peterman” in honor of Mr. Addison Peterman, who was the railroad depot agent in Repton.

* The former Dick Rumbley/Merle Stanton store building served as Peterman’s first post office, and Rumbley was the town’s first postmaster.

* Peterman State Bank was organized in the fall of 1914 with starting capital of $15,000. The first bank president was Jas. K. Kyser, and the banks first board of directors were D.R. Nettles, W.J. Nettles, P.S. Jackson, J.J. Jernigan, C.J. Jackson and J.L. Tatum.

* Due to its location along the railroad, Peterman was once the home to many hotels and boarding houses, including a two-story hotel operated by Anna Jaye Floyd. Another hotel, operated by Mrs. Ben Daughette, was located where Peterman’s post office is today. A two-story Woodman of the World lodge was also located on the east side of the railroad tracks.

In the end, this book contains much more historical information about the Peterman community, so if you are interested in purchasing a copy, you can do so at next month’s “big sale.” Peterman’s “big sale” is usually held on the first Saturday of each month, but next month’s sale will be held on the second Saturday – Sept. 8 – because of the Labor Day holiday.

Large crowd gathered at 'Tait burying ground' in August 1924

Those of you who read the column in this space last week probably remember reading the item from the Aug. 28, 1924 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era about Capt. James Asbury Tait. That brief paragraph reported that Mrs. T.M. Owen of Montgomery planned to visit Wilcox County in September of that year to assist in placing a marker at Tait’s grave in Coy, recognizing him for his service in the War of 1812. During the past week, several people have asked me about this, so I did some research to see what else could be learned about this momentous event.

The grave marker ceremony actually took place at 2 p.m. on Sun., Oct. 5, 1924 and details about it were published in Oct. 9, 1924 edition of the newspaper under the headline, “A Historical Event.” That story said that “long before the appointed hour a large concourse of relatives and friends of the Tait family had gathered at the Tait burying ground near Coy to witness the placing of a marker at the tomb of one of Wilcox County’s successful men, Capt. James Asbury Tait, for his military service in the War of 1812.

The Rev. Paul E. Engle, who was the rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Camden, opened the event with prayer and “urged the descendants of their heroic pioneer of Alabama to emulate his example.” Tait’s great-great-granddaughter Amelia Beck followed the prayer with a reading of “Your Flag and My Flag.” Peter A. Brannon with the Department of Archives and History in Montgomery delivered the keynote address, which was “replete with acts of the life and times of Capt. Tait and many references were made to his diary.”

The newspaper went on to say that Tait “was an exponent of education in Alabama, having been of the number to assist in building the college at Summerfield and the Judson College and was a trustee from 1843 to 1845 of the State University at Tuscaloosa. He was also instrumental in the building of the Wilcox Female Institute, which is used as our high school now.”

Other sources say that the placement of the marker was requested by Tait’s granddaughter, Mrs. Wells Thompson of Houston, Texas. Her maiden name was Carrie Tait, and she was a member of the Capt. James Asbury Tait Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the War of 1812. Mrs. Samford C. McMurphy, a former state historian of the Alabama Daughters, and Mrs. James Tait Beck also played a big part in having the marker placed in the cemetery.

Sources say that the event also included a trombone solo of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the Rev. J.W. Rosborough, who also delivered the benediction at the end of the program. Other musical entertainment included a solo of “My Own United States” by Mrs. Ruby McLeod, and everyone joined in singing “America” to close out the day’s music.

