Drew Skipper captures top honors in local football pick 'em contest

Local contest winner Drew Skipper.

Our local ESPN College Football Pick ‘Em contest came to an end on Saturday, and Drew Skipper once again claimed top honors in the contest.

Skipper, who has won this local contest a number of times in years past, won this year’s 14-week contest by correctly picking the outcomes of 97 (out of 140) games this college football season. Having won this local contest several times, Skipper is no doubt one of the top football prognosticators in the Conecuh County area, and he has once again claimed the title of top picker in our contest. Not only does he receive all the high honors and accolades that go along with this prestigious title, but he also might be someone good to talk to if you want to know if Alabama’s going to win the national championship again this year.

Three contestants finished our local contest tied for second in our local football pick ‘em contest. They were Ricky Taylor, Brett Loftin and John Johnston. They finished the contest with 96 points each, just one point behind Skipper.

Your friendly neighborhood newspaperman finished in fifth place with 95 points. Darrell Burch, Justin Mixon and Jeremy Matheny finished in a three-way tie for sixth place with 91 points each.

Kaleb Wright finished in ninth place with 88 points. Vanessa Sales, Casey Grant and Clint Hyde finished in a three-way tie for tenth place with 86 total points.

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Like a lot of college football fans on Saturday, I watched Alabama and Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, and I was glad to see the Crimson Tide pull it out. I really thought that Alabama was going to beat Georgia bad, but shows how much I know. I based that opinion on how bad Georgia got exposed by LSU on Oct. 13.

Now with the SEC title under their belts, Alabama now looks ahead to the Orange Bowl where they will face Oklahoma on Dec. 29. Oklahoma enters that game as the top team in the Big 12 and with a 12-1 overall record. Oklahoma’s only loss came on Oct. 6, when they fell to Texas, 48-45.

Oklahoma’s biggest hang-up is their defense. They give up a lot of points and have escaped a number of close games this season. For example, Oklahoma, then ranked No. 4 in the nation, barely beat Army, 28-21, in overtime at home on Sept. 22. If Oklahoma had a hard time with Army, then they better brace themselves for Alabama.

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Speaking of Army, this year’s Army-Navy game will be played this coming Saturday at 2 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The game will be televised on national television on CBS. As of Monday, Army was a seven-point favorite.

Army enters the game with a 9-2 overall record, and Navy enters the game with a 3-9 overall mark. On paper, Army looks to be a slam dunk in this game, but it’s a rivalry game, and you know that old saying about throwing the records out the window. Navy will likely play their best game of the season on Saturday, so it will likely be a very entertaining game to watch, especially when you take into account that it’ll be about the only real game on television.

Camden native was president of the University of Alabama when its first football team was formed

Richard Channing Jones

Like a lot of college football fans across the country on Saturday, I tuned in to watch the Southeastern Conference Championship Game in Atlanta. As I watched Nick Saban’s No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide edge out the Georgia Bulldogs for the SEC title, I couldn’t help but be reminded that a Wilcox County native played a big role in bringing football to the University of Alabama in the 1890s.

Camden native Richard Channing Jones served as president of the University of Alabama from 1890 to 1897, and it was during his tenure as president that the university started its legendary football program. Jones, a former state senator and Confederate general, was in charge of the university in 1892 when law student Bill Little of Livingston began teaching students how to play the relatively new game of football. Jones, who also served as a law professor, was at the helm of the university when Alabama’s first football team was formed a short time later with Eugene B. Beaumont as its first head coach.

Alabama’s first football team only had 19 players on its roster, and on Nov. 11, 1892 – again during Jones’s tenure as university president – Alabama played its first official football game, beating a team of Birmingham-area high school players, 56-0, at Lakeview Park in Birmingham. Alabama’s team at that time was known as the “Cadets,” and during Jones’s presidency at the university, crimson and white were officially adopted as the school’s official colors. The team would later be referred to as the “Crimson White” and the “Thin Red Line” until the more popular “Crimson Tide” nickname took hold in 1907 after it was first used by Birmingham Age-Herald sports editor Hugh Roberts.

In addition to the establishment of its football program, the University of Alabama underwent a number of other big changes under Jones’s leadership. During this time, the university established its track and tennis programs, which still thrive today. Also during this period, Jones opened the university to women, allowing the admission of Anna Byrne Adams and Bessie Parker, who were the university’s first female students.

