The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Feb. 26, 2024

USS Smalley

21 YEARS AGO
FEB. 27, 2003

Cancer center ground-breaking Friday: The Monroe Health Foundation Cancer Treatment Center received a financial boost Monday when Temple Inland donated another $25,000 for construction of the new center.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the cancer center will be tomorrow (Friday) at 12:30 p.m. at the site on South Alabama Avenue between Regions Bank and Johnson Funeral Home, across the street from the Winn-Dixie Shopping Center.
The $25,000 donation increased the campaign’s cash and pledges to $1,088,000.

Excel opens season with 11-1 rout of Red Level: Excel School opened its baseball season Saturday in Excel with an 11-1 win over Red Level High School at Murphy Park.
Senior right-hander Neal Jordan went the distance on the mound, tossing a one-hitter while striking out six. At the plate, the Panthers got a pair of doubles and two RBIs from Seth Mack.
(Other top Excel players in that game included Derek Wiggins, Brandon Crutchfield and Justin Whatley.)

MA’s Paula Stacey named to AISA Teacher Hall of Fame: Monroe Academy teacher Paula Stacey of Monroeville will be honored at the Alabama Independent School Association’s fourth annual Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremonies March 10 at the Montgomery Civic Center.
Stacey, who has taught English and speech at MA since 1975, is one of nine inductees to be honored. A reception honoring the Class of 2003 will begin at 6:15 p.m. with the banquet and induction ceremonies starting at 7 p.m.

46 YEARS AGO
FEB. 23, 1978

Measles epidemic threatens Monroe: An alert has been declared in Monroe County by the state Health Department concerning an epidemic of red measles in Escambia County, head nurse with the Monroe County Health Department.
Mrs. Kilpatrick said a vaccination program for all types of immunizations, planned earlier by the county department and schools, was being stepped up because of the epidemic. The vaccinations will be administered in all schools in the county next week, she said.
Anyone who had a measles shot prior to 1967 or when he was less than one year old needs another shot, she said.

Vols capture District 3 title: In the district championship game Saturday night, the Monroe Academy Vols blasted Wilcox Academy, 44-30.
Tommy Bowden led the scoring in the game with 11 points. Kevin Norris hit for 10, O’Neal Jordan eight, and Frank Carter and Mitch Jones six apiece.
Tommy Bowden of Monroe was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Kevin Norris was named to the all-tournament team.

11 arrested: Game wardens Bill Boone and Donald Turberville confiscated these 16 traps and arrested 11 persons in three days for illegal trapping. Charges ranged from trapping without a license to failure to mark traps. The maximum penalty for such offenses is a $500 fine, the officers said. They urged persons who discover illegal traps to notify them immediately.

71 YEARS AGO
FEB. 26, 1953

MCHS Tigers Top Evergreen 70-64: The Monroe County High Tiger cagers finished off their regular season in cage play Tuesday night by shaving the Evergreen Aggies 70-64 in Evergreen.
The MCHS hardwoodmen outscored their Evergreen hosts in the first, third and fourth quarters, netting by periods 19, 12, 21 and 18 points as opposed to 14, 14, 20 and 16 points for the Conecuh County group. High point man for the Tigers was forward Vincent Tomlinson with 37 points while Frazier, center, paced the Aggies with 22.

Joseph Marshall Jr. Serving In Korea: With the 1^st Cavalry Division in Japan – Pvt. Joseph Marshall Jr., whose wife, Sylvia, lives in Beatrice, Ala., is now serving with the 1^st Cavalry Division in Japan.
A veteran of 11 months of service in Korea with the 74^th Combat Engineers, Marshall entered the Army in August 1943. His mother, Delia Marshall, lives in Chestnut.

