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

14 YEARS AGO
MAY 10, 2007

Those who gave to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Monroe County have set a new standard in giving, shattering the previous record to raise over $254,000 this year.
Friday night hundreds piled onto the track at Monroe County High’s Tiger Stadium to walk through to the wee hours of the morning. Because cancer never sleeps, neither did they.
The 38 teams had ornately decorated the tents centered on this year’s theme of “Relay Jones and the Quest for Knowledge,” based on the Indiana Jones movies.
One of the more interesting events of the night was the womanless beauty pageant, which featured 10 contestants from different Relay teams.

Monroe County High School’s Lady Tigers took second place in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 4A, Area 2 softball tournament in Jackson Saturday. The team was scheduled to start play in the sub-state tournament Tuesday afternoon in Andalusia.
(Team members were Hayley Cassity, Rebecca Hayes, Sarah Allen, Anna Katherine Black, Caroline Ondrey, Hayley Carnes, Maggie Walsh, Taylor Bernos, India Koen, Katie Walsh, Kayla Welch and Shelby Rainey. Marty Hanks was head coach. Assistant coaches were Brandon Lee and Michael Brooks.)

Don’t tread on me: With warmer temperatures more common now, rattlesnakes like this big one are moving around more. Tyler Pharr and Neil Hudson, both of Excel, killed this one last week. It’s five feet, 10 inches long and has 11 rattles and a button.

39 YEARS AGO
MAY 13, 1982

Making progress: Work on the $3-million expansion of Vanity Fair Mills’ distribution center progresses as workers put up sides on the 60,000-square-foot building, which will provide up to 60 additional jobs during the firm’s peak shipping seasons. Vanity Fair vice president and secretary Frank Lee said Word & Boggus Contractors of Guntersville should have the outside of the warehouse completed by the first week in June, and Vanity Fair’s operational engineering department and subcontractors will finish the interior by October. The Monroeville distribution center is Vanity Fair’s only warehouse and products are shipped from there throughout the world.

Excel Twins minor league coach Aaron White was among the first coaches to operate the league’s pitching machine Saturday in Frisco City in opening play of the South Monroe Little League. The machine was purchased to help speed up the minor league games, since many of the young pitchers’ arms were not developed enough for the 45-foot pitching distance, according to League president Larry Ikner. A single Little League baseball is loaded into the machine. The machine is then cocked by stepping down on a lever. A hand release is used to fire the pitches, which are very accurate.

Monroeville Mayor B.C. Hornady examines a copy of the resolution he signed proclaiming today (Thursday) National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. The day commemorates dead officers in all branches of law enforcement. Looking on are Sgt. Danny Ikner, Hornady, Police Chief Charles Colbert and Cpl. Charlie Steen.

64 YEARS AGO
MAY 9, 1957

B.E. Lee, principal of the Frisco City school for the past seven years, was named Wednesday to the position of principal of Monroe County High School, Monroeville, for the 1957-58 term.
Announcement of Mr. Lee’s transfer came from H.G. Greer, Monroe County Superintendent of Education. Mr. Lee will replace J.O. Hammer in the local position.

Mayor Opens Season For Little Leaguers: The Little League baseball season was officially opened in Frisco City Monday afternoon, May 6, with Mayor O.O. McGinty throwing in the first ball.
The Frisco City school band led a parade through town of Little League players in their new uniforms. Back at the ball park in front of the school, the boys and the managers were introduced. Then, Joe Tucker, president of the Monroe County Little League, spoke to the crowd.

Scouts To Have “Camporee” Here: Boy Scouts from throughout the Alabama-Florida District will gather in Monroeville’s Vanity Fair Park Friday and Saturday for their annual camporee.
Activities are scheduled from 4 p.m. Friday until 4 p.m. Saturday, according to A.B. Blass Jr. of Monroeville, District Scout Commissioner.
Scouts will dismount at the ballpark and hike to the opposite side of the lake to establish camp sites. Troops are expected to be present from Monroeville, Frisco City, Atmore, Brewton, Flomaton and Evergreen.
Other Scout officials assisting in staging the camporee are Chuck Pelham of Monroeville, Assistant District Commissioner; Frank Mathis of Brewton, District Scout Executive-Secretary; and Scoutmasters and Explorer Scouts from Monroeville and Frisco City.

