I'Hi'i.'miiiiiiimiit'i

COLUMBUS ;
MISSISSIPPI

LIPSCOMB.

ru,Nmtn.it». .

1932

WILLIAM LOWNDES LIPSCOMB, M.D.
(1823-1908.)

A History of Columbus
Mississippi
During the i 9TH Century
By Dr. W. L. Lipscomb

Published by the S. D. Lee Chapter of thi
Daughters of the Confederacy

MRS. GEORGIA P. YOUNG
Historian of the Stephen D. Lee Chapter, of
Columbus, Mississippi
EDITOR

1909

PRESS OF DISPATCH PRINTINGCO.
Birminghaia, Ala.

The illustrations in this book have been selected mostly with the
view of preserving the personality of those men who as early settlers
made possible the Columbus of today, the Columbus of which we are
so justly proud. Their industry, their integrity, their regard for the
refining processes of education and religion left an impress of incal
culable value, a priceless heritage it is that can not be too carefully
guarded. These men and others like them may well be held up to
their descendants as men as knightly as those who rode with King
Arthur, who ever upheld that which is good and both by precept and
example put down all that was ignoble. Today owes tribute to that
yestertime that in some measure is paid by these illustrations.— Editor

PREFACE.

SEATED at the fireside or on the veranda as the shadows of a
summers day gathered about him, Dr. Lipscomb dictated to his
daughter, Laura, this story of the town he loved so well. Though
bordering on fourscore years and with his eyes forever shut to earthly
light, his memory was undimmed. Turning its pages he saw again
the forms and faces, the scenes and events of the long ago. Before
him flowed the placid Tombigbee with its rocky bluffs and wood-
fringed sides; the winding paths that led up to the ferry to the strag
gling village of rude log cabins, and the environing forest where deer
founded and the red man pitched his wigwam. He saw again the
sturdy men and gracious women who in the prime of life and bouyant
with expectation came to cast their lots with the city that was to be.
Vividly he recalled the time when the log cabins gave place to
the mansion, the foot-paths to well ordered streets and the rough shel
ter to well appointed churches.
With a soldier's pride he tells of the part Columbus took in the
Civil War and when all was over how the little town came from under
the pall of despair and heroically struggled against the adverse circum
stances of those cruel days of reconstruction. With patemal interest
he watched the sure and steady strides that placed her in the front rank
of the State's cities and he rejoiced in all that made for her ad
vancement. Dr. Lipscomb was among the last of those who had
seen the town grow from infancy to lovely womanhood and it was
fitting that he should tell the story as he knew it.
But not alone on his own recollections did he depend, but with
painstaking assidity he had researches made in old documents, court
house records, business ledgers and files of newspapers, also consulting
with persons nearest his own age as to the correctness of his statements.
"The Stephen D. Lee Chapter of the United Daughters of the
Confederacy feel they are conferring a favor on the present and future
generations in publishing this authentic and trustworthy "History of
Columbus, Mississippi." — Editor.

Page
Preface  3
Biographical Sketch of W. L. Lipscomb  7
Chapter I__ Site of Columbus, Miss  13
Chapter II — Location and Early Surroundings  17
Chapter III — Sixteenth Section Bill  24
Chapter IV — Earliest Inhabitants  29
Chapter V — 1820-1830, Growth and Development  37
Chapter VI — Last Year of Old. Monroe — Farewell to the Log
Cabin  ,  45
Chapter VII — Facts and Incidents  50
Chapter VIII — Lowndes County Organized  :  57
Chapter IX — Removal of the Indians ; The Pytchlins  62
Chapter X — Early Settlers  69
Chapter XI — Franklin Academy ; Schools and Colleges  75
Chapter XII — Churches and Benevolent Societies  93
Chapter XIII — Columbus During the Civil War  122
Chapter XIV — Physicians, Lawyers, Banks  149
Supplement — Rosters of Companies that served during the War.

Dr. William Lowndes Lipscomb
1828-1Q08
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
An understanding of his life and character will enable
the reader of this History of Columbus in the 19th Century
to appreciate more readily Dr. Lipscomb's tender, strong
love for his town and county and his unflagging zeal in the
promotion of their welfare. It will explain, too, how affec
tionately in old age he looked back on the past and minutely
called up the details in the lives of his friends and fellow-
citizens and in the growth of the town and county.
That the History may be the better interpreted, as well
as to give due honor to one of the most useful and most gifted
of its citizens in the nineteenth century, is the purpose of
this introductory biographical sketch.
PIONEER CITIZEN HAS PASSED AWAY.
In the death of Dr. W. L. Lipscomb, which occurred at the home
of his son. Dr. J. W. Lipscomb, on Main Street, at an early hour last
Friday morning. May 22nd, Columbus has lost one of her oldest and
noblest citizens, a man whose long life was a life of usefulness and one
whose gentle nature and splendid mind cheered and inspired all with
whom he came in contact. He was one of those noble men in whom
honesty, purity, and reverence for all things good are innate, and his
earthly joumey of four score years was devoted to faithful and efficient
work for God and his fellow men. He had practically all his life been -
an earnest and consistent Christian, and his profession, that of a phy
sician, afforded splendid opportunities for a work which he held dear,
that of alleviating the pain and suffering of his fellow creatures.
Dr. Lipscomb was bom in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., in 1828, but
came to Columbus with his parents when a lad of four years, and prac
tically all of his life had been spent here. He chose medicine as a
profession, and at the outbreak of the War between the States in 1861
went to the front as a surgeon. He was taken a prisoner at Pensacola,
but was exchanged, and throughout the entire conflict devoted his
energies to caring for sick and wounded soldiers. He was attached
to several different surgical staffs, much of his time having been spent
in attendance upon the disabled soldiers who were brought to the
Confederate hospital which was maintained in this city.
In 1854 Dr. Lipscomb was married to Miss Taleulah Harris, daught
er of the late Col, Geo. H. Harris. Several children blessed the union
and besides his widow four sons and three daughters are left to mourn
the loss of the departed husband and father. Two of his sons reside
in Columbus, Prof. Dabney Lipscomb, who is professor of economics
at the Industrial Institute and College, and Dr. J. W. Lipscomb, a
prominent local physician. The two remaining sons. Rev. Thomas
Lipscomb and Rev. Wadsworth Lipscomb, are both Methodist min
isters, the former being stationed at Hattiesburg and the latter at
Friar's Point. The three daughters are Mrs. Emest Beard, of this
City, Mrs. Mary Hargrove, of Kansas City, Mo., and Mrs. B, W.
Waters, who is engaged in missionary work in Japan.

Dr. Lipscomb was one of the oldest members of the First Methodist
church, his name having appeared on the original membership roll.
Of the first one thousand members enrolled, his name was one of the
two which remained, and now that he is dead there is but one living
member whose name appears among the first one thousand enrolled.
Dr. Lipscomb has filled almost every office in the church, and for quite
a long period of time was superintendent of the Sunday school. During
recent years, however, his health has been so feeble that he was forced
to remain at home practically all of the time, and was therefore re
luctantly compelled to give up his religious work, as well as his labors
in other fields.
The funeral occurred at the First Methodist church at ten o'clock
Saturday moming, having been conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. W.
Shoaff, D. D., who was assisted by Rev. S. L. Pope, pastor of the Second
Methodist church. The obsequies were attended by a large concourse
of sorrowing relatives and friends, and the floral offerings were both
numerous and beautiful. The interment was at Friendship Cemetery.
Messrs. L. A. Vaughan, P. W. Maer, C. F. Sherrod, J. P. Mayo, B. D.
Ervin and O. P. Brown were the active pall-bearers, while Dr. R. S.
Cufry, Col. W. C. Richards, Dr. R. L. Sykes, Col. G. W. Abert, Gen.
E. T. Sykes, Messrs. R. T. Williams, W. C. Beard and T. B. Franklin
officiated as honorary pall-bearers. — Columbus Dispatch, May 24, 1908.
The death of Dr. William Lowndes Lipscomb which occurred
at the residence of his son. Dr. J. W. Lipscomb on last Friday morning
at five o'clock. May 22d, was felt by every man, woman and child
in Columbus, where he was known and loved by all. He was a son
of Dr. Dabney Lipscomb, who was for two terms President of Missis
sippi State Senate, and who practiced medicine in Columbus from
1832 to 1850. He was born January 3, 1828, in Tuscalooss County,
Ala. He moved with his parents to Columbus in 1832, then a village
of about 500 people. Educated at the Franklin Academy and in
private schools of the town, till he went to Lagrange College near Tus-
cumbia, Ala., of which Rev. Robert Paine, afterwards Bishop Paine,
was President. He next read medicine in his father's office, and then
went to the medical department of the University of New Orleans,
now Tulane University, from which he graduated in 1850 with class
mates such as Drs. Beard, Choppin, Cracour, and others since famous
in New Orleans.
On the death of his father in 1850 he settled in Columbus to prac
tice medicine, to care for his mother, and younger brothers and sisters.
In December, 1854, he was married to Miss Tallulah Harris, daughter
of Col. Geo. H. Harris.
When the trouble between the States came up he enlisted as a
private but was soon commissioned by President Davis as assistant
surgeon, and ordered to Pensacola, Pia. There he was captured and
imprisoned. While in prison he was cheered by visits from his devoted
Christian wife. After he was released he served as surgeon in charge
of hospitals in New Orleans and Columbus, Miss., and as medical
director of the army under Gen. S. D. Lee. After the close of the
war he helped to establish and edit The Colwmbus De-mocrat, and in
its columns opposed vigorously both the Alcorn and Dent tickets. For
about forty years he practiced medicine in Columbus — prominent in
the State Medical Association — always deeply interested in the welfare
of the town politically, industrially, religiously, socially and educa
tionally. He was active in every good work and movement. In his
large practice he never failed to administer to rich and poor alike, in
spiritual advice as well as medical skill. For thirty years or more he
was Superintendent of the First M. E. Sunday School. He was County
Superintendent of Education for ten years. He was a devoted friend

of children. His address on "The Jack Knife" in 1873 to the pupils
of Franklin Academy is remembered even yet by Siany who heard it
as one of the best deliveries of Dr. Lipscomb, well known as one of
the most original and effective speakers of the country.
For the past fifteen or twenty years partial blindness impaired
his usefulness; this ended in total blindness about two years ago.
Granted to him all of this, he bore with astonishing cheerfulness
and resignation and to the end manifested unflagging interest in all that
pertains to the welfare of the town he had lived in seventy-six years
and loved so ardently. Thus it seems that as a people we are better and
stronger for his life. He was really even eager to go hence and his
family and friends could not wi.sh to keep him longer when every hour
meant but that much more of suffering to him. "There is no death —
Death is the great fulfillment of life." To this heritage he has gone.
In his last hours his devoted wife and all his children, except two,
who are across the ocean, administered unto him.
The writer knew Dr. Lipscomb only to love him and feel a deep
personal grief that he is forced to give up so good, pure and warm
hearted a friend.
The funeral services were conducted Saturday morning at 11
o'clock from the First Methodist Church by Dr. Shoaff and his remains
were lovingly and tenderly laid to rest in Friendship Cemetery by his
old comrades, accompanied by a large concourse of devoted friends.
— Columbus Commercial, Ma-y 24, 1908.
The foregoing tributes to Dr. W. L. Lipscomb give fairly
well the leading facts of his life and the esteem in which he
was held by those who knew him best in the place which was
his home for nearly four-score years.
It may not be amiss to add a brief sketch of the Lips
comb family — a distinctively Southem onC' — ^with its several
Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee branches, from which
a large connection has descended extending through the
Gulf States, and westward through Missouri to Colorado and
even to Califomia.
Of Dr. Lipscomb's most notable characteristics and ofthe
chief services he rendered his generation during his long and
eminently useful life, it may also be worth the while to speak
somewhat more fully in this introductory biographical sketch.
ANCESTRY.
The Lipscombs of America come from the family or
families to which the Lipscombs of southwest England — a
numerous connection — ^trace their origin. Throughout that
section are many families with names of kindred derivation,
such as the Whitcombs, Dunscombs, Welcombs, Holcombs
and others, often adding a final e to the name. Evidently
there is a geographic significance attached to these family

10
names, designating apparently people who lived on the
combs, or ridges, that form a conspicuous feature of English
landscapes in the southwestern counties. Conan Doyle
in his "White Company" represents Sir Arthur Lipscomb as
a valiant follower of the Black Prince in France and Spain.
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, representatives
of the Lipscomb families in England rose to prominence as
bishops in the church, scholars in the universities, and surgeons
in army or navy, and one or two became archaeologists and
antiquarians of more than local distinction.
In the seventeenth century, very probably, with one of
the Lords Baltimore, the ancestor of the Lipscombs in America
crossed the ocean. Tradition has it that he had been con
nected with the ill-fated Monmouth expedition and for safety
sought refuge in America. What he did and exactly where
he lived in Maryland or Virginia is not definitely known.
This refugee ancestor, Joel by name, left three sons, John,
Thomas and William. Thomas, from whom Dr. W. L. Lips
comb is descended lived before the Revolution in Spott
sylvania County, Virginia, and had four sons and two daugh
ters. His two oldest sons, Joel and Nathan, it seems with
their Uncle William, moved to South Carolina before the war
with England; for the records show that they there parti
cipated in the partisan warfare that signalized the patriots
of that State. John, the third son, married and remained in
Virginia, some of his descendants still living there and others
living now in Kentucky and further west. David and Wil
liam, fourth and fifth sons of Thomas Lipscomb, moved to
Tennessee and became men of distinction and influence.
From them the large Tennessee branch of the family trace
their lineage.
Joel Lipscomb, grand-father of W. L. Lipscomb, who had
moved from Virginia to South Carolina, before the Revolution,
after the formation of the Mississippi Territory, again moved
with his growing family to what is now Greene County, Ala.
There he raised a large family and died in 1838 at a ripe old
age. His second son, Abner Smith Lipscomb was for years
Chief Justice of Alabama, which position he resigned and
moving to Texas helped to bring that State into the IJnion

11
and died there, one of the Supreme Judges of the State, in
1857. Of Dr. Dabney Lipscomb, fourth son of Joel Lipscomb,
who moved to Columbus, Mississippi, in 1832, a sketch will
be found in the Chapter XIV of the History of Columbus.
His son, William Lowndes, was but four years old when he
came to the villiage of Columbus, his future life-long home.
CHARACTER AND SERVICES.
The most salient features of Dr. W. L. Lipscomb's char
acter were clearness and incisiveness of intellect, independence
and aggressiveness in action, and the strength and breadth of
his sympathies and affection. These qualities made him an
acknowledged leader in whatever cause he espoused. As
a layman, in every field of church effort he was intelligently
and deeply interested, and was influential in all its conferences
from that of his home church to the General Conference of
the Southern Methodist Church to which he was twice a dele
gate from the North Mississippi Annual Conference. The
history and enterprises of the church were familiar to him,
and few even among the rainistry could state its doctrines so
clearly or defend them so ably as he.
Into medicine he carried the same vigorous, anal5rtic,
independent habit of thought and action. Doubtless his
large experience as surgeon in the Confederate army contri
buted to the self-reliance and directness with which he took
hold of and managed his cases. As a diagnostician he was
so successful, that in addition to his large practice, he was
the physician of the town and county most often called into
consultation. Prompt and permanent relief with as few
visits and as little expense as possible otherwise to his patrons
was evidently his rule in the practice of medicine.
A "Bourbon Democrat," he opposed any compromise with
carpet-baggars, scalawags, or negroes after the war, and
was influential in keeping negroes from becoming of&ce-holders
in Lowndes County. Just always to the negro, he insisted
that the white man must rule, and demanded such a plank
in county, state, and national platforms. Knowing well his
uncompromising attitude toward them, he was yet one of the
truest friends and advisers of the negroes of the town in

12
the political revolution of 1875 and ever since. They knew
they could trust him and that he would stoutly defend them
in all the rights and privileges which should be conceded to
them. In conventions he was a masterful debater and par-
limentarian and a ready, forceful speaker on the stump or
the platform. Next after his profession and his church, he however
was most constantly interested in the cause of education,
especially the education best suited to the needs of the children
of the South. The Franklin Academy, the school of his
boyhood, was the school ever closest to his heart; and it was
with genuine satisfaction and pride that as County Super
intendent of Education he so managed its funds as to be able
to tum over to its trustees money suflficient to erect the pres
ent building without tax on the town.
In 1870, as Secretary of the' Board of Trustees of the
Columbus Female Institute, he drew up the memorial adopted
by them offering the Institute to the State University as a
Woman's Department of the University, fifteen years before
as the Mississippi Industrial Institute and College its doors
were opened to the girls of the State. How since then he
watched with pleasure its splendid development, his friends
well know.
He was ever also an ardent advocate of the public school
system, giving the butcher's boy the same chance for a start
¦in life as the banker's, bringing rich and poor into close and
sympathetic contact; welding thus all ranks in bonds of
mutual respect and co-operative upward progress.
He was a true democrat religiously, politically, educa
tionally, socially; hence, was the friend and champion of
every cause that sought to bless all alike. Naturally, he
was beloved, trusted, and praised by those in any circum
stances of life that hoped and worked for the good of the
whole town and county.
Dabney Lipscomb.

A History of Columbus, Mississippi, Dur
ing the Nineteenth Century.
by dr. W. L. LIPSCOMB.
To the Editor of the Columbus Confmercial —
Mr. Editor — ^I ask the privilege of contributing to the
columns of your valuable paper. The Colwmbus Commercial,
a series of chapters to be entitled "A History of Columbus,
Mississippi, During the Nineteenth Century."
The investigations, facts, and incidents have been taken
from the public records and histories of the state of Missis
sippi, and from well authenticated reminiscenses of citizens
of Columbus and Lowndes county. I write these chapters as
a tribute to the beautiful city of Columbus, which for sixty-
nine years has been my much loved and only home.
Respectfully,
W. L. Lipscomb.

CHAPTER I.
ITS SITE.
Columbus, Mississippi is situated on the east bank of the
Tombigbee River on a perpendicular bluff, about three-eighths
of a mile in width and three hundred feet above the sea level.
The bluff recedes with a gradual ascent for two miles, where
it connects with a range of hills running northwest about one
hundred and twenty miles, where they connect with the
raountainous regions of northem Alabama; these mountains
in their turn connecting with the Blue Ridge and Alleghany
mountains of Virginia, thus making the Tombigbee blufif, on
which Columbus is situated, the terminus of the great Appal
achian range of North American mountains. To this preten
tious claim to an ancient and elevated pedigree we desire to
add some romantic and noted historical facts.
The site of the town of Columbus is the very earliest place
mentioned in the records of the history of Mississippi.
In the year, 1540, before the Pilgrim Fathers or the Vir
ginia settlers, Hernando DeSoto, the great Spanish cavalier
and American explorer, with his army of mail-clad knights,

14
frocked priests and trained soldiers entered the State of Missis
sippi near the site of the town of Columbus. He probably
crossed the Tombigbee River at this point and proceeded on his
northwestern joumey across the high ridges of the State and
after a time arrived at Chickasaw Bluff, now the City of
Memphis, where he discovered the great "Father of Waters,"
our own Mississippi River, never before seen by the eye of a
white man.
Again in 1736, a great flotilla of canoes, barges, and keel
boats propelled by paddles, oars, and poles, carrying an army
of 540 French soldiers, 45 negroes, and 600 Choctaw warriors
passed immediately under the cliffs of the Tombigbee Blufif.
They ascended the river to Cotton Gin Port. At this place
they disembarked, and under the command of their general,
Bienville, Govemor of Louisiana, they attacked the villages
of the Chickasaw Indians with a view to their annihilation.
After a disgraceful defeat, with a bloody remembrance of
Chickasaw valor, they returned to their Louisiana home.
Again in 1814, still another army, composed of Kentucky
and Tennessee volunteers, commanded by Cols. Cofifee and
Carroll, starting from Tuscumbia, Ala., cut for themselves
the military road over which they passed, crossing the Tom
bigbee River at Columbus. The military road is at this time
one of the principal streets of our city. These troops pushed
on, still cutting the road through the whole length of the
State of Mississippi and arrived in New Orleans just in time
to take part in the memorable battle under General Andrew
Jackson, before the beleaguered city of New Orleans. Some
writers say this was on the return from New Orleans. Thus
in the long ago, with intervening centuries of time, the flags
of three great nations, Spain, France and Am.erica, floated
over their armies, as they amid growling bears, howling wolves
and the astonished gaze of naked savages, passed over the
site of the beautiful city of Columbus.
But the chapter is not yet closed. When the general
government ordered the wilderness and prairies of Mississippi
to be checked off into townships and sections, the surveyor's
compass and chain made the lines of a sixteenth section fall
directly around the little village of Columbus. These sixteenth
sections were set apart by the general govemment for the

15
establishment and maintenance of schools, and the survey of
1820 made it possible for the town of Columbus to accomplish
the great historical fact of the Franklin Academy, the first
free public school in the State of Mississippi, established in
1821, and continuing without break in its increasing usefulness
and prosperity to the present time.
When in 1830, the County of Lowndes, named after
William Lowndes, the distinguished Congressman and Gover
nor of South Carolina, and for whom the writer of these chap
ters, in 1828, had been previously named, was organized, the
little village of Columbus still in the eye of Fortune was
chosen as the county seat.
Surely more than three centuries of time and the nations
of the earth have contributed much to give to this romantic
site a history and a name, and our fathers chose wisely and
well, when they called the town Columbus. It deserved one
of the earliest and most distinguished names in American
history. In the early years of the century, the Tombigbee Bluff
was certainly a marvel of virgin beauty and charming interest.
Standing on its highest cliff, you look down one hundred feet
to the river below. On the water's edge hung the willows,
sweeping the passing current with their pendant branches.
Next above them grew the sycamore with white trunk and
thick, broad leaves soughing in the summer breeze or rattling
as the autumn blasts dash them to the ground. Next above
the sycamores, were the poplars and elms struggling hard to
raise their tops to greet the moming sun; and above these
the evergreen cedars and holly with their roots holding to
and holding up the crumbling earth nearest to its summit,
while on its crest, great widespreading oaks and gums mingled
their verdure to shade the favorite walk of our earliest citizens.
Here lovers strolled to indulge in sweetest sentiment at the
"Lover's Leap." Here the sad heart could find sympathy
in the white stones that marked the grave of some early in
habitant. Here, expectant friends gathered to see the coming
steamboat as its white and black smoke mingled with the
clouds and its noisy wheel drove its sharp prow through the
resisting current and the forms of the captain and loved ones

16
on the top and deck as they return from, what was to them,
the center of the world, the city of Mobile.
No wonder our people felt their minds thrill with interest
and their hearts beat with emotion when the very air was full
of echoes of the past with such names as De Soto and Bien
ville, Columbus and Franklin, Jackson and Lowndes, mingled
with the Indian names of Tombeckbee, Luxapalila, Butta-
hatchee, Oktibbeha, Mashulatubbee and Noxubee. Alas! the
bluff is crumbling away ; the great trees are gone ; great ravines
and deep gullies have gashed and marred its beautiful slope
and memory alone can recall the days of its halcyon glory.

17

CHAPTER II.
ITS LOCATION— EARLY SURROUNDINGS— SURVEY AND
PLAN OF THE TOWN.
To give Columbus its proper topographic and historic
setting, it will be necessary to notice further its location. In
1817, Mississippi Territory was divided into the State of Mis
sissippi and Alabama Territory with the present dividing
boundary line. In 1816 the Chickasaws had ceded to the
general govemment a triangular shaped territory, bounded
on the south and west by the Tombigbee River, on the north
by a line drawn through the southem portion of the present
Itawamba County and running east of the Alabama line,
and on the east by the Alabama line. Between the years
1816 and 1821 this territory was surveyed and oflfered for
sale by the government.
The first settlers who occupied these lands came from
the north by way of the railitary road from Tennessee, North
Alabama, and from what are now Marion and Lamar Counties.
From the east they came by Alabama roads leading from
Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties. These counties had been
previously settled, the annihilation of the Creek Indians in
the war of 1812, having brought the Alabama lands directly
under the control and disposal of the general government.
These settlers, from the fact that their lands were entered
and paid for in the land offices of Tuscaloosa or Hunts ville,
believed that they lived within the bounds of Alabama, and
tradition tells us of the election or appointment of officers
under Alabama authority. When they learned that this was
not the case and that they lived in Mississippi, they sent a
delegate to the legislature in Jackson. The delegate was
received but not allowed to vote.
In 1817, in the southeastern portion of this unorganized
territory, ten miles west of the Alabama line and 250 miles
from the mouth of Tombigbee River, Columbus was located,
and in four years had acquired the proportions of only a
little village.
In 1821 Monroe County was organized and included all
this Chickasaw cession except a small strip on the north. All
2

18
these settlements and the village of Columbus fell within the
limits of Monroe County.
This history is limited to a description of the southern
part of the original Monroe County south of the Buttahatchie
River and includes what was afterwards called Lowndes
County, thus making it comply with the title of the chapter,
"Early Surroundings of Columbus."
These lands, taken as a whole, were not considered as
very desirable or first class agricultural lands. Quite a large
portion would have ranked as second class. But there was
a wide plateau of red lands with a good clay subsoil that ex
tended through the middle of the entire county, that was re
garded, and proved to be extremely fertile, well drained,
well watered, and offered all the attractions of a delightful
home to the immigrant farmer. These red lands beginning
north of Columbus may be represented by "Goshen" as a
center, and running east across the Luxapalila they included
what was called "Mulberry flat," thence running south to
the Nashville road. Old Zion will be in the very midst. In
this beautiful section of country, tributary to Columbus, the
very earliest settlers located themselves, some few of them
before 1821, and others among them years after to 1830, when
Lowndes County was organized and Columbus became the
county seat. Among these earliest and very earliest settlers
we note the names of Thomas Townsend, James Carter, Early
Hendricks, represented in Columbus at this time by Mrs.
Virginia Smith and John Laws ; Thomas Cummings, William
Butler, Peter Nail, William H. Craven, Benjamin Franklin
Beckwith(1818), represented by Mrs. William Mustin and Mrs.
John Snell, John McGowan, Wesley Ross, A. Cook, James
Brownlee, John Portwood, Thomas Kingcaid, Ezekiel Nash,
William Weaver (1818), grandfather to Blanche and Walter
Weaver, John Halbert (1817), perhaps the very first man that
opened a farm in Lowndes county, grandfather to Dr. A. C.
Halbert and father to Mrs. William Barksdale, who is prob
ably the oldest native living citizen; James McClanahan,
grandfather to our ex-mayor, Hon. W. D. Humphries; John
Davis, grandfather to Mrs. LeiHa Sykes and Dr. John Davis
and great-grandfather to Mrs. Claude Ayres, Nimrod Davis
and Macajah Brooks.

19
On the east we find Silas McBee, Ephriam Leech, father
to Rev. A. P. Leech and grandfather to Mrs. McWilHams and
Mrs. Lizzie Leech; Reuben Sanders, uncle to George Sanders;
Larkin Nash (1821) grandfather to S. M. Nash, Superintendent
of Education; Thomas Cooper, (1818), Cincinnatus Cooper,
(1818), grandfather to J. W. Cooper, circuit clerk; Conrad
Hackleman (1818), Jesse Williams, Martin Franks and Wil
liam Ellis.
On the north, Benjamin Hewson (1817). B. G. Hen
dricks, Sr., father to Mrs. Keeler and grandfather to Mrs.
Flood; Thomas Sampson, Roddy Smith, Vaughan, Morris,
Duncan, Smith, Mayfield and Murphy. A large portion of
the Caledonia country was not settled until after 1840.
This record would be incomplete without another list
of names, coming in|the thirties, sixty or seventy years ago,
who with those already mentioned made old Lowndes famous
for its hospitable homes, good politics, pure religion and un
impeachable integrity. The writer recalls the names of Cox,
Littleton, Gordon, Shields, Randolph, Meade, Neilson, Botters,
Minter, Feemster, Rowan, Kidd, Thomas, Wood, Belk, Buclf,
Flood, Tunnell, Eubanks, Shirley, Snell, Barksdale, Payne,
Jordan, Seal, Lauderdale, Crigler, Golding, Ellis, Adams,
Acker, and Laws.
Among the general facts of historical interest it may be
proper to mention that although the county on the east side
of the Tombigbee River belonged to the Chickasaw Indians,
there was an almost entire absence of evidence of Indian
settlements, such as Indian relics, remains of Indian villages
or farms, there being only one notable exception to the state
ment. Fifteen miles below Columbus, opposite Union Bluff,
near the Tombigbee River, there is a large mound situated
in the midst of an Indian field, the field being covered with
pine trees apparently one or two centuries old. This mound
appears to have been erected as a place of defense against
other tribes or a place of safety for their stock in high water.
This portion of the country extending northward to Beav
er and Bear Creeks was probably the hunting grounds of the
Chickasaws as it abounded in deer, turkeys, bear, beaver,
otter, wolves, and wild cats.

20
Another noticeable feature of this section was its complete
isolation, being separated from all other parts of the State,
on the south, west, and north by the territories of the Choctaw
and Chickasaw Indians, one hundred and twenty or more
miles in width, on which white settlers were not permitted
to locate and through which nothing but Indian trails, not
wagon roads, were allowed to run. It had to depend for its
population and comforts of civilized life upon the State of
Alabama, itself a sparsely settled wilderness.
For a verification of this meagre and rapid history of
Lowndes county we are indebted to pages of facts, incidents
and dates, collected by Hon. L. D. Landrum, Esq., who pur
posed, at one time, to write a history of Lowndes county.
Notably, in his chapters, are the statements of Benjamin
Hewson, ninety years of age, taken down by his daughter
in 1898, and Davie Craven (colored), taken down in his
own language, both known to the writer and which we believe,
very nearly authentic. We hope Mr. Landrum will not permit
his material for a history of Lowndes county to be lost or go
unpublished. Notwithstanding its isolation this territory in five years
was sufficiently populated to be organized into Monroe county.
Of even date with the organization of Monroe county, in 1821,
the town of Columbus, with a wide-awake and commendable
energy and with an intuition and wisdom, that looked like
foresight, promptly availed itself of the very best assistance
its new govermental relations could afford. The same legis
lature that organized Monroe county passed a bill directing
the survey and lease of the sixteenth section on which Colum
bus was situated and the establishment of the Franklin Acad
emy. This bill being the most important and oldest public
document in the history of Columbus, we hereby append it
in full. For this copy of the bill we are indebted to Col. W. D.
Humphries, ex-mayor of the City, who obtained it after per
sistent effort from the public records at Jackson, Miss. Col
umbus owes Col. Humphries a large and long debt of gratitude
for securing this valuable document.

21
Ax Act to Authorize .\ Lease of Certain Town Lots
Therein Named, and for Other Purposes.
Whereas, It has been made to appear that the town site of
Columbus is included in the sixteenth section of fractional
township number eighteen, range number eighteen, west of
the basis meridian of Madison county, Alabama, therefore.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the State of Mississippi, in general assembly
convened, That William Cocke, Gideon Lincecum, Robert
D. Hadden, Richard Barry, Thomas Townsend, Silas M'Bee,
John Deck, "\Mlliam Leech and David Kincaid, be and they
are hereby appointed commissioners to lay out the southwest
quarter of said fractional section, or so much of it as they may
think suitable for town lots, which shall not contain more
than one acre, nor less than one fourth of an acre, as they
may deem proper.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That when the
commissioners shall ha-v-e laid out said town lots, it shall be
the duty of the county court of Monroe county, at the first
term of court after the passage of this act, or at any subse
quent term of said court, to appoint three agents for the pur
pose of leasing said to-s\ii lots; and the said agents or a ma
jority of them shall have power to lease the said lots for the
term of ninetj^-nine years, reserving an annual rent therefor,
pa-v-^able on a certain day in each year, and to take security
from the lessees as to insure a certainty and punctuality of
pajnnent; and in case of any vacancy in said agency, the
said count}- court shall have power to fill the same as occasion
may, from time to time, require. It shall be the duty of said
agents or a majority of them, to give public notice at three
pubhc places in said county, of the day and place of leasing
said lots at least twenty days previous thereto; and they shall
on such day or days offer the said lots separateh" at public
outorv, and the same shall be leased to the highest bidder.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall be
the duty of the agents appointed, or a majority of them, under
the direction of the said county court, to apply with impar
tiality the proceeds arising from the rents of said lots and lands
to the purpose of education and no other, according to the
direction of the act of congress, entitled "An act to provide

22
for leasing certain lands reserved for support of schools,"
in the Mississippi Territory, approved the ninth day of Jan
uary, eighteen hundred and fifteen ; and that said agents shall
before entering on the duties of their agency give security
to the said county court, in such sum and penalty as said
court shall require, conditioned for the faithful discharge of
their duty in all respects.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted. That the said agents
shall have power and authority to lease for the prrpose of
improvement, or for an annual rent, the other lands in said
county appropriated by the congress of the United States to
the support of schools; they in all things conforming to the
directions of the act of congress herein before referred to.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted. That there shall
be established in the county of Monroe an academy by the
name of Franklin Academy.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted. That the afore
said commissioners hereinbefore expressly named shall be a
body politic and corporate, by the name of the president and
trustees of Franklin Academy, and by that name shall be
capable in law, to sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded,
in any of the courts of law or equity in this State, to receive
all donations, and in general, may do all acts for the benefit
of said Institution which are incident to, or of right apper
taining to bodies politic and corporate.
Sec 7. And be it further enacted, That the first
meeting of the trustees shall be on the first Monday in June
next, in the town of Columbus, at which time and place they
or a majority of them shall choose a president by ballot, out
of their own body, and in case a majority shall not attend at
the first appointed meeting, it shall be in the power of any
three members to call a meeting of said trustees by advertise
ment in the town of Columbus, giving ten days notice of said
intended meeting, at which time the members present shall
be competent to choose a president ; and thereafter the ordi
nary meetings of the board of trustees shall be on their own
adjournment. Sec. 8. And be it further enacted. That the president,
or in his absence, a member shall be chosen, pro tempore, as
president of the present meeting, and that the board of trus-

23
tees appointed by this act, shall have full power to fix upon a
site for erecting and building said academy; they shall also
have power of controlling the regulations of such institutions,
and of employing such teachers as they may deem necessary
for the literary order of said academy and the good morals
of the students.
Sec. 9. And be it further enacted. That the trustees
may increase their numbers to the number of twelve and no
more; they may fill by ballot all vacancies occasioned by
death, removal or resignation ; the board may, at their regular
meetings, appoint a successor or successors; Provided,
That the person or persons so chosen or appointed shall, on
his accepting said appointment, bind himself in a bond pre
cisely in the same manner as is prescribed for the commission
ers or trustees hereinbefore mentioned.
Sec 10. And be it further enacted. That the trustees
be and they are hereby authorized to raise by way of lottery
for the benefit of said academy, the sum of five thousand
dollars, on such scheme and plan as they may deem advisable.
Sec. 11. And be it further enacted. That all acts and
parts of acts, coming within the purview and meaning of
this act, be and they are hereby repealed.
Beverly R. Grayson,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
James Patton,
Lieutenant-Governor and President of the Senate.
Approved, February 10, 1821, George Poindexter.

