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

16 YEARS AGO
JULY 7, 2005

Justin House took his first solo flight June 22 from the Monroeville Airport. House said he hopes to receive his private pilots license by the fall. A 2005 graduate of J.U. Blacksher High School at Uriah, House plans to attend Troy University. He is the son of Larry and Maureen House.

South Monroe Little League names its all-star team for 11-year-olds earlier this month. Team members are Ryan Casey, Trent Benson, David Watson, Jay West, Trevor Benson, Dustin Whatley, Will Ferrell, Trevor Harris, David Willis, Martin Brooks, Bo Burgess, Trenton Day, coach Gary Benson, manager Shannon Casey and coach Scott Brooks.

Groundbreaking held for Perdue Hill fire station: Ground was broken Friday for a new fire station at Perdue Hill, which will eventually mean lower insurance rates for home and business owners in the area.
According to Mexia Fire Chief Luther Godwin, the new station will serve as a substation for the Mexia Fire Department, which already responds to emergency calls in Perdue Hill and Claiborne.
“The need for a new station has been a long time concern for Perdue Hill residents,” Godwin said. “Currently, the Insurance Service Organization (ISO) rating for this area is listed as a 10, which is considered ‘not protected.’ When the building is completed, it will house three (fire) trucks, and the ISO rating will drastically improve.”
Members of the building committee are Agee Broughton III, T.L. Haskew, Nancy Boroughs, J.J. McMillian, Roger Rawls and Godwin.

41 YEARS AGO
JULY 3, 1980

New Episcopal church planned: Plans are being made for ground-breaking ceremonies for the new St. John’s Episcopal Church building. The Rev. Charles Mabry, vicar, said the church has outgrown its old building, now located on Whetstone Avenue. The new church will hold twice as many members. The church plans to begin building in about five weeks and to have it finished in time to hold Christmas Eve services in the new building. In addition to the sanctuary, the church will be adding two offices and two classrooms. The old building will be converted into a Parish Hall.

Minor-league champs: The Indians recently won the championship of the Monroeville Little League minor-league division. Team members and coaches are Michael Scott, Tim Bayles, Torey Kimberl, Art Owens, Todd Odom, John Watkins, Brad Perkins, Manning Williams, Pierre Martin, Darren Deas, Cedric Portis, Jeff Harrison, Charles Richardson and coaches Mike Kimberl and Ray Owens.

First cotton blooms: Holding two of this year’s first cotton blooms are Michelle and Nicki Trammell. The blooms were taken from the farm of their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Williams of Uriah. They are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Trammell of Uriah.

Claiborne dam men receive service pins: Two employees of the Claiborne Lock and Dam received service pins at ceremonies observing the 205^th anniversary of the founding of the Army Corps of Engineers Friday of last week. Clifford Roley of Franklin will receive a 15-year pin and Leland G. Brannan of Franklin will receive a 20-year pin.

66 YEARS AGO
JULY 7, 1955

Local Guard Unit Leaves For Camp: Ninety members of the Monroeville National Guard left Sunday, July 3, for Camp Stewart, Ga., near Savannah, for a two-week camp. Approximately 15 truckloads of men and their equipment made up the unit.

Monroeville Nine Whips Jay, 4-1: Pitchers Alvin Downs and John Fowler combined to toss a four-hitter against Jay, Thursday in Monroeville, as the locals broke a losing streak with a 4 to 1 victory. Downs hurled seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball, while, in his relief, John Fowler, allowed one run and two hits, striking out five of the eight batters he faced.
(Other players on Monroeville’s team included Reg Cooper, Johnny Finklea, Paul Fowler, Edsal Johnson and Les Prouty.)

A local bill calling for the extension of the town limits of Monroeville passed the State House of Representatives Wednesday.
The measure, introduced by Rep. N.S. Hare on June 28, would extend the corporate limits of Monroeville approximately one-quarter of a mile in each direction. Its introduction followed a decision in February by the Town Council to extend the city limits.
The new city limits, upon passage of the bill, will extend generally to the Frisco Railroad overpass on the Grove Hill highway, to Hurry’s Café on the Camden highway, to the top of Limestone Hill on the Peterman highway and slightly beyond Radio Station WMFC on the Frisco City highway.
The bill now goes to the Senate for its approval, and under the rule of legislative courtesy applying to local measures, it is expected to be passed by the upper house. Senator R.L. Jones of this district reportedly is in favor of the measure.

