The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for May 9, 2023

USS Midway

41 YEARS AGO

MAY 13, 1982

Local weather observer Earl Windham reported 1.28 inches of rain on May 8. He reported a high of 88 on May 6 and a low of 49 on May 9.

Wayne Stafford is the new owner of Evergreen radio station WBLO, having assumed ownership Monday morning. He and Marv Heffington, the station’s new manager, are congratulated by Ernie Ashworth, noted country music and Grand Ole Opry entertainer, who is also Mrs. Stafford’s (Wanda) brother. Ashworth will become a familiar figure around Evergreen as he assists Marv and Wayne as they make improvements at the station.

Tommy Shipp of Castleberry showed the Grand Champion of the 17^th Annual Conecuh County FFA and 4-H Market Hog Show held here Monday morning at the Evergreen Cooperative Stockyard Show Arena. Jeff Little, owner of Little’s Super Market in Castleberry, paid a premium $1 per pound for this fine home.

Dr. Sergeant’s death is shock: This community and county were shocked by the unexpected death of Dr. Charles Kendall Sergeant of an apparent massive heart attack suffered at his office Saturday afternoon, May 8.

Private memorial services were held Wednesday at his home at 307 Perryman St., conducted by Dr. Lamar Jackson.

Dr. Sergeant was a board surgeon of extremely high qualifications and greatly respected in his profession. He had practiced as a surgeon and as a family physician here for over four years and had earned the love and respect of the people of this area.

56 YEARS AGO

MAY 11, 1967

The 4^th annual Conecuh County Market Hog Show will be held Mon., May 15, at the Conecuh Stockyards. Registration begins at 5:30 a.m., the show at 8:30 a.m. and the sale of the show hogs at 1 p.m. Over 100 head of top quality market hogs are to be shown.

C.L. Kamplain is show chairman and D.C. Fleming is advisory chairman.

Open house will be observed at the Conecuh County Hospital this Sunday afternoon from 2 until 4:30 o’clock, according to Milston Sullivan, administrator.

The board of trustees and the entire staff of Conecuh County Hospital invite the public to come and inspect the hospital during this time. Of special interest will be the recently completed new seven private rooms.

LTJG Freddie J. Patten, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene E. Patten of 401 Belleville St., Evergreen, Ala., is presently serving with Attack Squadron Twenty-Three, a light jet attack squadron temporarily based at U.S. Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.

LTJG Patten is a three-time veteran of the Vietnam Campaign. He has served with the U.S. Advisory Group to the Vietnam Air Force and served as Weapons Officer, Attack Squadron Twenty-Three, about USS Midway (CVA-41) and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), during their deployment in the defense against communist aggression in Southeast Asia.

71 YEARS AGO

MAY 8, 1952

Conecuh County voters went to the polls Tuesday to select nominees for state, district and county offices, climaxing one of the quietest campaigns this county has seen in many years. As a consequence, only some 2,668 ballots were cast out of a possible more than 4,000 qualified list. Ideal weather prevailed throughout the day.

Bill Robinson and Pace Bozeman of the Junior Class have been named to represent Evergreen High School at the annual Boys State in Tuscaloosa this June.

Cpl. Robert Johnston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Newton E. Johnston, Bruner Avenue, returned to the U.S. recently after serving eight months overseas. Cpl. Johnston’s overseas service included combat duty in Korea.

He entered active service with Battery “C,” 117^th Field Artillery Battalion, local National Guard Unit, in January 1951. He went overseas as a replacement after a period of training at Fort Jackson, S.C.

Cpl. Johnston, known familiarly here as “Sleepy,” is a graduate of Evergreen High School.

Miss Wilma Maurice Golson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Otis Benjamin Golson, will marry Robert Gaston Bozeman Jr. on Sun., June 8, it is announced today by her parents.

Miss Golson is a popular member of the graduating class of the Evergreen High School.

Mr. Bozeman is the son of Robert Gaston Bozeman Sr. and the late Mrs. Susan Dickey Bozeman. He is a veteran of World War II, serving overseas with the 1^st Marine Division.

79 YEARS AGO

MAY 13, 1937

Exhumed Body Was Not That Of Missing Man: The remains of an unidentified man who was buried here on New Year’s Day was exhumed Wednesday at the request of relatives of W.I. Bozeman of near Chapman in the hopes that the body might prove to be that of Bozeman, who has been missing from home since Dec. 16. Relatives, including his wife and several children, viewed the body, examined the clothing and were convinced that it was not that of the husband and father of whom they have been searching.

