USA > Alabama > History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I > Part 25
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addition to Meadow. Longleaf Pine, short- leaf pine, hickory, white oak, Spanish oak, sweet gum and sour wood are the principal forest growth. The climate is equable, with few extremes. The mean annual temperature is 64.7ยบ F .; and the mean annual precipitation 52.25 inches. The dryest record year had 42 inches, and the wettest, 70 inches.
Aboriginal History .- Remains are found in the county along the Chattahoochee River and its larger tributaries. The county was peopled from the earliest times by the Lower Creeks and many mound and village sites survive. The Lower Creek towns of Ka- waiki, Oki-tiyakni, Ocheese, Sawokli or Chewakala, Tamali and Yufala were located in the county, on or near the Chattahoochee River; and unidentified village sites are met with in other sections. The following mound locations are noted: Domiciliary mound of red clay two miles above Eufaula, on prop- erty of H. Lampley; mound on north side of Williams' Lake, about one half mile from Upper Francis Landing, Chattahoochee River; two mounds 4 miles south of Clayton, on property of John Bell; and two mounds near Eufaula. Remains of a large town are found three miles northeast of Eufaula at St. Francis Bend.
Settlement and Later History .- The county received its earliest settlers about 1817. Some of those who came prior to 1820 were Rev. Joseph Harley, Methodist, the first preacher in the county, John Harley, the first teacher, Samuel Walden, John and Pillitier Whitehurst, brothers, John Purifoy, Luke Bennet, Allen V. Robinson, Noah A. Tyson and Peleg Brown. In 1820 came William Williams, Jured Williams, William Bush, John Danner, a German and the first black- smith, and a Mr. Copeland. These familles settled Williamston. In the early years, but later, came Col. Robert Irvin, Moses Weems, Pius Chambers, Edward Cox, Levi B. Smith, William Hardridge and a Mr. Nall. In 1822, Judge Alexander McCall, John McDaniel, Rev. Jesse Burch, Micajah Ward, Blake Jernigan and Joel Willis settled near Louisville, named for Daniel Louis. The same year saw the advent of John McNeil, John McInnis and Miles McInnis. John McNeil died soon after arrival, and was the first person buried in the county. In the same year, 1822, oc- curred the first marriage Daniel McCall to Mary McDaniel. About this time, but per- haps earlier, a settlement was made two miles east of the present Clayton. Meanwhile the first wagon road was made in the county, extending from Franklin on the Chatta- hoochee in Henry County, through Wil- liamston to Louisville. William Williams established the first cotton gin in the county, but the year is not known. The nearest physician to this whole region was Dr. Al- exander M. Watson, who lived at Fort Gaines.
Some of the early settlers came to the county for Indian trade. For this purpose, in 1826 they concluded to make a road from the vicinity of Clayton to Eufaula. It was a popular measure, and a working force of about three hundred men, whites and negroes,
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120
HISTORY OF ALABAMA
were organized, with John Purifoy as over- seer. The workmen proceeded with the en- terprise, finally reached Barbour Creek, and began to make a crossing place, or ford by cutting down its banks. Some of the men now crossed over to the eastern side, when all at once their ears were greeted with the yells of Indians, lurking in the woods. The party retreated rapidly to the main body. Upon this the leaders concluded to go over and learn the intention of the Indians. The latter were armed with guns and tomahawks, yelling, leaping over logs and acting in every way to intimidate the settlers. After a short interval, a chief spoke some words of com- mand, and in an instance every Indian stood in perfect silence. The Indian interpreters then came forward and stated that John Winslet, an Indian countryman living among them near Euchee creek, had told them that the whites were cuting a road to Eufaula town, that they did not approve it, and that the work must not be done, unless they could show an order from the Great Father at Washington. As the road makers could show no such authority, they concluded to with- draw. They gathered up their tools, and went home in deep disgust. But the affair finally had a happy termination. An officer at Fort Mitchell, hearing of it, came down and had a talk with the Indians at Eufaula town. He told them that the road would benefit instead of injuring them, as it would bring all kinds of goods and produce into their town. The Indians thereupon became reconciled. The settlers were informed of the change, and the working party was reorgan- ized, the Indians joining them in their work, and helping to complete. the ford at Barbour Creek, as well as the road to Eufaula. Pleas- ant trading relations were established.
