Today in History for Aug. 28, 2017

Aug. 28, 1565 – Pedro Menéndez de Avilés sighted land near St. Augustine, Fla. and founded the oldest continuously occupied European-established city in the continental United States.

Aug. 28, 1609 - Delaware Bay was discovered by Henry Hudson.

Aug. 28, 1749 – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the father of German literature and the author of the epic drama “Faust,” was born in Frankfurt.

Aug. 28, 1774 - Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born in New York City. She went on to found the first Catholic school and the first female apostolic community in the United States. She was also the first American-born saint beatified by the Roman Catholic Church.

Aug. 28, 1776 - General George Washington ordered 1,200 more men from Manhattan to Brooklyn.

Aug. 28, 1833 – The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 received Royal Assent, abolishing slavery through most of the British Empire.

Aug. 28, 1845 – The first issue of Scientific American magazine was published. It’s the oldest continuously published magazine in the United States, and it started as a four-page weekly newsletter.

Aug. 28, 1859 – The Carrington event disrupted electrical telegraph services and caused aurora to shine so brightly that they are seen clearly over the Earth's middle latitudes.

Aug. 28, 1861 – During the Civil War, Union forces attacked Cape Hatteras, N.C. in the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries, which lasted for two days. This closed an important outlet from Pamlico Sound for Confederate blockade runners. Its propaganda value was vastly greater. It was the first Federal incursion of Confederate soil in the Carolinas since secession, and caused rejoicing in the North, and corresponding despondency in the South, all out of proportion to its true value.

Aug. 28, 1861 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought at Ball's Mill, Mo.

Aug. 28, 1861 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought at Ball's Cross Roads and near Baily's Cross Roads, Va.

Aug. 28-30, 1862 – The Second Battle of Manassas (Second Bull Run) began in Prince William County, Va. and four members of the Conecuh Guards were killed there - Thomas Robertson, Joseph Stallworth, James H. Thomas (who’d been wounded earlier at Seven Pines on May, 31, 1862) and Jasper Newton Stinson (who’d been promoted to color sergeant of the Fourth Alabama Regiment about a month before). Five other members of the Conecuh Guards were wounded - 1st Lt. Alfred Christian, 1st Lt. John G. Guice (who was wounded in two places, lost a leg and was honorably discharged), William Morrow (who was later wounded at Spotsylvania Court House in May 1864 and returned to live in Mobile County after war), Buck Stuckey (who would be killed at the Battle of Darbytown Road in September 1864) and Francis M. Sampey (who would be wounded later near Farmville, Va. in April 1865 and die in Selma in 1874).

Aug. 28, 1862 - Confederate General Braxton Bragg captured a Union garrison at Mumfordsvilled, Ky.

Aug. 28, 1862 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Thoroughfare Gap, near Gainesville, Lewis' Ford, Centreville and Hay Market in Virginia; at Ashley, Mo.; and near Corinth, Miss.

Aug. 28, 1862 – During the Civil War, not far from Groveton, Va., was a farm owned by a man named Brawner. It was on this unfortunate fellow’s land that the equally unfortunate Gen. John “Headquarters in the Saddle” Pope ventured on this day, under the impression that he was chasing the fleeing forces of Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. When Rufus King’s men ran into Jackson’s, a fierce battle broke out at the Brawner place. Pope, hearing of this, ordered the rest of his men to move there. He had no idea that Lee and Longstreet had arrived, conferred with Stonewall, and were now moving around the entire battle into Pope’s rear. The following day would not be a good day for Pope.

Aug. 28, 1863 - Confederate Naval Lt. George W. Gift paid a visit to the shipyard above Mobile Bay, Ala. to observe the progress in construction of the two vessels, the Tennessee and Nashville. The Tennessee was nice enough, but Gift was in awe of the immense Nashville. “She is tremendous!” he wrote. “The wardroom...is six staterooms and a pantry long, and about as broad between the rooms as the whole Chattahoochee. Her engines are tremendous, and it requires all her width, fifty feet, to place her boilers. The Tennessee is insignificant alongside her.”

Aug. 28, 1863 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought in Callaway County, Mo.; and at Hartwood Church, Va.

Aug. 28, 1864 - Union General Alfred Terry, a native of Connecticut, was promoted from brigadier general to major general in the United States Volunteers.

Aug. 28, 1864 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought near Rocheport, Mo.; near Holly Springs, Miss.; and at Leetown and Smithfield in West Virginia.

Aug. 28, 1869 - Convinced they would have a better chance surviving the desert than the raging rapids that lay ahead, three men (Seneca Howland, O.G. Howland and William H. Dunn) left John Wesley Powell’s expedition through the Grand Canyon and scaled the cliffs to the plateau above. When Powell reached the nearest settlement, he learned that the three men who left had encountered a war party of Shivwit Indians and were killed.

Aug. 28, 1895 – Monroe Masonic Lodge, No. 485, was scheduled to hold its regular communication at 10 a.m. at River Ridge, Ala. A.H. Johnson was the lodge’s secretary.

Aug. 28, 1895 – Col. B.L. Hibbard left on this Wednesday for Birmingham, Ala. to attend the Midsummer Carnival of United Confederate Veterans, given under the auspices of Camp Hardee, of which he was a member. Hibbard was on the program for an address on the theme, “Fraternal Patriotism.”

Aug. 28, 1896 - The Monroe Journal suggested “that as a means of preserving order and improving the moral tone of the community that our citizens take immediate steps to incorporate the town (Monroeville), enact ordinances against the vices and evils most indulged and elect town officers who will have the courage to enforce them. Our town can never permanently improve, our school can never be built up nor our youth develop a character that will render them useful or respected so long as we live in so unwholesome an atmosphere as has existed here for sometime past, and which we grieve to say, has shown no signs of improvement, but rather the reverse. The violations of the prohibition law have become so flagrant of late and the loathsome spectacle of public drunkenness so disgusting that forbearance has ceased to be a virtue, and the good citizens of the community are justly incensed. The Journal stands ready to aid in every needed reform.”

Aug. 28, 1898 – Caleb Bradham invented the carbonated soft drink that will later be called "Pepsi-Cola."

Aug. 28, 1906 – British poet laureate John Betjeman was born in the Highgate section of London.

