This is the first of a series of articles that, as time allows, I will transcribe and post to the Marion and Fayette County lists. This newspaper, saved by a family member, is full of Marion and northern Fayette County (at one time part of Marion Co.) history. With the exception of capitalizing surnames, I'm transcribing exactly as published. Best regards, Monya ************************************************************ The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section B, Page 5 EARLY POST OFFICE IN WEST MARION CO. The following is a report on Post Offices in West Marion County from the General Services Administration, National Archives and Records Service, Washington, D.C. BEXAR, MARION COUNTY, ALABAMA - This post office was established August 12th 1843. It was discontinued July 18, 1866; re-established July 12, 1872; discontinued July 23, 1874; re-established September 23, 1874 and FINAL discontinuation February 15, 1974. The postmaster as Bexar Post Office were John BROWN, Samuel A. BARNES, Lemuel B. TRUELOVE, Willie W. PEARCE, Marcus D. L. SPEARMAN, Jesse D. ARNOLD, Merrill W. CLAYTON, Pearce GOGGINS, Orince W. COFIELD, and Lillie Lou STIDHAM LOCKRIDGE. SHOTTSVILLE, MARION COUNTY, ALABAMA - Shottsville Post Office was established February 10, 1874; discontinued February 27, 1884; re-established June 3, 1886 and FINAL discontinuation February 23, 1905 by reason of free delivery mail route from Bexar, Alabama. Postmasters at Shottsville were: Lovick C. SHOTTS, C. NORTHINTON, John L. SHOTTS and Tillman L. SHOTTS. COCKRELL, MARIO (sic) COUNTY, ALABAMA - This Post Office was established July 21, 1893 and discontinued February 28, 1905 by reason of free delivery from Bexar. Postmasters at Cockrell were Lawrence T. HOLMES and A. C. SHOTTS. BULL MOUNTAIN, MARION COUNTY ALABAMA - Bull Mountain Post Office was established June 22, 1874 and discontinued February 15, 1905 by reason of free mail delivery from Bexar. Postmasters at Bull Mountain were Isham J. LOYD and Millie F. SHOTTS. SAVOY, MARION COUNTY, ALABAMA - Savoy Post Office was established January 28, 1888 and discontinued July 14, 1906. Postmasters there were: James J. KILGO, Sanders B. WILLIAMS and Peter M. SCOTT. The Star Route mail was carried from Savoy, via Bull Mountain, Cockrell, Shottsville to Bexar and returned in the afternoon by the same route, three times per week by pouch on horseback by James Russell EMERSON. The Free Delivery mail carried to replace the Star Route was carried by John R. COFIELD from Bexar, Alabama by horse and buggy and later automobile.