All of the early settlements of the county were on the lands lying south of the Indian boundary, which ran southeast from Line Creek to Fort Gaines. Williamston, the oldest town of the county, and Louisville and Clayton were all in this section. The town of Eufaula was in the northern section of the county and in the Indian Territory, and was not settled until 1833.
The county experienced its share of trouble in the Creek disturbances of 1836. Soon after they began a white citizen of the county, named Williamson, was wounded by the Indians and one or two negroes were killed. In consequence of these outrages, and the threatening aspect of affairs in general, three forts were erected in the county-Fort Browder, one near White Oak, and one at Eufaula.
The citizens in the southern part of the county, who were especially exposed to the Indians, kept scouting parties out on Dry Creek which empties into Pea River, and on Cawokee Creek which empties into the Chat- tahoochee. Citizens of the county were en- gaged in action at Martin's Field in Bullock County in January, 1837, in the fight at Hodby's Bridge in Barbour County in Feb- ruary, 1837, and at the battle of Pea River in March, 1837.
Agricultural Statistics .- From U. S. Cen- sus, 1910:
Farms and Farmers.
Number of all farms, 4,606.
Color and nativity of farmers:
Native white, 1,799.
Foreign-born white, 2. Negro and other nonwhite, 2,805.
Number of farms, classified by size:
Under 3 acres, -.
3 to 9 acres, 102.
10 to 19 acres, 123.
20 to 49 acres, 1,958.
50 to 99 acres, 1,200.
100 to 174 acres, 745.
175 to 259 acres, 231.
260 to 499 acres, 169.
500 to 999 acres, 57.
1,000 acres and over, 21.
Land and Farm Area.
Approximate land area, 583,680 acres. Land in farms, 423,587 acres. Improved land in farms, 243,978 acres.
Woodland in farms, 124,893 acres.
Other unimproved land in farms, 54,716 acres.
Value of Farm Property.
All farm property, $5,889,213. Land, $3,492,102. Buildings, $1,104,873. Implements and machinery, $206,566.
Domestic animals, poultry, and bees,
$1,031,672.
Average values: All property per farm, $1,279. Land and buildings per farm, $998. Land per acre, $8.24.
Domestic Animals (Farms and Ranges).
Farms reporting domestic animals, 4,462. Domestic animals, $1,005,513.
Cattle: total, 13,607; value, $183,440. Dairy cows only, 5,211.
Horses: total, 925; value, $101,542.
Mules: total, 4,612; value, $632,190. Asses and burros: total, 3; value, $470. Swine: total, 27,747; value, $86,748.
Sheep: total, 243; value, $463.
Goats: total, 483; value, $660.
Poultry and Bees.
All poultry, 75,276; value, $23,929. Bee colonies, 2,041; value, $2,230.
Farms Operated by Owners.
Number of Farms, 1,281.
Per cent of all farms, 27.8. Land in farms, 195,384 acres. Improved land in farms, 90,367 acres. Land and buildings, $2,126,984. Farms of owned land only, 1,141.
Farms of owned and hired land, 140.
Native white owners, 979. Foreign-born white, 2.
Negro and other nonwhite, 300.
Farms Operated by Tenants.
Number of farms, 3,309. Per cent of all farms, 71.8.
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HISTORY OF ALABAMA
Land in farms, 215,445 acres.
Improved land in farms, 147,111 acres. Land and buildings, $2,331,441.
Share tenants, 1,316. Share-cash tenants, 22.
Cash tenants, 1,918. Tenure not specified, 53. Native white tenants, 804.
Foreign-born white, 0.
Negro and other nonwhite, 2,505.
Farms Operated by Managers.
Number of farms, 16. Land in farms, 12,758 acres.
