History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 133

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756

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REFERENCES .- Ancient Order of Hiberians, Constitution of the Ancient Order of, 1912; Shahan, Lecture on the Ancient Order of, 1904; Acts, 1853-54, p. 423.

HICKS HOSIERY MILLS, Talladega. See Cotton Manufacturing.

HIDES. See Live Stock and Products.

HIGH SCHOOLS. See Academies; Agricul- tural Schools.

HIGHLAND CITY MILLS, Talladega. See Cotton Manufacturing.

HIGHLAND HOME. Post office and inte- rior village, in the northern part of Crenshaw County, located on Little Patsaliga River, about three miles west of La Pine, its rail- road shipping point. It is about 18 miles north of Luverne. Its population in 1910 was 90, but this does not include the students who attend Crenshaw County High School.

This point is on the height of land, the source of Patsaliga River and Pigeon Creek. It is a thrifty farming community. It is most noted, however, as the seat of the Barnes School, originally founded in 1856, and later reorganized as the Highland Home College. In 1916 the latter closed its doors, and its property was disposed of for the use of the Crenshaw County High School.

See Barnes School; Highland Home College. REFERENCES .- Manuscript date in the Ala- bama Department of Archives and History.

HIGHLAND HOME MALE AND FEMALE COLLEGE. A former educational institution of junior college grade, located at Highland Home, Crenshaw County. After many years of useful work, it closed its doors in 1916, and its buildings and other property disposed of for use of the Crenshaw County High School. This institution dates from Septem- ber 8, 1856, with the establishment of a pri- vate school at Strata in Montgomery County by Prof. J. M. Barnes. In 1881 the school at Strata was closed and reopened as the Highland Home Institute. In 1889 the pres- ent name was chosen. Rev. Samuel Jordan and Col. M. L. Kirkpatrick became associated

with the school about the time of the re- moval to Highland Home. The latter died in 1892, and in 1898 Prof. Barnes removed to Montgomery, where he founded the Barnes School. Mr. Jordan became president on the removal of Prof. Barnes in 1898, and con- tinued in that position until 1910. In 1895 Prof. George S. Clark became associated with Prof. Jordan, and in 1910 was acting presi- dent. On February 20, 1889, a charter was granted, with J. M. Barnes, Samuel Jordan, and M. L. Kirkpatrick as incorporators. Throughout its history the institution was co- educational.

See Barnes School.

REFERENCES .- Catalogues, various dates; Alumni Association of Highland Home College, Proceedings Fourteenth Annual Meeting, 1908; Acts, 1888-89, p. 559.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, THE STATE. An executive department, established April 5, 1911, for the purpose of directing and supervising the work of improving the public roads of the State. The highway commission and the highway engineer constitute the de- partment. The commission is composed of five members, namely, a professor of civil engineering in the Alabama Polytechnic In- stitute, the State geologist, and three civilians who hold office for four years from the date of their appointment by the governor. Va- cancies are filled in the same manner, and the governor may remove any member for malfeasance or neglect of duty. The com- mission elects the highway engineer, whose salary is $4,000 a year. A stenographer and such assistant engineers as may be needed to carry on the work of the department are also authorized. The highway engineer takes an oath of office and gives a $5,000 bond. He is ex officio secretary of the commission, and is required to keep a record of every vote and official act of the commission, and to keep on file all maps and papers belonging to it. He is expected to devote all his time to the interests of the public roads, culverts and bridges in the State, and to give such advice and assistance regarding county roads as his other duties may permit. He and his assist- ants may be required by the commission to attend any public meeting held under its auspices, or by others, in the interest of road improvement in the State. Railroads are permitted to furnish free transportation to the members of the commission and its em- ployees while in the actual performance of their duties. The attorney general is ex officio attorney of the commission.

The highway engineer is required to pre- pare and keep a general plan, or map, show- ing the highways of the State; to collect information and compile statistics exhibiting the mileage, character and condition of the highways and bridges in the different conu- ties; to investigate and determine the meth- ods of road construction best adapted to the different sections of Alabama and to estab- lish standards for such construction when aided by State funds. A special duty im- posed was the preparation, within two years

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from the passage of the act, of a map indicat- ing such of the existing highways as were of sufficient importance to warrrant their designation as a system of trunk, or State, roads, which might with propriety be im- proved and maintained at the cost of the State in cooperation with the counties tra- versed thereby. The suggested system of trunk roads was to be submitted to the next session of the legislature for formal adoption. The law further provides for expert super- vision of the work being done in the differ- ent counties, competent engineers being fur- nished for the purpose by the State highway engineer, and in cases where the cost of one piece of such work exceeds $3,000, he may prepare plans and specifications to be used as a basis for competitive bidding by contractors.

