USA > Georgia > Floyd County > Rome > A history of Rome and Floyd County, State of Georgia, United States of America; including numerous incidents of more than local interest, 1540-1922, Volume I > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
A HISTORY of ROME and
FLOYD COUNTY
GEORGE MAGRUDER BATTEY JR.
0
A History of Rome and Flopo County
Copy No.
Property of
Date
FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRYMEN : Help Yourselves! This book has not been subjected to the custom and formalities of copyrighting. Persons who con- sider parts of it worthy of repro- duction are requested to make suitable acknowledgment
IV.
EXPLANATION OF PICTURES ON "JACKET"
The "jacket" or paper cover which encloses the cloth cover of the book is made up of the following pictures:
At the top, a panoramic view of Rome taken about ten years ago from Myrtle Hill cemetery, showing the castle-like spires of old Shorter College, the city clock and the Floyd County court house; to the left, the Oostanaula River, and in the foreground, the Etowah. This picture was obtained through courtesy of the Central of Geor- gia Railway Company.
At the bottom are: Rome in 1864, shortly after Gen. Sherman had captured the town; the Confederate Soldiers' section in Myrtle Hill cemetery; the North Rome Baptist church; Broad Street and a column of Boy Scouts ready for a hike.
On the front are: The grave of the first Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, . in Myrtle Hill; the chapel of the Berry Schools; entrance to the old Rome driving park and fair grounds, near DeSoto Park; Rome boys enjoying a freshet; Col. Thos. W. Alexander, commander of the Berry Infantry.
On the back strip is a silhouette of Col. Jos. Watters, a planter and state senator in the thirties.
On the back are: Gen. Charles Floyd, father of Gen. John Floyd, for whom Floyd County was named (in the uniform of the St. Helena Guards, of Charleston) ; Gen. Charles Floyd assisted in re- moving the Indians from Cherokee Georgia (he is wearing in his hat a crescent bearing the words "Liberty or Death," which is in posession of Wm. G. McAdoo, a grandson several degrees removed) ; Donald Harper, of Rome and Paris (France) ; the Baptist par- sonage; Steve Eberhart (or Perry), mascot of Floyd County Camp 368 of Confederate Veterans; Maj. Philip W. Hemphill, one of the four founders of Rome; left to right, little Misses Elizabeth Mor- ris, Eleanor Fuller and Juliet Graves; entrance to the Battey vault, in Myrtle Hill.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY
Biography is the only true history .- CARLYLE.
History casts its shadow far into the land of song .- LONGFELLOW.
Succeeding generations should tote their own historical skillets .- COLEGATE.
History, like true intelligence, consists in old ideas wrought over. -OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
Each generation gathers together in history the imperishable chil- dren of the past .- BANCROFT.
Out of monuments, names, traditions, private records and passages of books we do save and recover somewhat from the deluge of time .- BACON.
This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them .- TACITUS.
God is in the facts of history as truly as He is in the march of the seasons, the revolutions of the planets or the architecture of the worlds .- LANAHAN.
History maketh a young man to be old, without wrinkles or gray hairs, privileging him with the experience of age, without either the infirmities or the inconveniences thereof .- FULLER.
An historian ought to be exact, sincere and sympathetic, free from passion, unbiased by interest, fear, resentment or affection, and faith- ful to the truth, which is the mother of history .- NAPOLEON.
V.
A
THE CLOCK TOWER.
A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
INCLUDING NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF MORE THAN LOCAL INTEREST
1540-1922 VOLUME I.
By GEORGE MAGRUDER BATTEY, JR. AUTHOR OF "70,000 MILES ON A SUBMARINE DESTROYER"
00
ATLANTA, GA. The Webb and Vary Company 19 22
F294 .Ry B3 1922
DEDICATION To the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts of Rome and Floyd County, whose youthful enthusiasm and helpful, un- selfish spirit of service promise so much for the development of civic enter- prise and the advancement of in- terest in the wholesome life of the Great Outdoors, this book is affec- tionately dedi- cated by THE AUTHOR.
175653
.
VIII.
Introduction
N OW AND THEN a queen pawns her jewels to advance the cause of civilization, and thus gives back part of what her admiring subjects have offered up. Similarly has a queen who wears no tiara or crown thrown herself into the breach and made possible the completion at this time of the History of Rome. Her rocking chair is "in soak" because she' believes the enterprise is worth while. If we will redeem the chair out of sales from the book, she will feel amply repaid, and can sit down again. It will be possible through a little unselfish sacrifice on the part of each and all of us.