24

CHAPTER III.
SURVEY AND PLAN OF TOWN CONTINUED— LEASES AND
LEASE-HOLD TITLES.
The sixteenth section, township 18, range 18 west,
ordered by the above act to be surveyed and laid off into town
lots of not more than one acre or less than one-fourth of an
acre each, is situated within the present limits of the City of
Columbus and may be bounded as follows: Begin at a point
near the west end of Fourth Avenue South, formerly La-
Fayette Street, running thence one mile due east, (passing
immediately in front of the old Barry residence facing what
was then the south end of Market Street) to a point near the
southeast corner of the grounds of the Industrial Institute and
College, thence north, on a line passing along the east boundary
of the old grave-yard at east end of Main Street to a point
on the corporation line one mile from the southeast comer,
thence west on the corporation line, running through Dr.
Hardy's residence, to a point one mile west of said northeast
corner, thence one mile south to the point of beginning on
the Tombigbee River. These are the boundaries as they
appear on the present maps of the City.
It is plain that the surveyors did not lay off the streets
and squares parallel with the section lines. The most ap
parent reason for this divergence is that they desired to con
form to the longest lines east and west, and north and south
on the Tombigbee bluff, or wished to make the principal
streets. Main and Market, a continuance of the important
country roads entering the tov/n.
The streets fail to conform with the point of the compass,
the section lines being our guide, by about two hundred yards
in a mile. This accounts for the fractional squares on all
sides of the section. The survey made about fifteen streets
running east and west and the same number running north
and south, thus dividing the section into about 225 squares
and fractions. To corroborate the idea that the surveyors
had regard to the long distances on the crest of the bluff, we
find that most of the sites of the early residences were located
on this ridge running northeast to southwest. This preference

25
for residence sites on this ridge continued until all the ridge
was occupied to the base of the hills two miles north of the
town, at which point in 1836 there was a survey made by
Walthall, Hodges & Co., for a town to be called "Prospect
Hill." The town of Prospect Hill included the big spring on
Military road, two and a half miles from Columbus. These gen
tlemen bought this property from a Chickasaw Indian named
Immahoboh, who received it as his reservation from the
United States govemment.
In the original survey Main Street occupied its present
location, running east and west across the section, being 120
feet wide, and terminated on the west at the ferry across the
Tombigbee, as it does now by the iron bridge over that stream,
and on the east by connection with the county road crossing
at a ferry on the Luxapalila, now spanned by an iron bridge.
This road connects Columbus with Pickens and Fayette coun
ties, Ala. Market Street, eighty feet wide, crossed Main
Street at right angles, and at its southern extremity was a
continuation of the lower Tuscaloosa road, which running
diagonally across the squares left the town at the Palmer
Orphanage, thence south to a ferry across the Luxapalila at
a place where Blewett's bridge, built in 1837, formerly stood.
This road was the first over which the stages passed bringing
the mail and passengers to Columbus.
Market Street, at its northern extremity, connected with
the Hamilton road, which leads to old Hamilton, the county
seat of Monroe county. The only point on these two streets
that can be relied on as correct, from the original survey, and
showing the proper direction of the survey, is the brick building
on the southwest corner of the Main and Market Street crossing
built by Henry W. Hunt, in 1831 or 1832, the walls of which
still occupy their original site. The building is now occupied
as Hirshman's dry goods store.
About 1830 an additional survey was added to the survey
of the 16th section, at its southwest corner, and called Moore's
survey. Moore's survey was bounded on the north by the
16th section line, on the east by St. Johns, now Fourth Street,
on the west by the Tombigbee River. This survey was
laid off into streets and squares to correspond with the plan
of the town, with one exception, the subdivision of the square

26
made the lots run east and west instead of north and south.
The date of the survey is located at or before 1830, when
Lowndes county was established and Columbus became the
county seat, because the residences of some of our oldest
citizens, notably T. M. Tucker, H. S. Bennett, Roddy Smith,
L. G. Hatch, and others were located on that survey at that
time. Next, at cf later date, prior to 1836, came Barry's survey,
joining the town on the southeast. This survey was bounded
on the north by the sixteenth section line, on the east by an
extension of the section line south, seven squares, thence
west to St. John's street. The squares and streets in Barry's
survey do not correspond exactly with those in the plan of
the town. The east and west streets appear to have been
named for some of the female members of the Barry family.
The next survey, which was made in February, 1836,
was that of Hopkins and Grigsby, and comprised that
part of the present plan and not included in the other surveys.
The public sale of the squares and lots in Grigsby's survey
was accompanied with all the attendants of a modern city
boom, such as a brass band, free whiskey, champagne, etc.
The present City of Columbus (1901), includes within
its limits, all of these four surveys, together with a strip of
land on the east, one fourth of a mile wide and one and
three-fourths miles long — making a city block one and one-
fourth miles wide by one and three-fourths miles long. The
strip of land on the east has not been regularly laid off, and
the streets and squares do not correspond with the streets
and squares of Columbus, except in Robertson's Addition, a
recent survey, well laid off and rapidly filling up with comfort
able cottages and thrifty people.
LEASE-HOLD TITLES AND PROPERTY.
Tne commissioners having complied with the provisions
of the Act relating to the survey of the section and its division
into lots, the next most important duty in the Act is the leasing
of these lots, which duty was performed by three agents,
appointed by the county court of Monroe county, Hon. Steph
en Cocke being the only one of these agents whose name is
at this time procurable. These agents are supposed to have

27
complied strictly with the provisions of the Act and leased
at public outcry to the highest bidder these lots for a term of
ninety-nine years, for specified sums to be annually collected
and properly secured, and to have appropriately applied the
money thus raised for school purposes.
It also appears probable from subsequent facts, that
these agents tumed over the money first received from these
leases to the trustees of the Franklin Academy, an Institution
incorporated by the same act, and for which the trustees had
been appointed. This board of trustees was composed of
the same persons who were commissioned to survey and lay
off the lots.
It is also probable that these agents not only tumed
over the money to the board of trustees but that they also
empowered them to make deeds or lease-hold titles for the
lots which had been leased. It is certainly true, that the
original deeds or lease-hold titles were signed by the trustees
of the Franklin Academy, and that the money arising from
the leases, was collected by them. Another fact is also true,
that these original deeds contain the words, " Renewable
Forever," as an addition to the term of lease of "Ninety-
Nine Years," contained in the Act.
However this irregularity in extending the term of lease
may have occurred, the validity of the deeds containing this
extension, has been ratified by legislative acts, both of the
State (Act of 1830) and general govemment, (Act of Congress
1857.) The State Act of 1830 not only ratified the past action
of the trustees of the Franklin Academy but continued their
authority to collect and control the sixteenth section school
money and to insert " Renewable Forever " in their
future deeds. I
Another fact connected with this 16th section lease-hold
property in the town of Columbus, is that from the time of
leasing in 1821 to 1839, it was not considered subject to taxa
tion of any kind and that from 1821 to 1839, a period of eight-
teen years, no taxes of any kind were collected, although
during that period Lowndes county had been organized and
the town of Columbus selected as the county seat. This

28
exemption was recognized by the municipal, county and state
governments. In the year 1839, the town of Columbus, finding itself
in need of money for municipal purposes, (notably to purchase
a fire engine) applied by a petition from the mayor and board
of selectmen to the State Legislature, to grant them the power
to levy a tax on these exempted school lots for this purpose.
In accordance with the petition which was incorporated in
the Act, the Legislature of 1839 authorized the mayor and
selectmen to collect a municipal tax of 1-4 of 1 per cent.
from year to year.
This right to tax lease-hold school property was not
submitted to quietly by the property owners, and in 1844 the
Act of 1839 was repealed, but in 1846 it was reenacted with the
authority to tax extended to the State and County as well and
in 1857 an act declared lease-hold property subject to taxation
like any other property. This act was sustained by a decision
of the Supreme Court of Mississippi in 1898,in the case of Street
and others versus City of Columbus. The attorneys were
Hon. J. A. Orr for plaintiff and Col. Wm. Baldwin for the city.
For a verification of these statements and facts, the reader
is referred to this decision of the supreme court.
The amount of lease arising from the lots in the 16th
section in Columbus, at one time, reached an approximate of
$6,000, but has been reduced by forfeitures and releasing to
the present amount of $2,398.54. For thirty years back the
trustees of the Franklin Academy have maintained the policy
of not allowing the leases to fall below this amount. In all
forfeitures, their agent is instructed to bid the lease due, as
the lowest bid to be received.
The last instance of a reduction was that in the property
now owned by Col. T. J. O'Neil many years previous. Mr.
A. R. Wolfington reduced the lease on his lot, now owned by
Mr. Blanche Weaver, by moving a two-story residence back
across the 16th section line, which ran through the lot, and
after the reduction moved the house back again.
Keeler's Almanac for 1850 contains this item, "The school
fund amounts to between $2,500 and $3,000 annually, under
the supervision of a board of trustees elected every two years
by the resident voters of the township."

29

CHAPTER IV.
EARLIEST INHABITANTS OF COLUMBUS.
The following names of the earUest inhabitants of Colum
bus were taken from the Public Records of tne State, Keeler's
History of Columbus, in his Almanac of 1850, Rev. George
Shaeffer's History of Columbus, published in The Columbus
I-ndex when Gen. J. H. Sharp was editor, Lowry's History of
Mississippi, (large edition 1891) and from family records.
Before 1821.
Thomas Thomas, Spirus Roacli, Tnomas Sampson, Wil
liam Vizer, WilHam Poor, Silas McBee, Thos. Townsend,
Greene Bailey, Dr. B. C. Barry, Silas Brown, Richard Barry,
Hancock Chisholm, William Connover, WilHam Fernandes,
Robert D. Haden, William Leech, Gideon Lincecum, William
Cocke, Bartlett Sims, Martin Sims, Ovid P. Brown, William
L. Moore, Edward Kewen.
As the history of Columbus is necessarily contained in
the lives and deeds of these earliest pioneers, it may be deemed
best to give a short sketch of the most prominent. They are
taken somewhat according to the date of their settlement.
Thomas Thomas, or Thomas Moore, as some historians
call him, is entitled to the honor of being the first settler in
Columbus. The hard features and peculiar manners of that
rugged pioneer, Spirus Roach, were the occasion of that Indian
name, Shuk-ha-tah Toma-ha, or Opossum Town. Silas McBee
first suggested the euphonius and historic name Columbus.
He left the town at an early date and settled on the bank of
the creek, which now bears his name.
Judge Thomas O. Sampson settled in Columbus in 1818.
In 1821 he was the charter worshipful master of Columbus
lodge No. 5. He was perhaps the earliest judge and clerk of
the Probate court of Lowndes County. He moved to his
farm on the Military road, thirteen miles from Columbus, and
died there. He had two daughters. The elder married
James Henry, a citizen of Columbus. Mr. Henry built the
cottage on College Street known as the Womelsdorff cottage.
His son, Robert Henry, was born there and now lives in Pick
ens County, Ala., eleven miles from Columbus, on the upper

30
Tuscaloosa road. His younger daughter married Hon. M. M.
Rowan, whose son, Mr. Frank Rowan still resides at the old
Sampson homestead.
Hon. Robert D. Haden came from Tuscaloosa, Ala., in
1819 and opened a store near the center of the square on
Main Street opposite the Gilmer hotel. He was a member
of the commissioners that surveyed the town of Columbus
in 1821 and a charter officer of Columbus Lodge No. 5. He
represented Monroe County in the State Legislature in 1826
before Lowndes County was organized. He was for several
terms judge and clerk of the probate court in Lowndes County,
and was afterwards receiver in the land offices. He was an
original officer in the Columbus Riflemen. He belonged to
the very first society of the Methodist church formed in Colum
bus and worshipped with them in the Franklin Academy. He
assisted in the building of the first church in Columbus in
1831-2 and was a working, faithful, consistent member to
the date of his removal to Texas in 1885. He died in Texas,
past eighty years of age and totally blind. His first wife was
a daughter of Hamilton McGowan, a farmer in the southem
part of Lowndes County. By this wife he had two children.
Dr. John M. Haden and Miss Sophie Haden. Dr. John M.
Haden read medicine in the office of Dr. Dabney Lipscomb,
graduated in the medical department of the University of
Louisiana, and was appointed assistant surgeon in the United
States Army. He served on the westem frontier at different
posts from Oregon to El Paso, Texas, at which place he was
on duty when the war broke out in 1861. He with Major,
afterwards Gen. Longstreet, resigned their positions and ac
cepted service in the Confederate army. He was made sur
geon and appointed medical director of the army of Louisiana
and Mississippi, with headquarters at New Orleans. After
the capture of New Orleans he was made medical director of
the Trans-Mississippi department. After the war he settled
in Galveston, Texas, and died suddenly on the steps of a
hotel in Philadelphia, where he had gone to enter his two
sons in Jefferson Medical College. These two sons are
the oldest grand-children of the subject of this sketch. The
oldest daughter of Robert D. Haden married Mr Williamson
Glover, a wealthy planter in the canebrake region, Greene

31
County, Alabama. Her step-grand-daughter, Mrs. Ledyard
Vaughan, now resides in Columbus. Judge Haden's second
wife was the widow of Dr. Bartlett Hunt, who at the time of
her marriage had two children, Bartlett C. Hunt and Cerynthia
Hunt. Miss Cerynthia Hunt married W. C. Mills, and her
daughter. Miss Minnie MiUs, has at this time charge of the
Palmer Orphanage in Columbus. Judge Haden's son by
his second marriage moved to Texas, and became a prominent
physician in that State. His third wife. Miss Mary Eldridge,
of North Alabama, by whom he had two children, James and
Virginia, moved with him to Texas, where they now reside.
Hon. Ovid P. Brown was a South Carolinian and moved
to Columbus in 1819. He lived first in a log house on the
bluff where Thomas Thomas, the first inhabitant settled in
1817, and where Spirus Roach kept the first tavern, now
known as the Eckford place. His wife was Lucinda Sims,
step-daughter to William Cocke, who married her mother
Keziah Sims, and whom history states was the first person
who died in Columbus (doubtful). This log house on this
historic spot, was for several years a rendezvous for the Sims,
Cocke, and Brown families. In 1824 Ovid P. Brown moved
to a farm on Military road on Black creek, now known as
the Gaston place. He resided there until 1832, when he re
turned to Columbus and built a residence on the southwest
corner of the square on which Mrs. Ann Franklin now lives,
which was his home until his death. He was for many years
clerk of the Circuit court of Lowndes county. He joined the
very first organization of the Methodist church in Columbus
in 1822, worshiped in the Franklin Academy, and afterwards
assisted in building a church in 1832. He had a large
family of children. His oldest son, Stephen A. Brown, was
bom in Columbus, in 1823, and moved with his father to his
farm on Black Creek, near which he received his earliest edu
cation in a country log school house, with dirt floor, puncheon
seats, dirt chimney, and doors made of split boards hung with
wooden hinges. His first teachers were Martin Sims, Mr.
McCrary, Capt. Abram Botters, and a Mr. Frazier. He re
turned to Columbus in 1832 and resumed his education under
Rev. David Wright, then principal of Franklin Academy. This
is the first authentic record of Lowndes county school teachers.

32
and of a principal of the Franklin Academy. He finished his
education at La Grange, Ala. Judge S. A. Brown lived his
whole life in Columbus, Miss., and filled many places of local
honor and usefulness, both in church and state. He had a
special taste for history and historic records. To him the
city, and the Methodist church especially, are indebted for
many valuable and accurately kept records. Mr. Ovid P.
Brown and Mrs. Fannie Beale represent their grand-father
in Columbus at this time. Judge O. P. Brown's second
daughter. Miss Mary Bettie Brown, also resides in Columbus,
which has been her home for 69 years.
Maj. Richard Barry arrived in Columbus in 1819, where
he began life as a hotel keeper. Hs first location in the town
is a subject of much dispute by his early friends. Some locate
it at the southeast comer of Main and Market streets, now
occupied by Osborne & Pope's drug store; others, the site
of the Gilmer hotel; still others place him at the southwest
comer of the same square, where Mrs. O'Malley now lives.
The probabilities are in favor of the site of the Gilmer hotel.
Maj. Barry had several brothers and sisters who came with
him to Columbus, viz: Dr. B. C. Barry, who married the
sister of Col. C. H. Abert, and a brother, who was the father
of Mrs. Clarissa Barry Shaeffer, wife of the Rev. Geo. Shaeffer,
and Mrs. Nancy Barry Brooks, wife of Col. Madison Brooks,
of Noxubee county. His sisters married Dr. B. C. Hunt,
of Columbus, and Mr. Sullivan, of Monroe County, Miss. Maj.
Ricnard Barry was a member of the survey commission in
1821. His business of hotel keeping, being a most lucrative
one, and success in land speculation made him a rich man in
the early history of Columbus. He settled farms on the east
and west sides of the Tombigbee, and in 1834 built the Barry
mansion at the south end of Market Street. His oldest child,
a son, W. S. Barry, was born in Columbus. He was educated
at Yale College, studied law, and soon after his majority was
elected to the State legislature and speaker of the house.
He was a member of the United States Congress, President
of the Mississippi Secession Convention, and in the Civil War
was Colonel of the 35th Mississippi regiment. ,He was wound
ed in the shoulder at the battle of Altoona, Ga., and from the
effect of this, and a constitutional disease he died in Columbus.

EESIDENCE OF B. .\. WE.AVER.

33
He married Miss Sallie Fearn, of HuntsviUe, Ala., and left
an only son, Hon. W. S. Barry, a wealthy planter in Leflore
county. Miss.
Maj. Richard Barry's oldest daughter married Dr. B. W.
Benson, who was Secretary of State under one of the early
govemors. Her second husband was Mr. Ricks, a wealthy
planter in Madison county, Miss. His second daughter mar
ried Dr. R. F. Matthews, of Columbus, their only daughter
Mrs. Sully Bradford, with her children, representing at this
time the ancient and honored Barry family. His third
daughter, Mrs. Mary Frierson, wife of Rev. S. A. Frierson,
who resided in Starkville, Miss., leaves several families as
representatives in that county. Miss Juliette Barry married
Col. Bradford, father of T. B. Bradford, late husband of Mrs.
Sully Bradford mentioned above, thus making her family
double representatives of their grandfather. Miss Patty
Barry married Col. Geo. Abert, now a resident of this city.
His daughter and family reside in Richmond, Va. Maj.
Richard Barry was an elder in the Presbyterian church from
the date of its organization in Columbus in 1832. Dr. B. C.
Barry was the first State Senator from Monroe county. He
died young and was buried in the graveyard on the Tombigbee
bluff at the northwest corner of Capt. W. W. Humphries'
square. Dr. Hunt was also buried at this place.
Hon. William Cocke moved from Kentucky after he had
received distinguished honors from that State. He had been
United States Senator and held other honorable positions.
He was the father of Hon. Stephen Cocke by his first wife.
He was a member of the survey commission in 1821 and
represented Monroe county in the State legislature in 1822.
He moved to Mississippi about 1820. His second wife, whom
he married in Columbus, was Miss Keziah Sims. He had
no children by this wife. He lived a quiet and useful life
and died in Columbus about 1824. His son, Hon. Stephen
Cocke, was a prominent lawyer and politician from Monroe
county. Rev. Martin Sims was an interpreter for the govern
ment and the Mayhew mission to the Choctaw Indians. He
died in Columbus at the advanced age of 85 years. Benjamin
3

34
F. Sims was the first sheriff of Monroe county. The descend
ants of WiUiam Sims live in Aberdeen, Miss.
William Leech was a member of the commission in 1821,
and the father of Capt. Elbert C. Leech, of Columbus, and
Ephraim Leech, of East Lowndes, to whom mention was
made in the second chapter of this history. Capt. E.C. Leech
lived in Columbus from his boyhood. The Tombigbee River
was the scene of his labors, being a most successful pilot and
steamboat captain on that stream. He acquired a handsome
fortune, built several houses in Columbus, where he resided
untU a few months before his death. He married Miss Eliza
Bartee, and died without issue. The wife of WiUiam Leech
was buried in the Tombigbee graveyard.
Col. Thomas Townsend came to Columbus in 1819 and
was employed on the survey in 1821. He engaged in merchan
dise and acquired a large fortune. He moved from Lowndes
county and settled on his plantation is south Monroe. His
son. Major William P. Townsend, was a gallant officer in the
Mexican war and distinguished himself in the capture of
Monterey. He married Miss Jennings, daughter of Artemus
Jennings, and settled in Texas, where he died and left several
children. JUDGE B. F. BECKWITH.
Sir Hercules De Malebesd was a Saxon. He owned lands in Eng
land of which he took possession and married Lady Bruce Beckwith.
He then took the name bf Lord Hercules De Malebesd Beckwith.
He had one daughter who married Kent, of the Castle of Kent, and
four sons, two of whom remained in England and two came to America.
One of them settled in Virginia and the other in Connecticut.
Benjamin Franklin Beckwith, the subject of this sketch, was a
descendant of the one who settled in Connecticut. He was bom Feb
ruary 1, 1810, in Abbeville District, South Carolina. His father died
while he was quite young, leaving his mother with two small children,
Benjamin and Mary. His mother subsequently married again.
Benjamin did not approve of his stepfather's conduct and ran away
from home. This was in 1819. He invested all the money he had in
a little Indian pony and joined a company that was going on a pros
pecting tour. There were not many roads, only what were called
"bridle paths"through the wilderness. They slept at night in the
woods without tents in the open air by pine-knot fires. He stopped
at Tuscaloosa and liked the country so much that in a short time he,
with the help of friends, brought his mother and sisters to Tuscaloosa,
Ala, There he assisted one of his step-sisters to set type for the first
newspaper that was ever published in Tuscaloosa. It was called The
Argus. Benjamin also helped to plant the large oak trees through the mid
dle of the streets of Tuscaloosa, some of them still living after eighty

35
Many names are omitted from special mention on account
of the paucity of facts and incidents in their personal history.
The physical and mental characteristics of those whose lives
are sketched, deserve more than a passing notice. Some of
them are known to the readers of these chapters and they have
marked the peculiar angularity of their features and their
square, firm set, and muscular frames, all indicating the early
lives they led and that they had not been reared in king's
houses. They were calm, quiet, silent men. Their words
were few, their actions measured, with an entire absence of
nervous irritability or boisterous expressions. They could
easily be considered the associates of the "Stoic of the Wilder
ness," and lived in times when words meant deeds, and acts
involved success, perhaps life itself. Though far away from
the restrictions of law and the customs of civilized society,
subjected to every kind of temptation, none of them were
drunkards or gamblers or libertines. Their code of morals
was equal to the most advanced standard of ethics and in
their daily lives, they exemplified the great truths and inherent
power of the Christian religion. They established Masonry
with all its bonds of fraternal association. They squared

years. He lived several years in and around Tuscaloosa and then with
his mother, sister and uncle, Abner Nash, moved to Columbus, Miss.
There was no town then, nothing but a ferry across the river and one
or two small houses. He often told about killing a deer on what is
now known as "Bradford Square." It was then a dense wood. There
were only one or two families living in Columbus at that time.
Benjamin Beckwith had but few school advantages. He used
to work in the day and study at night by a pine-knot fire. On March
17, 1829, at the age of nineteen he was married to Miss Sarah Cox, a
girl of seventeen.
Benjamin Beckwith and Sarah Cox had eight children, all of whom
grew to maturity and married except one, Robert Beckwith, who died
during the Confederate war at Chattanooga, Tenn. Benjamin mar
ried again, a widow, Mrs. Martha Bryant, who had one daughter (now
Mrs. John A. Snell, of Columbus, Miss.) He had one daughter by his
second wife, Blanch Eugenia Beckwith, now Mrs. William S. Mustin,
of Columbus, Miss. He held the office of Judge of Police Court and
after that he was always called Judge Beckwith.
Benjamin Beckwith accumulated a nice property and lived to a
good old age. He passed away on January Qth, 1891, within a few
days of eighty-one years. His children are all dead except two daugh
ters, one by his first wife, Mrs. Ella Hatch, and one by his last, Mrs.
Blanch Mustin.
This country was full of Indians when he first came and he traded
with them and leamed their language and often amused his children
when young by talking Indian to them.

36

their actions by the square of virtue, and lived in the presence
of the All Seeing Eye. They erected churches and became
themselves deacons and stewards and elders therein. They
built school houses and taught their chUdren that education
was the foundation of intelligent citizenship and a life of
usefulness and success. Their whole lives testified to the
fact that they were nature's noblemen and after God's best
pattern of honest men and Christian gentlemen. They de
serve the highest niche in Columbus' history, and an abiding
place in the memory of her citizens. Let her seven thousand
people bow as a tribute of respect and honor to these, the
earliest founders of their beautiful city.

BENJAMIN fRANKLIN BECKWITH.

37

CHAPTER V.
1820 TO 1830— GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT,
Several very important events occurred early during
the decade from 1820 to 1830, which largely influenced the
increase in population and material development of Columbus.
The first was the arrival of the U. S. mail, which took place
in 1821, Gideon Lincecum being the first postmaster. The
first mail was opened in a small frame house on the spot on
which the beautiful home of the Elks now stands. This
post office was the first frame building erected in Columbus.
The next event was the arrival of the steamboat, the Cotton
Plant, Capt. Chandler.
The third was the location of the State Capitol at Jackson
and the establishment of a post road by the State from Jackson
to Columbus (Riley). And last but not least, the erection
of Moore's saw and grist mill on the Luxapalila, a mile and
a half east of the town. A good idea of the town of Columbus
at this time may be obtained from a graphic description made
by Rev. Geo. Shaeffer in a newspaper article written in 1872,
entitled "Columbus in 1822 by its oldest inhabitant." This
sketch is commended to the attention of several of our fine
artists, such as Miss Ella Sherrod and Miss Ruth Kennebrew,
as a subject for a full page illustration in a future history of
Mississippi. The description reads as foUows:
"As may be supposed, Columbus was a small place when
my eyes first beheld it in 1822. It contained about 150 in
habitants. Main Street presented quite a different appearance
from at present; only a few scattering houses. On the south
side at the west end, there was a large house composed of
four rooms in each story, with a cross passage through the
center each direction; this stood on the point of the hill. It
was occupied by the venerable Judge Cocke, who called it
"the big pile of logs." The next house, going east, was a
one storied store about 20 by 30, a frame, kept by Judge
Haden; it stood about opposite the postoffice. The next
was a small two story frame store on the corner opposite the
hotel, occupied by John B. Raser. Between that and the

38
comer of Main and Market Streets, there was quite a hollow;
the first house from Raser's was a log blacksmith shop in
the hollow about half way the square. The next house was
a small taUor shop. The next was a one story frame, standing
sidewise to the street, about 50 feet long, occupied by Capt.
C. Adams as a store; this house stood about where Knapp's
shop stands. The next house was an old carpenter's shop
on the Gross comer. There was a carpenter's shop on the
comer occupied by Humphries and Hudson (now Beard's) ;
from thence east and south was covered with pines and small
bushes. On the north side of Main Street, west end, there
was a one story store kept by Capt. Kewen. The next buUd
ing was a small retail whiskey shop ; the next Barry's tavem,
a two story house of pretty large dimension, a frame, but
unfinished; it stood on the comer where the Gilmer hotel
is kept. On the opposite comer where The Index office is
kept, stood a small two story framed house occupied below
as Dr. Barry's shop and above as a masonic lodge. From
these, going east was no buUding, untU after crossing quite
a deep hollow, you arrived at a long one story house, occupied
in part by Major WiUiam Dowsing as a tavem, and in the
west end as a small retail store; this house was on Blair's
comer. Market street was not built upon. The balance of
the vUlage was composed of a few small log cabins scattered
among the bushes. The Franklin Academy was a small
frame house 30 by 40, not ceUed nor plastered; this was the
preaching place for all denominations; the Methodist was
the only organized church at that time, composed of a very
few members." The establishment of the U. S. mail service and the navi
gation of the Tombigbee River by steamboats were events
of incalculable importance to the town. The early settlers
could now communicate with their families and neighbors
in the states from which they came, giving information of
their health and physical surroundings and the assurance
that the rigors and deprivations of frontier life were fast
passing away. They could hurry the imigrants that were
awaiting their reports of their new Mississippi homes with the
encouraging facts of a healthy cUmate and fertUe and well
watered lands. Weekly steamboats brought provisions,

39
agricultural implements, machinery, and house-hold comforts
of every description. Nothing was now wanting but an
industrious population to build houses, clear lands and by
their toil reap rich harvests for home consumption and the
markets of the world. The result was the immigrants came
in great numbers with their families, slaves, and horses. The
country filled up with great rapidity and the towns received
their share of the incoming tide. Merchants, carpenters,
blacksmiths, steamboatmen, doctors, preachers, and school
teachers made headquarters at Columbus. Nor was this all;
assured of comfort and success, the young men of Columbus
went to the country and married the farmer's daughters, or
the young women who came with the families of the immigrant
settlers. Homes were established, houses built, log cabins
gave way to frame houses ; everything took on a lively growth
and progress was the order of the day. Columbus was too
salient a point not to receive her share of the best that came.
In a few years her population doubled, and continued steadily
to increase until the end of the decade.
Among the men of mark and character who settled in
Columbus in the twenties and who made Columbus their
place of residence for life or a long period of years, the writer
recalls Gideon, Garland, and Grant Lincecum, three brothers
who had lived for years among the Choctaws, as traders or
agents or interpreters, and settled in Columbus about 1820.
Gideon Lincecum was the first postmaster in Columbus, and
with this office and merchandise as a pursuit, he lived here
for a number of years. He studied medicine, and in this
profession his career was so unique and original, that mention
thereof will be made in the chapter on professions. His
father lived on a farm on the bank of the river near Champagne
and Brandywine springs, four miles above Columbus. Gar
land Lincecum was a well remembered and strange historic
character. In personal appearance he looked in every par
ticular like an Indian, except that he was white. His hair
and eyes were as black as a raven's wing, and long black
hairs grew from his prominent cheek bones, the rest of his
face being bare. He generally wore the Indian dress in whole
or in part. His leather hunting shirt, fringed, beaded and
tasseled, and his leggings and moccasins were a marvel to the

40
Columbus boys. He was for many years the proprietor of
the Columbus ferry and with his Choctaw assistants ferried
over the missionaries, traders, and travelers going to Jackson,
on the State road. His last home was on the bluff of the
river occupied by the steam sawmill, owned by Mr. C. W.
Mills and just above the cold spring that gushes so abundantly
from the bluff below. But Garland Lincecum was too much
of a pioneer to remain among the refinements and restraints
of civilized life. He tired of steamboats and steam mills
and church bells and perhaps of the hordes of Columbus boys
who selected for their "wash-hole," the rocky shoal in the
river opposite his home and from which his Indian warwhoop,
nor horrid Choctaw oaths, nor threats of his old flint-lock
rifle could drive away. For eighty years the boys' preemption
has held good; the "wash-hole" is still an institution as well
as a historic land mark of old Columbus. All this was too
much for him and with his dog and gun, he went to the farthest
frontier of Texas and died there.
Major William Dowsing came to Columbus in 1822 from
Georgia with his five older children and made it his home for
life. He first built a hotel or tavern on the northwest corner
of Main and Market Streets and continued in this business
for many years, perhaps during the entire decade. As soon
as Lowndes county was organized in 1830 and Columbus
became the county seat, we find him entering pubHc life. He
was the first clerk of the circuit court and soon after became
register in the goverment land ofifice. This position he held
for many years until his death. He built him a home on the
Highlands, on the site now occupied by the residence of Judge
Foote and also lived in the country, two miles from town,
upon the farm now owned by Mr. Jacobs. Unlike any of
the characters heretofore described, Major Dowsing was of
unusually fine personal appearance. His face was formed
in the finest artistic mould; his countenance was placid and
sweet; his voice was soft and musical. When in advanced
life, his white locks fell in beautiful ringlets on his shoulders,
he was a picture of an aged bishop or saintly apostle. He
was as pious and good as his features indicated. He was
pre-eminently the father of Methodism in Columbus. He
was among the first members ; the first Sunday School super-

41
intendent, and the first class leader. His house was the home
and resting place of the pioneer Methodist preachers. He
had four sons and seven daughters. His daughters were
distinguished for their personal beauty and elegance of man
ners. They all married prominent citizens of the town and
state. His second daughter, Mary, married L. Chevis, Esq.,
a prominent lawyer of Columbus and afterwards of Grenada.
Mrs. Early, wife of the late Dr. Early of Columbus, represents
this branch of the Dowsing family. His daughter Caroline
married B. G. Hendricks, of Columbus, parents of Mrs. Capt.
Flood of this city.
Rev. George Shaeffer, wheni a youth, sixteen years of
age, came from Mobile to Columbus in 1822. Merchandise
was his first pursuit in life and he served with success as a
salesman with some of the earliest Columbus merchants.
He afterwards became the partner of Chas. H. Abert and
enjoyed a large and lucrative business at the corner opposite
the Gilmer hotel still known as Abert's corner. After his
marriage with Miss Clarissa Barry, he built him a story and
a half log home on the fraction of the square now occupied
by the Baptist church. This log house was afterwards used
as the pastor's study of the Rev. John Armstrong, the first
pastor of the Babtist church and, subsequently was well
known as the school house of Miss Maria Morse. In 1832 he
professed religion and joined the Methodist church. In 1834;
he became a preacher of the gospel and joined the Alabama
Conference, whose jurisdiction extended over that part of
the state east of the Tombigbee River. As a circuit preacher
and presiding elder, he preached in every Methodist church
from Eutaw, Ala., to Cotton Gin Port, Miss., and was one of
the most successful preachers and revivalists of his day. After
he began preaching, he moved his family to a residence on
the Highlands still known by his name. He was a man of
good academic education and of distinguished piety; was a
clear, thoughtful, and instructive preacher and acceptable
and useful in any charge to which he was sent. He had four
sons and three daughters. Two of his sons, George and
Robert, became Methodist preachers. George died in Arkan
sas. Robert is still preaching in Missouri. Dr. Brett Shaeffer
is a successful farmer in Texas, Chas A. Shaeffer is a merchant

42
in Missouri. His daughter Eliza married W. H. O'Neal, a
prominent architect in Columbus. Mary married Hon.
Stephen A. Brown, and her two preacher sons, R. O. Brown
and S. A. Brown, members ofthe North Mississippi Conference,
and her two daughters, Mrs. Mary Tate and Mrs. Fannie
Beale, and her invalid son George, all claim Columbus as
their home. The youngest daughter, Rebecca, married Mr.
Wilbur Vaughn, son of George W. Vaughn, who at the time
of his death a few years ago, was the oldest native inhabitant
of Lowndes county.
Rev. George Shaeffer is the historian of old Columbus.
All the earliest historical records, from their similarity in
diction and selection of facts and names of early citizens
indicate their authorship in him. He was very fond of his
pen, wrote numerous articles for the newspapers, secular and
religious, and prepared an auto-biography, the manuscript
of which has been misplaced or lost, an accident much to
be deplored, as it necessarily contained a more detailed ac
count of Columbus and Lowndes county than any we now
have. Capt. Chas. H. Abert was a prominent citizen of Columbus
from the date of his immigration in 1826, until his death. He
brought to Mississippi a stock of goods from Baltimore, and
opened them in old Hamilton, the county seat of Monroe,
then a village of five or six hundred inhabitants. He sold
out this stock of goods and moved to Columbus, where he
resumed his business as a merchant and continued in this
occupation in some form during his entire life. One of the
old day books made by the firm of Abert & Shaeffer in 1832,
still exists and by it a number of dates in these chapters have
been verified. During the latter part of his life he was a
prominent commission merchant, with winter quarters in
Mobile, Alabama. He was the first captain of the Columbus
Riflemen, organized in 1837 and continued in that ofifice
until 1861. Capt. Abert was distinguished for his soldierly
bearing, polite manners, and in every way exhibited the
characteristics of a Virginia gentleman. His early and only
residence in Columbus was opposite the Gilmer hotel, and he
built and occupied for many years the store-house on the
comer. He became master of Columbus Lodge No. 5, held

43
that office for many years and was regarded as one of the
brightest masons in Columbus. He had several sons and
daughters, only one of whom still lives. His oldest son. Col.
George W. Abert, may be seen daily on our streets, a prominent
cotton buyer and the oldest native living inhabitant of Colum
bus. Col. Abert was colonel of the 14th Mississippi regiment
during the Civil war.
Rev. David Wright was for several years connected
with the Mayhew mission to the Choctaws. During this
period, his only daughter, Mrs. Laura Wright Eager, was
born. He resigned his position as missionary, and came to
Columbus in 1826, where he was engaged as a teacher and
pastor. He was principal of the Franklin Academy in 1832.
He established the Columbus Female Seminary in thq old
brick masonic hall in 1833, and was for several years its prin
cipal, assisted by Misses Axcell and Bray in which school
very many of the early Columbus girls received in whole or
in part their education. He was the pastor of the first organ
ized Presbyterian church in 1832, which held its services in
the masonic hall, and continued as such until the first church
building was erected by that denomination in 1837. His
second wife was the widow of Dr. B. C. Barry and sister of
Capt. Charles H. Abert. By this marriage he had an only
gon, Capt. William Wright who married the daughter of Prof.
Henry Tutwiler of Alabama. He was a distinguished edu
cator in several of the Southem states. Mrs. Laura Wright
Eager is well known in Columbus as one of the most successful
and universally beloved teachers, who has ever resided in
this city. She was educated in the celebrated Mount Holyoke
Seminary in Massachusetts and prepared herself for the pro
fession of teaching. After graduation she returned to her
Southern home and was employed as a teacher in Macon, Miss. ,
and in Columbus. She was a teacher in the Columbus Female
Institute, was principal of a large private school of her own
establishment, and closed her career with twenty or more
years service as female principal of the Franklin Academy.
As a tribute to her marked ability and affectionate memory^

44
a marble tablet with appropriate inscription, has been affixed
in a prominent place in that nstitution.
Mrs. Lizzie Eager Harris, wife of Gid D. Harris repre
sents the family of the Reverend David Wright in this city
at this, the beginning of the twentieth century.

