"More in '54"

by John Harvey

The year 1954 began with the expected cold weather and with little business activity.

Early in the year, an exhibit and movie was shown at the Royal Theatre.  The movie "Killers all" showed the brief careers of ten of the most wanted gangster of the thirties.  Also exhibited was the "Bonnie and Clyde death car" and a gun exhibit.  These exhibits were popular about this time and traveled all over the country.

The local March of Dimes campaign began with a "kick off" banquet held at Providence Baptist Church in Shady Dale.  The Rev. Francis Stewart of the Monticello Baptist Church was March of Dimes chairman.

On February 11, workmen began tearing down the last of the old wooden building that had once lined the Monticello Square.  The Blackwell Mercantile Company, a two story building, had been built as a n apothecary and doctor's office in 1870 by Dr. Woodie Dozier.   Later it had been leased by brothers Jack and Tom Blackwell, who operated it until its closing.

A part of the daily routine of many of the businessmen on the Square had been to drop by Blackwell's, open a "coke" from the cooler, pick up a bag of peanuts and talk for a few minute with Tom and Jack.  Both men were very active in the government of the town and county for many years.

February 24 was "Dr. and Mrs. Belcher Day", Dr. F. S. and "Miss Rena" Belcher were recognized for 52 years of service (50 as husband and wife) to the county.  In the morning a parade was held on the Square, at the end of which everyone who had been "delivered" by Dr. Belcher was asked to join the parade.  All Dr. Belcher's "babies" were asked to wear a red ribbon on the lapels of their coats.  That afternoon, a reception was held for the Belchers and the members of their family at the Legion Hall.

On March 18, Monticello again entered the "Sweepstakes" Division of the Better Hometown Contest.  At a meeting held that evening, the slogan "Improve Monticello-More in'54" was selected, a "Jasper County Day" was planned for April 25 and an Improvement Council was elected with Arch Fitzpatrick as chairman.

The face of the Monticello News changed.  Editor Tom Penn and plant foreman D. W. Jones had been working quietly for some months to design a new front page and modernize the type.

Monticello seemed to be enjoying a growth spurt, as the newspaper commented on the "rash" of new houses built built in town.

Additional Comments:
Transcribed by Suzanne Forte (suzanneforte@bellsouth.net) April 2005,  from copies of articles contained in the Monticello News. There articles were prepared by Mr. 
John Harvey and published in this newspaper during the 1970's and 1980's time frame. Some were under the title "Jasper Reflections", others "Bicentennial Bits".
Permission has been granted by Mr. Harvey for use of these very valuable and informative articles.

Copies of articles provided by Benny Hawthorne.