91 YEARS AGO
JULY 3, 1930

Mr. R.B. Dennis Sr. Dies Monday Morning: Funeral services for Mr. Robert Burton Dennis Sr., who died Monday morning, June 30, took place that afternoon from the family residence, Rev. T.C. Delaney of the Presbyterian Church officiating, assisted by Rev. W.H. Black and Rev. Green of the Baptist and Methodist churches, respectively. Mr. Dennis was a native and lifelong resident of Monroe County and served faithfully for many years as an elder in the Presbyterian Church and four years in the Civil War. He was buried in the City Cemetery with impressive Masonic ceremony.

Jeff Liddell, one of the oldest residents of the community about three miles north of Scotland in Monroe County, was struck by lightning Monday afternoon of this week and instantly killed. He was doing some chores about his home at the time and according to information reaching us, the lightning struck him before striking anything else. His clothing was torn and set on fire and burned up before assistance reached him.

Col. Woolsey Finnell, present Highway Director and candidate for Governor of Alabama, speaks today at Monroeville, Frisco City and Beatrice. His hour at Monroeville is at 10 a.m., at Frisco City 3:30 p.m. and Beatrice at 8 p.m.

Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Andress, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Putnam, Miss Carolyn Andress, Miss Ida Belle Johnson, Miss Elizabeth McCreary, Charles Crook and Joe Jackson motored over to old Butler Springs on last Sunday and had supper at that once famous summer resort.

116 YEARS AGO
JULY 6, 1905

Mr. S.H. Dailey was down from Tunnel Springs Tuesday evening to attend the meeting of the Royal Arch Chapter.

Mr. J.W. Fore is nursing a bruised hand as the result of a too vigorous encounter with a baseball.

Masonic Officers: Monroe Lodge No. 485 – Tinela – R.W. McCants, Worshipful Master; J.G. Lambriecht, Senior Warden; T.G. Reynolds, Junior Warden; J.R. McCants, Treasurer; J.D. McKinley, Secretary; J.F. Rowell, Senior Deacon; C.G. Reynolds, Junior Deacon; A.P. Najors, Chaplain; G.C. Nettles, Tyler.
Regular communications on Friday before the second Sunday in each month at 10 o’clock a.m.

At a picnic near Axle, this county, last Saturday, Andrew Broughton shot and killed Bill Henderson. Both men tanked up on Peruna or some similar concoction and the killing was the result. Broughton made a desperate effort to escape but the Sheriff overhauled him Sunday night and he is now in jail.

Dr. J.B. Stallworth desires those who are in need of first-class dental work to know that he can be found in his office during the three weeks of the special term of Circuit Court. Dr. Stallworth has a conveniently situated office upstairs in the old courthouse, equipped with the most approved appliances and is winning a large clientele of appreciative patrons.

Court officers, attorneys and others look forward to the approaching special term of court with considerable dread because of the sweltering heat they must endure.

George Singleton tells of flint Indian arrowhead material site along Flat Creek in Monroe County, Alabama

Flint core, flakes and a hammer stone.

(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 “Indians found good flint for arrows along creek” was originally published in the July 10, 1975 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

There was a time when the Red Man walked the hills and flatlands of what is now Monroe County.

His world evolved around hunting and growing corn and squash in the bottoms along the creeks of this area. He trapped small game with handmade snares and stalked large animals with a long bow and arrow.

The supply of flint was a great necessity for the early Indian and he would build his villages near the place where good flint could be found. Such a place was along Flat Creek to the east of Highway 41.

There beside the rushing water was the village of the arrowmaker whose job was to supply the hunters and warriors with the flint arrow tips essential for their survival.

Selected flint chips

Arrowheads were chipped from selected pieces of flint that had been carefully broken off larger pieces. The right kind of flint was of utmost importance because at best about one out of four chips was grained for where an arrowhead could be started. Many times after the arrowhead was almost complete it would flake the wrong way and have to be discarded.

Many theories have been proposed as to how the pieces of flint were shaped. Some think that fire and water were used. The flint was heated to a very high degree and then water was dropped on the hot material, causing it to flake, forming and shaping the arrowhead.

