W. J. HINZ AND FAMILY FOSTERED BRILLIANT THROUGH COAL INDUSTRY

W. J. HINZ was associated with the Brilliant Coal Company for thirty-seven
years, serving as Superintendent of the company for thirty years, up to the
time of his death.  A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mr. HINZ spent his
early life in and near Milwaukee and Port Washington.

Mr. HINZ and his family moved to Brilliant in 1919, for the second time,
having lived there previous to going to Walker County for a period of time.

During his years as Superintendent of the Brilliant Coal Company, Mr. HINZ
also served as Chairman of the Brilliant School Board, and through his
effort and the aid of others the small Brilliant Elementary School with six
teachers was changed to a Junior High School, and a few years later to an
accredited High School.

The Journal Staff had written Mrs. O. D. BYNUM (Maude GIBBS) of St. Louis,
Brilliant's First Music Teacher, for information about her years of
teaching music. She graciously replied, "Just leave out my music and devote
the time and space instead to some of those who worked so hard for the
schools of Brilliant. some of those, like Messers Franklin HOWELL, Jesse
Anderson UNDERWOOD, William MORTON, Walter HOWELL, Howard THOMAS and oh so
many more who along with Mr. HINZ [and] John Jesse GIBBS, sat up
nights(sic) after nights(sic) until the midnight hours devising ways and
means to start and improve the schools. When I see the words, Civic Pride'
in connection with any phrase(sic) of life, the words, 'hard work'
instantly flash through my mind because I remember how all these great
citizens worked for the progress of a better Brilliant School System."

Mr. HINZ took an active part in everything pertaining to the betterment of
the county and all communities surrounding the Brilliant town. He served on
many town and county committees, a list of all these were not available.

It was through his untiring effort and the cooperation of the Methodist
Board of Stewards that the present Brilliant Methodist Church and Parsonage
were built. He was a strong believer in the church and its influence on
people of the community. It was during this period that the first full-time
minister was obtained.

Following his death, his years of service in many clubs were commerated
(sic) by organizations such as the Brilliant Lions club, and the Kiwanis
Club of Winfield published a resolution in The Winfield Journal from the
club to observe his passing.

Mrs. HINZ was a member of the Marion County United Daughters of the
confederacy, active in the school's Parent-Teachers Association for a
period of time, a member of the Women's Missionary Society of the Methodist
Church of Brilliant and quite active in the studiosis Club of Winfield.
There were seven children in the HINZ family and eight grandchildren.

The children include Miss Evelyn HINZ, who served as a teacher in Brilliant
for sixteen years, as well as teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible
School, part time in the summers. She also served for three years as
chairman of the Curriculum Committee and she and her sister (then Katharyn
HINZ, now Mrs. Carr McCARMACK, Jr. of Mobile) spent many night (sic)
coaching students in oratory, and coaching school plays and other programs.

Miss HINZ later served as instructor of journalism and English, and as
sponsor of Murphy Hi-Times in the Murphy High School in the Murphy High
School in Mobile, where she and her mother reside in nearby Fairhope.

The former Katharyn HINZ taught seven years in the Brilliant Schools and at
Brookside. She also served in many activities such as Girl Scout work and
educational activities.

Ralph HINZ, worked as foreman for the Brilliant Coal Company before going
into business for himself. He taught in the Mining School in both Brilliant
and Brookside, for several years, and late served as Mining Inspector of
the industries of this section.

William, who was associated with the Mobile Paint Company worked in
Brilliant, for two years, before going to Birmingham, where he alter had
his own business.

Louis worked for the Brilliant Coal Company for a period of around twelve
years.

Walter, the youngest of the HINZ children, was employed in New Orleans,
Louisiana.

Herbert was a member of the Phillips High School Faculty in Birmingham,
where he instructed vocational education.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section B, Page 5

SECOND OLDEST CHURCH IN COUNTY

The First Baptist Church of Guin is the second oldest church in Marion
County. It was organized as Old Union Baptist Church in 1860. The name
changed to Guin Baptist Church after moving from an old log building
located by Beaver Creek, which was destroyed by fire about 1890.

About 1920-25 the first pastorium as built. Weekly prayer services were
started in 1923. This church and the pastorium burned in June, 1933. A new
tabernacle was built in 3 to 4 weeks. This tabernacle was later town down
to make space for the permanent building. The new church and pastorium were
then built. The church as had more than 35 pastors. At least 8 men have
been licensed and, or ordained to the ministry. On April 3, 1974 the church
auditorium, pastorium, church bus and most of the educational building were
destroyed by the tornado. Since then a new auditorium and pastorium have
been built and the educational building restored. Dedication service was
held in the new auditorium in February 29, 1976.

