Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II, Part 102

Author: Dunbar Rowland
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant
Number of Pages: 1020

USA > Mississippi > Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II > Part 102

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).

The United States marshals, 1818 to 1838, were John Hanes, Henry G. Johnson, Walter M. Leake, Charles M. Norton, John H. Norton, Anthony Campbell. Samuel W. Dickson, William M. Gwin. 1838-1905: Northern District-Adolphus G. Weir. Alex- ander K. McClung, Andrew A. Kincannon, John Rayburn, William McQuiston. Charles R. Gordon, Wm. H. H. Tison, Joseph L. Morphis, James M. Liddell, John S. Burton, David T. Guyton, Alexander J. Cooke, George M. Buchanan, J. A. Toler.

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Southern District-Anderson Miller, Thomas Fletcher, Richard Griffith, Duff Green, R. H. Winter, Thomas W. Hunt, William C. Raum, Lee W. Dinkins, S. S. Matthews, F. W. Collins, J. S. McNeely, F. W. Collins, Edgar S. Wilson. (See article by T. M. Owen, Publ. M. H. Soc. II, 147. and Rowland, Miss .. Register.)

University of Mississippi. The University of Mississippi, like all the western State universities, owes its origin to the Ordinance of 1787 (q. v.), which declared that educational institutions should be "forever encouraged" as "necessary to the good government and happiness of mankind." An act of 1790 extended its provisions to Mississippi, and as a result of this policy the State of Missis- sippi was granted one township of land for the endowment of

"a seminary of learning." (See Seminary Fund.) This land was sold, in 1833-35 for $277,282, and Governor Runnels recommended a commission to select a site for a university. In 1840 the fund was reported as nominally amounting to about $300,000, but it had. been invested in bank stock and was in danger of loss, and the uni- versity had not been located because of local jealousy. The legis- lature balloted in 1840 for a location. Nearly forty towns were voted for on the first ballot, Kosciusko, Holly Springs and Missis- sippi City being in the lead. On the sixth ballot Louisville, Kos- ciusko, Mississippi City, Oxford, Brandon, Middleton and Monroe Missionary Station were selected for the next legislature to make a choice from. William L. Sharkey, William L. Brandon and Thomas H. Williams were chosen commissioners to report upon the sites.

In 1841 the legislature, by dropping the lowest in successive ballots, finally voted: Oxford 58. Mississippi City, 57, and Oxford was declared the choice. A section of land had been donated by the fortunate town.

The act to incorporate "the University of Mississippi" was ap- proved February 24, 1844. The trustees named were: Alexander Ventress, John A. Quitman, William L. Sharkey. Alexander M. Clayton, William Y. Gholson, Jacob Thompson, Pryor Lea, Ed- ward C. Wilkinson, James M. Howry, John J. McCaughan, Rev. Francis Hawkes, J. N. Waddel and A. H. Pegues. In 1846 an appropriation was made to begin the buildings at Oxford. In January, 1848, it was expected that the main building would be completed in the spring. The capitals for the pillars were under contract at Cincinnati. "The plan is a parallelogram 90 feet by 55, and is technically termed Prostyle, having a heastyle portico on the entrance front. The proportions of the columns and entablature of the portico are taken from the Grecian Ionic temple on the Ilyssus near Athens. In the divisions of the first floor there are two recitation rooms and a laboratory with a spacious hall for ap- paratus and lectures, illustrative of chemistry, electricity, geology, etc., and for methodizing the science of agriculture-that keystone of the property and happiness of the people of Mississippi." There were also two dormitories, four dwelling houses for the faculty, and a hotel or steward's hall.

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The University property consists of a section of land in La fayette county ; most all of it wooded, and part of it lying within the city of Oxford. It is traversed by the Illinois Central railroad, which has a depot site granted by the University. The first faculty, which consisted of four members, was elected in July, 1848. Its President was George Frederick Holmes and the first session, with an attendance of eighty students, commenced in November of that year. President Holmes was succeeded by Dr. Augustus B. Long- street of Georgia after the first session. Up to the beginning of the War 1861-5 the University made steady progress. In 1854 a law department was added. The legislature made yearly appro- priations for its support, notably a special appropriation of $100,- 000 in 1856. In that year Dr. F. A. P. Barnard was made president. After 1859 he was chancellor until 1861.

