In a way, fathers-in-law get off easy. One rarely hears “father-in-law jokes” whereas “mother-in-law jokes” are very common. On the other hand, the father-in-law could be said to be sort of a fifth wheel when it comes to weddings since most emphasis is placed on the bride (naturally), the groom, and the father of the bride who gives his (and her mother’s) daughter away at the appropriate place in the ceremony. Frequently, but not always, the father of the groom will serve as his son’s best man. I’m sure everyone was already aware of this (not!) but tomorrow, July 30, is Father-in-Law Day. One doesn’t expect a lot of hoopla in connection with this day—most probably absolutely none—but here are some items that were in the news in the past relating to fathers-in-law. Incidentally, the next day, Friday (July 31) is Mutt’s Day—a special day to encourage people to adopt mixed breed dogs rather than just those with lengthy pedigrees.

 April 6, 1891—Mrs. Macon shot herself at her father-in-law’s residence, 12 miles from Huntsville, with a pistol with suicidal intent and died. The cause of her extreme discontent with her father-in-law is unknown at this time.

 Jan. 13, 1896––Mrs. Mary J. Thompson, the aged grandmother of Enquirer Editor J. A. Rountree, died at the residence of her son-in-law, Dr. S. L. Rountree, near Hartselle, tonight. She was born in Christian County, Ky., Aug. 20, 1816. She was married to Robert Asa Thompson, who would later become Dr. Rountree’s father-in-law, in 1836 and moved to Alabama in the same year. She lived in the house in which she died for 59 years. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for over 60 years. Dr. Rountree remembers his father-in-law fondly, and while he mourns his mother-in-law’s passing, wishes he had had more time to spend with Mr. Thompson.

May 24, 1901—Last night as Prof. W. B. Gibson, superintendent of the Decatur public schools, Mrs. Gibson, and his father-in-law, Mr. Frazier, were on their way home from Echols’ Opera House, where the commencement of school had just been held, Prof. Gibson was assaulted by a shower of rotten eggs as his party reached the corner of the opera house, Bank and Vine streets.

Some time ago, he suspended and expelled a number of boys who would not be controlled. At the time of their expulsion, the boys swore vengeance against the professor, saying they would get even with him. Last night, they made good on their threat as stated above. Mrs. Gibson’s dress was utterly ruined. Mr. Frazier, to whom Prof. Gibson is more like a son than a son-in-law, was struck on the head with a rock and painfully injured.

Jan. 15, 1906—A number of highly dramatic and tragical scenes have taken place within the walls of the old State Bank Building in Decatur. The last tragedy was enacted only very recently. In a total reversal of the way things ought to be in a man’s extended family, one Johnson shot his father-in-law in a room on the second floor of the building. Johnson’s wife witnessed the deed while his young babe lay quietly sleeping on the bed. Johnson will claim self-defense when he comes to trial because he and his father-in-law were in an altercation. (Johnson was later acquitted of the charge of murder on preliminary trial on his successful plea of self-defense.)

July 27, 1972—Sim F. Orr died. He was a former city clerk with many years service. He also was a partner with his father-in-law, Roman Puckett, in the historic Puckett & Orr Drug Store, which for many years was located in the brick building at the corner of Main and Railroad streets.