George Singleton tells of making cane syrup the old-fashioned way

Lyle Salter and Clarance Salter tend syrup kettle.

(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 “Some still make old-fashioned syrup” was originally published in the Oct. 23, 1975 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

On the morning of Oct. 11 when most people were still in bed, Clarance Salter and his son, Lyle Salter, of Monroeville were getting ready to pursue an age-old custom: making cane syrup the old-fashioned way.

If you visit Lyle Salter’s yard, the first thing you will notice is that he collects almost everything. You will notice the mule-drawn cane mill erected where there is plenty of room for the mule to travel in a wide circle as he pulls the mill round and round.

A little farther over you will notice the old syrup kettle that the cane juice is put into to be cooked until the delicious cane syrup is left in the bottom of the kettle.

Most of the modern syrup makers use the syrup pan or circular to cook in. The old kettles varied in size from around 30 gallons to 100-gallon capacity. This particular kettle held 60 gallons.

The general rule of thumb is that it takes seven gallons of cane juice to make one gallon of syrup. The juice has to be boiled for a long period of time before the water has evaporated from the juice, leaving the golden-colored, delicious-tasting syrup.

As I stood there near the hot-steaming kettle and watched Clarance Salter dip the skimmings from the boiling juice, I remembered that some of my fondest moments were around the cane mill at syrup-making time.

The day would start in the early morning hours close to 3 a.m. The fires were lighted under the large kettle that sat over a type of brick furnace. The fat pine chunks were fed into the fire until the warmth could be felt quite a distance away.

The mule was hitched to the cane mill and the grinding of the cane was started. One mule always was kept harnessed and in reserve nearby, because if they weren’t rotated at regular intervals, the mule that was pulling the mill would get sick from going round and round.

The first batch of fresh cooked syrup was usually ready to be sampled around eight o’clock in the morning. Just prior to the tasting, someone went up to the house to return a few minutes later with a dishpan full of hot biscuits, a plate of butter, another pan of fried lean meat and all the eating equipment necessary to eat hot syrup and buttered biscuits. A large coffee pot always sat near the fire during the cooking so there was plenty of hot coffee for the asking.

To a young boy on a cold brisk morning, this was almost as near heaven as he wanted to be, sitting there by the warm fire with a plate of fresh cooked syrup mixed all together with chunks of pure butter. To take one of those delicious biscuits, as I remember, and lay it on top of the syrup and butter along with a large slice of fried lean meat, was a delicacy beyond words.

After drinking my fill of the cold cane juice, as I watched Clarance Salter carefully dip the skimmings from the boiling juice, I could see that somewhere in his past 65 years, another young boy had stood beside another syrup kettle and had tasted and dreamed, and now again was being remembered.

(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.)

Little remains of the old Renson community in Monroe County, Ala.

Site of the old Renson community in Monroe County, Ala.

I got the itch to get out and do some riding around last Thursday afternoon, and, on a whim, I struck off north of Monroeville on State Highway 21. Just outside of the Monroeville city limits, I turned east onto Skinner’s Mill Road. A little over half a mile later, I pulled over at the railroad tracks near Limestone Creek, about two and a half miles from Monroeville’s downtown square.

I stepped out of my truck for a closer look at the railroad crossing and while standing there, I remembered that many old maps show that this location was once known as the Renson (or Rensom) community. Just west of the tracks, I could see the remnants of an old wood-frame building that people say was once a company store. Today, it’s shrouded in trees and bushes, and at first glance most people would probably think that it’s an old house.

The only reference to “Renson” that I’ve ever been able to find in old editions of The Monroe Journal was in the March 30, 1961 edition of the newspaper. That edition carried a sizeable advertisement announcing that the S.P. Timber Company would be opening for business on April 10. “We Will Be In The Market For Dense Logs… Will Cut Special Items,” the ad said. Across the bottom of the ad, it said “Frank Smith and Howard Patterson at Renson.”

Despite my best efforts, I was unable to find out how the Renson community got its name. If I had to guess, I’d say that it was named after someone associated with the railroad. This is true for other locations up and down the line like Repton, Peterman and Beatrice.