Don Graham, pastor of the church, came in 1974 after the storm. Under his
leadership the church continues to grow spiritually and numerically.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section B, Page 8

MARION COUNTY SHERIFFS LISTED SINCE YEAR OF 1820

Below is a list of Sheriffs of Marion County from 1820. Those before March
30, 1887 are by person reports. No records were saved when the courthouse
burned on that date.

William C. H. ALLMAN, Bartlett SIMS, Ezekiel MARCHBANKS, Enoch BRYANT,
Garrett FITZGERALD, James B. BANKHEAD, Charles REGAN, William DENNIS,
William T. DENNY, Edwin THOMAS, James McKAY, Allen HUNDLEY, John F.
MATHEWS, George CANNON, M. F. ATKERS, Albert J. HAMILTON, Lewis F. MAY,
Meredith T. ACKERS, James R. HUGHES.

W. R. U. LODEN, Pompie RIGGINS, Walker W. HALL, Robert CASHION, Rufus A.
BAIRD, Luther LOYD, John W. HANEY, Luther LOYD, Houston M. COUCH, Luther
LOYD, Dewey LOYD, Jim FORD, Golden HOWELL, Angus BERRYHILL, Max CANTRELL,
Dewey LOYD, Fray TYRE, Hubert McCARLEY, Thelton HOLLIMAN, Billy MILES,
Hubert COCHRAN, and the present Sheriff, Floyd LONG.
 

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section B, Page 8

TOWN OF WIGINTON WAS ONCE THROWN(sic) AS THE SMALLEST "BEAT" IN THE STATE

The town of Wiginton, a small 14 square mile beat located between
Hackleburg and Hodges, was at one time a booming town. Beat 19, as it is
shown on maps, is the smallest beat in Alabama.

Wiginton used to be a resting place for weary travelers who were headed
west s it was located on the Moulton to Iuka road.

In early days, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. FORD built a log cabin on the road, the
last residence for ten miles. Travelers soon heard of this tiresome ten
mile stretch, as it is still known today, and began stopping over at the
FORD cabin if it was near nightfall, and continuing on the next day.
Gradually travelers began to settle near the FORD cabin, thus the community
of Wiginton was born.

Sometime during the 1880's the first industry was started, this being a
sawmill. Later gins for ginning cotton were started. The first steam gin
was put in my Wash ALDEN. Prior to this gin, the gins were water powered,
by flowing water.

Since schooling was needed in the fast growing little community, the people
decided to put out an effort to establish a school. their efforts paid off
when a school was set up in a little one room cabin near Arland WIGINTON's
home. The first teacher, Elijah FORD, was paid an enormous salary of about
$15 per month.

Later on, the school was moved to the New Prospect Church, and then in 1904
moved to Mars Hill. After the later move, Miss Mattie FITE and Miss Ida
FITE held the teaching positions.

Other small towns in the area, Goddard, Lumbull and Hackleburg also had
students in the Mars Hill School.

In 1921 the school became a vocational school. This change came about when
Joel FORD, a college-educated teacher, decided to teach and farm at the
same time. At that time Wiginton and Hamilton were the only towns in the
entire county to have such schools. The school at Wiginton went only to the
11th grade. Students could then travel to Hamilton and attend school there
for one more year to complete their high school education.  After this was
completed, they could attend two more years and get a college degree.

Mr. Ned WIGINTON, a store owner in the community, helped to set up a post
office, which was governmentally named Wiginton. After the post office was
established, Wiginton was incorporated, thus a mayor and alderman were
chose.

Wiginton, in the beginning, had no trained medical doctors. A few of the
local people used home remedies to aid sick resident. A Dr. GOGGANS was the
first man in the little town to have any medical training.

Now, the town of Wiginton has one store in operation. It is located beside
an old store building that is said to probably have been that of Ned
WIGINTON. The school that once was a lively building, how is gone, after
its last occupants have left. An old well, still covered with a wooden
canopy, stands out a short distance from the early store building. It was
once a bustling spot in the community where friends met and fellowshipped,
but now it too stands silently. Now, Wiginton is just Beat 19, the smallest
beat in Alabama.
 
