History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 95

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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The last statement proves Mauvilla to have been at some distance from the coast, and not in the lower part of Clarke County, as has been contended by some writers.

On Saturday, October 16, DeSoto's expedi- tion having crossed the river on boats, requi- sitioned from the natives and under attack of them the accounts say they departed "into a mountain."

If you will examine the map of Greene County, you will note a ridge running from the southwest corner of township three in Tuscaloosa County, in the shape of a cres- cent, around to the northern part of Marengo County. No doubt the trail led up to the top of this ridge, in order to strike the path lead- ing to the main town. It would hardly be probable that there was a path leading along the river.

On Monday, October 18, after having passed through several villages, one of which was fenced, DeSoto arrived at Mabila (Mau- villa). Dr. Clarence B. Moore, who has done more exploration work than any other investi- gator in America in all probability, makes a statement that the mound at this point, that is the one on the Brasswell plantation, south- east of Forkland, is the largest one which it has ever been his good fortune to observe.

On Sunday, November 14, the expedition left Mabila, marching in the direction of the present Cotton Gin Port in Mississippi. The writer has not been able to thoroughly work out the route to the satisfaction which he wishes, therefore, is going to leave him in this province of Pafallaya, which was some- where near the present Sipsey River and in the northern part of Greene County.

Conclusion

While it is not necessary to the argument in presenting this paper, several conclusions have been arrived at during its preparation, which will contribute to the investigations of later students of Southern History.

There are those who contend that Casiste, at which point he arrived after leaving Talisi, is the town of Kasihta, known to have been located in the present Fort Benning Military Reservation, Chattahoochee County, Ga. These same investigators credit Cosa to its recognized point in Talladega County, and Ullihabli or Huithlewalli to its well recog- nized point on Tallapoosa River, 17 miles east of Montgomery, therefore, it is not logical to conclude that the expedition would leave Talladega County, Ala., go to a point near Montgomery, march across to a point near Columbus, Ga., march back to a point at Mont- gomery, go to the town of Benton, in Lowndes County, Ala., march northeast over its own route, back to the point near Franklin, in Macon County, thence southwest again, to cross the Alabama River, and to the point above the Bay of Ochuse, which must be the distance up, as shown in the above argument.

There are two observations in the above study, aside from the discussion of the route, which have interested the writer. On the sec-

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ond day out of Cosa, they passed the town of Talimachusy, the word signifying "a new town." This locality is not far from the later historical point of Tuckabatchi Tali- machusy, which may be the original Tucka- batchi, although literally "New Tuckabatchi." Again we find the point at which he spent the night before arrival at Talisi referred to as a new town. This point corresponds exactly with the Creek Holy Ground. Con- sidering that Cosa was a Creek town, that Huithlewalli was also a Creek town, both of "great antiquity," Tallimachusy is a Creek word, and the Creek Holy Ground having recently been established, are we not led to infer that the Creek migration to this section was at that time in its incipiency? Is it pos- sible that the people which DeSoto found here and which we have heretofore credited with being remnants of those peoples, ousted by the Creeks on their arrival, were the Creeks themselves? This subject opens a wide op- portunity for further investigations.

REFERENCES .- Narratives of DeSoto, Vols. 1 and 2 (1904) ; maps, Elmore, Montgomery, Lowndes, Dallas, Perry, Hale, Greene Coun- ties, Alabama. Mss. notes in records of Secre- tary Alabama Anthropological Society.

DIGESTS. See Codes; Supreme Court.

DIMMICK PIPE CO. See United States Cast Iron Pipe & Foundry Co.

DIRT SELLER MOUNTAIN. A mountain in Cherokee County, covering approximately 15 square miles, and from 700 to 1,500 feet above sea level. Geologically, it is an un- symmetrical synclinal mountain, which is cut off on the south west by the Rome and Cahaba thrust fault in a transverse curve. The moun- tain proper is a subsynclinal of a broad anti- clinal, extending from Lookout Mountain (q. v.) on the northwest to the above-men- tioned thrust fault on the southeast. The soil of the mountain and its outlying ridges is poor and not well adapted to general agri- culture. The timber, originally quite plenti- ful, consists mainly of pine, oak, hickory, poplar, and similar growths.

See Geology; Agriculture; Coosa Valley; Soils and Soil Surveys.

REFERENCES .- McCalley, Valley regions of Ala- bama, Pt. 2, Coosa Valley (Geol. Survey of Ala., Special report 9, 1897), pp. 6, 7, 800.

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. See Disciples or Christians: Disciples of Christ.