89 YEARS AGO
MAY 12, 1932

Graduating exercises will be held at the Monroe County High School auditorium on Friday evening, May 13, at eight o’clock. A large class of graduates will receive diplomas.
A play “The Tinker” was presented on Monday evening. The cast included Elizabeth Harper, Louise Davis, Bessie Swanson, J.A. York, Jennings Ratcliffe, Dantes York and Leon Wiggins.
The band concert under the direction of Dayton Russell was given on Tuesday evening.

Commencement exercises of the Frisco City High School will begin on Friday evening with the oratorical contest. On Sunday, May 15, Rev. A.A. Hutto, pastor of the Beatrice Baptist Church, will deliver the commencement sermon.
Graduating exercises will be held on Monday night, May 16. Baccalaureate address will be made by J.A. Keller, superintendent of schools of Andalusia.

Mr. Lucian Jones went to Andalusia last Wednesday to play in the golf tournament held there.

Albert Nettles, student at Alabama Polytechnic Institute, spent the weekend with relatives here and at Tunnel Springs.

Mrs. T.S. Van Aller and her sister, Mrs. C.R. Crossman, returned Thursday from Monroeville where they visited Mrs. Van Aller’s daughter, Mrs. J.M. Agee and Mr. Agee, who are the parents of a baby girl born April 26. The new arrival has been given the name Jeanette Van Aller Agee. – Mobile Register.

114 YEARS AGO
MAY 9, 1907

New Pythian Lodge Organized: On Thursday afternoon a number of Knights went by private conveyance to Manistee for the purpose of instituting a lodge of Knights of Pythias at that place. The party was composed of the following from Monroeville: L.K. Benson, D.K. Smith, C.P. Smith, J.M. Burns, J.C. Hudson, Dr. W.T. Bayles and Senator Oscar O. Bayles of Monroeville; N.D. Andress, A.L. White and J.P. Farish of Beatrice. At sunset, Rep. John McDuffie of River Ridge dashed through Monroeville on his way to join the crowd and aid in the work and frolic.
The lodge starts off with 17 members. The following officers were elected and installed: Z.C. Herlong, Chancellor Commander; G.H. Harper, Vice-Chancellor; W.R. Blackwell, Master at Arms; Archie Heyburn, Keeper of Records and Seal; and V.J. Herlong, representative to the Grand Lodge.

Mr. Samuel A. McDuffie, for the last seven years postmaster at Monroeville, died on Wednesday morning, May 8, aged about 60 years. Mr. McDuffie was a native of New Jersey but had resided in the south since soon after the civil war, the last 20 years having been spent in Monroe County where he was engaged for a considerable time in educational work among the colored race until his appointment as postmaster. He was a brother of the late Judge J.V. McDuffie of Lowndes County.

The town election for Mayor and Councilmen took place Monday (in Monroeville), resulting in the election of the following officers for the ensuing year: Mayor, Thos. S. Wiggins; Councilmen, G.B. Barnett, J.D. Rawls, L.A. Hixon, T.M. McMillan and D.K. Smith.

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

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

In the May 4, 1921 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported under the headline “MOTHERS DAY” that “it is once again our happy privilege to celebrate Mothers Day. It is a lovely custom and should be universally observed. Next Sunday is the day, set apart as Mothers Day and on this day we are expected to wear the white flower and perform deeds of kindness, not only toward our own mothers, but extend kindness to all mothers.”

Also that week, it was reported that “Mrs. Jacob Lowrey and two interesting children spent last Sunday with their aunts, Mrs. Sloan and Miss Robertson of West Side.”

That week’s Courant also reprinted an item from the previous Sunday’s Montgomery Advertiser that said that “Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Taylor announce the engagement of their daughter, Jeretta Ewing to Ernest Edward Newton of Evergreen, Ala., the marriage to take place at their home, 729 Madison Ave., June 8.”