The general policy of the highway depart- ment is under the jurisdiction of the high- way commission, which acts for the depart- ment in all matters "relating to recommen- dations, estimates, and appropriations, and such other matters as it may be found suit- able to submit to the governor or the State legislature." On the commission also devolve the duties of discovering the location of road materials in the State; of ascertaining "the most improved laws in relation to roads," and "holding public meetings throughout the State;" and of making to the governor an- nually a printed report of the department's activities, together with recommendations for appropriate legislation. In its study of road materials, it has the cooperation of the State geologist and the professor of civil engineer- ing in the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.

The work of the department is supported by a continuing appropriation of $154,000 per annum, which is based upon an allowance of $2,000 to each of the 67 counties, and $20,000 for salaries and other expenses of the department. In conjunction with the counties, each of which is required to pro- vide an amount equal to the appropriation made by the State for use in road work within its limits, a total of $268,000 may be used for good roads in Alabama each year, aside from the cost of expert supervision; and double this sum may be so used whenever, in the governor's opinion, the condition of the State treasury will warrant. The law stipu- lates that all highways built under its pro- visions shall be forever free of tolls.

The establishment of the highway depart- ment in 1907, was made possible through the adoption by the people of a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of the net proceeds of the State convict fund for "the construction, repair, and maintenance of pub- lic roads in the State," and authorizing addi- tional appropriations for these purposes by the legislature. In his first message, 1911, Gov. Emmet O'Neal strongly recommended the establishment of a separate State depart- ment, in charge of a trained and experienced highway engineer, at such a salary as would procure the services of a thoroughly com- petent man, whether from Alabama or else-

where. Fortunately, the legislature took a similar view, and made a generous appro- priation.

On the day the act was approved, Gov. O'Neal appointed Robert E. Spragins, V. B. Atkins and John Craft, together with Dr. Eugene A. Smith, State geologist, and G. N. Mitcham, professor of civil engineering of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, as the highway commission. On the date of their appointment the members met in the parlors of the Gay-Teague Hotel in Montgomery, and organized by electing Robert E. Spragins chairman, and Prof. G. N. Mitcham tem- porary secretary. On April 12, W. S. Keller, of Selma, was appointed State highway en- gineer, his term to begin May 1, and to con- tinue "subject to the pleasure of the commis- sion."

Members of Board .- Robert E. Spragins, 1911 -; John Craft, 1911 -; V. B. Atkins, 1911- 1914; Dr. Eugene A. Smith, 1911 -; G. N. Mitcham, 1911 -; Julien Smith, 1915 -.

Engineer .- William S. Keller, 1911 -.

Assistant Engineers .- Robert Platt Boyd, 1911-1916; J. B. Converse, 1916 -.

PUBLICATIONS .- Bulletins, Nos. 1-12, 1911- 1916, 12 vols. These include laws, annual re- ports, discussions of road materials, etc.

See Roads and Highways.

REFERENCES .- Code, 1907, secs. 5765-5843; General Acts, 1907, p. 740; 1911, pp. 223-234; 1915, pp. 210, 294, 342, 352, 365, 375, 573-576, 589, 623, 630, 701, 878; Gov. Emmet O'Neal, Message, Jan. 16, 1911, pp. 178-186; Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1911, pp. 308- 309.

HIGHWAY ENGINEERS, ALABAMA AS- SOCIATION OF. A voluntary professional so- ciety, incorporated under the general laws of the State, and organized at Selma, October 25, 1911, for "the advancement of the knowl- edge and practice of Highway Engineering, the maintenance of a high professional stand- ard among its members, and the promotion of public highway improvement." Among the means to be employed were meetings for the presentation of appropriate papers and for social and professional intercourse; the publication of such papers as might be valua- ble; the maintenance of a library; the col- lection of maps, drawings and models, and the establishment of facilities for their use." Five classes of members were provided, cor- porate, designated merely as members, asso- ciate members, juniors, honorary members, and fellows. The officers were a president, two vice presidents, six directors, a secretary, and a treasurer. These officers and "the four latest living past presidents" constituted the trustees. Several annual and a number of quarterly meetings were held, and numerous papers were presented and published. Re- cently the association voluntarily disbanded and donated its funds to the Montgomery Anti-Tuberculosis League, April 16, 1917.

Presidents .- W. S. Keller, 1912; W. P. Moore, 1913; R. P. Boyd, 1914; G. N. Mitcham, 1915; J. M. Garrett, 1916. Secretary .- G. N. Mitcham, 1912; R. P.