Aug. 28, 1906 - Mrs. Maria Elizabeth Jones, the 58-year-old wife of Capt. F.M. Jones, died at Tuscaloosa, Ala., on this Tuesday morning, aged 63 years. She had been an inmate of the hospital at Tuscaloosa for a number of years. Her remains were expected to arrive in Monroeville, Ala. on the Aug. 30 afternoon train and were to be interred in the Methodist cemetery on arrival. Born on May 14, 1848, she was buried in the Methodist Cemetery in Monroeville.

Aug. 28, 1914 – Noah B. Jones, a “well known and highly esteemed citizen of Evergreen,” passed away at his home on Pecan Street at the age of 73. (Some sources say he died on Aug. 26.) A former Evergreen postmaster, merchant and farmer, he was also a Confederate veteran and a member of Camp Capt. Wm. Lee, U.C.V. and of Armor Lodge, No. 31, Knights of Pythias. Born at Fort Decatur, Macon County, Ala. on Nov. 21, 1841. Moved to Butler County with his family in 1858 and joined the Confederate Army in 1862, serving with Capt. Isbell’s company from Talladega County, which was part of the 1st Alabama Infantry Regiment. He served in Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, and was taken prisoner during the battle and siege at Port Hudson. He was later exchanged and was sent with his regiment to Georgia. He was later severly wounded in the Battle at New Hope Church, which closed his active service, but he served on detail duty until the end of the war. He and his family moved to Conecuh County in 1865.

Aug. 28, 1914 – During World War I, the Royal Navy defeated the German fleet in the Battle of Heligoland Bight.

Aug. 28, 1914 - World War I spread from land to sea when the first major naval battle of the conflict broke out between British and German ships in the North Sea, near the northern coast of Germany, in a partially enclosed body of water known as Heligoland Bight, which was used to shelter several bases of the German High Seas Fleet and also offered a good starting-off point for attacks against the British Isles.

Aug. 28, 1914 – During World War I, German troops took the city of Namur in Belgium.

Aug. 28, 1915 – While hunting on Cedar Creek on this Saturday morning, Ernest Frazier accidentally shot and killed his friend, L.A. Palmer. Frazier mistakenly thought that Palmer was a turkey in the underbrush.

Aug. 28, 1915 – American illustrator Tasha Tudor was born Starling Burgess in Boston.

Aug. 28, 1916 – During World War I, Germany declared war on Romania.

Aug. 28, 1916 – During World War I, Italy declared war on Germany.

Aug. 28, 1934 – Welsh-Australian geologist and explorer Edgeworth David passed away at the age of 76 in Sydney, Australia.

Aug. 28, 1941 - The Football Writers Association of America was organized.

Aug. 28, 1941 – Monroeville’s American Legion sponsored a program of entertainment for about 5,000 soldiers who were returning from Louisiana to Fort Benning, Ga. The boys were expected to begin arriving in Monroeville on this Thursday afternoon about five p.m. and pitch their tents at the airport. Arrangements had been made for a street dance and the streets around the public square were to be roped off for that purpose. There was also be a square dance and other forms of entertainment. The Monroe County High School Band planned to furnish music for this occasion and Professor John Williams, director of the band, requested that all members of the band be present to take part in the program. Early the next morning, the soldiers were expected to depart for Ft. Benning.

Aug. 28, 1941 – The Monroe Journal reported that Israel Katz, who had recently left for the Army and was stationed at Ft. McPherson, Ga., spent the weekend with this mother, Mrs. Minnie Katz, and other relatives.

Aug. 28, 1943 – During World War II, in Denmark, a general strike against the Nazi occupation started.

Aug 28, 1943 - A horrible tragedy occurred on the Monroeville-Frisco City highway near Ollie about eight o’clock on this Saturday night when a car driven by Byron Stacey and a truck driven by Clarence Brooks collided. Stacey, his wife and their small child were killed and Brooks was injured about the head and also suffered a badly broken knee. He was treated in the Repton Hospital. According to reports, Brooks was driving north and the Stacey car was going south when the accident happened.

Aug. 28, 1943 - The saw mill belonging to Hugh Dickson and located about three miles south of Monroeville, was destroyed by fire about three o’clock on this Saturday afternoon. The loss was said to include two engines, mill equipment, a collection of tools and a small quantity of lumber.

Aug. 28, 1947 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Robert Gaston Bozeman Jr. was doing nicely after undergoing an appendectomy at Carter’s Hospital in Repton during the week.

Aug. 28, 1947 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Mrs. F.L. Cardwell, who was bitten on the ankle by a rattlesnake on Sat., Aug. 23, was reported to be fast recovering.

Aug. 28, 1947 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Superintendent of Schools, Harvey G. Pate, wished to remind all patrons of Conecuh County Schools that the old law, providing that children may enter schools in the Fall if they reached their sixth birthday before Oct. 1, still remained in effect. The Legislature at that time passed an act providing for the admission of children who would reach their sixth birthday on or before Jan. 15. This new law was held invalid by the Attorney General in a recent ruling. Since the Attorney General’s decision was legally binding, the Board of Education had made its plans to operate under the old law. All parents asking for entrance for beginners were requested to show proof of birth date of the children. All schools in Conecuh County were to open on Sept. 8, 1947.

Aug. 28, 1947 – The Evergreen Courant reported that a series of burglaries had been reported during the previous week or so by citizens living in various sections of the city. In most instances reported, cash was taken from pockets and billfolds of the victims. A number of other instances of prowling had been reported at several different homes.

Aug. 28, 1947 – The Evergreen Courant reported that the Evergreen Greenies won the honor of playing the winner of the McCullough-Atmore series by defeating Flomaton two straight games in the elimination playoff. The first game of the championship playoff was to be played in Brooks Stadium on Sun., Aug. 31, at three o’clock. This was to be the final game to be played in Evergreen that season. Wade Nobles, a fastball-throwing right-hander, came through with an 8-3 win on Thurs., Aug. 21, to solve acting-manager Zell Murphy’s pre-game pitching worries. Making his debut as a pitcher, Nobles gave up only nine scattered hits and allowed only one earned run to cross the plate. Harry Brooks, Flomaton pitcher, held Evergreen to only six hits, but was given very little support by his teammates who made eight costly errors. Eben Moorer and Joe McDonald collected two blows each to pace the Greenies to their 8-3 victory. Manager Hart opened on the mound for Evergreen on Sun., Aug. 24, but had to call on Edsel Johnson to take over in the ninth when he ran into some trouble. The Greenies drove out a total of 12 base hits off two Flomaton pitchers, one of which was a 365-foot home with two men aboard by Nobles in the third inning. White had three singles to his credit to gain batting honors for the winners.

