USA > Alabama > Madison County > Huntsville > Early history of Huntsville, Alabama 1804 to 1870 > Part 5
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Par. (3). When your principal refuses to do what you require of him, decline further action, on that ground, and inform the opposing second of your withdrawal from the negotiation.19
References :- Brewer's Alabama; Judge Taylor's History of Madison County; Northern Alabama; Huntsville Directory 1859 ; Parton's Life of Jackson; kindness of many older citi- zens ; newspaper files and clippings.
19 This compilation of the Code, by Mr. Wilson, is very probably of a later date than that here dealt with in this chapter, however, so far as the author has been able to ascertain, the fundamental prin- ciples of the American Dueling Code have remained unchanged throughout all time, and no doubt are the same, even as to detail, prevailing during this period.
Chapter IV.
ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS, FROM 1820-1861
Commercial Development-Historic Landmarks-Economic Status of Slavery As an Institution-Transportation. Civic and Public Institutions, Religious and Educational-Makers of National, State and Local History.
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
H AVING, in the chapter just preceding, traced the devel- opment and growth of Huntsville from its founding to this period, so Aladin-like in its brilliancy, the reader of these pages will, no doubt, pursue with keen interest history's record of her unstayed commercial development.
As we have already observed, the census of Madison county, taken in 1820, showed a total population of 19,565, an increase of 5,365 over that of 1816.1 Though this enumeration of the county's inhabitants did not reveal what proportion thereof were residents of Huntsville, the census of the town taken two year's later furnishes a fair basis for estimating its population at that date. This census of 1822 discloses that living within the corporate limits were :
White males over 21.
308
White males under 21
188
496
White females over 21
157
White females under 21
180
337
833
Male slaves
220
Female slaves
228
448
1 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, December 29th, 1820.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
Free males of color ........... 12
Free females of color
13 25
2473
Total
1,306
Huntsville with a total white population of 833, in these early days was a veritable "center of population." No town in Alabama, and few in this part of the South, had greater num- bers. Nor was the country-as a place of residence-deserted. Much of the refinement and wealth of the county was still to be found in the spacious and magnificent homes upon the plantations.
The county, according to statistics of Alabama, gathered in 1821, had within its limits twenty-two doctors, and (nothwith- standing this) 1,520 free white males subject to poll tax. The assessed value of time-pieces belonging to the inhabitants was $9,264.25, there being in the county fifty-six gold and one hundred and ninety-nine silver watches and thirty-six clocks.3 The number of doctors, polls taxable, and the chattels men- tioned, being three times greater than that of any other county in the State.
The commercial interests of the community developed apace with its advance in population, and a healthy condition of thrift and prosperity attended all business interests.
Diversified industry was not lacking; every character of enterprise from the brewing of beer, by W. M. McNeil & Co., to the tanning of leather, by Martin Miller, was to be found here, including Keys' & Wells' "New Boot and Shoe Manu- factory,"5 and the "Huntsville Hat Manufactory," operated by R. H. Champion on Bank Row ;6 also "Watch and Clock Mak- ing," by Thomas Cain & Co .; 7 as well as the manufacture of "copper stills,"8 which, judging from the number of firms en- gaged therein, were in pretty general use. In addition to these industries, others, similar in nature, were operated by competi- tors of the firms just named. Many others of varied and dif- ferent character, supplied the needs of this part of the State.
2 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, June 21, 1822.
3 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, March 3, 1821.
(Huntsville) Alabama Republican, September 29, 1820.
5 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, December 29, 1820.
6 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, January 18, 1822.
7 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, June 10, 1825.
S (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, June 16, 1826.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
Only within the past few years-relatively speaking-have candles, as a means of lighting the home, been superseded. During these years there was great demand for them, and to supply this demand a "Candle Manufactory," was operated by I. Windham, on the lot opposite the present county jail, at the intersection of East Clinton and Green streets, on the south- west corner.º Pumps were also manufactured here, to be used in connection with the water works ssytem already established at Huntsville.10 Just how patrons of the water system used these pumps, the author is at a loss to explain.
