Wilcox County's Enon Baptist Church Cemetery at Fatama added to Alabama Historic Cemetery Register

Grave of Josephine Mims.

Last year, the Alabama Historical Commission added 72 cemeteries to the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register, including one cemetery from Wilcox County.

The Historic Cemetery Register is the state’s official list of historic cemeteries in Alabama. The Alabama Historical Commission considers historic cemeteries of this type particularly worthy of preservation and therefore deserving of the special recognition of being placed on the Historic Register. The register is updated annually.

The most recent Wilcox County cemetery to be added to the register is the Enon Baptist Church Cemetery, which was added on Jan. 29, 2021. This cemetery and church are located in the Fatama community, on State Highway 265, about four miles north of the Monroe County line. Records reflect that the church was founded in June 1853, and known burials in the cemetery also date back to around that same time.

Like many in the reading audience, I have been to the Enon Baptist Church Cemetery many times before. Just eye-balling it, I’d say this historic cemetery contains about 300 graves, and the oldest marked grave that I could find belongs to Josephine Mims. She died in May 1855, just a few weeks after her first birthday.

One of the oldest military graves in the cemetery is that of Frank Anton Lambrecht, who died in 1862 during the War Between the States. He was born in 1844 and served as a private in Co. C of the 5th Alabama Infantry Regiment. It would be interesting to know just how, when and where he died during the war.

The Fatama community’s namesake is also said to be buried in this cemetery, but I have never been able to find her grave. According to church records, the Fatama post office for many years was the only post office in what was then called the Mims Beat. It was named the Fatama post office after the wife of Capt. John J. Mims, who was Mrs. Fatama Mims, who, like her husband, was buried in the Enon Cemetery.

Geographically speaking, the Enon Cemetery is probably also the highest cemetery in the entire county. The cemetery is located a short distance south of the old fire tower located near the intersection of Highway 265 and County Road 51. This tower is located on the highest point in the county, with an official elevation of 547 feet above sea level.

In addition to the Enon Cemetery, there are 10 other Wilcox County cemeteries listed on the state’s historic cemetery register. The Creagh-Glover Cemetery was the first Wilcox County cemetery added to the register, being placed there in 1991. The Dulaney Cemetery was added in 2003, the McIntosh Cemetery was added in 2004 and the Camden Cemetery was added in 2008.

The Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery was added to the register in 2012, and the Bear Creek Baptist Church Cemetery was added in 2013. The Gravel Creek Baptist Church Cemetery was added in 2015. The Henry Young Family Cemetery and the McWilliams Cemetery were added in 2017, and the Snow Hill Slave Cemetery was added in 2019.

In the end, by my count, there are at least 200 known cemeteries in Wilcox County, and many of them are just as noteworthy as those mentioned above. The Alabama Cemetery Register is updated annually, and I would expect even more Wilcox County cemeteries to be added to the list by this time next year.  

Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for Jan. 12, 2022

Judge John Hearst Miller

65 YEARS AGO
JAN. 10, 1957

No New Wilcox Polio Cases In 1956: Alabama reported 103 cases of polio during 1956, the State Health Department announced this week, 60 of the cases were paralytic.
The Department added that there were 185 cases in 1955 and 370 in 1954. None of the 1956 cases occurred in Wilcox County.

Tigers In Thomaston Invitational Match: The Camden cagers join Suttle, Greensboro, Orrville, Linden and the host team Thomaston in the Thomaston Invitational Tournament on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Jan. 10, Jan. 11 and Jan. 12.
Drawings were held in Thomaston Monday night with Suttle and Greensboro drawing the number one and two spots in that order and a bye in the first round of play. Orrville and Thomaston were matched in the first game of the tourney at seven o’clock tonight (Thursday) and Linden will meet the Tigers in the second game at 8:15.
The two losing teams Friday night will play the consolation game Saturday night at 7:30 and the championship game is to get underway at 8:45 p.m.

John Harvell Granted Scholarship Loan: Dr. Ralph B. Draughon, president of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, announces that John J. Harvell, Camden, and Max F. Scott, Clanton, have been granted loans from the J.W. Chappel Loan Fund.
Harvell, a senior in agriculture, will receive grants during the winter and spring quarters.
A former member of the Progressive Era staff, John J. is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Harvell of Rt. 1, Camden.

78 YEARS AGO
JAN.13, 1944

An Eighth AAF Composite Station, Northern Ireland – In the relentless war on German targets, air bases and military installations, men who fly in the Eighth AAF have the backing of efficient ground crews, without whom the Army could not function. Among these is Cpl. Franklin B. Melton, 19, of Pine Apple, Ala., who is a technical supply clerk. He has been in the Army 11 months and prior to that was shipping clerk at the Mobile, Ala. Air Depot. He is a graduate of Moore Academy and has a brother, John, serving in the U.S. Marines.

