Old newspaper excerpts from The Monroe Journal newspaper of Monroe County, Alabama

Dr. Lee Bidgood

35 YEARS AGO

FEB. 21, 1985

Dr. Hanks named Frisco’s top citizen: Dr. B.L. Hanks received the Outstanding Citizen of Frisco City Award during the Frisco City Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet last Thursday night in Frisco City Baptist Church’s Family Activity Center.

Hanks, who was born in Frisco City in 1910 and graduated from Frisco City High School, served in various cities as a streetcar inspector from 1927 until 1939, when he decided to become a doctor. He received his medical degree from Harvard College of Medicine in 1944.

MCHS attracts 74 prospects for spring football drills: Monroe County High School football coach and athletic director Howard Busby was impressed with the number of young men who turned out for the first day of spring drills Wednesday of last week.

Busby and assistant coaches Mike Kimberl, Tommy Keeton and Don Nelson began working with 74 prospective football players Wednesday of last week.

(Those players included Jim Campbell, Willie Carmichael, George Coker, Todd Hill, Steve Ramer, Donald Ray Tucker and Mark Williams.)

Chamber to get new home: A move to new headquarters was provided for in the 1985 budget approved by the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors in a special meeting Monday evening, according to John Egolf, executive director.

The new office, the old John Causey law office at 137 South Alabama Ave., provides more space and a meeting room, which is not available at the present office in the old Monroe County Courthouse, said Egolf. The chamber hopes to be in the new office by March 1.

60 YEARS AGO

FEB. 18, 1960

Final Hospital Plans Mapped At Meeting Of Doctors, Architects: Five physicians who practice in Monroe County met with representatives of a Montgomery architectural firm Tuesday night to map final plans for Monroe County’s new Hill-Burton Act hospital.

Karl J. Lazenby of Monroeville, chairman, Monroe County Hospital Board, said Wednesday the local doctors offered suggestions on basic construction plans for the structure.

He stated the architects speculated work will begin on the $544,500 facility on a 15-acre plot south of the city limits around the last of June or the first of July.

Coach Jack Akins’ J.U. Blacksher High School Bulldog quintet of Uriah is seeded first for the First District Class A basketball tournament scheduled at Frisco City High School, Feb. 24-27. The Uriah cagers will be seeking to retain the district title for a second year. (Players on Blacksher’s team that year included Jerry Brown, Curtis Harris, Ronnie Ikner, Gerald Johnson, Gary Newman, Doug Norris, Bill Solomon, Jerry Thomas, Willard Turk and Burl Woods.)

New Rescue Squad Elects Officials: Officers for the new Monroe County Rescue Squad were elected at an organizational meeting in Frisco City recently.

President is Claud Wilkerson of Frisco City. Vice presidents are Jewel King, Jesse McQueen, Wilbur Pickens and Ralph Manning. Secretary-treasurer is George Burns.

85 YEARS AGO

FEB. 21, 1935

Dr. Bidgood Is Banquet Speaker: About 40 bankers from the counties in Southwest Alabama, composing the fourth banking district, gathered in Monroeville for the annual meeting on last Thursday evening. The meeting was held in the form of a banquet at the American Legion club house, with the business session immediately following the entertainment.

Dr. Lee Bidgood, Dean of the School of Commerce and Business Administration of the University of Alabama, was the chief speaker of the evening.

Rev. Bibb Mills, head of the Anti-Saloon League in Alabama, spent several hours in Monroeville Saturday.

Young Violinist Appears In Recital Sunday: Miss Elizabeth Feagin delighted a Monroeville audience on the evening of Feb. 17 with a violin recital given at the Methodist Church under the auspices of the young women’s circle of the Missionary Society.

The brilliant young artist was assisted by Messrs. Joe Puckett, M.E. Skinner, C.O. Hundley and Byron Hendrix.

New Service Station To Open Soon: The new Cities Service Station to be opened at an early date on the main highway in the Solomon old stand offers everything in the way of first-class service any motorist could wish for. This new station will specialize in gas, oil, washing, polishing, greasing, tires, tubes and automobile accessories. Mr. Olin Moore will be the manager of this station, and he promises the very best in a 24-hour service to all people who drive automobiles.

Mr. Brent Metts, who has had a number of years experience as a mechanic, will put new life into your motor when it goes wrong.

