Is County Road 5's ‘Booger Bottom’ the scariest road in Monroe County?

Salter Monument on County Road 5.

I read the results of an interesting survey the other day about the scariest roads in Alabama. In the spirit of Halloween, the survey-takers asked 3,000 drivers which “roads they mostly would avoid after dark - those infamous for supernatural encounters, spine-tingling tales and eerie sightings that make the bravest souls’ hair stand on end.” The survey resulted in a list of the 140 scariest roads in American, including three in Alabama.

The scariest road in Alabama is said to be the stretch of State Highway 169 that runs from the Seale community in Russell County to Opelika in Lee County. This highway lies atop a much older road that’s steeped in spooky history. Travelers on this road report seeing the ghost of a man on horseback, thought to be the spirit of a 19th-century highwayman, who charges toward terrified drivers before vanishing into thin air.

The second scariest road in Alabama is Jack Cole Road in the town of Hayden in Blount County. Travelers on this road report seeing eerie figures, unexplained lights, and hearing mysterious sounds in the surrounding woods. Many who drive through after dark describe a spine-chilling atmosphere that intensifies as the night deepens, leaving them with an overwhelming sense of being watched.

The third scariest road in Alabama is a short drive from Monroeville, that is, State Highway 5 in the town of Pine Hill in Wilcox County. This rural highway is known for sightings of a spectral man walking along the road at night, believed to be the ghost of a traveler who died in a car crash. There are also other stories of strange occurrences experienced by drivers, which only add to the road's eerie atmosphere, especially after dark.

All of the above got me to thinking about the scariest road in Monroe County. Several spooky roads came immediately to mind, but if I had to pick just one, I would say it’s the stretch of County Road 5 north of Burnt Corn known as “Booger Bottom.” Over the years, a number of Burnt Corn residents have told me that Booger Bottom was located about 100 yards south of the Salter Monument on County Road 5.

There are many spooky stories associated with this stretch of highway. Some say that an entity called “Harry Bill” supposedly lived in the woods at Booger Bottom. Others have told me that “Hairy Bill” was a fictitious character created by older adults in the community to keep small children from playing in and around the logging woods.

Another lady told me that she remembered not wanting to travel through Booger Bottom at night because it used to give her “an all-over creepy feeling” when she was a little girl. She claimed to have seen “a ball of fire once in a tall tree when mama, daddy and I came home late from a relative`s house. We never knew what that was. It just sat up there in the tree.”

Another story about this area involves a man riding a horse down the road in the 1920s. Something “white” reportedly crossed the road in front of the man and disappeared. This spooked his horse so bad that it refused to go any farther down the road.

In the end, there are doubtless other spooky roads in Monroe County. The stretch of County Road 1 near McConnico Cemetery at Perdue Hill, the road to the Davis Ferry at Nancy Mountain, and State Highway 59 at Butterfork Hill near Uriah come immediately to mind. If you know of any other spooky roads elsewhere in the county, email me at news@monroejournal.com and tell me about it.

Kazek is the heiress apparent to Alabama's Kathryn Tucker Windham

Kelly Kazek’s new book, “Some Nightmares Are Real: The Haunting Truth Behind Alabama’s Supernatural Tales,” will be of special interest to readers in Wilcox County because one of the 10 tales featured in this book takes place in Wilcox County.

Published by the University of Alabama Press in August and illustrated by Sarah Cotton, this 135-page book “weaves a gothic tapestry of ten stories drawn from real people and legendary creatures, cursed places, and harrowing events. Each story or legend takes readers to a different place in Alabama.

“Unlike most ghost-story collections, ‘Some Nightmares Are Real’ includes an appendix of facts, historical resources and information about how to visit the locations. These contemporary stories embrace a beloved Southern folkloric tradition for a new generation of young readers. The tales will terrify and ensnare ghost-story lovers of all ages.”

Wilcox County readers will be especially interested in the story of the “Strange Light at Gee’s Bend Ferry.” This story talks of the mysterious “greenish” light that can sometimes be seen in the river near the ferry. Some witnesses claim the light starts small and grows to cover 60 feet.