COMMISSIONERS COURT: The regular monthly meeting of the Commissioners Court of Wilcox County was held in Camden on Mon., Jan. 10, with Judge C.H. Albritton, Chairman, presiding, and Messrs. K.E. Agee, C.E. Powell, H.L. Kennedy and S.P. Dale, commissioners, present.

FORMER UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT’S SON DIES: Richard Channing Jones, youngest son of General Richard Channing Jones, former president of the University of Alabama, died Dec. 17, at his home in Camden, Ala.
Mr. Jones graduated with highest honors from the University during his father’s administration. His death comes as a shock to his cousins, Mrs. Jack Montgomery and Miss Katie Belle Harrison, and numerous friends in Tuscaloosa. – Tuscaloosa News

John Daniel was recently commissioned a 2^nd Lt. in the U.S. Air Corp. Lt. Daniel received his training at Valdosta, Ga.

89 YEARS AGO
JAN. 12, 1933

STUMP BLOWING DEMONSTRATION: On Saturday morning Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. there will be given a stump blasting demonstration in L.Y. Sadler’s field just out of Camden, below the school. We expect to blow a few feet of ditch also. This will furnish some excitement and also be a fine demonstration on getting rid of stumps.

Confederate Pensions: The Confederate Pensions warrants due Jan. 1, 1933 are ready for distribution. – Very respectfully, J.M. McLeod, Judge of Probate, Wilcox County, Ala.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS OF HALF A CENTURY AND MORE AGO – Nathaniel Jameson: Nat. Jameson was a small man with sandy colored hair and a dark red skin. He had a peculiar and fine voice for a man. He called himself a farmer but was ready for any small job that he could get. He was a clever genial sort of man who had no enmity for his fellow man in his makeup but always felt just a little too bad to put forth much effort in his work. He married a granddaughter of Squire Williamson and lived at the old home (now the Jenkins home) for many years and until he left here and moved to Ferry Pass, Fla., where he died. – “SIXTY”

NOTICE: This is to notify the public that I have cut the prices of haircuts to 25 cents and shaves to 15 cents. Thanking you for your past patronage and soliciting a continuance of your future patronage. – W.J. DUMAS, Camden, Ala.

103 YEARS AGO
JAN. 9, 1919

GINNERS REPORT: There were 14,436 bales of cotton, counting round as half bales, ginned in Wilcox County from the crop of 1918 prior to Dec. 13, 1918, as compared with 7,544 bales ginned to Dec. 13, 1917.

Death of Judge Miller Shock To Many Friends: John Hearst Miller, judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court (Jefferson County), died yesterday morning at three o’clock of pneumonia after an illness of about two weeks. With him at the time of his death were his brother, Judge B.M. Miller of Camden, Wilcox County, and his twin sister, S.C.
Judge Miller was born at Oak Hill, Wilcox County, Aug. 11, 1858, attended the academic schools of that county, graduating from Erskine College, South Carolina, receiving the honorary degree of doctor of laws from that institution June 6, 1916; took post graduate courses at the University of Virginia and John Hopkins, and in September 1888 was admitted to the bar of Jefferson County, practicing his profession here from then until his elevation to the bench.

A message was received late Wednesday afternoon stating that John Y. Kilpatrick, formerly of Camden, but now located at Akron, Ohio, was dead. The news was a shock to his many friends here who had not learned of his illness.

Lt. Peyton Burford, who has received his honorable discharge from U.S. service at Camp McClellan, is at home with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Burford on Clifton Avenue.

116 YEARS AGO
JAN. 11, 1906

Dale Lodge No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons, received a request from Robert Patton Chapter, Daughters of the Confederacy, asking for assistance to buy and save from desecration the Confederate Graveyard at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, where 206 brave American Confederate soldiers and freemasons are buried. Many of our Wilcox County heroes were imprisoned there during the war and perhaps some of them have their eternal home there. The lodge unanimously voted an appropriation to honor the last resting place of our soldiers at Johnson’s Island.

Ginner’s report Tuesday, Jan. 9, shows 9,721 bales. It is not probable that the 1905 crop will go above 10 million bales. There will be some 15-cent cotton before many moons. So mote it be.