110 YEARS AGO

FEB. 17, 1910

Oscar Brantley Dead: The many friends of the family were shocked and pained to learn of the death of Oscar Brantley, which occurred at Auburn on Saturday last. The young man had been in school at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute for some months past and was taken suddenly and violently ill after engaging in a ball game, lingering about 10 days. The remains were brought to Monroeville and interred in the family lot on Sunday.

Robert Stacey and J.F. Grimes of Manistee were in to see us the first of the week. L.A. Hale, J.F. Grimes, Robert Stacey and J.W. Wilkinson attended county court the first of the week.

A.M. English was up from Mt. Pleasant the first of the week. Mr. English related to interested groups a thrilling account of a bear hunt in which he participated a few weeks ago.

PERDUE HILL R.F.D. – W.B. Runyan and C.R. Burgoyne, who have lately purchased the property of the Manistee Mill company, are beginning to repair their plant and get the machinery into running condition.

Local physicians assure us that all danger of a further outbreak of smallpox in Monroeville has now passed and there is no further occasion for uneasiness on that account. As a result of this confidence, business is picking up and merchants are feeling correspondingly cheerful. All points of infection in the town have been thoroughly fumigated and otherwise disinfected, so that those having occasion to visit Monroeville on business or pleasure may do so without the slightest risk.

135 YEARS AGO

FEB. 16, 1885

Snow fell to the depth of about six inches last Thursday.

Skipper, the mail carrier from Bermuda to Claiborne, has had some severe weather for carrying the mail.

Mr. F. Metts, while out hauling wood one day last week, had the misfortune to break his wooden leg. He sustained no serious injury excepting some inconvenience and loss of time.

Capt. W.S. Wiggins has secured the services of that rising young carpenter, Mr. S.P. Lindsay of Buena Vista, to complete the repairs on his store house.

Prof. G.L. Graham, our worthy schoolmaster, was compelled to suspend teaching Thursday and Friday on account of the severe cold weather. The Academy needs a new stove and should have one.

W.J. Gleaner, a practical and experienced sewing machine builder and repairer of Chicago, spent several days in town last week at that excellent hotel, the Jones White House. He was kept quite busy repairing.

Mr. R.P. Fay of Green Cove Springs passed through town last week on his way to Mr. R. Maibin’s mill, where he will take charge of the sawing department.

Rev. P.C. Morton, Presbyterian Evangelist, closed a very interesting meeting at the Presbyterian church at Claiborne last Friday evening. He went to Scotland from this place Saturday, where he will commence a meeting to continue several days, and thence to River Ridge.

Circus elephant swam across the Alabama River at Claiborne in 1908

(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 “Circus elephant scorns ferry: He would rather walk across river than ride flatbed” was originally published in the Feb. 26, 1981 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Today with modern methods of transportation available, no one gives a thought to the problems in trying to cross a river on a ferry, but imagine having to do so with circus wagons in the days before the bridge at Claiborne.

It was in the fall of 1908 when the ferry was still running across the Alabama River from the Gosport Road to the Claiborne Landing on the east bank.

The ferry was a busy place that day because the circus was coming to Claiborne along that route.

The wagons and equipment were strung out for several hundred yards approaching the ferry. The wild animal cages were mounted on wagons with one or two teams of horses pulling each wagon, depending on its size and contents.

Elephant was last

Last but not least was the circus elephant, bringing up the rear, swinging its trunk as it walked its slow, steady gait.

Several hurried trips were necessary so the wagons could reach the east bank and the top of the hill in time to set up for the night, but the deep sand on the west bank was a problem for wagons.

The local population lined the east banks, watching the horses struggling with the sand, until the circus people begun to use the elephant to help push the wagons while the horses pulled.

Wagons put on ferry

Slowly, one by one, the big wagons were eased on their way across the river on the flatboat, which was later replaced by a larger structure. The huge beast would be the last to cross the river because of its use in moving the equipment.

After much struggling, shouting and sweating, the last wagon was loaded aboard the ferry for the trip across the river. All that remained on the west side was the elephant and its trainer.

The ferry returned for its cargo of bone and muscle. After the flat was secured at the west bank, the elephant walked down the bank for boarding.

Slowly the huge animal placed his huge front feet on the ferry. But the flat settled in the water under his great weight, and the elephant backed away, refusing to board. Three times the wise old beast refused to trust the wooden flat.