But this method was not used because of the time element involved. A good arrowmaker had to turn out around a hundred arrowheads a day to supply the demand of a normal size village.

Broke off small pieces

It is my belief that an arrowmaker would select a large piece of flint, such as the one shown in the photograph. He then would use a wooden club to break smaller pieces from the large one. From these he would select the ones he thought best suited for the making of arrowheads and spearheads.

He would then take a piece of rawhide, placing it in the inside of his hand like a glove to protect his hand from the sharp edges of the flint.

He would use a piece of deer antler to pick and flake the small chips from the arrowhead, forming it to the right size and shape. Since the deer antler was the softest of the two, it would not crush the flint as it was picked and flaked from the corners of the projectile.

Use stick for leverage

Many times the arrowmaker would secure a small stick about three feet long to the deer antler. He would hold the antler in his hand and let the stick pass along his upper forearm, giving him leverage by moving his arm. This would brace his wrist, allowing him to work longer at his task.

Many of the broken pieces of flint were used for other things such as scrapers – tools with which to dig the land when farming – and many, many other things.

The village by the creek is quiet now. Nothing remains there but a few piles of broken flint chips. No sound can be heard but the running water as it rushes westward to the river. But here the arrowmaker labored, a part of a proud people, living at peace and in harmony with nature.

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

100-year-old news highlights from The Wilcox Progressive Era in Camden, Alabama

It’s that time of the month again, time to take a trip down memory lane and review some of the interesting things that took place in Wilcox County 100 years ago, way back in July 1921.

In the July 7, 1921 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold reported under the headline “McWilliams Stages Grand Celebration” that the “Fourth of July found full expression at McWilliams on Saturday last when a barbecue and picnic generally was served to about 500 visitors. All that is embodied in the word picnic was found there. The good people of that community had prepared for the occasion in every detail. One of the most bounteous dinners that could be desired, and plenty was served.”

Elsewhere in that week’s paper, it was reported that “Camden was very quiet on the Fourth, many of its citizens visiting the ball game in Selma and the barbecue at Monroeville. There were a number of big dinners, fishing and swimming parties in and around town for the pleasure of the people.”

In the July 14, 1921 edition of The Progressive Era, readers saw under the headline “CAMDEN WINS FROM DEMOPOLIS” that “Camden defeated Demopolis on the latter’s diamond last Thursday by a score of 5 to 4. Big Boy Ardis pitched a nice game for Camden, holding Demopolis to one run until the ninth inning. Lefty Wingard for Demopolis was touched for 10 hits. Askew for Demopolis got three hits, and Calhoun for Camden got three hits and a two-bagger.”

Readers that week also learned that the “Peachtree people are delighted with the new road recently built to Sunny South. They can now make the trip in 30 minutes.”

In the July 21, 1921 edition of the newspaper, readers learned that “Mr. Neal Crosby of Asahel has returned from a visit to Portland, on the Alabama River and in Dallas County. While there, he drank plentifully white sulfur water that gushes from a thousand-foot-deep artesian well that has been bored on the Portland property. The well overflows from a six-inch pipe and comes up 30 feet above the surface. Its health-giving waters has benefitted many including Mr. Crosby. This overflow well is one of a few on the Camden and Montgomery side of the river that we have ever heard of. However, on the Selma side of the river, overflowing wells are plentiful.”

It was also reported that week that “Mrs. J.S. Foster had been appointed temporary postmaster to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of Mr. R.C. Jones, who resigned to accept a position as cashier of Bank of Camden.”

In the July 28, 1921 edition of the paper, it was reported that “last Friday night, a man named Ervin McCaskie shot another man, Albert Jones, on the Tom Tait place in Mt. Hope beat, the wounded man died that night. The murderer escaped and up to this time has not been captured. A woman said to be implicated has been arrested and is now on bond.

“A boy stole $36 from the pocket of a workman, B. Till. The boy was captured at the Vredenburgh camp and most of the money was recovered. An attempt was made to enter the home of Mr. Arthur Capell last Thursday night.

“The impression is growing in the county that the sheriff should be furnished with blood hounds and with telephone connection all over the county. The dogs could be put on a law violator’s trail in an hour and aid in their capture.”

