Man killed by falling tree tops October 1905 headlines
As I've been doing on the first week of the month for the past several months, I'm using my column this week to give readers a run-down on all the interesting things that were going on in Monroe County one hundred years ago.
This week let's take a look at what was happening here in Monroe County during October 1905.
* Under the headline "Killed by Falling Tree," in the Oct. 12, 1905 edition of The Journal, it was reported that William Gandy, a man of about 18 years of age, was crushed to death by a falling tree near Mexia on Oct. 7, 1905.
According to the story, the young man, his father and another man, were driving along a public road in a wagon during the "prevalence of a high wind of a high wind when they observed a large pine tree in the act of falling."
The wagon's driver "urged the team [of horses] to increase speed and escaped, but the father and son jumped from the wagon" and the son was caught beneath and crushed by the "ponderous weight of the trunk. The elder Gandy sustained slight injuries."
* In the Oct. 19, 1905 edition of The Journal, it was reported that Mr. J.L. Qualls of Jeddo, a community north of Uriah, visited The Journal's offices. Little did he know that 100 years later, his great grandson, Mike Qualls, would be the editor of The Monroe Journal.
* In that same edition of The Journal, under the headline "Two Men Quarrel Over a Business Transaction and One is Fatally Shot," it was reported that "another killing has been added to Monroe County's bloody record."
According to the story, Jim Wiggins shot and killed A.T. Aycock on the evening of Oct. 11, 1905 on the road leading from Claiborne to their homes near Axle, a community located between present day Peterman and Fountain.
Wiggins was Aycock's employer, and they got into an argument over Aycock's pay. Wiggins and Aycock happened upon one another in Claiborne, and Aycock, who was drunk, demanded his pay.
Wiggins declined to pay him because Aycock had been drinking, and Wiggins left for his home "by a different road than that ordinarily traveled."
Learning of this, Aycock "hurried on and intercepted Wiggins at or near the intersection of the two roads. When Wiggins came up, Aycock was waiting for him and again demanded a settlement, assuming a violent and threatening attitude, where upon Wiggins drew his pistol and fired, the ball penetrating Aycock's brain. Death resulted very quickly."
Wiggins then traveled to Monroeville and surrendered himself to the Sheriff, claiming that he'd shot Aycock in self-defense.
* In the Oct. 26, 1905 edition of The Journal, it was reported that the "patrons of Grimes School House are desirous of a teacher and wish to begin school at that place as soon as possible. Any teacher wishing a school will apply to J.W. Wilkinson, Manistee, Ala."
* According to the Oct. 5, 1905 edition of The Journal, Dr. H.C. Fountain of Burnt Corn visited The Journal's offices and reported that "one of his fine bird dogs had been bitten by a mad dog a few days ago."
* Mr. S.J. Byrd, postmaster and merchant of Goodway, visited The Journal on Oct. 10, 1905 and reported that "crops have been practically gathered in his vicinity."
Next month, I plan to take a look at the events of November 1905 in Monroe County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Monroe County Library’s excellent selection of old newspapers on micro-film and other resources in its second-floor Genealogy and Alabama rooms. The library’s friendly and courteous staff will be more than happy to get you started.
This week let's take a look at what was happening here in Monroe County during October 1905.
* Under the headline "Killed by Falling Tree," in the Oct. 12, 1905 edition of The Journal, it was reported that William Gandy, a man of about 18 years of age, was crushed to death by a falling tree near Mexia on Oct. 7, 1905.
According to the story, the young man, his father and another man, were driving along a public road in a wagon during the "prevalence of a high wind of a high wind when they observed a large pine tree in the act of falling."
The wagon's driver "urged the team [of horses] to increase speed and escaped, but the father and son jumped from the wagon" and the son was caught beneath and crushed by the "ponderous weight of the trunk. The elder Gandy sustained slight injuries."
* In the Oct. 19, 1905 edition of The Journal, it was reported that Mr. J.L. Qualls of Jeddo, a community north of Uriah, visited The Journal's offices. Little did he know that 100 years later, his great grandson, Mike Qualls, would be the editor of The Monroe Journal.
* In that same edition of The Journal, under the headline "Two Men Quarrel Over a Business Transaction and One is Fatally Shot," it was reported that "another killing has been added to Monroe County's bloody record."
According to the story, Jim Wiggins shot and killed A.T. Aycock on the evening of Oct. 11, 1905 on the road leading from Claiborne to their homes near Axle, a community located between present day Peterman and Fountain.
Wiggins was Aycock's employer, and they got into an argument over Aycock's pay. Wiggins and Aycock happened upon one another in Claiborne, and Aycock, who was drunk, demanded his pay.
Wiggins declined to pay him because Aycock had been drinking, and Wiggins left for his home "by a different road than that ordinarily traveled."
Learning of this, Aycock "hurried on and intercepted Wiggins at or near the intersection of the two roads. When Wiggins came up, Aycock was waiting for him and again demanded a settlement, assuming a violent and threatening attitude, where upon Wiggins drew his pistol and fired, the ball penetrating Aycock's brain. Death resulted very quickly."
Wiggins then traveled to Monroeville and surrendered himself to the Sheriff, claiming that he'd shot Aycock in self-defense.
* In the Oct. 26, 1905 edition of The Journal, it was reported that the "patrons of Grimes School House are desirous of a teacher and wish to begin school at that place as soon as possible. Any teacher wishing a school will apply to J.W. Wilkinson, Manistee, Ala."
* According to the Oct. 5, 1905 edition of The Journal, Dr. H.C. Fountain of Burnt Corn visited The Journal's offices and reported that "one of his fine bird dogs had been bitten by a mad dog a few days ago."
* Mr. S.J. Byrd, postmaster and merchant of Goodway, visited The Journal on Oct. 10, 1905 and reported that "crops have been practically gathered in his vicinity."
Next month, I plan to take a look at the events of November 1905 in Monroe County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Monroe County Library’s excellent selection of old newspapers on micro-film and other resources in its second-floor Genealogy and Alabama rooms. The library’s friendly and courteous staff will be more than happy to get you started.
posted by Lee Peacock at 3:08 PM
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