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45

CHAPTER VI.
LAST YEARS IN OLD MONROE— FAREWELL TO THE LOG
CABINS.
Among the prominent citizens who crowded into the
little town of Columbus during the last years of its first decade
were Hardy Stevens, W. H. Craven, T. M. Tucker, J. F. Trot
ter, B. L. Hatch, Dr. John Hand, J. J. Humphries, George
Goode, and Joseph Bryant.
Hardy Stevens, after several changes, settled at the
place, known for so many years as his family home, on the
south end of Market Street. He was a man distinguished
for his industrious habits, spotless honor, and unimpeachable
integrity. If a good name is an inheritance to children his
sons received a large fortune from their father. He was
universally popular and received municipal and county
tributes to the value of his judgment and services. As
president of the board of supervisors, his watchfulness kept
the county funds well supervised and although hundreds
of thousands of dollars passed through his hands not a single
dollar was misplaced or unaccounted for. During his term
of ofifice, the present iron bridge over the river was built.
Three sons survive him, Joseph H. Stevens, who served half
a life time in official position at the court house, and served
for years with the Columbus Riflemen in peace and amid the
shot and shell of the Civil War, the skirmishes of which far
exceeded in danger and results the big battles in South Africa
and the PhUippines. He is now a successful merchant on
Main Street, a Mason, a Christian, and a gentleman.
Jas. A. Stevens was a journalist of state reputation as
editor and proprietor of The Columbus I-ndex, and he still
follows his chosen calling in Burnett, Texas.
John Stevens, of West Point, keeps up the family good
name, and has had lucrative official positions in the court
house and in the counting rooms of that city.
Maj. W. H. Craven, a name reserved for special mention
as a citizen of Columbus, he having previously settled a farm
in the country six miles below town. One historian claims

46
that he settled the first farm and brought the first cotton gin
to the county (Gibbs) . He sold his farm to Capt. Kit Adams,
a citizen of Columbus and thus exchanged places with him.
His name was a household word in the early days of the town
and county and he was the true and trusted friend of all the
noble pioneers heretofore mentioned in these chapters. He
settled the Craven homestead now occupied by Mrs. Estes.
He married Mrs. Hampton with Henry Hampton, Esq., as
his stepson, who afterward married Miss Martha Dowsing
and moved to another part of the State. His only son and
namesake W. H. Craven, Jr., was educated at Yale College
with Col. W. S. Barry and died soon after his retum home.
His only daughter married Hon. Henry Dickinson, one of
the earliest members of the Columbus bar and who reached
the high position of state chancellor. Judge Dickinson's
second wife was Miss McGavock, of Nashville, Tenn., and
with him she occupied for years the Craven home. His wife
was a woman of the finest social and literary culture and her
parlors and drawing room were often the scene of the highest
types of social functions and domestic life. The Hon. Jacob
McGavock Dickinson, a distinguished lawyer, of Nashville,
Tenn., and attorney in chief of the great Illinois Central rail
road plant, their son was bom in Columbus, and in a recent
visit greatly enjoyed a ramble among the haunts of his boy
hood and re-association with his old friends and playmates.
[Hon. J. McG. Dickinson was made Secretary of War in
President Taft's Cabinet, March, 1909.]
J. J. Humphries did not, like many of the early pioneers
come to Mississippi alone, but with a brave heart and abound
ing hope, brought with him his large family of six sons and
two daughters, and selected Columbus as his family home
and the scene of his earliest labor. For about seventy-five
years the name of Humphries has been connected with the
industrial, social, commercial, and political life of Columbus.
Mr. J. J. Humphries first settled in a double log cabin, situated
on the comer of Main and Market Streets, near the end and
rear of the great store erected in part by his son and grand-son,
and now known as the store of W. C. Beard. He afterwards
removed and built his home on the site of the residence of
his grand-daughter, Mrs. MoUie Tucker. He lived to a good

47
old age and died with the consciousness that he had never
spent an idle day or eaten an ounce of unearned bread.
The oldest son. Dr. W. W. Humphries, received a col
legiate education and prepared himself for a doctor of medi
cine, but chafing under the close confinement and slow pe
cuniary profits of his profession, he abandoned it for the field
of commerce and trade; and soon, by his operations in land
and bank stocks, accumulated a handsome fortune. He
suffered seriously from the failure of the Real Estate Bank
in Columbus, but in time recovered his losses, and but for
the devastating sweep of the Confederate war, would have
closed his life a man of large fortune. His son, Capt. W. W.
Humphries, represents his father's intellect and energy; and
in the army, at the bar, on the forum and legislative floor
wherever, his native town and state has needed a man to
defend their honor and advance their interest, he has been
ever ready to expend his money, time and talents in their
behalf. Mr. Abram S. Humphries was by nature and choice a
merchant and a financier and knew by intuition the theory
and art of "making one dollar make another." He passed
through all the changes of clerk, country merchant, wholesale
dealer in town and in city and demonstrated in counting
rooms and in banks that nature made no mistake in fitting
him for a man of affairs. He was a partner in that great
mercantile firm of Cozart, Humphries & Billups in Columbus
and Humphries, Walsh & Co., in Mobile, Ala. He was a
charter member of the Columbus Insurance & Banking Co.
and a director of the Mobile & Ohio railroad. But for the
Confederate war he would have been one of the wealthiest
citizens of north Mississippi. Like his brother, with a prudent
forethought and wisdom, he felt that there would come a
time when the whirl of progress and activities of trade would
be too much for his declining years, so he invested largely
in prairie lands and negroes, feeling that in them was the
surest safety and the most enduring comfort. A rich Mis
sissippi plantation was the dream and objective point in the
ambition of Mississippi's industrious and enterprising citizens.
Col. W. D. Humphries is the oldest son of Mr. Abram
S, Humphries and he reveres the character and memory of

48
his father and grand-father with almost idolatrous devotion.
Facts, incidents, and places in the history of his native town
form many bright pages in his life book. He loves Columbus
with a true heart, fervently. No wonder the cares, anxieties,
and labors of the past four years spent as its chief magistrate
were to him years of pleasant duty and great success. As
mayor of the city, he supervised the establishment of a com
plete water and sewerage system, equal to any in any Southern
town, and leaves it altogether an up-to-date 20th century
municipality. Merchandise was for a time his occupation,
but he soon changed measures of cloth for acres of land and
became a prairie planter on a large scale. He can tell all
the possibilities and impossibilities of free negro labor, and
is a well educated experienced patron of husbandry. When
he dies Columbus will lose one of her most valuable and oldest
native citizens. Jefferson Humphries was the youngest son
of J. J. Humphries. His name is written here with all the
sentiment and sacred memory which a boy feels for his first
school teacher. In 1835, Mr. Abram Maer was principal
and Jefferson Humphries assistant in the old Franklin Acad
emy, and here this writer leamed to read, spell, and write.
The obituary of Jefferson Humphries is before us and all its
high tributes of praise of his mind and character accord with
our boyish memory. He was a scholar and a gentleman, and at
twenty-three years of age died in all the triumphs of the Chris
tian faith. With joy and thanksgiving we close these tri
butes to the old pioneers of Columbus, with the blood stained
banner of Jesus Christ waving in triumph over them.
FAREWELL TO THE LOG CABINS.
Up to 1830 more than one-half of all the houses built
in Columbus were made of logs. Log houses have always
been the attendant of pioneer and rural life. But a town
twelve years old with six or seven hundred inhabitants, half
of them living in log houses, is an anomaly in civilization.
The reason was obvious. The supply of carpenter's tools
and saw mills was extremely scant, while the material for
logs was abundant and near at hand. Great brakes of tall
straight cypress trees came well up into the outskirts of the
town. The country abounded in majestic pines and wide

HOX. J. MfG DICKINSON.

4,S

49
spreading oaks. The whipsaw in the hands of strong men
and the broad axe could soon convert these straight cypress
into well hewed square logs, very suitable for the erection
of a convenient house. These hewed log houses were either
single or double, one and a half stories high, thus doubling
their room capacity with piazza running the length of the
whole house in front. When the writer of these chapters
arrived with his parents in Columbus, February, 1832, one
of these single log houses was his first home, located on the
corner of Main and Caledonia Streets where the Dashiell
residence now stands. Just across the street on the right
W. L. Clarke lived in a double log house. On the left, where
the Methodist church now stands, was the log residence of
Robert D. Haden. Directly in front, across Main Street
where Dr. Brownrigg lives, Mr. BeviU occupied a single log
house. Going to the old brick Methodist church east of Con
cert Hall, you pass on Mr. W. Burt's comer the double log house
of W. P. Puller. Opposite this house, on the Baptist chui'ch
square, was a single log house, the home of George Shaeffer, of
the firm of Abert and Shaeffer. In easy sight was the single
log house of Alexander Gray and the double log house of
Henry Clifton, which a few years afterward was the home of
Mrs. Ann Campbell Franklin, stUl living and able to prepare
a well written and accurate history of the Baptist church.
Log houses occupied most of the fine building sites in
the limits of the little village. But the edict was issued that
the broad axe and the whipsaw and their accompaniment,
the flint rock rifle, must go. Economy, style, and fashion
demanded it, and no log house was built in Columbus after
1830, except the county jail, built of heavy cypress Jogs with
log floors and log ceiling, small windows and doors protected
by iron grating. This jaU was located on the northwest
comer of the present court house lot. When the descendants
of these pioneers wish to know the origin of the adages, "Hew
to the line," "Pick your flint," "A flash in the pan," the log
cabin era of Columbus can furnish an answer. Farewell to
the log houses of old Columbus; homes that were never full,
tables that were never empty; houses which fathers and
mothers and friends with overflowing love made happy homes
for old Columbus boys. 4

50

CHAPTER VII.
FACTS AND INCIDENTS OF THE EARLY HISTORY OF
LOWNDES COUNTY NOT HERETOFORE
MENTIONED.
This chapter is largely made up of facts arid incidents
taken from a contribution to The Columbus I-ndex (1878),
by Col. W. E. Gibbs, an old citizen of Columbus, well quali
fied to furnish information and make a correct statement of
the facts. His record is as worthy of credence as any hereto
fore examined. The only copy of his contribution is in a
scrap book prepared by Miss Lizzie Blair, one of our oldest
and most highly esteemed lady citizens, and to her we are
thankfully Indebted for the use of her scrap book. Tbese
extracts will relate especially to the county and are published
for the benefit of our country citizens. The first settler in
Lowndes county is reported to have been a man named Mhoon,
who settled five miles above Columbus on the Militaiy road.
He and his family were returning from New Orleans with
Jackson's troops when his son was taken sick with the measles
and could go no farther. The family stopped and after a
long time the boy recovered. The family concluded to re
main, and made a crop, and being much pleased settled per
manently. Silas McBee, an old citizen of 1817 stated that
he bought his first seed com from Mhoon.
The first horse mill in the county was owned by Joseph
Perkins, who settled the old Thos. H. Woods place. Cus
tomers c^me fifty miles to his mill for meal.
Judge Thos. O. Sampson paid Cooper and Wheat six
dollars per acre for his home place. Titus Howard settled
on the place now known as the Oaks in 1821, and from him
Howard's creek took its name. He sold the place to Judge
Perkins. Capt. WilHam Neilson settled Belmont in 1822. Capt.
E. B. Randolph settled the Goshen place in 1825. Between
the section of the country on which these settlements are
located and Columbus, was a broken and howling wilderness,
infested with great numbers of wolves, from which the wolf

W. ll. GIBBS.

51
road took its name. Capt. William Neilson assisted in opening
the Wolf road. The public road from Old HamUton, the
county seat of Monroe county, to Columbus, crossed the
Buttahatchie at Ringo's ferry, thence by Goshen and Belmont
and out by the Oaks to the Military road and on to Columbus,
a distance of twenty miles, now accomplished in about four
teen. Robert Shotwell settled the Dr. Fumess place owned
subsequently by George W. Vaughn. This house was the
the only frame house from Hamilton to Columbus.
Old Mr. Jimmy Vaughn, grandfather of G. W. Vaughn,
settled the place near Vaughn church, where David John
Ussery now lives. His son, John Vaughn, settled the Alf
Perkins place. He owned the first water mill in that sec
tion of the county. It was located on Cooper's creek, near
the residence of Dr. R. K. Lee. George McCown settled the
place now known as the Robert Harris place in 1820, and his
son, John McCown, settled the Thos. Kidd place, now owned
by W. A. Harris.
Robert Hawkins put up the first mill on Yellow Creek,
known as Kidd's mill. He settled the Wiggins place on the
Seed-tick road and then moved to the Bob Swanzy place.
Ira L. Wheat settled and made some improvements on Glory
Hill above Judge Sampson's place, and sold it to Abram
Groves, father of R. M. Groves, for a pony.
Uncle Tommy Smith, oldest man in the county (1878)
settled the place on which he now lives. Cooper, father-in-
law of Tommy Smith, settled the State line place.
The land on which the village of Caledonia is situated
was entered by Uncle Billy Gallagher, and afterwards settled
on and improved by Captain Robert Dowdle. The first
store in Caledonia was kept by George Fry, who afterwards
became the senior member of the firm of Fry, Bliss, & Com
pany, of Mobile, Ala. It was Mr. Fry who brought to Cale
donia the seed of the famous Rodden apple. Robert Dowdle,
W. G. Wright, and Thomas Wiggins established the Caledonia
bank, a bank of issue. Mr. Warren Gardner, our present
county treasurer (1901) has in his possession one of the notes
of this bank.
El Bethel, primitive Baptist church was the first church
built in this section. It was organized by Rev. Henry Petty

52
and others in 1823. Unity church (Presbyterian) was built
of hewn logs in 1828, where the present building now stands,
by a man named Furr, who was paid by neighborhood con
tributors. Andrew Egger, Sr., settled the place now occupied by
Billy Egger. Giles McElroy, a famous bear hunter, grand
father of J. W. McElroy, of Columbus, settled the place now
owned by Mrs. M. E. Kennon. In those days bears were as
abundant in Buttahatchie bottoms as hogs are now. The
whole bottom was a vast cane brake. The citizens were
forced to keep their calves and pigs confined in pens near
their dwellings and with that precaution could raise but few;
Mr. McElroy kept a pack of savage cur dogs and the dog
that failed to wade in when Bruin was brought to bay
never saw home again. But if he fought, his master, who was
a powerful man, dispatched the bear with his knife and carried
his wounded dog in his arms.
In 1820, John Egger, known as "Shot-gun John," settled
the place that Aunt Savilla Egger now lives on. "Shot-gun
John" held crab grass in about the same favor the people of
the present do cocoa, or nut grass. It is said of him that
he was accustomed to pick the grass seed from the teeth of
his horse and to wash his horses feet upon reaching home
when he had reason to believe he had fed on it or had been
where it existed. W. E. Egger, Sr., father of Uncle Billy
Egger, who died a short time since, settled the place that
Dexter Andy Egger now lives on.
Dan Seale sold his place to L. M. Hatch (of Columbus)
and there Marcellus W Hatch, of Hatch's corner, was born.
Sandy Mayo, father to Dr. Thomas Mayo, of Columbus,
settled on the Wolf road, at present the residence of Dr. Tho
mas. He bought and improved the George Givins MUl, the
first mill on Buttahatchie.
Jacob Swofford settled the Witt place now owned and
occupied by Henry Barrentine. It is said John Swofford
introduced crab grass into the country, having brought the
seed from Tennessee. WiUiam G. Wright, Robert Murphey,
and his son-in-law, Andy Dowdle, built the first miU where
Shedd and Nichols' mUl now stands.

53
"Old Granny" Roden, her son James, and two daughters
were probably the first settlers in the Caledonia neighborhood.
They settled the old place adjoining the farm of "Aunt Becky"
Egger. "Granny" Roden invariably wore a man's shirt and
hat, and was held -in awe by all the youngsters of her day.
A threat to hand them over to "Granny" Roden never failed
to receive obedience.
Mrs. Gaston, the mother of Elihu Scott, J. N. and J. T.
Gaston, settled the place owned by James Conn.
In 1818, David Alsop settled the place on which Andrew
Stephenson lives. John Stephenson, the father of Robert,
Abe, and Dan Stephenson, settled the place on which their
mother now lives.
Uncle Billy Verner in 1817 settled the place on which
Ed Hutchinson now lives. James SuUivan, brother-in-law
of Maj. Richard Barry, settled the Shields farm.
Nearly all the Caledonia neighborhood described was
pre-empted by the settlers named prior to the land sales at
Tuscaloosa, whereby several were entered out.
The following facts will interest the citizens of the eastem
part of the county: Silas McBee, who settled the farm at
the mouth of McBee creek in 1817, was the father-in-law
of Thomas Sampson, Bartlett Sims, Thos. H. Williams and
Tilghman M. Tucker.
The upper Tuscaloosa road was opened in 1822.
Conrad Hackleman settled the Barksdale, or Mills place,
hence the name of the slough running by it, Hackleman
slough. Thomas Cooper, father of Cincinatus Cooper, settled
the Dr. Ervin place.
About 1826 or 1827, a large number of immigrants moved
into the section between the Luxapalila and Yellow creeks.
They were generally Methodists, and in 1828 organized the
first Methodist church in Lowndes county known as Piney
Grove church. Tabernacle (Methodist) church, situated
near by on the Alabama line, was also organized in 1828,
and made this section the stronghold of Methodism in the
early history of the county. These two church buildings
and societies antedated the Columbus Methodist Church about
four years. The following local preachers assisted in the
organization of Piney Grove cburch; Revs. John Booth,

54
(afterwards a dentist in Columbus,) Reuben and Elijah San
ders, Roddy Smith, Stephen McReynolds, WilHam Belk,
Felix Wood and Stephen Tunnell. The charter members
were Revs. Reuben and Elijah Sanders, Absalom Sims, Mr.
Brewton, Washington Gray, Roddy Smith and his son-in-law.
Rev. Martin Sims, "Uncle Martin," and their families. Rev.
Mr. Gray was Capt. Flood's uncle. His mother, Jane Flood,
and her sister, Victoria Gray, were also charter members.
In 1832, Rev. Felix Wood brought with him into this
section a large number of irnmigrants, among whom were
the Tunnells, Belks, Dukes, Fosters, Harrells, Boswells, Mitch
ells, Sparks, Wrights, Tennysons, Lusks, Stidhams, Arnolds,
Lyons, McGowans, Fords, Skinners, and Youngs, and 1834
and 35 came the Bucks, Philips, Lesters, Harringtons, and
Aaron C. Bangs.
Friendship Church and camp ground and Pleasant Grove
(Vaughn's Church) and camp ground were organized about
1838, and were the outgrowths of the Piney Grove church.
At Vaughn's camp ground. Judge Thomas A. Sampson, Capt.
Wm. Neilson, and Capt. E. B. Randolph were converted
and joined the Methodist church at that place. Capt. Wm.
Neilson. was buried at Vaughn's burying ground.
THE FOLLOWING FACTS ARE FOR THE SOUTHERN
PORTION OF THE COUNTY.
John Mullen, father of John M. and Perry, settled the
Townsend or Early Hendricks place. James Bosweil, father
of Ira M. Bosweil, about 1820, settled the place adjoining.
A man named McCrory settled near the Blue Springs near the
mouth of the creak that bears his name. Samuel WiUlesford

Capt. Neilson and Capt. Randolph were old army men between
whom a warm friendship existed. Early one morning it was reported
to Capt, Neilson that some of his cattle were missing. Without waiting
to get on his coat and hat he hastened to the cattle pen where he saw
indications of Indian depredations. Following the trail for some miles
into the deep woods his attention was arrested by voices singing.
Drawing nearer he came upon a board shelter where the Rev. George
Shaeffer was earnestly exhorting sinners to repentence. Seeing Capt.
Randolph respond to the invitation for prayers, Capt. Neilson, with
out a moments hesitation, followed his friend and as he gave his hand
to the preacher he said; "What's good for Ned Randolph is good for
me" — a beautiful example this of true friendship. — Editor.

.::f™

^^^^^'

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V
1^

'if "- 'I,

^» '"t '* .4 -?

:'fl

^i ;¦¦¦•- , :,
« 1
¦-. '-: ¦ '¦-.¦ '
l»
-H
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM BALDWIN, ESQ,
? \
55
father of Lawson, settled a farm and kept a ferry across the
LuxappalUa just above the Ben Taylor fish trap. Gustavus
Hendricks, father of Early Hendricks, settled in the same neigh
borhood and was murdered by two of his slaves, George and
Squire, who were hanged near Columbus on the PickensvUle
road. These were the first public executions in Lowndes county.
Samuel Little and Comelius Snider settled near the Lott Laws
or StaUings place and built the old miU which stood beyond the
Huddleston Ford. The Spruills settled near Concord Meiho-
dist church, and afterwards moved to Pickens county, Ala.,
on McBee creek near Tabernacle church. A man named
Young, a blacksmith, settled NashviUe and the bluff was
then called by his name. This bluff became quite an import
ant shipping and trading point. Some northem merchants
settled there and brought out larger stocks of goods than
any that were in Columbus, and NashviUe was looked upon
as a prospective rival, but very high and frequent overflows
caused its abandonment. A ferry is still continued in that
place. The ridge between the NashvUle and PickensvUle roads
on which many of the earUest farms were located, was called
the "Mulatto ridge" from the color of the soil. Abner Nash
settled the Dr. Craddock place.
John McClanahan, grand-father of W. D. Humphries,
settled the Eubanks place near Choctaw Springs.
James Brownlee settled on the big hill north of Ellis
Creek, on the PickensvUle road, and his son, John Brownlee,
the place now owned by R. B. EUis. Micajah Brooks, father
of Madison, Matthew, Thomas, and Mrs. Charles Basker\dlle
settled the Sparks place.
Prior to 1S37, on the Tuscaloosa road, at the place where
Blewett's bridge was built, a ferry was established by Tapley
Oldham and Kincaid, which was the principal crossing over
the Luxapalila. The Old Zion church was organized in 1S23
and held its first meetings in the Zion school house, taught
by WUliam Nash. The membership afterwards built a church,
which became a center of Baptist influence and had a member
ship which occupied the adjoining territory in Lowndes and
Pickens counties. In 1825, their membership amounted to
300 or 400.

56
Revs. Henry Petty and William Cook were the first
presb5d;ers or pastors. The Rev. Henry Petty was a man
of strong character and great ability. He was the leading
spirit of the Baptist churches in this part of the State. He
was the grandfather of Mrs. Moses B. Smith and great grand
father of Mrs. James Irion and Mrs. Nellie Blair. The original
records of this church are still extant and from them these
data were taken.
The Concord Methodist church at a later date was organ
ized by the Seals, Jordans, and others. The Seal camp ground
held its first meeting in 1840.

57

CHAPTER VIII.
1830— LOWNDES COUNTY ORGANIZED— COLUMBUS THE
THE COUNTY SITE— EARLY FACTS— LAND SALES.
In January 1830, Lowndes county was organized out
of the southem portion of Monroe county, south of the Butta
hatchie and east of the Tombigbee rivers. The following
citizens were appointed commissioners to select a county
site: Samuel Lauderdale, WiUiam H. Craven, Chas. H. Abert,
George Goode, Titus Howard, Edward B. Randolph, and
Henry Greer, Sr. This same act provided that the courts
of the county should be held in Columbus untU a court house
should be erected. Without any recorded opposition, Colum
bus was chosen as the county site.
In October, 1831, a commission elected to locate the
public buUdings of the county at the county site, was com
posed of the following persons: Thomas Sampson, Richard
Barry, Samuel D. Lauderdale, John Mullen and William W.
NeUson, who contracted with Robert D. Haden, president,
and George Shaeffer, secretary of the board of selectmen
of the town of Columbus for lots 1 and 2, square No. 8 north
of Main Street for a site for the court house, jail, etc. This
square had been reserved in the original survey as a public
square. The conditions of the contract was that the ground
should be free from all rent or lease as long as the county
used it for the specified purposes. The original deed or con
veyance is stiU in existence and is the property of Hon. James
C. Neilson, son of WiUiam W. NeUson, one of the commis
sioners. The first court house was built in 1832, by a county tax
and a subscription by the citizens of Columbus, as the town
was not subject to a tax of any kind. This latter fact appears
in the books of Abert and Shaeffer, merchants of Columbus
in 1832, in which an entry occurs, paying a subscription of
$25 each for building the court house. This book is stiU
extant and is a good guide to the names of citizens and other
facts in the history of Columbus at that time. The book
5

58
is the property of Col. George W. Abert, son of Charles H.
Abert, member of the firm of Abert and Shaeffer.
The first officers in Lowndes county were : Nimrod Davis,
sheriff; William Dowsing, circuit clerk; Robert D. Haden,
probate clerk; Thomas 0. Sampson, probate judge; Isaac
R. Nicholson, circuit judge. The first probate court was
held in February, 1830, in the house of Joseph Bryan, on the
southwest corner of Main and Franklin Streets. The first
circuit court was held the second Monday in May 1830, in
a store house where the Columbus Clothing store now stands,
1901. The lawyers in attendance at this court were : Stephen
Cocke, J. F. Trotter and T. M. Tucker. The records of the
circuit court of Lowndes county are in a good state of preser
vation from 1830 to the present time. The records of the
chancery court are also in a good state of preservation. Deed
book, No. 1 is a transcript of books 1, 2, 3, and 15, from 1832
to 1857. Original land entries are in book No. 12, pages
1 to 96. Deeds transferred from Monroe county to Lowndes
county records are in a special book for that purpose. All
these books have been indexed and an abstract of title can
be easily obtained from the present time back to the original
patent or sale. The writer of these chapters is indebted
to Messrs. Cooper and Moore for much courtesy and assistance.
The first court house was located on the southwest comer
of the present court house square. It was a plain two-story
brick building about forty by sixty feet in dimensions. The
lower story was occupied as a court room, the east half, being
used for court purposes, while the west half was entirely
empty, except a stairway to the offices above. The entrances
were by central doors on the north, south and west. In
1847, the present spacious, commodious, and remarkably
well built structure superseded the old building. It was
erected by James S. Lull, architect.
After 1830, the town of Columbus increased very rapidly
in population, and buildings of every kind. Hotels and board-
Dr. Franklin was born in the city of New York, where, after
graduating from Yale College, and subsequently getting the degree
of M. D., he practiced his profession for a number of years. Failing
health led him to come South. In 1835 he settled in Columbus,
where he established a successful mercantile business, occupying a
part of the site on which the First State Bank now stands. — Editor.

SIDNEY S. FRANKLIN.
(180(i-18.Sfi.)

59
ing. houses, stores of all kinds of merchandise, and shops for
mechanics and artisans were huriedly and rapidly erected.
Public attention, especiaUy in the states of Tennessee, Vir
ginia, North and South Carolina was attracted to -Columbus
on account of its location immediately on the border of the
great Choctaw nation which had just been purchased by the
United States from all the Indians by a treaty in the fall of
1830 at Dancing Rabbit creek. The general govemment
had commenced a survey of these lands and was prosecuting
it with all possible rapidity. That part of the Choctaw nation
immediately west of Columbus was composed of large and
very fertile prairie lands and especially adapted to the growth
of cotton, which had become the leading staple of Southern
production. As soon as the survey was concluded, all the
Choctaw purchase was organized into counties by legislative
enactment, at which time the boundaries of Lowndes county
were very materially enlarged. Beginning at the mouth
of Buttahatchie creek, the northern boundary was extended
west, to the northeast corner of Oktibbeha county, thence
south along its eastern boundary to the northwest comer of
Noxubee county, thence east to the Noxubee line to the Tom
bigbee River, thus doubling its former area. The establish
ment of the land ofifice for the sale of the lands in the Choctaw
purchase, at Columbus, greatly increased its importance and
made it a center of attraction to land speculators and those
wish ng to make settlements thereon.
These land sales being most important events it is deemed
proper to compile, for historical use, a description of these
sales and the circumstances attending them. As soon as
the survey was made and the records satisfactorily deposited
in the offices of the govemment, the president of the United
States issued his proclamation 'appointing the time and place
for the land sales. The land sales were to continue for a
period of two weeks. The number of townships and sections
to be sold were specified definitely in the proclamation of
the president, and the sale was limited to parcels of 1-4 of
a section or 160 acres at each offer. They were offered by
an auctioneer at public outcry to the highest bidder, a speci
fied amount being named as the lowest bid to be received.
In case of the Choctaws this amount was $2.00 per acre. The

60
sales of Choctaw lands occurred in Columbus; Miss., in 1834-6
and were continued for two weeks at each special sale, and
repeated from time to, time as the president's proclamation
directed. It is charged that great frauds were committed
by purchasers or bidders combining not to bid against each
other, although these frauds were forbidden by law under
heavy penalties. Messrs. Buckner, Harris, and Boyd were
respectively the first registers and receivers. Nimrod Davis
of Columbus, former sheriff, was the auctioneer.
These sales were unsatisfactory — ^both to the govemment
and tbe purchaser, or tnose wishing to purchase, on account
of the short time allowed for examination and selection be
tween the survey and the sales. Great advantage was given
to land speculators and those having large sums of money,
in obtaining information from traders and Indian agents
in the location of the best lands. Another drawback was the
reluctance on the part of the Choctaw Indians to leave tlieir
lands, many of them pretending to remain for the purpose
of availing themselves of the homestead offer to the Dancing
Rabbit treaty. It is also charged that the United States
commissioners were intentionally or negligently remiss in
furnishing the Indians opportunities for locating their reser
vations. The Chicksaw land sales occurred at Pontotoc,
Miss., beginning January 1st, 1836. Important differences
existed between the terms of purchase of the Chickasaw and
Choctaw lands by the general govemment. The Choctaw
lands were purchased by the govemment for a stipulated
amount of money payable in annual installments, and very
large reservations of lands allowed to their chiefs and familie's,
as well as a given reservation of land to each Choctaw Indian
wlio desired to remain and become an American citizen.
The Chickasaw lands were sold for the Chickasaw tribes,
the expenses of survey and sale by the United States to be
deducted therefrom.
The influx of land speculators and persons desiring to
examine and purchase these lands began to flow into Columbus
many months before the land sales. The hotels and boarding-
houses were crowded to the utmost limit of their accommo
dation. Rooms and bedsteads were almost unattainable.
A place to eat and room enough on the floor to sleep were the

61

best that could be obtained. The houses of most of the citi
zens were converted into boarding houses, and many com
panies of friends brought with them their own tents and pro
visions.

62

CHAPTER IX.
THE REMOVAL OF THE INDIANS — THE PYTCHLYNS —
EARLY SETTLERS IN LOWNDES COUNTY WEST
OF THE TOMBIGBEE RIVER.
The treaty with the United States govemment required
the Choctaw Indians to move one fourth of their number
during the fall of 183 1-; one fourth during the fall of 1832
and the balance during 1833. Those who lived within the
limits of Lowndes county moved in 1832. The late Mr.
James Prowell Sr., then a youth of about eighteen years of
age, accompanied tnis detachment as far as Memphis, Tenn.,
having charge of his father's wagons which were engaged in
their removal. The cholera was epidemic in Memphis at
that time and hastened his return home. Among the Indians
who remained in Lowndes county, accepting the reservation
of land allowed them by the terms of this treaty, were the
noted family of Pytchlyns. John Pylchlyn Sr., was an En
glishman by birth and began to Uve among the Choctaws
Indians soon after the Revolutionary war. He was for forty
years before the Dancing Rabbit treaty, (1830) an interpreter
for the United States govemment. He resided on the west
side of the Robinson road about four and a half miles from
Columbus, Miss., on the plantation owned by Maj. Richard
T. Brownrigg, father of Dr. John Brownrigg and Mrs. Wad
dell, of this city. Major Brownrigg lived in the house built
and occupied by Maj. Jack Pytchlyn, as he was familiarly
called ; it was a large house of twelve or fourteen rooms, very
GENERAL RICHARD THOMAS BROWNRIGG.
General Brownrigg emmigrated from North Carolina in 1836
from near Edenton and Albermarle Sound. When he arrived in
Mississippi with his family he went to the home he had bought the
year before, on the Robertson Road, five miles from Columbus. This
house, of twelve rooms, had been built by Jack Pytchland, Chief of
the Choctaw Indians. The Indian burying ground was on an elevation
and had been reserved in the sale of the large plantation, but General
Brownrigg kept it in good order as long as he lived. After living on
this plantation for three years, he moved to Columbus, where he built
a large house. He was prominent in his church, the Episcopal, and
was a most enthusiastic Whig. He was respected and loved by all
who knew him and a noted infidel once said of him, "his life is the best

GEN. R. T. BROWNRIGG.

62

63
comfortable, and commanded a fine view of the Robinson
road, and the prairies in front and south. The Pytchlyn
burial ground was situated within the home enclosure, pro
tected by a picket fence, and was kept in repair by Maj. Brown
rigg until he moved to Columbus in 1839. The plantation
is now owned by Mr. Robert Williams. The residence is
all gone and only a few elm trees mark the grave yard. The
reservation of land, about 6000 acres, owned by the Pytchlyn
family, extended from the M. and O. branch railroad, crossing
on both sides of the Robinson road, as far as the present store
of Col. W. D. Humphries. The Pytchlyn family sold all
their land to white settlers prior to 1836.
Maj. Jack Pytchlyn had four sons and several daughters.
He had two sons by his first wife, (a half breed Choctaw)
Peter and Jack, and two by his last, Silas and Thomas. His
second wife was a widow with grown sons. Peter Pytchlyn
lived on the plantation afterward called Longwood, the resi
dence of Hon. Joseph B. Cobb, near Cobb Switch, (the resi
dence of Hon. John W. L. Smith).
Jack Pytchl3rn lived at the family homestead, and in an
altercation at the breakfeast table or at a social gathering
in the neighborhood killed his step-brother with a blow of
his tomahawk. His step-mother was absent from home at
the time; on her retum she avenged the death of her son by
securing the murder of Jack Pytchlyn by persons hired for
that purpose. He was murdered near Old Hamilton or
Cotton Gin Port. Some of the Pytchlyn daughters or grand
daughters were educated at the old Franklin Academy, to
which school they rode every day on their Indian ponies;
others were educated at Nashville, Tenn., and corresponded
with their white friends and neighbors, the elder Prowells
and Canfields with whom they were well acquainted.

proof of the Christian religion that I know." He was a most humane
master and the love between him and his slaves was beautiful.
General Brownrigg was the father of Dr. John Brownrigg, Mrs.
E. B. Waddell (the mother of H. M. Waddell, a man beloved and res
pected by the people of Columbus) . General Brownrigg's two other
sons, Thomas and Richard, also served with distinction in the Confed
erate army. Richard was killed in Louisiana while an officer on Gen
eral Sibley's staff. Another daughter, Sarah, married Chancellor La
fayette Haughton, of Aberdeen, Miss.

64
Peter Pytchlyn, after the sale of his lands in Lowndes
county, moved to the Choctaw Nation west of the Mississippi
River, was for many years representative of that nation in
Washington. Maj. Jack (John Pytchlyn, Sr.), died at his home near
Columbus in the fall of 1835. He was buried, temporarily,
in a field directly in front of the Waverly mansion. His
grave was enclosed for several years by a good brick wall.
His widow paid one or two annual visits to keep the grave
in good repair. After one of the visits the grave had the
appearance of having been opened. The neighbors supposed
that Mrs. Pytchlyn had taken up the remains and carried
them with her to the Nation, especially as she returned no
more. A large oak tree immediately over the grave and a
few scattered brick mark the spot where he was buried.
The funeral was conducted after the manner of the Choc
taws and all his war equipments were deposited with the
coffin. His old war horse was also brought to be killed and
buried in the grave, but Judge Samuel Gholson, of Aberdeen,
who was present, interposed and assured the widow that a
horse suiting his rank would be furnished him by the Great
Spirit in the il^appy Hunting Ground. She consented to spare
his horse. Daniel W. Ragsdale was also present at the funeral.
The temporary interment accounts for the fact of a Choc
taw chief's burial in the Chickasaw territory.
A copy of The Southern Argus, a paper published in Col
umbus, Miss., in 1836, contained a notice conceming the
sale of certain lands in Lowndes county, dated January 14,
1836, and signed by Samuel Garland, executor of John Pytch
lyn, Sr.
Samuel Garland was probably the son-in-law of John
Pytchlyn, and son of J. Garland, a noted Choctaw mentioned
in the Dancing Rabbit Treaty.
After the death of John Pytchlyn, Sr., all the Pytchlyn
famUy moved west to the Choctaw reservation in the Indian
Territory.

COL. GEORGE H. YOUNG.
(1799-1880.)

65
EARLY SETTLERS.
The enlargement of Lowndes county, in 1833, by the
addition of that section of the country west of the Tombigbee
River, included a portion of land north of the Tibbee creek,
about 40,000 acres which belonged to the Chickasaw nation.
These lands came into market in 1835, and were soon regarded
extremely fertile and specially adapted to the growth of
cotton, the rock underlying the soil being at a lower depth,
thus allowing the tap root more easily to descend and obtain
moisture during the summer months in which matured its
crop of fruit.
Lands with a shallow soil were better adapted to the
growth of com which was supported almost entirely by surface
roots and could be made before the summer drouths appeared.
These Chickasaw lands attracted the attention of settlers
from the older states, among whom was Col. George H. Young,
from Georgia, who came out to examine and select lands for
his friends at home. Col. Young soon became acquainted
with their location and merit, and attended the land sales
at Pontotoc in 1835. Gen. Humphries represented the gov
ernment at these sales and Col. Young was made his secretary.
After the sales, he assisted several of the land speculators
in disposing of their purchases and bought for himself five
sections of prarie land from Jones Colbert, a white settler
among the Chickasaws of considerable note. He lived in
the prairies a short distance from West Point. The prairie
was called Colbert prairie after him, as was also the ferry
over 'the Tombigbee river at the county line. Col. Young
first settled on his prarie farm, but afterwards moved to the
bluff on the Tombigbee River then known as Mullen's bluff.
George Hampton Young was born in Oglethorpe county, Geor
gia, December, 1799. He studied at the University — then Franklin
College — of Georgia, subsequently going to Columbia College, New
York, where he received his degree in 1820. He chose law for a pro
fession and practiced it till he came to Mississippi, where his large
planting interest fully occupied him.
He served several terms in the legislatures of Georgia and Missis
sippi. His genial manners and unstinted hospitality drew a constant
stream of visitors to "Waverly,"his country home, where many of the
most distinguished men of the state and nation were entertained. —
Editor. 6

66
He bought out MuUen and Beal and Bigbee, thus making
it a large estate and a permanent home for himself and family.
He called the place "Waverly" and continued his improve
ments until he had made it one of the most beautiful and
noted country residences in northeast Mississippi. His home
mansion was a very large two-story, many roomed house,
equal to the entertainment of his sons and daughters and
their famUies, and his numerous friends. He planted orchards,
had kennels of hunting dogs, fishing boats and erected bath
houses at the artesian well near the house. He built ware
houses, erected a store and a large saw and grist miU, and
operated the ferry; thus making the place assume the ap
pearance of a hansdome village. Col. Young was a prominent
Lowndes county politician and was well acquainted with
men of state and national reputation. He was a prosperous
planter and continued adding to his lands until his estate was
equal to any in the country. After his death his estate passed
into the hands of his family, several of whom Hve in Columbus.
He had six sons. Watt, Valley, Beverly, Thomas, Erskine,
James, and William Lowndes. Maj. Valley and W. L. still
survive and live on their patemal estates. His daught
ers, Mrs. Sue Chambers, Mrs. Georgia Young, and Mrs. J. 0.
Banks live in Columbus at this time and still own large farms
out of the patemal heredity. Mrs. Reuben 0. Reynolds
lives in Aberdeen. The Waverly homestead is the property
of Mr. W. L. Young.
The writer easily recalls the names of many of the early
settlers on the West Point road, and as many of their farrps
became the property of Columbus citizens they deserve men
tion at this place: Fortson settlement, now owned by Dr.
William Burt, of Columbus; G. H. Lee; Gov. Brown and
Thos. Martin, of Tennessee, afterwards bought by Col. Young;
D. W. Wright, afterwards owned by Richard Sykes and his
sons. Col. E. T. Sykes and Dr. Richard Sykes, of Columbus;
Winston, of Mobile, bought by Dr. R. F. Matthews, now
owned by his daughter, Mrs. SuUie Bradford; Gen. Griffin,
bought by C. R. Crusoe, Esq.; Sethe Poole, afterwards owned
by Capt. W. Harris; Lloyd, now owned by Prof. Barrow;
Westbrook, Crump and others.