DISCIPLES OR CHRISTIANS: CHURCHES OF CHRIST. (Non-Progressive) A branch of the general religious body of Disciples of Christians, and distinguished as conservatives, while the other branch of the same organiza- tion are known as Disciples of Christ or pro- gressives. This branch holds to the same general doctrines and polity as the Disciples. Local churches are independent, elect their own officers, call their own ministers and con- duct their own affairs. There are no ministe-

rial associations. Each minister is a member only of the church in which he serves, and is subject to its discipline. While opposition to missionary societies brought about the original division of the church, this does not imply that the church itself opposes exten- sion. It also maintains educational institu- tions and orphan schools.

Statistics of this denomination in Alabama as shown by the U. S. census report of 1906 is as follows: 157 organizations; 9,214 mem- bers, subdivided as 3,887 males and 5,327 females; 119 church edifices, with a seating capacity of 32,878; value of church property $115,765; 107 Sunday schools, with 368 teachers and 4,018 scholars.

REFERENCES .- Brown, Churches of Christ (1904); U. S. Bureau of the Census, Religious Bodies, 1906 (1910), pp. 241-244.

DISCIPLES OR CHRISTIANS: DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. (Progressive) A branch of the general body of Disciples or Christians, and sometmes called Christan churches, or churches of Christ (Disciples). This denom- ination traces its origin to the religious re- vival movement during the early years of the nineteenth century, in which the leaders of the movement appealed for the use of the Bible alone, without human addition or an effort to state beliefs as creeds and formulas. Its genesis is a part of the general revival movement, also represented by the Christians (Christian connection) (q. v.). The founder was Rev. Alexander Campbell, son of Rev. Thomas Campbell, both of whom were natives of Scotland, but who migrated to America and located in Pennsylvania. In 1809 the "Chris- tian Association of Washington, Pa." was formed. From this body was issued the his- toric "Declaration and address," which forms the basis of the doctrinal statements of the denominaton. The next year the first church of the Christian Association of Washington was constituted. For several years the Campbells, Barton W. Stone and others struggled with problems of organization, in- volving varied and conflicting groups and opinions, until 1832, when a partial union was effected, but without a definite declamation in the matter of title or designation. The growth of the new organization was rapid, especially in the middle west. During the War, the movement suffered as did all other organizations. As the denomination grew and strong leaders developed, differences began to arise, especially in opposition to the use of societies for carrying on missionary work, and the use of instrumental music in the churches. The death of Alexander Campbell in 1866 temporarily embarrassed further progress.

The doctrinal position of the Disciples in- volves the acceptance of the divine inspiration of the holy scriptures and the all sufficiency of the Bible as a revelation of God's Will and as a rule of faith in life, with belief in the Trinity, the incarnation, miracles, the neces- sity of faith, repentance and obedence in order to salvation, the obligation of the divine ordinance of baptism and the Lord's Supper,

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the duty of the observance of the Lord's Day, the memory of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the divine appointment of the churches of Christ, and the fullness and freedom of salvation, and the final judgment with the reward of the righteous and punishment of the wicked. The churches are congregational. Each church elects its officers, calls its min- isters and conducts its own affairs without supervision of any outside ecclesiastical authority. Officers of the church are pastors, elders and deacons. Applicants for the min- istry are ordained by authority of the local church. The minister is a member only of the church where he is located. Ministerial associations are formed, and churches unite in district and church conventions for mutual conference in regard to their general affairs. These conventions however have no ecclesias- tical authority. The American Christan Mis- sionary Society, Christian Woman's Board of Missons, The Foreign Christian Missionary Society, the National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church, the Board of Church Extension, Board of Ministerial Relief, and Christian Educational Society are general agencies for carrying on the activities of the churches of the Disciples.

In 1826 the first sermon by a Disciple in Alabama was preached by Rev. B. F. Hall at Moulton. During the five years following a record is preserved of services held in the state by Revs. Ephraim Smith, John M. Barnes Pryor Reeves, T. Cantrell and Moses Park. In 1830 Rev. Tolbert Fanning engaged in a religious debate at Moulton, followed by a series of sermons, and the organization of a church. This was probably the first Church of Christ in Alabama. In the same year Rev. William Hooker formed a church at Mount Hebron. Within the next 10 years churches were organized in Morgan and Marion coun- ties. From about 1840 the denomination spread rapidly throughout different parts of the state. The War retarded progress. About the close of the War, Rev. D. Barron built a church 6 miles west of Troy, and later he called a meeting of the churches of south Alabama. About 40 delegates responded. The conference did not perfect a permanent organization, but called Dr. F. M. D. Hopkins and Dr. Robert W. Turner for evangelistic work. These men labored faithfully, and achieved fine results, but because of the loose nature of the association of cooperation, they were compelled to discontinue. Other co- operation meetings were called. It was not until October 19, 1886, however, that the Alabama Christian Missionary Co-operation was organized at Selma. There were 14 churches represented, with 23 delegates. Preachers present were Dr. David Adams, Rev. J. M. Barnes, Rev. R. W. Van Hook, Rev. J. H. Kinnebrew, Rev. J. N. Grubbs, Rev. A. R. Moore and Rev. R. Moffett. Rev. Mr. Barnes opposed the formation of the organization, contending that it was unscrip- Tural and an innovation. His protests, how- ever, were unavailing.

