News Articles of Cherokee County, Alabama

Work of Whitecaps
Cherokee County, Alabama, Courthouse Burned to Destroy Records

Special to the Republic
Birmingham, Alabama July 3 – The Courthouse of Cherokee County at Center was burned at an early hour this morning, causing a loss of $5,000 with $7,000 insurance.

Those who reached the scene first say that oil had been poured profusely upon the floor. The incendiaries are believed to have been a gang of whitecaps against who there were said to be a number of indictments in the Clerk’s office. The greater parts of the records were saved. This is the second time within a few years that the Cherokee County Courthouse has been burned under these circumstances.
Source: St. Louis Republic – July 4, 1895; Transcribed and Contributed by: Frances Cooley

North Alabama; Cherokee County
Destitution in Cherokee County

It is reported that so great is the destitution that is likely to continue in North Alabama, and so inadequate are the means of the State to afford the people continued relief, it is proposed that the people move to more favorable localities, where bread can be had for labor. To this end a meeting was held a few days ago in the town of Center, in Cherokee County, and a committee appointed to ascertain the probable number of destitute families, and to provide facilities for their removal.
Source: Columbus Daily Enquirer – September 27, 1866; Transcribed and Contributed by: Frances Cooley

Relief of the Destitute in Alabama

A few days since a committee of respectable gentlemen from Alabama, presented to the Chamber of Commerce a statement of the starving condition of a large portion of the people of Cherokee County, Alabama.

The question of affording them relief was referred to a committee, consisting of Messrs. R. M. Bishop, E. J. Buckingham, R. J. Menefee and James M. Glenn

Yesterday after the business of   Change closed, this committee made a report, stating that they find that not less than five thousand people are suffering for want of food in Cherokee County, Alabama—a large portion women and children—and that they are in danger of starvation.

Messrs. L. J. Handefer and Jno. B. Walden, citizens of Alabama, will call upon such of our merchants as they can. Contributions may be left with McFerran, Menefee & Henisley, R. M. Bishop & Company, and Wm Glenn & Son.

Subscriptions in money will be received by Smith, Superintendent of Merchants; Exchange. Several of the steamboat lines have volunteered to take freight free of charge.

Mr. O. N. Owens, Agent of the Phoenix Insurance Co., of Brooklyn, offers to insure proportionately all consignments for this purpose with out charge; so that in case of loss, the means will be saved to the sufferers.
Source: Cincinnati Daily Gazette – March 8, 1867; Transcribed and Contributed by: Frances Cooley

Victory for Douglas in Cherokee County, Alabama
Centre, Alabama, August 7, 1860

Editor Southerner & Advertiser, Rome, Georgia: -- The election of County Treasurer has just come off, and we, the true Democracy, have proven our strength by the election of our friend J. H. Vandyke.

Mr. Vandyke was put up as the Douglas candidate, and Mr. H. W. Tripp, as the Breckinridge candidate. And both parties did their best, in order that the real strength of each side might be known. Vandyke was elected by 800 majority, at least.

Douglas is gaining strength every day. You never saw fellows so low in spirits as the Breckinridge’s are now. You may put Cherokee down 1,500 majority for Douglas and Johnson in November.
Source: Columbus Daily Enquirer – August 20, 1860; Transcribed and Contributed by: Frances Cooley

Suicide

F. M. Young, Esq., an esteemed citizen of Cherokee County, Alabama, residing near Gadsden, committed suicide a few days since by stabbing himself with a knife.
Source: Confederation – January 12, 1859; Transcribed and contributed by: Frances Cooley

Will Conduct Revival in Cherokee County

The Rev. L. N. Brock will soon visit his boyhood home in Cherokee County, Alabama, and hold a series of revival meetings in Center, the county seat of Cherokee.
Source: Columbus Daily Enquirer – June 27, 1908; anscribed and Contributed by: Frances Cooley