USA > Alabama > Conecuh County > History of Conecuh County, Alabama. Embracing a detailed record of events from the earliest period to the present; biographical sketches of those who have been most conspicuous in the annals of the county; a complete list of the officials of Conecuh, besides much valuable information relative to the internal resources of the county > Part 6
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The wisdom of arresting the washing of lands, seems never to have been suggested to the primitive farmer. Of course, the best lands were the first to be improved, as they were quite frequently the first to be abandoned as having become useless through wear. As a consequence, many of the lands which were orig- inally the best to be found in the county, were speedily surrendered to the sedge-grass and the needle-leaved pine, and are to-day regarded as barren wastes. With a more compact population-which our county is destined, at no distant day, to have-these wasted fields will be reclaimed from desolation, and again be made to "blossom as the rose."
A few years after the first settlement of the county another branch of business sprang into existence- that of stock raising. The luxuriant pasture lands that composed the southern portion of the county, reaching even down to the coast, were covered with vast herds of cattle. The largest among the herds was that of David Tate, a half-breed, whose cattle swarmed over the grassy districts stretching between the Big and Little Escambias. Higher north, a herd of four thousand was owned by John Sampey. This
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branch of trade has ever been one of profit, and is destined, in the history of the county, to become one of the most lucrative of her industries.
In 1825, a Land Office was established at Sparta, with Dr. Jonathan G. Shaw, of Massachusetts, as Re- ceiver. He was appointed by President John Quincy Adams. Considerable excitement prevailed among the people of the county at this period in consequence of the spirit of speculation that existed in certain quarters. Keen-eyed speculators were industrious in seeking out the best lands in the county, the claims of whose occupants were not secure, and in putting an enormous estimate upon their value in order to realize, in their sale, considerable profit. This produced wide- spread dissatisfaction and demoralization. To avoid being dislodged from the place improved by himself, Rev. Alexander Travis purchased his land of these Shylocks at the exorbitant sum of $37.50 per acre. But so grave an imposition upon a quiet, industrious community, such as Conecuh had become, could not go unrebuked and unchecked. The grievances of the indignant masses reached the ears of Congress, and the Relief Bill was passed, causing the late sale to be cancelled and the lands to be re-purchased. Mr. Travis now secured his land, under this bill, for $1.25 per acre. And what was true of him was equally true of others. This brought a protracted period of tran- quility and prosperity to the people of Conecuh.
The successful navigation of the Conecuh river, and the enormous revenue which the owners of the boats
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on that stream were realizing, led to an effort to nav- igate Murder creek .* Accordingly the services of Colonel Bowie were secured to clear the stream, and prepare it for the passage of boats. Several ineffectual efforts, however, convinced the inaugurators of the enterprise that it was by no means feasible, and the project was abandoned at once. While this attempt was a bootless one, it only served to show that the spirit of enterprise was abroad in the land. By every means the inhabitants sought to utilize the facilities with which nature had so prodigally supplied their adopted home. Continued advancement served to stimulate the energies of the thrifty population, and each recurring year witnessed a marked change in all portions of the rapidly growing county. Lands were being improved by a more thorough system of drain- age, and the rude contrivances of the early colonists were being eventually displaced by substantial evi. dences of advancement.
In 1827, a tragedy occurred at Ellis's Mills that shocked the entire county. Captain Cumming, who had, for some years, been conspicuous in different ways in the county, was killed by a man whose name was Fuller. Naturally impulsive, and of a domineer- ing disposition, Cumming attacked Fuller with a storm of abuse, to which no resistance was offered. Stung by this cool indifference, Cumming went away and
* This beautiful stream derived its name, according to Colonel Pickett, in his History of Alabama, vol. II., page 82, from a bloody tragedy enacted upon its banks in 1788.
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carefully loaded his gun for the express purpose of killing Fuller. Fired with passion still, he returned to the place where Fuller was quietly at work hewing a log, and walking within a few feet of him, he lev- elled his gun at his breast, pulled trigger-and it missed fire. At this juncture Fuller sprang forward, with his broad axe, and drove it into Cumming's skull. He quietly surrendered himself to the proper author- ities, but was duly acquitted.