The convention was chartered by the legis- lature February 28, 1901. The incorporators were Dr. E. C. Anderson, J. W. Henry, Rev. O. P. Spiegel, Rev. Kilby Ferguson, T. S. Bagley, A. A. Oden, J. W. Hardesty and W. E. Zimmerman. In accordance with the act a constitution was adopted, which slightly modified and enlarged its original scope. Among other things it declares that the object of the convention "shall be for the co- operation of the churches of Christ in Ala- bama, for systematic collection of monies to spread the gospel of Christ Jesus in Alabama, but it may appropriate funds to other fields."

In 1903 Rev. Dr. A. R. Moore, then serving the First Christian Church of Birmingham, founded the Alabama Christian, devoted to the interests of the denomination in the state. It was successfully conducted by him as long as he remained in Alabama, and after his re- moval, it was taken over by Rev. D. P. Taylor as editor and publisher. Later Rev. O. P. Spiegel became editor and publisher, by whom it is now conducted.

Statistics of this denomination in Alabama, as shown by the U. S. census report of 1906 are: 154 organizations; 8,756 members, of which 3,496 are male, and 5,260 females; 95 church edifices, with a seating capacity of 22,672; value of church property 204,750; 68 Sunday schools, with 421 teachers and 3,110 scholars.

Conventions .- The list below contains the number, date and place of holding of the several conventions:

1st, Selma, October 19, 1886.

2nd, Selma, 1887.

3rd, Selma, November 21-23, 1888.

4th, Birmingham, November 21-23, 1889.

5th, Anniston, November 20-22, 1890.

6th, Birmingham, 1891.

7th, Selma, 1892.

8th, Birmingham, 1893.

9th, Hartselle, 1894.

10th, Selma, 1895.

11th, Eutaw, 1896.

12th, Birmingham, 1897.

13th, Selma, 1898.

14th, Birmingham, 1899.

15th, Anniston, 1900.

16th, Greenville, 1901.

17th, Selma, 1902.

18th, Bessemer, November 9-12, 1903.

19th, Oxford, November 14-17, 1904.

20th, Athens, November 13-15, 1905.

21st, Mobile, November 15-19, 1906.

22nd, Jasper, November 11-14, 1907.

23rd, Eutaw, November 4-6, 1908.

24th, Selma, 1909.

REFERENCES .- Rev. O. P. Spiegel, Sketch of the Church in Alabama, in Rev. John T. Brown, Churches of Christ (1904); U. S. Bureau of the Census, Religious Bodies, 1906 (1910), pp. 235- 241. In Alabama Christian Missionary Co-op- eration, Minutes, 1903, pp. 3-9, is an historical sketch of the churches in Alabama, by Rev. D. A. R. Moore.

DISPENSARIES. See Temperance Move- ments and Organizations.

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DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS. Under the constitution of Alabama the powers of the government of the State are divided into three distinct departments, to each of which is confided a separate hody of magistracy. According to subject matter they are legisla- tive, executive and judicial. Except in the in- stances in the constitution expressly directed or permitted, the legislative department can never exercise executive and judicial powers, or either of them, the executive can never exercise legislative and judicial powers, or either of them and the judicial can never exercise legislative or executive powers, or either of them. This wise inhibition is adopted "to the end that it may be a govern- ment of laws and not of men."

"The separate departments of the govern- ment for the exercise of the legislative, execu- tive and judicial powers are termed checks and balances of the republican form of gov- ernment." The constitution itself fixes the limitations of the several departments in a definite series of regulations.

Throughout the history of the State the several departments have jealously guarded their respective fields of operation. At the same time the courts have adopted a whole- some and liberal spirit of interpretation, in order to give full force to the intent of the constitution in the distribution of powers.