67
This section of the county in 1871 was set off by legis
lative enactment to Colfax, now Clay county, notwithstanding
the vigorous protest of the citizens of Lowndes. The matter
occupied the attention of two sessions of the legislature, and
was at last concluded by providing that Colfax county should
pay her share of the Lowndes county debt which had become
very large under "carpet bag" rule. Lowndes county lost
by this transaction between 40,000 or 50,000 acres of her
most fertile and valuable lands.
PLYMOUTH.
Four miles below the Waverly bluff was another bluff
which, on account of its ancient traditional importance, was
called by its earliest settlers. Old Plymouth, and was claimed
by some of them to have been the camping ground of DeSoto
in his passage through Mississippi. Many scraps of old ar
mor and pieces of pottery and war implements of Spanish
manufacture were found there and they claim also that it
was a stronghold of defense against the Indians, and a deposit
for munitions of war and provisions for the use of the army
operating in this section of the country. Some claim that
it was fortified by Bienville and that he made it his place
of deposit in nis operations against the Chickasaws and not
Cotton Gin Port, as it is stated in the histories of the State.
Remains of the fortifications existed within the knowledge
of our old settlers, especially that of a large fort inside of the
fortifications, built of large cedar logs, two stories in height
and perforated with port holes above and below for the use
of fire arms by the defendants within. This cedar fort was
taken down by the Canfields who now own Old Plymouth,
and was used to build other houses on the plantation, which
still are in a good state of preservation. Some believe the
fort was built by General Jackson in his operations against
the Creeks and was the base of supplies. Until history makes
a more satisfactory explanation of the old Spanish relics,
stockade fortifications, and cedar forts, our Lowndes county
traditions are as credible as any account yet given.
After the settlement of the Choctaw lands began. Old
Plymouth became a site of considerable importance on ac
count of its facilities for crossing the river at a shallow ford

68
near by, and as a place for the storage and shipmentof cotton.
It was also considered a beautiful spot with its prodigious
growth of large cedars for the location of the homes of the
families of the neighboring settlers. James Prowell, Sr.,
Orlando Canfield, Sr., John Morgan, Sr., and John Cox, Sr.,
built residences there.
The Irbys, BUlingtons, and Mullens erected warehouses
and stores. Richard Evans, Esq., and his brother Dr. Evans,
and Mr. L. M. Hatch also settled there, and in 1836 the town
was incorporated and laid off into squares and streets and
was the prospective rival of West Point just below, and Colum
bus across the river. It became a trading point of importance ;
a great number of bales of cotton were shipped from there
but the place proved so unhealthy and the death rate so great
that it was abandoned. The planters moved to their plan
tations and the merchants and lawyers to Columbus.
Old Plymouth is now a field cultivated by Mr. Orlando
Canfield and despite the superstitions of the negroes, and
the application of the New England query, " Who ate
Roger Williams?" grows abundant crops of com and po
tatoes. The Plymouth prairie was settled by the senior Canfield,
Prowell, Morgan, Hayden, Cox, Swearingen and Speed, and
is still the home of their descendants, families of brave men
and women who are making a noble fight to hold their estates
against all the odds of negro tenants and scarcity of white
associates, schools, and churches.
They are still trying the problem of negro labor and the
agricultural world is looking to these courageous, self-denying
planters for the result of their costly experiments and their
industrious effort to repeat the success of their fathers and
grand-fathers, citizens of whom old Lowndes has reason to
be justly proud.

69

CHAPTER X.
EARLY SETTLERS IN LOWNDES COUNTY WEST OF THE
TOMBIGBEE CONTINUED.
Across the long bridge over Catalpa creek lies what is
known as the Cannon fields, and now cultivated by a company
of German farmers who prefer good, sandy soil and plenty
of wood and water to prairie lands with a scarcity of both.
This large body of land was opened and settled by Hon.
Rasha Cannon and his sons, Col. Wm. R. Cannon and Thos.
E. Cannon, who came from South Carolina in 1833 or 1834
and made their first home in Mississippi in this section of
Lowndes county. After the death of Mr. Rasha Cannon,
the homestead became the property of his younger sons,
Newton and Robert Lowndes Cannon.
Col. William R. Cannon settled first near Tibbee station.
After the death of his first wife he returned to South Carolina
and married Miss Eliza Jane Cannon, a wealthy heiress and
highly educated lady of Darlington district. They brought
with them her large patrimony of negro slaves, and Mrs.
Cannon soon made her Choctaw home a pattern of elegance
and comfort. Flowers, gardens, and home appointments
soon exhibited the taste and refinement of her South Carolina
lineage. After a few years. Col. Cannon bought a large tract of
land in the center of the Mayhew prairie and built for his
family a spacious home colonnaded on three sides, which
commanded a view of all the neighboring farms. This home
was large enough for all his family and his friends, and in
it he dispensed a princely hospitality. He soon became a
leading poHtician in Oktibbeha county,* his home being just
within its limits, and served that county in the legislature
and senate of which body he became president. He was
also a prominent candidate for govemor, being defeated for
the nomination by only a few votes. He moved to Columbus
in 1852, built the residence now occupied by Mrs. E. J. Meek
and died there in 1858.

70
After a number of years Mrs. Cannon married the Hon.
A.B. Meek, of Mobile, Ala. She is still a resident of Columbus
and though infirm in body, in the eighty-second year of her
age, enjoys a vigorous intellect and can look back with pleas
ure on a well spent life, and forward to a longer and more
glorious life in Heaven.
The Hon. Jesse Speight, a distinguished Lowndes county
politician, who served the county in the State Senate and
Mississippi in the United States Senate, lived in the Mayhew
prairie. His son-in-law, Mr. Thos. E. Cannon, lived on an
adjoining farm. Mr. Thos. E. Cannon moved to Columbus
and became a successful merchant of the firm of Simpson,
Cannon and Company. After the war, he moved to Verona,
Miss., and died in- the eighty-sixth year of his age. On the
south side of the Starkville road were Mrs. Sarah Tabb, Mrs.
Amanda Cannon, Mrs. Jane Morrow, and Mrs. Maria Wither
spoon, all of whom, after the death of their husbands, moved
to Columbus. Mrs. Witherspoon afterwards married Mr.
E. B. Mason, and can at this time, with Mrs. Sarah Tabb, give
their octogenarian testimony to the healthfulness of the city,
the home of their adoption. WEST PORT
One mile above Columbus, on the west bank of the Tom
bigbee River, just as soon as the Choctaw lands began to
produce crops of cotton, there sprang up a village called by
its settlers West Port, and built to accommodate the planters
of western Lowndes and the adjacent counties in the shipment
of their cotton and reception of their plantation supplies
to and from Mobile, Ala. They thus avoided the payment
of the ferriage across the river, and had good camping grounds
for their wagons and teams. M. M. Carrington, relative of
Col. John W. Burn, sheriff of Lowndes county in 1835, built
its first store and warehouse. He was followed by Messrs
Hoskins, Brownrigg, Hale and Murdock, Dick Jones, Foster,
Alexander, and others. A town was regularly laid off; good
residences, fine hotel, stores with large stocks of goods, and
immense cotton sheds were erected with all the appointments
of a prospective town. The shipment of cotton reached
30,000 or 40,000 bales annually; but in 1840 a fine bridge was

71
built across the Tombigbee free to all Lowndes county citizens,
which soon divided the storage of cotton and brought thous
ands of bales to the warehouses of Columbus.
The great high water in 1847 deluged the town, swept
off some of its warehouses and destroyed, much of the sandy
bluff on which it was situated. During this flood, the steam
boat Avalanche passed around the west buttress of the bridge
to relieve the West Port and upper Tombigbee sufferers.
This overflow recorded the highest water mark of the Tombig
bee River at Columbus.
In 1861 the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and its branch
to Columbus were completed, and West Port succumbed
to the inevitable and is now a desert of white sand on which
Daniel Davis (colored) with his black-smith shop and little
farm hard by resides, its only occupant.
The first warehouse in Columbus, on the Tombigbee
River, was built on the bluff adjoining Mrs. E. B. Mason's
residence and was owned successively by E. F. Calhoun,
B. Drake, B. S. Long, and others. Another was built mid
way between this warehouse and the present bridge, and
was owned by George Shaeffer, Aikin and Brown, Thomas
March and others; but the high waters soon prevented its
use and it was abandoned. Another warehouse was located
on a foundation dug for the purpose in the bluff just above
the railroad bridge, but was soon destroyed by the high waters.
In 1901, a splendid iron bridge, free to all, spans the
Tombigbee at the foot of Main Street in Columbus, and brick
fire proof warehouses store and ship the cotton of the county,
and large mercantile houses sell supplies to the planters on
both sides of the river. In 1899 the storage of cottpn reached
its highest number, 66,000 bales.
At the foot of the iron bridge begins the old Robinson
road established by the legislature of 1821 from Jackson,
the State capital, to Columbus, Miss., through the Choctaw
Nation for transportation of the mails and the use of the
traveling public. It was probably surveyed and opened by
a man named Robinson, after whom it took its name, and
though it has been changed to some extent it still exists
very nearly as originally laid out. This road is mentioned

72
in the text of the Dancing Rabbit Treaty in 1830, and in the
bill extending the Lowndes county line in 1831.
In 1901 it is still called the Robinson road and extends
in a south western direction through the county, emerging
at its south western comer near Choctaw Agency, an old
United States Agency and trading depot situated in the south
east cornet of Oktibbeha county. On this road lived Maj.
Jack Pytchlyn, in Lowndes county, and David Foison in
Oktibbeha county, two noted Choctaw chiefs.
Among the early settlers on the Robinson road, beginning
one mile from West Port, was Dunstan Banks, who had a store
and a residence, which he afterwards sold Maj. Sparkman.
Large farms were opened north of the Robinson road
in the Pytchlyn prairie by Col. John D. Bibb and Maj. John
Oliver. These farms afterwards became the property of
Charles McClaren and Calvin Perkins. Col. Bibb was the
grand-father of Mrs. Ledyard Vaughn, and Maj. Oliver was
the grand-father of Dr. John Oliver.
On the south side were Thos. Gray, Hezekiah Leigh,
Gen'l. Richard T. Brownrigg, who was the father of Dr. John
Brownrigg, a prominent physician in Columbus, and whose
second son, Capt. R. T. Brownrigg, a gallant officer in the
Confederate army, was killed in the trans-Mississippi service.
His third son, Capt. Tam Brownrigg, was an officer in the
famous battallion of sharp shooters commanded by Col.
W. C. Richards. He died after the war in the state of Texas.
On the Mayhew road were Thos. Short, William Peters,
Rev. William Leigh, Col. Jack Moody, whose farm is now
owned by Mrs. E. J. Meek, and Willis Banks, of Tuscaloosa,
who opened a very large plantation now owned by Col. J. O.
Banks, and Ryland, now owned by the McClary brothers.
Returning to the Robinson road, the foUowing well re
membered names occur: Mottley, Banks, Cobb, Amis, Cole
man, Maer, Williams, Hart, Bell, Whitfield, Randle, Connell,
Winston, Lawrence, Toland, Mims, Tut Peebles, Brothers,
Cook, Melton, Cromwell, and Shular.
Cromwell owned the land on which the station Artesia
is situated. The first settlers and merchants of Artesia were Crump
and Cannon, Perkins, Brothers, and Dismukes.

73
The Gilmer road leaves the Robinson road three miles
from Columbus and runs in a south westerly direction to
Crawford. Among the early settlers on this road were Whit
field, "Daddy Mize," Jimmy Thompson, the Lanier place
first settled by the Mottley's in 1833, who were ousted after
making two crops for not registering; PhUip St George Cocke,
and Col. John Gihner, a historic character who deserves more
than a passing notice. He entered and opened a very large
body of land on this road. He was married twice, his second
wife being a wealthy widow, the mother of Dr. J.J. Gresham,
of West Point. Col. Gilmer was a man, plain in his manners
and frugal in his habits, with a strong, native inteUect and
love of literature, especiaUy of politics and religion. He
early became a Lowndes county politician and before 1840
had served two terms in the state legislature. He was the
author and strenuous advocate of the celebrated Woman's
Law, and secured its passage in 1839. The enactment of
this law made a new era in the civil rights of women and a
epoch in the jurisprudence of Mississippi. By this law a
wife could own separate property from her husband, real
and personal, not subject for his debt nor to his sale or devise,
without her consent, and has continued in force until this
date. The Gilmer road was called after Col. Gilmer. He bought
the stately McLaren mansion, perhaps the finest private
residence in northeast Mississippi, now the residence of Capt.
W. W. Humphries. He died at this place in 1861.
Col. John Gilmer was the largest original stockholder
in the company that built the Gilmer hotel, and this in con
junction with his earnest advocacy of the Woman's Law,
decided its name. He has two daughters now residing in
Columbus, Mrs. Susan McGee and Mrs. M. M. Burke, who
own a large portion of his land estate.
Beyond Col. GUmer's home were HartweU Thomason, Ca
pers Cross, the senior Toland, J. W. L. Smith, Samuel Mc
Gowan, P. G. Thompson, Belton, father of the Rev. John
L. Belton, one of the first missionaries of the Southem Metho
dist church to China in 1853. He died at sea on his way
home to recuperate his health,
7

74
Opposite this farm was located the famous Prairie Hill
camp ground, which continued its annual meetings for a
number of years. Very many of the early settlers heretofore
mentioned built and occupied tents every year. This camp-
meeting was distinguished for the generous hospitality of
its tenters, the large number of visitors reaching up in the
thousands, and its sweeping revivals of religion. The writer
of these chapters is proud to call this camp ground his spiritual
birth-place in 1849 and sincerely hopes the reUgion there
obtained will continue to last him until his close of life.
Beyond Prarie Hill camp ground the names of the fol
lowing persons are recalled: James Toland, Gilmer, Walker,
Lawrence, Ledbetter, Randle, Carr, Brooks, Scales, and Cava
naugh. The village of Crawford was called after the Rev. Peter
Crawford, and was distinguished from its earliest history
for the morality and intelligence of its citizens, good schools
and churches, and its stores well furnished with large stocks
of goods. It was incorporated, governed by a mayor, and
selectmen, made pleasant at all seasons of the year by its
extensive plank sidewalks, and altogether is one of the most
delightful prairie villages in this section of the state.
From the Gilmer or Crawfordville road there stretches
east a broad upland prairie, reaching almost to the Tombigbee
River. In this section of the county many of Lowndes
county's most excellent and worthy citizens settled. Among
them were Lemuel Fields, Ervin, Hairston, Carson, Allison,
Drennon, Love, Artemias Jennings, WiUiam Ervin, Sr., Samuel
Witherspoon, James and Richard and Joseph Sykes, Dr.
Grattan, Mottley, Odeneal, Deering, the Hargroves, Vaughans,
Harveys, McCarty, Goolsby, the Easts, Gen. J. V Harris
of Georgia, and John Cox. Returning, on the Macon road
across McGowah, were the Kyles, Jas. W. Harris, Bradford,
Barry, Butler, Morton, Watson and Holdiness.
The rapid growth and development of Columbus is due
very largely to the fact that so many of these prairie planters
moved into Columbus and built superb homes; expended
their wealth in assisting to build Columbus churches and
colleges and added to its high moral and social position among
the cities of Mississippi.

*^i:zl tm- -t /i

~y

«D J
0
U
74
75

CHAPTER XI.
SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND NEWSPAPERS.
FRANKLIN ACADEMY.
Education having been so closely connected with the
location and origin of the city of Columbus, it is deemed logical
and appropriate to give to its schools, colleges, and news
papers the first mention in the special department of her
history. The original survey of the town of Columbus in 1821
and the lease of its lots constituted the legal and financial
basis for the establishment of its first school, the Franklin
Academy. This school is the oldest free public school in
the State of Mississippi, and is now in the seventy -ninth annual
session of its continued existence — a school second to none
in educational excellence and school appointments, and offer
ing its advantages to all educable children, white or colored,
male or female, in the city of Columbus and in the township
in which it is situated. The literary history of the Franklin
Academy for the first fifteen years is very meagre indeed,
being confined to a description of its earliest school building
and the names of but two teachers.
All the histories agree that the first school building was
a frame building about 30 by 40 feet in dimension, unceiled
or unplastered, glass windows in front and long open windows
with shutters in the rear, and covered first with boards and
afterwards with shingles. The two teachers memtioned were
Mr. Lawrence in 1828 ( ?) and Rev. David Wright, principal,
in 1832. Mr. Jefferson Humphries was a teacher in 1835.
In 1835 two new brick buildings were erected as the
male and female departments of Franklin Academy. Each
of the buildings was two stories high, containing two rooms
above for the assistant teachers and one large room below
for the use of the principal. They were well built of hard
brick and continued in constant use for fifty-two years.
The first principal of the male department who occupied
the new building in 1836 was Mr. Abram Maer, a Scotch gen-

76
tleman, educated for an Episcopal minister and the popular
teacher of a large boy's school, taught in a building situated
on the site of the residence of Mrs. G. W. Cox. He continued
as principal for one year with great satisfaction to the patrons
and pupils, and resigned for a more enlarged field of labor.
His assistants were J. Sewell Norris, and the Rev. Thos.
Archibald. He was succeeded in 1837-1839 by Prof. Robert
Bruce Witter as principal, the assistants continuing the same.
Prof. J. A. McLean and wife took charge of the female de
partment in 1837 and 1838.
In 1839 Mr. Joel Parker was principal, with Sewell Norris
and Mr. J. W. Payne, a graduate of Yale College, assistants.
During this session a school rebellion took place in which
the large boys "turned out" the principal, and his department
was discontinued until the end of the term. The assistant
teachers were not included in the rebellion and they finished
their school term.
The school books used in 1840 were Webster's " blue
back " speller, Eclectic readers, Olney's geography, Kirk
ham's grammar, Smiley's arithmetic, Grimshaw's history of
the United States, and Comstock's phUosophy.
AN IMPORTANT FACT.
In 1840 the trustees of the Franklin Academy were Hable
for a large debt incurred in the erection of the school building
without resources for easy payraent. A year or two before
this date the trustees of the Franklin Academy had set apart
square No. — north of Main Street as a public Cemetery for the
use of the citizens of Columbus. The square was laid off
in streets and lots 8 by 16 feet, subject to enclosure, singly
or in parcels, by citizens for private use. In a letter dated
August 21st, 1840, Mr. Abram Murdock proposed to the trus
tees as a financial plan for the payment of the debt, and a
greater security to the citizens for burial purposes, that they
lease these lots to the highest bidder as other lots or parts
of lots were leased by the trustees of Franklin Academy in
accordance with their legal obligations. This suggestion of
Mr. Murdock's was not complied with and the cemetery was
continued as a public burying ground according to the original
plan until 18 — . In 1878, the mayor and board of aldermen

77
of the city of Columbus were made by State law the legal
successors of the trustees of the Franklin Academy so far as
the possession and management of the property and finances
were concerned.
Among the' principals of the Franklin Academy who
served between 1840 and 1860 were J. T. Hoskins, J. J. W.
Payne, J. A. McLean, E. WUey, Mansfield Clayton, McGahey,
B. A. Vaughan, J. B. Weir and W. C. Carter. Among the
assistants were S. W. Mullen, Henry Brown, W. W. Lester, and
James D. Lynch. Among the principals of the female de
partment were Mrs. J. A. McLean and Miss Louisa Morse,
with Miss Maria Morse. From 1860 to 1870, among the prin
cipals were J. A. Stevens and G. T. Stainback. In the
female department were Miss Mattie Scull and Miss Mary
Tabb. After 1870 the principals were T. R. Edmunds, J. M.
Barrow (1873), C. H. Cocke, E. R. Sherman, and J. M. Bar
row, 1879 to 1901.
Mrs. L. E. Eager was principal of the female department
from 1876 to 1890 with an intermission of one year. Among
the first male assistants were Dabney Lipscomb, S. M. Nash
and Richard Leigh. Among the first female assistants were
Mrs. Lizzie Hale, Miss Jennie Worthington and Miss Mary
Mayo. Prof. J. M. Barrow, whose principalship comprises a
period of twenty-five years, and Mrs. Laura E. Eager, whose
principalship of the female department extended from 1875
to 1890, are justly entitled to the greatest credit for their
successful management during these years of highest pros
perity and educational character.
IMPORTANT CHANGES
After the constitution of 1869, in which the freedom and
civil rights of the negro were fully recognized, it was deemed
necessary to conform the charter of the Franklin Academy
to this new condition of affairs. This was done by the pas
sage of a bill in 1877 introduced by the Hon. J. E. Leigh.
In this bill all the requirements of the State school laws passed
in accordance with the constitution, were incorporated into
the charter and regulations of the Franklin Academy especi
ally that part which pertained to the equal education of the

78
negro. This was done by the establishment of the colored
department of the Franklin Academy, called for convenience
Union Academy, in which the educable negro chUdren of
Columbus and the township were admitted to equal rights
and advantages with the white children and -Wfere governed in
every particular by the same school regulations. Union
Academy has been a flourishing school from that date to
the present time and has been managed by the same board
of school directors with great ease and success. W. I. Mitch
ell (colored) has served as assistant principal since the estab
lishment of Union Academy.
Another important change in the charter and law of
the Franklin Academy was made in 1878 by a bUl introduced
by the Honorable W. H. Sims. This bill abolished the old
board of school trustees who had entire management of both
the finances and the literary conduct of the school and made
the mayor and board of aldermen of the city of Columbus
the legal successors of the old trustees of the Franklin Academy
except the literary management and the election of teachers
which was put in the charge of a board of school directors
to be elected every two years by the voters of the city and
township. This put all of the school funds in charge of the city treas
urer, a bonded officer, and the expenditures in the hands of
the official board which levied and collected the money with
which to pay them. The board of mayor and aldermen had
charge of all the school property, the erection and care of
school buildings, fixing the salaries of teachers, etc. The
school directors who were required to give no ofificial bond
were left free to carefully study the literary wants and success
of the school and to secure competent teachers for the work.
Under this division of labor and responsibility, the Frank
lin Academy has been maintained as a first class school of
high grade, with so much the confidence of the citizens of
the town as to control the largest portion of their patronage.
In 1886, the two school buildings, male and female de
partments were deemed insufificient for the accommodation
of the school and the present large and commodious edifice
was erected at a cost of $20,000 the entire amount being paid

RESIDENCE OF DR. R. R, STOCKARD,

78

79
without any special tax or issuance of bonds; and at this
time the FranMin Academy is entirely free from debt.
In 1839 the school trustees were Ovid P. Brown, Richard
Barry, P. Wade, Wm. Covington, Thos. Magee; in 1847 James
Whitfield, EU Abbott, R. D. Haden, I. M. Knapp, J. J. W.
Pajme; ia 1849 George R. Clayton, Robert D. Haden, Hardy
Stevens, James S. LuU, Andrew W. Jordan; iu 1856 James
Miller, W. L. Lipscomb and others; in 1875 J. H. Sharp,
B. A. Vaughan and others.
In 1878 the board of school directors were J. M. Barrow,
president, C. L. Lincoln, T. A. Schoolar, Titus Gilmer (colored),
and Ben Fernandes (colored).
In 1886 the board was W. L. Lipscomb, president, C. S.
W. Price, J. A. Hudson and others.
In 1901 S. M. Nash, president, R. S. Curry, Wm. KUpat
rick, Wm. Newby and Wm. Gunter.
In 1901 the faculty of the FrankUn Academy consists
of twenty-three teachers, fifteen white and eight colored.
The names of the white teachers are as foUows: Prof. J. M.
Barrow, principal. Miss Jennie Worthington and Miss Mary
Mayo, first assistants; Misses Blannie Shields, L. A. NeUson,
Lena Roden, Fannie Young, Selena Martia, Laura Young,
Annie Manning, Mary Stokes, Ruth Kennebrew, Mrs. M. B.
Patterson and Mrs. A. T. Sale.*
The colored teachers are W. I. MitcheU, H. B. Tucker,
Mrs. Hattie Johnston, Mrs. Frank Morgan, Mrs. Lula Roberts,
Mrs. Jonas Hunter, Mrs. Georgia Walker, Miss Bessie Nance.
There are 668 white pupUs and 860 colored. Total
1,528. The school fund for 1900 was $9,706.58 of which
$2,398.55 was received from city leases.
COLUMBUS FEMALE SEMINARY.
In 1832 about the time of the erection of the first Masonic
haU on the southwest comer of the square now occupied by
General S. D. Lee, Rev. David Wright estabUshed the Colum-

*NOTE— Prof. Joe Cook succeeded Prof. J. M. Barrow as Super
intendent of the City Schools, and under his efficient administration
Franklin Academy still prospers and holds its place securely in the
affections of the people of Columbus. A new building has been
erected in the southem part of the town and named " The J. M.
Barrow Memorial School." — Editor.

80
bus Female Seminary and taught in this building. The
seminary became a flourishing institution and required the
assistance of two additional teachers. Miss Axel and Miss Bray.
Miss Bray was distinguished as being the earliest love of the
Poet Longfellow, her name in this association and her coming
south to teach in Columbus, Miss., being mentioned in some
of his biographies. After three or four years the Seminary
was discontinued. MISSISSIPPI FEMALE COLLEGE.
Through the active agency of Mr. Abram Maer, a popular
and successful teacher in Columbus, The Mississippi Female
College was incorporated and established in Columbus 1838.
It was a large two and a half story frame building, an imposing
and commodious structure which included the dormitories
and study halls. It was located on the hill northwest of the
Franklin Academy. Mr. Abram Maer was its president as
sisted by an able corps of teachers among whom were Misses
Dunning and Dewey and Prof. A. S. Pfister as music teacher.
Irs first board of trustees was Thomas G. Blewett, president,
Thomas Magee, R. T. Brownrigg, Benjamin S. Long, Thomas
J. Brownrigg, Madison Walthall, John Huddleston, A. F.
Young, James Jones, E. H. Sharp, Wm. Amis, E. B. Drake,
Wm. Covington, A. J. Hodges and Ovid P Brown.
The daughters of these trustees and other citizens were
among its pupils. Boarders from a distance filled its dormi
tory and its success was well assured when it was suddenly
destroyed by fire.
In 1840 a May day celebration was first presented by
this institution to the town of Columbus with the floral decora
tions, music, addresses and the crowning of the May queen,
who at this time was Miss Mary Wade, one of the handsomest
girls in the town and afterwards one of its reigning belles.
She married the Hon. William Vassar, of Aberdeen, and was
the sister of Mrs. B. A. Vaughn now of our city.

MAIN DORMITORY OF THE INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE,

81

CHAPTER XI— Continued.
SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND NEWSPAPERS— REV. C, C.
PRESTON.
In 1840 there was established one of the most remarkable
schools in the educational history of Columbus.
Quite a number of the leading citizens were dissatisfied
with the character, scope, and influence of the educational
ideas of the day, and they determined to secure a change
in this particular and a teacher whose views corresponded
with their own. They complained first of the memoriter
or parrot like and ritualistic methods of instruction. Second,
of the undue importance, both in time and consideration
given to the dead languages, Latin and Greek, to the almost
entire exclusion of the natural sciences, and third, they seri
ously objected to the science of arithmetic being taught by
rules to the exclusion of all analysis or mental effort of the
pupil. They also believed that the co-education of the sexes
would be beneficial to both.
The views of Froebel and Pestalozzi were becoming
understood by the American world, and several Columbus
boys had been sent to Europe for the benefit of instruction
in these schools. The citizens succeeded in finding the Rev.
C. C. Preston who had adopted their views and had success
fully demonstrated their practicability in a school at Moores-
ville, Ala. Mr. Preston acceded to their proposals and came
to Columbus in the faU of 1840.
School houses were scarce at that time of the year and
he opened his school in a two-room frame cottage on the lot
now occupied by Capt. Dan Richards.
After the close of the winter vacation the school was
moved to a large and handsome cottage situated on the hill
in the rear of the present Askew residence.
The school was well furnished with double desks, black
boards, maps, globes, and all available school appointments.
The girls who were admitted at this time, and the boys occu
pied adjoining desks according to their classification. All
8

82
the views and methods of instruction of both patron and teach
er were fully carried out. The first new departure was the
opening of the school with religous exercises of reading the
Bible, singing and prayer, an exercise not common in the
public schools and colleges of the day. The next change was
the introduction of Colbum's Mental Arithiiietic as the basis
of all instruction to be given in the science of numbers, and
classes were formed in botany, zoology, physiology, drawing,
composition, music, and in penmanship with the muscular
movement. The success of the school was phenomenal and at the
examination in June, 1841, held in the basement of the Cum
berland Presbyterian church, classes were examined in phren
ology, the pupils exemplifying their knowledge by examining
the heads of visitors. The classes in botany, zoology, and
physiology presented their specimens and essays prepared
during the term. The class in Colbum's Mental Arithmetic,
composed of boys and girls from fourteen to sixteen years
of age, were examined on examples selected by the audience
from the arithmetic of the day, their solution being accom
plished by the analysis used in their text book and without
the knowledge of a single rule in the books from which the
examples were taken.
The success of this examination was very gratifying to
the patrons and pupils of the (School.
The success of the second year was quite equal to that
of the first. The enthusiasm of the pupils was so great that
they complained of no tasks which were assigned them. They
attended recitations before breakfast and at night without a
murmur. They enjoyed beyond description the strolls on
the banks of the Luxapalila for the purpose of collecting
botanical and zoological specimens, and their annual science
camp hunt and the dissection of subjects during recitation
in physiology. The encouragement given to the development
of their own mental perceptions and resources and 1;he exercise
of original thought and expression were especially gratifying
to their young and vigorous minds and a number of Columbus
men and women still thank the new education and C. C. Pres
ton for teaching them how to think their own thoughts and
act on the promptings of their own independent wills.

83
In 1842 Rev. C. C. Preston left Columbus for other fields
of labor. An extended sketch of this school has been given
to allow 20th century educators an opportunity to ask the
question, 'tis history repeating itself?"
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
From 1840 to 1860 Columbus was an Eldorado for school
teachers and private schools. In 1842, Miss WilHams taught
a flourishing female school in the basement of the Cumberland
Presbyterian church. In this school calisthenics was first
taught in Columbus. During these years. Helm, Eager,
Welton, Morse, Mills, Brown and Powell, all highly educated
teachers, taught prosperous male schools. Dr. Simpson Shep
herd taught a female school in the Methediet church. Prof.
Burnham taught a large school in the basement of the Presby
terian church. Mrs. Innis and Misses Harriet Love and Louisa
Morse taught primary schools.
To Miss Maria Morse belongs the honor of being the
historic primary teacher of boys in Columbus. More men
in Columbus at this time (1901) claim a joint memory of
pupilage under her instruction than any other single teacher.
She was a woman of substantial good sense and acted upon a
few well defined ideas. She believed if a boy was taught to
spell well, to tell the truth, and had been well whipped, he
could make a good man. Columbus honors the memory of
Miss Maria Morse.
About 1850 Mr. Abram Maer established the Montevallo
Male and Female Academy, which soon reached a high degree
of prosperity. In this school Professor Foster, T. C. Weir
and Col. Wheadon were teachers in the male department
and Prof. Markstein in the department of music. The inde
pendent Order of Odd Fellows also established a male high
school, which was well patronized on account of the high
character and educational ability of the teachers, among
whom were Profs. S. M. Meek, John W. Chandler, A. J.Quinche,
Thos. B. Bailey, Thos. Carter, W. H. Lee, B. F. Meek, Samuel
Pope, and Lewis and wife. The school began in the present
city hall building and was afterwards moved to a large two
story brick school house erected by the Odd Fellows in the

84
eastem portion of Columbus. It was destroyed by fire and
not rebuilt. After the war Capt. T. C. Belcher, A. D. McVoy, Prof.
T. R. Edmunds, Mrs. L. E. Eager, Mrs. Alston, Misses Worth
ington, Pierce, Shaeffer, and Bean were popular private school
teachers.
COLUMBUS FEMALE INSTITUTE.
In 1847, seeing the necessity of educating Columbus
girls at home, Col. A. A. Kincannon set on foot a project to
erect a female college in Columbus, and with the hearty co
operation of many of the leading citizens they projected and
established by subscription the Columbus Female Institute.
As soon as the necessary amount of money was subscribed, the
stockholders met and elected the following board of trustees :
George R. Clayton, president; A. A. Kincannon, John S.
Topp, J. T. Harrison, Samuel Butler, Thos. G. Blewett, Rich
ard Evans, W. L. Harris, W. W. Humphries, D. Lipscomb,
Green Hill, G. H. Young, Jonathan Decker, treasurer, S. A.
Brown, secretary.
The trustees purchased the property known as the resi
dence of Maj. Moore, a large 12-room house, situated on the
present site of the I.I. and College, and built the White House,
which contained the study hall and recitation rooms, and
which is now a part of that institution. The institute opened
in 1848 with the Rev. A. S. Smith as president, and a full
corps of competent teachers.
The Institute was prosperous from the very start and
well patronized by Columbus citizens and the adjoining coun
ties. Most of the families in Columbus were represented,
and the very elite and most literary of our Columbus women
were pupUs within its walls. Grandmothers and mothers
remember it as the school in which they were educated and
took their degrees, and while memory lasts the old people
of Columbus wUl recaU with gratitude and pleasure the Colum
bus Female Institute.
President Smith remained two years and was succeeded
by R. A. Means, A. M., a South Carolina gentleman of birth
and education. He was president for several years. He

85
was succeeded by Mr. J. H. McLean, a scholarly lawyer and
successful teacher, who taught only one year.
Rev. B. F. Larrabee and wife, assisted by Dr. J. W.
Shattuck and wife followed him and brought the Institute
up to the zenith of its prosperity and success. The dormitory
could not accommodate its boarders, and first class work
was being accomplished in its school rooms and its reputation
extending to the neighboring states, when unfortunately
the dormitory was destroyed by a fire caused by falling of
a burning toy balloon upon its roof. This accident occurred
in the faU of 1858.
In 1859, Prof. Larrabee and trustees succeeded in raising
about $30,000, and with this amount proceeded to the erection
of a large three story dormitory sufficient to accommodate
300 boarders. In October, 1860, this institution was re
opened with the dormitory partly finished, with a flourishing
school, which was discontinued in 1861 on account of the
existing war and continued closed until 1867, when it was
re-opened by Rev. A. S. Andrews as president. He served
several years and discontinued his presidency to accept the
chancellorship of the Southern University at Greensboro,
Ala. Dr. Andrews was succeeded by Prof. J. J. Baird, and
he, after a year's service, was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Tarrant
and his highly accomplished wife, now a prominent educator
in Alabama. In 1875 Miss Lorraine Street, who had been
for a number of years connected with the institution as pro
fessor in several departments, was elected president. It
continued with much success under her management until
1885, when it became the property of the State under the name
of the Mississippi Industrial Institute and College.
The Columbus Female Institute occupied a period of
over thirty years in the educational history of Columbus,
and was the leading female college in northeast Mississippi.
Among its prominent assistant teachers were Mrs. Laura
E. Eager and Miss M. J. Callaway, and in the music depart
ment were Profs. Callowoda, Markstein, and Poleman. Mrs.
Torry presided for a score of years over its art department,
and many parlors and homes are decorated with paintings,
the work of her pupils. She still lives at an advanced age,
honored and loved by the citizens of Columbus.

86
INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE.
In 1858, Miss Sallie Renau, a young lady of high literary
attainments, of Grenada, Miss., being much interested in
the subject of female education, and objecting to the very
partial manner in which the State of Mississippi was dispensing
her educational advantages to the exclusion of the girls of
the State, prepared a memorial on the subject setting forth
the rights of women to equal school opportunities with men
and asking for the establishment by the State, of a female
college, equal in all its advantages to the State University,
for the education of her girls. Her memorial was presented
to the State Legislature and received a warm approval by
Gov. J. J. McRea who recommended it in his annual message
to the legislature. The memorial was referred to the commit
tee on education and was never reported upon. At a later
date the subject was re-opened by Mrs. Annie C. Peyton,
of Copiah county, in the newspapers of the day, and with
the assistance of Mrs. John G. Hastings, of Claiboume county,
the Hon. John McMartin, senator from that county, prepared
and secured the passage of a bill through the legislature of
1884 incorporating the Industrial Institute and College. The
provisions of the bill were complete, and trustees were ap
pointed who asked for proposals by the cities and towns of
the state to secure its location.
Columbus, Miss., made an offer of the large buUdings
and adjacent grounds of the Columbus Female Institute,
together with $50,000 of city bonds, making the amount
equal to $90,000. The offer of Columbus was accepted by
the trustees and, in October, 1885, the Industrial Institute
and College opened its first session.
As a matter of historical record in the history of Colum
bus, and for the purpose of showing her early interest in the
higher education of women, the following fact is herewith
recorded: Fourteen years after the memorial of Miss Sallie
Renau, and fifteen years before the incorporation of the Indus
trial Institute and College, in 1870, at a meeting of the board
of trustees of the Columbus^ Female Institute while A. S.
Humphries was president, S. A. Brown, secretary, and Jas.
Sykes, W. W. Humphries^ W. L. Lipscomb and others were

87
trustees, a resolution was unanimously adopted, directing
that a memorial be prepared setting forth the views of the
trustees on the necessity for additional advantages for the
higher education of the girls of Mississippi and offering as
a basis for a favorable commencement of this great work at
the hands of the State, the buildings and adjacent grounds
of the Columbus Female Institute sold buildings and grounds
to be used as the female department of the State University.
The memorial was prepared in due form, addressed to the
State Legislature and to the trustees of the State University
for their cooperation. This memorial was placed in charge
of Chancellor Theodoric C. Lyon of Columbus, for presen
tation to the university board of trustees in session at Oxford.
The memorial was presented to the trustees, received and
filed, but as they were at that time engaged with the problem
of excluding the negroes from the State University, they asked
that its consideration be postponed until this difficulty was
removed, which was done by the establishment of Alcorn
University in 1871.
"At its opening in October, 1885, there was present 250
applicants, more than could be received into the dormitories.
Every session since the promise of this auspicious opening
has been more than fulfilled. During the fifteen years of
the school's life more than 2,600 young women have come
under its instruction. Of these some 409 are still in school.
Two hundred and eighty-nine Have taken certificates of pro
ficiency in industrial arts and seventy-five the degree of B.A.
A large proportion of the B. A. graduates are filling with
distinction, chairs in southern coUeges." (Extract from I. I.
& C. Catalogue 1890)
The presidents of the Industrial Institute and College
have been as follows: Dr. R. W. Jones, Prof. Chas. H. Cocke,
Miss M. J. Callaway, Prof.- A. H. Beals, Dr. Robert Frazer,
and Prof. A. A. Kincannon, now its honored president and
grand nephew of the Hon. A. A. Kincannon, the projector
of the Columbus Female Institute in 1848.*

*NoTE — State Superintendent of Education H. L. Whitfield, in
1907, succeeded Prof. Kincannon as President of the Industrial Insti
tute and College, the latter having been elected Chancellor of the
State University. Industrial, art, science, normal, literary and phys
ica) education departments have been established; handsome build
ings provided for each, and the I. I. & C. under its present adminis
tration continues increasingly its career of blessmg to the women of
the State. — Editor.