While the material interests of the county were being steadily advanced, regard was had to the moral enlightenment and spiritual improvement of the peo- ple. The ministry of this period were ardently de- voted to the promulgation of the truths of the gospel, and their laborious exertions bore fruit in the form of thriving spiritual interests, which were being planted within convenient reach of the growing population. The consecration of Revs. Alexander Travis, Keidar Hawthorne, John Ellis, and William Jones, Sr., of the Baptist denomination; and of Revs. James King, Joshua Calloway, John A. Cotten, and Lewis Pipkin, of the Methodist Church, is sacredly enshrined in the memories of the oldest residents of the county. The recollections of these sainted pioneer preachers will never be embalmed in "the flower-crowned annals of song," but better, they will be transmitted with pa- thetic interest to the future generations of the county.
An event took place in the region of the Burnt Corn settlement, in 1828, that deserves special notice in the History of Conecuh, as indicating both the as-
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siduity of Elder Travis and the generosity of John Greene, Sr. Ministerial laborers being but few in the county, and Mr. Travis being anxious to have the gospel preached to as many as possible every Sabbath, conceived the plan of centralizing the interests in different portions of the county. In upper Conecuh there had been established, by himself and his co- laborers, several points where preaching was had as often as a minister could, in turn, visit them. He de- termined upon a combination of these several interests, and appointed a committee to select a site for the erec- tion of a house of worship sufficiently commodious to accommodate these congregations when formed into a single church. Finding the committee somewhat em- barrassed by their inability to fix upon an eligible spot, Mr. Greene very generously offered them a tract of land, northwest of his dwelling, as a spot suited to the erection of a church edifice. The lot thus donated by himself was covered with a grove of beautiful oaks, from the midst of which flowed, perennially, the wa- ters of a bold spring. The terms of the donation were, that the tenure of possession was to be commensurate with the occupation of the place as a point of worship. The generous offer was gratefully accepted, and the church became famous as a place of worship in this portion of the county. In after years the church was removed to Puryearville, in Monroe county, and became the Old Bethany Church.
Among the enterprises which were inaugurated in the county during the following year (1828) was one
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that sprang into existence as if by magic. This was a point of business of unusual interest, that was estab- lished just below Bellville, between the Fergurson Place and the residence of Thomas Simpson, Sr. This enterprise was established under the auspices of a young man, from Mobile, whose name was Hosefield. His place of business was contiguous to an old field, whose broad, level acres presented an inducement to the county militia-men as an admirable place for "mustering." So important did this point become, as a place of thriving trade,-and so notorious was it for rowdyism,-that the inhabitants named it "Little New York." After a few years' existence, it disappeared with the suddenness with which it originally began. A slightly cleared place is the only relic now remain- ing of one of the most notorious points that existed in the county of Conecuh.
The political questions of the period, which had already commenced their turbulent sway in the older States, had not as yet reached Alabama. The Caro- linian element, which entered so largely into the early population of Conecuh, shared somewhat in the ex- citing Nullification movement, which stirred so deeply the public sentiment of South Carolina, in 1832. But it gave no shape or color to the politics of this region, as did no other question at this time. It was reserved for later years to witness all the bitterness and rancor that are born of heated political discussion. At this period of the history of the county, voters were not controlled in their preferences by the complexion worn
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by any political organization, but altogether by the reputation of the candidate. The contests in the realm of politics were based upon no pronounced issues. Sometimes there was but one candidate before the people-at other times there was quite a host. The most formidable opponent was he whose integrity was most unquestioned and unsuspicioned, and whose personal influence was such as to sway the masses. Long before this period-perhaps as early as 1820 or 1822-election precincts had been established at the homes of William Brewer, William Blackshear, and David Hendricks, at Cumming's Mill; also at Zuber's Store, George Constantine's, Brooklyn, James Cald- well's, Rabb's Store, James Grace's, and John Bell's.
About 1833, a startling event occurred in the region of Fort Crawford. A woman, whose name was Mrs. Nancy Taylor, had gone to the home of a neighboring woman and had given her a severe drubbing. The violent assault evoked judicial interference, and Dep- uty Sheriff Dollyhide was sent by Sheriff Wilson Ashley to arrest the turbulent woman. When Mr. Dollyhide reached her house, she positively told him that she would not be taken. Walking coolly up to her side, he laid his hand upon her shoulder, and said : "Madam, you are my prisoner!" She instantly snatched from her bosom a sharp dagger, and drove it to the hilt into the heart of Deputy Dollyhide, and he fell dead at her feet. Dressing herself in the costume of a male, and in company with a kinsman, whose name was Fed Walker, she fled to Texas, leaving
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behind her husband. He remained in Conecuh for another year, when he, too, emigrated to Texas, and rejoined his fugitive wife.
