Yale University Library

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BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME
of the
GEORGE E. IDE MEMORIAL FUND

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THE
EARLY HISTORY OF
JACKSON COUNTY
GEORGIA
"The Writings of the Late G. J. N. Wilson, embracing some of the Early
History of Jaclison County.''

THE FIRST SETTLERS, 1784

FORMATION AND BOUNDARIES TO THE PRESENT TIME

RECORDS OF THE TALASEE COLONY

STRUGGLES OF THE COLONIES OF
YAMACUTAH, GROANING ROCK, FORT YARGO,
STONETHROW AND THOMOCOGGAN

Given in Narrative Stgle without Burdening the Reader
with Dates Hard to Remember
Bs G. J. N. WILSON

With Supplement giving a list of Officers of the County, 1796 to 1914
Judges of the Inferior Court Jackson County's Part in the Civil War
Confederate Veterans in the County
Representatives and Senators from Jackson, 1799 to 1914
An ' Some Strange Records by Editor
Edited and Published bg
W. E. WHITE
All Rights Reserved.

i-OPVRjGHT 1^1*;,
BY
.W; £. WHiTe

FOOTS a DA VIES OO.
ATLANTA

Cil%S.'3S0

THE EARLY HISTORY
OF
JACKSON COUNTY, GEORGIA
By G. J. N. WILSON

DEDICATION
In full appreciation of their kindness and in glad memorg of their unselfish
services, this narrative of a bpgone age ia
LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO
MY FRIENDS.

RECOMMENDATIONS.
We, the committee appointed by the teachers at their regular
monthly meeting in April, to examine the manuscripts of the late
G. J. N. Wilson, with a view to seeing whether or not any part or
parts can be used as a History of Jackson County, beg leave to
make the following report :
That we, as a committee, recommend that the manuscripts be
published as "The Writings of the late G. J. N. Wilson, em
bracing some of the Early History of Jackson County."
Jefferson, Ga., July 4, 1913.
J. E. J. LORD, Chairman, Ex-Member Legislature,
J. A. CROOK, Principal Plain View High School,
W. H. MALEY, Member Board of Education,
LUTHER BLROD, Supt. Public Schools, Jackson County,
J. N. ROSS, Member Board of Education. Committee.
On August 29, 1913, the Board of Education of Jackson County
in meeting assembled, unanimously concurred in the above recom
mendation. J. C. TURNER, President.
LUTHER ELROD, Secretary.

EDITOR'S PREFACE.
"My friend, if I fail to get my book out before the Master calls,
1 want you to promise me, now, that you will see that it is pub
lished." In obedience to the above request, made some six months be
fore the death of the late Hon. G. J. N. Wilson, the Editor is
offering this work to the public.
It has been no small task to take up the manuscripts of a dead
man, these, too, at different dates, and assemble them in the order
that one would suppose the author intended. He left no instruc
tions whatever and but one explanation, and that concerned the
Talasee Colony. Mr. Wilson stated that when a small boy, he
had a "liking for scribbling." That a descendant of the Talasee
people lived near his father 's home and they very kindly allowed
him to use the old papers as a copy. This he did as mere pas
time, it never once oceuring to him then that these papers would
be found useful. A few days after the papers were returned the
neighbor's house burned.
Thus does God verify His saying, "And a little child shall lead
them. ' ' Through the work of a little boy these records have been
saved from oblivion. We can learn a few things about how the
first settlers began the work of redeeming the forest and building
homes in the garden spot of all Georgia.
We have made just as few changes as possible, leaving, as it
were, "the author in his work," even to the peculiar manner of
spelling some words.
After having traveled more than 500 miles, from place to place,
verifying what was stated, and finding dates, places and people
just as described in the manuscript, we feel that no higher
'9

enconium can be paid the author than to say, "What is written,
is written."
In the Supplement to this work the reader will find what we
believe will interest as well as instruct.
We wish to thank the many friends that have been so ready to
help by allowing us the use of their libraries, and also for the
words of encouragement spoken by those who hope to see our
county at the front.
W. E. WHITE.
Jefferson, Ga., March, 1914.

IU

The Home of the "Old General."

THE LIFE OF GUSTAVUS JAMES NASH WILSON.
On October the 16th, 1827, was born a baby boy, near what is
now the beautiful little city of Commerce, Jackson County. He
was named Gustavus James Nash Wilson and was destined to
make a mark in the world.
He belonged to a family living in the county when it was or
ganized in 1796 and subsequently prominent in its political, busi
ness and social affairs.
He was a grandson of George Wilson, a leading citizen of the
pioneer days of Jackson County and one who made the original
draft of the flrst constitution of the state of Georgia.
George Wilson was one of the first settlers of the county and
was an elder in the first Presbyterian church organized in this
part of the State. James, a son, married Miss Martha Bowles,
daughter of another old settler, and they were the parents of
the subject of this sketch.
The father was a farmer and a brave soldier in the wars of
1812 and the Indian troubles of 1836. He died at the home of his
son, G. J. N. Wilson, near Pentecost Church, on March 19, 1870,
aged eighty-three years. Mr. G. J. N. Wilson then lived in the
Flannigan house, where Mrs. Amanda Finch now resides.
In the youthful days of Mr. Gustavus Wilson educational ad
vantages were few. The "old-field" schools, and here and there
a private academy, furnished the mental training of the masses.
In the former Mr. Wilson's natural love for learning was nurtured
until his mind was prepared to guide it into channels of self
education. He was from childhood a hard and thorough student,
ever seeking knowledge.
At thirteen years of age he was so far advanced that he was
asked to teach a school near where Commerce now is, and so
eminent were his qualifications and successful was he in the work,
that he taught this school for fourteen successive years. He was
associated with other schools in the county, and was at the head
11

of some of the most prominent institutions of the county in ante
bellum days.
In May 1862, Mr. Wilson left his profession to cast his lot with
the Confederate Army as an officer in Company E, Thirty-fourth
Georgia Regiment.
After the war he devoted most of his time to carpentry; and
was thus engaged when, in 1871, he was elected to the position of
County School Commissioner. He held this position for about
30 years in succession.
Mr. Wilson came of Scotch-Irish descent ; of fine mental attain
ments and possessed a physique of Herculenean proportions.
He was an Elder in the Presbyterian church, a Chapter Mason,
also an Odd Fellow.
Mr. Wilson was what some might term eccentric, but to know
him was to love him. His friendship knew no bounds. He was the
same to all ; the high or the low, rich or poor received his help at
all times. Hundreds of teachers who now have made their mark
in the world, can look back to the time when they, struggling to
rise, would have given up in despair but for the timely aid and
sweet sympathy given them by the one above them — and yet
never above, for the Old General never took advantage of his
position as Commissioner to "bully" his friends or teachers.
He could boast of never spending an idle day in his life, always
busy with mind or hand, and his motto was: "Owe no man
anything. ' '
In his official capacity he never cost the county one "nickel."
He even furnished his own office and office fixtures free of any
cost to the county he loved so well.
By using "little scraps of time," Mr. Wilson erected one of
the nicest homes in the city of Jefferson, with his own hands.
The Old General, as his friends loved to call him, was always
at home to his host of friends ; and many a time strangers could
be seen looking around the place and inspecting the many inter
esting things that he had gathered from time to time. These
good people were drawn thither by some chance remark made
by some other traveler, maybe in a distant state, as to how they
had spent the time when "passing through the city."
12

(Right here let it be understood that the term, ' ' General, ' ' was
not a title nor was it ever used as such by Mr. Wilson, but was
only a "nickname," by which his friends addressed him.)
Mr. Wilson owned one of the finest private libraries in the
State, and one never went to him for help, intellectually, and went
away empty. He seldom had to refer to his books but had the
desired information at the "tip of his tongue," so to speak. He
kept up with the political movements of the times, but never at
any time stooped to "dabble" with the dirty tricks that some
times curse this section of the State.
He, like many another good man, lived, as it were, before his
day, and his worth was not appreciated. Even since his death
he has been criticised by some who did not understand him.
He was loved by his teachers and pupils alike. And even now
one can hear him referred to as "That dear old Commissioner
that visited our school when I was a little tot."
Mr. Wilson was married on August 1, 1847, to Miss Carrie
Coleman. They had two children to bless their home, Mr. L. C.
Wilson and Mrs. Maggie Johnson.
Gustavus James Nash Wilson died on the 28th day of March,
1909, and was laid to rest in Woodbine cemetery in the city of
Jefferson, Ga. EDITOR.

13

CONTENTS. SECTION I.
Introduction.CHAPTER. PAGE
I. Formation, Boundaries, etc  31
II. The Country, its Inhabitants, Forests, Streams and Birds 33
III. Animals, Together with some Incidents Relating to
Them — The Mysterious Wog  43
SECTION II.
The Talasee Colont.
I. First Settlers from Effingham County  51
II. Johnson Josiah' Strong Makes a Discovery .... 60
III. The White Ladies Visit Adabor  71
IV. The Identity of Banna Mar de Vedo is Found Out . 83
V. The Cherokee Spy  93
VI. A Number of New Emigrants Arrive  106
VII. The Visit to Yamacutah and Return  119
VIII. The Draper and Modin Families at Snodon .... 132
IX. The Visit to Nodoroc  145
X. Trouble at Snodon and the Arrival of More Emigrants 162
XL The Cold Winter and a Visit by Governor Matthews.
The Organization for Mutual Protection . . . 173
SECTION IIL
Yamacutah.
I. First Settlers at Tumbling Shoals and Related Incidents 186
SECTION IV.
The Old-Time Logrolling.
I. The Log is Rolled  201
II. The Dance at Dunson's and Preaching at the School
House  211
III. Brantly Carries His Bride to Jefferson  220
IV. Gabe Nash Spells "Tizic"  228
14

SECTION V.
Cell No. 21.
CHAPTER. PAGE
I. The "A" Family  238
II. Sidney York is Arrested  243
III. York is Found Guilty — Coatney's Confession . . . 247
SECTION VL
The Hut Owl in Borrowed Feathers.
I. The Reading of the Poem Opens Their Eyes ... 253
SECTION VII.
The Rebel Girl.
I. The Search for the Rebel  261
II. The Girl in the Hollow Tree  266
III. A Cousin is Discovered  274
IV. The Rebel Girl is Carried Home  277
SUPPLEMENT.
Public School Officers of Jackson County  285
Harmony Grove Female Academy, 1824  286
Commissioners Roads and Revenues  286
Sheriffs  287
Coroners  288
Ordinaries  289
Deputy Sheriffs  289
Clerks Inferior Court  290
Tax Receivers  290
Treasurers  291
Surveyors  291
Tax Collectors  291
Clerks Superior Court  292
Justices of the Peace, Notaries Public, and Constables in 1914 293
Some Queer Things Culled from Court Records  294
15

PAGE
Judges Inferior Court  298
Courts of Jackson County  301
Officers City Court of Jefferson  303
Board Tax Assessors  303
Jackson County's Part in Civil War  303
Convention of 1861  303
Confederate Veterans Who Enlisted From Jackson .... 304
Confederate Soldiers Living in Jackson County  334
Convention of 1865  338
Convention of 1867-8  339
Convention of 1877  339
Members of General Assembly from Jackson County . . . 330
Some Strange Old Papers  333
Health and Longevity of People  337
Some Facts About Jackson County  339

16

A List op the Difficult Indian Names Found in this Book,
Divided into Syllables and an Explanation as to What Thet
Belonged To in the Days of the First Settlements.
Po-ca-tal-i-go was the name used by the Indians for Sandy
creek; Tish-ma-gii was Mulberry river; E-to-ho, North Oconee
river; Ith-l6-bee, Middle Oconee; Pin-h6-l6-wah, Turkey creek;
T6b-ke-s6-f6s-kee, Curry's creek; Num-sa-c6-ta, Hurricane creek;
Ca-hoo-ta-con-nough, Double branches; Ja-ra-thog-gin, Beaver
creek; Ip-se-quil-ta, Cedar Creek; Y6-t6-comp-sa, Morgan's creek;
Tau-rH-la-boule, Beech creek; Tip-toe, Price's Mountain, on the
line of HaU; Yam-a-cii-tah, Tumbling Shoals; Yam-tra-hooeh-ee,
Hurricane Shoals; Tal-a-pa-hoo, Rock ford; 0-k6-l5-co Trail, was
on the western side of the county (present boundary) and passed
through Sno-don, now Winder; La-c5-da Trail led from Augusta
to the mountains, passing through Groaning Rock, now Commerce,
thence through where Maysville now is, and on through Stone-
throw (GUlsviUe), to the TaUulah and Naeoochee countries;
Po-ga-nip, Cedar Hill; N6-do-roc, the mud volcano, that the In
dians thought was hell; So-quil-las, meant horses; tj-mau-sau-ga,
the old chief that lived at Tal-a-see Shoals, his home being called
A-da-bor; B-to-hau-to was Umausauga's brother; Yr-tyr-myr-myr-
mys-eo and Wo-k6-16g were two Indian bucks ; I-ro and Al-bo-rak,
names of two of their horses ; Ta-litch-lech-ee was the name of a
certain man; Yeth-a, a woman's name; Ra-do-a-ta, was a battle
field near Attica; Ar-har-ra, another battlefield nearer the Tish-
maugu ; O-no-eo-wah, a word of lament ; A-l6-tha, the Bell spring ;
Lap-si-da-li, the woman that caused trouble between the Creeks
and Cherokees; O-no-ma-co, LapsidaU's brother; Nu-mer-a-do,
the old battlefield at the mouth of the Niim-sa-co-ta creek;
Shul-ta-moo-zaw, an Indian village where Black's Creek church
now stands; Hu-a-na-eo, the name of a certain Cherokee messen
ger; B6-hii-r6n, the place where Oconee Heights is situated;
Neg-li-gole was the Indians' word for renegade ; Ta-ta changed his
name to Nyx-ter when he became a spy among the Bo-hu-rons;
E-Ian-ey-dyne was the Cherokee's queen until she was killed at
the battle of Arharra ; fil-tro-va-dyne, the orphaned daughter of
17

Blancydyne. She was found on the field of Arharra and became
the adopted daughter, Ban-na, of old Umausauga; Ra-mo-ja and
Emefila meant a festival known as the Corn dance; H6-n6-ras
were men among the Creeks that correspond to our present day
sheriffs; Ne-re Na-ra and NQ-rQ-lyn, names of two girls;
Th6m-o-c6g-gan, the present city of Jefferson was once so called;
Hooch-le-6-hoo-pah, a certain man's name; No-din was the name
of a man who lived at Sno-don; We-tump-ka, Columbus, Ga. ;
O-ko-ko-bee, a Creek chief over the Ufallayak division of the
nation and was the father of Umausauga, El-to-mu-ra and
Etohauto; Ne-na-the-ma-ho-la, successor to Okokobee; Si-l6-quot
of Ha-i-tau-thu-ga, near Fort Yargo, was a spy and whose com
panions were E-li-t5-boy, Ca-mas-to6-ka and No-vu-ar-ka;
0-ko-le-gee, the old chief that lived on Tip-toe; I-no-ma-tu-ha-ta
lived on Pea Ridge; I-no-ma-taw-tiin-sig-na lived at what is
now known as the Arnold old mill place. These three,
Okolegee, Inomatuhata and Inomatawtunsigna together with
Talasee were all chiefs and were among the fourteen In
dian chiefs that signed the treaty at Augusta that gave Jackson
County the ' ' Wofford Settlements. ' ' Al-a-pa-ha and his daughter,
tj-ni-eoy, lived near Yamtrahooehee. Wau-to-wau-to was the
chief that stole Flora Clover and Susan Bingham at the shoals and
a little later killed Dr. Henry Therrauld at the battle of
Nau-ha-ta. EDITOR.

18

INTRODUCTORY.
"The very generations of the dead
Are swept away, and tomb inherits tomb.
Until the memory of an age is fled.
And, buried, sinks beneath its offspring's doom." — Don Juan.
In the absence of written history one wave of human life
sweeps over another until the achievements of the past become
wholly unknown, save such as are lodged in the generous bosom
of mother earth or transmitted from father to son as in the days
before the flood.
The pioneers of this country cared little for written history.
To make a record of local events or of the men and measures
of the times perhaps never entered their minds. Even official
documents were vague in meaning, and often destroyed as soon
as used. Stones that have been buried beneath the accumulated
dust of ages give us an account of some of the leading nations of
antiquity as full as anything that can be found concerning the
first settlement of this immediate part of the country. Indeed,
the generations which followed have been greatly deficient in
this respect.
It was long after the first white settlers came to Jackson
County before the people could spare their children from work,
or procure the means to send them to school. The first staple
production was tobacco ; and if the children of to-day, arrayed in
their splendid outfit for school purposes, could, for one moment,
know how much hard work was necessary to prepare the un
broken forests for cultivation amidst threatening dangers on
every side, and imagine the filthiness of killing tobacco worms,
pulling off the ' ' suckers, ' ' topping of the plants, cutting, curing,
stripping the leaves from the stalks, and the hard labor necessary
to send it to market in "rolling hogsheads" they would stand in
utter amazement at the great difference between then and now,
and no longer wonder why their ancestors did not go to school,
nor have time to read and write.
But if they did not attend school, knowledge was acquired by
intensity of action, by observation and reflection, rather than
19

from books. They were too busy making the way to the ends of
life to write incidents on the wayside. Thus it was that through
the eventful decades of more than a century generations have
eome and gone without leaving any record to let the world know
that they had ever lived in it.
To secure from oblivion what is known of their history, now
fast fading away through the already dim vista of time, is the
object of these pages. They are written at the solicitation of
friends for whose opinions the writer has the most profound re
spect. They claim no literary merit, but absolute originality.
Having no companion nor guide to direct him, he travels alone
amid the shadows of the long-gone past. And yet they are not
dreary. To a limited extent the narrative is drawn from documentary
evidence, partly from memory, and largely from tradition. Re
garding some incidents there is a difference of opinion; but in
such cases the most reliable authorities have been followed. Many
of the dates given are correct ; others are approximate and where
this could not be done, none are given. The writer does not
claim to be free from all error. G. J. N. W.
Jefferson, Ga., Sept., 1906.

20

CHAPTER I.
Formation and Boundaries — Changes Made to Bring the County
Down to Its Present Limits — Some Incidents by the Way.
In 1784, when Northeast Georgia was a wilderness, inhabited
by wild animals and wilder men, with here and there a few white
settlements ' from two to three days' journey apart, Franklin*
County, was laid out in order, as the Act to form it declared, "to
strengthen the State, and for the convenience of the inhabitants."
Its area was extensive, "beginning," continues the Act, "at Sa
vannah river, where the west lines of Wilkes county strikes the
same; thence along the said line to the Cherokee corner; from
thence on the same direction to the south branch of the Oconee
river ; thence up the said river to the head or source of the most
southern stream thereof; thence along the temporary line, separa
ting the Indian hunting ground to the northern branch of
*Prof. E. P. Brooks' "History of Georgia," Pages 143 and 182.
Note: We quote, here, from "First Settlers of Upper Georgia," Pages
333 to 335, by Gov. George E. Gilmer, extracts from a letter, written to the
President of the United States, concerning the Indian troubles, a few years
prior to their removal to the West. In this letter, written by a gentleman
who had resided in or near the ".Broad Eiver Settlement," now Oglethorpe
County, all his life, we find many facts as to the location of the Creek and
Cherokee Indians in this part of Georgia.
"Executive Department, Milledgeville, Dec. 29, 1829.
"Independent of any knowledge derived from individuals, it is probable
that we could have accounted for the change of possessions of the disputed
territory from the Creeks to the Cherokees, from the alteration of the habits
of life which has been for a long time taking place in both tribes. Within
the last thirty or forty years, the Creeks and Cherokees graduaUy became
less and less capable of subsisting by hunting. Very many of the half-
breeds of each tribe exchanged hunting for herding. But even these were
but little accustomed to provide, by cultivating the earth, food for the sup
port of their cattle during the winter, but rather trusted to the cane and
other natural productions. Both tribes therefore inclined to progress to the
south, where the lands on the streams were richer, and the cane more
capable of sustaining their cattle. That portion of the Cherokee tribe in
particular, who inhabited the high mountains, cold and sterile country
about the head waters of the Savannah and the Chattahoochee, were dis
posed to leave it to one further to the south, and more suitable to the
change that was taking place in their habits. The truth of this opinion is
21

MAP OP JACKSON COUNTY, GEORGIA
Showing the location of the different places mentioned in the
Early History of Jackson County, with both
the Indian and modern names.
Present boundary
lines, 1914.

22

Savannah river known by the name of Keowee, and down the
said river to the beginning."
t Previously to the formation of this large county, the state had
no organized means of protecting its citizens, who had emigrated
thither from Virginia, North Carolina and the "Broad River
Settlement," in Wilkes. They had suffered much, not only from
the merciless native Indians, but also from heartless Tories, who,
under Champ Moore, the notorious Tory leader, often passed
through the country. Though this state of affairs existed for
some years after the organization of Franklin County, the popu
lation so greatly increased during the next twelve years, that the
people, living in the southern part, [it might be more nearly cor
rect to say southwestern], made application for another new
county. Accordingly, in 1796, when Jared Irwin was governor and Capt.
James Terrill represented Franklin County in the legislature.
Jackson County, the twenty-second formed in the State, was cut
from Franklin. The Act establishing its boundaries bears date of
i Geo. 6. Smith says, "There was up to 1792 great danger from Indian
forays, and the scattered inhabitants lived much of the time in block
houses." P. 153.— Ed.
verified by the talk delivered by the Cherokees iu 1808, to the President
of the United States, in which they represent the scarcity of game in that
part of their country, and the intention to leave it. In addition to the
superior advantages of a more southern country for the support of their
cattle was added the inducement of approaching nearer their markets,
rendered important by the increased value of their beef and hides.
"It is probably known to the President, from personal observation that
the country in dispute was formerly occupied by the Creeks entirely, and
that they gradually relinquished their possession, until, at the close of the
late war, there were very few of the tribe remaining in it; and that, at the
same time, and in the same manner, the Cherokees by degrees obtained
almost entire possession. The fact that all the streams and remarkable
places have Creek names prove certainly that it was but lately occupied
by the Creeks, and that there has been no general and simultaneous transfer
of its possessions from one tribe to the other, and that the Cherokees must
therefore have intermingled with the original inhabitants, so as to have
adopted their proper names. The Cherokees' talk, the testimony of the
Indians, and the information of the original white settlers on the frontier,
prove that this occupation of the country by the Cherokees was permissible
on the part of the Creeks, and so considered by the Cherokees until 1820,
when General Mcintosh procured the consent of the Creeks to make it a
23

February llth, 1796, and says: "The line dividing the County of
Jackson from the County of Franklin shall begin on the south of
Broad river at the place where it intersects the Counties of Ogle
thorpe and Elbert; from thence it shall run up to the head or
source of the middle fork, it being the main stream ; from thence
south forty-five degrees to the main ridge which divides the waters
of Broad river from the waters of the Oconee ; thence along the
said river to the temporary or western line of Franklin County;
and all that part of Franklin lying and being southwardly of the
aforesaid line, shall be included and comprehended in the County
of Jackson."
Thus it seems that the new county was four times larger than
at the present time, and included several places which have since
become prominent in other counties. Josiah Meigs,* first
President of Franklin College, now the State University, called
his fltrst class to order in Jackson County.
This extensive territory was called after Gen. James Jackson,
of revolutionary fame, and not for Gen. Andrew Jackson as has
sometimes been said. Though an Englishman by birth, no other
*" White's Historical Collections," says "President Meigs commenced the
exercises of the University when no college buildings had been erected.
Eecitations were often heard and lectures delivered under the shade of the
forest oak, etc." P. 397.— Ed.
matter of right. The country was said to have been loaned by the Creeks
to the Cherokees. The first claim of the right to possess it at all, on the
part of the latter tribe, was derived by success at a ball-game, at which
the stake was the disputed country, and at which play the Cherokees were
successful. This ball-game took place some time between the years 1816 and
1820. "I understand that the President is of the opinion that the United States
Government is bound, by its contract of 1802 with Georgia, as well as upon
general principles, to permit no transfer of territory after that time from
the Creeks to the Cherokees, or rather to disregard any contracts which may
have been made between the two tribes. The Creeks having been the occu
pants of the country in 1802, and having parted with possession, it now
belongs to Georgia, as the rightful owner of the soil.
"Georgia considers herself entitled to immediate possession of the coun
try claimed, but is willing to have the right postponed for the attainment
of a more important object. If that object is not affected by the means
adopted during the present session of Congress, the State expects that the
President will, so far as his own power extends, do her justice, by having
24

man was ever a more faithful and efficient servant of Georgia
than James Jackson. No "railing accusation" was ever brought
against him except that he was accused of causing Franklin Col
lege to be located in Jackson County because it was named after
him. Mild indeed; but even that was afterwards shown to be
utterly false.
For a period of nearly five years the original lines of Jackson
remained undisturbed. However, the steady increase of popu
lation, and the location of the State School where Athens now
flourishes, called for stUl another new county. Accordingly by
an Act approved on 5th of December, 1801, Clarke County, then
including Oconee, was cut, largely from Jackson, by a line be
ginning "on the Appalachee river at the mouth of Marbury's
creek; thence on a direct line to Richard Easley's miU (Talasee
Shoals) on the middle fork of the Oconee river; from thence on
a direct line to where the Oglethorpe line crosses the north fork
of Brush creek; thence down the Oglethorpe line to the Appa
lachee river; thence up said river to the beginning."
Ten years passed away before Jackson was again called on for
a division of her patrimony, by its citizens living east of Big
Sandy creek. By taking a large part from Jackson, and smaUer
portions from Oglethorpe, Clarke, Franklin and Elbert Counties,
Madison County was formed by an Act approved December 5th,
1811, and by "beginning on the Clarke County line on the ridge
between Bushy and Beaverdam creek; thence a direct line to
where the Jackson County line crosses Little Sandy creek ; thence
on a direct line to the fork of Big Sandy creek above Espy 's
Mill; thence up the eastern fork of the same to Knight's old
store; thence to the head of Black's creek in such manner as to
leave all the waters of Big Sandy creek in Jackson County."
the Cherokees removed from so much territory as is included in the treaty
lately made with the Creeks.
"These remarks are submitted to the President with sentiments of most
respectful consideration. "GEOEGE E. GILMEE."
"To the President of the United States." —Editor.
25

The western boundary of Madison as above given ; being some
what indefinite, the matter was not settled tiU a few years ago.
The loss to Jackson by the formation of Madison County was not
as great in territory as it was in citizenship. People in any part
of the country with first-class citizens, and churches and schools,
farms and shops, and all pursuits known to civilization, will pros
per and be perpetuated upon an ascending scale from generation
to generation.
Still, mother Jackson had an immense territory as compared
with her present limits, embracing a large part of what is now
Walton, Gwinnett, Hall and Banks Counties. Besides, the year
after Madison was formed, the usual rule was reversed by
making Jackson larger.
In 1785, Col. Hawkins, the United States agent for Indian af
fairs, was ordered to run the Franklin line from the Currahee
to the head of the Appalachee river, which is to this day known
as the Hawkins line. However, the Georgia legislature of 1812
decided that Col. Hawkins did not run the line "agreeably to
the true spirit and interest of the treaty held at Augusta on the
31st of May, 1783, and confirmed by the treaty at Shoulderbone,
in 1786 ; but left on the Indian side certain lands, which, by the
3rd Section of the 4th Article of the Federal constitution, be
longed to the State of Georgia. ' '
In pursuance of this decision Gov. Rabun, on the 7th of
December, 1812, signed a bill adding to Jackson County, "all
the land lying west and northwest of the Hawkins line, and on
the waters of the Oconee, up the ridge dividing the waters of
said Oconee from the waters of Chattahoochee river, commenc
ing at a point on the line run by Hugh Montgomery, where the
same crosses the dividing ridge, between Oconee and Broad
rivers ; thence along said ridge a southwest direction to the inter
section of the Hawkins line."
This act, which is hard to understand, while greatly increasing
the territory and Indian population of Jackson, added but few
whites, most of whom belonged to the celebrated "Wofford Set-
26

tlement," now in Hall. This colony of pioneers had been added
to Jackson two years before; but it seems that the State govern
ment did not reach them, and was repealed before the Act of
1812. The Augusta treaty which finally gave the Wofford Settlement
to Jaekson, was signed, with a cross, by fourteen Indians; and
as four of them lived within the present limits of the county,
their names are here given as a matter of curiosity :
Talasee Eing, for whom the Talasee Shoals are named. He
lived on the road leading from the shoals to Athens, and about
midway between Prospect Church and the large blackgum tree
which marks the line between Jackson and Clarke Counties.
Okolegee, a prominent friend of the white settlers. His wig
wam stood on top of Tiptoe, now known as Price's Mountain,
several miles above the present Price bridge, and where a battle
was fought between Confederate and Federal troops in 1864.
Inomatuhata, whose home was on Pea Ridge, north of Winder.
He lived in a picturesque house made of the branches of hickory
trees, carefully intertwined and neatly plastered both inside and
out, with a light, brick-colored mortar, the mixture of which, the
writer believes, is now unknown. The roof was of moss, evi
dently taken from the swamps a few miles to the south, and
growing, soon became impervious to water.
Inomatawtunsigna, who affixed to his name the characteristic
title of "Head Warrior," lived near Arnold's old mill on Bear
creek. His wigwam was of the common form, but unusually
substantial. Though not an avowed friend to the whites, he was
conservative, brave and intellectual.
I-no-ma-tu-ha-ta and I-no-ma-taw tun-sig-na were brothers,
and claimed to be descendants of Mispenthe, an illustrious war
rior of a former age, and his Queen, Lutro, the "Moon Spirit."
It is not known that either of the brothers left a namesake to
try the jaw-breaking power of their pale-faced successors.
Of the five distinguished white men who signed the treaty,
two of them, Andrew Bums and John Lamar, afterwards became
27

citizens of this county and some of their descendants still live
in it.*
The era upon which Jaekson County entered in 1812, was an
eventful one. Though rich in the integrity of her men, proud of
the ennobling and elevating character of her women; and boast
ing of a surplus in her treasury, amounting to $57.06^, fear and
forebodings of an evil day began to dawn upon the people.
StiU, a border county, and our Atlantic coasts blockaded by Eng
lish fleets ; the flames of burning houses by night and the gleam
of the Indian tomahawk by day, announced indiscriminate
slaughter all along her borders and sometimes within her limits.
The morals of the people, hitherto almost pure, became corrupt ;
drunkenness, almost unknown before, became common; and
crimes of which the older citizens had never dreamed, were com
mitted, sometimes in open defiance of law. It is strange that de
moralization follows exciting times; but the old maxim that,
"Hanging day is the worst in the year" is generally true. It is
not certain that Jackson County has yet recovered from the blow
then given.
Under the trying circumstances few men could leave their
threatened homes to enter the second contest with the British lion
and his whelps, the Creeks and Cherokees. Still out of a popu
lation of 227 taxpayers, the county furnished 23 volunteers who
enlisted under Gen. Jackson, and all but three or four, who had
died of disease, were with him at the Battle of New Orleans in
1815. Besides the volunteers, a Company of 40 men, styled the
"Jackson Guards," under the command of the gallant Capt. Wil
liam Jones, patrolled the county, and were of inestimable ser
vice. What a crying pity that the history of the "Jackson
Guards ' ' has never been written.
*This treaty covered practically all of the old County of Franklin.
The Acts of the General Assembly of Georgia, 1783, approving this treaty,
states in Article HI, that the Savanah river was considered the eastern
line and "Beginning at a stream known as the Keowee and running in a
westerly direction to the Currahee mountain; thence southwest to the head
waters of the mout southern branch of the Oconee river (Appalachee), in
cluding all the waters of the same; thence down the river to the old line."
28

After enlarging Jackson by the Act of 1812, it was six years
before the pruning knife was again applied to her boundaries.
As the tread of the Anglo-Saxon had taken its way to the west ;
as George Walton, Button Gwinnett and Lyman Hall, good men
and true, were without namesakes on the map of Georgia; and
as Jackson could furnish good material to build their monuments,
three deep cuts were made at one blow, creating, to a large ex
tent, our three charming daughters, Walton, Gwinnett and Hall
Counties.* The Act making these three new counties became a law on
the 19th day of December, 1818, and says: "That all that part
of Jackson County which lies southeast and southwest of a line
to commence on the Appalachee river, where the dividing line
between the counties of Walton and Gwinnett strikes the same,
and continuing the course of said line untU the same strikes the
Hog Mountain road; thence down the same to the southern line
of said county; thence along the same to the Appalachee river,
shall be added to, and made a part of Waltonf County ; and all that
part of said county which Ues above the described line ; and thence
along the road which passes Thompson's mill, to the Mulberry
fork of the Oconee river; thence a direct line to the comer of
Gwinnett County on the top of the Chattahoochee ridge, shall be
added to and become a part of Gwinnett County; and all that
part of Jackson County which lies northwest of a Une to begin
at the house of William Clements and running parallel with a
line commonly called Hawkins line, to the present line of Frank
lin County be added to and become a part of Hall." As this Act
did not clearly define some of the northern boundaries of the
new counties, the legislature of 1819 undertook to remedy the
matter by enacting "that the Une dividing the counties of Jack
son and Gwinnett shaU extend from Thompson's mill on the
*See G. G. Smith's "The Story of Georgia and the Georgia People" and
Charles H. Smith's, (Bill Arp) History of Georgia, pages 53 and 54. If the
reader will make these references he will see that the northern and western
boundaries of Jackson County were not well defined. — Ed.
tAccording to the Acts of the General Assembly, 1803, all the lands on
the north and west of our county were called "The Walton Country."
29

Oconee fork of the Mulberry river ; thence up said fork to where
the line dividing Hall and Gwinnett crosses the same. ' '
This Act of 1819 was still so unsatisfactory that in December,
1820, an explanatory Act was passed with following preamble:
"Whereas some of the lines dividing Jackson, Walton, Gwin
nett and Hall Counties were designated by old roads, not very
much in use; and whereas persons living near such roads are
in the habit of turning such dividing roads at pleasure round
their houses, so as to throw them in which county they may see
proper, so as to evade civil process, militia duty, payment of tax,
and effect many irregularities contrary to the true intent and
meaning of the aforesaid law. Be it enacted," etc. The Act
then goes on to re-establish nearly the same original lines, and in
the same indefinite manner. In some places their exact loca
tion is unknown to this day.
About the time Walton, Gwinnett and Hall Counties were sur
veyed, the Georgia legislature proposed to turn the Chattahoo
chee river into the North Oconee by digging a canal from the
former to the head water of the latter. This novel measure,
which was claimed to be practical, was, after a long debate, finally
defeated, mainly by the wild and fiery eloquence of John Steb-
bins, a member who lived somewhere on the lower waters of the
Oconee. "What, Mr. Speaker," he exclaimed, "will become of
me and my family, when the Chattahoochee, three miles wide,
a thousand feet deep, and ten miles higher than the sea, is turn
ed loose at the rate of forty miles a minute, on lower Georgia.
Why, sir, it will wash every one of us away, and if we don't get
drowned we will wake up some morning and find ourselves
a-straddle of logs floating about in the Atlantic ocean. Yes, sir,
the mountains of North Georgia will come tumbling down here
and knock our State House into a cocked hat, and people will
look out of their top windows to see if old father Noah is again
sailing around in his big ship. Besides all this, Mr. Speaker, if
we turn the vast volume of water that is in the Chattahoochee
from the channel where God made it to run, the Gulf of Mexico
would go dry, and the fish, whales, alligators and snakes in it
30

would stink so bad that nobody could live in ten thousand miles
of its shore ! ' '
Of course neither the speaker nor any one who heard him be
lieved what he said; but the speech from which the above is an
extract, was the climax of ridicule, and had the desired effect.
The measure failed, though it was not finally abandoned till
some years after.
In the meantime some of the citizens who lived around Hur
ricane Shoals, believing that the Chattahoochee would soon come
washing by them, applied for a new county to be called Unicoy,
after the pretty daughter of the Indian chief, Alapaha, who had
once lived near the Shoals. The bill to create a new county went
down with the bill to create a new river. They died together;
but it was not known that John Stebbins had anything to do
with the county matter.
In pursuance of a law passed 24th of December, 1821, Jackson
was again made larger by enacting that "the line dividing
Franklin and Jackson shall commence where the Grove Level
road strikes the Hall County line; thence along the said road to
Malone's old store; thence a direct line to where the present
Jackson County line strikes the Madison County line, and all that
part of Franklin lying south and southwest of the aforesaid line,
shall be added and become a part of Jackson County."
Sixteen years passed without any further change. In 1837 an
additional part of Franklin was added to Jackson; and in 1850
a few hundred acres of Jackson were cut off to Clarke. In 1852
the line of Jaekson was so changed as to include the residence
of William Sanders in Madison. In 1856 the residence of Jesse
Lord was transferred from Jackson to Banks,, and the lands of
David Smith in Gwinnett were added to Jackson. The planta
tion of George W. Hudson was taken from Jackson and added to
Clarke in 1868; and the line between Jackson and Madison so
changed as to add a part of the former to the latter, and a part
of the latter to the former.
In 1870 the line of Walton was so altered as to include all the
lands of D. R. R. Perkins in Jackson ; and the line between Jaek
son and Banks was materially changed as to begin "at the resi-
31

dence of James H. Holland, on the Hurricane Shoals road ; thence
to General Thomas Anderson's; thence to Atkin's brick store;
thence up the Clarkesville road to the line of Banks County, in
cluding all the lands in the above metes and bounds in Banks
County." This last Act was exceedingly successful in giving its "metes
and bounds ' ' so that they could not be understood ; but all of the
difficulties growing out of it have recently been adjusted to the
satisfaction of all parties concerned.
In 1905 the people living southward of the Mulberry river, ap
plied for a new county which they proposed to name Stephens,
with Winder for its capital. A large part of Jackson was involved
and the new county party was strong and influential, but was un
successful. Note : Again in 1913 an effort was made to cut a part of Jackson
off and combine with a portion from each of Gwinnett and Walton
Counties thereby forming a new county to be named Barrow
County in honor of Chancellor Barrow of the University of Geor
gia. This failed, also. — Editor.

32

CHAPTER II.
The Country — Its Inhabitants — Forests — Streams — ^Birds.
When the first white man, with his bold and fearless step came
to what was then known as FrankUn, but since 1796, as Jackson
County, the conditions which he was eaUed upon to meet were
entirely different from anything known to the present genera
tion. The soil, being subject only to the stealthy tread of the
native, the light foot-fall of the prowling animal, and the force
of heavy rains being broken by dense forests, was so soft and
meUow that the white man sank ankle deep as he passed over it.
There was little undergrowth. By concert of action throughout
the country, the natives burnt the woods during the autumn of
every year. This custom kept small growth in check, destroyed
milUons upon millions of reptiles and insects, and the smoke
arising from such a vast area of burning leaves and dry timber
partially obscured the rays of the sun and produced the lovely
Indian Summer of old times. Some of the undergrowth escaped
the fire and is seen in the large trees which still remain in our
scattered woodland.
For an unknown distance in every direction the country was
covered with an almost unbroken forest through which wild
animals and wilder men roamed at will both night and day. At
the time of its first settlement by the whites, the country was not
as thickly inhabited by native Indians as most of the adjacent
territory. Perhaps this was partly owing to the fact that that
part of it which lies between the Athens and Clarkesville road
to the north and east and the Mulberry river to the south, was
claimed by both the Cherokee and Upper Creek tribes, and passed
from one to the other as the fortunes of war dictated. Another
leading reason for this sparse population will appear as our
narrative progresses. The territory was now in full possession
of the Upper Creeks with here and there a family or an indivi
dual that belonged to the Lower Creek tribe. In manners, cus
toms and language these two divisions of the Creek Nation were
33

almost identical; but, strange to say, they were not on friendly
terms except in time of war with other tribes, and not always
then. Those who lived within the present limits of Jackson
County had all the leading characteristics of their race which are
too well known to need repetition here. A few of them were
capable of the most devoted friendship; but the great majority
felt nothing but the most intense hatred for the "pale face" as
they generally termed the white man. Nor can we reasonably
blame him for this. Put yourself in his place. It is a serious
thing for a stranger to come and take full possession of a man's
home, and either kill or drive him away. It can be justified on
the principle of the survival of the fittest only. If Moses led his
hosts to the borders of Canaan and Joshua took possession of the
homes of its inhabitants, it was for a far-reaching reason that has
already wrought upon the destiny of the whole human race, not
only for all time, but for eternity as well! It may be that the
very people of whose homes our forefathers took possession were
the descendants of those whom Moses led to Canaan and at last
became lost among the nations — the ten tribes of Israel !
The natives found here were, and still are, called Indians,
not because that is their proper name, but because, when first
discovered, they were thought to be inhabitants of India, in Asia.
This shows how little the geography of the world was known
by Columbus and his compeers. However, when the natives
finally came to know something of the different races of man
kind, they called themselves "The Red Men," and this is, perhaps
the most appropriate designation by which they are known.
Their conceptions of a Supreme Being were of a high order,
and almost universal. They fully believed in a future state of
existence, and thought the after life a continuation of the first in
every respect. They considered the emergence of a butterfly
from its chrysalis a renewal of the life of the same insect that
fluttered from flower to flower the summer before, and that after
death they would do the same way in what they termed "The
Happy Hunting Grounds of the Great Spirit. ' ' Deeming the life of
a butterfly an illustration of their own, one of the few precepts
which they taught their children was "You must not kill a
34

cetace, ' ' as they called the butterfly. Though this belief was not
universally entertained or even known, it was a fine conception of
the mind of some heathen who never heard of the word resur
rection. The Upper Creeks lived chiefly on wild animals and birds
caught in the woods; on fish, mud turtles and terrapins found
in the streams; on custard-apples or papaws which grew upon
smaU bushes, but now almost extinct; on wUd beans or mistiups
which grew on vines in the fertile vaUeys, but totally disappeared
after the introduction of cattle ; on pig potatoes or oskones which
stiU exist in some of our swamps ; on wUd grapes or unups which
grew in great profusion, and were of a much better quality than
now; and, when in season, largely on green corn which they call
ed emefila when soft, but ze maize when hard. As the time for
eating this choice article of food approached, they manifested
their deUght by performing the emefila or Green Corn Dance.
It was a weird and laborious performance and required the fuU
exercise of aU their physical powers. Sometimes they ground
hard corn between two stones, or beat it in mortars cut in large
flat rocks, and thus produced a coarse meal of which they made
cake or bonokins. These they cooked in hot ashes, and they were
said to be exceUent eating. Our grandmothers perpetuated this
custom of cooking ash cakes for many years, and carried the art
to a high degree of perfection. The natives also made many
kinds of soup, their favorite dish being a mixture of green corn
and wild beans which they caUed succotash. They often cooked
in earthen pots; but broiling was their favorite method of pre
paring fish and birds. It is not known that the Upper Creeks
had any knowledge of salt, pepper, or other seasoning or flavor
ing ingredients.
Patches of corn were planted, cultivated, ground and cooked
by the women exclusively. The tool chiefly used in its culti
vation, or we may say the plow, was made of the forked limb
of a hard-wood tree, the point that entered the ground being
somewhat hardened by a skillful application of fire. Within the
memory of living man, a small plat of land now partly covered
35

by the Commerce Cotton Mills, was thus cultivated by a very old
Indian squaw whose name was Jillico.
Nearly all Indians were skillful in the use of the bow and the
tomahawk. Some of them were experts to such a high degree
of perfection as seem incredible to this age. These were used in
the chase and in war. Fire arms were unknown to the natives
of this immediate section until the latter part of the 90 's of the
18th century. They were of Spanish make, and in the hands of
the natives did little damage.
As already stated the forests were almost unbroken, and when
broken at all it had been done by the action of fire chiefly. Trees
having a diameter of from six to nine feet, and a spread of
branches of one hundred feet from side to side were not un
common. Most of these were chestnut trees, and the amount of
nuts which they produced was enormous, sometimes covering
the ground in places to the depth of several inches. Their ex
cellent flavor and mealy substance have made them a favorite
article of food wherever known. The natives cooked them in
various ways, and though they make delicious bread, it is not
known that they ever so used them. Though now closely verging
upon total extinction, the chestnut, large and small, was the pre
vailing growth of this country. The timber, to say nothing of
its fruit was very valuable, and its disappearance is hard to ex
plain. It is generally thought that when the woods ceased to be
burned, decaying leaves produced a germ of disease that killed
the trees by slow stages.
Next in size came the poplars and white oaks, the latter often
producing enough of big, plump acorns to make it a difficult
matter to walk over the ground where they had faUen. The
length and size of their branches were amazing. They generally
grew horizontal to the main body of the tree. This afforded
bears and panthers a favorite lurking place. The poplars were
not so numerous as the oaks but some of them grew to an im
mense size. Near the junction of big and little Sandy creeks
stood a poplar that at the height of a man's head measured nine
feet and seven inches in diameter. It was hollow, and about
1837 was cut down by raccoon hunters at the cost of the lives of
36

three valuable dogs and several raccoons, besides WiUiam
Rhodes, one of the hunters, was crippled for the remainder of
his life. Being a shoemaker by trade, he made a fuU set of lasts
and the arm pieces of a pair of crutches out of a part of that big
tree. Another distinguishing feature of the old-time forest was the
deep yet low undertone which the listening ear could always hear
when the wind was not blowing. Though not yet entirely un
heard in the woods, it was prominent then and many a hunter
has been soothed to sleep by its pleasant, dreamy moaning
through the tree-tops. Others again have cried under its in
fluence because many believed it to be the whisperings of the dead
in a language which no one could understand until they joined the
invisible throng themselves. It was not like the sad soughing of
the wind through the pine trees, for it could not be heard at all
when the wind was blowing. It seemed like the solemn, sad, yet
pleasing moan of beings among the trees, inviting us to come and
join in the chant of universal nature with them. The old poets
called it the "solemn hush of nature," and represented it as
"constantly singing a soft lullaby that enabled nymphs and
fairies to sleep soundly." As it was, and still is heard in dense
forests only, it may be that if the rush of a million worlds through
infinite space above and around us makes a noise so loud we
can not hear it, the growth-'cells constantly being added to mil
lions of trees, leaves and plants all around us, make just enough
noise to enable us to indistinctly hear them grow, and that this
constitutes ' ' The Moan of the Woods. ' '
Taking these prominent features, together with the great num
ber of large and beautiful pine trees whose towering trunks
overtopped all others, whose invaluable timbers have entered in
to the construction of many ships beyond the seas, and the large
area that has been entirely, cleared of all spontaneous growth,
from the forests once roamed by our ancestors, and we have left
a very skeleton indeed.
The water courses of the country have also considerably
changed. It is a disputed question as to whether they afford as
much water now as they did before the forests were cleared
,37

away; but the laws governing evaporation justify us in saying
that less water flows now than when its surface was hardly ex
posed to the sun at all, nor did the dry winds reach it then as
now. The water of all streams whether large or small, was as
clear as crystal. Little mud reached them from the hills. Un
der these favorable conditions fishes were much more numerous,
larger, and better flavored than now when the waters are so
very impure that it is a matter of surprise that anything con
sidered clean can exist in them at all.
The old-time names of all the streams have been changed.
North Oconee on which Hurricane and Tumbling Shoals are
located was called Etoho; Middle or Walnut Fork, Ithlobee;
Mulberry, on which are the Talasee Shoals, Tishmaugu. Proper
ly these streams should still be called North, and Middle and
South Oconee because they were so named by the first settlers
of the country. The name of Sandy Creek was Pocataligo; Tur
key Creek, Pinholowah; Curry's Creek, Tobesofoskee ; Hurricane
Creek, Numsacota. The double branches in Newtown district were
called Cahootaconnough ; Beaver Creek, Jarathoggin; Cedar
Creek, Ipsequilta; Morgan's Creek, Yotocompsa; and Beech
Creek, Taurulahoole. This word means screaming panther, and
the creek was so named because its swamps were inhabited by a
great number of these animals.
Taurulahoole! — Screaming Panther Creek! — The name sounds
ominously; but from the accounts which have come down to us
descriptive of its gloomy haunts, the place itself must have seem
ed horrid indeed to those who first came to the country. Mrs.
Clara Linton, one of the early emigrants, thus described the
place in a letter written to her sister who lived in Liberty County :
"The bed of the creek is much below the tops of the adjacent
hills, and for several miles above its junction with the Tishmaugu
river is bordered by almost impassable swamps and by dense
canebreakers on both sides which are in some places several hun
dred yards wide. These are inhabited by a great number of
panthers that make night hideous by their screams which you
well know resemble those made by a woman in distress. When
we consider the character of the animal, I conceive that nothing
38

more horrid ever reached the human ear than the doleful ming
ling of their unearthly screams as with the coming twiUght one
stands on a distant hill top and Ustens to their frightful orgies.
Then, if possible, to make the night still more hideous, a flock of
great-horned owls sit on the surrounding taU tree-tops, and hoot
and hoot ta-ha-too-who-who until broad dayUght. If one near by is
answered by another in the distance, as frequently happens, then,
all unconsciously the listener expects to see a troop of ghosts
come marching from the dark and gloomy jungles of Screaming
Panther Creek."
"It is strange," continued Mrs. Linton, "that no other place
in the country is subject to such a frightful nocturnal visita
tion. No wonder only two natives have been known to live in this
immediate vicinity for more than one day, and they, because of
some secret said to be in their possession only, were immune from
the attack of vicious animals. Even torture failed to eUcit the
secret from them."
Birds were among the most interesting features of the prime
val forest. Some are extinct and a few others nearly so. Then
as now the haughty blue jay, policeman of the woods, growled
and fretted like many people who seem to be mad because others
are living besides themselves. Then as now the reticent mocking
bird, the both day and night musician of the times, poured forth
his varied notes from some towering tree-top for want of a hedge
from which to give his hearers a closer audience.
Then as now, the fidgeted little wren, hermit of the wood-pile,
with inquisitive round and keen eye, frisked from place to place
in search of the early worm or belated fly; but the great wood-
chick with his scarlet plume, and his black and white wings of
ample spread, carrying him through the air like he was riding
upon the waves of a boisterous sea; the golden yeUow and the
blood-red tanagers, whose plumage is as briUiant as any bird of
the tropics; the delightful woodthrush, with his canary-yellow,
black-speckled breast, and his musical song at break of day; the
harmless bluebird twittering near his weU-hidden nest in some
hollow tree; the crimson-colored redbird with his bold whistle
and heavy beak; the delicate partridge with his bob-white call
39

and sly habits ; and the great turkey gobbler with his lordy strut,
bronzed breast, red-wattled head and hanging beard, have all
or nearly all, disappeared.
With the pretty birds the great eagle that on tireless vrings
sometimes soared above the clouds, has also gone. Often he
wheeled in lowering circles and turned his head in every direc
tion in search of his prey. Discovering a pig, lamb or rabbit, he
half-folded his wings, and descending through the air like an ar
row, easily carried his victim away to some hidden place of re
treat. Indeed one of these flerce birds seized a little child near
where Winder is now located, and carried it to Price 's mountain*
near Belmont in Hall County. The skeleton of a child's foot
with toe nails still on was afterwards discovered there, but no
other bones were found.
With the passing of the eagle have also gone the great flocks
of wild geese that often visited the country in old times. Ar
ranging themselves in a V-shaped body far above the tree-tOps,
a bold, strong leader placed himself at the apex, and thus they
ranged the broad extent of country from Mexico to Canada.
Occasionally a few stragglers would stop to search for food, and
often some of them were killed and found to be excellent eating.
Until the woodman's axe became so terribly destructive there
stood, near the residence of Rev. Henry Hardman, a tree which
came from a seed found in the craw of a wild goose. It was
planted in 1828, and no one who saw the tree was able to classify
it. It produced a rich profusion of finely flavored blooms, and
almost an equal number of rare berries similar in taste to the
muscadine, but a little smaller. Greatly to the regret of many,
the seed of the berries would not germinate — it may have been
because of climatic conditions.
Especially at night when ghosts and goblins were said to be
trooping to and from churchyards, the lonesome, far-away cry,
"honk!" "honk!" "honk!" of the wild goose caused the listener
to draw his bedclothes close around him. Sometimes the geese
*Priee's Mountain is on the line of Jackson and Hall Counties. Part of it
is in Jackson, but the greater portion is across the line in the other
county. — Ed. 40

flew so high as to be invisible even in the daytime. That was a
good sign of dry weather. At other times they flew low and
repeated their cries rapidly. That was a sign of bad weather.
Hence the old adage of weather prophets, "The goose hangs
high," or "the goose hangs low," "hang" being a corruption
of "honk."
The vast multitude of wild pigeons that in bygone days visited
the country have passed away with the geese. The flocks were
frequently so large as to obscure the sun Uke a monster black
cloud, and the great number of rapidly moving wings caused the
leaves of the trees beneath them to flutter back and forth as
when a moderate wind is passing. Unlike the geese they often
stopped to feast on acorns and chestnuts. Going to roost at
night aU went together, and Ughting upon the trees they broke
down the timber to such an extent that many thousands were
kUled in the general wreck. Hence another old adage was, "Go
around the pigeon roost if you expect to eat dinner."
Then, too, there was the homed owl, the night sentinel of the
times, that took his post on some lofty tree-top as described by
Mrs. Linton. Because of his cigar-shaped body, short wings and
ghostly hooting, "ta-hoo-to-hoo-hoo," he was regarded as the ogre
of the night, and when another, and another answered him from
aU directions, children and sometimes even grown folks, went to
bed and pulled the cover over their heads. Though simple and
easily understood, such a medley of harsh, discordant notes seem
ed to have a ghostly sound. Even more so when the quick, sharp,
unearthly screams of the nighthawk, seldom seen but often heard
at night only in the most gloomy parts of the forest where a ray
of sunshine was almost unknown. Of ugly form, and, except
when on the wing, of ungainly movements, the nighthawk is,
perhaps, the least companionable bird of aU the feathered tribe.
The sharp note of the lonesome joeree; the "cra-cre-cro" of
the sly raincrow; the "boo-o-uh" of the swooping bullbat; and
the deUghtful strains of the swamp blackbird, are not often, if
at aU, heard hy chUdren of the present generation. To the pros
perity of aU of them, the unbroken forest vrith its deep shadows
41

and silent glens that teem with insect, vegetable and animal life,
seems to be necessary.
It has been said that the number of turkey buzzards in any
given area neither increases nor diminishes with the passing
years. This is singular because they are known to extend their
flight to a great distance. In 1836 William Jones caught a buz-
Bard on his father's plantation now known as the Jackson — near
Dr. L. G. Hardman 's place, and fastening a small brass bell, on
which his name and date were plainly written to the captive's
neck, he turned it loose unhurt. Some months passed and the
same bird, having excited the curiosity of many people, was
shot in the vicinity of Savannah, Ga., and the curious noise it
made when flying was explained. The probability is that there
are no more turkey buzzards now than when the country was
first settled by the white man, nor are there any less.

42

CHAPTER III.
Animals Together With Some Incidents Relating to Them —
The Mysterious Wog.
Though the species of animals found in the primeval forests of
this country by our ancestors, were not so many as those living
in the jungles of Africa or in the plains of Asia, yet they were
quite numerous. Some were dangerous and others harmless. At
least one distinguishing characteristic applied to every one of
whatever kind — all were sleek and fat — none were poor or lean.
All were wild, but some more gentle than others. As everywhere
else the vicious animals were not the wildest. Nothing approach
ing a domesticated animal had ever been seen by a native of the
country except two horses of which they were much afraid at
first, thinking that the horse and his rider were one and the
same creature.
With the passing of some of the birds, many animals have dis
appeared also. The beautiful and innocent red deer, always
sleek, clean and toothsome, and as swift as the wind; the sly fox,
the delight of all hunters, and as cunning as a native; and the
barking gray squirrel, the ornament of the woods and a target
for the sportsman, are nearly all gone, now.
The opossum, prowler of the night and hypocrite of the woods,
the raccoon, the little bear of the swamps and inhabitant of hol
low trees; and the rabbit, the Molly Cotton Tail of the thicket,
and the reputed companion of witches, are still here, but com
paratively few in number. The latter little animal, the rabbit, is,
or rather was, the most singular creature known to the country.
Though still queer and hard to understand, the hunter, with his
dogs and shot gun, have greatly changed his habits, his manners
and his customs. Naturally timid, as his speed, large eyes and
ears certainly indicate, the close seclusion and constant watching
required by modern conditions, give him something to do besides
gamboling and playing over the hills and up and down the vaUeys
as he did in old times. Having but few enemies rabbits were more
43

numerous then than now for an Indian never killed one. Among
them as among other nations there were curious people and when
one of these died they believed his or her spirit went into a rabbit
and made a witch. Hence the immunity of these animals from
death at the hand of a native.
All animals have a sense of humor, more or less, especiaUy
when young. Perhaps rabbits and squirrels are more notable for
their playful moods after they are grown than any other natives
of this country. In old times when the latter would run up a tree
only far enough to get beyond the reach of the hunter's dog, and
turn around and actually bark at him with what seemed to be
saucy, defiant mockery, they were very different from what they
are now. Their playful running up and down trees, over the waving
and slender branches, and jumping as if they had wings, from one
tree to another, was very pleasing, and always engaged the closest
attention of the hunter who never ventured to fire his gun at one
when thus employed. Their exercises, though not so varied as
those of the rabbits, were so elegantly performed, and their bark
ing and chattering manifested so much real delight, that the re
spect of the beholder for the pretty little animals was always too
great to admit of any interference with their fun, whatever.
Notwithstanding their wonderful acrobatical exploits among the
trees, a squirrel was seldom known to fall to the ground. On one
occasion when several were chasing each other up and down a
great poplar tree in which was a large hole some thirty feet from
the ground, the foremost one finally ran in it, and the others quick
ly followed. As quickly all came running out at the same time,
and in such a hurry that some of them lost their footing and fell
to the ground. After looking around for a moment, they scamper
ed off through the forest and did not return. Their companions
that were playing on other trees at once seemed to know that
something was wrong and soon disappeared, also. It was after
wards found that the hollow into which the playing squirrels
ran, contained one old raccoon and two young ones. Their haste
to get out and the stampede that followed were explained.
Perhaps no animal values its tail so highly as the squirrel. It
is indeed very pretty, and is of great use whether climbing or
44

jumping. In 1841, James Hampton who lived in the vicinity of
Commerce, shot off the taU of a gray squirrel. It f eU to the ground,
but the squirrel itself escaped to a hoUow tree. Near his house
there grew a large, spreading chestnut tree which at the time was
fuU of chestnuts, ripe in the opening burrs. The next day his
daughter, Lenora Hampton, noticed that squirrels were frequently
passing back and forth from the forest in which the squirrel had
been wounded to the big chestnut tree, and that their actions
were very peculiar. She notified her father of the discovery and
at once they began to watch the proceedings. At noon the fol
lowing day they were entirely satisfied that the friends of the
wounded squirrel had coaxed him out of his den, induced him to
sit in the crotch of the tree, amply supplied him with chestnuts
from the field, and moreover, that he utterly refused to eat them !
This continued for several days through which he sat, looking
sad and dejected, without, so far as those who watched him could
discover, eating anything. On the morning of the seventh day he
was found dead at the root of the tree from which he had fallen.
A careful examination showed that no part of his body had been
injured by a bullet or otherwise. Doubtless the poor little fellow
had grieved himself to death because of the loss of his tail. Lenora
Hampton is still living and sometimes tells the pathetic story of
the bob-tailed squirrel in the long time ago.
To further show that a squirrel highly values his tail, the fol
lowing incident is given. Two young ones were kept in a cage
untU they were nearly grown and had become quite tame. As
time passed on, one gnawed the hair off of his companion's tail so
closely that he looked more like a rat than a squirrel. At last
they escaped from prison and went to the woods. The uninjured
one remained in the vicinity, but the rat-tailed fellow kept on and
was afterwards seen several miles away. He never returned to
the home of his shame, but his companion, being known by a
smaU brass chain around his neck as well as by his maimers, often
went back on a short but always cautious visit.
As the foregoing incidents relating to animals are given to
show old-time Ufe in its innocent forms, the following are men-
45

tioned as most dangerous, leaving, however, incidents illustrating
their character, to be described as they occurred in actual life :
The howl of the savage and always hungry wolf ; the spring of
the stealthy panther with his inordinate thirst for human blood;
and the great black bear sniffing around at midnight in search
of something to devour, and occasionally giving his ugly growls,
were constantly a terror to those who heard them.
As all these animals had a mortal dread of fire, the only way
to keep them at a distance while the pioneers were asleep was to
keep a fire burning in the yard all night. True, many were killed ;
but it required a long time to perceptibly diminish the great num
ber that roamed through the forests.
While the wolves, panthers and bears gave the first white set
tlers of this part of the country much trouble, still another animal
whose existence has often been disputed, inspired those who pro
fessed to have seen him, with more fear than all the others com
bined. It was the Wog, not Woog as it has sometimes been called.
Many of the people who first lived at and for several miles around
old Jug Tavern from its first settlement to about 1809, claimed to
have seen him at their houses. As the character of the people
who first lived there will be shown as this narrative progresses,
the reader will be at as much loss to know how he can afford to
dispute their word as he is to believe what they have said. At any
rate the writer tells the story as it was told to him ; but, perhaps,
with a little more evidence than any reader has.
The wog was said to be a jet-black, long-haired animal about
the size of a small horse, but his legs were much shorter, the front
ones being some twelve inches longer than the hind ones. This
gave him something of the appearance of a huge dog "sitting on
its tail," and when walking seemed to require him to carry for
ward one side at a time. His tail was very large, all the way of
the same size, and at the end of it there was a bunch of entirely
white hair at least eight inches long and larger in diameter than
the tail itself. Whether sitting, standing or walking this curious
appendage was in constant motion from side to side, not as a
dog wags his tail, but with a quick upward curve which brought it
down with a whizzing sound that could be distinctly heard at
46

least when twenty-five or thirty steps distant. But the most dis
tinguishing feature of this horrid tail was that it revealed the
presence of the monster in the dark — ^the only time he ventured
to go abroad. His great red eyes were very repulsive, but not so
much so as his forked tongue, the prongs of which were thought to
be eight inches long and sometimes played in and out his mouth
like those of a mad snake. Really the meanest feature about the
beast was that his bear-like head contained a set of great white
teeth over which his ugly lips never closed.
The Indians told the first white emigrants that so long as the
wog was left undisturbed he would not molest any one — ^that he
would sometimes visit their houses — go around them — if a light
were inside, poke his tongue through any opening he could find
between the logs, and then go away. Pioneers were not only quick
to learn this lesson, but also carefully followed the instruction.
During the years formerly mentioned, the wog made several
visits to houses in the territory to which reference has been made.
Those inside the house, though they had not seen the flirting of
his white plume, knew of his presence by its whizzing sound, by
the poke of his horrid tongue through the cracks of the wall, and
notably by the mortal fear with which he inspired other creatures
outside. Dogs and cats ran away and in some instances were
scared to death. Horses snorted, cattle moaned and chickens flew
from their roosts in all directions.
Thus having seemingly accomplished his only mission — to
frighten everything out of its wits — he gave a loud snort and stiU
twirling his white signal from side to side, went ambling away,
and welcome was the going.
The foregoing is, in substance, the description given by Alonzo
Draper who lived and died in the territory of the wog, and also by
Thomas C. Barron who died near Apply Valley in the '40 's of the
last century.
Let me repeat : I give the account of the wog as it was given
to me. It is hard to confess that one believes that there was such
a thing and one hates to say that he does not believe the word
of these old citizens. The writer must leave the matter to you,
dear reader. 47

THE TALASEE COLONY

BANNA MAR DE VEDO AND HER ENVIRONS
Being a part of the Earlg Historg of Jackson Countg

Dedicated to the Memory of the Talasee Colong

49

CHAPTER I.
First Settlers From Effingham County.
In the summer of 1786, when few white people lived within the
present limits of Jackson County, Richard Easley, Abednego
Moore and Johnson Josiah Strong,* came from Effibngham County
and settled near Talasee Shoals on Mulberry river, then caUed
Tishmaugu. Wishing to eonciUate the natives, and knowing they
were excessively fond of showy trinkets and gay apparel, the
newcomers brought with them a liberal supply of gUttering beads
and some remnants of cloth of various colors.
At the time of their arrival a noted Indian whose name was
Umausauga, and his only daughter, Banna, somewhere in her
early teens lived in the immediate neighborhood. Though not a
chief, his influence was considerable, his intellect of a high order,
his physical strength gigantic, his prowess undisputed, his friend
ship true, and his hatred implacable. Contrary to usual custom of
his people, he claimed a large extent of the adjacent territory as
his individual property, and no one was allowed to live, hunt or
fish on it without his permission. His claim lay on the south side
of the river, and fortunately, the newcomers, without knowing
anything of the reserved territory, pitched their tent on the north
side at Jasacathor, afterwards known as the Dr. Pendleton spring
where John Duncan now lives.
Some days passed before the white men and the Indian nabob
met. They had seen him in the distance and thought he tried to
shun them ; but one evening while fishing at the shoals, a native
appeared on the opposite bank, and wading into the water caught
several fish with his hands before they captured one with their
hooks. Apparently satisfied, he returned to the bank, and Mr.
Strong, wishing to show a friendly front, and being able to speak
the Creek language, told him that if he would come over his pale-
faced friends would give him some hooks made to catch fish in
•See White's "Historical Collections of Georgia," page 499. — Ed.
51

deep water where there were no rocks. After some hesitation the
Indian accepted the invitation, and when given the promised fish
hooks and their use was explained, his eyes sparkled with delight,
and giving three distinct grunts, one for each of his benefactors,
he, to their astonishment, said in broken English, "U-mau-sau-ga
hook take. He much thank you. Hook good fish catch." Then
and there began a friendship which, though often tried, was never
broken. At their urgent request the Indian went home with his newly
found friends who treated him with kindness and respect. Among
other things they gave him a long string of white, red and blue
beads, and what Mr. Easley called "a frock pattern" of valuable
red merino cloth and a string of small beads for his daughter,
Banna, whom the white men had never seen.
Having manifested his gratitude in many curious ways and
grown hilarious over the brilliant color of the cloth, Umausauga
invited his new neighbors to move on his side of the river and
live, hunt and fish where they pleased. This led to a full explana
tion of his claims as already stated, and, as afterwards found,
were quite a departure from his usual custom. They gave him to
understand that they did not want to impose on his generosity;
but that if he would take beads in payment for a part of his land,
they would willingly buy. This proposition seemed to please him,
and the following day was appointed to fix upon the price and
boundaries. Repeating his significant grunts the Indian then re
turned tb his wigwam over the river with as proud a step as any
lord that ever ruled a kingdom.
The Indian highway known as the Okoloco Trail, was, when
opened for travel by the white man, called the Hog Mountain
road. Near the spot where the Jefferson and Monroe road crosses
that old Trail on the late John M. Austin place, there stood, a
little to the south, a huge chestnut tree. Its ponderous branches,
reaching far and wide, offered such ample protection from the heat
of summer that the natives, who often traveled the Trail in single
file, called the great tree Calamit, which means the place of rest.
There they smoked the Calumet, the pipe of peace, and there they
ratified their treaties and confirmed their trades.
52

It was a matter of much surprise to Easley, Moore and Strong,
when Umausauga conducted them to Calamit to begin a survey of
the land he had promised to sell them. They had expected it to be
near the shoals but thinking it good policy to remain silent, and
not caring much about the matter anyway, they offered no ob
jections. As the Okoloco Trail was the southern boundary of Umau
sauga's little kingdom, he made no claim to any exclusive rights
and privileges pertaining to Calamit ; but placing a large stone a
little beyond its shadow he designated it as the beginning corner.
Carefully taking his bearings, he stood upon the rock, and facing
to the northwest, threw his tomahawk at a small pine tree some
fifteen feet distant, and with such force that the blade went deep
in the solid wood. Selecting another tree in range with the mark
ed pine and the rock corner, he proceeded as before, and thus
continued until the party reached a point called Talapahoo, but
afterwards known as the Rock Ford on the Hinton plantation.
To an Indian, Talapahoo meant about the same thing that a
slaughter pen means to us. There the natives dressed the animals
caught in the chase, and their children washed all blood stains
away. There Britt Langworth, believed to be a member of Mur-
rell's Pony Club, dressed in fine broadcloth and sparkling with
jewels, was drowned in time of high water; and there too was
found the celebrated Miller camp which created much excitement
in that community as late as 1873. An entire stranger who said
his name was Garvin Miller, was an outlaw who sometimes made
his headquarters in that immediate community, out-generaled all
the officers with whom he came in contact, and made a plaything
of the old jail at Jefferson. There are men stiU living whose faces
will wear a broad, dry grin every time Miller's name is mentioned
in their presence.
Leaving Talapahoo the unique surveyor turned nearly west and
proceeded as before to Poganip, now Cedar HiU, on the old trail.
Away back in the shadowy past a large town is said to have
fiourished there; but only a few legends relating to its history
have come down to us. The name signifies cold weather, and the
53