Mr. J. Paul Jones and bride from Oklahoma City arrived in Camden on Saturday night last. They were received with a brass band at the depot, and in vehicles especially prepared they were driven through the town amid the ringing of bells and other demonstrations of welcome by their waiting friends. Mr. Jones has been absent some time practicing his chosen profession, “the law” in Oklahoma City,” and his homecoming with his bride will be a season of enjoyment to their relatives, friends, as well as to themselves.

Mr. L.L. Pritchett of the Camden Hardware Co. and Mr. Fleetwood Neville spent in Neenah last Sunday.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Jan. 11, 2022

The Grand Ole Opry's Bill Monroe.

15 YEARS AGO
JAN. 11, 2007

Evergreen weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.70 inches of rain on Jan. 4, 0.87 inches of rain on Jan. 5, 0.02 inches of rain on Jan. 6 and 1.00 inches of rain on Jan. 7. He reported a high of 75 degrees on Jan. 7 and lows of 33 on Jan. 1 and Jan. 2.

Sanders competes in Junior Miss: Alabama Junior Miss candidates arrived at the Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery to begin nine days of preparation for the state finals on Jan. 19-20, 2007. The 53 candidates will vie for over $50,000 in cash tuition scholarships and more than $2.2 million in college granted scholarships. Tiara Sanders, Conecuh County’s 2007 Junior Miss, will represent the county in the program.

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby was in town last Friday for his annual visit to Conecuh County. Senator Shelby toured the Evergreen Public Library and looked over the plans to expand the library. Pictured with Senator Shelby is Library Director Vern Steenwyk.

Over 100 citizens determined to stop a proposed landfill from locating in south Conecuh County were present for the Conecuh County Commission meeting Monday morning to voice their concerns. Also present for the meeting were representatives from Conecuh Woods, the group proposing to build the landfill on approximately 5,100 acres along the west side of Alabama Highway 41.
The county would see approximately $263 million dollars in revenue during the 60-year life expectancy of the landfill.

40 YEARS AGO
JAN. 14, 1982

Local weather observer Earl Windham reported that temperatures varied from a high of 78 to a low of 24 during the period from Jan. 4 through Jan. 10. He reported 0.46 inches of rain on Jan. 4 and 0.67 inches of rain on Jan. 8. He reported a high of 78 on Jan. 4 and a low of 24 on Jan. 9.

Winter storm lashes county, city Tuesday: A winter storm roared out of the southwest Tuesday morning and created much havoc and much damage throughout this area. The storm mixed rain, freezing rain, ice and snow and came on the heels of a bitter cold Monday on which the temperature never got higher than 29.
County schools were closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Supt. Walter Hudson. Most businesses in Evergreen had closed by noon Tuesday and many were still closed Wednesday.

Bell is new police chief in Castleberry: Freeman Bell is the new chief of police of Castleberry, it is announced by Mayor Wm. J. (Sonny) Barlow. Bell was sworn in on Jan. 7 by Judge of Probate Frank T. Salter.
Mayor Barlow said that Chief Bell was employed to establish Castleberry’s first full time police department since the town’s founding in 1816. The new chief is a veteran of law enforcement with 12 years experience. He has served with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Dept. and Evergreen Police Dept. and most recently with the East Brewton Police Dept.
Chief Bell received his formal education in the public schools of Conecuh County, graduating from Repton High School in 1954. He is a graduate of Southwest Alabama Police Academy in Bay Minette. He is also a graduate of the Alabama State Police Academy of Montgomery, where he studied theory and operation of photo-electric intoximeter.

65 YEARS AGO
JAN. 10, 1957

Mr. and Mrs. Homer Faulkner announce the birth of a son, Michel Joe, on Jan. 5 at Conecuh County Hospital.

“Grand Ole Opry” Stars Will Appear Here Wednesday: Battery C, the local National Guard Unit, will present Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys and Quartet Wednesday night, Jan. 16, at Fort Dave Lewis Armory at 7:30 p.m., according to Capt. Randy Moorer.
Bill Monroe is one of the big stars of the “Grand Ole Opry” and is popular throughout the folk music world. Following the show at 7:30, Monroe will play for a dance.
Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased for $1, children 50 cents. Ten percent of the proceeds of this show and dance will be contributed to the March of Dimes Drive.

W.C. Boswell Purchases Riley’s Mill This Week: W.C. Boswell announced this week that he has purchased D.C. Riley’s Mill, which was located between Evergreen and Fairview on U.S. Highway 31.
In making the announcement, Boswell stated that he would continue to give customers of the mill good quality service and invited the patrons of the mill to bring their bulk corn to the Cash Market, located on East Front Street any day of the week, and exchange their corn for ground meal.

