Look Back .... to lawlessness in Clay County, 1949

June 30, 1949, in The Star: Floggings, beatings and cross-burnings seem to have become common occurrences in Alabama this year, and today a Methodist minister in Ashland said he estimated that 25-30 people have felt the lash from masked and unmasked gangs within the last six weeks. One was a black Army veteran, 33-year-old Willie Horton, who wears five Battle Stars, a Purple Heart, a Good Conduct medal and holds a presidential citation; he was the victim of one beating with blackjacks, hickory limbs and a belt. Other victims were Herschel Horton, the brother of the veteran, as well as a 60-year-old herb doctor, J. J. Gavens, of the Millerville community. Those three and a black cafe’ operator, who was intimidated by having shots fired over his head, all left the community “for parts unknown in fear of their lives,” the Rev. Ledford said. “Lawlessness is running wild in Clay County and we want some publicity on it to help us stop it,” the pastor concluded.

June 30, 1999, in The Star: Confirming expectations based on previous reporting, North American Bus Industries yesterday announced at the Chamber of Commerce office that it’s planning to expand its Anniston plant, resulting in 250 new jobs in the community. Officials of the Hungarian company expect that by 2001 the number of workers at the plant will rise from 500 up to 750 and its payroll will increase to $21.4 million. Also this date: Trustees voted yesterday to keep Marion Military Institute where it is, rather than transfer its operations to land and buildings at Fort McClellan (which would have included prestigious Buckner Circle property). Anniston officials were disappointed but not in despair over the decision to keep the institute in Perry County. At any rate, the Marion trustees’ vote was so close that they will revisit the issue one more time in a vote scheduled for July 16.