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

This week in 1896 is slow for news, with the political scene remaining on the forefront. This is evidenced with a front-page announcement from the state Democratic Convention naming Joseph Johnston as its gubernatorial candidate, which proves to be a successful venture as history records Johnston to on to serve a term in the position.

The announcement also reported the convention’s support of a free-silver platform.

“We hold to the use of both gold and silver as the standard money of the country and to the coinage of both gold and silver without discrimination against either metal or charge for mintage,” the announcement stated.

The proclamation also indicated the convention’s support of then U.S. President Grover Cleveland.

“We further commend Mr. Cleveland for his generous appointment of our Southern men in his cabinet and to various positions within his appointing power,” the announcement read.

At the local level, candidacy announcements were published for James W. O’Neal for Baldwin County sherriff and H.H. Cooper for county commissioner.

Non-political news found in the weathered newspaper carries a more reflective tone. An example is a Confederate decoration service held at the Brook Cedron Cemetery that was reported in The Times.

Yet more somber news included the obituary announcement of then 80-year-old F. Earle,

“We extend our sincere sympathy to the family in their sad bereavement,” Times Editor Abner Smith wrote.

Another obituary spoke of former Baldwin County resident Capt. Theodore J. Hughes of Bluff Springs, Fla., who died after an illness.

“Captain Hughes was at one time a very prominent citizen of Baldwin County and was a man of large intelligence and very popular with all who knew him,” Smith wrote.

The Times, which sold for $1 a year, took a lighter note with several anecdotes — predecessors to today’s comic strips. Among them included one titled, “A True Lover” which read:

“‘I am not myself, this evening,” the young lady said to her suitor.

The young man then got up from the couch and started for the door.

“Why do you leave me, thus?” she asked in surprise.

“Because you say you are not yourself, and I will not spend the evening with any other woman!” he replied.

She immediately recovered herself.

That’s it for this edition. Check back next week for more news from The Baldwin Times of yesteryear.