The first class was graduated in 1851, numbered fifteen, and from that time, the number of students increased till the year 1860- 1 showed the total number of students to be 226. In the fall of 1861 an effort was made to reopen the University for its regular session, but as only seven students presented themselves, the fac- ulty resigned. Nearly all the students and faculty entered the ranks of the Confederacy. Two of the faculty were made custodi- ans of the University property. One of them, Prof. Quinche, re- mained in charge and succeeded in preserving it intact.

In 1865, there was a reorganization, and Dr. John Newton Wad- dell was made Chancellor. The attendance was 193. A preparatory department was organized as it was found that most of the students had only a soldier's preparation. This department became larger than the academic department, but was discontinued in 1892 when the University became allied with over sixty high schools. Since that time the University has followed the policy of other State in- stitutions of depending on high schools for its preparation, and a large number of high schools are accredited to it. In the first quarter-century of its existence, ending in 1813, there had been 1,800 students in attendance, of whom 403 had been graduated in literature, and 105 in law. The number of students did not in- crease as rapidly in the academic department as in the preparatory department ; but the year 1903-4 showed an attendance of 287- a gratifying increase of 54 per cent. in ten years.

Following Dr. Waddell, Gen. Alexander P. Stewart was chancel- lor from 1874 to 1886. One special feature of his term of service was the admission of women with the same privileges as men. The University has remained a coeducational institution. The next chancellor was Dr. Edward Mayes, the distinguished lawyer and author. He was an alumnus of the University of the class of '68, and at the time of his selection, was professor of law in the insti- tution. He was made chairman first, several times reelected, and then made chancellor. Due to his efforts the departments were reorganized on a more satisfactory basis, and there was a consider- able increase in attendance.

In 1892, Robert Burwell Fulton, L. L. D., was elected chancellor.

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He has been identified with the University since his graduation in 1869. After his inauguration he labored to secure from congress a second township of land for the University, as that seems to have been the intent of the original Act which was never fulfilled. He was successful in his appeal to congress, thus aiding the University very materially. Previous to 1880 the legislature had made vary- ing appropriations for the University. At that time, however, the amount of the State's indebtedness to the University on the orig- inal land grant was settled, and interest on the sum of $544,061.72 has, since then, been paid annually. The new land grant has added to this an annual income of $8,080.09 and there remains, owned by the University, some 6,000 acres, valued at not less than $50,000. This fund has been increased by special appropriations by the leg- islature for different purposes, yet the income of the University is still less than all except a few of the State Universities. The value of the buildings of the University, including furnishings, ap- paratus, etc., is fully $350,000. The first building to be erected, of which the corner stone was laid in July, 1846, with Masonic cere- monies was the Lyceum. It was followed by dormitories, chapel, library building, observatory, and hall of physics, gymnasium, law building, womans' building, etc. The native trees give great beauty to the campus. The situation is remarkably healthful as shown by statistics, compiled from reports, and from those who live at the University. There is a central steam heating plant for all the buildings, an electric plant and sewerage system. The water sup- ply is drawn from very deep wells sunk in the orange sands for- mation, which produces remarkably pure water and as a result the University community has always been remarkably free from and disease due to local conditions. Tests of the water made in Michigan and in Mississippi show it to be of unusual purity. From this water works system is supplied a fire department providing ample protection for the University property. The State appro- priations for the University amounted to $139,572 in 1892-95; to $153,572 in 1896-99, and to $297,399 in 1900-03. In the latter quad- rennium the appropriations were sufficient to add new buildings, electric light plant, new water supply, etc., which were greatly needed.

The curriculum embraces both academic and professional depart- ments. The law department is the oldest of the professional schools. There is also a department of engineering organized in 1900 and a more recently organized department of medicine. The department of education is attracting many students and the work of the institution is constantly expanding in character and scope. A number of fellowships and scholarships are offered-among the latter being the well known generous bequest of Felix Le Bauve for the education of orphans of De Soto county.

Besides the undergraduate department, the University offers excellent facilities to those desiring to pursue graduate work, and many students take advantage of it.

Through the generosity of a public spirited Southern woman,

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Mrs. Fannie J. Ricks, the faculty were enabled in 1900 to introduce a summer session, affording opportunity for higher education to many teachers and others whose occupations prevent them from attending the regular sessions. The Summer course has proved popular and is well attended.