Comanches of the Par West, when referring to anjrthing very cold,
use the same word to this day.
The southern boundary of Umausauga's claim being already
well defined by the Okoloco Trail, the surveying party went south
east to an obscure Indian settlement called Snodon, where the
pretty city of Winder now flourishes. A small number of natives
who, by Umausauga's permission, lived there, gathered around
the little party to stare and gaze at the white men. Barnum never
exhibited a greater curiosity than they were to the simple natives
of Snodon. Some examined their shoes to see if they were hoofs
or bear-skin moccasins, and others felt of their noses to see if
they had bones in them. An old squaw wanted to wash Mr. Eas
ley's blue eyes to learn if they were painted that color, and be
came indignant because he would not allow her to make the ex
periment. One boy proposed to stick a thorn in Mr. Moore's leg
to know if it would bleed, and another, more bold, actually pulled
a lock of Mr. Strong's curly hair out of his head to see if both
ends grew in the scalp. This came near causing serious trouble ;
but when Umausauga slapped the boy to the ground the white
men thought it good policy to do nothing themselves. The boy's
name was Quakow and was a stranger at Snodon.
While the natives showed much curiosity, they manifested some
friendship also. With friendly mind all went even unpleasantly
near except one young girl who studiously remained at a respect
able distance, silent, thoughtful ; but closely watching every move
ment made. She was evidently reading a new chapter in the his
tory of human life, and she was puzzled to understand it. Her
movements were easy and graceful, her form unusually elegant,
and her general appearance that of a queen born to command
without speaking and" to be obeyed without question. Her features
were regular, and a flood of buoyant life of a soft red tinge
seemed to play over her well-rounded shoulders, and flowing
higher to her slightly oval face, danced upon her cheek in open
revelry. Her large jet-black eyes were intelligent, and her hair,
without a wave, was of the same color and reached much below
her waist. She wore a robe made of fawn skins, which, being
confined at the waist by a belt overlaid with small sea shells, gave
54

the spots on her dress that glittering appearance seen on the feath
ers of a peafowl when in the sunshine. On her feet were dainty
moccasins made of the skin of a full grown deer, and conse
quently without spots.
These were all very distinguishing features to find in that wUd,
isolated region, deep in the seemingly boundless forest where no
Anglo-Saxon foot had ever trod before ! StUl another significant
feature was that the wUd-wood beauty wore a three-fold string of
beads around her neck — small, white, red and blue beads! Was
she some mystical being who had been wafted thither by a passing
zephyr from some enchanted island of a far southern sea ? No !
No ! not that. The white men knew the beads. From the center of
the lowest fold hung a large scarlet bead which rested upon the
bosom of her spotted robe as if satisfied to remain there forever.
They knew that it was the central bead of the string sent by them
to Umausauga's daughter whom they had never seen. So the
beautiful girl thus surrounded by savages was Banna !
"0 my God!" exclaimed Josiah Strong as he turned his eyes
away for a moment, "can it be that such a creature is herself a
savage ? ' '
Among the few who Uved at Snodon were Etohautee, Umau
sauga's brother, and his son, Tata, who was something more than
half grown. They Uved in an old, dUapidated wigwam which
stood on the ground now occupied by the Winder College Build
ing. Near the wigwam was a large rock piUar built of huge
stones dressed weU enough to remain in position readily. It was
about eight feet square at the base, tapered to some six feet at the
top, and was perhaps a little more than ten feet high. Through the
lower half was an opening in the form of an arch about three
feet wide, and the upper half was hoUow like a chimney through
which the top was reached. The opening at the base was pro
vided with shelving rocks which seemed to have served the pur
pose of seats as well as a ready means of reaching the opening
above. When Umausauga was asked to explain the purpose of the pil
lar, he only said, "Nere Nara," shook his head, chased gathering
tears from his eyes, and turned away sadly.
55

Another strange feature about Snodon was its neglected, dilapi
dated appearance. Though doubtless once a thriving community,
the few remaining wigwams had begun to fall down, its corn
patches were uncultivated, and its once well-worn footpaths were
overgrown with weeds and briers.
When ready to leave the place, Umausauga held a brief conver
sation with his pretty daughter, but nothing they said was heard
by the white men. It was noticed, however, that his demeanor
towards her was kind and affectionate, and that her attention to
him was that of an obedient and loving child.
"How strange! how very strange, that we should have such an
illustration of filial affection and parental love in this God-for
saken part of the world," said Josiah Strong as his companions
walked away, and casting a long, lingering look at the beautiful
girl, he joined them hurriedly.
Etohautee and his son, Tata, accompanied the surveying party
back to Calamit, the beginning corner. The whites were puzzled
to know why the boy carried a chunk of fire and a short hickory
stick burned to a point at one end. Unlike other mysteries of
the day, that was soon solved. Arriving at the place the Indians
with a sharp stick and their hands soon dug a hole large enough to
bury the corner rock so to as prevent its easy removal. The par
ties then seated themselves in a circle near the big tree,
Umausauga filled his huge pipe made in the shape of a flying
pigeon, Tata touched it with fire, and the ceremony necessary to
confirm the land trade began, not by written document and offi
cial signature ; but by smoking the calumet, the pipe of peace.
Each man present, six in all, took one whiff, and so on, in
creasing one every time until the sixth round was made. Thus
the trade was confirmed by a process as binding on an Indian as
any legal document is on a white man. Though unwritten, Indian
law was sometimes very precise. Etohautee and Tata were the
witnesses — an old man to see that the work was done properly,
and a boy to transmit it to a future generation.
The trade being thus sealed, Umausauga received 14 pounds of
beads in payment of his land, that is, one-eighth of a quintal
avoirdupois as was counted in those days. Etohautee and his son
56

each received several yards of blue cloth, and the boy a Barlow
knife, extra. The boy valued the knife much more highly than
the white men valued their land, and voluntarily bound him to
them with hooks of steel that never, either bent or broke. Again
the pipe went around. Each one present took six distinct puffs,
and blew the smoke upwards that all might be endowed with the
spirit of peace which it was supposed to impart. The first smoke
sealed the trade and the second showed that both parties were
satisfied with it. The Indians gave their usual grunts, and going,
single file, in the direction of Snodon, they walked away silently.
In addition to the curious features already mentioned, the ad
venturers, being left to themselves, began to consider others
" which they did not clearly understand. Being far beyond the
reach of any weU-known friends, and surrounded by savages whom
they knew to be crafty and treacherous, it was quite necessary
that they should be on guard at every turning and ready for ac
tion at a moment's warning. Though Umausauga had manifested
strong friendship, and shown consummate skiU as a woodman, he
had that day constantly acted as if apprehensive of danger. He
did not talk in the forest and when they spoke he placed his fore
finger on his lips and shook his head. Then why had they not
seen a native until they reached Snodon, and why had he aUowed
them more land than they wanted? Why had he made it in form
of a triangle when some other shape would have been more prac
tical? Why had he selected a territory that included Snodon
where aU the people they had seen were living, and where stood
the curious rock pillar that brought tears to his eyes? These
were some of the things that puzzled them and continued to do
so for a long time.
Weary and a little anxious the pioneers returned to their tent
at Jasacathor, and setting a watch they slept by turns that night.
As their larder was scantily supplied just at that time, they de
voted a part of the next day to hunting ; and after killing a fine
buck and several turkeys they returned home to find that a com
pany of nine fresh emigrants had just arrived from the low coun
try, all being relatives or other personal friends. It consisted of
Mrs. Martha Easley, wife of Richard Easley, Mrs. Letty Moore,
57

wife of Abednego Moore and sister of Josiah Strong, Thelan Lah
goon, his wife Orpah and their daughter Ruth who was nearly
grown, Leon Shore and Abel Trent, both young men, Joseph Starr
and Edward Belknap, bachelors.
Besides other things of prime importance the late emigrants
brought with them four horses, two wagons, four head of cattle,
four sheep, six pigs, a good supply of tools, ten new rifles, and a
large quantity of ammunition.
The little colony now consisted of eight brave and determined
men, and of four equally brave and resolute women, and every
one with a dead shot with the rifle. Richard Easley, Abednego
Moore, Josiah Strong, Phelan Lahgoon, Joseph Starr and Edward
Belknap were all revolutionary soldiers, fresh from the field of
battle. The following resolutions passed at a meeting called to con
sider the public welfare, will serve to show something of the
spirit of these hardy pioneers :
"RESOLVED FIRST: That this colony shaU be known as the
Talasee Colony in the State of Georgia and County of Franklin;
that in the name of said state we now take formal possession of
that part of its territory lying and being on the north side of
Tishmaugu river, to the extent of two miles above and two miles
below Talasee Shoals on said river, and thence two miles north
of it to west and east rock corners placed there to define said
boundaries ; that we proceed at once to improve the same as time
and circumstances may allow, by clearing land, building houses,
and, when thought necessary, a substantial fort for our protection.
' ' SECOND : That no person who is not of good moral character
and of industrious habits, shall become a citizen of this colony;
that one proving himself or herself to be unworthy, shall be
driven away by force, if necessary.
"THIRD: That the land lately purchased from Umausauga, a
native resident of this community, beginning at Calamit on the
Okoloco Trail ; thence northwest to Talapahoo, on the head waters
of Taurulahoole creek; thence west to Poganip on said trail;
58

thence easterly down the trail to the beginning rock corner at
Calamit, will not be occupied by any member of this colony until
further developments may justify us in doing so ; that other emi
grants who- are peacefully and industriously inclined, have per
mission to settle there at any time and place they may see proper,
provided always that they do not trespass upon the claims of the
said Umausauga; that in consideration of the price paid for the
land whose boundaries are herein given it shall be called Bead-
land. RICHARD EASLEY, President.
"MRS. LETTY MOORE, Secretary.
"October 20th, 1786."
It doubtless seemed anomalous to the purchasers of Beadland
that so large a territory should be bought for fourteen pounds of
beads ; but it was by no means an isolated case in history. When
our forefathers purchased the site of New York of the Indians,
the price was a peck of glass beads and brass buttons. AU
Chicago was bought for a pair of old boots, and the ground upon
which MUbourne, one of the richest cities of Australia, now stands,
was sold for two old woolen blankets. When Queen Dido first
set foot on African soil, she told the natives that she only wanted
a patch of land big enough to be inclosed in a bull's hide, and a
contract was made on those terms. But the crafty queen cut the
hide into leather shoe strings, and tying them together took in all
the land upon which ancient Carthage stood, and the price paid
for it was less than one doUar of our currency. Up to about 1840
the tax rate on Beadland and surrounding territory was based on
a valuation of from 6^4 to 12^^ cents per acre.

5S

CHAPTER II.
Johnson Josiah Strong Makes a Discovery.
As the days passed into months material changes took place
among the Talasee colonists. Though few in number, they had
good tools and every man knew how to use them. Prom sun to
sun and sometimes far into the night, the men labored so con
stantly that they soon had a sufficient number of substantial log
cabins completed to live comfortably, and, as they believed in
security. Ruth Lahgoon had brought with her two powerful
dogs called Pyth and Damon, and as aU the women were experts
with their rifles, they and the dogs kept a bountiful supply of
meat on hand which left the men little to do besides clearing land
and building houses.
The social condition of the colonists also soon began to improve.
Various natives, some of them of high rank in their nation, often
visited them — a few from friendly motives and others as a matter
of mere curiosity. So far no hostility had been shown. Seem
ingly to encourage the social feature, one day Josiah Strong, after
some hesitation and much circumlocution, said to Mrs. Moore:
"Sister, though Umausauga is a savage, he seems to be our friend,
and as the time may come when his services would be of great
value to us, I wish you would visit him and open friendly re
lations with his daughter, of whom I believe you have heard. I
dare say you will like her, and if you should, then take Ruth with
you so that the girls may become acquainted, and perhaps
enjoy each other's company." Mrs. Moore gave her brother a
searching glance, smiled, and said playfully, "Since you show
yourself to be such a splendid diplomatist, why not go yourself,
Josiah?" "Well, I could do that," said the brother demurely, "but my
diplomatic code teaches me that one woman should deal vdth
another in all such cases as this. Besides, since I think of it, the
girl has, or I suppose she yet has, enough real fine merino to
make her an elegant dress. We sent the cloth by her father be-
60

fore we had seen her, and our kindness has certainly had a good
effect. Of course she does not know what to do with such a
charming dress pattern, and it is a shame for it to be used as a
mere wrapper. Then please go, sister, and in your own charming
way, offer to cut and make her a dress in first-class style, and I am
free to say you'U never regret it."
"It may be, Josiah, that the girl is not as ignorant as you sup
pose her to be. I have heard that she is very handsome and that
her deportment approaches that of a refined lady."
"I don't think Banna a fool; but as her father told me that
she is a native of the wilderness and had never been anywhere
else, I take it for granted that she knows nothing of English man
ners and customs. I gladly admit that her deportment seems to
approach elegance and refinement; but I can account for it only
on the theory that God in his providence has, for some reason, im
planted something in her nature that is as broad as earth and as
high as heaven. Then so much the better and greater the reason
why you should comply with my request."
' ' Granted ; but how would it do to have such a pretty girl, dress
ed as you want Banna to be, here in this wilderness with three
such hotheaded young men as you, Leon Shore and Abe Trent
are?" "Why not include Joe Starr and Ed Belknap?" "Oh! they are
such incorrigible old bachelors they would not be in the way. If
you want heavy work done or a hard battle fought, call on Joe
and Ed; but not to make love to a girl."
"That seems to be true; but you need fear no rivalry. Ruth
has the exclusive control of the hearts, heads, hands and feet of
Leon Shore and Abel Trent. She is the prime cause of them being
here. As you say they are both so hot-headed that I sometimes
feel concerned about the final result."
A pause followed. Brother and sister seemed to be pondering
over aU they had said, and speculating upon the probable out
come of the future. Finally the sister said thoughtfully, "I admit
that some of your argument is very good, especially that part of
it which pleads for the friendship of the natives around us.
Therefore, with some misgivings I consent to comply with your
61

request at a convenient time during to-morrow afternoon." "I
thank you, sister, and again say you will not regret it," replied
the young man in tones of deepest thankfulness.
The truth was Mr. Strong had, at first sight, fallen deeply in
love with the shy Indian girl whom he had seen at the old town
of Snodon. Though a strong man he fought against it with all
his power ; but like Banquo 's ghost, it would not down. Unsought
and unbidden, an unfaltering love for the unknown girl entered
into every fibre of his heart and took full possession. Gentle as a
lamb among his friends and as dreadful as a maddened lion amid
his enemies, it was strange that an untaught child of the forest
should bring him to his knees at the first shot; but, even in spite
of himself, it was so.
Johnson Josiah Strong was our hero 's full name ; but the first
part is generally omitted in this narrative because he seldom used
it himself, perhaps for the reason that his uncle. Gov. Josiah Tat-
nall, for whom he was named, had also dropped Johnson on ac
count of its inconvenient length.
Josiah Strong was an ensign at the siege of Augusta where he
carried the national standard with distinguished bravery, and had
one finger shot from his left hand. He was 22 years old at the
time of his arrival at Talasee, stood six feet and four inches in
his shoes, and was well proportioned. He was as fearless as he
was strong and athletic, and as fleet on foot as any man that ever
ran against him. Beneath a rich profusion of curly black hair
there flashed a pair of coal-black eyes that always commanded
respect and attention. Yet he had a kind heart and a sympathetic
nature which, when added to his handsome features, caused him to
have many close friends.
The to-morrow evening of which Mr. Strong and his sister had
spoken came none too soon for the anxious brother. They went
to the shoals at the time appointed, silent and thoughtful. There
being neither bridge nor foot-log across the water, Mrs. Moore,
seated upon her brother's strong right arm was quickly carried
to the opposite bank. Though Umausaugua could speak broken
English to a limited extent, they decided upon such Creek words
as they thought would be necessary to use on the occasion. The
62

Indian's wigwam which they had learned was called Adabor,
stood on the hiU, solitary and unadorned, something more than
two hundred yards from the shoals.
Waving, as was sometimes the custom of a peaceful visitor, a
white handkerchief, Mrs. Moore slowly and a Uttle anxiously,
approached the humble home of her neighbor. Umausauga
recognized her at once and offered his hand which was eagerly
grasped by the lady. Neither knew much of the other's language ;
but they managed to be understood reasonably weU.
When Mrs. Moore entered the wigwam, a young girl was seat
ed upon a bear 's hide which was spread upon the ground floor to
its fuU extent. She wore a robe of spotles red deer skins, and
being gathered at the waist by a blood red belt of the same mate
rial, the effect was reaUy charming. She stiU wore the threefold
strand of beads ; but the large scarlet one rested upon her throat
instead of her breast as before. She was busily engaged in making
a fox skin moccasin, and judging by one already completed, the
work was being neatly and substantially done.
In strict accordance with Indian etiquette the girl did not raise
her head. Understanding the cause of this reserve Mrs. Moore
kneeled upon the bear skin and offered her hand. It was quickly
grasped, and their eyes met. A moment more and they were
in each other's arms; and being unable to think of anything more
appropriate, the visitor sang, in tones of soft and mellow cadence,
the good old song of Barbary Allen. Who fails to know that
music thrills the savage heart no less than that of the philosopher ?
Its rhythmic sweep carries aU creatures along with it from the
tiny insect that burrows in the ground to the lordly lion that
roams upon its surface. Thus it was when a Christian woman
first met a child of nature in the wilderness, and thus it was, when
many years after, they parted for the last time and both were fol
lowers of the Man of Sorrows. How strangely different from the
usual meeting of the Anglo-Saxon with the Red Man of the west.
Umausauga was deeply affected by the scene just witnessed,
and so was a stranger whom Mrs. Moore had not seen until she
arose from the bear-skin mat. He was leaning against the wall of
the wigwam in a somewhat darkened corner, and evidently much
63

excited also. She judged him to be of medium size, of slender form
and quite young. His dress was composed of skins of various
kinds, and around his neck and waist were belts from which
hung bear and eagle claws alternately. On the back of his head
was a kind of pad which projected, in bristling array, a row of
long eagle feathers. A tomahawk, bow and small quiver of ar
rows were lying near his feet, and seemed to be in excellent condi
tion. His name was Yrtyrmyrmyrmysco, Ir-tir-mir-mir-mis-co, is
perhaps, as near as the English can speak it.
Lying on the bear skin was a small mussel shell exquisitely
polished and the parts apparently still united by the usual liga
ment or hinge on one side. Notwithstanding this, the girl took
a string from the eye of her bone needle and carefully tied it
around the shell. Then watching for an opportunity when the
strange young Indian was not looking at her, she quickly con
cealed it in the folds of her robe, or maybe in a pocket. While
tying the shell, Mrs. Moore noticed that the girl used the words
eto thaska which, unfortunately, were not in the list furnished by
her brother; but seeing a package which was evidently the red
merino cloth tied with a deer skin throng, she pointed to the
bundle and said "eto thasca." The girl looked surprised, but
without hesitation untied the package and spread the cloth be
fore her strange visitor.
It was now that Mrs. Moore learned that Banna, the girl whom
she found sitting on a bear skin, could speak broken English, even
better than her father, her accent being clearer and more distinct.
Having already accomplished the flrst part of her mission by se
curing the good will of a neighboring family, she found it an easy
matter to effect the second part, even without using half the
Creek words she had learned for the purpose.
The result was that Banna readily understood what her visitor
wanted, and was' glad to have a dress made in first-class style and
in accordance with the fashion of the times, that is to say, a closely
fitting bodice, ample skirt and flowing sleeves. Having taken the
necessary measurements, and promising to return, as in modern
times, every day or so until the fit was completed, Mrs. Moore,
64

carrying the merino cloth with her, took leave of her friends and
joined her brother at the river.
"0 Josiah!" she said, with an anxious tone, "I hardly know
what to say. That girl is one of the most beautiful as weU as most
lovely beings I ever saw. Though a savage, she seems to have
some knowledge of civilization. There must be some mistake ! I
do not beUeve she is an Indian!" "Then why do you caU her a
savage?" asked the brother dubiously. "Oh, some mysterious fate
has placed her in savage hands. Now I think of it, I am more
than half ashamed I caUed her one. Why she speaks a few Eng
Ush words with a sweet, musical accent that is charming. Be
sides her long, wavy hair convinces me that she does not belong
to the red race. Then too, an Indian is incapable of giving the
clean-cut enunciation that she gives to some of the words she
speaks. Forgive me for eaUing her a savage. " "I freely forgive
you. I did not know that Banna knew any EngUsh words at aU ;
but I do know that her hair is as straight as an arrow — ^there is
neither wave nor curl about it. And I fuUy beUeve she is a fuU-
blood Indian." "Why brother, you are mistaken. Only a few
minutes ago I twined my own fingers among her silken tresses,
and they were as fuU of waves as the ocean when a gentle breeze
plays over it. And I weU remember that when I was smoothing
them over her forehead I could see her Saxon blood playing hide
and seek beneath her sunburned features, for Banna the Beauti
ful, as I must hereafter caU her, knows nothing of wearing a bon
net. It was then, too, she, for the first time, turned her large,
lustrous eyes fuU upon me. They were soft and Uquid as those
of a gazeUe, and as I returned the look, deep and sympathetic as
heart can feel, tears gathered in them. In aU .America there is not
a native from whom a pale face can thus draw a single tear."
"Have it your own way for the present, Letty. A few hours or
days at most may decide which is right. Banna's EngUsh is sur
prising to me; but is easUy accounted for. Her father Uved for
several months on the coast when he naturaUy picked up the
little he knows of our language, and in turn his daughter has
learned it from him. As to the play of her blood, her musical
accent and the gathering of tears in her luminous eyes, I attri-
65

bute all that to her superior nature which, from the little I have
seen and all you have told me, I readily grant. As to her hair
you are simply mistaken about that ; but wavy or straight means
nothing to me. I am truly glad that you too, love her. So it only
remains for me to acknowledge the 'corn' and ask you to help
me win her heart as she has mine. Say, Letty, will you help me?"
Mrs. Moore was seated on a way-side rock where she mused
long and tearfully before answering. When a little composed she
looked up and with quivering lips answered, "It seems strange
and sudden to say so ; but I can only answer yes ! A very queen
should be proud to own her as a sister, even if she were an
Indian!" When the grateful brother had expressed his thanks, his sister
gave him a full account of her visit, saying in part, ' ' I found and
left at the wigwam a fellow whom I suppose story writers would
call a young Indian brave. He sported about all the old toggery
of his race, together with a terrible name so long that I do not
remember it. I believe he is making love to our Banna, and if so,
it may mean trouble in the future. ' '
"Never mind about that. Umausauga has incidently mention
ed that fellow to me. Though a sub-chief, apparently, I have
learned that he is not in favor at Abador. " "I'm glad of that;
and have another incident to mention that greatly excites my
curiosity. When I first approached Banna I happened to notice
a mussel shell, such as we see on the rocks here, but well polished,
lying half concealed on her bear skin seat. For some reason she
slyly concealed it in a fold of her wrapper. I am anxious to know
what is in it, not merely to satisfy a woman's curiosity; but to
confirm my belief that the little incident means something of im
portance. Should you ever learn what was in it, please tell me."
"Certainly—" They were joined by Leon Shore and Ruth Lahgoon, and the
subject was dropped for the time. AU four of the ladies belonging
to the colony were good with the needle, but Letty Moore was a
professional seamstress. All eagerly began work on the first
fashionable dress ever made inside the present limits of Jackson
County. When it was cut and basted together Mrs. Moore re-
66

turned to the wigwam on the hUl to see if the fit was satisfac
tory. The form to be fitted was so nearly perfect that no altera
tions were necessary. While this was surprising, it was more so
to find that the girl's hair was, after aU, "as straight as an
arrow." While in vain looking around for the mysterious sheU, the
neigh of a horse was heard in the woods near by. Though wonder
ing why a horse should be in that secluded forest, the lady thought
it imprudent to ask questions, and returned home. She reluc
tantly acknowledged that the hair of her idoUzed girl was
straight; but was ready to be qualified that it was fuU of waves
when she saw her before.
The report that a strange horse was in the neighboring forest
created some suspicion, and curious to say, Ruth Lahgoon was
selected to investigate the matter. This young woman, then in
her seventeenth year, was an anomalous combination of female
modesty and loveUness, and of indomitable courage and heroic
fortitude. Though a smaU girl, she was as active as the prover
bial cat, and to repluse her was to invite another battle more fierce
than before. As an expert with the rifle and as a rider on horse
back, whether over the open fleld or through the tangled
forest, she had no superior. And Ruth was a very beautiful girl.
Her golden hair which feU in rich, curling ringlets over her ex
quisitely formed shoulders, and her deep blue eyes, mild when in
repose, but flashing deflance when aroused, set off her florid com
plexion to great advantage. Her smile and her manners brought
most men to her feet. The only reason why Josiah Strong had
not, years before, loved Ruth Lahgoon, was because he knew that
her heart had, almost from chUdhood, belonged to Leon Shore,
one of his best personal friends.
The day following Letty Moore 's second visit to Adabor was an
ideal one for a bold horseback gaUop through the woods. The
morning was fair and balmy, and save the wash of the water over
the rocks, not a sound was heard to break the reigning silence.
No one in all the world, either ancient or modern, had ever
thought of the rattle and clash of the machinery that now manu-
67

factures lightning there to run complicated systems of wheels
and pulleys many miles away.
As Ruth stood at the side of Alborak, her beautiful black horse,
the scenes around her meant more than the whirr of all the ma
chinery in the world. By common consent he was all her own.
She had trained him from a colt and ridden him all the way from
the seacoast to within plain view of the mountains. Though large
and powerful, he yielded to every pull of the rein, understood and
obeyed all her commands, and when left to himself followed her
as a shadow. Often when seen running in the distance his feet
did not seem to touch the ground, and his powers of endurance
were unknown.
Alborak 's equipment was a light double-reined bridle with
martingale to match. His saddle was light also, and of English
made. Around its right side was a half hoop made of whalebone.
A light rifle was strapped to the hoop, and from the right horn of
the saddle hung a long knife in a steel scabbard. His head, trim
and tapering to the muzzle, was held high, and now and then he
clamped his bits. He was waiting for the signal to be off and
away. His mistress still stood at his side, tapping the toe of her dainty
boot with a Small rattan which she sometimes carried. She wore
a-closely fitting buckskin habit, that the brush through which she
often dashed might not tear her dress. On her head was a jaunty
cap from which fluttered a single white ribbon, and in which her
curly hair was carefully rolled, the cap being held in place by a
strap beneath her chin. Thus arrayed she too, was waiting —
waiting for her dogs, Pyth and Damon, that were trailing a fox in
the distant woods.
Becoming impatient, she gave a long, keen blast with the hunt
ing horn that hung at her side, and presently the dogs appeared
at a full run. One bound and their mistress was in the saddle and
at once horse, rider, dogs and all were off at a brisk trot.
Hitherto Ruth had not crosed the river, though she had per
mission of the lord over there to do so at will ; and now that her
delegated mission to search for the unknown horse led her into the
excluded territory, she boldly rode towards the shoals.
68

Having been pilotted across the river by Leon Shore, of whose
services she had no more need on that occasion than she had for
another horse, she went west, intending to make a detour to the
left and return by way of Adabor. In that way she hoped to
learn something of the strange horse and at the same time gratify
her anxiety to see the famous beauty of whom she had heard so
much. As the bold heroine advanced she became lost in thought. The
huge trees with their ponderous branches reaching far and wide
as if to grasp everything around them in their embrace, obscured
the sun above and dwarfed aU undergrowth below them. From
their cool shade wild animals of various kinds scurried away in
aU directions, and they were so numerous that a constant effort
was required to keep the dogs from foUowing them. Life in a
vast primeval forest through which only the savage has roamed,
and where the sound of the huntsman's horn and the bay of his
hound have never been heard, is at once grand, solemn and im
pressive. Such was the situation of Ruth Lahgoon, the gentle, and yet
heroic himtress from south Georgia. But Ruth was not looking
for game that day. However she had unstrapped her rifle and was
carrying it in her hand, ready for any emergency that was likely
to occur. When descending into a deep ravine she noticed that
Damon 's hair was standing erect on his back, and that he stopped
and began to sniff the air. Presently he trotted to the left in
hostile attitude, and looking in that direction, she discovered a
panther preparing to spring upon the dog from a horizontal limb
of one of the great trees. Instantly the crack of a rifle, perhaps
the first that had ever awoke the sleeping echoes of that gloomy
forest, pierced the stiU morning air. With a death-scream the
animal feU to the ground ia dying struggles. Snatching her
hunting knife from its scabbard, both she and Pyth hastened to
the rescue of Damon. But the knife was unnecessary, the beast
was quickly torn into fragments.
Having tasted blood the dogs were stUl more anxious for the
chase. They constantly watched their mistress for the signal of
pursuit. It was not given and the dogs did not go.
69

The passing of the panther aroused the solitary girl from her
reverie. Consulting a pocket compass which she always carried
when in the woods, she found that she had gone too far to the
west. However when on Alborak distance signified little to his
rider. She had heard that the Okoloco Trail was to the south,
and wishing to strike it, rode in that direction. Having gone sev
eral miles, her horse stopped suddenly and gave a low, sharp
snort. She had never known him to do that way before. With
one forefoot up the dogs stopped also and stood listening. Ruth,
as if talking to herself, said softly : ' ' What in the world is up now
my boys?" She could neither see nor hear anything unusual.
Gently patting her horse on the shoulder, she continued, "For
ward a little, Alborak, just a little, my boy." With head erect
and nostrils distended the horse slowly advanced as long as he
felt the gentle tapping. If she had struck him heavily he would
have been off and away as if on the wings of the wind. But when
she stopped he stood still and so did the dogs. As yet neither
had shown any sign of present danger. Their actions indicated
surprise only.
Just as the wondering girl was thinking of another forward
movement she, to her utter astonishment, distinctly saw a woman
flit like a bird, from the ground to the back of a snow-white horse.
He was standing with arched neck, inflated nostrils and anxious
look beneath a large spreading tree about one hundred yards
distant.

70

CHAPTER III.
The White Ladies Visit Adabor.
No one in any position was ever any more astonished than Ruth
Lahgoon when, in that dreary and infrequently visited part of the
country, she saw a woman pass like a shadow from the ground
to the back of a horse. Somehow she instinctively knew who the
strange woman was, and approaching nearer, the spotted robe,
the long fiowing hair, the well rounded shoulders, the athletic
movement, and even the presence of a horse, all united to satisfy
her that she had unexpectedly found the mysterious beauty who
had played such sad havoc with the heart of a good personal
friend of whom she had, more than once, came near giving her
own. It was Banna at Calamit!
Remembering the flag of truce used by Mrs. Moore at Adabor,
Ruth waved her handkerchief and approached near the large
tree at a slow walk. The white horse seemed anxious to advance
also ; but his rider, evidently not knowing just what to do, re
strained him. Both horses soon began to neigh as if glad to
meet each other, and they were.
One of the girls knew some Creek words and the other about
an equal number of English ones, and by using them together
with a multiplicity of signs, they managed to understand each
other fairly well. But to understand words and signs was a
smaU matter compared with another lesson they learned at this,
their first meeting — to love each other so devotedly that it grew
with their growth, strengthened with their strength, and died
only when they died, if, indeed, such love ever dies. Verily, no —
it lives forever!
As was afterwards learned, Banna at first thought that Ruth
was some good spirit who, because of her beauty and loveliness,
had been liberated from Nodoroc, and that all horses were white
until changed to black by some demon in that horrid place. It
was a long time before any of the colonists knew just what
Nodoroc meant except that it was a very bad place. On the
71

other hand Ruth, though she knew the Indian girl was not a
queen, thought that because of her regal appearance as she still
sat on her horse, ought to be one, and acted accordingly. Know
ing that the throne of an Indian queen consisted of a grass mat
covered with white feathers, usually those of the white crane
common to the country, she spread her handkerchief on the
ground and motioned Banna to jump from her horse upon it.
Quickly comprehending the honor intended, and not considering
herself worthy of it, she jumped with elegant ease a little to one
side, and spreading her arms, the girls were at once in a long,
loving embrace. The only words spoken were, "No wonder that
Mr. Strong and his sister love you!" It is a remarkable thing
that an untaught child of nature should refuse an offered honor,
and at the same time show her gratitude for it by embracing one
whom she was just beginning to learn was not a spirit, but a real
being like herself. Though the result was not expected, both
girls were always proud of their first meeting beneath the great
spreading tree at Calamit, the Place of Rest.
When at last they thought of their soquUlas, the word for
horses in both the Creek and Cherokee languages, they saw
them eating grass near together. Their long isolation from horse
society made them feel close akin. No doubt of that.
' ' The twin sisters, ' ' as Banna and Ruth were afterwards called,
seated themselves on the rock corner of Beadland, and entered
into a long conversation by using such words as they knew and
by making such signs as were necessary. While thus engaged
two Indians came walking along the trail, and, seeing the girls,
both went near and one of them, whom Ruth knew by Mrs.
Moore's description was Yrtyrmyrmyrmysco, asked Banna if she
was traveling homeward or towards Snodon. The answer being
somewhat evasive, was unsatisfactory, and the fellow whose name
is too long to be often repeated, squatted flat upon the ground
at the girl's feet, spoke something of his love and of his intention
to visit her father about night.
The conduct of one seemed to enbolden the other, whose name
turned out to be Wokolog, and he too squatted at Ruth's feet. As
he did so he passed one hand over her cheek and began to toy
72

with the rattan which she still carried. Quick as thought she
drew a long, glittering stiletto, such as many Italian women carry
to this day, and such as many Americans ought still to carry,
from her bosom, and threw back her arm ready to strike ; but the
flashing blue eyes that seemed to look through him and the dag
ger that glittered in her steady hand, sent him backwards be
yond striking distance, where he gained his feet and walked away
sullenly. The other was evidently much astonished, but also
went away laughing at the discomflture of his companion.
While seated on the rock Ruth learned several things that were
interesting to her. She had hoped to forever settle the dispute
about Banna's hair, and she had settled the matter weU enough
to know that sometimes it was straight and sometimes it was
wavy. When she flrst met her, the flrst thing noticed was the
girl's long, silken tresses of entirely straight hair. While seated
together she carefully noted that it was full of waves — beautiful
waves which followed each other in constant succession from one
end to the other. So Mr. Strong and his sister were both right,
but how, she could not understand.
Another discovery made was that while the Indian girl, if she
were an Indian, still wore the threefold strand of beads, there
was a fourth strand of plaited hair, apparently from her own
head, around her neck, and that to this strand was suspended
just such a mussel shell as Mrs. Moore had described. A singular
feature was that the wearer was careful to keep the shell con
cealed under the collar of her wrapper, but did not always suc
ceed in doihg so.
Still another discovery that afforded the observant Ruth much
satisfaction was the cold and distant manner in which Banna
received the advances of the long-named Indian. After he went
away she did not hesitate to say how much her father disliked
both Yrtyrmyrmyrmysco and Wokolog, the latter being so named
because the word is applied to anything known to the Indian
mind as low, mean and cunning.
Ruth Lahgoon had allowed the fire that once burned in her
breast for Josiah Strong to smoulder in ashes; but she was still
his devoted friend, and never failed to work in his favor on all
73

proper occasions. Hence her gladness to learn that there was
no chance for the Indian to supplant him. Indeed the nature of
both girls revolted at the thought.
The sun was far on his western journey when Ruth consulted
her compass and pointed towards the shoals. The other under
stood the significance of the action, and in the musical tones on
which Mrs. Moore so fondly dwelt, called out, "Iro! Iro!" The
white horse quickly ran to her, and lightly stroking his forehead,
she again repeated his name in low and gentle tones as musical
as before.
"So Iro is the name of her pretty horse. He is doubtless the
one heard by Mrs. Moore, and finding him in possession of her
well-loved girl, my mission is accomplished," was the mental
conclusion of Ruth. "Iro! Iro!" she repeaded, to impress the
name on her mind. Iro was indeed a beautiful animal. Though
not so large as Alborak, he was of good size, and as elegantly
formed. He was a pure white except his mane and tail which
were of a light canary hue. The yeUow tint was afterwards
found to be artificial ; but it certainly enhanced the beauty of the
animal, and was then as appropriate for a white horse as the
painting of a lady's face is now. The training of Iro and Albo
rak was different; but the result was the same. The white came
when his name was called, the black when he heard a peculiar
whistle given by his mistress, and by her only.
Iro's equipment consisted of a bridle and a sidesaddle, both
of Spanish make. Prom the right hand horn of the saddle hung
a bow and a small quiver of arrows. It had no hoop, but a toma
hawk of curious shape was tied to the rear. On the small right-
hand skirt the flag of Spain was imprinted in good style. Be
neath the flag was the following inscription: DON MAR DE
VEDO X ELANCYDYNE.
As the girls rode away, they presented a striking appearance.
Two such horses carrying two such riders had never been seen
in a wilderness before, perhaps nowhere else. Any woman looks
better on horseback than she does in a palace, and when both
horse and rider have an elegant appearance the effect is very
74

pleasing. And thus, as Banna and Ruth rode homeward, talking
and making signs as if in all their glory, it was proven that —
"When two kindred strings are tuned alike.
To move them both but one we strike."
When Adabor was reached it was plain that neither the horses
nor their mistresses were willing to separate; but after a long,
fondly lingering look at each other they separated with tears in
their eyes. When Ruth reached the shoals she found Leon Shore
and Abe Trent both waiting there for her. Poor, anxious, con
siderate fellows! Notwithstanding the girl had passed through
enough during the day to try the nerves of the strongest man,
they thought she needed help to ford a small stream! A bullet
is blind, and so is love !
At a meeting eaUed for the purpose of hearing Ruth's report,
a "vote of thanks was tendered the heroine of the day for faithful
performance of duty," and on motion of Josiah Strong, three
hearty cheers were given in her honor. Had a modern talking
machine been used, how curious it would be to hear those cheers
as they were given more than a century ago. Are they forever
lost? Or will the great expected achievements of the twentieth
century unroU them to mortal ears?
Ruth's adventures that day furnished themes for many discus
sions. What was the significance of the carefully concealed mus
sel sheU? Where did the white horse and the Spanish saddle
come from? And what did the curious inscription on the saddle
mean? How did the girl get possession of them? And why was
her hair changeable ? These were some of the questions that Mrs.
Moore, because of her deep insight into curious things, was asked
to answer. "I can not," replied that lady, "answer all your
questions; but the changes in the dear girl's hair prove, as I
have before told you, that she is not an Indian, though I can not
account for the change. Moreover the Spanish saddle and the
emblems on it, and now I think of it, the type of her features
convince me that she is of Spanish descent with a distinct mix
ture of aristocratic. English blood." 76

"Sister," replied Josiah, "you are getting along first rate with
your advanced theories; but after all I should not be surprised
to find that changeable hair is characteristic of Indian beauties.
Whether Indian, Spanish or English, I love Banna the Beautiful
with all my heart, and no race distinction can change me. ' '
"We do not," said Ruth after a pause, "blame you, and are
anxious to do anything we can in your favor. ' '
"That greatly encourages me, and I thank you in advance for
your services. It only remains for you and Letty to arrange
some plan that will enable me to meet her as if by chance. I will
do the rest." "We can easily do that," said Ruth, and the inter
view closed sans ceremonie.
On the day following the interview the merino dress was com
pleted. The finishing touches were made by the deft fingers of
Ruth Lahgoon who was a "needle work designer," as those who
did artistic work with the needle were called at that time.
Around the bottom of the skirt was wrought a lovely wreath of
green, white and blue beads. On the bosom was a similar design
in oval form, and in the center of that was a monogram composed
of the initial letters R. B., an emblem of mutual love. The sleeves
were also ornamented with modest flowers wrought, not with
beads, but with silk thread of various colors. Such was the dress
made for a savage girl, — the native of a wilderness where the
name of God had never been heard until a short time before and
of whose attributes she knew nothing. For some reason her
superior form and features were so cast by the God whom she
did not know, that the light that irradiated them from within was
the handiwork of the same GREAT FIRST CAUSE ;
"Who rules and regulates
And guides this vast machine.
And governs wills, and times and fates —
Eetires and works unseen."
The dress being completed Mrs. Moore and Ruth made a formal
visit to Adabor. They found Banna alone, and she received them
with gladness. However, they soon noticed that she became a
little disconcerted because her hair was again without a wave,
76

and for the first time she discovered that her white friends were
astonished at the change. When the gUttering merino garment
was spread before the wondering girl, she was so nervous by
emotions perhaps unknown to the tutored mind, that she sat
down and wept like a child. There in the deep umbrageous soli
tudes of nature, far away from the strife and turmoil of stren
uous human life, foUowed a touching scene. Both visitors kneel
ed at the weeping girl, and placing their arms upon her shoulders
and their heads against her heaving breast, the trio wept together
— one in grateful remembrance of her friends, the others in deep
sympathy with her sweet, sensitive nature.
When restored to a normal condition Ruth dressed Banna's
hair, and a delicate piece of net-work consisting of braids and
curious plaits was the result. But the artist's fingers trembled
as she deftly manipulated the long black tresses — she could see
and even feel the waves returning.
"Eureka! I have foimd it!" exclaimed Mrs. Moore who was
watching the waves as they came into view slowly. "Found
what?" the artist asked anxiously. "That her hair changes when
it comes in close contact with people of her own race. Such has
been the case every time that either of us has been near her;
another proof that she is not an aboriginee of this country."
"I am," said Ruth, "more than half convinced that you are right;
but why does our touch produce such a curious result?" "Tell
me why the saw-brier and many other plants close their leaves
when we touch them? A touch often means more than we can
understand. At least one astronomer has said that if we could
touch a star it would fly out of its orbit. But to be plain, I can
not answer your question. While a truth is revealed, the mystery
deepens. The why must go unanswered. ' '
The bright girl knew that her hair was the subject of conversa
tion, and she was embarrassed ; but the smiles and kisses of Ruth
caused her great luminous eyes to look upon her friends as charm
ingly as before.
The fit of the new dress was perfect. As Mrs. Moore finished
adjusting the skirt she stepped back and said, "Oh, that brother
77

could see you now ! You are so radiantly beautiful. I never be
fore felt the full force of Gray's musical lines —
" 'Full many a gem of purest ray serene.
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear —
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen.
And waste its sweetness on the desert air!' "
A deep silence followed this quotation from Gray's Elegy, be
cause the scene was really impressive. At last Ruth said, "Though
she bloomed in a desert we intend to transfer her to a garden,
where tender hands and loving hearts will cultivate the rare
flower until she blooms afresh in Heaven."
As Banna did not understand half what was said in reference
to her, she looked bewildered ; and to change the current of her
thoughts, Ruth presented her with a toilet set, consisting of a
small mirror, comb, brush and a few other articles. She was
shown how to use them, and for the first time, saw herself in a
looking-glass. Hitherto she had seen her own image only as re
flected by the smooth water of the Tishmaugu just before it went
tumbling over the shoals.
Perhaps that was the only way mother Eve ever saw her fair
face, and as to that matter, father Adam, too. Yet they lived a
long time. Having studied the toilet articles one by one, the girl
began to realize the worth of her pale-face sister, and said
thoughtfully, "I do what for things so good, so pretty?" Ruth
knew what she meant, and hastened to inform her that all was
the gift of love and that nothing would be received in payment.
She looked astonished and clasped both visitors in her arms say
ing, "WiU have little gift, you?"
When told that a small present would be received, not in pay
ment, but as a token of love, she produced a roll of coarse grass
cloth which contained several pairs of moccasins made of beaver
skin with the fur on. They were lined with the same soft and
pliant material. Around the tops were single rows of small sea
shells evidently from a distant shore. The workmanship was neat
and substantial, and the shape much the same as shoes of that
day, that is to say, they were not "rights and lefts." Having
78

selected pairs of proper size, the ladies received the gifts with
sincere thankfulness. They represented them as warm and pleas
ant to the feet, and wearing them on rare occasions only they
kept them as long as they lived. It may be interesting to know
that these moccasins were exhibited in a Lapsidalian basket at a
county fair held at Jefferson in 1835, when Gen. David M. Burns
was chairman, and William Gathright, secretary.
While selecting the moccasins Umausauga made his appearance
with bow and arrows in one hand and a turkey in the other. As
he surveyed his daughter in her new attire his huge frame began
to tremble, but there was no frown on his tawny brow. Riveting
his keen and restless black eyes upon her, he continued to gaze
until, sinking lower and lower, he sat sprawling on the floor.
When tired of his comical position he gave one of his native
grunts and began to walk from side to side of the wigwam. His
demeanor satisfied the anxious guests that he was proud of the
wonderful transformation of his daughter, but strange to say,
was actually afraid of the looking-glass.
Having fully accomplished their mission the ladies left with
the understanding that Banna should visit them at Port Strong
two days hence.
On the morning of the day appointed for the Indian girl's visit,
several ladies were assembled at the humble but well-supplied
home of Abednego Moore.
"What," asked Mrs. Moore, "shall we give our guest for dinner
to-day?" "I do not know," answered Ruth, after some reflec
tion, "what Banna likes best, but she had two broiled fishes for
luncheon at Calamit the other day. She beats corn in a mortar
and makes hominy in an earthen pot. When last with her I
noticed a sort of mug full of honey comb, and a ham of dried
venison near by it. With these hints I suggest that you and
mother spread such a dinner as you think best."
Everything at Talasee was done methodically. Nothing of gen
eral importance was attempted without a two-thirds majority of
both men and women. This concert of action made the little
colony strong in purpose and ready in execution. Ruth's sug
gestion was accepted by all, and everything went on smoothly.
79

Alborak soon carried his mistress to Adabor where she found
Banna a little excited but ready to return with her. When called,
Iro trotted near, and the girls rode to the shoals where they met
a delegation of ladies to bid their coming guest a hearty wel
come. Umausauga had been selected to accompany the party ; but
for some reason declined the invitation.
As soon as the opposite bank was gained Banna leaped from her
saddle and embraced in turn each of the three ladies present as
if she had been a long-absent daughter. A formal introduction
followed, and when Iro 's saddle had been regained as easily as it
had been left, Mrs. Easley, who was a lady of culture and refine
ment, said:
' ' 0 Letty ! did you see the deep red blood playing hide and seek
in her cheeks as she threw her arms around us ? Why has such
a gem been so long concealed in these dark and gloomy forests?"
"For the present echo only answers why. By and by we may
know the reason," replied Mrs. Moore thoughtfully.
Having arrived in front of the Moore residence, Leon Shore, as
previously arranged, approached, and taking Ruth by the hand
she lightly leaped to the ground. Josiah Strong and Banna at
once followed the example, and together the pairs walked into the
house. The Indian girl, as her escort still more than half be
lieved her to be, had shown herself an apt scholar and a ready
imitator as well.
Now a great relief was at hand. Mr. Strong could speak the
Creek language almost as well as Banna herself. He had indulged
in many a blissful thought which he hoped to enjoy while teach
ing her English, and was almost sorry that she could already
speak some words as fluently as he could, though she did not know
just how to arrange them. To remedy this defect, he finaUy decided,
would be more pleasant than teaching the words, and so his future
prospects grew brighter and brighter as they hastily passed before
his mental vision.
If he loved her under as unfavorable conditions as when he
first saw her at Snodon, what were his emotions now that she was
at his side as a guest, arrayed in the most elegant style of the
times? He became lost in wondering thoughts and audibly mut-
80

tered: "More than a butterfly has come from a golden chrysa
lis." Finally glancing at the braided, plaited network of hair that
served so weU to show the outlines of her symmetrical shoulders,
he discovered that it was as full of graceful waves as his own was
of turning, twisting curls. Hitherto he had thought that his sister
and Ruth were mistaken. He knew that his own hair was change
able — that the curls were more profuse in damp than in dry
weather — ^but he had never heard of hers changing that way. This
together with the fact that a crimson blush played over her face
when he first gave her his hand, was enough to convince him that
his sister was right. But before making a final decision he con
cluded to learn if he could whether Indian girls in common blush
ed or not. The truth was that for some reason he did not want
to believe that Banna the Beautiful was not "a native to the
manor born."
Of course the stranger girl did not know just how to meet the
new conditions by which she was surrounded; but the constant
attention of aU present and the readiness with which she learned
and understood anything presented to her mind helped her won
derfully. When she found that Mr. Strong coiUd speak her lan
guage fiuently, her eyes sparkled with delight, and to aU appear
ance she greatly enjoyed her visit. When he asked her if she
rememberd seeing him at Snodon sometime before, she quickly
looked at his head, as if to prove his identity by the missing lock
of hair piUled out by the rude Indian boy, and with some con
fusion answered, "YES."
A general conversation followed in which Mr. Strong found
that his visitor was anxious to learn aU she could of the English
language and that she was willing for him to become her teacher.
Thus the day passed away pleasantly, and a little before sundown
Mr. Strong escorted the Guest of the Colony to her secluded home
amid the great spreading trees just over the river. The promises
of his sister and friend had been redeemed.

81

CHAPTER IV.
The Identity of Banna Mar De Vedo Is Found Out.
About sixteen years before the beginning of our narrative a war
broke out between the Cherokee and Upper Creek Indians. The
former claimed territory as far south as the Tishmaugu, and the
latter as far north and east as the Lacoda Trail,* which was nearly
identical with the present Athens and Clarkesville road. Their
first engagement was at Numerado, near the confluence of Hur
ricane Creek and Etoho river above Hurricane Shoals. Amer-
cides, apparently an Indian with a Greek name, was leader of the
Cherokees, and as gallant a brave as ever drew the bow. He rode
a white horse and dashed from place to place as if trained on the
battlefields of Europe.
Talitchlechee, commander of the Creeks, saw the mistake, and
placing himself at a favorable point awaited the expected oppor
tunity. It soon came and the Creek buried his tomahawk in the
gallant leader's side. When the white horse was seen running
riderless through the forest of Numerado, the Cherokees began to
retreat. But soon the scene changed. Elancydyne, the wife or as
she was generally called, the queen of Amercides, committing a
smaU child that she was holding in her arms to the care of an
attendant, mounted the riderless horse and at once took com
mand. She was greeted by a yell from the Cherokees that echoed
and re-echoed up and down the river and forward and back
across the valley. Soon the air was thick with flying arrows and
whizzing tomahawks.
The conflict deepened and the battle raged on. The commander
was more cautious than her fallen lord, but rode unflinchingly in
the face of every danger. At last the Creeks, flnding their ranks
so fatally thinned, retreated hastily. Another yell — this time the
*It was our pleasure to follow this old trail, last summer, to TaUulah
Falls. Just a few miles this side of Clarkesville it "forks." One branch
extending northwest leads into the noted Naeoochee country. The other
branch, leading on through Clarkesville, Turnerville and the TaUulah
country. — Ed. 82

yeU of victory, reverberated over the hills, and the heroine of the
day, forgetting aU things else, hastened to see if her child was
safe. She foimd it sleeping soundly in the arms of her attendant,
who, to shield the babe from harm, had received an arrow deeply
in her own shoulder. Her name was Yetha, and though the
wound was thought to be fatal, she lived to be very old.
Soon a band of young warriors gathered around the queen, and
carrying her over the battlefield, in grim mockery introduced her
to the faUen Creeks as their conqueror — their beautiful Elancy
dyne. Elated with their decisive victory the Cherokees considered the
country conquered territory as far as they claimed and began a
march across it to take formal possession. In the meantime, how
ever, the Creeks had received substantial recruits, and Talitch
lechee being a wily old chief of long experience, the enterprise
was doubtful. His enemy, still led by what her followers con
sidered their invincible new queen, moved slowly and cautiously
forward until they reached the verge of the plateau which dips to
Cold Spring, then known as Radoata, near the John Harrison old
place, where they met TaUtehlechee in command of a larger force
than at Numerado.
The Creeks gave the gage of battle and soon the engagement
became general. Though queen Elancydyne showed that she was
a skiUful and fearless leader, she was finally overcome by num
bers, and by a master piece of strategy made a flank movement,
and going stUl forward, camped that night at Arharra on the
plain where Prospect Church now stands and within hearing of
the waters of the Tishmaugu, the object of her expedition. This
singular movement on the part of an enemy who had shown such
consummate skiU so puzzled Talitchlechee that lie hesitated to
offer battle as he had done at Radoata. The next morning, how
ever, an accident brought on a general engagement with varying
success. This continued at intervals until noon when the Creek
chief sent Umausauga, one of his trusted braves, to conceal a num
ber of expert bowmen in the branches of some spreading trees that
grew in an adjacent forest. Late in the afternoon the conflict
again became general. 83

Elancydyne on her white horse led the van, and her example
so inspired her followers that they gave another deafening yell
and rushed forward to engage at close quarters; but the Creeks
retreated in the direction of the concealed bowmen. Again the
Cherokee queen was in the thickest of the fray and soon fell from
her horse pierced by many bristling arrows. The wail of lament,
"Onocowah, Onocowah!" rising from the field of carnage, dis
heartened the Cherokees, and they in turn sullenly retreated to
the north, tenderly carrying their fallen queen with them. If she
had survived the battle it is difficult to say what would have been
the result.
About the time of the arrival of the second party of emigrants
at Talasee, various rumors reached Umausauga, and through him
the colony, that the Cherokees were preparing to return to the
country and wreak vengeance upon their enemies for their disas
trous defeat at Arharra. Umausauga at once notified the leaders
of this people of the threatened danger, and the colonists im
mediately began building a fort. When completed it was a large,
substantial building, and in honor of the man who had worked al
most every day and night in the interest of the colony, it was
named Port Strong.
About the same time Port Yargo* was built at a place of that
name about three miles southwest of Winder, the old Jug Tavern.
Strange to say. Port Yargo is still standing in a good state of pres
ervation. Though first in Franklin and next in Jackson; it is
now in Walton County; and having seen the coming and going
of three generations, it is a heavy old land-mark which does not
receive the attention it deserves.
Notwithstanding the number of brave, strong men belonging to
the colony, Banna the Beautiful, and Ruth Lahgoon the Lovely,
were appointed scouts to patrol the surrounding country. All
*0n January 24th, 1914, the Editor visited this old fort and found it in
good state of preservation. It is now used as a dwelling house for tenants
by Mr. T. M. Wages, the owner. In cutting out the doors and windows
preparatory for a dwelling most of the "port holes" were cut away but
on the side next to the spring is one about 4 inches by 10 inches. This place
is only a short distance from Carter Hill church, near the Winder and
Loganville road. 84

the men were needed for heavy work; besides none were better
than these two brave and skillful riders. A few days of instruction
by Mr. Strong had enabled them to converse with each other read
ily, and they had become equal experts with the rifle. They gen
erally went together and always in hearing of each other. As a
protection to the women and children, the dogs, Pyth and Damon,
were left at home. Both wore deerskin clothing, made to fit close
ly, and jaunty little caps of the same material from which gener
ally fluttered a short black ribbon. They carried comparatively
light rifles, long knives in steel scabbards hung from their sad
dles, and on the left breast of each the hilt of a deadly stiletto
was just visible.
Thus equipped, and mounted on Alborak and Iro, these scouts
fearlessly roamed the forests infested with dangerous wild beasts
and sometimes with wilder men. They met with many adven
tures, some of which it is necessary to give here.
One day when they had been riding a little apart about one
mile to the north, they, by previous agreement, met at a spring
then called Alotha, but since known as the Bell spring. It is still
a copious fountain, and its crystal waters are always inviting.
Banna was last to arrive, and leaping to the ground as was
her custom, a shell fell from a pocket in her dress. The string
around it was broken by the fall, the parts separated, and a jet
black lock of curly hair was revealed to Ruth's wondering gaze.
Mrs. Moore's mystery was solved at last. The disconcerted girl
blushed as her companion had never seen her blush before. She
did not wonder that Josiah Strong was enchanted when he saw
those dark-hued cheeks mantled with a deep rosy tint as if bor
rowed from a sunset cloud. When Ruth looked at her and smiled
pleasantly the bewildered girl made a clean-breast of the matter
by saying in substance:
"That lock of hair was taken from Josiah Strong's head by a
mean Indian boy at Snodon. When he threw it away I took pos
session of it and intend to keep it as long as I live. When I am
buried I want it left lying on my breast. For this reason only I
now reveal the secret. ' ' 85

That was indeed a pathetic confession, and Ruth knew it was an
honest one. She was a very bright girl, and felt that the senti
ments expressed in it were not born in a savage breast. In
dependently of all she had hitherto seen and heard, she was now
fully convinced that her dear friend, Banna the Beautiful, was
not an Indian.
Ruth reported her wonderful discovery to Mr. Strong and his
sister only. To the brother it seemed evident proof that the girl
who so highly valued a lock of his hair had loved him from the
first as he had her. In happy reverie he said :
' ' Surely God has not decreed that two such streams should fiow
in different directions ; and though the race question has nothing
to do with my feelings, I am now convinced, as Ruth was, that
Banna the Beautiful is not an Indian." Mrs. Moore was glad of
the conversion of her brother and Ruth to her belief, and to more
fully confirm them in it she said :
"Allow me to remind you that our Savior knew all about the
laws of nature. When speaking of good and bad trees and of
their fruits he said, 'Of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a
bramble bush gather they grapes.' The teaching is as applicable
to Banna as it is to a tree and its fruit. Jesus of Nazareth made
no mistakes."
When the rumor of a Cherokee invasion reached the country
Umausauga, to the great surprise of the colonists, placed his
daughter under the protection of the whites. No proposition was
ever more gladly accepted; and now that all were fully satisfied
that she was really not his child, the council met and passed the
following preamble and resolution unanimously :
"Whereas, a discovery has been made which fully satisfies this
colony that Banna, hitherto known as the daughter of our friend,
Umausauga, the Indian, does not belong to his race :
"Resolved, That Miss Ruth Lahgoon, a member of this body, is
hereby appointed to inform the said Banna of the discovery made,
and direct that she do so at such time and in such manner as
she may deem proper. "J. Josiah Strong, Presiding.
"Orpah Lahgoon, Secrejiary." 86

On the morning following the above-mentioned meeting the
scouts crossed the river and rode to the west. As Ruth had for
merly traveled in that direction, she knew that the country was
rough and infested with dangerous animals. Therefore they rode
near together, generally in single file, without meeting with any
thing unusual until they reached the lower water of Taurulahoole
(Beech) creek. There as they entered the dense forest that skirt
ed its banks, they discovered a little path which led to a cluster of
tall reeds that grew on a knoll a short distance from the stream.
Following the path they soon reached a curious structure almost
hidden by the reeds which grew close to its walls. As they went
near an opening which seemed to serve the purpose of a door, a
wizen-faced old man made his appearance at the opening with a
smaU bundle of split reeds in his hand. He had never seen two such
beings before, and as they approached nearer he disappeared in
the hut. However, when Banna told him in his own language that
no harm was intended, an old squaw came to the door cautiously.
She brought a half finished basket in one hand and an old, rusty
tomahawk in the other. She was hideous in appearance and evi
dently much older than the man. Her skin appeared to be dry
on her bones, her great butter-teeth showed outside her thin,
tightly drawn Ups, and a tuft of hair, much like the foretop of a
horse, fell straggling over her tawny brow. Banna at once recog
nized her as Lapsidali, a basket maker whom she had sometimes
seen at Adabor.
Having long gazed with critical eyes at the girls and their
horses, she laid down her basket and tomahawk on the ground and
went nearer. When apparently satisfied that there was no danger,
she went stUl nearer and patted Iro on the forehead. Ceasing to
caress the horse, she looked up and carefuUy scanned his rider's
features. Then she went backwards several steps, and placing
both hands on her angular hips, she stood with a far-away look as
if lost in some over-powering thought. Being unable to close her
lips, they twitched over her great scurvy-eaten teeth as if talking
to herself. Finally she suddenly turned and called to the little
old man who was still in the hut, and said in substance :
87

"Onomaco, this girl on white horse is certainly Banna. Lives at
Adabor, I have seen her there. But she has been changed to
butterfly. Tha't's to keep Cherokees from knowing her. Two
white horses. Two queens, too. This white horse like Adar. The
other on black horse is pale face. Lives at Shoals. Plies through
the air. Spirit floats up and down river every night. No harm
in her. Come out here."
The old hag advanced to pat the black horse also. Somehow
Alborak refused to be petted by her, and throwing back his ears,
he gave a short, vicious snip at her arm. The old woman snatched
up her tomahawk, and her movements indicated that she intended
to throw it at the horse's head. Quick as thought the muzzle of
a rifle was thrust in her face. Perhaps she did not know just what
that meant, but at the click of the lock she fled into the hut and
crouched beyond a pile of baskets.
When confidence was restored, the scouts examined the hut as
a matter of curiosity. It was about ten feet square and some six
feet high. Poles were set in the ground from ten to twelve inches
apart, and the spaces between them were filled with slender wil
low branches, basket fashion. The outside was roughly daubed
with whitish clay mortar which seemed to be hard and endurable.
The roof was composed of several layers of wahoo bark which was
held in place by large balls of the white clay mortar. As the two
solitary inhabitants were found to be wickiups, that is, cane basket
makers, the place was doubtlessly selected because of the dense
canebrake that grew in the vicinity, and was called Boca, the
Creek word for cane.
The hut contained quite a number of finished baskets, and it
was amazing to see with what wonderful skill they were made.
Onomaco split and dressed the cane, and Lapsidali, his sister,
colored and wove the material, but never in the presence of
another. The brilliant colors produced by her methods did not
fade, and though many efforts were made to learn her secret, the
old jade died without revealing it.
In the early part of the last century these baskets were fre
quently seen in the possession of the settlers, and were called Lap
sidalian baskets. Before leaving Boca the scouts made an ear-
88

nest effort to induce Lapsidali to explain what she meant in her
talk to Omonaco about Banna. She however shook her head and
replied, "Lapsidali talk to Onomaco, not to young squaws."
Being bothered about the ambiguous expressions of the old
woman, they resolved to return home immediately and make
their report. Both were silent for a time; but Ruth, deeming
the opportunity favorable for telling her companion of the dis
coveries made in regard to her race, decided to use it. She began
by calling the astonished girl's attention to what she had just
heard at the hut concerning herself, the Cherokees, the two
white horses and the two queens. She then went over all the
circumstances which had convinced Mrs. Moore, Mr. Strong and
finally the whole colony, that she did not have one drop of Indian
blood in her veins, and concluded by saying: "I have seen enough
myself to prove that you have the same white blood beating in
your heart that is beating in mine. You may be of foreign descent
partly ; but if you are, it comes from white ancestors whose blood
shows in all their descendants the world over, and 0 Banna, I
am unable to tell you how glad I am ! ' '
Ruth threw "her arms around her trembling friend, and to
gether they wept a long time. At last when the still trembling
girl was a little composed she said in substance: "I have some
times wondered why all around me was so different from myself.
I have always thought Umausauga my father. He is good to me
and has never failed to treat me kindly. I have noticed that
other fathers make slaves of their daughters, while he treats me
as a queen. I have never before been able to understand why
this is so. I have never known but one other exception, and that
is the case of a girl who lives at Snodon. Her name is Mera, and
I want you to visit her, for both she and her mother are very
lovely. Mother! Mother! How sweet and endearing the word!
0, that I could know something of mine ! The name must be of
some akin to the Heaven of which you and your people so often
tell me. Somehow your strange revelations make me feel like
one world had gone and another had come. Must I give up all
to gain more? I know not what to say or do!" "No! no!" re
plied Ruth vehemently, "you need not give up all you have. You
89

need not give up the man to whom you owe so much! We will
take you both under our protection for life. You have nothing
to fear, but much for which you will some day thank God and
be glad."
In the midst of their conversation the scouts reached home,
and all the colonists, finding that Banna had been informed of
her true position in society, came to encourage her upon entering
a new life. This was of vast benefit to the bewildered girl, and
perhaps saved her from miserable depths of despondency and
gloom. To change the training of a lifetime is doubtless a hard
thing to do.
That night the council met, and with unusual interest listened
to Ruth Lahgoon 's report. The following extract from the pro
ceedings of the meeting was copied from the original document
more than sixty years ago :
"Whereas, the various allusions made in the presence of our
scouts by Lapsidali, the squaw, to the Cherokees, the white horses
and the queens, may mean something of much importance to this
colony :
"Resolved, That Josiah Strong is hereby directed to inter
view the said Lapsidali, and obtain such information as he can
about these matters; that Joseph Starr shall visit our sister
colonies at Yamacutah and Groaning Rock; and that Abel Trent
visit Fort Yargo, to secure an alliance with said colonies, assure
them of our assistance at any time needed, and obtain such other
information as may pertain to our interest.
"And be it further Resolved, That the Indian, Umausauga, and
his hitherto supposed daughter, Banna, be solicited to become
citizens of this colony and members of this council ; and that the
discovery made in regard to the unknown parentage of the latter
be revealed to the former when the present unsettled state of the
country passes away. "Signed, "Richard Easley, President.
"Martha Easley, Secretary." 90

Early on the following morning Starr and Trent started on
their respective missions. In the afternoon Strong visited the
curious hut among the reeds. To his great disappointment not
a vestige of either its inhabitants or of their work was to be
seen. He continued his visits for several days in succession, and
always with the same result.
As the deserted abode seemed to have been in use several
years, the solution of another mystery awaited the anxious colo
nists. The faithful scouts roamed on foot about the shoals nearly
all the day carrying rifles in their hands. Poor Banna, having
passed a sleepless night, was tossed upon a sea of conflicting
emotions ; dreams of the wilderness fleeting like a shadow to the
realities of a new life of which she knew almost nothing. Whith
er should she go? Which way should she turn? Many brave
young warriors of the upper Creek Nation, including him of the
jaw-breaking name, had fallen at her feet and sued for her heart
and hand. Though she knew not the reason why the pulsations
of her heart did not beat in unison with them, she felt a reason,
and loved them not. Her sensitive soul, ethereal as the passing
zephyr and as invisible as the germ of the delicate violet, longed
for something more refined that any of them could offer. A drop
of oil in mid-ocean will not mix with any of its multitudinous
waves. Being utterly unable to catch even a passing glimpse of
what her future life should probably be, she instinctively drew
the polished shell from her bosom, kissed it, and then slowly
returned the dear souvenir to its long resting place. A smile as
if a flood of sunshine had poured from an over-hanging cloud
played over her features for a moment, and then as thoughts of
the strange past and the uncertain future came to her mind, she
sadly joined her companion who was gathering wild flowers
some distance away.
Being a little weary the girls went to the shoals, and seeing a
nice clean rock a few feet from the bank, they leaped upon it,
and in a reclining position watched the water as it went rippling
by them. Presently a large fish, in water so shallow that its dor
sal fins were in plain view, came hurrying by without any ap
parent effort, and quickly disappeared in the deeper water be-
91

low. "Like that fish I know not whither I am drifting," said
Banna thoughtfully. "Dear, please don't say that," replied
Ruth anxiously. "Any fish" she continued with much earnest
ness, "can float with the current; but it takes a splendid moun
tain trout to scale the rapids and strike for higher latitudes and
purer waters. You, with ten thousand times the advantage of
any flsh, may do likewise. Should you meet with any difficul
ties on the way, as did the fish when it struck the shallow water,
I know of a strong arm, a willing mind, and a devoted heart that
will always be ready to help you overcom"© them."
The girl did not reply at once. She was trying to understand
the meaning of her friend. Finally she asked, "Where, 0 where
shall I find such help as that?" "Josiah Strong, a lock of whose
•hair you now carry in your bosom, is the man! I know that he
loves you, and only you, devotedly, and is longing for an oppor
tunity to tell you so." The surprised girl covered her face with
both hands, and after rocking back and forth for awhile, turned
her beautiful, tearful eyes upon her companion, and in trembling
tones said:
"Dear one, may we now go?" They lightly jumped to the
bank, and arm in arm walked to the fort, where Banna the
Beautiful, for the first time learned it was to be her future
home.

