Repton once like NYC?

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 September 1906.
From the Sept. 6, 1906 edition of The Journal:
Monroe Journal Editor, Q. Salter, wrote that "Mr. A.F. Howington, one of Excel’s enterprising merchants, was in to see us Monday. Cotton is beginning to be marketed in this town and trade is improving."
Under the headline "School Notice," readers learned that "The Monroe Male and Female Institute will begin session at 8:30 o’clock Mon., Sept. 10. Opening exercises will embrace addresses by several prominent speakers of the town and county. The friends and patrons of the school are earnestly requested to be present. Parents will confer a favor on the undersigned by requiring pupils to be in their seats on this the first day of school. Give us the pleasure of your presence on the above mentioned occasion and let us get acquainted. L.K. Benson, Principal."
In news about the Repton community, under the headline "Masonic Conference Convened at This Place, Aug. 27," readers saw "Repton is on a boom and could you have seen its thronged streets for the past few days, you would have pronounced Repton "New York," in infancy. The Masonic Conference convened at this place last Wednesday with a large attendance. Several Monroevilleites were seen on our streets during the conference."
From the Sept. 13, 1906 edition of The Journal:
Salter wrote that school opened at the Monroe Institute the previous Monday. "Forty-two pupils matriculated the first day, and the number is increasing steadily."
Readers also learned that "Hon. Oscar O. Bayles of Monroe was nominated State Senator by acclamation by the convention for the 21st District held at Brewton. The fact that Mr. Bayles had no opposition in his own county is highly complimentary to him personally, while the absence of opposition elsewhere speaks well for the harmonious relations existing between the counties composing this senatorial district."
In news about the Snider and Jones Mill communities, written by "Happy Jack," readers learned that "Jones Mill [now Frisco City] is growing to be such a popular little burg that it’s hard work to keep up with the visitors as they are constantly coming and going."
In a rare news item from the Goodway community, written by "Cyclone," readers read that "a very enjoyable entertainment was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lambert on the night of Sept. 1. Ice cream and cake was served which made the night still more pleasant. We had some most excellent music rendered us by Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Booker and Mr. J. Garrett, on the violin, organ and banjo."
From the Sept. 20, 1906 edition of The Journal:
Salter wrote that the "Rev. C.H. Motley went to Manistee the first of the week where he is superintending the erection of a new Methodist church."
Salter also reported that "a new Masonic Lodge was organized at Excel on Thursday of last week, known as Excel Lodge No. 655, making nine lodges actively at work in the county. The following are the officers of the new lodge: G.W. Salter Sr., H.R. White, R.L. Casey, J.F. Kelly, Riley Kelly, E. Parvin, J.C. Griffin, L.B. Cohron and William Williams. The new lodge begins with 10 charter members and the prospects for growth and development are promising."
There wasn’t much local news in this edition of The Journal, prompting Salter to give his faithful readers an explanation: "The heavy demand for advertising by local merchants for several weeks has forced us to infringe somewhat on the space usually devoted to reading matter. We must ‘make hay while the sun shines’ or have no forage. In our ‘picnic’ continues beyond reasonable length we shall enlarge the paper."
From the Sept. 27, 1906 edition of The Journal:
Salter reported that "the Tax Collector and Assessor will start out on their annual round for the assessment and collection of taxes next Monday."
Salter also reported that "our quiet village was startled by the alarm of fire about 10 o’clock on Monday night. Some chance passer discovered smoke issuing from the apartments occupied by Mr. J.F. Hassell in the old City Hotel and gave the alarm. A number of persons hurried to the scene and succeeded in putting the fire out before very much damage was done."
Salter also reported that "another killing occurred at Peterman, this county Saturday night last. Ed Dean shot and killed Will Neville. Saturday was payday at Peterman and the citizens desiring to prevent disorder, secured the presence of two officers. There was some shooting and disorder in the early part of the night, but the officers succeeded in suppressing it. The crowd dispersed and the deputies returned home. The killed occurred at a late hour and nothing definite is learned concerning it. Dean came to town and gave himself up to the sheriff and was released on bond."
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 September 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.