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.