From the railroad crossing, I walked down to the wooden bridge over Limestone Creek. As I stood there, something big and loud, probably a deer, bolted unseen through the thick bushes on the bank, about fifty yards upstream of the bridge. After that, silence fell over the creek’s gray waters, swollen from Tuesday night’s rainstorms, and I wondered how long it would take those same waters to flow through the woods before eventually emptying into the Alabama River at Claiborne.

Some readers might be familiar with the old tradition of tossing a coin off the Skinner’s Mill Road Bridge to pay the toll that may or may not have been required of local travelers at some point in the deep past. I fished a quarter out of my pocket and thumbed it far out over the water. It plunked into the creek, and I imagined hundreds (maybe thousands) of similar coins resting silently in the mud and gravel beneath the bridge.

In the end, I’d like to hear from anyone in the reading audience with more information about the Renson community. I’m especially interested in any old ghost stories, local legends or Indian lore from this part of the county. If you know of anything along these lines, please let me know.

Wilcox County grist, flouring mill was the largest in Alabama during the War Between the States

General James H. Wilson

For most of the War Between the States, Wilcox County was a relatively quiet and peaceful place as most of its able-bodied men were off fighting in places like Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia. However, that changed in the final days of the war as Union soldiers passed through the county as part of raids across Alabama. Few details remain about exactly what happened in the county during these raids, but new information continues to come to light.

Thanks to researchers like Ouida Starr Woodson and others, it’s widely known that Union troops passed through Camden in April 1865 and ransacked the Wilcox County Courthouse. They destroyed many books and official papers and scattered everything else into the streets. It’s also said that Union soldiers spent the night on the grounds of the Masonic lodge in Camden.

Not much else is known about this raid, but I did run across a couple of old newspaper stories this week that give more details about what this incident was actually like for county residents. In the March 12, 1914 edition of The Progressive Era, editor Solomon D. Bloch wrote a series of interesting sketches called “Trips in the County.” It was in these sketches that he made mention of an incident that occurred in the county during “Wilson’s Raid,” a large operation led by Union general James H. Wilson. This operation, which was the largest cavalry operation of the entire war, aimed to destroy the region’s ability to support Confederate forces with supplies like food and ammunition.

“At the forks of the Camden and Clifton Road and the Canton Bend Road in antebellum days was located the Wm. T. Matthews large saw mill and planing establishment, but during the War Between the States, it was converted into a grist and flouring mill, which furnished food for the Confederate soldiers,” Bloch wrote. “When the Yankees came through our county in the spring of 1865, and who are known as Wilson’s Raiders, I have been told, they came to this mill, and in a spirit of brutality, ordered the white man in charge of the mill to set fire to it. He refused to do that, and they killed him and threw his body in the office house across the road and set fire to the office and the mill and burned both.”

A short article in the March 2, 1933 edition of The Progressive Era sheds even more light on the incident. It noted that Matthews’ large saw mill was located about two miles west of Camden “at what is now known as the Old Burnt Mill as (Matthews’) mill was burned by the Yankee troops as they raided this part of the country about the close of the Civil War. This mill was considered the largest in the state at that time, and it had a tram road that ran from the mill to the Alabama River about eight miles off and the dump and bed of his old road are still visible.”

In the end, I’d like to hear from anyone in the reading audience with more information about Wilson’s Raid through Wilcox County. Also, if you know where the W.T. Matthews mill was located, please let me know. No doubt there is much more to be learned about this historic April 1865 raid through Wilcox County.

Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for March 16, 2022

71 YEARS AGO
MARCH 15, 1951

Reuben Morgan Plays In Navy Film: Reuben Morgan, fireman apprentice, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. William W. Morgan of Pine Hill, played as an extra in the recent filming of “The Frogmen,” staring Richard Widmark, Dona Andrews and Gary Merrill.
Morgan portrayed himself in regular shipboard duties aboard the high speed transport, USS Kleinsmith.
Initial scenes were taken at Norfolk, Va., home port of the ship; submarine sequences were filmed at Key West, Fla., and most of the action scenes were taken at St. Thomas.

Services For McDuffie Stallworth Today: Funeral services for McDuffie Stallworth of Pine Apple were to be held at the residence this morning at 10 o’clock. Mr. Stallworth, widely known as a citizen and long a prominent lumberman in South Alabama, died Tuesday in a Birmingham hospital following a lengthy illness.