In news from the Belleville community, readers learned that the “school at Belleville closed last Friday, having completed one of its most successful years. The school term was eight months this year, instead of seven, as has been the case heretofore. Those who received diplomas from the Junior High School were Miss Mattye Burt, Claude McInnis and Lonnie Burt.”

In the May 11, 1921 edition of The Courant, under the headline “Mothers Day Beautifully Observed,” it was reported that “Mothers Day was observed more generally in Evergreen than ever before. White and red flowers were much in evidence, and what was more fitting, many came here or went away to see their mothers and the still large numbers, perhaps, who remembered their mother in affectionate messages.”

Also that week, under the headline “Death of Former Evergreen Citizen,” readers learned that “relatives here received a telegraphic message yesterday announcing the death of Robert A. Lee in a hospital in Eufaula, following a prolonged illness. He was born and reared in this county, was the son of the late Dr. R.A. Lee and is survived by his widow, who resides at Hatcher, Ga. and three sisters, Mrs. C.R. Taliaferro, Mrs. E.L. Stallworth and Mrs. J.A. Stallworth of Evergreen. He removed to Georgia several years ago where he became prominent in business and politics, being a member of the Georgia legislature at the time of his death. He was about 60 years old.”

On a lighter note, it was also reported that “T.N. Moody of Mill beat dropped in to renew his allegiance to The Courant while here on Monday. He and others in his community are much pleased over improved mail facilities when on Monday next, Route 1 from Skinnerton will be extended through that section. He is at present on Route A, which necessitates going three miles for his mail. Mr. Moody says crops up in that section are doing well, though small as is the general complaint.”

In the May 18, 1921 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that “W.J. Green was up from Castleberry Monday. ‘Still shipping berries’ was the reply when asked about news in his locality. The berry growers have certainly reaped a deserved harvest in berries and cash this season. No one begrudges them the nice bank accounts that each one of them now has. They deserve it.”

Also that week, readers learned that an “Evergreen girl, Miss Irene Brown, was awarded second prize in the Montgomery Advertiser contest, ‘How to Win a Woman.’ The prize was $10 in gold and was awarded Miss Brown on May 1. Three prizes were offered and there were essays on the subject by 130 contestants from all sections of the state, and the fact that an Evergreen girl was given second prize is highly creditable to her ability as a writer. Miss Brown is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Brown, who reside on Bruner Avenue.”

Also that week, it was reported that the “Southern Alabama Dental Association held the semi-annual meeting (in Evergreen) last week. The visiting dentists were royally entertained at the Country Club after the business session by Dr. and Mrs. Kendrick, covers were laid for 40.

“New officers were elected as follows: Dr. G.F. Petry of Florala, President; Dr. S.R. Hartley of Georgiana, Vice President; Dr. H.H. Kendrick of Evergreen, re-elected Secretary and Treasurer; Drs. Kendrick, Hopkins and Dozier, membership committee.

“At the afternoon session, Dr. W.F. Betts gave an interesting talk on diseased teeth and other diseased conditions of the mouth, relative to the health of the patient. He also spoke of the need of cooperation of the medical and dental profession in treating diseases of a dental origin. This was discussed by Drs. Haggard and Jones of Brooklyn, and members of the dental profession.”

In the May 25, 1921 edition of the paper, it was reported that “J. Golightly of Evergreen has been awarded the contract for the construction of the Baldwin County High School at Bay Minette. Mr. Golightly also is contractor for the Evergreen City School building.”

Readers that week also learned that the “body of Rix Smith, who died from wounds in France about two years ago, is expected to reach here one day this week from Hoboken, where a large number of bodies were landed on Saturday last. His mother, Mrs. W.F. Kelley, received a message a few days ago, notifying her of the fact. This is the first body to be returned to Evergreen from across the water. It will be reinterred at Old Town cemetery.”

Also that week it was reported that a “little excitement was occasioned on Saturday afternoon when the fire alarm was sounded. The building next to the Episcopal Church caught fire on the roof but was extinguished with slight damage resulting.”