Some say the mysterious light comes from a military plane that crashed near the landing decades ago. Others say it comes from some mysterious, unidentified creature that lives in the river near the landing. Some say that it comes from a ghostly overturned riverboat while others say that it’s the ghost of a person who drowned in the river.

The book also talks about the Gee’s Bend community and the role the Farm Service Administration played there during the Great Depression. Kazek also talks about the role the ferry played in the Civil Rights Movement. Her book also talks about the community’s famous quilts and the Gee’s Bend Quilters’ Collective.

Other stories in the book include the “Wolf Woman of Mobile,” who is said to have terrified the residents of Alabama’s haunted port city. Kazek’s book also describes the “Dead Children’s Playground” near the Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville. Another chapter describes the “Old Mill Witch,” who is said to haunt a rickety cotton yarn mill in Jacksonville.

It’s also noteworthy that Kazek dedicated her book to the memory of Kathryn Tucker Windham, the author of “Thirteen Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey” and a number of other books on Southeastern ghost stories. Windham is no stranger to Wilcox County residents as she worked for a number of years in the county. In many ways, Kazek is the heiress apparent to Windham for her ongoing writings on Alabama ghost stories.

Many in the reading audience will be familiar with Kazek, a Southern writer and folklorist who for many years was the “weird news reporter” for AL.com, the Mobile Press-Register, the Birmingham News and the Huntsville Time. An award-winning journalist, Kazek is also widely known as a humor columnist and Southern culture author. Her previous books include “Y is for Y’all: A Book of Southern ABCs,” “Southern Thesaurus: For When You’re Plumb Out of Things to Say” and “A Guide to the South’s Quirkiest Roadside Attractions.”

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Oct. 29, 2024

58 YEARS AGO
OCT. 27, 1966

Capt. Hyde cited for heroism by Army in Vietnam: Capt. Clinton O. (Neal) Hyde Jr. of Evergreen has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism in Vietnam. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.O. Hyde and a graduate of Evergreen High School and the U.S. Military Academy.
The citation stated: ‘For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: Capt. Hyde distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 February 1966 while serving as senior advisor to a paramilitary strike force unit conducting a search and destroy operation in the Tion Phuoc District, Republic of Vietnam.
On two occasions after his force had made contact with the Viet Cong, Capt. Hyde effectively organized a fire and maneuver tactic which forced the insurgents to withdraw from their positions. Pursuing the Viet Cong force, Capt. Hyde and his counterpart, along with the lead element of the friendly force, became pinned down by intense hostile automatic weapons fire. At this time, Capt. Hyde with complete disregard for his safety, exposed himself to the deadly fire to move to the rear to radio for air evacuation of friendly casualties.
After the medical evacuation Capt. Hyde further exposed himself to the Viet Cong fire while moving to the front of his force to adjust mortar fire on the hostile emplacements. His accurate adjustment of the supporting fire drove the Viet Cong from their positions and allowed the friendly patrol to continue on their mission. Capt. Hyde’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

73 YEARS AGO
OCT. 25, 1951

The fall term of Conecuh County Circuit Court reconvened here Tuesday morning to dispose of the criminal docket, the civil docket having been taken up week before last. Due to the illness of Circuit Court Judge F.W. Hare, who is confined to his bed with flu, Attorney Ralph Jones of Monroeville is presiding as acting Judge.
Wednesday, the case of Willie J. Lassiter, young white man charged with first degree murder in the killing of Carlton Crosby, was taken up. The work of striking a jury began about 1:30 Wednesday afternoon and had not been completed as The Courant went to press.
Lassiter was tried last spring and it ended in a mistrial. He is represented by Jones and Key while the State’s case is being handled by Circuit Solicitor A.H. Elliott and County Solicitor E.C. Page Jr.

A check for $1,550 to help provide for local polio patients has been received by the Conecuh County Chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, it was announced today by Judge Lloyd G. Hart, Chapter Chairman. The check was presented by R.C. Dobson, State Representative of the Foundation in Alabama.

Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Neese recently heard from their son, Pfc. Levaughn Neese, who is with the Airborne Field Artillery in Korea, informing them that he was back in Tokyo for a period of rest.

88 YEARS AGO
OCT. 29, 1936

Foster Brooks Dies In Auto Accident: Foster Brooks, 26, only son of Mayor and Mrs. J.R. Brooks was instantly killed Sunday night about 8:30 o’clock, when the auto in which he was riding with five young men friends was wrecked on Highway 31, about one mile north of Flomaton. Mack Binion Jr. and Stanton Coker also received serious injuries and are being treated at Century hospital where they were carried shortly after the accident. They are reported to be improving. Bob Kendall Jr., Clinton Hyde and William McGehee, the other occupants of the car, received only minor injuries.
Young Brooks was born and reared here. Since graduating from the local high school, he had held a position with the city in the light and water department. Only recently, he was made assistant superintendent of this department. His tragic death was perhaps one of the worst shocks the citizens of this city have ever experienced.

The 1937 Pontiac is now on display at Wilson-Owens Motor Co., local agents for this popular line of automobiles, one of the new cars having arrived early this week. Those who attend the Fair on Thursday and Friday of this week are invited to visit their show rooms at the L.L. Moorer building and see this car.

EVERGREEN THEATRE – ‘THE HOME OF GOOD PICTURES’ – Saturday, October 31 – (One Night Only) – Warner Baxter in ‘Robin Hood of El Dorado’ – A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture – Admission, 10 - 25 cents.

103 YEARS AGO
OCT. 26, 1921

Fiddlers Convention: Paul, Ala., Nov. 12 – From 5 to 12 o’clock p.m. all fiddlers who expect to enter contest please send names to E.L. Queen, Paul, Ala.

Every member of the Citizens Military Committee of Conecuh County, Ala. is urged to be present at the courthouse in Evergreen at 11 o’clock on Oct. 28 for the purpose of organizing a Machine Gun Co. for Conecuh County. Also every man who wants to join this organization is urged to be present on that date. Those wishing to join who cannot be present are asked to give their names to R.A. Baird, Castleberry; C.H. Moorer, Repton; W.R. Lindsey, Belleville; or S.B. Sanders, Brooklyn. Signed, S.P. Dunn, Chairman, Military Committee.

The Belleville Community Fair: Belleville, Ala., Oct. 20 – The object of this article is to make known to the people of Belleville community, Loree, Osterfield, Hamden Ridge, Baggetts and Kindig communities that there will be a Community Fair held at Belleville on Nov. 4 and to ask every farmer and housewife to get something ready to bring to the fair for exhibit.

Baptist Revival: The meeting during the last week at the Baptist Church has been a gracious one. Dr. J.T. McNew, pastor of the 56th Avenue Church, Birmingham, came and began the meeting on Oct. 13 and continued until Oct. 21.

118 YEARS AGO
OCT. 31, 1906

A handsome new organ has just been placed in the Methodist Church. The Baptist people instituted an excellent one not long ago.

General P.D. Bowles has left with Capt. J.F. Foster of his staff the honor of naming a maid of honor to Miss Helen Booth of Mobile, sponsor for the 2nd Brigade, Alabama Confederate Veterans. A distinguished honor awaits some daughter of Wilcox County. – Camden Banner.

The Building Boom: The building boom in Evergreen continues unabated. The saw and the hammer and the paint brush and the mason’s trowel are constantly at work, making music that thrills those who love progress and prosperity. The handsome residence of W.B. Ivey is nearing completion and will be one of the most ornate and attractive in the city. S.J. Robertson has completed a neat cottage on the property which he recently purchased of W.H. Hawkins, and it will be occupied by Dr. and Mrs. T.B. McDonald.
Next to this house, Jeff Millsap is having a nice six-room residence erected.
Mrs. John Hill has just had completed a three-room addition to their home.
The brick walls of The Courant’s office building will soon be completed. An annex to this building is being built and will be used for a barber shop when completed.
A large structure is being erected at the Orphans home.
The concrete block building of Lee & Pridgen on the site of the old jail will be commenced at an early date. The old building is now being razed to the ground.
There are other buildings and improvements in contemplation. It is understood a handsome, three-story structure will be erected on the block between the McCreary building and the Evergreen hotel, which was recently gutted by fire. 