Camden A.R.P. Church Renovated: The congregation of the A.R.P. Church of Camden will occupy its redecorated church auditorium again on Sunday, March 18. Since early in January, the interior of the building has been undergoing repair and renovation. The ceiling has been covered with Celotex. The interior woodwork has been painted and the walls papered. The floors have been refinished and new carpet has been laid. The pews also have been refinished.
“The interior of the church is fresh and new and the congregation is pleased with it,” stated Rev. R.C. Kennedy.
While the renovation was in progress, services were held with the Camden Presbyterian Church in its building.

84 YEARS AGO
MARCH 17, 1938

JOHN BRACEY JONES: Mr. John Bracey Jones died at the home of his sister, Mrs. T.H. Moore near Camden early Tuesday morning, March 15, after a long illness. The funeral was held from the home of Mrs. Moore Wednesday at 10 a.m. Burial was in the cemetery at Bear Creek Church in Caledonia.
Mr. Jones was the son of the late J. Mc. Jones and Lourana B. Jones. He was born Oct. 21, 1876 at the family home at Rosebud, the second of eight children. He was 61 years of age.
In May 1904, Mr. Jones married Miss Julia Watts, who survives him. They made their home in the Caledonia community. Mr. Jones engaged in farming most of his life, and at times in the lumber industry.

Rev. J.G. Dobbins is planning to meet his appointments at Catherine, Bear Creek and McWilliams Sunday at the usual hours.

NOTICE: Please do not hunt or fish on my land on Sunday. You are welcome the other six days. – Carl M. Watts, Camden, Ala.

PINE HILL: Mr. and Mrs. C.O. Mason and family visited the Azalea Trail in Mobile Thursday of last week. They were accompanied by C.L. Mason.

ARLINGTON: Friends of Mr. L.J. Bugg of Monroeville were shocked and saddened to learn of his serious illness following an automobile accident Friday while he was enroute to Chatom in the interest of his campaign.

95 YEARS AGO
MARCH 17, 1927

Supt. O.C. Weaver of Brewton spent the weekend with this family in Camden.

Rev. Justice L. Jones will conduct services at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Sunday, March 20, at 11 o’clock.

Mrs. E.W. Berry attended the conference of the Woman’s Work of the Southern Methodist Church, which convened in Shreveport, La. Mrs. Berry is president of the Southern division of the Alabama Women’s Work in this church.

Mrs. Fred Law has had the honor of being elected president of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Presbyterian Church of Troy, where she and Mr. Law are now making their home.

LEVY-GERHARDT: Mr. M. Gerhardt announces the engagement and approaching marriage of his daughter, Frances, to Mr. J.M. Levy of Birmingham, the wedding to take place early in April.

NOTICE: After 40 years absence, I am back at my old stand, will appreciate your patronage. When in need of jewelry repair or watch repair, see me at Clark Jones’ Store. – C.A. Nettles, Camden, Ala.

There will be preaching at the school auditorium next Sunday morning at 11 and Sunday night at 7:30. Morning subject: “Jesus and the Soldiers in the Garden.” Evening subject, “Beholding Jesus.” – H.P. Childs.

109 YEARS AGO
MARCH 20, 1913

We understand that an iron fence for the Camden Cemetery will cost $460 in which must be added the cost of its erection, which will be considerable. Some of the ladies of the town have undertaken to raise this amount, but have met with little success, the cash subscriptions to date amounting to less than $175. Ever since Camden has had a cemetery, the comment has been heard regularly “the fence is out of repair, the cemetery is being used as a public pasture,” and this will continue to be true as long as it remains enclosed with a plank fence.”

The rainfall of last Wednesday and Thursday is reported at 6-1/2 inches. The river has risen very rapidly and is now way out of its banks, but so far, there has been no loss of bridges reported.

The Progressive Era is indebted to Mr. F.E. Logue of Brancroft, Idaho for a copy of the Bancroft’s Farmer. Bancroft seems to be a flourishing town, and we trust soon to receive the promised letter from Mr. Logue describing the country, etc.