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Boyd, 1913; S. J. Cumming, 1914; J. B. Con- verse, 1915; H. A. Jones, Jr., 1916.

Annual Meetings .- Organization meeting, Selma, October 25, 1911.

First annual meeting, Mongomery, January 11, 1912.

Second, Montgomery, January 13, 1913. Third, Montgomery, January 10, 1914. Fourth, Montgomery, January 9, 1915. Fifth, Montgomery, January -, 1916. PUBLICATIONS .- Annual proceedings, 1912- 1913, 1913-1914, 1914-1915, 3 vols.

REFERENCES .- Publications listed supra.

HIGHWAYS. See Roads and Highways.

HILL COUNTRY. The popular name for all that section of the State which is not included in the Coastal Plain. It includes all of the mineral district and all the territory embraced in the several valleys. In fact, the hill country is practically coextensive with the mineral fields, inasmuch as minerals of one sort or another are found in practically every locality in the State except in the Coastal Plain. It is a country of mountains and hills, and fertile valleys watered by in- numerable springs and streams, large and small. Its soils, its climate, its timber, its present and its possible products are varied, and lend themselves to the largest economic and social development. Some of the best- known regions of the State are included in the hill country. The Tennessee Valley; the coal region; the Appalachian Valley region, which includes the Coosa Valley; the Pied- mont Plateau region are all within its bounds. The Birmingham mineral district is at once the heart of the mineral section of the State and of the hill country. Descrip- tions of these various subsections are to be found under the different titles.

See Geology; Mineral District; Piedmont Region; Soils and Soil Surveys; Timber Belt; Valley Regions and titles there listed.

REFERENCES .- McCalley, Valley regions of Al- abama. Pts. 1 and 2 (Geol. Survey of Ala., Special reports 8 and 9, 1896 and 1897); Smith, Agricultural features of the State (Ibid, Monograph 1, 1884) ; and Underground water resources of Alabama (Ibid, 6, 1907) ; Harper, Economic botany of Alabama, Pt. 1, geographical report (lbid, 8, 1913) ; Hall, Water powers of Alabama (Ibid, Bulletin 7, 1908) ; Harper, "Forest resources of Alabama," in American Forestry, October, 1913, vol. xix, No. 10. pp. 657-670; Berney, Handbook (1892), pp. 387 et seq.

HILLABI. An Upper Creek town, located on the left bank of Little Hillabi Creek, somewhere near the line of Clay and Talla- poosa Counties, and perhaps in the vicinity of Gilbert's Mill. The modern village of Pinkneyville is probably opposite and a short distance on the other side of the creek from the old town. Prior to 1761 this town had thrown off settlements, which occupied vil- lages by the names of 'Lanudshi afala, Anati tchapko, Uktaha sasi, Istudshi laiki. (See separate sketches). Dr. Swanton iden-

tifies Ilapi, the small village, encountered by DeSoto in 1540 near Cofita Chiqui on the Lower Savannah River, as the Hillabis. This if true is the first historical reference to them. The difference in localities is unimportant, since in the migration of the aborigines, they often make a complete change in their habitat.

A census of the Creek Indians, during the latter part of the French dominion, gives the Hillabi and Hilapudshi, a branch village, 80 warriors, and a distance of 15 leagues from Fort Toulouse. That these villages were in existence in 1761 is indicated by the In- dian trade regulations, made on July 3 of that year in Savannah, when the town, desig- nated as "Hillabi including Oaktasaway & Ca.," with their 40 hunters to Crook and Co.

Colonel Hawkins describes the land on the creeks within the area of the four villages as stony and gravelly, the creek bottoms as rich, and the uplands which were covered with a small sized growth of post oak, black oak, pine and hickory, as adapted for culti- vation. The villages were poorly fenced. Their people were attentive to traders, some of them owned cattle and hogs, a few own- ing horses. The range was good, the climate mild, hence the stock thrived well. The cattle in the spring were wont to resort to Hillabi Creek, to feed upon the moss which grew upon its rocky bottom. Here they were collected by the owners and the calves were marked and branded. There were a few thriving peach trees in the villages.

REFERENCES .- Gatschet, in Alabama History Commission, Report (1901), p. 397; Georgla, Colonial Records, (1907), vol. 8, p. 522; Hawk- ins, Sketch of the Creek Country (1848), pp. 44-45; Swanton, in Mississippi Valley Histori- cal Association, Proceedings, 1911-1912, p. 152; Mississippi Provincial Archives (1911), vol. 1, p. 95; Handbook of American Indians (1907), vol. 1, p. 549.