The census was again taken in 1825, and there were found to be within the town limits :
White males over 21.
308
White females over 21
170 478
White males under 21 ........
219
White females under 21
229
448
926
Free persons of color
44
Slaves
542
586
Total
111,512
These figures show an increase over the count of 1822 of 206, however, it will be found, upon reference, that the male population over twenty-one years of age, is exactly what it was in 1822, while the females of the same class are fewer by eleven, and that the increase is in the infant and colored popu- lation.
A relatively similar state of affairs is revealed by the census of 1828, which accredits to Huntsville :
White males over 21
313
White females over 21
165 478
White males under 21
267
White females under 21
263
530
1,008
9 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, March, 1831.
10 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, May 18, 1827, and March, 1833.
11 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, April 7, 1826.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
Free people of color.
47
Slaves
719
766
Total.
121,774
Though at this immediate period Huntsville's adult white population was of slow growth, the birth rate would appear to have been such as to gratify the most exacting. While the white population did not increase with any great rapidity, let us remember that the county was fast filling up with new comers, and becoming thickly settled in its more remote sec- tions. The establishment by the Government of post roads, contributed in no small measure to the accomplishment of this end.
As early as 1820, provision had been made for the consump- tion of the cotton crop of this and adjoining counties, by the conversion of the raw product into yarn; as appears from an interesting advertisement in the (Huntsville' Alabama Repub- lican, of September 29, 1820, which is here copied :
"COTTON FACTORY."
"The proprietors of the Cotton Factory at Haughton's Mill, near the Three Forks of Flint River, would inform the inhabi- tants of Madison and adjoining counties, that they have made some additions to their machinery, and have constantly on hand an assortment of spun cotton, which they will exchange for good, clean seed cotton on accommodating terms.
Horatio Jones & Company."13
The author has been unable to determine just where "near Three Forks of Flint" this factory was located; whether on the west fork, just before it joins the north fork, or a short distance south of the confluence of these two forks. It is certain, however, that water furnished the motive power for this factory.
During the first fifteen years of this period there were erect- ed some large factories, which turned out in quantities, far in excess of the demands of the local market, commodities neces- sary to the industry and life of the South.
In the early part of 1834, a plant for the manufacture of
12 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, April 18, 1828.
13 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, September 29, 1820.
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Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
plows was owned and operated by E. T. & R. Parker.14 This firm enjoyed an extensive business for a number of years, and supplied the trade over an extended territory.
During the later part of this period, new enterprises con- tinued to invade the field of industry. One of these, greater in magnitude than many such which had been in operation here for years, was a coach factory, established some time prior to April, 1851.15
The most noteworthy single industrial development of the times, was the "Bell Factory." Though cotton had, as we have seen, been converted into yarn for domestic uses, not until 1832, when "Patton-Donegan & Company" was incor- porated for the manufacture of cotton cloth, was the raw prod- uct converted on a large scale for commercial purposes. The company's plant was situated about ten miles northeast of Huntsville, on its own lands, very extensive in area, at what is now Bell Factory, on Flint river, a short distance south of the confluence of the three forks of Flint, at the bridges. The power used in the operation of the three thousand spindles and one hundred looms of this mill, was that furnished by damming the water of Flint, and forcing them over a wheel or turbine. Steam not being used in its operation, signals could not be given by whistle, and in lieu thereof a large bell was used ; hence the name "Bell Factory." This was the first cot- ton manufactory of any consequence in the South. Slave labor was used almost exclusively in its operation. In later years, economic forces, too patent and numerous to discuss here, drove this industry from its field of usefulness, and its opera- tion was discontinued, though at the present time the old building stands.
To summarize, at the close of this period, Huntsville had three weekly papers: Southern Advocate, Huntsville Independent, and Huntsville Democrat ; four architects, twenty-four lawyers, three brick manufactories, three hotels, twelve doctors, a bank with a capital of $500,000 ; seven schools, two stage lines, two civil engineers, two saloons, one cotton and woolen manufac- tory, one cotton gin manufactory, one flour mill,16 and other industries and enterprises too numerous to mention. However, these alone will suffice to show the thrift and stability of the commercial development of Huntsville.