WATSON: Our community was saddened two weeks ago by the death of Mr. E.G. Cobb, who was engaged in the turpentine business here, he is greatly missed by his many friends.

Selma, Ala., March 16 – A big washout on the road near Beatrice, Monroe County, during a heavy rain storm Friday night delayed all the trains between the two cities Friday. The damage has been repaired to such an extent that the schedule of the different trains were resumed.

122 YEARS AGO
MARCH 21, 1900

The Wilcox County Bible Society, auxiliary of The American Bible Society, keeps Bibles on hand for rich or poor. If you are not able to buy, one will be given you. – J.W. McCASKEY, Depository.

Miss Mary Neville has closed her school near Catherine, and is at home to enjoy her vacation.

Mr. Winston B. Jones, who has been attending lectures at the Tulane Medical College, is at home to recuperate from a recent spell of illness. We are glad to report him improving.

Mr. W.L. Hayes of Boiling Springs went us a twin hen egg. It is a curiosity indeed, and we thank him for the pleasure of having it on exhibition.

The little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Waller happened to a very painful accident. She was standing before the fire warming her hands, when suddenly her clothing caught afire, and before her mother could extinguish the flame, her little arm was painfully though not seriously burned.

Steamer Mary: The above boat will pass Bridgeport every Wednesday morning on her up trip and on Friday evening about seven o’clock going down. – JOS. T. SPEETH, Manager.

Public Speaking: Honorable Sydney J. Bowie will address the citizens of Wilcox County in the interest of Senator John T. Morgan at the following places: Pine Apple, Monday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m.
Camden, Tuesday, March 27, at two o’clock p.m.
Pine Hill, Wednesday, March 28, at 10 o’clock a.m.
Come one, come all.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for March 15, 2022

Helen Keller

67 YEARS AGO
MARCH 17, 1955

Woman Of The Year To Receive Beautiful Helen Keller Trophy: The Helen Keller Club Trophy, which is to be presented to Conecuh County’s Woman of the Year, will be on display in the window of Boykin Jewelry’s. A similar trophy will be presented each year as the selection of the outstanding woman in the county is to be an annual event.
Dean Elizabeth Neige Todhunter of the School of Home Economics from the University of Alabama will be the guest speaker on Tues., March 22, at 3 p.m. at the Community House in Evergreen when the Woman of the Year will be honored by the Helen Keller Club at this time.

Three Conecuh Brothers Stationed At Nashville: Headquarters Tennessee Military District, Nashville, Tenn. – Mrs. Bertha Griffin of Evergreen is happy to have all her sons under one roof again. The recent assignment of Cpl. Roy Griffin to Tennessee Military District Headquarters in Nashville brings the trio together for the first time during their military careers.
Sgt. Waymon and Sgt. First Class Robert both served in Korea; however at different times, while Cpl. Roy was doing a tour of duty in Europe.
This is the first time in history of Tennessee Military District that there has been three brothers all stationed in the headquarters at the same time. Sgt. Waymon and Sgt. First Class Robert are assigned to the S-1 Section (Administrative Services) and Cpl. Roy is assigned to the Property Section.

73 YEARS AGO
MARCH 17, 1949

Elbert J. Hoomes, who went on trial here last Thursday charged with the murder of his son-in-law, Joe Greer, was found not guilty by the petit jury which tried him.
This was the third time Hoomes had been tried since the killing took place on the streets of Brewton late in 1944. He was first tried in Brewton and found guilty but this verdict was set aside by Judge J.W. Hare, who also granted a change of venue. The case was tried here in November 1947 and at that time Hoomes was found guilty and given a sentence of 20 years. He took an appeal and the supreme court reversed and remanded the case.

Reuben Lee Ball is lodged in the county jail charged with murder. He is charged with killing R.C. Stallworth, laborer for the L&N. The shooting took place about 4:30 Saturday afternoon in the quarters back of Evergreen Curb Market. It is said that Ball was drinking and that there was very little said by either of them prior to the shooting. A shotgun was used. Stallworth died about the time he arrived at Carter Hospital in Repton.
Hall left town and went down about Century, Fla., where he got in a difficulty down there that night. He was arrested and carried to Pensacola. Officers there notified the Sheriff’s office here and he was brought here Monday P.M. Sara Thomas, friend of Ball, is also lodged in jail on a charge of accessory after fact, having assisted him in getting out of Evergreen.