Improved land in farms, 6,500 acres. Value of land and buildings, $138,550.
Live Stock Products. DAIRY PRODUCTS.
Milk :
Produced, 885,055; sold, 2,755 gal-
lons. Cream sold, 0 gallons. Butter fat sold, 10 pounds.
Butter: Produced, 318,337; sold, 14,213 pounds. Cheese: Produced, 50; sold, - pounds. Dairy products, excluding home use of milk and cream, $65,796.
Sale of dairy products, $3,755.
POULTRY PRODUCTS.
Poultry : Number raised, 163,252; sold, 23,173.
Eggs: Produced, 208,021; sold, 32,411 dozens.
Poultry and eggs produced, $80,393. Sale of poultry and eggs, $13,738. HONEY AND WAX. Honey produced, 8,264 pounds.
Wax produced, 486 pounds.
Value of honey and wax produced, $875. WOOL, MOHAIR, AND GOAT HAIR. Wool, fleeces shorn, 137. Mohair and goat hair, fleeces shorn, 73. Wool and mohair produced, $126.
Domestic Animals Sold or Slaughtered. Calves-Sold or slaughtered, 216. Other cattle-Sold or slaughtered, 1,914. Horses, mules, and asses and burros- Sold, 95. Swine-Sold or slaughtered, 13,356. Sheep and goats-Sold or slaughtered, 131. Sale of animals, $36,545. Value of animals slaughtered, $143,603.
Value of All Crops.
Total, $3,084,586. Cereals, $633,287. Other grains and seeds, $57,061. Hay and forage, $10,525. Vegetables, $145,092. Fruits and nuts, $9,269. All other crops, $2,229,302.
Selected Crops (Acres and Quantity). Cereals: total, 74,993 acres; 654,045 bushels. Corn, 71,798 acres; 612,794 bushels. Oats, 3,250 acres; 40,951 bushels.
Wheat, 10 acres; 100 bushels. Rye, 15 acres; 200 bushels. Kafir corn and milo maize, 0 acres. Rice, 0 acres.
Other grains:
Dry peas, 1,383 acres; 7,496 bushels. Dry edible beans, 0 acres. Peanuts, 2,853 acres; 50,139 bushels. Hay and forage: total, 1,425 acres; 670 tons. All tame or cultivated grasses, 238 acres; 284 tons.
Wild, salt, or prairie grasses, 144 acres; 145 tons.
Grains cut green, 165 acres; 147 tons. Coarse forage, 878 acres; 103 tons. Special crops: Potatoes, 125 acres; 13,592 bushels. Sweet potatoes and yams, 1,184 acres; 86,722 bushels.
All other vegetables, 1,196 acres.
Tobacco, 0 acres; 20 pounds. Cotton, 99,170 acres; 28,453 bales.
Cane-sugar, 953 acres; 7,815 tons. Sirup made, 112,775 gallons. Cane-sorghum, 10 acres; 50 tons.
Sirup made, 473 gallons.
Fruits and Nuts.
Orchard fruits: total, 38,434 trees; 4,990 bushels.
Apples, 5,794 trees; 1,065 bushels.
Peaches and nectarines, 30,195 trees; 2,501 bushels.
Pears, 1,755 trees; 1,084 bushels. Plums and prunes, 437 trees; bushels. 234
Cherries, 14 trees; 1 bushel. Quinces, 1 tree; 0 bushels.
Grapes, 76 vines; 1,222 pounds. Tropical fruits: total, 1,683 trees. Figs, 1,562 trees; 35,358 pounds.
Oranges, 6 trees; 0 boxes.
Small fruits: total, 2 acres; 751 quarts. Strawberries, 2 acres; 751 quarts.
Nuts: total, 4,137 trees; 14,832 pounds. Pecans, 4,025 trees; 12,687 pounds.
Labor, Fertilizer and Feed.
Labor-Farms reporting, 1,905. Cash expended, $157,304. Rent and board furnished, $21,889. Fertilizer-Farms reporting, 3,614. Amount expended, $220,715. Feed-Farms reporting, 1,163. Amount expended, $43,874. Receipts from sale of feedable crops, $21,299.
