USA > Alabama > Butler County > The history of Butler County, Alabama, from 1815 to 1885 > Part 9
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The people of South Butler are noted for their good behavior generally. They are particularly known as law-abiding people, rarely ever having any litigation. There is generally a school of some kind in this neighborhood ; but the schools are not near what they ought to be, as there are
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enough children in the community to have a flour- ishing school the year round.
Some timber is rafted down Persimmon Creek, near this place, but not enough to be a source of much revenue to the inhabitants ; their chief oc- cupation being farming, with Georgiana and Green- ville as their market. Different kinds of grapes and fruits are grown in abundance on this kind of soil but very little wine is made
CHAPTER XXX.
COLONEL SAMUEL ADAMS.
THE subject of this sketch was one of Alabama's military heroes, who fought bravely for the South, and who lost his precious life in her defense. He was born in Abbeville District, South Carolina, in 1830, where he spent his childhood. Entering Columbia College at an early age, he succeeded in finishing the course taught in that institution at the age of twenty. He came to Butler County in 1851, and became the Principal of the Male and Female Academy at Greenville. After holding this responsible position for two years, he began to read law under Hon. John K. Henry, and was, in due time, admitted to the bar. Removing to Conecuh County, he entered into partnership with
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J. A. Stallworth, a prominent lawyer of that county, and a relative of Mr. Adams.
Not meeting with the desired success in Cone- cuh County, he returned to Greenville in 1854, and was admitted as a partner of Colonel H. A. Herbert. This firm was not long in becoming successful in the practice of the county.
In 1857, the people of Butler elected Mr. Adams to represent them in the General Assembly, and returned him in 1859. These two sessions in the lower house of the Legislature, terminated his public career as a citizen.
When the war broke out in 1861, Mr. Adams entered the military service as a second lieutenant in the Ninth Alabama Infantry, and remained in Virginia with this regiment until February, 1862. While at home on a furlough, for the purpose of recuperating his health, he was elected Colonel of the Thirty-third Alabama, which position he filled with great ability until his death. Colonel Adams received a severe wound in the foot, while com- manding a brigade at Perryville, and was com- pelled to obtain a leave of absence to assist in the speedy recovery of his wound. He soon joined his regiment, leading it at Murfreesboro, and in all operations between this place and Atlanta, al- ways displaying the highest courage in his com- mand. While he was superintending the erection of some fortifications near Atlanta, on the morn- ing of July 21, 1864, a ball passed through his breast, killing him instantly. His remains were
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brought to his home in Greenville, and buried in the old cemetery.
Courage, sincerity, integrity and lofty morality were the most prominent traits of his noble char- acter, and won for him the respect and esteem of all his associates. His brave disposition gave him complete control of his command, and en- abled him to execute all orders from higher authorities. Generals Hardee and Cleburne had frequently recommended him for promotion. He was, undoubtedly, a man of promise, and one that would have been of great service to his coun- try, if he had lived through this awful struggle be- tween the North and the South. He fills the grave of a brave soldier, an honest man, and a use- ful citizen. He was married to Miss Dora, a sister of Colonel H. A. Herbert. of this county, and made a devoted husband.
CHAPTER XXXI.
W. W. WILKINSON.
THIS prosperous merchant of Greenville ranks high among the business men of Butler County, both as a skilled trader and a shrewd manager; and it will not be out of place to devote a few pages of the county's history to a brief sketch of his varied and successful life.
W. W. WILKINSON.
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He was born in Dale County, in the eastern part of this State, June 15, 1830, and spent the days of his childhood and youth in that county. His father, Henry T. Wilkinson, was one of the first settlers of Dale County, and was a thrifty farmer and stock-raiser. He had only three chil- dren-two daughters and one son. The subject of this sketch spent the early part of his life on his father's farm, and enjoyed but few educational advantages, going to but one or two old field- schools before attending a high school at Orion, where he finished all the studies taught there in 1850. He returned home and soon received em- ployment as a salesman in a small store at old Cerublia, where he remained one year.
