I am back at one of my favorite pastimes
of late, that of reading old newspapers. I
find a lot of what is interesting to me, but
I am never sure if you’d find it worth
reading. Here is one little tidbit that
caught my eye and tickled my funny
bone some. It’s a story that starts
innocently, but turns out to be not so
innocent after all.
I got this article from The Standard
Gauge (the forerunner to The Brewton
Standard), Thursday, January 11,
1900.
The byline read, "From the Conecuh
Record:"
"Stole a Mule – and started for
Texas – W.W. Pridgen Gets to Some
Practice as Deputy Sheriff"
W. F. Robinson and Oscar Griffin,
two young men from the town of
Midway, concluded to migrate to
Texas. Of course, there’s nothing
wrong in that. But they had no
money. Nothing wrong in that either,
for to be poor is no sin. They
therefore decided to carry away a
rope belonging to Griffin’s brother.
Not much to carry away – a rope –
especially when it belongs to your brother. But there was a mule attached at the other end of the rope, and that’s what made it wrong, and that’s what got the boys in trouble and in jail.
They brought the mule here (Evergreen) and sold it to W.W. Pridgen for $40, and started on their way. But the brother missed the mule and telephoned here a description of it.
Mr. Pridgen knew at once that he had bought the stolen mule; but the boys were gone. He telegraphed a description of them to Mobile and took the next train to follow them.
The train being late, his wire got to Mobile in time for them to be intercepted by the ticket agent, who called an officer and had them arrested.
Mr. Pridgen brought them back with him, having been deputized by the sheriff for the purpose.
He recovered $33 of his money, the boys having spent $7 of the $40. They are now in jail here awaiting their trial.
****
I have heard of horse thieves in families, but this is the first time I heard of mule thieves. I wonder what ever happened to these fellas.
If you’ve ever wanted to read some old papers like this, give me a call at the Thomas E. McMillan Museum and Alabama Room and I can fix you right up. Call me at 251-809-1528, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-3. I can make arrangements to meet you there other days or hours if you give me a little notice.
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The slag has finally been placed under the tracks for Old 100 as of last Thursday. Now our next step is to get the boxcar moved, then we’ll call and have Old 100 loaded and trucked home! It’s finally getting close to the next to last step, and it’s hard on my patience.
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Don’t forget our event coming up April 21 ^st : We’re celebrating the naming of the town, as we do every spring. The date we found to be the first time the name "Century" was used is April 8, 1901, so we schedule our spring events in the month of April – makes sense to me!
This year, we’ll have Steve Gay ("Happy Harry") and the Gay family playing for us, along with the Heather Leonard Dance Group; Barbara George and the Southern Pride Dancers; Henry and Daniel Leonard and Bobby Holland; the Choir from the Greater Union Baptist Church; Roy and Marina Chancery with their Auburn Gang; Angie Shelby’s Twirltime Batons; the Emerald Coast Model A Club; the Wm. Carney Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans; Judson Carden and Confederate reenactors; the Gulf Coast Living History Association and their depiction of the Union Navy and life in a Civil War encampment. Also, there are free tours of the museums for all ages.
Besides that, Joe and Kay Ross will be there; Joe always has a great display of old farm implements and tools. There will be other vendors, too, and if you want to display your collection or set up to sell your wares, some on down. You can call 850-256-2661, 850-256-0473, or 850-256-2029 to let us know you’re coming or to ask for more information. There’s no charge for a spot, and almost anything can be sold, as long as it’s not immoral, unethical, or illegal.
We’ll have barbeque Boston Butts, provided by Paul Lee at B-J Meats in Byrneville, drinks from CVS in Century and Piggly Wiggly in Century is donating buns and condiments.
We look to have a good time with good clean fun and music and food. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the day with us! Come join us.