A history of Mississippi : from the discovery of the great river, Part 48

Author: Lowry, Robert, 1830-1910; McCardle, William H
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Jackson, Miss. : R.H. Henry & Co.
Number of Pages: 674


USA > Mississippi > A history of Mississippi : from the discovery of the great river > Part 48


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 (link on the Part 1 page).


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


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539


HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.


terms as chief magistrate of Aberdeen, and the second brother, Captain E. O. Sykes, represented the county a number of times in the Legislature and was a delegate to the Constitutional Con- vention of 1890. Dr. Augustus Sykes, like his brothers, was a gentleman of good fortune and much respected. His two sons, Hon. E. T. Sykes, a lawyer of high standing and former State Senator, and Dr. Richard Sykes, a gentleman of excellent pro- fessional attainments, reside in the city of Columbus. Captain E. L. Sykes, who was sheriff of Monroe county for several years, belongs to the same family. His father died when a very young man.


In the same locality were the Taylors, Moores, McAllisters, Boyds, Ewings, Wards, Cloptons, Cunninghams, Abbotts, Vas- sars, one of whom, Captain Wm. H. Vassar, was State Treas- urer ; Gillespies, Waltons, Gordons, Ragsdales, Gunns, McClen- dons, Watsons, Watkins, Harrisons, Col. George H. Young, a gentleman of high character and large fortune, whose beautiful and attractive home at Waverly was widely known for its cordial hospitality. The Waverly section of the country subsequently became a part of Lowndes county, and more recently of Clay. Also the Rogers family.


Hon. Samuel J. Gholson was among the early settlers of Mon- roe county. He was a member of Congress in 1837 and 1838 ; served one full term and part of another. He was subsequently appointed Judge of the United States Court of Mississippi by President Martin Van Buren, and remained on the bench for more than twenty years-until the State severed her relations with the general government in 1861. Judge Gholson entered the Confederate army in 1861, as Captain. He was an earnest and gallant soldier, and at the cessation of hostilities was a Brigadier-General, commanding State troops. He was elected to the Legislature in 1866, and made Speaker of the House of Representative. General Gholson was an able, brave and gener- ous gentleman.


General Reuben Davis, who recently died at the advanced age of eighty-five years, became a citizen of Monroe county when the county site was Hamilton. He read medicine with his brother-in-law, Dr. Higgason ; after practicing for several years, he became dissatisfied with the profession, abandoned it and read law, and very soon became prominent as a criminal lawyer. In 1842 he was appointed by the Governor, Judge, to fill a vacancy occurring in the High Court of Errors and Appeals.


540


HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.


He occupied the bench but a short time, delivering but two opinions, which can be found in Sixth Howard Mississippi Reports. Prior to the war he served in the Congress of the United States, and during the war was a member of the Confederate Congress. He was honorable, impetuous and courageous, always maintain- ing his opinions independently and fearlessly. He left bis vol- ume of "Reminiscences of Mississippi and Mississippians" as a contribution which does honor to his memory.


The lawyers who assembled at Athens at an carly day, and subsequently located at Aberdeen when it was made the county site, were in the main men of a high order of talent.


In addition to those mentioned were Hon. John B. Sale, a gen- tleman of intellectual power and ranked deservedly with the foremost lawyers of the State.


Hon. James Phelan, who was elected to the Confederate Sen- ate from the State, was an accurate lawyer, with agreeable man- ners and scholarly attainments.


Hon. Joel M. Acker, a lawyer of acknowledged merit, has always held a high rank among his brethren at the bar.


Hon. Locke E. Houston, the venerable Judge of the first Judi- cial District is probably the sole survivor of the lawyers who settled at an early day at Athens. A thoroughly trained law- yer, with a mind of great strength, well stored with legal learn- ing, he has for more than forty years occupied a high place in the estimation of his professional brethren of the State, an able and impartial judge, courteous and dignified, affable manners, the peer of any, respected and honored by all.


