The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Aug. 17, 2020

18 YEARS AGO

AUG. 15, 2002

Chris Rigby, 13, of Castleberry and his squirrel dog, Bell, will be competing in September for their fourth NKC title. If they win their fourth competition, Bell will become a NKC Grand Squirrel Champion. She is currently a NKC and UKC Squirrel Champion.

43 YEARS AGO

AUG. 18, 1977

Eddie’s Barber Shop won first place this summer in the Evergreen Men’s Softball League with a record of 19 wins and two losses. Manager Arlton Hudson is presented the championship trophy, donated by Natural Decorations, Inc., by Sheriff Edwin Booker, league president.

Sparta Academy’s cheerleaders returned Friday from the Alabama Private Schools Association Cheerleading Clinic at Huntingdon College, Montgomery, with a number of superior and spirit awards. The girls are still working hard to get ready to try and cheer their Warriors on to victory in the opening game with Greenville Academy here Saturday night, Aug. 27, at eight o’clock. The lovely “holler gals” are Sharon Johnson, Susan Snowden, Captain Sandra Ward, Melinda Carrier, Leigh Daniels, Lesa Ralls and Lisa Bowers.

“Yard Apes whip Bay City 26-16” by Jim Andrews: Evergreen’s Original Yard Ape Rugby Club closed out a most successful season last Saturday, defeating Mobile’s Bay City Bombers, 26-16. This win brought Greentown’s record to 9-3-1.

Wonderful Walker Scott and Jumping Jeb Barron led the Apes with two scores each. Barron’s last score was a dramatic 75-yard run after which he was accused of having run out of bounds (by the opposition). This charge proved to be totally false.

Granite Greg Still also scored as he fell on a loose ball in the end zone. However, the real heroes of the day were Terry Chapman and Jim Andrews. Their combined cussing abilities served to motivate the somewhat listless Apes into real fire eaters.

To sum up this season, one could say that it has been quite magnificent. Having lost only three games by the slim margins of three, four and five points is outstanding. According to Greentown’s Sports Information Director Bruce Hutcheson, the Apes outscored their opponents 206-84. For posterity’s sake, here is the Apes’ lineup: Joe Andrews, prop; Greg Still, hooker; Stanley Johnson, prop; Jeb Barron, prop; Homer Holland, prop; Darwin Cook, flyhalf; Bruce Hutcheson, incenter; Walker Scott, center; Jay Phillippi, wing; Don Owens, center; James Holland, fullback; and Jim Andrews, founder, organizer, worker of great works, beer buyer, coach, general manager, butt kicker and scrumhalf!

Jimmy Stanton hit .554 to win the batting championship of the Evergreen Men’s Softball League and is presented his trophy, donated by Ivey Chevrolet Co., by the smiling sheriff.

LTP Southern won second place with a record of 17-4 in the Evergreen Men’s Softball League. Manager Tom Davenport and team members accept the trophy donated by Brior Auto Parts.

68 YEARS AGO

AUG. 21, 1952

Loree Dollies Edge Centerville 11-9: The Loree Dollies edge the Centerville Rookies, 11-9, in a Conecuh Amateur League game played on the Loree diamond Sunday afternoon. The Dollies bunched their hits for six runs in the first inning and were ahead all the way. They pounded out 16 hits, nine of them in the first two innings, to gain the win.

Roger Kearley pitched for the winners with Carroll Powell catching. Kearly gave up 11 hits, struck out five batters and walked eight. Joe McClain pitched the first two innings for the Rookies giving up nine hits, striking out two and walking none. Homer Riley took over for the last seven innings giving up seven hits, striking out six batters and walking one. Clint Ward was the catcher.

E. Powell with three for five, Roger Kearley with three for four and Carroll and Bernard Powell with two for four each led the hitting for the winners. Hosea King had three for five, Clint Ward two for four, Gillis Jones and Robert King one for three for Centerville.

Centerville will meet Starlington in a doubleheader next Sunday in Brooks Stadium at Evergreen High School.