The following is a list of the members of the General Assembly from the county up to the period of 1835 :
SENATORS.
1819-John Herbert. 1821-John W. Devereux.
1825-William Jones. 1828-John Watkins.
1830-William Hemphill.
1833-William Hemphill.
REPRESENTATIVES.
1819-William Lee, Thomas Watts.
1820-Samuel Cook, Thomas Armstrong.
1821-Eldridge S. Greening, John E. Graham.
1822-Samuel W. Oliver, John S. Hunter, Taylor. 1823-Samuel W. Oliver, John Fields, James Salter.
1824-Samuel W. Oliver, Nathan Cook, John Greene.
1825-Samuel W. Oliver, Eldridge S. Greening.
1826-Samuel W. Oliver, Eldridge S. Greening.
1827-Samuel W. Oliver, Eldridge S. Greening. 1828-Joseph P. Clough, James Salter.
1829-John Greene, Henry E. Curtis.
1830-Joseph P. Clough, Samuel Dubose.
1831-Samuel W. Oliver, John Watkins.
1832-Samuel W. Oliver, Julian S. Devereux.
1833-Samuel W. Oliver, Watkins Salter.
1834-Samuel W. Oliver.
1835-Wilson Ashley.
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CHAPTER XV.
Conecuh from 1835 to 1845-Interesting Epoch-Birth of Political Issues-The Excitement Begins-Hot Contests-The Great Indian War-Democrats and Whigs-Hard and Soft Money-Educational Improvements, &c.
We now enter upon the history of one of the most interesting decades in the annals of the county. The political questions which had grown out of the exist- ing state of the government, and which had crystallized into positive shape in the older States, had been trans- ferred to the extreme South, and gradually shaped themselves into principles upon which the voters of Conecuh were divided. Just enough interest had been awakened by the exciting Nullification movement in South Carolina, to inspire a desire to read, and hence the leading political papers of the country were being eagerly subscribed for. This spirit received encourage- ment, too, from a combination of favorable circum- stances, in which the people of the county were now placed at this advanced stage of their history. These circumstances were-the growth of population, which drew the masses more frequently together; the in- creased postal facilities of the county; the more intelli- gent generation that was coming upon the stage of action; and the greater leisure afforded by the advanced prosperity of most of the citizens of Conecuh. Not- withstanding the intense excitement produced by the
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Nullification struggle, it was destined to be followed, within a few years, by a discussion, the excitement of which, if it did not equal the intensity of the former, it exceeded it in general interest. This was the dis- cussion of the great Bank question. A subject so important, and of such popular interest, touched all classes of persons alike. In the midst of the sternness displayed by President Jackson, which unpoised the financial system of the whole country, producing a serious crash in 1837, Thomas H. Benton, Senator from Missouri, urged the adoption of a gold and silver currency, as the true remedy for the embarrass- ments of the times. This financial question drew the line of demarcation very broadly and clearly between the two existing dominant parties-the Whigs and Democrats-the former of whom opposed the measure suggested and advocated with so much power by Mr. Benton, while the latter, with heartiness, adopted them. The two parties became very pronounced in the enunciation of their respective views. This period witnessed the first political contest, upon clearly defined party issues, that was ever had in the county of Conecuh. True, divergent views had been held by her people prior to this time, and minor differences had been expressed in a feeble way; but now excite- ment ran high, and the respective parties rallied and drilled their forces for a hot contest at the ballot-box. They selected their candidates for the Legislature, the Democratic nominee being J. Richard Hawthorne, and that of the Whig Party being Jephtha V. Perry-
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man. Because of his enthusiastic advocacy of hard money principles, Mr. Hawthorne won from his oppo- nents the sobriquet of "The Benton Mint Drop Boy." After a thorough and exciting canvass of the county, the election resulted in the choice of Mr. Perryman by just seven votes. This election, for a time, put a quietus upon the county, the Whigs being exhilarant over their victory, while the Democrats were en- couraged to renew the contest, by the fact that they came so near of success. At this period of the county's history, public attention was diverted to a more seri- ous question than that which agitated the people at their homes-this was the outbreak of hostilities on the part of the Indians. The policy of the govern- ment of removing them from their old abodes, which was instituted in 1832, had met with resistance almost everywhere. Both along the Chattahoochee and in Florida, there were hostile demonstrations. A call was made for troops, and in response, Captain Bell, of Bellville, raised a company and went to Georgia. Of those who were members of that company, the names of none can be secured, except those of Absalom Autrey, Pinkney Straughn, and Madison Crosby.
