It’s again time to turn back the pages of the calendar and revisit The Baldwin Times of yesteryear.

Doing so reveals that Baldwin County was still growing this week in 1896. This is evidenced by an announcement of a new post office in the then flourishing — and now former — Brady community near Bay Minette.

The four-page publication also shows that Victorian-era children in the community entertained themselves much differently than today, as a column from the Rosinton community reports on its children collectively going on a rat hunt.

“They killed 36 rats at H.H. Cooper’s crib, 107 at J.J. Copper’s, 77 at Thomas Cooper’s crib and about 50 at M.C. Cooper’s crib,” the correspondent known as “Central Baldwin” wrote.

It seems entertainment wasn’t the only motivation for the activity. Instead, it was also borne out of necessity, as the idea of exterminators was yet to be formed.

“If any of the correspondents can tell me where I can get a wagonload of cats, please notify ‘Central Baldwin,’ and I will haul them here and divide them evenly with my neighbors,” Central Baldwin wrote in a plea for help with the community’s rat problem.

Further perusal of the weathered publication also reveals that Baldwin County was included in a move to evangelize the Alabama, as an article reported on a state Sunday school convention in Anniston. According to Sunday school executive committee representative E.C. Anderson, 39 Alabama counties had organized Sunday schools, with more being formed.

“A great advance has been made in Sunday-school work all over the state,” Anderson wrote.

Faith also seemed to be part of everyday life, as an article reported that the practice of opening court with prayer and reading from a chapter in the Bible was suggested by a South Alabama lawyer.

The political season was going strong this week in 1896, as several candidates for the upcoming election were announced, including, T.S. Moore, who tossed in his hat for tax collector.

“Mr. Moore is a young man and a good Democrat and well qualified for the position,” then Times Editor A.J. Smith endorsed.

The Times, which sold for $1 per year, also included an attempt to clear up confusion regarding one candidate, as E.M. Waters issued a report denying a withdrawal from the bid for sheriff.

“I am a candidate for the office and feel confident of success, and will continue in the race for the nomination,” Waters wrote.

Interest in the state and national political scenes were also spotlighted in the publication from the Gilded Age, as a poll of Baldwin County found that most residents were in support of gubernatorial candidate Joseph F. Johnston, who would go on to win the election, and  for the inclusion of silver coinage in the U.S. monetary system.

“I am a Johnston man straight out and am for free coinage,” said poll respondent J. T. Nelson.

The yellowed newspaper also provides a glimpse of Baldwin County’s fashion scene, as the Times hawks a free pattern for a “vamoris shirt waist with detachable collar and cuffs.” According to the description, the completed garment has “full bishop sleeves with a turned-over cuff,” with material suggestions of washable silks and silk flannels.

That’s it for this edition. Check back next week for another look at The Baldwin Times of yesteryear.