Domestic Animals Not on Farms.
Inclosures reporting domestic animals, 444. Value of domestic animals, $78,284. Cattle: total, 625; value, $14,851. Number of dairy cows, 392. Horses: total, 322; value, $46,228.
Mules and asses and burros: total, 92; value, $15,005.
Swine: total, 461; value, $2,172.
Sheep and goats: total, 13; value, $28.
Population .- Statistics from decennial pub- lications of the U. S. Bureau of the Census.
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HISTORY OF ALABAMA
Negro
White
Total
1911-Robert Moulthrop.
1915-G. E. Jones.
1919-C. S. McDowell, Jr.
Representatives .-
1834-5-Osborn J. Williams.
1835-6-Osborn J. Williams.
1836-7-Green Beauchamp.
1837 (Called)-Green Beauchamp.
1837-8-Green Beauchamp.
1838-9- John P. Booth.
1839-40-J. W. Mann; J. W. A. Petit.
1840-1- J. W. Mann; William T. Shanks. 1841 (Called)-J. W. Mann; William T. Shanks.
1841-2-J. L. Hunter; H. N. Crawford. 1842-3-John Jackson; J. W. A. Petit. 1843-4-John Jackson.
1844-5-P. H. Mitchell; B. F. Treadwell. 1845-6-Adolphus M. Sanford; William T. Shanks.
1847-8-Hugh N. Crawford; R. S. Smith. 1849-50-Benjamin Gardner; Paul Mc- Call.
1851-2-John G. Shorter; John W. W. Jackson.
1853-4-John Cochran; Paul McCall; J. F. Comer.
1855-6- John Cochran; M. A. Browder; W. J. Grubbs.
1857-8-Henry D. Clayton; M. A. Browder; Joseph C. McRae.
1859-60-Henry D. Clayton; William H. Chambers; W. B. Bowen.
1861 (1st called)-Henry D. Clayton; William H. Chamhers; W. B. Bowen.
1861 (2d called)-E. S. Ott; C. A. Parker; Edward N. Herron.
1861-2-E. S. Ott; C. A. Parker; Edward N. Herron.
1862 (Called)-E. S. Ott; C. A. Parker; Edward N. Herron.
1862-3-E. S. Ott; C. A. Parker; Edward N. Herron.
1863 (Called)-William H. Chambers; C. A. Parker; C. W. Jones.
1863-4-William H. Chambers; C. A. Par- ker; C. W. Jones.
1864 (Called)-William H. Chambers, C. A. Parker; C. W. Jones.
1864-5-William H. Chambers; C. A. Par- ker; C. W. Jones. 1865-6-Henry Faulk; H. Pipkin; G. H.
Davis.
1875-6-Jacob Black.
1876-7-J. W. Comer.
1878-9-John D. Roquemore.
1880-1-John D. Roquemore.
1882-3-A. H. Thomas.
1884-5-A. H. Thomas.
1886-7-James Lang. 1888-9- James Lang.
1890-1-Judson Davie.
1892-3-Judson Davie.
1894-5-Hiram Hawkins.
1896-7-Hiram Hawkins.
1898-9-W. D. Jelks. 1899 (Spec.)-W. D. Jelks. 1900-1-W. D. Jelks.
1903-Elias Perry Thomas.
1907-Elias Perry Thomas.
1907 (Spec.)-Elias Perry Thomas. 1909 (Spec. )-Elias Perry Thomas.
Mount Andrew
Comer-1
White Oak Springs-1
Cotton Hill-1
Delegates to Constitutional Conventions .- 1861-John Cochran, Alpheus Baker, J. W. Daniel, (succeeded by) Jefferson Buford.
1865-Green Beauchamp, M. M. Glenn, B. B. Mckenzie.
1867-David Lore, Henry C. Russell, Thomas Diggs (negro).
1875-James L. Pugh, John A. Foster.
1901-J. N. Williams, A. H. Merrill, J. J. Winn, S. H. Dent, Sr.