The body exhumed was found on the L&N Railroad track near Wilcox by a train crew. It was brought here and every effort made to identify. Failing in this, officers ordered it interred in the old cemetery. The man apparently had been killed by a train several hours before he was found.

Bozeman’s relatives hearing about the occurrence and knowing that it happened shortly after he had disappeared from home, began an investigation. As a result, they secured permission to exhume the body for examination.

The missing man is said to have left home to hunt work and told his people that he was going to Evergreen to see if he might not secure a job with the crew engaged in building the overhead bridge. He has not been heard from since he left home.

Announcement is made elsewhere in this issue of The Courant of the purchase by J.C. (Cary) Murphy of the City Café, popular restaurant, formerly operated by J. Arthur Lewis.

101 YEARS AGO

MAY 10, 1922

The following is the commencement schedule of the State Secondary Agricultural School at Evergreen… Wednesday, May 31^st, 8 p.m., Graduating Exercises; Address by Dr. Spright Dowell, President Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn.

The senior class is the largest in the history of the institution, numbering 17 boys and 15 girls. The class roll is as follows: Ruby Allen, Annie D. Brooks, Ira Mae Bryant, Julius Edward Chapman, Harry Edwin Dickinson, Reginald Rex Golson, Eva Myrtle Hurst, Daisy Leigh Harvell, Helen Lucille Hagood, Charles Thaddeus Ivey, Aline Marie Johnson, Battie Drucilla Johnson, Mary Allen Johnson, Martha Jennings Lundy, Carl Henry Middleton, Algia French Miller, Benjamin Franklin Miller, Carlos Holgrove Mills, Samuel Robert Morris, Claudia Oswald, Ollie Phares, John Carey Pritchett, James Edward Ridgeway, Joseph Pickett Rutland, Lucy Clare Shannon, Johnnie Mae Shoemaker, Henry James Smith, Lemuel Robert Stallworth, Robert Lee Stallworth, John Deming Stearns, Charles Robert Taliaferro Jr. and Sara Elsie Williamson.

The board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce has chosen the following officers: Dr. W.F. Betts, President; W.B. Ivey, Vice President; Byron Tisdale, Treasurer; R.A. Winston, Secretary.

Edward C. Barnes was reappointed on Monday by President Harding to be Postmaster at Evergreen. This makes the third successive term for which Mr. Barnes has received appointment. He has been a most acceptable postmaster and the appointment will meet with general satisfaction.

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

24 YEARS AGO
MAY 13, 1999

Local hero: Sgt. Bryson D. Dawson was among five Marines who received the Sikorsky Aircraft Rescue Award for heroic deeds during a Combined Arms Exercise in Twentynine Palms, Calif. Aug. 15. The Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 rescued two Marines who were struck by lightning while on a reconnaissance mission. Dawson is a 1994 graduate of Monroe County High School. He is the son of Wayne and Pat Dawson of Mexia.

Excel standouts join ASCC program: Alabama Southern Community College head baseball coach Mike Jeffcoat announced Monday that Excel standouts Jason McLelland and Justin Mixon will join his baseball program in the fall. McLelland is a right-handed pitcher who posted a 5-4 record this season with a 2.75 earned-run-average. He also hit .348 with three home runs and 28 RBIs. Mixon played centerfield and hit .372 with two home runs and 15 stolen bases.

Relay goal surpassed: For the fourth year in a row, the number of teams and amount of money raised for cancer research increased in Monroe County.
At the Fifth Annual Relay for Life, 50 teams raised $150,000 for the American Cancer Society. This is $48,000 higher than the event’s $102,000 goal and an increase over the $92,000 raised by 36 teams last year.

New, shiny badges: Three new deputies were hired by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department in April. (Those deputies included Corey Morrow, Jason Terry and Tyrone Andrews.) They were hired to fill empty slots created by retirement and transfers to the 35^th Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.

49 YEARS AGO
MAY 9, 1974

‘Uncle’ Walter dies at 107: Walter Lindsey, fondly known as “Uncle” Walter Lindsey by most Monroe County residents, died Wednesday of last week at Monroe County Hospital. He was 107 years old.
Born during the Reconstruction period, he was the surviving member of a family of nine brothers and sisters until his death. His mother was brought to Claiborne as a servant from Virginia.
In the steamboat days, he worked on the Nettie Quill, and the Tensey Moore and Hardcast. After leaving the river boats, he went to Vredenburgh where he barbered.