Coach Wendell Hart has sounded the call for the Evergreen High Aggies to return to the gridiron wars. Preseason practice will begin Monday afternoon for the first practice. Players should bring a pair of shorts to work out in. Practice until Sept. 1 will be limited to conditioning and non-contact drills.

93 YEARS AGO

AUG. 18, 1927

Hunter Ellis, Stanley Fountain and Joe Shoemaker left Wednesday for Gulf Beach, where they will spend a week camping.

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

18 YEARS AGO

AUG. 15, 2002

Ribbon cutting: City cleaners, located between Ivey Street and Drewry Road on South Alabama Avenue in Monroeville, held its ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday. The cleaners opened for business May 20. Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony were owners Scott and Linda Holmes, Monroeville Mayor Anne Farish, Alabama Employment Service manager Ann Morgan, Sheryl Salter and members of the Mockingbird Court.

Boone to speak Friday: Herman Boone, a former Virginia high school football coach, will speak at a benefit banquet sponsored by the Monroe County High School Tigers Touchdown Club tomorrow (Friday) in Monroeville at 6:30 p.m. He will also speak Saturday at MCHS’s football stadium at 9 a.m. Tomorrow’s event will be held at the Monroeville Community House at Whitey Lee Park.

Boone is known for his effort to bring two consolidated Virginia high schools together to win a state championship in his first year as the school’s head coach. His success was documented in the film, “Remember the Titans.” His character in the movie was portrayed by actor Denzel Washington.

Governor appoints Leva to tourism board: Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman appointed Monroe County businessman Roger Leva to represent Alabama’s Hospitality Association on the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel Advisory Board July 8.

Leva, who is also the chairman of the Alabama Hospitality Association’s board of directors, will finish his six-year term on the board June 30, 2008.

43 YEARS AGO

AUG. 18, 1977

Old Scotland church gets historical marker: A plaque naming Old Scotland Presbyterian Church as an historical site was placed on the church at the annual homecoming services July 31.

The Presbyterian Historical Society last year named the church an historical site and presented the plaque in recognition of that honor.

Services began at 11 a.m., followed by dinner on the grounds. Nearly 100 persons celebrated the 154^th anniversary of the church this year. The church, originally named Euphronia, was organized in 1823 on a high ridge parallel to the Alabama River.

Sam Hollingsworth, principal of Monroe County High School, made his first hole-in-one Aug. 3 while golfing with Mr. and Mrs. George Jones at Vanity Fair golf course. The hole-in-one came on the seventh green.

Pvt. John C. “Chip” Woods has completed 12 weeks of Marine Corps training at Parris Island, S.C. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Woods, Spanish Fort, and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John N. Youngblood, Frisco City, and Mrs. Lora Bell Williams, Little River. Woods is currently serving on recruiting duty and will be in Fairhope for 30 days.

Crop-duster crashes: Jennings Carter of Monroeville, a crop-duster pilot, was injured Monday afternoon when his plane crashed near Mexia. Carter reportedly was dusting a field just before the crash occurred about 6:30 p.m. on a dirt road in the Thompson subdivision. Carter was taken to Monroe County Hospital for treatment of a laceration of the forehead and possible back injuries, according to Barbara Mitchell of Larry’s Ambulance Service.

68 YEARS AGO

AUG. 21, 1952

Monroe County’s 1952 “Maid of Cotton” will be crowned tonight (Thursday) at a special musical program to be staged at the Monroeville regional coliseum.

Twelve entrants have filled applications to enter the contest. They are Misses Doris Williamson, Rose Marie Hines, Janice Dees, Barbara Goddert, Joyce Morris, Katie Ruth Anderson, Annice Taylor, Carolyn Hammac, Mary Ann Terry and Eunice Daniel, all of Monroeville; Miss Dorye Lyda of Frisco City and Miss Arthurine Brantley of Excel.

This year’s winner will be crowned by the county 1951 “Maid of Cotton,” Miss Florence Helton of Monroeville.