The fourth annual Fat Calf Show of the Conecuh County 4-H, FFA and FHA Clubs will be held in Evergreen Monday, April 19.

90 YEARS AGO
MARCH 17, 1932

OLD PISTOL NEARLY FATAL TO BOY: An old cap and ball pistol which had been used for a plaything for more than a year, and which in all probability was 100 years old, almost proved to be a fatal instrument last week for Henry Mac Stallworth, 11-year-old boy living a few miles from Evergreen.
The boy, according to a statement from his father, Henry Stallworth, found the old pistol about a year ago and had been playing with it at various times since. Last Tuesday was hog-killing day at the man’s house and a large fire had been built in the yard to be used in connection with the work.
For some reason the boy decided to throw the old pistol in the fire, not thinking it loaded or capable of doing any damage. Soon after he had done so, a loud explosion occurred and cry from the boy was heard. Upon examination it was found that the ball from the pistol had hit the boy in the forehead, striking the skull and ranging upward. He was carried to Dr. G.G. Newton, who removed the bullet from under the skin near the top of his head. The wound was not serious, but might easily have been had the bullet entered the skull.
The pistol was of the cap and ball style and it is believed that the load was left in it years and years ago when it was discarded, the powder being protected from deterioration by having been sealed in the cylinder.

FIDDLER’S CONVENTION: Remember the “Fiddler’s Convention” to be given by the O.E.S. at the City School auditorium on April 1 at 8:00. Admission 10 cents and 25 cents. Come and play your fiddle, for you may win the $25 violin given for first prize. Enroll with Miss Verna McCreary in this contest.

106 YEARS AGO
MARCH 17, 1915

R.F. Croom will make his new brick building two stories instead of one as at first designed. The second will be used as Knights of Pythias and Woodmen Hall. This will be a beautiful place for a meeting hall for these two fraternal orders.

Gov. Glenn Coming: Ex.-Gov. Glenn of North Carolina will address the citizens of Evergreen and Conecuh County at the courthouse on Wed., March 24, 1915 at two o’clock p.m. Gov. Glenn is one of the leading and most brilliant orators in behalf of the prohibition cause in the South and his coming will be a matter of considerable interest throughout the county.

Bob Simmons of Flat Rock has an automobile which he gets more benefit out of than hundreds of other car owners. He uses it to thrash velvet beans and peas, husk corn and grind feed, and when he wants to come to town or go anywhere, he hops into his car and is soon at his destination.

Robt. H. Jones and Henry D. Moorer were among the successful applicants before the Supreme Court recently for license to practice law. Both are most excellent young men, energetic and deserving, and The Courant wishes for each of them the fullest measure of success in their chosen profession.

Henry B. Vincent, head of the organ department of Chatauqua Institution, will given an organ recital on the night of March 19th or 20th, under the auspices of the Ladies Aid Society at the Methodist Church.

122 YEARS AGO
MARCH 21, 1900

Masonic Lodge Growing: For more than a year past, the Masonic order of Evergreen has enjoyed “unusual” growth and prosperity and continues to grow. The membership is now 42 with two applications for affiliation and five candidates on the way. The new candidates are Dr. Carl Rubach, Messrs. D.W. Powell, Chas. L. Sims and Max Long who have taken the Entered Apprentice degree and G.T. Bowden, who will take the E.A. degree at the next meeting. The F.C. degree will be conferred on the first four named at a special meeting next Saturday night.
The lodge was instituted in 1841, since which time several hundred Masons have been made, many of whom have died and others moved away.
The meetings are always interesting and fairly well attended. The lodge is taking on new life and will continue to grow.

United Confederate Veterans: The veterans of Camp Capt. William Lee will meet at Evergreen Thurs., March 27, at 12 o’clock p.m. for the annual election of officers and the election of delegates to the Grand Reunion, May 30 to June 3, at Louisville, Ky. By order of P.D. Bowles, Commander; H.M. King, Adjutant.