92

CHAPTER V.
The Cherokee Spy.
In due time Starr and Trent returned from their respective
missions and made their reports. The latter found that the fort
Yargo people, though few in number, were well armed and ready
to eome to the aid of Talasee at a moment's warning, and the
former reported substantially the same of the colonies he visit
ed; adding that the citizens of Groaning Rock had some reason
to believe that a Cherokee spy, going in the direction of Talasee,
had recently passed through the country.
In view of the information gained of the probable spy, Richard
Easley and Phelan Lahgoon, both of whom had seen much hard
service in active warfare, offered to become additional scouts.
Accordingly the next morning the men rode to the east and the
girls to the north with the understanding that the parties were
to meet at Rodoata (Cold Spring) at such time in the afternoon
as they could make the junction.
About noon when the girls were riding across the gentle slope
on which Crooked Creek church now stands, their horses stop
ped and stood listening. Knowing that their hearing was more
sensitive than their own, the girls remained quiet and anxiously
awaited the result. Directly they discovered an Indian going in
the direction of the spring, still there, but not so bold and beau
tiful as then. Amazed, both whispered "The Spy!" "The Spy!"
He was armed with a tomahawk only, and carrying that at his
left side, they knew him to be a Cherokee.
Having apparently satisfied himself that no danger was lurk
ing near, he fell prostrate at the spring and began to drink. Just
then, with rifles ready for instant use, the scouts rushed upon
him with such impetuous dash that the fellow jumped the creek
near by at one bound and ran to the southeast with incredible
speed. Thinking they might obtain some valuable information
from him they did not want to kill him or even wound him unless
actually necessary. At full speed the girls began the chase at once,
93

and the Cherokee, finding that he would soon be overtaken, stop
ped suddenly and looked back. Perhaps more through habit than
design he unfortunately drew his tomahawk from his belt, and
quick as thought two bullets went crashing through his arm.
The weapon fell to the ground, and the fellow, finding that it
was useless to run, suddenly fell with his face to the ground,
and gave the Cherokee wail of despair "Owocoway!" Then the
scouts knew that there was no one near who could come to his
rescue. Doubtless the poor Indian thought there was no one to help
him; but he was greatly mistaken. Hands far more tender and
skillful than he had ever known were there and anxious to help
him. For their own benefit the girls carried a roll of linen band
ages, various salves, pins, needles and thread to use in case of
accidents to which they were almost constantly liable. They
now found great need of them, and conducting the wounded
man back to the spring, they dressed his arm, and otherwise
made him as comfortable as possible. They found that one buUet
had fractured the arm bone but did not break it, and that the
other had made a severe flesh wound. Their greatest difficulty
was to stanch the freely flowing blood ; but by long continued ap
plication of cold spring water they finally succeeded. During
the entire process, which of necessity must have been very pain
ful, the Indian did not utter a groan nor speak a word. The
most distinguishing feature of his conduct was that he seemed
unable to turn his eyes away from Banna. For some reason he
was evidently overcome with wonder and amazement.
When the captive was a little composed the girls leisurely
conducted him to Talasee and turned him over to Joe Starr and
Ed Belknap from whom he was not likely to escape. They then
hastened to Rodoata that the other scouts might find them there
according to promise.
Easley and Lahgoon having reached the vicinity of Cherokee
Corner, turned to the northwest, and crossing Trail and Sandy
Creeks, reached the plateau upon which Center is now situated,
without learning anything unusual. There, however, they met
with a native, who informed them that on the day before, an
94

Indian who was supposed to be a Cherokee, had been seen going
in the direction of Talasee, and that a runner had been sent to
inform Umausauga of the discovery. This caused the scouts to
hasten homeward, and being weU mounted, they soon reached
the plain beyond Etoho river. There they discovered the well
known tracks of Alborak and Iro. Following the stiU deeper
and deeper gashes as if made by a furious charge, they came to
a spring where blood was spattered aU over the rocks around
it. They groaned in despair and franticaUy caUed for Ruth and
Banna. No answer was returned and again they groaned aloud
and Mr. Lahgoon exclaimed, "0 my God! have the Cherokees
murdered my precious child and her darling friend?"
Just then Mr. Easley noticed that the red stains led across the
adjacent creek. They were quickly followed untU a pool of
clotted blood was reached. Both scouts were unable to speak —
their hearts seemed to be still. Almost blinded by fear and appre
hension, they looked around for further signs. Though confused
by the great number of tracks made in the soft soil, they finaUy
discovered a trail that led back towards the spring. They hur
riedly followed the tracks, and reaching the creek, Mr. Easley
discovered a slip of paper hanging on a bush that grew near the
spring. To the unspeakable joy of the men there was written
upon it:
' ' Gone home with our prisoner, the spy. He is badly wounded,
but not fatally. We are not hurt; will meet you in Rodoata in
due time. Ruth and Banna."
Both men threw their hats high in the air and gave four lusty
cheers, — one each in honor of the girls and their horses. With
supreme satisfaction they rode to Rodoata, and finding Ruth
and Banna already there, the cheers were repeated, and then
following a series of whoops so wierd and wild that turkey
gobblers were heard answering them in the distance. The four
scouts returned home together; and having so quickly passed
from mortal fear to very gladness, happier men than Dick Easley
than Phel. Lahgoon never rode over the hills of Georgia.
In the meantime Umausauga had been notified of the capture
of the Cherokee, and at once visited him at Fort Strong. He
95

was accompanied by Notha Neva, the runner who had been sent
to inform him that a stranger had been seen in the country. In
personal appearance this Indian was far superior to any others
seen in the country, and while he had the step and the hair pe
culiar to the natives, he did not resemble them in any other
respects. Silent and moody, as if his thoughts were far away, the pris
oner refused to speak to any one. That somewhat exasperated
those who had him in charge, but they patiently awaited the
action of the council. That body met at an early hour, and for
the first time Umausauga consented to be present. Notha Neva
also remained, and the two Indians were offered front seats, but
refused to accept them.
The captive occupied a seat near the president, and turning
his keen black eyes upon vacant space before him, he seemed
to be utterly oblivious of the presence of others. He did not
have a bad face, and his brow showed a high order of intellect.
He was of medium size, but evidently muscular and active. When
told that he might speak for himself, he placed his wounded arm
on the palm of his left hand and asked, "Lodu Huanaco se
queech?" — May Huanaco talk now?
The president nodded his head, and the prisoner arose to his
feet ; but in spite of his stoicism, with manifest pain. It was seen
by all that his arm was badly swollen and the bandages too
tight. Ruth and Banna hastened to his relief.
Umausauga and Notha Neva came near and watched the
movements of their delicate fingers with almost breathless inter
est. Such tenderness and skill were tmknown to them. Though
far above the ordinary savages around them, they knew nothing
of the glorious mission of a true woman — nothing of the soothing,
healing touch of her gentle hand — nothing of the angelic spirit
which warms her breast and makes glad the beatings of a
wounded heart.
With eyes wide open and with bated breath the natives watch
the nimble fingers until the last bandage is reached. It is deep
in the flesh and tightly held there by dry blood which has to be
softened by an application of warm water before the cloth can
96

be removed. Banna is applying the water. The silent, stoical
sufferer casts a long, anxious look at her, similar to those given
while his arm was being dressed at the spring. Suddenly his
eyes close spasmodically, his whole body trembles, and he
heavily falls to his knees, exclaiming, "Ouch Elancydyne!
menurik outic en ma ecindre at survi. Eltrovadyne. " That is,
0 Elancydyne, has your spirit come back, or are you the once
little Eltrovadyne?
The council was amazed. Umausauga stood speechless, and
acted as if some great secret of his life was about to be revealed.
Banna realized that in some way the dramatic scene referred to
herself. She nestled close to Ruth, and as usual their arms were
around each other. The captive was lying upon the floor seem
ingly but not really unconscious. While in this condition the
dressing of his arm was completed. The council sympathized
with the poor fellow and awaited his own action. He had evi
dently made some overpowering discovery, and aU wanted to
know the result.
By and by, when the sufferer began to breathe easily, some of
the men raised him to his feet, and he was told to go on with his
talk. He essayed to do so, but did not know what to do with
his wounded arm and paused to think. While doing so Mrs.
Easley quickly untied her snow white apron, made a loop that
fell from his neck upon his breast, and tenderly placed his
wounded arm in it. Though still suffering his eyes followed the
kind lady to her seat, a faint smile played over his features for
a moment as if to thank her, and turning, he made a touching
talk of which the following is a free translation :
"My friends. I find friends here. Great and good friends.
Friends for whom I am ready to give my life." Here he paused
and pointing his trembling forefinger towards Ruth, Banna and
Mrs. Easley, he looked around and continued: "I believe there
are others. To friend and foe alike I want to say I am a Chero
kee. My name is Huanaco. I am not a spy. I come to you on a
mission of peace, though I made a great mistake. I drew my
tomahawk on the horses, not on their riders. I thought I
might be run over. Had I not made this mistake I should not
97

have been hurt. ' ' Again pointing his finger towards the girls, he
added, "They are too good to willingly hurt others.
"Friends, many moons ago the Creeks and Cherokees were at
war. We were led by King Amercides. He was a Spanish noble
man. For some reason he became one of us. He died for us on
the bloody field of Numerado. Then his queen took his place.
She led us to victory. Her name was Elancydyne. Though of
pure English blood she was always true to the Cherokees. When
a very little girl she was washed on shore by the waves of the
sea. We adopted her and she too became one of us. She grew
to be so good and beautiful that King Amercides gladly made
her his queen. She led us from Numerado to other battlefields.
The last was at Arharra near this very place. There, when
passing under some trees in whose branches bowmen were hid
den, she fell mortaUy wounded. The spirit of the Cherokees
was broken. We retreated beyond the Etoho. We carried our
queen's dead body with us. She and Amercides sleep together.
After the battle we tried to find her little girl. She was the very
image of her mother. We did not find her. Her name was Eltro
vadyne. Until a short time ago we fully believed her to be dead.
I have been sent to see if she still lives. I think I have found her.
We want her for a queen. Friends," the Indian continued,
after a thoughtful pause, "I was once wounded in battle. Queen
Elancydyne poured cold water on a great gash in my shoulder.
Her beautiful eyes looked on in pity. She, whom you call Banna
gave me just such a look with just such eyes while pouring water
on my arm to-night. The discovery overcame me. I fell upon
the floor. I know that was not in keeping with the dignity of a
warrior. But tell me, 0 tell me, if you can, is Banna, the once
little queen Eltrovadyne? What shall Huanaco tell his people?"
The speaker sat down, and with impassive features fixed his
eyes on vacant space as when he first entered the fort. Umau
sauga was as motionless as a stone pillar. He seemed utterly
incapable of action, and Banna was lying insensible in Ruth's
arms. Even the iron-nerved Josiah Strong was deeply moved.
The contraction of his brow, the compression of his lips, and the
twitching of his great muscles, showed that some stern resolve

might soon be made known. Yet-he spoke not a word, nor was he
likely to do so before the climax of what seemed to be coming
was reached. Banna the Beautiful, though now believed to be
a princess indeed, was not to be taken from him, not even for a
throne. Her situation excited the heart-felt sympathy of every
one present, and the efforts of all were concentrated upon the
best means to restore her to consciousness.
By and by, she began to revive, principally through the efforts
of Mr. Strong who, though not a physician, had once studied the
science of medicine with a view to practice. The services render
ed to his patient in the wilderness was indeed a labor of love.
When all became quiet, Mr. Moore, the presiding officer that
night, requested Umausauga to answer, as well as he could, the
Cherokee's important question as to what he should tell his
people. Without moving a muscle in his face or changing the
natural gleam of fire in his eyes, the Indian came to the front
with a slow, but steady step, and chiefly using the third person
said, "Umausauga calls you friend, too. You have been good to
him. In turn he will be good to you. He is glad we are friends.
He was once the enemy of all white people and of the Cherokees
too. Was in the battle of Arharra. Was one of the bowmen in
the tree tops. Does not know who killed queen Elancydyne.
Knows she was very brave. That her fall ended the battle. That
he could have prevented her warriors from taking her body away.
Umausauga would not do that. He fights for the living. Not for
the dead excepting one time."
Here the speaker, for a reason that may be discovered as this
narrative progresses, broke down and stood speechless. Banna,
still trembling like a stricken child, went and took a seat at his
side. That seemed to strengthen him. He gently placed one
hand upon her head and with the other motioned for Ruth to
come also. She quickly went and sat opposite her friend.
Placing his free hand on her head, he, this time with a trembling
voice, continued: "May the God of the white men and the Great
Spirit of the red man bless you both, and keep you together
always. Curses on the hand that would violently separate you.
99

' ' Umausauga has committed no crime. After the retreat of the
Cherokees from Arharrah he was walking over the battle ground.
He heard a child crying in the distant woods. He could not have
found the little creature if it had not been crying. It was con
cealed by earth, rocks and bushes. A dead woman was lying
near. An arrow was sticking deep in her breast. The shaft
was broken. She still held the broken part in her hand. She had
tried to pull it from her breast. When it broke she died.
"Umausauga took the crying baby in his arms. It soon be
came quiet. He placed it by the side of what he then thought
was its dead mother. Their features were not at all alike, he
thought again. He found that the features of the child were
just the same as the features of the heroic woman who rode the
white horse. He then believed her to be the child's mother, and
that the dead woman was its nurse. He has since learned this
to be true.
"Umausauga had no heart to leave the little girl to die alone in
the woods. He carried her to his wigwam. He named her
Banna. That word means princess. You all know how true she
is to her name. Now you all know how well she deserves the
title. As she grew older, he found her very good and very smart.
He never knew her to do wrong wilfully. He never knew her to
fail in her work. He never twice told her to do anything. She
has always been good to him. He has always tried to be good
to her. Umausauga has often thought of the grand appear
ance made by the Cherokee queen on her white horse. He want
ed Banna to have one like it. He went all the way to the ocean
before he found one to suit him. He finally found Iro and pur
chased him. He hunted two winters and one summer to get
skins enough to pay for horse and bridle. Old Lapsidali had
found a saddle in the woods around Arharra. She did not know
what it was. Umausauga gave her a handful of beads for it —
some of the beads he received in payment for Beadland. So
Banna now had a ho!rse, bridle and saddle. The horse is very
much like the one ridden by her mother. Doubtless the saddle
was hers also. 100

"Umausauga was so proud that he turned fool enough to tell
his great secret to old Lapsidali. Until now he has never told
any one else. He and Banna began to train Iro at once. She
often went dashing through the woods on his back. He now sees
how much she looked like queen Elancydyne charging among the
trees at Arharra."
Here the Indian again broke down as if lost in painful thought.
At last he went on: "Brothers, sisters! this trial is too much for
Umausauga. He here confesses for himself what you already
know, that Banna is not his daughter! It is worse than death
to be separated from her. And he here sounds a warning note
that unless the separation be for some good reason and by her
consent, somebody must be thrown alive into the boiling, burn
ing flames at Nodoroc."
Again the speaker stood silent for a few minutes. His eyes
flashed, his muscles twitched, and giving a deep guttural groan,
he suddenly turned to Huanaco, and in thunder tones exclaimed
in Cherokee: "Hear, Huanaco! Having found your lost prin
cess, what will you do ? Speak ! Huanaco, speak ! ' '
Having uttered the last sentence with terrible emphasis, the
speaker sat down. The Cherokee was confused; but showed
himself a good diplomatist. After some hesitation he said, "Since
the fall of queen Elancydyne the Cherokees have been under a
chief chosen by themselves. He is a good man and the people
like him. But he wants to retire from public life. All were
devoted to Amercides and his queen. We want their daughter,
our Eltrovadyne and your Banna to be queen of all the Chero
kees. It is her birthright. It is our pleasure. Of course her
consent must be first obtained. No force can be used in this
matter. "Brothers, I hope you have learned that I am not an enemy as
you first thought. Lapsidali is the one who told us that our
lost queen is here. We doubted her word. I have come and find
that for once she told the truth. But she told it to make trouble
between us. You have heard that the Cherokees are preparing
to invade this part of the country again. That is absolutely
false. The old squaw made the tale out of my appointment to
101

come here for a harmless purpose. She colors truth to suit her
self as she does her baskets.
"Brothers and sisters, we scarcely dared hope to find our lost
Eltrovadyne. Less did we expect to find her already a queen
among subjects of her own race. And this complicates the mat
ter. Allow me to return home and report to my people. I see
your Banna is deeply grieved even at the thought of leaving you.
I am willing to leave the matter to you and to her. I can not
answer for the Cherokees until I see them. They may be able to
offer some inducement that will cause you all to change your
minds. Huanaco is done."
The scene that followed beggars description. Lost in astonish
ment at the strange incidents revealed, and rejoicing over the
news that the Cherokee invasion was probably a myth, the
Talasee council was hardly fitted for regular business. However
after various private conferences it was found that all were
practically of the same opinion and the following resolutions
were passed:
"1st: That thanks of the Talasee council and its friends are
hereby tendered Huanaco who claims to be a Cherokee on a
peaceful mission to the Creeks, for his pacific talk to-night, and
we assure him of our friendship on all proper occasions.
"2nd: That while we thank the Cherokees for proposing to
make one of our members their reigning queen, we, by her full
consent, most respectfully decline to accept the honor offered.
"3rd: That the guard is hereby instructed to release the said
Huanaco from custody, and allow him to return to his people at
such time as suits him.
"4th: That we thank our scouts for the faithful and efficient
manner in which they performed their duty by arresting and
bringing to headquarters a supposed spy.
"5th: That we regret the said Huanaco 's mistake which led
our scouts to wound him, but attach no blame to them. On the
contrary they showed the highest order of skill and bravery as
well as sound judgment in their actions.
102

"6th: That whUe we gladly receive the news that the rumor
of a Cherokee invasion is false, we wiU not for one moment relax
our viligence to protect this colony and its friends.
"7th: That we think the thanks of the whole civilized world
is due our friend Umausauga, for the kind manner in which he
took care of the Uttle chUd that he found in the woods, and for
his faithfulness to her from that time to the present moment.
And we further beUeve that as the anointing of our Savior's feet
at Bethany has become a universal memorial of the woman who
performed the gracious deed, that also the kindness shown by
an untaught savage of the wUderness to a stranger, should be told
for a memorial of him to aU men.
"8th: That because of the unfaithfulness of Lapsidali, the
basket maker, as shown by the betrayal of Umausauga's confi
dence, and by the circulation of false reports in regard to a
Cherokee invasion, she is hereby declared to be a traitor of this
Colony, to Umausauga and his people.
"Signed, "Abednego Moore, Pres.
"Orpah Lahgoon, Sec."
Much apprehension of coming danger had been removed, and
a free conversation foUowed. StiU Banna's face was sad. She
seemed to be whirling in a circle of unknown circumference.
She was arrayed in her wonderful red dress over which her now
constantly wavy hair hung in graceful tresses to her waist. Un
der the tutilage of Ruth and others, her manners, never coarse,
had become graceful and easy. At her own request she was car
ried to Huanaco who manifested some courtUness and much em
barrassment. The foUowing is a free translation, in a condensed
form, of the conversation between them:
"Huanaco, I am Banna whose name you say in Eltrovadyne. I"
must first teU you that if we had known you were not a spy, we
would not have hurt you for all the world. We ask you to for
give us."
"Eltrovadyne, you and your friend are forgotten. Huanaco has
a heart." 103

"We thank you. Now please tell us what Eltrovadyne
means ? "
"Glittering Star. Huanaco thinks you are one of them," re
plied the Indian as he pointed towards the stars.
"0 Huanaco, my friends here tell me of a home beyond the
stars, where all the truly good shall live forever in a home not
made by hands, eternal in the heavens! I have learned to take
a few steps in that direction. If for no other reason I should not
want to leave my teachers. They can show me how to travel the
pathway which leads to life eternal, where there is fullness of
joy and pleasures evermore ! They tell me of a Savior who came
from beyond the stars — from a place they call Heaven, to seek
and to save that which was lost ! I want him to find Eltrovadyne.
If I go to the Cherokees no one will point me out to him! My
friends here do that. They call it prayer. They talk to the
Savior in prayer. They sometimes call him Jesus and talk to him
every day. They read or talk about him in a book they call the
Bible. It is curious to think that a book can talk to you. I am
beginning to learn how it is done. I already know the words.
They caU them letters like a, b, c. I can put a few of them to
gether now and make long words — ^words like we use when talk
ing. Then too, I am beginning to learn how to talk on paper,
or on anything that will hold a mark. They call it writing. I
can write my name now. I say B-a-n-n-a. I can not write
Eltrovadyne. It contains too many words or letters. But now
that I can speak the word I can soon learn how to make the
letters talk it. They call that speUing. This is curious and I
long to know more about it. Then, 0 Huanaco, the Cherokees
must not want to take me away ! ' '
In mute astonishment the Indian gazed upon her radiant face
until he almost ceased to breathe. After a little while he turned
his eyes away, and, as if talking to himself, muttered in a deep
undertone, "It is right for Eltrovadyne to remain here! I wish
Huanaco had never seen her! There is a dark-eyed maiden at
Stonethrow who had all my heart. Glittering Star takes it away
from her! Hush! Hush! Huanaco! Glittering Star is a pale-
104

face! That ends aU! To-morrow Huanaco goes to Stonethrow!
Back to his dark-eyed Thespe!"
"Talk to Eltrovadyne," said Banna, wishing to turn the cur
rent of the Indian's thoughts. "Please teU me what Elancydyne
means?" "Shooting Star," answered the Cherokee slowly, and
again pointing upward, continued, "When Elancydyne was a
Uttle girl a Cherokee brave took her from a sinking ship in time
of a storm, and the waves brought them both to shore. Later she
ran about from one camp-fire to another so fast, and was so very,
very bright and beautiful, that she was caUed Elancydyne or
Shooting Star. Our old men said her clothes showed that she was
the chUd of an English nobleman. She was very white with
features just like yours. 0 her eyes ! 0 your eyes, Eltrovadyne !
How can I leave; but hush, Huanaco! Thespe stUl speaks!"
"May Eltrovadyne ask a few more questions?" The Indian
nodded his head, and sat with eyes cast down as if to avoid the
heart-breaking battery that was turned upon him. "What does
Amercides mean?" asked the girl tremulously. "Don't know,"
was the thoughtful reply. "When your father first came among
the Cherokees he was known as Don Mar de Vedo, of the royal
famUy of Spain. Huanaco don't remember aU about it. He
was then young. Something like CID was connected vrith his
name. When he was made king his subjects were required to
caU him Amercides. So Cid was stUl a part of his name. ' '
"Has Eltrovadyne any brothers and sisters among the Chero
kees?" asked Banna anxiously. The Indian shook his head only,
and the girl ventured to ask him one more question: "Do yon
know where my father and mother are buried, and if so will
you show me the place sometime?" "Huanaco knows. He wiU
show you," was the thoughtful reply.
The troubled girl covered her face with her hands, and weep
ing bitterly, she and Ruth Lahgoon bade the Cherokee fareweU
and disappeared.

105

CHAPTER VI.
A Number of New Emigrants Arrive.
On the morning following the memorable meeting of the
Talasee council in which Banna unexpectedly learned much of
her early history, her saddle was identified by Huanaco as the
same on which queen Elancydyne rode over the battlefields of
Numerado, Radoata and Arharra. He said he distinctly re
membered it as a gift from Amercides to his queen, and that the
first journey made upon it was her ride from Shaultamoozaw
(Black Creek church) to Yamtramahoochee (Hurricane Shoals)
just before the battle of Numerado. Thus the parentage of the
bright girl long known as Umausauga 's daughter was established
to the satisfaction of herself and her friends ; and the declaration
of Mrs. Moore that she did not have a drop of Indian blood in her
was fully verified. Consequently her name was at once enrolled
upon the records of Talasee council as Banna Mar de Vedo, the
first name being retained because of its well-known significance.
By request Notha Neva accompanied Huanaco to Stonethrow,
with secret instructions to learn all he could as to the intentions
of the Cherokees and report accordingly. Though quite a num
ber of new emigrants was constantly expected, the people did
not want any further trouble, and therefore were anxious to
know what effect Huanaco 's report would have upon the au
thorities who sent him to hunt their lost queen. In due time the
messenger returned and to the great relief of all the colonists
made, in substance, the following report:
"Brothers, a big company of Cherokee warriors was at Stone
throw. Huanaco made them a talk. Told them that he had found
their lost queen. That she was just like her mother. That she
was as bright as the stars. That her dress hurt his eyes like the
sun. Could talk English. Had quit all Indian life. Was living
in a big fort with a colony of pale-faces. That she is wholly de
voted to them. That they are wholly devoted to her. That the
only way to get her was by force. He thought the safest way
106

was to let Eltrovadyne stay with the pale-faces. They call her
Banna. That means princess. She is a princess among them as
well as among us.
"Brothers, the Cherokees send you word that you may keep
their lost queen in peace. That it is not their intention to engage
in another war. That the old squaw Lapsidali told lies. That
they intended to punish her for causing so much trouble.
"Brother, outside of cotmcU Notha Neva learned other things.
The Cherokees are afraid of the men and guns inside your big
fort. Huanaco told about them. They are afraid to have Eltro
vadyne a queen, now. They think she would fight more for
Creek than for Cherokee. Notha Neva is done. ' '
The messenger received the hearty thanks of the colonists
for services rendered, and with many presents which he valued
very highly, he returned to his wigwam somewhere on the lower
waters of Pocataligo (Sandy) creek. Since the rumors of a
Cherokee invasion had reached the Creek Nation five bands or
camps of their warriors under as many sub-chiefs had been
stationed in various parts of the country, ready on short notice,
to be massed under the famous Talitchlechee, who lived in the
vicinity of the present town of Dacula in Gwinnett County. That
old hero being informed by the colonists that the war cloud had
passed away, at once ordered four of the camps to disband; but
to hold themselves in readiness for action in case of necessity.
The fifth camp, consisting of about thirty men, under the sullen
sub-chief, Yrtyrmyrmyrmysco, was located at Bohuron, now
known as Oconee Heights in Clarke County. The leader of the
Bohurons, as his foUowers were called, asked and received per
mission to remain in camp until it was known by better evidence
than any white man could give that aU danger was over. This
slur together with the fact that none of the camps had been es
tablished near Fort Strong, nor on any part of Umausauga's
claim, and also the emphasis placed upon the last part of
TaUtehlechee 's order disbanding the four camps, gave the colo
nists the first hint that there was an element of hostility among
some of the natives around them. Though they said nothing they
"trusted in God and kept their powder dry."
107

Umausauga was a strong, brave man. He knew by instinct
that ' ' coming events cast their shadows before them. ' ' He seems
to have had a bad opinion of the leader of the Bohurons from
the beginning. He knew that the chief had been spurned as a
viper by his darling Banna, and that it was natural for one of
his race to seek revenge. Really he more than half believed that
the negigole (renegade) remained in the country for that pur
pose. For Umausauga to think was to do. As soon as the camp was
established under the long-named chief, he induced Tata, his
nephew at Snodon, to change his name to Nyxter, and join the
Bohurons as a spy. Though not fully grown Tata was a strong,
sharp young fellow, and little known outside of his secluded home
circle. He was known to be fearless, faithful and true to his
friends. His skill with the bow was unerring and his fleetness
on foot was superior to that of the red deer.
A few days after the four camps disbanded it was reported
that the Bohurons had gone south to join the Lower Creeks to
which their leader really belonged. Heice Umausauga's term of
division, negigole. Had he known a stronger term he certainly;
would have used it. Though often asked to live at the fort, he
continued to stay in his wigwam at night and to roam the woods
by day. He knew nothing of the sensation of fear, though, to
use his own expression, he "walked with his eyes looking and
slept with his ears hearing."
As if to prove this saying, he one night heard the preconcerted
signal of Nyxter, the spy. They met at the appointed place where
some startling revelations were made. The boy informed his
uncle that the southward movement of the Bohurons was only a
ruse; that half of the company was still in camp and would re
main there as a blind. That the other half which had gone south
would return in a short time and watch the woods by day and
the fort by night for an opportunity to capture both Banna and
Ruth Lahgoon and carry them away to the Lower Creeks; that
Wokolog was a leading Bohuron and wanted revenge for the
way Ruth received his advances at Calamit; that Yrtyrmyrmyr
mysco was still determined to make Banna his wife, and that he
108

had sworn vengeance against Josiah Strong as the only cause of
his rejection.
"I am on fire all over, and will see about that matter before
the moon shines on my tracks," said the furious Indian as he
hastened away to Fort Strong. Quickly reaching there he told
the startling news, and Mr. Easley who was president of the coun
cU at that time, quietly asked: "What is the best thing for us
to do?" "I want two arrows imlike any ever used in this part
of the country. Will you help me make them?" was the equaUy
quiet reply. "I think you need not make any. I have a small
bundle of those that were used in King PhiUip's war," said Joe
Starr, as he went to get them. "These," he continued upon his
return, "were given to me by my father. They are caUed King
PhiUip arrows, and I value them very highly. StiU you are wel
come to two or three if they suit you. ' '
Umausauga took the bundle eagerly and criticaUy examined the
arrows one by one. The shafts were imusuaUy long and made of
a tough, fine-grained wood unknown to the Creek or to any of the
colonists. The tips or heads were made of a very dark flint, and
tapered to a long, keen point. The Indian's eyes sparkled with
delight as he selected two and returned the others.
"Now," he said as he arose to go, "hide the others where they
can not be seen by prying eyes," and thanking Joe for the favor,
he disappeared in the reigning darkness.
The foUowing day and night were uneventful, but during the
evening of the second day seven or eight Bohurons were seen to
enter the dense woods to the south of Alotha, and were supposed
to be heading for the deep ravine which stiU distinguishes that
locality. This proximity to the fort was rather ominous ; but to be
forewarned was to be forearmed, and everything was in order
there. For the first time Umausauga and his brother, Etohautee
of Snodon, remained at the fort aU that night. About break of
day the latter, who was patrolling the immediate vicinity with the
stealthiness of a mousing cat, saw the enemy cross the river and
go in the direction of the Okoloco TraU. A few hours later the
white men, leaving the Indian brothers as a guard, left the fort on
a tour of observation. When the little company reached the trail
109

the. fresh tracks of fast runners going east were soon discovered.
Presently another runner was seen coming at full speed; but as
soon as he saw the white men he dashed into the woods. It was
the work of a few minutes only for Mr. Lahgoon, who was mount
ed on Alborak, to overtake him. When brought back he refused
to speak, but soon found it was easier' to talk than to die. He
said his chief had been killed and his men were scattered in
every direction; that Wokolog, the next in command, was very
sick and that he had been carried to the low country to be treat
ed by a famous doctor down there.
The captive then led the way to his fallen chief who was foiind
lying near Calamit with an arrow buried deep in his head. It
was a King Phillip arrow, in all probability the first of its kind
that ever cleared the air in that part of the country. And yet the
white men knew that Umausauga had not sent it on its deathly
mission. When they approached the dead leader three men were
sitting near, apparently expecting the arrival of others. Not one
of the natives spoke a word nor moved a muscle. When asked if
they needed help one of the sullen warriors shook his head and
pointed down the trail, as much as to say that help was expected
from that direction.
A few days after the death of Yrtyrmyrmyrmysco, two old men
visited Adabor. They carried with them the spearless shaft of
the King Phillip arrow. Having entered the head a little in front
of the right ear, it had been sped with such force that when
pulled away the spear remained in the bones of the skull. The
object of the visit was to know if Umausauga had ever seen such
an arrow used by either Upper Creek or Cherokee. He had never
seen one used, and promptly answered in the negative ; but sug
gested that such deadly missiles might be used by Lower Creeks
who live on the coast.
"That," said one of the old men, "may be true.
Yrtyrmyrmyrmysco has enemies there. Some of them have fol
lowed him and sent this arrow almost through his head. What
a true bowman the fellow is!" "Yes," said Umausauga to him
self after the old men went away, "that fellow happened to be
Tata Nyxter, as true a bowman as ever let an arrow fly ! It is a
110

pity that he can not use the other now. But look out, Wokolog !
It 's not too late yet ! ' '
Following the death of the leader of the Bohurons and the dis
appearance of his lieutenant, the Talasee colony slept soundly
once more. Various improvements were inaugurated and rapidly
carried to completion. Among these was a grist mUl, the second
of its kind buUt within the present limits of the county. It was
known as the Richard Easley mill, and though the runners were
of native granite, they ground good corn meal of which the only
bread known to the country for several years was made in
various ways, chiefly in "oven pones," johnny and ash cakes.
About this time the long expected company of emigrants ar
rived. They were led by WiUiam Clark, a man of great energy,
and characterized by those who knew him as "brim fuU of com
mon sense and running over with human kindness." The com
pany consisted of one himdred and twenty-seven men, women and
children. Thirty-nine remained at Talasee, twenty-seven went
to Beadland, and the others to various points now in Walton and
Gwinnett Counties.
Of the number that remained at Talasee there were twenty-one
able bodied men as foUows: WiUiam Clark, Herman Scupeen,
James Tinsley, John McElroy, Robert Linton, John Clack, Ezra
Lavender, Ezekiel Damron, Thomas Jett, James Varnum, Alton
McElhannon, Alonzo Draper, Elkin Kinney, Ludwell Nichols,
Homer Jackson, Alexander Bell, OUver Betts, Thomas Mitchell,
Joseph Cook, Russell AngUn and George Singleton. A majority
of these were young men, all in the prime of life, and to use the
words of one of their number, "increased the colony to twenty-
eight hard-working, hard-fighting, rough and tumble fellows."
Every man and every woman as weU as aU of the oldest chUdren,
knew exactly how to use the deadly rifle.
Nine only of the late emigrants had families. All the children
were smaU except two, Helen Draper, the sixteen-year-old daugh
ter of Alonzo and Orpah Draper, and Ocean Scupeen, the half-
grown son of Herman and Annette Scupeen, and so named be
cause he was born on the Atlantic ocean.
Ill

James Tinsley was a Methodist preacher of the John Wes
ley type, and a man of letters. William Clark was a lawyer from
Wolf Island, near New Iverness in Liberty County, now Darien in
Mcintosh County. He was the man for whom Clarksboro the
first county site of Jackson County was named, and not as some
have said, for either Gen. Elijah Clarke, or his son. Governor John
Clarke. George Singleton was a physician, and ancestor of Dr.
A. L. Singleton of "the duello" memory. Thomas Jett was a
carpenter and built the first jail at Jefferson. Thomas Mitchell
was a teacher, and taught the first general school established by
the colony in a small annex to Fort Strong. Ludwell Nichols
was a blacksmith and some of his work remains in the country
to this day.
The colony now felt sufficiently strong to separate into several
different but contiguous communities. Clark, McElroy, Linton,
Clack and Lavender settled less than a mile north of Fort Strong
near the place which afterwards became Clarksboro; Damron,
Varnum and Kinney went to Rodoata near Cold Spring ; Bell and
Betts settled at Alotha, and, at the earnest request of the Indian
brothers, Umausauga and Etohautee, Draper, Jackson and Scu
peen followed their friends to Beadland and settled at Snodon,
leaving all the professional men, except Clark, at Port Strong.
The going of Draper, Jackson and Scupeen to Snodon was op
posed at the fort; but it was a division of power seen only by
the sagacious Indian brothers, which proved to be of great value
to the whites throughout the country.
Notwithstanding the occasional mutterings of the natives, an
era of prosperity now began in the colony which showed them
plainly that the pale-faces had come to stay.
While this state of affairs was pleasing to the whites it was
aggravating to the reds, especially when they learned of some
things which the late emigrants had brought with them; aU of
prime necessity to pioneer life. Among them were an ample
supply of arms and ammunition, horses, cattle, hogs and sheep.
Among the cattle was a yoke of oxen — great animals with wide-
spreading horns that beat against each other with ominous
knocks as they walked side by side. From these the natives fled
112

in consternation; crying out as they ran, "Nodoroc! Nodoroc!
go back to Nodoroc!" Perhaps these oxen, the horses, and the
shining array of rifle guns, greatly hastened native hostility; for
although the colonists did not know it at the time, it was after
wards found that the teaching of the Indian leaders was, in sub
stance, "We must crush the pale-face before he becomes stUl
stronger." Of the horses last brought to the colony, the names of three are
mentioned here : Hector, a fine animal belonging to Josiah
Strong; Dart, owned by the boy. Ocean Scupeen; and Scat, the
high-strung steed that went and came at the bidding of the
equaUy high-strung girl, Miss Helen Draper!
During the period of quietude that foUowed the bursting of the
Cherokee bubble, much of Mr. Strong's time was devoted to
teaching a school composed of two pupils. Though so small, it
was the first school taught in the country, even antedating that
at Yamacutah. The curriculum was Umited, but the work ex
ceedingly pleasant to the master. He was teaching English to
Banna Mar de Vedo, and Creek to Ruth Lahgoon. They were
ready learners, and with their previous knowledge of these lan
guages advanced rapidly. By and by, becoming weary of close con
finement, a visit to Beadland was planned for an early day. The
girls wanted to visit Helen Draper who, much to their regret, had
recently left them.
Helen's features were not reaUy beautiful like theirs; but in
form and movement she was the peer of the most elegant, and
her hair and her eyes were very pretty indeed, the former long
and golden in color, the latter deep blue and laughing. Her
manners were so free and easy and her voice so sweetly musical
that without any effort on her part aU loved and courted her
society. Like them she was very bright; but unlike them she
was somewhat given to fun and froUc. Like them she was brave
to a fault ; but unlike them she was not sufficiently cautious. Like
them she was an accompUshed horseback rider; but unlike them
she was yet deficient in the ready use of the rifle while in the
saddle. 113

For either man or woman to be "a dead shot at the bat of an
eye" was regarded as the greatest accomplishment of the times.
Such proficiency was by no means uncommon in those days, and
under the training of her friends Helen Draper soon became
equal to the best.
When all were ready Josiah Strong and Banna Mar de Vedo,
Leon Shore and Ruth Lahgoon, armed capapie, left Talasee bound
for Snodon the Dreary, as Helen had characterized the place in
one of her letters. They went directly to Calamit where they re
mained several hours. Mr. Strong's first visit there, the myste
ries which still hung over Beadland, Ruth's first discovery of
Banna and Iro and their subsequent visit to the place, and the
fate of Yrtyrmyrmyrmysco in the immediate vicinity, were some
of the subjects discussed.
From thence they went to the old town of Snodon where in a
whirling sea of thought Josiah and Banna stood and gazed upon
the spot where they first saw each other, and where at that
moment was born a love that never wavered during the trying
vicissitudes of their eventful lives.
It was near Nere Nara, the great rock pillar already described,
and at the mention of which Umausauga had been seen to shed
tears. Seated upon the steps within its arch they dwelt silently
upon the past, "sadness, hope and gladness" passing, Uke a
weaver's shuttle, back and forth, in and through their minds.
None of the few natives who lived near were to be seen. Leon
and Ruth had wandered away to the great flat rocks which lie to
the south and were gathering flowers of the wild honeysuckles
which grew in their crevices. They walked and talked until un
expectedly they reached a swamp hard by. There they discover
ed other flowers and jack-in-the-pulpit was among them. The
solitary finger of one of these droll plants seemed to beckon to
Leon and say, "Come and get me." As it grew upon the margin
of the bog he obeyed the silent monitor, and being weary, as they
supposed, the twain seated themselves upon a great boulder con
veniently near. 114

In the meantime Mr. Strong and his companion became weary
of silence and began to talk again, though in a tone quite differ
ent from their previous conversation.
"Do you know, dear one, for such I now venture to call you,
how dear this place is to me?" asked Josiah of the blushing girl
at his side. "And why, Mr. Strong, is such a place so dear to
you?" she asked in trembling tones. "Because here I first saw
you, the only woman whom I can always truly love." "And she
a poor, unknown savage who had never heard the name of God !
0 Mr. Strong, can you be in earnest?" "Yes, my own 'Twink
ling Star,' in earnest, absolutely! Though you may have been
comparatively unknown, you never were a savage. The best
blood of Spain, pure Aryan blood, beats gladly in your heart ; the
rich red blood of the Cid Campaedor. Blood as proud, as noble
and as brave as ever beat in human heart was his. And so is
yours. Then too, the blood of your mother, the peerless Elancy
dyne, the 'Shooting Star' that blazed upon the red-stained
plains of Numerado, Radoata and Arharra, with such dazzling
splendor, also beats in your heart and runs through your veins.
As we now know your mother was the daughter of an English
nobleman, the same race to which I belong, and of which we are
both surely proud. Then say not my Eltrovadyne, my Glittering
Star, and dearer than all, my Banna the Beautiful, for my this
name I first knew you, that you ever were a savage. And still
more, as the daughter of undisputed royalty, your rights would
place you on a throne to-day. So darling, you are not only of
noble blood, but that of royalty as well. As such I salute you,
and bid you all hail my beautiful, my only queen !"
In an honest endeavor to repeat a long history in a few words,
and overcome with intense earnestness, the speaker paused for
want of breath to proceed. He looked at the trembling girl who
was crying as if broken-hearted. For the first time he took her
hand in his, and placing the other on her shoulder continued :
"0, Banna, for a long time you must have known that I love
you dearly. Because of the unsettled condition of the country
and my earnest wish to tell you so at the very place where I first
met you, I have not mentioned the subject until now. The time
115

has come at last. I can not afford to let it pass unheeded. Then
with the full assurance of all my heart, will you here and now
consent to become my wife?" Still trembling the girl remained
silent and thoughtful for a little while. Then she deliberately
took the polished mussel shell from her bosom and quietly show
ing him its contents said: "Here is my answer. Since I took
this lock of your hair from here on the same day that a mean boy
snatched it from your head and threw it away, I have carried it
near my heart almost constantly. I would not exchange it for
the brightest diadem that ever crowned a queen. If I think so
much of a single lock I have no words to tell how much I should
value all that clustered around it. So, as you are the only man
I ever loved, I am free to say that I am willing to become your
wife." Mr. Strong eagerly grasped her hand with both of his, and
gently, tenderly leaned his head upon her shoulder. She re
turned the pressure and softly placing her head upon his manly
breast, they both audibly thanked God for the happy consum
mation of their fondest earthly hopes. Ah! ah! — the irony of
fate! Two lovers, both of whose hearts were always readily
responsive to all the fine feelings of human nature, whose acts
were often close akin to the acts of an angel, and who never
caused each other to feel either pain or sorrow, had plighted
their troth over the sleeping dust of a victim of unrequited
love! A hard battle had been fought and won hard, not because one
had ever seriously doubted the other, but because of the turbu
lent times in which they lived, and the many difficulties incident
to pioneer life — a life vastly more trying than this or any suc
ceeding generation can ever know.
At last the lovers remembered that there were other beings in
the world to claim their attention; a lesson seldom forgot and
never neglected. And now that the hitherto dreary old town
of Snodon seemed to have taken on new life, they thought all the
world akin. The curious rock pillar, the quaint old wigwams and
the unfrequented paths around them, all decorated with festoons
of spider webs spun with geometrical accuracy, and spread in
116

rich profusion upon myriads of wild flowers that swayed back
and forth in the golden sunshine, instead of seeming desolate as
heretofore, were now arrayed in gorgeous robes of blue, violet
and gold. This transformation made them long to tell their
truant companions how happy they were.
Lost in their own thoughts, Leon and Ruth were loth to leave
the vine-clad boulder upon which they sat. They had ceased to
notice the festoons of sweet-scented honeysuckles that, moved by
the evening breeze, were playing hide and seek all around them.
Leon Shore was twirling a long, slender jack-in-the-pulpit between
his fingers, and calling Ruth's attention to it said:
"Sentimentalists say that jack-in-the-pulpit is an emblem of
Hymen's Altar. And now, my dear Ruth, you know that a long
time ago you promised to be my wife sometime. The matter has,
for good reasons I confess, been delayed. I think the anxious
'sometime' has come at last. I now offer you this fiower, this
Hymen's- Altar-leader, and if you are willing for me to lead you
to such an altar at an early day, take it and make me supremely
happy, and in turn I will do all that mortal man can do to make
you happy also."
The blushing girl took the flower and kissed it. There amidst
the deep silence of the wilderness where the feathery honey
suckles reached out their tendrils towards the stable rocks, and
jack-in-the-pulpit nodded his approval from the swamp, they
sealed their vows.
They too had forgotten to note the flight of time, and hastened
to join their companions at Nere Nara.
When the parties met the situation was at once comprehended
by all. Congratulations went from one to the other in quick suc
cession, and together all rejoiced in very gladness.
Alonzo Draper's "Uttle house in the woods" was soon reach
ed. It stood near what is now known as "the black gum hollow"
in the northern suburbs of Winder. Herman Scupeen, Homer
Jackson and a few other families lived near, Scupeen being the
first settler of what is sometimes called the Morris old place, and
Jackson built the "Wright cabin" which disappeared many
years ago. 117

To use the words of one present, "the girls were in a blaze of
glory that night and did not go to sleep at all, and the men stopped
talking only long enough to sometimes sally forth and shoot
some wild animals." However the howl of the wolf, the scream
of the panther, and the sniff of the prowling black bear were
noticed only when unpleasantly near.
Among those who came to offer their compliments to the vis
itors from Talasee was Ocean Scupeen. He was a bold, mis
chievous boy, but never mean. He was as true a hero as ever
trod the soil of any country. He was handsome withal and had
a good elementary education. His devotion to Helen Draper was
equaled only by his heroism. Except that bright, vivacious girl,
he acknowledged no leader willingly. They were nearly of the
same age, and had hunted wild game and played together from
early childhood. Both were at home on horseback, and the
wilder the horse the better they were pleased. When on foot
both were unerring shots, but had never practiced loading and
firing when in the saddle and on the run. To see Ruth and Banna
perform these feats with such consummate skill, "set them," to
use Ocean's own words, "all on fire to do so, too."
The visitors began their homeward journey on the evening of
the following day. They were accompanied by their friend Helen,
who rode her high-spirited but well-trained horse already known
by the name of Scat. Tata also was with them on foot, and it
was amazing to witness the ease with which he kept in advance
of the horses, even when at a full trot. Wanting to reward the
boy for ridding the country of their arch enemy in such a master
ly way, and at the same time secure the services of a highly valu
able friend, the colonists had arranged for him to become one
of their number. No better trade was ever made.
In due time that party arrived at Talasee, and no one received
them with a more hearty welcome than Pyth and Damon, though
it required several days for Tata to gain their confidence. To
Banna Mar de Vedo the world in which she grew to womanhood
seemed to have changed into a new one. And in many respects
it had. 118

CHAPTER VII.
The Visit to Yamacutah and Return.
Trained by Banna and Ruth, Helen Draper soon learned "to
drive the cross" on horseback; but it was another thing to load
the rifle and drive the cross when the horse was at full speed.
Yet in the course of a few days the skUl of her trainers and her
own unyielding disposition "to do or die" enabled her to oc
casionally succeed in both loading and shooting. Having done so
for a few times, she threw her bonnet high in the air and shouted :
"Hurrah for success! There is nothing like making an effort,
long and strong if need be, to achieve success. My darlings, how
about that?"
"It's aU true," replied Ruth. "I think, however, that Scat is
too frisky for such work, especially to begin with."
"She can practice on Iro," said Banna as she led the white
horse forward. When the necessary movements are learned by
actuaUy performing them, Helen wiU ask Mr. Frisky no odds."
"Hurrah for success!" exclaimed the girl as she again threw
up her bonnet, and bouncing upon Iro's black as a sparrow to
the top rail of a fence, she continued, "Please give me my gun,
bullet pouch and powder horn. Hurrah for success and the
scamp of a boy I left behind me ! "
So saying she gave Iro the necessary signal, and at high speed
he dashed into the woods. Aiming at a large tree the bullet
"barked" a smaller one near by and the horse went on. Now
came the tug of war; her gun was empty. After many ineffect
ual efforts she finally succeeded in loading when Iro was at a
full run. Having thus practiced for a part of several days, her
teachers informed her that it was only necessary for her to
practive awhile on her own horse and then she "would be fully
competent to meet an enemy on the wing." This so greatly
pleased her that she rode to the front door of Mr. Lahgoon 's
dwelUng where a number of the colonists had assembled, and
shouted : 119

"Hurrah for success, Helen Draper, Iro, Scat, my darling girls,
and every one else that lives here and at home, especially my
mother who is the dearest, best and sweetest woman in all the
world." The "darling girls" were present, and leading Helen into the
house, they crowned her with a wreath of wild flowers which they
had prepared for the occasion. Having securely fastened the
wreath upon her brow, they threw up their hands and said
laughingly, "Hurrah for success and Helen Draper, our own vic
torious queen!"
A lively, good natured tussle followed, which soon turned into
a real break-down dance. Most of those present quickly joined
in the giddy whirl, and round and round, back and forth went
the uproarious revelers in what they called "a Georgia gallop,"
until the strongest became exhausted. Such was life in the olden
time when life was real, when life was earnest, and effeminacy
and mistrust were almost unknown.
As it was impossible to obtain a marriage license in that part
of the country, after the dance was over a party was formed to
visit Yamacutah or Tumbling Shoals where lived a minister who
was authorized to issue such papers. It consisted of Josiah Strong
and Banna Mar de Vedp, Leon Shore and Ruth Lahgoon, Abel
Trent and Helen Draper, to which, Joseph Starr, the former mes
senger to that place, was added as guide and always welcome
companion, especiaUy in time of danger.
Abe Trent, as already known, had long ardently loved Ruth
Lahgoon, but proved himself- to be too much of a gentleman to
bear ill will to the man who had supplanted him. Speaking of
the matter he said: "I attach no blame to any one. If I loved
Ruth Lahgoon it was because I had never seen Helen Draper."
No wonder then that Abe was anxious to accompany his
friends, especially as he too was always a welcome companion as
well as a friend who never failed to respond to the call of duty.
Well mounted, well armed, and carrying their dogs and hunt
ing horns with them, the party reached their destination in due
time. They rejoiced to meet that noble band of pioneers who had
preceded them, and whose fame had reached far beyond the lim-
120

its of their travels. They received that royal welcome which
such men as Jordan Clark, Jacob Bankston, John Harris, Dale
Clover, Dr. Henry Therrauld, Jared Cunningham, James Mont
gomery and Hiram Bingham can only give. A salute of fourteen
guns, two each, for their guests, was fired, and in response double
that number was given by the visitors. AU this was foUowed by
the united shouts of both parties which raised such a din that,
as usual, the dogs howled and the wild animals in the neighbor
hood ran to their hiding places. Dinner, consisting of "hog and
hominy" and many of the meats known to the native forests and
streams — meats boiled, stewed, baked and broiled after the tooth
some style of Mrs. Clover's cooking. Then too there were butter
and milk and cheese made after the old Virginia fashion, and
rich, porous "johnny cakes," and "batter cakes" made of un
bolted rye flour, good to the taste.
Instead of sitting around in idleness and waiting for their host
ess to serve them, the three Talasee girls went to work as they
did at home. RoUing up their sleeves and tucking up their dress
es, they cooked, washed dishes, carried water and swept the
houses and yards around them. Then shouldering their rifles
they roamed through the woods and showed the admiring citi
zens that they could "bring down a buck at full tilt," or "chip a
squirrel" from the top of the loftiest tree when riding at full
speed. "Can it be," thoughtfully observed the quaint John Harris
when speaking of these girls one day, "can it be that such
flowers will ever fade, such eyes ever grow dim, and such nerves
ever become unsteady?"
"Yes, yes, but they will bloom again in Heaven; for I find that
aU three of them are devoted Christians," replied Dr. Therrauld
who happened to hear the remark so seriously made.
And that was the turning point in the Ufe of the wonderful
John Harris who, though never a bad man, was never seriously
inclined until he began to consider the mutations of time as
brought to his attention by the foregoing episode.
The men spent their time in conversation, hunting, fishing, run
ning, jumping, and in a critical examination of the mysterious
121

circle* and its appendages which then existed at that place. Thus
four days passed away like the shadows of an hour before the
Talasee party could get their own xJonsent to leave such con
genial friends as the Yamacutahans proved themselves to be.
But early on the morning of the fifth day after their arrival they
tore themselves away and began their homeward journey.
The parting of the girls with the lovely and accomplished Mrs.
Clover and her little daughter Flora was touching, even to the
lion-hearted men who stood about them.
Josiah Strong and Leon Shore carried their long-coveted mar
riage licenses with them. They had been issued by Dr. Therrauld,
the same that afterwards gave a license authorizing the marriage
of William T. Brantly to Idalone LeCain at the Dunson log-roU-
ing. He and the two famous singers of that age, Jared Cunning
ham and James Montgomery, accompanied the party to Talasee.
Abe Trent said he wanted a license too, but did not know
whether to apply for one or not. When asked why, he said :
"I can not bring Miss Helen around to the sticking point. She
seems to think pretty well of me ; but then she apparently thinks
the same of everybody else. Somehow she refuses to make any
distinction. 'Spect that harum-scarum Ocean Scu — or whatever
his name is, has something to do with it. That's just my luck at
any rate."
However, Abe did not relax in his attentions to Miss Helen.
She continued to be kind, gentle and sometimes affectionate even
to loveliness. Her individuality was very marked, and frequently
hard to understand.
One of the pecuUarities of the visit was that the dogs of the two
colonies refused to be friendly, and on several occasions open
hostilities arose between them. This continued until the re
turning party reached some point not far from where Jefferson
now is. There the Talasee dogs, led by Pyth and Damon, brought
a huge black bear with two half-grown cubs to bay. A battle
royal followed which seemed to be going in favor of the dogs un
til another still larger bear came to the rescue of, perhaps, his
*The reader will flind a full description of the "Circle" in Tamacutah in
this work. — ^Ed. 122

family. Then for once Pyth and Damon had to stand back.
Upon this the Yamacutah dogs evidently thought that foul play
had been used, and dashing forward, with bristles erect, the
battle was renewed and soon ended in favor of the dogs. Though
several rifles were ready for instant use if necessary for the safety
of the furious assailants, not a shot was flred. The curious feature
of the case was that on aU future occasions these dogs, when
thrown together, were not only friendly, but fought for each oth
er and played together like so many puppies. Will those who pro
fess to believe the dog destitute of reasoning power explain this
wayside incident?
Early in the afternoon the Talasee party reached the crest of
the hill that overlooked Port Strong a little beyond the branch
which stiU goes rippling by. Their arrival had been anticipated.
That moving Tata, like a disembodied spirit floating through the
silent air, reported them homeward bound more than two hours
before they were seen on the hiU. Consequently their friends
were prepared to give them a gracious reception.
Look! Yonder on the outskirts of the still increasing com
pany as the people emerge from the adjacent houses, stands
Richard Easley, Abednego Moore, Edward Belknap and Phelan
Lahgoon. They are dressed in the same old blood-stained gar
ments they wore on the battle fields of Brandywine and Sara
toga. See! The buUet and sabre scars cross upon their hands
and faces. They stand at dress parade. In front of Ed Belknap
there is an old drum, beaten and bruised by hard service. His
fingers clutch the drum sticks, and the spirit of war glitters in
his eyes. At his side stands Phelan Lahgoon with a fife in his
hand. AU eager to peal forth its shrill notes once more, his lips
pucker and his fingers move from note to note silently. On the
left is Richard Easley, a tall, angular man of iron nerve and im
mense physical power. He carries a heavy rifle, and at his side
hangs a tattered and torn haversack and a dingy wooden can
teen. In front stands the taU and elegant form of Abednego
Moore. He holds the same battle-scarred flag that his brother-
in-law, Josiah Strong, carried at the siege of Augusta. AU eager
to move, Mr. Moore waves the flag back and forth and begins to
123

mark time. The soldiers, all of whom had seen hard service, make
one step forward, the drum roars, the fife screams, and the old
flag flutters in the brisk evening breeze. Tramp ! tramp ! tramp !
go the men to the thrilling tune of Yankee Doodle.* They turn
to meet the approaching party from Yamacutah. The concourse
of aU the people present fall into Une. Men pull off their hats,
and women flutter their handkerchiefs around their heads. The
marching throng begins to shout. Old Tom, the bell in the fort,
sends forth its sonorous peals. The keen, quick, discordant blasts
of five or six tin trumpets, about seven feet long, unite with the
bell, drum and fife, to swell the loud acclaim. The men shout and
the women sing the grand old song,
"We all come forth to meet you with the glad refrain —
You are coming back to mother — coming home again."
Look! The columns meet between the branch and the fort.
The returning party has thrown itself into single file. The
heroic Dr. Henry Therrauld is in front. In copious torrents tears
are streaming from his eyes. The scene is too much for him,
strong as he is. It carried him back to the trying times when
he too, like Easley, Moore, Strong, Belknap, Shore, Trent and
Lahgoon, so valiantly fought for God and their native land.
The columns unite and march to the front of the fort. The
general uproar ceases, congratulations go around and all engage
in a general conversation.
Umausauga is sitting on a stump, arms folded across his breast,
and as immovable as a marble statue. In an open space near by
him Tata Nyxter, the scout, is dancing the ramoja, or green corn
dance. It strains the eyes to follow his movements. Sometimes
he seems to be a shadow flitting through the air, or becoming
rigid, forms himself into a hoop and bowls over the ground like
a running wheel. See! he now assumes the form of a bow, and,
in perfect time, dances with both hands and feet until he reaches
*This old air, "Yankee Doodle," was known in England in the time
of Cromwell, and was sung in our New England colonies before the
Eevolution. — Ed. 124

a tall tree, up which he scampers much like a seared cat. Reach
ing the branches he looks down with a comical expression playing
over his face, as much as to say, "You can't do that."
A hearty laugh greets the comical looks and grotesque actions
of the boy, and again the drum, fife, bell and bugles create a
wild concourse of sounds which cease only when dinner is caUed.
Though no special preparations had been made, it was sub
stantially like that served at Yamacutah, and like that was greatly
enjoyed by all present. Yet not one drop of intoxicating liquor
was seen at either place. Once more, such was life in old times
when selfishness had small share in shaping the affairs of men.
It was Friday evening. That same afternoon it was arranged
by common consent, "That next Sabbath at 4 o'clock P. M. May
the 4th, 1794, Johnson Josiah Strong and Miss Banna Mar de
Vedo are to be married inside the altar in front of the preaching
stand ; that Umausauga give his adopted daughter away, and that
Rev. Henry Therrauld of Yamacutah, perform the marriage cere
mony. And furthermore, that Leon Shore and Miss Ruth Lah
goon be also married at the same time and place; that Phelan
Lahgoon give his daughter away and that Rev. James Tinsley
of Talasee perform the marriage ceremony. And further, that
the contracting parties shall kneel while their vows are being
made; that the brides shall wear plain home-spun and home-
woven dresses, and be of the same style and finish precisely;
that Abel Trent and Miss Helen Draper shall be the special at
tendants upon both parties, and that the day shall be devoted to
religious services entirely."
The foregoing account of the remarkable events which were
to be celebrated at a future time is given in the exact words of
the original record. It was written by a secretary with whom we
have not met before, Mrs. Clara Linton, probably wife of Robert
Linton. Evidently she did not use the common goose quill pen,
but one made of a reed that grew on the river bank. Anyway,
the writing was in an elegant, bold round hand, "plain as print."
If even a small proportion of the important events that took
place during the settlement of this country had been as carefully
recorded as those of Talasee an interesting history of the people
125

might be written. As it is few of their names are known, and
their deeds have passed away with the smoke of their camp
fires. It was Sunday. Two days had come and gone since the jubilee.
Things holy and divine were to take the place of worldly gladness.
A large arbor had been erected with improvised seats for the
accommodation of the people ; and it had been announced that at
10:30 A. M. Dr. Therrauld, the great and good man from Yama
cutah would preach. Every citizen of the country both white
and red, had a special invitation to attend the meeting.
It is a typical May morning. No where is a cloud to be seen
between the green earth below and the clear blue sky above.
Save the plaintive undertone that murmurs through the tree tops,
silence reigns at Talasee. The woodman's axe, the crack of the
rifle, the barking of dogs, the hunter's horn, and the rattle of
the little mill at the shoals are all hushed now. Surely God is
pouring down a shower of blessings from the wide-open windows
of heaven.
Aye, verily ! And there is not room enough in Talasee to con
tain it silently. Listen! some one is singing, and 0 such a sweet
song! It is the full rich voice of Mrs. Letty Moore. She is sit
ting outside, near her cabin door, singing Watt's Sabbath Hymn
— "Welcome sweet day of rest." Soon other voices unite with
hers, and on and on to other hymns and other cabins the music
spreads until the hills and valleys around become vocal with
songs of praise and adoration.
Hark ! the singing ceases ! Old Tom announces from the fort
that preaching hour is near. Soon the people begin to gather at
the arbor. Most of the white people of the country, some from
as far as Snodon and vicinity, were present. Umausauga, Eto
hautee, Tata, Notha Neva and a few other Creeks are there also.
The preacher, being a man of imposing personality, was looked
upon with something like awe, and his presence was not only
an inspiration to the good, but commanded the respect and at
tention of even rude strangers. His text was from John 3:16,
"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eterlast-
126

ing life. ' ' It was a powerful discourse for any time or any place,
and though its chief purpose was to show Banna the plan of sal
vation, it produced much other good fruit.
After preaching, an opportunity was given to join the church,
and the first to give her hand was Banna Mar de Vedo, and the
last was Umausauga. All of her close companions were already
members of the church and they had allowed no favorable oppor
tunity to pass without giving her religious instruction. Rev.
Mr. Tinsley had read the New Testament through in her im
mediate presence, always stopping to explain such parts as he
thought necessary and to answer such questions as she asked
him. He was an able expositor, and his labors were amply re
warded. Then, too, the sermon to which she had just listened,
though the first she ever heard, threw a flood of light upon the
Christian's pathway that enabled her to understand some of her
duties as a traveler therein better than she ever understood them
before. It was 2 :40 in the afternoon. Again Old Tom in half dolorous
tones announced evening services. Several more natives were
present than in the forenoon. They had doubtless come to wit
ness what they called "the passing away" of one whom they had
long thought a member of their ovra race, but somehow superior
to them. The candidates were among the last to arrive. The
girls were dressed as already indicated; and if one was a
'"Glittering Star," the other was certainly a close twin sister.
They were radiantly beautiful. The most unique figure present
was Umausauga. For the first time he had been induced to wear
tight pantaloons and a swallow-tailed coat. Though not a bad
looking man nor wanting in hard sense, circumstances had placed
him in an awkard position that day. He did not know just what
nor just how to do. He doubtless felt queer in his new suit.
Much to the amazement of those inclined to smile, he was con
stantly fumbling with his long coat tail as if something serious
was the matter with it. Seemingly however, he neither saw nor
heard anything.
Rev. Mr. Tinsley preached the evening sermon from Isa 27;
2, 3. "Sing ye unto her, a vineyard of red wine. I the Lord do
127

keep it ; I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it, I will keep
it night and day." This, like the morning address, was well re
ceived, and being chiefiy directed to the new members did much
to establish them in the "new life" firmly.
When preaching was concluded Old Tom announced that 4
o'clock was fast approaching. The ministers were seated inside
the improvised altar, the candidates were conducted to the front,
Umausauga and Mr. Lahgoon gave the brides away, and the mar
riage ceremonies proceeded with deep solemnity. The kneeling
of the candidates was very impressive.
And yet the scene was not over. Umausauga, who sat in his
usual statuesque form during the ceremony, suddenly stood up,
and tugging at his coat "tail, asked permission to make a little
talk. When told to proceed, he once more gave his coat a sudden
pull as if he wanted it to cover more of his body, and taking
one step forward, made in substance the foUowing talk :
"Brothers; the white man asked me for the child I found in
the woods. I gave her to him. He is a good man. She is good,
too, very good. It wounds my heart deeply to part with her;
deeper than any of you know. I still love her dearly. She is
now the pet of many strong friends. Still she has not changed.
She is the same as before she met these strong friends ; the same
to me. 0 Banna, do not go far away! Come to see me some
times. Come to see me at Adabor — anywhere!"
Here the speaker broke down and Banna hastened to wipe the
blinding tears from his eyes. It was a pathetic scene. After
awhile he became calm and motioning her to be seated near him,
he gave his coat another pull and continued:
"Brothers, some of you want to know why Banna's hair
changes. The waves are taken out of it by an ointment. Only a
few of us know how to make it. I wanted the waves out of it so
that others would not think her a pale-face. The Indian always
has straight hair. Some of you were sharp. You found that the
waves come back when she was in your presence for awhile. I
have been asked to explain why this is so. I can not do it any
more than I can explain why the leaves of some plants close when
we touch them." 128

Again the speaker paused for a short time and stood in anxious
thought. Then suddenly thrusting his hand into his coat pocket
he slowly drew out a long necklace of glittering pearls and
sparkling diamonds. It then dawned upon the audience that it
was not for want of better manners that he puUed at his coat;
but that he had been feeling to see if his treasure were still there,
for it was very costly and very beautiful. He held it extended in
his hands until all had looked at it with wondering eyes, and then
turning to Banna he continued :
"My lost daughter — I must still call you by that endearing
name — ^this was your mother's necklace. Your father gave it to
her when he was made King of the Cherokees. As you know, he
was killed at the battle of Numerado. Your mother quickly took
his place. After mounting her white horse, Adar, she puUed off
her necklace. She left it in the care of your nurse. It was stolen
from her. Huanaco afterwards learned where the jewels were
hidden. Soon after he left here he told Daxator your history.
He was the chief who succeeded your mother. He ordered
Huanaco to take some men with him and bring both necklace
and thief to headquarters. The order was soon executed. Daxa
tor took possession of the treasure and punished the thief severe
ly. Only a few days ago he sent the necklace to me. He in
structs me to give it to you. So now, my darUng daughter," he
said, as he raised the precious gift above her head, "I place this
representative of royalty around your neck in the name of the
Cherokee people. I have performed my mission. Umausauga
is done."
When the speaker took his seat Banna fell fainting towards
the floor; but she did not fall far. Mr. Strong reached her so
quickly that she fell in his arms. The next moment Ruth, Mrs.
Ruth Shore, was bathing Mrs. Banna Mar de Vedo Strong's face
with cold water that Tata had just brought from the spring.
When some minutes of anxious solicitude had passed away, the
sufferer opened her eyes, and finding herself in the arms of her
husband, she threw hers around his neck saying :
"Such a sudden and unexpected memento of my unknown par
ents, unnerved me completely. I have long been anxious for
129

something closely connected with their memory, that I could con
stantly carry with me. This precious jewel — ^precious not be
cause it is costly and beautiful ; but because it was the gift of my
father to my mother, so gratifies my long-cherished wish, that I
was overcome by the sad memories of the past and the welcome
joys of the present and fainted away. Please excuse my weak
ness." "There is nothing to excuse, darling; but many things for
which I and all our friends are profoundly thankful," replied
Mr. Strong, while he was yet chasing the natural bloom back
into her lovely cheeks with a hand so faithful, gentle and true,
that it never afterwards touched her otherwise.
As if to pour a flood of thrilling gladness into every heart and
make the place seem to be a foretaste of Heaven itself. Messrs.
Therrauld, Cunningham and Montgomery began to sing in power
ful, yet sweet and musical bass and tenor, the choice hymn of
the ages — "All hail the power of Jesus' name.
Let angels prostrate fall —
Bring forth the royal diadem.
And crown him Lord of all."
Before the last stanza was reached a shout was heard in the
camps of Israel. Another and another song followed with similar
effects until the surrounding forest seemed vocal with praises to
God. Taken altogether one of the most interesting and pleasing
features of the day was the song-service of that eventful even
ing. Indeed the singing closed only at the instance of Old Tom
in the fort when he gave notice that the baptismal hour was near.
The congregation adjourned to the Shoals, and there, just a few
feet above the rock on which she and her heart-friend, Ruth Lah
goon, sat and speculated upon the drifting fish that passed by
them, Banna the Beautiful was baptized by Rev. Henry Ther
rauld, than whom a better man never lived. To her a pleasing
feature of the occasion was that Umausauga whom she had called
father nearly all her life, was at the same time baptized at her
side by Rev. James Tinsley, himself a great and good man. It
was by the Indian's request that they went under the water at
130

the same instant, arose from it together, and, arm in arm, were
led to dry land. Perhaps this is the only instance of the kind
on record.
In this pleasing way the first two marriages at Talasee were
consummated. If ever a cloud lingered over their homes even
for one moment it was never known.

