Lightning strike tops July 1906 headlines

It’s the first Thursday of the month, so you know what that means. It’s time to take a trip down memory lane and review all of interesting things that took place in Monroe County 100 years ago, way back in July 1906.
From the July 5, 1906 edition of The Journal:
Monroe Journal editor, Q. Salter, wrote that "lightning struck the kitchen chimney of Mr. J.C. Manning’s place four miles southwest of town on June 25, shocking members of the family and playing havoc among the crockery. It is said that not a piece was left unbroken."
Salter also wrote that Professor L.K. Benson, a graduate of Southern University, was named the principal of the Monroeville Institute during a meeting on June 30, 1906 at the courthouse. School was set to begin at the institute on Sept. 1, 1906.
Salter later explained that "a typographical error was made in printing the letter from Excel last week. The new principal of the school is Mr. Marvin E. Rooks, instead of Booker."
In news from the Manistee community, written by "U.No.," readers saw the following news item: "Miss Anna Bell Murphy is teaching a flourishing school at the Grimes school house. She visited the capitol [Monroeville] this week attending the teachers examination."
From the July 12, 1906 edition of The Journal:
Salter wrote that "the ice famine from which we have been suffering for the last few weeks makes it dead easy for Monroeville to establish her reputation as a ‘hot old town.’"
Under the headline of "Lost!" readers saw the following advertisement: "Lost between Nero and Jones Mill, a leather Pocket Book, containing one ten dollar bill, one copper cent, also two papers. Any one finding same will be liberally rewarded by returning same to Isaac Dunn, Homewood, or Monroe Journal."
Under the headline of "Fred Hancock Commits Suicide," Salter reported that "Fred L. Hancock, the murderer of Professor Jesse Troutman, who escaped from jail last May and was recently recaptured in Kansas City, committed suicide in his cell in the Brewton jail last Saturday night by swallowing an ounce of carbolic acid.
"He left a note in which he said he was going to a place where he would receive a just trial, where only the truth was told and where he would not be tried by prejudiced people."
From the July 19, 1906 edition of The Journal:
Salter reported that "Mr. I.A. Weaver, who is presently remembered by many Monroeville friends as principal of the Monroe Institute during the last session, is now editor of the Lineville Headlight, published at his home town."
Readers also learned that "a series of meetings will begin at Ollie school house, on Saturday night before the fourth Sunday in July, conducted by Rev. R.O. Brown, assisted by Dr. C.J. Hammitt, presiding elder of the Defuniak District. Quarterly Conference will be held on the 24th following."
Readers also learned that the Monroe County Sunday School Association held its annual two-day meeting last week in Monroeville. Reports were received at the meeting from 26 of the 30 known Sunday Schools in the county.
Mr. H.C. Dubose was re-elected as the association’s president. Q. Salter was voted in as secretary-treasurer. J.B. Barnett, T.J. Nicholas, T.W. Russell, J.B. Harper and J.T. Newberry were elected members of the executive committee.
From the July 26, 1906 edition of The Journal:
Under the headline "An Important Capture," readers learned that "an important capture was effected by Mr. C.E. Hunter, our efficient and ever watchful city [Monroeville] marshal, last Thursday afternoon. On the train between Monroe and Peterman, he overheard a conversation between two men occupying seats near him, and from remarks made by one of them concerning a recent shooting affray in a nearby county, he strongly suspected the man to be a fugitive from justice. Acting on this belief, he placed the man under arrest and lodged him in jail here, having in the meantime wired the authorities of Covington County.
"Advice was promptly received and the suspect proved to be C.S. Bowen, wanted for shooting and fatally wounding Charles Revill at Opp, Covington County, on July 12, and for whose capture a reward of $150 had been offered. Mr. Hunter left Friday with his prisoner whom he delivered to the sheriff of Covington and collected his reward."
Hunter, a native of Dallas County, became Monroeville’s town marshal in Nov. 1905. In the Nov. 23, 1905 edition of The Journal it was written that "he has the reputation as being no respecter of persons when it comes to 'pulling' violators of the law."
In news from the Pineville community, written by "Ione," readers learned that "the reunion of Confederate veterans, at Captain Riley’s, took place on Friday. Thirteen veterans and other visitors were present. They had a fine dinner, watermelons, fruit, ices, lemonade, etc., and enjoyed the occasion immensely."
In news from the Chestnut community, written by "Bunnie," readers learned that "Messrs. Edward Daily and Frank Blackwell were horseback riding a few days ago when lightning struck a tree nearby causing their horses to run away, the latter’s throwing him and dislocating his arm. Mr. Willie Riley was thrown by a horse last week and received a broken arm."
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 August 1906 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.