Aug. 28, 1947 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Evergreen High School’s 1947 Football Schedule was as follows: Sept. 19, v. Repton; Sept. 26, v. Pine Hill; Oct. 3, at Greenville; Oct. 10, at Frisco City; Oct. 16, v. W.S. Neal; Oct. 31, v. Monroeville; Nov. 7, v. Uriah; Nov. 14, v. Camden; Nov. 21, v.  T.R. Miller.

Aug. 28, 1952 – Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and novelist Rita Dove was born in Akron, Ohio.

Aug. 28, 1955 – In Sunday afternoon baseball action, McKenzie beat Paul, 9-3.

Aug. 28, 1963 – In a disappearance attributed to the “Bermuda Triangle,” two new KC-135, four-engine jet Stratotankers, on a refueling mission out of Homestead Air Force Base, Fla. on their way to a classified refueling range in the Atlantic, disappeared shortly after giving their position as 300 miles southwest of Bermuda.

Aug. 28, 1963 - Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, D.C.

Aug. 28, 1966 - It was reported in three Soviet newspapers that North Vietnamese pilots were undergoing training in a secret Soviet air base to fly supersonic interceptors against U.S. aircraft.

Aug. 28, 1967 - Reverend Thomas Lee Hayes, speaking for the National Mobilization Committee, announced that there would be a massive protest march on October 21 in Washington.

Aug. 28, 1968 - The Democratic National Convention in Chicago endorsed the Johnson administration’s platform on the war in Vietnam and chose Vice President Hubert Humphrey as the party’s nominee for president.

Aug. 28, 1972 - The U.S. Air Force got its first ace (a designation traditionally awarded for five enemy aircraft confirmed shot down) since the Korean War. Captain Richard S. Ritchie, flying with his “backseater” (radar intercept officer), Captain Charles B. DeBellevue, in an F-4 out of Udorn Air Base in Thailand, shot down his fifth MiG near Hanoi.

Aug. 28, 1972 - President Nixon announced that the military draft would end by July 1973

Aug. 28, 1976 - Mike Bledsoe’s debut as head coach of the Sparta Academy Warriors in Greenville on this Saturday night was disappointing. His team lost 19-6 to a bigger, more experienced and faster bunch of Greenville Tornadoes. Bobby Johnson legged 59 yards on 19 carries, Andy Skipper 41 on 14, and Jerry Peacock 20 on 11, including a touchdown from a yard out. Peacock also passed 20 times, completing seven for 73 yards, in his first start at quarterback. His brother, Terry, a freshman, pulled in four catches for 67 yards. Johnson grabbed two and Gray Stevens one. Other top Sparta players in that game included Hugh Bradford, John Cook, Bobby Padgett, Kent Cook, Tim Johnson, Joey Rayfield, Ronnie McKenzie, Steve Dubose, Jamie McKenzie and Greg Anthony.

Aug. 28, 1981 – Leroy, Ala. native Kelvin Moore made his Major League Baseball debut, playing first base for the Oakland A’s against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston. Oakland lost, 12-5. Batting fifth, Moore went 1-for-4, his hit coming on a single to center field in the top of the eighth.

Aug. 28, 1981 - "The New York Daily News" published its final afternoon edition.

Aug. 28, 1981 - John Hinckley, Jr. pled innocent to the charge of attempting to kill U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Hinckley was later acquitted by reason of insanity.

Aug. 28, 1985 – Hurricane Elena, which destroyed about 300 coastal Alabama homes, formed in the Atlantic. The hurricane did very little damage in Conecuh County, Ala., but did knock out power to a number of homes.

Aug. 28, 1985 – ABC Agent Dennis Farr, Conecuh County Sheriff’s Deputy Jimmy Lambert and Conversation Officer Glenn McDaniel destroyed an illegal liquor still in the Lenox community. No arrests were made in connection with the still, which was capable of making between 20 and 25 gallons of moonshine at a time.

Aug. 28, 1986 – Six historic districts in Greenville, Ala. were added to the National Register of Historic Places. Those districts included the Commerce Street Residential Historic District, the Fort Dale-College Street Historic District, the King Street Historic District, the South Greenville Historic District, the South Street Historic District and the West Commerce Street Historic District.

Aug. 28, 1987 – Evergreen High School was scheduled to open the season against J.F. Shields at Brooks Memorial Stadium in Evergreen, Ala. at 7:30 p.m. Projected offensive starters for Evergreen included Travis Stallworth, tight end; Patrick Atkins, tackle; James Gross, guard; Craig Blackburn, center; Russell Meeks, guard; Scott Jones, tackle; Marvin Cunningham, split end; Tony Simpson, tailback; Steve Cunningham, fullback; Jack Harvey, quarterback; and Greg Stanton, tailback. Projected defensive starters for Evergreen included Craig Palmer, James Gross, Patrick Atkins, James Grace, Travis Stallworth, Greg Stanton, Tony Simpson, Russell Meeks, Earl Johnson, Steve Cunningham and Marvin Cunningham.

Aug. 28, 1988 - Sixty-nine spectators were killed when three jets collided at an air show in Germany. The carnage from the accident was horrific, as debris and jet fuel covered the crowd below. It would be three years before Germany allowed another air show to be held, this time with more stringent safety precautions.

Aug. 28, 1990 - Iraq declared Kuwait to be its 19th province and renamed Kuwait City al-Kadhima.

Aug. 28, 1992 - The 1992 Sparta Academy Warrior Cheerleading Squad cheering on their Warriors on this Friday night in Luverne to open the 1992 gridiron season against the Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars included co-captains Stephanie Booth and Julie Brundage, Rachel Bohannon, Regina Hawsey, Kelly Booker, Nann Castleberry, captain Kelly Booker and Carla Grimes.

Aug. 28, 2003 - Excel High School’s new head coach Jodie Jones wiped the sweat from his brow and breathed a long sigh of relief on this Thursday in Excel as the last second ticked off the game clock. Jones was relieved to open the season with a 14-8 victory over Monroe County rival Frisco City on a wet and humid evening. Standout Excel players in that game included Neal Butler, Jerry Elliott, Kyle Holder, Seth Mack, Chase Reeves, Ryan Smith and Justin Whatley. Frisco City players in that game included Scottie English, Risamar Lett, Eric McCants, Laquentin Robinson and Jeffrey Williams. Troy Quinn was FCHS’s head coach.