For a moment, the crowd was puzzled. If the elephant refused to cross on the ferry, how would he join the rest of the circus?

How could he cross?

Finally, a long rope was placed around the neck of the elephant and the ferry backed away from the bank. As it did, the elephant gracefully eased himself into the water.

He waded until the water began to cover his whole body. Then he submerged and continued to walk along the bottom with nothing more than the end of his trunk above the water.

As the ferry approached the east bank, the huge mammoth slowly emerged from the river, walking slowly and carefully, but enjoying every moment of his unique stardom.

(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, 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 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.)

Six UFO reports filed in Alabama during the month of January 2020

It’s the second Friday of the month, so this week I’m giving you an update on UFO reports in Alabama from the previous month, courtesy of the Mutual UFO Network. A search for UFO reports in Alabama between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31 on MUFON’s website, www.mufon.com, resulted in six reports from within our state during that time.

The first incident took place on Sun., Jan. 5, around 9:10 a.m. in Sumiton, which sits on the border of Walker and Jefferson counties. The witness in this case said that he came out on his porch and saw something strange in the sky when he looked to the east. He described seeing a pulsating, star-like object that was “very bright” and low in the sky.

The second incident occurred later that same day, around 12:05 p.m., in Tuscaloosa. The witness in this case said he was driving east on Jack Warner Parkway when he saw a “large object” hovering a few hundred feet above the ground to the southeast. He noted that the object was white with silver trim with no visible wings or exhaust.

The witness said the object was bigger than a small airplane and was shaped like a teardrop. The witness eventually lost sight of the object when he drove by a patch of trees. He noted that they sky was clear blue with no clouds.

The third incident took place later that same day, around 6:01 p.m., in Jasper, which is in Walker County, not far from Sumiton. The witness in this case reported seeing a dull, deep blue light in the sky traveling at a high rate of speed. This light was followed by a green-colored orb traveling along the same path and then three more deep blue lights traveling in a line. He noted that these lights never blinked or flashed and emitted no sound.

The fourth incident also occurred on Jan. 5, this time around 7:58 p.m., in Sumiton. The witness in this case walked out on his porch and saw multiple lights “pulsating weirdly.” The witness in this case attempted to film the “numerous” lights that were “going crazy in the sky.”

The fifth incident took place the following day, Jan. 6, around 2:18 p.m. in Sumiton. The witness in this case said that he was looking southwest and spotted a UFO going “around the sun.” This witness also attempted to take photos of what he saw.

The sixth and final incident took place on Wed., Jan. 8, around 5:45 a.m. in McCalla, which sits on the border of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson County. The witness in this case said he was leaving his house for work and saw an “enormous craft” in the sky. This UFO was disc-shaped and was a “glowing soft white.”

In a “full panic,” the man went back inside and woke up his sleeping wife and four-year-old daughter. They opened a second-floor window and watched the craft fly over the western horizon. The man estimated that they watched the craft for about one minute.

The man noted that there were no clouds in the sky and that the craft emitted no noise. He described himself as an “avid outdoorsman,” who lives in a rural area and knows the night sky. He said that he was 100-percent sure that the craft he saw was not a standard or known aircraft.

Before closing out this week, I just want to put it out there again that I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has witnessed a UFO, especially in Conecuh County. I think a lot of other people would be interested in hearing your story too, and I’m willing to accept your report anonymously.

Hillcrest football standouts receive college football scholarships

Seven Hillcrest players sign football scholarships.

When it comes to local sports, life is good.

All four of our high school varsity teams have made the postseason and are poised to make deep runs in the playoffs. Hillcrest and Sparta’s varsity boys and girls teams all won their respective area titles, and Sparta’s teams are guaranteed a spot in the Elite Eight round of the playoffs. At press time, Hillcrest’s boys and girls had advanced to the sub-regional round of the playoffs and were one win away from appearances in the Southwest Regional Tournament in Montgomery.

All three of our local varsity coaches – Russ Brown, Tammie Patrick and Jamal Smith – have worked small miracles this season. Both of Sparta’s teams, at least on paper, have had down years, but Brown has led them to within three wins of a state title. Patrick has established herself as one of the top girls basketball coaches in this part of the state and continues to pick up area title after area title. Smith, in his first season as Hillcrest’s head coach, has also shown that he has what it takes to take the Jags to the next level.