Jones left the university in 1897 and returned to Camden to practice law. Jones lived out the remainder of his days in Wilcox County and passed away at the age of 62 on Sept. 12, 1903. If you visit the historic Camden Cemetery today, you’ll find Jones’s grave a short walk from the graveyard’s entrance, along the fence that runs down beside Fail Street.

In the end, Alabama’s football program has come a long way since its humble beginnings under Jones in 1892. It would be interesting to know what Jones would think about the football team today and the big games that Alabama plays before thousands of fans under the bright lights of huge stadiums in major cities like Atlanta. With that said, there is no doubt that the game of football will continue to change in the years ahead, and modern football fans are left to wonder what the game will look like years and years from now.

100-year-old news highlights from The Wilcox Progressive Era

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Dec. 5, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

The Board of County Commissioners, in session on Monday, unanimously re-elected the efficient county treasurer, Mr. F.B. Dexter.

It will be gratifying to the citizenship of the county to know that the treasury will continue to be guarded and administered capably and in the county’s interest.

Little Mabel Williams, the daughter of Mrs. Mary Williams of Canton Bend, died on Saturday last. She had been seriously ill for several days with pneumonia, when death came to relieve her of her sufferings. She was a bright child and most lovable disposition. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved family.

Mr. Gray Strother died at home at Canton Bend on Thursday last from pneumonia. Mr. Strother was just in the prime of manhood and his death came as a shock to his many friends at Camden and elsewhere in the county. He was a successful planter and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. Interment was made in the Canton Bend Cemetery.

Dr. Ed King of Lower Peach Tree died suddenly on Friday morning last of heart trouble. Dr. King was about 68 years of age and was one of our most influential citizens. Although he had reached the age when most men retire from their profession, he stood by his post and was out on a call when death came. He leaves a host of friends to friends to sympathize with his bereaved ones in their hour of sadness.

News has reached us that Pressly Dale, brother of our townsman, Mr. Hugh Dale, has lost his right arm in service “over there.” These happenings to our boys fill us with sadness and we hope they will soon be returned to their native land, thus completing the circle of happiness made by a blessed peace and their restoration to health and loved ones.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Albritton have letters from their son, Lt. Sam Jones Albritton, telling of a serious wound received in the battle of Argonne forest. A shelled graved his head, brining blood. He scarcely noticed this and continued to lead his platoon in attack. In a few minutes, he was shot again, the ball passing through his thigh. He had to take refuge in a shell hole. Two of the soldiers who came to his relief were killed and several shots were fired at the lieutenant while on the stretcher, but by God’s wonderful preservation his life was spared, and he is now resting and recuperating in a base hospital, in a quiet, beautiful town somewhere in France, and is rapidly recovering. He writes that he would not take anything in the world for his experiences, but not for anything in the world would he care to go through with them again and he says he thanks God for his share in the fight for freedom, although he has suffered so much.

The schools of Camden have been closed until Mon., Dec. 9, when they will resume operations if the influenza situation continues to improve.

Mr. Will McLeod, who is connected with a Virginia munitions plant, it is understood will endeavor to be released from war work that he may assume charge of the McLeod drug store.

Mr. Sam McDowell of the signal corps of A.E. Forces, has been wounded in France. We trust not seriously and that he may return in health to his beloved America.

100-year-old news highlights from The Evergreen Courant

Men view wreckage of H.W. Dunn's car in 1918.

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Dec. 4, 1918 edition of The Evergreen Courant newspaper in Conecuh County, Ala.

Centenarian Passes to Final Reward: Emanuel Burkett, probably the oldest citizen of Alabama, and certainly the oldest in Conecuh County, passed to his final reward at his home in the Cedar Creek community on Nov. 9. He celebrated his 100^th birthday last January, an account of which appeared in The Courant. He enjoyed remarkably good health all his life and would doubtless have lived many months longer but for the fact that he sustained a broken collarbone a few days before his death. Had he lived until the 22^nd day of January, he would have been 101 years old.

He resided in Butler County for many years before coming to Conecuh, and it was said that he has many times told of seeing the first house built in Greenville. He leaves one son, C.E. Burkett, with whom he has made his home for a number of years.

Mr. Burkett contributed his longevity to hard work and leading an active life. In fact, he was in his field undertaking to do some work when he fell and sustained injuries that resulted in his death.

His body was laid to rest in the family burying ground near the place of his late residence.