88
Under its present management with its superb buildings,
furnished with every modem improvement, with its varied
and extensive literary and industrial courses of study and its
extremely cheap expense account to its students, the insti
tution is fast realizing the expectation of the State and the
highest hopes of its projectors and friends. The girls of Mis
sissippi are being educated for lives of usefulness and dis
tinction. When the industrial and art departments are fur
nished with buildings commensurate with their special de
mands and importance, the state of Mississippi will have an
industrial institute and college of which she may always and
justly be proud.
NEWSPAPERS.
Two newspapers were established in Columbus about
1833-34 called The Southern Argus and Democratic Press,
which represented the two political parties of the day; The
Southern Argus representing the National Republicans, led
by Henry Clay, and The Democratic Press representing the
Democratic Republicans, led by Andrew Jackson. The editors
of The Souther'n Argus were S. Nash and G. W. Bonnell. i This
paper was merged in 1840 into The Columbus Whig and became
the organ of the Whig party. The Democratic Press was edited
by M. E. Abbey and in 1836 became The Columbus Democrat.
The Whig continued its issues until 1850, when its name was
changed to Primitive RepubUcan. Among the editors of The
Columbus Whig were R. H. Browne, W. P. Jack, (1843);
E. J. C. Kewen, (1847); W. A. Short, W. P. DonneU and
F. G. Baldwin, (1850). The Primitive Republican, F. G.
Baldwin editor, in 1850 was merged into The Columbus Dem
ocrat in 1853.
"THE COLUMBUS DEMOCRAT,"
which began its issue in 1836 was continued without inter
ruption untu 1859 when H. H. Worthington, who had been
its sole editor for twenty-three years, died. H. H. Worth
ington was the father of Henry Winfield, and Samuel Worth
ington, who were all connected with the press in Columbus.
The Columbus Democrat, Henry Worthington editor, was
continued untU 1861, and stopped its issue on account of the

MUSIC HALL OF INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE.

89
war. The Columbus Democrat was re-established in 1868
with W. H. and W. C. Worthington, as editors untU 1874
when S. Newton Berryhill became the editor. He continued
as editor until 1879 when The Columbus Democrat was sold
to The {Columbus) Daily Dispatch Company. Mr. Robert
J. Youngblood was associated with S. N. Berryhill during
the last year of its existence.
The Palladium, a literary monthly for young men was
published in 1848 by Rev. J. N. Roach, pastor of the Cum
berland Presbyterian church. It was discontinued after a
short existence.
The Evangelist, a religous monthly, was published for
a short time in 1848, by Green Hill, an intelligent layman of
the Christian church. The Columbus Eagle, a weekly news
paper was published in 1856, R. O. Davidson and W. M. Shep
herd, editors.
The Southern Sta-ndard, a strong and vigorous political
paper began its career in Columbus in 185-, with Dumas,
Chapman and MeUard as successive editors, when in 1856
it was merged into The Columbus Democrat. No newspaper
was published during the Confederate war.
" THE COLUMBUS INDEX "
was established in 1865 by the Worthington brothers as editors
and proprietors. Jas. A. Stevens, was local editor in 1867.
The Worthingtons continued editors and proprietors of The
Index until 1868, when it passed into the hands of Jas. A.
Stevens, T. H. Baker, and Capt. Battle Fort. After a year
or two, T. H. Baker retired. Capt. Battle Fort sold his inter
est to Maj. Gardner Tucker, when it was conducted with
Tucker and Stevens as editors and proprietors until 1874
when Tucker became the sole proprietor.
Mr. J. A. Martin succeeded Mr. Gardner Tucker as editor
and proprietor of The Index, and with his sons, C. C. and Stan
ley Martin, continued its publication as a weekly and semi-
weekly for a long period of time. He was succeeded by Capt.
R. W. Banks and Miss Lucile Banks who transferred The
I'ndex to the ownership of Mr. J. T. Senter, and he, after
changing its name to The Columbus Commercial, has con-
9

90
tinned to issue it as a weekly and semi-weekly to the present
time, 1901.
" THE INDEPENDENT "
was established by J. A. Stevens in 1875. Sometime after.
Gen. J. H. Sharp became associate editor and proprietor and
subsequently sole editor and proprietor untU its discontinu
ance. The Southem Sentinel was estabUshed in October 1879
by L. A. Middleton and continued until his death in 1887.
The Patron of Husbandry was established in 1872 by
W. H. Worthington and after a continuance of eight or ten
years was moved to Memphis.
" THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH "
in 1880 became the property of J. M. Barrow and others and
was continued as a weekly newspaper untU 1881, and was
then sold to Mrs. S. C. Maer who succeeded as editor and
proprietor of TheDispatch, and with the assistance of her sons,
Artemus and Percy, has continued its publication as a weekly
and semi- weekly from ttiat time to the present.
The New Light, with R. D. Littlejohn (colored) as editor
and proprietor, was established about 1887 as the organ of
the colored people, has continued its publication since that
date. [Note — The writer desires to express his thanks and indebtedness
to Maj. W. A. Love, of Lowndes county, for the use of material col
lected by him some years ago, from which many of the facts contained
in the history of newspapers in Columbus were taken.]
TWO LITERARY DECADES IN COLUMBUS.
The decade beginning 1840 was distinguished for its
literary character and opportunities. During this period
the great political parties of the nation, the Whig and Demo
cratic parties, held their political discussions in the presence
of interested and excited thousands of citizens. Columbus
was a favorite field for Mississippi's best orators and statesman,
and the intellects and patriotic spirits of her people were
stirred to their deepest depths.

91
Two celebrated religious discussions took place in Colum
bus during this decade. The first, between a leamed Scotch
divine of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, the Rev.
James Smith, D. D., a highly accomplished scholar, and Prof.
C. G. Olmsted, infidel in his belief and teaching, on the sub
ject of the inspiration and authenticity of the Bible. The
second between the Rev. T. J. Fanning, one of the most dis
tinguished controversialists of the Christian church, and the
Rev. J. A. Lyon.
Literary societies were very popular and very useful.
The Columbus Lyceum, an institution for the promotion
of literature, science, and oratory was established and held
its weekly public meetings for a number of years. In 1847
Dr. Dabney Lipscomb was president; Thomas W. Christian,
vice president ; Geo. W. Van Hook, secretary; William Ward,
assistant secretary; John N. Mullen, treasurer; Dr. S. W.
Malone, librarian. In 1848, Chas. H. Morse, Esq., was presi
dent with J. T. Sims, vice president; G. W. Van Hook, secre
tary, Joseph W. Field, treasurer. The name of T. I. Sharp
appears as vice president.
Not only were the literary and professional men organized
for mutual improvement but the working men had their
organizations, notably the Trades Union Association and
Library. This society was very popular and numerous.
In 1847 its officers were John K. Ottley, president, assisted
by Harrison Hale, N. E. Goodwin, John R. Sanders, Benja
min Catley and Seth C. Floyd. It collected six or seven
hundred volumes in the Trades Union Library. This library
was somewhat scattered during the great fire in 1854. The
remnant was transferred to the care of the Young Men's
Christian Association, and many of its volt^es are still to be
found with their blue linen covers stamped Trades Union
Library. The decade beginning in 1890 was another distinguished
literary period, and at this time entirely controlled by the
women of Columbus, who organized Shakespeare and century
clubs, reading circles and musical societies, whose study and
investigation included the whole field of literature and made
the women of Columbus as cultivated and appreciative readers

92

and critics as those of any city in the land. In the vanguard
of modem literature they will not hesitate to follow where
Mrs. Browning, Louise Alcott, George Eliot, and such Hke
may lead them.

92

9!

93

CHAPTER XII.
RELIGIOUS— CHURCHES AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
"METHODISM IN COLUMBUS, MISS., DURIXG .XIXETEEXTH CEN
TURY." RE.\D .\T THE W.\TCH XIGHT SERVICE DECEMBER
31, BY G. D. H.\RRIS, RECORDING STEW.\RD.
Dr. W. L. Lipscomb and I have been appointed to prepare
a history of Methodism in Columbus, Mississippi, during the
century just closing. For convenience I have undertaken
to prepare such a coUection of historical facts as we have
been able to collect from records and bring together in con
cise form.
Dr. Lipscomb \\411 foUow ^ith such remarks on these
facts, and ^^•ith reminiscences as will make this record more
complete. At the time that the Tennessee and Kentucky,- troops
cut the old Military road on their way to reinforce Gen. Jack
son at Xew Orleans in 1S13, Columbus was a little trading
post ¦with the Choctaw Indians, £ind called *0'possum Town,
and afterwards a little \'iUage called by its present name.
From that time until 1S31 we have no record of any church
buUding being erected at this place, although it had growTi
to be a \*iUage of 500 inhabitants. To ascertain what re
ligious advantages its citizens enjoyed, we have industriously
searched the history of the Methodist conferences occupying
this territory.
The first item of interest is taken from the records of the
Mississippi conference in 1S19. Said conference at that time
occupied the whole of the territory now included in the States
of Alabama and Mississippi, and had been organized since
1S16. Among the list of circuits we find Buttahatchie, after
wards known as Marion circuit, which extended from the
mouth of Sipsey on the Tombeckbee River, north to Cotton
Gin Port thence east to Marion count)', Ala., and taking in
a part of east Mississippi and west Alabama, Columbus being
within the bounds of this circuit. We can onlv conclude

Note — In the Choctaw, Sheck-a-tah Tom-a-ha. — Editor.

94
that religious services of some kind were conducted at that
time. In 1819-1821 this circuit was served by Rev. Ebenezer
Hearn and Thomas Stringfield, who must have been the pion
eers of Methodism in this section of Mississippi.
From 1822 to 1832, Marion circuit was served by the
following preachers in the order named: Thomas Clinton,
Benjamin F. Lidden, WUey Ledbetter, John G. Lee, Thomas
Owens, Thomas S. Abemathy, Peyton S. Graves, Thomas E.
Ledbetter, Isaac V. Enochs, Leroy Massengale, Jesse Mize,
Moses Perry, Felix Wood, Blanton P. Box, Lewis S. Turner,
Preston Cooper, Nathan Hopkins and Anthony S. Dickinson.
From 1819 to 1832 the membership in the circuit in
creased from 72 to 932 ; the largest increase was in that part
which lay in Mississippi, and necessarily included the member
ship at Columbus.
During the year 1831 the Methodists erected the first
church in the town of Columbus. Before that time we have
satisfactory evidence that several of the religious denomina
tions, the Methodist included, used the Franklin Academy
as a place of worship.
In 1832 the Mississippi conference was divided and Colum
bus, with that part of Mississippi on the east side of the Tom
beckbee, fell in to the Alabama conference and became a
station, with the Rev. Richard H. Herbert, pastor, and Rev.
Eugene Le Vert, presiding elder of the Columbus district.
The first quarterly conference of Columbus station was
held February 25, 1833. There were present: Eugene Le
Vert, presiding elder; Richard H. Herbert, pastor; Wm.
Dowsing, Sr., Robert D. Haden, Geo. Shaeffer, Wm. L. Clark,
Ovid P. Brown and Wm. Dowsing, Jr., stewards. At the
second quarterly conference, held May 18, 1833, Dabney
Lipscomb and Alexander Gray were elected stewards.
The records of Columbus station were too incomplete
to give an accurate number of the members at this early date.
The growth was slow until 1839, when under Rev. Wm.
Wier, presiding elder, and Rev. Wm. Murrah, pastor, there
was added to the church 30 substantial men with their families,
increasing the membership to over 100. From this date the
church has prospered and has grown steadily.

95
During the sixty-eight years of its existence this church
has enrolled about 3,000 members; has had 19 presiding
elders and 35 pastors. Of the 700 members now belonging
to the church, all except 12 have joined since 1860, these 12
being the only survivors of the first 1,000 members.
For additional and later facts regarding the history of
the Columbus church, we refer you to the tabulated record,
framed and hanging in the Sunday School room, and to the
regular record books kept by the church secretary.
This church was served in 1842 by Bishop H. N. Mc-
Tyiere, and in I860 by Bishop R. K. Hargrove as pastors.
The Columbus church has owned three brick church
buildings; the first erected in 1831 on corner lot just east
of concert hall; the second erected in 1844, still standing
and known as the Jewish Temple; the third our own church
on Main Street, was erected in 1860 and finished in 1866,
being one of the largest and handsomest buildings in the state.
The Alabama conference held four of its sessions in Col
umbus. 1st. In 1838, Bishop Andrew presiding. This confer
ence held a watch night service at that session.
2nd. 1843, Bishop Soule presiding. During this session
there was a total eclipse of the sun.
3rd. 1850, Bishop Capers presiding. At this conference
occurred the famous trial and acquittal of Rev. P. P. Neely.
4th. 1863, Bishop Paine presiding. At this conference
the Alabama conference was divided into the Mobile and
Montgomery conferences, and Columbus fell into the Mobile
conference In 1870 the conference boundary Hnes were again changed
and Columbus fell into the north Mississippi conference where
we have been for the last 30 years. During this period the
north Mississippi conference has twice held its annual sessions
in this church.
The church is at present served by Rev. T. W. Lewis,
pastor, and the Columbus district by Rev. W. T. J. Sullivan,
presiding elder, and has an enrollment of 700 members.
Gid. D. Harris,
Columbus, Miss., Recording Steward.
Read Watch Night Service, Dec. 31, 1900.

96
PASTORS AND PRESIDING ELDERS.
For easy future reference the following list of pastors
and presiding elders is taken from the church record and
herewith appended: 1831 to 1844 in first church building,
pastors: Rev. R. H. Herbert (1833), F. H. Jones (1834), D. F.
Alexander (1835), W. A. Smith (1836), S. B. Sawyer (1837-38),
W. Murrah (1839), S. B. Sawyer (1840), W. A. Smith (1841),
T. J. Heard (1842), R. S. Finley, (1843).
Presiding elders: Eugene V. Levert (1833-34), R. G.
Christopher (1835), William Weir (1836-39), A. H. Shanks
(1840), William Murrah (1841-43). Among the members
not heretofore mentioned who worshipped in the first building
were the Bartees, Pullers, Eckfords, Holdiness, Saltonstall,
Richards, Southall, Mullens, Scull, Shaws, Randolph, Bibb,
Oliver, Spillmans, Fort and Leech.
1844 TO 1867 SECOND CHURCH BUILDING.
Pastors: W. Murrah, (1844), G. S. Sparks, (1845), T. H'
Capers, (1846), J. Hamilton, (1847), H. N. McTyeire, (1848),
O. R. Blue, (1849), P. P. Neely, (1850-51), T. W. Dorman,
(1852-53), J. J. Hutchinson, (1854-55), C. D. Oliver, (1856-57),
E. Baldwin, (1858-59), R. K. Hargrove, (1860), P. P. Neely,
(1861-62), A. Adams, (1863), A. S. Andrews, (1864-66) 
Presiding Elders: E. Calloway, (1844-47), William Mur
rah, (1848-50), George Shaeffer, (1851-54), C. M. McLeod,
(1855), George Shaeffer, (1856-57), T. J. Koger, (1858-61),
George Shaeffer, (1862-64), P. P. Neely, (1865), WilHam Mur
rah, (1866). 1867 TO 1901 IN PRESENT BUILDING.
W. C. Heam, (1867-68), T. Y. Ramsey, (1869-70), J. B.
CottreU, (1871-73), W. S. Harrison, (1874-75), W. W. Wads
worth, (1876-77), T. A. S. Adams, (1878), S. A. Steel, (1879.82),
J. H. Scruggs, (1883-86), J. W. Price, (1887-88), J. S. Oakley,
(1889-92), R. M. Standefer, (1893-96), W. T. BoUimg, (1897-
98), J. A. Bowen, (1899-1900), T. W. Lewis, (1901).
Presidimg Elders: W. Murrah, (1867), T. Y. Ramsey,
(1868), T. C. Weir, (1869-70), T. Y. Ramsey, (1870-74), R. G.
Porter, (1875-78), T. W. Dye, (1879-80), T. C. Weir, (1881-

COL. THOMAS C. BILLUPS.
(1804-1866.)

97
84), J. D. Cameron, (1885-86), R. G. Porter, (1887), W. T. J.
Sullivan, (1888-91), T. C. Weir, (1892-95), R. A. Burroughs,
(1896-99), W. T. J. Sullivan, (1900-01).
From 1845 to 1855 the membership of the church was
rapidly increased by the influx of a large number of planters
from the west side of the river, who moved their homes and
church membership into Columbus. This increase added
not only to the numerical strength of the church but also to
its influence and wealth. The second church building was
found to be too small for the accomodation of the members
and their families and visitors who thronged to hear the great
preachers that during these years occupied its pulpit.
Among the families that moved in at this period were:
Morton, Clayton, Billups, Sykes, Harris, Banks, Sherrod,
Cannons, Powell, Watson, Mason and others. A proposition
for a new building was received with almost unanimous appro
bation and after a short discussion of location, cost, plans,
etc., the church decided to erect a building large enough not
only for present but for future usefulness and settled upon the
present edifice at a cost of $30,000. So harmonious was the
membership in its erection that the subscription was raised
upon the assessment plan, and all subscription notes made
payable in bank. So far as is known not a note or subscrip
tion was unpaid and so liberal was the church that after the war
which interfered with its completion upon a showing by the
contractors that in the advanced prices of material and labor,
they had exhausted all contract monies the contractors were
released from their obligation and bond for its completion.
THOMAS CARLETON BILLUPS.
Col. Thomas Carleton Billups was of Welch descent, and was bom
in Oglethorpe county, Georgia, in the year 1804. He was educated at
Franklin College, Athens, Ga. He was married to Sarah A. Moore,
February 25, 1823. He moved from Georgia and settled in Noxubee
county, Mississippi, in 1836. It was there he buried the companion
of his youth.
He was married a second time to Mrs. F. A. Swope, of Alabama,
on September 13, 1847, about which time he moved to Columbus, Miss.
Col. Billups was ever one of the foremost men of his county, and
was prominent in everything pertaining to the interest of his section,
which he represented several times in the State Legislature. He was
also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1865, which con
vened a few months after the close of the war. This was one of the
10

98
In 1865 the church accepted a loan of $3,000 from that
generous and devoted Methodist, Mr. Jas. Sykes, which with
a new subscription, effected the completion of the main audi
torium in 1867 and the basement in 1871. The church debt
was extinguished and the house dedicated by Dr. Atticus
Haygood (afterwards Bishop), 1877, during the pastorate of
the Rev. W. W. Wadsworth.
Historical aUusion to the church buildings would be in
complete without mention of the names of those staunch
Methodist buUders, NeU Bartee (contractor for second build
ing), and James Shaw (contractor for the present), whose
unimpeachable integrity and faithful workmanship made
Columbus famous for the beauty and durability of many of
its public buildings. When the people of Columbus knew
that James Shaw was contractor and Isaac Darter, his fore
man, was on the scaffold, they knew that no shoddy work
was being done and that Columbus pressed brick would
repeat their record of unsurpassed usefulness and distinction.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
was introduced into the church in 1868 during the pas
torate of Rev. Wm. Heam with a Mason & Hamlin cabipet
organ with Prof. A. Poleman as organist and choister. The
most important ever held in the history of the State. For strength
of will, firmness of purpose, and consistency of life he had no superior.
System and order in every-day business were prominent traits in his
character. By his superior judgment and energy he amassed a large
fortune, but this did not divert his attention from the great interests
of eternity. He loved the church most sincerely and was always ready to con
tribute to her prosperity with his time, talents and means.
He aided by his zeal and liberality in the erection of a number of
houses for the worship of Almighty God, and was especially active as
Chairman of the Building Committee of the First Methodist Church
of Columbus, Miss. He was no mere formalist in religion, but
enjoyed a real experience of grace.
He abhorred ostentation, and eternity alone will reveal all his
noble deeds. He was one of those natures to whom the advocates of
honesty in man, and good in Christianity have always pointed for the
vindication of the great truths they would advance. It was in his
home, a typical Southern one, with its colonial architecture, broad
verandas, and terraced lawn, that he ever dispensed the most generous
hospitality. Col. Billups died at his residence, August 3, 1866. He was sur
vived by his wife and five children: John Marshall Billups, Joseph
Pierce Billups, Susan Billups Sherrod, Thomas Carleton Billups, James
Saunders Billups. — Editor.

JAMES SYKES.
(1809-188,5.)

9S

99
present pipe organ which has been the pride of the church on
account of the sweetness and perfection of its tone and har
mony, was erected in 1878, during the pastorate of Rev. T.
A. S. Adams, with Mrs. Clifford Hardy as organist. Since that
time, Mrs. Addie Hunt Owen, Miss Carrie Meek and Prof.
Howard Teasdale have presided successively over the musical
department of public worship. The tasteful design and exe
cution for the arrangement of the choir, the pulpit, and the
chancel were the workmanship of W. S. Smith, Methodist and
architect, to whom Columbus is indebted for many of its
most elegant and beautiful residences.
RENTED PEWS.
In 1S73 the church, finding it somewhat difficult to
raise the annual expenses, adopted as a temporary experiment
the renting of the pews as a means of relief. The plan was
signally successful but was discontinued when the church
debt was paid and the building dedicated.
DISTINGUISHED CHURCH EVANGELISTS.
The Rev. John Newlon Mafifit, one of the greatest southem
pulpit orators held a revival meeting in the old Methodist
church in 1836, with great success. In the second building.
Father Hirsey, the pedestrian evangelist, the Rev. W. H.
JAMES SYKES.
In the earlier days of Columbus the Sykes family was a large and
influential one. Stability, integrity and capacity characterized its
members. These were successful in business, careful in expenditures
and faithful in the discharge of their obligations whether domestic,
social or religious. Of this virile, black-eyed family came Mr. James
Sykes. He was bom in A'irginia in 1810, coming from thence in early
manhood to Alabama and later to Columbus, where he generously
aided the religious, educational and material development of the grow
ing town. He married a relative, one of the Lanier family. She was
handsome and imposing in person, genial in manners, kind in heart and
helpful in every good cause. To them only one child was given,
James William, who married his second cousin, Marcella, daughter of
Dr. William Sykes. Only too soon was their happy married life cut
short, botli passing away, leaving two of tlieir four children to attain
maturity, \\ ildie. who married Siunders, BiUups, and Ida, who mar
ried Carleton Billups, sons of Col. Thomas Billups. The present repre-
senfci tives of the families of these brothers are Mrs. John Morgan, Jr.,
Mrs. Charles Westmoreland, Mrs. Robert Carson, Mrs. John Rich-
ards.Mrs. R. E. Johnston, James Sykes Billups and Thomas Carleton
Billups. — Editor.

100
Milburn, the blind preacher, (afterward chaplain to congress),
Geo. W. Carter, of Virginia, and W. P. Harrison, (afterwards
book editor of the M. E. Church South), were transient oc
cupants of its pulpits.
The Rev. Sam Jones, Sam Small, John Culpepper, George
Stewart, and George Inge, distinguished Methodist evange
lists have each held protracted services in the present church
building. PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The earliest members of the Episcopal church who settled
in Lowndes county and in Columbus were Mrs. Sarah Frazier
Neilson, wife of Capt. Wm. Neilson, who settled Belmont in
1822, Mrs. Bland Beverly Randolph, wife of Capt. E. B. Ran
dolph, who settled Goshen in 1824, Mr. Jack BUlington, who
came to Columbus in 1828 and Mr. Abram Maer in 1832.
After 1832, quite a number of citizens from the best
families of Virginia, North Carolina and other states emi
grated to Columbus, among whom were the Stantons, Acee,
Boykin, Lightfoot, Meade, Ross, Whitmed, Evans, Vaughan,
Walsh, Brownrigg, Long, Ramsay, Chandler, Smith, and
others, and by 1838 they were able to organize into a strong
influential and wealthy church. In 1839 they finished a
large substantial frame church, situated on the northwest
comer of the lot now occupied by Gen. S. D. Lee. The build
ing was 40 by 60 ft. in dimension, painted white with oma
mental frieze, open front hall which contained the entrance
doors into the main auditorium and the stairway to the
the gaUeries above. It was well seated with high straight-
back maple colored pews, with a seating capacity for 350 to
400 persons. It had gaUeries on three sides for further ac
comodation, and in the west gaUery was erected a pipe organ,
the first ever brought to Columbus; accompanying musicand
such as chants, anthems, glorias and oratorios were first intro
duced into church worship. This church was consecrated
by Bishop Kemper, of Missouri, in 1839. The first pastor
was the Rev. Mathis L. Forbes, a young Scotchman, weU
educated, social and friendly in his manner and well adapted
to the new and mixed population pouring into Columbus.
He was very popular and had good audiences to hear him

101
preach. General Richard T. Brownrigg, a devout and wealthy
vestryman, was its first senior warden, and continued in that
ofifice until his death.
St. Paul's Episcopal church has been served by the fol
lowing pastors, (Ext. church record); Revs. M. L. Forbes,
George W. Freeman, (afterward bishop of Texas) ; Wm. F.
Halsey, Benj. M. MUler, (1849) in temporary charge; Edward
Fontaine (1848), N. P. Knapp, J. H. Ingraham and A. D.
Corbin; T. S. W. Mott, Robert F. Clute (in temporary charge)
J. D. Gibson in 1858, John Coleman, J. T. Pickett, J. L. Tucker,
Jr., Blair Linn, WUliam Munford, W. W. DeHart, (temporary
charge); J. L. Lancaster, R. Grattan Noland, Wm. H. Bam-
well, and Walter R. Dye.
In 1854 the old church was sold, and the city hall rented
for service, which was shortly afterwards destroyed by fire.
In 1856, a new church edifice was projected and after
some delay in its erection, was completed in 1860. This
building was of brick and in design is a model of symmetry
and architectual proportion, which, if enlarged in its dimen
sions and finish would well resemble a Gothic Cathedral of
Medieval Europe.
Its erection and completion was largely due to the liber
ality and enterprise of two devoted laymen and vestrymen,
J. J. Sherman and Gray A. Chandler, men who had already
made their mark in the financial and commercial development
of Columbus from a very early date in its history. Mr. J. J.
Sherman was for a score of years its senior warden. This
building was consecrated Dec. 15th, 1860, by Bishop William
M. Green, of Mississippi.
The church is handsomely seated and well furnished,
with a pipe organ, which was obtained very largely through
the active agency of Miss Jeannie Vaughan, daughter of Dr.
B. A. Vaughn, whose fine taste and deft fingers have con
tributed much to the ornamentation of the church.
In 1899 the church erected a fine modem building for
Sunday school and social purposes, which adds much to the
comfort and pleasure of the congregation. The pastor. Rev.
W. R. Dye, resides in a comfortable, well appointed rectory
situated on the same lot with the church.

102
Col. W. C. Richard is its present senior warden and a
flourishing "Altar Guild" is active in its attention to the wants
of the church.
The Right Rev. Hugh S. Miller Thompson is the bishop
of the diocese of Mississippi in which St. Paul's church is
located.

KIkST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,

102

103

CHAPTER XIL— Continued.
RELIGIOUS; CHURCHES AND BENEVOLENT
SOCIETIES.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In 1818, the Presbyterian church, through the agency of
its American board of foreign missions, estabUshed a mission
to the Choctaw Indians, located in what is now Oktibbeha
county, and on the road leading from StarkvUle to Columbus,
about three miles west of Tibbee station on the M. and O.
raUroad, and two or three miles south of Tibbee creek, the
dividing line between the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations.
They caUed the mission "Mayhew" after the prairie by
that name in the border of which it was located and after
one of the early Choctaw chiefs.
According to Claiborne's History of Mississippi, the fol
lowing persons and their families were engaged in the establish
ment and service of the Mayhew missions, viz: Rev. Messrs.
Cyrus Kingsbury, Cyrus Byington, Gleason, Hooper Towse,
Cushman, also Dr. Pride and Misses Bumham, Foster, and
Thacker. In other records the foUowing names appear:
David Wright, Martin Sims, (Interpreter,) Alfred Wright,
Loving S. WilHams, and Ebenezer Hotchkins. The three
last named, in 1831 and 1832, removed with the Indians to
their reservation in the Indian Territory west of the Missis
sippi River, and in 1836 were foUowed by Drs. Kingsbury
and Byington, who remained in that service until the time
of their deaths.
During the continuance of the Mayhew mission, Columbus
was its post ofifice and base of suppHes, and was indebted to
its ministers for much of its earliest religious advantages.
The S3mod of Mississippi and south Alabama, in whose
jurisdiction the Columbus church was situated, held its first
meeting on the second Wednesday of November, 1829, and
the present Mississippi Synod was separated therefrom in
1842. The Tombeckbee Presbytery, in which Columbus was
also situated, was established by order of the Synod of South
Carolina and Georgia at its session in Charleston in December,

104
1828, ordered to hold its first session at Mayhew in June, 1829,
the meeting to be opened with a sermon by the Rev. Alfred
Wr ght. After several changes the Tombeckbee Presbytery
was placed in the jurisdiction of the Synod of Mississippi.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN COLUMBUS.
On the first Sabbath in May, 1829, the Presbyterian
church of this city was duly organized by Revs. Cyrus Kings
bury; Thos. Archibald, HUary Patrick and David Wright,
ordained missionaries from Mayhew mission by the transfer
of the following members from Mayhew church to Columbus,
viz: Henry W. Hunt, Wm. H. Craven, Daniel Oliver, John
J. Humphries. Eliza W. Craven, Eliza Wright, Mrs. Daniel
Oliver and Mary H. Hand.
The following members were ordained and installed as
elders: Maj. Wm. H. Craven and Henry W. Hunt. This
church having no house of worship, was served irregularly
in the old Franklin Academy by missionaries from Mayhew
until 1834, they established themselves in the old Masonic
hall with the Rev. David Wright as first pastor. The church
had increased to thirty members, among whom were Maj.
Benj. Toomer, Robert C. Warner, Mary Eleanor Craven,
Eliza Ball, Eliza Ervin, Jane Abert, Elizabeth Timberlake
and Drennon Love and wife. At this time Wm. H. Craven
and Maj. Toomer were ruling elders.
The Rev. David Wright continued to serve this church
until 1837, at which time he was succeeded by the Rev. Isaac
Reid. In 1836 the first steps were taken by a few ladies towards
the building of a house of worship, which resulted in the erec
tion of the walls and roof of a church edifice in 1837 and 38,
during the ministry of Rev. Isaac Reid.
Pertinent to the history of the church at this particular
time, the following extract from a letter of the Rev. David
Wright, dated Columbus, Miss., Oct., 26, 1837, is here inserted:
"We have all been very busy for the last few weeks in attending
upon the meetings of Presbytery and Synod, which have
just closed. We had many ministers here from all parts of
south Alabama and north Mississippi." * * * *

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

104

105
"I have been very much engaged in buUdiag our meeting
house of late; we have the basement story up. It is of brick
66 by 45 feet, 2 stories high ; the basement devoted to a Sab
beth School and lecture room; the second story entirely to
the solemn duties of the sanctuary. We hope to have it up
so that we can worship in the basement story after January."
* * * "Uncle Reid has gone to the Bible class."
The basement was partiaUy completed so as to be used
by the congregation during the last year of Mr. Reid's pas
torate. This buUding was located on a lot donated to the
church by Maj. Wm. H. Craven, which fronted on Caledorua
Street and in the rear of the main audience room of the present
church. Judge John Perkins, a wealthy Presbyterian of Louisiana,
who spent his summers at the "Oaks," eight miles above
Columbus, was the largest subscriber to its erection.
The financial crash of 1837 destroyed the abihty of many
of its members to pay their subscriptions and left the church
heavUy involved in debt, and unable to complete its erection.
Mr. Reid resigned his pastorate in AprU, 1839, and was
succeeded by the Rev. Thos. Morrow, of Alabama, who sup
phed the church twice a month during a part of the years
1839 and 1840.
In 1840, in addition to the incumbrance of a heavy debt,
the church suffered with a difference in its members as to the
doctrines of the New and Old School Presbyterian churches,
which resulted in the withdrawal of some of its members,
prominent among whom was Mr. Levi DonneU, who connected
himself with the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mr. Levi
DormeU, was favorably known by many of the present citizens
of Columbus as one of its oldest and most substantial citizens
and as Mayor of the city for a score of years.
At this juncture the church was visited by the Rev. Mr.
Scott, afterwards the celebrated Dr. Scott, then pastor of
the Presbyterian church in Tuscaloosa, Ala., who, seeing the
condition of affairs and necessities of the case, insisted on
the employment of a regular pastor, and recommended the
Rev. J. A. Lyon, of RogersviUe, Term., a graduate of Washing
ton CoUege, Tenn., and Princeton Theological Seminary.
11

106
The Rev. J. A. Lyon was called in May, 1841, and assumed
charge of the church in October, 1841.
Maj. Richard Barry and Maj. Wm. Craven assumed the
debt of the church and Dr. Lyon's first effort was to complete
the basement, his next to procure a bell and build cupola,
and last to complete the audience room. Finally the whole
was completed and on the first Sabbath of Sept., 1844, the
audience chamber was in due form, solemnly dedicated to
the worship of Almighty God.
In 1841, Dr. Lyon finding no Sunday school in existence,
insisted upon an immediate effort to organize one. This
work was promptly undertaken by Mrs. Richard Barry and
Miss Lizzie Blair, now the oldest, and an invalid, member of
the church in her eighty-second year, and in October in 1841
they succeeded in gathering together twenty scholars and
organized a Sunday school, with Thos. Christian as Super
intendent, and N. E. Goodwin as secretary and librarian.
In 1845 there was an extensive revival of religion in the
church and many additions were made to its membership. In
1847, Dr. Lyon's health having failed, he resigned and was suc
ceeded by the Rev. S. R. Frierson, a graduate of the Theologi
cal Seminary of South Carolina. Mr. Frierson's health failing,
he resigned andthe Rev. Dr. Lyon (then of St. Louis, Mo.) was
recalled, and in October, 1854, commenced his second pastorate
which position he held until 1870, when he was called to oc
cupy the chair of Moral Philosophy in the State University
at Oxford. During his ministry the church enjoyed several
important revivals of religion and quite a number were added
to the communion. When he took charge in 1841 the com
municants numbered about fifty. When he left it under his
second pastorate there were about one hundred fifty on the
roU. The pulpit from this time remained vacant for seventeen
months, when the Rev. H. B. Boude, of GaUatin, Tenn., was
called to the pastorate in the month of February, 1872, and
closed in the early part of 1875. In April, 1876, he was suc
ceeded by the Rev. J. D. McClintock, of Kentucky, who was
called as a stated supply, and after twelve months accepted the
pastorate of the church. He continued its faithful and accep
table pastor untU his death, which sad event took place Dec.

107
12th, 1881, and was buried in Friendship Cemetery. He
was succeeded by the Rev. R. B. Mc Alpine, who was instaUed
as pastor Jan. 14, 1883. During the pastorate of the Rev.
Mr. McAlpine, the old church, which had been in use for forty
years, was deemed unsuitable for the wants and tastes of the
church and congregation, and the new church edifice was
projected after the most modem style of architecture and
containing all the modem improvements.
The comer stone was laid in October, 1884, with appro
priate ceremonies conducted by its pastor and the other pas
tors of the city and it was formerly dedicated in 1894.
The Presbyterians of Columbus have reason to be proud
of this elegant, commodious and well arranged building,
containing a main audience room, Sunday school room, and
pastors study, equal in finish and furniture with the best
churches of our Southern towns: Mr. McAlpine resigned his
pastorate in 1887, and was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Rose-
borough, who served the church from 1888 to February, 1894,
In May, 1894, Rev. W. S. Jacobs was elected and installed
as pastor and continued until October, 1899, when he resigned
to accept the pastorate of the Woodland Street Presbyterian
church in Nashville, Tenn.
In April, 1900, the present incumbemt, the Rev. Dunbar
H. Ogden, a highly educated and devotedly pious young
graduate of the Southem Presbyterian University was called
and installed as pastor in June, 1900.
The church at this time has 345 members and is served
by the following officers:
Elders— J. L. S. Albright, Geo. W. Abert, W. A. CampbeU,
J. D. Hutchinson, Wm. Kilpatrick, A. A. Kincannon, W. H.
Lee, Jno. A. Neilson, J. A. Orr.
Deacons — W. D. Humphries, Chairman; C. C. Buder,
A. E. Love, J. P. Mayo, J. M. McQuown, Hampden Osborne,
S. B. Street, J. A. Stinson, J. T. Wood, and C. H. Ayres.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In 1836 or 1837, Columbus was visited by the Rev. Isaac
Shook, an evangelist of the Cumberland Presbyterian church,
who held a series of meetings which resulted in an extensive
revival of religion and the establishment of the present church.

