The Hidden Treasures

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   There are billions of free resources out there for researchers these days. I've said this to many people through the years, but often we just get in the habit of using what we know.  That is why it is important for you to do Research about Research! 

      In February of this year (2019) I was doing just that when I came across a hidden gem of great importance and value to our town. I was looking through the available resources given at Wallace State Community College Library which has a renowned historical and genealogical collection.  A hand out compiled by Robert S Davis, Director, Computer and Internet Genealogy at Wallace State, has links to all kinds of resources. One of those was a link to ICON - International Coalition On Newspapers at the Center for Research Libraries. 

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    With that lack of anything better to do, I of course entered the city and hit search. This brought up a list of five items out there floating in the universe that contained Hartselle as the city. We're pretty unique like this, we don't have to worry about there being thirty cities by the same name.  I had actually heard of all of these newspapers except the last in the list. ​

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    Well of course that meant I had to find out more. By clicking on the link I found just a tad bit more information. This told me where exactly I find this item and what repository may have it. That's really exciting. 
​    I've said this before, but Mr. Google is your friend. ALWAYS Google things. You never know what you might find. So I immediately found the Antiquarian American Society (AAS) 

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Once on the page, I see that it tells me in the text that they have several different collections. The one I definitely want to check out is the General Catalog for the United States Newspapers collection. 

Remember, if you are researching something, be sure to check out ALL of their items even if you do not need them right now. You never know when that resource knowledge might come in handy for some other problem that you need solved. 

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I now have a name of the newspaper to search for, so I enter Hawk-Eye into the keyword field on their search engine and click on the one that I need (There are multiple by that name, but of course, I know that I'm looking for a specific town.) 

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The majority of the leg work is now done and you must call, write or email for information at this point!  Thankfully, within about 45 minutes of sending out this email for a request of information, I had a wonderful reply and a PDF document of the only known existing newspaper edition, Volume 1, Number 2 on 11 November 1875. 

It’s catch line under the Newspaper name is “Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty.”

This newspaper was noted in two other newspapers in Tuscaloosa :
“The Hawk-Eye, is the name of a new paper printed at Hartselle, Ala., by Mr. George Weaver. It is a twenty-four column weekly, neatly printed, and thoroughly Democratic.”
-The Tuskaloosa Gazette  & The Tuscaloosa News. November 11th,  1875. [Newspapers.com} 

Click to See: A History of Morgan County, Alabama by John Knox - On Amazon

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     The History of Morgan County, by John Knox, mentions Mr. Weaver twice, but the information is slightly confusing. Page 143 states the Investigator was started by Mr. Weaver in 1871. Then on page 238, he says that Hartselle’s first newspaper was the Investigator published in 1876 by Mr. Weaver. Later purchased by AA Oden. He cites his source for the Hartselle Newspapers later editions from a book by Rhoda Coleman Ellison entitled: History and Bibliography of Alabama Newspapers in the Nineteenth Century published in 1954. While she does give information on A A Oden and the later editions, No mention of the Hawk-Eye or Investigator are made in Hartselle.  However, nearby Decatur, Alabama DOES have The Investigator listed in 1834 by D. G. Ligon. So perhaps these were confused.
​  We now know that This first paper was published the week before for the first time on Thursday, November 4th and with solid evidence showing the name as The Hawk-Eye.

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     With only a name of George Weaver as an editor and publisher, I can’t be positive of WHICH man this was. There were weaver families living in the county and around the area as well as neighboring counties. There were several George Weavers in Madison County in 1870. Further research is still needed to learn who Mr. Weaver actually was in his personal life. However, I could learn a little about Mr. Weaver though, through this newspaper.  