MCHS in 3A semifinal: Monroe County High’s Terry Coleman fired the local Tigers past their first two opponents in the state 3A baseball playoffs last week. The Tigers took a win over Robertsdale, 15-5, Friday in Robertsdale and returned home Saturday to shut out Troy, 6-0.
Coleman gave up five hits and three runs in the Robertsdale game but pitched only five innings. (Against Troy) Coleman struck out 10 batters, allowed only six hits and gave up no runs.
(Other top MCHS players in those games included Johnny Bartlett, Buddy Black, James Brown, Al Carr, Reid Nettles and Tim Pullen. Ronnie Dees was MCHS’s head coach.)

Official groundbreaking ceremonies were held last Thursday at the site of Southtown Plaza Shopping Center at the Highway 21 Bypass and Mayfield Street in Monroeville. When completed, Southtown Plaza will contain approximately 85,700 square feet of building area.

74 YEARS AGO
MAY 12, 1949

Hendrix’s Successor As Chief of Police Not Yet Selected: No successor to B.L. Hendrix as Monroeville chief of police has been chosen yet.
However, Mayor C.W. Cole said that the position would be filled before the expiration of Mr. Hendrix’s term. Mr. Hendrix’s resignation goes into effect Sunday.
Hendrix served as mayor of Monroeville from 1936 to 1944. In 1944, he took on the duties of city clerk, and since April 1947, he has been serving as chief of police also.

On Friday, (Monroe County High School’s baseball team) walloped Grove Hill by a score of 11-3. Monroeville made 11 runs, eight hits and five errors. Klepac, with two for four, and H. Jaye, with three for four, led Monroeville at bat. Newton for Grove Hill got both his team’s hits. Ryland pitched for Monroeville.
(Other top MCHS players that season included John A. Sirmon, and LeVaughan Hanks was MCHS’s head coach.)

Ikner’s Sentence Set At 35 Years: James I. Ikner, Monroeville, Route 1, was found guilty of robbing F.T. Driver, Tunnel Springs rolling store operator, April 8 and was sentenced to 35 years in prison by the Monroe County circuit court.
He will be transferred to Kilby Prison at Montgomery next week to begin serving his sentence. The case was tried before Judge F.W. Hare.
Monroe Leslie, youth of Fountain, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his part in the crime.

99 YEARS AGO
MAY 8, 1924

There was a baseball game between Vredenburgh and Beatrice last Friday afternoon, the score being 2-0 in favor of Vredenburgh.

NEW HARDWARE STORE: The Hendrix-Lathram Hardware Co. is a new mercantile firm recently formed and which will begin business in Monroeville as soon as their stock arrives. The firm is composed of Messrs. R.D. Hendrix, J.F. Lathram and Robert Hendrix. Mr. Lathram is now in the market purchasing stock. The new firm has leased the building formerly occupied by the Moore Hardware Co.

FOR SALE: Three roosters and 20 pullets. Thompson’s Strin Barred Rocks. Best chickens in the county. See them at Commercial Hotel.

Representative W.R. Blackwell and Mr. G.L. Galloway of Jones Mill were in attendance upon the meeting of the Royal Arch Chapter Monday evening. Mr. Blackwell reported indifferent stands of cotton in his neighborhood. A visitation of hail did some damage last week.

Mrs. A.B. Coxwell places The Journal household under obligations for early Irish potatoes. The editor’s garden is a practical failure but with so many kind friends and neighbors to draw upon the deprivation that would otherwise have been experienced has not been noticeable.

NOTICE: Hunting is hereby prohibited on the lands of the Vredenburgh Saw Mill Co., between Flat Creek and Limestone Creek and between Fountain and the Alabama River. All persons found violating this notice will be prosecuted according to law. – The Vredenburgh Saw Mill Co., H.L. Finklea, Agent.

134 YEARS AGO
MAY 10, 1889

MAD DOGS: We are informed that two or three rabid dogs were killed a few miles southwest of town last week. Some cattle and swine bitten by the dogs developed unmistakable hydrophobia and were killed by their owners. Persons owning dogs should keep them confined until the dangerous season is over.

Capt. C.R. Broughton gave us a pleasant call Monday. Capt. Broughton is the oldest surviving pioneer of Monroeville, having resided at his present valuable homestead near town upward of 47 years and is familiar with every important incident in the chequered history of the place during that time, and can relate many interesting and amusing reminiscences of its palmy day.