After leaving this store, he had a great desire to accumulate wealth, and decided to begin bus- iness for himself. As he had no capital to start with, his friend, Samuel Collins, was kind enough to lend him $500, at sixteen per cent., with Wil- kinson's father as the security. He at once pur- chased a stock of goods at Milton, Florida, and opened it at Daleville. Soon after the court- house was moved to Newton, Mr. Wilkinson opened a branch store at that place, and finally moved his whole business to that thriving little town.
In 1857 Mr. Wilkinson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Vinson, a modest, noble- hearted Christian, who did a great deal to make her husband the man that he is to-day. He al-
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ways was a fair and honest merchant, but when he first started in business he sold the fiery liquid and poisoned his many customers with the great- est curse of the nineteenth century. His wife soon persuaded him to abolish the grog-shop in connection with his other business, and to devote his whole attention to general merchandise. This advice was wise and commendable in this excel- lent lady, and was very instrumental in the great success that followed all of her husband's efforts in his business pursuits. He continued the dry goods and grocery business with marked success until the war. He had managed to pay off the $500 at 16 per cent. that was borrowed to start with, and had purchased several lots and small pieces of land around Newton.
The war interfered so materially with his bus- iness that Mr. Wilkinson was persuaded to leave Dale County and remove to Greenville, which he did in May, 1866, buying the corner lot, which he still owns. He soon built up an active trade, and was one among the first to erect a brick store in Greenville. He met with considerable opposition from all the older merchants of the town, but competed with them in every respect, always beating them in low prices and good bargains. He was the farmers' friend, often doing them favors and giving them accommodations that seemed impossible without losing all the profits. He soon built free wagon-yards and camp-house, where the farmers could stay all night with their
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teams, well protected from the weather, and be safe from all danger of thieves-all free of cost. He reduced the charges made at the livery sta- bles for taking care of horses and buggies. When he first came to Greenville the liverymen would charge fifty cents for hitching a horse in the stable out of the sun. All horses could be hitched in Wilkinson's stable free. He allowed a farmer to furnish his own feed, and only charged a small amount for giving it to the horse at the proper time. This was never done before Billy Wilkin- son came to Greenville. It was not long before he opened a warehouse for weighing cotton, and re- duced the price charged for weighing and storing the fleecy staple. Immediately after the war the most of the farmers were compelled to adopt the advancing system and get their supplies from the merchants on time. It is said that no man was ever turned away from Wilkinson's store without getting what he wanted, either for the cash or on a credit; for Wilkinson always would credit any and everybody. All these things conspired to make him known, not only to the people through- out this county, but in all the adjoining counties, and they flocked to his store in large numbers to profit by the rare inducements offered.
Enough has been said to show the reader the important place that W. W. Wilkinson has occu- pied in the business circles of Butler County. He has been abused and severely criticised by his fellow-merchants, slandered and prosecuted by
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some of his debtors, and laughed at by the peo- ple; but it can be truthfully said that he has done as much for the general good of the people of this county as any other merchant that ever sold goods in Greenville. And, in spite of all opposi- tion, small margins and many losses, he has ac- cumulated a large amount of wealth, and ranks among the first tax-payers of this county. He has dealt, at different times, in drugs, hardware, groceries, dry goods, and general plantation sup- plies. After being actively engaged in merchan- dising for over thirty years, W. W. W. has at last retired and turned his business over to his son Zollie, who has shown a great deal of talent in . that direction, and who may prove to be finan- cially as shrewd as his father.
W. W. Wilkinson is a friendly, liberal, kind- hearted man, full of energy and determination, and has a keen eye to business. He is a devout Christian, a faithful member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and contributes liberally to all char- itable enterprises. He was very instrumental in building the Methodist Church in Greenville in 1872, contributing $1,000 for that purpose. He is honest, reliable and conscientious in all his transactions. As his ideas do not always coin- cide with those of the general public, he is said to be cranky, and is undoubtedly very original. His advertisements in the Greenville Advocate were always read with great interest by every sub-
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scriber. The following is a fair specimen of his peculiar style of advertising :-
NOTICE TO YOUNG MEN!
W ANTED an all sober, stout, hearty young man, not to weigh less than 160 pounds; a prize-fighter and a natural collector; who is not afraid of work; has sufficient self-will and backbone to be sure he is not wrong and to go ahead when he is right; who desires to work himself up in business and to make a man.