Aug. 28, 2005 - Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast of the United States. At least 1,200 people were killed in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Aug. 28, 2008 – The Beda Cemetery and Butler Cemetery in Covington County, Ala. were added to the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register.

Daily Rainfall Observations from SW Alabama for Mon., Aug. 28, 2017

Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): 0.00 inches.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.00 inches.

Month to Date Rainfall:  5.55 inches.

Summer to Date Rainfall: 21.90 inches.

Year to Date Rainfall: 65.45 inches.

Notes: Today is the 240th day of 2017 and the 69th day of Summer. There are 125 days left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hours Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line and south of U.S. Highway 84, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834N Lon 87.30131W. Elevation 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE.

130-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from Aug. 1887

Grave of Mrs. Mary Sowell

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of publisher Q. Salter, published four editions 130 years ago during the month of August 1887. Those four issues, which were dated Aug. 4, Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Aug. 25, can be found on microfilm at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville, Ala. What follows are a few news highlights from those four editions. Enjoy.

AUG. 4, 1887

Open Cotton – The first boll of open cotton we have seen this season was sent us by Messrs. Roberts, Locklin & Co., Perdue Hill. It was grown by one of their customers, Burrel Crawford, and was found open July 24^th.

Died – Mr. B. Partin, one of Clarke County’s best citizens, died at his home near Gainestown Sat., July 30, after a lingering illness. He was near 70 years of age.

Col. B.L. Hibbard of Birmingham is spending some time on a visit to his father-in-law, Judge J.W. Leslie. The Colonel says the Magic City’s still booming.

Col. D.R. McMillan of Columbiana is visiting relatives and friends at this place.

Postmaster Inspector Booth spent some time in town last week overhauling and examining Postmaster Seymour’s books and accounts, which he pronounced all O.K.

Four cases were tried before the County Court which was in session Monday.

Mr. E.D. Conover, accompanied by Mr. Jno. I. Watson, went to Brewton this week with a view of establishing his photograph gallery at that place.

Mr. M.B. Ritchie of River Ridge gave us a pleasant call Monday. He reports crops pretty good, but says the river has risen about seven feet and if the rains continue, fears are entertained of an overflow.

The regular August term of the Commissioners Court will convene Monday.

AUG. 11, 1887

Justice court convened Monday.

Commissioners court was in session the first of the week.

Died – At the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah Andress, about six miles north of Monroeville, on Monday night the 8^th inst., Mrs. Mary Sowell, mother of Judge W.C. Sowell, of our town, in the 81^st year of her age.

The Perdue Hill Dramatic Club will give an entertainment at the Masonic Hall Friday night, Aug. 12. The plays will be “Won at Last” and “Handsome Husband.” This is the first entertainment of the season and promises to be a great success.

Mr. Lambert Daniel, a prominent young merchant of Robeline, La., son of Mr. Joseph Daniel, formerly of this place, was on a visit to his uncle, Mr. S.F. Daniel, near town last week.

Died – At Perdue Hill, Tuesday morning, Aug. 9, Mrs. Cotter, wife of the late Dr. J.W. Cotter.

Miss Belle Kimball of Charlotte, N.C. is visiting Mrs. Emma Seymour and other friends at this place.

CHESTNUT: Mr. John A. Riley is lying at the point of death with consumption, so said by the doctors.

BUENA VISTA: Mr. John A. Riley, a young merchant of Chestnut, is seriously sick. At quite an early age, he has fallen a victim to consumption. His friends entertain no hope of his recovery.

AUG. 18, 1887

RIVER RIDGE, Aug. 13, 1887: The blacksmith shop of Mr. W.J. McCants of this place was burned Wednesday night at 12 o’clock. The fire originated from a pile of coal on the forge. It was a total loss. Mr. J.F. McKinley, who had the shop rented, has suffered greatly, having lost all his tools and some material of a new wagon, etc. McCants thinks he will have the shop ready for use by the 20^th of August.

JOHN A. RILEY – died this morning at his residence at Chestnut, Ala. He has gone to meet his wife, who proceeded him to the Spirit Land but a few short months. The leave two sweet little girls to battle with the world alone.

Miss Georgie Rawls, a most pleasant young lady of Repton, and formerly of this place, is visiting Miss Emma Seymour and numerous other friends in Monroeville.

Col. B.L. Hibbard and family, who have been spending some time at this place on a visit to Hon. J.W. Leslie, returned to their home in Birmingham Sunday.

Rev. Mr. Cowan closed a very successful revival meeting at Puryearville Wednesday night with 18 accessions to the church.

Rev. Jas. P. Miller, who is visiting his many friends here (River Ridge) and at Scotland, will preach for us Tuesday night at early candle lighting.

AUG. 25, 1887

Mr. S.W. Yarbrough has purchased the steam gin, saw and grist mill of Mr. T.J. Emmons, about two miles from town.

DIED – Near Axle, Sunday 21^st, Mr. H.S. Wiggins, aged about 26.

KILLED – A man by the name of Helton was killed by a stroke of lightning near Rev. M. Stabler’s place Monday.

C.J. Torrey, Esq., of Mobile, who is spending some time at Claiborne, was among his Monroeville friends Saturday.

Mr. L. Daniel, who has recently been visiting relatives in Monroe, has returned to his home in Robeline, La.

Mr. R.F. Metts’s cozy new residence is rapidly nearing completion and will be ready for occupancy in a few weeks.

Miss Katie Cuming of Birmingham is visiting the family of Capt. T.S. Wiggins.

Master Willie Neville has been employed as clerk in Mr. Jno. I. Watson’s grocery store.

Mr. Mark Taylor of Buena Vista passed through town Tuesday on his way to the pine section a few miles south of town for the purpose of locating a homestead.

There has been quite a race between several of our young farmers the present week to see which could get the first bale of new cotton on the market.

Mr. Johnnie Sowell will begin a 10 months school at the Academy Sept. 15 with about 25 pupils.

Today in History for Aug. 27, 2017

Aug. 27, 1770 – Philosopher Georg Hegel was born in Stuttgart.