All three of these coaches are to be commended for their coaching efforts this season. Anyone who follows local basketball closely, knows that it hasn’t been easy for them this season, but they’ve performed above and beyond the call of duty. Among the three, it would be hard to say who has turned in the top coaching job this season.

It’s also been a big week for high school football at Hillcrest. Hillcrest head football coach and athletics director Clinton Smith orchestrated a signing day event last week that saw local kids sign with colleges like Auburn, West Virginia and Kansas. This is no small feat and shows why Smith is considered one of the top high school coaches in the state.

Best of all, Smith is still a relatively young coach and has only been at Hillcrest for a short time. Imagine what he’ll be able to accomplish in the next few years as he continues to establish himself at Hillcrest. I predict that as long as Smith stays at Hillcrest, the program will gain the reputation as such storied programs as Hoover, Leroy, Sweet Water, etc.

With that said, it won’t be long before the sports calendar flips over to baseball and softball. More than a few of the kids that play baseball and softball at Hillcrest and Sparta don’t play football or basketball. To them, baseball and softball are just as important as the other major sports.

Anyone who has attended a local high school baseball and softball game in recent years knows that they don’t draw the same size crowds as football and basketball. Aside from a few die-hard fans, the baseball and softball crowds aren’t very large, despite the fact that there is no admission charged for these games. I say all that to say that if you can find the time, take the time to go watch these kids play.

Wilcox True Blues left home on this day 159 years ago to fight in the War Between the States

Capt. David W. Ramsey

Today – Feb. 12 – marks 159 years since one of the most historic events in Wilcox County history. It was on this day in 1861 that the Wilcox True Blues, the first Confederate company organized in Wilcox County, left home to fight in the War Between the States. Many of these young men would never return home.

The Wilcox True Blues were officially organized as a company of fighting men in early February 1861. Most of the young men who signed on with the company were from eastern portions of Wilcox County, but there were also a number from the Camden area. Captains of the unit included Dr. Isaiah G.W. Steadman of Oak Hill and David Wardlaw Ramsey.

Not long after the unit was formed, ladies of the community got together and made the unit a flag. The flag was made out of blue silk dress material donated by Adele Robbins of Canton Bend, and artist Samuel Tepper painted the flag. The flag said “Wilcox True Blues” on one side while the other side featured images of a rattlesnake, a cotton boll and a steamboat. Ella Thompson formally presented the flag to the company during a special ceremony prior to their departure for the war.

When the True Blues left Wilcox County, they first headed to Pensacola, Fla., where they became Co. B of the 1^st Alabama Infantry Regiment. For most of the next year, they were stationed at Fort Barrancas in Pensacola. Later, in March 1862, they were sent to pull duty at Island No. 10, a strategic point on the Mississippi River.

Union forces eventually laid siege to Island No. 10, and some members of the Wilcox True Blues were captured or died from disease during this long siege. Members of the regiment who escaped the siege later made their way to Port Hudson in Louisiana, only to suffer another siege at the hands of the Union army. A handful of Wilcox County soldiers survived that siege and went on to fight in such places as Sharpsburg, the Wilderness, Manassas, Atlanta and Knoxville.

The best source about the Wilcox True Blues is Ouida Starr Woodson’s outstanding 1989 book, “Men of Wilcox: They Wore the Gray.” Woodson’s book lists 22 members of the Wilcox True Blues that died in service, including a number who died in northern prison camps.

According to Woodson, Wilcox True Blues that died in the war included John Bragg, died in service; William Bailey, killed at Port Hudson; Jim Chappell, died in Pensacola in 1861; Joe Eddins, died in Meridian, Miss. in 1862; Thomas Gaillard, killed at Port Hudson; Allen Grimes, killed at Port Hudson; U.R. Hawthorne, died in Atlanta in 1864; Tom Holcomb, died in May 1861; Jack Herbert, died in September 1862; Henry Haddox, died in prison in Madison, Wisc.; Walter Handly, accidently shot at Santa Rosa Island in 1862; Harris Jones, died at New Madrid, Missouri in 1862; Hugh McKee, killed in Atlanta; Joe Melton, died in April 1861; William Newberry, died at New Madrid in 1862; Robert Ramsey, died at Camp Butler, Illinois in 1862; A.E. Shannon, killed in Atlanta; Tom Saunders, killed at Franklin, Tenn.; Ben Saunders, killed at Port Hudson in 1863; Ed Walthall, died in service; Manley Maxwell, died at Camp Chase in March 1865; and John Mezervey, killed in Atlanta in July 1864.