SERVING IN FRANCE: SFC Cecil B. Jones, whose wife, Millie, lives on Route 2, Jefferson, S.C., is a member of the Toul Engineer Depot in France. Assigned to the depot’s Station Complement Detachment, SFC Jones entered the Army in 1942. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Jones, Route 1, Castleberry.

90 YEARS AGO
JAN. 14, 1932

Mrs. Ida V. Wright Succumbs To Flu: Mrs. Ida Virginia Wright, age 71, widely known and greatly beloved lady of this city, passed away Tuesday morning, Jan. 12, following an attack of influenza, which came upon her slightly over a week before.
Before her marriage, she was Miss Ida Virginia Smith, a native of Walker County, Ala. In 1887, she was married to Rev. David James Wright, prominent and much beloved Methodist minister, who died here Dec. 11, 1920.

Prof. W.P. McMillan spent the weekend in Birmingham with his sister, Miss Lizbeth McMillan, who is in a hospital there. Here many friends will be pleased to know that she will return to Evergreen this week and begin her duty as teacher in the City School next Monday.

Countywide Revival To Begin Here Jan. 24: The countywide interdenominational revival meeting which has been scheduled for this county as one of a statewide series being put on through the efforts of Dr. Bob Jones, will open at the courthouse in Evergreen Sun., Jan. 24, at 2:30 p.m. Dr. D.L. Coale, noted evangelist of California, will do the preaching. Mrs. H.S. Hagood has been appointed county chairman and is in charge of arrangements.
The meetings, which will run for about 15 days, are countywide in their scope. All the people of the entire county are urged to come and take part in the services.

PAUL: There will be a sock supper at Paul School Friday night, Jan. 22, 1932. Everybody is invited to come.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Jan. 10, 2022

15 YEARS AGO
JAN. 11, 2007

Lady Warriors dump Wilcox: Sparta Academy’s Lady Warriors tipped off 2007 with a 46-37 loss to Marion Schools last Thursday, but they bounced back Friday to upend Wilcox Academy, 56-28, in Evergreen.
In the win over Wilcox, Morgan Harden scored 30 points and pulled down four rebounds to pace the Sparta offense.
(Other top Sparta players in that game included Cayla Bennett, Christin Booker, Susan Ann Cook, Camarena Godwin, Kimber Godwin, Mallory Kendrick and Erica Palmer. Russ Brown was Sparta’s head coach.)

All-Tournament: Kaylen Thomas, a five-foot-eight junior at Hillcrest High School, received the All-Tournament Award for the girls division for the Christmas tournament held in Wilcox on Dec. 26, 2006. She had 22 points against Keith High School. She also received the All-Tournament Award for the Hub City Tournament in Monroeville on Dec. 9, 2006. She is the daughter of David and Selinda Thomas.

Hillcrest falls to T.R. Miller: After suffering a 51-42 loss to T.R. Miller High School last Thursday in Brewton, Hillcrest’s varsity boys saw their record slump to 7-8.
Hillcrest’s Justin Holder finished with 12 points. Curtis Richardson had six points.
(Other Hillcrest players in that game included Blake Bryant, Aaron Dees, Clarence Jackson, Cleveland Knight, Curtis Richardson, P.K. Riley, Derek Smith and Tony Watson. Michael Bridges was Hillcrest’s head coach.)

40 YEARS AGO
JAN. 14, 1982

Warriors lose in own tourney: Sparta Academy’s boys varsity and girls teams lost their games in the Sparta Christmas Tournament played Dec. 28-29 (report delayed due to holidays).
Vance Watts of the boys and Lynn Hyde of the girls were named to the All-Tournament teams, according to Sports Information Director Byron Warren Jr.
The boys lost to Greenville, 78-57. Russ Raines had 12 points; Connery Salter, 11; Watts, 10; Joe McInvale, eight; Russ Brown and Scott Grace, six each; and Wes Brown, four.
Wilcox whipped the boys, 80-50, in spite of Watts’ 20 points. McInvale had 11; Salter, six; Joey Johnson, five; Britt McNeill, three; Grace, two; Jason Evers, Russ Brown and Raines, one each.
Monroe beat the Sparta girls, 33-28. Lynn Hyde scored 12 points; Cheri Johnson, seven; Jan Coker, five; and Tina Bybee, four.

Mrs. Mary Johnson of 734 Bruner Ave., Evergreen, killed this six-point deer Saturday in the Lamberts community.

Steve Smith, 13 years old, killed his first deer Christmas Day, and it was a trophy buck that weighed 170 pounds and had a fine rack with 19-inch spread. Steve is the son of Billy and Barbara Smith of Castleberry.