Charles I. Sims Takes Part In Caribbean Operation Springboard: While serving aboard the destroyer USS Smalley, Charles I. Sims, sonarman third class, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Sims of Monroeville, participated in Operation Springboard in the Caribbean. The ship conducted intensive anti-submarine warfare, anti-aircraft and shore bombardment gunnery and seamanship exercises. After the exercises, the Smalley returned to Newport, R.I., her homeport.

The Excel High School Panther cage five finished off its season by racking up another high score victory of 96-72 over Lyeffion on Friday night. High scorer for Excel was forward Jack Sawyer with 26 points while Booker, center, and Chavers, guard, with 20 points each, paced Lyeffion.

96 YEARS AGO
FEB. 23, 1928

The Mobile Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will unveil a memorial tablet on the grave of the late Mrs. Katherine Salter Kitchen in the cemetery at the Baptist church on Fri., Feb. 24, under the direction of Mrs. Ervin Vass of Mobile, chairman of historical spots.

Mr. J. Mack Stallworth, the veteran and efficient postmaster at Beatrice, was among Monroeville friends the first of the week.

Mrs. J.P. Farish went to Birmingham the first of the week to hear the celebrated singer, John McCormich.

On Friday afternoon, Feb. 10, 1928, Mr. R.L. Stallworth, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Monroe County, passed away after an illness of long duration. When he was about 17 years of age, the Civil War was in full swing, and he was sent to the University of Alabama, where he was given some of the principles of military training. He at this time enlisted in the Confederate army and became one of the bravest and most enthusiastic soldiers. He was honored at one time during the Civil War by being chosen a Bradford Scout, a responsibility that entailed much courage and physical strength. The Confederate reunions have been a source of much joy to him in recent years and he attended many of them, coming home thrilled after having seen his comrades.

Hon. J. Miller Bonner of Camden was a visitor to Monroeville Saturday. Mr. Bonner is a prominent candidate for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and has already made a pretty thorough canvas of the state and feels confident of his nomination.

121 YEARS AGO
FEB. 26, 1903

Sheriff M.M. Fountain went to Texas last week where he contemplated investing in a carload or so of stock.

The Commissioners court will hold an adjourned term on Monday next to complete arrangements preliminary to letting contract for the new courthouse.

Alabama Lodge No. 3, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Perdue Hill, Alabama, has been reorganized with the following officers, viz: N.A. Agee, Worshipful Master; E.R. Morrissette, Senior Warden; W.E. Broughton, Junior Warden; W.B. Marshall, Junior Deacon; J.F. Gaillard, Senior Deacon; J.M. Coxwell, Secretary; J.D. Frye, Treasurer; G.W. Carter, Tyler.

Capt. J.J. Lufkin has recently returned from Chicago where he went to purchase a locomotive for the Manistee & Repton Railroad.

Mr. J.B. McMillan will soon be in a position to conduct the express business of Drewry and vicinity for the L&N Railroad. This departure will make the station of more importance and is a step toward the erection of a waiting room and warehouse at his point.

Chapter Meeting: The regular convocation of Monroe Chapter No. 122 will be held on Tuesday evening, March 3, 1903. A full attendance is desired. Work in Royal Arch degree. Visiting companions cordially welcomed. – F.M. Jones, Secretary.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Feb. 27, 2024

USS Iwo Jima

20 YEARS AGO

FEB. 26, 2004

Weather observer Harry Ellis reported .02 inches of rain on Feb. 16. He reported a high of 71 degrees on Feb. 20 and a low of 30 degrees on Feb. 17, Feb. 18 and Feb. 19.

The Conecuh County Chapter of the Alabama Treasure Forest Association planted a tree in front of Evergreen Elementary School on Tues., Feb. 24, in celebration of Arbor Day. Evergreen Mayor Lomax Cassady, as well as members of Mrs. Kit Moss’ second grade class, were on hand for the tree planting ceremony. Don Stinson and Victor Howell represented the Conecuh chapter of the ATFA. Also on Tuesday the ATFA gave away approximately 5,000 nursery grown tree seedlings in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot. The promotion of tree planting is one of the many projects sponsored by the Conecuh Chapter of the ATFA.