One thousand copies of the book are included in the first binding. More than half of these have been mailed to subscribers who spoke for them in advance. Additional sheets have been printed so that other Romans may have copies who desire them. Extra copies will be bound in accordance with the demand, so that the total issue will be just what Romans, former Romans and a select company of "innocent bystanders" make it. The compiler hopes that many will avail themselves of the opportunity to invest, for the double reason that the book contains a wealth of material which everybody should have, and a subscription does just that much to advance the interests of the town and section. He does not urge any support in the expectation of making a profit, for he has put far more into it these two years than he can possibly get out, except in mental satisfaction. He wishes to sell the book not on personal or sentimental grounds, but on the basis of whatever value the purchaser may see in it. No doubt the edition will be quickly exhausted, because material has been included which is expected to stimulate a heavy demand outside of Rome. Then there will be no more copies, for the number is strictly limited.
The excuse for this work was found in the fact that the historians have systematically neglected the section known of old as "Cherokee Georgia." The compiler went back to his birthplace Oct. 21, 1920, to supply whatever of the deficiency he could, realizing that he had had no previous historical experience, but believing that the subject was worthy of a literary masterpiece. He found a fertile field in which to labor ; the legend of DeSoto's visit in 1540, the Indian occupation and removal, the deeds of valor in war, the constructive enterprises following the war's wake, all supplied an inspiration that was irresistible. On begin- ning his work, he saw the truth of the statement, "The South makes plenty of history, but writes very little of it." His task, therefore, con- sisted in laying a foundation as well as erecting a superstructure, and he realizes the imperfections that such conditions necessarily impose, and is fully conscious of his inability to handle the material as it deserves. He only hopes that the work may be considered from cover to cover, and thus criticized, rather than that any insignificant error of omission or commission may be allowed to obscure the whole in the estimation of the individual.
It is manifestly impossible here to devote much attention to the entire Northwest Georgia section. Floyd's sister counties will no doubt eventually write histories of their own. However, there are numerous references to happenings elsewhere which are connected with characters
IX.
or events in Floyd, and in certain instances the material is quite general in its character and application.
Since the greater part of Rome's history existed in tradition and in scrap books and old records, it has been deemed advisable to go back as far as possible, and rescue the fragments of early Rome before they are lost in the dust of the past. The story of Rome's part in the removal of the Indians has never been adequately told, nor has the picture of con- ditions just before the Civil War been fully presented. The subject of Rome's part in the war of 1861-5 is all but ignored. The duty is man- ifestly to revert to the dim beginnings, to give "right-of-way" to the "old settlers," to suggest that the present generation keep newspapers and records liberally so our contemporary history may not suffer likewise.
So much material has been developed that the necessity of a second volume is apparent. Volume I contains half of the complete narrative, a great many pictures and a vast amount of miscellaneous data. Its faulty arrangement is due to the uncertainty, up to the last moment, over what was to be used. Volume II, which it is intended should be pub- lished when conditions are more favorable, will contain many additional pictures and such biographical sketches and miscellaneous items as could not be included in the first. These two volumes will in a measure tell the romantic tale.
The history started with a series of articles in the Rome News, fol- lowed by "Rambles Around Rome." It has been augmented from many sources, and particularly from the files of the old Rome Courier, which was the forerunner of Rome's daily newspaper, The Tribune-Herald. Both of these present-day newspapers have been unflagging friends of the history. In the collection of material, chiefly of a statistical nature, the most consistent individual has been Richard Venable Mitchell, of Rome. Mr. Mitchell has worked with splendid spirit and without hope of reward ; Romans are certain to appreciate the accurate data he gives, them in his lists of the natural resources of Floyd, and of the state, city and county officials, various important and interesting dates and a vast quantity of odd information. Mrs. Harriet Connor Stevens has contributed liberally of her time in order that some of the Cave Spring pioneers might be remembered. Miss Frances Long Harper has also helped substantially at Cave Spring. In forcing the history upon public attention, the most valiant supporters have been II. H. Shackelton, presi- dent of the Chamber of Commerce : Robt. H. Clagett, editor of the Rome News ; W. S. Rowell, editor of the Tribune-Herald, and Lee J. Langley, writing for both papers.