131

CHAPTER VIII.
The Draper and Modin Families at Snodon — The Jug — The
Circle — Abe Trent — Animals — Trouble Brewing in 1794 —
The Wog — The Watchers — Haitauhuga — A Discovery — A
Conspiracy — The Signal — The Kidnapper — To Talasee —
Ocean — The Dance — Nodoroc.
When in 1793 Alzono Draper, Herman Scupeen and Homer
Jackson moved from Talasee to Snodon, the lovely extended plain
was densely covered with a luxuriant growth of black and sweet-
gums over which reached many tall pines and huge poplars. Lon
Draper, as he was usually called, was a small man, but muscular,
active, and brave. His wife, Mary Draper, though not unusually
handsome, was pleasing and attractive in her manners and of
most excellent character. Like most other pioneer women she
was "a dead shot," and brave even to a fault. Their daughter,
Helen Draper, is already known. It may be added here, how
ever, that because of her quick action she was sometimes called
"POWDER." Her best thoughts came like a flash, and her ef
forts to execute them as suddenly. These features added to her
other qualities, made this young child of the forest a girl of
wonderful force.
Only the three white families mentioned lived at Snodon in
1793; but ten or twelve others had previously settled in Bead-
land, the nearest being some half mile distant. For some curious
reason which required a long time to explain, only a few natives
lived within the boundaries of the purchased territory. Only one
small family lived in the immediate vicinity of the whites, and
all the members proved to be welcome neighbors. It consisted
of husband, wife and daughter. The man's name was Modin, one
of the few Bible names mentioned in the history of the red race.
He was of medium size, well formed, good-looking, of a friendly,
sociable disposition, and distinguished as a fast runner. His
wife, or squaw as he caUed her, was a native of the lower Creek
tribe and well known by the pleasing name of Nyrulyn. All the
132

white men who saw her said she was beautiful. Her complexion
was fair even for a Creek; but this was no uncommon distinc
tion. Her hair was a curiosity. Fine as silk, jet black, and with
out a kink, it swept the ground when walking. To prevent this
she rolled it into balls, being careful to make a large one on top,
and gradually taper others to her ears. There were two rows,
the lower one not being rolled to the scalp hung, pendant, over
her shoulders. Whether pretty or not the style was certainly
unique, and to imitate it would probably bother a modern hair
dresser. Below the row of hanging balls was a good face with
mild, persuasive features, large black eyes, well-rounded cheeks
and a slightly dimpled chin, aU making her look like a woman
superior to her station in life.
Mera, the only daughter of Modin and Nyrulyn, and the girl
that Banna had so favorably recommended to Ruth Lahgoon, was
nearly grown, her exact age being unknown. She was sometimes
caUed "Blue Bird," because, unlike most of her race, her eyes
were of a clear, liquid blue, and her voice of a bird-like melody.
Otherwise she was much like her mother; but her melting blue
eyes and retiring modesty gave her such a superior appearance
that if she had been placed among girls of any race few would
have been called more beautiful than Mera, the Blue Bird.
But the personal appearance of this child of the wilderness was
not the only feature that distinguished her from other girls of
her race. Her intellectual endowments were of a high order, her
powers of imitation without any known limit, her fleetness on
foot equal to that of her father, and her skiU with the bow as
true and unerring as that of Tata Nyxter, except at long range.
Modin and his interesting little family lived near the Dr. Saun
ders residence in Winder, and were neighbors of Lon Draper who
built his first substantial log cabin on ground that is still called
the Black Gum Hollow, which he selected as a strategic point.
Around his house, and thirty yards from it, he left a circle of tim
ber fifty feet wide from which he cut nothing except a few un
sightly shrubs. Outside this wooded belt he cleared a circular
field three hundred yards wide and on which he left nothing
133

growing. Thus the largest field in Beadland was cleared . and
first cultivated in 1794.
Mr. Draper caUed the circular field "THE JUG," the timbered
belt "ITS NECK," and his house "THE STOPPER." So the place
went by the name of "The Jug" for many years, leaving it to a
future generation to add the word "TAVERN."
It may be stated that there were no drunkards in Beadland or
in the Talasee Colony at this time, and that jugs were used gen
erally as "jars" are now. It is further explained that Mr.
Draper's reason for clearing a circular field was threefold : First,
to enable a watchman in the circle of woods to readily see an ap
proaching enemy; second, it was several years before bears, pan
thers and wolves would enter any large open space ; and third, a
circle mystifies any animal, and if long traveled in a narrow
circuit, any living thing. The jug is a circle, and both before and
since Mr. Draper's day has mystified, not animals, but men — men
by hundreds and by thousands.
For a few months the Draper family lived quietly at their new
home. The Scupeens and Jacksons, besides the Modin family
lived near. Helen and Mera had become close friends and were
almost constant companions. Though in some respects unlike
Banna and Ruth, they were as devoted to each other and as true
to their friends as the lovely heroins of Talasee could be, and, as
was often proven, the love and friendship of the two pairs were
as strong as love of life itself. Then, too, Abe Trent, the always
welcome Abe — welcome anywhere that true men were needed
and respected — often visited there.
On moonlight nights he and Helen sometimes walked
around the outer edge of the cleared field in search of a place to
cross it without exposing themselves. They seldom went around
more than twice before they seemingly became disgusted at a
place that had no end and returned to their native woods where
they often joined in a chorus of such dismal howls that the watch
ers instinctively grasped their rifles more tightly.
Hitherto the mass of the natives had been friendly with the
white settlers generally ; but in the spring of 1794 it was noticed
that parties of red men passed up and down the Okoloco trail
134

more frequently than at any previous time. The maxim that
' ' When an Indian wants to fool you he goes both ways, ' ' gave the
whites a hint that mischief was brewing. Talitchlechee himself
passed several times, and on one occasion stopped and asked some
questions. Abe Trent happened to be present, and being familiar
with the old warrior's language, they engaged in the following
conversation :
"Bows and arrows — what sort shoot pale-faces?"
"We have none — don't want any," answered Abe, pointing to
a crow that was sitting on a tall tree some distance away. "See
that crow fall," he continued, and with the crack of his rifle the
bird fell to the ground. "That," still continued Abe, "shows the
sort of arrows we shoot."
The old man was evidently puzzled, and after a long pause
asked, as if in doubt of the propriety of his questions :
"Pale-faces come how many more?"
"Don't know — can not count them."
"Pale-faces here now how many?"
"So many that I can not count them either — so many that we
have to leave most of them in a big hole and take them out as
we need them."
The old leader looked surprised as well as a little incredulous ;
but after apparently considering the matter, he shook his head
violently, and said as if to himself: "Nodoroc! Nodoroc!" and
passed on hurriedly.
If Abe Trent had puzzled the wiley old chief, he was in turn
puzzled himself. Though fluent in the use of Greek words, he
did not know the meaning of Nodoroc. Somehow the short,
jerky way the Indian pronounced the word gave it an ominous
sound, and he resolved to apply to Umausauga, the best authority
he could think of, for an explanation.
A short time after the chief's visit the country was thrown
into confusion by the always dreaded visit of the "WOG."'
Though his appearance seemed to be familiar to some of the
natives in the surrounding country, none of the white people had
ever seen him. 135

It was a few hours in the night. The half moon hung low, and
barely gave light enough to reveal the outlines of an object ; just
enough to make shadows that swayed back and forth in the pass
ing breeze seem ghostly. As usual there were sentinels in the
timbered circle ; for now that the friendship of the natives was
doubted, the white people, though few in number, managed to
know almost everything that was carried on in the country.
Looking to the four points of the compass stood the Draper fam
ily and Abe Trent, all heavily armed, Helen's position facing to
the east. At her feet, curled up nearly into a ball, was Lion, a
huge Egyptian dog as fierce and almost as powerful as a mad
tiger. Suddenly the dog unrolled himself. "TOO HOO" broke
the reigning silence. It was Helen's signal to the other sentinels
that something unusual was on hand. Lion's growl always
meant something.
The girl stood looking and listening. Lion was at her side,
bristles erect and occasionally giving a low growl ; lower than be
fore. Like an apparition emerging from the ground Abe Trent
appeared on the other side. She realized that she stood between
two powerful friends. Just then her father and mother came
near, and Mrs. Draper, pointing across the field whispered,
"LOOK." Lion increased his growls, and aU plainly saw a wolf
enter the field for a short distance, look around, and then hastily
retreat. Another and another did the same way until a dozen or
more appeared and looked across the field as if in doubt as to
what they should do. While thus looking, they suddenly scam
pered away and disappeared in the woods.
While wondering at the unusual actions of the wolves, a dark
object that appeared to be carrying a white flag, emerged from
the woods and stopped at the outer rim of the fleld. It was then
seen that the white flag was waved from side to side like one
motioning to another to get out of the way. This continued for
several minutes when at last the dark object moved forward
still flourishing its white banner. When little more than half
across the fleld a whizzing sound was heard as the flag went back
and forth like a boy cracking his hickory bark whip. Even Lion
became uneasy, and turned his growls into low whines. This was
136

significant to all. WhUe seeing that their guns were in order Mr.
Draper hurriedly whispered —
"The good Lord! It's that infernal wog!" As bad as Lion
had seemed to be scared, his courage returned and it required
aU of the family's efforts to keep him from meeting the still
advancing monster. Mr. Draper's rifle carried an ounce baU, and
though he had heard that it was best to let the creature alone, and
that its hide was impervious to a buUet, he felt sure in the light
of past experience, that he could, to use his own words, "send a
leaden messenger clean through any part of its body, or plug one
of its flery eyes out either." He was, however, persuaded to
wait for further developments, and the party retired to the
house, barred the doors, and stood by their guns, axes and knives,
awaiting the gage of battle, if need be.
The near approach of the animal was plainly indicated by the
whiz of his tail, and when he reached the door he made a noise
similar to the long-continued hissing of a goose. Having done
this several times, he began his serenade around the house and
finding a small opening between the logs, he poked his forked
tongue through it as if trying to impale some one between its
sUmy prongs. Lion saw this and rushed to grap the tongue, but
Mr. Draper succeeded in stopping him just in the nick of time.
Having thus twice gone around the house, he gave a short shout
similar to one made by a wUd hog in the woods, and going west,
slowly disappeared. Awhile after the animal left, a Ught tap was
heard at the door. It was Mera who said that her father had
seen the wog going away, and that she had come to see if her
friends were safe, and to offer such assistance as she might be
able to give. When asked why she was not afraid to be out at
such a time, the noble girl modestly replied that she could out
run anything that carried along one side at a time. Though evi
dently willing to return alone, Abe Trent would not allow her to
do so, and shouldering his rifle he accompanied her home "with
as much pleasure," he said, "as I ever felt in my life."
It appeared that the Draper family was the only one visited
by the monster at Snodon, and that after leaving there he was
not heard of until he reached Haitauthuga, a smaU settlement
137

of wigwams that stood on the plain now covered by the fine oak
grove east of the residence of Rev. H. N. Rainey at Mulberry.
There lived Siloquot, a head man among the Creeks, and a sort of
politician. He was one of the signers of the treaty made at
Shoulderbone in 1786, and a man of some consequence. When
the unscrupulous wog reached his wigwam there were two Lower
Creek dignitaries present, perhaps on official business, and as he
began to blow and hiss like a monster goose, they ran to the
woods as only scared Indians can run, leaving their host to his
fate. But Siloquot found safety in the top of a taU tree where
the beast, having hoofs instead of claws, could not follow him.
The spring season was now far advanced and Abe Trent's stay
at Snodon where he was helping Mr. Draper do some heavy work
was drawing to a close. Still he had not advanced one step in his
love affair with Helen. They went hunting on horseback by day,
and sometimes walked around the wood circle watching for In
dians at night, but she would not talk about anything except
"hunting" and "watching." Still she was the same lovely, kind
and attentive girl that she was at flrst. Not one word would she
say about loving anybody.
"Why," passionately exclaimed Abe, one night, when on
watch "do you refuse to let me tell how much I love you when
you know that I am anxious to do so?"
"Dear me, Mr. Trent," she said, stooping low to look under
the hanging branches of a tree, "look at that dark spot on the
far side of the field. I have been watching it for some time, and
it seems to be coming slowly but constantly nearer."
"Yes," was the snappish reply, "you can talk about anything
but the one dearest to me, and if — "
"Just look! It comes nearer and nearer," she said, punctua
ting the remark with the click of her rifle.
' ' Let it come ; but before it gets here tell me whether you love
me or not. It may be your last chance."
' ' 0 Mr. Trent ! It 's an Indian crawling on the ground ! Look
at him! He's 'humping it' back to the woods. What does he
mean, you reckon?" 138

"What do you mean by — " Just then a weU-known "TOO-
HOO-HOO ' ' came from a long distance to the left. It was the sig
nal of Ocean Scupeen warning the family that an enemy was
lurking in the woods. Abe ceased to press his suit further, and
he and Helen listened. The signal was not repeated. If it had
been they would have known that the danger was to be met at
once. WhUe still listening Mr. and Mrs. Draper appeared, bring
ing Mera and Lion with them. The girl, wholly unexpected at the
time, was greatly agitated, and threw herself into Helen's wide
open arms, saying in broken language:
' ' 0 Helen, I have seen such an awful time this evening ! About
sundown I went to the big rocks to grind corn. I heard one man
tell another that the pale-face girl who Uved in the circle must
be carried away to-night, and that she would be returned only
when all the pale-faces left the country. They did not see me and
I hastened away to tell you. I soon met Ocean Scupeen, and we
decided that it would be best for him to warn you by a danger
signal and for me to come at once and tell you what the danger
is. There are watchers all around here and that is the reason
why I did not come sooner, and why, I suppose, Ocean is so far
away. Did you hear his signal?"
"Yes, darling," softly said Helen, clasping her faithful friend
still closer in her arms.
Utter silence prevailed for awhile. Abe or Draper was con
stantly walking around the belt and looking across the field. The
object of the crawling Indian as discovered by Helen had been
revealed. It was uncertain as to how soon a similar effort might
be made by an increased number. When Abe was about half way
around his beat, he heard a low growl, and looking saw Lion
standing near with one foot off the ground and with bristles
erect. ' ' TOO-HOO ! ' ' bravely escaped his lips and he was soon
joined by his companions. It was quite dark and nothing un
usual was in sight. Yet the dog continued to growl and to show
a great desire to rush forward. Mera had in the meantime crawl
ed a little way into the field and discovered four men in a stoop
ing posture a Uttle more than half way across it. Doubtless their
presence had caused Lion's growls, and now that they were so
139

near they heard him and ran back to the woods on feet and
hands like so many animals. An hour or more of silence follow
ed. Even the dog lay quietly at Helen's feet. That was almost
a sure sign that no enemy was near.
By and by the long-drawn hooting of an owl was heard, but
nearer than before. Was that hoot made by an owl? No, owls
do not dwell on their syllables. Was it made by an Indian? No;
Indians say "TU-HU." Then it was made by Ocean Scupeen.
Yes, Usten "TO-HU-O-0."
' ' That means the Indians are gone from this immediate vicinity,
at least for the present," said one.
"What shall we do?" asked another.
"Wait and see," answered the others.
Soon Ocean himself joined the sentinels and reported that he
had learned enough to satisfy him that no further attempt to
capture Helen would be made that night; but that they would
try some other plan in the future when the dog was out of the
way. "So, Helen," concluded the faithful boy, "hereafter look to the
welfare of both yourself and your dog. I am indebted to Eto
hautee for most of this information, and he will keep us informed
of the movements of the enemy as well as he can. That means
very much, for we all know both his fidelity and his consummate
ability. I can say the same for the Modin f amUy ; but in no case
use one of their names in connection with this matter except to
a known friend." Such were the faithful services rendered and
the sage advice given by a mere boy. Nor will his shadow grow
less. Sure enough, nothing more of the foiled kidnappers was heard
that night. Believing that any further attempt to interfere with
the liberties of Helen Draper would result in open war, and ex
pecting other emigrants to arrive at an early day, it was thought
good policy for her to go to Port Strong on the following morn
ing and, with her dog, remain there until such time as circum
stances would justify her return.
Accordingly, Helen, accompanied by Abe Trent and Ocean
Scupeen, rode towards Talasee at the appointed time. Ocean was
140

a bold and fearless rider, and when on "DART," his well-trained
horse, his handsome face and elegant form all combined to give
him a fine appearance. Abe, knowing that this dashing young
ster and Helen were close friends, was a little jealous; stUl he
admired the boy for his well-known bravery as weU as for his
kind, unselfish heart.
There was great joy at Talasee when the trio arrived from
Snodon. Ruth, Banna and Helen talked and talked until Abe
became nervous and suggested that —
"Mr. Strong and myself be excused for the evening, and that
our mutual friend, Mr. Scupeen, be aUowed to remain, and if pos
sible, prevent the ladies from talking themselves to death."
Without saying a word, Helen wrote something on a slip of
paper and gave it to Abe. It read as follows :
"Please let the boys, Master Josiah Strong and Master Abel
Trent, pass up and dovsm the river until midnight, and as much
longer as they please. Signed, "THEIR GUARDIANS."
Several of the neighboring famiUes were present, and led by
Mr. Strong, every man selected a "pardner" at random, and aU,
old and young, large and small, whirled off into the mazes of a
giddy dance which turned out to be what they afterwards caUed,
"The Regular Georgia Breakdown." Ocean, who was a sort of
musician, snatched a fiddle from the table and stood in the cor
ner and began to play. Tata Nyxter, who was looking in at the
door, grabbed one of the long tin bugles that hung on the wall
and began to blow it. Round and round, back and forth went
the dancers ; some with the "double shuffle," some cut the "pigeon
wing," and some "jumped jim crow."
' ' Squeak ! Squack ! Squeak ! ' ' went the rough, discordant notes
of the fiddle; "toot-ta-tah-toot," went the blasts of the bugle, and
some who were nearly exhausted kept better time by puffing
and blowing than they did with their feet.
It was a sure-enough breakdown, and though no rule was fol
lowed nor time observed by either dancers or musicians, they
141

shyly congratulated each other for their elegant performances.
Once more, such was life in old times !
Though playfully requested, Abe Trent had a real motive for
wanting to be absent that evening. He was anxious for an inter
view with Umausauga in regard to the meaning of the strange
word, NODOROC; and feeling sure that his friend had more in
fluence over the Indian than any one else, he desired to transfer
the interview to Mr. Strong. The friendship between the two
was strong indeed. They addressed each other as "father" and
"son," and because of these cordial relations Mr. Strong did not
hesitate to comply with his friend's request to conduct the inter
view. Accordingly after the dance was over Josiah and Abe
shouldered their rifles and crosing the river at the shoals, the
former remained there to flsh, apparently, and the latter proceed
ed on his mission. He found Umausauga smoking a corn-cob
pipe of which he had become very fond, and seemed to be in ex
cellent humor. "Father," asked Mr. Strong, after using some
preliminaries, "would it be wrong for you to tell me what
Nodoroc means?"
The Indian appeared to be surprised and a little disconcerted;
but after thinking a little, asked :
' ' That what for you want to know ? ' '
Mr. Strong proceeded to tell him the suspicious way in which
Talitchlechee had used the word by evidently connecting it with
Beadland, and then added :
"Father, when you went around the land with us you showed
so many signs of uneasiness that we have never been able to un
derstand. Only a very few natives live on it, and the appearance
of Snodon shows that it is in a forsaken country. They seldom
pass through it, and seem to be actually afraid of the place. And
now, as you well know, that the presence of the white man in
this part of the country is beginning to give some dissatisfaction,
and inasmuch as you and your brother, Etohautee, together with
his son, Tata, are already classed with the white people, we must
know everything that is going on around us. We have full con-
142

fidence in the three mentioned, and in the Modin family also, and
when any of you want help come to us for it at once. Now, father,
what do you have to say ? ' '
"Yes," said the Indian after a long and thoughtful pause,
"Talitchlechee fool. He knows Nodoroc nothing has to do with
white man. Nodoroc in Beadland is, Umausauga to sell it want
ed. White man 'fraid of it not. Indian is — scare him to death.
Pew have seen it ever. 'Fraid to go. To sell it that is why.
Devil there lives. It hell is — Great Spirit not there."
"Please," said Mr. Strong mildly, "talk like Banna and I have
taught you to speak, and tell me why you use the words devil
and hell when speaking of Nodoroc?"
"Oh, Yes, Yes! I forgot! I'll leave off the old Umausauga and
come back to the new man that you and Banna and the grace of
God made out of the old one and tell you all important move
ments of the enemy as they occur, and, of the secret which In
dians believe lies hidden in Nodoroc. It is kept a secret only be
cause of the mystery connected with the horrid place.
"As I have already said, Nodoroc is hell, and the wog that
passed through Snodon not long ago, is the devil and makes his
headquarters there, where no one who gets in ever gets out."
"The Great Scott!" exclaimed Strong excitedly. "I am all
anxiety to see the place, and instead of being sorry that it is in
Beadland I am glad of it. And now that I know Nodoroc belongs
to me and my friends, we will go and see the place very soon. I
am sure that all will be glad for you to go with us, show us the
way to go, and give us such information as we may need. Will
you kindly do so?"
"Yes ! Yes ! Now that I am not an Indian because I have placed
myself on the side of the white man and of the white man's God,
and for these reasons have felt myself at liberty to give away a
secret in regard to his place of torment, I therefore consent to go.
Will Banna go with us?"
"Certainly." 143

"Then see that she does not go near the horrid, boUing, bubbling
smoking place. It burns ! It bums ! ' '
No man was ever more mystified than Josiah Strong was by
Umausauga's description of Nodoroc. He could not even venture
to dispute the Indian's word; yet almost every feature described
as so unlike anything he had ever heard of before, that he was
lost in wonder and amazement.

144

CHAPTER IX.
Visit to Nodoroc — Column of Smoke — At Nodoroc — ^The Boil
ing Mud — The Triangular House — The Noon Breeze —
Umausauga's Narrative — The Living Victim — The Shower
of Arrows — The Conspiracy — Its Victims.
"It burns! It burns!" To the party of men and women, who,
led by Umausauga, left Fort Strong on the foUovring morning,
these words as used on the previous day by their leader, were a
profound mystery. The anxious company consisted of Mr. and
Mrs. Josiah Strong, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Shore, Helen Draper,
Abel Trent, and Edward Belknap. This, with the dogs, left a
comparatively strong force at Talasee, which was always weU
guarded night and day. They went by the way of Calamit, and
there they left the Trail and turning to the right, rode through
the dense forest to some point on the high plain upon which
Chapel church now stands. There they halted, and looking to
the north the leader pointed out a long, slender column of smoke
which seemed to pierce the region of the clouds. The sun shone
brightly and there was not a passing zephyr to break the reigning
stillness, whUe slowly, silently, solemnly, the curling, twisting,
airy wreaths of intensely black smoke, marked the exact location
of the mysterious Nodoroc, the Indian's place of torment. Doubt
less it was the first view of an Anglo-Saxon eye, and very im
pressive. Said Mr. Strong in an effort to describe the scene:
"I am utterly unable to describe the scene or to express in
words the feelings it produces. When I take into consideration
the associations connected with it and with the other more awful
one described in the word of God I am so overcome with the
comparison suggested that I can think only of St. John's words
ia Revelation — 'And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up
for ever and ever.' "
The sky above, the air and the woods around, and the faces
of the company, all seemed to be shrouded in a funeral paU. The
solemn speU was not broken when the leader agaki pointed to
145

the column of smoke and all moved forward. Having gone a
short distance they entered a valley in which all the animals in
the country seemed to have collected.
Having never seen men and women on horseback before, and
perhaps thinking the horses and their riders were one and the
same, they scampered off in every direction as if never before so
badly scared. Turning slightly from the little valley to the west,
the party passed over a narrow plain and descended a gentle
slope until they could see the column of smoke forming on the
surface of what appeared be a lake of bluish water. Going a little
nearer it was found that not a sprig of vegetation of any kind
grew near it and that the timber growing in the vicinity was
badly dwarfed. A closer inspection revealed the astonishing
fact that the lake was not water, but a body of from three to five
acres of smoking, bubbling, bluish mud of about the consistency
of molasses, and whose surface ranged from two to three feet be
low the surrounding solid land. The mud near the banks was
slightly in motion, but its action gradually increased towards
the center until about half an acre had the appearance of a
moderately boiling pot of water. The movement of the smoke
which arose from the bubbles was sluggish, and uniting in funnel-
shaped form a few feet above the surface, formed the imposing
column seen from the distant plain. It was perhaps five feet in
diameter at the base, and tapering at the height of at least one-
fourth of a mile, spread out like the branches of a tree. Now and
then a flickering, bluish blaze, like a flame from a smouldering
fire, played for a moment over various parts of the boiling area.
This made the smoke more dense than when there was no flame,
and the boiling was less violent. It was said by those who had
witnessed this uncommon phenomenon on a dark night, that it
produced such horrid feelings as to cause some people to faint and
made others so sick that they had to be led away. These emo
tions were probably produced by the unpleasant stench that arose
from the lake when the flames were not flickering over it. The
fire fed on the ascending gas that was thrown up by the bubbles
and thus destroyed the offensive odor.
146

There, amid the dismal solitudes of a primeval forest, where
the white man never trod before, imknown races of people, ante
dating the red man, may have stood and wondered over the
mysteries of Nodoroc just as did the pioneer company from Tal
asee; for the column of smoke, the lake of boiling mud, and the
flames of fire that played over it must have been indescribably
grand and awfully suggestive. Who knows that the place did not
mark one of the last vestiges of primeval time when "the earth
was without form, and void, and darkness moved on the face of
the deep."
It was evident that work of which even the red man knew noth
ing had been carried on at this curious place during the long
gone ages of the past. At the western end of the hot mud lake,
and fifty steps from its margin, there was a triangular stone
house whose sides were equal, twelve feet long and eight feet
high. The stones of which it was built were roughly dressed, but
weU enough for them to fit closely and remain in place steadily.
They were of various dimensions, the largest being heavy enough,
perhaps, to require two men to carry them. In the west waU,
facing the lake, there was an opening nearly five feet high and
thirty-two inches wide, the sides of which were better dressed
than any other part of the structure. The stone immediately
above this opening or door jutted out from the wall a little more
than two feet as if intended for an awning; but a close inspec
tion showed that it had been used for some sort of ceremonial
purposes. The upper side and that part of the wall facing it
plainly indicated the long-continued action of fire, showing like
the more elaborate and artistic altars at Yamacutah or Tumbling
Shoals the observance of such sacrificial rites as are attributed
to the prehistoric races of this country.
The floor of this equilateral triangle was of the same material
as the walls, and in the west comer was a solid, hewn stone altar
having three steps, on each of which were the same signs of fire
as shown on the projecting stone over the door. Both were
probably used in conjunction for the same purpose. In 1837
147

Gov. George R. Gilmer purchased this altar,* and in the spring of
1900, it was still where Mr. Gilmer placed it in the front yard of
his residence in Lexington, Georgia.
The indications were that the triangle had been covered, but
no evidence of the material used has survived the rush of the
sweeping years that have come and gone since it first began to
decay. The walls were covered with a greenish gray moss which must
have been the growth of ages. Seemingly one layer, or the growth
of a long series of years, had died, and another had grown upon
that, and another and another, until the whole bed was, in some
places, from six to eight inches deep. A few badly dwarfed oak
and chestnut bushes were growing in the moss, and their roots had
forced themselves between the stones.
All present were of a cheerful disposition, but now as they
realized that Umausauga's declaration, "It burns! It burns," was
really true; that a dry piece of timber thrown into the boiling
mud was instantly burned into ashes; that a heavy rain which
had just fallen evaporated as fast as it fell; and that the only
effect was to increase the volume of smoke, the entire party be
came silent and thoughtful. Even Helen Draper failed to shout,
"Hurrah for success," and settled down to serious meditation.
When at last aroused she turned to Mrs. Shore and said, "My
dear Ruth, I am about ready to believe that we have fallen into
the hands of Aladdin and his lamp and that we have been trans
ported to the shores of the Dead Sea. Have you seen any apples
of Sodom growing about here?" "No, child, no," answered
Ruth, with a faint smile, "but talking about apples makes me
hungry. What do you all say?"
It was nearly noon, and having brought an ample supply of
provisions with them, all joined in a hearty dinner at some dis
tance from the lake. ' ' What is that ? ' ' asked Ruth as she munched
a piece of broiled fish and sniffed the air. "The old wog is
getting his breath," replied Josiah Strong, "as he always does
*Quite a number of the stones are still in the yard; but many have been
carried away by curio seekers. Dr. W. H. Eeynolds occupies the old home
at present, 1914. — Ed. 148

just at noon. Father Umausauga warned me of this, but I had
forgotton to mention it."
A brisk breeze had set in from the southwest, the leaves fiutter-
ed, the tree-tops waved back and forth, the column of smoke dis
solved, and in whirling eddies went chasing each other over the
ground and through the air, and the stench from the lake became
almost intolerable. The breeze continued for a short time only,
just long enough, the Indians beUeved, for the monster that in
habited it to get a good breath. It was afterwards found that this
strange phenomenon occurred at time of fuU moon only. When
the wind had subsided Umausauga, by request, gave the foUow
ing account of Nodoroc, repeating a few things that he had for
merly mentioned to Mr. Strong:
"To the mind of the Creek Indian Nodoroc means about the
same as heU does to the white man, and Wog corresponds to
devU, or Satan. For the meaning and appUcation of these names
I am indebted to my darling Banna, and I have fuU faith in aU
that she says. I was myself once so much afraid of the wog-
devU that I sold the land on which he mostly traveled, and only
a few of my race wiU live on it. The Creeks beUeve that aU bad
spirits are sent here and when their bodies die and sometimes they
die here and the wog smooths over the hole they make when
entering the mud by sweeping his ugly taU from side to tide.
"When one of you told TaUtehlechee that you kept men in a
hole and took them out as you nfeeded them, he doubtless thought
that Nodoroc was meant; and I am of the opinion that that
thought of the old chief had as much to do in calming down his
fiery spirit as the mortal dread that he and aU his warriors have
of your keen cracking rifles.
"A long time ago the place was hotter than it is now. Even
when I was a boy you could sometimes see soUd sheets of flame
shooting over the surface Uke lightning in a southern storm-
cloud; and the boUing mud would pop and crack like a burning
canebrake. All this made people, and its present condition stUl
makes some people believe, that the wog was mad because enough
bad spirits were not sent to him. This beUef caused innocent
victims to be thrown into the horrid place to satisfy revengeful
149

and overbearing natures and to keep the wog from visiting them
at night.
"But all the victims that have suffered here were not innocent.
Many years ago a woman who lived at Jasacathor killed and ate
one of her own children. A hunting party made the discovery
and reported the matter to Urocasca, the Head Man at the time.
Finding the report to be true he ordered her to be thrown head
foremost into the hottest part of Nodoroc. The old wog was said
to turn over when she struck the mud, and sweeping his tail
back and forth over the hole she made, the wretch, though often
heard, was never seen again.
"Many dark nights she has run over these hills squalling and
screaming like a demon while a troop of children followed close
behind her shouting and clapping their hands as if greatly en
joying her misery. Her name was Penceruga, and since that
time it has only been used to scare children.
"All prisoners taken in war and those who are condemned to
death for crime are thrown into Nodoroc by men called Honoras.
At the battle of Radoata the Ceeks captured nine prisoners. They
were brought here and thrown into the boiling mud. It was a
difficult matter to flnd a man who was wilUng to be an Honora,
and though not one myself, I saw the prisoners thrown in just
where there was a blue blaze of fire playing around them. They
did not seem to care for anything until the flames touched them.
Then all gave the Cherokee scream of lament. Owocowah!
Owocowah ! I did not care for it then, but O it seems so terrible,
terrible now.
"I never had a wife though once I dearly loved a beautiful
girl, and I love her memory still. " She was as dear to me as life
itself. Yes ! Yes ! she was much dearer than my life. Her name
was Nere Nara. She lived at Snodon where Modin now lives.
She was Nyrulyn 's sister; with soft and lovely eyes like those of
the red deer. Like the full round moon in all its glory, her face
with dimpled chin was no akin to earth and seemed to rise and
set with the morning and the evening stars. Glad and musical
was her laugh as the water ripples over the rocks at Talasee, and
her cheeks were as lovely as dewdrops in the morning sunshine.
150

As Nyrulyn 's hair is long and glossy so was Nere Nara's, though
a Uttle, just a Uttle, wavy — ^not so much so as Banna's is now.
She was as fleet on foot as Mera, and as bright as Mera, too. But
Nere Nara is gone, now — gone to Uve beyond the stars in the
Happy Hunting Grounds of her fathers — gone to the white man's
Heaven where, Ouska ! Chouska ! Loak (Glory to God !) I wiU meet
her again sometime — ^meet my lost Nere Nara beyond the stars!
Ouska! Chouska! Loak!
"I was to carry my lost loved one to Adabor, the wigwam on
the hiU, at time of the next round moon, but Watleskew, a
Choctaw warrior came to Snodon and feU in love with Sunrise
— ^Nere Nara means Sunrise. He talked love to her for a long
time. She would not talk love to him. That made him mad. He
buried his tomahawk in her head. She died on the very spot
where Banna gave herself away to Mr. Strong. Her murderer
fled towards the north. I had the wings of a bird to run, and
the eye of an eagle to foUow her tracks. I ran in front, Etohau
tee and Notha Neva, her brother whom you know, kept my tracks
hot with their own feet. We came up with him at ThomocOggin,
[Jefferson]. Three tomahawks were instantly buried in his car
rion body, two in his head and one in his heart, which I, with
my own hand, tore from his breast and gave to a hungry wolf
that was prowling around the place. We brought the carrion
body here. We ought to have brought him aUve; but the cries
of vengeance caUed for haste and they were met with haste. With
Modin to help us we threw the carrion far into the boUing,
smoking lake just where duU, bluish flames were reaching out,
as if for other victims, like Ughtning in the angry storm cloud.
I gloried in the deed then. I feel differently about it now. That
was the only dead body ever thrown into Nodoroc. Other crim
inals that died away from here, if buried at aU, lie on the sur
rounding hill. Look, you can see many graves. It is the Home
of Accursed.
"We buried Nere Nara just where she died. There my heart is
buried with her. There, too, I want my body to be buried at her
side. WUl any of my white friends who may live longer than
I do promise to bury me there?" 151

The speaker paused and looked upon those around him im
ploringly. Instantly all present pledged themselves to comply
with his request, and to procure the assistance of every white
man and woman in the country if necessary. A faint smile play
ed over his features, he chased the thickly falling tears from his
eyes and buried his face in the, palms of his ponderous hands.
As on former occasions, Banna went and sat at his side. She
tenderly chased his massive brow with her hands, and leaning
her head upon his shoulder, wept like a stricken child.
By and by he looked up and said: "Excuse me! This is not
my weakness, but my strength — my strength to bear all things
for Nere Nara. When she came into my life the sunshine turned
into gold, the moonbeams into silver, and the stars into pearls of
the ocean, the great blue ocean above, where God unfurls his ban
ner and bids us march on to victory beneath it, Ouska ! Chouska !
Loah! "But," continued the Indian after a long pause, "when Sun
rise was taken away all the glories of earth turned black as the
smoke of Nodoroc. I could not see the blooming flowers, hear the
singing birds or laughing water. As I thought on these things
my blood began to boil as boil the central fires of the white
man's hell and of the red man's together. I swore vengeance
against the whole Choctaw tribe. I organized a war party of
more than two hundred followers. When almost ready to start
on my mission of vengeance the wog began to appear occasionally.
"Some of you have seen him with his thrashing tail, his great
red eyes, his grinning lips and forked tongue. At first he scared
some of the natives to death, and it was reported all over the
country that he snatched dead bodies out of their graves and ate
them. This made me uneasy about the precious body of my lost
Sunrise who had so suddenly and unexpectedly set in gloom to rise
no more. To protect her from the abominable creature I built the
great rock pillar which you all well know as Nere Nara over her
grave at Snodon.
"Its foundation is deep in the ground to prevent the beast from
scratching under, and its top is high so as to enable men who
watched the grave to protect themselves. Every night for many
152

moons I sat on top of that dreary pile of rocks to watch for the
coming of the monster. But it was a work of love, and therefore
pleasant. Some of my friends were always on watch with
me, and one of us was always wide-awake. One time only the
dreadful thing came in sight; but after scaring Hoochleohoopah,
who lived where Modin now lives, away from the country, passed
on without doing any other mischief.
"By and by, when the lovely form of Nere Nara had returned
to what Banna calls her mother earth, the watch was discon
tinued; but though the place is black and dreary, I still continue
to go there frequently. Sometimes Banna went with me, and
sometimes she went alone. It was on one of these lonely visits
that she found the lock of hair that grew on Mr. Strong's head.
"Vengeance against the Choctaws stUl ran swiftly in every
drop of my blood ; but another bright Ught, almost too bright for
earth, came bounding into my life. I found a little daughter on
the battlefield of Arharra. I carried her home and nursed her
with my own hands. AU too soon she grew to be a lovely woman
— more lovely to me than the rising sun — more briUiant to me
than the evening star, and has, in turn, nursed me with her own
hands. The Great Spirit has placed her in a happy home. There
the glorious light of the white man's heaven fell upon her, and
there the blood of a crucified Redeemer made her who was always
white, stiU whiter than snow. I once believed aU these things
about Nodoroc. I do not believe them now. Banna talked
[prayed] to the true God for me. Vengeance is all gone now. I
leave that to the God she serves — to her God and to my God.
Ouska! Chouska! Loah! Soul answers soul that Banna Mar de
Vedo Strong is right, and God is true. Umausauga is done ! ' '
The foregoing is a free translation of Umausauga's narrative.
No speaker ever had a mort attentive audience, nor was any
ever more sincere in -his final conclusions. Having finished his
narrative he slowly walked far up the hUl, and facing to the east,
reclined upon the ground. Lighting his favorite corn-cob pipe he
began to smoke and apparently feU into a deep meditation. His
companions were walking about in various directions thinking
of the horrid scenes connected with the place. Perhaps the fate
153

(Jf Penceruga and Wetleskaw was most vivid in their minds ; but
if such instances were only a small part of what one man knew of
Nodoroc, what would be the sum total of all the horrors witnessed
at that dreadful place ?
While the scattered company was silently thinking over the
strange customs of savage life and trying to compare it with the
light of a Gospel day. Umausauga arose to his feet quickly, and
placing his hand over his mouth to denote silence, hastily joined
his companions near the triangle.
' ' Silence ! silence ! " he said as he seated himself near Mr. and
Mrs. Strong. "There is no danger if you don't interfere, and
keep a still tongue."
As a matter of habit more than otherwise; every rifle in the
company "clicked" at the word danger, and Mr. Strong asked
anxiously: "What have you discovered, father?" "The Honoras
are coming," was the answer, as the Indian pointed across the
lake to the south and continued: "They have gotten some poor
wretch for the old wog. I saw them stop and tie his hands to
gether. There are six Honoras, and I judge from fifteen to
twenty warriors. It is not likely that the latter will come any
nearer if — "
While the Indian was speaking six large men, dressed in skins
and decorated with feathers came in view from the direction in
dicated. They were leading a medium-sized man whose steps
were bold and firm, and looking straight before him, seemed to
advance without a tremor. Arriving at the bank the Honoras
took hold of him, three on each side, and swinging him back and
forth several times, threw him head foremost into the hot cal
dron of slimy mud. The body quickly disappeared below the sur
face, but nothing was seen of the wog or of its trowel-like tail by
the silent and almost breathless spectators.
With a slow and measured tread, in single file and stooping
posture, the Honoras joined their comrades in the distance, and
going south, soon disappeared.
Rendered almost speechless by the dreadful sight just wit
nessed, the little party was standing in wonder over "man's
inhumanity to man" when the silence was broken by the whiz-
154

zing of a shower of arrows through the tree tops over their heads,
and some that struck soUd timber fell to the ground near their
feet. "What's that?" asked several at the same time. "I never
heard of such a thing before," answered the Indian. "But as
they know," he continued thoughtfuUy, "that white people are
here, they shot the arrows to notify you that if you foUow them
they wUl shoot again."
"Shoot again indeed!" hissed Abe Trent, through his grind
ing teeth. "If Josiah and Leon wiU go with me, we'll quickly
show 'em who has the next shot."
The next moment Abe was on his horse and ready for a furious
pursuit; but better counsel prevaUed; and though thoroughly
mad, Abe compUed with the wishes of his friends, a common thing
for him to do. Helen Draper had not said a word, but was on her
horse almost as soon as Abe himself, and with one hand raised to
give the necessary signal to send him off at fuU speed wherever
she directed, for by this time Scat was about as well trained as
Alborak and Iro.
Having sent out scouts and satisfied themselves that the In
dians were gone, Umausauga told the party that he had another
message to deliver, and then they would all return home. Every
one was at close attention with the first word he spoke.
"Friends, children," he began, "of course I do not know of
aU the horrors that have been witnessed here. Even those of
which I do know something, I have told you a few only. There
is one more to which I wish to direct your attention because it re
lates to Banna, and I have never even told her of it. She was
too young to understand it at the time, and I have thought it best
not to tell her until now. Though a half Upper Creek, I am not
a native of this part of the country. I was born and grew to
manhood at Wetumpka [Columbus, Ga.], on the Chattahoochee
river. My father, Okokobee, was a ruling chief over the Ufallayak
division of the Creek race. My mother, Elota, was a Muscogee
woman whose father was also a ruling chief. I am their oldest
son, and my sister, Eltomura, is next. When I was about grown
my father died. Through the infiuence of the Muscogees, Nena-
155

themelahola was put in my father's place which he filled only a
short time. Though entitled to the succession I did not want it,
mainly because such a course would have involved my mother's
safety. So to shorten the matter I and a young brother, Etohau
tee, whom you know, came to Snodon where he still lives; but
after the passing of several moons I went to Adabor to prepare
a home for my lovely Nere Nara.
"Now it is a law of the Creek Nation that when the oldest son
of a chief fails to fill the vacancy occasioned by his father's death,
that his oldest child shall fill the place, or be put to death, and
thus stop the line of inheritance in an unfaithful family.
"Time passed on and by some means unknown to me, Nena-
themelahola heard that I had a little daughter, and that my
friends intended to put her in his place with the title of queen, and
make me a Head Man to lead their warriors in battle and perform
such other duties as warriors only are expected to do. This made
the chief uneasy, and to get the child out of his way he sent
emissaries here to murder her.
"While their plans were being matured Etohautee happened
to be in that country, and learning of them, he with nine chosen
friends, hastened to give me warning. Again my blood was boil
ing hot. Just think of it ! Murder Banna ! Murder my princess
whom you aU call 'THE BEAUTIFUL ! '—whom I caU 'THE
GOOD!' Dear child! to what danger has she not been exposed?
"Left a little child on the dreary battlefield to perish with
hunger and be devoured by wild beasts, left where dead men,
growling bears, screaming panthers and howUng wolves were
her only companions ! Next threatened with death if she, a mere
child, should not be made a queen, and with death to prevent her
from being one. And next, doomed to be carried as a slave to
the dismal death-swamps of the south because she refused to be
come a servant of a villain here. Yes, darling Banna, my tongue
can not express the danger to which you have been exposed ; but
thank God, 0 thou Great Everywhere, that you are now in the
hands of friends who are strong enough and willing enough to
protect you from all such dangers. 156

"Etohautee and our nine friends, together with others who
Uve here remained near me and the little girl until all danger
was over. We were careful to keep her well concealed and strong
ly guarded; We ranged the country over both night and day un
til one evening about dark four men were seen stealing through
the woods near Calamit, while the little girl, then about five years
old, was sleeping in the opening beneath the arch of Nere Nara
vrith three men on each side and one sentinel lying flat on top of
the pillar. Peacefully, soundly, the child slept there that night;
but she dreamed not of the time when she gave herself away at
that very place with a promise to become the wife of a stranger
of whom she had never heard. This increased our vigUance if pos
sible, for we had learned that all four of the men were very
sharp and well calculated to carry on the murderous business in
which they were engaged. One of them whom we supposed to be
the leader, had the same rare faculty that Etohautee has of
going to and from a place while you are watching it without
being seen.
"They do this by sliding on the ground just like a snake, and
to discover one you must watch for a snake. This is not only a
rare faculty, but to him who uses it, is the most advantageous ac
quirement known to the Indian race. Where one or more is known
at all, he is called 'a sythyr' or crawler. Etohautee and his son,
Tata, are the only sythrys in this part of the country, though aU
of them are very careful to keep this gift a profound secret,
which enables them to be still more useful to themselves and their
friends. You may now understand how Tata and his father can
appear before you at night as if they had come out of the
ground at your feet, and be thankful that they are your friends.
Perhaps I should not have told you of these sythyrs ; but I have
done so as a friend, and you will not give me away.
"It is something of a wonder that the crawler leader did not
give us more trouble, and doubtless would have done so if we had
not had a crawler ourselves.
"One dark, moonless night when I and most of my men were
at or near Adabor it so happened that the sythyrs of both parties
passed near each other. Fortunately the stranger did not discover
157

my brother who, after waiting a little, turned and followed him
to the large rock a few steps above the shoals. There he was soon
joined by three others, and there, after a hard struggle to take
them alive, all four were captured and securely bound. They
proved to be the men who were sent to murder my darling little
Banna. That was enough ! Just at sunrise on the following
morning the four men were hurled, full length, into the boiling
mud of Nodoroc."
The speaker paused for breath to give more force to the ve
hement words that began to snap from his quivering lips. Point
ing his long, bony flnger towards the smoke he continued flercely :
' ' See ! See ! Yonder, where the blue blazes are chasing each oth
er for a moment, then instantly disappear and come again and
again in quick succession, is where we threw them. And Umau
sauga was avenged in part. Nenathemelahola was my mother's
brother — a full Muscogee. Hence the influence of that tribe to
place him in authority ; but it did not do him much good. A few
moons after his four emissaries disappeared, he also failed to re
port, and Banna was beyond his reach. In a council of head men
called for the purpose, I transferred all my claims of Eltomura.
I am to act as her head man in time of war. Since Banna is now
in other hands than mine, I hold myself in readiness to fly to her
assistance when necessary. Again Umausauga is done."
The day was now far spent, and two and two in solemn proces
sion, the party hastened to Talasee. Pages of unwritten history
had been read that day, and the illustrations were so vivid that
every feature was deeply engraven on the minds of all. A ghostly
night followed and through its darkness restless sleep and fitful
dreams alternate while now and then flickering blazes of fire
played hide and seek over the walls.
Note: For the benefit of the young reader, the Editor wishes to direct
the attention to the great change in old Umausauga in the few years that
he has been associated with the white people. When they found him on
the banks of the river at Talasee, he firmly believed that Nodoroc was
really hell; and that the "Wog" was the Evil One. But now he sees it in
a different light. He is getting away from superstition and waking to the
marvelous light of the Son of God. "Ouska! Chouska! Loah!"
158

As the foregoing description of the Red Man's place of torment
is the only leading feature of this narrative whose history can be
continued, we venture to leave early Ufe long enough to give an
outline account of the curious place up to the present time.
That Nodoroc was a mud volcano like those which stiU exist
in various parts of the world, particularly in British Burma, there
is no doubt in the minds of those who are famiUar with its history
of little more than one hundred years ago, and with the history
of similar volcanoes which still contain boiling mud from which
issue fumes of fire and black smoke.
The writer knows nothing of the legends connected with the
place. He gives them as they were given to him.
Even to this day Nodoroc is a curiosity. It is situated three
and one-half miles east of Winder on the plantation of John L.
Harris, a substantial citizen of that progressive city. We have
heard something of its history for nearly two generations before
the country was first settled by the whites; have seen its condi
tion when visited by highly inteUigent parties in 1794, and will
now give a brief outline of its history from the visit of Umausauga
and his party to the present day.
For many years after but little attention was given the volcano.
In fact, the Indians kept away from Beadland, except when on
their war expeditions ; and the whites were too busy with clearing
the forest and fighting the red man to trouble with such things.
This place became, apparently, nothing but a gloomy swamp.
Those that saw the smoke rising from the hot mud thought it
only fog. Years passed ; and after the white man began to come
into Beadland from different counties of Georgia ; and from other
states, even, settlements were made at different places.
Mr. John Gossett lived nearest the mudhole, as it was called.
He cleared a large field that almost surrounded Nodoroc. One
morning when he and his good wife were in the field they noticed
an unusual amoung of fog (or what they supposed was fog) hang
ing over the swamp. As the sun rose higher in the heavens they
noticed that it did not dispel the supposed mist. But on the
other hand the "fog" grew denser, until about 9 o'clock Mrs.
Gossett saw a great volume of smoke burst forth from the swamp.
159

She called her husband, who was plowing, to look. Both heard
a loud rumbling noise, somewhat like that of distant thunder. Mr.
Gossett 's horse was frightened and tried to run, so loud was the
noise. All at once, the whole surface of the mud hole seemed to
rise up into the air. The elements seemed to be filled with hot
mud. It appeared to risfe so high and the air was so full of the small
particles that it darkened the sun for a few moments. Then came
the hot stuff back to the earth, falling all around Gossett and his
wife, some striking them bespattering their clothing but doing
them no damage, as the little particles of mud were too smaU.
After this eruption old Nodoroc seemed to settle down several
feet and to cool off. In a few years it was perfectly cold and was
known the country round as one of the worst of "cow mires."
Then the seeds of vegetation began to find their way to the rich
mud. A stunted growth was covering the whole surface, though
it was quite dangerous to venture on to it. A number of years
later it was estimated that more cattle had been lost in the swamp
during that period than was ever in the settlement at any one
time. This led to the necessity of fencing the swamp which was
continued until the coming of the stock law.
Finally, old Nodoroc became the property of John L. Harris,
who, always calm and calculating, determined to turn the old
time horror into practical use. Accordingly, by dint of much
hard work, skill, and a determination to succeed, he drained it
sufficiently well to allow cultivation with the hoe. It produced
first-class com which Mr. Harris was careful to carry to solid
ground in baskets. In the summer of the second year after the
swamp was drained, the writer walked through the growing corn
when it was from ten to twelve feet high, and the tops shook to
the tread of his feet as far as the corn could be seen.
The ditches were "planked" on the sides with stays between,
to keep the soft mud in place, and it was curious to see pure,
clear water running along them, as in comparatively recent times
no water at all was running there.
Mr. Harris continued to work his newly drained swamp with
the hoe for several crops, but of recent years has been ciUtivating
160

it with horse and plow, and always with highly satisfactory
results. Bones and horns of animals, doubtless those that last disap
peared, was ploughed up OccasionaUy.
The whole area, consisting of about five acres, is now in a high
state of cultivation, but the surface has been graduaUy sinking
since it was first drained.
What other, if any, metamorphosis takes place in the ancient
Nodoroc is unknown ; but it is reasonable to conclude that its sub
terranean fires were extinguished by the eruption witnessed by
Mr. and Mrs. John Gossett.
Note: Old '.'Nodoroc" is stiU owned by Mr. John L. Harris. The Editor
visited the place both in 1913 and 1914. The soil is a blue-blaek in eolor,
very porous and is about four to five feet deep, that is the hard sand pan
that has formed is that depth below the surface. In looking down at the
"bottom," from the surrounding hills, which are not high, it has the ap-
pearance of five acres of land covered with coal dust. Nodoroc is about
one-half mile east of Chapel Church and one-fourth mile sooth of the
8. A. L. E. E. on the head waters of Barber's Creek. — ^Ed.

161

CHAPTER X.
Trouble at Snodon and the Arrival of More Emigrants.
Early one morning some days after the return from Nodoroc
to Talasee, Ocean Scupeen arrived at Fort Strong, with a written
message from his mother, stating that Mera was dangerously iU,
and that the suffering girl wanted to see Helen Draper before
she died.
Dr. Singleton was at once summoned, and in a short time Miss
Draper, though warned of the danger of being kidnapped, was on
her way home with a well-appointed escort in three divisions:
First went the invaluable scout, Tata Nyxter, some distance in
advance; second, Helen Draper, Ocean Scupeen and Dr. Single
ton; third, and some distance in the rear, which was always the
point of Indian attack, went Abe Trent, Joe Lavender and Ed
Damron, a formidable trio, if any fighting were to be done.
Though a few strange natives were passed at Calamit, the
party, being well mounted and heavily armed, reached the
Charmed Circle in due time without being molested.
Without delay Helen and Dr. Singleton visited the humble
home of Mera, whom they found dangerously sick with fever,
and unconscious. In piteous tones she often exclaimed in wild
delirium: "0 Helen! Helen! Where is my darling Helen? Will
she — will Helen never come?"
Helen kissed her burning cheeks and bathed them with her
freely flowing tears, while Dr. Singleton sat anxiously at her side
counting her pulse and looking into her great, wide-open black
eyes over which the chilly film of death seemed to be gathering.
At last Dr. Singleton, giving Helen a furtive glance and shaking
his head, said: "There is little hope; but we must do something.
Warm water, please, quick as possible!"
It was a singular process, and one which a modern physician
would probably discard; but when the patient's feet had been
bathed and vigorously rubbed in warm water, and an occasional
application of cold water had been gently applied to her brow and
162

the back of her neck for fully two hours, she became quiet,
breathed easier, and her eyes began to close very slowly. In the
meantime, medicine had been administered, but under such diffi
culties that little was reaUy taken.
"If," said the doctor, "her eyes are closed by morning and
she is still breathing regularly as now, the crisis will be passed.
Close attention, however, is the price of life. Here, with full
written directions, are the necessary medicines. If needed during
the night, Miss Draper vrill notify me by the whippoorwill call
twice repeated."
It was then after sundown, and the doctor, shouldering his
trusty rifle, joined the men who were stationed at some distance
around the house at regular intervals.
The guard was composed of Abe Trent, Joe Lavender, Ed
Damron, Ocean Scupeen, Alonzo Draper, Herman Scupeen,
Hoochleohoopah, Tata Nyxter and Dr. Singleton. The nurses,
inside were Nyrulyn, the sick girl's mother, Mrs. Mary Draper,
Helen Draper, and Mrs. Annette Scupeen. These and other partic
ulars are given to show the difference between then and now, and
also the unselflsh devotion of the pioneer settlers of the country
to their friends.
Though the nurses were fuUy aware of the heroic character of
the guard around them ; and though they had confidence in their
own ability to defend themselves, and in Lion, a host in himself,
that was lying at the feet of his young mistress, they were restless
and uneasy, because somehow all were impressed with the belief
that another effort would be made during the night to capture
their darling Helen and hold her as hostage until the whites left
the country. While none doubted the result for a moment, still
their anxiety increased with passing hours.
The wigwam was covered with several layers of poplar bark at
the apex of which was an opening large enough to admit the body
of an ordinary Indian. The temporary covering of the opening
being removed, Nyrulyn and Helen placed themselves near it
alternately, and constantly listened for any disturbance made
on the outside. 163

It was far into the night. Nyrulyn, who was a good reader of
the stars, said it was past midnight. Mera, who had been resting
comparatively well, became restless with the turning hour, and
again talked in wild delirium, but not so violently as before. She
continued to call for Helen, alluded to Ocean Scupeen in some
unknown connection and challenged Tata Nyxter for a foot race.
A soothing portion being given, she became quiet, by and by,
partially closed her eyes and seemed to sleep at short intervals
peacefully. From the doctor's standpoint this was taken as a
good omen, and the nurses looked at each other and smiled
gladly. It wants some two hours to daybreak. Helen Draper ventures,
for a moment, to raise her head above the house top. A faint
gleam of light opens the eastern horizon, the last quarter moon
is rising. Silence reigns supreme. But, hark ! To-hoo-to-hoo-hoo-o !
breaks upon the still night air ! What can it mean ? It is not the
hooting of an owl. That last ' ' oo-o ' ' is never given by the solemn
night bird.
"It is Tata Nyxter 's danger signal," whispers Helen who is now
on duty. "But," she continued, "the hooting seems strangely
distant. What can the danger be ? No gun has been fired. That
is strange. With ten such men as I know are around us, and with
four such women as are present, with Lion to lead the charge, I
fear nothing that is likely to come against us. Comrades, see
that your guns and sabres are ready, and when necessary follow
me and Lion ! ' '
The heroine 's address was received with the waving of handker
chiefs, and Nyrulyn, seizing her well-tried bow and arrows, stood
at the door, as much as to say — "No, dear Helen, you are too
precious to my darling Mera to receive the first shock of battle.
Her mother will do that." Again the sick girl is moaning and
rolling on her lowly bed of pain, and Helen, crying like a stricken
child mutters:
"Poor Mera, you can not answer signals as you have so bravely
done on former occasions, nor can your now restless feet carry,
as a bird on the wing, a message to your friends as they once
did!" 164

All are intently listening for the report of fire arms, when
suddenly, "to-hoo-o-o," long drawn out, reaches the wide-open
ears of the anxious nurses.
"That means the danger is over," exclaimed Helen joyfully,
and placing her weapons by Lion, she began to chase Mera's
brow gently saying, "Poor Mera! darling Mera, Banna is con
stantly praying for your recovery and I have faith to believe
you'll soon get well."
Thus the anxious nurses kept up their night-long vigil until
break of day when Dr. Singleton returned to the wigwam. See
ing that his patient's eyes were closed he extended his open hands
and said: "Thank God! With Miss Draper for a nurse the
danger is over. While her hands sometimes seemed to be moved
by iron nerves. I notice that their touch upon the burning fevered
brow is as soft and gentle as the whisper of an angel. ' '
"You are right, doctor, but," whispered Mrs. Scupeen, "why
was the danger signal given last night?"
Silently going outside the wigwam. Dr. Singleton gave the fol
lowing account of the disturbance of the night:
"At an early hour the faithful Tata Nyxter was sent out to re-
connoiter the surrounding country. While watching the main
pathway that leads near the rock pillar, he saw three Indians
enter the archway and seat themselves as if to rest. They were
soon joined by another man who, contrary to all Indian usage,
walked in a stooping posture. So sharp was the boy's observa
tion that he recognized the three men who first came as the same
that had formerly made an effort to kidnap Miss Helen. The
fourth was a stranger, and evidently a leader in some conspiracy.
Silently, 'worming' himself near the pillar, the boy learned that
the stoop-shouldered man had located Miss Draper, and reported
that only one man was with her, that the sick girl's father was
away from home, and just at moon up all four should rush into
the wigwam together, and bear the girl away before any one
could come to her relief.
"The boy at once brought us the news and gave the warning
signal that you heard. Then we made the discovery that the boy
was a ventriloquist. Though he stood near it was difficult for
165

me to believe that hooting was not made by an owl on some lofty
tree-top beyond the rocks to the south of Nere Nara.
"Every man constituted himself a vigilant watchman and as
the upper horn of the moon rose above the horizon, four men,
in single file, were seen creeping on all fours along the path that
leads from the south. It was a small matter to capture them, and
they are now in close custody. Immediately the hooting boy
went to the rear and gave the second signal. The captives turned
and listened in the direction where the hooting seemed to be, and
the bent-shouldered man said angrily: 'Osh sempa uto tach ebrus'
— the horrid owl is laughing at us!
"It is a little singular that the Creek language has no profane
word; otherwise the crooked Indian would have used it, for he
was desperately mad. When Abe Trent began to disarm him,
the fellow jerked his tomahawk back; whereupon Abe hurled
him to the ground with such force that we thought him dead for
a while. A break was expected; but the 'click' of several guns
soon restored order. Nothing on earth seems so dreadful to an
Indian as the sharp crack of the white man's rifle. He can not
understand it. ' '
Nyrulyn, who had remained by her sick daughter, motioned
Helen Draper to come in, and Dr. Singleton followed. They
found Mera awake and her mind partially restored; but physi
cally so weak that she could not raise her head to greet the
friend whom she loved so well. The meeting was a happy one,
and Helen's presence doubtless had much to do with the sick
girl's recovery.
When confronted in daylight, the prisoners, as usual, assumed
a haughty attitude and refused to make any explanation what
ever of their purposes; but when Abe Trent, in a spirit of mis
chief, pointed to the east and whispered "Nodoroc" in their ears,
they changed their demeanor, and offered allegiance to the whites
as the price of their liberty.
With the concurrence of the Talasee Colony they were released
on the following day.
Through Etohautee, it was found that the stoop-shouldered
Indian was the ring leader of the plot to capture Helen Draper
166

and hold her as a hostage until the white settlers left the country,
and that his report concerning Miss Draper's defenseless condition
was not based on what he knew himself, but on information given
by another Indian who wished to play him a trick. He turned
out to be Siloquot of Haitauthuga, and that he was not stoop-
shouldered; but for some reason had assumed this position as a
sort of disguise. His companions were Elitoboy, Camastooka and
Novuarka who lived in the vicinity of Port Yargo.
About this time the long-expected train of emigrants arrived.
It consisted of eleven men, nine women and seven chUdren —
twenty-seven in all. It was led by Robert Alston, father of
Alexis Alston* of Pea Ridge. The Talasee Colony having relin
quished all claim to Beadland, the newcomers settled in various
parts of that territory. Mr. Alston and three other families re
mained at Snodon. He built a double log cabin near Nere Nara, the
rock piUar. Having been told something of the history of that cu
rious mausoleum, one of the first acts of his wife, Mrs. Thurza Al
ston was to drape the pillar with festoons of wild flowers. This is
equivalent to writing a long chapter in the history of a good
woman. When Umausauga heard of this token of respect for
his lost Nere Nara and had learned its significance from Banna
and Marzee Marcum, he went the same night to Snodon and
prostrated himself at Mrs. Alston's feet. So much of the senti
ment of a christianized heathen. At the same time the Alstons
and their adherents gained a powerful friend by one simple but
beautiful deed.
In the meantime Mera continued to improve slowly. Sleeping
a little now and then while in her seat, Helen Draper remained
at her side almost constantly for ten long days and as many
weary nights. Every movement was carefuUy noted and every
need of the sick girl was lovingly supplied by the faithful nurse
for three weeks, when she was carried in the willing arms of
Ocean Scupeen to Helen's own home for further attention.
During this period it was curious to notice that when Helen was
absent Lion took her place by Mera, and allowed no stranger to
•Eead first chapter of "CeU No. 21" in this work.— Ed.
167

come near. To gratify his desire to serve the girl, he carried
dinner to her in a little basket, nor did he permit any one
else to take it from him. On one occasion when Mera and Lion
only were in the house, a long gaunt wolf trotted to the door and
began to sniff the inside air. Quick as thought the dog jumped
upon the intruder, and a battle royal followed. His wolfship
was no mean antagonist ; but when the family reached the house,
his throat was torn wide open and the dog was sitting near Mera
as if nothing unusual had happened.
To meet such emergencies as this, which were by no means un
common, fire arms and a deadly knife were always within easy
reach. Though still feeble, the girl, even without her powerful ally,
the dog, was well prepared and certainly knew how to defend
herself. Since the capture of the conspirators and the arrival of Mr.
Alston and his companions it was thought that no further effort
would be made on Helen Draper's liberty; but the vigilance of
herself and friends was not abated for an hour. The cunning
and fleet-footed Tata Nyxter, and the bold, dashing Ocean Scu
peen, ranged the country in all directions; while the dreaded
trio, Abe Trent, Joe Lavender and Ed Damron were within easy
reach. The surveillance continued until Mera was strong enough to be
taken to Fort Strong, where in the sunshine of her still faithful
nurse as well as in that of other devoted friends there, she soon
fully recovered her health. To no one was this more pleasing
than to Dr. Singleton who, next to Helen, had been Mera's most
faithful attendant. He was a young man of fine personal ap
pearance and pleasing manners.
At any time Mera was a pretty girl ; but now that she was ar
rayed in an elegant dress, made by the deft fingers of Letty
Moore, and her magnificent supply of jet black hair had been
dressed by the expert hands of Marzee Marcum, she was still
more beautiful.
If, when the doctor thought his patient near death his atten
tions were very close, it was plain enough that now she was in
168

blooming health, they were stiU closer and even more necessary
for his own happiness than before. So the people began to talk
and say 
"Dr. Singleton loves the dreamy-eyed Indian girl."
The remainder of the Blue Bird's stay at Port Strong was de
voted to daUy rifle practice and to horseback riding under the
efficient guidance of Helen Draper. At the end of four weeks she
was almost equal to her teacher except in loading while on the
run. When Mera returned home she was accompanied by Dr.
Singleton and Rev. James Tinsley.
The purpose of the former was not professional, but a matter
of love and the mission of the latter was to confer with Nyrulyn
about the education of her interesting daughter, it being cus
tomary for mothers to dispose of their daughters and fathers of
their sons. Both doctor and preacher were agreeably surprised
to find the mother almost as interesting and handsome as the
daughter. The truth was, both she and her iU-fated sister Nere
Nara, had been brought up in Savannah, where, being favorites
in the famUy of Edward Telfair, afterwards Governor of Geor
gia, they learned to speak English with tolerable faciUty.
They were said to be the lineal descendants of Lachlan Mc-
GiUivray, a native of Scotland, and the granddaughter of Schey;
mother of the famous Gen. Alexander McGUUvray,* and spoken
of by the historians of the time as the daughter of a fuU-
blooded Creek woman of high rank in her nation, and of Capt.
Marchance of the French army, and that at the time of her mar
riage she was "a maiden of sixteen, cheerful in countenance, be
witching in looks, and graceful in form."
Such was Schey, the grandmother of Nyrulyn and great-grand
mother of Mera.
So, after aU, it turns out that "the pretty Blue Bird Indian
girl," as she was commonly called, was of Scotch-French-Indian
descent, belonged to a family "of high rank in her nation," and
was reaUy a member of the Lower Creek Nation.
•White's "Historical Collection of Georgia," P. 154. — ^Ed.
169

It was long after this before Dr. George Singleton knew any
thing of Mera's ancestors. He loved her for herself as Josiah
Strong had loved Banna the Beautiful, and who by common con
sent was known, after her marriage, as "Banna the Good."
Finding Nyrulyn so far superior in intelligence and manners to
anything anticipated, Mr. Tinsley suggested that both mother
and daughter go through a course of instruction at Port Strong
in the early future. This proposition brought Hoochleohoopah, a
powerful but well-disposed man, into the consultation. He op
posed the measure at first, but finally consented for both his wife
and daughter to accept the preacher's proposition after he re
turned from an extended hunt for which he was then preparing.
Being highly elated with his success, Mr. Tinsley extended his
hand and bade farewell to the family; but when Dr. Singleton
offered his hand Nyrulyn refused to take it until she had paid him
for services rendered to her sick child. The doctor informed her
that Miss Draper had offered to pay him, but that he would not
under any circumstances receive pay for what he had done for
her sick daughter. This seemed to puzzle the woman and after
thinking awhile she asked:
"Have you wife?"
"No; but I want one," answered the doctor blushing to the
crown of his head.
"You have no pay, then you take present from Nyrulyn."
"Yes, with aU my heart."
Turning, she went to an obsecure corner of the wigwam and
returned with a small bundle wrapped in a piece of beautifully
woven grass cloth, and placing it in an elegant Lapsidalian basket,
said: "Here, take this. Doctor no use for it. When you wife get,
to her give it in Nyrulyn 's name. A belt it is of mine and Mera's
hair; it is made of Nyrulyn 's hair, the two-strand pieces are made;
of Mera's hair are made the three-strand pieces. The beads the
flowers made, were to me given by Banna the Beautiful. Let her
it open when you home get. The Great Spirit the doctor bless for
his goodness to Mera." 170

So saying she extended her hand. It was cordially taken, and
after a fervent God bless you, the two surprised men rode away
silently but thoughtfully.
"Say, Mr. Tinsley, I am the biggest fool that ever rode the
Okoloco trail," said Dr. Singleton when well on his homeward
journey. ' ' Why do you think so ? " asked Tinsley.
"Because I had such a splendid opportunity to ask for Mera,"
answered the doctor peering into his pretty basket. "Then why
did you fail to do so?"
"I did not know that the Blue Bird was willing to be caught.
What a fool I was not to ask her to be my wife as we rode along
here this morning. I never spoke a word of love to the girl in my
life. I'll never have such an opportunity again with either her
self or mother."
"You may easily make one; but I have noticed that you are
shy in the presence of ladies and think you would feel more at
home while cutting off a man 's leg or puUing three or four of his
molars than in the presence of the girl you love. Remember,
'Paint heart never won fair ladie!' "
"Perhaps you are right; but by all the moons of Jupiter, I'll
never let another good opportunity pass without knowing the
best or the worst of the whole matter," answered the doctor
seriously as he again peeped into his basket.
Reaching home. Dr. Singleton, after inviting all present to go
with him, hastened to his rough pine-pole office, where in a
husky voice, he asked Banna to unwrap the package for him.
When open she held up a belt of such exquisite workmanship
that all were lost in admiration of its beauty. It was nearly four
inches wide, and made of alternate plaits of two or three strands
of jet black hair twined together with consummate skiU. Over
the whole was wrought in white, red and blue bead-work, flowers
in almost exact imitation of ox-eye daisies and dainty little
forget-me-nots. The center was designated by a half drawn bow
with an arrow lying at sharp angles across the bar. The fasten-
171

ings at the ends were of bone, and in workmanship were in keep
ing with the belt itself.
When all were through looking at the elegant gift, its owner
kissed it, and while replacing it in the basket remarked thought
fully: "Such an artist would adorn the finest gallery in Eu
rope."