Whatever of interest there was in the history of the county for several successive years following 1836, it gathers around the fierce contests which were waged in the political arena from year to year. For a num- ber of elections together, the Whigs were the success- ful contestants. 1839 is famous in the annals of the county as being a year of remarkable prosperity. The
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oldest citizens still refer to it as an unusual year for the production of cotton. The following year, 1840, witnessed the establishment of an excellent literary institution at Evergreen, which has ever since been known as the Evergreen Academy. Suitable steps had been taken the year previous to locate the insti- tution at the point where it now stands, but not until 1840 was it formally opened for the matriculation of students. Prior to this time little or no business was conducted in the now thrifty town of Evergreen, and it appears that up to this period the community boasted of no other name than that of Corsey's Old Field. When, however, such men as Rev. Alexander Travis, J. V. Perryman, James Tomlinson, Garland Goode, Nicholas Stallworth, Churchill Jones, Nathan Godbold, Chesley Crosby, John Crosby, Blanton P. Box, and others, combined their energies and wisdom and determined to establish a literary institution of high merit at this point, the unclassical name of Corsey's Old Field was displaced by the more elegant designation of Evergreen. Mr. Perryman having modestly declined having the place named "Perry- ville," in honor of himself, as was justly suggested by some one, Rev. Mr. Travis thought that a name might be derived from the verdant foliage that abounded, suggested that the place was forever green-meaning to refer, however, only to the foliage! The uniqueness of the name struck those most interested in the enter- prise, and hence the academy was called Evergreen. The resolutions originally adopted provided for the
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election of a President and Vice-President of a board of twelve trustees. Rev. Alexander Travis was chosen President, Hon. Churchill Jones, Vice-Pres- ident, and the following were the original Board of . Trustees of the Academy: John D. Travis, Nicholas Stallworth, Littleberry Chapman, James Tomlinson, C. H. Stallworth, Mabry Thomas, Chesley Crosby, John G. Smith, Wilson Ashley, Mason L. Mosely, Garland Goode and Nathan Godbold. An efficient Principal and Assistant were immediately chosen, and the doors of the new institution were thrown open for the re- ception of pupils. Rev. Horatio Smith became the first Principal, with Mrs. Smith as his Assistant. The success of the new enterprise more than equalled the most sanguine expectations of its founders, and it was soon discovered to be necessary to increase the force of instruction. Accordingly Professor Stroud was engaged, and later the Faculty was increased by the addition of Mr. A. S. Flowers, and Misses Arm- strong and Hitchcock. The merits of the institution speedily became known, and students were matricula- ted, not only from Conecuh, but from the counties of Butler, Wilcox, Monroe, and Mobile, as well. The school numbered as many as 155 upon its roll at different times. For many years it continued in a thriving condition, the pulpit, the bar, the halls of national legislation, the ranks of the army, as well as many a radiant home in this and surrounding coun- ties, having been contributed to by its classical halls.
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Eighteen hundred and forty-one is memorable
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as having been a year of remarkable excitement in the county. The chief issue, still, was the currency. Undismayed by past reverses, the Dem- ocratic Party renewed its efforts to secure the Representative to the Legislature in the session of 1841. Garland Goode was chosen as the advocate of the principles of Democracy, while Churchill Jones led the opposing Whigs. Public sentiment was stirred to its deepest depths, and the passion for success well nigh bordered on to frenzy. The county resounded from limit to limit with impassioned oratory. Every man was a politician, and the emphasis with which he announced his principles, left no doubt as to the political banner beneath which he served. The con- test was again close-just enough so, to tantalize the Democratic hosts and to fire them with a determina- tion to renew the conflict the next year. The Whigs bore off the palm, and Mr. Jones was sent to the Leg- islature. So acceptable a Representative did he prove, that he was returned for three successive terms. With unabated ardor, however, the Democrats en- tered the field afresh in 1844, under the leadership of A. W. Jones. The opposite party found a worthy champion in the person of Ransom L. Dean. The contest was again close, but this time the Democrats achieved a victory. This conflict between the two parties continued from year to year, as we shall see as we proceed.
