This week in history: 1963
Published 12:51 pm Wednesday, February 26, 2025
File photo | A tractor was purchased by the Butler County.
File photo | The Alabama Sheriff’s Building Committee approved plans for a recreational building, which would serve as a warehouse and first boys’ dormitory for underprivileged boys and families. Pictured are (left to right) Sheriff James G. Clark of Selma, president of the association; sheriff Taylor Wilkins, Bay Minette, building committee member; Sheriff Knox McRae, chairman; Sheriff L. D. Wall of Huntsville; and Chauncey D. Wood, executive secretary for the Alabama Sheriffs.
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By Kris Harrell
This week in history, Butler County gained a new manufacturing plant and a tractor was purchased for work with non-farm related tasks. Here’s what made the headlines Feb. 21, 1963 in The Greenville Advocate.
Tractor for use in forest fire suppression in Butler County
A tractor was purchased by the Butler County Commissioners Court, W.T Smith Lumber Co. and landowners for use in forest fire suppression in Butler County.
The tractor was equipped with a fire plow and firefighting equipment, ready to answer calls from any fire towers in the county or from landowners.
When not in active use, the tractor was stationed on a truck regularly at the McGowin Tower, with equipment stored inside the truck.
Plans for recreational, dormitory building approved
On the week of Feb. 21, 1963, the Alabama Sheriffs Building Committee approved plans for a recreational building serving as a warehouse and a first boys’ dormitory. The dormitory would house 18-20 underprivileged boys and their parents.
The opening date for the dormitory was set for April 2 of that year, with construction to start soon. Construction plans were distributed by the architects for the Boys’ Ranch.
“It is a great thrill to see a project of this kind get underway in Alabama,” said Knox McRae, the chairman of the building committee. “Sheriffs’ Boys’ Ranches in other states are contributing greatly to the aid of underprivileged boys in their respective states. We have every hope that our Boys’ Ranch will be as successful in Alabama as it is in these other states.”
Fortex buys assets of the Little Manufacturing Company
The Fortex Manufacturing Company of Fort Deposit purchased assets of the Little Manufacturing Company at a sealed bid, allowing the company to open a manufacturing plant in Greenville.
The purchase included a building and lot on Thames Street, machinery, manufacturing equipment and office Equipment from the Little Manufacturing Co.
Repairs were necessary for the building before operations were started, and management from the company said they would notify hopeful employees of when they would be accepting applications to the new plant.