The long established firm of Houston and Reynolds was dis- solved by Judge Houston's acceptance of the Circuit Judgeship. Col. Reuben O. Reynolds, the junior partner, Colonel of a regiment in the Confederate service, was for many years a prominent figure in Mississippi politics, as well as a law- yer of distinguished ability. During his long service in the State Senate he labored for the development and advancement of the State. He was able, active, and upon all occasions ex- hibited the greatest interest in measures that had for their object the welfare of Mississippi. A leader of the body of which he was so long a member, he was uniformly polite and obliging. He was a persuasive speaker, full of resources, graceful in his bearing, and with the manners of a thorough gentleman. He was strong and adroit in debate, eminently conservative, and


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541


HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.


always listened to with interest and respect. Gentle and er- gaging in manner, clear and forcible in the discussion of his subject, Reuben O. Reynolds was a favorite with the general public, and a most valualbe citizen. His early demise was not only felt in the immediate vicinity where his long life had been spent, but throughout the State. Peace to the ashes of the gal- lant soldier, learned lawyer, able legislator, worthy citizen and gifted gentleman.


The high character and ability of the bar at the period men- tioned served as a bright example to the younger members of the profession now in full practice, who with their legal learning, scrupulously observed the courtesies and ethics left them as a heritage by those who have passed away.


The towns in the county are Aberdeen, the county site, Amory, Nettleton, Smithville, Quincy, Gattman, Reynolds, Strongs, Mul- don and Prairie.


The principal streams are Tombigbee river, Old Town Creek, Matubba, Jones, Town, Buttahatchie, Sipsey, Weaver and Chu- quatoncha Creeks.


There are three railroads in the county, the Mobile and Ohio, Canton, Aberdeen and Nashville and the Kansas City, Mem- phis and Birmingham-aggregating fifty-eight miles.


Monroe, with her fertile lands and excellent population, is prop- erly classed among the best counties in the State.


This county has 176,539 acres of cleared land-average value per acre as rendered to the assessor, $11.13. Total value of cleared lands, including incorporated towns and cities, $1,966,- 681.


The population of Monroe as shown by the census report of 1890: Whites, 11,930 ; colored, 18,792 ; total, 30,722.


SENATORS.


REPRESENTATIVES.


IS22 Bartlett C. Barry.


1823-25 Bartlett C. Barry.


1826 William Downing.


Geo. Higgason, R. Edrington, J. F. Trotter.


Geo. Higgason, L. Pruett, R. Edrington.


R. Edrington, D. W. Wright, S. Ragsdale.


Sam'l Ragsdale, John Bell, J. Higgason.


John Bell.


1836 1837


1838 Samuel Ragsdale.


1839 Samuel Ragsdale.


1840 Samuel Ragsdale.


1841 Samuel Ragsdale.


William Cocke.


C. H. Williams.


Robert D. Haden.


1827 William Downing.


1828 William Downing.


IS29 James F. Trotter.


1830 James F. Trotter.


1833 George Higgason.


1835 Stephen Cocke.


S. J. Gholson.


S. J. Gholson, James McKinney.


James McKinney, J. H. Bell.


Lemuel Prewett, G. Jowers.


S. J. Gholson, G. Jowers.


John R. Greer, J. M. Acker.


Joel M. Acker, J. R. Greer.


542


HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.


1842 J. Y. Thompson.


I843 J. Y. Thompson.


1844 J. Y. Thompson.


1846 Joel M Acker.


1848 James E. Harrison.


1850 J. Y. Thompson.


1852 J. Y. Thompson.


Thomas Coopwood, James Sullivan.


1854 J. M. Acker.


1856 J. M. Acker.


D. W. Saddler, Lewis Nabors. Reuben Davis, John A. Abbott. Thomas H. Davis, John A. Abbott.


1857 Benjamin Bradford.


1858 Richard Harrison.


1859 Richard Harrison.


B. M. Bradford, J. R. Lyles.


1860-61 Richard Harrison.


J. R. Lyles, B. M. Bradford.


1861-62 James Phelan.