HILLABEE MASSACRE. An attack by the American forces under Gen. James White, November 18, 1813, in which large numbers of the Hillabi Indians were killed or cap- tured, and their town devastated.

A portion of the Hillabis fought Gen. John Coffee at Tallahasseehatchee, and Gen. Jack- son at Talladega. These two defeats had such an effect that they sent a delegation to the latter at Fort Strother, suing for peace, and expressing a willingness to agree to any terms that he might dictate. The delegation arrived there probably about November 16. The spokesman appears to have been Robert Grayson, a Scotch Indian countryman, long resident among the Hillabees. Gen. Jackson received them, with the statement that the Government would only conclude its cam- paign among the Indians when they were completely subdued. Continuing he said:

"Upon those who are disposed to become friendly, 1 neither wish nor intend to make war; but they must afford evidences of the sincerity of their professions; the prisoners and property they have taken from us, and the friendly Creeks must be restored; the

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instigators of the war and the murderers of our citizens must be surrendered; the latter must and will be made to feel the force of our resentment. Long shall they remember Fort Mims in bitterness and tears."

Gen. Jackson wrote to Gen. Cocke, then at the mouth of Chattooga, informing him of the attitude of the Hillabees and of the nature of his reply, and remonstrating against Gen. James White's proposed expedition. He was too late, however, as that officer had already begun his march on November 11. Gen. Jackson's "peace talk" never reached the Hil- labis. Gen. White's force of a regiment of mounted infantry under Col. Burch, a cav- alry battalion under Maj. James P. H. Porter, and 300 Cherokees under Col. Gideon Morgan rapidly penetrated the Creek country, de- stroying the towns of Okfuskudshi (Little Okfuski) and Atchina-algi (Genalga) and sparing Enitachopco, in the belief that it might he of some use to the Americans in the future.

They found themselves in the vicinity of Hillabi town on November 17. It was lo- cated on the west side of Little Hillabee Creek, about a quarter of a mile away, and about 600 yards a little west of north of Broken Arrow Creek. Its precise location was in the south central part of the north- east quarter of Sec. 12, T. 24, R. 21 E., in Tallapoosa County. It is said that this town might be at the time considered a sort of hospital, for in its cabins were about 65 help- less warriors who had been severely wounded at Tallasseehatchee and Talladega. Apart from these men, the only other occupants were women and children. On the morning of November 18, the very day on which Gen. Jackson had given the Hillabi delegates his peace talk at Fort Strother, Gen. White sur- rounded the town. The troops dismounted, entered the cabins and in 10 or 15 minutes bayonetted every one of the 65 helpless war- riors. There was no resistance, and not an American was hurt. Just then someone in the town raised a white flag and Gen. White's easy victory was supplemented by the sur- render of 25 women and children. After burning the town the troops with their pris- oners took up the line of march to Fort Arm- strong.

Fort Mims was a battle and a massacre; the Hillabi affair was a massacre only. Gen. Jackson was both enraged and grieved when he heard of what had been done, and no doubt Gen. White would have met with summary treatment if he had returned with his com- mand to Fort Strother.' He doubtless knew this, and went to his home in east Tennessee.

This massacre for many months seriously affected the reputation of Gen. Jackson in the eyes of the Indians, as it was supposed to have been done under his orders. With- out a knowledge of the facts, they believed him guilty of treachery in permitting what they termed a murder of their wounded and helpless warriors. At the treaty of Fort Jack- son, nine months later, one of the first acts of Gen. Jackson, before entering upon nego-

tiations, was to make a satisfactory explana- tion to the Creek delegates.

The Hillabi massacre had a most disastrous influence among the Creeks otherwise. It discouraged the friendly Indians, exasper- ated the lukewarm, and infused a spirit of despair into the hearts of the hostiles. With the latter there was never afterwards the slightest friendly overtures. One historian describing the workings of the heart of the Indians says:

"From that time to the end of the war, it was observed that the Indians fought with greater fury and persistence than before; for they fought with the blended energy of hatred and despair. There was no suing for peace, no asking for quarter. They fought as long as they could stand, and as much longer as they could sit or kneel, and then as long as they had strength to shoot an arrow or pull a trigger-were all that they supposed re- mained to them after the destruction of the Hillabes."

Anatichapho; Atchina-algi; Hillabi; Okfuskudshi.

REFERENCES .- Eaton, Life of Jackson (1824), p. 77; Frost, Pictorial life of Andrew Jackson (1847), pp. 159-162; Parton, Life of Jackson (1860), vol. 1, pp. 452, 455; Buell, History of Andrew Jackson (1904), vol. 1, pp. 312-315; Memoirs of Andrew Jackson (1828), pp. 67, 68; Pickett, History of Alabama (Owen's ed., 1900), p. 556; Niles Register Dec. 18 and 23, 1813, pp. 282, 283.