The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Oct. 28, 2024

Richard Mansfield

TWO YEARS AGO
OCT. 27, 2022

Museum honors Jones: The Monroe County Heritage Museum’s board of directors officially dedicated the research room at the Old Monroe County Courthouse as the “George Thomas Jones Research Room” Wednesday of last week during a special birthday celebration for Jones, who celebrated his 100^th birthday on Oct. 19. Museum Executive Director Wanda Green said that Jones has been an invaluable asset to the museum ever since its establishment in 1992.

Excel region champ: Excel High School’s varsity football team, led by head coach Jason Phillips, captured its first region championship since 1997 by defeating 3A Region 1 opponent, W.S. Neal High School, 27-14, Friday night at Panther Stadium in Excel.
Ashton McPhaul, a senior linebacker, led Excel’s defense with five tackles, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Kaleb Browning followed closely with five tackles, including two tackles for a loss, a blocked punt and a fumble recovery.
Browning, a force to be reckoned with on offense and defense, had a “tremendous night” against Neal, carrying the ball 22 times for 118 yards, Phillips said.
(Other top Excel players in that game included Braden Anderson, Trayvon Anderson, Cade Barnett, Eli Bayles, Logan Holder, Hampton King, Gauge Lowery, Michael Maye, Gedric McCants, Admiryan McMillian, Zaylon McMillian, Jon McPherson, Allister Millender, Kolby Peavy, Jaxson Smith, Myles Taite, Will Thomas and Koleman Wiggins.)

27 YEARS AGO
OCT. 23, 1997

Winning calves: Rose Johnson, president of the Monroeville Kiwanis Club, presented trophies to winners of the calf show at the Kiwanis/Monroe County Fair. Showing the winning calves were Clint Case, who won grand champion, and Monica Stuart, reserve champion.

Blacksher Dogs defeat Red Level: J.U. Blacksher High School rushed past Red Level High School Friday in Uriah, recording a 20-0 victory.
Senior fullback Anthony Tucker led an offensive charge that piled up 235 yards on 56 rushes. Tucker hammered his way through the Tigers’ defensive line most of the night, hitting the line like a 220-pound wrecking ball. He finished the evening with 170 yards on 33 rushes. On defense, the Bulldogs were led by Tony Dean’s 14 tackles.
(Other top Blacksher players in that game included Anthony Adams, Brandon Bailey, Travis Boykin, Sherman Dean, Jesse Hadley, Larry Nichols, Justin Redditt, Israel Summers and Jacarro Tucker. John Williamson was Blacksher’s head coach.)

Excel crowns queen: Excel homecoming queen Amanda Wiggins, escorted by her father Darrell Wiggins, was crowned by principal John Ross during pre-game festivities Saturday at Excel High School.

Chamber to produce map: The Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce has contracted with a map maker to produce a map of Monroe County and the City of Monroeville. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandi Smith said business owners may get a call from Wendell Harville of Southern Engineering GPP, Inc. Harville is selling advertising on the map.

52 YEARS AGO
OCT. 26, 1972

Old landmark going down: The stained glass windows have been removed from the old First Baptist Church building on Courthouse Square as the first step in dismantling the landmark. The building was recently sold by owner Allen Hall of Excel to Jack R. Bates and W.C. Owens of Monroeville, who have announced tentative plans to locate a business building on the site. The old church building was constructed in 1920 and housed the First Baptist congregation until 1959, when it moved to the present location on Pineville Road.