In the end, Oct. 5, 1924 appears to have been a red-letter day in the history of Wilcox County. Like a lot of people, I would be interested to learn more about Tait’s life and military service. If anyone in the reading audience has information that they’d like to share, please let me know so that I can pass it along to readers in the days to come.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Aug. 6, 2024

Congressman Bill Dickinson of Alabama

26 YEARS AGO
AUG. 6, 1998

A Monroeville minister died early Tuesday morning from injuries sustained from a collision with a train late Sunday night.
According to Cpl. Artie Wright of the Evergreen Police Department, Thomas James Williams Jr., 33, of Rt. 2, Monroeville died in the University of South Alabama Medical Center. He was transported to Mobile early Monday.
The accident, according to Wright, occurred at approximately 9:28 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at King’s Crossing. Bells and whistles are used to warn motorists of approaching trains as this intersection.
Williams was driving a 1989 Ford Escort. The train momentum, even with emergency brakes applied, continued moving for 2,000 feet before coming to the Oil Street crossing.
Wright said several witnesses were present at the accident and reported that Williams was driving south on Hwy 31 when he turned onto Belleville Street.

Local weather reporter Harry Ellis reported that Evergreen received .07 inches of rain on July 27, 1998, .56 inches of rain on July 28, 1.35 inches on July 29, and .04 inches on July 30. He reported a high temperature of 100 degrees on July 31 and a low of 65 on Aug. 2. He reported a total of 9.18 inches of rain during the month of July 1998.

Evergreen Mayor Lomax Cassady signed a proclamation Monday proclaiming Aug. 9-15 as National Truck Driver Appreciation Week in Evergreen.

41 YEARS AGO
AUG. 4, 1983

Local weather reporter Earl Windham reported .63 of an inch of rain in Evergreen on July 30, 1983. He reported high temperatures of 96 degrees on July 25 and July 26. He reported a low temperature of 69 on July 29.

Bill Hart of Evergreen was elected Captain of the Conecuh County Rescue Squad at their meeting Aug. 1. Other officers elected were Steve Dunn, First Lt.; Jeb Barron, Second Lt.; and Mike Kline, Secretary-Treasurer.

Congressman Bill Dickinson of Alabama’s Second Congressional District will conduct an open forum ‘Town Meeting’ in Evergreen Aug. 9 at 10 p.m. in the Conecuh County Court House Courtroom.

Stinson’s flag flies in August: The U.S. flag of the late William Edward Stinson is flying over the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library during August.
The flag of a deceased veteran is flown each month to pay tribute to all veterans of all wars.
Stinson served as a lieutenant in the Air Force and was a pilot in the 415th B. Squadron. He received an Air Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge with one bronze cluster, two War Department War Citations and a Purple Heart.
He entered service in October 1942 and was killed in service March 1, 1942 in Vienna.

56 YEARS AGO
AUG. 1, 1968

Conecuh County has another ‘first’ going for it now as you can see. That’s John Nielsen examining the first Sea Oats ever grown in Conecuh County… and probably the first ever grown inland. Sea Oats grow on the dunes alongside the seashore and no other place. However, the Knud Nielsen Co. planted the ones you see on their farm on the Loree Road and as you can see the plants are thriving. It’s strictly an experiment the Nielsens are conducting in relation to their business.

Spc. Francis Beasley was recently awarded the Army Commendation Medal by the Secretary of the Army for outstanding achievement in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period Jan. 6-June 20 while serving with the 9th Administration Co., 9th Infantry Division.
Spc. Beasley, who has been in Vietnam since early January, is stationed at Bear Cat base near Saigon. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Beasley of Castleberry.

Politics are expected to heat up considerably as the Aug. 13 municipal election for the City of Evergreen draws near. Thirteen candidates will have their names before the more than 1,400 eligible voters when they go to the voting machines on that date.
Five voting machines will be used at these locations: Beat 11, Box 1 and Box 2 in the Conecuh County Courthouse in the new auditorium and the grand jury room; Box 3-A and 3-B at the City Hall in the first station; Box 4 at the County Health Center.

71 YEARS AGO
AUG. 6, 1953

THE WEATHER: Last week: Evergreen Airport, high 95, low 67, rainfall .25 inches in two days.

Evergreen’s newest furniture store, City Furniture Co., will hold its grand opening tomorrow morning. The store is located in the Binion Building, recently vacated by Olen Dept. Stores, on West Front Street.