Senators .-
1834-5-Lawson J. Keener.
1837-8-William Wellborn.
1840-1-Jefferson Buford.
1843-4-Robert S. Hardaway of Russell.
1845-6-John Gill Shorter.
1847-8- Jefferson Buford.
1851-2-E. R. Flewellin.
1853-4-Batt Peterson.
1857-8-Edward C. Bullock.
1861-2-Lewis L. Cato.
1865-6-Augustus C. Mitchell.
1868-J. W. Mabry.
1871-2-J. W. Mabry.
1872-3-Jacob Black.
1873- Jacob Black.
1874-5-Jacob Black.
1866-7-Henry Faulk; H. Pipkin; G. H. Davis. 1868-Thomas Diggs ( negro); D. Lore; O.
C. Doster.
1869-70-Thomas Diggs; D. Lore; O. C. Doster.
1870-1- Jacob Black; Thomas Diggs (negro) ; Thomas J. Clark.
1871-2-T. J. Clarke; T. H. Diggs; Jacob Black.
1872-3-T. J. Clarke; Samuel Fantroy; A. E. Williams.
1873-T. J. Clarke; Samuel Fantroy; A. E. Williams. 1874-5-W. Andrews; J. E. Crews; J. S. Espy. 1875-6-W. Andrews; J. E. Crews; J. S. Espy.
1830
1820
6469
5555
12024
1840
12842
10790
23632
1850
14629
16183
30812
1860
12143
17165
29309
1870
13091
20884
33975
1880
13454
21442
34898
1890
12781
22371
35152
1900
1910
12272
20456
32728
Post Offices and Towns .- Revised to De- cember 31, 1916, from U. S. Official Postal Guide. Figures indicate the number of rural routes from that office.
Bakerhill-1
Doster
Batesville-1
Elamville
Blue Springs
Eufaula-3
Clayton (ch)-5
Louisville-3
Clio-2
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HISTORY OF ALABAMA
1876-7-J. E. Crews; John M. McKleroy. 1878-9-J. A. Foster; Charles Massey.
1880-1-M. B. Wellborn; J. M. White.
1882-3-James Lang; H. Hawkins; C. C. Shorter.
1884-5-H. Hawkins; James Lang; C. C. Shorter.
1886-7-C. C. Shorter; R. E. Wright; J. E. Crews.
1888-9-Judson Davie; C. C. Shorter; A. B. Bush.
1890-1-Henry D. Clayton; A. E. Crews;
C. C. Lee.
1892-3-A. A. McDonald; J. W. T. Gibson. 1894-5-Eugene L. Graves; Jno. W. T. Gibbons.
1896-7-E. L. Graves; A. H. Merrill.
1898-9-L. H. Lee; T. M. Patterson.
1899 (Spec.)-L. H. Lee; T. M. Patterson.
1900-01-E. L. Graves; H. J. Stringfellow. 1903-Alexander Addison McDonald; John Fuller McTyer.
1907-J. S. Williams; R. M. Lee.
1907 (Spec.)-J. S. Williams; R. M. Lee.
1909 (Spec.)-J. S. Williams; R. M. Lee. 1911-A. K. Merrill; J. S. Williams.
1915-A. A. McDonald; H. J. Stringfellow. 1919-J. D. Clayton, Chauncey Sparks.
See Blue Springs; Breneau College; Bul- lock County; Clayton; Clio; Cotton Manu- facturing; Creek Indian Troubles, 1836; Eufaula; Louisville; Okitiyakin; Yufala.