Football practice at four Monroe County schools – Monroe County High, Frisco City High, Excel High and J.U. Blacksher High – will begin Friday, while it is slated to start at Beatrice High School on Monday.

The Monroeville and Beatrice schools will have their initial encounter of the season when they clash in Monroeville on Thursday night, Sept. 11.

The Uriah and Frisco City teams will continue the county’s opening slate with a clash in Uriah on Friday night, Sept. 12. The first Excel High School game is set for Sept. 28 against Frisco City in Frisco City.

Journal Owners Buy Jackson Newspaper: Jimmy Faulkner and Bill Stewart, publishers of The Journal, this week purchased The South Alabamian, weekly newspaper in Jackson, from Reginald D. Pearce, publisher. The new owners assumed control of the paper Monday. Mr. Stewart will serve temporarily as editor of the paper.

93 YEARS AGO

AUG. 18, 1927

KILLED IN CAVE-IN: A distressing accident occurred at a gravel pit near Jones Mill on Tuesday resulting in the death of Mr. Vander Smith and painful injuries to two other men.

The men were engaged in digging gravel used in surfacing the state highway when the overhanging bank gave way crushing the unfortunate man under many tons of earth. Two other men, whose names have not been learned, were severely bruised in the same accident.

SHOT FROM AMBUSH: A man known as Major House was shot and killed by some person unknown near Perdue Hill Tuesday evening. (House) was returning to his home from Jones Mill where he had sold a bale of cotton. When he reached a point a few miles from his home, he was fired upon by some person in ambush, five buckshot taking effect in his head. Circumstances indicate that a second charge was fired into his body as he lay prostrate in his wagon. Sheriff Kilpatrick is following up certain clues in his possession and hopes to identify the assassin.

Miss Jennie Faulk has returned from market where she purchased her fall and winter stock of millinery, ladies ready-to-wear and notions.

Pat Schneider killed a five-foot rattlesnake on Monday afternoon. The snake was unusually large to have carried only eight rattles.

Dr. J.H. McCormick and Mr. George Potter of Mobile stopped over in Monroeville Wednesday of last week en route to Herbert where the Conecuh County Masonic Conference was held Thursday.

118 YEARS AGO

AUG. 21, 1902

LAW AND ORDER MEETING: Pursuant to the call published in a recent issue of The Journal, a mass meeting of citizens was held in the courthouse last Friday to consider the deplorable condition of lawlessness and disorder existing in the county and to devise ways and means of bringing about a better state of affairs. The meeting was fairly well attended, many of the leading citizens of various neighborhoods being present, and the proceedings were harmonious.

The meeting was called to order by Col. B.L. Hibbard, who nominated Dr. J.T. Russell as chairman, and he was elected. F.W. Hare, Esq., and Mr. H.A. Hendrix were made secretaries.

MANISTEE: Another homicide committed. It is learned that Mr. Will Colbert of Nero was cut to death a few days ago while trying to separate two other parties while fighting. The man who did the cutting is unknown to the writer but it is said that Colbert died instantly.

BEATRICE: Lightning struck the new residence of S.J. Stallworth a few days ago, doing slight damage to the building and shocking one of the workmen.

McWILLIAMS: I am sorry to say that Mr. Willard Till, who was bitten by a mad dog about three months ago, was taken with hydrophobia last Friday and died this morning about two o’clock.

Mr. J.H. Moore of Perdue Hill was (in Monroeville) last week exhibiting some fine specimens of marble taken from his quarry on the Alabama River. The marble is said to exist in almost inexhaustible quantities and his friends hope that he may realize a fortune from it.

Hard-headed old man loses a $5 bet over the speed of rural electricity

Young boy plows with a mule.

(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 “My goodness – times have really changed” was originally published in the Aug. 4, 1994 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

As I have often said, I feel sorry for the youth of today. They know absolutely nothing about the goings on of what the youth of 50 or so years ago did for entertainment. They know nothing about the work habits of living on a farm and what was required of the youngsters of those days, when it was time for the chores to be done or working in the fields.

