It’s once again time to revisit the news from The Baldwin Times of yesteryear.

It appears that this week in 1896, the political energy in the area was palatable. This is evidenced in a front-page headline of The Times, which read: “Captain Joseph F. Johnston delivers rousing speeches in Mobile and Bay Minette.”

According to Times founder and then-Editor Abner J. Smith, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate who would go on to win the four-year term, spoke to a crowd of 500 in Bay Minette during a picnic the previous week. But Smith’s report of the event was not without bias, as he wrote that Johnston “cleared every doubt in the minds of those present as to what is best for the people of the state. This county will give about 400 majority for Johnston and the whole state ticket.”

Evidently, there wouldn’t have been a need to make sure such enthusiasm continued until election time. According to a published schedule, voters were scheduled to head to the polls the first Monday in August.

It seems that state and local offices weren’t the only ones Victorian Baldwin voters would consider or The Times editor would endorse.

“Our preference for president — Horace Boise of Iowa,” Smith proclaimed in the weathered publication.

While politicking and picnicking seemed to have paired well at the time, so did throwing barbs at those seeking political office. Even Bay Minette correspondent “H—x”subtly  joined in while reporting on a recent picnic.

“The barbecue was a success in every particular,” he wrote, “and I think Mr. Walter Thompson, candidate for treasurer is entitled to a vote of thanks for the beef donated by him. We will all remember him when election day comes around.”

However, H—x went on to report a more tragic event, a fatal wreck on the L & N near Carney Station that occurred when a tramp tried to jump onto a box car.

“The victim was attended by Dr. J.D. Trammel of Bay Minette, who found it necessary to amputate his leg and arm,”  H —x wrote. “At one time it looked as though he would rally. But the shock was too great, and he died two hours after the operation was performed. Everything possible was done for him by the doctor and residents at Carney, but without avail.”

In more positive news, an item from Gateswood reported that S.S.L & T Company had completed a road above Gateswood, with plans to move a store there.

In addition, a music school was planned to open in Gateswood the following month.

The yellowed newspaper reveals that Baldwin’s library system had a predecessor, by the following announcement:

“Signor A.M. Valerio requests us to say that he has a choice lot of magazines and other literature on hand,” the editor wrote, “and will be pleased to lend them out to his friends who desire something to read during the summer months.”

It also seems that reading material wasn’t always easy to come by, as evidenced by a report that the Steamer Gadabout, which carried mail to and from Mobile, had failed to make two trips the previous week.

“The people are justly indignant and are making a vigorous kick all along the line,” the article states about residents going without mail. “The postmaster at Daphne has made application to the postal authorities to allow him to employ a special messenger to carry the mail to Mobile on the Carney Line Steamer when the regular mail boat cannot make the trip.”

It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. That’s it for this edition. Check back next week for more news from yesteryear.