108
Among the members of this church who lived in Columbus
at that time were Mrs. E. Love and family, WiUiam Worrell
and family, Jefferson Garvin and family, E. B. Gaston and
family, M. Howard and family, Wm. Stephenson and family,
Mrs. Kirsey and family, and J. K. Pierce and family. These
were followed at a later date by Levi Donnell, John S. Topp,
Jonathan Dechard, T. J. Ridley, and others.
Rev. Isaac Shook was elected first pastor and steps were
immediately taken to erect a church building, the basement
of which was ready for use in 1840, and the main audience
room was completed some years after. This church occupied
the site of the present building. During the pastorate of
the Rev. Isaac Shook, the church was prosperous and received
many additions to its membership.
In 1841 occurred the famous debate between the leamed
infidel, Prof. C. G. Olmsted and Rev. James Smith, a minister
of the C. P. Church, mentioned in a previous chapter.
Rev. Isaac Shook was succeeded by Rev. J. N. Roach,
a scholarly and popular preacher who was followed in 1849
by Rev. J. C. Bowden. Its next pastor was Rev. T. J. Fox,
who was followed by Rev. G. T. Stainback, who resigned his
pastorate in 1868. He was recalled in 1879 and resigned
again in 1882. He was pastor of this church for about twenty
years, and during his pastorate the church reached its highest
prosperity. He was beloved by all denominations and by
the people of Columbus generally. He filled several of the
best Southem pulpits, Memphis included, and was the Moder
ator of the General Assembly. He is pastor at this time of a
church in Dyersburg, Tenn.
The next pastor was the Rev. J. M. Keaton (1883), who
was foUowed by the Rev. G. T. Stainback, Rev. P. T. Charlton,
(1884) and J. D. Boydston (1886). In 1886, the old building
having been struck twice by lightning, was deemed unsafe
and plans for a new church were projected. After several
years delay the present neat and commodious structure was
begun in 1889, after a design by W. S. Smith, architect, and
completed in 1891. From 1888 to the present time the church

109
has been served by the following pastors, J. D. Black, R. H.
Sanders (1891), J. T. Hood (1894), W. C. Baber (1895), H. S.
Johnson (1897), and J. C. Amette (1900). The present mling
Elders are Mrs. Rosa Richards, Messrs J. H. ShuU, E. F. Hear-
on, P. N. Ellis.

no

CHAPTER XIL— Continued.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
In 1840, in the center of the square on the south side
of Main Street opposite the Gilmer hotel, there stood a long
frame building, erected for a store house, but converted into
what was called in Columbus at that time "The Theatre."
The theatre had in it all the appointments and arrangements
usual in a theatre of that date such as stage, scenery, drop
curtain, foot lights, orchestra, pit, dress circle, etc., and in
it traveling theatre companies entertained the people with
dramatic performances. But this theatre was more specially
and oftener used as a place for school exhibitions and per
formances of local Thespian societies and dramatic clubs.
It was also a place where lyceums and debating societies
held their stated meetings.
At this date there were no public halls in Columbus and
the court house was small and not seated. In consequence
preachers and lecturers from abroad were obliged to use tne
theatre in their addresses to the people. Among the preachers
who visited Columbus was the Rev. Tolbert Fanning, a mem
ber of the Christian church, well educated, of extraordinary
preaching ability, strong character, and indefatigable in
work. He was the first minister of this church who had
visited Columbus and his doctrines were new and in a large
degree different from the established denominations of the
town. He attracted large audiences and interested the people
in the bold discussions of his subjects. He gathered around
him all the citizens who had been connected with this church
in their former homes and many persons who were converted
through the instrumentality of his ministry, and thus in
this building was the origin and began the organization of
the Christian church in Columbus.
One of the immediate results of Mr. Fanning's series
of meetings was a debate between himself and the Rev. James
Lyon on the subject of "baptism," a discussion regarded by
the citizens of Columbus as ably maintained on both sides
and exceedingly interesting and instmctive to those who

Ill
heard it. The debate took place in the C. P. church in 184-.
Among the members who were organized into the first Christ
ian church, are the names of the following persons, which
have been collected from such data as was obtainable, viz:
H. S. Bennett and family, Isaac and Ephraim Darter,
Mrs. Hardy Stevens, Mrs. L. M. Hatch, O. H. Millican, Wil
liam Baker, J. H. Lambert, I. M. BosweU, Green HiU, W. H.
D. Carrington, Mrs. Patterson, Dr. M. Estes, Misses Bell,
Mrs. Frances Benoit, Alex Moore, Jacob Isaacs, Mrs. Coving
ton, Mrs. Sarah Femandis, Wm. Duncan, Mrs. Nat Mitchell,
Misses McEwen, James and William Taylor, Daniel Williams,
Mrs. H. P. Goodrich, Mrs. Jane Allen, George Saunders, Sam
uel Kline, Mrs. George StiUman, Mrs. Harrison Johnston,
and Maj. John Gilmer.
In addition to these, they received a number of members
from other churches. Green Hill was the first bishop and
Alex Moore one of the first deacons. For a time they held
their services in the old theatre and were supplied with preach
ing by transient brethren and pastors from other places. The
Rev. W. H. Muse, from HuntsviUe, Ala., was employed for
a time about the year 1845, and among the transient brethren
who held religious services were Alex Graham, Dr. B.F. Hall,
J. R. McCall, James Deans and others.
This church was itself the parent of three young preachers
of piety, gifts and preaching ability, W. H. D. Carrington,
Robert Ussery, and Dr. M. Estes, who faithfully served the
church every Sabbath when there was no ordained preacher
to officiate. In fact the church looks back with pride and
satisfaction to the fact that during its early life, without
stated house of worship and a regular pastorate, they kept
up religious services and "broke the loaf" every Lord's day.
About 1849, the church received from Mr. Eli Abbott
the ground upon which its present church building now stands.
Steps were immediately taken to erect a permanent place
of worship, and in a year or more the present commodious
and remarkably well built and comfortable edifice was com
pleted. The Rev. J. H. Curtis was called to be its pastor in 1871.
The church has been served since that time by the following
pastors: J. J. Haley (1873), with Ira BosweU and W. T. John-

112
son as bishops, and James A. Stevens and H. C. Goodrich as
deacons; Rev. Knowles Shaw (1877-78), the singing evange
list and distinguished preacher who drew great crowds to
attend on his ministry, to hear him sing and listened to his
unsurpassed temperance addresses; J. J. Jolly, B. F. Manier,
Miller, W. G. Harbin, T. L. Young, J. M. Pickens, Dr. W. H.
Brown, John Friend, John H. McQuery and G. A. Reynolds,
W. E. HaU, S. B. Benbrook, and H. G. Flemming. This
church has been highly favored by the visitation of some of
their most distinguished preachers, among whom were the
great Alexander Campbell, who preached for them several
weeks in 185-, and several days his second visit in 186-, Rev.
Tolbert Fanning, president of Fanning College, Tenn.; the
Rev. Dr. Moffett, missionary secretary of the Christian church,
Jacob Creath, James Edmonds, Moses E. Lard, J. B. Briney,
P B. Lawson, Homer Wilson, Robert Graham, Wm. Ussery,
John A. Stevens and James Sharp, Dr. B. B. Tyler, Wm.
Sewell, Dr. A. C. Henry and Junius Wilkins.
At present the church has no pastor and its officers are
as follows: Joseph H. Stevens, bishop; J. M. Easton, J. W.
Bealle, and F. S. Kemp, deacons.*
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The earliest Catholics who came to Columbus were Miss
Mary Martin, afterwards Mrs. Peter Yost, and Miss Boyle,
afterwards first wife of W. N. Monroe. Then followed the
Hurys, Mahons, Kreckers, Doughertys, Galvins, and ConnoUys.
Prior to 1863 these Catholic famUies were served by Father
Bolheme, of Paulding, Miss., who afterwards served as chap
lain in the Confederate army. He died before the termination
of hostUities and was buried in Richmond. Religious ser
vices were held in the homes of Messrs. Galvin and Connolly
and Mrs. Monroe.
In 1863 Father Mouton was sent to Columbus and he
proceeded at once to the erection of the present church after
a design of his own. Father Mouton belonged to the order
of architects in the Catholic church. He was not able, for

?During the war, when the State government " refugeed " from
Jackson, the lower house convened in the court house and the Senate
in the Christian Church. — Editor.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

1,12

113
lack of funds, to complete the buUding according to the original
design and it stiU remains in an unfinished state. Some idea
of its design and beauty may be seen in its highly finished
and architecturally proportioned interior.
Father Mouton was one of the most popular and highly
appreciated pastors in Columbus. He was affable and courte
ous and much beloved by all religious denominations and the
pubUc generaUy.
He was succeeded by Rev. Jno. McManus. Both of
these priests died with yeUow fever; Father Mouton in Yazoo
City and Father McManus in Vicksburg.
The first baptism that occurred in this church was a
chUd in the Hury famUy.
The Rev. Father Blanc, now of Bay St. Louis, came after
Father McManus and then Rev. P C. Hayden, now pastor
of the Cathedral of Natchez, who remained here for twelve
years, and is stiU happUy remembered by our citizens.
The others who served since his time were Fathers Hahn,
July, O. Love, McConkey, HippeU, and Father Bemard
O'ReUly (1901), who is the present incumbent.*
The Hurys, Galvins, ConnoUys, Kreckers, and Mahons
are still among its prominent and honored membership.
This church was visited at one time by Right Rev. Bishop
Elder, now Archbishop of Cincinnati, who preached to large
congregations and is well remembered by the people of Colum
bus for his scholarly and religious sermons.
Rev. Father Laurent, of Baltimore, an eloquent and
gifted divine, is holding a series of meetings in the Catholic
church at this time. THE JEWISH CHURCH.
The Jews began to settle in Columbus as early as 1840
and finding the town to be a profitable place for business,
and- its citizens liberal to all sects and nationalities, have
continued to come until they now number more than two
hundred persons and are among our most highly respected
and patriotic citizens.

Note — Prom July, 1902, Hippel; June, 1908, Rev. P. Sylvester
Yoerg, O. S. B.— Editor.
12

114
The first Jews who came to Columbus were the Hoffmans
and Crusmans who came in 1S40. These were foUowed by
Nathan, Gross, Lorsch, Schwartz and Rowtch.
The Jews had no regular Rabbi but were served occasion
aUy by two of their laymen, Messrs. Katz and Wolfe. untU
April 9th, iSSl Rabbi J. Herz took charge of the congregation.
He soon succeeded in estabUshing the present elegant and
modenUy finished synagogue in which services are regularly
held and the customs and tenets of the Jewish church are
conformed to. Subsequently the Jewish congregation pur
chased and handsomely remodeled the brick church buflt
by the Methodists in 1S44.
Rabbi Herz is a preacher of abUity and is most highly
esteemed on account of his great Hberality and kindness to
the people of Columbus. The ministers of the different
churches take great pleasure in acknowledging assistance from
him in their ministerial labors.
The Jews of Columbus have exhibited their patriotic
spirit by enlistment as soldiers in the Columbus companies
and doing their full duty in camp and on the battle field.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
[Note — The writer desires to express his sincere thanks to Mr
E. C. Chapman, Clerk of the Baptist Church, for the extract below'
taken from its records, and also to Mrs. Ann Franklin for permission
to use her well written and highly endorsed " Reminiscences of the
Baptist Church."
Columbus, Miss., Feb. 9, 1901.]
To the pastor and members of the Baptist church, Colum
bus, Miss. :
Your committee appointed to prepare suitable resolu
tions expressing our thanks- for the historical sketch of our
church, -written by the oldest and one of the most honored
members, Sister Ann E. Frankhn, beg to make the foUowing
report: Whereas, Sister Franklin being the oldest Uving member
of this church did write a fuU and correct history of this church
from its early history up to the present time, gi-ving in regular
line of succession the different pastors serving here.
Resolved, 1st. That this church does thank Sister
Franklin for this very valuable paper.

MRS. AXX C.\MPBELL FR.\XKLIX

114

115
2nd. That a page in our church minutes be set apart,
and that paper be inscribed therein.
3rd. That this church does most heartily congratulate
our beloved Sister Franklin on her advanced age, her fidelity
to this church and her ripened Christian experience, and
wish her many years of usefulness in the Master's cause.
4th. That a page in the minutes be set apart for these
resolutions and they be a part of the records of this church.
5th. That a copy of these resolutions be sent to Sister
Frankhn.
R. S. Curry,
Jas. T. Harrison,
Martin Treas dale.
Committee.
REMINISCENCES OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist church of Columbus was organized in 1832.
The charter members as far as I remember, were Maj . Thomas
G. Blewett, Thomas McGee, the Gibsons, and Warrens.
They were for several years without a house of worship,
services being held in the Masonic Temple, which was also
used as a school for young ladies, and presided over by Mr.
Wright, a Presbyterian minister, the father of Mrs. Laura
Eager, so long connected with the Franklin Academy.
The Masonic Temple was situated on the southwest
comer of Major Blewett's lot, now General Stephen D. Lee's
flower garden.
The other denominations, with the exception of the Metho
dists, who had the only church in town, held their services
in the Franklin Academy.
The membership of the church had increased so greatly
under Dr. George Tucker, its first pastor, that in 1838 it was
decided to build a church, and in the spring of that year the
corner stone was laid.
The first thing was to secure a suitable lot. After some
delay in looking around the present site was selected, the
price paid was $5,000.00, with nothing on the lot but a little
log cabin, which was literally a bower of the old fashioned
multiflora rose, and was occupied at that time, as many old
citizens will remember, by Miss Maria Morse, who had an

116
infant school, and taught many a generation of Columbus
their A. B. Cs.
The strip of ground between the Baptist and old Metho
dist church (now Concert Hall) was o-wned by Col. McLaren,
a Baptist and wealthy citizen of his day. He made an equal
division of the land, giving half to the Baptist and half to
the Methodists, which was his wife's church.
Major Blewett was the moving spirit in all that pertained
to the upbuilding of the Baptist denoraination in Columbus
and with his indomitable energy, his vast fortune and princely
generosity, he became the ruling spirit of the new church.
At the time of its completion his contribution amounted to
$18,000.00, and as long as he lived his purse strings were
ever open to the Baptist cause.
Major Blewett had many able co-workers: Gov. Whit
field, the Gibsons, Blounts, Armstrongs, Walthalls, and many
others. Later on they were joined by Dr. Franklin, who
was senior deacon for many years before his death. Isham
Harrison, Dr. Thomas Mayo, Dr. Jones, Mr. Marquis, Mr.
Whitfield, Sr., Mr. Canfield and John Morgan, Sr., Dr. TaH-
aferro and Mr. Krecker, who, with his estimable, wife led
the singing for many years before we had an organ.
Our present organ was bought just before the war, when
Dr. Teasdale was pastor.
They were two years in building the church, and at the
time of its completion it was the largest and handsomest
church edifice in Mississippi, if not in the entire South.
Major Blewett presented the old bell that stiU hangs
in the dome. It has pealed the wedding chimes, it has tolled
the funeral knell of generations dead and gone, and it but
recently chanted the requiem of the dying century.
The magnificent sil-V-er communion service, also a gift
of Major Blewett, has recently been added to by the gener
osity of Mrs. Eugenia Moore, daughter of the late senior
deacon, John Morgan, who was one of the pillars of the church.
At one time in its history the old church was used for
another purpose than a place of worship. After the battle
of Shiloh, when thousands of our wounded soldiers were
brought to Columbus, it was converted into a hospital and
hundreds and hundreds of soldiers were cared for there, and

117
many a brave soul winged its flight into the eternal realm
above from the waUs of the dear old historic church.
The elegant carpets that covered the church were taken
up and cut into squares to use as blankets for the soldiers.
We had no baptistry until long after the war; we were
decidedly river Baptists, baptizing at the foot of Main street,
just under the present bridge.
During Mr. Goodwin's pastorate, James T. Harrison,
Sr., presented us the much needed baptistry as a token of
his love for the Baptist cause.
The foUowing ministers have, since its organization,
presided over the destinies of the church successively : Tucker,
Bailey, Walthall, Armstrong, Crane, McLeod (a supply preach
er who only filled the pulpit a few months), Tichenor, Russell,
Buck, Teasdale, Sears (also a supply preacher who refugeed
here after the battle of Donels'onville, and as our pulpit was
vacant at that time preached for us during the winter) , Bestor,
Cason, Goodwin, Battle, Taylor, Dobbs, Johnson, Jones, and
our present well-beloved minister, A. J. Miller.
The present corps of deacons are Gen. Stephen D. Lee,
F. M. Jacob, J. L. Walker, James T. Harrison, A. A. Wofford,
T. 0. Burris, B. L. Owen, and J. A. Goree.
The Columbus Association held its sessions here several
times and the state convention three times. In 1881, during
the pastorate of Henry W. Battle, who was ordained in this
church, the Southem Baptist Convention, one of the largest
religious bodies in the world, were entertained here most roy
ally. There were about eight hundred delegates in attendance,
all the churches were thro-wn open for their deliberations and
all the private homes for their entertainment.
I have given this little history of the church just as I recol
lect it through the changes and vicissitudes of sixty -nine years,
it being ten years my junior, and if I haven't things just as
they were, I can't find any one old enough to correct me.
Ann C. Franklin.
Columbus, Miss., Jan. 27, 1901.

118
A DISTINGUISHED BAPTIST LAYMAN.
History cannot make facts. Men make facts and his
tory records them. The brightest pages in history are the
records of the deeds of good men. Among the good men
who made the historic city of Columbus luminous with his
deeds, stands the name of Major Thomas G. Blewett. Major
Blewett was not one of those pioneers who sought locations
in the rich prairies of Mississippi to make a home and a fortune
for himself. He had an old ancestral home and abundant
wealth before he left South Carolina, the land of patriotism,
statesmanship and nobility.
A young man of fortune, he wisely concluded the ex
hausted sandy plains and hills of his native state were not
the place for agricultural success. In the fall of 1832 he came
to Mississippi, lured hither by the fame of the rich lands just
vacated by the Choctaw Indians, and after examination
purchased a large body of land, the homestead and residence
of Mashulatubbee, the great Choctaw Chief, and on which
grew the famous oak under which was held the great council
of the Choctaw chiefs to hear the celebrated warrior of the
west, Tecumseh, who urged them to engage themselves in
alliance against the whites and especially against the Ameri
cans, who were then at war with the British in the War of
1812. These lands were situated on the old Military road, cut
by the troops of Andrew Jackson in 1815, and iii the northem
part 'of Noxubee and southem part of Lowndes county. He
spent a year opening lands and building houses for his family
and slaves, which were occupied by them in the fall of 1833.
In 1835 Major Blewett moved his family to Columbus,
Mississippi, and built for them a residence equal to the best
in the town, situated on the square now known as Merchant's
Block, and included two-thirds of its eastern portion. He
resided here two years. During his residence here began that
life of intelhgent wisdom and large liberality which placed
him foremost among the patriotic citizens and unselfish phil
anthropists of Columbus. In going to and' from his planta
tions he found himself and the citizens of Lowndes county
inconvenienced by a toll ferry boat on the Luxapalila. He

MAJ. THOMAS BLEWETT.

U

119
asked permission of the county to build a bridge across
that stream free to all its citizens, reserving only a right to
receive toll from non-residents. The result was a strong,
well covered lattice bridge, the m(?del after which the Green
Hill bridge was built. In 1837 it was open for pubHc use,
with appropriate ceremonies and a sumptuous barbecue,
prepared at his own expense and attended by thousands of
citizens. This was the first substantial bridge ever built
in north Mississippi.
Soon afterwards he grew tired of the encroachments
of trade and publicity of his home, and bought from the Rev.
David Wright, the square on which he lived until his death,
now owned by Gen. S. D. Lee, who married his grand-daughter.
Miss Regina Harrison. He did not sell his' first residence,
but rolled it up to a point on Washington, or College Street,
and by adding long wings east and west and south built the
Blewett House, a hotel famous in after years for being the
rendezvous of the state candidates and politicians. From
the steps of its portico three gallant companies of soldiers
organized in Columbus, who went to the Mexican war in
1846-7 and to the Confederate war in 1861, received their
battle flags from the fair hands of three of Columbus' most
gifted women. Misses Bettie Goff, Passie Butler, and Clara
Shields. In 1838, with that fine scholar and educator, Mr. Abram
Maer, and a board of trustees composed of the very best and
wealthiest citizens of Columbus, he, being president of the
board, projected and built the Mississippi Female College,
the first college, male or female north of Jackson, in the state
of Mississippi. Maj. Thos. G. Blewett was a devoted Baptist, and that
denomination having no place of worship, his great heart
was stirred, and by a subscription equal in amount to that
subscribed by all others, he projected the erection of a Bap
tist church in his Columbus home. His ambitions and archi
tectural taste aspired to a structure modeled after the classic
temples of Greece, and he achieved success in a building second
to none in the State.
Its classic portico, supported by its Corinthian columns
with chapiter and base, suggests the entrance to the old state

120
capitol at Jackson or the St. Charles hotel in New Orleans,
while its graceful steeple, like some tall poplar, lifts its aspiring
head in beauty against the Heaven's blue dome. He stopped
at no expense to make its appointments complete, and to
this day the Baptist church stands a monument of what the
unselfish and abounding beneficence of one of her citizens
has done for his denomination and the city of Columbus.
In 1848 he was again a liberal contributor and trustee
to the establishment and support of the Columbus Female
Institute. In 1858, when destroyed by fire, he was again
the leading subscriber for its rebuilding.
In 1847 he built for himself a spacious and palatial man
sion after an Italian model with brick made by his own masons
and lumber wrought by his own mechanics, under his own
immediate supervision.
In 1862 his youngest son, Capt. Randle Blewett, having
raised a company to take part in the great Confederate war,
his noble and patriotic father generously armed, uniformed
and equipped the whole company at his own expense, only
to see his gallant boy fill a soldier's grave in one of the great
battles of Virginia. ,
He bore the great losses caused by the Confederate war,
which included 500 slaves, like a Christian phUosopher, and
accommodated himself to the changed condition of life without
a murmur or complaint.
His vigorous and well preserved constitution resisted
the encroachments of disease and age until he was eighty-two
years old, and then after a short, severe illness, he met death
like a Christian hero with all the confidence and hope of his
religious faith.
In an interview with the Rev. George Shaeffer, a warm
Methodist friend, just before his death, he said, "Brother
Shaeffer, I have sho-wn you how a Baptist could live, and now
I wiU show you how a Baptist can die."
The irreproachable character of Major Thos. G. Blewett
in his public and private life and his rigid adherence to honor,
honesty, and truth placed him much above the common level
of men. His cheerful disposition and genial manners relieved
the strictness of his high moral standard, and made him one
of the kindest of friends and best of citizens. He was pure

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 1908.

120

121
in heart, upright in life, extravagant in charities, and grand
in death. He died in Columbus, Miss., May 2, 1871.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 1902.
The First Baptist church was organized in the early 30's,
and the present building was constmcted at a cost of $28,000
in 1839. It can seat 600 worsnippers.
The church has always been well conducted, and was
never in a more prosperous condition. All departments are
in successful operation. Its membership, which now numbers
377, has invariably included many of the most representative
Columbus citizens. The deacons at present are: Gen. S. D.
Lee, F. M. Jacob, J. L. Walker, W.W. Wofford, J. T. Harrison
(Lieutenant-Governor of Mississippi), T. O. Burris, J. A._
Goree, W. N. Puckett. The church is under the efficient
pastorate of Rev. A. J. Miller, a pulpit speaker of force, and
a consecrated man who numbersn one but friends among the
people of Columbus.
E. C. Chapman is treasurer; B. A. Lincoln is clerk, and
Miss Annie L. Long, organist.
The flourishing Sabbath school enrolls 190 pupils. The
B. Y. P. U. and the junior organization are strong and active,
as may be said of the ladies' organization, the Armstrong
Society, of which Mrs. Dan Richards is president and Mrs.
Bettie Gaston secretary. Two years ago the pastorium, or
parsonage was erected at a cost of $2,500.*

*N0TB — In 1908, during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Hewett, a com
modious and elegant new church buildingwaserectedby the Baptists.
— Editor. 13

122

CHAPTER XIII.
COLUMBUS DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
the soldiers' graves — ladies' monumental association
— daughters of the confederacy.
The history of Columbus, Miss., during the CivU War
is unique and interesting — unique in that it was never at
tacked or captured by the Federal army during the entire
war. No hostile flag ever floated over its beautiful homes,
no house was ever bumed or building looted by a conquering
foe. It escaped the immediate horrors and ravages of war,
which fact was not true of any other city or town of its size
in the State of Mississippi, and notwithstanding the f jrther
fact that 238 battles were fought on Mississippi soil.
From the very date of secession to the close of the war,
Columbus was the scene of great excitement and the bustle
and hurry of active warlike preparation. Intensely patriotic,
its volunteer companies were among the very first to tender
their services to the State and to the Confederacy. On Jan.
11th, 1861, only a few days after the secession of Mississippi,
two companies from Columbus and one from Lo-wndes county,
having received sealed orders from Gov. J. Pettus, proceeded
by rail to Mobile, Ala. These sealed orders, the departure
of the troops, and the Act of Secession, produced the wildest
excitement and anxious inquiry in the minds and hearts
of her citizens. A few days developed the fact that eight
Mississippi companies, located on the Mobile & Ohio RaUroad,
had been ordered to rendezvous at Mobile and in connection
with Alabama and Florida troops to proceed to Pensacola,
Fia., and take possession of that place with its navy yard
and munitions of war, and, if practicable, the United States
forts in its vicinity.
The eight Mississippi companies were as follows : Colum
bus Riflemen, Capt. C. H. Abert; Lo-wndes Southrons, Capt.
Wm. B. Wade; Prairie Guards, Capt. J. T. W. Hairston;
Chickasaw Guards, Capt. W. F. Tucker; Noxubee Rifles,
Capt. Geo, T. Wier; Lauderdale Rifles, Capt. Constantine

H07-\E. OF" GELM. S. D. i_ EE" G 01_UI MB US. J^^SS.

(Built for Maj. Thomas Blewett in 1S44-)

123
Rea; Enterprise Guards, Capt. W. 0. FerraU; Quitman Light
Infantry, Capt. J. L. Duck.
At Pensacola these companies were organized into a
regiment with the foUowing field officers: Capt. C. H. Abert,
Colonel; Capt. Wm. B. Wade, Lieut. Colonel; and Lieut.
Samuel Butler, Major, thus giving Columbus and Lowndes
county aU the commanding ofificers of the regiment. Drs. B.
A. Vaughan and C. M. Dickinson were appointed surgeons
and  ^Brown, Quartermaster, Hugh Topp, Commissary.
First Lieut. Wm. E. Baldwin was elected Captain of the Co
lumbus Riflemen with the foUowing ofificers: First Lieut., S.
D.Harris; Second Lieut., J. W. Benoit; Third Lieut., R. A.
BeU; First Sergeant, W. O. WorreU; Second Sergeant, C. A.
Johnston; Third Sergeant, Rube WiUeford; Fourth Sergeant,
C. WorreU. First Corporal, R. W. Harris; Second Corporal, Ed Dun
can; Third Corporal, J. C. Duncan; Fourth Corporal, D. Sap-
pington; Fifth Corporal, E. M. Witherspoon.
Geo. H. Lipscomb was elected Captain of the Lowndes
Southrons with the foUowing ofificers:
First Lieut. T. P. Shields; Second Lieut. W. C. Richards ;
Third Lieut., Jacob Isaacs.
First Sergeant, S. H. Harris; Second Sergeant, J. W.
Armstrong; Third Sergeant, C. Murry; Fourth Sergeant, R.
H. Riddick; Fifth Sergeant, G. H. Richey.
First Corporal, R. P. Gregory; Second Corporal, Geo.
Whitfield; Third Corporal, J. P. Kenny; Fourth Corporal,
Harris Field.
The foUowing were the officers of the Prairie Guards:
Captain, J. T. W. Hairston; First Lieut. A. H. Ledbetter;
Second Lieut., J. H. Hairston; Third Lieut. W. H. Gray.
First Sergeant, E. Sanders; Second Sergeant, T. Carr;
Third Sergeant, H. B. Thorp; Fourth Sergeant, H. P. Halbert.
First Corporal, J. Henkin; Second Corporal, F. R. Greg
ory; Third Corporal, J. H. Darby; Fourth Corporal, Thos.
Roberts; Ensign J. W. Chandler.
This record shows that Columbus and Lowndes county
companies were among the very first to obey the orders of
the sovereign State of Mississippi, to protect her honor and
territory, before the Confederate States of America was

124
organized. These companies remained in the State service
untU early in February, when they were discharged, and on
the 8th of that month they arrived in Columbus amid the
booming of cannon, the sounds of martial music, the waving
of handkerchiefs, and the welcome smiles of their happy
mothers and sisters. After an address of welcome by Judge
S. A. Brown, they were escorted by the "Reserve Riflemen,"
the "Lo-wndes County Guards" and the "Tombigbee Rangers"
to Cady's Hotel where they partook of a sumptuous breakfast
prepared for the occasion.
Early after the organization of the Confederate States
of America, the first caU of the govemment was made for
two regiments of soldiers from each of the States. Under
this call "Lowndes Southrons," Capt. Wm. B. Wade, and
the "Southem Avengers," Capt. Geo. H. Lipscomb, both
companies from Columbus, Miss., tendered their services and
were accepted.
The "Lowndes Southrons" were commanded by the
foUowing ofificers: Capt., Wm. B. Wade; First Lieut., T. P.
Shields; Second Lieut., W. C. Richards; Third Lieut., J. H.
Field; Ensign, R. J. Murry.
First Sergeant, L. L. Goodrich; Second Sergeant, J. W.
Armstrong; Third Sergeant, G. H. Richey; Fourth Sergeant,
Robert Gregory; Fifth Sergeant, James Winston.
First Corporal, Thos. Edwards; Second Corporal, George
Bean; Third Corporal, J. P. Beatty; Fourth Corporal, E. T.
Ruffin. Total officers and men, 91.
The "Southron Avengers" were commanded by the
foUowing officers: Capt., Geo. H. Lipscomb; First Lieut., T.
I. Sharp; Second Lieut., Robert BeU; Third Lieut., G. W.
Vaughn. First Sergeant, T. B. Franks; Second Sergeant, E. T.
Benoit; Third Sergeant, J. Pope; Fourth Sergeant, R. W.
Harris; Fifth Sergeant, M. M. Burke.
First Corporal H. Kincannon; Second Corporal, Greorge
Fisher; Third Corporal, J. Gibson; Fourth Corporal, C. E. Gay.
Total officers and men 102.
The time of service for these regiments was one year.
They were mustered into the Confederate service at Pensacola,
Fia., Mar. 27, 1861, and were assigned to duty as companies

125
in the 10th Mississippi Regiment, commanded In- the foUow-iug
olfioors: Col. Mosos B. PhUlips; Lieut, Col. Joseph R. Davis;
M.-\j. E, II. Givgory: Adjutjuit, E, T. Sykes: Ass't. Surgeon,
W L Lipscomb; .\sst. Quartermaster, George W, \MiittieH;
Quartennaster Sergeant. T. C. Lipscomb.
These two companies with another Mississippi oompanv
were assigned to duty in Fort McRae. Maj, E. H. Gregorv
oonimanding. They remained at Pens;ioola one year and
were disohai-gx\l at Corintli. Miss. Ass't. Surgeon W. L.
Lipscomb, acoonipanied tlie expedition making a night attack
on Santa Rosa Island and was captured, being one of the
rii-^t prisoners ot war from the State of Mississippi. He was
released on special parole and assigned to dut\- in Xew Orleans.
During l.'^tU tlie wtit began in earnest and. the coutiict
Kvomiiig more severe, there was a continuous call of the
general govemment on the states for troops. Columbus re
sponded witli her accustomed p>atriotisni and promptness,
until companies, aggregating 2201 men ftiom the city and
county, were sent to the field. The city was a continued
scene of the organisation, equipment. driU, and depvirture
of soldiers. The bugle and tlie drum were rarely missed
fixMU the sounds which fell on the ears of tlie citirens of Colum
bus during 1S0> 1 and "62. For an accurate record of the names
of these companies, tlie reader is referred to tlie list prepared
by Lieut. Thonias Harrison and published in the Columbus
Disp;itch, date M.-^y Sth, U>02.
In addition to the above Confederate troops. Brig, G«n,
J, V Harris rendevouced and organire^l at Columbus a brig
ade of State trov^ps. which brigade was engag-ed and captured
at the siege of Vicksburg.
.\notlier phase of war which disturbed the quiet and
occupied the attention of the citisens of Columbus was the
establishment by the Confederate Govenmient of an immense
arsenal for the manufacture of amis and the munitions of
w;ir. Great b-.-.ilding^ cf brick and wood werie projected and
built with such rapidity tliat the workmen did not cease
their labors on the Sabbath day and often extended them
far into tlie night. A thousand or mort.^ artis,ins and mechan
ics were engaged ia casting cannon, manufacturing and alter
ing small arms, making cartridges, fuses, percussion caps.

126
collecting magazines of powder, in fact the Ordnance Depart
ment was engaged in the rapid preparation of aU the materials
of war. In addition to the long barracks which were buUt
for the operatives, aU the\vacant houses in Columbus were
occupied by their famiHes and by the famiUes of the ofificers
who had charge of the Arsenal. Several millions of doUars
were used in the purchase of material and expended in its
manufacture. Columbus was almost doubled in white popu
lation and the number of Cathohcs increased to such an ex
tent that tney were enabled to buUd the present CathoUc
church for their worship. The colored school house of today
is the ordy buUding which remains, and was erected for the
accommodation of the officers and clerks engaged in the enter
prise. All the other buUdings were destroyed accidentaUy
by fire after the removal of the Arsenal, wliich had been trans
ferred to Sehna, Ala., as a place of greater safety. Cols.
Hunt and CaldweU, of Memphis, were the chief officers in
charge. The third addition to the war iiistory of Columbus was
its selection after the Battle of Shiloh in April, 1862, for a
hospital center for the treatment of the wounded and sick
of the Armies of Mississippi and Teimessee. The Gilmer
Hotel, the Odd FeUows BuUding, the present Concert HaU,
the Columbus Female Institute, and the great amphitheatre
at the Fair Grounds, were aU converted into hospitals, and
train loads of wounded and sick soldiers from ShUoh and points
north of Columbus soon fiUed aU these buUdings to their
utmost capacities. They came in such rapidity that only
the crudest and most uncomfortable accommodations were
ready for their reception. They had neither suitable beds
nor food, but were laid out in long rows on blaiikets and pal
lets of straw. The construction force of Columbus was taxed
to its utmost capacity, and soon the paUets and straw beds
were replaced by wooden bunks with cotton beds and piUows,
and bakeries and kitchens began to supply the sick with ap
propriate food.
It was in this sudden emergency and unfavorable con
dition of affairs that the women of Columbus came to the
aid of the medical officers in charge, and by their untiring

ise

127
and continued efforts won for themselves the gratitude and
honor not only of Mississippi but of the whole Confederacy.
They divided themselves into committees, each committee
taking charge of its assigned hospital, and day and night
they ministered to the wants of the sick and wounded, pre
paring suitable food, bandages, dressings, clothing and other
things necessary for their comfort and improvement. They
sat by their dying pallets to receive and send their last mes
sages to their loved ones at home, to administer the conso
lations of religion, and provided for them every comfort that
money, sympathy, and love could suggest. The increase
of the wounded and sick became so great that it was estimated
that 3,000 soldiers were under treatment at one time, necessi
tating the opening of almost every home in the city of Colum
bus for their accommodation.
With the advent of the wounded and sick came the dark
angel of death, and made it imperative to procure a large
plot of ground in Friendship Cemetery for the interment of
the numerous dead. So great was the mortality that relays
of soldiers and hired negroes were continuously engaged in
digging graves, and hearses and wagons were in constant
employment in carrying the corpses to their last resting place.
The death rate at one time ran as high ao 25 or 30 per day.
The plot in the southwest corner of Friendship Cemetery was
soon found to be too small and another plot of ground in the
northwest comer was obtained. The Federal dead were
buried in a separate plot of ground procured for that purpose.
The burial of the dead and the preparation of the coffins
and graves were entmsted to W. H. O'Neal, a contractor
of means, owning as he did a number of colored carpenters
and a large two-story building suitable for the work, and
faithfully he executed the difficult and disagreeable task.
The graves were dug in long rows with head and foot boards
to mark each grave; each head board was numbered and the
name of the soldier, his company and regiment written thereon.
This record was kept in a suitable book prepared for that
purpose and when the war closed contained more thgn 1500
names of deceased soldiers. The Federal graves were estimat
ed at from 40 to 150. Their remains were moved some years
after the war to the Federal Cemetery at Corinth, Miss.