Masonic Notice: Members of Greening Lodge No. 53 are notified to attend a communication on Saturday night, March 24, at seven o’clock. Work in F.C. degree. – H.W. Hawkins, Sec.

Died at 100 Years Old: Mrs. Dicey Barlow of Mt. Union died on Tuesday at the unusual age of 100 years and three days. Mrs. Barlow was born on March 17, 1799, and had she lived until next January she would have lived in three centuries. She had enjoyed remarkably good health up to four or five years ago.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for March 14, 2022

15 YEARS AGO
MARCH 8, 2007

Neil Presley finished a doubleheader with three base hits Saturday afternoon at J.U. Blacksher High School at Uriah. Presley, a junior infielder/pitcher for the Jaguars, went 2-for-4 in the first game, scored a run and stole a base. In the second game, he had a single and scored a run.
(Other players on Hillcrest’s team that year included Marc Barlow, Quin Lee, John Dees, Ryan Moorer, Keon McCaskill, Jerrod Thomas, Zan Nevlous, Tony Nettles, Quinton Simpson, Delarius Simpson, Astin Mixon, Laroy Samuel, Jeremy Ealum, Rodney McQueen, Corey Poindexter, Billy Dunnivan, Alex Samuel, Trey Salter and Leroy Samuel. Rick Badger was head coach.)

Junior pitcher/infielder Myles Wiggins went 2-for-2 Saturday to highlight Sparta Academy’s offensive efforts against a solid Southern Academy team in Evergreen.
(Other players on Sparta’s team that year included Chris Cinereski, Hunter Hutcheson, Gaston Bozeman, J.R. Williams, Chase Brown, Perry Thompson, Dylan Davis and Taylor Brown. Mike Sims was head coach.)

Sparta Academy’s Lady Warriors collected seven base hits, including three doubles, to highlight the offense Saturday in a 22-6 loss to Southern Academy in Evergreen. Jessica Searcy, Susan Ann Cook and Sarah Smith each had a double for the Warriors.
(Other players on Sparta’s team that year included Frankie Gibson, Sarah Smith, Elizabeth Cinereski, Nicole Bradley and Hayden Talbot.)

33 YEARS AGO
MARCH 9, 1989

SPRING BREAK BASKETBALL: The Class of 1970 of Thurgood Marshall High School will sponsor a Spring Break Basketball Game Sat., March 11, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Evergreen High School gym. Games will feature the Andalusia All Stars vs. Johnsonville All Stars and the Evergreen All Stars vs. Big Surprise. Admission is $2.

Sparta Academy, Wilcox Academy, Greenville Academy and Fort Dale Academy will take part in a Spring Jamboree Friday night at Fort Dale. The game will start at 7:00 and will consist of four nine-minute quarters. This will end Spring Training for Sparta.

Final registration for Babe Ruth League will be held this Sat., March 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Babe Ruth League field at the Evergreen Municipal Park. Registration is $15 per child and everyone must bring a birth certificate.
Tryouts will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. You must register by 1 p.m. Saturday to be eligible to play this season.
All children age 13 to 15 are eligible to participate. All parents are asked to please encourage your child to play.

48 YEARS AGO
MARCH 14, 1974

Sparta Academy football players Tubby McInvale and Walt Lee Ward will participate in the North-South All-Star Game, sponsored by the Alabama Private School Association. Headmaster Richard Brown will be assistant coach of the South team. The game will be held Fri., March 15, at the Troy State University Stadium and will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Evergreen Aggies ended their season by losing in a 72-61 game to Russellville in the first round of the State Class 3A tournament held at the Coliseum at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Cleveland Fields and David Thomas combined for 39 points but their efforts were not enough to stop the Tigers who caught the Aggies on one of their off games.
The Aggies have the potential of being state champ contenders for the third straight year next year with 6-5 center Ronald Fantroy and 5-8 guard Chuck Jones returning to the line-up. Both boys are sophomores this year. Gene Stallworth, Alphonza Holder and Percy Jones, all juniors, should make the Aggies awesome again.

65 YEARS AGO
MARCH 14, 1957

From “HI-LITES of EHS” – Baseball and Track: There seems to be a little excitement around EHS this week. Baseball and track started with a big bang. There is an estimate of 50 to 60 boys out for the two sports. All of Coach Hart’s football boys will contribute the speed and stamina. It seems that we will not have an experienced team in baseball. We are hoping however that these two sports turn out well.