172

CHAPTER XI.
The Cold Winter and a Visit by Governor Matthews — The
Organization for Mutual Protection.
It was now January 1795. Except the efforts made to kidnap
one of their best-loved citizens, the Talasee Colony and the in
habitants of Beadland had been free from any immediate danger,
and were eminently prosperous and well contented.
They knew that the Lower Creeks were giving the citizens of
Bryan, Liberty, Mcintosh, and other adjacent counties serious
trouble; but as the whites under Col. Josiah TatnaU, uncle of our
Josiah Strong, and for whom he was named, were constantly vic
torious, they had little fear that the disturbance would reach so
far into the wilderness as Talasee and Snodon. Nevertheless they
whetted their knives, picked their flints, kept their powder dry,
and Tata Nyxter and Ocean Scupeen patroUed the country day
and night. Anything that escaped the eyes of those two boys
was hard to see, indeed. The people knew that "eternal vigi
lance is the price of liberty."
The winter was intensely cold — colder, the oldest natives said,
than they had ever known before. The ground had been covered
with alternate layers of frozen rain and snow for six weeks with
no prospect of an early change. Animals and birds became raven
ously hungry. Panthers and wolves, troublesome at any time,
were more dangerous than ever before. Hundreds of them were
shot in the yards around the cabins during the day, and at night
they were kept at a respectful distance by roaring fires in the
chimneys and by burning pine knots outsides the houses. Some
times even these precautions did not effect their purpose.
One night a gang of wolves being made ravenous by smelling
the blood of a deer that Mr. Draper had dressed that day, broke
over, to them, the mysterious circle, and rushing between the
fires, besieged the house itself.
Most of them were shot through port holes made for the pur
pose ; but two bolder than the others, attacked the door. One of
173

them tore away enough of the shutter with his strong teeth to ad
mit its head, and while struggling to get its body through the
opening Lion tore its throat open — ^his favorite way of dealing
with an enemy.
The living wolves outside soon began to devour the dead ones,
and when they came to the one fast in the door shutter they
pulled it away and still another poked his head through the
opening. Helen, whose rifle had just been discharged, split its
head open with an axe. That, eventually, ended the battle as
the wolves still living being gorged with the slain, retired from
the field.
The cracking of bones, the lapping of blood, and the fierce
growls of the monsters outside all intermingled with the sharp
crack of those rifles inside and one at an unknown place, created
a horrid din that words can not describe.
It was afterwards found that the firing of the unknown rifle
came from the spreading branches of a tree whither Ocean Scu
peen, seeing the danger to which his friends were exposed, had,
at the risk of his life, climbed to help defend those he loved. At
a time of great need the boy did heroic service that dreadful
night. As the body of the large wolf whose head Helen cut open was
not eaten, he was supposed to be the leader of the pack, which
also helps to explain the sudden termination of the attack.
Had he gotten through the door others would have made desperate
efforts to follow.
Such hunting droves of half-starved wolves became so common
that work and travel were almost suspended and the people were
compelled to give exclusive attention to their destruction. The
natives throughout the country suffered more than the whites be
cause their means of defense were not so good. Soon after the at
tack on the Draper home an Indian, accompanied by his squaw
who was carrying her papoose, as native children were called,
were followed by several wolves to Snodon. As dark came on
the animals became bolder and pressed the natives so closely
they were compelled to climb a tree to save themselves.
174

The weather was so cold that the mother's numb fingers re
fused to obey her wiU, and the child fell to the ground where it
was instantly devoured. When relief reached them sometime
afterwards, they were no nearly frozen they could not walk.
In 1837, when Snodon was well known as Jug Tavern, a scrubby
blackjack was pointed out by an old native caUed Jolly Jumper,
as the tree from which the Indian child fell. It stood on the
north side of Hog Mountain road opposite the present residence of
Mr. Wiley Bush of Winder.
From the time of the first settlement of the country to some-_
time about the thirties of the last century. Beech creek, because of
the dense canebrakes which grew upon its margins, was called
the panther's stronghold. Hence its name, Taurulahoole, which
means "screaming panther." The excessively cold winter drove
these animals from the canebrakes to the hills where they became
dangerous. Early one morning Loyd Upson, a Uttle boy whose father,
Jabin Upson, was a newcomer living near Mr. Draper, was seized
by a panther and carried to the woods. Helen Draper, hearing the
cries of the boy, took her father's heavy rifie and in her usual
headlong way, hastily pursued the animal. When vrithin from
thirty to forty yards of it she gave a loud scream. The brute,
doubtless thinking that another panther was following, turned to
investigate the matter. As it turned an ounce baU entered its
body a little behind the right shoulder and passing through im
bedded itseK in an oak tree which stood a few yards distant.
Leaping high the animal gave a dying scream which released the
boy and they feU together on the ground.
The boy scrambled away on his hands and one leg, the other
being so badly torn that he could not use it. Such was Helen
Draper, the touch of whose hand had been characterized as being
"as soft and gentle as the whisper of an angel." And so it was
when gentleness was required.
"Mother," said the boy, after he had been carried home, "she
wrapped her apron around my leg while the smoke was slowly
coming out of the muzzle of her gun."
175

The boy's wound flnaUy healed, but he was a cripple for life.
His mother afterwards made him "a-round-about" coat of the
panther's skin, and one of his greatest joys was to wear it in
Helen's presence and rest his head upon her knee, while she
patted his red, plump cheek with her "soft and gentle hand."
In 1813, when Capt. Carnes was in Jefferson, beating for vol
unteers to meet the British on the Atlantic coast, Loyd Upson,
then a good-looking young man, was the first to offer his ser
vices. Being rejected because of his lameness, he took a battered bul
let from his pocket, and turning it with his fingers said thought
fully: "Perhaps it is for the best. I intended to remould this
bullet and kill some redcoat with it. When Nancy Jane [mean
ing his rifle] speaks, she always means death. As it once saved
my life it seems, after all, wrong for me to kill another with it."
The disappointed young man returned the bullet to his pocket
and limped away with tears in his eyes. Two years later he was
accepted as a volunteer and did valiant service in the battle of
New Orleans. On the 8th of January 1815, when the battle was
raging all along the lines. Gen. Jackson noticed a soldier several
steps in rear of his command. He was loading and shooting as
deliberately as if at a country shooting match. He wore a broad-
brimmed wool hat, and every time he took aim he turned up the
front part of the brim, and a man fell. When this had been re
peated several times, Jackson, overcome with admiration, ap
proached the soldier and asked: "My brave boy, what are you
doing here by yourself?"
"Well, you see. General" was the answer, "I am lame and can
not keep up with the boys. So I am out here fighting on my own
hook." "What is your name and where from?"
"Loyd Upson of Georgia, sir, and it's Nancy Jane that is
speaking to the fellows over yonder."
"Tell her to speak on," said Jackson as he himself plunged into
the fight.
The foregoing incidents are given, not as all of the kind that
occurred in the country; but to illustrate the prevailing con
ditions under which the pioneers of Beadland labored. Helen
176

Draper and Loyd Upson were typical of the men and women
among whom the former lived, and the latter grew to manhood.
Several more weeks passed after the dangerous animals had
been mainly subdued by the rifle and starvation before the in
tense cold abated. Those which withstood the vigor of the winter
best, were deer, rabbits and squirrels. This was of great benefit
to the people, for though lean, they were eatable. Dear subsisted
largely on moss which was found near the roots of large trees, on
decaying timber and on rocks. It was said to be interesting to
see them cutting ice from rocks with their sharp hoofs. Rabbits
(hares) or MoUy Cotton Tails, as the people called them, lived
on bark, chiefly of the sassafras, laurel and alder. Squirrels
dined on hickory nuts, chestnuts and acorns which they had wisely
stored away during the previous autumn — a custom which they
still pursue. TeU who can how a squirrel finds the proper place
to dig a hole through the snow to unearth a nut which he had
buried there months before.
Of all the small pests to which the people were subjected, the
ground rat was the most troublesome. These little stubby-tailed
rodents were very numerous, and being driven into houses in
search of something to eat, made them almost unin
habitable. They even gnawed on the feet and noses of people
when asleep. One which Ocean Scupeen said "had a sweet tooth
in its head," took a snip from Helen Draper's lip, and the boy
was wicked enough to say that he did not "blame the rat, but
commended it for its good taste."
So many birds starved and froze to death that the great num
ber then existing was never afterwards attained, some species
becoming almost extinct, and a few entirely so. Turkeys and par
tridges, the most valuable of aU, were too lean for table use, and
boys sometimes killed them with sticks. A drove consisting of
ten or twelve turkeys became so gentle that Helen and Mera fed
and sheltered them through the winter. When warm weather
came they refused to leave their kind friends and followed the
girls like a shadow, and this was the beginning of domestic tur
key raising in northeast Georgia. 177

During the coming summer, when Gov. George Matthews was
making a tour of the country with a view to the organization of
the then much-talked new County of Jackson, he stopped at Sno
don for dinner and dined upon one of Helen and Mera's tamed
turkeys because others were thought to be too poor to set before
a governor. It was so toothsome that his Excellency asked the girls to
sell him a pair. They did not want to sell their pets; but being
such an august purchaser, they finally consented to let him have
a pair for fifteen shillings (English coin) — a very good price.
Having divided the shillings equally, Mera looked curiously at
the first money she ever possessed, and really not knowing its
value, at once gave it to the still suffering Loyd Upson who, as she
said by way of justifying her action "was not able to help him
self." From whence came such a sentiment from a young girl of the
wilderness? Her association, though brief, with Banna, Marzee
and Helen, had, perhaps unconsciously implanted it in her
naturally noble heart. ,
When the governor was ready to leave he turned to Mera, and
doubtless because of her beauty and elegant figure, looked at her
a long time. The girl blushed and he broke the silence by say
ing: "You are certainly a beautiful girl and I intend to send you
a handsome sweetheart. As I am traveling on horseback I can
not carry the turkeys with me ; but I will send for them before
long. Mino will come for them, perhaps next week. He is a very
handsome young brave and has an excellent character. He is as
fleet as the wind and as quick as an arrow. Should you and
Mino love each other, and I think you should because you are
very much alike, the Governor of Georgia will come all the way
here to perform the marriage ceremony."
At the mention of "marriage ceremony" Mera suddenly ran to
Helen and threw both arms around her neck, "No, sir, Mr. Gov
ernor, I'll never leave such a friend as this for any one," an
swered back the girl, patting Helen on the shoulder, and sealing
her vow with a kiss. 178

"You'U think better of that when you see Mino," answered
the Governor, as he rode away.
Governor Matthews* then lived at the Goose Pond on Broad
river in Oglethorpe County which had been recently organized.
The anxiously awaited "next week" came, and the handsome
young brave came with it, as provided by the Governor. Hand
some he was, sure enough, and sure enough he and Mera were so
much aUke that they would have passed anywhere as twin brother
and sister. It was amusing to see them looking at each other. Mino
evidently feU in love at first sight, and on the second day of his
visit he resolved to ask Mera to become his wife and go with him
to the sUently flowing water of Salwigee (Broad) river, from
whence he came. But the girl was shy and provokingly distant,
always retreating to Helen Uke a chUd to its mother when among
strangers. Neither Miss Draper nor her friends were wiUing to
part with their pet without a struggle. Still her lover was so
handsome and pleasant in his maimers, talked English even bet
ter than Mera herself, and showed so many traits of civilization,
that Helen wanted her to treat him at least with respect.
At last when the young brave had almost despaired of bring
ing the girl to terms of either acceptance or rejection, he sat down
and leaned against a tree that grew in the Charmed Circle to
brood over his condition. WhUe sitting there Hoochlechoopah,
Mera's father chanced to pass near. The young brave looked up,
the man stopped, and their eyes met. Having looked at each
other for a short time, the passing Indian turned suddenly and
without speaking a word, retraced his steps hastily.
The young brave was astonished, and thinking the big
stranger meant some harm, was at a loss to know what course to
pursue, finaUy deciding that as the turkeys had to be carried to
Gov. Matthews, it would be best for him to leave the country, at
least for the present and return at some future time. Arising
to carry out his resolutions, he naturally looked in the direction

•For a complete record of the settlements on Broad Eiver, in what is
now Oglethorpe and Elbert Counties, see Gov. Gilmer's "Early Settlers of
Upper Georgia." — Ed. 179

taken by the retreating stranger. To his astonishment he saw
the same man who was closely followed by a woman, approaching
at a brisk run. Though a little flustered he returned to his seat
and awaited the result calmly. "Look and see, Nyrulyn," said
the man, as he came near. "I think," he continued with some
excitement, "that the man sitting by the tree is your long-lost
brother!" Nyrulyn went nearer, intently gazed into the eyes of the
stranger, and going still nearer, turned up a sort of cap which he
wore and passed her hand over his forehead slowly. Then she
took one step backward, stood trembling for a moment, advanced,
and, throwing her arms around the bewildered man, exclaimed
exultingly :
' ' 0 my long lost brother, little Adra Axter. I am your sister Ny
rulyn. I know you because you are so much like our mother, and
by the three-cornered scar on your forehead. I have described it
many times over when trying to find you. At last! At last!
Thank the Great Spirit! At last! At last!"
The emotions experienced that evening were strange indeed.
The newly found brother at once realized that his love for Mera
must take a different direction to that for which he had so ar
dently hoped for a few hours before ; while she was utterly aston
ished to find that her relations to the handsome boy were to be
about the same as if he were her brother, and that she must call
him uncle. Nyrulyn was so greatly elated that she sent for her
only other brother, Notha Neva, who, it will be remembered,
lived on the lower waters of Sandy Creek. Tata Nyxter was the
messenger, to whom that distance seemed as nothing.
Mino, whose real name was Adra Axter, was stolen from his
parents when nearly three years old by a roving band of Chero
kees, who, not knowing his name, called him Mino. They kept
him a slave until nearly grown and sometimes used him very
roughly. Finally, his proud spirit rebelled, and finding an oppor
tunity to escape, he made good use of it. Though followed, his
wonderful fleetness enabled him to escape his pursuers. While
wandering over the country aimlessly, he fortunately fell into the
180

hands of Gov. Matthews, who, appreciating his good qualities,
treated him so kindly that the boy refused to leave him.
Adra Axter remembered nothing of his home life and from
early boyhood had thought himself an orphan Cherokee, born to
slavery and hardship.
Tata Nyxter accompanied by his former friend, Notha Neva,
soon returned to Snodon. The meeting of the brothers was very
affecting, and though the resemblance was not so great as that
of Nyrulyn and her daughter, they would have passed for broth
ers anywhere.
Although the sending of Tata Nyxter after Notha Neva was it
self of no historical importance, still "thereby hangs a tale."
A short distance above the mouth of Sandy Creek there was a
small lagoon or shallow lake, surrounded by a dense growth of
cane, briers and other smaU swamp growth. On its north side was
a slightly elevated plot of dry land on which stood a little hut
made of poles and covered with canes and clay mortar. As a Bo
huron Tata Nyxter was well acquainted with the ground, knew
the purposes of the hut and the exact location of the only path
that led to it. When passing on his way to Notha Neva's home
in the almost interminable wilderness which lay a short distance
east of the creek, he noticed that the path had been traveled
recently. At first he thought it only a common occurrence -ind
passed on. But knowing that the path led to the "Secret Coun
cil Chamber" of the Bohurons, the further he went the more he
became convinced that in aU probability something unusual was
on hand. Hastening on he told his host of the discovery made,
and was informed that strangers had been recently seen going
towards the swamp beyond the creek on several different oc
casions. Even against the advice of his friends, he resolved to investi
gate the matter that very night. He knew that if the strangers
were Bohuron leaders, they would sleep in the hut until about
midnight, and broil their meat and talk over their plans before
daylight. Resolving that if discovered he would claim the rights
of the clan himself (for the use he had made of the King Phil
lip's arrow was stiU unknown to any besides the few who knew
181

the secret, even before the deed was done), the boy reached the
path leading to the hut awhile before midnight.
Judging that the coast was clear, he crawled upon his hands and
knees near the hut and concealed himself in a cluster of scrubby
laurel that grew near the lake and between it and the hut, wisely
thinking that no one would be likely to come or go in that direc
tion. By and by some one was heard snoring in the hut and the spy
knew it was inhabited. He thought it the loudest snoring he had
ever heard, and presently another, evidently annoyed at the dis
cordant sound said snappishly: "Huh! Huh! Huh! Up wake! you
the country alarm ! ' '
A long-drawn yawn was heard, and the snoring ceased. A long
talk followed of which the spy barely heard enough to convince
him that his suspicions were well founded. Soon, however, a
light appeared in the hut, and the boy knew that meant broiling
meat, and maybe, roasting an ash cake. Silently stealing near,
he looked through a small opening in the wall and saw two men
sitting near the fire broiling bear meat. The odor was delightful,
yet he dared do nothing but look and listen.
One of the men was Wokolog, a well-known Bohuron leader,
who, of all Indians, Tata Nyxter and his father most hated. The
other was a stranger dressed in skin decorated with bear and
eagle claws. On his head was a sort of skullcap from which pro
truded quite an array of fine feathers (Ostrich), of a kind the spy
had never seen before. This indicated that the stranger was
from a distance. Really he was a fine-looking fellow of medium
size, whose features, form, dress and movements strongly re
minded one of Yrtyrmyrmyrmysco.
Few words were spoken while the meat was cooking ; but soon
as it was taken off the coals the men engaged in conversation.
From all that was said the stealthy listener learned that the
stranger's name was Bonoaguartah, brother of the slain Bohuron
chief, and that his presence in the country was to reorganize that
clan and avenge the death of his brother. That as the curious ar
row that killed the chief must have been furnished or used by
some pale-face, any white man or woman, not even excepting the
182

royal blooded Banna, or any Indian friendly to the whites, should
be the object of their vengeance, and that they would be ready to
start upon the war path at half of this moon.
As the new moon went down a Uttle after dark that night, "at
half of this moon" meant about thirteen days hence. As was
afterwards learned nearly two weeks were aUowed so as to give
recruits expected from the low country time to arrive.
Having gained this startling information, Tata looked at the
stars, and finding that daybreak was near, hastened away as he
had come. Soon he and Notha Neva was on a brisk run for Sno
don, which accounts for their early arrival there.
Arrangements were at once made to inform aU the citizens of
Beadland and of the Talasee, Fort Yargo, Thomocoggan, Yamacu
tah and Groaning Rock colonies of the impending danger. The
bearer of the news to each place carried a written message of
which the foUowing is a copy: "Georgia, Franklin Co.
"Snodon, Aug. 8th, 1795.
"To the Colonies of Yamacutah.
"Dear Friends:
"Danger threatens. We have lots of dry powder. If necessary
come help us bum it. Bearer wUl give particulars. Hurrah
for success. Devotedly, "Helen Draper."
As the time for Mino's departure was at hand, he took affec
tionate leave of his relatives and their friends saying: "If
danger comes Mino wiU be with you. He too knows how to use the
cracking rifle as well as the twanging bow."
Accompanied by Notha Neva, each carrying a turkey, the
brothers left Snodon with some sadness. As messengers of the
people of Beadland, they went by the way of Thomocoggan, Yama
cutah and Groaning Rock.
The colonists being already well provided with arms and am
munition, the next thing deemed necessary was an effective or
ganization. They could, aU told, muster a force of 98 fighting
white men, and about half that number of women, many of them,
183

perhaps all, being as heroic in case of necessity as Helen Draper
herself. Besides all of them, including Nyrulyn and Mera, were
dead shots, and as effective at the port hole and sometimes in the
open field as any man.
After an absence of a few days which Umausauga had spent
among his personal friends, he returned with 17 loyal followers,
which, when added to the proscribed Indians, Umausauga, Eto
hautee, Tata Nyxter, Hoochlechoopah and Notha Neva made a
fighting contingent of 22 friendly natives, making a total of 120
available men. Besides, if the fight continued to be a local one as
was supposed, they expected valuable aid from their sister col
onies. About ten days before the expected outbreak an organization
was effected which proved to be satisfactory to all.
Johnson Josiah Strong was elected Commander-in-Chief, and
the white men, being divided into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd companies,
Joe Lavender, Ed Damron and Abe Trent were their commanders,
with the rank of Captain. Ocean Scupeen was quickly selected
patrolling scout.
Umausauga was placed over the natives with Tata Nyxter
patrolling scout. To complete the organization Helen Draper was
elected viva voce to lead the women, with rank of Captain.
To show the spirit of that girl more fully it may be said that
after her election she stepped in front and said, "All command
ers-in-chief have aides. I therefore appoint Banna Mar de Vedo
Strong, Marzee Marcum, and Mera Hoochlechoopah my aides-de
camp. Comrades, take due notice thereof and govern yourselves
accordingly, though I don't know just what that means. Hurrah
for success."
"Hurrah for success," shouted all the men, and each one felt
that a true Joan of Arc was among them. So far as doing any
thing the girl commander thought little of her shout, and less of
her appointments at the time, but "Hurrah for success," became
the battle cry of the colonists, and her aid did as much to achieve
"success" as any other three soldiers in the field.
Note: This closes the record of the Talasee Colony, just as the "Old
General" left it. Evidently, he intended following the progress of this
184

colony "on and on and on" in their successful efforts to build homes and
settle, with the help of the other colonies scattered over the county, this
the garden spot of Georgia. But the grim reaper, death, cut short his
labors. With all due respect to the other settlers of the county, it must be seen,
from records in our court-house, that this colony was the most influential
of any in the county at that time.
As the different parts of the county were settled and the people began
to get on their feet, so to speak, the Talasee section began to give way, and
to swing backward for a while. Such is life. The pendulum will go
from one extreme to another. To-day all sections of the county are about
evenly represented in governmental affairs.
But, after all is said, the history of the Talasee people is the history
of Yamacutah; and the history of Groaning Eock is, virtually that of
Snodon and on through the list. Thomocoggan was as great as Stone
throw, (just over the line in Hall County, now) and Yamtrahooehee was
as great as any in the list. So none of them can say "I did it" but "We
did it by each other's help." — Ed.

185

YAMACUTAH.*
First Settlers at Tumbling Shoals and Related Incidents.
How true is the word of God: "One generation passes away,
and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever.
There is no remembrance of things that are to come with those
that shall come after."
We want to tell you some things that happened when the
twang of the Indian 's bowstring was heard in almost every forest,
but that was not much worse than the crack of the pistol as
heard in modern times. Then the rattlesnake was coiled in almost
every path, the scream of the panther was heard on almost every
hill, and the howl of the wolf echoed through almost every val
ley; but these threatenings were not one whit worse than some
of the dangers that menace modem society.
Your forefathers dreamed of unrestricted liberty in the bound
less forest and in the national councils as well. The modern
dream is largely of ambition, and the accumulation of riches, of
homage to fashion, ease and elegance, the emoluments of office
and of the loudest cry calling for extraordinary privileges to a
favored few.
But after all, your social gatherings like those of to-day, your
intelligence and refinement, your schools and colleges, your
churches and Sunday-schools, your asylums and hospitals, your
home and foreign mission boards, your Bible and publishing
houses, your railroads, automobiles, telegraphs, telephones, sew
ing machines, farming tools, cotton factories and rolling mills, are
all infinitely superior to anything known one hundred years ago.
A century ! That is a long, long time. Very few of the human
race live that many years. While I do not believe that the Bible
fixes the limit of human life at the age of three score and ten, as
David is supposed to do in the 90th Psalm, it is a well-attested
fact that the majority of the race die young. While we know
"Yamacutah" was prepared for the Centennial Celebration held in
Jefferson, Ga., 1906.— Ed. 186

comparatively little of the age reached by those who Uved in this
county one hundred years ago, it is safe to say that none of them
are living now. They aU sleep in the arms of our common mother
earth, and how stiU they lie !
They toiled hard, and met and overcame many dangers. Their
hopes and aspirations were as strong as yours, but along different
Unes. They wrote little, but said much. As far as the record
goes, and as far as legitimate conclusions can be drawn from it,
a great majority of them were good, substantial people. They
were as true to themselves, to their famiUes, their neighbors, their
country and their God as any who UVed in that age of the world.
They were pioneers: the settlers of a frontier country. Their
heroic struggles to overcome the unbroken wilderness inhabited
by wild beasts and wUder men are worthy of aU praise. Of
course they made mistakes. With the Ught of the present genera
tion before them they woiUd have done better. But with aU their
disadvantages, they buUt better than they knew. With their
primitive axe and scooter plow and rifle gun they laid a glorious
foundation upon which the present generation has erected a
monument of which no citizen need be ashamed.
The comfortable dwellings in which good cheer and a God-
given hospitaUty reign supreme, and the weU cultivated farms,
made picturesque by plows that cut the ground Uke a thing of
Ufe, and with harrows, rakes and weeders that smooth it over
like a fancy flower-bed, aU — aU tell us that the people are pros
perous and happy. May joy and contentment always be the
pleasing compensations of such a noble people.
I have spent more than three-fourths of a long lifetime in close
relations with the boys and girls of Jackson County. For thirty
years I passed more than half my time with her noble band of
school teachers.
The inspiration received from her children and the uplifting
influences of her teachers have been of more benefit to me than
all other earthly things combined.
It has been said by one of the most profound thinkers of the
age, that, "To be less than twenty years old, and Uve in the be
ginning of the 20th century, is a greater fortune than has ever
187

been offered to the world before." Boys and girls of this great
country, do you realize that?
Look well to your laurels, and live up to your great oppor
tunities. No other generation ever had such favorable and far
reaching ones. Your opportunities are already made — made for
you. In no other age of the world have such great efforts been
made for the education of the young as have been made for you.
Your ancestors had no such opportunities. Roman-like they had
to make a way or find one, and they generaUy had to make it.
And now to give you some idea of primitive life in this country,
we will go back to the first permanent settlement made by white
people within the present Umits of Jackson County.
Perhaps there are comparatively few people now living in the
county who know that there is such a place in it as the "TUMB
LING SHOALS." For more than a generation no road, public
or private, has led within sight of them; and like most other
things pertaining to the early settlement of this country by the
Anglo-Saxon race, their history has never been written. They are
about one mile below the well-known Hurricane Shoals, on
North Oconee river, where the water goes whirling around one
end of a solid rock dam built by the hand of nature, and then
ripples over a series of minature falls in such a way as to seem
that one wave rolls or tumbles over another. Hence the name,
which comes from the Cherokee word, YAMACUTAH, signifying
to tumble.
In 1784 Jordan Clark and Jacob Bankston,* two enterprising
and adventurous young men, came from Virginia to Wilkes
County, Georgia. There they met with a roving band of Choctaw
Indians who told them of a strange old camping-ground which
they called Yamacutah. They said it was located on the banks of
Etoho (Oconee) river, some two days' journey towards the setting
sun; that the Great Spirit once lived there; and that since his
disappearance Indians sometimes went to the place to walk the
paths which God once trod, and then hastened away, as He had
done, without leaving a trail to show which way they went.
•See White's "Historical Collections of Georgia." — ^Ed.
188

Having their curosity aroused, Clark and Bankston at once
resolved to go and see if the Choctaws had told them the truth.
Late on the afternoon of April 22, 1784, they reached a series of
small shoals, which they immediately recognized as Yamacutah.
WhUe the stream was smaU and the shoals modest, they were
curious, and their surroundings were sublime and awe-inspiring
far beyond anything known to the present inhabitants.
Trees of fabulous dimensions interlocked their ponderous
branches, and the acoms and chestnuts of the previous year liter-
aUy covered the ground. The glaring eyes and startling bound
of the red deer, the wUd chattering of a multitude of birds, and
the warning signal of the rattlesnake, told the newcomers that
such beings had seldom, if ever, been there before.
Distant some twenty yards, a great black bear was perched in
the fork of a tree. As he moved his forepaws with the evident
intention of descending, a ball from Clark's deadly rifle crashed
through his head. Curious to say, as was afterwards learned,
that bear's Ufe was the first ever known to be taken at or near
Yamacutah. After a "delightful supper of broUed bear ham," as
the adventurers described it, they slept by turns, through most of
the night, and with the rising sun began a careful examination of
their surroundings.
About seventy-five yards from the west end of the natural
rock dam they discovered a curious upright statue a little over
four feet high. It was made of a soft talcose rock, 13 inches
square at the bottom; but the top, from the shoulders up, was a
fair representation of the human figure. The shoulders were
rudimentary, but the head was weU formed. The neck was xm-
duly long and slender. The chin and forehead were retreating.
The eyes were finely executed, and looked anxiously to the east.
It stood at the center of an earth mound (17) seventeen feet in
circumference and six feet high. Around it were many other
mysteries which wiU never be fully explained. Only a few of
them may be mentioned now.
Pour paths, doubtless the ones the Choctaws mentioned, led,
with mathematical precision, from the base of the mound to the
cardinal points of the compass. Though it seemed that no other
189

part of the forest had been trodden by human feet, these paths
were as smooth and clean as a parlor floor. The scrubby cane,
which seemed to have been planted by design along their mar
gins, was as neatly trimmed as if the work had been done by a
professional gardener. And here, amid those gloomy solitudes
the natives believed that our God, their Great Spirit, had walked
as a man walks along his homeward pathway.
The statue was found to be the center of an exact circle about
one hundred and fifty yards in diameter. Its boundary was plain
ly marked by holes in the ground three feet apart. The holes to
which the paths ran in a straight line from the center were much
larger than the intervening ones; and before them, inside the
circle, were what seemed to be stone altars of varying dimensions.
At the end of the path running to the north was a single triangu
lar stone; at the east were five square stones and four steps; at
the west, four stones and three steps; at the south, three stones
and two steps. Upon the upper surface of all the stones except
that at the north the effect of fire was plainly visible and doubtless
had been used for sacrificial purposes.
All the paths terminated at the altars except the one running
to the east. At this the trail parted, and, uniting beyond it, con
tinued a short distance and then, much like an ascending column
of smoke, disappeared, gradually. The account given by the
Choctaws was verified. On the smooth surfaces of the stones
were deeply cut both three and five-pointed half moons, whose
horns turned in different ways.
A good representation of the rising sun and other curious
characters were deeply cut on the eastern altar.
Outside the circle were many ash heaps, beaten hard by the
heavy hand of time, and over some of them were growing gigantic
oaks and towering pines, as if to mark the grave of the dead past.
Having studied these and other features of the vicinity, the
adventurers went back to their starting point with a determina
tion to return and make a permanent settlement at Yamacutah.
For an unknown period of time the immediate territory on both
sides of the river and for about one mile below, and to the Hur-
190

ricane Shoals above, was neutral ground, claimed by neither
Creek nor Cherokee, the lords of the adjoining territory.
For reasons already given it was considered Holy Ground : the
Indians' Palestine. If on the war path, they went around it; if
enemies met there they became friends as long as they remained
there ; by mutual consent of all the tribes the life of neither beast
or bird, nor any living thing, should ever perish there. It was
ever to be a place of refuge and never to have upon it the stain
of blood. The killing of the bear by Clark was the first breach of
law in the Holy Ground, and led, a few years later to open hostili
ties between the red and white men who lived in this part of the
country. On the 20th day of the following June Clark and Bankston re
turned to Yamacutah and began the first permanent settlement of
white people within the present limits of Jackson County. They
were accompanied by John Harris, a nephew of Nancy Hart, of
revolutionary fame, and who became extensively known as Black
Harris. He was a skillful workman in both wood and iron, and
of almost unlimited resources in strategy and cunning.
A small cabin, which at once became dwelling-house and work
shop, was soon completed. Here such articles were made as seemed
necessary to their simple wants. I now have a cupboard which
was made by John Harris in that shop in 1785. It was made of
boards split from a huge pine tree that grew upon an ash heap
near the eastern altar. Though one hundred and twenty-one years
old, it is still solid in all its points, and no modern mechanic can
excel the workmanship.
This ancient "dresser,"* as the maker called it, together with
a curious cluster of pine cones* that grew upon the tree of which
is was made; an acorn* which fell from an oak that reached its
ponderous branches far over the talcose statue; and some other
things, I keep as mementoes of the shadowy past. When in want
of curious mental food, or a desire to leap at a single bound from
the present back to the long-gone past, I look at these relics of a
former age, and with the old Saxon poet who, after his failure to
•These relics are still in the homes of the Author's children. — Ed.
191

penetrate the future, cried out: "ROLL BACK! ROLL BACK!
Oh, wheels of time, roll back ! and let me realize something of the
difference between then and now. ' '
The following year, 1785, was a memorable one. In May there
same a cold wave which killed many large trees. The bird family
was almost exterminated, and a large eagle, accidentally feeling
the warmth of the cabin, became domesticated and remained a pet
for several months, when it left wearing a bell which John Harris
had fastened around its neck with his name and date engraved
upon it. In 1790 this romantic bird was killed in the vicinity of
Augusta. Even so large and hardy animals as wolves and pan
thers were found dead in the forest, and many fish were frozen
in solid ice.
But the most remarkable phenomenon of that, or perhaps of any
other year since the crufixion of the Son of God was the Dark
Day on November 24th. It has never been explained, and the
splendid illumination of the 20th century casts no light upon the
cause of the darkness. Though the sun was visible aU day long,
and appeared to be much larger than usual, it omitted no light ex
cept such as may be seen while passing through a dense fog at
night. The whole of animated nature on the Western Hemisphere
was astonished on that day, and aU who had ever heard of the final
judgment listened in anxious expectation of hearing the long-
drawn blasts of Gabriel's trumpet to wake the sleeping dead.
But only that which took place at Yamacutah concerns us now,
and the tenth of that can not be told here. Even such strong and
heroic men as Clark, Bankston and Harris were anxious, talked
in whispers, and sat by their cabin all day. Various animals
passed by in utter confusion, and several opossums and raccoons
crouched near them, and though they sat with rifles across their
knees, not a gun was fired the whole long day.
During the day many Indians came, and seating themselves
around the mystic circle, gazed steadfastly - towards the central
figure. This they continued all day, and perhaps all night; for
when next morning they saw the sun rise bright and golden as
ever, they arose as one man, went inside the circle, and solemnly
walking along the path to a step as regular as the beating of a
192

healthy heart, they disappeared beyond the eastern altar as al
ready indicated.
This was the last time this curious performance ever took place
at the Tumbling Shoals, or anywhere else so far as I ever heard.
What did it mean ? Was there any more in it than a mere heathen
ceremony? In the early part of 1787 the little settlement was increased
by the arrival of an important famUy consisting of Dale Clover,
Mrs. Mary Clover, and their t,wo children, Flora, a daughter four
years old, and Egbert, a Utle boy just beginning to walk. They
came directly from Virginia by request of Clark and Bankston,
who were near relatives of the Clover famUy.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Clover were educated and refined. The
latter was very beautiful, and her little daughter even more so.
Clark, Bankston, Harris and Clover were revolutionary soldiers.
were F^ee and Accepted Masons, members of the Baptist church,
and after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, shook hands
with George Washington for the last time. Who is not proud to
live in a county first trod by such men?
The population of Tumbling Shoals and vicinity had been
increased to 42 men, women and children. Among them were
Jared Cunningham, James Montgomery and Dr. Henry Therrauld.
Cunningham settled at Hurricane Shoals, and one of our districts
was named after his son, John.
Just here one of the strangest romances known to real Ufe
might be unearthed by the professional writer. Montgomery
afterwards moved to where Cabin Creek church now stands, and
building the first cabin there both the creek and church buUt near
it took that name.
Dr. Therrauld was an extraordinary man and his Ufe would
fill a volume of thrilling interest. He administered the first pro
fessional dose of medicine ever taken by a citizen of Jefferson.
The patient was Mrs. Thomas Jett. He helped to build the first
Baptist church organized in the county, and preached the first
sermon delivered there. The church was called "Etoho," but
was changed to Oconee, and stood some two miles east of the
present Oconee church. 193

Several good, substantial dwelling-houses, a strong fort, a small
grist mill, a successful iron furnace and a school house had been
built at Yamtrahooehee (Hurricane Shoals). The first school in
the county was taught here by our same Dr. Therrauld, with a
maximum number of ten pupils.
Iron ore for the foundry was digged from the mines near the
present city of Commerce, and from near Dry Pond, where many
tons were taken and carried to be smelted at the Shoals.
Fragments of pots, ovens and skillets were thick around the old
site until 1840, when the great Harrison fiood, as the big rain was
called, swept away almost every vestige of its former life. Then
work had to start anew. The old furnace was kept in operation
as late as the sixties, during the civil war.
Trouble with the Indians had been brewing for some time and
open hostilities began in 1801, with varying results until the gage
of battle was decided in favor of the white people, but at the
fearful cost of Dr. Therrauld 's life — a loss as great as Jackson
County ever felt. In these conflicts Clark, Bankston, Harris,
Clover, Cunningham, Montgomery and Therrauld always com
posed the front rank.
Only a few incidents may be given. One afternoon when most
of the men were at work in a corn field, with their rifles hanging
down their backs in deer-skin pouches made for the purpose,
little Egbert Clover, who had left the fort unobserved, was vio
lently seized by a painted Indian warrior. His mother who was
an expert with the rifle ran out at the only door, and just as she
saw her little boy's brains dashed out against a large rock, she
fired and the Indian fell dead.
John Harris made a razor strop of skin taken from that In
dian's back, and many razors were afterwards sharpened on it.
This is a grim feature of the times ; but remember what Sherman
said about war.
Only a short time after this sad event. Flora Clover, sister of
little Egbert, and Susan Bingham, the 13-year-old daughter of
Hiram Bingham, mysteriously disappeared from home. For six
long, painful weeks, every possible effort was made to discover
them ; but without avail. When all hope was well-nigh gone, a
194

man of gigantic proportions was seen approaching the fort with
a white handkerchief streaming from the muzzle of a long rifle,
and another covering the lower part of his face. Finding that he
was seen, he deliberately placed the paper under a flat rock and
went away as he had come, with a bold, lordly step. The paper,
written in elegant style, read as foUows :
"A little after dark to-night, leave the key in the lower door of
the furnace, and about 12 you may find Flora and Susan inside.
Place an invisible guard. ALISCO."
The anxiety of the evening was great beyond description. The
instructions given were strictly foUowed. About 1 o'clock that
night, the huge form of a giant leading two girls approached the
door, the great key made by John Harris turned in the lock, the
girls were gently lifted inside, the door silently closed, and the
giant disappeared in the deep shade of the trees. A few minutes
more and Flora Clover and Susan Bingham were in their father's
arms. There was joy at Yamacutah that night.
In the meantime, other settlements had been made in the terri
tory. At Stonethrow, now GUlsviUe, were 43 settlers ; at Groaning
Rock 47 ; at Talasee, afterwards Clarksboro, were 51 ; at Thomo
coggan and vicinity 63; Yamacutah 42, and at places settled by
famUies, 104, making the population of the county at the time
of its organization 350 white people.
In 1795, the year before Jackson County was organized, there
died near where Berea church is, a man by the name of Patrick
Shaddon, the grandfather of Mrs. John Jacobus Plournoy* of
local celebrity.
A part of Shaddon 's estate was a well-grown ox that ran
through the woods as wild as a buck. Somehow, this ox, or Shad-
don's steer, as he was caUed, became public property. Though he
ran Uke a race horse and jumped over fences like a deer, he was
finally captured and broken to harness by a famous Indian whose
•John Jacobus Plournoy was a deaf mute and was a man of means. He
knew the handicap under which the "deaf and dumb" have to live. He,
therefore, set to work for state aid for the unfortunates that had not
the money to attend schools in the North. He was largely instrumental in
establishing the school for special instruction at Cave Spring. — Ed.
195

name was Anaxicorn. The strange feature about the matter was
that while in harness and at work he was entirely gentle and
docile ; but as soon as turned loose he ran away at full speed as
wild as he ever was, and as difficult to capture. It became a
custom that whoever caught the Shaddon steer was at liberty to
work him one week, but must then turn him loose.
On one occasion he was chased by men on horseback as far as
the vicinity of Jefferson. William T. Brantly, a young man then
living at Thomocoggan, and who could throw a lasso as well as
a Mexican ranchero, joined in the chase and soon captured the
prize with his unerring rope. As soon as the ox found that his
foreleg was hampered he submitted without a struggle. He was
his captor 's property for six days, and the first plowing ever done
in Jefferson territory was during the next day when Mr. Brantly
plowed the public square with the Shaddon steer.
About this time most of the citizens living within the original
boundary of Jackson, but then known as Franklin County, as
sembled at Thomocoggan to consider various public measures.
This was the first step taken towards organizing a new county,
but they failed to agree upon any other name than a general one,
"THE WHITE MAN'S CONPERERACY. " It retained this dis
tinctive title for many years after the county was organized.
Also, about this time, the "Confederacy," in common with
other parts of the world, was visited by the "JERKS," a queer
disease, if a disease at all, and in this part of the country was
caUed, "The Move-a-Diddles. " People sitting or standing quietly
at work were seen to jump suddenly, sometimes as far as five or
six feet at a single bound, while every muscle in them would jerk
and twist in fearful contortions for some ten or fifteen minutes.
Then the whole body became rigid and was incapable of motion
for about the same length of time. This was followed by a dull
stupor that sometimes continued for several hours, and, as a good
old lady of the times said, made her feel "like she had the jim-
jams." As I do not know how the jim-jams feel, I can not give
any further description.
In those days there lived near Jefferson, two brothers, George
and Thomas Groves, and their wives were sisters. There were
196

two children in each family, both girls being about 17 or 18 years
old, and the boys about half grown. They were all unusuaUy
bright and intelUgent, and the girls unusually beautiful. One
day Matthew, the son of Thomas Groves, suddenly became sick
when his mother was absent. Having lain as if asleep for a few
minutes, he opened his eyes and told his sister Lucy that he was
dying, and that his cousin, Nellie, the daughter of George Groves,
was dying also. He then closed his eyes and said :
"Put my Bible under my head.
My prayer book under my feet —
If mother comes before I wake.
Tell her I am asleep."
With the last word the boy died as a candle is blown out.
It was soon found that Nellie Groves had expired in about the
same way. They were buried in one grave, each with Bible and
prayer book as directed by Matthew's last words.
AU alone their dust sleeps somewhere not far from the resi
dence of Mr. George Smith, the place where Nellie's father lived.
For a long time Lucy Groves was silent and moody. She in
some mysterious way became both NeUie and Lucy Groves. She
often went to her Uncle George's house and did work just as
Nellie had planned it before her death. A finger ring and some
other articles that could not be found by the family were pro
duced by Lucy upon a moment's notice. Even the secrets be
tween Nellie and the young man to whom she was engaged to be
married, were well known to Lucy in every particular. Some
said they ought to marry and they did marry, though Lucy said
she never loved him till after Nellie's death.
Other instances of this kind have been known in the history of
, the human race ; but it is a psychological phenomenon that, so
far as I know, is not understood.
The first county site of Jackson was at Clarksboro about one
mUe north from Talasee Shoals; but the cutting off of Clarke
made it necessary to move our capital nearer the center of the
county, and a committee composed of George Wilson,* James
•Geo. Wilson and Jas. Pittman were very prominent Inferior Court
Judges of this county. — ^Ed. 197

Pittman and Josiah Easley selected the place, not because it was
surrounded by a broad, extended plain ; but because it was, and
still is, as near the center of the county as they could determine ;
because that four bubbling springs poured forth as many foun
tains of pure, crystal, life-giving water; and because it washed
its face every time it rained. They named the place Jefferson,*
after Thomas Jefferson of Virginia.
When Xerxes marshaled his vast army on the banks of the
Hellespont, he wept because of all that great multitude not one
man would be living 100 years hence. And well might Xerxes
weep ! He had visited only the tomb of Adam ; and not one ray
of light came from its dark, mysterious depths. We have visited
the tomb of Jesus — the open, not closed sepulchre of a crucified
Redeemer, and it is radiant with light and glory — have almost
heard the angelic anthem that rolled over the plains of Bethle
hem, "Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace; good will
towards men."
Oh, Jefferson ! Jefferson ! Standing almost alone among the red
hills of Georgia where no great thoroughfare, teeming with busy
life and great purposes ever passes by, what have you done?
Surrounded on every side by working, pushing, wide-awake rivals,
where lightnings flash from hill to hill, and thunders roar along
their winding valleys, what have you done? Listen not in echo,
for the answer.
Jefferson is known and honored all over the civilized world,
and in many heathen countries. Menelik, the heathen king of
•It is a very difficult matter to determine just when Jefferson was made
the seat of county affairs. In 1799 the courts were held in Kirkpatrick's
house, but does not say where this gentleman's house was. In 1802 the
court met in the court-house. But where? In 1804 they were using a court
house, according to the records. But where? The records show that the
court was held in the court-house at Jefferson in 1805. The Acts of the
General Assembly state that a committee was appointed to select a place
for the court-house, and at the next session that act would be repealed and
another committee appointed.
It is almost certain, however, that Jefferson was considered the county
site as early as 1803, and in the year 1806 an Act was approved "Making
Jefferson the permanent place for the court-house and for holding the
courts. ' ' — Ed. 198

far-away and benighted Abyssinia, has openly expressed a wish
to see Jefferson.
Most of the potentates of Europe, and all the learned physi
cians and scientists of the world have desired to visit Jefferson,
and many have written about it. In Bristol, England, there is
published a medical journal caUed "The Jeff ersonian, " not for
Jefferson, the politician; but for our Jefferson, the mitigator of
pain and suffering.
And why is all this renown? The answer has been heard
around the globe, and I will repeat it here.
It is because that here Dr. Crawford W. Long discovered the
anaesthetic properties of sulphuric ether ! And Jefferson was im
mortal! Go to the blood-red battleflelds of America, Europe,
Africa and Asia, look at the great hecatomb of amputated limbs
of wounded soldiers, and the surgeons wUl teU you that aU of
this was done without pain.
Go to the hospital where every breeze is laden with the groans
of the suffering, and ask the nurses who flit from couch to couch
like angels of mercy, who is the greatest and best loved doctor
there and, as if by one voice, will come the answer — CRAWFORD
LONG OF JEFFERSON !
Those of us who have heard his gentle step in the sick room,
seen his beaming smUe, and almost effeminate features, and know
the sterling worth of his character as a high-toned. Christian
gentleman, love to join in with the loud acclaim — ^AU honor to
Dr. Crawford W. Long and to Jefferson, from whence he first
started on his glorious mission of mercy.
And other great and good men have lived there. High on the
roU of honor is the well-known name of "WILLIAM DUNCAN
MARTIN." Tennyson has well said that, "To Uve in the hearts
we leave behind is not to die."
This is figuratively true, and William D. Martin stiU lives.
Again the poet says —
"Howe'er it be it seems to me,
The noble are the truly good;
Kind hearts are more than coronets.
And simple faith than Norman blood. ' '
199

This is also true, and William D. Martin wears a crown to-day,
and it is set with many glitering diamonds whose brilliancy will
never grow less. His crown is Martin Institute. The jewels
which sparkle in it are the great number who have entered its
doors as pupils. They represent almost every phase of noble life
known to human endeavor. To many lands they have carried
glad tidings from Jefferson.
Peace to the ashes of those who sleep, and long and happy life
to those who live.
When William D. Martin founded and endowed the school
named for him, he, too, "Built better than he knew."

200

THE OLD-TIME LOGROLLING AND SOME OF ITS RELATED
INCIDENTS. CHAPTER I.
The Log is Rolled.
For many years after the first settlement of Jackson County,
the logrolling (logpiling) was the most popular public occasion
known to the times. The vast forests which reached to an un
known distance in every direction contained a great number of
large trees which had to be cut into convenient lengths and piled
for the purpose of burning. This was the "logrolling." It was
a big occasion, and in the way of good cheer and a spontaneous
flow of friendship and neighborly love, extraordinary prepara
tions were made for it. Though not in the flash of modern
advancement, the people were happy, loyal to themselves, to each
other, to their country, and to their God.
It was not deemed necessary to give any one a special invita
tion to a logrolling. The day was appointed, notice given, and
that was all. The whole family, men, women and children, were
glad to go, and glad to stay all day, frequently all night. And
aU were welcome. Their happiness was at high tide.
However, this was not aU that pertained to the old-time log
rolling. A quilting was nearly always simultaneous with it.
WhUe the men were rolling logs in the field, their mothers, wives,
sisters and sweethearts were making bed quilts in the house, and
the children were playing in the creek or wading through the
swamp. Nor indeed was this all. At night the dance was always pro
vided for. It was not known by the flippant name of "frolic," or
softened down to the easy word "party." It was a dance, and
the dancers danced.
The logrolling which I have selected to illustrate pioneer life
in this county became known as the "Dunson Logrolling," and
I have chosen it because it represents one, and only one feature
201

of /human endeavor, which I believe has never been witnssed any
where else in the world.
This may sound like somebody has been riding on a high horse.
Wait, let's see.
William Dunson was of German descent, and one of the early
settlers of the county. As we are to learn of him further on, it
is only necessary to state here that he pitched his tent on Little
Sandy Creek, about two miles southeast of Groaning Rock, and
that he became a strong, progressive and honorable farmer.
A short time after this, Gendelph LeCain came from Virginia,
and settled near Mr. Dunson. His wife, Mrs. Plorette LeCain, was
a magnificent woman, in the prime of life. Large, unusually taU,
no sculptor ever dreamed of a more graceful figure. Educated
and refined, her manners were dignified, but pleasant and agree
able. She claimed to be a graduate of a celebrated cooking school
in Paris, and of the many who enjoyed the hospitality of her
table, not one ever doubted her claim.
Idalone, pronounced Id-ah-lone was their only daughter, and
though quite young at the time of her arrival, she soon became
a Hebe in beauty and a Sampson in physical strength. At the
time of the Dunson logrolling she was said to be 18 years old,
and more powerfully and elegantly developed than her mother.
She was very beautiful. Her features were regular and her form
classical. She had been educated by her parents, was a lover of
books, and often studied them far into the night. She cooked,
knit stockings, carded and spun wool, wove cloth, cut and made
clothes, fed cattle, and jumped the calf-rope when on her way to
the cowpen. Her step was graceful and seemed to be as firm as
the hills over which she so often roamed.
Thus Idalone LeCain stood, waiting for her mother, on the hill
which overlooked the "new ground" where Mr. Dunson had ar
ranged to have his annual logrolling that day. It was a bright
April morning, when the singing of birds and the chirping of
crickets seemed to proclaim joy and gladness for all. But for
once the young girl was sad. She could see that some of the log-
rollers had already arrived; great, broad-shouldered men of
fabulous strength and heroic endurance. Though it was some re-
202

lief to know that her father was among them, her sadness in
creased with each recurring thought. She felt that the day might
shape her destiny for all time to come; for odd as it seems,
Idalone LeCain was to be one of the logroUers that day. She, and
other girls, too, had often attended these gatherings ; and one day
a gallant young fellow playfully bantered her to become his
"toting mate." She accepted the challenge, and with one hand
carried her part of the log, and defiantly patted the log with the
other. This was a revelation, and continued from time to time,
until Mr. Dunson, having discovered her amazing strength, pitted
her against any young man that could be brought on the field.
This continued for two seasons, and though several of the most
powerful men in the surrounding country accepted the challenge,
none of them were able to bring out her strength.
Finally she playfully remarked that she would marry any
clever, good-looking young man who, "could make her walk un
steady while carrying a log. ' ' She made this offer because all the
young men with whom she was acquainted already knew better
than to put her to such a test. Still she thought that some
stranger might appear, and it was this that made her feel sad.
As already seen, she was waiting for her mother on the hill which
overlooked the logrolling ground. She did not have to wait long,
and arm in arm, mother and daughter approached the men who
were waiting for all "hands" to arrive.
"Great Jupiter," exclaimed an old man, Thomas Perry, who
was present, not to roll logs, but to carry the demijohn and water
for those who did. He was sitting on a stump with his mouth
wide open, as some one asked :
"What is the matter, Uncle Tom?"
' ' Gewhillicans ! such a sight ! ' ' was the only answer given, as the
old man turned his eyes from the approaching "beauties," as
they were often called.
Idalone was not mistaken in her apprehension. William T.
Brantly of Jefferson, the same that had caught and plowed the
Shaddon steer, had not seen the wonderful girl, but had often
heard of her. Learning of the Dunson logrolling, and that the
famous beauty might be there as a champion, he at once decided
203

to attend "the show," as he termed it; not, however, with the in
tention of entering any contest. He was among the first arrivals
and was sitting on a log when mother and daughter appeared. It
was a case of love at first sight. This was no usual occurrence.
He afterwards said, "I at once felt stronger, and could have
jumped ten feet further than ever before. ' ' He was a powerfuUy
made man, tall, broad-shouldered, well-formed, athletic, and
"good-looking." Some thought that for once the champion girl
was overmatched. Most admitted that there was some danger.
"Not a bit of it to our girl," said Mr. Dunson, defiantly.
A cheer followed this expression, and the necessary prepara
tions began. A poplar log, three feet and two inches in diameter
at the small end, and fifteen feet long, was selected by mutual
consent, for the great trial, and it was to be carried to a large
flat rock ten yards distant. Such a log, green and solid, was very
heavy, and to "tote" it usually required about as many men as
could walk on both sides.
The team and sets selected were as follows :
1. Miss Idalone LeCain, William Thadeus Brantly.
2. William Dunson, Geo. Wilson.
3. James Nash, Robert Wilson.
4. Drury Gee, Dr. Henry Therrauld.
5. Notty Gore, Gendelph LeCain.
This list presents a formidable array of physical power, and is
given here as a slight memorial of the substantial worth of those
who composed it. Wish it could be greater ! Seems like the mute
eloquence of their dust can almost be heard moaning amid the
few tree-tops left of those primeval forests through which they
once so gladly roamed. A deep thinker has asked, "What matters
it if the individual dies, since the race continues?" It is some
consolation to know that descendants of some of "the famous
ten" still live in the county.
Rev. James Rogers, a young minister of the gospel, was chosen
umpire. When they heard that the interesting, but
dreaded, contest was actually to come off, all the ladies who at
tended the quilting rushed to witness the scene. When they saw
204

the manly form and stately bearing of Brantly, they trembled for
the result; they did not want their favorite girl to leave them.
Her mother wept like a stricken child. The girl herself appeared
to be composed and self-reliant. This had always been one of her
sustaining powers.
"All ready!" called out the umpire. The sets advanced to take
their places as indicated by the list, the flrst being in front at the
heavy end of the log.
As Idalone went forward she drew her right sleeve above her
elbow, lest her left hand should become entangled in it. And
such an arm! It was noticed that when Blantly saw the great
muscles below the elbow, like layers of knotted ropes twisted
together, he turned pale, and compressed his lips. When at their
places, he looked over the log and thought the prize worthy of
the best effort of his life. And he made it. Idalone only blushed.
"Log up, and steady yourselves!" came the command.
Slowly the great log arose from its bed. All stood upright —
firm — without a tremor.
"Forward."With measured tread the designated rock was reached and the
ponderous log placed upon it.
"Not so much as one unsteady step was made by anybody! It
is a victory for all, but for no individual!" proclaimed the um
pire gladly.
Then such a great shout went up that the echo came reverbera
ting over the hills and met and clashed in the valleys. The squir
rels came from their hiding places in the surrounding forests, ran
along the limbs of the trees, suddenly stopped, gave their pretty
tails a few spasmodic jerks, and began to bark. Droves of vrild
turkeys roving the woods hard by stopped scratching among the
fallen leaves, raised their great red-wattled heads high in the air,
Ustened, then spread their tails, and with their ominous "quit,
quit," went further into the forest. They nor the squirrels had
ever heard such an alarm before.
Then Uncle Tom Perry carried the old Dutch demijohn around,
and most, but not all, took a "dram." "Oh, horrors!" the
modem reader may exclaim; and well he might if such a thing
205

was done in these days. But, then, as a rule, people did not get
drunk. No boy or young man was ever seen drunk, and women
did not drink at all. We may notice that the shouting began be
fore the dram was taken, nor was it repeated afterwards.
When the shouting ceased, Idalone was leaning against the log.
Her fine eyes sparkled like opals in the sunlight. Brantly came
and stood by her. He was evidently embarrassed, and in deep
meditation. When about to speak, Mr. Rogers came to the rescue,
saying :
' ' Miss LeCain, you are still unconquered, and in my opinion are
. likely to remain so. Mr. Brantly is at least your equal ; for I
saw that you both made desperate efforts to gain the mastery.
Neither wavered for a moment. You are therefore equal so far as
this contest is concerned, and I can make no decision. Therefore,
I shall shift my responsibility as umpire, to you."
Turning to Brantly, he continued: "Mr. Brantly, please take
position on the opposite side of the log."
Without knowing what was intended, he leaped over at a single
bound. The umpire continued:
"Now, Miss LeCain, there is nothing between you, as I believe,
but the log. If you are both willing to remove this barrier, shake
hands over it."
Without hesitation Brantly offered his hand. Idalone was
taken by surprise; her face turned pale; she had not time to
think. After some hesitation, she turned her great blue eyes to
ward her father and mother, who were standing near. Tears were
chasing each other down the cheeks of both. They too, hesitated ;
but finally nodded their heads; they could not speak. Covering
her eyes with her left hand, and resting her head on what she
afterwards called "the dear old poplar log," she extended her
right hand toward Brantly. He quickly grasped it, and before
any one had time to think, he had leaped back over the log and
there was nothing between them.
Though more than half in love with Idalone LeCain himself,
Mr. Rogers, holding his hat upon a level with his shoulders, said :
' ' I know these two young people are worthy of each other, and
believing that the hand of God is in the matter, I take the respon-
206

sibility of saying that if there are any present who object to their
marriage, say so here and now, or else forever hereafter hold their
peace." "Amen," roared the coarse voice of William Dunson. The
speaker waited for opposition, but as none was offered, he con
tinued :
"Victory without a battle. Then as our good Dr. Therrauld
is an ordained minister of the gospel, and is duly authorized to
issue and return marriage licenses, he wUl prepare the papers and
perform the marriage ceremony I claim the privilege of giving
the bride away, and after the marriage the bride and bridegroom
will return with the ladies present to Mr. Dunson's residence,
where we aU feel they will enjoy themselves as becomes this inter
esting occasion."
"Amen and amen!" again roared Mr. Dunson.
All the young girls present at once formed into two parties;
one, led by Miss Kathleen Strother, a fine Dutch girl, swept and
garnished a large circle with "brushbrooms." The other, led by
Miss Eunice Emory, gathered rabbit pinks, snowdrops, ox-eye
daisies, forget-me-nots, lady's slippers and anemones, and scat
tered them in rich profusion all over the "Wedding Circle," as
these two leaders named it. I have heard it said that old-time
people had no sentiment. In whose parlor have you seen a higher
order of sentiment than was shown by the Misses Strother and
Emory? All things were ready. Save the barking of a squirrel in the
distant forest, and the drumming of a yellow hammer on a dead
tree near by, all was hushed in silence until Dr. Therrauld arose
and said :
"Let us pray."
And such a prayer! In speaking of it afterwards, Mr. Rogers
said: "It seemed like all heaven and all earth were listening to
it." At the conclusion, Idalone was presented to William as "the
precious gift of her father and mother. " He led her to the charm
ing flower circle, and then and there they were made one by the
man of God. They ever afterwards lived as one — it was a happy
207

union. Many hearty congratulations foUowed, and the last one
was somewhat remarkable.
The big Indian, Anaxicorn, though not a resident, was sometimes
seen in that community. Having watched the proceedings closely,
he took a small package from his belt, and holding it in one hand,
fell upon his knees before the bride and offered his congratula
tions in his own language. The following is a full translation of
all he said :
"Indian want you much joy. Take this — make man moccasins
with. I wanted you make moccasins for me wear."
He presented the small package to the bride and walked away.
He was never again seen in the community. No one had ever
thought that he, too, was in love with Miss LeCain, and even
wanted her to make his shoes. He, however, acted generously
about the matter, for the little package contained several bone
needles of different sizes and two small balls of sinews taken from
the legs of the red deer, then so common in the country. With
these the natives made their moccasins, and Anaxicorn thought
Brantly 's should be made in the same way.
"How," some may ask, "were the bride and bridegroom
dressed?" The answer is easy. The bride was arrayed in a dress,
every thread of which had been carded, spun, woven, cut and
made with her own hands. It was of white and black wool mixed,
and in those days was called "flea-bitten" cloth. The skirts were
more ample than in modern times; but the bodice fitted neatly
over a superb form.
The bridegroom also wore a "homespun" suit, made from start
to finish by Mrs. Eliza Boyd, wife of Peter Boyd, who sold the
land on which to build the famous town of Jefferson. It was
made, as then called, of "walnut dye" jeans, and in strict accord
ance with the aristocratic notions of the day. His coat was a
"claw hammer," and the skirts somewhat resembled a wren's
tail. The fit was good and brought out his manly form to great
perfection. As Mr. Rogers requested, Mr. and Mrs. Brantly and all the
ladies present went to the Dunson residence where it soon ap
peared that the bridegroom was as good with the needle as he was
208

with the "handstick." The quilting went on apace, and every
body was happy.
Uncle Tom once more carried around the demijohn and water
bucket. Logrolling was resumed until noon, when all adjourned
to dinner.
And, my ! my ! such a dinner. There were no candies, bonbons,
ice cream, or mUkshakes. Perhaps there was not a woman there,
young or old, who was not a good cook. Mrs. LeCain was there,
Mrs. Dunson's mother. Granny Walker, who had said that when
she "had the move-a-diddles she felt like she had the jim-jams,"
and other good cooks were there. With respect, I dare say that
there is not a cook in the state that can make such ginger cakes
and such beer as Mrs. LeCain and Granny Walker baked and
brewed that day.
Old-time johnny cakes, made of corn meal, baked before the
fire on wooden boards made for the purpose, and turned and
turned until they were cooked through, and both sides without
any bottom crust, of a light-brown color, constituted the chief
article of broad.
Coffee, used only on rare occasions like this, milk, chicory, and
sparkling corn beer were the drinks used.
There were meats galore, boiled ham, roast beef, venison, kid,
mutton; barbecued shoats, squirrels and turkeys; boiled chicken
and partridge ; and fish and turtle, were some of the chief courses.
Such a dinner, prepared by such cooks, and for more than fifty
people, all strong and hearty, hale and healthy, was indeed "a
thing of beauty and a joy forever. ' '
Contrary to modern usage, Mr. and Mrs. Brantly waited on the
tables, and with good grace replied to the many jokes thrown at
them. Late in the afternoon the heaping of the logs was completed,
and then for the third and last time that day, the demijohn went
around. It disappeared without leaving a sign of intemperance
behind it. Supper was next in order.
The great "new ground" awaited only the burning of the log
heaps to be ready for the plow. Such clearings continued many
years ; but became smaller and smaller until the grand old forests,
209

with their "droves" and "gangs" of animal life, have almost dis
appeared ; and the hamadryad, which is said to die with the tree
it lives in, the regular seasons, the uniform fall of rain, and the
equable temperature of the air we breathe, have all gone with
them. Our once valuable chestnut timber and the spreading grape
vine which ran upon the ground, or climbed upon the tree, some
of whose fruit was more delicious than any found in modern
vineyards, have also gone with them.
Most of the few remaining forest pines are taking the dry-rot,
orchards are failing, walnuts, hickory nuts, and acoms are smaller,
and water in springs, wells, branches, creeks and rivers is be
coming less and less every year; so much so, that the historic fish
has small chance to live in this country.
While all these things were going other things have been com
ing. Long, dry summers, irregular rains, malarial diseases, howl
ing storms and terrific lightnings are more frequent and severe
than when breathing forest leaves and clear running water equal
ized the furies. The Colorado beetle, the San Jose scale, the boll
weevil, the curculio, the cabbage snake and other plant and tree
life-destroyers have invaded the land without an invitation, and
the indications are that they have come to stay.
The history of Greece, Egypt, Palestine and Spain contains full-
page illustrations which show that there is not a nation on the
globe which has not, in the course of centuries, declined in pro
portion to the disappearance of its forests. What a pity that our
forefathers did not study the improvement of land instead of ex
posing such a vast area to the burning sun and drying winds.