The University of Mississippi has achieved a high rank among the universities of the land; the broad policy of the institution is ever widening its field of usefulness and it now offers the best opportunities for development to students of other States as well as Mississippi. Its founders and their successors have built well, and on the foundations established the structure is steadily strength- ening and increasing.

A membership on the board of trustees of the University has always been considered a high honor. The board (in 1905) for the State at large was J. M. Acker, J. T. Senter, M. M. Evans, J. W. T. Falkner, E. D. Stone, C. M. Williamson, J. D. McKie, Frank C. Holmes; for the congressional districts, C. Kendrick, W. A. Belk, J. L. Hebron, A. T. Roane, W. E. Baskin, J. H. Jones, R. H. Thompson, J. W. George. The governor is president of the board, and the State superintendent a member, ex officio.

Upshaw, a post-hamlet of Yazoo county, situated on Silver creek, a tributary of the Sunflower river, 15 miles northwest of Yazoo Citv. Population in 1906 was about 50.

Upton, a postoffice of Simpson county, 8 miles east of Menden- hall, the nearest railroad town.

Ustane, a postoffice of Amite county, 8 miles north of Liberty, the county seat, and nearest railroad and banking town.

Utica, an incorporated post-town in the southwestern part of Hinds county, on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad, 32 miles southwest of Jackson. It is hilly and well drained, and is sur- rounded by a rich farming section. Watermelons grow very large and in abundance. The town is accessible to a large amount of fine hardwood timber. It is preparing to construct waterworks and an electric light plant. It ships annually about 10,000 bales of cotton. It has 2 banks with a combined capital of $90,000; 2 hotels ; a public school, and an industrial college for the education of negroes; 3 churches, Methodist, Baptist and Christian; and a Democratic weekly newspaper, the Herald, established in 1897, edited and published by N. R. Mccullough and Z. Wardlaw, Jr. Among its manufacturing enterprises are a brick plant, 3 steam cotton gins, and a saw mill.

There is a city debt of $1,000; the assessed valuation of property is $250,000; tax rate, 12 mills ; population in 1900, 550; present pop- ulation, nearly 1,000.

Vaiden, an incorporated post-town in the southeastern part of Carroll county, on the Illinois Central railroad, 3 miles west of the Big Black river, and 10 miles south of Winona. The town was named for Dr. C. M. Vaiden, one of its leading citizens. It is a prosperous, growing town, equipped with telegraph, telephone, express and banking facilities, and ships a large amount of cotton

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annually. It is said to be the wealthiest town of its size in the State. Near the town have been found some excellent beds of green sand marl, and here are located saw and shingle mills, a furniture factory, a spoke factory, two public gins, and a brick plant, estab- lished by the Vaiden Brick and Tile Manufacturing Co. in 1901, which annually manufactures about 3,000,000 brick. A. A. Kaigler is the president of the company, and James Somerville, sec'y and treas., and general manager. A fine new court house has recently been completed at a cost of $40,000. The Carroll News, a Democratic weekly newspaper, was established in 1900, of which Somerville & Somerville are the editors and publishers. The Vaiden Bank was established in 1890 with a capital of $27,500; the Merchants & Farmers Bank was established in 1905 with an authorized capital of $50,000. The town has sev- eral churches and a seminary, the Vaiden Institute. The pub- lic schools of Vaiden are under the charge of Prof. M. B. Pot- ter, and have a total attendance of 140; the term is 81/2 months. Prof. Potter also has charge of the negro school, which has an enrollment of 160 and a 7 months' term. The population in 1900 was 474; in 1906 it was estimated at 800.

Vale, a postoffice of Jasper county, 8 miles northwest of Paulding, the county seat.

Valena. An extinct village of Attala county, which was stiuated on the Big Black river, on the western part of a plantation formerly owned by S. H. Clark. The first sawmill in the county was built here, and it was at one time a small trade center, containing a few shops and stores, and a regular stopping point for flatboats on the river.

Valley, a post-hamlet and station of Yazoo county, on the Illi- nois Central R. R., 7 miles south of Yazoo City. Population in 1900, 50.

Valley Hill, a post-hamlet of Carroll county, 8 miles due west of Carrollton, the county seat. Population in 1900, 25.

Valley Park, a post-hamlet and station in the southeastern part of Issaquena county, on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R. R., about 20 miles north of Vicksburg. Population in 1900, 46.

Van, a postoffice of Kemper county.

