Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-09

Pickens.
The telephone line will be extended
from Reform along the old public road,
via Hargrove's, Gordo, Sipsey Turnpike
and Northport to Tuscaloosa. 1t is
along the route of the late survey of the
Memphis, Columbus, Tuscaloosa and
Montgomery railroad, and it was travel
ed by the stages in ante-bellum days,
when the fast methods of transportation
were unknown.
Some persons during the past week
left threatening letter at the residence
of Miss Bette Brown in the night time,
requiring her niece, Miss Annie E.
Brown, who resides with her aunt, to
leave the country. They are highly
respectable ladies, and no one believes
that any one intended to harm them.
Every one is at a loss to understand the
object that the White Caps had in view.
Such lawlessness is becoming too COM
mon in Pickens county.
Sunday was memorable day with the
colored people near Hargrove's on &C
count of a church festival in commemo-
ration of Easter Sunday. They had a
sermon in the morning, dinner at noon
and rectations in the afteroon. A gen.
tleman living in the neighborhood states
that the feast new dresses, hats, clothes,
etc. have cost them several hundred dol
lars, but that they did not care for ex-
penses so long as they had money, land
lords to advance or merchants to credit
them within an area of eight miles of
Sinners Friend, the name of the church
where the festival was observed. The
brother in black in that vicinity is far
above ordinary intelligence for one OF
his race, as would be imagined from his
great interest in such matter.
Joseph G. Johnston, Esq, one of the
leading members of the legal profession
of Carrollton. died on last Wednesday
and was buried on Thursday His wife
died several years ago, without children,
and the husband now follows her. His
death has been expected for several
months. Mr.. Johnston was attended
during his last illness by his brother,
Judge William f. Johnston, of Annis-
ton
Travelling statesmen for wholesale
houses in Mobile, New Orleans, Memphis,
Nashville. Birmingham and Montgomery
are visiting country stores in every part
of Pickens. The indications are that bus
mess is on very much better footing
than at this time last year.
Planting crops is now general in every
part of Pickens and extensive prepara-
tons are being made to get in all fallow
lands.
The coco grass has done some injury in
this county, but much care is taken to
prevent it from spreading, as 1t has been
found impossible to exterminate the pest
when it once takes deep root. 1t is stated
by some that it came into Pickens in
Japan clover was introduced in hay
brought from the northwest appears to
be equally as reliable. Others contend
that no one can properly account for eth
er being here One thing is certain
that the former, curse, and the latter,
blessing, are here to stay. y The weeds,
other grasses and other kinds of clover
cannot choke out either.
Mr.. Samuel W. Bonner and Miss Jennie
Murphy of Bethany and Mr.. o. l.. Nc
Kinstry and Miss Roberta Small of Car
rollton are to be married during this
week.
Mr.. A. L. Boone, president of the tele-
phone line, is visiting every office in the
county and his work promises to lead to
several new offices during the week.
Mr. John r. Cockrell. who lived near
| the Alabama and Mississippi state line,
recently died at his home. He was about
| rs years of age and was well known in
Pickens, where he had many friends.
Mr.. William ]. Rozzelle of Coal Fire
recently died at Millport, to which place
he was removed during his last illness.
| He leaves a widow, but no children, his
| only child, Miss Willie, having died
| short time ago. He was veteran of the
| last war and his comrades offer sincere
| tribute to his memory. The remains of
| the deceased were buried near his home
in Pickens county