Two Prominent Citizens Are Stricken With Paralysis: James A. Stallworth is critically ill at his home, having suffered a stroke of paralysis while at his office Wednesday evening. During the night, W.L. Stallworth was discovered to have been affected in a similar way. Both gentlemen are reported to be resting easy at this time.

H.W. Dunn Meets Tragic Death: Henry W. Dunn was killed in a tragic manner here yesterday, and the people of the community mourn the untimely death of one of our noblest and best citizens. It happened so suddenly and unexpectedly that it is hard for his family and friends to realize that it is true.

Mr. Dunn had been on Salter Street in his car and was going over to Main Street when, after passing over the McMillan Street crossing and staring up the incline, his engine went dead and the car began to go backward. He undertook to halt the car with the brakes which failed to work, and the car reached the track of the railroad just as passenger train No. 5 came along. The pilot of the locomotive struck the car with terrific force, tearing it into splinters and inflicting injuries upon the person of Mr. Dunn that resulted in his death a few hours later. How he escaped instant death was miraculous. He was severely cut and bruised about the head and body and suffered very serious internal injuries. He was given prompt medical aid but to no avail.

The funeral occurred this afternoon from his late home, conducted by his pastor, Rev. D.W. Haskew.

When a man like Henry Dunn, in the prime of life and usefulness, in the zenith of his hopes, prospects and aspirations, surrounded by a young and interesting family, is the victim of such a terrible tragedy, there is nothing that can at once assuage the uncontrollable grief of his loved ones. He was a valued and useful citizen and enjoyed the full confidence and esteem of all who knew him. Everybody who knew him loved him. His place in the community will be hard to fill.

Joseph Dunn, who is a military student at Auburn, was called home by the death of his father, H.W. Dunn.

Willie Jay Millsap reached home last week from Camp Sevier, having been mustered out of the army service.

Lt. J.G. Bethea of Brooklyn, who returned this week from overseas, leaving France on Nov. 14, spent Monday night with his brother, M.R. Bethea of this city. – Andalusia Star.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Dec. 3, 2018

Ralph "Shug" Jordan

FIVE YEARS AGO

DEC. 5, 2013

Lady Warriors win tourney: Sparta Academy’s varsity girls improved to 3-0 on the season last week and brought home the championship trophy from this year’s Newton Rials Invitational Tournament at South Montgomery County Academy in Grady.

In opening round action Monday of last week, the Lady Warriors blasted Coosa Valley, 64-21, and then went on to beat Chambers Academy in Tuesday of last week’s championship game, 58-28.

(Players on Sparta’s girl team that year included Rachel Riley, Drew Ann Lambert, April Palmer, Reagan Wild, Emily Deason, Roberta Hall, Lisa Smith, Ashley Riley, Emily Rodgers, Jayden McKeough and Alex Etheridge.)

Hillcrest High School’s varsity boys improved to 3-0 on the season with a win over J.F. Shields on Nov. 22 in Evergreen.

Chris Salter led Jags with 25 points, and Trae Lewis followed with 14 points. LaQuinton Prince finished the night with 13 points.

Hillcrest High School’s girls basketball team improved to 2-1 on the season with a 51-30 win over J.F. Shields on Nov. 22 in Evergreen.

Destiny Simpson led Hillcrest against Shields with 10 points and three steals. Brianna Rudolph and Deja Baker followed with 10 points each.

(Other standout players on Hillcrest’s girls team that year included Rae’Jean Hammond and Dominque McCreary. Natalie Nelson was Hillcrest’s head girls coach that season.)

30 YEARS AGO

DEC. 1, 1988

Quarterback Kenny Bledsoe, running backs Jamie Deason and Jeff Carrier and head coach Mike Bledsoe of the Sparta Academy Warriors have been chosen to participate in the APSA’s All-Star Classic Football Game at “Shug” Jordan Memorial Stadium in Selma at 7:30 Saturday night. Sparta completed its most successful season in history, recording 12 wins and one loss and losing 14-10 to state champion Lee-Scott of Auburn in the Class A championship game.

Four from Sparta in All-Star tilt in Selma Saturday: Saturday night, Dec. 3, at “Shug” Jordan Memorial Stadium in Selma, the elite of the APSA will compete in their annual all-star classic. Game time will be 7:30 p.m. This year’s game will feature four Sparta Warriors, three players and their coach. Representing Sparta will be Kenny Bledsoe, Jeff Carrier, Jamie Deason and Coach Mike Bledsoe.