Capt. John Burns of Pineville, Monroe’s popular ex-Sheriff, gave us a pleasant call Tuesday. Capt. Burns is extensively engaged in farming and stock raising on one of the best plantations in the county, and his robust appearance indicates that the freedom and pure air of farm life agrees with him.

Father A.B. Friends, a Catholic priest from Mobile, was in Monroeville last week, the guest of Hon. D.L. Neville.

HIDE-AND-SEEK is the cognomen of a most interesting little game between Sheriff Harengton and his deputies and some of the boys during the recent session of the grand jury. The boys did the “hiding,” it is entirely useless to add.

COUNTY COURT was in session last Monday and several cases were disposed by his Honor.

Lucky horseshoe beliefs trace back to St. Dunstan and the Devil

St. Dunstan and the Devil.

I was looking at my trusty Farmer’s Almanac the other day and saw where we have a lot to look forward to during the upcoming month.

Tomorrow (Friday) will mark the coming of May’s full moon, which is known as the Full Flower Moon. It’s called the Flower Moon because so many flowers bloom during the month of May. Indians called the May moon the Planting or Budding Moon while some called it the Hare Moon.

There will also be a penumbral lunar eclipse tomorrow night, but it won’t be visible from the United States. This type of eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon imperfectly align, so that the Earth blocks some of the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon’s surface. The resulting shadow covers all or part of the moon.

Look for the planet Venus above the Moon on May 22 and below it on May 23. Also on May 23, the crescent Moon will float between Mars and Venus. At nightfall on May 31, Mars hovers to the upper left of Venus with both of Earth’s nearest neighbors having crossed into the constellation Leo.

The almanac also contains a good bit of weather folklore and sayings. According to the editors, a “wet May will fill a byre full of hay.” A “byre” is just a fancy British word for cow shed.

The almanac also points out that cranberries will be in bud by May 13. Cranberries grow decently well in Alabama, but they need lots of water. In fact, the more water the better, plus lots of sunshine.

St. Dunstan’s feast day falls on May 19, which falls on a Friday this year. St. Dunstan died on this day in the year 988, and he was accepted as a saint soon thereafter. For many years, this former Archbishop of Canterbury was the most popular saint in England.

Some readers may be familiar with the practice of nailing a horseshoe over a door for good luck. This practice goes back to St. Dunstan, who is said to have nailed a horseshoe to the Devil’s foot when Dunstan was asked to re-shoe the Devil’s cloven hoof. When St. Dunstan’s went to pounding nails into the Devil’s hoof, it caused him great pain.

The Devil begged Dunstan to remove the shoe, but Dunstan would agree to do so only if the Devil promised never to enter a place where a horseshoe is over the door. To this day, St. Dunstan remains the patron said of blacksmiths around the world.

Last, but not least, May 29 is Memorial Day. Not to be confused with Veterans Day, Memorial Day is the day we honor and mourn all service members who died while serving in the armed forces. Many also see this day as the unofficial start of summer.

Just about every family can claim someone who died while serving in the armed forces. By way of example, I always think about my long-dead uncle, James Leroy Burge, who died in 1918 while serving in the Army during World War I. He was buried at sea, but my grandfather and son were both named “James” in his memory.

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

Lister Hill

Today marks the first Friday of the month, so it’s time to take another trip back down memory lane for a look at some of the interesting things that happened in Wilcox County a century ago, way back in May 1923.

In the May 3, 1923 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold reported that “Camden lost to Selma at Selma Friday by the score of 4 to 1 in one of the prettiest high school games of the season. The game was featured with long hits, double plays and sensational catches.”

Also that week it was reported that “Mr. Lister Hill of Montgomery, who is a candidate for Congress to fill the place made vacant by the death of Judge Tyson, was in Camden Monday and spoke to the voters of the county at the courthouse, just before court opened. He was accompanied by Mr. Will Hill of Montgomery, who married a Pine Apple girl, Miss Corrie Melton.”

In the May 10, 1923 edition of The Progressive Era, readers learned that “Mr. James T. Campbell died at his home in Mt. Hope beat last Saturday, aged 68 years. Mr. Campbell by trade and profession was a wheelwright and farmer and in faith a Baptist and a Democrat. Mr. Campbell had many friends. He was well informed, hospitable and charitable.”

