BAY MINETTE, Ala. — It’s again time to journey back to the Gilded Age and revisit news from the Baldwin Times of yesteryear.

Unlike the previous three editions, this week in 1895 sported no major announcements. This is evidenced by the front page leading off with yet another editorial from Tar Heel. In the column, which takes up most of the front page, Tar Heel rails against bankers who preferred a single gold standard and the general public’s supposed inability to weigh in on the decision.

“Bishmillia! (In the name of God!”, Tar Heel writes. “We the people are as helpless as children laid on mats for the howling dervishes on Constantinople to dance upon.”

He also comments on the state of affairs of the day.

“On the 10^th morning of the deluge, Noah called Shem to him and pointing to the raging waters, said ‘Are you sorry for this?’ ‘Rather,’ said Shem.” Tar Heel penned. “’Then know this, my son: Society is not worth a moment’s regrets when everybody is in the swim.’”

The Times’ front page also contains an editorial from the Montgomery Advertiser that lauds road improvements, citing Madison County issuing turnpike bonds worth $50,000 at a 4-cent premium.

“That county already has the finest roads of any county in the state,” the 19^th century editorial reads. “But her citizens, realizing how important good highways are to a farming community, have resolved to improve them still more and have issued these bonds for that purpose.”

But that’s not the only glimpse outside of Baldwin County in the four-page publication. Editorials from other publications throughout the state are included, as well. For instance, the Prattville Progress supports the idea of incorporating silver coinage.

“The silver question is not a party issue, and the Progress is not in favor of trying to read out of the Democratic Party such lifelong and able Democrats as John T. Morgan and Joseph F. Johnston,” the editorial states. “The party can’t afford to lose them.

Other Alabama newspapers, some nonexistent in the 21^st century, also have editorials included in the 1895 Times. They include Living Truth, Sheffield Reaper, Huntsville Tribune, Clayton Courier, Jacksonville Republican, Birmingham State, Florence Times and Mobile News.

Inside the weathered pages of The Baldwin Times include a report from Marlow on the continued migration from the North to Baldwin County.

“We just received word from Illinois that there would be many coming from there as soon as they could sell out,” the article states.

News of the day from Montgomery Hill reports successful farming and the success of Jordan Lumber Co.

However, “Mr. R.H. Marshall, the efficient bookkeeper of the Jordan Lumber Co., at this place, has accepted a position elsewhere,” the article states.

Bay Minette news reported a conference of the Latter Day Saints the previous week.

“Their attendance was on average 250,” the 19^th century article states. “There were quite a number from a distance.”

Additional Baldwin County news of the day includes reported problems with land titles for various reasons.

“This section was once the property of the Spanish government,” the article states, “which made many grants of large areas with vague descriptions, some of which were confirmed by the United States government and some of which were not.”

It seems land that had been abandoned after turpentine and lumber harvesting was depleted was another issue.

“Then the war came and played havoc with families and records,” the article states.

News outside of Baldwin County includes the availability of low round trip tickets to St. Louis.

“On account of the great St. Louis Fair and Exposition the Mobile and Ohio road will sell round trip tickets from Mobile and other coupon tickets on its road in September and October,” the article states.

That’s not the only bargain. The same discount was also available to Louisville, Ky., ; Chattanooga, Tenn. And Knoxville, Tenn. The reasons were the Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic in Louisville, the Chickamauga National Park Dedication in Chattanooga and the Encampment of the Sons of Veterans in Knoxville.

The weathered publication also gives an update on the Cotton States and International Exposition, which was coming up in Atlanta. The article detailed several state exhibits to be displayed, including Alabama’s, which would feature the state’s iron and agriculture industries.

It seems today’s Internet dating has quite a predecessor as this week in 1895, a Baldwin Times ad offers a free copy of Marriage Bells, an eight-page paper containing names and descriptions for correspondence.

“Perhaps you may find a husband or wife and have plenty of fun,” the ad boasts.

Check back next week for another look at news from The Baldwin Times of yesteryear.