Frankie Gibson, daughter of Robert and Lisa Gibson, won the AISA State Spelling Bee at Huntingdon College in Montgomery on Tues., Feb. 10, 2004. She is in the seventh grade at Sparta Academy and a student of Mrs. Kathy Jernigan, who coordinated the Sparta Spelling Bee as well as the District Spelling Bee. Frankie competed in the seventh-grade local, district and finally state spelling bee.

Dr. James Lamar Jackson, a minister who worked with the Alabama Baptist State Convention, passed away Sun., Feb. 22, 2004 at his home in Evergreen. He was 86.

45 YEARS AGO

FEB. 22, 1979

Weather observer Earl Windham reported .08 inches of rain on Feb. 17 and .21 inches on Feb. 18. He reported a high of 77 degrees on Feb. 16 and a low of 28 on Feb. 12.

Marine Cpl. James D. Morrow, son of Lois H. Browder of Rt. 2, Box 260, McKenzie, Ala., recently departed for deployment in the Mediterranean Sea.

He is assigned to the 3^rd Battalion, Eighth Marines, based at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

His unit is embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, operating as a unit of the U.S. Sixth Fleet.

Palmer Smith is now serving as hospital pharmacist and purchasing agent for Evergreen Hospital, Inc. Smith graduated from Evergreen High School in 1958 where he was a popular student and athlete. A registered pharmacist, he graduated from Samford University, Birmingham, in 1963. He worked at the Conecuh Drug Co. here and then owned pharmacies in Montgomery for several years. Prior to accepting his recent position, he worked as a pharmacist with a Monroeville drug store. Smith and his wife, Jane, and their son, Eben, 10, live in the Fairview community and are members of the Evergreen Baptist Church. He is the son of Mrs. V.P. Smith and the late Mr. Smith of Route E, Evergreen.

Cynthia Rudolph won first place in the Birmingham Post-Herald Spelling Bee at Marshall Middle School and will compete in the County Spelling Bee in March.

70 YEARS AGO

FEB. 25, 1954

Unusual Exhibit Scheduled Here Next Monday and Tuesday: Marie O’Day’s Palace Car is coming Monday and Tuesday, March 1-2, to Evergreen.

On exhibit in the car will be some unusual attractions, including the mummified body of Marie O’Day.

The night club dancer and entertainer, according to the sponsors of the exhibit, was fatally stabbed by her husband and thrown into the Great Salt Lake inn Utah, where the body remained for 12 years.

After the body was recovered, the exhibitors say it was discovered that the hair was still growing in an apparently normal manner. The dancer’s husband is said to be still serving a life sentence in Utah for her murder.

O.E.S. Will Observe Master Mason Night: The local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star will observe Master Mason night Monday night, March 1, beginning at 7:30 at the Masonic Hall. All Master Masons and their wives are invited to attend and members of the O.E.S. may bring their husbands whether they are Masons or not.

A full night of entertainment has been provided including an old time fried chicken supper. All Masons and Eastern Stars are urged to participate.

Frank Chavers, a senior of Lyeffion High School, was recently selected Future Farmer of the Year. He cultivated 25 acres of land last year, entered an 800-pound Hereford Calf in the 1953 Fat Calf Show and he had a Gilt in the FFA Pig Chain.

95 YEARS AGO

FEB. 28, 1929

Confederate Veteran Dies At Age of 89: John J. Booker, well known and highly respected citizen of this county, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Joe Andrews, near Belleville, Feb. 16. Deceased was a native of Conecuh County, having been reared in what is known as the Lone Star community near Skinnerton. He was a veteran of the War Between the States and at the time of his death was 89 years old. Interment was made in Lone Star cemetery Sun., Feb. 17.

