USA > Alabama > Butler County > The history of Butler County, Alabama, from 1815 to 1885 > Part 10
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CHAPTER XXXV.
COLONEL HILARY A. HERBERT, Congressman from the Second District of Alabama.
THIS worthy son of our county was born at Laurens Court House, South Carolina, March 12, 1834. His parents, Thomas E. and Dorothy T. Herbert, were prominent educators in South Caro- lina and Alabama. They taught a flourishing female school together in Laurensville until 1846, when they removed to Greenville, Butler County, where they were engaged in teaching school with marked success for a number of years.
It was while his parents were in Greenville that Hilary went to school to W. P. Eaton and other faithful teachers, and laid a good foundation for his future education. He made sufficient progress to be ready to enter college at the age of sixteen. His father, however, did not approve of sending him to a boarding-school while so young, and put him to work on his plantation. On the farm he was as diligent and successful as in the school- room, and proved to be of great assistance to his father.
After remaining in active service on the farm for about two years, he was matriculated as a member of the Sophomore Class in the State Uni- versity at Tuscaloosa, in the fall term of 1853,
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and by his diligent application made a high stand in his class. His pleasing manners and superior character soon won for him a host of friends, who admired him both as a student and a true friend.
It was a great misfortune that the "Doby Re- bellion" should have taken place while this prom- ising youth was at college.
Doby was a member of the Sophomore Class; had earned the means for defraying his college ex- penses, and was recognized as a young man of some promise. He was dismissed from college by the faculty for shouting "Wolf!" at Prof. George Benagh, but he denied the truth of the charge, and appealed to his class to prove that he was in- nocent. The enraged Sophomores, feeling that a great injustice had been done to their classmate, met in the Erosophic Society Hall and called Hilary Herbert to the chair. Inflammatory speeches were made, and, amid great excitement, a resolution was offered -and adopted that the signers would attend no more college duties until Doby was reinstated.
The faculty immediately suspended all those who signed the resolution. Among those sus- pended were Hilary Herbert, as well as a majority of his class, about half the Freshmen and a few of the Juniors. Many members of the class after- wards returned to the University, made the nec- essary reparations for having acted as they had done in the matter, and were reinstated. A ma- jority of those engaged in the Doby Rebellion
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COL. HILARY A. HERBERT.
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were influenced by pure and noble motives, and accepted the decision of the officers of the institu- tion as final. Those suspended for taking part in the Doby Rebellion have never harbored any ill will against the University for the action the faculty took in the matter, but, on the other hand, have been strong friends and supporters of the institution. Hilary Herbert has since served on its honorable Board of Trustees, and made a very useful and influential member.
After being sent from college at Tuscaloosa, Mr. Herbert entered the University of Virginia, and prosecuted his studies here during the ses- sions of 1854-55 and 1855-56. At this great seat of learning he made good use of the superior ad- vantages offered and enjoyed the same success that he had met with in Alabama. Greatly to his regret, his health gave way under the pressure of sedentary life, and he was forced to return to his home in March, 1856, for the purpose of re- gaining his strength. Having contracted dyspep- sia, it was necessary for him to employ the best medical skill, and to adhere strictly to the pre- scriptions given, lest he should be an invalid for life. His health had improved sufficiently by the following September for him to begin the study of law, which he did with E. A. Perry (now Gen- eral E. A. Perry, of Pensacola, Florida). They both had just begun to read law, and soon formed a great attachment and friendship for each other. One would read aloud while the other listened;
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they would then have a quiz on the whole chapter. These two young men made rapid progress, and were both admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court in March, 1857. Mr. Perry opened an of- fice in Pensacola, and shortly after married Miss - - Taylor, a beautiful and accomplished lady, and a granddaughter of Dr. Hilary Herbert, an uncle of the subject of this sketch, and for whom he was named.
Herbert formed partnership with Samuel Adams, a very prominent lawyer in Greenville at that time, and who represented Butler County twice in the General Assembly. He married a sister of Hilary Herbert. He was a brave soldier in the Confed- erate Army, and was promoted to the rank of Colonel of the Thirty-third Alabama Regiment, but was killed at Atlanta in 1864 before he had time to add much lustre to his name as a com- mander.
