The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section B, Page 6

W. J. HINZ AND FAMILY FOSTERED BRILLIANT THROUGH COAL INDUSTRY

W. J. HINZ was associated with the Brilliant Coal Company for thirty-seven
years, serving as Superintendent of the company for thirty years, up to the
time of his death.  A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mr. HINZ spent his
early life in and near Milwaukee and Port Washington.

Mr. HINZ and his family moved to Brilliant in 1919, for the second time,
having lived there previous to going to Walker County for a period of time.

During his years as Superintendent of the Brilliant Coal Company, Mr. HINZ
also served as Chairman of the Brilliant School Board, and through his
effort and the aid of others the small Brilliant Elementary School with six
teachers was changed to a Junior High School, and a few years later to an
accredited High School.

The Journal Staff had written Mrs. O. D. BYNUM (Maude GIBBS) of St. Louis,
Brilliant's First Music Teacher, for information about her years of
teaching music. She graciously replied, "Just leave out my music and devote
the time and space instead to some of those who worked so hard for the
schools of Brilliant. some of those, like Messers Franklin HOWELL, Jesse
Anderson UNDERWOOD, William MORTON, Walter HOWELL, Howard THOMAS and oh so
many more who along with Mr. HINZ [and] John Jesse GIBBS, sat up
nights(sic) after nights(sic) until the midnight hours devising ways and
means to start and improve the schools. When I see the words, Civic Pride'
in connection with any phrase(sic) of life, the words, 'hard work'
instantly flash through my mind because I remember how all these great
citizens worked for the progress of a better Brilliant School System."

Mr. HINZ took an active part in everything pertaining to the betterment of
the county and all communities surrounding the Brilliant town. He served on
many town and county committees, a list of all these were not available.

It was through his untiring effort and the cooperation of the Methodist
Board of Stewards that the present Brilliant Methodist Church and Parsonage
were built. He was a strong believer in the church and its influence on
people of the community. It was during this period that the first full-time
minister was obtained.

Following his death, his years of service in many clubs were commerated
(sic) by organizations such as the Brilliant Lions club, and the Kiwanis
Club of Winfield published a resolution in The Winfield Journal from the
club to observe his passing.

Mrs. HINZ was a member of the Marion County United Daughters of the
confederacy, active in the school's Parent-Teachers Association for a
period of time, a member of the Women's Missionary Society of the Methodist
Church of Brilliant and quite active in the studiosis Club of Winfield.
There were seven children in the HINZ family and eight grandchildren.

The children include Miss Evelyn HINZ, who served as a teacher in Brilliant
for sixteen years, as well as teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible
School, part time in the summers. She also served for three years as
chairman of the Curriculum Committee and she and her sister (then Katharyn
HINZ, now Mrs. Carr McCARMACK, Jr. of Mobile) spent many night (sic)
coaching students in oratory, and coaching school plays and other programs.

Miss HINZ later served as instructor of journalism and English, and as
sponsor of Murphy Hi-Times in the Murphy High School in the Murphy High
School in Mobile, where she and her mother reside in nearby Fairhope.

The former Katharyn HINZ taught seven years in the Brilliant Schools and at
Brookside. She also served in many activities such as Girl Scout work and
educational activities.

Ralph HINZ, worked as foreman for the Brilliant Coal Company before going
into business for himself. He taught in the Mining School in both Brilliant
and Brookside, for several years, and late served as Mining Inspector of
the industries of this section.

William, who was associated with the Mobile Paint Company worked in
Brilliant, for two years, before going to Birmingham, where he alter had
his own business.

Louis worked for the Brilliant Coal Company for a period of around twelve
years.

Walter, the youngest of the HINZ children, was employed in New Orleans,
Louisiana.

Herbert was a member of the Phillips High School Faculty in Birmingham,
where he instructed vocational education.