Aug. 27, 1776 - British forces under General William Howe and his brother, Admiral Richard viscount Howe, defeated Patriot forces under General George Washington at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights in New York.

Aug. 27, 1809 - Hannibal Hamlin, the 15th Vice President of the United States, who served under President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, was born in Paris, Maine.

Aug. 27, 1846 – Samuel G. Portis was commissioned as Monroe County, Alabama’s Sheriff.

Aug. 27, 1856 – R. Hunley Agee was born at Perdue Hill, Ala. He later became the president of the R.H.&W.C. Agee Grocery Co. and one of Selma’s leading businessmen. He served as a member of Selma’s city council and as city tax assessor for two years.

Aug. 27, 1858 - The first cabled news dispatch was sent and was published by "The New York Sun" newspaper. The story was about the peace demands of England and France being met by China.

Aug. 27, 1859 – Petroleum was discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania leading to the world's first commercially successful oil well. It's been called "the most important oil well ever drilled" because it marked the beginning of the modern petroleum age. Petroleum had been discovered elsewhere, of course, but this was the first well successfully drilled in search of the stuff.

Aug. 27, 1861 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought at the Antietam Iron Works in Maryland.

Aug. 27, 1861 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought at Ball’s Crossroad, Va.

Aug. 27, 1861 – During the Civil War, King Kamehameha IV announced that his nation, Hawaii, would observe neutrality in the hostilities. This simplified matters for Pacific naval operations of both sides, but had little diplomatic effect.

Aug. 27, 1861 - Union ships sailed into Cape Hatteras, N.C., beginning a two-day operation to secure the area for the Federals and denying the Confederates an important outlet to the Atlantic. The capture of Cape Hatteras was an important victory for the Union, especially after the disaster at the First Battle of Bull Run, Va. one month earlier. It also gave the Union a toehold on the North Carolina coast, and it sealed an important outlet to the Atlantic.

Aug. 27, 1862 – During the Civil War, a skirmish occurred at Bridgeport, Ala.

Aug. 27, 1862 – During the Civil War, Fort McCook was attacked at Battle Creek, Tenn., and the Federals burned the fort and retreated.

Aug. 27, 1862 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought near Kossuth, Miss.; near Cumberland Gap, Murfreesborough, Reynolds Station, near Pulaski and Woodbury in Tennessee; and at Buckland Bridge (Broad Run,) Bull Run Bridge, Kettle Run (near Bristoe Station,) Salem and Waterford in Virginia.

Aug. 27, 1862 – During the Civil War, General John Pope was in deep, deep trouble and didn’t know it. He did know that he had suddenly lost communication with Washington because Fitzhugh Lee had cut the telegraph wires in Manassas Junction. Since he was in town waiting for his father (Robert E. Lee) Fitz decided he might as well send the tons of supplies he had captured at the railroad depot south instead of north, and burn what couldn’t be carried. Pope on this day moved north, thinking he had the younger Lee trapped at the old Bull Run battlefield, and that George McClellan would soon be arriving to help. Other generals would be arriving, all right, but their names were Lee, Longstreet and Jackson.

Aug. 27, 1863 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought with Indians at Fort Bowie in the Arizona Territory; at Bayou Meto, Ark.; in Carter County and at Clark’s Neck, in Lawrence County, Ky.; at Mount Pleasant and near Vicksburg, Miss.; near Shellmound, Tenn.; at Weaverville and Little Washington, Va.; and at Balls Mill and Beverly in West Virginia. A cavalry skirmish was also fought at Edward’s Ferry, Md.

Aug. 27, 1864 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought near Pine Bluff and Fayette in Arkansas; at Owensborough, Ky.; and at Duffield’s Station and Mutter’s Hill in West Virginia.

Aug. 27, 1864 – During the Civil War, a 10-day Federal operation began, encompassing Little Rock, Devall’s Bluff, Searcy, Fairview and Augusta in Arkansas.

Aug. 27, 1864 – During the Civil War, the project to completely surround Atlanta, Ga., was nearing completion on this day. General William Tecumseh Sherman had pretty much had his way with the city since the Battle of Atlanta more than a month before. With every step from Peachtree Creek to Ezra Church to this day, the Federal Armies of the Cumberland, the Ohio and the Tennessee would attack, the defenders would retreat, and General Hood would blame General Hardee for one lapse or another. The final assault was nearing on this day as Sherman launched the assault on the Macon & Western Railroad lines. The loss of the final supply route would force Hood to surrender, die--or evacuate.

Aug. 27, 1864 – During the Civil War, a Federal operation began against Oywhee Indians near Fort Boise in the Idaho Territory.

Aug. 27, 1865 - Charles Dawes, the 30th U.S. Vice President, who served under President Calvin Coolidge, was born in Marietta, Ohio.

Aug. 27, 1871 – Novelist Theodore Dreiser was born in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Aug. 27, 1881 – The Georgia hurricane made landfall near Savannah, Ga., resulting in an estimated 700 deaths.

Aug. 27, 1883 – During what is now known as the “Eruption of Krakatoa,” four enormous explosions destroyed the island of Krakatoa and caused years of climate change.

Aug. 27, 1886 – The Monroe Journal reported that cotton was “opening very rapidly during the warm, dry weather.”

Aug. 27, 1886 – The Monroe Journal reported that Monroeville had not received her first bale of new cotton up to that date.

Aug. 27, 1886 – The Monroe Journal reported that Sheriff Armstrong of Macon County, who was killed by Mr. B.C. Thompson at Tuskegee the week before, was a brother of Hon. Henry Clay Armstrong, U.S. Minister to the Brazilian Empire.

Aug. 27, 1886 – The Monroe Journal reported that noticeable improvements were being made to the store of F. Metts on East Side.

Aug. 27, 1886 – The Monroe Journal reported that the Russell and Hudson steam mill was “being overhauled, put in order for the fall ginning season.”

Aug. 27, 1886 – The Monroe Journal reported that “several young gentlemen and ladies of Monroeville attended the Dramatic Entertainment at Perdue Hill last week. All express themselves as being highly pleased with the two charming plays presented. Success to the Perdue Hill Dramatic Club.”

Aug. 27, 1893 – The Sea Islands hurricane struck the United States near Savannah, Ga., killing an estimated 1,000-2,000 people.

Aug. 27, 1899 – Novelist C.S. Forester was born Cecil Smith in Cairo, Egypt.