Readers that week also learned that “on May 25, a barbecue dinner and public speaking will be held by the Parent-Teacher’s Association of the Moore Academy of Pine Apple. Lister Hill, a candidate for Congress from this district, will be the speaker for the occasion. The friends and patrons of the school are urged to attend.”

In the May 17, 1923 edition of the newspaper, readers learned that “in one of the fastest and best games of the season, Camden won the last home game of the season by the score of 4 to 1. The locals made only two hits during the game while the visitors were making six. However, they made up for their weak batting by running the bases in Big League style, and by taking advantage of every chance, succeeding in making four scores against some good fielding by the visitors, J. Connor and Sam Jones stealing at will on the Plucky little catcher from Greenville.”

It was also reported that week that “Rev. Dr. Wash Crumpton of Montgomery preached in the Baptist church last Sunday to a large audience. Dr. Crumpton is a son of Wilcox County that we are all proud of. He was born in Camden 81 years ago. His sermon was strong and full of practical thoughts.”

In the May 24, 1923 edition of the paper, it was reported that the “Wilcox County High School boys were unable to return home in their cars from Grove Hill, where they had gone to play ball last weekend, the bridges having washed away. They made the trip home on the Southern railroad via Catherine, where they were met in cars by Dr. E. Bonner, Mr. J.M. Bonner, Mr. Moss, Mr. Mitchell and Prof. Luckie. They left their cars at Thomasville in charge of Prof. Claude Hardy.”

Readers that week also learned that “Mr. M.L. Wilson of the New Business Department of the Alabama Power Co., is spending several days in Camden, making a survey of the town with the expectation of running the power company’s line to Camden and other points. It is hoped that he will make a favorable report, as lights will add much to our town.”

In the May 31, 1923 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that “Mrs. Margaret Archibald, who has been visiting the family of Mr. Wilbert Archibald, has returned to her home in Aliceville. Mrs. Archibald was much interested in meeting those who attended the Wilcox Female Institute in 1860-61-62, when her grandfather, Mr. H.P. Hatfield, had charge of this school. She visited the cemetery where lies the remains of her aunts, Miss Helen Phelps and Miss Helen Hatfield. She doesn’t feel sure of having located the graves and shall be very grateful for any information that may be given.”

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 June 1923 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.

George Singleton found stone ax along Limestone Creek in Monroe County, Alabama in June 1976

Ancient war ax found at Limestone Creek in 1976.

(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 “Tomahawk head reminds us of brave warriors’ passing,” was originally published in the June 24, 1976 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

When one stops to think just how far man has advanced in the past few generations, he will stand in awe of the tremendous strides toward making life easier.

One day not long ago, while looking around an old village site along Limestone Creek I found one of the most perfect relics that I have ever seen in this area. I found an almost perfect stone ax.

This ax dates back long before the early settlers set foot on this continent – probably to the time of DeSoto’s visits, or before.

From the appearance, the ax looks like one that was used as a tomahawk. The short, angled head and the thin blade make one think it was designed for purposes other than hacking trees and canes.

Blade stained

To further seal the evidence that it was a war ax, there are dark stains along the blade. These stains give the appearance of blood that was spattered on it at some time during its use.

Only certain tests could verify for sure that it was blood, although I know for sure that blood stains on any rock or metal are almost impossible to remove after they have been neglected and not cleaned off.

Looking at the stone ax, I wondered just who, or how many, had used this ax. I wondered how many battles or skirmishes this ax had been a part of.

I wondered about the endless miles that this ax had swung on the belt of some unknown warrior. I wondered about the hardships and the heartaches that may have confronted the warrior as he moved rapidly across the area.

Or could it have been that the owner of the ax fell in battle, and the ax has lain there all these years without being uncovered.

In our present-day world it’s hard to visualize that probably somewhere back along the winds of time, a man’s life depended on this primitive weapon. Or maybe several lost their lives because the owner was experienced in the art of tomahawk warfare.

Whichever the case may be, the ax has survived when almost everything else has perished.

Somewhere, on the winds of oblivion, the cries of agony pierce the emptiness and the ghost warriors still battle with their war clubs and tomahawks. From time to time, evidence such as this ax reminds us of their passing.

(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.)

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for May 2, 2023

Sue Bell Cobb

16 YEARS AGO
MAY 3, 2007

Evergreen weather reporter Harry Ellis reported .32 inches of rain on April 26. He also reported a high of 84 degrees on April 25 and April 29 and a low of 52 degrees on April 23 and April 27. Total rainfall for the month of April 2007 was 5.44 inches.