It’s important to remember that these men died in the service to the State of Alabama. Right or wrong, when their state called, they answered. It’s only fitting that they be remembered for paying the ultimate sacrifice.

In the end, I’d be very interested in hearing from anyone in the reading audience with more information about the Wilcox True Blues. If you have any additional information about their exploits and military engagements, send me an e-mail to let me know. I’m also especially interested in information about where those who died in service are buried, so please let me hear from you if you have information about their gravesites.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Feb. 11, 2020

Headstone of Caleb Snowden at Brooklyn Baptist Cemetery.

NINE YEARS AGO
FEB. 10, 2011

Weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.03 inches of rain on Jan. 31, 0.82 inches on Feb. 1, 0.04 inches on Feb. 2, 0.37 inches on Feb. 3 and 1.65 inches on Feb. 4. He reported a high of 68 degrees on Feb. 1 and a low of 25 degrees on Feb. 5.

Dialysis Clinic, Inc. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon at its new location on Wild Avenue in Evergreen.

Evergreen Mayor Pete Wolff III officially signed a proclamation last week declaring February 21-25 as Arbor Week in the City of Evergreen. Looking on at the signing are: Forester Victor Howell, Harriett Hyde and Forester Ryan Holland.

Granite markers help support cultural center: The Conecuh County Cultural Center Foundation recently was approved for their 501(c)(3) status, making the foundation a non-profit organization. This will now make any donation to the efforts to create a cultural center in the old Evergreen City School tax deductible and also aid the group in seeking grant funds.

The foundation is currently selling granite stones to all former students of all county schools to be placed around the arch at the site of the old Evergreen High School. The arch will honor the graduates of all schools in Conecuh County.

The granite markers will cost $75 for a single name or a stone with space for three names can be purchased for $200.

34 YEARS AGO

FEB. 13, 1986

Evergreen weather observer Earl Windham reported 2.17 inches of rain on Feb. 5, 0.87 inches on Feb. 6 and 0.12 inches on Feb. 8. He reported a high of 78 degrees on Feb. 5 and a low of 39 on Feb. 2.

Stephanie Booth won first place in the Alabama Private Schools Association District III Spelling Bee held at Fort Dale-South Butler Academy in Greenville on Jan. 29.

Senator Heflin speaks at Repton: U.S. Senator Howell Heflin will address the student body of Repton High School this morning at 11 o’clock. The school will welcome visitors to the gymnasium for this speech by Alabama’s senior U.S. Senator.

Mike Lanier, president of Evergreen Concrete Co., welcomed Attorney General Charles Graddick to the meeting of the Evergreen Kiwanis Club at Guiseppi’s Restaurant. Graddick is a native of Mobile and is serving his second term of office as Attorney General of Alabama and is an announced candidate for governor in this year’s elections.

Army Sgt. Larry V. Coverson, grandson of Lucille Grooms of Rt. C, Evergreen, was involved in a NATO-sponsored exercise by participating in the Army’s return of forces to Germany (REFORGER) and the Air Force’s Crested Cap exercises. Coverson is a heavy-vehicle mechanic with the 6^th Field Artillery at Fort Riley, Kansas. He is a 1973 graduate of Evergreen High School.

59 YEARS AGO

FEB. 9, 1961

This is Boy Scout Week all over America, and local Scouts under Scoutmaster Paul McMillan join in to launch the second half-century of a movement which in 50 years has become the world’s largest volunteer organization for boys.

Boy Scouts were organized for the first time in Evergreen 34 years ago this month, in 1927, by “Mr. Mac,” who has been Scoutmaster ever since. This month he will begin his 37^th year as a Scoutmaster, having spent two years in that position in Autaugaville prior to coming here.

This month marking the beginning of the 35^th year of Scoutmastering here, the master reached into his keen memory and began naming some of the charter members of the local Boy Scouts and where they are now. He said, “the one who really bedeviled me to organize the Boy Scouts here was a boy named Harry Webster, who is now Dr. Webster in Mobile.”