According to Coach Bledsoe, “this is a great culmination to an outstanding year. Players are chosen from all three classifications of the East and West regions. There will be 33 players on each team. It speaks well of our program to have three players chosen to participate. This is also the first time a Sparta coach has been chosen to coach this classic. We need all the support we can get from Evergreen. We really appreciate the way our fans have supported us all year and hope they will load up one more time and come to Selma Saturday night.”

55 YEARS AGO

DEC. 5, 1963

Aggie Cagers Open In Repton Friday, Miller Here Saturday: The Evergreen Aggies open their 1963-64 basketball season Friday night in Repton against the Repton Bulldogs.

The Aggies have six lettermen returning from last year’s squad which posted a 9-9 record and got to the second round in the Class A First District Tournament. The six are Scott Cook, Larry Ellis, Ronnie Jackson, Sid Lambert, Joe Sasser and Jimmy Warren.

The Aggies will tackle archrival T.R. Miller in Evergreen Saturday night and then play the Greenville Tigers Tuesday night in Evergreen.

80 YEARS AGO

DEC. 1, 1938

Selections Announced For New Year’s Bowl Games: Announcements were made this week of the teams scheduled to play the principal New Years bowl games to be played on Jan. 2 because New Years comes on Sunday next year.

The better box office draws already have been selected.

The lineup for Jan. 2:

Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif. – Duke, Southern conference champions, vs. Southern California, tied for Pacific Coast conference title.

Sugar Bowl, New Orleans – Texas Christian, Southwest conference titlist, vs. Carnegie Tech.

Cotton Bowl, Dallas – Texas Tech vs. Villanova – if Villanova decides to accept.

Orange Bowl, Miami – Tennessee, Southeastern conference champion, vs. Oklahoma, Big Six champion.

Among those attending the Alabama-Vanderbilt football game in Birmingham Thursday were Miss Jeanette Simmons, Sam McMillan of Frisco City, Miss Lorena Ivey and Jim McMillan of Beatrice.

Morris Thornley attended the Alabama-Vanderbilt football game last Thursday in Birmingham.

105 YEARS AGO

DEC. 4, 1913

THE CONECUH RECORD

We notice that Cecil Tisdale is posted as a star player in Howard College’s baseball team.

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

A.V. "Shorty" Culpepper

FIVE YEARS AGO

DEC. 5, 2013

Johnson is Citizen of the Year: Rev. Kenneth E. Johnson, a longtime minister and former business owner in Monroeville, was named the Monroeville Kiwanis Club’s Citizen of the Year during the club’s annual awards banquet in Monroeville.

Johnson, who owned Johnson’s Jewelers on the downtown square for many years, is associate pastor at Woodlawn United Methodist Church on U.S. Highway 84, east of Monroeville.

Excel football awards handed out: The Excel Panther football team held their annual football banquet last week at First Baptist Church of Monroeville. Team Captains are Lawrence Hyde, Garrett Casey, Dekota Welker and Tyler Mitchell. Team MVPs are Jamonte James, Offensive Lineman MVP; Axelrod Avalos, Defensive Skill Player MVP; Jarvis Moss, Defensive Lineman MVP; and James Hudson, Offensive Skill Player MVP. Scout team MVPs (were) Ofwson McRory, Caleb Gandy, Henry Faulk, Robert Richardson, Nick Richardson and Jordan Brown. Roy Stacey Award presented by Beverly Marrow to Lawrence Hyde. Team MVP (was) Dekota Welker.

Toni McKelvey named Kiwanian of the Year: Monroeville Kiwanis recognized its most outstanding member of 2013 Monday during the club’s annual awards banquet at Vanity Fair Golf Club in Monroeville.

Monroeville City Clerk and Kiwanis Treasurer Toni McKelvey was honored as Kiwanian of the Year. She has been a member since 1996 and has served as treasurer since 1998.

30 YEARS AGO

DEC. 1, 1988

Making the move: Monroe County Department of Human Resources personnel are moving today (Thursday) to their new building on Legion Drive at West Claiborne Street, from a much smaller office on Courthouse Square. The food stamp department will also move there from its location a couple of blocks to the south on Legion Drive. The new building has 26 offices and a conference room, computer room, reception area and employee lounge.