Van Buren. This was an old village in Itawamba county located on a high bluff on the Tombigbee river. The building of the Mobile & Ohio R. R. west of the place ruined it and the old site is now under cultivation. Mr. Winfield Walker, a nephew of Gen- eral Winfield Scott located there in 1838 and was its first merchant, followed a year later by W. C. Thomas & Brother. (See Itawamba county.)

VanDorn, Earl, son of Peter A. VanDorn, was born at Port Gib- son, September 17, 1820. At the age of sixteen years he wrote to Gen. Andrew Jackson, asking his assistance in gaining admission to West Point. This was successful, and he was graduated at the academy and given a lieutenancy in the 7th infantry, in 1842. With this regiment he took part in Scott's campaign in Mexico, and won

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the brevets of captain and major for gallantry at Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Churubusco. He was wounded at the Belen gate of the Mexican capital. He afterward served in the war with the Seminole Indians in Florida, and against the Comanches in the West, receiving four wounds in a battle with the latter nation in 1858. He was promoted to captain in the 2d cavalry in 1855; among his fellow officers in the regiment were J. E. Johnston, G. B. McClellan, J. E. B. Stuart, R. E. Lee, G. H. Thomas, W. J. Hardee, Kirby Smith, John B. Hood and Fitzhugh Lee. In 1860 he was advanced to major of this regiment. He was presented with costly swords by the legislature of the State, and the people of Claiborne county, in recognition of his service in Mexico, and with a silver service by the citizens of Port Gibson because of his great fame as an Indian fighter. Upon the secession of Mississippi he resigned his commission, and tendered his services to the State. He was made one of the four brigadier-generals for the organization of a State army, and upon the election of Gen. Davis to the presi- dency was promoted to major-general, in command of State troops. But he preferred rank in the Confederate army, and accepted a com- mission as colonel dated March 16, 1861. He was ordered to Texas to capture the United States troops and property in that State, and on reaching Galveston in mid-April, took command of volunteers, captured the transport Star of the West, and a few days later, two other steamships, creating a great sensation North and South. At San Antonio, he accepted the surrender of his former comrades. In June he was promoted to brigadier-general. In September he was ordered to Richmond, was promoted to major-general, and was given command of the First division, army of the Potomac, in the latter part of 1861. A correspondent, describing a review of the army by Johnston, Beauregard and VanDorn, in December, de- scribed the Mississippian as "a youthful looking field marshal. The general is rather undersized-of a spare frame, erect and grace- ful in his movements; his moustache is long and light; otherwise he is closely shaven. His uniform was a gray tunic, with buff collar and cuffs, heavy gold braiding on the sleeve, and three stars on each side of the collar. As he drew on his buck gauntlets, I caught sight of a cross, embroidered thereon in scarlet silk, an ancient symbol or rank." But before the great campaigns in Vir- ginia opened, there was need of military talent in the West, and Van Dorn was ordered to take command of the trans-Mississippi district, in January, 1862. Combining the forces of Price. McCul- lough and McIntosh, he fought the battle of Elkhorn in March, a bloody but finally unsuccessful combat in which the two latter of- ficers were killed. As soon as possible, in obedience to Gen. A. S. Johnston, he brought his Arkansans, Texans and Missourians to Corinth, arriving soon after the battle of Shiloh and the death of Johnston. Beauregard then took command, VanDorn com- manding his troops as the Army of the West. After Beauregard evacuated Corinth, and Bragg succeeded him, and took the main army to Tennessee, VanDorn had command of the western half of