Sparta Academy held their annual Miss Alpha Pageant on Sat., April 14, 2007. Winners in the High School Division were Alex Ross, first place; Tanner King, Miss Alpha; and Morgan Harden, second place.

Reid State Technical College will hold commencement exercises on Fri., May 11, 2007 at 6 p.m. in the Wiley Salter Auditorium in Evergreen, Ala. Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Sue Bell Cobb, will be the commencement speaker.

Evergreen Medical Center sponsored their annual Health Fair Wednesday in the parking lot of the hospital. People came by throughout the day to take advantage of the free screenings and information provided during the event.

The 35th Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force executed a search warrant last Tuesday, April 24, at a residence on Magnolia Avenue and seized 29 grams of methamphetamine ice, one of the purest forms of methamphetamine. To qualify as ice, the meth must be at least 98 percent pure.

29 YEARS AGO
MAY 5, 1994

The official groundbreaking of the Conecuh County Department of Human Resources (DHR) building was held on Wed., April 27, 1994 at 9 a.m. on Highway 83 in Evergreen.
The 13,281 square-foot facility will have a construction cost of $882,667 and construction should be completed by next February.
The cost of construction is being financed by a bond issue of the county paid off over a 15-year period by the State Department of Human Resources through rent payments. Conecuh County will retain ownership of the building. The land for the new building was donated by the county.
Officials at the groundbreaking ceremony included Mayor Lomax Cassady; County Commission Chairman Frank Pate and county commission members Jerold Dean and Freddie Stallworth; Rosalyn Skipper Sales, Director of Economic Development; Jimmy Bell, Economic Development; DHR county board members Johnnie Mack Grace, Wanda Baker, Myrtle Crosby and Keith Pugh; Mrs. Joan Jones, Supervisor-in-Charge of the Conecuh County Department of Human Resources; Katie Williams, architect; and Lewis & Associates, contractors.

Total rainfall (for Evergreen) for April was 6.50 inches.

The winners of Southern Pine Electric Cooperative’s 1994 Washington Youth Tour Program have been selected. Kelly Booker, daughter of Rogene and Shirley Booker, is the female recipient. Kelly is a junior at Sparta Academy.

53 YEARS AGO
MAY 7, 1970

The 7th Annual Conecuh County FFA and 4-H Boys Barrow Show will be held here at the Conecuh Stockyard Arena Monday morning, 81 top hogs will be shown by 35 boys from over the county.
Charles Burt is show chairman and Dave Fleming is advisory chairman. Showmanship will be judged by Phillip Ellis, Charles Grant, Miles Covin and Roger Waller, all students at Jefferson Davis Junior College. Dr. Carl Wilson is show veterinarian.
Boys who will exhibit hogs included Jimmy Beverly, Larry Knight, Sawyer Griffin, Jerry Daw, Anthony Preyer, Clayton Cobb, Tommy Shipp, Richard Wilson, James Traweek, Eric Pugh, Ralph Pugh, John Johnston, Sammy Brown, Herbert Brown, David Davis, Ernest Shipp, Ivon Gomes, Johnny Daw, Sandy Floyd, Jimmy Salter, Ashley Andrews, Stanley Boykin, Larry Harris, Frank Murphy, Whaymon Tullis, John Crum Sessions, Robert Ward, Eddie Reeves, Jeb Barron, Randy Coker, Hillary Harper, Eddie Ralls, Gerald Salter, Arnold Hall and Johnny R. Salter.

U.S. Army, Vietnam – One of the Army badges that soldiers wear with special pride is the Combat Infantryman Badge. It was recently awarded to PFC Richard D. Nettles, 20, in Vietnam.
PFC Nettles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Nettles, Rt. 2, Evergreen, is assigned as a machine gunner with Co. C, 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry of the Americal Division’s 11th Light Infantry Brigade.

77 YEARS AGO
MAY 2, 1946

Handy Ellis, candidate for Governor in the forthcoming primary election, spoke here last Friday night from the bandstand in the business section of town, using a public address system. He was heard by several hundred persons most of whom were sitting in automobiles around the business section.
Mr. Ellis was introduced by H.D. Weathers, his campaign manager for Conecuh County, who lauded his fine record in the legislature for the past quarter of a century.
The appearance of Mr. Ellis was the second of the gubernatorial candidates to speak in Evergreen. Big Jim Folsom appeared here several weeks ago.