 

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section A, Page 5

SHILOH CITIZENS FROM GEORGIA AND CAROLINAS

The group of pioneer citizens of Shiloh Community were from George and
South Carolina. They brought their church letters from Reed Creek in Hart
County, Georgia and Andersonville in Anderson, South Carolina. R. V DYAR
was the leader in the organization of Shiloh Baptist Church.

This group of men and women met in the Godsey log schoolhouse September 3,
1901 to organize Shiloh Baptist Church. Shiloh is located nine miles from
north of Hamilton in Marion County. The following charter members were
enrolled: G. W. PALMER, Susie PALMER, J. S. EVANS, Lou EVANS, Roxie HARPER,
and C. C. TERRY from Reed Creek Baptist Church in Hart County, Georgia.
Nettie DYAR, Janie DYAR, and Lucie FELTMAN from Anderson Baptist Church in
South Carolina.

At their first meeting R. V. DYAR was received by letter and as a deacon.
Rev. A. A. GAY was called as pastor and R. V. DYAR was elected clerk. The
name chosen was Shiloh. Delegates elected clerk. Delegates elected for the
Association were R. V. DYAR, G. W. PALMER, and J. S. EVANS. They met with
the Yellow Creek Association.

The Church Covenant and Articles of Faith were written. rules of Decorum
were established. These Articles and Rules were read to the church in
conference at least once a year.

Services were held regularly, each month, in the little log school-house.
Members met on Saturdays for conference, to attend to all business, and for
the reception of new members. All members were to live up to Christian
standards or be excluded. One requirement was to attend services and
conference or have a legal excuse. In the summer revival services were held
in a brush arbor.

G. W. PALMER and John T. HARPER gave the land to build the first church
building. The one room church was built in 1903 and 1904. This building was
used for thirty years. In 1934 and 1935 a better and larger wood building
was built with six class rooms. People in the church and community donated
material and labor. People were contacted to give money needed.

The Church adopted a budget system financing under the leadership of Rev.
A. M. NIX. In 1945 five hundred dollars was set aside as a building fund.
During the years of 1946-1950 several people planted an acre of cotton and
gave to this building fund. The church land was planted and worked by free
labor. On December 17, 1950, the ground breaking service for the present
brick building was conducted. Two charter members were living and one was
present at this meeting. Dedication services were conducted May 13, 1951.
Laying the corner stone was March 2, 1952. This brick building, with gas
heat, has nine class rooms for the teaching services.

Sunday School was part of the services in the log school-house in 1901. In
1934 the Cradle Roll and Home Department were added to the Sunday School.
Training Union for the Young People was as early as 1924. In 1934 the
Woman's Missionary Union was organized. In 1945 Shiloh held its first
Vacation Bible School by the help of a state worker. Each year since then a
Vacation Bible School has been held.

The cemetery at Shiloh has a history of its own. W. S. GODSEY gave the land
where the log school house stood for the cemetery. Later Elbert HARPER gave
more land to straighten the lines. The first recorded grave was 1901. Two
graves were there before the church was organized. The Church grounds and
cemetery have a good sod and is mowed regularly as a part of the church
duties.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section A, Page 5

J. G. STALCUP CAME TO WINFIELD IN 1907 TO ORGANIZE THE WINFIELD STATE BANK

J. G. STALCUP, a native of Tennessee, came to Winfield, in 1907, when he
was engaged to help organize the Winfield State Bank, the first bank of the
two, and became the first Cashier.

Located in the old Post Office Building, the Winfield State Bank was
situated on the corner of First Avenue and Tenth Street North, and remained
there until it was moved to its present location about 1912.

Beginning as Cashier, Mr. STALCUP entered into community life in Winfield
as well as business. He was charter member of the infield Kiwanis Club and
served in other organization, a list of which were not given. He was
serving as President of the bank at the time of his retirement in November
1949, because of ill health, and members of his family have ably carried on
the banking business since his death. Mr. J. G. STALCUP was the current
President; William S. STALCUP, vice-president; Cline WEEKS, Cashier; and
bookkeepers are Mrs. Johnnie JOHNSON, and Mrs. Pebble Gann BELL. When
organized, the bank was composed of Marion County Stockholders mainly.

Besides W. S. (Bill) BELL in Jacksonville, Florida; J. A. STALCUP,
Superintendent of the Mobile Water Works in Mobile; and two daughters, Miss
Clarissa STALCUP of Quinton, Alabama, who teaches in the Jefferson County
School System; and Mrs. Sarah STALCUP GUIN, wife of Joe Young GUIN of
Childersburg.