That week’s paper also let readers know that upcoming movies at the Camden Theatre were as follows – “Tues., Aug. 2, Tom Mix in The Texan – Thurs., Aug. 4, Billie Burke in The Misleading Widow – Sat., Aug. 6, Douglas McLean and Doris May in Mary’s Ankle.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. On the first Thursday of next month, I plan to take a look at the events of August 1921 in Wilcox County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Alabama Department of Archives and History’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. Their friendly staff will be more than happy to get you started.

Singleton tells of causing a commotion after bringing a live snake to school in the fourth grade

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 “A snake in a pocket is nothing but trouble” was originally published in the June 20, 1991 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Country boys grow up differently from city boys. Being a country boy, I wasn’t a bit different from the others. I might have been a little hard-headed or ignorant, as one might have called it, but there were times when things would get hot and heavy. I could never understand why it had to be me.

When I was growing up, I was allowed by my parents to have various pets – as long as I didn’t bring them in the house or try to scare my sisters with them. I could just about anything for a pet, including a turtle, a frog and a green snake.

My inventory for pets at one time included a large chicken snake that stayed in our barn for several years. This snake, being well over five feet in length, helped in a great degree to keep the rat and mice population around the barn in check.

Once in a great while “Silent Will” could be found outside the barn, looking for hen nests where he might borrow a fresh egg or two. I would gather him up and give him a good tongue-lashing and return him to his place of dwelling.

I had on several occasions been allowed to bring a pet or two to school and show them off to my class, but only when our teacher would give her permission. There were several fourth-graders who weren’t fortunate enough to have pet frogs and such to play with. I had carried my pet frog “Ernest” and my pet gopher “Christmas” for my class to see (the gopher was given this name by my older sister for being so slow.)

Although I had never asked or been given permission to bring my pet snake to school, I didn’t give it much thought when this special girl wanted to see my pet green snake. A young man in the fourth grade sometimes falls deeply in love; when this happens, he will do almost anything for that brown-eyed beauty with the long pigtails.

So one morning before catching the school bus, I placed my pet green snake in the bib pocket of my overalls. I had carried “Slim” there in that pocket many times. He seemed to like being there and never tried once to get out.

My intentions were to wait until recess to show my pet to my admirer with the pigtails. And, of course, I would be glad to show off Slim to anyone else who might be interested in seeing him. After all, not everyone could boast of having a foot-long green snake for a pet.

With the school day starting and all the activity, I forgot all about Slim, who had up until now been very quiet. As luck would have it, I was called to the front of the classroom to recite a verse or two of a special poem that we had been instructed to memorize.

I was excited because I knew the poem by heart. As I stood beside the teacher, awaiting for instructions to start my recital, I couldn’t understand why she had turned such a deathly white color. I remembered saying to myself that I hoped she wasn’t sick or anything. I wanted to get on with my poem.

Then I realized that my teacher was looking directly at the pocket on the bib of my overalls. Her mouth was open as though she was about to scream. I looked down at my pocket. Low and behold, there was Slim with his head and about three inches of his body sticking out from under the flap of my pocket.

Without thinking, I unsnapped the flap over the pocket, reached in and pulled the green snake out so I could better situate him in the pocket. Slim curled as he always did around my wrist. As I reached over with my other hand to kinda wind him into a smaller bundle, I heard a shrill scream, then another and another.

I looked back at my teacher. She was not there. I looked a second time. She was standing on top of her desk, screaming at the top of her voice and pointing at my pet green snake. Her screams had been heard down the hallway, and in rushed four other teachers and the school principal. I couldn’t understand why everyone was so alarmed and upset. It wasn’t anything but a pet green snake.

From a safe distance, the principal ordered me to take my pet over to the far side of the classroom, next to the windows. Then, he and two others assisted my teacher in getting down from the top of her desk.

As she regained her color, the principal ordered me to take Slim outside in the school yard. As I made my way down the hallway, it seemed that everyone there was looking out the doors at me, walking down the hall with my pet wrapped around my wrist.

Mr. Johnson, the principal, ordered me to take my pet snake over to the tall grass at the edge of the playground and turn him loose. I was then ordered to report to his office. I still couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about. Slim was just a pet.