Two bales of 1953 cotton were ginned in Conecuh County on Tuesday of this week.
Over in Repton, the Repton Gin ginned a bale for Leon Jordan of Excel, which weighed 611 pounds and was sold for the premium price of 45 cents per pound.
The Evergreen Gin ginned a bale for Brown Hawkins, farmer of the Fairview community. This bale weighed 385 pounds and graded middling one inch staple. This cotton will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in Evergreen next Saturday.

L.T Rutland observed the 50th anniversary of the date he entered the hardware business Tuesday night. Mr. Rutland entertained the owners and employees of Canterbury Hardware, Inc. at a party at his home in honor of the occasion.

The official word from the city hall, friend, is to save those pennies and nickels. Right now those parking meters that adorn the streets in the business district are just for looks. You’ll be notified when they go into effect.
The parking meters were being installed as The Courant went to press. A total of 216 meters will probably be installed shortly after you read this on East and West Front Streets, Rural Street and Court Street.

86 YEARS AGO
AUG. 5, 1937

D.L. POPE NARROWLY ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURIES IN FALL: D.L. Pope, well known L&N employee in the signal maintenance department, narrowly escaped serious injuries Tuesday when he fell from a signal post at Castleberry. It was at first though that he was badly hurt but upon examination by physician it was found that no bones were broken or other serious injuries unless complications develop.
According to those who were with him when the accident occurred, Mr. Pope fell from a distance of 23 feet. Fortunately, he landed on the ground between the concrete base of the post and the rails. Had he struck either of these things it is believed his injuries would have been much greater than they were.

FIRST BALE GINNED TODAY: The first bale to be ginned in Evergreen and most probably the first in the county was ginned at the Evergreen Manufacturing Co., this morning by R.V. Congleton.

Old Buck’s Grave Is Marked With Stone: The grave of Philip Samuel, better known to his many white friends as ‘Old Buck,’ is now marked with a suitable tombstone. This was recently accomplished largely through the efforts of C.N. Stallworth and J.T. Gaillard who composed a committee to secure the funds necessary and to purchase the memorial stone. Former citizens as well as those now living here, joined in contributing to this fund, donations having been received from a large number now living in other states as well as other parts of Alabama.
The monument which was erected a few days ago, has a splendid photo of the respected old Negro on the face together with this inscription: ‘Philip Samuel (Old Buck) died Jan. 5, 1937. Erected by his white friends.’
It will be recalled that ‘Old Buck’ was buried on the spot where his little cabin stood in the Evergreen cemetery and where he had lived for so many years. The cabin has been removed since the old Negro died.
He was loved and respected by the white citizens of this community and his tragic death, when he was struck by a freight train here on Jan. 5, 1937, was greatly deplored. For many years, he had been a well known character upon the streets of Evergreen. He was more or less a privileged character about town, going in and out the various stores taking such little items as tobacco and other things which his simple tastes demanded whenever and wherever he wanted to. He made a practice of sweeping off the sidewalks in front of stores and sweeping out some of the stores as well as doing other little errands.

The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Aug. 5, 2024

Model 31 Linotype machine.

23 YEARS AGO
AUG. 2, 2001

11 dancers to perform in Tampa: Eleven Monroeville dancers were chosen for the “Just For Kix” National Dance Team Saturday during dance camp at Applause Dance Studio on Drewry Road in Monroeville.
The team will perform during the half-time show at the Florida-Outback Bowl Jan. 1 in Tampa.
Chosen for the team were Megan Brasell of Beatrice, Preethi Covin of Mexia, Jayme Crenshaw and Kendyle Lofton, both of Excel, and Sophia Martorana, Kasey Phillips, Marlee Smith and Cameron Stallworth, all of Monroeville.
Brantley Anne Stallworth of Monroeville, Stephanie Hoffman of Frisco City and Danielle Ray of Mexia were chosen as alternates.