From “As A Man Thinketh” by R.G. Bozeman: I was talking to one of Evergreen’s most avid and successful turkey hunters one morning this week and he reminded me (for what reason I do not know, as I have never been turkey hunting) that the turkey season was opening next week – March 21, I believe he said. I can’t tell you his name for this reason – he told me he had already talked with one of his buddies out near one of his favorite hunting spots and his buddy told him that he sat on his porch one morning last week and heard seven different gobblers gobble. Turkey hunters are careful about letting out any information as to the whereabouts of gobblers they locate, so if I mentioned names I would be in trouble. Though I never do any turkey hunting myself, I am lucky enough to get invited to a turkey dinner occasionally. Not for anything would I do or say anything that might offend one of these hunters and thereby forfeit my chance of being invited to eat wild turkey.

81 YEARS AGO
MARCH 13, 1941

Aggies End Season 13 Wins, 7 Losses: By defeating Monroeville 47-28 last week the Evergreen High School Aggies ended their 1941 cage season with 13 wins against seven losses, including the three games played in the bi-county tournament.
The Aggies outscored their opponents 512 to 410, with victories ranging from 75-14 to 26-8. The five leading scorers on the squad and their points are Derrill Moorer, 158 points; Fred Owens, 101; Randy Moorer, 73; Judson Murphy, 73; and Knud Nielsen, 35.
Coach James Smith produced a better than average team this year, experiencing occasional set-backs as even the best do. When the squad really began to click, however, it was a credit to the colors it wore.

HIGH SCHOOL: Basketball games are over. Some tournaments are over – others nearing the finish. Our local boys had hard luck at Uriah. Better luck next time, boys. We have organized our softball teams and are enjoying the games very much.
At last, the football stadium is getting started. Perhaps in the distant future we may have one of the best in the district. We are very much in need of it. We will have an opportunity to show what we can really do.

Closed Season For Game Fish Called Off In Alabama: The regulation providing closed season on freshwater game fish for the month of April was rescinded by the State Conservation Advisory Board in semi-annual meeting Tuesday of this week.

Singleton pondered fate of America as it approached its 200th birthday

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 “What will we leave our children?” was originally published in the Oct. 16, 1975 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

As we approach the 200^th birthday of our great country, I look back over my short lifespan of 40-odd years and shudder in fright at our changes in attitude toward our fellow man.

I see man in the naked truth, with his fangs bared as some wild animal. I see hate and jealousy on every hand, where there should be friendship and compassion.

I see idols made of men who have rebelled against all that we should hold dear. I see world championships held by men who have denounced our Constitution, with all its hope and meaning. I see people who have cast aside all decency to align themselves with evil.

Great arenas

I see money flowing like water in hopes that our smallest whims may be satisfied. I see great arenas erected with vast amounts of materials and energy so we may try and conquer our atrocious appetites to be entertained.

I see respected citizens almost berserk because their favorite team didn’t measure up to their expectations. I see disappointed spectators because someone on the opposing team wasn’t hurt or injured.

And I see fathers scolding their sons because they were not mean enough when they appeared in the great arenas.

Many times in the past, we have compared ourselves and our country to the great Rome. We have paralleled its paths because of our great wealth and power. In many instances, probably without realizing it, we have followed in their footsteps in our desire for self-satisfaction.

Books, poems

As we charge and shove for a moment’s view of our modern-day gladiators, we pass from memory the many thousands of books and beautiful poems that mold in decay on the library shelves across our nation.

We have forgotten the beautiful classics that once stirred our hearts when played by our favorite orchestra. We have forgotten the warmth and beauty of a handwritten letter.

As we gain momentum in our mad dash across the pages of history, the question “What will we leave our children?” continues to darken the horizon.

Country’s ruins?

Will it be bricks and steel of the fallen arenas? Will our children look upon the ruins of a country that exhausted its energy and resources carelessly?

Or will we turn again to the basics that made us great? The day of decision is at hand. The dawning of that final day is slowly appearing in the east.

(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.)