128
With the removal of the army of Tennessee to the east,
the supply of sick and wounded decreased, and the hospitals
were all consolidated into the Fair Ground Hospital. And
a later order making Lauderdale Springs the hospital center
decreased the number of sick and wounded so greatly that a
building was formerly occupied by the Arsenal containing
about 200 beds, with the negro school house for the accommo
dation of the surgeons, was sufficient to meet the demands.
The first hospitals were in charge of such distinguished
Surgeons as Dr. Paul F. Eve of Tennessee, Dr. J. T. Pim of
Kentucky, Dr. T. D. Isom of Mississippi and Drs. Westmore
land of Gorgia. At a later date Drs. W. L. Lipscomb and
John Brownrigg were Post Surgeons.
In addition to 1500 soldiers buried in the Confederate
cemetery, many of our brave and distinguished dead were
interred in the family squares in Friendship cemetery. The
first soldier from the city of Columbus who was buried in
Friendship Cemetery was Sergeant E. T. Benoit, who was
killed in the discharge of his duty by an intoxicated comrade
at Fort McRae, Fia.
The second soldier who was interred in Columbus, and
the first kUled in battle, was Dr. John Williams, who fell at
Ft. Donelson, brother of Mrs. McCabe and Mrs. Benoit. Then
came that triple burial, long to be remembered in the history
of Columbus, when Lieut. Col. A. K. Blythe, Lieut. Whitfield
Morton, and- Private John Garvin — all kiUed in the battle
of Shiloh — were laid to rest by one of the largest concourses
of mourning citizens that ever assembled in Friendship ceme
tery. The graves of the following are readily distinguished
by the monuments and headstones erected by their families
and friends: Capt. Randle Blewett, killed before Richmond;
Lieut. McKinney Irion, died from wounds received at Corinth;
Octavius Williams, died in Camp Douglas; Dr. W. E. Sykes,
kiUed at Decatur, Ala. ; Gen. Wm. Baldwin, accidentaUy
killed in Mobile, Ala.; Col. Isham Harrison, Lieut. Thomas
Field, and Lieut. WilHam Carrington, all killed at battle of
Harrisburg, and buried at same time with solemn and imposing
ceremonies; Capt. Thos. I. Sharp,- killed before Atlanta;
Col. Wm. S. Barry, died of wounds received at Altoona, Ga,;
A. S. Robertson, died at Corinth, August, 1861 — ffirst death
in Columbus Riflemen.

129
FIRST DECORATION DAY
When the -war closed in 1S65 the Confederate States of
America died, surrounded by the graves of the brave soldiers
who defended her, and took her place among the dead nations
of the earth. There was no great national govemment to
take charge of the ashes of her dead, and Mississippi was too
poor and broken in spirit to erect memorials to perpetuate
their names and commemorate their valor. In this the dark
est hour of Confederate history, the Soutliem women, witli
a love truer than truth and stronger than death, continued
to keep the grass that covered their dead wet with their tears,
and strewed with evergreens and flowers the hiUocks that
marked the rem;iitis of the heroes of a loved, lost cause.
In the spring of 1S06 Miss Matt Moreton, Mrs. J. T.
Fontaine and Mrs. Green T. HiU — ^three ladies of Columbus
whose names ought to be remembered as long as a Southem
heart beats true to gratitude and honor and in loy;Uty to
woman, whose \'irtues shine amid the tears and whose acrions
make this world glorious amid the gloom of despair and the
ashes of death — ^were in the habit of \-isiting Friendship
cemetery and cleaning off as best they could the weeds and
briers and decorating with flowers the neglected graves of
the Confederate dead. This beautiful custom, inaugurated
by them, found a hearty response in the breasts of the ladies
of Columbus and resulted in a determination to make the
decoration of the soldiers' graves an annual occurrence, and
the iirst cel^rati<>H to fake- pLi<-f was April 25, 1S66. An ac
count of that event is herewith copied from the Mississippi
Index, April 26, 1S66. James A. Stex'ens, local editor: "The
procession of \'esterday in honor of the Confederate dead.
was large and imposing. First marched in twos, the young
ladies and girls, dressed in immaculate wliite, each bearing
her bouquet or chaplet of flowers. Next came tiie matrons
dressed in mourning; Uke the others witli flowers in their
hands — their black dresses t\-pical of the Southem heart
in gloom for its belo\'ed dead — the fair flowers emblematic
of woman's admiration and affection for all that was gaUant
and chix^alrous in patriots. Lastly came the procession of
carriages bearing the elderly ladies.
14

130
"Arriving at the cemetery the ladies assembled around
the graves of the soldiers in the form of a square; from the
center of the ground, an elaborate and eloquent address was
dehvered by Rev. G. T. Stainback, and following it, a fervent
prayer by Rev. A. S. Andrews. The ladies then performed the
beautiful and touching duty of decorating the graves with
flowers. "There were over 1400 graves to be decorated. Through
exertions and appeals of the kind ladies superintending
the good work, all these graves had been neatly cleaned off;
so that after the decoration was completed, "God's Acre"
of heroes looked as if freshly blooming with a thousand flowers
— ^bearing up to Heaven a fragrant and beautiful evidence
of woman's love, tenderness, and appreciation.
"We were glad to see that no distinction was made between
our own dead and about forty Federal soldiers, who slept
their last sleep by them. It proved the exalted, unselfish
tone of the female character. Confederate and Federal —
once enemies, now friends — ^receiving this tribute of respect.!'
Thus was established a custom which has become national
in its adoption — Decoration Day — shaving its origin with
the ladies of Columbus, under the leadership of its prime
movers. Miss Matt Moreton, Mrs. J. T. Fontaine, and Mrs.
Green T. Hill. Columbus also claims the distinction of being
the first to decorate the graves of both Confederate and Fed
eral soldiers alike. And in this connection we copy the fol
lowing extract from a Mobile paper: "Some days since we
published a letter from "Private" — a well kno-wn and high-
toned merchant of our city — approving the course of the
Mobile Cadets in sending a wreath to the Federal graves on
"Decoration Day;" and claiming for the ladies of Columbus
the originating of this act of peace to the dead. The Columbus
"Index" copies "Private's" letter and our comments upon
it, and thus speaks for itself: 'This note from "Private" is cor
rect, save that the lady — one of the sweetest women with
whom God ever blessed the earth — ^volunteered, of her own
mind, to strew flowers upon the Federal graves. The "Index"
in its report at the time, alluded to the magnanimous deed in
words of praise, and North and South, this first act of floral
reconciliation was discussed in terms of praise and censure.

MISS MATT MORETON.

130

131
It is not improper to state that this good woman lost a gallant
husband in the Confederate cause, himself a worthy wearer
of the gray.' "
WhUe it is very e-vident from the description of the first
"Decoration Day" given above from the Columbus "Index"
that the decoration of the Federal soldiers' graves was a part
of the program of that occasion, it appears from the last
article quoted that the same editor designed that especial
mention should be made of Mrs. Augusta Cox, formerly Mrs.
Mrs. Augusta Murdock Sykes, and her name is now given
in the historical sketch of that event.
LADIES' MONUMENTAL ASSOCIATION.
Appropriate ser-vices were held every year after the in
auguration, but not until April, 1869, was there an organiza
tion of the Ladies' Monumental Association. On AprU the
6th, 1869, a meeting was held at the Methodist church to
make arrangements for decorating the graves of the soldiers
on the 26th of April, and to orgaiuze an association, "whose
immediate object shall be to erect an appropriate monument
to the memory of Southem soldiers buried in our midst."
Rev. G. T. Stainback was called to the chair, and Miss Matt
Morton was appointed secretary, whereupon the association
styled "The Ladies' Monumental Association" was organized
by electing the following officers: Mrs. Passie McCabe, Presi
dent; Mrs. J. H. Sharp, Vice-President; Mrs. G. T. HiU,
Treas.; Miss Matt Morton, Sec'y; Mrs. L. Whitfield, Ass't
Sec'y. Gen. J. H. Sharp was elected orator for the 26th of
April. After the organization of the Ladies' Monumental Asso
ciation, the Confederate cemetery was cared for in a proper
and artistic manner. The grounds were omamented with
beautiful magnolia trees, white pine, and other evergreens,
and the two plots of ground north and south were connected
by an avenue with magnoHas planted on either side and called
MagnoHa Avenue.
"Year by year the labors of the Association were con
tinued under the direction of those worthy and patriotic
women, of whom Columbus makes her proudest boast: Mrs.
Passie B. McCabe, Mrs. A. B. Meek, Mrs. JuHa B. Harrison,

132
Mrs. M. W. Hatch, Mrs. A. L. Witherspoon and Mrs. J. W.
Benoit. With unwearied dUigence and deovted zeal, in
conjunction with an associate number of the fairest maidens
that ever bloomed on freedom's soil, they labored and toiled
until 1872, at which time they felt that they had achieved
sufficient success to contract for a monument, suitable and
appropriate to their purpose. A young artist, Mr. W. H.
Newlon, bom and reared in Columbus, from granite blocked
from a quarry near luka. Miss., prepared for them this chaste
and stately column, and at its base on this the 1st day of
May, 1874, the Ladies' Monumental Association have assem
bled, and ask the aiding sympathy of this vast audience in
its appropriate dedication."
(Extract from the Address of Dedication, by Dr. W. L.
Lipscomb.) The monument consists of an omamental stone shaft,
slightly decreasing in size to the top, situated on a pedestal
or die, which stands on two stone bases elevated upon a grass
covered mound of earth. The shaft is omamented by a
chapter on which stands a pyramidal finial, the whole monu
ment being about 35 feet in height.
The die is ornamented at its corners by four reversed
cannons and under its cornice is carved two crossed sheathed
swords. On its east face is the inscription, "In memory of our
honored dead," and on the east side of second base are the
letters, "C. S. A." On the west face of the die are the words,
"Erected by ladies of the Columbus Monumental Association,
1873." The monument is situated on square No. 330 in
Friendship cemetery on Magnolia avenue, near the center
of the cemetery North and South. Its cost was $2,700.
The above description was furnished by our enterprising
and patriotic fellow-citizen, Mr. John A. Stinson, of the Colum
bus Marble Works.
After 1874 the following ladies served as Presidents of
the Monumental Association: Mrs. Stephen D. Lee. Mrs.
Wm. E. Pope, Mrs. E. T. Sykes (served four years), Mrs.
C. H. Cocke, Mrs. Joseph M. Street. The labors which de
volved upon these Presidents were of the most arduous and
difficult character. The liquidation of an unpaid debt, the

133
semi-annual clearing of the soldiers' graves, the replacing of
decayed headstones and the preparation for "Decoration
Day," required a large expenditure of time and taxed to
its utmost extent the patience and liberality and patriotism
of these noble women and those associated with them. Con
spicuous among the Presidents, Mrs. E. T. Sykes, who for
four years superintended the work in the midst of its greatest
necessitie's and difficulties, deserves honorable mention; so
faithful and untiring were her labors that to this day, the
citizens of Columbus specially associate her name with the
care of the soldiers' graves and ceremonies of "Decoration
Day." In 1894 the Ladies' Monumental Association was en
tirely free from debt, and the erection of the monument which
was the main object of their organization was completed.
"Decoration Day" was continued under their auspices until
that date, when the Monumental Association, having be
queathed to the United Daughters of the Confederacy all their
rights and titles and the care of the soldiers' graves, ceased
to exist. The Stephen D. Lee chapter U. D. C. was organized
March, 1896. UNITED DAUGHTERS OF CONFEDERCY.
"The object of the United Daughters of the Confederacy
are historical, educational, memorial, benevolent and social;
to fulfill the duties of charity to the survivors of the war
between the States and those dependent upon them; to col
lect and preserve the material for a truthful history of the
war; to protect historic places of the Confederacy; to record
the part taken by Southem women, as well in untiring effort
after the war in the reconstruction of the South, as in patient
endurance of hardship and patriotic devotion during the
struggle ; to honor the memory of those who served and those
who fell in the service of the Confederate States; and to cher
ish the ties of friendship among the members of the Society."
Most faithfully has the Columbus chapter of this Asso
ciation fulfUed the trust and executed the labors bequeathed
to them by the Monumental Association. They have, with
the assistance of Capt. John ChUders and the city street
hands, continued the cleaning off of the soldiers' graves and
the ceremonies of "Decoration Day" with unabated interest

134
and success ; have obtained from the Odd Fellows legal deeds
to the grounds of the Confederate cemetery and the square
on which the monument stands ; they have set up stone corner
posts to mark the plots of grounds ; are completing the erec
tion of marble headstones for the soldiers' graves; have erected
and paid for the beautiful monument, representing a Confed
erate soldier mounted upon a proper pedestal and base; and
contemplate such improvements of the grounds as shall make
them equal to the best soldiers' cemeteries in the land.
The State of Mississippi ought to assist the Daughters
of the Confederacy in these laudable purposes by the appro
priation of the requisite amount of money to carry them out
and also to erect a monument to be placed in the center of
the North plot of ground. And in the absence of something
more suitable the following design is suggested: The monu
ment should consist of the figure of a female scattering flowers
on the graves of the Blue and Gray, and on the faces of the
pedestal should be carved the following inscriptions : On the
East face, "First Decoration Day in Columbus, Miss., AprU 25,
1866." On the West face the names ofthe three ladies who
originated "Decoration Day." On the South face, "Erected
by the Daughters of the Confederacy." On the North face
"Mississippi honors the women who honor her dead heroes."
The presidents of the Columbus Chapter, United Daugh
ters of the Confederacy, have been as follows: Mrs. John M.
Billups, Mrs. Georgia P. Young, Mrs. Helen R. Garner, Miss
Mary Harrison, Mrs. Geo. W. Sherman, Mrs. Sarah S. Sheffield,
Mrs. Mathis, Mrs. R. C. Betts and Mrs. T. B. Franklin.
This historical sketch claims for the city of Columbus the lo
cation of the first and largest Confederate cemetery in Missis
sippi — -that the grounds were the liberal and generous donation of
the Odd Fellows of Columbus — ihe origin a'nd first celebration
of "Decoration Day"— -the custom of decorating alike the graves
of the Federal and Confederate soldiers — the organization of
the first Monumental Association and the erection of the first
monument in honor of the Confederate dead.
[Note — The -writer of this sketch desires to retum his sincere
thanks to Capt. E. T. Sykes for the use of his very valuable historical
scrap book from which many of the above facts -were obtained. Also
to Miss Mary Harrison, ex-President of tbe Daughters of the Confed
eracy, for her cheerful and active assistance in colleding the material

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OPERA HOUSE.

134

135
POSTSCRIPT.
Since the above was written, a beautiful little volume,
published in 1898, prepared by the Daughters of the Con
federacy of Columbus, Ga., containing the claim of the ladies
of that city, as to the origin and celebration of the first Dec
oration Day in the United States has been placed in our hands.
The writer has carefully perused aU the facts and state
ments in that monogram, and while he is willing to accord to
those noble and patriotic ladies the truth of all the facts and
evidence contained therein, he still claims that the facts and
details of this sketch are entitled to equal credence and fully
demonstrate, the Daughters of the Confederacy of Columbus,
Ga., being judges, that the first Decoration Day in the United
States was celebrated by the Ladies of Columbus, Mississippi,
on April 25, 1866, with imposing and solemn ceremonies
and the delivery of the first speech, on Decoration Day, by
the Rev. George T. Stainback. The origin of Decoration
Day in Columbus, Miss., was evidently too different and
independent to be confounded with that of Columbus, Georgia,
and its date of celebration, April 25, 1866, was one day prior
to that claimed by the ladies of Georgia, April 26, 1866.
The writer very much regrets to disturb the minds and
claims of the ladies of Georgia, and he knows that they will
excuse him when he states that he did not know of their claim
to the first Decoration Day, or of their published volume
when his sketch was written.
Extending to the Daughters of the Confederacy of Colum
bus, Georgia, the high regard and cordial patriotic sympathy
of the ladies of Columbus, Mississippi, the writer subscribes
himself. Your obedient servant,
W. L. LIPSCOMB.

for this tribute to the ladies of Columbus. Also to Miss Sarah Shef
field, President of the United Daughters of the Confedercy in Colum
bus, for a plan of the grounds and a photograph of the monuments.
And to other friends for the loan of old original papers and records
used in its preparation.]

136

"THE BLUE AND THE GRAY."

By the flow of the inland river.
Whence the fleets of iron have fled,
Where the blades of the green grass quiver.
Asleep in the ranks of the dead;
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment day ;
Under the one the Blue,
Under the other the Gray.
These in' the restings of glory.
These in the gloom of defeat;
All with the battle-blood glory.
In the dusk of eternity meet;
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment day ;
Under the laurel the Blue,
Under the wiUow the Gray.
From the silence of sorro-wful hours
Tne desolate mourners go.
Lovingly laden with flowers
Alike for the friend and the foe,
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment day;
Under the roses the Blue,
Under the lUies the Gray.
So, with an equal splendor
The moming sun rays faU,
With a touch impartiaUy tender
On the blossoms blooming for all;
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment day ;
Broidered with gold the Blue ;
Mellowed with gold the Gray.

i;?7
So, when the summer caUeth
On forest and field of grain
With an equal murmur faUeth,
The cooling drop of the rain,
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment day ;
Wet with the rain the Blue,
Wet with the rain the Gray.
Sadly, but not with upbraiding.
The generous deed was done;
In the storm of the j^ears that are fading,
No braver battle was won.
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment day;
Under the blossoms the Blue,
Under the garlands the Gray.
No more shall the war cry sever,
Or the winding rivers be red;
They banished our anger forever
When they laurel the graves of our dead,
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment day ;
Love and tears for the Blue,
Tears and love for the Gray.
In Volume 5, pp. 14S-9 of "The Speaker's Garland and
Literary Boquet," published by P. Garrett and Co., No. 70S
Chesnut Street, PhUadelphia, in 1S76, appeared the above
poem by F. W. Finch, entitled "The Blue and the Gray."
The poem has the foUowing head-note, viz:
"The women of Columbus, Miss,, animated by noble sentiments,
have showed themselves impartial in their ofierings to the memory of
the dead. They strewed flowers on the graves of the Confederate and
of the National soldiers."
Judge Finch in a recent edition of his poems inserts the
above note and gives "The Blue and the Gray" the first place
in the volume. The poem was first published in Th^ Atlan
tic Monthly September, 1S67, with the same head-note.
15

138

MEMORIAL DAY EXERCISES.
Gen. Stephen D. Lee was introduced for the oration
of the day. As the old soldier came forward he was greeted
with affectionate regard by his followers and he was received
with honor and applause by the vast assembly who recognized
in him one of the foremost figures of the mighty drama of
forty years ago. Gen. Lee's address was admirably chosen
and is given for the benefit of the younger generation that
they may have a proper conception and understanding of
that great era. He spoke as follows:
My Friends — ^There is much of pathos in this occasion
and scene to-day. Our patriotic and noble women are making
their annual pilgrimage to deck the graves of our heroic dead
and pay a tribute to defeated valor and manhood, men who
died for their beloved Southland, and have no other reward
than our love and the tender recollection of that love they
bore for their homes and firesides, in the gigantic drama of
a war, which for four years shook the American continent
and held the attention of the world. So long as this beautiful
memorial custom is continued, it will teach the generations
of the future the story of the matchless, unfading and undying
honor which the Confederate soldier won.
In this large audience the survivors of the great struggle
are but a handful, a small representative of the 2,201 soldiers
who went from Lo-wndes county. All around them are the
young people who have gro-wn up since the war. Many have
been bom and come of age since these men laid down their
arms. It is forty-one years since they took up the struggle
and thirty-seven years since they were compelled to lay it
do-wn. More than a generation have lived and died by laws
of nature. People have almost forgotten the great war, even during
the life-time of some of its survivors; have forgotten that
three and a half million of men were soldiers and marshaled
in hostile array ; that over one million of men lost their lives,
and $10,000,000,000 of money was spent and property lost;

i;K\. Sn-IMIFN DU.l. l.BK, CS \,
os:!:; is'OS ^

139
havo forgotten the devastation of our land, our burned cities,
and destruction of our property; have forgotten the great
social upheav;U in the freeing of tlie slaves.
We sur\avors aro in tlie midst of new generations, new
duties, new responsibilities, and in tlie exacting demands of
the present we have Httie time to tliink and talk of tlie past.
In fact, my comrades, wo are almost strangers, living amid,
a new people.
This is ono occasion, however, when it is appropriate to
roc;Ul some of tlie plain facts of history for the information
of our children who are to take our places. They should
know that o\ir motives woro pure and manly, that in tlie great
oivU strife tho Soutli was guided and controlled by a sense
of duty and actuated by patriotic spirit, and did not in a
cowiirdly and base m;mner submit, while most sacred consti
tutional rights woro ignored and pledged guarantees trampled
undorfoot. So I propose to recall some matters which
should never bo forgotton by the peoplo of tlie South: "Our
nation cannot afford to havo the people of the South lose
thoir self respect or future citir.ons of that largo and most
promising section of the country, tho South, brought up with
out that pride in their ancestors, which leads to noble and
patriotic action. Those who endeavor to undermine the
faith of Soutliem youth in their ancestors, and to perpetuate
teaching in this countr\' which indicts a noble people, an
intogral part of tho nation for treason and rebellion, aro the
real ononiios of the republic, the plotters against its glory
and tho perpetuation of its Uberties."
There .<ire those present who recall the political excite
ment which tor fort\- years preceded the -w^ar. Our fore
fathers, although thoy tried to compromise the groat dift'er-
encos botwoon the North and South, failed, and our country
both North ai-id South was a boiling caldron of excitement.
Tho discussions of the tariff, states' rights, and slavery had
reached tho most ronioto hamlet in tho most sp;u-soly settled
sections; both sides had been worked up to fighting heat by
infljuiimatory spoochos. Evor>'body was almost cra.:y to begin
fighting, haN-ing despaired of any settlement, except by the
arbitrament of the sword, and when they got at it. it nieant

140
business as the record shows, and we had incomparably the
the greatest war of modem times.
I will deal with facts of history today, and will not theo
rize on cause or facts.
There were many differences which brought on the con
flict, and, perhaps, the most irritating cause was slavery
and its extension in area of territory, and both North and
South were responsible for it, morally alike. The institution
of slavery has existed in all ages, in Bible history, and before
the discovery of America, and from 1619 to 1840 it existed
throughout the world, and the slave trade was carried on by
all civUized nations till the year 1800. Spain, England, France
Holland, and New England engaged in it. The ships of all
nations were in the slave trade, but no Southem colony or
state ever had a vessel so engaged. Queen Elizabeth, of
England, made money out of it by being a partner with her
great naval officer, Hawkins, and slave trade was carried
on for 274 years. For much of that period it was regarded
as a service of God. A New England deacon, who heard
of the safe arrival of a slaver with 700 human beings, fell on
his knees and thanked God that so many savages and cannibals
had been brought to leam how to work, and know the only
living and true God.
The historian, Bancroft, says England kidnapped 3,000,-
000 slaves and sent them to her American colonies in 274
years. England put 600,000 negroes in Jamaica. Spain
exterminated natives in the West Indies and put negroes
in their places. The slave trade during that period was en
dorsed by patriots, cro-wned heads, and Christians. New
England founded most of her early wealth of her people in
the slave trade.
Now, I will try to show these young people that the South
was not responsible for the institution of slavery, and so far
as it led to the great war, not responsible for the shedding
of blood and spending of treasure and desolation and ruin
which overtook her, nor was she responsible for the inaugur
ation of the war.
The American colonies were under English rule tUl the
Declaration of Independence in 1776. Slavery had been
fastened. on them by Great Britain and the nations of the

141
world, while they were helpless. The record is plain, that
both Virginia and South Carolina eamestly protested against
their introduction and passed laws to prohibit and restrict
the trade. In 1760 South Carolina protested and placed a
duty on their introduction, and she was overruled by the
king and parHament of Great Britain; Virginia passed twenty-
three acts and sent over 100 petitions to royal authority
against the introduction of slaves, and in every instance was
overruled by the parliament and King of Great Britain. This
was done often, till several millions of negroes were forced
on the colonies. So we see slavery was forced on all of Eng
land's colonies prior to the Revolution, and slavery was in
herited from other nations, the most civilized nations of the
world at the time, and when the colonies were helpless and
unable to resist.
At the beginning of the Revolutionary war every one
of the Northem states, including New England, recognized
slavery and protected the slave owner, and slaves were bought
and sold in them. This was the case when the Constitution
of 1787 was formed, except that Massachusetts freed her
slaves soon after the war. The Constitution of the United
States (1787) sanctioned, recognized, and protected slavery,
and provided for it in representation, in congress, in taxation
and in immigration, and restoration of fugitive slaves in
several articles and sections. It was sanctioned also in state
constitutions. The constitution actually extended the slave
trade twenty years after its adoption, and the States of Mas
sachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire voted to extend
it for a longer period, to enjoy the profits of the slave trade,
in which so many of their people were engaged. Senator
Lodge, of Massachusetts, in 1876, said: "We all know, the
world knows, that our independence could not have been
achieved, our union could not have been maintained, our
constitution could not have been established, without the
adoption of those compromises which recognized its continued
existence, and left it to the responsibility of the states of
which it was a grievous inheritance; and from that day for
ward, the methods of dealing with it, of disposing of it, and
of extinguishing it, became more and more a problem full

142
of terrible perplexity and seemingly incapable of human
solution." New England sold her slaves to the South. In three
years, 1804 to 1807, 20,728 negroes by British and French
and 18,048 by Americans. Slavery did not pay in the
cold climate of the North and did pay at the South. To
show how it was regarded during the Revolution and for
a long time afterwards, Washington commanded the revolu
tionary armies and was the first president. He, Jefferson,
Madison, Monroe, Jackson, Polk and Taylor were all slave
holders, and filled the presidental chair about fifty years.
But as stated, for forty years there were fierce agitation
as to slavery mainly. There were always men and women
who believed slavery was wrong aU during the time it existed,
and the sentiment of the world gradually changed. During
the agitation Congress passed laws to enforce the pro-visions
of the federal constitution, and to enforce the protection of
slave property as other kind of property. The supreme
court sustained these laws and the President tried to enforce
them. But the antagonism became greater and greater,
the unfriendly feeling more and more intense, and fourteen
of the Northern states passed personal liberty laws, nulUfying
the constitution and the supreme court decisions, and refusing
to give up fugitive slaves. The Anti-Slavery party came into
power and the States were divided on sectional lines, the North
against the South. The North being in the majority in Con
gress, and largely so in population and wealth, demanded that
the South must submit. All compromises, many suggested,
were rejected.
It was virtually demanded that the entire loss of the
slave property should fall on the Southem people. Its value
was $3,000,000,000. The people of the South had invested
their money in slave property, depending on the sacred guar
antees of the Federal constitution. Slavery came by law,
was protected by law. The South was no more responsible
for it than the North, the whole country should have bome
the loss. The remedy should have been a national one. Feel
ing ran so high no Settlement could be had except by arms.
Slavery was a part of the industrial and social system of the
South; a sudden change would have bankrupted the South.

BLEWETT LEE
was born near Columbus, Miss., March 1, 1867, and is the only child
of Gen. Stephen D. Lee, C. S. A., and Regina Lily Harrison. He
received his earlier education at the Agricultural and Mechanical
College of Mississippi, of which his father was President, graduating
there in 188,3, after which he was a student at the University of Vir
ginia, going from there to Harvard, where he graduated in 1888, A.M.,
LL.B. The following year he studied in the Universities of Liepsic
and Freiburg, Germany. Returning to the United States he became
private secretary to Chief Justice Fuller, of the Supreme Court, sub
sequently settling in Atlanta, Ga., for the practice of law. In 189:^
he was made professor of law in the Northwestern University, and
later filling the same chair in the University of Chicago. In 1902 he
was appointed General Attorney for the Illinois Central Railroad, and
June 15, 1909, General Solicitor of the entire system, succeeding Hon.
J. M. Dickinson when the latter was made a member of President
Taft's Cabinet.

142

143
It was the main property of the South. When Great Britain
and other nations freed the slaves in their colonies, it was done
by gradual emancipation, and the owners were compensated
for their loss, but the South, though not responsible for it
was forced to stand the entire loss.
The issue was forced on the South. The guarantees
for the protection of their property had been brushed aside
and they were face to face with the proposition, whether they
would submit to the ultimatum of the North, which meant
the loss of their property, or fight to preserve the sacred guar
antees of the constitution. Like a brave and chivalrous
people the South decided to battle for the constitution as
handed down by her forefathers.
I state here that even we of the South would not have
slavery restored. The sentiment of the world is against it,
and we, too, feel that way now. But let our own children
know that we did not fight to maintain slavery, but for con
stitutional rights. Slavery was being extinguished in the
border states, and in a little while would have disappeared,
but our northern brothers, after getting rid of and getting
paid for their slaves, wanted to force us to get rid of them
at once and bear the entire loss. No chivalric people would
have ever submitted to such arbitrary loss of property, and
it was the misfortune of the South that it was forced on her,
and she had to bear the loss of war and her property also.
This brings us now to a few facts as to secession and
nullification. "New England historians always represent their
section as loyal to the union and abhorrent to any scheme of
nullification and dis-union, and no terms of vilification or
obloquy are too severe for the South, and yet secession had
its genesis in New England, and in not a few instances, when
her material interests were apparently endangered, has she
insisted on her rights of resistance even to nullification or
separation. Arid the reproach of dis-union has been slipped
from the shoulders of the North to those of the South."
Threats of dis-union were made by high officials in Mas
sachusetts and Connecticut in 1786, 1794, and 1796. Gov.
Plummer in 1805, affirmed the purpose of New England lead
ers — ^whose names he gives — was to dissolve the union. John
Quincy Adams states that the plan was so matured that a

144
military leader was selected to carry it into execution. They
caUed the Hartford Convention into existence. This con
vention of delegates appointed by the legislatures of three
of the New England states, and the delegates from counties
in Vermont and New Hampshire, said : "In cases of deliberate,
dangerous, and palpable infractions of the constitution, affect
ing the sovereignty of the state and the liberties of the people,
it is not only the right, but the duty of such state to interpose
for their protection in the manner best calculated to secure
that end." This was whUe the armies of Great Britain were
on our soil, and when the walls of our capitol were blackened
and marred by the fires kindled by our foes. This covers
the whole doctrine of nullification.
Josiah Quincy, of Massachusetts, advocated it in Congress
when the admission of Louisiana was considered in 1811.
Mr. Quincy said: "I am compelled to declare it my deliberate
opinion that if this bill passes, the bonds of the union are
virtually dissolved. That the States which compose it are
free from their moral obligations and that it will be the right
of all so it will be the duty of some to prepare definitely for a
separation, amicably if they can, violently if they must."
— (Curry). Mr. Adams said: "The two postulates for dis-union were
nearly consummated. The intervention of a kindly provi
dence restoring peace to our country and to the world averted
the most deplorable of castastrophes, and, turning over to
the receptacle of things lost upon earth, the adjourned con
vention from Hartford to Boston extinguished (by the mercy
of Heaven may it be forever) the projected New England
Confederacy." The annexation of Texas brought out the same spirit
in New England. In 1845, John Q. Adams, Truman Smith,
and other congressmen from the Northem states declared,
in a joint letter, that the annexation of Texas would justify
a dissolution of the union and would lead to that result. Mas
sachusetts at session in 1844-45, followed by other New Eng
land states, resolved that they were not bound to recognize
the annexation of Texas as obligatory to them. The acqui
sition of this immense Texas addition was designed and ac-

145
complished by Calhoun, Jackson, Polk, and their political
associates." — (Curry.)
It may be stated also that fourteen of the Northem States,
by their personal liberty laws, nullified the provisions of the
constitution, the laws of Congress, and the decision of the
supreme court of the United States, with reference to the
retum of fugitive slaves. So it appears that New England
and the North are not spotless as to secession and nullification
of the laws of Congress, and that any obloquy which may
attach to the South for secession and nullification, also at
taches to the North for originating and claiming the right,
while the South at a later period, to protect her interests,
exercised that right.
The war began in 1861, and it was the most desperately
fought of all wars in modern times. The loss of life and money
surpassed anything the world had ever seen. Over three and
a half millions of men were marshaled in the opposing armies,
the North putting 2,865,528 men in the field and near 800
vessels of war. The Confederates put about 700,000 men
under arms, the Northem armies outnumbering the Southern
armies by over 2,000,000, and 674,628 men were killed, mortal
ly wounded or died before the close of the war; and it may be
safely said that over 1,000,000 men directly and indirectly
lost their lives in the civil war. It cost the country. North
and South $10,000,000,000. The great odds in men, money,
material, and resources forced the Confederates to resist with
utmost desperation and expose themselves vastly more than
had been the case before. The Confederate army had 325,000
men, half of the enlisted strength, buried before the close of the
war. Had the Federals lost in the same proportion, they
would have lost over 600,000 men kUled, instead of 359,528.
Over 2,000 battles were fought, the Confederates disputing
nearly every foot of the territory of the South.
The losses of those actually engaged in battle surpassed
anything kno-wn in war. European armies lost three per cent.
in battle. The Union army lost fi-ve per cent., while the
Confederate army lost ten per cent. There were 238 battles
fought on Mississippi soil, and 27,500 men were killed or
died. Mississippi put 78,000 troops in the field, 8,000 more
than her voting strength. In the battle of Gettysburg 45,444
16

146
men were kUled and wounded. In that battle one Union
regiment. First Minnesota, lost eighty-two per cent, in
killed, wounded and missing — one Confederate regiment.
Twenty-sixth North Carolina, lost eighty-seven per cent.
At Waterloo, the loss was ten per cent. ; at Marengo, fourteen
per cent., European battles. At the WUderness and Spott
sylvania the loss was forty per cent., American battles. Out
of the Confederate army of 700,000 men, seventy general
officers were kiUed. Out of the Union army of 2,887,000
men, fifty general officers were kiUed. A distinguished Union
writer and soldier says of the Confederate struggle: "The
conduct was extraordinary in heroic aspect."
I want the young people to listen while I tell them who
these old veterans are. They will soon all be gone, as every
year lessens the number who engaged in these exercises.
Then the sons and daughters of the Confederacy will have to
treasure their memories.
My comrades, I greet you with affectionate regard. I
an proud I am a unit in your band of comradeship. We were
comrades in battle. We will be comrades to the end. Ours
has been an eventful generation. No generation of the cen
turies has had its manhood tested under so many varied
conditions. Before the War we took part in the great polit
ical campaigns which brought on the war. We were tried
in prosperity before the great conflict. We were tried in the
great war. Some of us were at Gettysburg when 43,449 men
were killed, wounded, and missing — at Murfreesboro when the
loss was 23,504 — at ShUoh, 23,000 lost — ^at Chickamauga,
32,000. We were on nearly all of the battlefields of the war.
We fought until over one-half of our enlisted strength was
under the sod. No such record in any war! We were tried
in prosperity, in victory, in defeat, in sacrifices, in tribtrtation,
in humiliation, and in prosperity again.
The response through our long lives has under all tests
been honorable, brave, true, and clear as a bugle note to every
duty. We can all recall our patriotism and the pure motives
that inspired us; can recaU the ardor with which we rallied
around our flag, the indomitable heroism with which we fol
lowed it through desolation and danger to death; how we
fought over almost every foot of our beloved Southland in

147
over 2300 battles! Can recaU our fortitude and patient en
durance after the war; how with integrity and manhood we
stood firm to preserve our Anglo-Saxon civUization against
negro, carpetbag, and scalawag mle, supported by the United
States govemment and State goverments -with soldiers and
negro troops; how under enormity of provocation, in reversal
of our social and industrial conditions, we kept quiet and
bided our time, and never lost confidence in ourselves, but
-with dignity never gave our consent while it lasted, but at
first opportunity reversed everything and took matters in
our hands; how we have rebuUt our waste places and restored
prosperity to our beloved Southland!
It is a great satisfaction to know that in aU these trying
times, that in the transition from prosperity to war, from war
to bad govemment, from bad govemment to restoration
of good govemment and prosperity again, we, surviving com
rades of the great conflict, have been the principal actors,
who have foUowed these great changes, in a most eventful
period of history making, and have always met every respon
sibihty of war and peace and statesmanship. We have never
sulked in our tents, never dodged a single of many issues
presented to us, but we have met aU Uke manly men with
courage, nerve, and manhood.
We have been the cormecting Hnk of two or more gen-
ations — have been the chief actors. God has spared our
Hves to see our country once more prosperous and happy,
and Hke Simeon of old we are about ready to take our depar
ture. We are so nearly ready to cross over the river, over
which so many of our comrades have already crossed, that
some of us can almost hear the roaring of the waters.
I have spoken of the Confederate soldier; what shaU I
say of the Confederate woman, his partner and associate
in the trying times? They were the greatest patriots in the
war. They endured, in sUent struggle at home, privations
greater than the soldiers in the field. They waited, suffered,
starved without a murmur, always with hope. "With more
than a soldier's courage they endured more than a soldiers'
hardship. The boom of every caimon blanched their cheeks,
chiUed their hearts, as they thought of their husbands and
sons in the army, and yet for four long years they waited and

148
suffered." They laid loved ones away with tears, and with
tears sent their young boys to take their places. They had
none of the excitement of battle, but all anxiety, enduring
all the agonies of apprehension, the calmer waiting for cal
amity which might and generally did come. They stayed
at home, they controlled and directed our slaves, with scarcely
a man to protect them, raised provisions to feed the troops
in the field, clothed them, and sent stragglers back to the
front. In the trying ordeal pf reconstruction, amid desolation,
ruin, and poverty after the war, they never lost hope, and
cheered the men during those dark periods. God bless our
noble Southem women, the flower of the world!
And now, young ladies and gentlemen, what I have said
is history and belongs to the past. It is, in brief, a heroic
history of a great people. Now we live in better days, we have
a re-united country; it is a great country, possibly the most
powerful and richest nation in the world ; now we love to give
loyal support to our country and do all we can to add to her
glory or to increase her greatness and prosperity. To preserve
and defend the record of your forefathers is not in any way
incompatible with true and loyal allegiance to our government
as the issues of the great war are settled and accepted by all.
I leave you with a quotation from the great historian
Macaulay : "A people who take no pride in the noble achieve
ments of remote ancestry, will never achieve anything worthy
to be remembered with pride by remote descendants."
After the oration of Gen. Lee, the veterans received
bouquets from the Daughters of the Confederacy, "Dixie"
was sung and the exercises at the Court House were completed
and the procession was formed for the march to the cemetery.
First came the members of Isham Harrison Camp and visiting
veterans, the Daughters of the Confederacy in carriages, the
A. and M. Battalion of cadets, the Columbus Riflemen, and
citizens in carriages. Arriving at the cemetery the graves
of the old soldiers, as well as the monument perpetuating
their deeds of valor and patriotism, were decorated, after
which the various civil and military bodies retumed to this
city and the celebration was over. — Columbus Dispatch.
[Note — This address is part of the History of Columbus, too val
uable to be lost; hence it is here inserted. — W. L. L.]

