Randolph County AlArchives News.....Newspaper Abstracts for FEB 1898 February 1898 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Candace Gravelle tealtree@comcast.net January 31, 2005, 8:55 pm The Randolph Toiler NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE RANDOLPH TOILER", Wedowee, Randolph County, Alabama for FEBRUARY 1898 NEWSPAPER issue of Friday, February 4, 1898 LOCAL News We had a pleasant call this morning from "Grandpa" McMurray of Swann's Hill, who called to renew his subscription to the Toiler. Mr. McMurry, although advanced in years, is full of energy and still the good, patriotic citizen that he has always been. __ Mr. W.A. Dean left Monday for Texas on a visit to his father. He may secure employment and remain the entire year. His family will continue to reside here. Roanoke Leader __ We understand a serious difficulty occurred on Wednesday night between J.H. Whitten of Lamar and Mr. Wash Traylor in which both were seriously hurt. Mr. Whitten being badly bruised and Mr. Traylor severely cut across the head and neck. The difficulty occurred at the house of Mr. "Bud" Johnson, who lives on Mr. Traylor's place and where a social party was being held. The difficulty it is said grew out of a previous misunderstanding. __ CHRISTIANA News Mr. P.H. Books made a trip to Texas the 28th of December and has returned home and paid our town a visit last Sunday to see his best girl and she highly appreciated his company, so look out for a wedding. __ LOFTY, ALA., News "Uncle" Jim Hendrick's wife is very sick and has been for some time. __ We have a good school in town, taught by Miss Lena Walker of Graham, Ala. Two other good school in reach of town. Mr. Harrod is teaching at the Daniel school house and has a fine school. __ We have two churches, Campbellites and Union Methodists. There is talk of building a Baptist church soon. __ Kaylor Bros. will put in a new saw mill at this place soon. Mr. J.L. Kaylor has bought the Norton mill location and will put in a new grist, saw and wheat mill soon. Kaylor Bros. will also put in a gin at this place. __ We learn that Mr. Thos. Daniel is working on the road a few days since. __ Mrs. Rebecca Cofield (formerly Heard) has moved to Newell. __ NEWSPAPER issue of Friday, February 11, 1898 "RIP" AT THE ROCK While I sat on the big rock at the foot of the bridge and viewed Rock Mills at present, my mind went back to the days long ago, when Charles and Buck Foster, Green and Miles Harper, Captain Thomason, Wilkins Stevens, Brantley Breed and others lived here; but they are gone and a new generation have taken their places. The old grist mill is gone and a new one in it's place with a rock and cement dam. The old saw mill is gone and the old wooden factory building is no more, and in its place is a beautiful brick building, full of improved machinery for the manufacture of cotton yarn, and the operatives all seemed to be happy and contented. There are six stores and many beautiful residences, good church buildings, both Methodist and Baptist, and a large and flourishing school of which Prof. W.E. Randle is principal and his wife is assistant, but it is not a free school as some can boast of. I saw them riding the machine or vehicle, and women also ride it, and they do not use a side saddle either. I saw them playing game called dominoes, church members play it, and it seems to be very popular. I was informed that it was very instructive and greatly enjoyed by those who have become experts in the game, they say that it aids one in addition and multiplication. It develops the brain, expands the mind and drives away the cares of this world. Rock Mills was once noted as a Democratic stronghold, but no so now. I still find some old moss back sound money democrats, some free silver 16 to 1 democrats, some prohibitionists, some republicans, and a new party, but I don't know what that means. I suppose it means a little of all and not much of either. They are for the free and unlimited coinage of silver at 16 to 1, for cheap money and more of it. We have the free and unlimited production of cotton and thereby we have cheap cotton; then why not have the free and unlimited coinage of silver so we could have cheap money on a basis with 5 cent cotton. As for myself, I don't want cheap money, I have seen it in my day. I have worked for thirteen dollars per month and paid one hundred dollars for a pair of shoes, one dollar for a plug of tobacco and everything else in proportion except wages which were low. Wages did not advance as the money of that day depreciated and it made a hardship on the wage earner who had to work for low wages and pay a high prices for everything he bought. I find that all parties are willing and anxious to serve the dear people and say they are for reform and economy. Are you willing to put the fees and salaries of the offices down to a five cent cotton basis? If so speak out, prove your faith by your works. I was informed that Rock Mills had a real blind tiger. I