It’s time, once again, to revisit the news from The Baldwin Times this week in 1895.

   After several weeks of advertising, this week’s edition of the four-page newspaper launches the serial “Won at Last,” by Bernard Bigsby. The funny thing is that it’s not placed later in the publication after more notable news. Instead, the novel installment takes up the entire front page — complete with several illustrations to reinforce the story.

   Chapter one, titled “An unbidden guest,” lays the groundwork for the story by taking readers to a the stately Scarsdale Abbey, the stately home of Sir Gordon Hillsborough in the picturesque English village of Hoehorton.

   While relaxing in his library, Sir Gordon is rudely interrupted by a bitter looking, badly dressed man with red hair. The man, known as Gregerson, proceeds to tell Sir Gordon that three years ago his daughter was taken advantage of by the gentleman’s son. But that the son married the girl in secret, who went on to have a baby. According to the questionable man, the girl was mistakenly presumed to be killed without the young man knowing of the child. So with the help of Gregerson and his wife, the poor girl went on to raise the child alone.

   The problems mount as Sir Gordon’s son is now happily married to a reputable young lady, and the couple are making a living in India. To retain the secret, which could become quite a scandal, Sir Gordon pays Gregerson a great amount of money for the care of the child.

  Little does Sir Gordon know that the lady in question was actually killed, and was not the daughter of Gregerson. Instead, he and his wife were neighboring tenant farmers who took the girl’s baby in and were now seeking to profit from it.

   Chapter two, titled “the Northern Home,” fast forwards 14 years to the setting of the seedy are of  Lake Superior’s southern shore. The baby is now a young lady named Elsie and is studying with a tutor, a handsome young man. But Gregerson and his wife fear the interest of the two is not merely academic.

   Thus ends the first installment of “Won at Last.”

   And now for the actual news, and I use that term loosely. I say that because the second page of The Times is filled with quips and commentaries, several of which take one side or the other between the gold/silver debate.

   However, a couple of the commentaries do provide an insight into politics of the day. As with today, one continues to eye the former president.

   “Ex-President Harrison is unable to decide whether he is a comer or a goner,” the commentary states.

   Another does the same.

   “Grover Cleveland will go down with history as a sportsman whose greatest luck was with ducks and cuckoos,” the commentary states.

   There is actual news within the weathered pages of the publication. For instance, a report announces the completion of Macedonia Baptist Church in Daphne, with a rally led by the Rev. S.B. Bracy and a total of $40.80 raised to relieve the congregation’s debt from building its new structure.

   Another item announced that Judge J.F. Stallings and Congressman R.H. Clark of Mobile led a discussion on coinage the previous week.

   The four-page newspaper also reports the establishment of a cigar factory in Fairhope by A.J. Cullom, which relocated to Baldwin County for the venture.

   “The cigars made by him are of a superior quality,” the article states.

   An additional item also gives an insight into the goings on of the day with an article announcing that the Mobile & Ohio train would offer half-price fairs to Chattanooga, Tenn. Nov. 4-10 “on account of the meeting of the Sunday School Convention of Tennessee and the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor.”

   A report from Loxley announces that Loxley and Son mill would close for two weeks “owing to an over supply of logs from Monday 28th, which gives the boys an opportunity of rest.”

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