Shields names coach: J.F. Shields High School’s new head football coach Chris Holmes, 36, isn’t wasting any time preparing his team for the upcoming football season.
“I’m ready to get things cranked up and to get them rolling,” Holmes said in an interview Tuesday of last week.
Holmes brings a wealth of football experience to Beatrice. For the last five years he coached at Booker T. Washington Middle School in Mobile and has coached with the Mobile Seagulls professional indoor football team for a year.
He moved to Mobile in 1992 and coached two years at LeFlore High School. Before moving to Mobile, he served as a graduate assistant at Delta State Community College in Mississippi.

48 YEARS AGO
AUG. 5, 1976

Dominoes and politics: Bill Davenport, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives seat for Alabama’s First Congressional District, kicked off his campaign Tuesday in Monroeville with a little informal chit-chat and hand shaking on the square. Domino players continue their game, but give considerate attention all the while to the Congressional aspirant. Davenport’s opposition is incumbent Rep. Jack Edwards, Republican.

Kicks for all-stars: Rhett Barnes of Excel stayed busy Friday night handling the kicking duties for the South in the annual Alabama High School Athletic Association all-star game at the University of Alabama. Barnes kicked two extra points for the South in their 14-6 win over the North. A kicker, running back and defensive back at Excel for four years, Barnes pulled a muscle in Thursday’s practice and wasn’t able to play defense. He participated in only a few offensive plays.

Getting ready for mill: The driver of a road grader waits while another Monroe County machine deposits clay on a road leading to the site of a $300-million pulp mill to be built near Claiborne. The county is acquiring a 50-foot right-of-way and widening and improving the road – until now barely wide enough for one vehicle – in preparation for construction of the mill. Several hundred vehicles will be used in construction, and the road must be wide enough for two-way traffic, says Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs. This road begins at the paved county road between Fountain and Hixon – about four miles from the plate site on the Alabama River. A permanent paved road passing the plant site will follow a different route.

73 YEARS AGO
AUG. 2, 1951

County Has Three Polio Cases In Month: Only three cases of polio in Monroe County have been confirmed since the latter part of June, Dr. W.E. Eddins, county health officer, announced this week.
These victims were residents of Vredenburgh, Frisco City and Goodway, he stated, with diagnoses of their cases being reported from out-of-county hospitals. Reports on all three cases listed the disease as being contracted in a mild form with very little paralysis or deformity expected as results, he said.

NEW LINOTYPE INSTALLED AT JOURNAL: This new Model 31 Linotype machine is one of the latest additions to The Journal’s office, having been installed two weeks ago. Containing many of the latest devices for speeding up the work of type setting for newspaper, the new machine replaces a Model 8 Linotype that has occupied the same spot in The Journal shop for more than 25 years. The old machine has been sold to a printing concern in Eufaula.

Monroeville Radio Station Application Is Approved By FCC: The Federal Communications Commission in Washington Wednesday granted the application for a new standard radio station for Monroeville to be operated by the Monroe Broadcasting Co.
The application allows a 60-day period for the selection of a site on which the transmitting facilities for the station will be located. The station is to be 250 watts power, daytime only, and located on 1220 kilocycles.
Partners in the Monroe Broadcasting Co. are Jimmy Faulkner of Bay Minette and Bill Stewart of Monroeville.

98 YEARS AGO
AUG. 5, 1926

Miss Mennie Faulk is now in the St. Louis Market selecting a large stock of fall coats, dresses, millinery and novelties.

Among the loads of fine watermelons marketed in Monroeville this season was a 67-pound melon presented to Judge M.M. Fountain by Mr. J.H. Ryland on Monday. The next largest was a 61-pounder brought to town by Mr. Joe Nettles of Mexia. These two gentlemen have been known as the most successful melon growers in this section for many years.