Four Guardsmen Prepare For Trip To Washington: Four picked men from Troop C, 55^th Machine Gun Squadron, Alabama National Guard, were making final preparations this week for their trip to Washington, D.C. to take part in the inaugural ceremonies for President-Elect Herbert Hoover.

The four who will make the trip are Frank Brantley, D.C. Brooks, Willie I. Cook and W. McLean Dreaden. They will leave Evergreen Saturday and return about Wednesday.

Confederate Soldiers Will Get Gravestones: Washington, Feb. 23 – The Confederate dead of the Civil War, after sleeping for six decades as rebels, were given official recognition today as American soldiers when the senate passed a house bill conferring governmental honors upon them.

The bill authorized the secretary of war to erect headstones over the “graves of soldiers who served in the Confederate army and who have been buried in national, city, town or village cemeteries or in any other places,” the war department also was instructed to preserve in its record “the name, rank, company, regiment and date of death of the soldiers and his state.” The bill now goes to the White House for the president’s signature.

120 YEARS AGO

FEB. 24, 1904

Belleville: The new Methodist minister, Mr. Breedlove, at his regular appointment, delivered an earnest and impressive sermon. Although the weather was threatening, there was a good crowd out.

J.A. Amerson of Gregville was here Monday circulating among the people in the interest of his candidacy for commissioner. Mr. Amerson tips the beam at 307 pounds and if he is elected will no doubt be one of the biggest commissioners in the state.

The recent improvements of the streets and sidewalks are appreciated by everybody. One can now cross the streets in rainy weather without wading through mud and water.

SUDDEN DEATH: Prominent Citizen Drops Dead While at Work: A.T. Thomas, a well known citizen of this county, dropped dead while at work in the saw mill of John Murphy near Herbert on Thursday last. Mr. Thomas, up to the time of his death, was apparently in good health, and was at his post in the saw mill performing his duties when suddenly he was seen to fall and expire in a short while. Apoplexy was supposed to have been the cause. He was a good citizen and was respected and esteemed by his neighbors and all who knew him.

'Folk Lore Contest' held in Wilcox County, Alabama in 1948

Morton Rubin

“Folk Lore Contest Announced Here” was the big, bold headline on the front page of the Jan. 22, 1948 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era.

The story that followed let readers know that Morton Rubin with the University of North Carolina’s Institute for Research in Social Sciences had launched a folklore contest in Wilcox County as part of a study of “Plantation Area Culture.” The contest was open to all students in the Wilcox County school system and aimed to secure samples of “existing folklore, sayings, superstitions, formulas, rhymes and jingles, ballads, etc. and also to discover the present role of folklore and magic in current living, science and religion.”

Students were asked not to use material that was already in print. “Local folklore is what is desired, so please don’t submit a lot of common materials, such as ‘walking under a ladder brings bad luck,’” Rubin said.

All entries had to be submitted before Leap Year Day, Feb. 29, to school principals or Rubin, who was living in Camden at the time. First prize was $5 with second place to receive $3. The two third-place finishers were to receive $1 each.

The March 11, 1948 edition of the newspaper announced the results of the contest. Over 100 students sent in “their lists of superstitions, rhymes and legends,” amounting to about 500 different pieces of folklore. Leading the fields were home remedies, parts of the body, death, animals and weather. “The principals and teachers of the schools cooperated with the project throughout, and people of the county lent a mighty hand in answering the questions of the children seeking folklore materials,” Rubin said.

Russell Dale Ervin of Alberta won first prize, and Carolyn Vick of Camden won second place. Third-place winners were Evelyn Moore of Darlington and Elizabeth Lee Findley of Gastonburg. Honorable mention winners were Sara Virginia Hudson, Anita Moss, Billy Parsons, Marguerite Lambert, Sara Jane Chambers, Roy Knight, Wanda Wilson, Aubrey Cameron and Louise Jones.

Rubin mentioned in both newspaper articles that he hoped to collect the best items of Wilcox County folklore into a mimeographed booklet that was to be given to all of the entrants, that is, about 100 students.