Those possessing the above pedigree will please correspond with the undersigned. NO OTHERS NEED APPLY.
W. W. WILKINSON, Greenville, Ala.
He has been the life of trade in Greenville for many years, and his retirement will be felt and re- gretted by the people of the surrounding country, for he has done a great deal in promoting their in- terests, and has rendered them valuable assistance in their prosperity.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Forest Home.
THIS village has the reputation of being the most energetic and prosperous settlement in the county. Situated as it is, on the north side of Pine Barren Creek, it enjoys all the advantages that a level, sandy and productive soil can afford. The blue marl is from 75 to 100 feet under the surface of the ground, and hence the wells here are much
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deeper than at any other place in the county; but the superior quality of freestone water found, more than repays for the extra depth. This section of country remained undisturbed for many years, while the people tried their fortunes on more pro- ductive soil. A few, who settled in this locality, convinced the public that a much better living could be obtained here than on the more produc- tive soil of the sickly prairies. As soon as this fact was established, the virgin pine forests, that had stood so long, were hewn down, and were re- placed by beautiful fields of oats, corn and cotton.
Although this place has been settled ever since 1819, yet Forest Home is in its infancy ; for it was not until recently that the people became thor- oughly convinced that this place offered superior advantages to those of any other locality in the whole surrounding country.
In 1819, Henry Powell settled in the field near where E. M. Lazenby's gin-house now stands. He sold out to his son-in-law, Robert C. Traweek, who came from the State of Georgia to Tus- caloosa County, in 1819, and removed to this county in 1820. The old gentleman not being used to the log-house accommodations, soon went to work to build a frame-house, which he com- pleted in 1827. This house still stands on the old site, and on the brick chimney may be found this inscription in large letters : ROBERT C. TRAWEEK, 1827. Traweek put up a mill on Breastwork Creek in 1825, the dam of which may still be seen a
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few hundred yards below the mill now owned by Lewis Wright & Co. Mr. Traweek opened a blacksmith-shop here in 1821, being the only shop of this kind in this part of the county at that time. He lived here about twelve years, but did not de- pend upon farming for his living. Here he began to rear a large family, the most of them being boys. They were : Thomas, William H., Brown, Lafayette, Ripley and Hugh.
In 1833, Robert Traweek sold his interests here to William Wallace, who soon sold to Green Cole- man. The property then passed through several hands, being owned at one time by Major James Yeldell, and at another by Mrs. Christian, and finally was purchased by E. M. Lazenby in 1869.
L. H. Gibbs built a house in 1828, about one mile northeast from where Smith's mill now stands, and put up a mill on Pine Barren for John Murphy. This was one of the first mills started on this creek.
Lod Roberson moved into this neighborhood about 1851, and was followed by John Worrell, Seb. Moore, Nathan Wright, Thomas and Joseph Glenn, and many others, who can not be men- tioned in this short sketch of Forest Home.
In 1871, E. M. Lazenby opened a shoe-shop with S. J. Campbell, and shortly after, during the same year, he had a few goods for sale in the shop. Finding that there was business enough to em- ploy one man's whole time, he opened a store separate from the shoe-shop, an enterprise which paid him very handsomely for the amount of cap-
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ital invested. In the meantime, the land that had been almost valueless as far as its market price was concerned, now sold for prices equal to those paid for fine Cedar Creek land, and the demand was greater than the supply. A large number of families having moved in, they opened a school in 1871, which was taught by Mr. J. Norris, whose place was filled the next year by Miss Hattie Stewart, a lady of rare accomplishments, superior culture and refined Christian manners. It is to this lady that the good people of Forest Home should feel grateful for giving to this happy and prosperous village the name it now so appro- priately bears. To think of a home where strife, disappointment and grief are replaced by joy, hap- piness and peace, and this home, situated in the refreshing atmosphere of a deep pine forest, is enough to make the mind of the common pil- grim wander.