James Nelson Golson Loses Life In Pacific: The following from a Mobile paper will be of interest here since Mr. and Mrs. L.P. Golson formerly lived in this county and have many relatives here among the Golson and Northcutt families:
Mr. and Mrs. L.P. Golson Sr. of Plateau had been advised today that their son, James Nelson Golson, 32, drowned when he fell overboard from a ship in Kwalalein Harbor, Marshall Islands, April 22.
Waterman Steamship Corp. officials here were advised the accidental drowning of Golson, who was third assistant engineer on the WV Wall Knot, occurred as the seaman moved to shore on a smaller vessel.
The body was not recovered, according to a radio message received from the master of the Wall Knot.

100 YEARS AGO
MAY 2, 1923

Road Contract Let: The Courant learns that Keenan & Kyser were the successful bidders for the Evergreen-Belleville road before the State Highway Commission yesterday. It is stated that work will be started immediately.

Belleville Junior High School Exercises: The faculty of the Belleville Junior High School invite you to be present at their commencement exercises the week of May 6. The program for the week will be given in the High School auditorium. Friday, May 11, 8 p.m. – Graduation exercises, address by Supt. J.A. Keller.

Dr. Sanders was here Monday in the interest of his Congressional campaign. The doctor says he is meeting with encouragement wherever he goes.

Lewis Johnston of Brooklyn and Miss Bertha Stone of Brewton were quietly married on Sunday evening at the residence of R.G. Kendall, Dr. J.G. Dickinson officiating. The happy couple will reside at Brooklyn.

Rev. C.A. Cornell and Mrs. Cornell have been in St. Louis for several days visiting their daughter, Mrs. Hill. The Business Men’s Evangelistic Club held services at the Methodist Church Sunday morning for Dr. Cornell. F.H. Chappelle, W.M. Newton and Lamar Matkin were the assigned speakers with the president, Dr. Hairston, presiding.

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

Fannie Flagg

23 YEARS AGO
MAY 4, 2000

Fannie Flagg to open Writers Symposium: Alabama writers, scholars and literature buffs begin arriving in Monroeville today to spend the evening with acclaimed Alabama writer Fannie Flagg at the Monroeville Community House.
Tickets for the third annual Alabama Writers Symposium opening banquet with Flagg, author of “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café,” went fast as readers snapped up the limited seating.
Registration for the three-day symposium that ends Saturday increased this year because of exposure across the state.
Donna Reed, a symposium coordinator at the college, said about 300 people are expected to attend. Last year, there were between 200 and 250 people at the literary event.

Eager signs with Gulf Coast: Monroe County High School standout Trent Eager signed a basketball scholarship with Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla. last Thursday. Eager, a 6-5 guard, averaged 17 points per game this season, and helped lead the Tigers to the 5A Southwest Region tournament. On hand for the signing were Eager’s father Kenneth, his brothers Janero and Maurice, his mother Geraldine, MCHS coach Willie White, GCCC coach Joe Pons and MCHS principal Larry Turner.

Organizational meeting set: An organizational meeting of the Red Hills Cemetery Preservation Committee will be held at the cemetery Sat., May 13, from 9:30 a.m. through lunch. The meeting is being held to discuss the formation of a preservation committee and to clean the cemetery.

47 YEARS AGO
APRIL 22, 1976

County solicitor retires: John M. Coxwell has retired from the office of Monroe County solicitor, a post he has held for 25 years.
Coxwell, who continues his private law practice in Monroeville, retired as solicitor April 13 and accepted an appointment by Gov. George Wallace as a supernumerary district attorney.
Coxwell, 60, who has practiced law in Monroeville since 1939, was first elected solicitor in 1940.

1975 Blacksher Bulldogs: The J.U. Blacksher High School Bulldogs opened their 1975 baseball season with a 3-1 record and although the team is young, it stands a good chance of taking the area title. Members of the team are George Colbert, Ricky Smith, Alan Mack, Michael Woods, David Martinie, Dale Martinie, Sam Lett, Coach Gary Lambert, Greg Harrison, Ben Rhodes, Russell Smith, Tony Kircharr, David Woods, Anthony Lett, Douglas Scott, Wayne Woods and Coach Paul Akins.