Hon. Hilary Herbert Holmes of Baldwin County, former senator from this district and for several years principal of the Daphne Normal School, is spending a few days in Monroe filling speaking dates in the interest of the candidacy of Governor McDowell.

DEATH OF MR. J.W. BOOKER: Mr. J.W. Booker died at his home at Goodway on July 30, aged 70 years. Mr. Booker was a native of Monroe County and was held in high esteem by a wide circle of friends. He is survived by his wife, seven sons and three daughters and numerous other relatives. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. A.T. Sims. Interment was made in Enon cemetery on Sat., July 31.

The Methodist ladies will serve dinner on election day, Aug. 10, at Bowden’s store at Jones Mill, Ala. The public is invited and urged to come and get a good dinner for 50 cents.

Mrs. J.L. Bowden left Tuesday for Fairhope where she will act as chaperone at a house party given by Mr. John F. Busey of Jones Mill. Misses Elizabeth Lathram, Louise McMillan and Louise Maxwell are among those in the party.

123 YEARS AGO
AUG. 1, 1901

The first boll of open cotton reported this season was brought to this office last Saturday by Mr. Julius Wiggins. He also reported the first bloom and it is reasonable to expect that he will put the first bale on the market.

Mr. John D. Rawls of Mexia presented The Journal with a fine melon a few days ago. Weather conditions have not been favorable for melon growing, but this specimen would compare favorably with any both as to size and quality.

Store Robbed: On last Sunday night the store of Mr. F. Metts was entered by some person or persons unknown and robbed of cash amounting to some $650. No safe was kept in the store, but the money was concealed in various out-of-the-way places as a means of greater safety. All of the hiding places, with one exception, were discovered and the treasure stolen; about $25 escaped the thievish fingers. The burglarious visitor effected entrance by prizing open the rear door into a back room, but must have had a duplicate key to the door communicating with the main body of the building, as this door was always locked at night, and was so found on the morning following the robbery, and there was no evidence of any other opening have been forced.
The loss falls heavily on Mr. Metts, who is a maimed ex-Confederate soldier, who, by dint of years of energy and economy, had saved up a few hundred dollars from a small but prosperous business to provide a few comforts for his declining years. We do not know that any clue has been discovered, but hope that the thief may yet be run to earth and the stolen money recovered.

George Singleton writes of the mysterious moon and its effects on humankind

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 “Lunar effects on life,” was originally published in the Aug. 1, 1996 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

After last week’s article about Sirius the Dog Star, I have had several telephone calls asking me just what I thought about the effect the moon has on the life of man on this planet, if any. I suppose that there is more mystery about these planets affecting the human life within this universe than any others, other than the sun. True, we have landed men on the moon, but there are many mysteries about it that we do not understand.

Probably no other part of our universe has had more affect directly and indirectly on man and his behavior than the moon. Since man first began to look into the heavens, he has been fascinated by the mysteries of this silvery disc high in the heavens. Man has adjusted and patterned many of his life cycles to coincide with the moon and its paths across the heavens. He has built great monuments and temples to show his affection for this glowing round ball of the night. He has given much of his time and resources to try and walk on its surface. And, he has spent lifetimes studying it effects on himself and his surroundings. Every 29-1/2 days, this silver planet revolves around our planet earth. And, during this period of time many things happen within our lives that we do not understand and know absolutely nothing about.

During this period, the moon changes form. These periods are known to us as the time of the new moon, the half moon, the full moon and the old or dying moon. Each period, in its own way, has different affects on man’s day-to-day existence. During the past ages, many wars have been started because some of the great leaders of the past looked to the moon for signs of guidance and direction.

Many of the early warlords of biblical times believed that during the time of the full moon their armies were more bold and less fearful. They believed that man feared death less when the full glowing disc floated across the heavens. They also believed that their war horses could run faster and farther during this time period. So, it was quite common to plan major battles and invasions of enemy cities during the time of the full moon. And, throughout the history of early man, those who practiced human sacrifice believes that these so called ceremonies were to be held when the great silvery disc was at its fullest, there in the heavens.