HILLSBORO. Post office and station on the Southern Railway, in the northeast part of Lawrence County, 13 miles north of Moul- ton. Altitude-593 feet. Population: 1880- 218; 1900-256; 1910-202. It was settled about 1870 by William Gilmer and was called Gilmerville; but after it had absorbed the old settlement of Hillsboro in 1873, it adopted the name of the absorbed place. It has come to be known as the "Widow's post office" as one widow succeeds another as postmistress. A pike road connects Hillsboro with Moulton, Landersville, and Mt. Hope. The first church was a union one, built in 1871, by Baptists and Presbyterians.

REFERENCE .- Manuscript data in the Ala- bama Department of Archives and History.

HISTORICAL AND MONUMENTAL SO- CIETY, THE ALABAMA. A voluntary, patri- otic society, the outgrowth of an informal con- ference held at the State Capitol, November 12, 1865. The organization was perfected at a formal gathering in the hall of the house of representatives, November 24, following. It appears that this was perhaps the "very first organization formed in any of the South- ern States, for the purpose of preserving the history of the soldiers of the great struggle of 1861-65."

The objects of this association were "to collect the facts relating to the part Alabama played in the late war and to erect a monu-

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ment to her heroic dead." Col. F. L. Good- win, then a State Senator from Franklin County, gave its purpose in a resolution to be found on page 41 of the House Journal of 1865-66, "as an historical association to perpetuate the memory of Alabamians who have died in the service of the country."

The temporary organization, perfected on November 24, consisted of Col. Thomas B. Cooper, chairman; Col. Joseph Hodgson, sec- retary. The permanent officers selected were:

Hon. Thomas H. Watts, President;

Vice Presidents, 1st Circuit, Dr. J. T. Reese;

2nd Circuit, Hon. Thomas M. Williams;

3rd Circuit, Alberto Martin;

4th Circuit, Hon. A. M. Gibson;

6th Circuit, Col. S. J. Murphy;

7th Circult, T. C. Lanier;

8th Circuit, Dr. A. N. Worthy;

9th Circuit, Col. Richard H. Powell;

10th Circuit, Gen. Wm. H. Forney;

11th Circuit, Col. R. H. Dawson;

Col. Joseph Hodgson, Secretary;

Col. W. H. Fowler, Assistant Secretary; Judge B. F. Porter, Recording Secretary.

An executive committee was appointed, whose duties were to further the objects of the association.

At the organization meeting strong resolu- tions were adopted to memorialize the leg- islature of the State to appropriae $5,000 as a basis for a monument which was to bear the inscription:

"Alabama honors her sons who died in her service."

Realizing the future value of a collection of historical materials, committees were ap- pointed "to gather data and a correct list of those who died in battle or otherwise, while a member of any military company, raised within the State of Alabama between the first day of January, 1861, and the first day of May, 1865."

Among those taking a prominent part in the organization of the association, in addi- tion to the officers, may be mentioned Judge A. B. Clitherall, Eugene McCaa, F. L. Good- win, Gen. John W. A. Sanford, Gen. James H. Clanton, Col. Virgil S. Murphy, Dr. Wil- liam J. Holt, Col. Bolling Hall, jr., Capt. El- more J. Fitzpatrick, Dr. J. B. Gaston, Col. David F. Blakey, and Rev. Dr. I. T. Tichenor.

Little is known of the later activities of this association, which had such an auspicious beginning, other than from time to time ap- peals were made for assistance to help care for the dead of Alabama in other States.

It is believed that the work of the Ala- bama Historical and Monumental Association was relinquished to the Ladies' Memorial As- sociation (q. v.) upon its formation, April 16,1866.

REFERENCES .- House Journal, 1865-66, p. 41; Selma Morning Times, Dec. 11, 1865; Montgom- ery Advertiser. Nov. 24, 1865; Montgomery Daily Mail, 1866; Mrs. Marie-lou Armstrong Cory, History of the Ladies Memorial Associa- tion of Montgomery (1902).

HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF ALA-

BAMA. A voluntary historical and patriotic organization, formed in 1869, auxiliary to the Southern Historical Society. The latter was organized at New Orleans May 1, 1869, as the parent society, and with provisions for State bodies to act in cooperation. On August 14, 1873, the headquarters were formally moved to Richmond, Va., where its work has successfully continued, and through which nu- merous publications have been issued.

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History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 133

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869- Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 756

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756