It’s time, once again, to revisit the Gilded Age by taking a look at news from The Baldwin Times of yesteryear.

This week in 1896 indicates that Victorian thoughts were on the upcoming spring in the agricultural realm, as depicted in an article from Swift.

“All the farmers are having new wire fences put around their farms in place of rails and are breaking up lots of new ground,” the article states. “There is a generous improvement going around Swift. The farmers have raised hogs enough to give them all the meat they want and are making their farms self-sustaining.”

Tragedy struck in Stockton, columnist Eclipse reported that 9-year-old Duncan McMillan, who borrowed a shotgun from his parents’ hired man to shoot a pigeon, accidentally shot himself as he was climbing a fence and the gun slipped, fatally wounding him in the side.

“How sad that the angel of death so soon visit our village,” Eclipse states.

But other news from Stockton is more pleasant, as Eclipse reported that D.W. Murphey opened a dry-goods store in a building previously occupied by Robinson and MacMillan.

In Daphne, two separate articles reported the demand for a bridge at Fly Creek, between Daphne and Battles, because poor creek conditions made it difficult to ford.

“The crossing is considered dangerous,” one article states.

One of the articles announced that the Baldwin County Commission was taking bids for the project.

Also reported in 19th century newspaper is the commission’s putting on hold a petition for a road from Bay Minette to Perdido Station “for want of funds.”

In additional county news of the day, an article announced the April 15 meeting of the Baldwin County Convention of the Democratic Party, which identified itself as conservative in the announcement.

Also, a published treasurer’s report indicates that of Jan. 1, 1896, the county treasury had a general-account balance of $11,077.20.

It seems thoughts also turned to upcoming elections, with several residents announcing candidacy for county office, including Jas. W. O’Neal for county commissioner, W.L. Thompson for county treasurer and Thomas J. Holman for tax collector.

The debate over bimetallism continued, with letters from citizens arguing over whether to add silver to the currency or retain the gold standard.

As for events outside Baldwin County, an announcement reported that tickets to Memphis, Tenn., on the Mobile & Ohio Road would be discounted throughout the month for those wishing to attend the semiannual meeting of the Southern Lumber Manufacturers on Feb. 18-21.

Celebrating Mardis Gras is nothing new along the Gulf Coast, as an advertisement boasted that Steamer James A. Carney would make two trips to Mobile on Mardis Gras Day. According to the ad, round-trip tickets would be available for 50 cents, with the vessel leaving Battles at 7 a.m., then leaving Mobile for Eastern Shore at 3 p.m. and the last boat leaving Mobile at midnight.

The four-page publication provides a glimpse of the predecessor of today’s comics page, with a listing of several anecdotes, including this one from Household Words, in which a young nephew asked his uncle, “Why do you always take a god with you when you go out shooting? Are you afraid of rabbits?”

The Baldwin Times, which sold for $1 annual subscription, wasn’t just used for news. According to an advertisement, readers could use the weathered-publication to obtain free dress patterns. Each week would feature a rendering of a different pattern, along with an order form for the desired size. All that was required was 10 cents for postage. This week’s pattern is of a “Becoming Corsage Dress” with a “Linbrook waist.”

Check back next week for another glimpse at The Baldwin Times of yesteryear.