Mr STALCUP expired shortly after his retirement, with forty-two years of
service in the Winfield State Bank.

Also quite active in civic and social affairs, William is a Kiwanian, a
member of the Winfield Chamber of Commerce serving both officially; and he
is also a member of the Alabama Bankers Association, and his wife, the
former Dot SHOES of Birmingham, is a member of the Garden Club, the Modern
Literary, and Wesleyan Service Guild. Mrs. J. G. STALCUP is a member of the
Studiosis, Association of American Bank Christian Service, an honorary
member of the Winfield Garden Club, and secretary of the Board of Stewards.
All three are active in the Methodist Church of Winfield.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section A, Page 3

HACKLEBURG HELD SCHOOL IN CABIN

The first school was held in a little log building of the Congregational
Methodist Church. When the Methodist Church was build at Cedar Tree, the
school was moved there. School was held there until a building was erected
on the BOYD Place, near the present site of the high school and grammar
school in 1913. This building was burned in 1921, and classes were taught
in the various churches until the building was erected across from J. S.
WALKER's residence in 1923. This became the first high school for
Hackleburg.
 

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section A, Page 2

EASTSIDE BEGAN IN OCTOBER 1911

The Eastside Baptist Church of Winfield is being served by James F.
McCULLOUGH, as pastor at present.

The church was organized October 10, 1911, as Goodwater Baptist Church.

Later a pastorium as built in the early 1960s. An Educational building was
added to the church building in 1969 and the named(sic) changed to Eastside
Baptist Church in 1970.

The Original building was struck by lightening and burned in 1955 the(sic)
rebuilt on the same location the next year.

The oldest living charter members are Mrs. Sue BUSSEY - age 93 years; Mrs.
Lucy SPANN - age 87 years.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section A, Page 2

STATE CONVENTION MET IN MONTGOMERY IN 1860 TO DECIDE ABOUT SESSION (sic)

The state convention met in Montgomery in 1860 to decide about session.
Marion County was represented by Alex UNDERWOOD, L. C. ALLEN and STIDHAM.
They went to Montgomery with Christopher SHEETS from Winston County. He was
violently opposed to secession and tried to get Marion County
representatives to vote with him against secession. However, they finally
voted with the majority to secede.

Woodruf MILES was in charge of raising an army in Fayette and Marion
Counties to help defend Winston County against the Confederacy. Al GIPSON
and Ham CARPENTER were in charge of raising troops for the Confederacy.

Two Confederate prisons were built in the eastern part of the county.
Sanford Prison was located on the upper part of Buttahatchee River and Fort
Mitchell was located near by. These prisons were made of logs and had no
windows and only one door. the tories raided Fort Mitchell and took Al
GIPSON away and killed him.

Green HOLLEY freed his slaves after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and
Alex UNDERWOOD sold his before that time.

Joe WEATHERFORD and Prentis TERRELL, son of Judge TERRELL, wee the first
ones to be killed from this county in the defense of the Confederacy. Later
Josh PHILLIPS was sent to take the body of Morse PACE to Allen's Factory
(Bear Creek) for burial. Burrell HOWELL make bond for John PHILLIPS to get
him out of prison.

George STUART was a ruthless leader of the Tories and made many raids on
Pikeville and Toll Gate. Ham CARPENTER was the leader of the secessionist
in the county and people were afraid to declare their loyalty to either
side for fear they would be burned out or murdered.

John MITCHELL's wife was driven into the snow and died from exposure near
Hamilton, and he came from the Federal Army in Memphis to help capture Ham
CARPENTER. Tradition has it that Ham CARPENTER was captured tied by his
feet, and hung over White Rock by a rope. His head almost touched the
ground.

Dr. MANGRAM, a Hamilton physician, was supposed to have informed him on the
location of some Tories. he was called out to see a supposedly sick patient
was waylaid and shot by the Tories. Some say this was on the road to Bexar
and some say it was near Military Ford. John MITCHELL is supposed to have
killed him.

Since the county was raising armies for both the North and the South
guerilla(sic) warfare was carried on and many killings and horrible crimes
were committed in this area.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section B, Page 9

PEARCE'S MILL NOMINATED TO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

What could be a better time for one of Marion County's favorite old
landmarks to be nominated to the National Register of Historical Places
than during the nation's Bicentennial Celebration year?