Just a few months ago, I talked to a group of young people who ranged in age from 17 through 18. There were 63 in the group. Not one of the above had ever seen a mule or a horse hitched to a plow, working in a field. Not one in the group had ever split wood for the kitchen stove. None knew anything about using a crosscut saw to cut down a tree that would be cut up into firewood to be used on those winter nights in the family fireplace.

None in the group had any earthly idea what it was like to eat “clabber milk” from a bowl with a spoon and with a touch of honey mixed in for added taste. All knew what yogurt was, but all looked at me like I was crazy when I mentioned eating “clabber milk.” I would like to have seen the expression on my dear grandmother’s face if I had asked for a bowl of yogurt. She would have thought that I was trying to be smart or cute. I might have gotten a spanking for a remark like that.

Protecting youthful complexion

The male youth of today know nothing about secretly looking toward the sky and wishing that it would rain so the fields would become too wet to plow. No one of today wears a large straw hat to keep off the hot summer sun. In times past, a young lady with a sunburn was showing neglect or carelessness. If a young girl went outside for a bit of yard work then, she wore long socks on her arms for protection from the blistering rays of the sun. All carried a parasol for protection. A parasol hooked on one’s arm was a part of the attire.

How many of our teenagers would know about entertaining themselves by organizing a rat killing on a Saturday afternoon out in the barn? The boys would take part in the rat killing while the young girls would prepare such goodies as parched “penders.” Penders was the country name for peanuts. There were usually two kinds of penders: boiled and parched. The boiled ones were boiled while they were still green. The parched ones were harvested, dried, picked off the vine, then parched.

If a young man was going “gal-ling,” this meant that he was going to some kind of community get-together such as a candy pulling, pender-roasting, or perhaps an ice cream supper. His hopes would be that he would meet an unescorted young lady or one that might be visiting relatives in the community from somewhere else. Then, if all went well, he might have the opportunity to participate in the party’s activities with this young thing. He might even get to walk her home, while under the watchful eyes of her parents or relatives. We now refer to gal-ling as going on a “blind date.” Well, changes such as these do come about.

Along about this time 50 years ago in the rural areas, there was much discussion about the arrival of electricity in the community. The Rural Electrification Administration (AEA) was installing creosoted light poles along the country roads and in front of farm houses. Before too long the wires would be strung.

Then, the time would be at hand when electric current would be turned on. The time was near when the coal-oil lamps would be put aside and a single light bulb would hang by a wire from the ceiling in each room of the house. All one would have to do to have light was to turn a small knob just above the light bulb and there would be an abundance of light. There were also rumors floating around about electric refrigerators that would make ice right there in the kitchen. This was almost impossible to believe. The weekly ice trucks have traveled the rural areas would then disappear with the winds.

There was much speculation among the locals as to how long it would take for the electric current to travel the wires and reach the area from the power-producing dam roughly 200 miles away. Mr. Bob, a hard-headed old man in the community, was taking all bets that it would take at least three days for the electric current to reach the area.

My older brother, who had talked to the line construction foreman, and had some knowledge of how electricity functioned, informed the old man that the electric current would travel the distance in less than 20 seconds. Mr. Bob became outraged. Nothing could travel that fast. He was willing to bet a while $5 bill, that this couldn’t happen. The bet was on.

Distance from the switch

The date and time was announced when the electric current would be turned on, or when the switch would be thrown, sending the electricity speeding on its way southwestward into lower Marengo County. Mr. Bob, the hard-headed old man, gloated over the fact that he knew how long it would take for the current to travel the distance. He even wanted to raise the bet by $5 more.

Release time of the electric current was at hand. Tuesday, at 2 p.m. sharp, was the time designated for the switch to be thrown. The old grandfather clock in the hall had been set from a time announcement that came over the battery-powered radio just the night before. Outside on the front porch, sitting in a large wooden straight chair that was leaned against the wall, sat the hard-headed old man, waiting to collect his bet. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it would be at least Thursday evening, or later, before that electricity could travel that distance through “them small wires that had been strung up on them tall creosoted poles. Anybody with any sense at all oughta know that stuff couldn’t cover that distance in 20 seconds.”