Delan Townson killed this trophy buck over the weekend. He got the 12-pointer in north Monroe County.

This happy young gentleman is Alex Johnson III of Evergreen, who killed this deer with his bow and arrow in the Butler County Management Area near Georgiana. He is the son of Principal and Mrs. Alex Johnson.

65 YEARS AGO
JAN. 10, 1957

Aggies Take First Win Over Monroeville 53-41: The Evergreen Aggies started the new year off right Tuesday night with a decisive 53-41 victory over a good Monroe County High basketball team in a game played on the Monroeville court.
Forward Mickey Joyner found his shooting eye for the first time this season as he hit for 19 points on nine field goals and one free throw. His running mate at forward, Wayne Frazier chipped in 15 points on seven field goals and one free throw. Bert Cook had seven and Jimmy Moorer and Buddy Zukowski had six each to round out the Evergreen scoring.

Aggies Witness Senior Bowl Classic: The Evergreen High football team journeyed to Mobile last Saturday to attend the annual Senior Bowl Classic. The game was very exciting and a fine time was enjoyed by all. The cheerleaders, managers, and Coach Owens accompanied the team.

Castleberry Cagers Top Lyeffion Jackets 73-33: The Castleberry Blue Devils walloped the Lyeffion Yellowjackets by a 73 to 33 count in a game played in Castleberry Tuesday night. The tall Blue Devils were never in trouble as they hit from all over the court to completely dominate play throughout the contest.
Castleberry and Ryals led the scoring for the Blue Devils as they hit 18 and 17 points respectively, closely followed by Warr with 12 and sub Uptagraph with nine. Heaton with five and Bodiford with two rounded out the scoring.
For the hapless Yellowjackets, Gabe Booker was the only man to find the range as he blazed the nets for 21 points to lead the night’s scoring, followed by Searcy with six and Frazier, Riley and Williams with two each.

90 YEARS AGO
JAN. 14, 1932

Aggies Lose Game To Bay Minette 22-18: Led by Acting Captain Quarles the Aggies played the Bay Minette boys one of the hardest games of the season Friday night, Jan. 8, at Bay Minette. The Aggie team made up entirely of first year men played a game equal to that of a team of veterans.
The team that met Bay Minette was composed of juniors. They do not lose a member for two years.
The Bay Minette team was composed of new material but had the same fight of the teams that have represented that school in the past.
The Aggie line-up was as follows: Forwards, Pate, Barlowe; Center, Hall; Guards, Quarles, Johns; Substitutes, Harper for Pate, Freeman for Barlowe, Brown for Johns, Kendall for Quarles.

Aggie Girls Defeat Georgiana 33-9: The Aggie girls defeated the strong Georgiana sextette 33 to 9 last Friday. The game was fast and decisive, the Aggie guards allowing their opponents only two field goals. Captain Althea Kelly played a fine game and scored 22 points for her team. Snowden and Sowell played an excellent game at guard. Cole, a new center for the Aggies, played three quarters and promises to make a good player. Thirteen Evergreen players took part in the game. The victory was the fourth for the Aggies with no defeats.

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

Florida Governor LeRoy Collins

15 YEARS AGO
JAN. 11, 2007

Tate, Sawyer sworn into office Monday morning: Two Monroe County officials began their sixth straight terms of office this week while another started his first term as an elected official.
Sheriff Tom Tate of Monroeville and Circuit Clerk John Sawyer of Monroeville were both sworn into office Monday morning by District Judge John Causey.
Robert Malone, county coroner, took office Tuesday morning when he was sworn in by Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs and Probate Judge-Elect Greg Norris prior to the Monroe County Commission meeting.
Both Tate and Sawyer have served in their respective positions through five terms.

Newly elected officials to be sworn in Sunday: Three newly elected officials will take the oath of office Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the Old Monroe County Courthouse in Monroeville.
Circuit Judge-Elect Dawn Hare of Monroeville, District Judge-Elect George Elbrecht of Monroeville and Probate Judge-Elect Greg Norris of Excel will all be sworn in during the special ceremony.

Bowen performs during Cotton Bowl: Elise Bowen of Excel recently performed with the Auburn University Band during the Cotton Bowl held on Jan. 1 in Dallas. Bowen is a junior at Auburn majoring in Education. This was her first year in the Auburn Band, where she plays trumpet. Bowen is a 2004 graduate of Excel School, where she was in the band for seven years and served as an officer and president for two years. She is the daughter of Al and Lisa Bowen of Excel.