J. L. Tindall, L. B. Moore.


S. J. Gholson, Joel M. Acker.


1870-71 F. H. Little, F. M. Ab- bott.


William Hodges.


1872-73 F. H. Little, F. M. Abbott. A. P. Huggins, Arthur Brooks, Wm. Holmes. 1874-75-Nathan Shirley, F. H. J. C. Walker.


Little. 1876-77 R. O. Reynolds, Nathan A. J. Sykes, W. W. Troupe, J. M. Trice. Shirley.


1878 R. O. Reynolds, J. T. Griffin. S. J. Gholson, N. W. Hatch, Wright Cun- ningham.


18So R. O. Reynolds, T. J. Griffin. E. O. Sykes, J. C. Burdine, A. Carter. 1882 R. O. Reynolds, Sam'l L. Wilson. E. O. Sykes, J. C. Burdine, J. M. Trice.


1884 R. O. Reynolds, Jno. M. Simonton.


R. E. Houston, C. H. Moore, L. D. Hol- lingsworth.


1886 R. O. Reynolds, Jno. M. Simonton.


J. M. Acker, Jr., J. T. Dilworth, J. C. Bur- dine.


1888 J. C. Burdine, J. L. Turnage. J. T. Dilworth, T. A. Oliphant, J. R. Murff. 1890 J. C. Burdine, J. L. Turnage. J. T. Dilworth, T. A. Oliphant, R. E. Hous- ton.


MONTGOMERY COUNTY,


Named in memory of General Richard Montgomery who fell in the assault upon Quebec during the Revolutionary war, was es- tablished May 13th, 1871.


Captain J. A. Binford, Sr., Dr. H. P. Turner, Dr. Samuel Hill, O. J. Moore and Willis Barfield were appointed commissioners to organize the county.


The Governor was authorized to appoint county officers. By the terms of the act creating the county, Montgomery was to pay its proportion of the debt of Choctaw and Carroll counties from which it was formed. The amount fixed as being due Carroll was two-ninths of that county's existing debt.


Many of the early settlers of the territory now embraced in Montgomery are among those to be found in the record and lists of Carroll and Choctaw.


1865-66 J. H. Anderson.


John R. Greer, J. M. Acker.


John Abbott, J. M. Acker. J. C. Moore, R. Dilworth.


Locke E. Houston. J. T. Fortson.


Stephen Adams, T. T. Armstrong.


S. F. Kendrick, Lewis Nabors.


543


HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.


J. C. Mckenzie and the late R. F. Holloway were the first Rep- resentatives from the county in the Legislature.


The towns in the county are Winona, the county site, an enter- prising and prosperous town, situated where the Georgia Pacific crosses the Illinois Central Railroad, Duck Hill, Lodi, Sawyers, Mayfield and Kilmichael.


The streams are Big Black river, Hays, Lewis, Mulberry, Wolf and Grape creeks.


The Illinois Central and Georgia Pacific railroads traverse the county, the former from North to South, and the latter from East to West. 4


Montgomery has 95,512 acrer of cleared land ; average value per acre, $3.79. Total value, including incorporated towns, $741,100.


The population as shown by the census report of 1890 : Whites, 7,372 ; colored, 7,085 ; total, 14,457.


SENATORS.


REPRESENTATIVES.


1872-'73


1874


1875 M. H. Tuttle.


1876-'77 M. H. Tuttle.


1878 W. D. Peery.


A B. Hurt, M. H. Allen.


1882 James M. Liddell.


W. A. Hurt, J. W. Armstrong.


1884 James M. Liddell.


1886 James R. Binford.


ISSS James R. Binford.


1890 L. M. Southworth.


J. C. Mckenzie, R. F. Holloway.


Jackson Martin, J. P. Thompson.


Jackson Martin, J. P. Thompson.


A. J. Baker, S. L. Boyd.


18So W. D. Peery.