Readers that week also learned that “Wuford S. Price, magician, entertained an interested audience at the school auditorium on Tuesday night, displaying much skill in magic and pleasing the spectators.”

It was also reported that week that “Charles Cunningham and Miss Nannie Kelly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Kelly, were quietly married by Rev. H. Lizenby at the Methodist parsonage on the evening of the 17^th. The young couple have been recipients of many hearty good wishes from numerous friends.”

Readers that week that heard that “Evergreen people who had the pleasure of hearing Dr. W.M. Murphy of Brewton on Sunday last at the Baptist church were much charmed with this able minister and can well understand why he has been serving the Brewton church for 14 years. He is a forceful speaker and his long service in one sister city proves that Brewton Baptists appreciate a strong man. This was his second appearance before an Evergreen congregation.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. Next month, I plan to take a look at the events of June 1921 in Conecuh County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. The library’s friendly and courteous staff will be more than happy to get you started.

Frisco City Centennial Time Capsule to remain sealed until October 2088

Time capsule in Frisco City, Alabama.

In any given week, hundreds of people travel past one of Monroe County’s most unique landmarks, but give it little notice.

Frisco City’s Centennial Time Capsule, which is located in Jones Park off Bowden Street in downtown Frisco City, was buried on Dec. 17, 1988 to commemorate the town’s 100^th birthday. The time capsule, which can be found between the park’s gazebo and red caboose, has been there now for a little over 32 years. In that time, many have forgotten its existence, except for the curious few who might bother to take a closer look.

I found myself in Frisco City the other day and had a little time to kill. I stopped my truck at the park with an eye towards reading the plaque that’s affixed to the top of the brick and cement vault that contains the time capsule. I was 12 years old and well remember the day when the capsule was buried, but I hadn’t had a close look at it in several years.

Those of you who have read the plaque atop the time capsule will know that it reads as follows: FRISCO CITY CENTENNIAL TIME CAPSULE – Placed Here In 1988 – Do Not Open Until Oct. 2088 – Time Capsule Contains No Articles Of Any Monetary Value – Town of Frisco City, Ala. – Mayor Billy McCrory – Council Members Billy Hoffman, Joe Ikner, Jimmy McKinley, Juanita Richardson – Town Clerk Diane Godwin.

According to newspaper accounts, the time capsule was designed and built by retired contractor Ollie Wiggins. Only about a foot and a half of the vault containing the capsule is above ground. The rest of it extends down beneath the earth another three feet or so.

The capsule itself consists of a steel box that’s 36 inches long, 24 inches deep and 24 inches wide. This box contains nine tubes made of PVC pipe and is sealed in tar and lead to preserve its contents. In all, the capsule weighs about 150 pounds.

The steel box containing the time capsule is encased in a vault that has concrete walls about 12 inches thick. These walls are reinforced with steel rods that run from top to bottom of the vault. Workers filled the empty spaces inside the vault with sand to further protect its contents from the elements.

As you would imagine, the time capsule is jam-packed with a long list of historical items, documents and photographs. Items in the capsule include a Bible, copies of The Monroe Journal and The County View, a Monroe County promotional video, a copy of “Taxes and Termites” by Shorty Culpepper, an assortment of newspaper articles, historical journals, a 1988 Monroe County telephone book, copies of Time magazine and Southern Pine’s magazine, a 1988 calendar, an almanac, aerial photos of Frisco City, centennial publications and memorabilia, Christmas parade photos, photos of important buildings in the town, rosters of the fire and police departments, Frisco City High School’s 1988 yearbook, family histories and photographs, a broken Snoopy watch, a two-ounce bottle of Dr. Tichenor’s mouthwash and a wide variety of other items.

This time capsule is truly one of the most unique landmarks in all of Monroe County, so if you ever find yourself in Frisco City with a few minutes to kill, take the time to stop and see it for yourself. As far as I know, this is the only time capsule of its type in all of Monroe County, which makes it all the more unique. If anyone in the reading audience knows of any other time capsules, please let me know because I’d like to venture out and see them for myself.

(Got a comment or question? E-mail Lee Peacock at leepeacock2002@hotmail.com.)