Other charter members mentioned by Mr. Mack were Bill McGehee, now vice president of the Bank of Evergreen; Robert E.L. Key, now Circuit Solicitor for the 21^st Judicial Circuit; Cyrus Wells, now in business in Birmingham; John Hilton Farnham, now with a photographic company in Dallas, Texas; Elmer Kelley, now in business in Camden; Morris Thornley, manager of the local A&P; Jack Wild, president of Wild Bros. Hardware; Wilbur Kelley, deceased; Frank Fountain in Mobile; and Bob Kendall, who transferred here that year from Florida and is now State Senator.

84 YEARS AGO

FEB. 13, 1936

Having rounded out a life of four score years, John Thomas Crosby, descendant of one of the pioneer families of Conecuh County, died suddenly of heart attack at his home near Old Sparta at 6 a.m. Feb. 6.

Deceased was well known in Evergreen and throughout this county. He had always taken a very keen interest in politics and for many years served as returning officer at all elections in his precinct, Number 12.

An interesting fact connected with the life of Mr. Crosby was that he was born, lived his entire life and died in the same house. In fact, it is said that he died in the same corner of the same room in which he was born.

Zackie Hendricks, 18-year-old Conecuh County youth who was convicted of first-degree manslaughter upon his own plea of guilty in the circuit court of this county last fall and sentenced to a term of five years in the state penitentiary by Judge F.W. Hare, filed application for a parole with the state board of pardons Tuesday of this week.

Young Hendricks was sentenced for the killing of his father, Alex Hendricks. The application was recommended by Judge Hare and other officials of this county as well as hundreds of citizens in Conecuh and Butler counties.

According to reports from neighbors and others who were acquainted with the conditions of the Hendricks home, the elder Hendricks often beat his wife unmercifully and that the boy killed him in self defense to protect himself and mother.

23 YEARS AGO

FEB. 8, 1911

Town Marshal Ely McCrory is confined to his room with fever.

We learn that a little son of Cliff Salter, residing several miles north of town, was accidentally killed several days ago by the discharge of a gun in the hands of his smaller sister, the child’s head being practically blown off. The parents were away from home at the time. They are greatly grieved over the sad tragedy.

We also learn that within a day or two of the time of this accident, a child of a gypsy horse trader was killed by a runaway mule.

The entire community sympathizes sincerely with Mr. and Mrs. Asa Autrey in the death of their only child, a little girl barely one year old. On last Thursday while the fond mother was preparing the noon meal, the little one upset a bowl of soup in its face from a table, the fluid burning it so severely that death ensued Friday night. The fond parents are greatly grieved over the sad accident and Mrs. Autrey has been prostrated since the occurrence.

Caleb Snowden, a well known citizen of Brooklyn, died on Feb. 1, aged about 63 years. He had been in failing health for a long while, and his death was not unexpected.

W.J. Castleberry and his handsome son, of Lee, were here yesterday. The father tips the beam at 240 while the 20-year-old son goes him 99 pounds better, the aggregate weight of the two being 579 pounds.

134 YEARS AGO

FEB. 11, 1886

THE CONECUH-ESCAMBIA STAR

Repairs have recently been made on the depot.

Freight train No. 72 carried up 42 cars last Monday.

We notice that the post office people have put a mailing box on Mr. Leigh’s store for the convenience of that part of town.

A handsome Bible has been purchased for the Baptist church by a number of the lady members of the church and place on the pulpit. The noble Christian-hearted ladies are always found first in every laudable undertaking.

Mr. J.H. Snow of Mobile, the veteran music dealer of Alabama, spent several days in town this week. Our readers should not forget that Snow’s music house is the oldest and most reliable in the state.

H.R. Hood of the Montgomery Dispatch spent a few hours in town last week. He is one of the best newspaper men in the state, and the Dispatch is fortunate in securing his services.

Master Eli Ellis, son of the sheriff, is rapidly recovering from his late illness.

Mr. Baker Mangum, representing the Montgomery Advertiser, spent last Friday in town.

Rev. W.O. Stephen will preach at the Methodist church next Sabbath evening at three o’clock.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Feb. 10, 2020

Evergreen native Chris Hines (44)

NINE YEARS AGO

FEB. 10, 2011

Three sign with Tuskegee: A trio of Hillcrest High School gridiron stars signed scholarships Wednesday of last week to play football next fall at Tuskegee University.

During a special ceremony on National Signing Day last week, Hillcrest seniors Justin Nared, Trey Salter and Travis Stallworth signed national letters of intent to play for the Golden Tigers next season.