Rubin, who was born in Massachusetts in 1923, was an interesting man. He served in the Army as a clerk and French translator in Europe during World War II and later earned a degree in sociology from Boston University. He went on to earn a master’s degree and doctorate degree from the University of North Carolina.

According to his 2011 obituary, his doctoral studies at North Carolina involved him “immersing himself in a black community in Wilcox County, producing a study of segregation.” It was during this time that he held his folklore contest in Wilcox County. He earned his PhD in the spring of 1950 and a year later he published his dissertation as a book called, “Plantation County.”

In the end, I would really like to see a copy of the 1948 folklore booklet that Rubin put together with the help of Wilcox County students and educators. If anyone in the reading audience has a copy of this booklet that I could briefly examine, I would appreciate you getting in touch with me. Someone out there may have the only remaining copy of this booklet and it would be a shame for such an item to become lost to history.

George Singleton writes of 'splendid autumn colors from area hills'

Scenic view from a high hill in north Monroe County.

(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 “View splendid autumn colors from area hills” was originally published in the Nov. 3, 1977 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

If you have trouble finding somewhere to go these beautiful, lazy autumn afternoons, now is the time to load up and head through the hills in the north part of Monroe County.

During the next couple of weeks, you will witness the full colors at their bests. The high hills and deep valleys will unveil a splendid array of colors that will dazzle your sense of sight, and you will remember that afternoon for a long time.

Begin your journey by leaving the paved road and heading north to Old Scotland Church; pause there awhile, and enjoy the quiet beauty of the historic old building and cemetery. Listen to the falling leaves as they float down from the branches to settle lightly on the earth.

Wild beauty

Turn right beyond the church, about two miles, and slowly wind your way down across Flat Creek and the flat bottoms that lie near it. Every now and then, stop and inhale the fresh, pure air and absorb the wild beauty around you.

As you begin to ascend again into the hills, take a backward look at the beautiful valley that you just passed through.

Pause and rest at the Red Hills Cemetery; walk through the markers and read the names of the ones buried there.

As you do this, you will form in your mind the community that once was there. You will know the names of the people born there. And you will know the one who tilled the soil and worked the land, and were laid to rest beneath the whispering pines. And you will hear again the falling leaves as they flutter gently to the ground to form a soft blanket across row upon row of headstones.

Most colorful

Beyond the cemetery, turn sharply to the right and begin the most colorful part of the journey.

As you follow the high ridge, look down across the valleys and behold the beauty of one of God’s creations. And as you follow the winding road, stop along the high points for a view usually seen only through the eyes of the winged creatures.

Climb the steep hill where the fire tower stands, and pause for a minute and listen to the winds sighing through the pines. Feel the cool autumn air against your face as it rises and climbs from the valleys below.

Look to the east and see the sleepy community of Vredenburgh in the distance. Then slowly make your way back down the hill, turning right to the paved highway farther on.

In His hands

As you reach the highway, you have the choice of returning by way of Beatrice or following Highway 41 through Franklin.

Whichever the way you choose, you will know that this day will be long in your memory, and you will know that the God who holds all things in the palms of His hands, holds them still.

(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, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, 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.)

 

‘Steamboat Charlie’ among Monroe County, Alabama’s colorful characters

Grave of 'Steamboat Charlie'

I was looking through some old newspapers the other day when I ran across an old story that detailed the unusual death of one of Monroe County’s most prominent citizens.

On the top of the front page of the Feb. 23, 1933 edition of The Journal, editor A.C. Lee (Harper Lee’s father) reported that the “accidental discharge of a gun in his own hands” on Feb. 18 resulted in the death of Lawrence Wheeler Locklin of Monroeville. According to that story, the 65-year-old Locklin had gone out early that morning with one of his young grandsons to shoot a rabbit.