W. A. Huit, Jas. Drane.


J. E. Flowers.


J. E. Flowers.


W. S. Hill.


J. P. Taylor.


NESHOBA COUNTY


Was established December 23d, 1833, and two days later, John J. Smith, James L. Jolly, Gilbert D. Gere, Samuel Hathorn, Mor- gan McAfee, F. Carr, Jo. Boggan, John Riley Dunn, D. W. Hop- kins, Sr., John P. Smith, Robert Laird, James Boykin and James Furlow were appointed, by an act of the Legislature, commis- sioners to organize the county. 1


Among the early settlers were Col. James Wilson, Malcolm McIntire, who was the first sheriff; William Barnes, the first county elerk, and Henry Killen the first probate judge of the county ; Dr. W. A. Lewis, who settled in Neshoba before the or- ganization of the county; John A. Thompson, a venerable and highlyrespected citizen, the father of Capt. F. L. Thompson, of the Thirty-sixth Mississippi Regiment, who fell at the battle of


544


HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.


Nashville, Tenn .; Wm. Boyd, James Ellis, who was the first rep- resentative of the county; Gordon D. Boyd, Samuel N. Gilliland, John D. Boyd, George Hicks and John J. Pettus represented the county in the State Senate, and B. J. Jacowa, Hugh Harrison and A. B. Wooldridge in the Legislature from the county at an early day.


The towns of the county are Philadelphia, the county site, Laurel Hill, Dowdville, New Hope, Dixon, Milldale, Java and North Bend.


The principal streams are Pearl river, Pinnyshook, Kentawha, " Becasha, Owl and Noxapater creeks.


Neshoba county has 40,754 agres of cleared land ; average value per acre, $3.01. Total value, including incorporated towns, $127,531.


The population as shown by the census report of 1890 : Whites, 8,320 ; colored, 2,175 ; total, 10,495.


SENATORS.


REPRESENTATIVES.


1835


James Ellis.


1836


1837 Gordon D. Boyd.


1838-'39 Gordon D. Boyd.


1840-'41 Samuel N. Gilliland.


1842-'43 Samuel N. Gilliland.


A. B. Woldridge.


1844 John D. Boyd.


Francis Keenan.


1846 George Hicks.


Ira N. Nash.


1848 John J. Pettus.


A. B. Woldridge.


1850 John J. Pettus.


R. B. Kirkland.


1852 John J. Pettus.


Isaac Enloe.


1854 John J. Pettus.


L. B. Austell.


1856-'57 John J. Pettus.


1858-'59 Isaac Enloe.


IS60-'61 Isaac Enloe.


1861-'62 O. Y. Neely.


"1865-'66-'67 H. C. Robinson.


1870-'71 W. R. Rushing.


1871 G. Smith.


1872 G. Smith.


J. M. Kelley.


1873 Geo. Smith, J. P. Gilmer.


J. M. Kelley.


1874-'75 Isham Stewart.


H. C. Greer.


1876-'77 H. W. Foote, I. Stewart.


Wm. L. Bassett.


1878 W. C. Dowd.


Wm. L. Bassett.


1880 C. A. Wilcox.


A. J. Cooper.


1882 John Terry.


J. C. McBeath.


1884 John Terry.


W. L. Bassett.


1886 R. P. Austin.


A. J. Cooper.


1888 R. P. Austin.


L. Stainton.


1890 A. M. Byrd.


James Ellis.


James Ellis.


B. J. Jacoway.


Hugh Harrison.


R. B. Kirkland.


J. L. Blackstrome.


J. L. Blackstrome.


Hugh McDonald.


James M. Bowden.


Henry C. Greer.


L. Stainton.


NOXUBEE COUNTY,


One of the rich and fertile counties of the prairie belt in north- east Mississippi, was established December 3d, 1833. Two days


545


HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.


later Gabriel Felder, John Hardeman, E. T. Mitchell, James Gil- lespie, Jesse Crawford and Alfred Everett were by an act of the Legislature appointed commissioners to organize the county.