Throughout the ages, the wandering tribes of early man believed that the signs of the moon was instrumental in his survival. Under certain signs, the time to fish or to hunt for the food they needed reaped greater harvests than at other times. Those that looked to our mother earth knew that there was a time for planting and a time for gathering, depending on the signs of the moon. Even, until recent years, no country farmer would dare plant his crops unless the signs of the moon was right. Today, with our so call modern-day technology, many of our farmers have lost contact with the signs of the past and pay little or no heed to them. They don’t believe, as they sit in their air conditioned tractors that crops grow faster and produce more per acre if they are planted during the right stages of the moon.

Few of us today believe that the tides of the oceans are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon. Few give any thought to the fact that during certain signs of the moon more people pass from this life than during other times. More children are born during the time of the full moon, especially those who have waited to arrive beyond that certain time span. That old moon has cured many cases of anxiety when that designated time of arrival has come and gone for that new baby. Then, a day or two later a full moon appears in the heavens above and the one that is overdue, appears within our mists.

And, when man is on the prowl for that perfect mate, he talks with more ease and assurance during the time when the moon is full. His boldness during this time is at its peak. His ability to whisper those sweet nothings come with less effort, when under the spell of that full moon high in the heavens above. But then, there are some that this time of the full moon has just the opposite effect. The effects of that silvery disc there in the heavens effects many of us in many different ways. I believe the secret to it all is to try and know all one can about our universe and the paths of the planets around us.

Our experts tell us that the crime rate within our society is greater during the time when the moon is full. The homicide rate is almost twice that of other times during the period when our moon is the fullest. Our police records tell us that during this time, many seem to throw all caution to the winds and run rampart through our communities and cities, committing serious crimes in greater numbers. Truly, the signs of that old full moon is buried in mystery.

Even though man has explored the old moon and has walked on its surface, it hasn’t lost any of its luster and none of its mystery. Even now, man still gazes in awe toward the heavens and wonders of the mysteries there and wonders of the things that are yet to appear on the horizons of the coming seasons.

As I wander around the countryside and from time to time view the full moon in all its glory, I feel the wonders that are yet to be discovered there. I know that silvery disc above my world is filled with mystery and happenings that are yet to come upon us. But, as I look to the heavens on those moonlit nights, I draw strength from that wonder that the Creator has placed there. So, the next time when the full moon is high and its silvery beams causes you to feel a little different, causes you to want to rush forth to that highest hill, go to it. Raise your arms to the heavens and give the call of the wild. You will be surprised how much better it will make you feel, and you will marvel at the ease with which you did it. I know, I have been there, more times than one could guess.

(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.)

George Singleton tells of the bygone days of picking cotton by hand

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 “Memories of hominy and cotton,” was originally published in the Sept. 6, 2001 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

As the autumn season slowly begins to make its way across the land, memories of many wonderful times begin to fill my mind.

Thinking back to the times that I experienced as a young boy growing up in the country, I almost feel sorry for our youth of today because of the many happenings and good times they have missed.

A day or two ago, Sept. 2, my wife and I made our way down through the southern part of our county. As we passed the vast cotton fields beginning to change color, with the opening cotton glowing in the cool afternoon air, it was almost like going back in time. The long rows of opening cotton brought back many memories of gathering the fluffy cotton by hand while dragging a long cotton sack along the row.

Our youth of today know absolutely nothing about a long, hot day in the cotton fields. They could not in any way describe a day of bending over and picking cotton from dawn to dusk.

In looking back, I remember how I used to hate that long cotton sack and that 12-hour work day in the cotton field. But as I traveled through the opening cotton fields near Uriah, I almost wished that I had the chance to pick some more cotton the old-fashioned way. Remember, I said that I almost wished.