40 YEARS AGO
JAN. 14, 1982

Expansion to mean 60 additional jobs: A $3-million expansion of Vanity Fair Mill Inc.’s distribution center on Drewry Road in Monroeville will add 60,000 square feet to the building and up to 60 more jobs during the firm’s peak shipping seasons.
The expansion announcement was made Monday by Vanity Fair, local and state officials to a crowd in the large courtroom of the Monroe County Courthouse. About 250 people braved sub-freezing temperatures to hear the announcement.

MA award winners: Several Monroe Academy football players and one cheerleader were honored at the school’s recent banquet. The awards and their recipients were: most valuable offensive lineman, Tripp Hendrix; most valuable junior high player, Steve Kennedy; most valuable defensive lineman, Tim Carter; most valuable offensive lineman, Scotty Croft; most improved player, Danny Forshee; defensive captain, Joey Langham; most spirited cheerleader, Paula Haskew; highest academic award winner, Todd Dees; headhunter, Mark Steadman; most valuable offensive back, Paul Bennett; most valuable defensive back, Ricky Sanchez; headhunter, Chad Owens; and offensive captain, Boyd Brantley.

Monroe County area residents battled subfreezing temperatures and icy roads Monday and Tuesday that prevented the normal operations of schools and businesses and left many homes without water and power.
A low of five degrees was recorded Monday by radio station WMFC. Monroe County public schools were closed because of heating problems in some buildings, said Bobby Grissette, superintendent of education.

65 YEARS AGO
JAN. 10, 1957

Fire Here Destroys Station On Sunday: The Standard Service Station, one block south of the Courthouse Square in Monroeville, was destroyed by fire around 9 a.m. Sunday.
Paul Winters, operator of the station, estimated the damage to be around $5,000.
The fire started when a kerosene heater in the station exploded and was out of control before the local fire department reached the scene.
Firemen were able to keep the blaze from spreading to any of the gas pumps or other buildings in the immediate vicinity.
The only injury reported during the fire were slight burns suffered by an employee, Gerald Skipper.

Albert Nettles Jr. of Monroeville and a fraternity brother from Auburn, Zandy Collins of Ocala, Fla., came back from a holiday hunt with this 14 and three-quarter pound gobbler bagged near Tunnel Springs. Nettles is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Nettles Sr. of Monroeville while Collins is a relative of Gov. Leroy Collins of Florida.

Harper Is Elected Bank Vice-President: J.R. Harper of Monroeville was named a new vice-president of the Peterman State Bank, Peterman, in a recent election of officers.
Mr. Harper also holds the position of cashier at the bank.
Mrs. Maggie L. Williams was named assistant cashier.
Other bank officials who were re-elected include: P.S. Jackson, president; J.F. Nettles, vice-president; and Mrs. Martha Jackson, R.A. Wible, J.L. Tatum, A.A. Nettles, G.L. Nettles and E.W. Colgin.

90 YEARS AGO
JAN. 14, 1932

The Monroe County High School Band is rapidly going forward under its new organization. There are 31 members in the band and more are expected to join next month. Under the new organization, the fees are $3 per month for those who use school instruments and $2 per month for those who use their own instruments. Professor York feels sure that in the near future he will be able to make reductions in the above prices. It is the purpose of the Monroe County High School to put out a band second to none other in the state for schools of its size.
The band made the trip to Mobile last year taking part in the Mardi Gras festivities. We are in hopes that in spite of the depression we will be able to make this trip again this year. Sometime during March, the high school band will go to Montgomery to contest in the State Band Contest. This will be the first contest of its kind in Alabama.

Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Galloway of Frisco City, Mrs. W.W. Garrett and Rev. A.E. Emfinger of Uriah were among the visitors from other Order of the Eastern Star chapters attending the school of instruction here Saturday.

MRS. A.J. MANNING: Mrs. A.J. Manning died in the Century, Fla. hospital on Dec. 24, 1931. The body was laid to rest in the Baptist cemetery at Mexia. Mrs. Manning was a member of the Oak Grove Church for many years.

Miss Clara Armstrong and Miss Bruice Dees went to Pensacola Saturday to see Old Ironsides.

Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Williams Jr. have returned from their wedding trip and are at home at Finchburg.

115 YEARS AGO
JAN. 10, 1907

Mr. G.A. Fountain of Fork, County Hard Labor Agent, was at the capital last week.

Mr. M.M. Fountain is attending a meeting of the Alabama Sheriffs’ Association in Montgomery.

Dr. G.C. Watson’s dental office is now located in the apartment formerly occupied by the Monroeville Library.