In 1841, a tragedy occurred at Bellville, which, because of its boldness, and premeditated concoction,
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excited the profoundest indignation in all parts of the county. Two negro men, belonging to Mr. Sandy Puryear, of Monroe, had adroitly arranged to rob and destroy the store of Duncan McIntyre, who was then merchandising at Bellville. They succeeded in enter- ing the house, and after ladening themselves with valuables, they quietly set the house on fire within, coolly mounted their horses, and rode toward home. Investigation and vigilant search for a single trace of the stolen goods seemed, for a time, fruitless-and, perhaps, the criminals would have escaped undetected, had not one of the villains undertaken to barter a fine gold watch for a gun. This furnished a clew to the mystery ; the advantage was improved, and soon the guilt was fixed upon the scoundrels. After trial, they were duly executed by being hanged, at Monroeville, the following year.
In January, 1844, the first tannery ever established in Conecuh was built near Bellville, under the auspices of Messrs. J. R. Hawthorne and John H. Farnham. For a number of years it continued in a flourishing condition, as it furnished leather to Conecuh and to citizens in counties adjoining.
It was by no means an uncommon occurrence, at this period, to see slave speculators plying their trade as they would pass, here and there, into different parts of the country. The slaves were usually transported in wagons; and these dealers would locate themselves, for several days together, at the different centres of population,-pitch their tents,-and exhibit their 6
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slaves to all desiring to purchase. It is a matter of public congratulation that the Slave Trade, so fraught with innumerable evils, belongs to the times of the far past.
The following is a list of the different county officers of Conecuh during the period embraced in the foregoing chapter :
COUNTY JUDGES. *
1835-J. V. Perryman. t 1836-Henry F. Stearns. 1841-Benjamin J. Goodloe. 1845-A. W. Jones. SHERIFFS. 1837-William E. Ellis. .. 1841-David F. Henderson. 1844-William E. Ellis. CIRCUIT CLERKS. 1837-Churchill Jones. § 1841-Wilson Ashley. | 1845-Nicholas Stallworth. |
* Until 1850, the County Judges were elected by the Legislature, with term of service of four years.
t Resigned the next year.
# Resigned before the expiration of his term.
§ It was universally understood that this election was held in the interest of A. D. Cary, who, being Receiver at the Land Office, was legally disqualified to offer for the position, but who could do the work for another.
|| For Mr. Cary. |||| For Mr. Cary.
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The following is a list of the members of the Gen- eral Assembly:
SENATORS.
1836-Samuel W. Oliver.
1837-Herndon Lee Henderson.
1839-Stephen S. Andrews. 1842-John Watkins. 1845-John Morrisette.
REPRESENTATIVES.
1835-Wilson Ashley.
1836-Jephtha V. Perryman.
1837-Jephtha V. Perryman.
1838-James M. Bolling.
1839-James M. Bolling. 1840-W. A. Bell.
1841-Churchill Jones.
1842-Churchill Jones.
1843-Churchill Jones.
1844-A. W. Jones.
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CHAPTER XVI.
Chapter of Biography-Hon. J. S. Hunter-Richard Warren, etc.
JOHN STARKE HUNTER
was an attorney of some distinction, who came to Conecuh shortly after it became a county. He was a native of Camden, Kershaw District, S. C. His early literary training was of the first order, having gradu- ated from the South Carolina College. He was admit- ted to the bar to practice law in 1816, and two or three years later turned his face westward toward Alabama, the fame of whose inviting territory had already reached the older States. He first located at Clai- borne, in Monroe county, as the law partner of Hon. A. P. Bagby. Thence be removed to Sparta, and be- came the partner of Samuel W. Oliver. About the year 1829 he removed from Conecuh to Hayneville, Lowndes county, where he continued the practice of law. In 1834 he was promoted, by election, to the circuit judgeship to succeed Hon. John W. Paul, but remained upon the bench only a single year. In 1836 he was placed upon the electoral ticket for Martin Van Buren. In 1840 he was sent from the county of Lowndes to the Legislature, and after a single year's service in this branch of the General Assembly, he was elected Senator. Resigning his seat in the Senate in 1843, he removed to Dallas county. While residing
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