14 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, July 1, 1834.
15 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, April 7, 1851.
16 Huntsville Directory, 1859.
50
Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
HISTORIC LANDMARKS
Much of the wealth, culture, and refinement of the times was to be found here. Expression of the æsthetic in Huntsville's domestic life was given full vent, as is mirrowed in the elegant and commodious residences erected in the early days.
Many of these edifices, the architecture of which is so strik- ing in its grandeur and beauty, yet so appealing in its sim- plicity, still mark the places of their erection. We might pursue the study of this art of graceful expression which we choose to term affectionately, even boastingly, "Southern architec- ture," with some interest and much profit, but suffice it to say, these products of that art are monuments to the skill and ability of its executors. Few parts of the State, if any, equaled Huntsville in wealth of handsome homes.
In 1815 there was erected amid a grove of splendid oaks, on the southwest side of town, on what is now Oak avenue, probably the handsomest home in the State, for a number of years. The spacious lawn in front of this elegant abode was decorated with beautiful formal gardens, and winding ap- proaches to the entrance were hedged about with rows of dignified box. The beauty and charm of this place-known of all times as "The Grove," is still impressively evident, even to a casual observer, though time has not dealt gently with this, the habitat of the Davis family.
Almost at this same time was under construction the home of Col. Leroy Pope, which occupied the eminence of a jagged and picturesque bluff, just north of the present intersection of Adams avenue and Williams street, now known as Pope's or Echol's Hill. The brick for the house were manufactured in Tennessee, and shipped on flat boats down the Tennessee river to Ditto's Landing, from whence they were hauled by wagon to Huntsville. As do the tropics produce a race of men differ- ent in habits of life, character and aspirations from those of a more temperate zone, so it would seem that this domicile of Leroy Pope, and later of Leroy. Pope Walker, occupying as it did, the most exalted and commanding position in the town, furnishes a replica of the personalities and achievements of these two leaders of the thought and action of their times. Posterity may view with profitable concern this, the residence of the first Secretary of War of the Confederate States of America, for time has not dealt unkindly with it. He it was who issued the order to fire upon Fort Sumter in 1861.
..
51
Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
Through these years, many other notable residences were erected, too numerous to here depict; however, it is worthy of comment that the home of the late Col. W. W. Garth, on the east side of Franklin street, was completed in 1820, by Dr. Thomas Fearn. Contemporaneously, the Clay residence on the north side of Maiden Lane, was built. Here lived Senator Clement Comer Clay; here also was born and reared his even more illustrious son, Clement Claiborne Clay, who became United States Senator, resigning his seat in that body to enter the same legislative council in the Confederate govern- ment.
Probably the most worthy exponent of "Southern architec- ture," the truest of the type produced by that noble art, is the Beirne home, on the south side of Williams street, opposite the intersection of Green street. This magnificent edifice, erected in 1837, at a cost of $32,000.00, and the expenditure of nine years of labor is, in its present wonderful state of preservation, in the opinion of many worthy critics, the most expressive exponent of the grandeur, dignity and unadorned beauty and simplicity of the times, now extant.
Next to this stately structure, which was erected by Governor Thomas Bibb, for his daughter, Mrs. James Bradley, Henry Minor had built his home on the west side thereof, upon the lot now occupied by the residence of the late Col. A. S. Fletcher. The Minor home, similar in style and character to the Beirne residence, was removed a few years ago to make place for the present beautiful modern structure.
Many beautiful homes had also been erected throughout the county. One of the earliest of these, yet well preserved, is the Robinson home on the west side of Meridian Pike, built in 1835.
