Once again, it’s time to turn back the clock and look at what made it to print in The Baldwin Times this week in 1895.

A staple on the weekly front page is a church directory, which indicates that the pastor of Methodist Church South in Daphne, which was then the home of The Times, was the Rev. Bo C. Williams. Pastoring Daphne’s Baptist Church was the Rev. J. Hall.

The remainder of the page indicates a slow week for news, as the leading article consists of excerpts from editorials found in newspapers throughout the state.

For example, the Headland Sun gives a glimpse of the changing times of the day with the comment, “The cotton bale and wave vote will soon be companions in fate to the mortgage and the mule.”

The North Alabamian weighs in on the debate over implementing silver coinage into the nation’s currency.

“We don’t believe that a gold bug candidate could find friends enough in north Alabama to drink a pint of whiskey or to chew a plug of tobacco in 60 days,” the excerpt states.

The Southern Idea also comments on the issue.

“Joe Johnston is doing some excellent campaign work in south Alabama in the interest of free silver,” the editorial states. “Johnston is a noble, pure, unselfish statesman and is doing now what he always done (Editor’s note: Yes, it’s actually written this way.), fighting for the interest of the people.”

As with last week’s column, additional excerpt included in The Baldwin Times this week in 1895 include the following newspapers, some of which are no longer in existence: Birmingham State, St. Stephens News, Marion Standard, News Reporter, Scottsboro Progressive Age, Luverne Democrat and Sheffield Reaper.

Another indication of a slow news week is the repeat of a notice that had been printed the previous week announcing discount rates on round-trip tickets to St. Louis, via the Mobile and Ohio Road, to see the St. Louis Fair and Exposition.

The same is true for discount tickets to Louisville, Ky., to visit the encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic; to Chattanooga, Tenn., to attend the dedication of Chickamauga National Park; and Knoxville, Tenn., to visit the encampment of the Sons of Veterans.

The Victorian-era publication also gives a glimpse of official business of the day, with an article listing a schedule for Baldwin County residents to have their property assessed for tax purposes. Appointments available in 1895 include Oct. 1 and Nov. 4 at Sibley’s Mill, Oct. 3 and Nov. 6 in Bay Minette, Oct. 7 and Nov. 5 at Moore’s Distillery.

Scandal and happy endings are nothing new either, as an article details the arrest of Ted Lynum for fathering a child out of wedlock. The article goes on to report the marriage of Lynum to the unnamed woman at the Baldwin County Courthouse in the presence of quite a crowd, with Baldwin County officials making up the wedding party.

“Russell Dick gave the bride away with a possum grin on his face that surpassed anything to see in the recent eclipse of the moon,” the article states.

On the national front, the Gilded Age publication also reports on the then newly built Brooklyn Bridge. An excerpt from Harper’s Round Table commented on the 19^th century innovation of the structure, which was strung with electric lights and provided the structure with the ability to move slightly with New York winds while remaining stable.

“It is a constant delight to watch the bridge under the varying conditions that affect it from day to day,” the article states.

An article reproduced from the Washington Post reports the draw of a 9-year-old black girl in Society Hill, S.C., who conducted a series of revival meetings that became quite an attraction.

“The whole country round about is in great excitement,” the article states. “She quotes Scripture by the chapter, uses good language and shows amazing insight into the frailties of humanity.”

Humor is part of the Victorian-era publication, as evidenced by the following anecdote reprinted from Boston Transcript:

“’Oh yes,’ said the young woman with the babe-like face. ‘I know he is ever so much older than she. When they were married, she was 23 and he 32. I remember it because the figures were reversed. That was three years ago, which makes her now 26. So he must be 62.’”

If advertising gives insight into a society, we can get a glimpse into the marketplace of 1895 with ads found in The Baldwin Times of the day. Among them are an ad for the cure-all treatment, Electropoise, available in Mobile.

“Children treated free to show what the Electropoise will do,” the ad boasts.

Another Mobile business advertised is Miss Anna Smith’s Millinery, which touts, “Hats dyed and cleaned as usual.”

An additional advertisement for C.F. Groom’s Coffee Saloon and Restaurant in Mobile is proof that eating out is nothing new along the Gulf Coast.

“It is the best place to get your meals or lunch when in Mobile,” the ad boasts.

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