Shields High downs ‘Big Vikings’: The Shields High Panthers defeated the Eutaw Vikings 14-6 Friday night, Oct. 13, in Beatrice.
Shields came from behind in the second quarter with Richard Lett’s 55-yard touchdown run. The score at halftime was 6-6.
It seemed to be just a defensive battle until Richard Lett went off tackle for an 85-yard run, scoring the second touchdown for the Panthers. The extra point was made when Curtis Tucker found Robert Booker open in the end zone.
(Other top Shields players in that game included H. Bonner, M. Finklea, Joe Lyons, James Stallworth, F. Wiggins and F. Williams.)

Ronnie Bailey is named Frisco City alumni president: Frisco City High School alumni returned to their alma mater Oct. 7 to elect Ronnie Bailey of Frisco City their new president. Also elected at the annual meeting of the alumni association were Penny Baker, vice-president; Mrs. Connie Norris Griggers, secretary; George Burns, treasurer; and Mrs. Alberta Murphy Jones, historian.

76 YEARS AGO
OCT. 28, 1948

City Host To Crowds Here For Hog Fete: Monroeville and Monroe County are staging their first hog festival in 10 years today and, admittedly, its major purpose is to impress upon farms of this area the opportunities for profit to be found in the raising of hogs for the market.
Off to a gala start last night with a banquet at Williams Café attended by approximately 125 persons, at which Probate Judge Coma Garrett of Clarke County, was the principal speaker, the affair gets into full swing this morning with a pure-bred hog show at Monroe County Stockyards and will be concluded at the American Legion Clubhouse.

Monroe County High School’s football Tigers balanced up their won-lost columns last Friday night by dropping a hotly disputed contest to Thomaston, 27-6, on the latter’s home grounds.
Sparked by what numerous Monroeville fans termed questionable decisions of the officials, the game saw Thomaston score three touchdowns before the Monroe County team became sufficiently aroused to push across its lone tally of the night.
Significant during the entire contest were the numerous arguments among players of both teams and also between players and officials.
(Standout MCHS players in that game included George Klepic, Bodie Thompson and Hurtis Tomlinson, who scored Monroe’s only touchdown on a one-yard run.)

115 YEARS AGO
OCT. 28, 1909

Monroeville’s ball team and Ollie played last Saturday. The score was 17 to 5 in favor of Monroeville.

Hon. Kyle B. Price delivered an able address in favor of the constitutional amendment at Jones Mill on Saturday evening. The audience was not large on account of short notice but the impression made was apparently favorable.

W.G. McCorvey, Esq., and Dr. W.J. Mason met in joint debate on the constitutional amendment at Excel Tuesday evening, the former opposing and the latter favoring the proposition. A good crowd was present and a patient hearing accorded both speaker.

Dr. W.G. Hairston and wife expect to leave (Burnt Corn) Tuesday for Ft. Deposit in their automobile.

Mr. Tileson Bryce, a talented impersonator, formerly with the Fredrick Warde and Robert B. Mantell companies, presented a highly entertaining program at the court house on Wednesday evening. His repertoire embraced scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, “The Old Homestead,” the climax of Act I of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as rendered by the late Richard Mansfield, pathetic ballads and the one-act play “The Curse of Drink.” The role was varied and difficult throughout but performed with ease and skill.

The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Oct. 14, 2024

SIX YEARS AGO
OCT. 11, 2018

Local family plays The Price is Right: Margaret and husband Joe Watson of Monroeville celebrated her birthday by visiting her son and attending the popular TV game show The Price is Right on Aug. 6 in Los Angeles, Calif.
While visiting her son, Kenneth Rankins Jr., who grew up in Monroeville, Margaret said they decided to attend a taping of The Price is Right at CBS Studios.
She said they spent the day touring the property and enjoyed the “full experience of television and the game show.”

Panthers win 42-2: Excel’s Panthers improved to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the Class 3A, Region 1 standings last Thursday when they defeated St. Michael Catholic High School 42-2 in Fairhope.
Drew Bradley and Josh Gandy had a big night for the Panthers, rushing 20 times for 283 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Tristian McBride and Jayden Jenkins had eight solo tackles each.
(Other top Excel players in that game included Cole Chandler, Nate Davis, Devin Hixon, Justin Manuel, Keon McMillian, Zeb Nettles, Race Salter and Deon’te Tunstall.)

