It’s once again time to journey back to the days of old and peruse the news from The Baldwin Times of yesteryear.

This week in 1896 saw a lull in news items. However, social news fared, especially in Bay Minette. Acorrding to an article by the correspondent known as “H——x,”the city the sucess of a picnic the previous week, sponsored by the Masons and Sunday School.”

“Dr. E.L. Marechal of Mobile delivered a bright and pleasant address, which was listened to with attention by the crwd present,” H——x wrote.

An equally festive event in Bay Minette the previous week was an icream social, in which two resident mill owners appeared to be missed.

“I wonder what was the matter with the D’Oolive boys,” the correspondent wrote. “They were conspicuous by their absence. I saw a great many young ladies casting anxious glances toward the mill.”

More celebration appeared to be on the Victorian Bay Minette horizon, as H——x reminded readers of the upcoming July 1 picnic, in which gubernatorial candidate Joseph F. Johnson, who would go on to win, was scheduled to speak.

“We are all looking forward to the first of July, when the gallant Capt. Johnston will address the people of this community,” H——x penned. “Be sure to come up, Mr. Editor, and I will show you lots of good Democratic voters, as well as the prettiest girls in Baldwin County.

Evidently, then Times Editor Abner J. Smith accepted the inviation.

“All right, we will be there,” Smith replied. “And if we can slip off from the madam, we’ll be glad to meet all the pretty girls.”

The 19th century publication also reported farm news. According to an article, state inspectors reported that 4.40 inches of rain had fallen at Union Springs. In addition, croips such as corn, apples, berries and sweet potatoeswere in abundance this week in 1896.

It seems that the state of roadways hasn’t changed since 1996. For example, a report from the Baldwin County Commision reported needed repair, indicated that the bridge across Miflflin’s Creedk, as well as the public road connecting it to Swofts “is in a dangerous condition and unsfe for the passage of travelers and other persons.”

Once again, it appears that the more things change, the more they remain the same. That’s it for this edition. Check back next week for more news from The Baldwin Times of yesteryear.