Aug. 27, 1902 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Manager Thos. Johns of the Telephone Exchange, with his family, had moved into the residence in front of the Evergreen Baptist church.

Aug. 27, 1902 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Mack Binion, the young son of E.M. Binion, had a very bad accident the previous week by being gored by one of his father’s cows, its horns lacerating the flesh between the knee and hip. At press time, the boy was doing “very well.”

Aug. 27, 1902 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Rev. A.G. Mosley, pastor of the Evergreen Baptist church, was expected to return to Evergreen and begin his regular services on the first Sunday in September.

Aug. 27, 1908 - Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, was born in Stonewall, Texas.

Aug. 27, 1912 – The character of Tarzan, King of the Apes, came to life for the first time in an All-Story Magazine story, “Tarzan of the Apes: A Romance of the Jungle” by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Aug. 27, 1914 – Brewton and Monroeville played a baseball double header in Brewton, Ala. Brewton won the first game, 3-2, and Monroeville won the second game, 1-0.

Aug. 27, 1915 – Uncle Jake Franklin, who lived near Brooklyn, died and was believed to have been 107 years old.

Aug. 27, 1916 - A “deplorable homicide” occurred on this Sunday night near the camp of the Alabama Turpentine Co. at Megargel in which Willie Whisenhant was shot and killed by Hiram N. Dilburn. Dilburn was warden of the state convicts employed at the camp while Whisenhant was an employee of the turpentine company. Some misunderstanding arose between the two men over the time or manner of working the convicts and hard feelings were aroused over the matter. It was said that Dilburn went to the boarding place of Whisenhant late on Sunday evening and angry words were exchanged. The two men walked a short distance from the house where the difficulty was renewed, culminating in the shooting. Dilburn was jailed in Monroeville.

Aug. 27, 1916 – The Kingdom of Romania declared war on Austria-Hungary, entering World War I as one of the Allied nations.

Aug. 27, 1916 - After Romania declared war on Austria-Hungary, formally entering World War I, Romanian troops crossed the border of the Austro-Hungarian Empire into the much-contested province of Transylvania.

Aug. 27, 1918 – During the Mexican Revolution at the Battle of Ambos Nogales, U.S. Army forces skirmished against Mexican Carrancistas in the only battle of World War I fought on American soil.

Aug. 27, 1921 - The owner of Acme Packing Company bought a pro football team for Green Bay, Wisc. J.E. Clair paid tribute to those who worked in his plant by naming the team the Green Bay Packers.

Aug. 27, 1921 – The British installed the son of Sharif Hussein bin Ali (leader of the Arab Revolt of 1916 against the Ottoman Empire) as King Faisal I of Iraq.

Aug. 27, 1929 – Author, dramatist and songwriter Ira Levin was born in New York City.

Aug. 27, 1937 - The movie “Dead End,” screenplay by Alabama author Lillian Hellman, was released.

Aug. 27, 1938 – Phyllis Newcombe, 22, died after spontaneously combusting in front of numerous witnesses around midnight during a dance at the Chelmsford Shire Hall in England.

Aug. 27, 1940 – Preseason football practice began at Monroe County High School under coach J.E. Williams. MCHS’s 1940 schedule was as follows: Oct. 4, v. Thomasville; Oct. 11, at Atmore; Oct. 18, v. Grove Hill; Oct. 25, v. Frisco City; Nov. 1, Open; Nov. 8, at Georgiana; Nov. 15, at Greenville; Nov. 22, v. Brewton.

Aug. 27, 1942 – The Evergreen Courant reported that construction of the Halso Mill Bridge over Pigeon Creek on Oaky Streak Road in Butler County, 10 miles southwest of Greenville, had been completed. At 920 feet, the bridge was the longest bridge in the Butler County. It was 20-1/2 feet wide and rested on 300 pilings and was constructed of creosoted timbers.

Aug. 27, 1943 - The USS Eldridge was officially commissioned with Lieutenant C. R. Hamilton, USNR, in command.

Aug. 27, 1943 - A movie version of Alabama author Lillian Hellman's play “Watch on the Rhine” was released.

Aug. 27, 1949 – Jeff Cook, who is best known as one of the founding members of the country music group Alabama, was born in Fort Payne, Ala.

Aug. 27, 1950 - The New York Yankees honored sportscaster Mel Allen with "Mel Allen Day" and other awards including a $10,000 cash prize. The play-by-play announcer for the Yankees for 25 years was born was born Melvin Israel in Johns (Jefferson County) in February 1913. In 1937, Allen left Alabama for a successful audition with the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) in New York, taking his father's middle name as his new on-air last name when the network suggested that he change his name to something "less Jewish." He took the job with the Yankees that made him famous in 1939.

Aug. 27, 1953 – Inverness, Ala. native Billy Hitchcock appeared in his final Major League Baseball game, taking the field one last time for the Detroit Tigers.

Aug. 27, 1955 – The first edition of the “Guinness Book of World Records” was printed.

Aug. 27, 1964 – Baldwin County High School principal C.V. Daniels announced that Vance McCrory of Frisco City had been named assistant coach and science teacher at Baldwin County High School in Bay Minette, Ala.

Aug. 27, 1964 – South Vietnamese junta leader Nguyễn Khánh entered into a triumvirate power-sharing arrangement with rival generals Trần Thiện Khiêm and Dương Văn Minh, who had both been involved in plots to unseat Khánh.

Aug. 27, 1969 – Alabama native Oscar Gamble made his Major League Baseball debut for the Chicago Cubs.

Aug. 27, 1970 - Vice President Spiro Agnew met with South Vietnamese president Nguyen Van Thieu in Saigon.

Aug. 27, 1970 - MACV (Military Assistance Command Vietnam) reported that 52 Americans died and 358 were wounded during the week August 16-22, the lowest casualty toll since the week of Dec. 3, 1966.

Aug. 27, 1972 - In the heaviest bombing in four years, U.S. aircraft flattened North Vietnamese barracks near Hanoi and Haiphong as part of ongoing Operation Linebacker I, part of President Nixon’s response to the NVA Easter Offensive. Planes also hit bridges on the northeast railroad line to China.

Aug. 27, 1976 – In Charles Branum’s debut as Evergreen High School’s head football coach, Evergreen lost to W.S. Neal, 19-0, in East Brewton. Tony Rogers led the offense and the defense with nine solos and five assists.