That is exactly what has happened for Pearce's Mill. the nomination has yet
to be approved by the U. S. Department of the Interior in Washington, D.
C., but still it has been made.

The Pearce's Mill area has long been noted for its historic significance to
Marion County.

Following the Civil War, James P. PEARCE returned to the mill his father
had built in the 1840's on the Buttachatchee River and found a ravaged
countryside. He gradually rebuilt the farm and turned it into both a mill
and trading center.

PEARCE became one of the largest land holders in Alabama and gained enough
power and influence in local political affairs to represent his county at
the State Constitutional Convention in 1901.

By the early 1870's, PEARCES operation included the grist mill, a large two
story frame general merchandise establishment with post office, a sawmill,
planer, wheat flour mill, cotton gin and freight service.

For many years he openly opposed the improvements of county roads fearing
they would destroy his store and freight business.

The Mill did begin to decline when the roads were improved. As railroads
reached the towns and Hamilton, the county seat, they became more
accessible as a trading center. Store operations ceased by 1930, while the
mill continued in service until 1959.

Mrs. Penny LONG and Mrs. William STRICKLAND now reside on the property.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section B, Page 9

TOWN OF GUIN COULD HAVE BEEN NAMED HALEYVILLE, ALLMAN, MEADORVILLE OR OTHERS

Guin could have easily been named Haleyville, Meadorville, or Allman,
according to Pettus ALLMAN of Route 1, Beaverton (just out of Guin), who
was a descendant of John ALLMAN.

According to the history related by Mr. ALLMAN, Green HALEY lived where
Guin is today until after the Civil War and sold to John MEADOR, who was
Judge John Dabney TERRELL's stepson. Judge TERRELL had considered buying it
for his grandson, John Mitchell ALLMAN, II. Later Dr. Jerry GUIN to
Tuscaloosa County purchased it from MEADOR.

John Mitchell ALLMAN, II was born in Pikeville, Alabama, December 28, 1859
and died February 26, 1939, in Guin, and was buried in the Terrell Cemetery
in Old Pikeville. At the time of his death, he was the oldest person born
of parents who were born in this county. His mother was Rosabella
Antionette TERRELL and his father John Mitchell ALLMAN, I. John M. ALLMAN,
II was married to Varina Lou Ella PEARCE, who was born January 29, 1867 and
died April 13, 1938. Her parents were Augustus A. PEARCE and Adeline West
PEARCE of Mantachee, Mississippi.

John M. ALLMAN, II collected for Clark WHITE in Hamilton, and later became
a partner in the J. Pearce and Company, one of the earlier Guin businesses.
In 1912, he bought the firm. Varina L. PEARCE came to Alabama to teach and
later was a clerk in the J. PEARCE and Company, where she met John ALLMAN.
They were married on December 22, 1895.

Pearce and Company became one of the largest firms in Northwest Alabama,
serving Northeast Mississippi and three counties in Alabama.

John ALLMAN was said to be the ramrod in the organization of the Bank of
Guin, in 1905, which later became the Marion County Banking Company after a
branch bank was established in Hamilton, also. He remained an official of
this bank until his death in 1939.

In 1911, when a high school could not be located in the County because
there was an Agricultural School in Hamilton, John ALLMAN persuaded his
close friend Lt. Governor Emmett O'NEAL to influence the legislature to
change the law, and a high school was located in Guin in 1912. to show his
appreciation for this favor, he stumped several counties in the O'NEAL race
for Governor.

John ALLMAN was a shrewd politician and usually his man was elected. He was
a staunch friend of the BANKHEADs for two generations, and it has been said
that he did more than anyone in electing William B. BANKHEAD to his first
term in this district.

John ALLMAN was considered the father of good roads in Marion County and
Northwest Alabama. He succeeded in locating the Bankhead and Jackson
Highways through Guin. This took unceasing effort, time and money,
according to members of his family.

He was also civic minded, and did much in getting the W. P. BROWN Lumber
Company located in guin in 1916. He was a steward in the Methodist Church
and an Alderman of the town at one time. He was also considered quite a
historian and scholar, especially gifted in the fields of Biblical and
Ancient History.

To John M. ALLMAN, II and Varina L. PEARCE ALLMAN were born four children:
Selma, a former English and Latin teacher, and later a farmer; Sales
PEARCE, cashier of the First State Bank in Phil CAMPBELL and a farmer;
Terrell PETTUS, real estate and farmer; and Erin, former teacher in
Honolulu, who later taught in Birmingham Schools.