Thanks are due Hooper Alexander, of Atlanta; W. R. L. Smith, of Norfolk, Va. : Mrs. Mabel Washbourne Anderson, of Pryor, Okla. ; S. W. Ross, of Tahlequah, Okla. ; Judge Henry C. Meigs, of Ft. Gibson, Okla .. and C. F. Hanke, chief clerk of the Indian Office, Washington, D. C., for much of the Indian data. (The biographies of the Indian leaders are omitted for further investigation of conflicting material). Substan- tial assistance has been given by Miss Tommie Dora Barker, librarian of the Carnegie Library. Atlanta, and by Miss Carrie Williams, of the ref- erence department ; Mrs. Maud Barker Cobb, state librarian, the Capitol, Atlanta ; Duncan Burnett, librarian of the library of the University of Georgia, Athens; Dr. Lucian L. Knight, director of the State De- partment of History, the Capitol, Atlanta, and Miss Ruth Blair, of the same department. Dr. Knight's valuable books have been consulted freely and credit generally given in each instance. Appreciation is like-
wise expressed herewith of aid rendered by the Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and of the interest shown by Henderson L. Lanham, president of the Board of Education of the City of Rome, by Prof. B. F. Quigg, City Superintendent, and Prof. W. C. Rash, County Superintendent, in a plan for teaching local history in the public schools. While nothing definite has been done, the suggestion that a condensed school history be written out of the His- tory of Rome is being considered, and already has the moral support of at least one large Eastern publishing house.
Most of the maps are from Rand-McNally & Co., Chicago.
The artistic pictures of the Berry Schools were taken by D. W. Dens- more, faculty member, and a number of pictures of landmarks by R. V. Mitchell. Several pictures and some text do not appear because they have been lost or misplaced; a few typographical errors herein like- wise prove the intensely human character of the work of man.
Loans negotiated through the assistance of John M. Graham and Wilson M. Hardy greatly helped the work at the outset, and $100 received near the close from a group of Rome business men, headed by E. R. Fishburne, averted an almost certain postponement. Mr. Walter D. Carr, of Silver, Burdett & Co., Boston publishers, loaned the cuts of John Ridge and Major Ridge. To all others who have helped with friendly advice, data or money the heartfelt thanks of the compiler are herewith given. Rome will thank them in her own way. The list is a long one, and it cannot be extended here ; it will appear, perhaps, in the proposed Vol. II.
There is a great deal that is left over for another volume simply because no funds were in sight to print it. Ample warning of this situa- tion was given from time to time. If Romans make Vol. II possible by an underwriting plan, or if a single Roman desires the opportunity of doing that much for the town he loves, the compiler will dig into his files again. Undoubtedly some Roman who wishes a send-off here below and a welcome above will remember Vol. II in his will.
The rules governing the history campaign were very simple. Prac- tically everybody who showed as much as a passing interest has been given some notice in the book, either for themselves or their ancestors. Those who have ignored letters, personal or circular, or both, or have refused to "weep" while we "mourned," have erected a temporary barrier between us. Fortunately, there have not been many of these, although more have sat on the fence. They will have another chance if they want it-for Vol. II. No considerations of friendship have caused us to over- look a flagrant neglect of Rome and the history by those who in our opin- ion could have helped. At the same time, we feel friendly and hold the door open-for Vol. II. We consider it a duty to speak plainly so Romans will understand, and that we may do better next time. Let us make Vol. II surpass Vol. I.
The original plan called for sections of text devoted to the Berry Schools, Shorter College, Hearn Academy, the Georgia School for the Deaf at Cave Spring, and the Floyd County and Rome public schools. Failure of the leading institutions in this group to pay a cost price for the printing (due largely to the general economic conditions) has put these sections over for further consideration.
A few words about quoted articles. Most of the items with dates from 1920-22 affixed are from The Rome News, prior to that, after 1886, from The Tribune of Rome or The Tribune-Herald, and from 1850 to 1887
X1.
from The Rome Tri-Weekly Courier or Weekly Courier. An understand- ing of this scheme, it is believed, will assist the reader.
It is hoped that the history will please the subscribers as well as prove of some use to them as a work of reference. A reading glass for aged eyes is recommended where type and pictures are small. In practically all cases the biographies have been submitted to the families for correc- tion and approval. A committee of Romans has kindly gone over most of the other data. Anecdotes are told-on our own clan, too-which we hope will be received in good part, for there is no intention to offend anyone. Romans are noted for speaking the truth fearlessly, and since we are all in one big family and are blessed with a sense of humor, we can well afford to perpetuate the stories of our members for fireside en- joyment. A colorless story of Rome would be of no good and would find few willing consumers.
With this much said by way of introduction, we salute our sub- scribers and friends, wish them a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and unreservedly place our literary fate in their tender hands.