REFERENCES .- Acts, 1832-33, pp. 9-11, 116-117; Brewer, Alabama, p. 124; Berney, Handbook (1892), p. 269; Riley, Alabama as it is (1893), p. 190; Northern Alabama (1888), p. 182; Ala- bama. 1909 (Ala. Dept. of Ag. and Ind., Bulle- tin 27), p. 75; U. S. Soil Survey (1916), with map; Alabama land book (1916), p. 42; Ala. Official and Statistical Register, 1903-1915, 5 vols .; Ala. Anthropological Society, Handbook (1910); Geol. Survey of Ala., Agricultural fea- tures of the State (1883), The Valley regions of Alabama, parts 1 and 2 (1896, 1897), and Underground water resources of Alabama (1907); U. S. Bureau of the Census, Abstract of the 13th Census, with supplement for Ala- bama (1913); J. A. B. Besson, History of Eufaula. Ala. (1875); and Green Beauchamp, "Chronicles of Barbour County," in Eufaula Times, Circa 1873.
BARITE. A nonmetal substance found most frequently in boulders or irregular masses imbedded in the residual clays derived from the Trenton limestone, and in loose pieces on the surface. It is most plentiful where the Trenton limestone comes in contact with the Knox dolomite; near Tampa, in Calhoun County; near Greensport in St. Clair; near Maguire Shoals on Little Cahaba River; at the "Sinks" on Six Mile Creek; near Pratt's Ferry in Bibb; and near Leeds in Jefferson. The Alabama barite or heavy spar, is of white, grayish, and bluish colors, sometimes stained with iron on the surfaces.
REFERENCES .- Smith and McCalley, Index to mineral resources of Alabama (Geol. Survey of Ala., Bulletin 9, 1904), pp. 62-63; U. S. Geol. Survey, Mineral resources of the U. S., 1914, pt. 2, pp. 61-66, with bibliography.
BARKER COTTON MILL CO., Mobile. See Cotton Manufacturing.
BARLEY. See Cereals.
BARNES SCHOOL. A private school for the education of young men and boys, located in Montgomery. Although only 17 years in existence under its present name, the school has a record of over half a century. On Sep- tember 8, 1856, Prof. J. M. Barnes opened a private school at Strata, Montgomery County. With short interruption during the War and another during the panic year of 1873, and with only one change of base, a school under his control or oversight in that section existed until his death in 1914. In 1881 the Strata High School became the Highland Home Insti- tute, later Highland Home College (q. v.). In 1898, Prof. Barnes removed to Montgom- ery, and opened a school in the basement of the Christian Church building. Prof. E. R. Barnes, a son of the founder, who had taught in Highland Home College from 1891 to 1898, became associated with his father in 1899. Later the founder retired. In 1907, the old Pickett residence, Clayton and Moul- ton Streets, was purchased, and thoroughly equipped for up-to-date secondary school use. In October, 1907, the first issue of The Black and Gold, the name indicating the school colors, made its appearance. Junior and senior debating societies, a glee club and an athletic association are maintained. Found- er's Day is observed on February 10, in each year. The report to the State superintendent of education, September 30, 1916, showed building and site, valued at $20,000; 6 teachers; and 120 pupils.
Principals .- J. M. Barnes, 1856-1912; E. R. Barnes, 1912 -.
REFERENCES .- Catalogues, 1899-1915; Black and Gold, 1907-1916, 8 vols; Announcements, Circulars, Folders, etc.
BARTON. Postoffice and station on the Southern Railway in the north central part of Colbert County, 12 miles west of Tus- cumbia. It is located on the west bank of Caney Creek, about one mile from its con- fluence with the Tennessee River. Popu- lation: 1888-60; 1912-150. Altitude:
481 feet. It was named for the Barton family, early settlers of the vicinity. Its industries are a cotton mill, gin, grist mill and sawmill. Among the first settlers were the Pride, Thompson, Palmer and Barton families. A bloody engagement took place in 1862 at Barton, between Gen. P. D. Roddy's troops and the invaders, who were plundering the inhabitants.
REFERENCES .- Brewer, Alabama (1872), p. 188; Northern Alabama illustrated (1888), pp. 103-105.
BARTRAM NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF ALABAMA. A voluntary scientific organ- ization, formed for the "encouragement and promotion of interest in the study of natural history, to bring together students for con- ference and discussion, to make collections
124
HISTORY OF ALABAMA
of specimens, and to publish results of re- search." Montgomery is headquarters for the society; but membership is open to all interested in its objects. The organization of the society was brought about by Dr. Thomas M. Owen, director, and Peter A. Brannon, chief clerk of the department of archives and history.