Nor was the æsthetic in the civic and commercial life of the town neglected. On July 5, 1835, the erection of Madison's second temple to the Goddess of Justice was commenced, and in 1836, at a cost of $52,000.00 was completed. The graceful lines and enduring architecture of the old court house, con- ceived after the Parthenon at Athens, which expressed the acme of perfection attained by the ancients in this art, was a monument to the skill and ingenuity of George Steele, a local architect of no mean renown. Messrs. William Wilson and James Mitchell were the contractors. The materials for the building came from the county. The brick were made by the
52
Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
contractors on the lot to the rear of the present jail, while the white and blue limestone rock used in its construction were quarried from Monte Sano, and Russell's Hill, respectively.
This noble structure, upon whose bench and at whose bar had appeared many of the greatest lawyers known to the State; and whose four walls had oft resounded with the most burning and purposeful oratory of all times, so eloquent in its pathos ; this shrine of justice upon whose alter sacrifices of injustice were offered, by an alien and unsympathetic government, during the dark days of Reconstruction, in its efforts to force the Caucasian race to pass beneath the yoke of Ethiopian supremacy, was rased on July 5, 1915, after a usefulness of seventy years.
When the first court house was torn away in 1835, the market house, which up to this time had occupied its basement, was removed to the east side of the square, where a brick structure housed it, situated somewhere upon the property where the Holding block now stands.
Some time in 1832 use of the old wooden jail was discon- tinued, and a new one of brick, more in keeping with the tendencies of the times, was erected, upon the site occupied by the present bastile.
The home of the First National Bank, so striking in its dig- nified simplicity, is no less a monument to the talent of George Steele, than was the old court house. This striking edifice, which lends so much of character to the community, was erected in 1836, at a cost of $76,000.00, as the abode of the Huntsville branch of the State Bank.17 It is said to have been far and away the handsomest building in this part of the South.
ECONOMIC STATUS OF SLAVERY AS AN INSTITUTION
We are not interested to know the mere fact that slavery as an institution was nurtured upon our soil; but, we are con- cerned with the inquiry as to the status of the same as such.
As we have previously observed, the slave population of the town and county grew with marked rapidity. This is explained by the fact that great numbers of slaves were brought into the county and sold in the open market, especially during the early part of this period. Many of these slaves had some degree of intelligence and had acquired limited manual and domestic
17 An itemized statement of the total cost of this building can be found in the Southern Advocate of January 26, 1836.
53
Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
training ; many more were merely plantation hands ; seldom, if ever, having come in touch with the civilizing and uplifting influences attendant upon service about the home of the master. The former class longed to return to the haunts of their child- hood, and mingle again among their companions "back on the old plantation." Those of the latter class, many of whom very probably were neither born nor reared in slavery but were sold into servitude, chafed under the restrains of regular labor among companions, who in some instances could neither un- derstand, nor be understood by them. By this time, the menace of the Indians to the fugitive slaves, was largely a thing of the past ; they having withdrawn from this part of the country, except in rare instances.
No source of information is more reliable and enlightening than records contemporaneous with the matter under consid- eration. None such is more comprehensive than a newspaper file of the times. It is to this latter source that the author has turned in an effort to grasp the spirit of the times and its attitude toward slavery as an institution. Throughout the first fifteen years of this period, the papers carried many advertisements for "runaway slaves," similar to the few here quoted :
"$100.00 REWARD."
"Ran away from the subscriber, Oct. 1, 1819, an African negro man, named "Jack;" 33 years old, speaks bad English, but may be understood."
"William Whitesides."18 ."$150.00 REWARD."
"Three negro fellows. Will probably return to Virginia, from whence they came."19
"RAN AWAY"
"Negro man named "Bob;" will probably make for the Cherokee or Choctaw Tribes."20
Each of these advertisements and others similar thereto, was accompanied by the rude cut of a negro, male or female, as the case was, in a fleeing posture; and in some instances by more elaborate cuts depicting the fugitive with a stick across the right shoulder, on the end of which was carried a small bundle tied up in a bandana handkerchief.
18 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, September 22, 1820.
19 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, October 6, 1820.