He writes: 
     “The Hawk Eye, from this issue, will be an independent Journal, devoted to the interest of the whole people, regardless of party, creed, or color. But it will be especially devoted to the interests of Morgan County. It will advocate the just claims of all portions of the county, and will oppose strenuously, heartily and steadfastly, all attempts of a certain clique to control the county in the interest of a few tricksters and demagogues, who care nothing for the welfare of the farmers, so they can advance their own selfish schemes. As we are laboring for the masses, we respectfully ask them to give us their support. We shall be glad to get our pay in money, barter, or any other way which will enable us to “live and let live”. We are for free thought, free speech, free men and an unmuzzled press. Citizens of Morgan County, rally to our support, we shall never desert you or your interests.”
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    While more than half of the four pages are from other national sources, there is a good portion of local items that are a nice snapshot of one of the earliest time periods in Hartselle’s young history and also about the political temperature in Alabama.
     Mr Weaver writes to “The Voters of Morgan” and reminds them to vote on Tuesday (the 16th) for the New Constitution. He highlights a reduction in circuit judges, a vote on doing away with the Board of Education, and preservation of what he says is “the sacred writ of Habeas Corpus” which can never be suspended. He also says if the New Constitution cannot be passed, the census that will need to be taken will cost an extra $75,000. 
     It’s noted that St. Louis has voted in the new constitution. And that the New state constitution of Nebraska contains a provision that US senators shall be elected by a direct vote of the people, to which now they must decide if this is a conflict with the constitution of the United States. ​

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      Locally, a writer who lists his initials as J. T. J. tells about attending Forest Chapel for church on the 7th of November.  He describes the day as “unfavorable, the clouds were dark and lowering and fast gathering gloom caused many a bosom to heave with a sad sigh; However, the people came in large crowds anyway and the building was overflowing at the time of the service.  Speaking was Presiding Elder, Reverend W. E. Mabry who spoke at length about the character of the aged Mr. Harvey whose funeral was about to be delivered and had been a member of the M.E. church in long standing.
      We read that Walter Simpson and Walter Orr left Hartselle on Tuesday for Mississippi looking rather suspicious after buying some white article (illegible) before leaving town.  
     The editor says he was late with the paper - they were busy repairing the newspaper office.
     He was also glad to see Marshal Vest and his crew out as the town was in need of the assistance of Shovel and Pick Brigade.
     Mr. William Parker married Miss Mollie Sheats at her father’s home. They were married by Reverend, W. W. Wilhite.
Little Miss Bettie McCrary, daughter of L B McCrary is very ill with the fever.
And on the 4th Mrs Cenia Sandlin, wife of M. A. Sandlin Died.

     Local Advertisements, of course, were part of this brief newspaper.  
-- Woodall House - Hartselle, Alabama - T. P. Woodall Proprietor
-- H, Stewart, Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots, Shoes, Hats &c. Hartselle, Alabama
-- Cash Store, Prices to suit the times, New Goods, Just Opened,call and see us before purchasing elsewhere - S. Simpson, Hartselle, Ala.
-- And of course, S. A. Vest keeps the best Cigars & Tobacco always on hand.
-- S.A. Vest also says if you want to Wet your Whistle try that Old Lincoln County, newly arrived.

Those receiving business licenses from June to September from Probate Court Judge David Day were:
John Bell, Barber.
James T Nevill, Retail Liquor dealer
Falkenburg & Co.
Simpson A Burnam, Physician
S. A. Vest & R.W. Coloway, Retail Liquor Dealers

Seen on page 2 of the Hawk-Eye are some tax sales of J.J. Woodall, tax collector. Property from around the county is listed with names on the accessed property, as well as a sheriff’s sale and an Administrator's Sale notice.
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​     Other Morgan County items include the Hartselle Academy, Somerville Male and Female Academy and the Danville Male and Female College. 
     A.B. Morrow is an authorized agent for S&N Alabama RR and J.W. Sloss, President of S&N Alabama RR.
     News from around the world includes Vice President Wilson taking ill at the Capital; Reinforcements for the Spanish Army at Havana and  is asked for troops to the Malay Peninsula;
     The writer reports to readers what “The Salaries of Big Actors” are high; “Booth’s terms are $500 a night.” [note: Translated to 2019 rates - that would be $11, 554 dollars a night.]
     And apparently “Often a child bears a striking resemblance to a grandparent” and not their parents.  
     In Norway, the longest day is three months and they publish their morning paper quarterly.
      The best way to learn about bees is to put your finger in the hive.
     In Vincence, Indiana a man and his wife after a stand-up fight of an hour concluded to call it a draw. She drew about six handfuls of hair out of his head.

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     Finally I believe Mr. Weaver may have had a little sense of humor as one of the Jokes he writes reads:   
     “The prisoner at the bar seems to have a very smooth face,” said a spectator to the jailor. 
      “Yes” replied the jailor; “ he was ironed just before he was brought in.

So much more research is needed on these important Items. Our work has just begun. I hope you get out there and Enjoy Your Adventures in Genealogy!