GEO. M. BATTEY, JR.
81 W. 14th St., Atlanta, Ga., Friday, Dec. 1, 1922.
P. S .- Since the above was written, the decision was reached to include in Vol. I. no biographical sketches. It was believed best to hold over for considera- tion for Vol. II. all the 300 sketches rather than to print only a few to the ex- clusion of the many. A little extra financial support would have made possible the inclusion of all. Since it was not forthcoming, it seemed best to file this other valuable material. The recent vote by mail, by the way, was overwhelmingly in favor of holding the biographies for another time. The several persons who advanced money for sketches will be reimbursed or given extra copies of the present volume, as they prefer. We assure them and all others that we regret our inability to use this excellent data, which can only be improved with age. We will keep it intact in the confident hope that Romans will make its publication possible at some day in the near future.
G. M. B.
TE Byau
X11.
Contents
Frontispiece : THE CLOCK TOWER-By Virginia Robert Lipscomb, Girl Scout.
Part I.
Chapter
I. The Spanish Cavaliers and Their Quest for Gold DeSoto lands at Tampa Bay .- Reaches the Savannah River .- Meets an Indian princess .- Takes the princess along as a hostage .- She escapes .- Arrival at Nacoochee .- Receives Indian dogs for his men to eat .- His route discussed .- Spends 30 days at Chiaha .- Enjoys pearl hunt.
Page 17
II. John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians Hostile Cherokees in massacre .- Sevier puts them to flight and burns their towns .- Gen. Floyd defeats the Creeks in Alabama .- Early laws of the Indians .- The "Widow Fool" and the ferry .- Wm. McIntosh killed .- Sequoyah's alphabet .- Missionaries imprisoned .- Pressure on the Indians.
22
Part II.
I. Rome's Establishment and Early Days
33
Three travelers decide to establish a town .- A fourth pioneer .- County site removal from Livingston to Rome authorized by legislature .- The homes of Ross and the Ridges .- The gander pulling and other early amusements .- The Green Corn dances .- Geo. Lavender, trading post man .- Pioneer days at Cave Spring.
II. The Great Indian Meeting at Rome
The Cherokees' biggest pow-wow at Running Waters .- Speeches by the Ridges, Ross and the United States agents .- The Indians withdraw to the woods .- Government men continue to speak .- Mr. Schermerhorn's determi- nation to have a treaty .- Major Currey reports to Washington .- Ross fac- tion supreme .- Ridge's men listed.
43
III. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard __ "Home, Sweet Home" author bears letters to prominent Georgians .- Loves an Athens belle .- Departs for Indian country .- Is arrested with John Ross and guarded at Spring Place .- "Big John" Underwood, Rome grocer, one of his captors .- Payne's own account .- His arrest causes sen- sation .- "Old Hickory's" contribution.
53
IV. Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair "Rome Indians" in the Payne "picture."-Maj. Currey explains .- Frelinghuysen, Everett, Polk, Calhoun, Bell and White active .- "Lumpkin Press" lambastes Guard .- Legislature protests and Col. Bishop resigns .- Payne's anonymous letter .- A tragedy at the Vann house .- The Indians removed and the Ridges and Boudinot slain .- A Payne memorial.
75
V. Growth from Village to Town
91
Pioneers establish bank, inn. newspaper, churches, schools and stage lines .- John Ross converted to Methodism .- Alfred Shorter casts lot with the new town .- William Smith and the scuttled steamboat .- Early political campaigns .- Lumpkin, Miller, Underwood, Hackett and Wright .- Pickett's visit to Rome .- The Nobles, iron kings, appear.
VI. Views and Events Leading Up to War 113
The slavery agitation and efforts to halt "gentlemen from the North." Warnings sounded by Dwinell and Stovall .- Mass meetings and resolu- tions .- Trade boycott against the North .- Rome Light Guards active .- Stephens, Iverson and Hill speak in Rome .- Secession strongly favored.
VII. Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostilities 125
Feeling at fever heat .- Mayor thanks voters for "sober election."-Dr. Word elected .- Guns for Light Guards arrive .- Judge Wright on the in- auguration of Jefferson Davis.
XIII.
Part III.
I. Opening of the Civil War-First Manassas 137
Floyd companies depart .- Cannon and church bells announce war .- Casualty lists .- Incidents of the battle .- Capt. Magruder and Jeff Davis .- Death of Col. Bartow .- An illuminating letter from Richmond .- War profiteers rapped by the "home guard."