J. B. BROWNRIGG.

148

JAMES T, HARRISON, ESQ,

im

149
CHAPTER XIV.
PHYSICIANS, LA'WYERS, AND BANKS
(In a prefatory note to Chapter XI, Dr. Lipscomb an
nounced the titles of several chapters to be added to his history
of Columbus. In these chapters he purposed to tell of the
ante-bellum la-wyers and physicians of the to-wn, of the mer
cantile and manufacturing gro-wth of the place, of the banks,
hotels, and other matters of interest to those whose lives
like his are linked inseparably with the history of the to-wn.
His iUness and other causes prevented the completion of
the chapters as planned; but from notes left by him, this
chapter is composed, consisting of reminiscences and biog
raphical matter likely to be welcomed by the descendants
of the staunch citizens of those earlier days.)
PHYSICIANS.
The physicians who practiced in Columbus in the first
two or three decades of its history were men of striking person
ality ; several of them of distinguished ablity. Ford, Thomp
son, Slade, and Baker first come into view. Dr. Ford was
afterwards a professor in a Nashville Medical CoUege. Dr.
Thompson moved to the Mayhew prairie. Drs. Kade and
Baker were elegant, dashing young men, who added the drug
business to their profession. Immediately after these, came
that strong and brilliant coterie of physicians composed of
Dr. Samuel B. Malone, Aurelius N. Jones, William SpUlman,
Gideon Lincecum, A. V. Winter, Drs. Logue and McMichael,
and Dr. Dabney Lipscomb. DR. JOHN BROWNRIGG.
John Brownrigg, eldest son of Gen. R. T. Brownrigg, was bom in
"Wingfield," near Edenton, North Carolina, on December 6, 1829.
He was very young when his father moved to Mississippi. He was a
graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, and during
almost the entire period of the Ci-vil War he served in the Confederate
Army as surgeon, attaining the rank of Division Surgeon. On Janu
ary 14, 1864, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Judge Wm. H. Yerger,
of Jackson, Miss. She died very young and he never married again.

160
Dr. Sam. B. Malone came to Columbus as a surgeon from
the United States navy, and soon became the most distin
guished surgeon and physician in northeast Mississippi, which
rank he held until his death. He married Antoinette Bibb,
daughter of Col. John p. Bibb. His daughter Miss Nettie
Bibb married Hon. Alfred Glover of Forkland, Ala., and they
are the parents of Mrs. Ledyard A. Vaughan of this city.
Dr. Malone married four times; his second wife being Miss
Mary Moore; his third wife Miss Winfield Sykes, mother of
Mrs. Hunter Walker, now a citizen of Columbus; his last
wife was Mrs. Bates.
Dr. Aurelius N. Jones was a man of large physical frame,
strong, vigorous intellect, and very successful in his profession,
to which he added the dmg business ; o-wning the store after
wards known as Blair's comer.
Dr. William SpUlman, a modest, unpretentious man,
had a large practice. He was extremely fond of natural
science, to which he devoted much of his leisure time, until
he became one of the best known geologists of the Southwest.
Dr. Gideon Lincecum was a man with an order of mind
suited to pioneer life. He studied medicine in middle life, set
tled in Columbus as a botanic doctor, and became well ac
quainted with the medical botany of this section of the coun-*
try. He was fond of phrenology and mesmerism, and was
considered an expert in both these branches. He wrote
many interesting articles concerning the red ant and other
insects and animals. After the war he moved from Texas
to Mexico and made some interesting contributions to our
knowledge of that country.
Dr. Dabney Lipscomb, son of Joel Lipscomb and Eliza
beth ChUds, was bom in Abbeville District, S. C. in 1803.
He received a collegiate education in Columbia College, Wash
ington, D. C, under the guardianship of his father's friend
and neighbor John C. Calhoun, the great statesman of the
Their only surviving child, Richard Thomas Brownrigg, is now prac
ticing law in St, Louis, Mo.
Dr. Brownrigg was an able and successful physician and was
especially skilled in surgery. He practiced his profession in Columbus
until his death, which occured in St. Louis on January 21, 1902.
He was a man of strong convictions and high character and was
active in all movements looking to the moral and material advancement
of the community, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him.

151
South. He moved with his father to Greene county, Ala.,
where he chose medicine as his profession, and attended the
famous medical school of the Southwest, Transylvania Uni
versity, Ky. He began the practice of medicine at Carthage,
Ala., in 1827; but, with his wife and two sons, William Lo-wn
des and George Hardwick, moved to Columbus, Miss., in 1832,
where he soon became one of the prominent physicians of
the town and section. He first Hved in a cabin on the site
of the present Dashiell residence, the front rooms of which
first and second floors, he later buUt for his family residence.
Col. Geo. Harris, to whom he sold the place, added the rooms
to the rear. From his education at Washington and early asso
ciations there and in South Carolina Dr. Dabney Lipscomb
throughout life manifested a fondness for literature and polit
ical writings. He was elected State Senator from
Lowndes county in 1845, and re-elected in 1849. He so
impressed his colleagues that he was twice chosen President
of the Senate; which office he held tUl June, 1850, the time
of his death. Had he lived to the end of his term, he would
have been by virtue of his office the successor of Govemor
Quitman, who resigned in 1850. He was a strong, quiet,
scholarly man, a capable and beloved physician, a Calhoun
Democrat, an active, earnest Mason, one of the Deputy Grand
Masters of the State, and a faithful, devoted steward of the
Methodist church.
LAWYERS.
Among the la-wyers here in 1832, were Stephen Cocke,
afterwards Chancellor of the Northem District, Tilghman M.
Tucker, later Govemor of the State, Addison Boyken, E. L.
Aycee, Stephen Nash, father of Hon. Wiley P. Nash of
StarkviUe, and J. F. Trotter, Judge of the Circuit Court.
James T. Harrison, afterwards distinguished as a lawyer,
and Samuel Butterworth, later receiver of customs for the
Port of New York, came to Columbus in 1833. Gradually
there gathered here a bar unsurpassed in the State. Merely
naming them is sufficient to establish this claim. James T.
Harrison, WUliam L. Harris, George R. Clayton, Charles R.
Crusoe, Richard Evans, Beverly Matthews, and WUliam S.
Barry, men distinguished in the highest courts, and honored

152
in the councils of the State, the United States, and the Con
federate States of America. Of Meek, Orr, Sims, Sykes, Hum
phries, their worthy successors, and of the younger able lawyers
now at the bar it is not needful to speak in words of praise,
as might also be done of the doctors who came to usefulness
and distinction in the years following the Ci-vil War.
BANKS.
In 1832, there was not a bank in Columbus; and the
hundreds of settlers who came here to enter lands and to
locate homes brought their gold and silver in their saddle
bags, and traveled in little companies for mutual protection.
The population of Columbus increased so rapidly after the
establishment of the land office for the sale of the Choctaw
lands that before 1834 or 1835 there were two thousand or
twenty-five hundred people in the place. Richard Barry
left his first hotel site on Blair's corner, and buUt the Eagle
Hotel where the Gilmer Hotel now stands. Other hotels
soon went up: the Blewett House on College and Market
streets, kept successively by Mrs. Musgrove, Col. Pope, and
J. H. Curtis; also, the hotel that occupied Beard's comer
was erected by James Jones in those flush times and later
kept by Mordecai Howard. Every house was a boarding-
house, and still there was lack of accommodations.
The financial condition of the country required the es
tablishment of banks, which were soon erected — the first
being the Planter's Bank of Natchez. This bank occupied
a substantial building, kno-wn after its suspension and wind
up as the City Hall, situated on the site of the present City
Hall. William B. Winston was its cashier, and its business
was so successfully conducted that it did not fail in the crash
of 1837, but was closed by the suspension of the parent bank.
The next bank established was the Commercial Bank.
Dr. A. G. Wier was president and Capt. Charles H. Abert,
cashier. They erected a brick buUding on St. John's Street,
just in the rear of the present Masonic Temple. The Real
Estate Bank, Madison Walthall, president, built for their
use the house on the comer just opposite the court house,
later kno-wn as Worrell's corner. The Tombigbee R. R. and

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FIRST STATE BANK.

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153
Banking Company occupied a building about the middle
of West Market between Main and Court House Streets.
These banks were followed by a great number of private
banks kno-wn as shin-plaster banks, which redeemed their
issue in paper currency.
All these banks were swept away by the Panic of 1837, so
that early in the forties there was not a bank in Columbus.
During this time, our planters and merchants all did their
business with Mobile and other foreign banks. Our farmers
sent their cotton crops to commission merchants in Mobile,
who with the proceeds thereof bought their supplies and sent
by boat to them up the Tombigbee.
The Columbus merchants sold goods on a year's credit,
and were paid with checks on the Mobile commission merch
ants. The banks in Nashville, Tenn., Augusta, Ga., and
Charleston, S. C. supplied a great deal of the money during
these times.
The financial condition was so inconvenient and involved
so much time that the business men made it a political issue,
which divided both the old Whig and the Democratic party.
In 1852 Ex-Gov. James Whitfield as a Bank Democrat
and Col T. C. BUlups as a Bank Whig organized a party which
defeated the regular Democratic nominees at the following
election. The Bank members of the legislature repealed or
modified the anti-bank legislation so that banks could be
re-established. In 1852 the Columbus Insurance and Banking Company
was organized with James Whitfield as president, and W. J.
Anderson, cashier. Gov. Whitfield remained president until
his death and was succeeded by Col. Abram S. Humphries.
He was succeeded by Major John M. Billups, and he by Capt.
T. B. Franklin. Anderson was followed, as cashier, by N. E.
Good-win, who after long and faithful service gave place to
W. H. Lee, the present worthy and efficient cashier of the
bank. That they have been successful all these years is
abundantly attested by their abUity to weather the reverses
of war and being now housed in so magnificent a buUding.
The next bank estabUshed was the private bank of Wil
liams, Johnston & Company, located first in the Gilmer
Hotel buUding. This was subsequently chartered as the
17

154
First National Bank, and then as the First State Bank, having
moved into its own building near the comer of Main and Mar
ket streets. On its present site and over old Blair's comer
they will soon erect a spendid bank and office building. Capt.
C. A. Johnston as president and Mr. R. T. WiUiams as cashier
have for years ably and successfully conducted the finances
of this strong bank institution.
Next came the Merchants and Farmers' Bank with a
beautiful buUding on Market Street. Joseph M. Street,
President, and E. C. Chapman, Cashier. These capable
officials and a strong board of directors have set this bank
on a firm foundation, and assured for it a successful future.
The Penny Savings Bank, operated by negro capitalists,
seems to be prospering, and should not be omitted in this
account of the banking institutions of Columbus.
The prosperity of its three banks, the remodeling into
a first-class modem hostelry of the Gilmer Hotel, the buUd
ing of Stone Hotel, and other hotels and boarding houses
sufficient to entertain large gatherings in the to-wn, the es
tablishment of a street car system, the remodeling of the
Court House, the building of a new spacious Baptist church,
and the paving of the walks of her beautiful streets are among
the unmistakable sighs that Columbus has established her
place as the leading city of northeast Mississippi; affection
ately regarded by her citizens, and by many others conceded
to be the Queen City of the State.
DR. BASKERVILLE.
Among the Columbians of the present time who have achieved
honorable distinction is Dr. Charles Basker-ville, who was bom at
Deerbrook, but reared in Columbus, where he received his early edu
cation. After six years of study in the Universities of Mississippi,
Virginia, Vanderbilt and North Carolina, recei-ving from the latter
the degree of B. S., he pursued post-graduate work in the University
of Berlin, under the eminent chemists of Germany.
He was Assistant and Associate Professor of Chemistry in the
University of North Carolina from 1892 till 1900, from which time he
held the chair of Chemistry till in 1904 he was called to the head of the
Department of Chemistry in the College of the City of New York.
Dr. BaskerviUe has made the rare earths his special study and
has published important researches on Zirconium, Thorium, Titan-
icum and Praseodynium. He iS the discoverer of the rare elements of
Carolinium and Barzelium and has conducted valuable researches in
other fields of chemistry. He is the author of the following text
books: "Aids to School Chemistry;" "Radium and the Radioactive
Elements;" "General Inorganic Chemistry;" "The Chemical Ele
ments," and "The Rare Metals." Dr. BaskerviUe is fellow of several
Societies for the Advancement of Science. — Editor.

155

SUPPLEMENT.

There were two thousand two hundred and one (2,201)
men regularly enlisted in the service of the Confederate
States from Lowndes county; a portion of these may have
been gathered from adjacent counties. A partial list is here
given. — ^E ditor.
List of Canipanies, with the number of men composing the same,
that -were ni-.:?tered into the service of the Confederate States from
Lo-wndes county, Mississippi: Captain Men
Compaiiy F, 3oth Miss. Infantry  Frank Gregory  104
Company K, 14th Miss. Infantry  W. E.Baldwin  120
Company—, 11th Miss. Infanixv  J. W. T. Hairston  82
Companv I, 43ni Miss. Infantry  J. O. Banks  95
Company D, lijth Miss. Infantry.  W. B. Wade  91
Company A, -14th Miss. Infantry  J. H. Sharp  112
Company F, 10th Miss. Infantry  Geo. H. Lipscomb  102
Company H, 35th Miss. Infantry  George Brown  100
Company D, 24th Miss. Infantry.  M. M. Rowan  105
Company B, 4.3rd Miss. Infantry  J. M. BiUups  75
Company F, 4.3rd Miss. Infantry.  J. P. Hampton  130
Company-, 12th Ca-vahy  Geo. W. Cox  94
Company C, 2nd Battalion Infantry. -Randle Blewett  ^ 105
Companv I, 6th iliss. Ca-srahy  C. A. Johnston  100
Company F. 8th Confederate Cav  J. H. Field  96
Company G, Sth Confederate Cav  Beverly Matthews  100
Company E. Sth Confederate Cav  George Abert  85
Company K. 35th Miss. Infantry.  R. H. ShotweU  100
Company H, 6th 5Iiss Ca^alrv  Jno. H. Richards  103
Company K, 6th Miss. Cavalry  Thos. H. Lipscomb  100
Company H, Muldrow's Regt. Cav._-Battle Fort  39
Company C, ¦35th Miss. Infantry  C. R. Jordan  106
The above Hst was furnished by Mr. Thomas Harrison for the
United Daughters of the Confederacy book of "Reminenscenses of
Columbus — 1861-1865." — Editor.

156

COLUMBUS RIFLEMEN.
Below we give a list of the Columbus Riflemen of 1860-65.
OFFICERS.
Captain W. E. Baldwin,
Firsrt Lieutenant S. D. Harris,
Second Lieutenant J. W. Benoit,
Third Lieutenant W. O. Worrell,
Orderly Sergeant Atwell Johnston,
Second Sergeant R. WiUeford,
Third Sergeant James Worrell,
Fourth Sergeant Ed Duncan,
Fifth Sergeant Geo. W. Abert,
Bugler Frank Cherrier.

John A. Abert,
John W. Anderson,
A. S. Brownlee,
G. H. Buckingham,
D. L. Brown,
Samuel Betts,
James Bartee,
L. F. Carrington,
J. B. CoUier,
M. K. Cofer,
W. H. Dukemanier,
William Eastland,
Sid Franklin,
Henry Goodrich,
John B. Galloway,
Wm. H. Harris,
Shaler Hillyer,
T. C. Howze,
H. C. Howard,
James Irion,
A. Kirk,
A. E. Kersey,
Rufus Kidd,
J. S. Lanier,
J. A. Larrabee,
R. K. Lee,
Alex Moore,
Ed MuUen,
Nat MitcheU,
Robert Mason,
M. McMath,
John McKellar,
L. G. Ottley, Jr.
A. S. PajTie,
Hick Reeves,
D. Sappington,
H. K. Schooler,
W. J. ShoU,
Robert D. Shropshire,
William Street,
Jasper Taylor,
William Van Hook,

PRIVATES.

John J. Archer,
L. S. Brownlee,
Wm. R. Barry,
J. N. Barksdale,
Geo. W. Betts,
William Brooks,
William Butler,
R. B. Cady,
B. F. CockreU,
P. H. Delany,
W. T. Enoch.
John W. East,
W. B. Fort,
John Gilmer,
J. S. Harrison,
Ewing Hill,
Pat Hamilton,
S. H. Harris,
W. W. Howard,
J. E. Jenkins,
L. Kirk,
PhU Krecker,
William Lanier,
E. B. Loud,
B. S. Long,
W. A. Moore,
John Munger,
James Munson,
C. S. Morton,
N. B. Medlock,
John McCo-wn,
James Neilson,
A. J. Owen,
A. S. Robinson,
Robert Ray,
Joe Street,
J. H. Stevens,
Thos. Danders,
S. M. Smith,
H. C. Topp,
A. H. Taylor,
George Watson,

157
Thomas Watson, John WorreU,
C. M. Williams, John Williams,
Hick WiUiams, Anthony Whitfield
P. J. Wray, Octavus Williams,
Kelly Williams, R. Witherspoon,
W. Lowndes Young.
Mustered into the Confederate States service at Corinth,
Miss., May 27th, 1861, and was known as Company K, Four
teenth Regiment, Mississippi Infantry, and served from May,
1861, to May, 1865.
This roll is copied from the original roll of W. O. Worrell,
Reuben WiUeford, J. P. Krecker, the Orderly Sergeants of
the company at the time these rolls were made, and are in
the possession of Thomas Harrison.
W. E. Baldwin Captain and Colonel of regiment, 1861 and 1862;
Brigadier General 1863; wounded at Vicksburg, killed at Dog River,
Ala,, February, 1864.
S. D. Harris, First Lieutenant, transferred to Baldwin's Staff in
1862; Captain.
J. W. Benoit, Second Lieutenant and Captain; transferred to
Baldwin's Staff in December, 1862.
W. O. WorreU, Third Lieutenant and Captain from 1863 to 1865;
wounded at Franklin, Tenn.
C. A. Johnston, First Sergeant and Lieutenant in 1861 and 1862;
Captain Sixth Mississippi Cavalry; escaped from Camp Douglas.
R. WiUeford, Second Sergeant.
Jas. T. WorreU, Third Sergeant.
Ed. K. Duncan, Fourth Sergeant, died at Camp Douglas.
G. W. Abert, Fifth Sergeant; Colonel Fourteenth Mississippi,
1862 and 1863.
D. Sappington, First Corporal, died at Camp Chase, Ohio.
E. M. Witherspoon, Second Corporal, wounded at Fort Donelson;
transferred to Forty-third Mississippi; Lieutenant in same.
W. H. Dukemanier, Third Corporal.
J. K. Ottley, Jr. Fourth Corporal, transferred to a Virginia regi
ment, killed in Virginia.
L. F. Carrington, Fifth Corporal, wounded at Port Donelson.
Anderson, J. W., died in Camp Douglas.
Archer, John J., wounded at Pine Mountain, Ga.
Arnold, Jaines M., Lieutenant Sixth Mississippi Cavalry.
Abert, John A., discharged, disabUity.
Barksdale, J. N.
Barry, W. R.
Bartee, James R., left sick at BoUingreen, Ky.
Betts, Sam L., wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, killed at Selma,
Alabama. Brooks, W. W., wounded at NashviUe, Tennessee.
Brown, D. L., detailed Quartermaster Clerk.
Brownlee, L. S.
Buckingham, Geo. H., detailed Quartermaster clerk.
Butler, J. H., wounded at Franklin, Tennessee.
Butler, W. M., left sick at Haynesville, Tennessee, died.
Brownlee, A. S. died at Bowling Green, Ky., September, 1861.
Cady, R. B.

158
Cage, G. A.
Carrington, W. D., escaped from Camp Douglas, killed at Harris
burg, Mississippi, Lieutenant Sixth Mississippi Cavalry.
CockreU, B. T.
Cofer, M. K., left sick at Russellville, Ky.
Collier, J. B., wounded at Nashville, Tennessee.
Cook, W. H., detailed.
Cherrier, F. A., Bugler.
Delany, P. H., left sick at Bowlingreen, Kentucky.
Dillahunty, John B., detailed in commissary.
East, J. W., discharged.
East, Robert
Enoch, W. P., discharged.
Eastland, W. H.
Evans, R. W., detailed sharpshooter.
Fort, W. B., Captain of Cavalry, Perrin's regiment.
Franklin, Dr. S. W., Assistant Surgeon, 1863 to 1865.
Fumess, Dr. John P., left with the sick at Russelleville, Kentucky.
Galloway, J. B.
Gilmer, John
Goodrich, H. C.
Harrison, Thomas, First Lieutenant, Baldwin's Staff, 1863; Cap
tain Hardee's Staff 1864 and 1865; escaped from Camp Douglas.
Hill, Irwin.
Howell, W. W., left at Bowlingreen, Kentucky.
HamUton, Pat., Bald-vein's Staff, 1863; escaped from Camp Doug
las. Harris, J. W., escaped from Camp Douglas.
Howze, T. C.
Howard, H. C, killed at Fort Donelson.
Hillyer, Shaler, detailed in Quartermaster Department.
Harris, S. H., left sick at Bowlingreen, Kentucky.
Howard, James
Harrison, J. S.
Irion, James W., detailed in Quartermaster Department,
Jenkins, James E.
Kidd, Rufus.
Kerey, A. E., wounded at Atlanta.
Kirk, A. J., wounded at Fort Donelson.
Kirk, L. H.
Krecker, J. P., wounded at Franklin, Lieutenant 1864.
Larrabee, J. A. wounded at Atlanta and Franklin, escaped from
Camp Douglas; Lieutenant, 1864.
lyong, B. S., detailed engineers.
Lea, R. K., discharged, deafness.
Loud, E. B., escaped from Camp Douglas.
Lanier, J. S., detailed on Gardner's staff.
Lanier, W. R., escaped from Camp Douglas, transferred to Tenth
Tennessee; Lieutenant.
Malone, C. C, transferred to Tenth Tennessee; Lieutenant.
Mullen, Ed, transferred to Twentieth Mississippi Battalion.
Mason, Robert.
MitcheU, N. L., dead.
Medlock, N. B., died at Carnp Douglas.
Moore, W. A., escaped from Cfamp Douglas; Commissary Sergeant.
Moore, Alex, escaped from Camp Douglas.
Morton, C. S., escaped from Camp Douglas.
McCown, John, wounded at Fort Donelson, killed at Decatur.
McQune, H. A.

159
McKellar, John.
McMath, J. M., wounded at Decatur, killed at Chester.
Munger, John F.,
Neilson, John A., escaped from Camp Douglas.
Neilson, J. C, escaped from Camp Douglas, wounded at Franklin.
Oden, L. G.
Payne, A. S., Color bearer. Fourteenth Mississippi regiment,
wounded a't Nashville.
Quaries, W. B.
Robinson, A. S.
Reagh, R. H. , wounded at Fort Donelson, died.
Sappington, D., wounded at Fort Donelson, died at Camp Chase.
Sholl, W. J., took oath of allegiance, released at Camp Douglas.
Street, J. M.
Sanders, T. J.
Schoolar, H. K., wounded at Atlanta.
Smith, S. M.
Stevens, J. H., not captured at Donelson.
Sanders, Thos. G.
Stevens, J. A., wounded at Atlanta.
Street, W. B.
Taylor, A. H.
Taylor, Jasper N., Chaplain Fourteenth Mississippi.
Topp, H. C.
Van Hook, W. L., killed at Franklin, Tennessee,
Watson, G. K.
Williams, O. P., died at Camp Douglas.
Williams, Jno. S., killed at Fort Donelson.
Whitfield, A. D., escaped from Camp Douglas, detailed to com
missary. Witherspoon, E. M., wounded at Fort Donelson.
Williams, Kelly, Surgeon, Fourteenth Mississippi 1863, '64, '65.
WiUiams, Chas. M., detailed Quartermaster Department.
WorreU, John W.
Wray, P. J., wounded at Fort Donelson, dead.
Young, W. L., escaped from Camp Douglas, detailed scout.
These men enUsted in 1861 and were present or accounted for
at Fort Donelson; were at Camp Douglas, were exchanged and re
enlisted for three years or during the war.
The following roll contains the names of men who joined the
Company at various times from September, 1862 to 1864:
Barnes, J. H., wounded at Resaca, Ga., died.
Betts, C. V.
Barksdale, W. F.
Cobb, Geo. C, discharged, deafness.
Cox, J. A.
Crouch, A. L.
Dunning, W.
Halbert, Jno. S.
Hudgins, W. H.
Johnston, H. R., Hospital Steward.
'Kline, Samuel, discharged.
KeUy, J. L.
Kidd, A. W., wounded at Atlanta.
Little, Basil, killed at Meridian.
Lincoln, C. L.
Mitchell, David.

160
McMane, G, W,, killed at Bcntonville, N, C.
Murphy, R. J., Assistant Surgeon, Thirty-third Mississippi.
Maer, W. E., killed at Kingston, N. C.
McMath, W. H.
Matthews, Barry.
Owens, William,
Owens, A. J.
PoweU, W. E., died at Camp Douglas, 1865.
Richardson, S. R., wounded at Atlanta.
Richardson, T. P.
Reaves, H,
Reid, F. P., wounded at Franklin, Tennessee., dead.
Reynolds, U.
Sappington, Voltaire.
SeweU, W. W.
Schoolar, L. J.
Saltonstall, W. C.
Sheppard, B. E.
Taylor, G. B.
Taylor, J. W.
Vogel, Augustus.
Vaughn, G. W.
WiUiams, W. H. H,, detailed to Medical Department.
Williams, R.
WiUeford, G. T.
Watson, H, L.
Worrell, C. H.
Wren, W, S., kiUed at Atlanta.
WiUis, W. L.
Winston, Walter.

1-|1,U<L1JS HASKUKVTI.I.i:, IMID,, l',(-,S,
,or of (-lu'inisliv of llu- i'oIU'ki' of llu- C'llv of Now N'c

100

161

OFFICERS AND MEN OF COMPANY I,
43rd MISSISSIPPI REGIMENT
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
Banks, J. O. Captain.
Leigh, Richard, First Lieutenant.
Leigh, Bob, Second Lieutenant.
Young, Thomas E., Third Lieutenant.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
Spiers, R. R., First Sergeant.
Garvin, R. S., Second Lieutenant.
Bunch, Thos., Third Lieutenant.
Williams, B., Fourth Lieutenant.
Christian, C. D., First Corporal
Harris, J. R., Second Corporal.
Gaston, J. E., Third Corporal.
McCrary, W. R., Fourth Corporal.
WorreU, C. O., Fifth Corporal.

PRIVATES

Angle, Thomas
Angle, Did
Anthony, J. W.
Backham, Wm.
Bailey, Wm.
Barnes, Thos.
Barkesdale, W. F.
Bean, Wm.
Beam, 
Brownlee, J. B.
Bro-wn, Sam
Beard, Robert
Beard, James
Bradley, Neal
Caldwell, Jas.
CaldweU, Walter
Camp, Fayette
Cox, D. S.
CaldweU, Robert
Chandler, Robert
chandler, 
Cook, J. S.
Dodson, •

18

ElUs, J. N. E.
Ellis, M. H.
Ellis, James
Ellis, Robert
Ellis, W. L.
Fuson, I.
Field, Da-vid I.
Gibson, Green
Gammill, George
Green, Wm.
Gamer, Lid.
HuU, W. S.
Hull, James
HuU; M.

Lawrence, Thos.
Little, John
McCrary, Jas.
Mulkaka, Jas.
MiUer, L.
McReynolds, Jas.
McReynolds, Lany
Mclntyre, Thos.
Mullen, Emmett
Norwood, B. F.
Norwood, John
O'Mally, Pat
O'Riley, Wm.
Oden, Lee
Oden, Henry
Pool, Wm. M.
Peters, Dick
Peters, Wilson
Peters, Isham
Page, Jack
Portwood, J. K.
Randall, Shular
RandaU, Flem
RandaU, Wm.
Robertson, Wm.
Robertson, 
Sharp, J. H.
Sharp, R. C.
Sharp, FrankUn
Sharp, Tack
Sharp, Nim
Scurlock, T. C.
Scurlock, T. B.
Scurlock, Jas.
Stewart, Davy
Stewart, J. H.
Sturdivant, A. B.

162

Hogan, John
Hogan, Wm.
Halbert, E. F.
Harris, W. R.
Harris, M. M.
Hudgins, 
Hudgins, 
Jackson, J. E.
Jenkins, Martin
Kidd, Eugene
Koker, Green
Koker, T.
Leech, Daniel
Leech, Langford
Leech, Berry
Leech, James
Langford, Jas.
Love, Charley
Loftis, J. D.

Snell, Scott
Snell, Benton
Stanley, W.
Stanley, Ralph
Swain, Joe
Swain, tack
South, Levy
Smith, Jonathan
Smith, Andy
Smith, C. C.
Smith, Thos.
Sprowell, Wm.
Thrasher, Dick
Thompson , Wm .
Williams, 'Tom
Williams, Lany
WilUams, Brown
Walker, Sam
Willingham, Thos. I.

MUSTER ROLL, COMPANY H, PERRIN'S REGIMENT
CAVALRY, FERGUSON'S BRIGADE
OFFICERS
Port, Battle, Captain,
Muldrow, Wm, C ,, First Lieutenant.
Dukeuiiinier, Wm. H., Second Lieutenant.
Low, John W., Third Lieutenant,
Campbell, Wm, A., First Sergeant,
Stanton. |, B., Seeond Sergeant.
Ervin, K.".-\,, "Third Sergeant,
Kvle, A. D,, Fourth SerKeant.
EUis, Daniel Fifth Sergeant,
Henderson, Wm. H, C, First Corporal.
I'lUis, Thonuvs S., Seetnul Corporal.
Rishersou, I.. H., Third Corporal.
Patterson, Sandfort, Fourth Corporal.

PRIVATES

.A.-^kew, lo.seph
McLaughlin, G. R.
Allston," , 1.
McReynolds, G. C.
.Mlstou, James E
McVav, W. C.
Hninnon. U.S.
Miller; A. W,
Hi\nvn, 1, n.
Montgomery, A. G.
Hi\nvn, ). r
Montgomery, D. F.
Mur^ihy, James
Harham, N.
Hufonl, B.
Norwood, R. G.
HeU. J, M,
Parkham, J. L.
Parker, T- G.
Bui->;ess, james
CUve. H,"A,
Parker. ). W-
Cottrt^U. ). M,
PhiUips. W. T.
Cotin. |oi\i\ C.
Perkins. U, D.
Cox, Wm. S.
Perkins. J. C.
RusseU, J. M.
Craii;. Robert
Elli.s, F. n.
Redus. Samuel
EUis, RoK-rt
Reeves, John
Rt-<-ves, H, P.
KUi.-!. Wm. \\
V.vy'nx, hvmes K,
Reives, J. T.
Reives, Samuel E,
Fife, \\'n\. 1,
PieUls. C, 0,
Ryland, J- H.
liHeKls. n. F,
Robev. W. A.
Fields. K. S.
S;iuniV-i-s, Thomas
r.;i.-;toa, 1. W.
Sandifer, J. M.
Griftin, t^Joah
Shepherd, Peter
Gunn. lohn
Smith, John
Hart.-iti'eld. B. P.
Stevenson, Sol.
Ua--<tim;>;, W. W.
Stiles. J. E.
Uivrri,-;,' W, 1.
Swinson, H.
HiU. OrtH-n
Stanton, T. P.
Horton. Herv
Perry. I. J,
Trewett. E, P.
Howarvl. J, M.
Humphries. |, H,
Mi
>v,
lohn
Williams. A, R,
HiUiani. W "1\\
NU
,-:\a'
ison, S. L.
WilUams. X. M.
loiner. j. 1-^
Mi
utin. Kobert G.
Wooten.JohnWingo. V?. H.
KnMaix, Wui,
Mv
.-Go-
wan. G. A.
kirkby. 0.
Tumor. Gid P.
\Miittock. C, B.
Kennecav. Wvatt
W
alkt
¦r. ID.
Wood, L, H.
Laughton. |. C,
W
est.
T. P.
Woodtin. J. E.
LNvn, T, C:
W
est.
A, B.
Yeates, E, D.
164

OFFICERS AND MEN COMPANY B, 43rd REGIMENT
MISSISSIPPI VOLUNTEERS, 1862
BiUups, J. M., Captain.
Irion, McKinney, Lieutenant.
Whitfield, H. B., Lieutenant.
Hargrove, W. H., Lieutenant.
Miller, George, First Sergeant.
Montgomery, C. R., Second Sergeant.
Teasdale, R. L., Third Sergeant.
Fryerson, A. A., Fourth Sergeant.
Lyon, T. C, Fifth Sergeant.
Yeates, T. W., First Corporal.
Beckwith, I. N., Second Corporal.
KiUian, G. R., Third Corporal.
Armstrong, J. W., Fourth Corporal.

PRIVATES

Acker, Balus
Acker, T. B.
Beckwith, J. M.
Barrow, G. W.
BeU, Hury A.
Banks, R. W.
Camp, L. C.
Cooper, W. F.
Cooper, Jas. A.
Cox, Alexander
Carson, Wm.
Carson, Jas. A.
Clark, J. W.
Davis, Jas. C.
Davis, Thos. L.
Davis, J. F.
Davis, H. D.
Davis, J. A.
Dean, John
Dancy, Ed
Easley, A. G.
Ellis, Jonathan
Eubanks, G. W.
Edmondson, J. W.
Edmondson, Wm.
Evans, Roderick
Finklea, G. W.
Furgerson, W. B.
Gannon, Thomas
Garvin, J. O.
Gillespie, George
Harmon, J. A.
Hicks, Ervin
HiU, Ervin
Howard, H. H.
Howard, J. W.
Howarth, David
Hughson, John
Johnson, Means
Jones, 
Kennon, W. H.

Keimon, Fant
Kidd, A. W.
Kniffin, Ward
Loftis, J. L.
Leech, Mat
Leech, John
Lanier, Emmett
Leigh, F. M.
Love, Rufus
McGee, F. M.
McMorton, Lee
McCown, John >
McCarty, J. M.
McCarty, M. V.
McCarty, Thomas
McCarty, M. M,
McClary, D. R.
McClary, S. F.
McDowell, A. J.
McDoweU, Jeff
Minga, A. A.
Murray, R. G.
Merchant, Thos.
Merritt, H. S.
Nickles, M. H.
Nickles, R. F.
Peebles, John
Perkins, W. H.
RandaU, John
RandaU, P. D.
Reed, H. H.
Reed, J. A.
Reeves, F. M.
Reeves, W. B.
Reeves, J. D.
Reeves, C. C.
Picket, Jacob
Ramsey, C. A.
Short, J. L.
Shaeffer, C. A.
Sherman, W. H.

165

Sherim, Hardmore
Sh.'ittuck, Geo. W
Smith, D, L.
Smith, R. S.
Smitii, W. P.
Smith, W. M.
Smith, T.<is. M.
Smith, W. S.
Smith, Moses B.
Snider. D. N.
Si viev, T- S.
Svkes, W. S.
SneU, J. T.
Tharp, J. T.
Tharp. G. N.

Walker, W. J. H.

Taylor, Thos.
Thomas, W. J. C.
Thomas, E. H.
Tunnell, T. L.
West. Matt
West, Lem
West, Berry
White, L. N.
White, Jas. M.
Wigby, Joe
WilHams, J- C,
WilHams, Daniel
Walestonhohne, Thos.
Witherspoon, E. M.
WorreU, Wm.

166
INDUSTRIES— 1906
Jacob's Foundry and Machine Shops.
Standard Stove Works.
New South Plow Company,
Columbus Underwear Company,
Hagadon and Louk's Hard-«70od Works,
Columbus Cordage Company,
Mississippi Cotton Oil Mill,
Columbus Hydraulic Stone Company,
Columbus Brick Company,
Peoples' Ice Company,
Kaye's Ice Company,
McQuown's Carriage Factory,
Columbus Comfort Company,
Arkay Stave and Heading Company,
Southem Phosphate Company,
Light and Power Company,
Refuge Cotton Oil Company,
Cheatham's Planing Mill,
Gulf Compress Company,
Kelly, Pope & Rather, Cement Walks.
Columbus Marble Works,
Tombigbee Cotton MUls,
Southem Machine Shops,
Columbus Hosiery Mill,
Bell Lumber Company,
Columbus Water Works,
Columbus Gas Works.
Columbus Chair Factory,
Columbus Hosiery Mill,
Columbus Manufacturing Company,
Machine and Foundry Company,
Street Railway System.
EDUCATIONAL
Mississippi Industrial Institute and College,
Franklin Academy,
Barrow Memorial Academy,
Union Academy (Colored).

167

First Methodist,
First Baptist,
Presbyterian,
Episcopal, Cumberland Presby1;erian,
Christian,Catholic,
Jewish Temple,

CHURCHES. Second Methodist,
Second Baptist,
Faith Chapel,
Methodist Episcopal (col'd),
Colored Methodist,
African Zion Church (col'd)
Baptist, (col'd)
Shiloh Baptist (col'd.)