Kiwanis officers and board installed: At its weekly meeting Oct. 2, Kiwanis Club of Monroeville installed officers for the 2018-19 membership year and new members of the board for 2018-20. The are Deborah Jinright, board; Jeanie Smith, immediate past president; Alisha Linam, vice president; Margaret Murphy, board; Sam Schjott, President; Ricky Powell, Division 12 Lt. Governor; Pete Black, president-elect; Paul England, board; Kelsie Becton, board; Phillip Allen, secretary; Toni McKelvey, treasurer; and Morgan Hutcherson, board.

31 YEARS AGO
OCT. 14, 1993

Board of Education approves lease to Perdue Hill group: A $1-per-year lease on about six acres of land at Perdue Hill where a school once was located was approved by the Monroe County Board of Education at its regular meeting Friday.
Earlman Davis, preside of the Perdue Hill Industrial Academy Alumni Association, requested the lease, saying the group wants to spearhead the construction of a youth recreation facility on the site. He also said the proposed center would be a monument to the late P.J. Carmichael, a long-time Monroe County educator who was principal of Perdue Hill Industrial Academy, where Davis attended.

Blacksher ‘Dogs get the best of Panthers: Emotions ran high at John Sawyer Memorial Field Saturday evening at Uriah when J.U. Blacksher High School squared off against Excel High School in a football game that saw the Bulldogs post a 12-7 win.
It has been said that sooner or later every dog has its day, and for J.U. Blacksher High School’s Bulldogs, it came Saturday in the form of a homecoming victory – a win that ended a streak of seven straight losses to the Panthers.
(Top Blacksher players in that game included Benny Alanis, Jimmy Beavers, Jackie Ray Brown, Mikal Cooper, Tedro English, Josh Johnson, Morgan Middleton, Wontwyn Montgomery and Eric Wallace. Top Excel players included Lee Browning, David Lowery, Matt Melton, Clifton Nettles, Dennis Parker, Steven Pharr, Durrand Watson and Jason Watson. Skip Bell was Blacksher’s head coach, and Bo Bishop was Excel’s head coach.)

56 YEARS AGO
OCT. 10, 1968

New Monroeville Mayor and Council: The new city administration for Monroeville was officially inducted Mon., Oct. 7, and met for their first business session Tuesday night. They are M.M. Kennedy Jr., Place 5; Windell C. Owens, mayor; A.L. Clenner, Place 4; B.C. Hornady, Place 1; Robbins Williams, Place 3; and J.R. Johnson, Place. 2.

Frisco Defeats Uriah, 13-7, in Close Game: The Frisco City High School Whippets edged past the J.U. Blacksher High School, 13-7, in a football game in Uriah last Friday night.
Uriah controlled the ball most of the last half, but couldn’t quite bring home the bacon. The Whippets have won five straight games and were rated number one on the Alabama High School Athletic Association list last week for single-A high schools.
(Top FCHS players in that game included James Bailey, David Bixler, Eddie Cotten, Bill Grant, Rob Kelly, Mike Lancaster, Larry Norris, Ronald Ray, Eddie Sawyer, Steve Sinquefield, Kenneth Till and Jimmy Tucker. Top Blacksher players included Robbie Colbert, Dale Gulsby, Joe Harrison, Danny McGee, Howard Metts, Joe Frank Mims and Carl Williams.)

New Store Manager: John Egolf, who will manage the new T.G.&.Y. store in Monroeville, arrived here Sept. 16 and is making preparations for a grand opening of the store Oct. 17. Located in the Monroe Shopping Center, approximately 20 people will assist in getting ready for the opening. Mr. Egolf was formerly employed with another chain in Florida.

81 YEARS AGO
OCT. 14, 1943

Goodway Man Has Well Drilling Record: Mr. C.H. Booker of Goodway holds a pretty good record for making water available around farm homes in Monroe and adjoining counties. He started drilling wells in 1925 and to date he has completed 675 wells in four counties.