County Superintendent John D. Forte spent several days here this week conducting the semi-annual examination of applicants for licenses to teach in the public schools of the county.

Capt. W.B. Kemp’s many friends throughout the county are gratified to learn that he was unanimously chosen Door-Keeper of the Senate in the organization of that body on Tuesday. Capt. Kemp filled this position most acceptably during the last session of the legislature.

John M. Burns, Esq., has been appointed County Solicitor to serve during the absence of Senator (Oscar O.) Bayles, who is now in attendance on the session of the legislature.

Pythian Notes: The order of Knights of Pythias is on quite a boom in all parts of Alabama, and particularly in this immediate section. Following closely the reorganization of the defunct “Prairie Queen Lodge” at Monroeville comes the institution of Beatrice Lodge, named for its home town, the thriving little city in the northwestern part of our county. The institution of this lodge took place on Friday evening, Dec. 21, and was largely attended by Knights from Monroeville, Tinela, Selma and other points. The exercises were under the direction of Prof. L.K. Benson, who has been specially commissioned by the Grand Chancellor.
Another lodge of the order will, in a few days, be organized at Manistee, this county. The Grand Chancellor has already approved a petition for a new lodge to be located at Excel, this county.

George Singleton tells of old-timey home remedies and the usage of sally cloths to cure colds and the flu

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 “Home remedies could cure almost anything” was originally published in the Dec. 1, 1994 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

The brisk cold mornings of the past few days bring to mind the days when you didn’t go to see the family doctor or go down to the drug store for such a minor thing as a bad cold or a case of the flu.

Seeing the doctor was unheard of unless there was something seriously wrong with one of the family. Colds, flu, measles, mumps and other minor illnesses such as these were always handled by the mother of the family or someone in the neighborhood who it was believed had special powers when it comes to mixing up evil-tasting potions or remedies.

I was not a sickly child. But it seemed that I was sort of the family guinea pig when it came to home remedies and such. My older sisters saw to it that it was reported to my mother if I should sneeze or cough or do anything that might hint a bad cold coming on. Then either my mother would apply the remedy or Aunt Lellia did the honors. Nevertheless, I would always end up being greased from head to foot with some evil-smelling mixture or having to drink a cup of scalding hot turnip potlicker.

Those of you who have never experienced a sally cloth being put on your chest are the most fortunate ones. The hot sally cloth was applied when all other mixtures had been used. The sally cloth was the final remedy before being put to bed for the night.

This large piece of flannel material was covered with salves, hot liniments, a portion of homemade tallow, a sprinkling of hot red pepper and a touch of coal oil. Then, as the would-be victim stood before the hot fireplace, the order was given to raise the long flannel night shirt so the naked chest would be bared.

The sally cloth with all its additives had been held before the roaring fire just prior to being placed on the chest. When the piece of heavy flannel became too hot for my mother or Aunt Lellia to hold, it was placed across the chest of the victim.

The hot tallow and salves would cause the heavy flannel to stick to the chest and stomach like it had been covered with hot glue. First, the victim lost their breath. Steam and hot air seemed to come from the ears, eyes and nose. Only a loud groan could be heard coming from the mouth when the hot cloth was applied. It took several minutes to regain one’s senses. Everything had gone numb.

When the sally cloth touched the skin, it was there to stay until it cooled off. Then it had to be peeled off the chest and stomach like a heavy sticky tape of some sort. But the sally cloth would not be removed until the following morning.

With the application of the hot flannel cloth, orders were given to release the long nightgown from where it was being held under the chin. Good-nights were said, even though no words were heard because of the steam that continued to spout forth out of the ears and nose after the hot sally cloth had been placed on the chest.

You were then marched off to bed and the heavy covers packed around you. Orders were issued again that you were not to turn and were not to “lie flat on your back so you can breathe.” By now, your lungs and throat were so wide open it seemed as if someone had left open the gate that separated you from the North Pole. Cold air could be felt rushing into the lungs and chest, even without breathing.

But, without realizing it, there among the evil smells of the sally cloth, the old sandman did his magic. The security of the heavy covers and the warmth of the long flannel night shirt had performed a miracle. A small boy was sleeping peacefully without any difficulty in breathing. The heated sally cloth was working, doing the job that it was intended.

With the coming morning, the flannel cloth was removed. It seemed that the chest was made of screen wire. The cool morning air seemed to rush right through. But, it wasn’t over yet. There was more of the treatment to come. Another foul-tasting mixture was brought forth, followed by the scalding-hot turnip potlicker.