20 Ib.
54
Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
The most striking feature of these advertisements is the total absence of any description of the escape, whereby he or she might be recognized. None was needed and none was given. This for the very sufficient reason that, throughout the entire South, where slavery existed, a more or less competent and comprehensive patrol system was maintained. No slave was permitted off the premises of the master, and only in rare instances out of his slave quarters, without a special permit. Free negroes were scarce, and usually well known. Hence, we see the matter of capturing a fugitive slave resolved itself into the simple office on the part of the patrol to take up any negro seen upon the highway, day or night, unattended by some per- son in authority. Nor was it an easy matter for a run-away to travel across country ; since, in doing so he almost invariably came in contact with some slave overseer, or owner, to whom he was unknown; whereupon he was promptly arrested. To the escape, the difficulty in getting food was no inconsiderable obstacle. To obtain it he was almost necessarily compelled to approach some white man, or his habitation. There were few, if any, negro homes about the country. The tendency, if any there was, to assist an escape was discouraged and effectually checked by the laws of the land, which made it a crime to aid or abet a fugitive slave. These, and other statutes of a similar character, effected to make of every citizen, more or less, a member of this patrol force.
If, perchance, the slave arrested was a fugitive, he was returned to his master, who administered appropriate punish- ment. If not a fugitive but merely a prowler without permis- sion, which was rarely granted, he was taken back to his quar- ters, where he received commensurate correction at the hands of the overseer or master. Recognition of the dangers of being caught abroad after dark, is made by the negroes themselves, in their folk songs, which contains more of melody than of sentiment ; the chorus of which is: "Run Nigger! Run, the Pattirol 'ill git you."
The summary manner in which the slave larcenist was dealt with, is portrayed in the following terse news item appearing in the Alabama Republican, of September 22, 1820 :
"Collins, convicted of negro stealing, has been sentenced to be executed on the first Friday in December."
In addition to the sale of negroes brought into the county, the local market was kept pretty active through the desultory selling of slaves, in small numbers, by the citizens ; not as slave
55
Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
traders, however, but merely the buying and selling in ordinary business intercourse as of any other chattel.
The advertisements of slaves offered for sale go more into descriptive detail than do those offering rewards for fugitives; at least as to the good points of the subject ; as appears from the following taken from the numerous instances found in the newspapers of that day :
"A NEGRO FOR SALE."
"Will be sold on Monday, April 27th, next, for cash, at auction, in Huntsville, a likely negro girl."21
"FOR SALE."
"Two likely negro boys, from twelve to fourteen years old. Also a woman, age about thirty-five, a trusty servant, good cook, washer and ironer. For terms apply to:
A. D. Veitch."22
By the end of 1835, conditions seem to have changed. The papers of this period rarely carried advertisements of escapes. Striking in comparison, notices of sales were likewise infre- quent.
During the year of 1830, the sentiment rapidly forming at the North for the abolition of the institution of slavery, was spreading, and had become a matter of interest and concern to our people. Societies were being formed throughout the East for the promotion of the cause. Chiefest among these was the "American Colonization Society," which had many branches and auxiliaries, such as the "LaGrange Colonization Society."28
That the East was the breeding ground for these societies and such sentiments,-laudable or otherwise, the author does not assume to judge-causes us little less surprise than does the knowledge that no such organizations became overt and no such sentiments were enunciated publicly till slavery had ceased to exist as an institution upon its own soil.
Had this movement to free slaves, the advisability of which had been up for discussion and thoughtful, even almost favor- able consideration by the South's leaders in economic and political life, come from a quarter other than that from which many of the slaves they now sought to liberate had been pur- chased and paid for, the South, no doubt, would have been more sympathetic and less suspicious of the good faith and
21 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, March 16, 1821.
22 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, September 15, 1820.
23 LaGrange, Franklin county, Alabama.
56
Early History of Huntsville, Ala.
honest motives of those so vociferously clamoring. The osten- sible and avowed purpose of all these abolition societies was to liberate slaves, not at an economic loss to the South, but grad- ually and systematically. Slaves so freed were to be trans- ported to Africa, and there colonized under a government of their own establishment. Toward these ends the South was not hostile.
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