The grandfather clock began to chime, prior to striking the hour. The old clock had struck only once; before it could strike the second time for the hour of 2 p.m., the single light bulb that hung from the ceiling by a small cord burst into light. A cheer went up from those waiting and watching for this important moment.

From out on the front porch, a loud crash echoed through the front door. Realizing what had just happened, the old man who thought that he knew everything, had turned over the large straight-back chair and fell broadside on the porch floor. A much-embarrassed Mr. Bob slowly raised himself from the porch floor and, with much regret, handed my older brother a very wrinkled and worn $5. Many months would pass before the hard-headed old man was not reminded of his knowledge of the speed of that stuff called electricity.

(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.)

Ancient Indian village of Uxapita was located near Gulletts Bluff

According to the 1977 book “Dead Towns of Alabama” by W. Stuart Harris, the ancient Indian village of Uxapita was located in present-day Wilcox County at the mouth of Pursley Creek, at its junction with the Alabama River, about eight miles southwest of Camden. Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and his expedition visited Uxapita on Oct. 8, 1540 and described it as a “new town.” Other sources say that this village was inhabited by Maubillian Indians.

This past Saturday around noon, as my 12-year-old son, James, and I enjoyed our lunch beneath the shade of the large pecan tree on the northeast corner of the old courthouse square in Camden, our conversation turned to the old Indian village of Uxapita. As he finished off the last of the French fries we’d gotten from Jackson’s Fried Chicken, I reached for my trusty National Geographic map of Wilcox County and began to trace out the point where Pursley Creek flows into the Alabama River. According to the map, the old village was located near Gulletts Bluff, not far from the Dry Forks community.

A few minutes later, we found ourselves headed south on State Highway 41, and we eventually turned right onto County Road 12 at the Gulletts Bluff Baptist Church. A little farther down the road, we pulled into the entrance of the old Gulletts Bluff Park. Those of you familiar with this area will know that two yellow, metal gates keep vehicles from proceeding any farther towards the closed boat landing there.

As we sat there in the truck, I remembered being told that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed this park at some point in the 1980s. I’d also been told that the road leading to the boat landing at the park had washed out, rendering it unsafe for motorists, especially those pulling boats. Others say that a landslide and erosion destroyed the boat ramp, which was the park’s main feature.

Billy Black, one of Alabama’s foremost anglers, also told me that the ramp there is currently unusable. He said it’s partially undermined and covered in years of silt left behind during periods of high water. He noted that he does occasionally see people fishing near Gulletts Landing when he is in that part of the river.

I’ve also heard folks tell about how they once climbed the tall bluff near the landing during their youth. From there, it’s said that you could see Camden and the paper mill. Others say that in years past they enjoyed walking the park’s trails and described the old growth forests of this area as breathtaking.

Gulletts Landing is historic in and of itself. It shows up on maps dating back to at least 1891, and it’s probably much older than that. Also, in addition to Uxapita, historical sources say that a Choctaw village called Bachcha Illi was also located near Gulletts Bluff and Pursley Creek. The name of this village meant “Dead Ridge,” and the village appears on maps that date back to at least 1733.

In the end, please let me hear from you if you have any more information about Uxapita, Gulletts Bluff or Bachcha Illi. No doubt many readers will have fond memories from this part of Wilcox County, including information about the area’s history. While we have the chance, let’s make a special effort to document this history for the generations yet to come.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Aug. 11, 2020

USS Boxer (CVA-21)

17 YEARS AGO

AUG. 14, 2003

Evergreen weather observer Harry Ellis reported 1.72 inches of rain on Aug. 4, 0.05 inches on Aug. 5 and 0.70 inches on Aug. 6. He reported a high of 89 degrees on Aug. 4 and lows of 69 on Aug. 8, Aug. 9 and Aug. 10.