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the State and the Army of West Tennessee, for the defense of Vicksburg, leaving his former troops under Price, at Tupelo. Dur- ing his command the first attack on Vicksburg was repelled, and an unsuccessful battle fought by part of his troops for the possession of Baton Rouge, after which he attacked Rosecrans at Corinth (q. v.). This was very disastrous, and his military fame was near eclipse. He was subjected to a court martial under charges pre- ferred by Gen. John S. Bowen, of neglect of duty in preparing for the attack, of proceeding in the manner of a surprise when the enemy was fully aware of his intention, wearing out the troops, and neglect of the wounded. The court martial at Abbeville in November, composed of Price, Maury and Tilghman, also investi- gated charges of intoxication. They found that all charges were disproved. After Gen. Pemberton was given command in the State, over him, he continued in command of troops in the field, opposing the advance of Grant on the Central railroad in the latter part of 1862, and largely redeemed his reputation by the brilliant and successful raid on Holly Springs, which, with Forrest's similar operations in Tennessee, compelled Grant to retreat from Missis- sippi. He was next put in command of the cavalry of the depart- ment, by Gen. J. E. Johnston, and entered upon a campaign in mid- dle Tennessee, with Forrest, Jackson, Martin, and Armstrong as his subordinate leaders. He routed Coburn's brigade at Thomp- son's Station, March 5, 1863, and then occupied Spring Hill as his headquarters. Here in the last week of April he had a clash with Forrest as a result of accusations against the latter, and the two men were for a moment actually at swords points, Forrest recover- ing himself in time to prevent bloodshed. A few days later, May 7. Gen. VanDorn was assassinated by a physician of Spring Hill, who, having free access to the house, entered the general's room and shot him in the head, from behind, as he sat at his writing table. Gen. VanDorn was one of the handsomest men and most famous spirits in the old United States army. His hair, worn long, was a beautiful light chestnut ; his complexion, where exposed to the sun, of the same dark red color as the face of Robert E. Lee ; his eyes were bright and flashing blue. In social life he was as. gentle as a woman: in the field he was the ideal of a dashing soldier. He was called the finest horseman in the old army. Dab- ney H. Naury wrote that "as a general of cavalry, VanDorn had not his equal in the Confederate nor the Federal army."

VanDorn, Peter A., was born in New Jersey, September 12, 1773, of a family that came from Holland among the earliest set- tlers of that State. After graduating at Nassau hall, Princeton. he came south and made his home at Natchez, when he was about twenty-one years of age. He was appointed judge of the orphans' court ; adjutant of the 4th regiment militia, 1805: was a Mason of high degree, and one of the important men of Natchez until his removal to Port Gibson, where his home, because of its location, was called "The Hill." He died while traveling to his plantation on the Yazoo, February 12, 1837. Hs wife was a Miss Caffery,

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a niece of Mrs. Andrew Jackson, and granddaughter of Col. John Donelson, of Nashville.

Van Eaton, Henry S., was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, Sep- tember 14, 1826. After graduating from Illinois college, he moved to Woodville, Miss., in 1848. He was elected district attorney in 1858, and was sent to the State legislature in 1859. He served in the Confederate army, and then resumed the practice of law. He was appointed chancellor of the 10th district in 1880, and was elec- ted to the 48th congress in 1882, and reelected in 1884, serving till 1887. He died May 30, 1898.

Vance, a hamlet in the southern part of Quitman county, on Cas- sidy's Bayou, and a station on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R. R., 15 miles south of Belen, the county seat. It has a money order postoffice.

Vancleave, a village in the south-central part of Jackson county, located on Bluff creek, 14 miles northwest of Pascagoula, the coun- ty seat. It has a money order postoffice. Population in 1900, 76, now (1906) 500. Extensive charcoal and turpentine industries are located here.

Vannerson, William, born in Amherst county, Va., was married at Lynchburg to a niece of William H. Crawford, and moved to Natchez in 1825, where he became a successful lawyer. Afterward, making his home at Monticello, he was a representative from Law- rence county and was elected speaker of the house in 1837. He then appeared to be about sixty years of age. An interesting sketch of him is given in Foote's Bench and Bar, where he is described as a genial man of business and law, capable of making an effective speech, but not greatly versed in law. His preference was criminal law, in which he had an extensive practice. He was remarkable for his hopefulness of temper, ambition for distinction, and great store of anecdotes. He was known for many years as "the Napo- leon of the bar," but he was not incapable of laughing at this dis- tinction. Though married twice, he had no children. Gen. Allen, killed in a duel with A. K. McClung, was a stepson. "He was the soul of wit, and perhaps the most confirmed humorist who ever appeared at the Mississippi bar," says Lynch. (Bench and Bar, 126-31.) Foote wrote in 1876, "Mr. Vannerson died only a year or two ago, [1874] and I am told that when in extremis he confessed to being one hundred and nine years old."

Varnish, a postoffice of Calhoun county, 12 miles southeast of Pittsboro, the county seat.

Vanvleet, a post-hamlet and station of Chickasaw county, on the Houston branch of the Southern Railway, 10 miles southwest of Okolona, one of the county seats of justice, and the nearest bank- ing town. Population in 1900, 76.

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Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II, Part 102

Author: Dunbar Rowland Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant Number of Pages: 1020

Author: Dunbar Rowland
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant
Number of Pages: 1020