210

CHAPTER II.
The Dance at Dunson's and Preaching at The School House.
With the return of the logroUers the last rays of the setting
sun, coming over a vast extent of forest reaching all the way to
the Pacific shore, brought with them a green-tinted haze, which,
uniting with the gold of the sun and the blue of the sky, spread
a glow along the western horizon that seemed to bathe the earth
in irridescent vapor everywhere. As this began to disappear in
the coming darkness supper was announced.
As usual, the quilting was greatly enjoyed by all. The ladies
threaded their needles and talked, quilted and talked, "laid off
shells" and talked, "rolled the quilt" and talked, "cut threads"
and talked, and talked, until there came a thoughtful pause. This
was finally broken by Mrs. Emory, Eunice's mother, saying
slowly :
"Did you ever! Married a man to whom she never spoke be
fore, and on short notice, at that!"
"No, I never! Though as Brother Rogers says he is all right,
and is such a splendid-looking fellow, for my part, can not say that
Idalone is to blame," said another.
"No, not to blame; but I should have wanted a longer court
ship — ^there's lot's of fun in courting," said still another.
"To be married in the woods, under a great spreading tree, on a
lovely carpet of flowers, love, courtship and marriage, all in less
than an hour, and at a logrolling at that, is no everyday business.
As for me I don't blame Idalone one bit," said Miss Medoline
Callahan, whose family name is still well known.
"Neither do I. It is really so romantic that I want my wedding,
if I ever have one, to be just like Idalone 's, ' ' said Blanche Chan
dler, whose family name is also extensively known. '
"That is all right, but this quilt will soon be finished ; and it will
take all the girls here to wrap it around Mr. Dunson and carry
him to supper. So let 's talk about that ; there 's lots of fun ahead.
What you say, girls?" asked Mrs. Mildred Gathright, wife of
211

Miles Gathright, who was the first settler on the banks of the
Oconee below the present iron bridge.
It may be explained here that on all similar occasions it was
customary to wrap the new quilt around the gentleman of the
house, seat him at the table, and serve him while the guests were
taking their places. All knew that Mr. Dunson would resist this
part of the ceremony "just for the fun of the thing," and he was
so big and strong that he was sometimes dreaded.
By and by the quilt was unrolled, the supper tables were ready,
but Mr. Dunson could not be found. He had concealed himself.
At last he was discovered in the barn, and such a scuffle foUowed
that the cows jumped out of the cowpen and ran to the woods.
He finally submitted, however, the quilt was closely wrapped
around his huge form, and to the tune "Granny Will Your Dog
Bite ? " he was marched to the head of the table. He was bounti
fully supplied with good things, and to use the words of one who
was present, "he looked like a bear sitting on the stump of a
bee-tree licking of his chops. ' ' He was a dark man of august pres
ence. Supper was over and the new quilt carefully folded away. The
services of Jim Beasly, "the breakdown" fiddler of the times;
had been secured to furnish music for the coming dance, which was
to begin at 8 o'clock, sharp. The great house-clock, some seven
feet high, was closely watched. The long pendulum moved back
and forth in measured swing until the appointed hour was nearly
reached. Jim Beasley began to tighten his fiddle strings. He
"tuned and tuned" until the desired tension was reached.
As a matter of respect, it was not customary for women to
enter the first dance. Eight men, four sets, led by Brantly, stood
upon the floor. Sque-squa-squo-ske-e-e-au-au-squeak! went the
flddle. "Face your partners" called the leader, and to the air
of "Billy in the Low Ground," the first dance was
on. It was a rigadoon, and round and round went the men.
Passed through opposite ranks, and then dashed on with the
"double-shuffle," "jump jim crow," "cut the pigeon wing," and
the ' ' hop over the moon, ' ' to the finish.
212

Men looked on with their hands in their pockets, women patted
their feet; all eager "to trip their own light, fantastic toes." Old
Terpsichore had turned loose his jolly forces.
The next dance was caUed the Laedan, or Leader. It required
only one performer, who was expected to illustrate every distinct
movement or step to be taken that night. The man selected for
that purpose was Toby Bradshaw, commonly called Tobe Bratcher.
He was a smaU man of wonderful activity and well versed in the
mazes of the dance.
Again the fiddle gave the signal and Tobe flitted across the
floor like a phantom, and to the tune of ' ' Sally in the Wildwoods, ' '
illustrated the next dance, called the Bolero. When through with
the round dance, he bowed, and stood to one side. This was the
signal for all the ladies who intended to dance that night to ar
range themselves in a circle, and in such order that the leader, or
teacher, could pass around and between them, and thus readily
see all they were expected to do themselves. When through,
Tobe gave a forward and backward movement, so quick and intri
cate that the step was called, " do it if you can. ' '
That closed the object lesson, and it was well given. Then small
bronzed pitchers containing something to drink went round. All,
men, women and children, drank heartily; but it was metheglin,
a deUcious beverage made of clear spring water, honey and spice.
A running conversation followed, and then came the Bolero. 9
chair was placed on a table at one end of the room, and to this
elevated seat Tobe Bratcher was lifted by Natty Gore, who handed
him a long wand made of turkey feathers. This he waved around
his head, and then brought it to an upright position between his
feet. This was the beginning signal. Beasly 's long-drawn bow
and Tobe's gently waiving wand, say, "all is ready." Mr. and
Mrs. Brantly led the van, and away and away they go to the
meUow, persuasive strains of "Over the Hills and Par Away."
Still on they rush in- perfect order and in rhythmic time, the wand
is waved quickly back and forth, the speed increases, Jim Beasly
is in all his glory, his fiddle trembles to the vibrations of its
music, the fioor heaves up and down, dogs, sitting on the doorsteps,
howl ; cats, with hair erect, leave the room, and the crickets hush.
213

The company becomes unconscious of all things else ; the dancers
are electrified, the wand directs all in utter silence, and the dogs
howl on.
Finally the wand was again brought to a perpendicular and the
dance closed. Everybody was in a good humor, and Mr. Dunson
threw great chunks of meat to the dogs to stop the howling. A
general conversation followed and perhaps some .particular court
ing, as that very night William Howington and George Wilson
fell in love with the girls whom they afterwards married.
Thus the exercises continued, unabated, until old Chanticleer,
from some distant tree-top, announced the coming day. Jim
Beasly wrapped his fiddle in a blanket, Tobe Bratcher came down
from his perch, and reluctantly most of the assembled guests be
gan to disperse. Not one of them was in any way under the in
fluence of strong drink ; nor had any girl there ever seen a yoimg
man drunk, or with a hip-pocket in his trousers.
The foregoing is given as an illustration of life in old times ; and
it yet remains to give some further account of those mentioned as
actors in them.
About half mile east of S. W. Jackson's mill, there was a small
log cabin in which W. T. Brantly had taught school, and there
Revs. Therrauld and Rogers had an appointment to preach on the
night of the dance. Being amply provided with a supply of good
things, they left the logrolling in time to reach the school house
about sundown. Though on foot they had their blankets and
provisions with them, and the country being thinly settled they
prepared to stay all night. Of course they expected a small con
gregation, for there were not enough people within a reasonable
distance to make a large one.
Having eaten their supper and swept the house with pine-top
brooms, they separated and went to the woods to pray. Imagine
two such men, in the fast-gathering darkness of a wilderness, at
prayer amid its dismal solitude. It seems much like the custom of
their Divine Leader, who "went into a mountain apart to pray."
While thus engaged the few people in the country began to as
semble, and the preachers gladly joined them. After services it
was found that every man and woman present, except two or
214

three who were already members, joined the church, some to go to
Cabin Creek, where Mr. Rogers was pastor, others to Oconee
where Dr. Therrauld had charge.
It was at this meeting in the woods that the weU-known Capt.
Tom Stapler, father of Jeff Stapler, Esq., of Newton, joined the
church, and afterwards became one of the standard bearers of
Cabin Creek. He had a good practical education, taught school,
and in other capacities served the public faithfully.
It was the Capt. Tom Stapler who, during the alarmingly dry
summer of 1845, proposed to turn a regular meeting into a prayer
service, and pray for rain exclusively. Strange, some of the mem
bers objected, but Mr. Stapler succeeded in having a prayer-
meeting appointed for the next service.
Rev. Jesse Human who lived near where Mountain Creek church
now stands, was pastor at Cabin Creek, and as he ascended the
pulpit steps to offer the first intercessory prayer. Brother Stapler,
in a voice louder than he had ever before spoken in a church,
cried out, "Pray for a soaker. Brother Human." Let unbelievers
scoff if they wiU ; but it soon rained, and the people made enough
corn that year to tide them on to another.
It was also this Capt. Tom Stapler, who as far as I have been
able to learn, was the only man ever summoned to appear before
any tribunal in this country to answer to the charge of being a
Free Mason.
Though some twenty-five years after Western New York was
agitated by the "Morgan heresy," as it was cstUed, an account of
it, though dead in its own house, reached the ears of the most in
consistent members of Cabin Creek church. Believing all they
had heard was true, and wanting to believe it, and being joined by
others, they caused Brother Stapler to be cited "to appear before
the church in conference assembled, to then and there answer to
the charge of being a Free Mason, contrary to the teaching and
belief of said church."
The contest was long, and, in some respects bitter. Rank con
tentions seemed to be hovering in the air. Unity Lodge of Jeffer
son, of which brother Stapler was a member, went to his assist
ance. Other lodges sent their ablest members consisting of min-
215

isters of the gospel, lawyers, and high-school and college profes
sors, to help him. Here came another difficulty as hard to decide
as the other. Should these "outsiders" be admitted to the con
ference was the question. After a sharp contest the church by a
small majority permitted them "to talk but not vote."
And they did talk. They had not come with any expectation
of voting. After a defense perhaps as able as any ever made in
the country, the defendant went forth, as he so richly deserved,
a member of the church and of the Masonic Lodge in good stand
ing. At last in ripe old age, he approached his grave —
"Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." — ^Bryant.
The fraternity which he so well and so faithfully exemplified,
buried him with Masonic honors in the latter sixties of the last
century. Dr. Henry Therrauld, as shown elsewhere, was one of the lead
ing spirits at Tumbling Shoals. As no account of his untimely
death could be given there, an outline of the sad incident may be
stated here. Though only a few friendly Indians remained in the
immediate vicinity, quite a number who were openly hostile, roved
along the western borders,* now in Hall County. They had never
forgiven the "pale-faces" for shedding blood on their "holy
ground," nor had their chief, Wautowauto, abandoned his pur
pose to recapture the white girls. Flora Clover and Susan Bing
ham, whom he had stolen from their parents at Yamacutah.
A few weeks after the meeting at the Brantly school house, a
party of fifteen Indians were seen to enter the dense canebreak
which grew on both sides of the river a Uttle above the Hurricane
Shoals. The ever wide-awake citizens of Tumbling Shoals rushed
to their arms, and in a short time a company of twenty determined
men, led by the heroic Henry Therrauld, marched up the river to
find them. Jordan Clark and John Harris were sent out as scouts
and in the early part of the afternoon reported that the foe was
•Charles H. Smith's "History of Georgia," page 53.— Ed.
216

encamped about the center of the canebreak, and that sentinels
were on the outskirs. It was then seen that the enemy intended
to remain there until night, and from thence make their intended
assault upon the Shoals after dark.
After consultation, the leader determined to post his men in
the immediate vicinity and attack the Indians as they emerged
from their hiding place. While cautiously selecting a position on
the hill which overlooks the Shoals from the north, they were seen
going up the western bank of the river in full retreat. By some
unknown means they had become alarmed. Immediate pursuit
was ordered, and when, after a long chase it was found they were
about to be overtaken, they crossed the river about where Dixon's
bridge now is and made a stand among the very large trees which
grew a few hundred yards above the crossing. They had doubt
less left the canebrake because there was no such protection there.
Finding, as he expected, that the Indians were shielded by
large trees, he divided his men into two squads, one led by Jordan
Clark, going to the left. To prevent the danger of killing each
other from opposite sides, it was understood that no firing was to
be done when the squads were in range with the enemy, and that
every possible advantage should be taken of the trees.
It was known that the few firearms carried by the foe were
almost worthless in their hands, and that the tomahawk would be
held for closer quarters. Poisoned arrows were of greatest con
cern, though at the time even that was not thought of.
The order to advance was given; a flight of arrows whizzed
through the air. These did little damage, and on went the men.
The tactics were new, even to the Indians. The trees offered
but little protection. There was an enemy on both sides, and one
of the foe fell at every crack of the rifle. Having noticed that no
enemy was to be seen at an unusually large tree. Dr. Therrauld
heedlessly went near it. As he did so, a long arm was seen to
reach out from the tree, and at the same instant a tomahawk went
crashing into his brain. The tree was hollow, and the Indian,
Wautowauto, had concealed himself in it. John Harris, next in
rear of his leader, threw an axe which he carried in his belt, at the
217

chief, and his bowels gushed out and fell at his feet before his
body fell on them.
The death of their leader so maddened his followers that they
made such a furious charge that every Indian, except two or three
who saved themselves by flight, was slain, and several of these
were shot when at full speed.
Dale Clover, Hiram Bingham and James Montgomery were
badly, but not fatally hurt. Several others whose names are un
known were slightly hurt. Wautowauto, instigator of all the mis
chief, was left as he fell in the hollow of the tree. His bones were
still there when Mr. Hinson Barr moved to that community some
time in the thirties. The other Indians were buried in a flat now
in cultivation, and where I have myself found various relics of the
older time. The spot is near the ancient Nauhata,* an Indian
town, where the aborigines of this county had many sanguinary
conflicts before the Anglo-Saxon race ever trod its soil.
The almost idolized body of Dr. Therrauld was carefully, ten
derly, lovingly carried to Tumbling Shoals, and, on top of the hiU
leading to the north, was buried somewhere near the spot where
an unfrequented road passes the south corner of Mr. Davis' cotton
field, where about one year ago, I gladly noticed that, in all prob
ability, no ploughshare had passed over his hallowed grace to mark
it for its own.
Perhaps Mr. Davis, or any one else in the community, does not
know that he may sometimes walk over such sacred dust. Tread
softly, brother, for —
"Then shall the good stand in immortal bloom.
In the fair gardens of that second birth;
And each bright blossom mingle its perfume
With that of flowers, which never bloomed on earth." — ^Longfellow.
Rev. James Rogers was a native Georgian, and came to this
country in the early part of the last century. He became a prom-
•Note: The Editor visited the site of the town, Nauhata, in 1914. It is
a short distance above Dixon bridge about three miles west of Maysville,
Ga. The land is now owned by Mr. T. N. HighfiU. We also saw the Indian
"flood gauge." It is a large bowlder of granite just below the bridge. It
218

inent minister of the gospel in early life and from the beginning
devoted himself to his high calling with a fervency and zeal which
knew of no abatement. As shown by his conduct at the logrolling,
he was a born leader, and always led to the satisfaction of others.
In some of his views he was far in advance of the times in which
he lived, and, realizing this, he often said he was "born too soon."
Denominational strife was common and very bitter in those days,
and both he and his co-laborer. Dr. Therrauld, were always conser
vative and peaceful along these lines. These two noble men were
the first to sow the seeds of "peace and good will toward men"
in Jackson County ; and though they fell at first on stony ground,
they finally began to spring up and grew into great trees under
whose shades all classes may now meet and ask blessings of their
common Heavenly Father.
While I do not believe that Clotho and her other companions
have any control over the destinies of men, there is One who
"shapes our ends;" and for some good reason these two leading
pioneer ministers were taken, seemingly, in the prime of their
glory and usefulness.
After the death of Dr. Therrauld, Mr. Rogers became pastor at
Oconee, where he, like his predecessor, became much beloved.
Some years after, when on his way to an appointment, an old tree
killed him and the horse he was riding. The tree stood some
three hundred yards west of the S. W. Jackson mill, and a little
over half a mile from the Brantly school house. An hour or
two before Mr. Rogers was killed. Hardy Rose, while passing,
noticed that the old tree was leaning unusually far towards the
road. He made several efforts to push it down, but failing, passed
on without a thought of what was so soon to take place.
This pioneer preacher, James Rogers, was the grandfather of
J. B. Rogers of Jefferson, [now Maysville] and were he living to
day would be proud to own his grandson as the worthy descendent
of a noble sire.
is said that when any unusual rise in the river occurred, the Indians would
mark the height to which the water rose by drilling a hole in the big
rock. However the greater part of this "flood gauge" was used in the
construction of the new bridge that now spans the river.
219

CHAPTER III.
Brantly Carries His Bride to Jefferson.
William T. Brantly carried his bride to Jefferson on the third
day after their marriage. They went on an ox cart drawn by two
huge oxen called Buck and Ball, and carried with them such
household property as the LeCain 's could afford to give them.
They lived in a small house near the white oak spring, a spot
which has witnessed many curious things. Mr. Brantly was a
school teacher, and also hunter and farmer. Mrs. Brantly fol
lowed her home life, picked seed out of cotton with her fingers,
carded, spun and wove the lint, and of the cloth she cut and made
her own and her husband's clothes. There is good evidence that
they all had the appearance of being tailor made. To show her
appreciation of Anaxicorn 's curious wedding gift, she made moc
casins of deer skin and ornamented them with pretty designs in
needle work ; all for her husband, and he was proud to wear them
on public occasions.
Being an educated man, Mr. Brantly finally sought a field more
favorable to his growing reputation, and about 1820, moved to
Richmond County, where, for want of further information, I
leave him. This was a distinct loss to the county. He, however,
had a cousin of the same name. Rev. W. T. Brantly, who in the
early fifties was a professor in Franklin College, and at the same
time pastor of Cabin Creek Church. Being called to a pastorate
in Philadelphia, he died there a few years later.
As the use of oxen is not so common as in old times, it may be
interesting to the young reader to know something more of them.
A yoke of oxen was then called "owsen," as used in Scotland
and the North of England to this time. They were almost ex
clusively used as draft animals. Horses only drew the plow —
mules were unknown. The oxen which carried Mr. Brantly and
his bride to their new home were unusually large. The spread of
their horns was so great that they knocked against each other at
almost every step so loudly that one on the road knew that the
220

LeCain oxen were coming before they were seen. In after years
William Nash, one of the most famous fox-hunters in the country,
gave a cow and calf for one of these horns, and Ras Stonum, his
brother-in-law, gave a Ledford rifle and eleven ducks for its mate.
These gentlemen were of first-class families, and great uncles of
Hon. T. J. Shackelford of Athens.
For reasons that may hereafter appear, I have ever had a desire
to know just what was the fate of the house in which Brantly lived
at White Oak Spring ; but have only learned that it was torn down
and moved away ; where, I do not know. It was standing in 1842,
the year in which James Swetman was hanged for the murder of
Tom White. On that day I was standing on the doorsill, thinking,
in boyish fashion, of all I had ever heard of Mr. and Mrs. Brantly ;
and, while trying to compare their absence with what must have
been their presence, the lines of a poem, which I had recently been
trying to learn came into my mind and I repeated them aloud :
"Hark! as my lingering footsteps slow retire
Some spirit of the air has waked thy string!
'Tis now a seraph bold, with touch of fire,
'Tis now the brush of fairy 's frolic wing,
Eeceding now, the dying members ring
Fainter and fainter down the rugged dell.
And now the mountain breezes scarcely bring
A wandering witch-note of the distant spell —
And now, 'tis silent all! — Enchantress, fare thee well."
—Scott.
While repeating the last line, with all the sadness I could com
mand, I heard a little old dried-up-looking man say, ' ' That boy is
distracted and ought to be put in the calaboose. ' ' I did not know
just what a calaboose was, but thinking it something bad, I and
my companion, Newton Barron, a great, loose-jointed boy, left for
home without further warning.
As we passed near the jail, which stood where Dr. Walter
Smith's office now is, we noticed that the door was open, and the
great, ponderous shutter swaying back and forth in the wind.
Finding that the little old man was not following us, we cau
tiously entered the gloomy house, and no one else being in there
we roamed at will. The first thing noticed was a tin plate placed
221

on a joist overhead. I took it down and found that it contained
two rashers of fried bacon, and three dark biscuits. From one bis
cuit a single bite had been taken, leaving the imprint of four
teeth, a gap being between the first and third, showing that one
front tooth was missing. The poor fellow who had just been hung
had doubtless taken only one bite for his breakfast that morning,
and the sign left by his teeth is now as plainly seen in memory as
it was then seen with my eyes. While I was pondering over this
silent reminder of a sad fate and Newt Barron was peeping into
the gloomy dungeon below, the door shutter closed with a loud
bang, and, as we thought, the little old man had us at last. We
both jumped. Newt came near falling into the dungeon, the bis
cuits went rolling over the floor, and we rushed for the door. The
shutter readily yielded ; the wind had closed it, and seeing nothing
of our supposed enemy, we hastened away.
Gendelph LeCain was of French descent, belonged to an aristo
cratic family, and had a Uberal education. His character for
truth and fair dealing was never called in question, which, to
gether with his immense physical powers, gave him a hearty wel
come into a new country where hardy manhood was required.
Coming from Albemarle County, Va., the family claimed much
friendship for Thomas Jefferson, the sage of Monticello ; and Mr.
LeCain insisted on doing things much like Mr. Jefferson did. For
instance, he wore red "breeches," and hitched his horse to a short
peg driven in the ground for the purpose, as Mr. Jefferson is said
to have done, even in from of the capitol at Washington. The
entire family was greatly devoted to each other, and when Mr.
and Mrs. Brantly moved away Mr. and Mrs. LeCain went with
them. Here was another great loss to the county, and the places
which once knew them so well knew them no more.
William Dunson, having shown himself to be a successful farmer
and a substantial citizen, moved to Troup County, Georgia, in the
early thirties, where he became a large planter. He returned only
one time, and wearing an elegant suit of black broadcloth which
cost him $14 per yard, he made a fine appearance. Though proud,
he was not haughty, and those who lived near him said he was
222

' ' one of the best neighbors in the world. ' ' He left four sons here,
and some of their descendents are still Uving in the county.
It is curious to know that Linton Dunson, a great-grandson of
William Dunson, married Miss Sallie Rogers, a great grand
daughter of Rev. James Rogers, and they, too, live here.
Thus the race still continues, but all the old folks are gone. Life
is a continual stream ever freighted with passengers bound for
eternity! How vast the sweep of its dismal tide from Abel, the
first passenger, to the last who "shall take his chamber in the
silent halls of death."
George Wilson, a near neighbor and close friend of WiUiam
Dunson, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, where he was educated.
He came from Iredell County, N. C, to this part of the country in
1784, only a few months after the first settlement at Tumbling
Shoals. He was a master workman at almost any trade knovm
to the times, and only a few years ago a chimney which he built
was torn down by an unappreciative hand. I have heard it said
that the men who located Jefferson were drunk ; but *George Wil
son, James Pittman and Josiah Easley, the committee who located
the place, did not drink at all, were never drunk in their lives.
I prophesy that within the next decade Jefferson will become one
of the most beautiful towns in the country. The contour of the
land and the ready water supply are eminently favorable to this
view. A reasonable sum of money at the disposal of a competent
engineer is all that is needed. This little digression is not at all in
the way, because it gives the truth.
George Wilson was also largely instrumental in the organiza
tion of Sandy Creek Presbyterian church, and was one of its first
Ruling Elders. W. T. Brantly and all the LeCain family were
members of that church. Being elected a delegate to the conven
tion called to revise the constitution of the state, he at once be
came a leader, and finaUy wrote and signed the revision made.
A giant himself, he was greatly interested in the Dunson log
rolling, and dearly loved to see "the boys," as he called them, put
forth their strength. He clapped his hands and shouted when he
•George Wilson, James Pittman with Joseph Humphries were delegates
to the Constitutional Convention of 1798, from this county. — ^Ed.
223

saw that Idalone LeCain 's last step with her heavy burden was
just as firm and steady as her first one had been, and that she was
still unconquered, even by so powerful a man as his Brother
Brantly. The big poplar log on the flat rock was also of much interest to
Mr. Wilson, and so was Franklin College, at Athens, then strug
gling under great difficulties, into existence. By Mr. Dunson's
ready permission, he had the log sawed into lumber with what
was called a rip-saw. A pit was dug near the rock, the log was
rolled over it, one man stood in the pit, two or more upon a plat
form above, and pulled and pushed a long saw, having horizontal
handles, up and down until a line was sawed. This was a slow and
laborious process ; and consequently, then, when timber was in the
way, it was a much more difficult matter to get sawed lumber than
it is now when there is so little timber to be found.
Being a college man himself, George Wilson wanted to do
something for Franklin College, not in a financial way, but as a
memorial of it. Accordingly, he sent three cart-loads of his
poplar lumber to Athens, and it became some part of a house
which was then being built on the college campus. As far back
as the fifties, I made many efforts to trace this lumber further,
but was unable to find any part of it. He also sent a fourth cart
load to Jefferson, and Mr. Brantly made a loft in his house with
it. I stood under it when I made my "distracted" recitation
from Scott, and hence my desire to know what became of the
house. In old age, when the machinery was run down, and not of dis
ease, George Wilson died, and was buried in sight of the flat rock
on which he stood and shouted for very gladness when Idalone
LeCain achieved her victory.
Five years after his burial an old white-haired man appeared
in the community and said that he wanted to see George Wilson.
When told that he was dead he sat down and cried bitterly. He
at last became calm, and by request was conducted to the grave.
There his tears again began to flow and nothing could induce him
to leave the grave. He remained there until next morning, when
George Wilson, Jr., went to look after him. Still refusing to
224

leave, George carried him in his arms to his house, where he was
induced to eat a little. He soon returned to the grave, and sitting
flat upon the ground, remained there all day, and the next morning
was found dead on the spot where he had last been seen in a sit
ting posture. And he, too, lies buried there in an unknown grave.
Many efforts were made to get the old man to talk ; but he paid
no attention whatever to any question asked after the first one
was answered. His long white hair reached to his shoulders, and
when the wind was blowing, it waived around his head in such
ghostly fashion that, when seen at a graveyard in the night, the
bravest either stopped to think, or resolved to increase speed, gen
erally the latter. Two such incidents happened during the
stranger's stay at George Wilson's grave, and some people lived
and died in the full belief that the white-haired old man was a
very ghost. This, or something like this, is about the explanation
of all ghost stories.
Moses Vincent, son-in-law of George Wilson, was a dapper little
man, and almost as irritable as a hornet. He was, however, one
of the best of workers ; and for Moses Vincent to say he was going
to do anything was almost equivalent to saying it was done. When
at any kind of work he thrashed away like men do when killing
snakes. Though not one of the poplar log team, he was present
as busy as, and louder than, the biggest man there. He is intro
duced here because he hauled his father-in-law's poplar lumber
to Athens. He carried it on an ox cart whose wheels were made of
solid blocks of timber cut from a huge blackgum tree. They were
made with solid hubs on them and consequently did not wabble
much. The rims of the wheels were protected by white oak tires,
which had to be frequently renewed. To prevent them from
creaking on their axles, pine leaves were used instead of common
pine tar. Such a cart drawn by big oxen over the campus of the
State University to-day, would create so great a sensation that
everybody would be wanting to ride.
The gum trees which then grew in the swamps were sometimes
of immense size. I now have, in everyday use, a gum* which was
•This old gum is now in Mrs. Maggie Johnson's possession. — ^Ed.
225

cut in one of these swamps by George Wilson, Sr., in 1785. Though
not the largest cut, it holds about eight bushels, is three feet high,
and the wood is not more than an inch thick at any place, aU
hollowed out by the hand of nature.
Mrs. Polly Vincent, wife of Moses, had spun and woven enough
cloth to make her two or three counterpanes to spread over her
well-filled feather beds on Sundays. They were striped both ways,
and were called checkered counterpanes. The stripes were blue,
white and copperas, and about three inches wide. After making
her counterpanes, Polly found that she had nearly two yards left.
Moses wanted a pair of breeches made of this remnant; and
though she demurred, he insisted, and the breeches were made.
About that time, the famous Lorenzo Dow and his wife, Peggy,
were making a tour through this part of the country. One Satur
day they had an appointment to preach at Black's Creek church,
where Moses was a member in good standing. Wanting, as he
said, "to hear a woman preach before he died," he was anxious
to attend and wear his new breeches. The time came, and Moses
pulled himself into his pants. They were so tight that he could
not stoop down and Polly had to tie his shoes. He hesitated to
wear them ; but she laughed at him so heartUy that he got mad,
and declared he would go "breeches or no breeches." So, by
going to a stump, he "wiggled" on his horse, and away he went;
but he could not bend his legs enough to keep his feet in the
stirrups. Near the church, he met a traveling stranger, who ex
claimed :
' ' Good morning, sir, to your big striped breeches ! ' '
"None of your business, sir, what sort of breeches I wear,"
snapped Moses.
"I know," replied the man, "but you look so funny, you must
excuse me."
"Excuse the d  1!"
"No, not him, but me."
"Light, and I'U thrash you."
"You can't light with them tight breeches on; so I'll go."
' ' Go and be durned, ' ' was the reply, and the traveler rode away,
laughing. 226

Moses waited until the stranger was out of sight, and he was
so mad that he turned and went back home. He afterwards
burned his "big striped breeches," because, as he said, "the
d  d things kept him from hearing a woman preach."
Mr. Vincent was a strictly honest and successful farmer. He
finally moved to Habersham County, where he died somewhere
in the early forties. Some of his relatives still live here.

22/

CHAPTER IV.
Gabe Nash Spells "Tizic."
James Nash, father of William Nash, came with other early
settlers to this county, where he followed farming nearly all his
life. His industrious habits and good management soon enabled
him to accumulate a considerable fortune; and, being the soul of
honor and a Christian gentleman without blemish, he made good
use of it. His position at the poplar log showed his physical
strength, and he was in every other way equally strong.
He finally settled about four miles below Commerce, on the
Clarkesville road, where he built the best and most elegant resi
dence then in the county. It afterwards became a public inn and
was favorably known to the traveling public both far and near.
This house and all the improvements on the place were totally
destroyed by a cyclone on Feb. 19, 1884. His daughter. Miss
Mary Nash, was fatally wounded and some of the family of his
grandson, C. T. Nash, who then lived there, were blown high up
into the shade trees; but did not get seriously hurt.
Mrs. Margerette Thornton, who recently died in Texas at the
age of 100 years, was James Nash's daughter, and widow of
Micajah Thornton, who was born near old Etoho church before
it became Oconee.
The celebrated Gabriel Nash, Esq., who died in Madison County
many years ago, was James Nash 's son and a pupil of William T.
Brantly near John Borders' mill, now the Jackson miU. Perhaps
a friendly controversy which took place between the teacher
and pupil may be worth repeating. Walker's dictionary was then
used, and one day the teacher gave out the word "phthisic."
When it had reached Gabriel no one had spelled it, and he bawled
out "t-i-z-i-c, tizic." The teached shook his head and finally had
to spell it for his class.
"Are you sure," asked Nash, "that p-h-t-h-i-s-i-c spells tizic?"
"I'll leave it to Walker," replied the teacher.
.228

"Mr. Brantly," said Nash respectfully, "I like you too well to
dispute your word, and it's Walker, himself, that is wrong."
"What will you do for a standard?" was asked.
"Make one for myself," was the reply, and the lesson went on
pleasantly. In after years, when Gabriel Nash was a leading lawyer at the
bar and such men as Howell and Tom Cobb dreaded his biting
sarcasm and his bold assaults, he had a case in court which, in
some way, involved the estate of a man who had died with the
phthisic. In making out his briefs it became necessary for him
to use the name of the disease with which the man died. Though
frequently used, he invariably wrote the word "tizic." Judge
Charles Dougherty, a man who always insisted on doing every
thing precisely right, was on the bench, and ordered Mr. Nash
to change his spelling.
"Please, your Honor, what difference does it make for a man
to die with two h's or without any. He's dead, and that's all
there is of it."
He took his seat and nothing more was said about the trouble
some word. He had made and followed his standard.
Mrs. James Nash, nee Miss Margerette Long, was loved and
honored by all the people. No being lived, however obscure or
mean, that she failed to treat kindly. She was a near relative of
Dr. Crawford W. Long, but she died before he became famous.
She and her husband sleep the sleep of the good in plain view of
the desolate spot which was once their pleasant home.
Robert Wilson, son of George Wilson, Sr., was the first boy
born within the present limits of Jackson County and the first
native citizen to leave it. Like his father and brothers, he was a
giant in size ; and being a blacksmith, the strength in his arm was
enormous. He forged all the iron work that was used in the old
jail at Jefferson. In this he was assisted by James Goode, the
first man ever confined within the walls which he had labored to
make strong. He was afterwards hung for the murder of his
child, which a woman required him to put out of the way before
she would marry him. It is all well and much better that that
229

woman's people were then, and still are, among the best people
in the country.
The above is a remarkable paragraph, which I failed to notice
until after it was written. First son born ; first to leave county ;
first substantial jail; first prisoner; first murderer legally pun
ished; first hung.
Robert Wilson married Miss Aseneath Winburn, whose father
lived near Black's Creek church. A little more than a year ago
I passed by the old Winburn burying ground and paused to
think of the changes which the ever onward rush of years re
veals to the eyes of an old man. Elberta peach trees and cotton
were growing all over and around the graves of an entire family,
except one son, Elsworth Winburn, who fell at the side of David
Crockett at the battle of the Alamo, Texas, March 6, 1836. As
the song says, "What one man loses another one gains."
Soon after Robert Wilson married he went with his bride to
Tennessee, and I have never heard anything more of him, except
that he lived in the neighborhood of James K. Polk, and left
many descendants there.
Drury Gee was by direct descent an Englishman of pure
Saxon blood. He came to this county from North Carolina in
1785 as a follower of George Wilson and Notty Gore, and settled
near Black's Creek church, now in Madison County. He was a
revolutionary soldier and fought under Washington all the way
from the crossing of the Delaware to Yorktown. He belonged to
the same regiment that boasted of the names of Jackson Clark,
Jacob Bankston, John Harris, Dale Clover and Henry Therrauld.
When Tumbling Shoals was threatened with an enemy, Drury
Gee flew to the aid of his friends there with all possible speed,
and was always an ally of first importance. The news of the in
vasion of Wautowauto did not reach him in time for the battle
among the trees ; but he was at the burying of Dr. Therrauld and
wept over the loss of his dear friend and fellow soldier at a
"time that tried men's souls."
Because of his powers and endurance he was called "The Iron
Man, ' ' and he well merited the title. Though of medium size, his
muscles bulged from his arms in great, cord-like knots; and for
230

this reason he was always one of the team of men who carried
big logs. Foot-racing was a leading sport of the times, and as
dearly loved by Drury Gee as the smoker loves his pipe. When
"on the turf," as he called it, he was never known to be in the
rear. When the news of Wautowauto 's descent upon Tumbling
Shoals reached him he arrived at the place on foot, carrying a
heavy rifle twelve miles, in advance of two boys, James Wilson
and Samuel Gore, who followed him on horseback. Before sun
down of that day every available man and boy at and around
the Groaning Rock settlement was at Tumbling Shoals, all heavily
armed. It was thus that the scattered inhabitants of the country
flew to the assistance of each other, and they always went to hurt.
Mr. Gee was eminently a man of peace and a gentleman ; but it
was dangerous business "to tread upon his toes." This was
never known to be tried but one time. John Shoemaker, a very
large man and a self-styled "buUy, " though not a citizen, while
passing through the country heard of Drury Gee. He sent him
word that he could either whip him or throw him down in a
rough and tumble scuffle. They met and Gee told him that he
would throw him down first and thrash afterwards. This made
the "bully" mad, and they went together with a clash. At the
second pass Gee threw him on his back so violently that, though
he tried, he could not turn over. Gee then carried him to a
heavy rail fence, put his head between two rails that would not
choke him, took off one of his heavy shoes and gave him a good
"spanking." The man soon began to beg for mercy. Gee de
liberately released him, they shook hands and parted in peace.
Shoemaker never returned to the settlement. This was character
istic of the times — no pistol, no knife, no threats — nothing but
the closing of the fingers together.
Some years after this, while Drury Gee was cutting sprouts in
his new ground, he felt a sharp pain in the big toe of his right
foot. He gave it little attention at first, but in a few days his
entire foot began to swell and turn blue. Sharp pains began to
shoot up his leg and the swelling increased to an alarming extent.
The nearest physician was Dr. Hopson, at Jefferson. Samuel
Gore, son of Notty, and the boy that went with James Wilson to
231

Tumbling Shoals, being a bold and reckless rider, went after him.
In due time, the doctor arrived, and after examination decided
that amputation of the leg was the only chance to save his life.
Mr. Gee consented. The knives and saws, the bandages, thread
and needles, usually carried by a surgeon in those days were
placed on a shelf in plain view of the sufferer. James Mont
gomery, Hiram Bingham, Notty Gore and James Wilson were
the special attendants. They placed Mr. Gee on a heavy, rough
table which stood near the shelf. Everything was ready. The
reader may think that all those strong men were there to hold
Mr. Gee ! Oh, no, not that ! They were there to wait on the sur
geon, and Mrs. Gee and others were there to wait on them.
Crawford W. Long had never been heard of; anesthesia was
unknown. Mr. Gee is pale ; but his eyes which had faced so many dangers
unmoved, are calm and glittering. A death-like silence reigns, the
first incision is made, the cutting goes on and on, the arteries
are tied and tied, the bone is reached ! The cruel saw begins its
work, slowly, slowly, carefully, lower and lower go its slurring
teeth, all grim with blood and marrow; and lower, lower stUl,
until it ceases to move — stop ! — the leg is off !
Neither groan nor sigh had escaped the lips of the sufferer.
No wonder he was called "The Iron Man."
Mr. Gee's leg was well in reasonable time, and for twelve
months he went on one crutch as cheerful and determined as he
had ever been. But, it is painful to ever write it — ^his left big toe
became affected as the other had been. The disease spread as be
fore, and again amputation became necessary. The same sur
geon performed the operation as successfully as before. When
Dr. Hopson thought his patient out of danger, he playfully asked
Mr. Gee what he intended to do. "Lie here and kick up my heels,
I reckon," was the dry reply. A legless man kicking up his
heels !
Mr. Gee lived only a few years after his last leg was cut off.
He was buried at Black's Creek church, and "He whose memory
deserves a temple," now sleeps in a grave unmarked. In 1854
two small stones indicated the exact spot, but in 1880 even these
233

were gone. It is between the graves of Mesdames PoUy Mc-
Ginnis and Eveline Baugh, mother of the late W. C. Baugh of
MaysviUe. Samuel Gore, already incidentally mentioned, was not remark
able for anything except his physical strength and the bold, reck
less way he had of doing things. As the escapade he had on the
night he went for Dr. Hopson vrill iUustrate this feature, it may
be given here.
As a matter of fun and daring, Sam rode the Shaddon steer,
and when he reached Curry's creek a little below the present
rock dam, where the banks were about thirty feet apart, the
steer, becoming shy of the rippling water as it glittered in the
moonshine, utterly refused to cross. Sam wore a heavy, home
made iron spur on each heel, and digging these into the sides of
the animal, he made the opposite bank at three jumps. Having
no mane to hold by, he digged his spurs stUl deeper to keep from
faUing off. This so enraged the steer that he threw up his tail
to an angle of about ninety degrees and he and his rider went
dashing through the little town like they had been shot out of
a cannon. It was in the early part of the night but Mrs. Lucy
Hyde happened to see them, and having a milk cow about the same
color of the steer, she hastened to tell her husband that, "The
devU had taken her cow and gone off on her back like a streak
of lightning!" Others had heard "the rippet," as they termed
the stampede, and this, when added to Mrs. Hyde's somewhat
exaggerated story, created much excitement.
The rider, being strong and athletic, after making a wide
circuit, finaUy brought the steer under control. When he reached
the court-house on his return the square around it was thronged
with people trying to find an explanation of what they heard,
and Mrs. Hyde saw. The explanation was easy, a hearty laugh
went around, and Sam hastened to the doctor's office.
Some one of the town wrote a song to celebrate the occasion
It began with the foUowing lines :
"The devil came in town to-night,
But didn't come to stay,
He came upon his steer all right.
But rode our cow away."
233

This doggerel, sang to a lively air, became popular all over the
county; and as late as 1836, when a company of volunteers was
goint West to help carry the Indians away, all sang this song as
they went through Jefferson. Sam Gore himself, and his neigh
bor, the ill-fated Levi Quintius Curtius McGinnis, were members
of the company and joined in the singing of the song.
Some Gore died near Ross' Landing, now Chattanooga, and
though rough in some of his ways, he had a kind heart and was
a true and faithful friend. McGinnis returned, and I was a pupil
in his school nine days.
Jim Beasly, the fiddler, though of fair moral character, was a
good-for-nothing sort of fellow. He was so kind-hearted that
like Diogenes, he had "nothing for himself and everything for
others." A good fiddler for the times, he played at public gath
erings, and for that he generally received good wages. Though
he seldom worked long at one place, he was industrious, and gave
good satisfaction. A bird of passage, he finally disappeared and
no one knew from whence he came nor whither he went.
Thomas Perry, Sr., came to this county in the early years of
the last century. He was a small man of quiet manners and of
unquestioned good character. Though he sometimes took his
dram, he never drank to excess, and lived on friendly terms with
all his neighbors. He was one of those rare men who joked and
took jokes without offense to either party. A man could not be
found who disliked him, nor was he ever known to speak disre
spectfully of another. ' ' Geewhillicans ' ' was his favorite by-word,
and introductory to almost everything he said. An oath seemed
to rasp and grate upon his feelings like a saw across his breast,
and he would not remain where one was uttered. He was certain
ly a fine character and worthy of all praise.
He settled one and a half miles south of Commerce, where he
opened a farm, made a good living by his own industry and by
attending to his own business without any interference whatever
with the business of others.
He was a neighbor of George Wilson, Sr., and one of the men
who labored faithfully to alleviate the suffering condition of the
strange old man who died at his grave. For several years be-
234

fore his death he was confined to his bed with the shaking palsy,
which, at a ripe old age, wore out the finely woven tissues of his
life. He died as he had Uved, without an enemy, and was buried
near his home on a plat of ground selected by himself. Mrs.
J. W. Lord of Jefferson is his granddaughter.
Notty Gore came to this country from Ireland and settled
near where J. J. Dunson, grandson of William Dunson, now Uves.
As his place at the logrolling showed, he was one of the men of
the times. Though disposed to be peaceful, he was a terrible an
tagonist when aroused; but this never occurred on his own
motion. Though a true Celt, he soon became Americanized in
all respects except two or three. He never did become reconcUed
to reptiles and ghosts. He was more afraid of snakes and
lizzards than he was of the wolves and panthers that were his
near neighbors. "Ather Sent Pathric must come to Ar-mer-i-ca,
or Notty Go-re must go back to I-re-land," was his common say
ing. Notty was one of the two men who saw the "ghost" at the
grave during the first night the white-haired old man stayed
there. "Faith an' begorra," exclaimed Notty, "that's George come
afther me, an' I'm not er goin' at all, at all!" and off he went
at fuU speed. Though so strong, he was clumsy, and could run
neither far nor fast. James Wilson, who was on his way to see
about the strange old man, met Notty about the time he became
exhausted and fell sprawling on the ground.
"Jamie ! Jamie ! och ! honey, me darlint ! it's yer fa-ther that's
afther me, an' I'm all not wantin' ter go!" said the Irishman, as
he lay panting, fiat on his back.
Finally, becoming pacified, James and his brother, George
Wilson, Jr., went home with Notty and many good laughs went
around. Though so nervous about such minor things, Notty Gore
was as brave as a lion when facing real danger. To iUustrate this,
the foUowing incident may be given :
WiUiam Sailers, the ten-year old son of Christopher Sailers,
Sr., was attacked by a gang of wolves in hearing of Mr. Gore.
As usual, he had with him a very heavy hickory club which he
called "his shillalah," and, in his hands, was a formidable
235

weapon. Judging by the noise he knew that the wolves had
brought something to bay and he ran as fast as he could to see
what was the matter. He soon discovered a little boy sitting some
seven or eight feet above the ground, in the crotch of a small
dogwood tree, and that six or seven wolves were jumping and
snapping at him. Without hesitation he joined battle; and
though he was bitten in several places and his clothes badly
torn, he killed every one of the wolves with his terrible club and
stamped upon their tails. Old hunters said that if you mashed
the tail of an animal none of its species would bother you after
wards. Hence the vulgar saying — "mashed his tail." The shep
herd dog seems to know something of this "tailology." The
first snap is at the tail of his enemy, and, generally, that ends the
dispute. The battle over, Mr. Gore placed his back against the dogwood,
the little boy crawled upon his broad shoulders, and in that
position was carried home. The older generation of the Sailers
family thought of Notty Gore as the world, for less reason, thinks
of Alexander the Great.
At that time, Mr. Gore was the only member of the Roman
Catholic church in the country and said that if he had not counted
his beads that morning he never would have gained the victory in
the wolf fight.
He became a chair-maker by trade, and by using a foot-lathe,
turned and made the first split-bottomed chairs seen in the
county. They were large and heavy, and made to last for genera
tions. His wife, Oesehellee Gore, died a few years after reaching
her wilderness home, and left two children, Samuel and a little
daughter, who soon followed the mother.
Many years after Notty Gore joined his wife and children
where, Dante like, "few want to go, but going never to return"
— and the Gore family was extinct in this country. For reasons
that appear in the closing paragraphs of this narrative, he was
buried at the side of his life-long friends, and at the very spot,
reserved for the purpose, where the mysterious stranger died.
Notty Gore and George Wilson came, almost as one man, to
America, and joined the army under Washington just before the
236

capture of Fort Lee in 1776. There they were taken prisoners,
but soon after escaped, and, being cut off from their command,
they went to PhUadelphia. WhUe there they f eU in love with the
girls who afterwards became their wives. Wilson married Miss
Martha Gevendoline Gailey, a native of Scotland, and Gore mar
ried her sister, Miss OescheUee GaUey. Carrying their wives with
them, they again entered the army in time to be in the battle of
Brandywine. At the battle of Monmouth they were both severely wounded,
but the nursing of their "good angels," as they caUed their
wives, finaUy saved their lives. However, they were not able to
do active service again until a short whUe before the faU of York-
town, which they reached the day after CornwaUis surrendered,
Oct. 19, 1781. Like OtheUo, their "occupation was gone."
They turned to the west, and reaching Iredell County, N. C,
remained there about two years, and then came to Georgia.
It is strange that these two soldiers, who had never heard of
Clark, Bankston, Harris, Clover, Therrauld, or Gee should almost
tread in the footprints of these strangers from Yorktown to the
same wUderness in Georgia. Was this a coincidence — a chance,
or was it a single turn in the whirUgig of time which has, turn
after turn, brought Jackson County to adopt the motto — "On
ward! and to the Front?"
Note: The foregoing is a fine illustration of "old times on the farm."
Many of our older readers can remember when the logrollings were an
annual occurrence on aU the farms in the spring of the year. Even the
little "brown jug," the dance, quilting and maybe the wedding at some of
them, can be called to mind. — ^Ed.

237

CELL NO. 21.
CHAPTER 1.
The "A" Family.
In 1833 there lived on Pea Ridge, near Winder, a remarkable
family which was extensively known by the curious designation
of "The Letter A." The father, Alexis Alston,* was an able
and consecrated minister of the Baptist church, and the mother,
Mrs. Almeda Alston, was known and loved throughout the coun
try for her many Christian virtues. They had nine sons, Albert,
Alpheus, Almarine, Alpha, Augustus, Alford, Adolphus, Alphonso,
and Abraham; also two daughters, Artemisia and Alto. Though
so numerous all their names begin with A, and when one
spoke of himself it was a matter of pride to say, ' ' I am one of the
A family."
While all were good-looking and of excellent character, none
of the children were married. The Alstons were not wealthy,
but in easy circumstances, making their living by hard work
and good management. Mrs. Alston was educated and refined,
and being aided by her husband, was eminently successful in
educating her children.
Living in a new country, far away from the busy hum lof life
as now heard in that section; having few neighbors, no schools,
and but one church within easy reach, we might suppose that
the Alstons led an isolated life. Such, however, was not the case.
They had many visitors, and among them were what was then
called "aristocrats." In the summer of the year mentioned
Governor George R. Gilmer and Mrs. Gilmer of Lexington vis
ited the family, and were so well pleased that they remained
several days over their allotted time. Mrs. Gilmer, who was one
of the first women of her time, afterwards wrote a letter to a
relative in Virginia from which the following is an extract :
*Mr. Alston's parents were Mr. and Mrs. Eobert Alston, who settled at
Snodon (now Winder), in 1794. — Ed. 238

"I have just returned from Jug Tavern [Winder] in the up
lands of Jackson County. Near that place Uves Rev. Alexis
Alston whose famUy is remarkable in several respects. The un
earthly beauty of his daughter, Artemisia, is, perhaps, the most
surprising of aU. Named after the ancient queen of Cavia, she
is herself a very queen. Nearly eighteen years old, and perfect
in form and feature, she is reaUy more than a queen. Her man
ners are pleasing, her carriage graceful, and her smUes seem to
be made of sunshine and gladness. Her hair, which is of a Ught
wine color, falls in graceful ringlets over her classicaUy formed
shoulders, and when her eyes, which are of a deep eeruUan blue,
look at me from beneath two curls that usuaUy meet just above
them, I think her the most beautiful girl I ever saw. And when
I find that her natural disposition is as sweet as her face; that
with aU her beauty she does not seem to know it; and that the
tone of her voice rises and falls, trembles and melts away like
the twinkling of a sUver beU in some enchanting cathedral, then
for a moment, I forget what I have seen and become lost in ad
miration of what I hear.
"AU the famUy are trained musicians, both vocal and instru
mental; and to hear them in concert seems to Uft one far above
the sensual things of earth. The wonder is why such a flower
blooms in almost a wUderness!
"The Alstons, however, are not without visitors. The fair
Artemisia has many admirers, some of them from quite a distance.
WhUe there two young men, John Coatney and Sidney York,
were paying her marked attention. So far as I could see she
showed nothing but common friendship for both alike. They
are handsome, but their positions in life are quite different.
Coatney is rich and influential ; York, though poor, has a charac
ter far superior to that of his rival."
It is the purpose of this narrative to give only so much of the
history of "The Letter A" as wiU enable the reader to better
understand a few incidents that relate to that interesting famUy.
As stated by Mrs. GUmer aU the Alstons were good singers, and
every night prayer and song, generaUy led by one of the boys or
girls, were strictly observed. After going to bed, Mr. and ilrs.
239

Alston generally, when at home, sang themselves to sleep, and
a, little before daybreak it was their custom to sing again untU
their early rising hour. Those morning songs in the silent hours
of night were certainly impressive.
The writer has heard them but not at Pea Ridge ; though some
times when passing along the road which still runs near that
place once made glad with prayer and song, with busy Ufe and
musical laughter, he has stopped and listened with momentary
expectation of hearing the old-time symphony again. He heard
it not, but believes that SOMEWHERE in the vast universe of
God, it is still heard as an accompaniment to the song of redeem
ing grace — a song that angels can not sing.
On the night of the 13th of November of that same year, when
the Gilmers had returned home, and other visitors, though not so
distinguished, had taken their places, the usual devotional exer
cises of the Alston home were abruptly brought to a close by the
hasty and unceremonious appearance of Dick Manly, a neighbor
who lived more than a mile distant. Bare-headed, with blazing
eyes and wild gesticulations, he rushed into the house while all
the family and visitors were singing, and shouting at the top of
his voice that "the world was coming to an end," he fell upon
his knees and asked Mr. Alston and all the family to pray for
him. He was quickly followed by Mrs. Manly, who also ran into
the house with a white sheet wrapped around her. Falling at
the feet of Mrs. Alston, she moaned in piteous tones :
"0 Meda, judgment day has come! Ga'bril will soon be ready
to blow his horn! I'm ready, see I've done. put on my ascension
robe, all nice and clean! Pray for Dick, he curses and swears!
0 pray, Meda, pray! for God's sake, pray! — pray now for poor
Dick— Dick— Dick Manly ! ' '
The sudden appearance and wild behavior of Manly and his
wife so astonished all present that no one seemed able to move.
Soon a distant cry was heard plaintively saying: "O Lord! the
world is coming to an end, and I'm not saved! Lord what shaU
I do?" Other similar exclamations, mixed with screams and wild
hysterical shouting were heard in different directions. At last
240

realizing that something uncommon was going on, Mr. Alston ran
to the door, and looking out, hurriedly called aloud:
"AU come here and see a wonderful display of the power of
Almighty God! but be not afraid!"
A confused rush was made into the yard, when some one
shouted: "Back into the house, all the stars of heaven are
falling!" Some obeyed, some remained; some were praying, a few were
shouting and praising God ; some were crying, some were scream
ing, none were cursing, then.
Consternation, wonder and amazement ruled almost supreme!
The heavens seemed to be aglow with liquid fire — it was raining
stars! Sometimes the whole firmanent above seemed to be en
veloped in roUing convoluted sheets of fiame, leaving scarcely a
place that was not covered every instant. Sometimes the sheets
fell Uke great fiakes of snow, and shooting in every direction
like burning sheaves of straw in a whirlwind! Sometimes they
assumed the form of great rolUng, tumbling baUs which, upon
reaching the lower atmosphere, burst into thousands of frag
ments that made a veritable shower of fire. Far above the so-
called bursting stars others could be seen, striking violently
against each other, and then shooting away with inconceivable
velocity in every direction, disappearing in the shadowy distance.
The scene was awful and grand beyond description. No
wonder that many people, not only on Pea Ridge, but all over the
Western Hemisphere, were thrown into consternation and might
ily cried to God in anxious, confused clamor.
In a short time many were assembled at the Alston home ; and
although he assured his troubled friends that what they caUed
falling stars, were only shooting meteors, and that the strange
phenomenon had been often seen before, thinking that he was
only trying to pacify them, few, except his own family, believed
him. Good people constitute a powerful magnet which, in time of
distress, draws others around them. Misery loves company. The
whole scene shows that at last God is the only refuge.
241

That wonderful meteoric shower, though not all the time so
brilliant, lasted through the night, and, astronomers say, until
nearly noon on the following day : that is to say, it took the earth
nearly all night and half of the next day to pass through that
part of its orbit around the sun where meteors are always shoot
ing through the heavens, and that the same place is reached only
one time in 33 years.
At any rate few went to sleep that night at Pea Ridge. Some
continued their prayers and wild exclamations until the brighter
rays of the morning sun obscured the softer splendor of night's
aerial fireworks.

242

CHAPTER II.
Sidney York is Arrested.
Among those who arrived late after the alarm given by the
Manleys were John Coatney and Sidney York, who, as already
seen, were rivals for the hand of the fair Artemisia. As the form
er had hitherto shown nothing but contempt for the latter, it
was surprising to see the warm friendship which sprang up
between them during that eventful night. Mr. Coatney went so
far as to tell Mrs. Alston and her daughters that he had found
Mr. York to be one of the best ihen he ever knew, and that he
was sorry for having cast reflections upon his good name. That
astonished those who best knew him and caused some comment.
A few attributed the sudden change to the "falling stars" others
to a recognition of Mr. York's real worth, and still others said
that no good would come of it.
When morning came and the fiery heavens had their usual ap
pearance, John Coatney, hat in one hand and gloves in the other,
approached Mrs. Alston, saying:
"My Dear Madam, I am glad to see you looking so well after
the exciting scenes of the night. After all it was nothing but a
plaything of God, and I rejoice to know that you were not fright
ened. I am sorry that Mr. York is not present to join me in
thanking you for the hospitalities of the night. I regret to say
that I must now bid you good-bye."
With the grace of a Chesterfield he bowed to all present and
left the room. After a long silence a Mrs. Underwood, a friend
visiting from a distant part of the state, remarked:
"Meda, I am afraid of that man. The idea that God would
make a plaything of any part of his creation is so absurd that it
almost stops my breath. It shows a depravity that is calculated
to lead to the commission of the meanest crime. ' '
It is not known that Mrs. Underwood's criticisms had any
reference to Mr. Coatney's apparent relations to the family, but
none present called her conclusions in question.
243

In the meantime both young men continued their visits to the
Alston home, where they were always received on equal terms.
Perhaps this irritated Mr. Coatney; but still their friendship
seemed to grow stronger and stronger until they began to ex
change visits. They occupied the same sleeping room, and some
times hunted together in the almost boundless woods, never men
tioning, however, the girl whom they both loved so well.
One day while stopping at a spring, since called the Segars
tanyard spring, Coatney carelessly said to his companion:
"Say, Sidney, who cut and made that new suit of clothes I
saw you wearing last Sunday?"
"Marion Winters, a professional tailor, who lives at Hurricane
Shoals over on North Oconee river," replied Sidney.
"He certainly understands his trade. The fit and make seem
perfect, and I want one just like it, except mine shall be of
blue broadcloth."
"That will lay mine in the shade. However, I am content to
wear plain clothes until I can pay for better ones."
' ' I suppose you have a prospect of being able to buy finer ones
in a few years," said Coatney, drumming with his fingers on a
fine Ledford rifle.
"I hope not so long as that. An uncle recently died in Ala
bama and left me a snug little fortune. I expect to go after it
in about two weeks."
"So that is what the new suit means?" said Coatney, inter
rogatively. "That is one thing, though it pinched me pretty closely to pay
for it and have enough left for traveling expenses," replied York
sadly. "Don't talk so sadly. I'll come down and cheer you up before
you leave," said the other, rising to his feet.
"Glad to have you come, and I thank you for your kind in
tentions. Of course the legacy will be gratefully accepted; but
I mourn the loss of a very dear uncle," replied Sidney, as he
shouldered his rifle.
The hunt continued for several hours, but nothing further was
said in allusion to new clothes or the trip to Alabama.
244

Two weeks passed away, and at the appointed time Sidney
York, wearing his new suit, mounted his horse and rode away to
the West with the intention of being gone from fifteen to twenty
days. He was a very handsome young man, broad-shouldered, of
graceful carriage, fine mental capacity, industrious, and of un
blemished character. He had told his sweetheart good-bye on the
previous evening, and for the first time saw a shadow pass over
her lovely features as he turned to go away. "At last, thank
God," he muttered, as he mounted his horse.
About noon of the same day he began his journey to Alabama,
John Coatney went to a magistrate and had a warrant issued
charging that ' ' On the 9th of January, 1834, while I was sleeping
in my father's house, Sidney York did then and there steal from
me, the said John Coatney, one fifty ($50.00) dollar bill, No. 2152,
on the bank of Augusta, Ga."
The warrant was immediately placed in the hands of a Deputy
Sheriff, who, in company with Coatney himself at once started
in pursuit of the alleged thief. They overtook him the second
night after leaving home while sleeping in a house where he had
secured lodging. When arrested he vehemently and manfully de
clared his innocence.
That was taken by the sheriff as a matter of course, and he,
even rudely, proceeded to search his prisoner. A little more
than seven dollars was found in his purse. His shoes, stockings,
cravat, and every pocket in his clothes were next carefuUy ex
amined ; but no money was found — ^nothing but a common pocket-
knife of which the officer took charge.
He was then ordered to dress, pay his bill, and get ready to
return. While putting on his coat John Coatney quickly grabbed
it by the collar, and said:
"Stop, Mr. Sidney York, I think I saw a place in your coat
collar that looks like it had been ripped open ! Mr. Sheriff, look
and see!"
The officer took the garment and turned up the heavy collar
common to tailor-made coats in those days, and, sure enough,
there was a place where the stitches had been cut. The sheriff
thrust two fingers into the opening, and by making the rent
245

larger drew out a carefully folded paper. It proved to be a
$50.00 bill. No. 2152, on the Bank of Augusta, Ga., just as de
scribed in the warrant.
"I told you so! I am surprised at you, Sidney York!" said
Coatney harshly.
"I'll face you on judgment day about this false accusation. I
did not know the money was in my coat collar," replied the
prisoner in tones as clear as the morning echo.
"You'll first face him before an earthly judge, the evidence is
too plain for denial," said the sheriff unfeelingly.
"I'U face you, too, at the final settlement of all things, Mr.
Sheriff ! I 'm not guilty, sir ; but am ready to go with you, ' ' was
the prisoner's firm reply.
"Have you any weapons?" demanded the officer.
"You know I have none, not even a pocket-knife," was the
sarcastic reply.
"Look under his pillow," growled Coatney.
Nothing was found, and the prisoner was hurried back and
placed in jail at Lawrenceville, where he remained until morn
ing. Oh, how cold and gloomy were prison walls that night and for
many nights following to the finely woven nature of Sidney York !
Neither tongue nor pen can ever tell how much he suffered.
In the afternoon of the following day the great iron-bound door
of the old jail at Jefferson was closed upon him. The news soon
reached his friends. Their astonishment and sorrow were very
great. Indignation too, played a prominent part ; though the evi
dence against him was so damaging that some, not all, hung their
heads in silence.

246

CHAPTER HI.
York is Found Guilty — Coatney's Confession.
At the approaching session of the Superior court Sidney York
was brought to trial. He looked every inch a gentleman. Calm,
cool, eoUected, his great black eyes seemed to pierce through
judge and jury. Many of his friends were present. Able law
yers represented both sides. As nearly aU the evidence was
against the prisoner, few had any hope. John Coatney testified
that in the conversation at the spring, York told him that after
paying for his new clothes he had nothing left and that he loaned
him the money found in his purse to pay his expenses to Ala
bama. This, together with the direct evidence of the deputy
sheriff led some to think that it was useless for the prisoner to
make any further defense. His attorney, Gabriel Nash,* did not
think so. As bold as a Uon and as terrific as a thunderbolt in his
assaults upon an adversary, he first assailed the doubtful character
of John Coatney, and drew such inferences from it as to cause
judge and jury to stare with wide-open eyes. Had he known the
exact words spoken by his cUent at the spring it is difficult to say
what the effect would have been. He next considered the hith
erto weU-known good character of his client as shown by first-
class witnesses, and drew such conclusions from it as seemed to
make it impossible for such a man to be a thief, especiaUy when
he was almost within reach of a fortune.
After an absence of something over two hours, the jury re
turned with a verdict of "GUILTY." Amid tears and sorrow
the prisoner was sentenced for "three years at hard labor in the
penitentiary." It was afterwards learned that Col. Nash had
saved his client from two years of prison life.
The tragedy was over, and a few days after the "convict" was
carried to the penitentiary at MilledgevUle and assigned to his
cold 3x7-foot "CELL NO. 21."
•The records of the Superior Court show that Mr. Nash was a very promi
nent lawyer in our courts. — Ed. 247

To more than one home did the sombre specter of grief go and
take the place of Sidney York!
As the days passed away John Coatney continued to press his
suit for the heart and hand of pretty Artemisia Alston. To his
infinite chagrin she still continued to manifest nothing more
than common friendship for him. Sometimes he thought even that
was weakening. An answer to his offers of marriage and a large
fortune was always postponed for further consideration. Be
coming desperate he reproached her for being indifferent to his
overtures and hinted that she would talk more favorable to a
thief in the penitentiary than to himself. That ungenerous
thrust enabled her to do what she had often tried to do before.
She indignantly told him that she did not love him, and that even
her friendship was gone forever. He left her in high "dudgeon;"
but a few days after wrote her a note asking forgiveness and
begging for a reconciliation. In reply she fully forgave him;
but said nothing about a reconciliation. They never met again.
In the midst of the fall season, when Sidney York had been
languishing in his narrow prison cell by night and working in
its shops nearly every day for nine miserable months, John Coat
ney was stricken with a violent type of fever. Being physicaUy
strong he fought the disease for several weeks ; but he finally be
gan to sink so fast that his physicians, when asked for their
opinion, frankly told him he had only a few hours to live. This
was terrible news to such a man, and for a few minutes he im
plored them to save him if possible. When nearly exhausted he
became more composed, and calUng for a servant ordered him to
go after the same magistrate that had issued the warrant for
the arrest of Sidney York. When the officer arrived the dying
man, with great difficulty, dictated and signed the following
affidavit :
"Believing that I am now dying, and deeply repenting of the
great crime I committed against Sidney York, now in the peniten
tiary for stealing, I, John Coatney, in the presence of Almighty
God, and of the witnesses whose names are hereunto annexed,
do solemnly swear that I put the $50.00 biU, No. 2152, in the
said Sidney York's coat collar with my own hands while he was
248

asleep in my father's house; and that I thought by disgracing
him, he could not come between me and the only woman I ever
loved. John Coatney.
"Signed in Presence of:
"D. G. Campton, J. P.; William Harris, N. T. Smith."
The affidavit was at once sent to the governor of the State.
A few hours afterwards John Coatney died and was buried in the
vicinity of the present Line school house near which his father
lived. How true is Holy Writ, "The way of the transgressor is hard!"
and again, "Be sure your sin will find you out." How truly did
Mrs. Underwood prophesy, and how clearly did Col. Nash see
through the case, when, in the closing sentence of his argument
before the jury, he exclaimed in thunder tones :
"Gentlemen of the jury, I call you to witness, that, though
it may or may not be known in time, when the records of eternity
are unrolled it will be known of aU men, that the green-eyed
monster of jealousy is the head and front of this false accusa
tion." The perplexing mystery was solved at last. In due time Sid
ney York was free. So highly was the country gratified over the
vindication of his honor that several leading citizens went and
escorted him home from MiUedgevUle.
The humble but honorable home of Sidney York's father stood
on the spot now occupied by the cemetery at Chapel church a
few miles east of Winder. That beautiful place has since seen
the flow of many tears of sorrow; but when the liberated pris
oner of Cell No. 21, reached there, tears of joy flowed like great
drops of falling rain. How strange the transmutations of time
as it passes on, forever on, in unimpeded flight.
The first visit made by the free man was to see the Alston
family, not one of whom had ever believed him guilty. Miss
Artemisia manifested her former friendship, notMng more. That
was disappointing and strengthened him in a former resolution
249

to leave the country. To that she objected in such terms that
hope was renewed. As he had come into full possession of the
legacy bequeathed him by his uncle, he from time to time became
more bold, and finally reaching what he called "the turning
point," said, with a deep tremor in his voice:
"My dear Artie, as I called you when we were children to
gether, I want to repeat what you have long known; only, how
ever, by your permission. May I go on?"
She hesitated a moment, and then giving one of those smiles
which Mrs. Gilmer characterized as "sunshine and gladness,"
answered: "Yes, go on."
"You know," he continued, "that I love you, 0 Artie, so very
sincerely, that only a lifetime of devotion can measure it ! Yes, I
love you, and only you. While I have been one of the most un
fortunate men that ever lived, I have been fortunate in some
respects, fortunate in having a competency of ready cash, and
fortunate in having your friendship since early childhood. But
friendship is not enough, however valuable that may be. I shall
look back with pleasure over the misfortunes of the past if you
will promise to be my wife. I know this is asking for much more
than I deserve ; but my undivided love for you does not aUow me
to ask for less. Will you answer me, darling?"
She hung her head, placed her hands over her face and sat in
silent, tremulous meditation. He took her hand in his, she did
not draw it away. He again said :
"Will you answer me, dear?"
She hesitated, but finally looked up, and leaning her head
against his manly breast, she answered in broken tones:
' ' 0 Sidney, I have loved you since we played together in child
hood 's happy hours. I realize all that you have suffered on my
account, and am willing to do all I can to make you happy in the
future. As you could say nothing less than ask me to be yours,
neither can I say anything less than to answer, yes."
"Then, since I have safely passed through the dark night into
which John Coatney drove me with unmerciful hand, and have
250

entered into the glorious sunshine of your love, my only one,
and mine forever, I forgive him for all the pain he has caused me
to suffer."
"Dear Sidney," she said, as the tears flowed from her lustrous
blue eyes, ' ' I too have suffered all the time you were away in that
horrid prison, and all because the treacherous John Coatney, by
some means unknown to me, discovered that I loved you. I had
long thought that he intended to do you harm, and that was the
reason why I showed you only friendship when I dearly loved you
all the time. Remember that 'all things work together for good
to them that love God.' "
"Yes, dear, I remember; and while I thank you for the explana
tion of your friendship when I so ardently longed for your love,
let us unite in prayer and thank Him for this happy hour, and
ask for a continuation of his blessings."
They fell upon their knees and asked God to help them conse
crate their lives to his service, to give them grateful hearts for
the consummation of their wishes, and to bless their future lives
with peace and happiness.
Who will say such prayers went unanswered?
A few weeks later Sidney York and Artemisia Alston were
married. Nearly every citizen for many miles around witnessed
the ceremony, and all extended their hearty congratulations.
The following year the Alston and York families moved to
Habersham County. It was there the writer visited them; there
he heard Mr. and Mrs. Alston sing their morning songs, and
there they told him the story of "CeU No. 21."
Mrs. Artemisia Alston York often joined her husband in the
chase, and with rifie, horn and dogs roamed the mountains on
horseback, the very picture of health and still radiantly beauti
ful. About this time Joseph Coatney, John Coatney's father, emi
grated to Cherokee County, where he died some years later. He
left a will in which he bequeathed one full share of his large
estate "to Sidney York instead of John Coatney, deceased."
251

When offered the legacy, Sidney York indignantly refused to
accept it, saying:
"Though I have forgiven John Coatney for the great crime he
has committed, and though his father doubtless meant weU,
neither Artie nor myself can afford to touch one cent of his
deeply tainted patrimony."
Solomon says of a good woman: "The heart of her husband
safely trusts in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil."
Note. For justifiable reasons, the true names of some of the foregoing
characters are not given.