Candace Samuel, daughter of James and Jacqueline Royster of Evergreen, has been accepted in the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Class of 2005. She will start school on Aug. 18.

Candace was one of several hundred talented students from around the state of Alabama vying for the limited number of spaces in this year’s entering class.

Ashley Gantt, daughter of Mack and Anita Gantt of Evergreen, got to meet the lead singer, Bret Michaels of the rock group Poison backstage after their show on July 31 in Birmingham. This was Ashley’s first time meeting them, although her mother has been a personal friend of the band since 1988.

Miranda Jackson of Evergreen received the Florence Nightingale Award during Reid State Technical College’s LPN Pinning and Candle-lighting ceremonies on Thurs., Aug. 7, at 6 p.m. The award was based on her performance in the clinical lab rotations. Fellow classmates selected Ms. Jackson to receive this award. This honor is bestowed on the student which fellow students fell displayed the best nursing care of the graduating class.

42 YEARS AGO

AUG. 10, 1978

Local weather reporter Earl Windham reported 0.08 inches of rain on July 31 and 0.19 inches on Aug. 3. He reported highs of 93 on Aug. 2, Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 and lows of 67 on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2.

Witherington Farm, located some seven miles from Evergreen on Highway 83 North, has been added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. The Witherington Family was so notified recently by W. Warner Floyd, executive director of the Alabama Historical Commission.

Warner said: “The Alabama Register is a prestigious listing of historic, architectural and archaeological landmarks. These selected Alabama landmarks are worthy of both recognition and restoration.”

The Witherington Farm’s historic name is Sunnyside Farm. The house was built in 1856 and served as the family home until the death of the late J.H. Witherington. It is currently used as a vacation home and is owned by Mrs. C.T. Glass and the estate of J.H. Witherington.

Old Town Baptist calls Rev. Odom: Deryl Odom, a Warwick, Ga. native, has been called as pastor of Old Town Baptist Church, Evergreen, Ala. A student at Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville, Fla., Odom expects to graduate with a degree in ministry in 1981.

A casually dressed Bill Baxley brought his campaign for governor to Evergreen around noon Monday. The attorney general delivered a forceful address and shook hands with a fairly large crowd. 

67 YEARS AGO

AUG. 13, 1953

Conecuh County’s first bale of cotton of 1953 was auctioned off in Evergreen Saturday for 51 cents a pound. Brown Hawkins, good farmer of the Fairview community, produced the bale and is pictured above at the auction. Others in the picture are Probate Judge Lloyd G. Hart, who acted as auctioneer; Gene Cotter, president of the Evergreen Junior Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the auction; and Clarence Miller, owner of Evergreen Gin, ginners and buyers of the first bale produced in the county. The bale graded middling one-inch staple and weighed 385 pounds.

Miss Marilyn Melton of Evergreen was crowned as Conecuh County’s 1953 Maid of Cotton last Friday night at a special coronation program in the Evergreen High School auditorium. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom P. Melton, she will be a sophomore this fall at the University of Alabama, where she is majoring in education.

Marita Blair was named alternate. She is also a sophomore at the University majoring in education. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Blair of Brooklyn.

Local Sailor Serve Aboard Navy Carrier: Aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Boxer, off the coast of North Korea, is Richard C. Jones, fireman, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Jones of Rt. 2, Box 313, Evergreen, Ala. The Boxer holds the record for the most landings of aircraft on the flight deck. Recently, she recovered the 58,000^th plane, and expects to land her 62,000^th plane before the end of the present cruise.

92 YEARS AGO

AUG. 9, 1928

FIRST OPEN BOLL COTTON BROUGHT IN: The first open boll of cotton to be presented at this office was brought in Monday morning by D.N. McIntyre on whose farm it was produced by D.P. Coburn. Four well-developed, fully-opened bolls were brought. The farm on which this cotton was gathered is located 12 miles east of Evergreen.