“It was necessary to cross a wire fence to reach their objective point,” the story said. “The boy had gone over the fence ahead and when Mr. Locklin attempted to cross the fence, the old time gun he carried became entangled in the fence in some unknown manner, was accidentally discharged and the load passed through the back of the head of the elder Locklin, resulting in instant death.”

At the time of his death, Locklin was one of the county’s most prominent men. A.C. Lee wrote that Locklin was “for many years an outstanding citizen of Monroe County, always taking an active interest in the political, social and civic welfare of the county and state. He was reared and resided at Perdue Hill until some 15 years ago, when he moved to Monroeville. He represented Monroe County in the Convention which formulated our State Constitution in 1901, under which we now function.” Notably, in September 1901, Locklin became one of the state officials who officially signed this new constitution.

Interestingly, Lawrence Locklin was the son of one of the county’s most colorful antebellum characters, Capt. Charles William Locklin Sr., aka, “Steamboat Charlie.” Born at Claiborne in 1827, Charles Locklin became known as Steamboat Charlie because of the steamboats that he owned and operated. His line of steamboats carried cargo and passengers for many years up and down the Alabama River from Mobile to Montgomery.

Charles Locklin made a handsome living during the War Between the States when the Confederate government chartered his steamboats to transport troops and munitions from the state capital to the port in Mobile. Sources said that he owned a number of steamboats, but the only one specifically named in family papers was the St. Nicholas. Union forces burned this ship during the war.

“Capt. Locklin was one of the few survivors of Alabama river steamboat officers of what was known as the ‘flush times’ before the war, serving as clerk and captain on several steamboats between 1843 and 1868,” his 1905 obituary said. “Possessing great natural wit, culture and geniality, he was among the most popular men then on the river.”

In the end, it would be interesting to know if anyone in the reading audience has any additional information about these two colorful characters in Monroe County history. Both of these men had children, so I would not be surprised to know that they have a number of descendants in the area today.

George Singleton wrote that 'hog-killing time' was a community event

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 “Hog-killing time was a community event” was originally published in the March 2, 1989 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

I know that there are a few of you out there among my readers who are old enough and lived far back enough in the country to remember hog-killing time.

Those of you who are unfortunate to have not taken part in the annual winter’s hog killing, or the preparation of the family’s yearly supply of meat, have missed a great event.

The dog of the hog killing started out bright and early. The coldest days were always the best. Fires were started at daybreak around two extra-large iron pots that were full of water. Hot water was the most essential part of the meal preparation. Plenty of hot water was a must.

A job for everyone

The slaughter of the fattened hogs were done out of sight of everyone except the menfolks. Then the slain hogs were brought up and dipped in the scalding hot water so as to remove the hair from the skins. This was a job for everyone present, even the smallest could participate.

My father and one or two older men possessed the knowledge of the ways that the meat was to be cut up and processed. They also knew how it should be stored so as not to spoil in the months ahead. We are talking about a time when one didn’t run to the deep freezer and place the meat there for safekeeping.

The meat had to be placed in several large barrels, after being rubbed with salt. As each layer of meat was placed in the barrel, a light covering of salt was sprinkled over that layer so that another layer of meat could be put on top of that.

The large, juicy hams and the front shoulders of the slaughtered hogs were prepared for smoking. This meant that the selected pieces were tied with long blade of bear grass and hung up in the smokehouse. Once all the meat had to be hung up and was ready for smoking, a small fire, made of selected pieces of hickory smoke, was started right in the middle of the smokehouse. This fire was kept burning for several days until the meat, subject to my father’s inspections, was cured enough so as not to spoil.

Stories around the fires

During this special day, many stories were told around the fires under the huge iron posts. A small boy of 10 could only stand around, open-mouthed and absorb the tall tales that abounded there around the fires.

The highlight of the day was the cooking of select pieces of meat and everyone eating and enjoying the goodies that had been brought over for the event. Anyone who left hungry did so of his own choosing. There was always plenty of food.