On the 18th day of January, 1834, the first board of police was organized in Noxubce, the members being Isham Harrison, Wm. Colbert, W. C. H. Finley, Thomas Ellington and Felix H. Walk- er. Isham Harrison was chosen president and F. W. Callaway, clerk. Judge Thomas S. Sterling held the first term of the cir- cuit court in the county, in the south end of a double log house known as the Frith hotel. R. J. Swearingen was clerk. The local attorneys were James T. Harrison, R. Ruff and C. W. Allen . The visiting lawyers were C. L. Acee, T. M. Tucker and Henley S. Bennett. George B. Augustus was the first probate judge of the county, and held the first term on the fourth Monday in July, 1834. The only order made at that term was to adjourn, there being no business.


At the meeting of the board of police on the 3d day of Novem- ber, 1834, the following orders were entered of record :


"CHARGES FOR TAVERN."


Horse and man staying all night, supper and breakfast.


75


Dinner.


374


Breakfast.


Supper 37₺


Board per month


$10 00


With lodging


12 00


Horse feed. 25


Spirits, per drink. 064


Judge James F. Trotter held the May term of the circuit court, 1835, in a temporary wooden building.


A two-story brick courthouse was built early in the 40's, which was used until a short time prior to the war, when a larger and more commodious one was erected at a cost of $60,000, which has since been occupied. Judge George Coulter held the May term of the circuit court in 1836, at which time H. W. Foote was clerk of the court. Stephen Adams succeeded Judge Trotter, who in turn was succeeded by Judge Henley S. Bennett.


H. W. Foote was clerk of the circuit court for eight years, during which time he read law and commenced a successful pro- fessional career at Macon. He represented the county four years in the Legislature, and subsequently twice elected circuit judge of the sixth judicial district. He commanded the Noxubee cavalry of the 1st Mississippi regiment. After the war he was 35


374


546


HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.


elected State Senator, and served for four years, when he retired from public life. The venerable Judge is still living, and is president of the Merchants' and Farmers' Bank in Macon.


The county site of Noxubee has always boasted a strong bar, the two oldest members being Judge Foote and the late Hon. H. L. Jarnagin. Mr. Jarnagin was an intelligent and painstaking lawyer, widely known and universally respected. The lawyers of later years, younger members of the bar, have maintained the high standard erected by those of an early day.


The towns, in addition to Macon, the county site, are Brooks- ville, Shuqualak, Cooksville and Summerville, which latter was the location of the school of Hon. Thomas S. Gathright. Mr. Gathright was an educator of high character, and educated quite a number of young men, who afterwards became prominent in the State. After the restoration of the Democratic party in 1876, Mr. Gathright was appointed State Superintendent of Education, which position he resigned and accepted the presidency of a col- lege in Texas.


The principal streams in the county are Noxubee river, origi- nally called Okanoxubee, which enters at the northwest corner and runs diagonally through the county; it is navigable to Macon ; the Broken, Pumkin, Bouge Chitto, Ash, Tippetts, Blum, Horse-Hunter, Joe's, Wet Water, Coon, Crows, Short-bag, Waha- lak, Shuqulak, Running Water, Hashuqua, Dry, Dancing Rabbit, Wolf, Sun, Lyn, Yellow and Loakpoma creeks.


The Mobile and Ohio Railroad runs through the centre of the county.


There are 252,233 acres of cleared lands in Noxubee; average value as rendered to the assessor, $7.02 per acre. Total value of cleared lands, including incorporated towns, $2,303,685.


The population of this county as shown by the census report of 1890-whites, 4,615 ; colored, 22,723 ; total, 27,338.


SENATORS.


REPRESENTATIVES.


1835 IS36


1837 George B. Augustus.


1838 George B. Augustus.


1839 George B. Augustus.


1840-'41 George B. Augustus.


1842 Joseph Bell.


1843 Joseph Bell.


1844 Joseph Bell.


1846 Anderson W. Dabney.


1848 Anderson W. Dabney.


1850 Thomas J. Hughes.


Thomas D. Wooldridge. George B. Augustus.


James Moore, Reuben Ruff.


V. M. Murphy, Reuben Ruff.


Reuben Ruff, John H. Greer.