In 1873, the people erected a frame school- house, which still stands near the Baptist Church. Miss Stewart was succeeded by Miss Wilson, from Georgia, who proved quite as efficient a teacher as those that had preceded her. She was after- ward married to Thomas Ansley, and still resides at this place. At the close of Mrs. Ansley's school in June, 1875, occurred a difficulty which will long be remembered by the Forest Home people. It arose from a wrong interpretation of what a Meth- odist preacher named Gillis, who lived near the school-house, had said in the church at Monterey,
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some time previously, and the young men at Monterey took this opportunity of calling upon the reverend gentleman for an explanation. Not finding him at home, they attempted to interfere with the exercises of the school, which the citizens resisted very emphatically. However, the writer will not enter into the details of this matter, but will proceed with the next teacher at Forest Home, who was Samuel A. Lowrey, of Monroe County. It was here in 1876, under his ever-watchful eye, that the writer of this little volume entered upon the studies of geography, algebra, and English grammar.
Lowrey was followed in 1878 by Prof. Seb. Reynolds, assisted by Mrs. Powers. They taught together for several years. In 1883, the people decided to erect an academy for the accommoda- tion of all the students in the place. Each citizen subscribed according to his means, and the acad- emy was, according to agreement, erected near the Methodist Church ; but after its completion, there was a misunderstanding between the people as to their teacher, and a disagreement ensued, which resulted in a denominational issue. The Baptists took the old school-house and employed their teacher, and the Methodists took the academy with their teacher. They both had flourishing schools during the past session, the Baptist enjoy- ing the best reputation. It would be considerably better, if the whole place could unite and have a school in common. But from appearances now,
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it will be some time before a union can be effected on the school question at Forest Home.
In 1880, the Methodists, assisted by other citi- zens, erected a very handsome and commodious structure, which now bears the name of the Forest Home M. E. Church. A parsonage was erected in 1881. The Baptists removed old Ebenezer Church from the cross-roads, near Butler Springs, in the summer of 1882, and remodeled it, making a very nice building, with plenty of room for the large congregation which always assembles on the regular days for services.
As there is not much wealth at this place, most of the farms are two-horse farms. The planters farm here on the intensive system, using a great deal of the different kinds of fertilizers, which pays them very handsomely for the money expended and the extra pains taken in the course of cultiva- tion. Land rents at from $4.00 to $7.00, and can be made to produce over 1,600 pounds of seed cotton per acre, when the season is at all favor- able. Land sells at from $15.00 to $35.00 per acre, and sometimes even higher than this when improved and in a very desirable locality.
There is a post-office here, George Lazenby, postmaster, with three mails per week from Green- ville. Here are also three stores, owned by F. N. Moorer & L. Glenn, Lewis Wright, E. M. Lazen- by & Son, the last carrying a full line of general merchandise and plantation supplies.
Dr. Conrad Wall moved to this place in 1878,
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from Monterey, but as this is a very healthful lo- cality, the Doctor does not depend upon his prac- tice entirely. He spends his spare time upon a few well-fertilized acres, which always yield very abundantly.
The general tone of the society at Forest Home will compare with that of any other place in the county, but there is not as much "starch" in this society as is usually found in villages of the same size and importance.
Hon. Nathan Wright, an honest man, a worthy citizen, a true gentleman, and a faithful Christian, spent the latter part of his useful life within the borders of this happy village. He represented Butler County in the General Assembly in 1880, and was an active member in the passage of many local prohibition bills in different parts of our State. This fact, along with his noble traits of character, should make the good people of this county immortalize his humble name. He de- parted from our earthly shades in 1883 to join the angels in that bright and blissful home above, where none but the righteous dwell.
May fragrant roses ever bloom over his silent grave !
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CHAPTER XXXIII.
Georgiana.
THIS town on the Louisville and Nashville Rail- road was founded by Pitt S. Milner, a Baptist minister, who came from Pike County, Georgia. He settled the place now known as the old Milner place in 1855. He established a post-office here the same year, naming it Georgiana. The rail- road soon established a depot here, and named it Pittsville for Rev. Pitt S. Milner, but the reverend gentleman objected to the name, and had it called Georgiana, the same as the post-office. John M. Smith came here soon after the post-office was es- tablished. Several people lived in the surround- ing country; the oldest settler lived about two and a half miles north of this place. He was named John Shepherd, and was also from Geor- gia, having moved here in 1824. The name Georgiana is a combination of Georgia and Anna. Mr. Milner combined his daughter Anna's name with that of his native State, and made a very euphonious name for this pleasant little city. In 1858 Pitt S. Milner opened a store of general merchandise. T. H. Powell soon followed with a grog-shop, the liquor business proving quite as profitable as any other for. some time. Miles and Peter Simpson and John W. Wheeler each started a store the same year. Many people having
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moved in, and the business being very good, the public demanded roads leading to the prosperous village. Accordingly, in 1862, the Commission- ers ordered a road to be cut to Bear's store from this place, and the road to Oaky Streak through South Butler was cut the same year. Other roads have since been cut to this place from all parts of the southern portion of the county, making it a convenient market for all that live in this section of the country.