Before each family left for home, those who had not had a hog processed that day were given enough meat to last them for several meals.

The day ended when the yarns and tall tales began to wind down. The date was passed around to everyone when the next hog killing would take place and the whereabouts. And a small boy – whose head was full of tales that covered a time span beginning long before the Civil War took place and including the then-great World War (World War I) – was sent to bed weary and tired.

Beauty and love

Many of these tall tales have survived the years and are forever fresh in this writer’s memory. And the beauty and the love that abounded around the old home place will always be cherished, for now and always.

And too, the memory of a tall, dark-haired woman, most beautiful even in a simple gingham dress, and a slender, gentle man, who valued their family’s love above life itself, will never fade.

Truly, those of you who have never witnessed a gathering such as a community hog killing, have missed one of the great highlights of childhood and are poorer for it.

I had a father who told me
Sagas of rogues who scoured the seas
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
“Blackbeards” hid in the ships’ holds beneath.

You may have tangible wealth untold,
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be –
Family and friends who worshiped me…

(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, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, 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.)

 

This week marks 82 years since the death of Wilcox County Probate Judge F.R. Albritton

Alabama Gov. Frank M. Dixon

This coming Saturday will mark 82 years since the unexpected death of Wilcox County Probate Judge Felix Reginald Albritton.

Judge Albritton, who was only 50 years old at the time, was fatally injured in an automobile accident around 7 p.m. on Feb. 24, 1942. The accident occurred after Albritton became blinded by the bright lights of an approaching vehicle and collided with an oncoming truck. Albritton’s car was “demolished and he was terribly bruised and cut,” newspaper accounts said.

Albritton, a native of Camden, was one of Wilcox County’s most prominent men and public servants. Prior to taking office as probate judge, he also served as Wilcox County Sheriff and as a deputy sheriff. Albritton was widely known throughout the county and was “respected and honored as few young men have been.”

Married to the former Dolly Young of Greensboro, Albritton was also a World War I veteran and “experienced all the battles over there.” His funeral was held at the Camden Baptist Church and was “one of the largest ever witnessed in Camden.” He was buried in the Camden Cemetery.

Governor Frank M. Dixon appointed Ervin Earl Dunn to serve as probate judge to fill the vacancy left by Albritton’s death. Dunn had been working as a distributor for the Gulf Refining Co., and he was also a well-known farmer and cattleman. He was 43 years old at the time of his appointment to the probate judge’s seat.

Like Albritton, Dunn had served overseas during World War I and was a past commander of the Irby Savage Post of the American Legion in Camden. During Dixon’s campaign for governor, Dunn had served as his Wilcox County campaign manager, which probably played a factor in Dunn’s appointment to probate judge.

Dunn ran for re-election in 1946 and faced three challengers: Clifford Homer Albritton, Joe M. Bonner and Jesse McIntosh McLeod. In the May 1946 Democratic primary election, Albritton carried the day with 907 votes, and McLeod got 701 votes. Notably, Clifford Albritton was the younger brother of former probate judge Felix Albritton, who was killed in the 1942 car accident.

When Clifford Albritton and McLeod faced off in the June 4 run-off election, McLeod upset the front-runner by just 16 votes. McLeod won with 1,063 votes to Albritton’s 1,047 votes. Box by box, McLeod won Camden and Pine Apple, which appears to have been the difference in the hotly contested election.

Another thing that probably put McLeod over the top was the fact that he had previously served as probate judge prior to Felix Albritton taking office. In all, McLeod served in that office for more than 20 years. With a last name like “McLeod,” it should come as no surprise that McLeod’s grandfather came to Wilcox County from Scotland in the early 1800s.

In the end, I was left wondering if anyone has ever compiled a complete list of the county’s former probate judges. It would be interesting to see which judge served when, for how long and the longest. If anyone knows of such a list, please let me know.