H. L. Jarnagin, Joseph B. Cobb.


H L. Jarnagin, C. W. Allen.


H. L. Jarnagin, E. F. Tubbs.


J. M. Maxey, J. D. Brooks.


George II. Foote, S Moore.


M. W. Brooks, George H. Foote.


547


HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.


1852 Thomas J. Hughes,


1854 Joseph Koger.


1856-'57 Joseph Koger.


1858 J. B. Covington.


1859-'60-'61 J. B Covington.


1861. '62 G. D. Moore.


.


1865-'66-'67 W. D. Lyles.


1870-'71 George S. Smith. I872 George S. Smith.


1873 Geo. S. Smith, J. P. Gilmer.


1874-'75 Isham Stewart.


1876-'77 H. W. Foote, Isham Stewart.


1878 H. W. Foote.


1880 H. L. Jarnagin.


1882 H. L. Jarnagin.


1884 Geo. G. Dillard.


1886 Geo. G. Dillard.


1888 Geo. G. Dillard.


1890 Geo. G. Dillard.


H. L. Jarnagin, W. W. Roby.


Henry O. Beasley.


H. W. Foote, O. C. Eiland.


I. Welsh, C. M. Thomas.


W. B. Augustus.


J. D. Brook.


J. J. Beauchamp. .


Isham Stewart, A. K. Davis, M. McNeese.


Isham Stewart, J. Wilson Chandler, A. K. Davis.


Isham Stewart, J. Wilson Chandler, A. K. Davis.


J. W. Chandler, M. McNeese, Thomas A. Cotton.


H. L. Jarnagin, M. McNeese, L. W. Over- ton.


Clarke Lewis, W. B. Augustus, E. F. Nunn. J. E Madison, S. B. Day, H. H. Hunter.


A. W. Simpson, J. L. Griggs, S. G. Ivy.


A. W. Simpson, J. L. Clemens, A. J. Bos- well.


J. S. Madison, J. L. Clemens, J. A. Nichol- son.


J. S Madison, J. L. Clemens, C. M. Thomas. J. S. Madison, T. J. O'Neil, C. M. Thomas.


NEWTON COUNTY


Was named in honor of Sir Isaac Newton, the great English scientist and philosopher, and was established in 1836, and among its first settlers were William Harris, James Harris, John Ever- ett, G. Jones, Samuel Ferguson, J. L. Ferguson, Williamsons, John Blakely, Beards, Saffold, Mint Blalock, Willis Norman, Roger Doolittle, Williams, Jones, Johnsons, McMullins, Clark, Nimocks, Lopers, Dansbys, Chapmans, Kellys, Roberts, Jones Castle, Alexander Russell, Wells, Ed Walls, John Walls, Scan- lans, Benjamin Bright, Mire Bright, Amons, Pace.


The principal towns are Decatur, the county site, named for Commodore Stephen Decatur, Newton, Hickory, named for Gen- eral Jackson, Connehatta, Lawrence and Chunkey.


The principal streams are Chunkey river, Oktibbeha creek; these two unite at Enterprise, in Clarke county, and make Chickasahay river; Polloochitto, Okobatta, Turkey, Connehatta, Bogue Phalia and Torlow Creeks.


The Vicksburg and Meridian railroad, now known as the Ala- bama and Vicksburg road, runs from west to east through the entire length of the county.


There is a variety of soil in the county, the greater portion of which yields satisfactory crops. It may be said, too, that this is


548


HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.


the pioneer county in introducing fertilizers, which has proven & great success.


Newton county has 66,768 acres of cleared land ; average value per acre, as rendered to the assessor, is $6.11; total value of cleared lands including incorporated towns is $470,303.


The population as shown by the census report of 1890 : whites, 10,082, colored, 6,192 ; total, 16,274.


SENATORS.


REPRESENTATIVES.


1837 Oliver C. Dease.


1838-'39 Oliver C. Dease.


1840-'41 John C. Thomas.


1842-'43 John C. Thomas.


1844-'46 Simeon R. Adams.


1848-'50 W. P. Carter.