As we rode along down Highway 59, I asked my wife if she had anything that I could cover my head with. I related to her that I had a severe pain in my back. Believing that I was having back pains, she couldn’t understand why I needed to cover my head if my back was hurting. I told her that seeing all that opening cotton and the memories of having to pick the white stuff caused the pains in my back. Needless to say, she didn’t think that very funny.

If I had to select the one fondest memory of cotton-picking time, it would be when the cotton pickers would stop their work for the lunch meal.

Lunch would be sent from the house, packed in several large dish pans. Near the large field that we called the “Lewis Field,” there was a large creek nearby. Under the shade of several large oak trees that grew on the high bank of the creek, this was where dinner would be served. After the blessing was said by Uncle Tony, an old black man that my family cared for, the fun time got underway.

Words can hardly describe the excitement experienced by a small country boy there under the large oaks. Tall tales, told by the older workers of the group, were almost breathtaking. When the work day was done, this tired small boy would lie awake for some time and relive the stories that he had hear earlier.

Almost every farmer in the area had a “cotton house.” This was where the freshly picked cotton was stored until enough had been picked to carry to the cotton gin.

My fondest memory was being allow by my darling mother to spend Friday and Saturday nights, sleeping on the fluffy cotton, there in the cotton house. I don’t believe that a bed exists today that would be as comfortable as that large fluffy pile of cotton was to this small country boy.

My bed partner was always a very large cur dog that we owned named Jack. Jack would curl up against my back and sleep there the entire night, unless something moved or made a noise of some kind and disturbed his sleep. Jack was a good natured dog, but everyone knew that when he growled, Jack meant business. And, always after I had gone to sleep, my guardian angel, “Uncle Tony,” would come over to the cotton house and lie down nearby. If the air was chilly, he would cover me with an old quilt or put cotton over me to keep me warm.

But cotton picking was not the only thing going on around the farm this time of year. This was also the time for cooking lye hominy by the home folks. Fresh-shelled corn would be placed in a large wash pot, and this would be cooked over an open fire for several hours.

The good times were getting to be around the cooking fire as the hominy was cooking. There was always a chance of being given a tea cake or a large piece of peanut candy by my dear friend, Aunt Lellia.

This wonderful old back lady also looked to my family for her well-being and all her needs. She had no family to care for her, so she depended on my family for her survival. Since Aunt Lellia had delivered me when I was born, I was very special to this dear and wonderful old lady. She always saw to it that I got the special pieces of candy or any of the samples of pie or cake that might need to be tasted.

Aunt Lellia was the absolute authority in the community on cooking lye hominy. She was always sought out by various families when there was hominy to be cooked. No one dared to question this dear old lady about her cooking knowledge. But everyone knew for sure that when she said that it was ready, the hominy was ready to eat.

A hominy supper would most times be held on a Friday or Saturday night. Several families would get together for a wonderful time of fellowship and hominy eating. Other food, such as cakes, pies and many other goodies, would be brought along by those attending the supper. Those of my readers who have not ever attended a lye hominy supper in a country community have missed a great event in life. The fun and games and the fellowship among those present were something to be remembered.

If you have never tried to eat two or three half-ripe persimmons and then tried to whistle, then you wouldn’t have been a good contestant in the around-the-fire games. Always someone would show up with a small paper sack full of half-ripe persimmons. After the meal it was time for the persimmon and whistle contest. Take it from me, it’s not an easy thing to do, to try and whistle after eating three or four half-ripe persimmons. Nevertheless, the fun and good times were worth the drawn-up mouth.

These good times growing up on the farm played a very important part in the molding of our lives. I will be the first to admit that times have changed since those days of the middle ‘30s. But as I see the carelessness and don’t-care attitude of some of our youth of today, we might need to go back to the long cotton rows and the heavy cotton sacks.

As for now, we can only hope. Only time will tell what awaits on the horizon.

(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.)