REFERENCES .- Constitution, 1901, secs. 42 and 43, in Code, 1907, vol. 3, pp. 41-43, with cita- tions; Fox v. McDonald, 101 Ala., p. 51; State er rel. Winter v. Sayre, 118 Ala., p. 1.

DIVORCE. See Marriage and Divorce.

DIXIE OVERLAND HIGHWAY. An Im- proved road from Savannah, Georgia, to Los Angeles, California, entering the State at Gir- ard in Russell County, traversing it in a gen- eral westerly direction, and leaving it at Cuba in Sumter County. It passes through Crawford. Tuskegee, Mount Meigs, Montgom- ery, Selma, Livingston and York.

The project to establish an "ocean to ocean, all-year-round" automobile route had its inception with certain business men of Columbus, Georgia. The movement was in- augurated and the association formed, largely through the efforts of the Chamber of Com- merce of that city.

Harry A. Chandler, the pathfinder of the association, made a trip from New Mexico to Columbus In the spring of 1916, mapping the route.

In the fall of 1917 a tour from Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi points to Meridian, Miss., was conducted by the association for the purpose of inspecting the route with a view to its preparation for military use dur- ing the war and for perpetual commercial use, assisting to secure Federal aid for the highway, meeting with the local associations and the commissioners of each county through which the highway runs, and hold- ing meetings with the members of the State highway commission, county commissioners, and citizens. The association stated its motives for arranging the tour, as follows:

"Believing the Dixie Overland Highway to he essential to the transportation needs of the territory through which it passes, this tour is arranged by the association as a patriotic endeavor in the interest of military and commercial preparedness."

The officers of the association are: Frank G. Lumpkin, Columbus, president; Frank C. Battley, Savannah, vice president; Leland J. Henderson, Columbus, secretary-treasurer. The executive committee is composed of husi- ness men of Columbus.

REFERENCES .- Contemporary State news- papers.

DOGS. Under the laws of Alabama, a dog is property for injury to which damages may be recovered, hut it is not the subject of lar- ceny. No person must keep any dog known to kill or worry sheep, other stock, or do- mestic fowls, without being set upon them. The owner is liable for double the value of all the stock killed or injured, and no action can be maintained against any one for killing such dog. Rabid dogs, or dogs believed to have been bitten hy rabid dogs, must he restricted hy their owners for six months thereafter. Any agent or officer of any duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals may lawfully kill a dog that is abandoned or not properly cared for. if in the judgment of two reputable citizens, called by him to view them in his presence, it appears old, infirm, or diseased beyond recovery. Dogs may be registered hy their owners in the office of the probate judge, paying a tax of one dollar and a fee of twenty- five cents, and for which a certificate is Issued. The tax is appropriated to the use of the schools of the county where collected.

The legislature of 1915, by acts of July 27, September 15 and September 18, imposed a license or privilege tax of $1.00 on every dog over four months of age, provided that all live stock killed by any dog and all damage thereto should be paid out of the dog tax fund; for the protection of people from dogs running at large, made the owners guilty of a misdemeanor, and further provided for the recovery of damages sustained by any person Injured by a rabid dog, such damages to in- clude pasteur treatment.

The DeSoto chroniclers carry the first re- corded reference to dogs in this region, 1540, where, in speaking of the shortage of food, they say that the atives furnished them "little dogs that do not hark." These, how- ever, are not thought to refer to the canine species, but to the native opossum. The Indlan, always an adept in taming wild ani- mals, domesticated a species of wild or wolf dog, but none are known to survive. The opinion obtains among students of aboriginal

life In America, however, that the domesti- cating process was never quite completed, which may explain the fact of nonsurvival. The southern Indians employed their dogs in hunting, but it is evident that they never at- talned any great proficiency. Dogs were sometimes used for ceremonial purposes; and they were also used for food. The observa-

Metal Monument in Old Cahaba Cemetery

Big Spring and Water Mill, Huntsville

DRY GOODS

ORY 60004

Dexter Ave., Montgomery, showing old artesian basin and Capitol, in which Confederate Government was organized

VIEW. T.STATES ARSESAL. MT VERNON . AL .:

U. S. Arsenal, Mount Vernon, Alabama EARLY HISTORIC SCENES

Vol. 1-32

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tion is made by one writer that the flesh of the Indian wolf dog was much relished, but that dogs of European descent were not gen- erally eaten.