But strangely enough, the cough was gone. Even though the victim of the home remedy wouldn’t admit it, he felt better now. The only bad thing about getting to feel better was having to get dressed and catch that darn school bus. You couldn’t win for losing.

Each evening, upon returning home from school, a close examination was conducted. This was done either by my mother or Aunt Lellia. You assured everyone that you felt fine, in hopes that the evil-smelling sally cloth would be omitted this evening before going to bed. But, for good measure, another dose of the foul-tasting tonic followed by a cup of very hot turnip potlicker was the order of the day.

If, by chance, you were lucky enough to miss the sally cloth, before going to bed, your chest was greased thoroughly with some type of salve. A hot towel was placed over the freshly applied salve so as to help it dissolve into the skin.

But nothing lasts forever. One Saturday morning soon, if all went well, the weather would be warm. Then a small boy and his friend might just slip off and go swimming in the old swimming hole in the creek nearby. Going swimming on a warm day during December or January was all right, just as long as you didn’t get caught. But you had to be very careful. Aunt Lellia seemed to know everything. Sometimes it seemed that she had eyes in the back of her head.

My older sister said that Aunt Lellia could even read your mind. She would certainly know that we had been swimming, and all heck would be to pay. If there was the least bit of evidence that even hinted we had been to the swimming hole, the punishment was a large dose of that foul-tasting tonic. You could be assured that the hot sally cloth always followed the evil-tasting mixture that had been conjured up by none other than Aunt Lellia.

(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 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.)

Monroe County, Alabama author Lawrence Earl Gulley recently published his 14th novel, 'Wisteria'

Lawrence Gulley with his new book.

Excel’s most prolific author has done it again.

Lawrence Earl Gulley of Excel, who is known far and wide as one of Monroe County’s top tale-spinners, recently published his 14^th novel, “Wisteria.” Officially released on Dec. 16, Lawrence launched his publicity campaign for his new book during last Thursday’s morning show on WPPG 101.1 FM in Evergreen. He followed his radio appearance with successful book-signings at Nichol’s Bait & Tackle, Excel Town Market and Joe’s Place, just outside of Repton.

Lawrence said that “Wisteria” is a “Southern love story about the lives and challenges of two young people from very different backgrounds.” He invites readers to escape their “stressful routines with this simple tale of family, faith and overcoming obstacles with a love that lasts a lifetime.”

Lawrence dedicated “Wisteria” with “love and respect” to Luther Upton, a native of Uriah who is the host of the WPPG morning show. Lawrence describes Upton as a Vietnam War hero, who “never got his due” for his service in the war. Upton served in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine and received two Purple Hearts and a long list of other medals and awards for his service.

For those of you who have read Lawrence’s previous books, you’ll know that he does a lot of name-dropping. Familiar names that you’ll find between the pages of “Wisteria” include Luther Upton; his parents, Sim and Frankie Upton; and his brothers, Ricky and Bobby Upton. Other names mentioned in the book include Mendy Ward, William Cater, Larry Luellen, Cliff Sims, Nick Tatum and many others.

While reading Lawrence’s yarns, it’s fun to piece together the clues he drops about where his fictional tales take place. “Wisteria” is set almost entirely in Monroe and Clarke counties. Real-life locales that are specifically mentioned in “Wisteria” include Monroeville, Grove Hill, the Courthouse Square, the Claiborne-Murphy Bridge, West Claiborne Street, the Jitney Jungle grocery store, Bedsole’s Dry Goods, Barnett’s Hardware, Katz’s Department Store, J.U. Blacksher High School, Monroe County High School and a long list of other familiar locations.

“Wisteria” is Lawrence’s 14^th published novel. His previous books include “Cora Jean (2016),” “Peanut House (2017),” “Buffington (2017),” “Bessie’s Story (2018),” “Redtown (2018),” “Bayou County (2018),” “Brothers (2018),” “Green Briar (2018),” “The Tangled Road Home (2019),” “Layton (2019),” “The Killing of Lois Hardee (2019),” “Sweet Liberty (2020)” and “Alyssa Madison (2021).” If you’ve never read any of these books, I recommend that you start with “Cora Jean,” which is getting attention from movie producers in New York and Hollywood.

Fans of Lawrence’s novels have most likely read all of the books above, but have no fear. Lawrence is already hard at work on his next novel, tentatively titled “A Place Called Home.” If it’s as good as his previous books, then his fans have a lot to look forward to.

All of Lawrence’s books are available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, but you can also pick them up in a variety of other places nearby. I’ve seen copies of them for sale at the Town Market in Excel and at the gift shop at the Old Monroe County Courthouse.