100-year-old Wilcox County news highlights from May 1921

Baseball player Tom 'Sut" Jenkins

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

On the front page of the May 5, 1921 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold reported that the “Spring term of Circuit Court will begin next Monday and probably will continue for two weeks. Judge Hobbs of Selma will preside. Sheriff McLean has put the courtroom and grounds in tip-top order. New benches for court visitors and after court for the convenience of the Loafer’s Club, and under the oaks, to accommodate our county people.”

Readers that week also learned that “Mr. Jim Watson and family attended the annual memorial assembly at Enon Cemetery in Fatama last Saturday. This memorial assembly is the annual gathering of the survivors of deceased relatives for the purpose of caring for the graves of their beloved dead and to clean the cemetery of brush, briars, etc. It is a very pretty custom and should be observed at every county cemetery.”

In the May 12, 1921 edition of The Progressive Era, readers learned that the “1861 battle flag of the Wilcox True Blues has been sent to the Department of Archives and History at Montgomery. Mrs. M.E. Curtis, who attended the State Convention, carried this priceless treasure to the Capitol.”

That week’s paper also reprinted a news item from The Selma Times-Journal, under the headline “Big Gray Wolf Is Killed,” which let readers know that Willis Stokes, “who lives on the Burnsville road, shot and killed a big gray wolf near Beech Creek, back of the slaughter pen, Wednesday evening. The wolf was one of the largest ever seen in this section, being larger than a good-size dog, and having long, ugly claws. The beast had been seen before, running away from the bone pile back of the slaughter house and was shot in a clump of bushes near there.”

On the front page of the May 19, 1921 edition of the newspaper, under the headline “CAMDEN DEFEATS MARION JUNCTION,” it was reported that “Camden defeated Marion Junction on the local mound Wednesday by a score of 18-1. Joe Jones pitched a nice game for Camden, allowing only three hits and sent 10 back to the bench via the strike out route. The entire Camden team played a nice game. Big Boy Steed, a newcomer, played left field for Camden and all of the fans seemed well pleased with his performance. Sut Jenkins got his usual three hits.”

Readers that week also learned that Pine Hill High School’s “commencement exercises were conducted on Thursday evening when diplomas were awarded to the following students: Misses Leone Miller, Amilee Jackson, Louise McConnell, Sudie Shontez and Lucille Foster, Messrs. W.J. Miller Jr. and Carl Pruitt. County Superintendent Weaver and Col. S.D. Bloch and Hon. John Miller made very inspiring talks which made the evening one of the most enjoyable of the commencement exercises.”

In the May 26, 1921 edition of the paper, readers learned that “reports from the oil well at Peach Tree indicate that drilling is proceeding very nicely. A flow of artesian water was encountered at a depth of about 300 feet which necessitates the placing in of casing.”

It was also reported that week that the “Boykin Bridge road has been completed by contractor J.M. Hicks and is now open to travel. This work has been done very satisfactorily and an easy outlet to Selma afforded.”

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

Eli McMorn and the Strange Case of Kill Devil Hill – Part 15

Wyoming's mysterious Devils Tower.

“Who goes there?” I bellowed, like a sentry on guard duty. “Show yourself!” My ears strained, but I heard nothing over the sounds of the soft wind and patter of rain on the dead leaves at my feet. Part of my mind tried to convince me that the twig snap I’d heard was a natural sound, but I couldn’t shake the loathsome feeling that I wasn’t alone.

Someone was watching me. Someone was following me. I couldn’t see them, but I could sense the feel of their ominous eyes.

I stood, watched and listened for what seemed like a long time. With my trusty Beretta in hand, I stalked slowly towards the other marked oak as the woods darkened beneath the rolling rain clouds overhead. I eventually reached the other tree and wasn’t surprised to see another queer rune carved into its oaken trunk.

This occult arborglyph was different than the one I’d seen earlier. The rune was shaped like an odd stick figure, with an inverted triangle representing its upper body. I holstered my handgun and snapped a picture of the strange carving with my phone. The lack of bars on my phone told me that I still didn’t have cell service.