European settlers introduced the domestic dog. The Indian traders and explorers brought him into the Gulf region, hut at what date is not known. The hound probably pre- dominated, serving the dual purpose of watch and hunting dog. It is not unreasonable to suppose that some of those bred with the Indian native dogs, and that in this way strains of the latter may remotely remain. Dog River, one of the earliest named small streams flowing into Mobile Bay commemo- rates the English translation of the generic term in French. An incident illustrative of the courage of dogs in pioneer times is pre- served in connection with the attack on Fort Sinquefield. Isaac Hayden, with wonderful presence of mind, as the Indians pressed to the attack, sprang upon a horse, called to the sixty dogs in the fort, and charged with them upon the invaders. The time thus gained saved many lives. (See Hayden's Dog Charge.)

The first legislative reference is the act of the Mississippi Territorial Legislature, March 6, 1805, in which it was provided "that all slaves he prohibited from keeping dogs, under any pretence or consideration whatsoever." In addition to a punishment inflicted on the slave, the master forfeited $5 for every dog so kept, and was required to "make good all damages done by dogs appertaining to, or kept by any of his or her slaves." This regulation remained in force until slavery disappeared in 1865.

This statute was not in fact a "dog law," but rather a slave regulation; and the first law in which there was any effort to regulate dogs as such was an act of February 23, 1860, now section 2832, Code, 1907, in which it was made unlawful for any person to keep a dog known to kill or worry sheep, or other stock, without being set upon them.

While at every session of the legislature, various measures are offered for dog taxation, regulation, and even destruction, he has usually had friends enough to protect him from trouble. The preliminary paragraphs herein above present a summary of such regulation as was attempted.

See Field Trials Clubs; Health, State Board of.

REFERENCES .- Toulmin, Digest, 1823, p. 630; Code of 1867, Code' 1907, secs. 2832-2836, 6235, 6236; Acts 1859-60, p. 45; Handbook of American Indians (1907), vol. 1, p. 398; Pick- ett, History of Alabama (Owen's ed., 1900), p. 545; Parker v. Mise, 27 Ala. 480; White v. Brantley, 37 Ala., 430; Ward v. State, 48 Ala., 163; Johnson v. State, 100 Ala. 32; Hamilton, Colonial Mobile (1910), pp. 16, 441; Acts 1915, pp. 259, 541, 599-602; Halbert and Ball, Creek War, 1813-1814 (1895), p. 188; Kloblanch v. Warden of City Prison, 216 N. Y. Court of Appeals, p. 154.

DOLOMITES. See Limestones and dolo- mites.

DOMESTIC ANIMALS. See Live Stock.

DORA. Post office and incorporated town, in the eastern edge of Walker County, on the Southern Railway, about 5 miles east of Cor- dova, and about 15 miles southeast of Jasper. Altitude: 366 feet. Population: 1900-385; 1910-916.

This is one of the earliest mining towns in Walker County. In the forties, James Davis, William Robertson, Reuben Morgan, James Hancock and John Sullivan dug coal from the banks and the bottom of Warrior River at the site of the present town, and floated it down the river on flatboats to market. At present there are extensive mining plants, using im- proved electrical machinery, and giving em- ployment to hundreds of operatives. There is also a large number of coke ovens, operated by the Pratt Consolidated Coal & Coke Co. The Bank of Dora (State) is the only banking institution. The original name of the town was "Horse Creek." It was changed to Dora in 1906.

REFERENCES .- Armes, Story of coal and iron in Alabama (1910), pp. 55, 352, 493, 500; Ala- bama Official and Statistical Register, 1915.

DOTHAN. Incorporated city and county seat of Houston County. It is situated in the northwestern part of the county, at the junc- tion of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, the Central of Georgia Railway, and the Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay Railway. Population: 1890-247; 1900-3,275; 1910-7,016. Alti- tude: 355 feet . It hasthe First Nationtl, Dothan National, and Houston National Banks, and the Dothan Mortgage & Trust Co. (State). Its newspapers are the Dothan Eagle, an evening daily, except Sunday, established in 1908, The Dothan Morning News, daily except Monday, established in 1913, the Dothan Home Journal, established in 1899, the Dothan Weekly Eagle, es- tablished in 1903, both Democratic weeklies, and The Voice of the Negro, a weekly, estab- lished in 1912. It has waterworks, electric light and power plants, underground tele- phone system, 30 miles of sanitary and storm sewerage, an opera house seating 1,000 per- sons, a business college, and public school buildings and equipment worth $150,000. Its principal industries are a syrup refinery, a pickling plant, a grain elevator, 2 acid plants, 6 fertilizer mixers, 2 cotton compresses, a sash and door factory, 2 cottonseed oil mills, a foundry, 2 machine shops, an ice factory, an overalls factory, a mattress factory, and a feed mixing plant. It is in a rich agricultural country, and is the principal market for a large surrounding area.

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History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 95

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