It’s that time of the month again, time to take a trip down memory lane and review all of the interesting things that took place in Conecuh County 100 years ago, way back in July 1912.
In the July 3, 1912 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that “J.F. Irwing, C.P. Deming, Judge Dean and W.M. Newton have returned home from the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore. All were visibly tired and worn from the long and tedious sitting of the convention.”
Readers that week also learned that “there has not been much interest manifested in the nomination of town officers as in the Baltimore convention or in the recent primary for county officers.
“The following names will appear on the ballot to be voted next Monday, July 8:
“For Mayor: W.B. Ivey, W.H. Moorer.
“For Councilmen: P.M. Bruner, J.H. Dey, J.G. Lundy, A.H. Mason, F.A. Pritchett, M.C. Reynolds, G.W. Salter, H.A. Shields, W.H. Wild, A.A. Williams.”
Salter also wrote that the “many friends throughout this county of Capt. Jas. W. Darby will learn with sincere regret of his death, which occurred on June 26 at his home in Garland. Capt. Darby was a brave Confederate soldier and a most excellent citizen. He was about 73 years old.”
Salter closed the week by saying that “we congratulate our neighbor, The Andalusia Star, upon the possession of a linotype machine. The Star looks classy in the new dress.”
In the July 10, 1912 edition of the newspaper, Salter reported that “at the town primary on Monday, W.B. Ivey was nominated for mayor and the following councilmen were chosen: J.G. Lundy, A.H. Mason, F.A. Pritchett, G.W. Salter and H.A. Shields.”
Also that week, under the headline “TRAGEDY AT CASTLEBERRY,” it was reported that “Roland Baggett and a young man named Crockett were arrested on Monday at Castleberry by M.C. Johnson, marshal of that town, and brought here and placed in jail charged with the attempted murder of Bob Knight at that place on Saturday night.
“Marshal claims (Knight) was shot in the back while he was standing on the front gallery of a market, and that so far as is known there was no provocation for the crime. A 32-caliber bullet passed through (Knight’s) body and he is said to be in a critical condition with very slim chances of recovery.
“Baggett was released on bond yesterday, but Crockett is held to await developments. A preliminary trial is to be held before Justice J.M. Thomas in Castleberry on next Saturday.”
Salter also reported that “Commissioner of Agriculture R.F. Kolb and State Superintendent of Education H.J. Willingham will deliver an address at the courthouse here next Monday morning.”
Readers that week also learned that “C.R. Taliaferro’s new residence is nearing completion and will be one of the handsomest homes in Evergreen when completed.”
In the July 17 edition of the paper, Salter reported that “the Orphans Home well has now reached a depth of more than 600 feet and the work of drilling is still progressing satisfactorily.”
Readers that week also learned that “the local military company will leave on the 26th inst., for the annual maneuvers at Anniston. The company will be in command of Capt. Hagood and will be composed of about 50 well drilled men.”
That week’s paper also included the following announcement.
“The Courant is asked to say that a meeting will be held in the courthouse on Sat., Aug. 10, at 10 a.m. for the purpose of organizing a county livestock association. V. Poole, E.N. Partain and J.M. McDonald of Castleberry and W.R. Shaw of Old Town and others are understood to be promoters of the new organization.”
Salter also let readers know that week that “it was reported a few months since that J. Conrad Scott had moved his residence from Pensacola to New York, such is not the case. Mr. Scott is home again and will be in Evergreen for a few days, tuning pianos as he has done for the past 20 years.”
Subscribers that week also read that “baseball enthusiasts enjoyed an excellent game last Friday on the local diamond between Evergreen and Pollard, Evergreen winning the game by a score of 1 to 0.”
In the July 24, 2012 edition of The Courant, Salter reported that “P.P. Williams, a farmer west of town, brought in a watermelon on Friday last which weighed 55 pounds.”
Readers that week also learned that “a special meeting of the local Masonic lodge will be held on Saturday night next to confer the F.C. degree on two candidates.”
It was also reported that the “Rev. Richard Hall, Sen. Crumpton, C.S. Rabb, Esq., M.C. Reynolds and four children from the orphanage are in Jasper attending the Alabama Baptist State Convention.”
It was also announced that “there will be a union service at the Baptist church Sunday morning and at the Methodist church in the evening. Rev. Brooks Lawrence will preach at the morning service and Rev. Richard Hall at the evening service.”
Salter closed out the week by writing that “our good friend, J.B. Waren of Repton, yesterday sent us by express a box of several varieties of choice seedling peaches, juicy and luscious. As between the quality of these and the grafted variety the comparison is like unto old wine and new. Thanks, friend Waren.”
In the July 31 edition of the newspaper, Salter reported that “the first open boll of cotton of the season was exhibited here today by W.B. Coker of China. He says the crop will be very short.”
In news from the Johnstonville community, it was reported that “Miss Sallie Jossey and Weaver Kennedy surprised their friends last Sunday when they drove to Brooklyn where Squire Thames made them man and wife.”
Readers also learned that “the Orphanage well is a little more than 800 feet deep and flowing water is daily expected.”
Also that week, under the headline “Free Delivery of Express,” it was reported that “Express Agent Jordan informs The Courant that the free delivery of express matter will begin here on Aug. 1. A few days ago, the citizens of Evergreen made an appeal to the officials of the express company to do this and they very promptly complied with the request. The Express office here does more business than is done at any other point between Mobile and Montgomery. The free delivery of packages will be greatly appreciated by the citizens.”
Salter wrapped up the month by letting readers know that “Superintendent Harper requests us to say that the chairman of the several boards of district trustees are required to meet at the courthouse on Sat., Aug. 10, for the purpose of electing four members of the county board of education.”
Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. Next month, I plan to take a look at the events of August 1912 in Conecuh County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. The library’s friendly and courteous staff will be more than happy to get you started.