From 1857 to 1861 Mr. Herbert practiced law successfully in Greenville, but was no aspirant for office. He was, however, alternate elector for Breckinridge, having always been a stanch Dem- ocrat and a strong supporter of such principles as were consistent with Democratic views.
Having advocated secession, he thought it his duty to defend it. The Greenville Guards had been formed in Greenville in the fall of 1860 and Herbert was elected Second Lieutenant in that company. Governor Moore ordered the com- pany to Pensacola in January, 1861, before the
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State had seceded. After staying at Pensacola about six weeks, the company was ordered to re- turn to Greenville. Here it was reorganized, and Hilary A. Herbert was elected as its Captain. Captain Herbert took his company to Richmond the following May. This was the first company that enlisted into regular service from this county, and was made Company F, Eighth Alabama In- fantry, with John A. Winston as Colonel in com- mand. After the battle of Williamsburg, in the spring of 1862, Captain Herbert was promoted to the rank of Major of the regiment. He was wounded and captured at the battle of Seven Pines, but was exchanged in August. He was then in command of the regiment, and was struck three times at Sharpsburg, but was not wounded severely enough to be obliged to leave the field; was promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel, and re- mained with the regiment during all of 1863, and until the battle of the Wilderness, in May, 1864, when he was disabled by a severe wound in the left arm.
After reaching home, he sent on his application for retirement, and wrote to Colonel King, the commander of the brigade, to have it hurried through, as he did not wish to stand in the way of the gallant officers, the promotion of whom would follow his retirement. Colonel King showed this application to the regimental officers. The of- ficers who would be promoted by Colonel Her- bert's retirement, after consultation, decided that
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Colonel Herbert deserved to be promoted to a full Colonelcy, and, as it was likely he would get promotion before a great while, they requested Colonel King to withhold and not forward his res- ignation. These officers thus voluntarily caused Herbert's promotion to the position of Colonel of the regiment, and this at a sacrifice to themselves. Such instances of self-sacrificing devotion to a commander were not common among officers, even in the heroic days of the Confederacy. This is quite a compliment to Colonel Herbert. It shows how highly the officers of the Confederate Army regarded him as a commander, and his abil- ity in the successful discharge of the different duties devolving upon him while holding such a responsible position. A soldier, on a thirty days' furlough, on his way home, brought to Colonel Herbert his commission as Colonel, thus obtained for him by the devotion of the officers of his old regiment.
After the war was over, Colonel Herbert re- sumed the practice of law in Greenville, and formed partnership with John L. Powell, now Probate Judge of Butler County. In 1867 Colo- nel Herbert was united in marriage with Miss Ella Smith, a daughter of Colonel Washington M. Smith, of Selma. Mrs. Herbert is a lady of high culture and rare accomplishments. Having spent several years in the city of Washington with her husband while in Congress, she had the opportunity of meeting a great many distin-
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guished persons from different parts of the coun- try, and has won the admiration and esteem of all those who know her. She has been elected Vice- Regent of the Ladies' Mount Vernon Association for Alabama, an organization for the purpose of preserving the sacred home of George Washing- ton for the American people, who constantly visit it in large numbers.
Colonel Herbert followed the profession of his choice with considerable zeal, and had but little to do with politics until the passage of the Recon- struction Acts. He then considered it his duty to oppose Republicanism in the State, and took an active part in the campaign of 1867. He soon won a reputation as a speaker and Democratic leader, and was made a member of the State Executive Committee. In the meantime, Hon. David Buel had been admitted into partnership with him in the practice of law.
The war had deprived his father, Thomas E. Herbert, of all his property, and had robbed two of his daughters of their husbands. Colonel Sam- uel Adams was killed at Atlanta, George M. Cook at the battle of Seven Pines, and his nephew, James A. Young, who was an adopted son, fell at New Hope Church in 1864. Colonel Herbert, the only survivor of the family from the war, had the gratification of being able to assist his aged father in the hour of need, and took great pleasure in giving him every care and com- fort in his declining years. The good-hearted old
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gentleman was disabled in 1863 by a paralytic stroke, and was perfectly helpless until his death, in 1868.
