Backward Glances: A vetch blossom festival in 1926 Wedowee; a second chance for 1966 high school drop-outs
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120 years ago
From the Levonia community – The railroad contractors across the river do not stop work long on account of wet weather. They keep their men busy blasting and tearing down bluffs and ridges. The blasting so frequent and loud it reminds an old veteran of the days he spent around Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and many other places where cannonading was carried on by the Northern and Southern armies during the unpleasantness which occurred in the 60’s. The people here now believe we are certainly going to have a railroad through this part of the county.
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Also from the Levonia community – On last Sunday the cold rains began coming down and continued to fall 19 consecutive hours. The river at this place was estimated to be over five hundred yards wide. It was a grand sight and the old citizens say that the river has not been so high during the last 20 years. The water rose to the telephone wire and the ferryboat cable and broke them loose. Consequently telephoning and ferrying will be suspended several days. The mail carrier on the route between Almond and Wedowee will have a few days rest, as it is impossible for him to cross the river and Corn House creek.
100 years ago
On May 1 Randolph County will have the first Vetch Blossom Festival ever held in the United States. Other sections have had their Peach Blossom Festivals and Orange Blossom Festivals, but so far as we know, nobody has ever put on a Vetch Blossom Festival. Since vetch is becoming an important crop in Alabama, it is fitting that a Vetch Blossom Festival be held. Since we are putting on the first celebration of this kind, we should try to make it an outstanding success. Some of the features of the occasion will be a parade of decorated automobiles and other vehicles, talks by outstanding agricultural leaders of the south and other features to be worked out later. In addition to the festival the World War monument will be unveiled with appropriate exercises for that day. Some prominent speaker will be secured to make an unveiling address.
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Last week sheriff Ballard captured a man and two women near A.L. Kent’s store. They were put in jail. The man plead guilty and his fine was $99.60. The women were let out of jail. The car was condemned and will be sold in a few days, under the prohibition law.
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Last week the verdict of the circuit court of Randolph County, granting damages to J.W. Farr to the amount of $8,000 in a suit against the Alabama Power Company growing out of the death of the plaintiff’s wife from lightning supposed to be conducted over a wire, was affirmed by the higher court.
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In Georgia last week two boys around 21 years of age were electrocuted for killing the aged superintendent of education of Putnam county, who had taken them into his car to ride as they made their way back north from Florida. Each youth went to the chair smoking a cigarette. Why? Is there any kinship between the cigarette and crime? Some competent authorities say there is. Yet the pity is that so many good men lend their aid and influence to this pernicious habit by practicing it.
80 years ago
The Roanoke Furniture Company will have its grand opening in its new home on Friday, March 29. The new modernistic building with fluorescent lighting, hardwood flooring and bright, roomy interior is located at the corner of Peachtree and White Streets. The company moved last week to it new remodeled building, the old “overall plant,” but the formal opening was set for this Friday so that everything could be in readiness for the visiting public. The former Roanoke Furniture Store Co. store is now being remodeled preparatory to becoming part of the home of the Belk-Gallant Co. department store, which will open in Roanoke soon.
An advertisement for a local clothing store in Roanoke in 1946.
60 years ago
Are you a school drop-out? Do you want a job and a chance to be somebody? Mr. Delbert Heard, director of the Talladega-Clay-Randolph Area Youth Corps said today, a total of 160 jobs are available for young men and women ages 16-21. Those hired will be working with county, city or non-profit organizations. Drop-outs hired will work 24 hours weekly at $1.25 an hour and will go to school a minimum of 15 hours weekly. Applicants will be screened and signed through the employment services of their respective county, also applicants must have been out of school for at least six months.
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J.B. Waller of North Main St., Roanoke, was admitted to the Randolph County Hospital about 10:20 Monday night for treatment of a gunshot wound in the abdomen which he said he inflicted upon himself accidentally. Mr. Waller, who lives near radio station WELR, is reported to have forced his way into the station by breaking a glass in the rear door, and to have called the ambulance from there. Ambulance attendants and police, whom they notified, found him alone in the station. His condition Tuesday morning was reported to be satisfactory, but he later took a turn for the worse and is now reported to be in serious condition.
A look at the brand new Opelika technical school campus in 1966.
40 years ago
At a meeting continued from the previous week for the purpose of making an appointment to a vacant council position, the Wedowee Town Council on Monday chose Freddie Weaver to serve the remainder of the term of former councilwoman Curtis Jane Burns, who resigned recently. With her appointment to the council, Mrs. Weaver becomes the first black person to serve on Wedowee’s governing body. A Wedowee native, Mrs. Weaver traveled with her husband, Lineville native Harold Weaver, while he was in the service. Upon his retirement from the military in 1971, the Weavers settled in Wedowee. Mrs. Weaver now teaches fifth and sixth grade at Woodland.
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Christine Haynes, age 75, a freshman at Southern Union, will be beginning her second quarter on March 25. Mrs. Haynes, of Ashland, is one of the first persons to take advantage of the Senior Adult Scholarship Program recently enacted by the Alabama Department of Education. Persons aged 60 and over receive free tuition to all state two-year colleges under the provisions of the program. Mrs. Haynes, who graduated from Bibb Graves High School in Millerville 54 years ago, says, “College is really a lot of fun and not as hard as I expected.”
20 years ago
Roanoke Police Department investigator Billy Lane warns residents of a scam in which victims are notified by mail that they are winners of the Canadian lottery. The letter states that a non-resident government service tax must be paid before the “winner” can collect their “lottery” winnings. Lane advised that one person in the area actually sent in the money, but another man, a senior citizen, received the same letter and took to a friend for advice. Luckily, that friend contacted the Roanoke Police Department. If you have received such a letter don’t send any money to Canada.