Hines grabs eight rebounds versus UT: Evergreen’s Chris Hines led the University of Alabama’s men’s basketball team in rebounds and matched a career high in steals as the Crimson Tide beat SEC rival, Tennessee, 65-60, in overtime Saturday in Knoxville.

Hines finished the game with a team-high eight rebounds, which led the Tide despite the fact that he fouled out in overtime. He also matched a career high with five steals and is averaging 2-1/2 steals in the last four games.

Sparta girls headed to state: Sparta Academy’s varsity girls basketball team earned a spot in the AISA’s Class 2A state tournament last week by posting a runner-up finish in the 2A Region 2 tournament in Grove Hill.

The Lady Warriors, ranked No. 6 in the AISA, beat Pickens Academy, 52-36, in the opening round last Thursday. In the semi-final round Friday, Sparta beat Patrician, 43-26. Sparta came up short in the finals, losing a close one to tenth-ranked Southern Academy, 32-20.

34 YEARS AGO

FEB. 13, 1986

Warriors whip Grove Hill 83-71: The Sparta Academy Warriors boys varsity whipped Grove Hill Academy 83-71 here Friday night. Mark Rigsby fired in 22 points to lead the attack. Brian Bybee had 16 points; Jason West, 11; Scott Salter and Danny Reed, nine each; Brandon Salter, eight; Tim Brantley and Brad Watts, three each; Tim Wilson, two; and Lynn Ralls, one, according to Sports Information Director Byron Warren Jr.

The Lady Warriors lost to Grove Hill by a 54-43 score. Kim Searcy had 16 points; Tracy Holmes and Carol Kendrick, nine each; Leah Carrier and Susan Ward, four each; and Baby Girl Floyd, one.

Warriors to play in region tourney: The Sparta Academy Warriors will compete in the APSA Region Tournament to be played today and tomorrow at Greenville Academy. Winners of the Region Tournament will earn the right to play in the PSA State Tournament.

The Lady Warriors will play Greenville this afternoon at 3:30. The varsity boys will play Crenshaw Academy at eight o’clock tonight, according to Sparta Sports Information Director Byron Warren Jr.

With “chicken pox” already raging, The Courant hesitated to publish this picture fearing an epidemic of “fishing fever.” Pete Reymundo caught this 12-pound bass, which was 26 inches long on Feb. 6. Asked where he got this “keeper,” Pete said. “I caught it out of Sandy Creek.”

59 YEARS AGO

FEB. 9, 1961

Lyeffion Rips McKenzie 65-22: Mack McInnis and Joe Morrison each scored 23 points in Lyeffion Tuesday night to lead the Yellow Jackets to an easy 65-22 win over McKenzie High.

Other scorers for Lyeffion were Jones, seven; Cater, four; and Frazier, six.

Bill Redgon was top scorer for the visiting McKenzie team with eight points.

In the “B” game, McKenzie won, 16-12.

Lyeffion To Hold Wrestling Matches: Five wrestlers out of Montgomery and Mobile will meet at the Lyeffion Gym Friday night at 8:15 for wrestling matches.

Coach Dale Brown said the Friday night match will feature a Russian Type Battle Royal.

An admission of $1 for adults and 50 cents for children will be charged.

Aggies Press Tigers But Lose 49 to 57: The T.R. Miller Tigers took a swift-moving 57-49 win from the Evergreen Aggies Wednesday at the EHS Gym. It was the homers’ best effort of the season.

Jennings had 30 and Plant 19 for the winners. Connor Warren had 15, and Leon Stinson and Billy Melton tossed in 11 apiece for the losers.

The Aggies hit an amazing 51.3 percent from the floor in the loss.

84 YEARS AGO

FEB. 13, 1936

Nichburg News: The students (at Nichburg Junior High School) will get their first taste of basketball Friday at three o’clock when the local sextet meets Coach Davie’s Limehill squad at Limehill.

County Training School Win and Lose: The victory march of the County Training School five was halted momentarily Friday afternoon by the Lomax Hannon quintet of Greenville. The CCTS boys playing a splendid defensive game were unable to get their eyes on the basket. Augustus Brown, “Crip shot artist” of CCTS, was well covered and had to be satisfied with only four points. Welch tallied the other four points as the game ended 9-8 with CCTS on the short end of the score.

Leaving Greenville, the team hurried to Georgiana, where they met and conquered a fast and flashy team by a score of 15-11. The entire team played inspired basketball as they vowed not to lose two games in one day.