In 1876 Colonel Herbert received the nomina- tion for Congressman from the Democratic party of the Second District of Alabama, and was duly elected the following November. Soon after his election, L. M. Lane, a prominent and able law- yer, was admitted into the firm, and the firm still bears the name of Herbert, Buel & Lane. Colo- nel Herbert has been in Congress ever since 1876. It was very gratifying to his friends of the Second District, as well as the people of Alabama, that he was renominated in 1884 without opposition, and was elected by a large majority.
In national legislation, Colonel Herbert has shown himself to be a man of integrity and ability. He has always kept in view the interests of the people, is a strong advocate for reform, and has ever been in favor of a judicious management of the affairs of the Government.
Many of his constituents, for a time, thought him in error, when, in 1877, they learned that he was not in favor of the indorsement of the Texas Pacific Railroad Bonds, amounting to $38,000, 000. When the company found that Colonel Herbert opposed the passage of the bill, they put out agents through the Second District of Alabama, and got a large number of the most influential . men of the district to sign a petition, asking their Representative, Colonel Herbert, to support the
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bill. Colonel Herbert, who had given the subject due consideration, delivered an able speech in Congress against the bill. His speech met almost universal approval, and the soundness of his posi- tion was no longer doubted by his constituents.
This distinguished Congressman from Alabama has been prominent in the passage of many im- portant bills in the House, and is generally rec- ognized, by members of the Republican as well as the Democratic party, as a statesman of ability and influence. In the XLVIII. Congress, he is a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, which is considered the most important committee in the House of Representatives. He takes a great deal of interest in the discussion of the Tariff ques- tion, and is in favor of a reduction. He is an honor to Alabama in Washington, and should, by all means, be kept in Congress, to guard the in- terests of the people, and to assist in making laws that will be beneficial in the advancement and prosperity of this country, by helping the devel- opment of its wonderful natural resources.
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CHAPTER XXXVI.
Shackelville.
TOM SEALE, who was an uncle of the Primitive Baptist preacher by the same name, settled on the old Federal Road, near where this place is now, about 1826. James Moore lived on the same place, afterward sold it to George Vickery in 1837. Thomas Seale, the minister, located near here in 1835. He hardly ever remained at one place long enough to tell whether he would like it or not. James D. Parks and Stephen Sims settled near where the store now stands, about the year 1830. This section of the country not being very fertile, was not as much desired for homesteads by the pioneers as other parts of the county, and those that did locate here, soon became dissatisfied, and removed to another portion of the county to pitch their tents. This is a kind of a flat, sticky, cal- careous soil, that is not very productive, even when properly fertilized and cultivated. The water con- tains a very perceptible amount of lime, but is very good for drinking purposes.
The land here has always been cheap, selling now from $2.00 to $5.00 per acre, and being higher now than at any time before this. Although the soil is not easily tilled, and when tilled is not very productive, yet this place is tolerably well settled
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up, and everybody seems to be getting along about as well as could be expected. While there is plenty of timber for having pine-planks sawed at the mills, it is a fact that the majority of the houses in Shackelville are now constructed of logs, and, of course, are not near as comfortable as they should be. There are two churches here. The Shackelville Missionary Baptist, established in 1872, by Rev. Thomas Seale, and changed from the Primitive to the Missionary after his de- parture from this place. The Butler Branch Church is of the Latter-Day Saints' faith, and was erected in 1883, but has only a few followers as yet.
Mr. Lewis Hartsfield built the first house at the cross-roads where Frank Vickery now lives, about 1846.
I. Forst & Bro. started a small mercantile busi- ness here in the fall of 1879, but did not continue it long, as it was not a paying business under ex- isting circumstances. The schools are not what they ought to be; however, there is generally a school here about six months a year, and is patron- ized about as well as could be expected, the larger proportion of the people being in ordinary circum- stances. There being no very wealthy men living in the neighborhood, the town does not show itself off to much advantage. A steam saw-mill at this place, would pay a very good dividend, if properly managed, as there is any amount of fine timber here, and the land very cheap. There is no post-office here. Rev. Thomas Seale named
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this place about 1870, but it is not known why he gave it this name.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Bolling.