I then pulled out my magnifying glass and examined the marks of the rune closely. It looked as if it had been carved years ago, but despite its age, I could tell that it had been done with a very sharp knife or hatchet. The cuts were clear, sure and deep.

Suddenly and without warning, I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head and froze, and it took a few seconds for my quaking mind to make sense of what I was seeing. It was a preternaturally large coyote.

The coyote’s fur was a dirty, peculiar mix of brown and gray. As soon as I turned to look in its direction, it froze like a statue, struck tarn like a deer in the headlights. Its eyes were locked on mine, its canine features expressionless, hard to read.

I dropped my magnifying glass, ripped my Berretta from its holster and the startled creature flinched, unsure what to do next. I made to fire a shot into the air, but it wasn’t necessary. An instant after I had the gun in hand, the coyote bolted away to the northeast. As it disappeared into the underbrush, all that remained of its presence was a kicked-up area in the leaves that you wouldn’t notice unless you were looking for it.

To my surprise, about 50 yards west of the rune-carved oak, the dense wood line came to an abrupt end. I saw the beginnings of a clear cut and believed that I would be able to see Kill Devil Hill as soon as I stepped out of the woods. I knelt to pick up my magnifying glass and reminded myself to proceed slowly, knowing that I would be fully exposed to view when I moved into the clear cut.

I crept to the edge of the woods and stood behind a large, moldering tree. I peeked around the tree and saw that in the center of the clear cut stood Kill Devil Hill. It looked like Wyoming’s famed, monolithic Devils Tower, only smaller.

To my surprise, I saw movement at the top. Someone dressed in pumpkin orange had just reached the top of the narrow trail to the top. My first thought was that it was a hunter wearing a safety vest, but when I glassed the hill with my binoculars, I was surprised to see something altogether different.

Two hikers were picking their way up the hill. They both had backpacks and hiking poles. I could tell they were women by the shape of their clothes. One had an old canteen on a leather strap that banged against her hip as she climbed the trail. The other was wearing a Claiborne Colonels baseball cap.

I stepped out of the wood line and began to pick my way across the clear cut towards Kill Devil Hill.

(All rights reserved. This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.)

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for May 4, 2021

Sue Bell Cobb

14 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.

27 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.

51 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.

75 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.

98 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.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for May 3, 2021

Deatrich Wise of Evergreen.

19 YEARS AGO

MAY 2, 2002

Sparta Academy held their athletic banquet on Thurs., April 18, 2002, in the school gym. Coach Mike Gaylor presented the following awards in football: Perry Castleberry, Extra Effort Award; Rusty Salter, Best Back and Captain; Drew Davis, Best Lineman; and Derrick Williams, Captain.
Coach Russ Brown presented the following awards in basketball: Perry Castleberry, Hustle Award and Best Rebounder; Christopher Garner, Best Offensive Player, Best Defensive Player and Captain; and Wiley Cobb, Best Free-Throw Percentage.
Coach Russ Brown presented the following awards in (girls) basketball: Callie Ezell, Hustle Award; Laura Wiggins, Best Defensive Player; Mary Hamilton Robinson, Captain and Best Offensive Player; Ashton Garner, Best Rebounder; and Susan Ivey, Best Free-Throw Percentage.
Coach Mike Bledsoe presented the following awards in baseball: Jesse Kendrick, Best Batting Average and Captain; and Wiley Cobb, Best Defensive Player.

33 YEARS AGO
MAY 5, 1988

Wise is drafted by Seattle Seahawks: Deatrich Wendell Wise, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dero Wise of Rt. C, Evergreen, is an advance senior at Jackson State University, Jackson, Miss. with a major in physical education and a minor in biology. Wise is a dean’s list scholar with a GPA of 3.66.
He has received numerous honors and awards as a football player for the JSU Blue Bengal Tigers, the team that dominates the SWAC (South West Athletic Conference). He has been a first-round participant in the NCAA Division I-AA football championship in 1985, 1986 and 1987. In August of 1987, he traveled with the SWAC Football Press Tour Conference and was on TV Channels 12 and 8 speaking in behalf of this conference.
On April 26, he was in the NFL College Draft. Wise was the seventh pick in the ninth round for the Seattle Seahawks. He leaves on Sun., May 8, for the Seahawks predraft camp.