Temporary organization was effected in the office of the department, in the State capitol, March 19, 1914, with the following members: Dr. Thomas M. Owen, Dr. H. B. Mohr, Prof. Henry S. Halbert, H. P. Tresslar, Sr., H. P. Tresslar, Jr., Peter A. Brannon, S. R. Armi- stead, Mac Billing, John Davies, Jr., Lamar LeBron, Van Courtland Andrews, Marshall Andrews, S. L. Stern, Reese Martin, Jr., and Edwin Patton, all of Montgomery. Dr. Owen and Mr. Davies, were chairman and secretary respectively. A committee composed of Messrs, Mohr, Davies, Brannon, Tresslar and Dr. Owen, submitted a report at a meeting held March 21, and the society was perma- nently organized with the following officers: Peter A. Brannon, president; Dr. W. E. Hinds and Truman H. Aldrich, vice-presidents; John Davies, Jr., secretary, and H. P. Tress- lar, Sr., treasurer; and an executive council, to which is committed general administrative control of the society: Dr. Thomas M. Owen, Dr. H. B. Mohr, Mr. W. S. Keller, Mr. John H. Wallace, Jr., and Mr. A. W. LeBron, with the president and secretary, ex officio.
The society was named in honor of Wil- liam Bartram, the celebrated botanist of Phil- adelphia, who made a journey through the State in 1777, and whose Travels forms the first important contribution to the literature of the natural history of the region now embraced in Alabama.
The society holds annual and monthly meetings; descriptive and scientific papers are prepared by members; exploration and collection parties are conducted in season; and systematic surveys of the natural history of the State are in progress. Eighteen regu- lar meetings have been held; and 110 names were on the rolls at the close of 1916.
REFERENCE .- Manuscript minutes and other records in hands of the secretary.
BASCOM FEMALE INSTITUTE. See
Huntsville Female College.
BASHI. A creek in Clarke County. The fact that the last syllable of the name is pronounced exactly as our English word shy makes it certain that the creek name is not the Choctaw "Cvshshi," meaning dry, with- ered, as has been erroneously conjectured by some investigators. The same fact induces the belief that the name is slightly corrupted from the Choctaw "bachaiya," which means a row, range, a course, a line. This would indi- cate that during some prehistoric period this creek was the boundary line between two tribes, or two clans or divisions of the same tribe. As is well known, rivers and creeks often formed the boundary line between In- dian communities.
REFERENCE,-Ball, Clarke County (1882), p. 162.
BASHI SKIRMISH. An ambush, by Creek Indians, on Bashi Creek, Clarke County, in October, 1813, Col. William McGrew and about 25 mounted men had set out from the vicinity of Fort Easley and Turner's Fort to protect the exposed frontier from depreda- tions, in the absence of the owners, who with their families had fled to the hastily con- structed defenses. As they reached a spot about five miles east of Wood's Blug, near the present Linden and Coffeeville road, about a half mile southwest of the Bashi bridge, they were surprised by a party of concealed Creek warriors. While they fought desper- ately, the attack was fatal to Col. McGrew, Edmund Miles, and Jesse and David Griffin, brothers. On the morning following, the Colonel's horse reached St. Stephens, 30 miles distant, his saddle bloody, and one pistol missing from the holster.
Some days later Gen. F. L. Claiborne en- tered the region, and finding the bodies of all except David Griffin, he gave them bu- rial with military honors. Although several days were spent in search of Indians, little was accomplished, and he retired to Pine Level, the present town of Jackson. In one of Col. Claiborne's skirmishes Capt. Wm. Bradbury was killed. This officer, as also Col. McGrew, had participated in the Burnt Corn Fight.
REFERENCES .- Pickett, Alabama (Owen's ed., 1900), p. 560; Ball, Clarke County (1882), pp. 162-163; and Halbert and Ball, Creek War (1895), pp. 219-222.
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