A look back

By Staff
Researched by Dr. Bill Stewart
Sad news very frequently prevails over happy items in the local newspaper. These items from many years ago attest to this.
1912-October 9, Mrs. Martha Young, aged 68 years, one of the best known ladies in the county, is continuing to decline at her home in Flint Station. She took sick a number of years ago and has never recovered.
1904-October 10, Louise Moore of the southern part of the county committed suicide yesterday by taking chloroform. Her parents had objected to her marrying the man of her choice.
1909-October 10, Mrs. Martha A. Kyle, the venerable mother of Morgan County Judge Osceola Kyle, is growing increasingly weak at the home of her son. Mrs. Kyle is an old woman, having been on this earth for more than 80 years.
1922-October 11, Funeral services probably will be held Thursday for Dr. M. W. Murray, one of north Alabama's best known physicians, who was found dead on the L &N railroad tracks. It is supposed Dr. Murray fell between the coaches.
1909-October 12, Attempting to cross the Tennessee River this afternoon in a skiff during a high wind, Pat Patterson, a well known man who for many years who has been employed as foreman on Buckett's Island 14 miles below here, tragically lost his life.
1910-October 13, Thomas H. Skeggs, who was suddenly killed in an automobile accident at Amarillo, Tex., yesterday while driving a 90-horsepower car in a 200-mile race, was the youngest son of Mayor and Mrs. Henry A. Skeggs of Decatur. Young Skeggs was one of the fastest and most expert drivers in this country. Recently he made a fine record in the east and at the time was dubbed by the mayor of Philadelphia "Stick-to-it Skeggs." The young man was about 22 years old.
1928-October 14, Ralph B. Barclift, one of Hartselle's most popular young men, died today after a lingering illness. He was only 31.
1906-October 15, Mrs. T. E. Crittenden returned this week from Sheffield where she had been on account of the illness and death of her sister, Mrs. Marcus Crittenden.
1918-October 15, Alabama casualties today on World War battlefields included Alex Hammond of Hartselle who was wounded severely in action.