Pfc. Aubrey L. Norris, who was wounded July 12 and died July 16 while serving his country in the Southwest Pacific Area, was awarded the Purple Heart medal for gallantry and devotion. The medal is being sent to his mother, Mrs. Mary E. Norris, according to a letter recently received from Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson.

A group of representative business men were guests of the five banks of the county at a dinner at the LaSalle Hotel last Thursday evening.
Mr. J. Finley McRae, president of the Merchants National Bank of Mobile, was the speaker for the occasion and discussed some of the economic problems which confront the people of the county.
Mr. Tom Taul, Mrs. George Hass and Mr. D’Olive of Mobile accompanied Mr. McRae to Monroeville.

The Fall term of the Circuit Court convened Monday. On account of the light docket and difficulty in locating witnesses, civil cases were continued and after selecting grand jurors, other jurors and witnesses were discharged. The grand jury is in session this week and is composed of: K.J. Lazenby, foreman, Melton Lynam, Heck Rumbley, J. Barto Lloyd, Earl L. Harper, Eddie E. English, A. Frank Session, J. Lomax Lewis, Henry T. Fountain, Mitchell J. Byrd, Herbert H. Hendrix, J. Benette Robinson, George E. Scott, Steve W. Strock, Levi A. Green, Lonnie J. Wiggins, Oscar McNeil Sr., I.D. Byrd.

108 YEARS AGO
OCT. 12, 1893

Little Henry, son of Mr. H.E. Hudson, had the misfortune to be thrown from a wagon Monday evening and one of the wheels passed over him breaking his left leg above the knee. Dr. Russell was called and set the broken limb. The little fellow bore the pain with great fortitude and is resting as easily as could be expected under the circumstances.

JONES MILL: The Bear Creek Mill Co. has completed the ditch to Little Bear Creek.

Died – Mr. Watson McWilliams, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of the county, died at his home near Axle, Tuesday, 10^th inst., aged 86 years.

SINGING CONVENTION: Ed. Journal: We wish to remind singers that the next Session of Shiloh Singing convention will convene at Grimes Schoolhouse on the third Sunday and Saturday before in this month. All cordially invited to attend. B.E. Jones, Secretary.

Captain and Mrs. W.S. Wiggins returned to Sulphur Springs last week to spend several days. The Captain thinks the mineral waters are proving beneficial to his health. On his previous visit, he gained several pounds in weight.

Mr. B.F. Wiggins left last week for Arkansas on the most important mission of his life. He is expected to return in a few weeks accompanied by his blushing bride.

What ever became of Wilcox County poet, Sara Elizabeth King?

General Edwin Davis King

What ever became of Wilcox County poet, Sara Elizabeth King?

This was a question I pondered as I read about her poetic exploits in the Oct. 8, 1936 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era. In a front-page story that week, published under the headline, “Recognition For Poetry Of Sara King,” the newspaper reported that she was the author of several poems that had been “complimented” by the Alabama Poetry Society. Another of her poems had been selected for inclusion in an anthology called “1936 Contemporary Women Poets of America.”

The newspaper printed two of her poems. The first was titled “Ubiguity” and read as follows:

God walks in forests where pine needles grew,
And in the tumult and motor cars meet.
He breathes thru a still world that’s wrapt in snow;
Then brings spring with its white blossoming sloe.
In the midst of the waving tall grass sweet,
In laughing curves of the ripe golden wheat,
The heart alone attuned to God can know.
Perhaps in starlit lonely mountain ways,
Or in the friendly city near a mart
In a cathedral’s light of candle rays;
Or where fantastic shadowy waves start
To break on grim shores, can the same soul praise Jehovah.
He walks in the human heart.

The other poem of King’s printed by The Progressive Era was called “Spiritual Old Age” and read as follows:

I saw you once
In the face of
An old preacher.
He needed to
Say no word.
He was a sermon.
Thru him you speak
Of turning death
Into morning.