I wasn’t spanked because of the fact that I had been allowed on other occasions to bring my pets to school and show them to my class. I was, however, told in no uncertain terms to never, ever bring a snake to school.

I never did understand why the principal left the room I was in, nor did I understand the loud laughing from the other room of his office. He would then reappear, each time wiping his eyes as though he had been crying. I guess he hated seeing Slim go as bad as I did.

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

100-year-old Conecuh County news highlights from July 1921

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 1921.

In the July 6, 1921 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that the “picnic here on the Fourth was not large but a most enjoyable affair. Many citizens had made plans to go elsewhere before the celebration had been determined upon and in consequence the crowd was small. An elegant dinner was spread. Mrs. S.P. Dunn, president of the Civic Club, made a short talk in which she voiced the sentiment of all present that Evergreen should have a celebration of this kind every year. Plans are now in the making for an elaborate celebration of Armistice Day here on Nov. 11”

In the July 13, 1921 edition of The Courant, under the headline “Two Boys Injured With Dynamite Cap,” it was reported that “Urelia Morrison, age 11, and Luther Morrison, age 14, were taken to Mobile on Saturday last for treatment by a specialist for injuries received in playing with dynamite caps. The young brother, Urelia, had his right eye removed by a physician after being injured by a fragment of the cap. Luther lost the thumb and first finger of one hand and the third finger was badly injured.

“The two boys had found an old box of dynamite caps which had been stored away for over five years. Not knowing the nature of the caps, they began to pry into them with a knife with the result that one exploded, injuring the older boy’s hand and piercing the eye of the younger lad, who was a bystander.

“The boys are sons of Mrs. Hattie Morrison, who resides with her father, W.R. Johns, a few miles east of town, their father having died last year. Mr. Johns accompanied the boys to Mobile for treatment.”

In the July 20, 1921 edition of the newspaper, under the headline “Former Evergreen Boy Meets Tragic Death,” that the “body of John Savage was brought here from Tulsa, Okla. for interment on Saturday last. Relatives of deceased know nothing concerning the circumstances of his death. The statement came that he committed suicide. The body was closely examined before burial and its condition bears out a theory that he was probably a victim of foul play. His throat was cut and his right hand was bruised and swollen, indicating that he was very probably injured in defending himself. Relatives of the dead boy will make full investigation.”

In the July 27, 1921 edition of the paper, readers learned that “Ras Kelley last week killed 22 rattlesnakes near his home east of town. One was very large, having 12 rattles, the others being her young about 12 inches long. Some years ago, The Courant recorded the fact that two citizens of Herbert killed 27 rattlers at one time. While these stories were being related at the courthouse the other day, D. Rabren of Melrose stated that he recently killed a large chicken snake that had swallowed two broiler size chickens.”

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 1921 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.

Landmarks harken back to the heyday of Monroe County's old Hybart community

Old U.S. Post Office at Hybart, Alabama.

The old Hybart community is located in northern Monroe County, between Tallatchee Creek and the Wilcox County line. Most maps show “downtown” Hybart to be located at the intersection of State Highway 41 and Monroe County Road 56, not far from the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railroad. From the Courthouse Square in Monroeville, it’s about 26-1/2 road miles to Hybart.

Most sources agree that Hybart takes its name from James Willis Hybart, who was named postmaster when the community’s post office first opened in 1926. Other sources say that the community was named after French Huguenot, Dr. Henry Hugh Hybart. Dr. Hybart, a War of 1812 veteran, died in Monroe County in 1846.

On my way up to Wilcox County the other day, I found myself passing through Hybart and decided to take a few minutes to visit some of its old landmarks. I first stopped at the Tallatchee Creek Bridge on Highway 41 for a closer look at this sizeable creek, which flows into the Alabama River just up from the Bells Landing boat ramp. As I stood there, I remembered tales of people finding ancient seashells and old Indian artifacts along the banks of this meandering creek.

The name of the creek itself is derived from two old Muskogee Indian words. Sources say that “Tallatchee” is a compound word made up of the Indian words “italua” and “hatchi.” Respectively, these words mean “settlement” and “river.”