Aug. 27, 1976 – Actress Sarah Chalke was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Aug. 27, 1977 - The Sparta Academy Warriors were scheduled to open their 1977 football season in Evergreen on this Saturday night at Stuart-McGehee Field. Kickoff was set for eight o’clock against their traditional rival, the Greenville Academy Tornadoes. Head Coach Mike Bledsoe and assistant “Bo” Owens stated that their squad of 21 had been working hard and showing lots of enthusiasm.

Aug. 27, 1981 – Mike Qualls’ long-running “From the Sidelines” sports column made its first appearance in The Monroe Journal.

Aug. 27, 1982 - Oakland Athletics outfielder Rickey Henderson stole his 119th base of the year, breaking Hall of Famer Lou Brock's 1979 record for stolen bases in a season.

Aug. 27, 1985 – The “Claiborne-Murphy Bridge” at Claiborne, which opened to traffic in October 1930, was demolished and was replaced by a more modern bridge.

Aug. 27, 1986 – Excel’s Scott Bell played offensive tackle for the University of Alabama in the Tide’s 16-10 win over Ohio State in the “Kickoff Classic” in New York City. Between his careers at Excel and Alabama, he played offensive tackle at Miss. Delta Jr. College, where he was named to the Mississippi Junior College Conference All-State Football Team in 1985.

Aug. 27, 1986 - Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros earned his 250th career win against the Chicago Cubs.

Aug. 27, 1990 – Conecuh County public schools were scheduled to open for the first day of classes for students. Steve Coker was Conecuh County’s Superintendent of Education.

Aug. 27, 1990 - The U.S. State Department ordered the expulsion of 36 Iraqi diplomats. Fifty-two Americans also reached Turkey after leaving Iraq, and three young American men were detained by the Iraqis.

Aug. 27, 1992 – The Evergreen Courant reported that the 1992 Sparta Academy Warriors would have big shoes to fill, trying to better the record of 1991’s state runner-up championship team. According to Head Coach Mike Bledsoe, 1992 would be a “rebuilding year” for the Warriors. The Warriors were to begin their quest for glory on Fri., Aug. 28, in Luverne, facing off against the Cougars of Crenshaw Christian Academy. Joining Coach Bledsoe on the coaching staff were Headmaster David Clanton and assistant coach Michael Bledsoe.

Aug. 27, 1992 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Shane Lavigne, the son of Mrs. Joyce Lavigne Harper of Evergreen, was the recipient of the 1992 Wendell Hart Scholarship. This prestigious award was announced Tues., Aug. 25, by the scholarship committee. Shane was a graduate of Hillcrest High School where he was a member of the Aerospace Club, Student Government Association and Agri-business. He planned to attend Troy State University in the fall where he planned to pursue a degree in pre-engineering.

Aug. 27, 1994 - The largest mass balloon release --a staggering 1,592,744 balloons-- was staged by Disney Home Video in Wilts, UK.

Aug. 27, 2003 – Mars made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, passing 34,646,418 miles distant.

Aug. 27, 2001 - Former Monroe County Commissioner Howard Carlisle McClure, 43, of Monroeville died on this Wednesday at a New Orleans hospital. McClure, who served four consecutive terms as county commissioner, was elected in 1986 and at 27 years old was one of the youngest elected commissioners in the state’s history.

Aug. 27, 2007 - Michael Vick, a star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, formally pleaded guilty before a Richmond, Va., judge to a federal felony charge related to running a dogfighting ring.

Aug. 27, 2011 – Hurricane Irene struck the United States east coast, killing 47 and causing an estimated $15.6 billion in damage.

Aug. 27, 2014 – Former Conecuh County Superintendent of Education, principal, teacher and coach Walter B. Hudson Jr. of Evergreen passed away at the age of 85 at West Florida Regional Medical Center in Pensacola, Fla. A native of Louisville, Ala., he served in Japan with the U.S. Air Force. He was buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Evergreen.

Daily Rainfall Observations from SW Alabama for Sun., Aug. 27, 2017

Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): 0.00 inches.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.00 inches.

Month to Date Rainfall:  5.55 inches.

Summer to Date Rainfall: 21.90 inches.

Year to Date Rainfall: 65.45 inches.

Notes: Today is the 239th day of 2017 and the 68th day of Summer. There are 126 days left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hours Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line and south of U.S. Highway 84, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834N Lon 87.30131W. Elevation 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE.

Singleton tells of Aunt Lellia, the midwife who delivered him, helped raise him

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 “Midwife became a trusted mentor for a boy born in a thunderstorm” was originally published in the April 12, 1990 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Almost everyone is born during unusual circumstances, such as being born early or being born late. There are those who were born while visiting Aunt Nancy, or while Mom and Pop were on vacation.

This was true when I was born. I was born two weeks early during the wee hours of the morning of Dec. 14. According to all calculations, I was supposed to come into this world somewhere between Christmas and New Year’s. But this was not the case. From all accounts, I was a total surprise to everyone; and this is the story of my life.

To make matters worse, the night that I made my entry into this old world, a severe thunderstorm was raging. My oldest brother was dragged from a deep sleep, to hear him tell it, and he departed on horseback to summon the country doctor who was to deliver me. I think my brother always held this against me because he said he nearly drowned that night riding the 10 miles or so in search of the doctor who wasn’t there.

Doctor was away

Because I was arriving early and no one was expecting me, the old doctor was gone to attend another patient in another neighborhood and wasn’t expected to return until the next day.

Since I wouldn’t wait for the doctor to deliver me, the trusted and faithful Aunt Lellia was brought into the action. Aunt Lellia was an old woman who lived nearby. Since she didn’t have a family to care for her, she was almost totally dependent on my family for survival. This wasn’t a problem because we always had enough food for two or three extra people at each meal, and Aunt Lellia was always near to help my mother if help was needed. Aunt Lellia was a very knowledgeable midwife; about half of the population around the community had been delivered by this wonderful woman.

So, as the thunderstorm raged outside in the darkness, dear Aunt Lellia, by the light of a kerosene lamp, brought me into this world. The story goes that I was claimed, right there on the spot, by Aunt Lellia. “This is my baby,” she stated.

From that day forward, this grand old lady did most of the looking after me. She was my constant companion during the days when I struggled along, learning to crawl and then take my first steps. Even into young manhood, Aunt Lellia saw to it that I received the proper counseling to guide me through the turmoils of life where many others had failed.