LONG’S NEW BUILDING NEARING COMPLETION: The pretty new two-story building belonging to the firm I. Long & Sons which is under construction is being rushed to completion. All of this week workmen have worked late into the nights in order that the job might be completed as soon as possible. The Messrs. Long state that the lower story of this building will be ready for occupancy by Aug. 18 on which date they expect to have their stock moved and ready for business.

The completion of this building is another step forward for Evergreen and surrounding territory. It is not only a handsome structure, but modern in every detail and is a distinct addition to the business district of this place.

McGEHEE AND WRIGHT PURCHASE ARCADE THEATER: Announcement has just been made of a deal whereby the property of Messrs. O.C. McGehee and F.M. Wright. The new owners, who are to assume management today (Thursday) state that the theater will continue to be known as “The Arcade” and it will be their purpose to furnish Evergreen with high-class pictures, such as will merit the patronage of all.

The Arcade Theater was established by the late T.A. Gantt, whose death occurred a few weeks ago. His sister, Miss Zenobia Gantt, shared in the business with him, and aided largely in its operation. Through their efforts, the Arcade has grown and thrived in a splendid manner.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Aug. 10, 2020

17 YEARS AGO

AUG. 14, 2003

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL? The Hillcrest High School Jaguars and the Sparta Academy Warriors are busy preparing for the start of the 2003 football season. The Jaguars will host a pre-season jamboree next Friday night at Brooks Memorial Stadium while the Warriors will participate in a jamboree in Mobile the same night. Everyone is encouraged to get out and support our local teams.

Students from Taylor’s University of Tae Kwon Do competed with other schools from the Gulf Coast on Aug. 9, 2003 at the “Battle of Mobile” Tournament in Mobile. Competing in three different categories throughout the day, students returned home with awards ranging from first to fourth place and totaling four trophies and four medals.

China Softball: The No. 1 China Girls Softball Team is coming together once again to see if they still “got it.” China Cadillacs will play Family Affair, a girls team of Belleville. The old Booker T. Washington Team will come together once again to see if they still “got it.” Booker T. Washington will play Beatrice boys team. Both games will be Aug. 17 starting at 4 p.m. at China School softball field. If you were a member of the reunited two teams and would like to play and have not been contacted, please call Donald Lee or Brenda Riley.

42 YEARS AGO

AUG. 10, 1978

Practice tilt, Anything Goes Sparta Aug. 19: The Sparta Academy Warriors will have an exhibition scrimmage on Saturday night, Aug. 19, at seven o’clock at Stuart-McGehee Field. It will give Warriors fans a first look at the team under its new head coach, Rob Kelly. Coach Kelly comes here from Monroe Academy where he was an assistant coach for two years. He will be assisted by Coach Bo Owens, who was on the Sparta staff last year.

Following the scrimmage game, “Anything Goes” will be presented on the football field. It shapes up as an evening of entertainment for the entire family, so make plans now to attend.”

McKenzie Saddle Club to hold free horse show: The McKenzie Saddle Club will hold a free Horse Show on Sat., Aug. 19, starting at five o’clock p.m. No admission will be charged to the show which will include 27 events. Concessions will be sold on the grounds.

The show will include events for Juniors (16 years and under) and Seniors (17 years and over). Entry fee will be $3 for each event. The club is not responsible for any accidents.

Evergreen High QB’s meet tonight: There will be a meeting of the Evergreen High School Quarterback Club tonight at seven o’clock in the school lunchroom. All members and interested persons are urged to attend.

CCHS QB’s set ‘Disco Dance’ – The Conecuh County High School Quarterback Club will sponsor a Disco Dance this Friday night at the school gymnasium from eight to 11 o’clock. Admission will be $2 per person or $3.50 per couple, and all young people are invited.

67 YEARS AGO

AUG. 13, 1953

Greenies Play Baker Here Sunday Afternoon: The Evergreen Greenies will play the Baker, Fla. nine here Sunday afternoon at three o’clock in Brooks Stadium. The Evergreen and Baker clubs have played several close games this season with the locals holding a slight edge. Fans should see another good game Sunday.