was shown the supposed place of his hiding. I saw many people going to and from the place of his hiding, I suppose for no other purpose only to see the animal. I saw one, an old greyheaded man, returning from viewing him and the old man seemed to be badly frightened, so as he could hardly walk, he was so weak and trembling, I suppose from fright only. Rip Van Winkle ____ LOCAL News G. Willingham, a white man living on Mr. H. Gibson's place, fell over in the fire last Saturday and was dead when rescued. He was considerably burned but it is thought that heart disease caused his death. __ A new post office has been established at the residence of J.K. Tenant about three miles south of Wedowee and we learn that Mrs. Tenant has been appointed postmaster. It will be known as the Tenant Post Office. __ NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, February 18, 1898 LOCAL News We regret exceedingly to announce the death of "Grandma" McMurray, which occurred last Monday at her home near Swann's Hill. Mrs. McMurry had a fall several weeks ago, fracturing her knee, from which it was thought at the time she could not recover and after lingering and suffering many days, her spirit took it's flight. She was about 84 years of age and leaves an honored husband, two years her senior, to mourn the loss of his life companion. To him and the many other relatives and friends of the good old mother, the Toiler joins in extending heartfelt sympathy. __ NOTICE Wedowee, Ala., Jan. 24, 1898 To Whom it May Concern I have this day, Jan. 24th, 1897, set my son Willie Foster free to dictate for himself and I will not be responsible for his acts and any person or persons trading with said Willie Foster will be responsible to him only. Mary Foster ___ PEACE News Messrs. T.P. Bailey, Quincy and Billy Yates are anticipating the purchase of a new saw mill which is to be located at this place. __ The death angel has visited our community and claimed for a victim Mrs. Meeks who has been lingering for five or six months. She leaves a husband and several little children to mourn their loss. __ OFELIA News Mrs. A.J. Overton has been on the sick list for about three weeks but is improving slowly. __ The citizens in the western division of Beat 6 have a petition for a new post office at the residence of Mr. J.M. Nix. As his sons Frank and John have opened a new store there it will be very convenient for the people in that section. __ NEWELL News Mrs. Lovvorn has returned home from Atlanta and we are glad to say much improved in health. __ Mrs. King who has been very low, we are glad to know is better. __ Monroe Lovvorn has left our community again much to the regret of all. __ Mr. Walter Walker has a sweet baby girl at his house. __ CHRISTIANA News Mr. W.J. Cofield has gone to Atlanta and we hope he will have a nice time. __ Miss Nicy Fowler is visiting W.J. Cofield family. She has many friends and they will regret to see her leave. __ NEWSPAPER issue of Friday, February 25, 1898 LOCAL News Mrs. Clifton was yesterday circulating a petition for the pardon of her son Isaac. We noticed a number of the jurymen who tried the case had signed the petition. __ We were pleased to have a call Tuesday from Mr. F.A. McMurray. His heart was sad on account of his deep bereavement in the loss of his wife. Mr. McMurray requests the Toiler to extend the heartfelt thanks of himself and family to friends for their kindness and attention during the trying ordeal through which they passed. __ From the Roanoke Leader - - - This office enjoyed a call last Saturday from Mr. F.A. McMurray who came to pay his subscription a year in advance. Uncle Frank had the misfortune to lose his wife on the 14th inst. "Uncle Frank" , in answer to our queries, informed us that his wife was 77 years and 8 days old, while he will be 88 years of age on the 27th of next month. This good old couple lived happily together for 66 years, lacking 82 days. They spent the last 56 years of that time in Randolph County where they have made a name for integrity and uprightness that has been handed down to their descendants. Mr. McMurray represented this county for two terms before the war. Though now quite feeble, he takes a lively interest in current events, taking and reading a number of papers. It is interesting to hear him talk on events of the past or present. Roanoke Leader ___ HIGH SHOALS News Mrs. Fanny Pate from Roanoke visited her mother Mrs. J.D. Taylor last week. __ CHRISTIANA News Mr. Wyatt Cofield and wife spent last night with their father and mother here. __ Mr. W.J. Cofield has sprained his ankle. It is improving slowly. __ NAPOLEON News Mr. George Washington lost his two month old baby yesterday, which will be buried at Hay Cemetery today. __ Aunt Mary Smith whom we wrote as dying, is still living, but likely to die at any moment. __ File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/nw143newspape.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/alfiles/ File size: 10.4 Kb