The newspaper article also noted that King graduated from Judson College in 1911 and in October 1936 was living at 347 Magnolia Ave. in Auburn. She was a relative of one of the Judson College’s founders, General Edwin D. King.

She was also the daughter of Paul and Clementine DeLoach King and was the granddaughter of William Douglas and Rebecca Singleton King. She was also the great-granddaughter of James Asbury and Elizabeth Caroline Goode Tait and the great-great-granddaughter of Judge Charles Tait, who was the first federal judge of Alabama.

After reading the article, a number of questions came to mind. Chiefly, I could not help but wonder if the newspaper misprinted the title of the first poem, “Ubiguity.” I looked through several dictionaries (and even Googled it), but apparently there is no such word. However if the change the “g” to a “q,” you have the word, “Ubiquity,” which is defined as “the fact of appearing everywhere or of being very common.”

Despite my best efforts, I was unable to find out what became of Sara King. She was not married in October 1936, but if she went on to get married, she would have taken her husband’s last name. Without knowing her married name, it is extremely difficult to search death records and cemetery archives for information about her final resting place.

In the end, I think it’s likely that Sara King still has relatives living in Wilcox County today. If so, let me hear from you, so that we can more fully document the life of this Wilcox County poet.

Was Harper Lee’s ‘lady poisoner’ the wife of Jack the Ripper?

Florence Maybrick

Did Monroeville author Harper Lee make a veiled reference to the wife of a Jack the Ripper suspect in her 2015 novel, “Go Set a Watchman.”

In Chapter 5 of the novel, 26-year-old Jean Louise Finch and her childhood friend Henry “Hank” Clinton are driving to Finch’s Landing. She says that Finch’s Landing consisted of 366 steps going down a high bluff and ending in a wide jetty jutting out into the Alabama River. A dirt road leads to the landing and at the end of the road is a two-story white house with upstairs and downstairs porches around all four sides of the house.

This old family home was “in an excellent state of repair,” having been bought by a Mobile businessman, who turned it into a hunting club. Jean Louise goes on to say that the house had been bought by Atticus Finch’s grandfather from the uncle of a “renowned lady poisoner who operated on both sides of the Atlantic, but who came from a fine old Alabama family.”

This sentence struck a chord with me and caused me to wonder if this was a reference to Florence Maybrick, an Alabama native who was convicted in England of poisoning her husband, James Maybrick in 1889. Florence was born in Mobile in 1862, the daughter of former Mobile mayor, William George Chandler. While traveling to England by ship, 17-year-old Florence met James Maybrick, a 40-year-old cotton merchant from Liverpool.

Maybrick died on May 11, 1889 and family members accused Florence of poisoning him to death with arsenic. At trial, Florence was accused of extracting arsenic from flypaper that she bought from a local chemist. Florence was found guilty, and the case was widely publicized by the newspapers of the time. She went on to spend 14 years in prison before returning to the United States, where she died in 1941.

Many in the reading audience will remember that the notorious Jack the Ripper killed five women in London in 1888. This killer was never brought to justice, and many sleuths have tried to understand why the killings inexplicably stopped in 1888. Over the years, many have been suspected of being Jack the Ripper, including James Maybrick.

Maybrick became a suspect when his purported diary surfaced in 1992, claiming that he was the famous killer. This diary eventually became the basis for the 1993 book, “The Diary of Jack the Ripper” by Shirley Harrison. Over the years, many experts have examined the diary with some saying they can’t rule out that it’s the real thing with others saying it’s a fake.

Another item that purportedly connects Maybrick to the Ripper crimes is an old pocket watch that came to public light in 1993. Inside the cover was scratched “J. Maybrick” and “I am Jack.” Like the diary, many experts have examined this watch over the years, and it’s authenticity is hotly debated.

In the end, it would be interesting to know if Florence Maybrick’s uncle or any other relatives once owned land in Monroe County, which is the basis for fictional Maycomb County. If anyone in the reading audience has more information about this subject, please let me know because it would be interesting to make this connection to the “renowned lady poisoner” of the 1880s.