II. A Rome Engine Chases the "General" 147
Andrews' "Wild Raiders" steal state road engine in dash to burn bridges and tear up track .- Fuller joins in thrilling pursuit .- "Wm. R. Smith" takes up chase at Kingston and aids capture .- Fugitives abandon engine .-- Are caught in woods .- Some are hanged and some escape.
III. Activities of the Folks at Home. 153
Women establish charity organization .- The Wayside Home .- A young "Rebel" with smallpox spreads terror .- Hospitals removed from Rome .- Hard times described back of the lines.
IV. Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 161
Federal commander tries foray of destruction .- Is engaged by Forrest with inferior force, and surrenders .- "Rebel" leader's strategy denounced by captive officers, who see Rome for first time .- Admiring women snip locks of Forrest's hair .- The "Battle of Rome," and John Wisdom's famous ride .- Forrest dodges Rome picnic.
V. Sherman's Army Captures Rome 175
Three forts are silenced and Davis, Vandever and Corse establish headquarters .- "Miss Lizzie's" adventure on Shorter Hill .- Sherman enters Rome twice and pursues Hood, who crosses the Coosa at Veal's ferry .- Hood flits through Texas valley .- Only a fiddle is needed as Rome burns.
VI. Sherman's Movements as Told by Himself 181
The campaign outlined .- Movements around Dalton, Resaca, Cassville, Dallas and Rome .- Sherman's narrow escape .- Why Johnston refused battle .- Corse at Allatoona .- Sherman on Fourth Avenue .- His message from Rome brings orders to march to the sea.
VII. Extreme Desolation Pictured in Diary 197
Bridges burned by retreating Confederates .- Church pews used for pontoons .- Famine and despair .- Citizen killed by scouts .- Letter tells of Romans' plight.
VIII. Depredations of the Independent Scouts 205
John Gatewood invades northwest Georgia .- Jack Colquitt's band .- John and Jim Prior take seven scout scalps .- "Little Zach" Hargrove to the rescue.
Anecdotes and Reminiscences 211
Miscellaneous 421
Maps
The Heart of Cherokee Georgia
37
The World
127
The United States of America
155
Rome in 1890
165
I L The State of Georgia 387 1 1 I 1
The County of Floyd.
1
1
1
1
1
621
1
I 1 1 1
1
1
1 I
1 1
1
!
I
1
1 1
XIV.
PART I. THE DIM BEGINNINGS 1540-1834
CHAPTER I
The Spanish Cavaliers and Their Quest for Gold
M ANY years before the Eng- lish settled the first perma- nent colony in America at Jamestown, Va., in 1607, there existed a wild stretch of country at the southwestern end of the Appalachian Mountain chain, encompassing what is now Rome and Floyd County, Ga., and which was inhabited only by tribes of In- dians who lived in wigwams made of bark and skins, and huts of rough pine and oak finished in red clay mortar. The waters of this re- gion, leaping through the moun- tain gorges in slender, silken streams, purled their way into the valleys and found outlets in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. They were alive with fish, especial- ly the upland streams with trout, and it used to be said that had the Indian possessed a hat, in many places he could have scooped up a hatful at a time.
Large black bears went grubbing over the mountain tops in search of worms and roots, occasionally shambling into the fertile valleys below ; hungry wolves leaped free- ly through the forest trails; deer penetrated the thickets and slaked their thirst at the sparkling brooks ; panthers and wildcats slunk se- renely from feeding ground to cavernous lair ; snakes of huge size and great number infested the rocky fastnesses, the sun-baked river banks and the grassy plains ; wild turkeys clucked along the leafy bowers and smaller birds of beautiful plumage dotted the trees of hillside, valley and swamp.
Upon this primitive stage at some uncertain date had appeared the Indian, successor to the ill- fated Mound Builder of North America. Agile, bloodthirsty and possessing a keen appetite, the In-
dian pursued by foot and in his swift canoe, with his trusty bow and arrow, the animals, birds and snakes, killed them and ate the flesh, sometimes cooked, some- times raw, and made the skins into rugs, wigwam covers, robes, pa- poose bags and numerous orna- ments for his person. The Indian painted his face and his body with a mixture of oil and clay, dressed himself in a wampum belt from which depended a wildcat skin or kilt of limber grass or hair, and with a headdress of feathers which hung down to his waist he joined in the big tribal hunts or fared forth to fight enemy tribesmen. The Indian women, or squaws, did the routine work about the hut or wigwam settlements, took care of the children and strung beads and wove various materials into bas- kets, rugs and articles of clothing, and cultivated small patches of grain.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.