Seniors B.J. Wallace and Marshall Crim and junior Billy Groves led Monroe Academy to victories over Greenville, Fort Dale-South Butler and Crenshaw academies last week in Greenville Academy’s tipoff tournament in Greenville.

Wallace, Crim and Groves were named to the all-tournament team after leading the Vols in scoring through the three-game stand.

(Other outstanding Monroe players in those games included Jeff Blanton, Laurin Booker, Dallas Gamble, Matt Moorer, Donald Myrick and Land Sikes. Gary Caldwell was MA’s head coach.)

Streets renamed for town’s mayor: Vredenburgh Town Council members discussed and ruled on a variety of issues during their recent regular meeting.

The council passed a unanimous resolution to rename Poplar and Magnolia streets as Stewart Circle in honor of Mayor Frankie Stewart. Council members told Stewart, who is approaching his tenth year as mayor, that he has contributed considerably to residents’ well-being by spurring and completing such projects as the sewer system installed last year.

55 YEARS AGO

DEC. 5, 1963

COUNTY TREASURER IS RE-APPOINTED: D.M. Maxwell Jr. was re-appointed Monroe County treasurer at a special meeting Monday of the County Commission. He will serve for the 1964 calendar year.

County Teams Place Nine Men On Pine Belt Team For 1963: Nine Monroe County football players were named to the 23-man All-Pine Belt Conference Team selected Monday night at the group’s annual winter meeting.

Monroeville placed four, the largest number. The Monroe County High School Tigers were officially recognized as the Pine Belt Conference champion grid group at the meeting. The Frisco City and Uriah schools have two players each on the squad, while Excel placed one.

(Those players included end Tim Jones, MCHS; end Victor Ray Norris, J.U. Blacksher; end Johnny Mack King, FCHS; interior lineman Larry Godwin, MCHS; interior lineman Aaron White, Excel; back Joe Kelly, FCHS; back Louie Hayles, MCHS: back Coy Tatum, MCHS; and back Larry Ward, JUB.)

W.P. Albritton was elected president of the Frisco City Chamber of Commerce at a meeting Dec. 2.

Other officials elected to serve with Mr. Albritton include Charles Grant, first vice-president; George Burns, second vice-president; and Bob Carter, secretary-treasurer.

New members of the board of directors are Charles McNeil, immediate past president, Alton Johnson, Roy Ray, Henry Rowell, Claude Wilkerson and I.W. Williamson.

Guest speaker for the Monday night meeting was Monroe County Probate Judge David M. Nettles of Monroeville.

80 YEARS AGO

DEC. 1, 1938

Miss Nelle Harper Lee spent several days last week with her sister, Miss Alice Lee, in Birmingham.

Football Team Feted At Banquet: The Monroe County High School football team, who went through the entire season without a defeat, was given a banquet Tuesday night by the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce at the High School cafeteria.

The banquet was well-attended and an entertaining program was rendered, consisting of talks by Coach Huckabee, who introduced the members of the team, Prof. H.G. Greer, Messrs. A.C. Lee, G.I. Nettles, Loxley Dees, Prof. and Mrs. J.A. York and others. Ed Lee and Boyd Pullen, both members of the team, made short talks.

“Shorty” Culpepper, the inimitable toastmaster, presided and as usual a grand job was done.

Misses Mary Elise and Thomasine Jones of Frisco City will tap dance at Excel High School Friday night, Dec. 2.

GINNING REPORT: Census report shows that 18,652 bales of cotton were ginned in Monroe County from the crop of 1938 prior to Nov. 14 as compared with 26,441 bales for the crop of 1937.

DEC. 20 SET FOR NEXT HOG SALE: The next hog sale will be held on Tues., Dec. 20. At the time of going to press, the hog sale is in full swing, but it will not be possible for us to get the total number of hogs and cattle nor the price paid until next week. There are already over 300 hogs and several truckloads of cattle in the pens and this promises to be one of the biggest sales yet.

105 YEARS AGO

DEC. 4, 1913

The Bank of Peterman formally opened its doors for business on Dec. 1. The bank occupies its own building, a handsome brick structure, equipped with modern fixtures and the stockholders are among the most prosperous merchants, farmers and businessmen of Peterman and vicinity. James K. Kyser is President; Dr. D.R. Nettles, Vice President; and P.S. Jackson, Cashier. The directorate is composed of Jas. K. Kyser, W.J. Nettles, J.L. Tatum, J.J. Jernigan, D.R. Nettles and C.A. Smith.