Carmen Salter will ride Spanish Smokey in the Evergreen Saddle Club’s free horse show Saturday at the Evergreen Municipal Park starting at 4 p.m. The concession booths will be manned by the 4-H Clubs. Everyone is invited to come enjoy the show and help support the 4-H Clubs.

51 YEARS AGO
MAY 7, 1970

The Men’s Softball League will meet on May 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Courthouse. Men between the ages of 19 and 99 who want to play are asked to sign their name on one of the following lists: Taylor Auto Parts, Wild Brothers Hardware, Brior Auto Parts, B.C. Moore and Sons.

NEAL 6, AGGIES 3 – The Neal Eagles got their chance in the top of the fourth inning, and put the game away with a six-run outburst, as they downed the Aggies, 6-3. The Aggies got off to a flying start as they scored two runs in the top of the first inning. Eric Pugh walked and came home on a triple by Larry Peacock, who scored on a double by Richard Wilson. Not much happened until Neal wrapped it up in the fourth. Two Aggies errors and four Eagle hits provided the winning margin. Larry Peacock hit the first home run of the year for the Aggies to complete the scoring for the afternoon. Larry Peacock, Richard Wilson and Ronald Halford had hits for the Aggies.

These Cub Scouts of Den 3 Evergreen Pack 40 enjoyed the Ringling Bros. Circus in Montgomery last week. The boys are Robert Bozeman, Michael Nelson, Sonny Bradley, Rusty Brantley, Gene Owensby and Richard Tate; Danny Arzonico and Tommy Hutcheson; Den Mothers, Mrs. Bob Bozeman and Mrs. David Owensby, and Den Chief Jeb Barron. (Not shown is Artie Wright who was sick and unable to make the trip.)

72 YEARS AGO
MAY 5, 1949

Aggies Whip Castleberry 11-4 Take County Title: The Evergreen High Aggies downed the Castleberry Blue Devils, 11-4, on the Castleberry diamond Wednesday afternoon to take the county title for 1949. Coach Wendell Hart’s charges will enter the district playoffs, the date and site of which will be set later.
Complete details were not available late Wednesday afternoon, but a complete resume will appear in next week’s COURANT. James Ryan turned in a neat two-hit, six inning pitching performance for the Aggies with Pete Wells and Jack Cunningham pitching the last inning.

Junior League Team To Be Fielded Here This Summer: The Ford Motor Co. and its Ford dealers throughout the nation are preparing to help the American Legion make 1949 the greatest in 22 years of Junior Baseball history, company officials announced today.
Commander Wallace Ward of Post No. 50 of the American Legion and Mr. C.P. Deming, President of the Evergreen Motor Car Co., have completed negotiations to co-sponsor a team of boys who will not have attained their 17th birthday before Jan. 1, 1949 (a boy born prior to Jan. 1, 1932 is not eligible). Contact Mr. J.J. Finklea, principal, Evergreen High School, if you are interested in enrolling in this activity.
Evergreen Motor Car Co. has made available 15 uniforms for use by the local team, and through their cooperation the same uniforms are being used by the Evergreen High School team.
Also, from the national level, three movies have been produced to facilitate the promotion; namely, “Play Ball Son,” “All Out For Baseball,” and “It’s Your Team.” As a companion piece, the booklet “Play Ball Son,” has been made available and over two million copies have been distributed through Ford dealers.

96 YEARS AGO
MAY 6, 1925

FINE FISHING TACKLE: Do not forget that you can get everything you need in the way of fine fishing tackle right here. We only carry standard brands, so you can count on what you buy from us – Rods, Reels, Lines, Flies, Spinners and Minners, etc. – If you don’t see what you want in show window, ask for it. Wild Bros. Hardware Co.

Thadeus Ivey spent a few hours here Friday with his mother. Mr. Ivey, is a member of the Howard College baseball team and met the team on No. 1 for a southern tour.