Hospital collections Saturday: Shriners, assisted by youth groups, will collect donations Saturday in shopping districts throughout Monroe County to help support the Shrine’s 22 crippled children’s hospitals and three hospitals for child burn victims. Where they can’t be in person, they’ll leave bright orange collection boxes. They also will pass out newspapers explaining the hospitals. Monroeville Mayor W.H. “Jack” Hines, a Shriner, and Monroe County Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs give personal donations and receive newspapers here.

73 YEARS AGO
MAY 4, 1950

Local Church of Christ Completes New Building: The congregation of the Monroeville Church of Christ is now meeting for services in a new building, recently completed, on Poplar Street across from the city water tank. Presently seating about 125 persons, church officials stated that it is planned to add classrooms and an auditorium later. Church officials also expressed their appreciation to the Mayor and town council of Monroeville for permitting use of the City Hall for worship services prior to completion of the new building.

Self Resigns As Frisco Principal: David W. Self, principal of the Frisco City schools for the past year, this week announced his resignation at Frisco City to assume the principalship of Butler County High School and the Greenville Elementary School at Greenville. A former assistant Butler County High School principal, Mr. Self replaced S.J. Casey last year.

Monroeville, overcoming a two-run deficit with a four-run rally in the seventh inning, trimmed Atmore 6-4 here Sunday to take the opening contest of the Dixie League season.
Working behind the effective eight-hit hurling of lefthander Bill Hite, the locals grabbed a two-run lead in the second inning, fell behind when Atmore scored two times in the fifth and second innings, and then came back with the four-run outburst off starter Harry Brooks and his reliever “Dock” Vickery in the bottom of the seventh.
Hite, except for a couple of costly errors, would have had a shutout. None of the Atmore runs were earned.
(Other Monroeville players in that game included LeVaughn Hanks, Hop Stevens, Al Clenner, Nub Stacey, Robert Riley and Grady Gaston.)

98 YEARS AGO
MAY 7, 1925

Mr. O.O. Bayles, who retires from the position of postmaster at Monroeville after five years of faithful and efficient service, is enjoying a brief but long delayed vacation.

Miss Emma Yarbrough has entered upon her duties as the new postmistress here.

Mr. A.C. Lee returned last week from a motor trip in company with Messrs. George L. Nettles of Tunnel Springs and P.S. Jackson of Peterman to the oil fields of Louisiana and Arkansas.

Mr. J.U. Blacksher of Mobile was here Tuesday attending the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Monroe County Bank.

With the completion of the new service station at the southwest corner of the square, the number of filling stations in Monroeville is increased to something like a dozen. This station will be operated by the local representative of the Standard Oil company.

DEATH OF MRS. BAYLES: Mrs. Marie Bayles, widow of the late Senator Oscar O. Bayles, died at her home in Monroeville on Wed., May 6, after an illness of several months, aged 50.

ADAMS-WHITE: A quiet but impressive ceremony, which came as a surprise to the many friends of the contracting parties, took place Sunday morning at the home of Rev. W.B. McCrary, when Miss Edith White became the bride of Mr. Armand Adams. The ceremony was witnessed only by the near relatives of the bride. Mr. and Mrs. Adams will make their home at Booneville, Ala.

123 YEARS AGO
MAY 10, 1900

A BIG LAND DEAL: The ownership of about 300,000 acres of timber lands lying in the counties of Baldwin, Escambia, Monroe and Conecuh in the southern part of Alabama, passed from M.A. Sullivan of Pensacola to General Russell A. Alger and associates of Michigan during the latter part of last week. The amount of money involved in this deal is approximately two million dollars. The lands are purchased with the view of establishing thereon a number of saw mills, the capacity of which, it is understood, will exceed any at present in operation anywhere in the South.

Died, at his home at Repton, on Wed., May 9, 1900, after an illness of several weeks, Mr. Everett L. Martin, aged 72 years and five months. Mr. Martin was a successful businessman, a member of the Masonic fraternity and a good citizen. His remains were interred at the Methodist cemetery, Monroeville, on Thursday.

By order of Chancellor Commander, each member of Prairie Queen Lodge No. 167, Knights of Pythias, is requested to be at the Castle Hall on Friday night, May 11, 1900. – A.R. BOULWARE, Keeper of Records & Seals.

Mr. H.J. Coxwell of Perdue Hill was here Saturday. Mr. Coxwell grew the prize watermelon last year and expects to break the record this season.

Capt. Geo. H. Gray of Perdue Hill was in town Saturday. Capt. Gray’s many friends are glad to know that his health is improving.