Riley Kelly was up from Excel Monday.

Mr. J.U. Blacksher of Maros was a business visitor to the city (Monroeville) the first of the week.

Solicitor John McDuffie left Sunday for Grove Hill where the Clarke County Circuit Court convened on Monday.

Mr. P.D. Hudson is having his store across from the bank remodeled which adds greatly to the appearance of that part of town.

We are authorized to announce that there will be a meeting at the Courthouse on Wed., Dec. 10, at three o’clock p.m. for the purpose of organizing and perfecting the Monroe County Underwood Club. All citizens of the county are invited to attend.

There were 18,829 bales of cotton ginned in Monroe County from the crop of 1913 prior to Nov. 14 as compared with 17,009 bales ginned prior to Nov. 14, 1912.

The next teacher’s examination will be held at the courthouse in Monroeville, beginning at 10 o’clock a.m., Mon., Dec. 15, 1913. All applicants are requested to be present by 9:30 o’clock. – J.A. Barnes, County Superintendent.

George Singleton recounts how 'Mother Nature' balances the books

Sandhill Crane

(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 “Birds and fish show nature’s techniques for balancing books” was originally published in the Nov. 24, 1988 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

The time was 4 p.m. on Sept. 17. My wife and I had packed some sandwiches and iced tea and headed up to one of our favorite spots, on the river, near the ferry.

Upon arrival, we sat for a while and talked about the events of the past week, as we watched the waters of the rising river flow quietly toward the ocean, many miles to the south. Waters from the recent rains had caused the river currents to become alive, as though the flowing waters had been awakened from a deep sleep.

The evening sun was making its way slowly westward, and the shadows from the west bank had just touched the edge of the water. It was a time of the evening when all was at peace.

An unusual show

Schools of tiny minnows had surfaced on the river currents, feeding on the bugs and other insects that had fallen victim to the mighty waters. Little did we know that Mother Nature was setting the stage for quite an unusual show there on the waters of the mighty river.

As the minnows surfaced, looking for their evening meal, four large white cranes were circling over the waters, trying to pluck from the moving currents a juicy minnow. It was their evening meal time also.

As the cranes would dive toward the water, the shadows of their wings would each time alert the schools of minnows and they would quickly disappear below the surface to safety.

The cranes would then climb laboriously back to the desired altitude, so as to be able to see the schools of minnows when they came to the surface again.

This action was repeated many, many times. It seemed that maybe the cranes would go to bed hungry. Then we noticed one of the cranes had flown upriver, very low over the water. He then landed on a large piece of driftwood that was moving with the slow currents as they made their way down river.

Retrieving a minnow

The crane stood very still on the driftwood as it floated almost without a ripple, near where the schools of hungry minnows were feeding. As the driftwood entered the school of minnows, the wise crane would quickly stretch his long neck forward and downward and retrieve from the water a fat, juicy minnow.

He would quickly straighten his neck and twist his head as he swallowed his prize. Then he would become very still again, as his acclaimed piece of driftwood moved slowly down the river and into another school of feeding minnows.

His partners were still diving and circling with little or no luck. Ten times the wise crane reached out and plucked from the water a fat minnow. We wondered just how many it was going to take to satisfy his appetite each time he pulled one from the water.

The river current had moved the driftwood and our friend a couple of hundred yards downstream. During the time we had been watching, he had pulled 14 of the fat minnows from the water. We assured each other that he couldn’t hold many more.

Sure enough, as another school of minnows approached, he didn’t reach out and stretch his neck. He just kind of settled back on his piece of driftwood and seemed to gloat over his accomplishments.

Enjoying the scenery

His three friends had long since given up their diving acts in disgust. But the wise crane continued to float slowly downriver, lying back, with a full stomach, and seeming to enjoy the scenery.

The shadows of the evening had crept out onto the river. The driftwood and its passenger had become a blur downstream. Just as we were trying to get one last look at our friend, a large splash was heard alongside the piece of driftwood.

We did not see our friend rise above the waters; we couldn’t see whether the crane has survived the attack, by perhaps an alligator or a very large fish of some sort. It, too, was probably looking for its evening meal.

As we stood there on the bank of the mighty river, we were reminded once again that Mother Nature sometimes has very strange ways when she balances her books.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)