252

THE HUT OWL IN BORROWED FEATHERS.
A STORY IN REAL LIFE.
The Reading op the Poem Opens Their Eyes.
On the Northeastern [now Southern] railway a few furlongs
above Harmony Grove [now Commerce], there stands a small log
cabin to the building of which the memory of man does not go
back. Larkin Butler, an old pioneer, said the "hut" was built by
John Akin, a nephew of the celebrated Nancy Hart, in 1784, and
that Tethlemaco, the Indian chief, who at that time directed the
councils of the Cherokee nation, helped do the work.
Sixty years came and passed, when strange to say, the "Hinton
Hut" as the house was then called, seemed to be nearly as old as
it is now at the hoary age of one hundred and eight years. Many
"split-board roofs" have sheltered its walls; but its moss-covered
logs are the same, except, perhaps, the places that have been made
lean by natural paper-makers — the wasps and hornets — ^which
have for a full century been running their factories upon the
neighboring fence-corners.
For a number of years the cabin had not been inhabited; but
on a cool Saturday evening in April a rude one-ox cart stopped
near its ancient doorway. The driver, a young girl of some six
teen summers, having seen to the comfort of two little boys that
were on the cart with her, turned and anxiously looked in the
direction from which she had come. Presently a man and woman
were seen approaching. The former was beastly drunk and the
latter was weeping bitterly. To a plowboy who gazed over the
adjacent fence the scene beggared description.
It was Van Allen and his family who, becoming weary of their
home in Carolina, were thus miserably wending their way to some
point in the West. Mary, their oldest daughter, had gone forward
with the cart to select a camping place, while the mother remained
behind to look after the drunken father.
253

Soon after reaching the cart the man went to sleep, when, by
permission of the owner, Mrs. Allen decided to occupy the cabin
until morning, little thinking that it was to become her home for
a long time.
A scanty supper of cold bread was eaten, the little boys went
to sleep on a bed of straw, and save the hoarse snoring of the
drunkard nothing broke the painful silence of the mother and
daughter. Suddenly the snoring ceased and the demon arose to his feet
in a furious passion. Demanding something to eat, Mary hastened
to offer him a piece of bread; but because she could not give
more, he hurled a pine knot at her with all his force. Though
she attempted to evade the blow, the rough missile struck her
full in the breast. Quivering for a moment like a butchered ani
mal, she gave one gasp and fell senseless on the ground.
The plowboy, who at the time was preparing to return home,
witnessed this 'frightful scene. Though only seventeen years old,
he was brave and muscular. Himself the son of a drunkard, he
could readily sympathize with others in a similar condition. Be
sides he was by nature a noble boy. This and more he had in
herited from a good mother who, like Mrs. Allen, had been
brought from prosperity and happiness to shame and sorrow by
the demon's drink — alcohol.
So when Clyde Arthur, the plowboy, saw Mary Allen fall, he
leaped the fence at a single bound, not thinking that he carried
one of his plowlines with him. The inhuman father was ready
for the fray. The boy, who had no desire to hurt the man, soon
exhausted the strength of his antagonist, and in a few minutes
Van Allen was tied hand and foot with the plowline. He chafed
in the harness like a caged lion. Perhaps never before had such
horrid oaths jarred against the walls of that old house. Were
its logs a graphophone or dictagraph, what might be ground out
from their inner depths ?
While Clyde was pulling at the last knot in his plowline an
other character, attracted to the place by the loud ravings of the
bound man, appeared upon the scene of this strange transaction.
254

This was a teacher* who at the time had a school at Rock Spring
in the immediate neighborhood ; and who was himself a mere boy
in the very first of his teens.
Turning their attention to the wounded girl, the two boys
quickly carried her to a neighboring house where they felt sure
that Mrs. Allen and her children would be kindly received. Nor
were they disappointed.
At every gasp poor Mary was expected to die. Blood flowed
from her mouth and she was wholly insensible. Without delay
the teacher went on foot for the nearest physician who lived ten
miles distant, and a little before sunrise on the following morn
ing. Dr. Crawford W. Long, the distinguished discoverer of
anaesthetics, stood by the suffering stranger.
The next morning while packing his medicines to return home,
the good doctor, having observed the anxiety manifested by
Clyde and the teacher requested that they be admitted to the
room. Timidly entering, Dr. Long informed them that the crisis
was past and that his patient would live.
Then softly going near the bed and gazing at the quietly
sleeping stranger, they for the first time fully realized how beauti
ful — how very beautiful, Mary Allen was.
At the close of four anxious weeks Mrs. Allen and her children
returned to the Hinton hut which had, in the meantime, been
secured as at least their temporary home.
In those days school life in the rural districts was not like it
is now. The school at Rock Spring was large and contained many
different characters. A few still live, but most of them are
dead. Some were rich and some were poor — very poor. Some
were dull, others intellectual and ambitious. A few of their
names have passed into history. Gen. W. T. Milligan, one of the
first heroes who gave his life for the "Lost Cause," and Emeline
Maddox, who bravely carried the colors of her husband's regi
ment over the bloody field of Shiloh, and who performed an an
gel's mission at the close of Albert Sidney Johnson's heroic life
will never be forgotten by those who knew them best.
•The teacher was the author. He began teaching when 13 years old
and was 17 when this school opened. — Ed.
255

But perhaps the most interesting feature of the school was
"Class No. 1." It was composed of sixteen young ladies, most
of whom were immensely wealthy — all of unblemished character,
beautiful and highly intellectual.
Over this pleasing feature, however, the pride and vanity of
about half the class sometimes caused a dark cloud to gather — a
feature which in those days often served to grind the poor into
the very dust.
Soon after Mary Allen's recovery she was induced to become
a pupil in the Rock Spring school. To the surprise of all her
entrance examination showed that she was already a good Eng
lish scholar and well advanced in some of the higher branches.
This at once placed her in Class No. 1.
Though poor and obscure, she was uncommonly beautiful, very
intelligent, of pleasing address, and the very soul of honor. But
in the estimation of some of her classmates these sterling qualities
weighed little against gold and silver. They frowned upon her
in school and cut her acquaintance in society. Some called her a
"cart-driver," and others a "pauper." One, the leader of the
class, publicly called her "The Hut Owl in Borrowed Feathers,"
using the term feathers in allusion to the flowing curls of jet-
black hair that fell in festoons over her symmetrical shoulders.
This cruel conduct was their only serious fault and can be at
tributed only to that prevailing spirit of the times which has
since been characterized as "the hot blood of the old Southern
lord." Although these taunts were felt with the keenest anguish, their
victim usually met them with tears only. The rest died away in
the silence of her noble breast.
However, the time came when even with the gentle nature of
Mary Allen "forbearance ceased to be a virtue."
One lovely Sabbath several of her class met her at church and
in a conspicious way refused to recognize her presence. Her
heart bled at every pore and for once she resolved upon some sort
of revenge.
Compositions and essays were not so common then as now.
Rock Spring being one of the few schools where such exercises
256

were required. Then original composition was regarded a great
task; but to Mary Allen this kind of work was no task at aU.
This her classmates well knew; and while most of them would
have scorned a proposition to wear her bonnet, none had any
particular objections to presenting her thoughts as their own.
So as the time for the public exercises of the school drew
near Mary's facile pen was laid under heavy tribute. The week
following the neglect shown at church various members of her
class politely requested her to write for them.
"Mary," said the wealthy Lucy Graves, "as it is such an easy
matter for you to write, will you kindly assist me?"
"I will on two conditions," replied the former, thoughtfully.
"And what are they?" asked the latter.
"That you allow me to select the subject and tell no one that
I am the author," was the firm reply.
"I will do that gladly," promised Lucy.
"Then call on me one hour hence," said Mary, "and my
thoughts on Toil, Pain and Tears, will be at your service."
At the time appointed the two met, when Lucy said :
"Read Mary, for you are a better reader than I am."
Announcing her subject as was the custom of those days. Miss
Allen proceeded:
"Away back in the far-gone ages when Mother Time was
singing her nursery hymn, the white-winged Messenger of peace
hovered over earth, and Toil, Pain and Tears were unknown to
mortals. "But as time rolled on an arch enemy appeared upon the
scene, when the guardian Messenger sadly folded her snowy wings
and a piercing cry, never heard on earth before, reached from
pole to pole. The crystal waters of Eden assumed a leaden hue
and a turbulent flood, laden with Toil, Pain and Tears rolled on
without a shore."
At the close of this paragraph their eyes met. A pearly tear
was stealing doT^n Lucy's rosy cheek. This was chased away by
Mary 's tender hand, when she proceeded to read the entire paper
of some ten minutes in length. 257

Again their eyes met. The first tear was the forerunner of
many others. These, too, were chased away by the same gentle
hand, and while doing so the "pauper" girl received the first
kiss ever offered by any one of her class.
Separating on terms "more sociable than ever before, one went
to rest at her ease — the other to brook the importunities of
others to write for them also.
Overwork at school, overwork at home, added to the many sor
rows she had to bear at both places proved to be too much for
the poor girl's power of endurance. Suddenly her nerves gave
way and for several weeks she was unable to attend school.
As a preparatory measure for the forthcoming public exercises
the members present of Mary Allen's class were called to read
their respective papers. Perhaps, fortunately, she was still ab
sent. Understanding that only those who had read should be
present at the reading of another, the teacher glanced at the
class roll and announced the first name. Miss Anna Dickson.
Promptly that young lady took her position, and announcing
her subject to be, "Toil, Pain and Tears," began:
"Away back in the far-gone ages when Mother Time was sing
ing her nursery hymn, the white-winged Messenger of peace
hovered over earth, and Toil, Pain and Tears were imknov^n to
mortals. ' '
Word for word as Mary Allen had written for Lucy Graves,
did Anna Dickson read to the end, and then took her seat to wit
ness the performance of those who were to follow.
Next came Eliza Hampton who, after saying her theme was
"Toil, Pain and Tears," proceeded:
"Away back in the far-gone ages when Mother Time was sing
ing her nursery hymn," and so on, she continued to repeat Miss
Dickson's words to the close, and took her seat, also.
But Miss Hampton saw that something was wrong. The teacher
was puzzled and hurried to the next name. Lucy Graves, saying
"Toil, Pain and Tears" was her subject, she, too, began:
"Away back in the far-gone ages," and thus following her
two classmates about half way through, she became so embar
rassed at their appearance that she could read no further.
258

Wishing to relieve them in some way, the teacher remarked,
"There appears to be a remarkable similarity in the sentiments
of the class. That we may see if this unity of mind goes any fur
ther the usher will please introduce Miss Ballard."
Except Mary Allen, Evie Ballard was one of the most noble
pupils in school. Like the others she said the title of her paper
was "Toil, Pain and Tears," and began:
"Away back in the far-gone ages" — but at the word "ages"
her three classmates ran from the room and left her standing
in blank astonishment. The teacher hastened to explain the
situation, and going with Evie they found that nine of the class
had the same essay word for word. The class was greatly morti
fied at the discovery, but all now saw that Mary Allen's beauti
ful production was a pathetic comparison of her own condition
with that of her aristocratic classmates. At this their hearts,
naturally good, at once melted, and every one began to weep.
This was their teacher's opportunity to do the greatest work of
his life.
Going with the class to the old cabin where Mary Allen still
lived they found her in a much better condition than when she
left school.
"You have sold us all out" said Minna Lane, the leader. "For
give us, and let us always be friends."
"I freely forgive all," replied Mary, "but I can not forget
that horrid name— 'The Hut Owl in Bor  !' "
"I take it all back and gladly substitute 'angel' in its place,"
interrupted the leader, and throwing her arms around Mary, the
embrace went round until every member of the class had asked
and received forgiveness. Nor did she ever again suffer at any
one of their hands.
The following winter Van Allen filled a drunkard's grave. The
next spring Mrs. Allen and her children were carried by her
brother to the far West. As their teamster, Clyde Arthur went
with them.

Thirty-six years after a man stood upon Lookout Mountain,
gazing now at the city of Chattanooga below, and then at the
259

heights above, where, on a hedge of rocks stood a lady and
gentleman of elegant and commanding appearance.
Going near the place where they stood a mutual recognition
took place — the two extended their hands — the man leaped upon
the rocks, and Mary Allen, Clyde Arthur and their Rock Spring
teacher all in full abounding joy, again stood face to face.
Mary Allen had become Clyde Arthur's wife. He had studied
law, had passed through the late war with honor and distinction,
and returning home, had been elected governor of his adopted
State — was then serving his second term in that high office where
"The Hut Owl in Borrowed Feathers" had become "the first
lady" of the land in which she lived, and an "angel" in her ele
gant western home as well.

260

THE REBEL GIRL AT POST NO. 1.*
CHAPTER I.
The Search for the Rebel.
Soon after the skirmish between the Confederate and the
Federal forces at Bridgeport, Tenn., in the early spring of 1862,
both parties began to move up the Tennessee river, the former
occupying its eastern and the latter its western bank. A little
before reaching Long Island, which is a few hours march below
Chattanooga, they halted within view of each other, and for
several days something like peaceful relations seemed to exist be
tween them. Firing across the river ceased, and sometimes the
blue and the gray exchanged coffee and tobacco on one or the
other of its banks.
Suddenly, however, a Federal regiment moved north and
spread its tents on an open plain several hundred yards below
the point where the river divides in about equal portions at the
island. Thus the distance between the opposing forces was in
creased by the breadth of the island, which was here about the
fourth of a mile, and by a narrow swamp which intervened be
tween the river and the Federal camp.
Hitherto neither party had attempted to occupy the island, but
as this latter movement of the enemy somewhat puzzled the Con
federates, they decided to investigate the matter, without, how
ever, any hostile intention.
Accordingly on the morning of the 10th day of June a de
tachment consisting of sixty picked men under the command of
Capt. J. T. Atwater, crossed the eastern branch of the river, and
quietly took possession of that part of the island which was sup
posed to be opposite the enemy's camp. The dense growth on
the intervening swamp cut off all signs of their presence, and if
•This beautiful little story has little or no connection with the early
history of Jackson County; but it is here inserted because the Editor feels
that the reader will appreciate and enjoy it.
261

any pickets occupied its margins they were not seen. Two small
log houses stood near their landing, and though corn and pota
toes grew near them, they were unoccupied. Most of the ground
was covered by large trees on whose ponderous limbs squirrels
were playing and amid whose dense foliage birds were singing
their morning madrigals.
After becoming familiar with his surroundings Capt. Atwater
proceeded, about dark, to establish a line of picket posts along
something less than half a mile of the western boundary of the
island. Near the river, and a little below what was thought to
be about the center of the Federal camp, stood a huge sycamore
tree which the corporal of the guard designated as Post No. 1.
To this he assigned Jim Warren, a tall, muscular and brave Con
federate in the flush of young manhood's prime. Though he knew
there were not men enough on the island to relieve him during the
night, his task was comparatively easy because, for an unknown
distance below, the river-bank was too steep and rugged to re
quire much attention.
When an hour and more had passed the impressive silence was
suddenly broken by a shout beyond the swamp: "Wake up,
Johnny Reb, will you sleep all night?"
The words came in such clear and distinct tones they seemed
almost to walk through the still night air. Evidently the shout
was "a feeler" to ascertain if the island was occupied by Con
federates. It was so regarded, and the solitary picket remained
silent and was bothered — bothered because he had certainly
heard that voice before, but when and where he could not think.
Hitherto he had stood as motionless as the great tree itself;
but now he became restless and longed to take a stroll among
the great trees around him, and in their solitude possibly call to
mind by whom the clean cut words just heard were probably
spoken. But Jim Warren was too brave to leave his post for any selfish
purpose, and noticing that the fog over the river began to emit
enough light to enable him to dimly see the outline of objects
near the bank, he assumed a less conspicious position by re
clining on the sand at his feet. While still trying to solve the
262

mystery connected with the seemingly familiar voice he was sud
denly brought to a sitting posture by hearing a distinct ripple
in the water below, the point from which he least expected any
one to come. To his amazement the ghostly light had increased
enough to enable him to see a large tree which had fallen into
the water seven or eight feet below him. While merely glancing
at this another ripple, more distinct than before, reached his
wide-open ears. He cautiously crawled nearer the water and
soon he discovered a small canoe coming towards him. It was
hugging the bank closely, and contained, as well as he could see,
one person. Cautiously it glided on until it touched the fallen
tree lightly. Quick as thought almost its solitary occupant step
ped upon the prostrate tree and listened intently. Had a thunder
bolt come crashing from the cloudless sky Jim Warren could not
have been more astonished. A woman was standing on the log!
She was of small size, and her movements indicated prompt
action and wonderful agility. Having stood motionless for a
short time, she suddenly turned, and going towards the top of
the tree, towed the boat beyond the picket's view.
Instead of going around the tree as he expected, she presently
came running back along the log with perfect ease, and leaping
on the clayroot turned up by the tree, at a single bound, she
flitted by him like a shadow and disappeared in the great syca
more tree, which, for that night, at least, the disconcerted soldier
had exclusively claimed as his own.
Though not superstitious above educated men in general, Jim
more than half believed that he had seen a very ghost. The form
as seen in the half -illuminating fog; the ease and speed with
which the log was followed ; the airy leap made to reach the top
of the clay-root ; the ethereal form with seeming wings that passed
by him, and the sudden disappearance into what he thought was
a solid tree, staggered all belief in any flesh-and-blood theory that
the mystified soldier could imagine.
To a brave man the thought that his post was in the possession
of another being of some kind was extremely humiliating ; and tO'
this day Jim Warren has never been able to say what he would
263

have done if the trying scenes which soon foUowed had not taken
place. He was considering the propriety of calling for help by- means
of a pre-arranged signal ; but before deciding the matter, another
movement in the water below attracted his attention. It was not
like the soft ripple first heard, but evidently the strong stroke
of a rapidly dipping oar. Nearer and more audible it came untU
a boat — such as fishermen sometimes use on the western rivers —
swiftly came in sight. Two men were in it, the one in the stern
was rowing as if for life. Suddenly, and with what seemed to
be increased power, the boat struck the prostrate tree with such
force that both men were thrown from their seats.
"D — n the log," muttered a coarse voice as both men scrambled
to their feet.
"What'U uses do now, boss?" asked the other in quite a differ
ent tone.
"I hardly know," said the first speaker, rubbing his bruised
hands. "She," he continued after rubbing and grunting awhUe,
"has not come this far up the river." "I tole yer, boss, she done
go down de riber. " "No, Tom said she came up it, and he knows.
But if she had come this far this log would have stopped her like
it has us ; and to go around it would have carried her too near our
boys on the other side. Col. Cummins' regiment is about opposite
this point and his Bay State boys would shoot at the devil him
self." "So de game done played, am it, boss?" again asked the other.
"No," was the snarling reply, "No, not by a long shot. Sure as
I am Captain Phil Dimple, I'll yet have the Rebel Girl, as they
love to call her, for my wife. In such times as these she'll soon
learn to love me. But before we go further I want you to again
swear that you 'U be true to the trust I 've already placed in your
keeping. ' '
"Fo, God, Joe swears, Cap'n," said he who from the first was
thought to be a negro.
As Captain Dimple failed to notice that Joe did not swear to
any, particular thing, he seemed satisfied and continued:
"I'm of the opinion that we have passed by the little jade, and
264

think that her intention is to strike across the country to White-
sides where she has an uncle living. The route she is most likely
to take lies a little above this island; and if she ran under some
bank, as I think she did, to avoid being overtaken, she'll shoot
up stream like an arrow and must of necessity come to this log.
I'U conceal myself and be ready to keep her from falling into
the water when she strikes it.
"Now, Joe," the miserable man continued, "I want you to go
down the river to the bluff where we left Tom. I'll arrange my
blanket to look like a man in the dark, so that when you pass her
hiding place she'll think we are both returning. To allow her
good time to reach here remain at the bluff about an hour and
come back here within less than two hours, if possible. If you
find Tom bring him with you. If necessary to use them don't
forget that the pass word is 'Mitchell,' and the countersign
'Shell Moina.' Do you understand me this time?"
"Sartin sho, Cap'n," answered the negro with some in
difference. The blanket was arranged to look something like a man in a
stooping posture, and the boat, apparently carrying two men,
soon disappeared in the midnight darkness.
And now came the supreme moment. Something like small
pebbles were heard falling in the water. The Captain was evi
dently climbing the bank. Not wishing to make any noise the
picket shifted his gun to the left and drew a long knife from his
belt. Presently a figure as if coming out of the earth stood bolt
upright near a small tree behind which Jim Warren was standing.
"Hands up, sir," came the ominous command.
Perhaps the astonished man did not see the drawn knife, but
the gun on the left only. At any rate he was very quick to
draw a side weapon, and when almost ready to pull on his as
sailant, the long knife was driven to the hift in his breast.
A bitter oath, a spasmodic bound, a heavy fall and all was
over with the self-styled Captain Phil Dimple.
To the solitary picket, surrounded by the thickening events of
the night, and by nature devoted to all the endearments of peace
and good will to men, the time was a trying one.
265

CHAPTER II.
The Girl in the Hollow Tree.
When satisfied that the tragedy just enacted had not given any
alarm over the river, Jim Warren gave three hoots in imitation
of the night-owl. This, " too-hoo-too-hoo-hoo, " repeated three
times, was the pre-arranged signal call for help from Post No. 2,
which, being regarded as the danger point, was supplied with
several men.
In response, Loyd King, a fearless, quick-witted little man
quickly appeared upon the scene. While Jim was explaining
the situation to him, a low, plaintive voice was heard, saying :
' ' This way, gentlemen ; for I have some reason to think you are
my friends."
"It's a ghost, Jim, in possession of your post," whispered
Loyd King.
Nothing daunted, however, both went forward, and a woman,
coming from the opposite side of the big tree, boldly met them.
Jim at once recognized her as the same little creature that had
come in the boat, and consequently as the intended victim of the
monster who had followed her.
"I place myself," she said with much embarrassment, "under
your protection, at least until I tell you something of my fearful
condition. Then you can decide as to whether I am entitled to
it or not. Some months ago we came as refugees from Western
Tennessee to my father's plantation in this immediate vicinity.
Hence my familiarity with this part of the country. As fate
would have it, we, only a few days ago, found ourselves inside
the Federal lines, and being unable to pass through them with all
the family, went to HuntsviUe, Alabama, which is my present
home. We felt more secure there, but were mistaken. To-day a
little before 10 o'clock, when my parents were temporarily ab
sent, Phil and Tom Dimple, two renegade Tennesseans, and
whom I have known since early childhood, kidnapped me and
brought me to Bridgeport, a few miles below this place. The
266

negro Joe, who has just gone down the river, and who has been
my friend and faithful servant all my life, followed us, and in
some way managed to become my guard while the Dimples were
eating supper. He is very shrewd, and when, a little after dark,
he motioned me to follow him, I did so without hesitation. At
full speed he took me in his arms to the river and put me in
a little boat which a friend of his had provided for the occasion.
Advising me to hasten to my 'tree-home' as he caUs this big
sycamore, he said he'd be here in the morning to carry me to
Whitesides, where Uncle John Gailey lives, and then disappeared.
"It seems," she continued, "from what I heard in the rene
gade's boat, that Joe tried to keep them off my track by saying
I went down the river. Failing in this he has somehow managed to
continue in their service, and, in my opinion, he'll never leave
them until he knows I am beyond their power. Thus
you see how much I am indebted to him; but,"
kneeling at Jim's feet, she kept on, "I owe you a debt
of gratitude that all of life can never pay, but not greater than
my heart can feel. If Tom Dimple, Phil's brother, does come
here to-night I need not tell such men as you what course to
pursue further than to ask that you protect Joe."
"The battle necessary to the protection of yourself and friends
and the punishment of those who would harm you will be fought
to the finish," said Jim, raising the little creature to her feet.
"Now," he continued with some hesitation, "please tell us how
you managed to get into this big tree?"
"Dear me," she answered as if a smile were playing over her
features, "the tree is hollow. There is room enough inside for
several persons. To the north there is a natural opening through
which I have often passed before to-night. I have frequently
been here with various parties and sometimes alone. We made
this place a sort of headquarters, and the hollow tree served as a
shelter when it rained. It served me a good purpose to-night.
From there I heard Phil Dimple's plans to recapture me, and
through a small opening which father made for ventilation, I
saw you strike him. I did not know of your presence until that
moment. Somehow I knew you to be a Confederate soldier.
267

They call me the Rebel Girl, and hence my trust in you and
your companion."
"Your trust is not misplaced," said Jim Warren.
"Amen and amen," chimed in Loyd King shifting his weight
from one foot to the other. This was a sure sign that he was
ready for action to the death.
"Now," whispered Jim to the girl, "please retire to your tree-
home and we 'U do the rest. We must now talk low. ' '
"No," she softly replied, "I'll remain with you. If necessary
I can materially aid you. See!" and from a wrapper that was
over her shoulders she took a bow and a small bundle of arrows.
"With these," she continued, "my friends say I am an expert.
When here some days ago I left them in the tree with the ex
pectation of returning next morning. But that very day the
enemy drew their lines and would not let me pass through them.
Though at a fearful cost they are mine again, and I prefer to use
them because they are silent."
"And so is mine," said Jim, showing his great knife yet stained
with blood.
This seemed to have the desired effect on the resolute girl,
and she reluctantly retired, leaving Jim Warren to speculate
upon the difference between a lovely form in real life and the
gliding of a ghost into what he at first thought was a solid tree.
In the meantime Loyd King returned to his post to give such
information as would prevent the corporal of the guard from
coming to Post No. 1 while the watch for the return boat was on.
When he came back the two soldiers concealed themselves near
the roots of the fallen tree and anxiously awaited the coming of
"Tom." For a little while they watched the large tree play
back and forth on the surface of the sullen water without seeing
or hearing anything unusual.
Jim Warren was restless and uncomfortable — ^uncomfortable
because he had arrayed himself in Captain Dimple's blue uni
form ; and though the fit was fairly good, he felt like he was in
cased in sheet-iron. By this unpleasant transformation and a
change of voice he thought he could, at that dark hour, pass for
Capt. Dimple. 268

More than the time allotted for the return of the boat had
passed. Loyd was "spoiling" to say something and at last
whispered :
"Say, Jim, don't let that little mortal, if she be mortal, see
you wearing that blue suit. You bet she is  "
' ' Hush ! ' ' softly said Jim. ' ' I think I hear the boat coming, ' ' he
continued after a pause. "Yes, I know the long sweeping strokes
of the negro."
Leaving Loyd on the bank, he crawled upon the floating tree,
and tried to pierce the gloom that brooded over the water. Near
er and nearer came the muffled strokes, until he could see the
outlines of a boat with two men in it.
"Halt! Who comes there?" asked the sentinel.
"Mitchell," answered a strange voice.
"Advance, Mitchell, and give the countersign." "Hall Zenus,"
quickly responded the negro.
"Shell Moina," added the stranger before Jim could speak.
"Pass on, but who is that with you, Joe?"
"Massa Tom."
"Glad you come Tom — mind Joe, here's the log."
With graduated strokes the boat touched the fallen tree, and
as Tom awkardly scrambled upon it, he hurriedly asked:
"Did she come, PhU?"
"Certainly! Get out quick! There is trouble brewing along
the rebel lines and we must leave here at once. Make no noise,"
said the supposed Phil Dimple, stepping back on the log so as to
place the man in front.
"Where is she?" asked Tom, greatly excited.
"Yonder," said Jim pointing to a taU tree which stood a
little distance from the true one.
Just as the three men were passing the place where Loyd
King was concealed, Jim Warren cautiously said:
"Stop, Tom, let me go before."
This was to divert the man's attention, and before he could
think of anything else the muzzle of an English rifle was at his
breast, and with the action came the stern command :
"Surrender or die." 269

His hands went up slowly and Tom Dimple was a prisoner.
"And you too, Joe, this is not Phil Dimple," said Jim Warren
touching the negro.
"God-a-mity — ^who am it den?"
"The friend of your young mistress."
As Joe fell to his knees and clasped Jim in his arms a long
dagger fell from his sleeve.
"What does this mean, Joe," asked the soldier picking up the
knife. "It means," was the reply, "death to de first man dat lay
vi'lant hands on young Missus — whar am she?"
"She is safe and you may see her presently."
Joe arose to his feet and began dancing a jig that called for
the exercise of every muscle in him. Loyd King characterized it
as "a double and twisted green corn dance that was never seen
in all the world before."
When Joe 's mild dance was over the lonely too-hoo-too-hoo-hoo,
twice repeated, broke on the still night air. It was the second
call for help, and soon the corporal of the guard and two other
soldiers came and took the prisoner, Tom Dimple, away.
Jim Warren and Loyd King remained near the hollow syca
more, waiting to learn if the recent commotion among them had
attracted the attention of the enemy. By and by, they were re
lieved by hearing the shout first heard that night :
"Wake up Johnny Reb — 'tis almost day."
Though the words varied a little, the voice was the same.
Jim was now satisfied that he had certainly heard that voice be
fore, and, in the light of what he had heard Captain Dimple say in
the boat, he was almost certain that he knew by whom the words
were spoken.
As this conclusion produced both pleasant and unpleasant
thoughts, he postponed a further consideration of the matter un
til a more favorable time, and suggested that he and Loyd retire
a short distance for the purpose of formulating a plan looking to
the restoration of the Rebel Girl to her people and that Joe take
their places. 270

This the negro was glad to do, and, after remaining at the
opening in the tree for a few minutes, he began another of his
wild, fantastic dances around and around the great sycamore
until he made so much noise by striking his huge feet together
that Jim had to stop him. Quietly seating himself near the open
ing he again placed the ugly knife up his sleeve and said :
"Any mo' want young Missus, tell 'em come on — Joe wasn't
ready befo', but is ready now!"
Having agreed upon a plan which they thought would enable
the suffering girl to reach her home in safety, the two soldiers
indulged in a few thoughts in regard to her personal appearance.
They had noticed that there was a charm in her movements and
sweet music in her voice; but neither had distinctly seen her
features. ' ' One thing is certain, ' ' Jim Warren said gravely, ' ' she reminds
me of sister Mary. She walks like, talks like, and now and then
tosses her head to one side just like sister."
"And more than th — ^that," Loyd added, half choked, for his
heart beat a wild tat-too every time Mary Warren's name was
mentioned in his presence, "More than th — ^that, no one as
br — brave and spry as th — that little elf can be any — anything
less than bea — beautiful like Ma — ; but hush Jim, you kn — know
how it is!"
Jim thought it prudent to change the subject as suggested by
his friend, and at once took Joe 's place as sentinel.
Clearing his throat to indicate his presence, he whispered:
"Now that you are beyond the reach of the Dimples, how can we
best serve you?"
"In the first place," came the answer, "tell me to whom I am
indebted for this great service."
"The soldier who so promptly came to our assistance is Loyd
King, a Georgian, and is as gallant a knight as ever drew a lance.
I am a Georgian also, and my name is James Warren. ' '
"Warren! Warren! Warren!" slowly repeated the girl.
"James Warren is my father's name, and mine is NeUie— they
caU me 'Nellie Warren, the Rebel Girl!' Can it, 0 can it be!
that we are of the same family ? ' '
271

"I certainly think so. Many years ago an uncle of mine, Jos
eph Warren, a descendant of and named for Gen. Joseph War
ren of Bunker Hill fame, emigrated to western Tennessee from
whence you came. Do you know anything of him?"
"Dear! dear me," exclaimed the the girl, "I am his grand
daughter." "And I am his nephew," eagerly said Jim as he, for the first
time, reached his head into the opening.
They clasped each other's hands and for awhile remained silent.
At last Nellie said through her thickly falling tears: "I thank
God for this knowledge, and can now afford to ask you if there
is any way by which I can return home safely."
"Though the country from Bridgeport is in full possession of
the enemy, I think we can manage to reach HuntsviUe.
"In the first place you may remember that the voice we heard
to-night, calling on 'Johnny Reb to wake up,' was uncommonly
clear and musical. It may surprise you to know that I have
heard the same voice repeat the words, 'wake up!' many times
before to-night. Phil Dimple told Joe in the boat that Col.
Cummins' regiment is about opposite this place, and referred to
his men as the 'Bay State boys!'
"This means that the regiment over the river is from Mas
sachusetts, and that Arthur Cummins, a heart-treasured friend of
mine, and a native of that State, is its commander. At Cam
bridge, three miles from Boston, Arthur Cummins and I lived
together four years. We entered the grand old University of
Harvard on the same day, graduated in the same class, and re
ceived the same degree. We occupied the same room and dined
at the same table. Prom Cambridge I went home with him and
remained nearly three months. It was during this latter period
that I often heard him call to two younger brothers to 'wake
up ' when, as they frequently did, they slept too long to please him.
There never has been a break in our love for one another, and I
am not at all afraid to test it again.
"Then in the second place I propose to carry you home as a
Federal officer. You may not know that I have Capt. Phil
Dimple's uniform, and it fits me fairly well. I wore it last night
272

at Tom and Joe's reception. It fooled them and I propose to
keep on fooling somebody until you are safe in your mother's
arms. "It remains for me to get leave of absence from my command.
Capt. Atwater wiU attend to this within the next few hours. This
afternoon I will visit my dear friend over the river, and fear not
the result."
"But," asked the wondering Nellie thoughtfully, "can any
good thing come out of Massachusetts, so far as the Southern
Confederacy is concerned?"
"So far," replied Jim, "as friendship for me and sympathy
for you are concerned, I unhesitatingly answer, yes."
The coming day had already hung its banners along the eastern
horizon. A company of Confederates soon halted at one of the
log cabins near by. It was the relief guard, and Jim Warren,
leaving Loyd King at his post, went to meet them.

273

CHAPTER III.
A Cousin Is Discovered.
It was sunrise, that glad transition from the gloom of a dread
ful night to the golden light of a balmy summer morning. Some
distance beyond the river, further than the shouts of the pre-
ceeding night, the Federal bands struck up a lively air, and now
and then the neighing of horses mingled with the morning re-
vielle. These were the only sounds that greeted the ears of the
weary pickets just off duty, except Jim Warren and Loyd King
who asked and received permission to remain at Post No. 1
"until" as the latter expressed it, "the crack of doom if neces
sary. ' '
Near by was a deep hole apparently made by high water. In
this the body of Capt. Phil Dimple, wrapped in his make-believe
blanket was placed, and, when covered with several feet of sand,
was left to his fate. There, unless molested by the same agency
that dug his rude grave, his dust still sleeps.
While the burial was going on Loyd King signaled Jim War
ren to come near.
"Jim," said Loyd, in a perplexed manner, "I just now took a
peep into the hollow tree, and that little angel of some sort is
sleeping like a kitten on a hearth rug. I'll swear by all the
moons of Jupiter she'll pass for your sister Mary, anywhere.
She's as pretty as a rosebud in a sugar loaf, and looks ten
thousand pounds sweeter. You know I thought her beautiful
from the start ; but the great scott ! I did not think such a scrap
of mortality could look so ethereal and divine in open daylight,
that is, if she be mortal."
"If she is not mortal what is she?" asked Jim.
"Well, now that I think of it, I understand the whole matter.
This is a fairy island, and the queen of the whole troop is at this
moment sleeping in her palace. Invisible to us millions of them
are hovering around us now. It may be that Mary Warren is
a fairy, too, gone to live with you, because you are a clever fel-
274

low, Jim, and because your features, though not half so hand
some, are very much like hers. Go and see for yourself, old
fellow." Jim went to the tree and cautiously looked in. A bewildered
expression passed over his features, he crossed his arms behind
him, and gazing intently, he remained motionless for several
minutes. Finally his arms fell limp at his side and he slowly
walked away. Though strong among the strongest men, he wept
like a child.
' ' Ah ! my boy ! I told you so ! Do you believe me now ? ' ' asked
Loyd tenderly.
"Yes, my friend, much that you said is true. Perhaps you
think it unmanly of me to weep; but as I think of the stormy
sea over which that little creature has just been tossed, and of
her condition now, I am too manly not to weep. Sure enough
she is as much like sister Mary as two peas in a hull. This, coming
to our knowledge as it was, is very strange indeed; but when I
tell you that her name is Warren — Nellie Warren — and that the
blood which flows through her veins flows through mine also, the
whole matter presents a chapter of romance in real life that
overcomes me as I attempt to read it.
"Even now," the speaker continued, "the position of her silent
weapon shows how faithfuUy the Warren blood has been trans
mitted down to this sleeping child of a distant generation. An
arrow is in place, and I judge when she fell asleep her bow was
ready for immediate action. Both bow and arrows appear to be
of steel, and the string of flne copper wire, all in keeping vrith
the classically turned little hands which, even in sleep, seem to
grasp them firmly."
Thought took the place of speech and the two soldiers sat in
silent meditation. While thus engaged the "fairy queen" awoke
and came out of her "palace" with bow and arrows in her hands.
She was radiantly beautiful, and advanced to meet them with
a smile "so sweet," Loyd King said, "that it melted his body off
of his legs. ' '
"Excuse me, gentlemen," she said. "I am heartily ashamed of
so far forgetting myself as to fall asleep at this critical time. It
275

was unintentional. Besides I fear such carelessness has caused
you some trouble."
"0 no!" said Jim. " To you sleep was of first importance. To
us it was a pleasure to watch and wait while you took the rest
so much needed. This, Miss Warren," he continued, pointing to
Loyd, "is Mr. King, my lifelong friend."
' ' I am certainly glad to meet you, Mr. King. I thank God for
such friends as you and Mr. Warren."
Loyd touched his cap with the grace of a Chesterfield and re
luctantly returned to his post as a matter of duty.
"My own cousin Nellie, for by this endearing title I may now
call you," said Jim, as Loyd went away, "tell me where you left
your boat last night ? I 'U need one this evening. ' '
"I hid it among the brush at the top of the tree, because its
presence at or near the clay-root might have betrayed my pres
ence, also. If this little ruse failed, I expected this bow to be my
next best friend."
' ' I thank my good stars that I was here to take the place of the
bow," said Jim, gently taking her right hand in his.
She did not answer immediately nor withdraw her hand; but
finally turning her large blue eyes, which were as soft and liquid
as those of a gazelle, full upon him, and placing her free hand on
his shoulder, said:
"And I thank God."
The soldier felt a little reproved for using the word "stars;"
but as Capt. Atwater was seen coming across the island the con
versation was dropped.
With a smile of gladness on his handsome face, the Captain ap
proached and gave the anxious soldier a paper which gave
"private James Warren of the C. S. A., leave of absence for five
days," and stipulated that "if said Warren did not report to his
command within said time, judgment is to be suspended for five
additional days."
"See,'.' said the delighted soldier, "what good time they give
us. I think three days at most will carry us through."

276

CHAPTER IV.
The Rebel Girl Is Carried Home.
It was noon, the whirling of time had made its half cycle.
All of the Confederates except Jim Warren and Loyd King had
evacuated the island. They, with pretty Nellie Warren, remained
in a canoe which was concealed by a cluster of vines that grew
on the bank of the eastern branch of the river.

Just at 2 o'clock Jim Warren went to one of the little log
houses and arrayed himself in Captain Phil Dimple's uniform.
He soon found the little boat near the tree-top, and at an angle of
about forty-five degrees, boldly struck for the opposite bank.
This did not carry him to the lower end of the swamp, but he soon
found it, and in half an hour was at the enemy's lines. He was
not sure that the words of the previous night were still in use;
but, depending mainly on his uniform and his strong faith in
Col. Cummins, he ventured to use them.
He found them all right, and was at once conducted to head
quarters and introduced to Col. Arthur Cummins as "Capt. Leon
Starr of the U. S. A."
Col. Cummins gave the Captain a searching look and said as
if dreaming:
"I declare Captain, you greatly resemble a very dear friend of
mine whom I would be glad to meet."
"C  e," said the Captain bowing.
"C  a," rejoined the Colonel, and instantly they were in each
other's arms. The cabaUstic words so often used by them in their
school days at once accompUshed much of the serious work in
hand. It was a novel sight — two professional soldiers, arrayed
in open hostiUty, stood clasped in each other's arms. Perhaps the
broad annals of war have not recorded a similar scene.
When the shock natural to such a meeting had somewhat sub
sided, Jim Warren made a full confession of his mission. He
concealed nothing of importance to his cause.
•277

Col. Cummins listened to his narrative with profound atten
tion; and after considering the matter to the fullest extent pos
sible, consented to do all he could to restore Nellie Warren to her
people. While engaged in conversation during the evening, Capt. Starr
asked :
"Dear Colonel, did you hear anything unusual on the island
last night ? " " Only once ; and that was the most terrible medley
of sounds I ever heard. The whole regiment turned out to listen,
and though we did not think it was made by the enemy, I sent two
daring Irishmen to investigate the cause. They reported that
the whole 'tear-up' was nothing but a 'darn fool nigger
dancing a wild rigadoon around a great big tree like old Nick
was after him, or he was after old Nick — we don't know which.'
As some of the people believe that a negro can 'hoo-doo,' or put
spells on white men, they concluded their report by saying, 'we
watched him till we felt a spell coming on us, and scurried
away.' "
"That was the negro Joe celebrating the redemption of his
young missus, who was then inside the tree," exclaimed Capt.
Starr laughing heartily.
It was dark when Capt. Starr again reached his little boat,
armed with "permission to cross the river to take voluntary pos
session of a lady whom he had formerly wooed and won," and or
dered that "upon his return with the lady at any time during
the following morning, both are to receive the aid and protec
tion of the officer detailed to receive them."
Elated with hope, the bold Confederate pulled for the island,
and after meeting with some difficulty while crossing the main
current, reached the fallen tree safely.
Miss Warren was so overcome by the joyful tidings brought
her that Loyd King insisted on helping her, and without even
asking permission to do so, took the astonished girl in his arms
and tenderly carried her to the large sycamore where it was pro
posed she should sleep if she could, through the remainder of
278

the night. Loyd afterwards said that "Though it was the first
barrel of sugar he ever carried in his arms, he hoped it would
not be the last one."
Though silent and uneventful, the night's vigil was one of
patient love. How true it is that "The fluttering of the love-
angel's wing will make the most dreary spot of earth a seeming
Paradise, and produce emotions which hearts can feel, but tongue
can never tell!"
At last the break of dawn, ' ' at first faint gleaming in the dap
pled east," gave notice that the time for leaving was at hand.
Miss Warren was ready and led by the steady hand of Loyd
King, she was soon a passenger with Jim Warren, bound for the
other bank. Tears fell thick and fast, a sad farewell was said,
and the little boat moved away into the semi-darkness.
A little before sunrise the anxious voyagers reached the desig
nated landing. An unknown officer and two other soldiers were
there to meet them, and being conducted to headquarters they
found a magnificent breakfast awaiting their arrival.
About 9 o'clock A. M., Capt. Starr and his lady started for
Bridgeport, the terminus of the railroad since the affair men
tioned at the beginning of this narrative. At 2 P. M. they board
ed a freight train which carried them to HuntsviUe, sometime in
the night.
To describe the abounding joy at the Warren home when the
lost daughter returned is beyond the utmost reach of words.
When Nellie whispered to her father that Capt. Starr was a
full-blooded rebel in disguise, a large amount of gold was offered
him for his services. Shaking his head with a firmness that
could not be misunderstood, he said :
"No, that is not my price. I may be able to tell you what it is
in the morning."
The morning came. Doubtless little sleep fell to the lot of th«
Warren family that night. A return train was scheduled for
Bridgeport at 8 o'clock. The disguised rebel wanted to spend
most of the intervening time with his redeemed Rebel Girl. She
279

offered no objections. Within half an hour she had promised to
become his bride when the "cruel war was over." He hastened
to her parents, and after telling them in substance all that he and
Nellie knew of each other, he concluded by saying:
"Notwithstanding all this; our relationship is not close enough
to prevent me from redeeming my promise of last night. NeUie
has given me her heart, will you give me her hand if I live through
the war, which I grant is a very uncertain thing?"
"May God," answered the father, "bless and save you both.
Then come and be our son."
Mr. Warren could say no more, and when the bitter farewell
was over, the strange captain passed silently through the gazing
crowds that thronged his way.
It was nearly sunset when Capt. Starr again stood in front of
Col. Cummins' tent door. Sleeping little, they communed to
gether until morning when the captain, with a flag of truce,
rowed, for the last time, to the island of his thrilling adventures.
Leaving his precious craft where he found it, he hastened to
the boat among the vines where he found Loyd King and Joe
waiting for him. They at once reported to headquarters, and
from thence passed on still deeper into the great conflict between
the states.
The negro Joe, at Nellie Warren's particular request, became
the willing and devoted servant of both Jim Warren and Loyd
King ; and in deference to her wishes, Tom Dimple was sent away
as a prisoner of war. The following October the noble Capt. At
water was killed at Perryville, Ky.
The strife became more furious as time passed on, and when at
last the conflict was over, and the South was just entering into the
throes of reconstruction. Col. James Warren, formerly private
Jim Warren, accompanied by his sister, Mary Warren, Capt.
Loyd King, Gen. Arthur Cummins of Massachusetts, and Dr.
Palmer, late of New Orleans, appeared before Nellie Warren at
her elegant home in western Tennessee, and the man of God made
them one. By them stood Loyd King and Mary Warren. The two
280

pairs exchanged places on the floor, and the brave little Georgian
and the beautiful Mary, were made one, too.
Joe Eing Warren, as the negro loved to call himself after en
tering the service of two masters, died about ten years ago. A
costly monument, erected by the Warren family prominently
marks his grave.

2S1

SUPPLEMENT TO
THE EARLY HISTORY
OF
JACKSON COUNTY

GIVING THE NAIVIES OF OFFICERS SINCE 1796
TO THE PRESENT TME.
INFERIOR COURT JUDGES.
OUR COUNTY'S PART IN THE CIVIL WAR
VETERANS THAT ENLISTED.
DELEGATES TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS
OF 1861-65-67 AND 1877.
ROLL OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS IN THE COUNTY.
REPRESENTATIVES;AND senators FROM 1799 TO 1914.
AND SOME STRANGE THINGS CULLED FROM THE RECORDS

Bg
W. E. WHITE

PUBLIC SCHOOL OFFICERS OP JACKSON COUNTY.
Until the year 1870, the Ordinary had charge of the school
funds of the county.
An Act of the General Assembly, approved October 13, 1870,
caUed for the election, by the Board of Education, of one of its
members of said Board to be County School Commissioner. This
Act was amended on the 19th of January, 1872, in several par
ticulars, but did not materially change the duties of the Com
missioner. The Act of 1911 changed the name "Commissioner" to "Super
intendent of Schools." And also made the office elective by the
people instead of by the Board.
The following gentlemen have served as Commissioners or
Superintendents, viz:
1871 to 1900, Gustavus James Nash Wilson.
1900 to 1912, Richard Dudley Moore.
1912 to  , Luther Elrod.
The following are the names of the members of the Board of
Education from 1876 to 1914, inclusive:
Robert White, J. G. McLester, J. L. Johnson, WUliam Thur
mond, J. L. WiUiamson, P. M. BaUey, W. H. Bridges, G. W.
Brown, J. A. B. Mahaffy, WilUam Seymore, C. W. Appleby, J.
C. Grow, W. F. Stark, R. S. McGarity, C. B. Irwin, T. H. Niblack,
H. L. Brock, E. M. Thompson, S. W. Jackson, A. L. Venable, W.
T. Howard, W. T. Thurmond, J. T. Chestnut, L. P. SeU, W. B.
Hardman, H. M. Appleby, H. J. Cox, J. N. Holder, T. W. Webb, D.
W. Garrison, J. C. Turner, J. P. Shannon, A. A. Camp, B. A. HiU, A.
M. Flanigan, L. M. Arnold, W. R. Smith, W. H. Maley, J. N.
Ross, J. A. Crook, R. W. Haynie, and L. C. Allen.
Of the above members six have served as presidents of the
Board, viz: Messrs. Robert White, J. G. McLester, J. A. B. Ma
haffy, J. N. Holder, W. B. Hardman and J. C. Turner.
285

The present Board is composed of the following gentlemen:
J. C. Turner, President; W. H. Maley, J. A. Crook, R. W. Hay
nie and L. C. Allen.
The people of this county have always believed in education,
and to-day, every district has a new and commodious school build
ing. Jefferson, Pendergrass, Commerce, Statham, Maysville all
have good brick buildings that would do credit to much larger
cities, while Winder, Talmo, Hoschton, Arcade, Nicholson and
Center have buildings of wood.
HARMONY GROVE FEMALE ACADEMY, 1824.
In Dawson's Compilation of the Laws of the State of Georgia,
page 24, No. 56, is found this Act :
"An Act to incorporate the Female Academy at Harmony
Grove in Jackson County. ' '
"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the State of Georgia, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby
enacted by the authority of the same. That Russell Jones, William
Putts (Potts), Samuel Barnett, Frederick Stewart and John Rhea
be Trustees of said Academy, etc. ' ' This was the flrst school for
girls that was established in the State.
COMMISSIONERS ROADS AND REVENUES.
"In accordance with an Act of the General Assembly, entitled
an Act appointing County Commissioners for Jackson County,
Georgia, approved the 16th day of Feb., 1874."
Their first meeting was held on March the 7th, 1874.
The following gentlemen served on the Board:
1874, Hartwell Jackson, Thomas L. Ross and L. Gilleland.
1875 and 1876, WilUam Seymore, W. J. Haynie and W. G.
Steed. 1877, J. H. Reinhardt, P. S. Segars and S. S. Smith.
T. H. Niblack served as Clerk.
This board was dissolved by Act of the Legislature approved
Feb. 24, 1877. 286

Again, in 1901, the General Assembly of Georgia approved an
Act creating another Board of Roads and Revenues. This Act
was amended in 1903, allowing the people to elect the members
of the Board instead of being appointed as under the Act of 1901.
Members of the Board follows :
1902-3, W. P. DeLaperriere, Chairman; G. E. Deadwyler and
A. R. Braselton.
1904, P. L. Pendergrass, Chairman; A. R. Braselton and W. P.
DeLaperriere. 1905, P. L. Pendergrass, Chairman; W. B. Matthews and C.
M. Porter.
1906-7-8, P. L. Pendergrass, Chairman ; C. M. Porter and H. C.
Barnett. 1909 to 1912, A. R. Braselton, Chairman ; D. R. Marlow and T.
T. Stapler.
1913, A. R. Braselton, Chairman; W. W. Hancock and L. D.
Nickelson. By an Act approved in 1902, the office of Superintendent of
Roads, better knoMm as Civil Engineer, was created.
Mr. T. Jack Bennett served in this capacity until 1912.
Mr. George D. Appleby is the present Engineer.
SHERIFFS.
1796 to 1800, John Hart
1801 to 1803, Chas. Dougherty
1804 to 1805, Robt. Hyde
1806 to 1807, J. M. C. Montgomery
1808 to 1809, Wm. Potts
1810 to 1812, Robt. MitcheU
1813 to 1818, Wm. Potts
1819 to 1820, J. Little .
1821 to 1821, Wm. Potts
1822 to 1824, Joseph Hampton
1825 to 1826, J. Little
1827 to 1828, Jos. Hampton
1829 to 1830, John Park 287

1831 to
1833 to
1835 to
1837 to
1839 to
1840 to
1842 to
1844 to
1846 to
1848 to
1850 to
1852 to
1854 to
1856 to
1858 to
1860 to
1862 to
1864 to
1866 to
1868 to
1871 to
1872 to
1874 to
1879 to
1891 to
1897 to
1899 to
1906 to
1907 to
1913 to

18321834,18361838
1839^ 1841 1843
1845
1847 1849
1851 18531855^1857
1859,1861
18631865 1867 1870
1872,1873
1878 1890,1896
1898, 1906 19061912

John Randolph
Barnabus Barron
John Randolph
G. F. Adams
James Wood, Unexpired Term
N. H. Pendergrass
Jas. Wood
Wm. S. Thompson
Joshua H. Randolph
Wm. Thompson
J. H. Randolph
Wm. Thompson
J. H. Randolph
John S. Hunter
Alfred Smith
A. M. Reynolds
D. T. J. Chandler
James E. Randolph
Wm. C. Stevens •
J. D. Johnson
Turner Wilhite, Died
M. N. Duke, Unexpired Term
John S. Hunter
Thos. A. McElhannon
Benj. H. Collier
A. R. Braselton
W. T. Stevens, Died
J. J. Pettyjohn, Unexpired Term
B. H. ColUer
Samuel C. Potts

CORONERS.
1852 to 1857, H. AUen
1858 to 1872, W. J. Park
1873 to 1876, WiUiam WaUace 288

1877 to 1878, S. Yearwood
1879 to 1894, W. A. Worsham
1895 to 1898, M. P. Wood
1899 to 1906, L. J. Johnson
1907 to 1912, J. P. Adams
1913 to  , J. A. Wood
ORDINARIES.
By an Act of the General Assembly of Georgia, approved in
1851, amended in 1852 and again in 1853, the office of Ordinary
was created.
The following is a list of gentlemen that have served this
county :
1853 to 1859, John G. Pittman
1860 to 1861, A. C. Thompson
1862 to 1867, John Simpkins
1868 to 1872, Thos. L. Ross
1873 to 1876, Wily C. Howard
1877 to 1896, Horatio W. BeU
1897 to 1900, L. Y. Bradbury
1901 to 1908, John N. Ross
1909 to  , James A. WiUs
DEPUTY SHERIFFS.
1883 to 1886, S. E. Bailey
1887 to 1890, J. W. Cleghorn
1891 to 1892, John A. Suddeth
1893 to 1894, J. P. Coleman
1895 to 1896, Samuel Coleman
1897 to 1898, R. M. Patrick
1899 to 1900, H. M. Appleby
1907 to 1912, Prank CoUier
1913 to  , James W. Stockton
289

CLERKS INFERIOR COURT.

1796 to 1797, D. W. Easley
1798 to 1800, Jas. Easley
1801 to 1802, W. Pentecost
1803 to 1816, Edward Adams
1817 to 1818, Edward Harris
Joseph Depriest
Edward Adams
Sylvanus Ripley
William Cowan
J. J. McCuUoch
Pitsfield P. Hinton

1819 to 1822,
1823 to 1832,
1833 to 1837,
1838 to 1839,
1840 to 1847,
1848 to 1865,
1866 to 1866, H. J. Simmons
This court was abolished in 1866.

1851 to
1853 to
1855 to
1862 to
1864 to
1866 to
1868 to
1871 to
1875 to
1879 to
. 1881 to
1883 to
1891 to
1893 to
1895 to
1899 to
1905 to
1913 to

1852,18541860
1863 18651867:1870:18741878188018821890: 1892
1894,1898 1904,
1912

TAX RECEIVERS.
J. B. Lowry
Thos. Stapler
John Simpkins
W. A. Worsham
J. M. Venable
E. M. Durham
D. R. R. Perkins
J. P. Thompson
Geo. W. Brown
W. C. Appleby
J. W. N. Lanier
W. P. Boggs
A. G. Lamar
W. P. Boggs
R. J. Pleeman
G. M. D. Moon
N. B. Lord
Obie Hawks 290

TREASURERS.
1864 to 1867, Joseph Elslery
1868 to 1872, Jas. Rogers
1873 to 1876, L. J. Johnson

1907 to 1910, Geo. W. Daily
1911 to  , Geo. B. Smith
SURVEYORS.
1853 to 1854, B. P. Park
1855 to 1859, Ephraim Jackson
1860 to 1861, N. B. Cash
1862 to 1865, E. Jackson
1866 to 1870, A. J. Weir
1871 to 1880, J. L. Johnson
1881 to 1882, N. N. Pendergrass
1883 to 1884, W. T. Bennett
1885 to 1892, A. C. Appleby
1893 to 1894, C. 0. Pittman
1895 to 1898, J. H. Hardy
1899 to 1904, C. 0. Pittman
1905 to 1906, C. A. Mize
1907 to 1912, C. 0. Pittman
1913 , No one
TAX COLLECTORS.
1840 to 1854, E. Hewit
1855 to 1856, A. C. Thompson
1857 to 1858, T. L. Brown, Died
1859, H. C. Appleby
1860 to 1861, V. Cronic
1862 to 1863, W. A. Worsham
1864 to 1865, C. C. Thompson
1866 to 1870, Wm. Thurmond 291

1871 to 1872, Chas. Pleeman, Died
1873 to 1874, C. S. HiU
1875 to 1880, Jas. L. WiUiamson
1881 to 1882, J. M. Sailors
1883 to 1885, T. L. Brown, Died
1885 to 1886, H. C. Barnett, Unexpired Term
1887 to 1890, J. D. Williamson
1891 to 1892, J. P. Marlow
1893 to 1894, J. R. Roberts
1895 to 1898, W. P. Head
1899 to 1906, A. H. Brock
1907 to  , W. T. Appleby
CLERKS SUPERIOR COURT
1796 to 1806, George Taylor
1807 to 1831, Edward Adams
1832 to 1837, Sylvanus Ripley
1838 to 1839, WiUiam Cowan
1840 to 1847, J. J. McCuUoch
1848 to 1865, P. F. Hinton
1866 to 1866, H. Atkins, Appointed
1866 to 1866, H. J. Simmons, Elected
1866 to 1868, J. P. Harrison, Deputy
1868 to 1869, H. Atkins
1869 to 1870, Jno. Simpkins
1871 to 1880, T. H. Niblack
1881 to 1884, J.^L. Williamson
1885 to 1889, W. T. Bennett, Died
1889 to 1890, J. C. Bennett, Unexpired Term
1891 to 1892, T. H. Niblack
1893 to 1896, J. C. Bennett
1897 to 1898, C. C. Chandler
1899 to 1906, A. C. Appleby
1907 to 1912, S. J. Nix
1913 to  , N. B. Lord 292

Most of the above-named clerks served as treasurers, also.
Since 1864, our county has had only five treasurers apart from the
Clerk's office.
Notice the list of Treasurers, and there will appear a gap from
1875 to 1907.
Note: The custom followed by the officers in the early settlement and
even up to the Civil War, was to assume the duties of their offices at
most any time in the year that suited their convenience. This makes it
a difficult matter to place the exact length of service, and we have, there
fore, given each his one, two or four years as the case demands, as though
he began on the first of the year as is the custom now.
In former years some would begin the terms any time from January to
May.

JUSTICES OP THE PEACE, NOTARIES PUBLIC, AND CON
STABLES IN 1914.
Jefferson District, 245— H. C. Doster, J. P. ; W. W. Dickson, N.
P., with J. J. Pettyjohn and A. J. Watson, Constables.
Clarksboro, 242— E. D. Welchel, J. P. ; C. P. HolUday, N. P., with
J. P. Hale and R. W. HoUiday, Constables.
Newtown, 253— J. 0. Stapler, J. P.; J. W. Ingram, N. P., with
D. J. Nunn and C. E. Pleeman, Constables.
Center, 1704^S. A. Pittman, J. P.; J. P. Johnson, N. P., with
J. H. Parmer and J. J. Pace, Constables.
Harrisburg, 257— H. T. Jennings, J. P. ; W. P. Boggs, N. P., with
G. R. Griffeth and B. C. McRee, Constables.
Minish, 255^J. W. SaUors, J. P. ; T. A. Little, N. P., with S. E.
Baily and A. Jep Smith, Constables.
WUson, 465— W. N. LeMaster, J. P. ; D. A. Crisler, N. P., with
E. B. Seay and Jack Hopkins, Constables.
MiUer, 455— R. R. WUson, J. P. ; J. A. Crook, N. P., with W. M.
Tolbert and S. W. Lord, Constables.
Talmo, 1691— J. W. Walker, J. P.; L. R. Pettyjohn, N. P., with
J. H. A. Simmons and D. G. Stover, Constables.
Cunningham, 428— E. Duke, J. P.; W. B. Patrick, N. P., with
W. W. Brooks and J. T. Bailey, Constables.
293

Randolph, 248— H. M. Duke, J. P.; A. J. Morgan, N. P., with
Charley Bryant and J. W. Simmons, Constables.
Hoschton, 1407— J. H. C. Randolph, J. P. ; W. M. Smith, N. P.,
with J. L. Stover and J. M. Deaton, Constables.
House, 243— A. I. Lyle, J. P. ; R. 0. Ross, N. P., with W. A. Wat
son and E. Hewit, Constables.
Chandler, 246— J. M. Haynie, J. P. ; MuUer McElroy, N. P., with
C. E. McDanold and G. L. Williamson, Constables.
Sante Pe, 1042— L. D. Nickelson, J. P. ; J. J. Bolton, N. P., with
J. I. Wages and W. N. Haynie, Constables.
SOME OP THE QUEER THINGS CULLED FROM THE
RECORDS OP THE INFERIOR COURT OF
JACKSON COUNTY.
"State of Georgia )
Jackson County j
At a court began and held in and for the County aforesaid the
first day of August 1796. Present
Joseph Humphries "N
Absalom Ramsey I Esquires
Roderick Easley >
Montfort Stokes I Judges
James Pitman )
On motion of Theo P. Carnes, Atty. for Wm. Brown, stating
that an action was depending in the Inferior Court of Franklin
County, Wm. Brown vs. John Barnett which cause was ordered
by said Court to be removed to this as the defendent resided in
this County 
Ordered, that the Clerk inter the same on the docquet and
stand for trial next term 
Then proceeded to nominate Constables when David Shay
Samuel Bridgewater and Johnson Clark was appointed and quali
fied also John Kinnerly who is to be qualified hereafter 
294

Ordered, that a road be cut from this place the nearest & best
way to the Cherokee Corner, and that Samuel Knox John Heart
& Daniel W. Easley be commissioners of the same 
And that a road be cut from this place Meeting a road from
Franklin Court House, Jas East Wm. Carter & Obiant Mooney
Commissioners of the same
Signed Jas Humphries Roderick Easley Absalom Ramsey Jas.
Pittman Wm. Stokes
The Court adjourned until court in course.
D. W. Easley, Clk.
The following jurors were drawn for the January term of
court, 1797, viz:
1 John Bradshaw, 2 John Parks, 3 Chesly Morris, 4 Jas. Scott,
5 Jno. Cunningham, 6 Isaac Hill, 7 Wm. Gentry, 8 Ben Virmil-
lion, 9 Jordan Anderson, 10 Sam Kilough, 11 Jno. Miller, 12
Walter Bell, 13 Nathaniel Midlock, 14 Jas. Harper, 15 Wm. Duke, .
16 Jas. Armstrong, 17 Jno. Party, 18 Jno. Reynolds, 19 Asa
Hamilton, 20 Henry Ledbetter, 21 Wm. Sparks, 22 Matt Moon,
23 Geo. Kinerly, 24 Randolph Traylor, 25 Jesse Sparks, 26 Jno.
WUson, 27 Matt Waters, 28 Mial Barnett, 29 David Luke, 30 Jacob
Howen, 31 Geo. McPharse, 32 Isaac Middlebrooks, 33 Daniel
Matthews, 34 Wm. Cauthorn, 35 Henry Trent, 36 Miles Gathright,
37 Sam Knox, 38 Cain Gentry, 39 Ales KUgoor, 40 David KU-
ough, 41 John Shield, 42 Leon Best, 43 Thos. KinUy, 44 Thos.
Nelson, 45 Daniel Williams, 46 William Ramsey.
The first case tried in the county was the case of William
Brown against John Barnett, and was decided by the following
jurors, viz:
1 Jno. Bradshaw, 2 Jno. Parks, 3 Chesly Morris, 4 Jno. Cim-
ningham, 5 Isaac Hill, 6 Ben Vermillion, 7 Sam Kilough, 8 Jno.
Miller, 9 Walter Bell, 10 Jas. Harper, 11 (Name does not appear
on record,) 12 Wm. Duke.
The verdict was: "We the jurors find for the defendant a non
suit, with cost of suit." Jas. Harper, P. M.
Case appealed. 295

August Term 1797.
On Thursday 3d the foUowing "Orders" were passed:
"Ordered that Tavern license & License for to keep a Ferry
across the Oconee river at Fort Mathews be granted to Mathew
Stone 
"Ordered, That, Tavern License be granted to Cain Jentry 

"Ordered, that the following Rates be Lawful for any Tavern
keeper, or retailers of Spiritous Liquors to sell by and shall not
extort a larger sum for any single article than what is here
allowed for Breakfast of good holesome diet  $0.25

first table
Second table

Dinner " do Warm  37^^
Dinner " do Cold  25
Supper " do  25
Lodging "  10
half pint of Jamaica or Wisterior Rum. . .25
half pint North East Rum  183/4
half pint Brandy  18%
half pint Whiskey  12y2
horse feed 4 cents for each quart of Corn or
bundle fother
feeding & Stableing a horse twenty four hours
with a plenty of Corn and fother  37%

Jackson County 's first Justices of the peace were appointed on
the 4th day of August, 1797, as follows :
Capt. Morrison's district, Joseph East and Alexander Morrison.
" Kilough's "  John Easley
" Kirkpatrick's " Joseph McCutchen and Thomas Kirk-
patrick
" Strong's "  Micajah Benge.
Constables for these districts, having been appointed on the
day previous, were Elijah Gentry, Ben Parr, James Henderson
and Ben Rodgers. 296

At the April term 1797 this order was passed, viz :
"Ordered that the Clerk advertise the building of the [first]
Jail to be let to the lowest bidder on the first Saturday in May
next at Clarksboro. the plan of said house is as follows, twenty
two feet square on the out side two stories high a shingle roof
the first story to begin two feet in the ground built with a double
wall of timbers at least ten inches square & filled with smaU round
poles end ways so as to make the walls three feet thick to be
eight feet clear in the pitch of the floor to begin even with the
surface of the earth laid with hewn timbers a foot thick close
together then with two Inch oak plank nailed down with spikes
within six inches of each other and second floor in the same manner
and a trap door in the middle three feet square well Ironed the
second story to be ten feet pitch in the clear & only the out wall
carried up the upper floor of squared timbers six inches thick a
door to the upper story well Ironed & 4 eight light glass windows,
well grated the lower story to have two windows, eight inches
square grated inside and out 
With a few changes in the plans, the jail was erected in the
following summer.
At the June Term of the Inferior Court in 1800, this "Order"
was passed: "Ordered, that Gabriel Hubbard, Jacob Bankston,
James Stringer, Robt. McGowen, Richard Easley, Wm. Loyd and
Richard Thurmond be commissioners to lay out a road leading
from the High Shoals of the Appalatchee to Jackson court house
so as to cross the bridge across the Middle river where the county
may appoint.
"George Wilson, Absalom Ramsey and Jas. Pittman, Judges."
A page from the Inferior Court records. An exact reproduc
tion. Thursday the 7th feb 1805
Court met according to adjournment
Present their honors f James Pittman ^
j James Hendrix I Esquires
V- Eth'd Wood 3
297

Ordered that the following rates be lawful for taverns for the
present year viz
Breakfast of good holsom Diet  $0.18%
Dinner " do  25
Supper " do  183^
Lodging night  06^
Jamaica or West Indian or hoUand Gin  Yz pt. . . .18%
Brandy & Whisky  do ... .12y2
Horse well fed with Corn and fodder  12%
Feeding and stabling horse weU with com & fodder for
twenty four hours  37%
For one night  25

JUDGES INFERIOR COURT.
1796-7-8, Joseph Humphries, Absalom Ramsey, Roderick Easley
and Mont Stokes.
1799, Jas. Pittman, Buckner Harris, George Wilson, Absalom
Ramsey and John Hampton.
1800, B. Harris, Jas. Pittman, Micajah Williamson, and George
Wilson.
1801, B. Harris, George Wilson, M. Benge, Absalom Ramsey, Jas.
Pittman and B. Haynie.
1802-3, B. Harris, Jas. Pittman, Wm. Foster, Jas. Hendrix and
David Dickson.
1804, B. Harris, Jas. Pittman, Wm. Foster, Jas. Hendrix, D. Dick
son and E. Wood.
1805-6-7-8, B. Harris, Jas. Pittman and George Cowan.
1809, B. Harris, Jas. Pittman, Jas. Hendrix, E. Wood and David
Witt.
1810, Peter Boyle, D. Witt, Jas. Hendrix and Etheldred Wood.
1811, Hugh Montgomery, P. Poole, D. Witt, Jas. Hendrix and Jas.
Pittman.
1812-13-14, D. Witt, Chas. V6nable, Hosea Camp, Joseph Davis
and Sam Henderson. 298

1815, Jos. Davis, Hosea Camp, Hezekiah Gates, D. Witt, G. N.
Lyle and D. H. McCleskey.
1816, Elisha Winn, Hugh Montgomery and D. Witt.
1817, D. H. McCleskey, D. Witt and Hugh Montgomery.
1818, David Boring, D. Witt, Hugh Montgomery and John
Borders.
1819, WiUiam D. Martin, D. Boring, D. Witt, Jno. Borders, Levi
Lowry and Jos. Hampton.
1820, Jos. Hampton, Levi Lowry, D. Witt, Thomas Hyde and
Jas. Lyddell.
1821, Thos. Hyde, Levi Lowry, Jos. Hampton, W. D. Martin and
Jas. Lyddell.
1822, Thos. Hyde, J. J. Singleton, D. Witt, G. W. Moore, Samuel
Barnett and Benj. Freeman.
1823, Hugh Montgomery, W. D. Martin, Sam Barnett and Geo.
Shaw.
1824, Geo. Shaw, Sam Barnett, Thos. Hyde, Hugh Montgomery
and W. D. Martin.
1825, W. D. Martin, Hugh Montgomery, Geo. Shaw, Sam Barnett,
Tandy Key and D. Witt.
1826, W. D. Martin, Tandy Key, Geo. Shaw and Sam Barnett.
1827, W. D. Martin, David Witt, Tandy Key and Geo. Shaw.
1828, D. Witt, Sam Barnett, Tandy Key and Sylvanus Ripley.
1829, Robt. Smithwick, J. W. Glenn, S. Ripley, Robt. Venable,
Jas. Montgomery and Tandy Key.
1830, J. W. Glenn, S. Ripley, Robt. Smithwick, Robt. Venable and
Arthur Camp.
1831, S. Ripley, R. Venable and R. Smithwick.
1832, D. Witt, Jos. Hampton and J. W. Glenn.
1833, N. C. Jarrett, Richard Pentecost, Augustus Brown and Ed
ward Adams.
1834, Joseph L. Anderson, E. Adams, N. C. Jarrett and Robert
Moon.
1835, N. C. Jarrett, John G. Pittman, Robt. Moon, and Tillman
Harrison.
1836, E. L. Newton, N. C. Jarrett, J. G. Pittman and D. H. Mc
Clesky.

1837, R. Pentecost, N. C. Jarrett, J. G. Pittman, Robt. Moon, J. P.
Hutchens and Tillman Harrison.
1838, John MiUs, N. C. Jarrett and David M. Burns.
1839, W. J. HiU, N. C. Jarrett, TUlman Harrison and D. M. Burns.
1840-41, N. C. Jarrett, Robt. Moon and Tillman Harrison.
1842-43, N. C. Jarrett, Tillman Harrison and Middleton Witt.
1844, Charley Price, N. C. Jarrett and Tillman Harrison.
1845, N. C. Jarrett, E. H. Moomaugh and Chas. Price.
1846-47, Charles Witt and E. H. Moomaugh.
1848, Robt. Espy, E. H. Moomaugh and Chas. Witt.
1849-50, Robt. White, Madison Strickland, Chas. Witt and M.
Witt.
1851, Chas. Witt, R. J. Park and M. Witt.
1852-53, M. Witt, Madison Strickland and Chas. Witt.
1854-55, A. B. Pittman, D. L. Jarrett, R. J. Park and J. H.
Vandiver.
1856-57, J. H. Vandiver, A. B. Pittman, D. L. Jarrett and W. P.
MUler.
1858, D. L. Jarrett, A. B. Pittman and W. P. MiUer.
1859, W. P. Miller, A. B. Pittman and H. C. Giddens.
1860, H. C. Giddens, A. B. Pittman, W. P. MiUer, D. L. Jarrett
and J. W. Hardy.
1861, H. C. Giddens, J. W. Hardy, Henry Hosch, Jas. Linsey and
W. A. Worsham.
1862, J. W. Hardy, WiUiam Griffeth and H. C. Giddens.
1863, A. C. Shockley, Wm. Griffeth, J. R. Hancock and James T.
Straynge.
1864,65, Jas. Lindsey, A. C. Shockley, J. R. Hancock, Wm. Griffeth
and J. W. Hardy.
1866, A. T. Bennett, J. R. Hancock, G. E. Deadwyler and Jasper
N. Wood.*
This court took the place, somewhat, of the Court of Ordinary
at the present time, if the duties of Commissioners of Roads and
Revenues were combined with his work. The Inferior Court also
*Judge Jasper N. Wood died on Jan. 20, 1914, being the last to answer
the call of the Great Judge. 300

had jurisdiction over civil cases up to $500 and some criminal
matters. The court was abolished in 1866.

COURT OP JACKSON COUNTY.
This court was organized in Jime, 1866 with Hon. W. L. Marler,
Judge, and Hon. W. I. Pike, Solicitor.
The court had its monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual
sessions. From the record, it would seem that certain cases of a
particular nature was tried at certain of these different "sit
tings." This court was abolished in November 1867.

ANOTHER COURT OF JACKSON COUNTY.
This court was organized in October 1875. Hon. M. M. Pittman
was the Judge. This court, unlike the court of '66 and '67, which
used the sheriff, had its own recognized bailiffs.
The court was abolished in 1877.