Rev. Pitt S. Milner started the Baptist Church here in 1865, and began preaching in it in 1866. The Methodists started their church the next year. Both denominations have very handsome structures for the size of the town. In 1868 the citizens erected a large building for school pur- poses, which is called the Georgiana Academy. First school was taught at this place in 1856, in a log school-house, by Miss Eunice Eskew. E. C. Milner, Pitt Milner's son, had a steam saw and grist mill here as early as 1858. In' 1867 Jerry Fail established one, which is still in operation.
The mercantile business sprang up very briskly in 1866, and has been steadily increasing ever since. The merchants buy from 3,500 to 4,000 bales of cotton per year, and other country prod- uce in proportion. This place commands not only the trade of this part of the county, but also a considerable amount from the adjoining coun- ties. There are now in Georgiana ten stores, two drug-shops, two hotels, one livery and feed stable,
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one cotton warehouse, public mill and ginnery, shoe-shop, blacksmith-shop, etc. There is also a City Hall for public meetings and theatrical troupes. This place was incorporated as a town in 1869, and as a city in 1872. As there is no whisky sold here, there is not much use for municipal officers. Major A. N. Glenn is the present Mayor. Major Glenn is a man of consid- erable influence, and makes a very efficient officer.
There are about 600 people living in the cor- poration. The state of society compares very favorably with that of any other town in the county. A very flourishing school is now in operation, with Prof. J. M. Thigpen as Principal. This school will continue to grow, as Professor Thigpen is a superior teacher and is aided by other very competent instructors. The people have always been noted for their observance of the laws of the country, and for pursuing their own interests and not interfering with those of others.
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
Starlington.
PHILIP COLEMAN located on Long Creek about 1821, and was soon followed by Joe Ainsworth, Joel Ellis and Elijah Hobbs, all coming from Mississippi. Coleman lived in what is now known as the Bennett neighborhood, about three miles south of Starlington. The old Sparta Road was cut through this place about 1825. The road to Cleburne was made public about 1832. Ben- jamin Parker moved his family here in 1820, and his son began a small mercantile business here in 1830. The place was named for Benjamin Park- er's son, Starling Parker, he being the most busi- ness-like and intelligent person in the settlement at that time. The first store was not at the cross- roads, but was about one mile south of where the church is now. There was one murder committed at this place in 1833. There was a misunder- standing between Granville Parker and Graves Ellis; the former struck the latter on the head with a piece of scantling and killed him almost in- stantly. No other person was ever killed at this place. The store was moved up to the church about 1836. A man by the name of Sims kept it for some time, afterwards selling out to Jim Page. The latter sold to Jackson Allen about 1860. There has been no store here since the war. It is
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not known exactly when the church was put here. Starlington never was much of a place-nothing more than a cross-road. The land here is of a yellowish, sandy nature, and does not produce well unless highly fertilized; yet those living here seem to be doing about as well as they do in any other part of the county. The schools here are very poor, and the houses are not at all comforta- ble. There has been some wealth here, but very little here now. A great many negroes have bought land in this neighborhood and seem to be doing very well. The land is very cheap here, being bought for $1.50 per acre. The land is well timbered, the pine forests extending for miles on every side. In April, 1836 or 1837, a hurricane passed through the southern part of the Starling- ton neighborhood and did a great deal of damage in the way of blowing down houses, fences and trees, killing stock and people. No tree of any size was left standing in its path. It passed on in an easterly direction, and marks of its destructive path are found in South Butler and in Oaky Streak. It passed a little north of these places, and was even more destructive in Oaky Streak than any- where else in the county.
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