1852 S. L. Hussey.


1854 James J. Monroe.


1856-'57-'58 C. G. Miller.


1859-'60-'61 Wm. Thames.


1861-'62 Wm. Thames.


· 1865 Robert Leachman.


. 1866 J. W. Brooks.


1870-'71 T. J. Hardy.


1872-'73 John Watts.


1874 T. B. Graham.


1875 T. B. Graham.


1876 T. B. Graham.


1877 H. C. McCabe.


1878-'80 Asa R. Carter.


1882 Thos. Keith.


1884 Thos. Keith.


1886 R. P. Austin.


1888 R. P. Austin.


1890 A. M. Byrd.


James Ellis.


James Ellis.


W. B. Dozier.


J. M. Loper.


Wm. Thames.


Wm. Thames.


Wm. Thames.


M. M. Keith.


M. M. Keith.


J. C. McElroy.


J. C. McElroy.


J. C. McElroy.


J. L. Bolton.


C. S. Swann.


Isaac L. Pennington.


Isaac L. Pennington.


Martin W. Stamper.


D. T. Chapman.


I. L. Bolton, J. H. Reagan.


D. T. Chapman, U. L. Roberts.


J. H. Reagan, J. R. Pace.


J. H. Reagan, U. L. Roberts.


OKTIBBEHA COUNTY


Was established December 23d, 1833. The county of Oktibbeha derives its name from the stream formally known as Oktibbeha river, but now called Tibbee creek ; this stream was the dividing line between the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations, and in the early days of Indian occupancy, battles were fought on the Oktibbeha, or as interpreted, Bloody Water.


By an act of the Legislature approved December 25th, 1833, John Billington, - Hogan, - Norton, Richard Hester and Calvin Cushman, were appointed commissioners to organize Oktibbeha and Choctaw counties.


Starkville, the county site, with about 1500 inhabitants, was named in honor of General Starke, of Revolutionary fame.


549


HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.


The county and country contiguous is, in the main, dry, but during the occupancy of the Indians there was, near where the town of Starkville is now located, a famous spring about which there was quite a number of sweet gum trees, and at this place the Indians congregated to make their baskets, etc., and it was called by them "Hickashebeha," meaning sweet gum grove. This information was derived from the late Peter Peechlyn, a distinguished man of the Choctaw tribe, who was for many years the agent for his people at Washington, and who represented them before Congress when their interests were involved.


The town of Artesia, on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, is in Peechlyn Prairie, named for the father of Peter Peechlyn, who, with Greenwood Leflore and others, was conspicuous in negotiat- ing the treaty between the Choctaws and the United States, by which the former ceded their lands and located west of the Mis- sissippi river.


The Indian Agency was at one time located in Oktibbeha coun- ty with a Mr. Mayhew as agent, and for whom the prairie in the eastern part of the county was named, as was the little town of that name on the Mobile and Ohio railroad. At several places in the county Indian mounds are to be found, and these are sup- posed to be their burial grounds.


It was many years after the organization of the county before all the Choctaws left ; indeed, many of them were in this locality at the commencement of the civil war.


The first sheriff was Robert A. Lampkin ; Charles Dibrell, clerk of the court, and a Mr. Reese was probate judge, but was succeeded by a Mr. Ames.


The first circuit court was held under a large hickory tree about four miles north of Starkville. It is said that at that time the sheriff carried all the court papers in his hat without incon- venience. The first indictments found in the county were drawn by the late General Reuben Davis, who was the first district attorney after the organization of the county.


Among the early settlers were the Copeland, Skinner, Hol- bert, Brooks, Bell, Thompson Reed, Davis and Quinn families ; Wm. R. Cannon, father-in-law of Hon. S. M. Meek, of Colum- bus ; Simon C. Muldrow, the father of Col. Henry L. Muldrow, a cavalry officer of the Confederacy, District Attorney, Repre- sentative in the State Legislature, Representative in Congress for three terms, and Assistant Secretary of the Interior during the administration of President Cleveland ; Colonel W. S.




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