All-knowing but loving

She could have been an asset to the FBI. She knew everything; she did not hesitate to approve or disapprove my childhood sweethearts. But as the years passed, I came to realize that this wonderful and lovely old woman loved me dearly.

As a young boy, I got myself into many situations that I might have been spanked for. But always, dear Aunt Lellia stood between me and the peach tree switch that my mother was so handy with. Many times later, I thought about how this wonderful woman would have made an outstanding lawyer, had she been given the opportunity. She never had to think for an answer; the right one was always there.

I remember the time when I contracted the dreaded red measles. They wouldn’t break out on me; I became very sick. Aunt Lellia came to the rescue with some kind of evil tasting hot tea. Upon being threatened by both my mother and Aunt Lellia, I finally drank the terrible mixture.

I was told to go to sleep and that I would be broken out by morning. Sure enough, the next morning I was as red as I could be, and there wasn’t a place on my body that didn’t have a red measles pimple on it. When I asked Aunt Lellia what she had made the awful tea out of, I nearly got sick all over again; she had made it out of the bark from a red oak tree, among other things.

During the cold months of winter, should a cold threaten, the treatment was a “sally cloth.” This was a piece of flannel about the size of a large handkerchief. All kinds of strong smelling salves and mixtures were rubbed on the piece of flannel. To top it off, the flannel was saturated with plenty of red liniment.

You pulled your nightshirt up as high as you could get it. Aunt Lellia had been holding the piece of flannel close to the hot stove. When she thought it was hot enough, she would place the very hot cloth on your chest. When this happened, it seemed that hot steam came out of your nose and ears.

But this remedy was a sure cure for coughs and colds. The evil-smelling cloth was pinned to your nightshirt, and it remained there until you got out of bed the next day. I couldn’t blame the bad cold for leaving; it was hard enough to stay there myself.

Then, as spring appeared on the scene, the time was at hand for the usual dose of the spring tonic that Aunt Lellia would conjure up. This annual tonic taking was to cleanse your system for the coming spring and summer; it did just that. It was also intended to keep away fever and other things, such as boils and malaria. This tonic would have won any contest as being the worst-tasting liquid that could touch the lips of man. But we knew it was coming, just as sure as the seasons changed and spring appeared on the horizon.

Stand up and swallow

The tonic doses didn’t stop when one grew out of childhood. Can you imagine a 190-pound high school fullback being made to stand and swallow this terrible mixture, all the while being threatened with a spanking if it wasn’t swallowed? And I knew beyond a shadow of doubt that Aunt Lellia would have done just that.

My last and final dosage was during the first days of April 1946. I was completing my senior year in high school. This was the last spring tonic that Aunt Lellia would ever conjure up.

So, you see, the life of a boy born in a terrible thunderstorm was one that will always be remembered. And the beautiful people who contributed to my upbringing and well-being will forever dwell within my heart.

(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 during a late-night thunderstorm on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served in the Korean War, 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 1964 to 1987. For years, Singleton’s column “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. Some of his earlier columns also appeared under the heading of “Monroe County History: Did You Know?” 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.)

'WALK TO MORDOR' UPDATE: 1,430 miles down and 349 miles to go

Dead Marshes, marked in red.

I continued my (virtual) “Walk to Mordor” during the past week by logging 10 more miles since my last update. I walked/jogged five miles on Wednesday and five more yesterday (Friday). So far, I’ve logged 1,430 total miles on this virtual trip to Mount Doom, and I’ve got 349 more miles to go before I reach Mordor. All in all, I’ve completed about 80.4 percent of the total trip.

 

In relation to Frodo’s overall journey to destroy the One Ring at Mount Doom in Mordor, I’m on the sixth day/night of the trip past Rauros Falls, which is March 1/2 on the Middle Earth calendar. I left off my last update at Mile 1420 and one mile later, at Mile 1421, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee and Gollum entered the heart of the Dead Marshes. Three miles later, at Mile 1424, they rounded the west end of a wide stagnant mere, where the air was “black and heavy to breathe.”

 

Two miles later, at Mile 1426, wisps of light known as “candles of corpses” began to appear, and they saw where another wide mere extended west from there. One mile later, at Mile 1427, Sam fell and saw dead faces in the water, leftovers from the Battle of the Last Alliance. One mile later, at Mile 1428, they have to almost crawl as they founder through the treacherous mire.

 

One mile later, at Mile 1429, the reach firmer ground around 4 a.m., and Gollum trots down “a long lane between high reeds” before stopping to sniff. I’ve got one mile beyond this point, to Mile 1430, the point where Gollum’s uneasiness grows and they hear the cry of the Nazgul. There’s a rush of wind and the lights go out as the moon peaks through the clouds. It’s then that they see the Nazgul and Gollum cowers and refuses to go on until the moon is low.

 

The next significant milestone, Mile 1433, comes three miles later when the group reaches the end of the marshes around dawn.

 

For those of you reading this for the first time, I began this “Walk to Mordor” fitness challenge on Jan. 1, 2015. Using a book called “The Atlas of Middle-Earth” by Karen Wynn Fonstad, fans of “The Lord of the Rings” created this challenge by mapping out Frodo’s fictional trek to Mordor, calculating the total distance at 1,779 miles. They also used the original "Lord of the Rings" text to outline the journey, so you can follow their route by keeping up with your total mileage.

 

The folks who worked out the nuts and bolts of this virtual journey have divided it into four parts. It’s 458 miles from Hobbiton to Rivendell, 462 miles from Rivendell through Moria to Lothlorien, 389 miles from Lothlorien down the Anduin to Rauros Falls and 470 miles from Rauros to Mount Doom. (Those locations should sound very familiar to “Lord of the Rings” fans.) The hobbits averaged 18 miles a day, but if you walk (or jog, as I sometimes do) five miles a day, it’s possible to cover 1,779 miles in a year.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about the “Walk to Mordor Challenge,” I suggest you check out two Web sites, http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/07/23/walking/ and http://home.insightbb.com/~eowynchallenge/. Both of these sites provide a ton of details about the challenge, including how to get started.

 

In the end, check back next Friday for another update and to see how much closer I am to Mordor. I hope to knock out at least 10 more miles next week, and I’ll include all that in my update next week.