From the creek, I eased up Highway 41 and then cut east onto County Road 56. A short distance later, I pulled over at the old Gaines Grocery store, which is located next door to a small wooden structure that bears a sign reading “US POST OFFICE.” Many will remember when this store was known as McGraw’s Store, and some of the community’s older residents may remember when Hybart’s post office closed for good in 1976, just a month or so shy of the 50^th anniversary of its establishment.

From there, I crossed over the railroad tracks, turned north on McMurphy Road and eased up to the Wayman Chapel Cemetery. This cemetery is one of the most remote in Monroe County and looks to contain about 150 graves. The oldest that I saw belonged to a woman named Annice Dortch, who passed away in 1915 at the age of 26.

The Wayman Chapel AME Church itself is a little farther down McMurphy Road and sits a stone’s throw from the Wilcox County line. This small country church was established in 1895 and features a large, iron bell on its grounds that is apparently still used today. From the looks of this old bell, it has no doubt called worshipers to services at the church for a very long time.

Another prominent church at Hybart is the Pine Flat Missionary Baptist Church, which sits on a hill east of Highway 41, not far from Tallatchee Creek. According to the church’s cornerstone, the church was established in 1913 when J.M. Pritchett was the pastor. The church was later remodeled in the early 1940s.

While there, I took a few minutes to look around the adjacent cemetery, which also looks to contain about 150 graves. This cemetery isn’t as old as the one at Wayman Chapel. The oldest grave that I found at Pine Flat was that of Laura Hunt Conner, who passed away in 1949 at the age of 61.

In the end, let me hear from you if you know any additional information about Hybart’s history. I’m especially interested in any old ghost stories, local legends or Indian lore from this part of the county. If you know of anything along these lines, please let me know so that it can be documented for the future generations to come.

No one is exactly sure when the antebellum Brushy Creek Methodist Church was established

Brushy Creek Methodist Church near Lenox, Ala.

Many of my friends know that one of my favorite things to do is to ride around and visit historic sites. With that in mind, they often tell me about places that I need to see for myself. Just the other day, I bumped into a buddy in front of the Evergreen post office, and he asked me if I’d ever been to the old Brushy Creek Methodist Church near Lenox.

I had to admit that I’d never seen this old, antebellum church in person, but I knew a little bit about it. I recalled that maps show it located off Brushy Creek Road, a few miles from the Lenox crossroads. I also remembered that no one is exactly sure when the church was established, but most available records indicate that it is at least 170 years old.

Last Thursday morning, I reached a stopping point at the newspaper office and decided to venture down to Lenox to see if I could find this remote church. A short time later, I found myself on County Road 6 and then eventually cut south on Brushy Creek Road. At one point, I stopped to study my trusty National Geographic map of the area and saw that I was in an area bordered by Brushy Creek, Burnt Corn Creek and Interstate Highway 65.

Just before Brushy Creek Road turns from a paved road into a dirt road, I encountered a sign to my left that pointed me down a dim road that led up to the old church. I parked in the shade of a large oak and stepped out. All was quiet except for the distant drone of vehicles moving north and south on I-65.

From a distance, I could tell that the church has to be one of the oldest in the county. Its all-wood construction harkens back to a time in the far past, and I noted that there were no apparent electrical lines running to the one-room building. The church also lacks plumbing as evidenced by the old-fashioned outhouse in the wood line behind the building.

The church grounds also feature a large cemetery that I would guess contains about 300 graves. As you walk among the graves, you call tell that the cemetery is old because of all the various different styles of headstones. They range from the modern markers that are common today to old-fashioned tombstones with hand-carved lettering.

The oldest marked grave that I saw last Thursday was that of Elias Beasley, who passed away at the age of 56 in 1859. Records reflect that he was married to Sarah Beasley, who outlived him by more than 30 years. She’s buried in Escambia County at New Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Apparently, weekly services are no longer held at Brushy Creek, but I’ve been told that they do have a homecoming event there each August. August is just around the corner, so I might make plans to return to the old church when there a crowd of people there. It would be interesting to hear a sermon and listen to folks sing inside the old sanctuary.

In the end, let me hear from you if you know any additional information about the history of Brushy Creek Methodist Church. Also, if you know of any other local historic sites that are off the beaten path, please let me know. I’m always game for a little backroad exploring when the opportunity arises.