THIS place has sprung up since the passage of the railroad through the pine forest region.
John T. and B. C. Milner began to build a steam saw-mill here in the year 1865. The latter built the first dwelling-house in this place the same year, on the lot now owned by Asberry Flowers. The mill started to sawing lumber in 1866, with James Flowers as the sawyer. He has given satis- faction to the company in this position for eight- een years, and is of all men one that is entirely reliable. The company employed W. H. Flowers, as Superintendent of the mill in 1867, which posi- tion he held until he bought an interest in the company in 1872. A stock company was formed September 1, 1880, with a stock valued at $80,- 000. W. H. Flowers was elected General Super- intendent, and John J. Flowers Secretary and Treasurer. J. T. Milner, H. M. Caldwell, W. H. Flowers and J. J. Flowers are the principal stock- holders, each owning $20,000.
This company owns about 28,000 acres of land
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near this mill, all of which is well timbered, yel- low long-leaf pine being the principal growth.
This mill has suffered three times from fire. The mill, with lumber on the grounds, was burned in 1869 ; loss about $15,000. It was rebuilt im- mediately, and burned again January, 1879; loss $15,000. It was rebuilt almost as quickly as
burned. There was no insurance in either case. The lumber-yard and the kiln-drying machine were consumed by fire in April, 1884. Insurance, $15,- 000 ; loss, $40,000. The lumber business was in such a flourishing condition in 1873, that the com- pany employed convicts from the county to assist in cutting timber. The timber being sawed so rapidly, they found it expedient to use a steam locomotive on their tramway. An engine was made especially for their use, and it was put on the Narrow Gauge Railway in June, 1875. This railroad ran out about six miles southeast, and all the timber reached by it was exhausted by the spring of 1882. Work began immediately on a road northwest from the mill. The timber has been exhausted in this direction for five miles. The road will extend about seven miles farther be- fore it will be removed to another bed.
This mill, known all through the county as Flowers' Mill, does an immense business. It has a 95 horse-power engine, and turns out 35,000 feet of sawed planks per day. They have a pat- ented drying-machine, that dries about the same amount per day, and also a planing-machine, which
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prepares the lumber for immediate use. Most of the lumber is shipped West. They work between 50 and 75 convicts here the year round, getting them from several counties in the State, and pay- ing for them from $7.00 to $15.00 per month each. I am glad to state that the convicts, sentenced to hard labor and in the employ of this corporation, are well cared for. On examination of Colonel Reginald R. Dawson's report as inspector, you will find that he, as well as many others who have visited the mill, are well pleased with the system adopted by the company. The good treatment given to all convicts under their control, should se- cure for them, in the future, as many more as they may happen to need, to keep up with the orders for lumber.
The most of the land here belongs to the cor- poration or some of its members. John J. Flowers opened a store here in 1872 ; but, as the business was not sufficient to pay him a reasonable per cent. on the money invested, it was soon suspended. The company has always kept a kind of grocery store here to supply the hands with meal, flour, bacon, etc., and a few dry goods.
As the land around this place is not very fertile, and as the corporation owns the larger portion of it, there are no farming interests here. Everyone living here is connected with the mill, and in that way obtains a livelihood.
The people all have a great desire for the edu- cation of their children, and always employ the
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best teacher they can get, and by this means there is generally a better school here than in many of the other little villages in the county. Although it takes more money to engage a good teacher, yet the efficient services rendered, will more than repay the difference in cost.
The academy is a very neat and commodious building, centrally located.
The majority of the people here are Methodists, and have built a very handsome structure, in which they meet at appointed times to worship the Giver of all good things.
It is supposed that this station was named in honor of Judge S. J. Bolling, of Greenville, but this statement is not entirely authentic.
The post-office was established here in 1873, with J. J. Flowers, postmaster, who has acted in this capacity ever since.
There is a telegraph office here, but no ticket office.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
MRS. INA MARIE PORTER HENRY.