Last Sunday the Greenies were idle, not being able to schedule a game. Sunday, Aug. 23, the Greenies will play Red Level here. This is the first game this season between the two teams. Red Level is reported to have a good club and the game should be closely contested.

BOY SCOUT NEWS: The weekly meeting was opened with the Scout oath. Most of the boys who went to the Jamboree were present and talked about their experiences on the trip. They all agreed that the most interesting sight was the Grand Canyon.

Next week the meeting will be at the Scout Hut at six o’clock. All Scouts are urged to wear their uniforms. – David McKenzie, Scout Scribe.

Kills Two Big Rattlers: Leonard Bell, who lives in the Lyeffion community, reports that he killed two big rattlers in the woods near his home last week. One snake had 15 rattles and the other 13.

92 YEARS AGO

AUG. 9, 1928

CASTLEBERRY TEAM WINS ONE; LOSES ONE: Castleberry, Ala., Aug. 7 – The Castleberry baseball team won one game and lost one during the past week. Belleville defeated the local team here Wednesday, 5-3, while Castleberry won over Pollard at Pollard Thursday, 15-11.

In the Belleville game, Hillman, Castleberry pitcher, struck out 13 of the 18 men retired during his six innings on the mound.

The Pollard game was a free-hitting encounter with Hyde, Castleberry pitcher, slightly more effective than Pollard’s four moundsmen.

The Pollard team will play a return game here Thursday of this week.

Singleton writes of Peterman woman who built her own house in the 1970s

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 “Dream comes true for Mrs. Louise Bradley” was originally published in the Dec. 21, 1972 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Everyone during a lifetime, at one time or another, becomes acquainted with a desire for something special. This may be something that one could do without, or it may be something that if acquired, would make life much easier for the person involved. Louise Bradley of Route 1 Peterman is one of these persons whose continued desires have become a reality.

Louise is over 66 years old and a widow. Her husband passed away almost seven years ago. She is alone except for her two grandchildren whom she takes care of. She is at the age when most people have either retired or are thinking of retiring. She is at the age when most are ready to settle back and enjoy their home and their grandchildren. But Louise has not been that lucky.

For many years she has had an obsession to own a house of her own. As the months turn into years, and with the death of her husband, Louise watched as her dream began to slip farther and farther from reality. She knew that if she was to make her dream come true, the time was now. She knew that because of her age, it wouldn’t be long before she would be unable to do anything about the house she wanted so much.

On the 15^th of December 1971, Louise decided that it was time, and with her own hands began the job of building the house that she had waited so long for. She knew that the job would be a long hard one, with problems a plenty facing her. So with a lot of determination and very little money, the construction started.

The lumber came from different sources – a few planks here and a few planks there. All from old houses that had been torn down around the area. Secondhand bricks and concrete blocks for the foundation that the house would rest on came from various places.

The pieces began to fit together – her dream house was becoming a reality. Her goal was to have the house where she could move into it by Christmas 1972 and she has done just that. There is much to be done yet, but she says that being there in the house she can do small jobs like nailing up the walls and hanging the doors in her spare time.

The job is not over for Louise. She has steps to build and doors to hang. She has walls to put up and many other things to do that will take numerous hours of hard work to complete.

Then there’s the well. Somehow she has to dig a well. A new house is not complete without a well for water. Right now the job of carrying water almost a half a mile takes up too much time. It takes her and the grandchildren away from work that they need to be doing on the house.

After talking to Louise Bradley and listening to her story, I’m sure the well will come after a time. A person with her determination won’t let a small thing like digging a well stop her. And this year at Christmas time I’m sure that this stout-hearted woman knows, more than anyone else, that the greatest gift of all is the gift that comes to those who believe and keeps on believing.

[This story also included a photo taken by Singleton that carried the following caption: Mrs. Louise Bradley, tools in hand, stands before her new house which she built herself. She started it last December and it is now complete enough so that she and her two grandchildren can move in. There is still much to be done, but at last her long-awaited dream has become a reality.]

(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.)