COURT OP JACKSON COUNTY.
And, yet, another court was organized in the '80 's but was de
clared unconstitutional and therefore it was abolished.
These courts were thought to be too expensive, considering the
smaU scope of their powers. Much of the business transacted by
them could be carried on by the Justice courts.
But later the people felt the need of a court that could be car
ried on at less expense than the Superior Court and therefore
the City Court of Jefferson came into existence.
It has jurisdiction over all "misdemeanor" eases and nearly all
civil cases, except "land cases," divorce suits and some others.
301

OFFICERS OF CITY COURT OF JEFFERSON.
This court was organized in September 1892.
Judges.
1892 to 1911, W. W. Stark
1911 to  , G. A. Johns Solicitors.
1892 to 1897, R. B. RusseU, of the Superior Court
1897 to 1900, C. H. Brand, of the Superior Court
1900 to 1907, R. L. J. Smith
1907 to 1911, W. H. Quarterman
1911 to  , Pemberton Cooly
Clerks.
1892 to 1911, James L. WiUiamson, Died
1911 to  , E. L. WiUiamson

BOARD TAX ASSESSORS.
"An Act to regulate the return and assessment of property for
taxation in this State. ' '
Section 2, "Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid.
That there shall be and is hereby established in each of the
several counties of the State a Board of Tax Assessors. Said
County Board shall consist of three members to be appointed by
the Board of County Commissioners, or a majority thereof or by
the ordinary in which have no Board of County Commissioners,
etc." Approved August 14, 1913.
The flrst Board of Tax Assessors appointed under the above
Act were : Judge John N. Ross, Hon. R. D. Moore and Hon. John
B. Hardman.
Their terms of office began January 1st, 1914.

Game Warden, 1914, John R. Duke.
302

JACKSON COUNTY'S PART IN THE CIVIL WAR.
As soon as the returns of the election, on November the 7th,
1860, was known and every one was satisfled that Abraham
Lincoln would be the next President of the United States of
America, the South "sat up and took notice."
The people seemed to think that the time had come for a
separation from the Union. And accordingly a convention was
caUed to decide whether Georgia would leave the Union or
remain as she was.
The Convention met in Milledgeville, the Capital then, and on
Jan. 19th, 1861, passed the following "Ordinance:" "We the
people of the State of Georgia, in convention assembled, do de
clare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, That the
ordinance adopted by the people of the State of Georgia in con
vention, on the second day of January 1788, whereby the Con-
stitution of the United States of America was assented to, rati
fied and adopted; and also all acts and parts of acts of the Gen
eral Assembly of this State ratifying and adopting amendments
of the said constitution, are hereby repealed, rescinded and
abrogated. "We do further declare and ordain. That the Union now sub
sisting between the State of Georgia and other states, under the
name of the 'United States of America,' is hereby dissolved, and
that the State of Georgia is in the full possession and the exercise
of all those rights of sovereignty which belong and appertain to a
free and independent state."
Our delegates, Hons. J. J. McCuUoch, J. G. Pittman and D. R.
Lyle, voted for the above ordinance, thus placing Jackson County
on the list as in favor of Secession. We notice our sister county's
(Banks) delegates voted one for and one against the ordinance.
Hon. S. W. Pruit favored the withdrawal but Hon. W. R. BeU
opposed it. Hall County's three delegates, Hons. E. M. Johnson,
P. M. Byrd and Davis Whelchel, voted solidly against the
measure. Gwinnett's delegates, Hons. R. D. Winn, J. P. Simmons
and T. P. Hudson did likewise, whUe Hons. T. R. R, Cobb, Asbury
Hull and Jefferson Jennings of Clarke, favored the ordinance.
303

Hons. J. S. Gholston and A. C. Daniel of Madison County, did
the same. Walton County sent Hons. George Spence and H. D.
McDaniel who voted in favor of the measure, but Hon. WiUis
Kilgore was against the ordinance.

CONFEDERATE VETERANS WHO ENLISTED FROM
JACKSON.
While many of our best citizens thought it best not to "fight"
the stars and stripes, doing all in their power to avert a colUsion
with the powers at Washington, they soon saw that there was
no remedy save that of the bayonet. When the caU came, the
manhood of this county offered itself a living sacrifice, for what
they thought was right.
The "conscript" officer had little or no work to do in our
midst. Every one was ready to volunteer for service, in defense
of the southland.
¦ No section of the state, or better say of the world, if you please,
had a more noble and courageous band of men than those who
enlisted from Jackson County.
To secure this list of 1,350 names, we have searched the records
of our court-house, the Roster Commission office in Atlanta, the
records in Washington City and last, but by no means least, have
conferred with quite a number of the old veterans, who have been
exceedingly kind and helpful in this work.
The companies have been placed, each to itself, where enough
names could be found to make a creditable showing. In several
of the last companies that went out and where the enUstment took
place outside the county, the "muster rolls" could not be found,
therefore, it was thought best to group them together as has
been done.

304

Mintz or Story's Company.

Company G,
Adair, A. H.
Addington, J. L.
Addington, J. P.
Anthony, D. M.
Anthony, T. G.
Barrett, Ebenezer
Barnett, J. B. D.
Barr, W. J.
Baugh, Barney
Baugh, W. P.
Bennett, J. M.
Benton, S. G.
Bradberry, M. P.
Brown, G. W.
Bryant, J. J.
Butler, E. M.
Butler, H. J.
Butler, J. R.
Butler, M. R.
Butler, M. L.
Butler, W. L.
Butler, W. P.
Carr, Thos. J.
Carr, B. M.
Carr, B. F.
CantreU, N. W.
CarUsle, P. H.
Carson, B. P.
Carson, R. H.
Carson, T. L.
Carter, T. H.
Carter, Jesse
Carter, Joseph .
Carter, Jas.

43rd Volunteer Infantry.
Cash, John
Catlett, B. L.
Catlett, E. P.
Clark, C. M.
Coker, A. P.
Coker, J. W.
Coker, W. R.
Coker, Wily R.
Collins, Josiah
Cox, R. P.
Culpepper, A. M.
Culpepper, C. C.
Culpepper, W. H.
David, J. M.
Davis, H. L.
Dunston, G. W.
Dunston, Russ
Espey, C. J.
Espey, Calvin
EUison, W. A.
Freeman, J. H.
Garrison, P. D.
Gilbert, T. S.
Greenway, G. A.
Greenway, Govan
Greenway, T. G.
Gober, T. H.
Gunter, T. W.
Gunter, W. C.
Gamer, W. S.
Henderson, T. J.
Henderson, A. J.
Henderson, H. B.
Henderson, H. J,
305

HaUes, W. C.
Hancock, W. Mc.
Hard, R. J.
Hardy, R. J.
Hartley, J. W.
Hartley, John W.
Herndon, A. J.
Herndon, Hiram
Herndon, M. J.
HUl, C. P.
HiU, G. L.
HoUiway, John
Hudson, T. P.
Ivy, Wm. B.
Jarrett, W. N.
Jarrett, N. W.
Kidd, H. P.
Lackey, J. M.
Lay, E. J.
Lipscomb, R. G.
Loggins, S. T.
Mintz, M. M.
Minish, P. H.
Minish, F. H.
Minish, J. W.
Martin, G. L.
Marlow, J. F.
Marlow, Sam
Marlow, R. B.
Marlow, Wilson
Matkeif, OUver
Madkiff, J. O.
Nunn, T. A.
Newman, W. P.
Patrick, Miles
Patrick, Joe
Parks, J. M.

Pettyjohn, W. J.
Ragsdale, W. S.
Ricks, John
Roberts, S. J.
Roberson, Wm.
Randolph, H. J.
Story, J. M.
Sanders, Jerry
Sanders, M.
Stark, W. P.
Scott, J. W.
Shankle, T. S.
Skates, J. A.
Sisson, J. J.
Smith, Bird
Smith, J. H.
Smith, J. M.
Smith, Joe M.
Smith, M. F.
Stapler, J. W.
Stapler, J. M.
Thornton, J. J.
Thornton, J. D.
Thompson, Joe
Thompson, A. P.
Thompson, W. R.
Wadkins, J. C.
Wadkins, W. C.
Webb, C. R.
White, A. J.
WaUace, B. D.
Wallace, Wesley
Word, A. H.
Webb, H. P.
Webb, J. C.
Webb, T. A.
White, C. C.

306

White, G. W.
White, H. S.
White, J. T.
White, R. P.
White, W. J.
White, Robt.
Whitmire, J. H.
Whitmire, W. A.
Wilbanks, S. D.
WUson, J. M.

Wilson, Moren
Wilson, Sanford
Wilson, Thomas
Wilson, Upson
Wood, Asberry
Wood, M. P.
Yarbrough, E. P.
Yarbrough, Joel
Yarbrough, Joseph
Yarbrough, Wiley

Company B.,
AlUson, Mark
Allison, Henry
Arthur, John
Arthur, Jos.
Archer, Bill
Archer, Bob
Adams, Thomas
Adams, Lude
Bone, Jos.
Bowls, Dutch
Burson, Green
Bates, Wm. N.
Baird, Jas.
Boyd, Wm.
Bradley, Marion
Bradley, Jas.
Bradley, Thos.
Bean, WiUiam
Betts, Parks
Betts, Redmond
Butler, Tip
Butler, Nathan

Reynold's Company.
16th Georgia Volunteer Infantry.
Cox, H. J.
Cone, Seaborn
Cronic, Warren
Cosby, Jas.
Cosby, Wm.
Clark, Moses J.
Copeland, Eli
Cook, Samuel
Cook, Wm.
David, Thomas
David, H. J.
Delay, George
Dalton, John
Dalton, Wm.
Deveral, John
Dunson, L. D.
Davis, Charles
Doster, W. E.
Edwards, M. E.
Eads, Aaron
Elsberry, Benj.
Ferguson, John
307

Ferguson, Jas.
Flannigan, Wm.
Flannigan, Tip
Garner, Eli
Guthrie, Horace
HarvU, T. R.
Harvil, Sanford
Harvil, George
Hosch, Henry
Hardigree, D. I.
Hardigree, G. P.
Hayes, John
Hoopaugh, AUen
House, J. H.
House, Henry
House, Jackson
HiU, W. E.
Hughey, D. A.
Justice, Allen
Johnson, Joel
Jackson, W. W.
Jackson, Stonewall
Kurcus, Watt
Kidd, Thomas
King, Pid
Kirbo, Dock
Linn, Jack
Lyle, A. J.
Lyle, Cisero
Lyle, Leslie
Moon, Alfred
McDanold, Geo.
McDanold, Richard
McDanold, Jack
Moon, Robert
Milton, James
McDaniel, Daniel

Morris, William
Morris, H. C.
Morris, Walton
Morris, Thomas
Morris, Dihnus
MitcheU, Raymond
Manus, George
McElhannon, Wm.
Murphy, Terrell
Murphy, Elijah
McMillan, Wm.
North, J. R.
Park, A.
Poole, James
Pentecost, Poke
Pentecost, Daniel
Reynolds, A. M.
Reynolds, J. M.
Reynolds, John
Randolph, R. J.
Roberts, John
Robertson, Wm.
Slaton, W. H.
Slaton, Wm.
Sikes, David
Smith, Job
Smith, Sanford
Smith, Joseph
Seymore, William
Strange, John
Stevens, Nelson
Stevens, John
Stevens, 
Spence, Jas.
Spence, WiUiam
SpreweU, J. W.
Stewart, Wash

308:

Statham, John
Tate, WilUam
Thompson, Wm.
Venable, J. M.
Vandiford, Richard
Wright, W. J.
WaUis, J. J.
WalUs, Madison

Wood, James
Wood, John
WiUs, Abner
White, Robert
Watts, Morgan
Wheeler, Thomas
Williams, Jasper
WaU, Arthur

Howard's Company.

Company H.,
AngUn, H. H.
Anthony, M. A.
Benton, A. N.
Berry, T. A.
Benton, J. G.
Benton, J. R.
Benton, S. G.
Barr, Canada
Blackburn, P. D.
Bolden, W. B.
Bolden, L. J.
Bolton, W. J.
Booth, W. M.
Boyce, G. W.
Boyce, Joseph
Bradberry, Jacob
Bray, W. H.
Brown; W. A.
Chaplain, E. H.
Carithers, Richard
Coffer, A. R.
Chambers, John
Clotfelter, D. A.
Coleman, L. L.

43rd Volunteer Infantry.
Cook, C. N.
Cook, G. N.
Cook, J. W.
Cook, Newton
Cunningham, J. S.
Dameron, C. W.
Dameron, Loyd
Dameron, L. C.
Davenport, J. S.
Davidson, W. P.
Davis, G. W.
Day, J. E.
Delay, J. M.
Delay, R. V.
Durran, Sylvanus
Densmore, Adam
Doster, Henry
Doster, E. W,
Dovale, CoriUe
Duke, G. R.
Duke, G. S.
Finch, Hiram
Fowler, Kelley
Fowler, R. C,
309

Giddens, John
Garrett, A. P.
Giles, Dock
Gohlston, W. D.
Howard, H. R.
Howard, H. H.
Horton, J. M.
Heard, J. A.
Hardy, J. W.
Hammond, Benj.
Hammond, J. A.
Hardy, Samuel
Harris, Lewis
HighfiU, B. P.
HiU, George
Hill, Jesse
HighfieU, T. N.
Hood, T. J.
Hooppan, A. P.
Hoopaugh, P. M.
Irwin, Andrew
Irwin, E. D.
Irwin, W. H.
Jordan, C. T.
Jordan, William
Kenney, David
Lavender, W. G.
Lavender, R. R.
Lessieur, J. A.
McCann, R. C.
McDaniel, W. C.
McEver, W. T.
McKeon, C. W.
McKeon, J. B.
Matthews, J. C.
Matthews, W. J.
Matthews, W. P.

Maddox, C. C.
Marler, D. M.
Marler, J. E.
Martin, M. H.
Maxey, David
Mays, W. J.
Maddox, R. C.
Mobley, E. D.
Mobley, J. D.
Moon, W. E.
Morris, J. M.
Morris, Leroy
Murray, J. M.
Nabors, J. C.
NiKon, G. M.
Nixon, T. C.
Owen, J. C.
PhiUips, Abner
Phillips, E. H.
PhUlips, W. W.
Pollard, George
Ranson, C.
Reynolds, Aplin
Reynolds, P. M.
Sells, James
Smith, J. M.
Sorrow, J. C.
Sorrow, Nicholas
Sorrow, W. T.
Streetman, W. T.
Stewart, C. B.
Stewart, W. A.
Statham, W. R. H.
Stanley, G. W.
Trout, G. P.
Trout, W. C.
Venable, J. A.

810

Wadkins, John
WaUs, J. W.
WaUs, W. J.
Ward, J. C.
Waters, Hiram
Watson, J. S.

Watson, J. T.
Watson, Josiah
WilUams, M. M.
Williamson, G. W.
Wood, R. D.

Bennett's Company.
Company E., 34th Georgia Volunteer Infantry.

Adair, J. 0.
Anthony, S. W.
Anderson, R. B.
Adams, Jesse
Adams, J. P.
Bennett, A. T.
Brock, W. T. M.
Bolton, E. P.
Bray, D. A.
Bailey, S. T.
Brock, S. M. D.
Brooks, J. A.
Carithers, W. J.
Chandler, R. N.
Chandler, Reuben
Chandler, W. H.
Crisler, D. A.
Colquitt, W. J.
Cruse, Berry
Culbertson, Pink
Deadwyler, 6. E.
Dunnahod, J. B.
Dunson, J. M.
Dunson, Walker
Evans, J. F.
Esco, J. M.

Esco, John
Esco, W. T.
Garrison, J. W.
Garrison, B. S.
Garrison, C. P.
Garrison, Caleb
Gunnin, J. J.
Glenn, J. G.
Hood, Z. W.
Harmon, J. M.
Harris, T. W.
Harris, A. J.
Harris, S. A.
Hardy, R. M.
Hardy, P. M.
Henry, P. P.
Henry, George
HoUiday, D. H.
Hawks, W. T.
HighfiU, J. J.
Ivy, J. A.
Ingram, E. H.
Johnson, J. D.
King, Perry
Lampkin, Edward
Leechman, Carlos

311

Lord, M. G.
Murphy, C. T.
MitcheU, W. S.
Maddox, C. T.
Marlow, R. A.
Marlow, P. W.
Moore, W. T.
McCarty, Jesse
McCarty, John
Mann, W. S..
Merk, P. A.
Nunn, J. B.
Nunn, A. L.
Nix, J. M.
Nix, D. M.
Pittman, J. G. H.
Pittman, M. M.
Patrick, T. W.
Patrick, W. H.
Pinson, W. A.
Pharr, W. A.
Pharr, James
Ramppy, P. B.
Roberts, P. J.
Roberts, D. H.
Randolph, J. C.
Rogers, J. T.
Reed, Z. M.
Riden, Josephus
Strickland, John
Strickland, J. G.

Strickland, E. W.
Strickland, Carlos
SaUors, J. M.
Sailors, Isham
Sailors, Andy
Sailors, W: P.
Sanders, M. M.
Stapler, A. J.
Stapler, J. L.
Streetman, J. T.
Smith, Isham
Smith, David
TiUer, Sandford
Thurmond, Cisero
Thurmond, Bolton
Voiles, Ira
Voiles, Frank
Voiles, Levi
WUson, G. J. N.
WUson, M. M. C.
Wilson, G. C.
Wilson, J. E.
Wood, W. R.
WiUiams, J. F.
WilUams, J. G.
Wills, J. M. V.
Yeargan, D. G.
Yeargan, W. S.
Yeargan, J. C.
Yeargan, S. B.

Jarrett's Company.
Company C, 18th Georgia Volunteer Infantry.
Appleby, J. T. Addington, J. M.

3l2.

Adams, J. T.
Anglin, Willis,
Anglin, Knock
Anglin, W. W.
Adair, W. A.
Allen, J. B.
Bowls, T. C.
Bacon, A. E.
Bacon, Ed.
Barnett, H. C.
Barron, W. L.
BeU, H. W-
BeU, A. J.
Bennett, Euel
Bennett, Tom
Cohen, M. A.
Callahan, J. H.
CaUahan, W. C.
Cheek, L. M.
Clanton, Wm.
Daley, James .
DeLaperriere, A. A.
Davis, Ephraim
Davis, W. C.
Davis, Pierce
Davis, John
Espey, J. F.
Espey, J. A.
Estes, 0. N.
Brwin, Elijah
Eustice, E. M.
Franklin, M. V.
FrankUn, R. B.
Freeman, S. A.
Goodin, Augustus

Gilbert, H. C.
Harris, Gains
Harris, Jesse
Harris, Geo.
Harris, Tom
Helton, E.
Helton, W.
Helton, R. H.
Hood, W. W.
Howard, John
Head, W. 0.
Holmes, J. H.
Harrison, T. L.
Harrison, W.
HarvUl, A.
Hutchins, L. J.
Hunter, Wm.
Harden, William
Hardy, A. J.
Irwin, Elijah
Jarrett, D. L.
Jarrett, N. M.
Kinney, J. A.
Lord, J. W.
Lord, PhiUip
Lord, John
Lindsey, Jas.
Ledbetter, W. H. H.
Ledford, Jesse
Ledford, Adison
Lampkin, Thos.
MiUer, J. P.
Miller, J. H.
Morgan, George
Morgan, D. M.

.313

Morgan, J. P.
Morgan, B. B.
Moore, Tom
Moore, J. L.
McElhannon, J. C.
McElhannon, H. W.
McLester, Whitson
MitcheU, J. R.
Mathews, C. W.
MiUican, R. J.
Michael, Benj.
McCuUoch, L. A.
Niblack, T. H.
North, J. R.
Oliver, J. H.
Oliver, Andrew
Orr, J. M.
Pharr, Samuel
Potter, R. P.
Potter, WiUiam
Palmer, J. A.
Pettyjohn, T. J.
Potts, John
Potts, Wayne
Patman, Tom
Park, Wm. A.
Randolph, H. J.
Rouse, E.
Rogers, Tom
Rogers, Jas.
Rose, H. P.
Rose, B. 0. W.
Shockley, W. S.
Silman, J. B.

Strickland, Jesse
Strickland, N. C.
Strickland, Ansel
Shirley, Richard
Sanders, J. E.
Stapler, A. D.
Simmons, H. J.
Spencer, H.
Story, J. M.
Thurmond, J. H.
Thurmond, E.
Thurmond, James
Thurmond, W. T.
Thurmond, A. M.
Tolbert, A. J.
Vandiver, Q. C.
Winters, James
WiUs, Martin
Worsham, W. W.
Worsham, J. L.
White, J. M.
Wilhite, O. M.
Wilhite, W. T.
Williamson, J. H.
Williamson, B. H.
Williamson, C. C.
WiUiamson, Jno. N.
Waters, W. A.
Wingfield, J. B.
Wingfield, John
Wier, John G.
WUson, W. 0.
Wilson, Fennel
Wilson, Henry.

314

Marler 's Company.
Company E., 16th Georgia Volunteer Cavalry.

Anglin, J. N.
Anglin, David
Addington, John
Ash, Lemon
Arnold, S. G.
Arnold, Geo.
Arnold, James
Barrett, Wm.
Bowman, 6. S.
Brown, N. S.
Brown, Micajah
Bowles, Cicero
Booth, Thomas
Carson, G. L.
Carson, N. D.
Carson, J. C.
Camsby, G. D.
Cook, Wesley
Cook, J. J.
Casper, Thomas
Collins, B. P.
Catlett, Wash
Carter, Wash
Cheely, Mark
Cheely, Wm.
Coleman, Thomas
Cox, Martin
Chandler, Parks
Daniel, Cicero
Daniel, M. A.
Daniel, W. A.
Duncan, J. C.
Dobbs, Oliver
Elrod, Harrison

Fulcher, James
Pulcher, Jesse
Meeman, Thomas
Pleeman, Cass
Fleeman, MeU
Finch, Ren
Pinch, Benj.
Finch, John
Finch, Joseph
Fowler, L. C.
Guffin, Wm.
Gilleland, Hugh
House, WilUam
House, Mack
House, James
HoUiday, Geo.
HoUiday, Walter
HoUiday, Prank
HoUiday, Joseph C.
Hewitt, Polk
HiU, Alex.
Hill, Cicero
HiU, David
HiU, Dock
Hoopaw, D. I.
Haynie, W. J.
Hancock, Parks
Harrison, N. C.
Johnson, L. J.
Johnson, James
Johnson, Jerry
Johnson, James M.
Johnson, R. L.
Kinney, A. C.

SW

Knight, Green
Lyle, Joseph
Lyle, Harrison
Lyle, William
Luke, John
Lay, Ansel
Mayes, C. S.
Mayes, W. H.
Marler, W. L.
Mise, John
Moon, John
Millsaps, John
McElhannon, Kam
McElhannon, Tip
McElhannon, Will
McElroy, J. G.
Neal, T. N.
Neal, R. W.
Patrick, V. V.
Patrick, Troup
Perkins, Judge
Perkins, David
Potts, Mack
Potts, Bud
Pike, W. L
Pentecost, J. C.
Pentecost, Mark
Roberts, Bluford
Roberts, Green
Roberts, Wilkes
Rose, Oliver
Ryley, E. J.
Ryley, BUl
Ray, James
Ross, Jack

Ross, John
Shields, Robert
Shields, WUliam
Sims, G. D.
Seymore, Bud
Seymore, E. H.
Seymore, John T.
Stewart, Jesse
Stewart, Henry
Stanley, G. W.
Stanley, Calvin
Stephens, John
Spence, R. T.
Spence, Jerry
Trout, Thomas
Thurmond, Wm.
Thurmond, Jas.
Thurmond, Joe
Vaughn, W. L.
Wages, William
Wages, Jack
Wages, James
Wages, Sanford
Wilson, Thomas
WUson, W, 0.
Wood, Jesse
Wood, Jasper N.
Wood, Green C.
Wood, Green S.
Wood, William
White, Jesse
Wilbanks, John
Williams, Bud
Williamson, John
Wills, Cicero

316

WiUs, J. A.
Wills, Matt.
Wills, Jas. A.

Wills, Lee
Whitehead, WiUis
Whitehead, J. N.

Camp's Company.

Company D., 16th Georgia Volunteer Cavalry.

AUen, Vard
BeU, C. C.
Bell, Lafayette
Bell, Tyler
BeU, Ray
Bell, Marion
Brooks, A. E.
Bridges, Harrison
Blankinship, Marion
Blankinship, Hutch
Brown, Joseph
Brock, Wm.
Camp, D. A.
Cronic, L. H.
Cato, John
Cato, Thomas
Cato, Monroe
Cooper, Jas.
Clark, Jas.
Davenport, Wm.
Duncan, W. H.
Duncan, N. B.
Duncan, J. T.
Duncan, L. G.
Duncan, George
Deaton, Thomas
Elder, Joshua
Elsbury, Wm.
Flanigan, James

Flanigan, Jasper
Flanigan, Elijah
Pleeman, C. S.
Gamer, Eli
Hudgins, Francis
Hudgins, Jeptha
Holland, Jas.
Holland, Sanford
Harvil, James
Irwin, G. W.
Kerbo, John
Kerbo, Marshall
Kinney, Thomas
Lancaster^ Tillman
Lancaster, William
Lott, Jordan
Lyle, Ezra
Lyle, J. B.
Lyle, J. A.
Major, John
Mangum, Middleton
McKinney, 
Maddox, John
Maddox, Seaborn
Mauldin, M. M.
Manus, George
Matthews, Ephraim
Mahaffy, Geo. W.
McEver, Joseph

317

McEver, Andrew
McEver, John M.
Osburn, Green
Pike, W. L.
Pool, J. M.
Park, John

Park, L.
Pierce, Wm.
Queen, Elijah
Smith, John
Wallace, Pendleton
White, T. W.

Pittman 's Company.
Militia or State Troops.

Adair, Benjamin
Atkins, Hugh
Arnold, Washington
Bennett, Hosea
Bailey, Milton
BaUey, S. B.
Burgar, David
Barnett, M. P.
Bowden, J. P.
Cox, Calvin
Cook, Albert
Chatman, John
Duke, Jones
Duke, Marshall
David, Haden
David, Frank
Elrod, A. N.
Hinton, Mans
HighfiU, Cap
Highland, J. H.
Hardy, Thomas
Harrison, Perry
Hood, J. H.
Johnson, Carey
Lyle, Byrd
Lyle, William

Lyle, David
Lemmons, A.
Lasears, David
Lott, Marion
Moore, Alsa
Moore, J. A.
Morris, Robert
Marlow, Joseph M.
Martin, John
Murray, William
McLester, J. G.
McElhannon, Stewart
McCune, John
Nix, Thomas
Orr, S. P.
Page, Pompey
Pruit, J. W.
Pittman, A. B.
Pittman, Cobb
Potts, WiUiam
Parks, SeU
Rogers, Blake
Reynolds, James
Randolph, J. H. C.
Roberts, Stephen
Stapler, T. J.

318

Smith, Samuel
Story, Addison
Story, C. T.
Story, James
Segars, Jack
Segars, Wash
SeU, Mark
Thurmond, Ludd
Thompson, James
Vandiver, James

Watkins, Lute T.
Walker, Press
Walker, George
Wilbanks, Prank
White, WiUiam
Williamson, Sanford
WUson, L. C.
Wofford, W. W.
Yearwood, Abraham

Thompson's Company.
Company G., 16th Volunteer Infantry.

Archer, W. J.
Archer, R. B.
Appleby, J. R.
Abner, J. W.
Allen, T. G.
BeU, W. W.
BeU, Joe S.
BeU, G.
Bailey, F. M.
Black, Geo. H.
Black, Thomas
Braselton, E. W.
Bradberry, John
Catlett, John
Coleman, J. P. ,
Clanton, WiUiam
Culberson, John
Durham, E. M.
Daniel, D. P.
Daniel, T. A.
Duke, G. R., Jr.
Elrod, G. P.

Elrod, W. B. ¦
Evans, T. H.
Freeman, Henry
Pinch, C. W.
Pew, W. S.
Fields, T. J.
Fields, B. P.
Gwinn, J.
Garrison, J. C.
Garrison, John
Garrison, S. R.
Gilmer, B. F.
Gilmer, John
Gilmer, W. L.
Gilmer, A. C.
Gilmer, Obediah
Gunter, L. C.
Hardy, A. J.
Hayes, G. S.
Hay, T. W.
Hay, J. T.
Hay, J. G.

319

HarweU, J. W.
Harwell, C.
Howard, H.
Henry, George
HighfiU, B. P.
HighfiU; John
Hewitt, Starkey
Hewitt, C.
Haynie, W. J.
Ivey, J. R.
Johnson, J. S.
Johnson, J. D.
Kidd, John
KeUey, J. E.
Lay, T. R.
Lay, M. L.
Lowery, George
Lee, W.
Lyle, George
Lyle, Alford
Lampkin, P. M.
Lord, M. W.
Morris, W. A.
Michael, Benjamin
McElhannon, B. T.
McElhannon, W. G.
Moon, C. C.
Moon, J. A.
Merk, J. W.
McEver, C. C. '
Nabors, Z. L.
Nichols, Geo. N.
Patrick, M. J.
Patrick, J. W.
Patton, G. W.
Potter, Thos. N.
Park, M. J.

Park, W. A.
Randolph, H. J.
Randolph, J. T. W.
Randolph, J. T.
Randolph, W. L. 0.
Reinhardt, J. H.
Rawson, M. W.
RUey, E. G.
Ross, T. L.
Spence, J. W.
Stevens, E. W.
Steed, M. G.
Tate, WiUiam
Thompson, A. C.
Thompson, E. M.
Thompson, A. M.
Thompson, W. S.
Thompson, M.
Thornton, Isaac R.
Thurmond, W. P.
Thurmond, W.
Trout, W. R.
Trout, J. W.
Whitehead, J. C.
Whitehead, C. T.
Whitehead, M. J.
Williamson, C. B.
Williamson, Columbus
Wilson, John K.
Wilson, Shade
Watson, J.
Wood, D. W.
Wood, J. R.
Wood, W. J.
Wood, J. C.
Wood, G. L.

320

Names of soldiers who enlisted in companies, in the county, of
which the "muster rolls" could not be obtained; and, also, those
who joined companies outside of Jackson County. At least 99
per cent, of these were volunteers in the service.

Archer, William
Anglin, D. J.
Addington, Z. T.
Addington, Jesse
Arnold, John
Arnold, Robert
Arnold, Jack
Appleby, W. C.
Appleby, John
Alexander, John, Sr.
Alexander, John, Jr.
BaUey, J. M.
Bradley, H. S.
Boggs, James
Boggs, W. P.
Boggs, Milton
Brown, H. H.
Brown, Tillman
Brown, C. D.
Burns, Anderson
Bolton, Billy
Bell, Joseph
BeU, Walter
Bell, George
Bell, James
Bowden, William
Baird, Samuel
Braselton, J. A.
Brooks, Thos. D.
Brooks, C. C.
Brooks, Alonzo
Bryant, Burrell

Bryant, W. L.
Bryant, Moses
Burson, George
Burson, Dred
Bates, Wm. N.
Carithers, W. A.
ColUns, W. J.
Collins, Thomas
Camp, Mack
Cash, N. B.
Carter, Paul
Cofer, Guss
Cowen, John
Cowen, Elijah
Chandler, Prank
Chandler, (Big) Frank
Chandler, Joseph
Coleman, Frank
Dixon, J. J.
Dixon, E. J.
Doss, S. J.
Dowdy, Richard
Dowdy, R. W.
Damons, Cam
Dunson, Seaborn
Daniel, Poster
Dunnahoo, J. G.
Davis, William
Elrod, Isaac
Espey, William
Ellison, James
Evans, William

321

Pew, M. C.
Pulcher, William
Gober, Jay
Gober, John
Gober, Asbury
Gilleland, Jas.
GiUeland, Lafayette
Garrison, D. W.
Gant, Adolphus
Guffin, WiUiam
Guffin, "Esquire"
Howington, Jas.
Howington, Reuben
Hardy, John N.
Hardy, Guss
Hardy, Thomas
Human, Green
Hood, J. H.
Hood, C. W.
Hood, W. C.
HUl, Moses
Hunter, John
Hunter, Samuel
Hewitt, Jack
Huie, Jack
Harrison, W. 0.
Harrison, J. P.
Harrison, T. C.
Harrison, Jason
Herrington, Milton
Ivey, Richard
Jackson, Woods
Jackson, S. W.
Jackson, S. C.
Jackson, James
Jarrett, J. A.
Kenningham, J. 0.

Long, Andy
Lavender, Ebo
Lay, Mark
Linsey, Melvin
Mahaffy, J. A. B.
Mahaffy, E. V. W.
Mahaffy, J. W. S.
Matthews, Miles
Matthews, Daniel
Matthews, WiUis
Matthews, John
Mitchell, James
MitcheU, G. W.
Moon, George
Moon, Thomas
Moon, T. J.
Marler, D. M.
Martin, Sim
Martin, Ansel
McElhannon, Jack
McElhannon, T. A.
McElhannon, Calvin
Maddox, Joseph
Maddox, John
McEver, Jno.
Nabors, William
Nash, John J.
Nash, J. Polk
Nash, Reuben
Nash, Thos. T.
Nash, Reuben L.
Nixon, John
Nixon, Theo.
Oliver, J. C.
Orr, William
Orr, George
Orr, W. C.

322

Oshields, John
Park, Livingston
Park, P. M.
Park, High
Park, William
Pittman, Willis
Pinson, J. N.
Pettyjohn, M. G.
Preston, J. M.
Rogers, William
Rogers, Thomas
Riley, Andy
RUey, J. B.
Rowdin, Edward
Roberts, Joe
Roberts, W. CUnt
Roberts, W. C.
Roberts, WiUiam
Reynolds, Prank
Reynolds, Appleton
Reeves, Thomas
Randolph, HiU
Randolph, Joshua
Rainey, H. N., Sr.
Riden, Prank
Shockley, Thomas
Shackelford, C. W.
Shackelford, T. J.
Sims, J. M.
Shields, WilUam
Simmons, WiUiam
Simmons, M. G.
Simmons, Moke
Simmons, Henry
Simmons, J. B.
Simmons, James
Simmons, W. Bit

Simmons, M. T.
Segars, Dub
Segars, William
Stephens, W. C.
Shankle, Seaborn
Strickland, Sweet
Strickland, Ed
Strickland, Chat
Smith, Zack T.
Simpkins, Wm. N.
Sharp, Jarrel
Sharp, J. G.
Sharp, M. C.
Twitty, WiUiam
Tolbert, Oliver
Turner, J. J.
Thompson, Wiley
Toney, V. A.
Todd, T. B. P.
Titshaw, L. W. C.
Vandiver, G. C.
Vandiver, C. C.
Vandiver, J. W.
Venable, Arch
Vandiford, John
Wood, Daniel
Wood, John
Watkins, John
Williams, Dimp
WiUiams, T. C.
Ward, John
Ward, WiUiam
WiUs, Jack
Weaver, John H.
Williamson, L.
Williamson, George
Williamson, J. L.

323

Williamson, Jack
Williamson, James
Weir, Robert
Weir, Samuel B.
Witt, George
WUson, R. M.
White, Andy

White, George
White, Robert
White, WiUiam
White, Henry
Whitworth, Jack
Whitehead, Thos.
Whitehead, George

SOLDIERS LIVING IN JACKSON COUNTY.

Aaron, W. R.
Adams, J. R.
Archer, R. B.
Alexander, C. C.
Alexander, M. P.
Arnold, C. W.
Ayers, P. M.
Abner, J. W.
Arnold, J. P.
Bowles, Prank
Black, J. S.
Bell, H. W.
Bailey, J. L.
Bailey, J. M.
Bailey, S. E.
Bailey, S. T.
Banks, James
Barnett, J. G.
Barnett, H. C.
Barnes, J. E.
Barnes, B. H.
Benedict, R. S.
Berry, P. T.
Boggs, W. P.
Borders, P. M.
Brewer, C. D.

Brewer, B. P.
Brewer, J. A.
Brooks, T. D.
Brooks, D. M.
Brooks, C. T.
Brooks, J. L.
Brown, A. L.
Batchelor, G. W.
Bruce, W. R.
Bryan, J. R.
Bryan, J. W.
Bohannon, B. S.
Barnett, M. P.
Bradberry, M. W.
Cobb, A. J.
Castleberry, E. T.
CampbeU, W. D.
Carethers, W. A.
Carson, G. L.
Coker, J. R.
Cook, H. S.
Cooper, H. H.
Colquitt, W. J.
Cramer, J. E.
Crisler, D. A.
Crisler, W. S.

324

Carrol, J. M.
Dale, W. A.
Dailey, J. M.
DaUey, S. T.
Damron, L. A.
David, K. S.
Davis, W. C.
Davis, M. T.
Davis, Isaac
Davidson, L. M.
Dadisman, L. M.
Daniel, J. T.
Doss, S. J.
Doster, E. T.
Doster, P. M.
Duke, John
Duke, G. R.
Duke, G. S.
Duke, M. N.
Duncan, J. C.
Daily, H. C.
Daily, J. M.
Dixon, Jno. J.
Elrod, A. N.
Edwards, Marcus
Eberhart, J. A.
Eads, J. C.
Edgar, Henry
Evans, Wm. C.
Pambrough, A. A.
Parmer, H. G.
Finch, C. W.
Fowler, W. H.
Fowler, L. C.
Freeman, W. J.
Poster, W. H.
Garrison, T. W.

Gilleland, Lafayette
Gillespie, J. B.
Garrison, C. P.
Gober, P. A.
Gober, W. J.
Greenway, W. M.
Greeson, J. D.
Grier, Joseph
Gunter, L. C.
Pulcher, J. H.
Hardigree, D. I.
Hardy, J. N.
Harmon, J. M.
Harris, A. J.
Hutchins, J. M.
Hammond, B. B.
Hawkins, J. M.
Haynie, W. J.
Haynie, W. Jack
Henry, P. P.
Helton, R. H.
HiU, J. M.
HighfiU, T. N.
HoUand, S. M.
Hoopaugh, D. I.
Holden, J. J.
Hood, Z. W.
Hood, W. C.
House, M. C,
House, W. H.
Howington, W. J.
Hudson, T. P.
Hudgins, J. I.
Humphrey, T. G.
Herrin, M. C.
Hardman, W. S.
HamUton, C. T.

325

Hayes, J. W. C.
Howard, W. C.
HoUiday, G. R.
Jackson, S. W.
Jackson, S. C.
Jarrett, J. A.
Johnson, J. M.
Jones, W. Jack
Jacks, C. S.
Jones, James
Jones, W. I.
Jewell, M. L.
Jennings, P. P.
Kelley, N. J.
Kinney, A. C.
Kent, W. C.
Kelley, N. J.
Kinney, A. C.
Kent, W. C.
Latimer, W. M.
Link, S. A.
Little, T. A.
Lord, J. W.
Lyle, G. R.
I^le, J. B.
Lyle, I. H.
Lovin, W. P.
Montgomery, Jno.
Marler, J. E.
Martin, P. B.
Mahaffy, J. A. B.
Marlow, D. D.
Marlow, R. B.
Martin, B.
Mathews, W. S.
Mathews, L. J.
Manus, J. D.

Manus, J. B.
Mauldin, B. L.
Michael, Starnes
Meeks, W. H.
Merk, W. H.
Merk, J. W.
McElhannon, J. W.
McElhannon, T. A.
McCurry, S. M.
McEver, Robt.
McEver, J. M.
McGinty, W. H.
McEntyre, J. H.
Minish, R. K.
Millsaps, M. A.
Mahaffy, J. A. B.
MitcheU, G. W.
Montgomery, C. T.
Montgomery, C. L.
Moon, G. M. D.
Moon, A. A.
Morris, Thomas
Morris, Leroy
Motes, J. W.
Motes, Jesse
Moore, G. W.
Moore, A. A.
Moulder, E. M.
Moulder, Prank
Murphey, Jeremiah
Nash, J. R.
Nunn, R. C.
Nicholson, W. D.
NoweU, J. W.
Niblack, T. H.
Newman, P. A.
OkeUey, G. W., Sr.

326

Poole, J. M.
Potts, Wayne
Parham, W. L.
Perry, W. K.
Pettyjohn, J. J.
Pickelsimon, W. J.
Pittman, J. G. H.
Porter, M. S., Sr.
Parr, J. H.
Pentecost, R. J.
Quails, Robert
QuiUian, W. A.
Rainey, H. N., Sr.
Randolph, J. H. C.
Randolph, H. J.
Roberts, J. W.
Roberts, W. C.
Roberts, W. J.
Roberts, R. J.
Robertson, W. C.
Rogers, J. D.
Rooks, G. W.
Roberts, P. J.
Seymore, R. T.
Sailors, Chas. W.
Sailors, G. W.
Sailors, J. M.
Sells, Jones
Sisk, A. S.
Shaw, J. P.
Smith, Andrew
Smith, T. L.
Smith, Z. H.
Smith, A. N.
Smith, Chas. H.
Smith, J. M.
SpreweU, J. M.

Stapler, T. J.
Stewart, Robt. G.
Stewart, J. G.
Stone, Cal C.
Strange, W. N.
Shore, J. P.
Story, C. T.
Story, James
Thomas, J. G.
Thompson, J. W.
Thompson, W. S.
Titshaw, L. W. C.
Toney, J. M.
Treadwell, I.
Trout, N. G.
Turk, A. A.
Vandiver, J. W.
Venable, Arch
Venable, J. M.
Voiles, Ira
WaddeU, Prank
Wages, W. M.
WaU, J. M.
Walker, G. D.
Wier, John G.
WaU, W. H.
Watson, J. H.
Watts, J. L.
Wheeler, T. V.
Wheeler, John
White, T. W., Sr.
White, W. C.
Welborn, W. A.
WUey, S. C.
WUey, J. D.
WUkes, A. H.
Wilbanks, S. A.

327

Wilbanks, Solomon Wood, J. R.
WiUs, A. Woods, J. N.
Wilhite, J. M. Wright, James
WiUiamson, A. A. WaU, J. P.
Winters, J. T. Ward, John
Wilson, W. H. Wright, T. M.
Webb, P. P. WUson, L. C.
Whitehead, J. R.
The ranks are being rapidly thinned and it will be but a short
time until all have passed over to the great roll-call. About one-
third of the above named veterans, enlisted from Jackson County,
the others having moved in from other places. But they, doubt
less, were just as brave as our boys in gray and they are welcome,
yea, thrice welcome.

CONVENTION OP 1865.
After the awful war of the '60 's closed. Governor James John
son called for delegates to be sent to Milledgeville. It wiU be
remembered Gov. Johnson was Provisional governor, by appoint
ment, and he was thoroughly in sympathy with the President and
the only thing our delegates could do was to undo the acts passed
in withdrawing from the Union or do nothing.
One of the "Ordinances" adopted by this convention was as
follows :
"We, the people of the State of Georgia in convention, at our
seat of government, do declare and ordain. That an ordinance
adopted by the same people, in convention, on the nineteenth day
of January 1861, entitled 'An ordinance to dissolve the Union be
tween the state of Georgia and the other states united with her
under a compact of government entitled "the constitution of the
United States of America;' " also an ordinance, adopted by the
same on the sixteenth day of March 1861, entitled, An ordinance
to adopt and ratify the constitution of the Confederate States of
America; and also all ordinances and resolutions of the same,
adopted between the sixteenth of January and twentieth of
328

March in the year aforesaid, subversive of, or antagonistic to the
civil and military authority of the government of the United
States of America, under the constitution thereof, be, and the
same are hereby repealed."
The Delegates from our county were: Hons. W. L. Marler, J.
B. S. Davis and William S. Thompson.
After all the deliberating and "swallowing" these cold "ordi
nances," the powers that were in Washington would not accept
the humble submission of Georgia until she was given further
punishment. She was refused representation in Congress and
was put under military rule. Georgia remained thus until an
election was called by the military in charge, to send delegates
to the State Capital for another convention.
This election lasted three days and was held at the county
seats, only, and was guarded in this county by the Federal soldiers
with guns at their sides.
The convention met on the 9th of December, 1867, and lasted
until the following March, 1868. At the close of this convention
Hon. Rufus B. Bulloch was made Governor of Georgia.
Jackson county was represented in the convention by Hon.
William L. Marler.

CONVENTION OP 1877.
While the Constitution of 1868 was a very good instrument, the
people felt unkindly towards it on account of its having been
forced on them by bayonet rale. The Legislature, 1877, approved
an Act giving the people the right to vote for or against the
holding of another Constitutional Convention. The vote was
light, the aggregate being only 87,238, and the convention was
carried by 9,124 majority.
Jackson County was represented in the convention by D. A.
Camp, who served the county faithfully and well.
The Constitution of '77 was almost an ideal instrument. The
State is still controlled by it. There have been a few amendments
made and doubtless others will be made from time to time as the
emergencies may arise. 329-

MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA,
FROM JACKSON COUNTY.
Representatives • Senators
1799 — ^Buckner Harris, James Pittman  Roderick Easley
1800 — Buckner Harris, Harmon Reynolds  Daniel Bankston
1801 — Harmon Reynolds, John Hampton  Roderick Easley
1802 — John Hampton, Buckner Harris  David Dickson
1803 — Samuel Henderson, George Reid  David Dickson
1804 — Samuel Henderson, Geo. Reid  John Hampton
1805 — ^Buckner Harris, William Mathews  John Hampton
1806 — Sam Henderson, Wm. Mathews  John Hampton
1807 — Hugh Montgomery, Balton Harris, Wm. Mathews . . Sam Henderson
1808 — ^Hugh Montgomery, Thomas Boyle, Jas. Cochran . . Sam Henderson
1809 — James Cochran, Hugh Montgomery  Sam Henderson
1810 — Hugh Montgomery, Jas. Cochran, Wm. Mathews . . Sam Henderson
1811 — Hugh Montgomery, Jas. Cochran, Wm. Mathews . . Sam Henderson
1812 — Wm. Mathews, Jas. Cochran, David Witt  Hugh Montgomery
1813 — Wm. Mathews, David Witt, Jas. Cochran  Hugh Montgomery
1814 — David Witt, Jas. Cochran, Wm. Mathews  Hugh Montgomery
1815 — ^David Witt, Jas. Cochran, Wm. Mathews .... Hugh Montgomery
1816 — Wm. Mathews, Jas. Cochran, David Witt  Hugh Montgomery
1817 — Jas. Cochran, David Witt, George Reid  Hugh Montgomery
1818 — ^David Witt, Jas. Cochran, James Liddell  Hugh Montgomery
1819 — Edwin Gresham, Jas. Liddell, David Witt  William Pentecost
1820 — Edwin Gresham, Jas. Liddell, David Witt  William Mathews
1821 — Edwin Gresham, David Witt, Jas. LiddeU  William D. Martin
1822 — Allen Lawton, John Young, Jas. Cochran  Jos. J. Singleton
1823 — Jas. Cochran, J. J. Singleton, David M. Burns . . Hugh Montgomery
1824 — David Witt, P. Merriwether, Jas. Cochran . . . Hugh Montgomery
1825 — David M. Burns, Wm. D. Martin, F. Merriwether . . Jas. LiddeU
1826 — Wm. D. Martin, Samuel Barnett, Jas. Cochran  David Witt
330

1827— Sam Barnett, Jas. Cochran, David M. Burns  Wm. D. Martin
1828— David M. Burns, George Shaw, Thomas J. Bowen. .Wm. D. Martin
1829— David M. Burns, George Shaw, Thomas J. Bowen. . .P. Merriwether
1830— David M. Bums, Thos. J. Bowen, Jas. LiddeU.. Jos. J. Singleton
1831— Sam Barnett, WiUiam Jones  Jos. J. Singleton
1832— Jas. LiddeU, Thomas J. Bowen, David M. Burns. .Jos. J. Singleton
1833— David M. Burns, John G. Pittman, Richard Pentecost. .Jas. LiddeU
1834^-Riehard Pentecost, David M. Bums, J. G. Pittman  Jas. LiddeU
1835 — ^Richard. Pentecost, David M. Burns, J. G. Pittman  Jas. Liddell
1836 — ^Richard Pentecost, David M. Burns, J. G. Pittman  Jas. LiddeU
1837 — Richard Pentecost, Bailey Chandler, J. Horton.. .David M. Burns
1838 — A. DeLaperriere, John Horton, Middleton Witt  George Shaw
1839 — ^A. DeLaperriere, Bailey Chandler, P. McMillan . . . Sterling Mayes
1840 — Bailey Chandler, Peter McMillan, H. Webb  Sterling Mayes
1841 — Nathaniel C. Jarrett, Bailey Chandler  Sterling Mayes
1842 — N. C. Jarrett, Bailey Chandler, Russel Daniel. . .Thos. P. Anderson
1843 — John Randolph, Russell Daniel  Thos. P. Anderson
1844 — No Session
1845— WiUiam BeU, Robert Moon  Thos. P. Anderson
1846— No Session
1847 — Richard Pentecost  William Clayton
1848— No Session
1849— Michael Mintz  WUliam Clayton
1850— Michael Mintz  WiUiam Clayton
1851-52— S. P. Thurmond  WiUiam Mosley
1853-54— Peter E. McMUlan  Robt. Moon
1855-56— R. J. Park, R. J. Daniel  Robt. White
1857-58— C. P. Hardy, M. M. Mintz  J. C. Hayes
1859-60— M. M. Mintz, R. J. Daniel  A. DeLaperriere
1861-62— Hosea C. Giddens  Samuel Stephens
1863-64r— J. Bell, A. C. Shockley  .Robt. White
331

1865— J. BeU, A. C. Shockley  W. R. BeU
1866— Pittsfield P. Hinton  W. R. BeU
1867— No Session
1868— A. T. Bennett  A. M. Strmger
1869— A. T. Bennett  A. M. Stringer
1870— A. T. Bennett  A. M. Stringer
1871-72— John B. Hancock  M. V. Estes
1873-74—6. R. Duke  M. V. Estes
1875-76— G. R. Duke, J. M. Potts  G. E. Deadwyler
1877— G. R. Duke, A. T. Bennett  G. E. Deadwyler
1878-79— A. T. Bennett, W. I. Pike  A. D. Candler (HaU Co.
1880-81— A. T. Bennett, J. B. Silman  B. P. Suddeth (Banks Co.
1882-83— James Hudson, J. B. Silman  W. I. Pike (Jackson Co.
1884-85— T. H. Niblack, N. B. Cash  Oliver Clark (HaU Co.
1886-87— T. C. WiUiams, T. E. Key  Martin L. McDonald (Banks Co.

1888-89— Z. W. Wood, J. N. Twitty 
1890-91— H. H. Hancock, J. N. Twitty
1892-93— W. I. Pike, W. T. Thurmond. .
1894-95— L. F. SeU, G. D. Bennett ....
1896-97— L. P. SeU, G. D. Bennett . . .
1898-99— J. N. Holder, J. R. Hosch 
1900-01— J. R. Hosch, T. H. Niblack. . . .
1902-03— L. G. Hardman, J. N. Holder.

.W. S. McCarty (Jackson Co.
 H. H. Beard (HaU Co.
.J. K. Thompson (Banks Co.
.T. S. Johnson (Jackson Co.
...J. E. Redwine (HaU Co.
.J. K. Thompson (Banks Co.
, . . J. N. Holder (Jackson Co.
 H. H. Perry (HaU Co

1904— L. G. Hardman, J. N. Holder, Short Term. . .H. H. Perry (HaU Co,

1905-06— J. N. Holder, L. G. Hardman.
1907-08— J. N. Holder, A. M. Flanigan. .
1909-10— L. G. Hardman, J. N. Holder.
1911-12— J". E. J. Lord, J. N. Holder. . . .
1913-14— L. C. Allen, H. N. Railey, Jr. .

...P. P. M. Purr (Banks Co.
.L. G. Hardman (Jackson Co.
.Howard Thompson (Hall Co.
 T. P. HiU (Banks Co.
. . . W. W. Stark (Jackson Co.

332

Jackson County has been honored by having had two of her
worthy citizens elected to the Speakership of the General As
sembly of Georgia. Hon. David Witt held this position in 1820
and 1821. Hon. John N. Holder held the place of Speaker from
1909 to 1912. It is conceded by all that Mr. Holder ranked among
the very highest as Speaker.
Note: In 1843 the state was divided into forty-seven Senatorial dis
tricts. Each district was composed of two counties, except Chatham, which
was considered a district alone. In this arrangement our county was in
the 38th. But the Convention of 1862, at Savannah, paragraph I., section
H, article II, of. the constitution of the state was so amended that it pro
vided that there shall be 44 districts composed of three contiguous counties.
Paragraph I., section II., article III., of the constitution of Georgia, of
1877, declares "the 44 districts shall be composed as follows, etc." Under
this, Jackson, Hall and Banks form the 33rd Senatorial district, as had
been the case with these counties since 1861.

SOME STRANGE OLD PAPERS, COPIED FOR YOUR
PLEASURE.
In book "A and B" on pages 10 and 11 in the office of the
Clerk of the Superior Court, this county, is this record :
"Know all men by these presents that I Daniel W. Easley of
the county of Jackson & state of Georgia for and in consideration
of the sum of four thousand four hundred & ninety dollars to me
in hand paid by Roderick Easley of the county and state afore
said the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have bargained
sold & delivered unto sd. Rod. Easley his heirs & assigns forever
to have & to hold the following property to wit One Negro Man
named Bob & his wife Molly & two children Rachel & Clary One
Negro woman named Lucy & children Abram Nancy & Winny.
two negro men named Tom & Peter two Boys named Bob & Adam
two negro women Frank & Pann one negro girl named Esther
One hundred & Thirty head of Black Cattle of Different marks
six head of horses One bay stud Two Gildens two blacks and one
sorrel twenty head of sheep of Different marks One hundred head
of hogs in said Daniels mark five feather beds & furniture to
have and to hold the sd. property for his own proper use & benefit
333

forever & firmly by these presents, do warrant & forever defend
the above named property from all person or persons whatsoever
that shall or may lay any right title or claim to sd. property unto
Rod. Easley his heirs executors & administrators firmly by these
presents. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand &
seal this 21 day of November 1796.

'Daniel W. Easley"

"Signed sealed & Delivered )
in presence of "Geo. Taylor, J. P." J
"Wm. Streetman"
The above Bill of Sale is here inserted for no other purpose than
to let the young reader, who may not have known of these sales,
see for himself that human beings were once handled in the mar
ket like cattle.
It is safe to say that there is not, to-day, a man or woman in
the county that would wish to see these things brought back to
this lovely land of ours.
Note: We wish to call the attention of the young reader to these ex
tracts from the records at the court-house. They are exact copies. We
have no right to change them one iota. If the punctuation or spelling is
wrong it must be copied that way. Some of them seem ridiculous, but let
us remember they had but few advantages that you and I have to-day.

Cheap Lands.
It sounds very, very strange to the reader to hear that a great
deal of the best farming lands of our county was once sold for
taxes ; but such is the case.
Prom the records, we learn that at the close of the Revolu
tionary War, many "grants" were made to the soldiers and
others. The deeds, as are used to-day, were then called "war
rants." These warrants were deeds signed by the Governor of
the state. Many of the citizens of the county now have these
old grants or warrants among their papers, forming what they
are proud to show as a complete "chain of title."
A large number of these "grantees" never saw the land to
which they had the deeds. They seemed to think this part of
334

Georgia was unfit for farming purposes and therefore paid no at
tention to their claims, in fact, one historian wrote fifty years
later that all of the land was poor except the "bottoms."
By referring to records in the Clerk's office, it wiU be found
that in book "A and B" on pages 154 to 180, a Mr. John Cobb of
Jefferson County and a Mr. Benning bought at Tax CoUector's
sale 14,123 acres of Jackson County lands for the aggregate
amount of 71 pounds and 1 shilling, English money, or in our
money, about $344,591^ (reckoning the EngUsh pound at $4.85).
These lands lay around, or in the vicinity of Talasee Shoals, some
near the little town of Attica and other tracts between Commerce
and Hurricane Shoals. These sales took place in 1792-4-5.
Our friend, Mr. Cobb, must have become "land poor" as he sold
in 1799, 7,025 acres of this land for $10.00. A copy of the deed can
be found in this work. None of the territory that sold so cheap
then could be bought for less than $50.00 an acre, at the present
time. A "Grant" from His Excellency, the Governor of Georgia, 1785.
State of Georgia.
By the Honorable Samuel Elbert Esquire Captain, General,
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the said state.
To all to whom these presents shall come. Greeting :
Know ye, that inpursuance of the Act for oppening the land office
and by virtue of the powers in me vested, I have by and with
the advice and consent of the Honorable and Executive Council,
given & granted land by these presents in the name & behalf of
the said state Do give and grant unto William Pew, Esquire his
heirs & assigns forever All that tract or parcel of land, containing
Seven hundred & twenty five acres Situate, lying and being in the
County of Franklin state aforesaid, butting and bounding On all
sides by vacant land having such shape form and marks as appear
by a plat of the same hereunto annexed together with all and
singular the Rights members and appurtenances thereof whatso
ever to the said tract or parcel of land belonging or in any wise
appertaining; And also all the Estate, Rights, Title, Interest
Claim & demand of the state aforesaid of in to or out of the same
335

S. Elbert.

To Have and to Hold the said tract or parcel of land and all and
singular the premises aforesaid with their and every of their
Rights members and appurtenances unto the said William Few
his heirs & assigns to his and their own proper use and behoof
forever in fee simple.
Given under my hand in Council, and the Great seal of the said
State, this Thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord
One thousand seven hundred & eighty five and in the Tenth year
of American Independence.
Signed by his honor the Govenor
in Council the 13th day of
October 1785.
G.Handley C. C.
Registered the 19th day of October 1785.
The above grant is here given that the reader may see exactly
what is meant by the Governor's "warrants" to land. This tract
of land is in Cunningham district, this county, and is known as
the Perry and Franklin Harrison home place, four miles north of
Jefferson and three miles east of Pendergrass, Ga., on the old state
road. Mr. James P. Harrison has the "grant" among his old
deeds, forming a complete chain of title.
On page 182 of Book "A and B," of the Clerk Superior Court's
records can be found this very remarkable deed — that is if the
price of land of to-day is taken into consideration :
' ' Georgia. This Indenture made this fifteenth day of March in
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety
nine and in the twenty third year of the Independence of the
United States of America between John Cobb of the county of
Jefferson and State aforesaid of the one part And Rhoderick
Easley of the County of Jaekson & State aforesaid of the other
part Witnesseth that the said John Cobb for and in Considera
tion of the sum of ten dollars to him in hand paid, well and truly
paid by the said Rhoderick Easley at or before the Sealing and
delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowl
edged hath granted bargained sold released & confirmed. And
336

by these presents doth grant bargain sell release and confirm
unto the said Rhoderick Easley, his heirs and assigns, all those
foUowing tracts of land (to wit) one of four thousand and twenty
five acres, more or less, situated lying and being in the County
of Jackson, formaly Franklin County on Marbury's Creek, grant
ed to Horatio Marbury. Also One other tract of three thousand
acres lying and being in the county aforesaid on McNutt's creek
and the waters of Barber's Creek, granted to John P. Wagnon,
bounded by Horatio Marbury & Stinson, together with aU and
singular the rights, members and appurtenances thereunto be
longing, to have and to hold the said tract & premises to the only
proper use, benefit and behoof of the said Rhoderick Easley his
heirs forever And the said John Cobb for himself his heirs and
assigns will warrant and forever defend the aforesaid tracts of
land and premises unto the said Rhoderick Easley his heirs for
ever against him the said John Cobb & his heirs, and all and every
other person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof he the
said John Cobb has hereunto set his hand and Seal the day and
year first above written. Signed, Sealed and delivered in the
'""°°-'^m1^:'" } ••Joh.CobML.S.,"
"Ben Easley being duly sworn saith he saw John Cobb sign
and acknowledge the above Deed, and that he saw Robert Jackson
subscribe as a witness with him."
"Sworn to before me this fifteenth day of March 1799. Ben
Easley." James Pittman J. P.
"Recorded 15th of March 1799.
"Geo. Taylor Clk."
The above is an exact copy, capitalization, punctuation and all.

HEALTH AND LONGEVITY OP THE PEOPLE.
Jackson County has always stood at the head of the list, as a
healthy place in which to live, noted for its good water and
healthful climate. 337

Since many of the streams have become choked with trash
and sand, causing them to overflow the adjoining lands, in some
sections, malarial fevers are felt. But the people are beginning
to realize that by proper drainage, this evil can be overcome.
There are now drainage companies being organized that promise
to not only improve the health of the county but to reclaim
thousands of acres of as good land as there is in the state.
The surveyors have demonstrated that there is ample "faU" to
carry the waters, if given a clear channel in which to flow. This
has been proven beyond a shadow of doubt.
At a cost of some twenty dollars per acre this land can be
brought into cultivation. When that is accomplished, what is now
waste land will produce enough food for every man and beast
within the bounds of the county.
This county is noted for the long life of many of its people. A
Mrs. Loggins is said, on good authority, to have lived 115 years.
Mrs. Elizabeth Merk, grandmother of Mr. Henry Merk, died at
116. We give below short sketches of three dear old mothers
that are nearing the century mark :
Mrs. Virginia Elizabeth Veal
was born September 29, 1822. She lived in Hall until her mar
riage to Mr. Elijah A. Veal, of this county, in the year 1838.
Mrs. Veal's maiden name was Miss Kidd. She is the mother of
14 children, 7 sons and 7 daughters. SJie has 62 grandchildren,
142 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren.
With her weight of 92 years, she is "hale and hearty" and does
light housekeeping, faking her home, not on her own farm but
with one of her children, Mrs. T. T. Cooper, near Braselton, Ga.
Mrs. Rebecca Hancock
was born January 28, 1818. Her maiden name was Miss Lyle.
She was married to Mr. John R. Hancock, December 30, 1834. To
them were born 10 children, eight of whom lived to be grown,
and four, Mrs. E. J. Whitehead, Mrs. Fannie Stanton, Mrs. Emma
Rush and J. B. Hancock, are still living.
338

Mrs. Hancock has 17 grandchUdren and 26 great-grandchUdren.
While more than 96 years old, she is able to sit and converse with
her friends and neighbors for quite a long while each day.
Mrs. Martha Gober
was born on the 27th day of April, 1815. Her maiden name was
Miss Hudson. She was married to Mr. Henry B. Gober on Jan
uary 26, 1837. To them were born four children, two boys and
two girls.
She has 18 grandchildren. Notwithstanding her pilgrimage of
nearly 100 years, she holds up wonderfuUy weU. Her mind is
reasonably active and she can converse with her friends very
intelligently.

SOME PACTS ABOUT JACKSON COUNTY.*
Jackson County lands sell for $50 and up. Compare this with
the price asked, but not always obtained, for New York, Pennsyl
vania and New Jersey lands at $25 and less per acre.
One historian, sixty years ago, as has been mentioned in this
work, said the lands of our county were "mostly very poor,
except the river bottoms." How does that strike the young
mind of to-day? Even thirty years ago, land in some sections
of the county was considered too worthless to clear away the
timber for cultivation.
Such lands got the high sounding name of Pea Ridge and
Chinquapin Ridge. Said to have been called by those names be
cause the land would not sprout peas but would grow the little
sweet nut that the children called "chinkey pins." (The writer
is very sorry to part company with these little friends of by
gone days.)
These same ridge lands are selling to-day at from $50 to $100
and difficult to obtain at that price. They are producing one
bale of cotton or 50 bushels of com per acre.
What has wrought this seeming miracle, you say. The answer
*We are indebted to THE FAEM AND HOMESTEAD for much of the
information contained herein. 339

is not far to seek: improved methods in farming. Our farmers
are not only carrying out the old adage of "growing two blades
where only one grew" but are doubling and thribbling the yields
on the "old hills of Jackson County."
Indeed, Jackson ranks second in agricultural importance in
the state. While many of the other counties were settled sixty
or seventy years before Jackson, she is forging her way to the
very front. Population.
In 1890, this county had 19,176 inhabitants ; in 1900, 24,039 and
in 1910, 30,169. At the same rate of gain, the population stands
at about 32,000, — not quite 70 to the square mile.
There are 2,839 white boys and 2,663 white girls of school age
in the county and 1,278 colored boys and 1,236 colored girls, of
school age, making a grand total of 8,016.
The census of 1913 shows the rate of illiteracy among white
children to be 5.1, a gain over 1908 of 2.4.
Forty-five counties in Georgia are larger than Jackson, but
only one, Bulloch County, produced more crop-wealth during
the census year. And some years Jackson produces a greater
number of bales of cotton than any in the state.
Jackson has some large land owners but the county is made up
largely of small farmers. Nearly two-thirds of the farms are
less than 50 acres in size. The total wealth, including city prop
erty, according to the census report 1912, was nearly 5,500,000
dollars. About $47,000 per year gain for the 117 years since the
organization of the county.
The money value of the crops of 1910, was, in round numbers,
$4,582,000. The question will arise, and naturally so, too, What
becomes of all that great wealth ? The answer is not hard to find.
Jackson County has been under the reign of the great king. King
Cotton. The tide is turning. In the year 1913, our people produced
more corn and oats, peas, hay and syrup than in any previous
year of the history of the county. 340

While the people of Jackson County have been inclined to
agriculture, yet, from time to time, some have given attention
to manufacturing.
As early as 1820, Mr. James Orr, father of Professor S. P. Orr,
now of Athens, had a cotton gin establishment in what is now
known as the Merk Settlement, between Dry Pond and Apple
Valley. Mr. Orr and Mr. Cowan constructed a machine with
which the "teeth" of the saws could be cut as speedily as a sew
ing machine can make stitches, whereas, before that invention,
each tooth was made by hand. They never -had their idea
patented but allowed others to use it free.
The iron used in these gins was smelted at Hurricane Shoals.
Many of our older citizens can recall the old hat factories of
our county. At the old mill site, now owned by Mr. R. C.
Roberts, some three miles above Jefferson, was a factory that
produced an excellent grade of hats from native wool. There
was another factory in the eastern part of the county, also. These
factories flourished for many years before the Civil war, and the
first named, until after that great strife was settled.
Commerce had a foundry and machine shop some years past.
Winder now hhs a foundry and shops that is a paying investment.
Jefferson, Winder and Commerce all have cotton mills that give
employment to many people and these mills turn out a first class
product. Bach of these cities, as well as Pendergrass, Maysville
and Hoschton, have oil mills with fertilizer plants attached.
Winder has an overall factory, also. Braselton has a fertilizer
plant known as "The Co-Operative Fertilizer Co."
Maysville has two banking establishments ; Commerce has three ;
Jefferson, three; Statham, one; Winder, three; Hoschton, one;
Braselton, one; and Pendergrass, one, all of which are owned
and conducted by Jackson County people.
This county has three railroads. Gainesville Midland, through
the center and on the west ; Seaboard on the south, and the South
ern (old North Eastern) on the eastern side of the county.
The National Highway, from Atlanta to New York, crosses the
county, entering at Winder, passing through Jefferson and Com-
341

merce and thence to the Banks County line. This county has
many other graded roads, also.
The Financial Condition of Jackson.
Prom the general presentments of the Grand Jury, of February,
1914, it is observed that the county has a good court-house, sub
stantial jail, home for the poor, roads supplied with good bridges
across all the streams, is out of debt, no bonded indebtedness, and
has a cash balance of $26,314.05. TaUno Cotton.
It is not generally known, but nevertheless true, that Talmo
enjoys the distinction of being located in the midst of a section
that is noted for its fine cotton.
In the cotton trade it is known as the "TaUno Cotton District."
This little city is surrounded by some twelve or fourteen square
miles of gray — nearly white — ^lands that produce the finest "short
staple" cotton in the world. In fact, most of Jackson County
lands produce a fine gra,de of cotton.
When the Pacolet Cotton Mill Company was looking for a loca
tion suitable to place their dismantled mUls, they chose Gaines
ville, Ga., in order that they might be in close touch with this
section of Georgia — Jackson and surrounding section.
This cotton is sought after by all mill men and always com
mands a higher price than any other cotton.
Water Power.
Jackson County has no navigable streams but does possess some
fine water-powers. There is enough power going to waste on the
North Oconee river to put electric lights on the streets and in the
buildings of every town in the whole county. And there is enough
power wasting in the different streams over the county to light,
with the proper storage facilities, every home in and turn every
wheel of machinery in the county. This can be utilized without
materially interfering with the proper drainage that is contem
plated. 342

Jackson County First.
Martin Institute was the first "endowed" school in the world.
Jackson county was first to manufacture gins in upper Georgia,
—1820, by Mr. Orr.
First to have an Academy solely for girls — 1824.
First to use an anaesthetic, — by Dr. Crawford W. Long, March
30, 1842. Mr. J. M. Venable was the patient.
First to produce 100 bushels of corn, — by Master Joe Stone, in
1910. First in growing the finest "short staple" cotton, — Talmo
District. Thus our county has made wonderful progress in the 118 years
of its existence, but greater things are in store for her and she
will attain the goal.

343

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