THIS gifted and accomplished lady was born in the city of Tuscaloosa, the Athens of Alabama, which has given birth to many distinguished men and women. She was the daughter of Judge
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Benjamin F. Porter, and inherited the literary tastes and talents of her distinguished father. She was taught her letters by Mrs. Dr. John Little, Sr., whose admirable training did so much to fashion and develop the boys and girls of the classic city.
From Tuscaloosa, Judge Porter removed to Cave Springs, Georgia, where the education of his gifted child was continued in the schools of that place, though, on account of her delicate constitu- tion, her father was compelled to check the en- thusiastic fervor with which his child pored over the printed page. Her education was afterward continued at schools in DeKalb and Marshall Counties, and finished in Greenville, Butler County, under the skillful tuition of Mrs. E. V. Battey, an accomplished and experienced teacher.
From early childhood, Miss Porter exhibited great fondness for poetry, and soon learned to ex- press her thoughts in verses highly creditable to her youthful years, verses marked by force and finish. Some of the first of her graceful produc- tions were published in the Marshall County News and in the Wills Valley Post, and were much ad- mired and praised by many who saw rich promise of future fame for the young writer.
Before the war, the modesty of the young poetess kept her from seeking place in the magazines of the day for her happy and well-rounded verses. Soon after the war, however, her pen became more active, and sought a wider field. General David
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H. Hill and the Hon. John Forsyth, of Mobile, were two of her warm and admiring literary friends and advisers. The former sought her poems, stories, and sketches for the pages of The Land We Love, and the latter for the columns of the Mobile Register. Other periodicals and papers were glad to present her poetry and other literary work to their readers.
In 1858, Judge Porter, with his family, includ- ing his gifted daughter, moved to Greenville, where her life has since been spent, and where she has continued her devotion to letters and her lit- erary work.
In 1867, Miss Porter was married to Captain George L. Henry, son of Judge John K. Henry ; but eight years ago she was left a widow with one child. Since this time, Mrs. Henry has been busy with her pen, and, what so few Southern writers have done, has earned a support with its productions.
On the Ist of August, 1883, Mrs. Henry be- came connected with the Greenville Advocate as associate editor, and has done admirable work in the columns of this most excellent and prosperous paper, whose many readers always greet with pleasure the effusions of her pen.
Mrs. Henry is possessed of rare intellectual powers, and wields a vigorous pen, but whatever she writes is marked by the modesty and refine- ment of true womanhood. While fully apprecia- ting the loveliness and dignity of her sex, she
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exhibits no sympathy with the so-called strong- minded women of the day, and with the masculine acts and utterances which come from them. Gentle- ness and grace, in an eminent degree, mark what- ever she writes and does, and she is one in whom our county and State may feel a just pride.
Her longest and perhaps her most finished poem, is entitled Southrea. Many of her poems, enough, in fact, to fill several handsome volumes, are as yet in manuscript; but we trust they will soon be published, for they would, no doubt, add in no small degree to the reputation of their cultured authoress, and to the growing literature of our State.
From her publications we have selected the fol- lowing, and we regret that space forbids ampler justice to this accomplished lady.
AWAY DOWN SOUTH IN DIXIE.
IN Dixie cotton loves to grow With leaf of green and boll of snow ; Here waves the golden wheat and corn, In Dixie land where I was born- Come away down South in Dixie !
In Dixie gayest roses bloom, The jasmine yields its rare perfume ; And here the sea-breeze haunts the South With orange-blossoms in his mouth --- Come away down South in Dixie !
In Dixie land we love to give With generous hand-we love to live With cheerful light and open door ; What matter if the wind doth roar ? The heart is warm in Dixie !
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The Dixie skies are bonnie blue, And Southern hearts are warm and true ; Let there be love throughout the world, The pure white flag of Peace unfurled, Floats away down South in Dixie !
In Dixie it is sweet to rove Thro' piney woods and sweet-gum grove ; And hark ! The rebel mocking-bird, With sweetest song you ever heard, Sings away down South in Dixie !
In other lands 'tis sweet to roam, But Dixie land is Home, Sweet Home, And Southern maid, with simple song, Loves dear old Dixie, right or wrong- God bless the land of Dixie !
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