Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. I, Part 100

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association
Number of Pages: 1030

USA > Mississippi > Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. I > Part 100

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Hawkins, and Pickens; 1802, Oct. 17, Fort Confederation, James Wilkinson; 1803, Aug. 31, Hoe-Buckintoo-pa, James Wilkinson ; 1805, Nov. 16, Mount Dexter, Robertson and Dinsmoor; 1816, Oct. 24, Choctaw Trading House, Coffee, Rhea, and McKee; 1820, Oct. 18, Doak's Stand, Jackson and Hinds; 1825, Jan. 20, Washington, John C. Calhoun ; 1830, Sept. 27, Dancing Rabbit Creek (final cession of lands in Mississippi), Eaton and Coffee. With the Chickasaws: 1786, Jan. 10, Treaty of Hopewell, U. S. commissioners, Hawkins, Pickens, and Martin; 1801, Oct. 24, Chickasaw Bluffs, Wilkinson, Hawkins, and Pickens; 1805, July 23, Chickasaw Country, Robert- son and Dinsmoor ; 1816, Sept. 20, Chickasaw Council House, Jack- son, Meriwether, and Franklin ; 1818, Oct. 19, Old Town, Shelby and Jackson; 1832, Oct. 20, Pontotoc Creek (final cession of lands in Mississippi), John Coffee; 1834, May 24, Washington, John H. Eaton. By the treaty of Doaksville, concluded with the Chickasaws and Choctaws, Jan. 17, 1837, a convention was entered into between the Choctaws and Chickasaws, by which the Choctaws agreed to allow the Chickasaws the privilege of forming a district within their limits ; to have an equal representation in the General Council; and to be placed on an equal footing, except as to the right of disposing of the lands occupied by them, or participating in the Choctaw, annuities; the Chickasaws to manage their own funds. As a con- sideration for these rights and privileges, the Chickasaws agree to pay to the Choctaws $530,000; $30,000 when the Choctaw an- nuity for 1837 is paid and the $500,000 to be vested in some safe stock, redeemable in not less than 20 years.

The plan of concentrating the Indian tribes west of the Mississ- ippi on lands specially appropriated to their use, where, under the operation of their own laws and institutions, their better quali- ties might be developed, was first suggested by President Monroe in 1825, in a message to Congress, Jan. 25, of that year. The policy was put into practical operation during the administration of Presi- dent Jackson. In his first message to Congress in 1829, he gave forcible expression to the subject, and Dec. 4, 1830, in his message he said : "Two important tribes, the Chickasaws and the Choctaws, have accepted the provision made for their removal at the last session of Congress, and it is believed that their example will induce the remaining tribes, also, to seek the same advantages." And he says the following year : "At the last session of Congress I had the happiness to announce that the Chickasaws and Choctaws had accepted the generous offer of the government and agreed to re- move beyond the Mississippi river, by which the whole of the state of Mississippi and the western part of Alabama will be freed from Indian occupancy and opened to a civilized population. The treaties with these tribes are in course of execution, and their removal, it is hoped, will be completed in the course of 1832." Much of the Indian Territory, west of the Arkansas, was reported to be deficient in timber, water, and fertility. Says Drake: "The Chickasaw Indians evidently labored under this impression during some years, for at the original sale of their lands at Pontotoc, Oct. 20, 1832, many of

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them expressed a determination to remain on their old reservations and there cultivate the soil. Two years' experience, however, caused them to change their views. In the preamble to a treaty negotiated at Washington, May 24, 1834, they express a regret that they 'are about to abandon their homes, which they have long cherished and loved ; and, though hitherto unsuccessful, they still hope to find a country adequate to the wants and support of their people somewhere west of the Mississippi, and within the territorial limits of the United States.' By this treaty they ceded their reservations east of the Mississippi, at the same time making some personal, beneficial and eleemosynary provisions. They also directed the proceeds to be added to their vested funds, and agreed to send a delegation to the West to seek a location. This delegation visited the west during the year 1835, and selected a location in connection with the Choctaws, a closely affiliated people, making their own terms, as tribe with tribe."

In 1836, the War Department estimated the number of Choctaws at 18,500, and the Chickasaws at 5,500.

See various Indian Treaties ; Natchez Indians ; Natchez Massacre, 1729 ; Fort Rosalie ; Fort Nogales; Fort Maurepas; Forts and Dis- tricts under the French; Charlevoix; Missions, Early Catholic; Chickasaw-Creek War; Chickasaw-French War, 1736; Chickasaw- French Campaign, 1739-40; Chickasaw School Fund; Choctaw; Trading Posts, U. S .; Pontotoc Battle, 1541; Alabamo, Battle, 1541; DeSoto in Mississippi; Pushmataha; Coahoma; Archaeology ; also various titles covering French and Spanish colonial period.

Indian Treaties. See Treaties.

Indianola, the capital of Sunflower county, is an incorporated post-town on the Southern Ry., 26 miles east of Greenville. At a meeting of the county board in 1882, an election was ordered to vote on the removal of the county seat from Johnsonville, the old capital of the county. This vote resulted in the location of the county seat at Eureka, whose name was afterwards changed to Indianola. A frame court house was built in 1883 at a cost of about $3,000, and the brick jail was afterwards erected. These have now been superseded by a fine brick court house and jail erected in 1898. The town was incorporated in 1886 as Indianola. It lies in the rich delta section, and the surrounding region raises large quantities of cotton and corn. Two cotton seed oil mills are located

here. It has a telegraph office, an express office, the Cumberland telephone system, two newspapers and four banks. The "Enter- prise" is a Silver Democratic weekly, established in 1896, W. E. Chapman, editor and publisher ; the "Sunflower Tocsin," a Demo- cratic weekly, was established in 1886, J. A. Richardson being the editor and publisher. The Sunflower Bank was established in 1896, and has a capital of $75,000 ; the Bank of Indianola was established in 1902, present capital $150,000 ; the Merchants & Planters' Bank was organized in 1904, with a capital of $30,000, and the Delta Penny Savings Bank, organized in 1905, capital stock $10,000; the latter is owned by colored stockholders. Indianola has a fine

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system of water works and electric lights. It has a large cotton compress and two large pressed brick kilns. The town has recently expended $15,000 in sidewalks, and has contracted for two fine steel bridges to span Indian Bayou. There have recently been built two up-to-date brick hotels. The town has several churches and excel- lent schools for both races. There are the following fraternal lodges: Masons, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Woodmen of the World and the Columbian Woodman. The Vardaman Rifles is a local military company. The population of Indianola in 1906, was estimated at 1,800.

Indigo "had not been cultivated in the Natchez district as late as 1783, and until after the failure of the tobacco business it was produced only for seed, which were supplied to the Point Coupee and other settlements on the Mississippi." After the making of indigo, a most offensive and unwholesome occupation, was intro- duced in the Natchez, many continued to grow the plant simply to produce seed, which sold at about $50 a barrel. The plant, called Indigofera tinctoria, said to have been introduced from India, flour- ished luxuriantly, and was cultivated easily, though it required careful handling when young and tender. At maturity it was about three feet in height. Before going to seed, it was cut with a reap hook, tied in bundles, and thrown in steeping vats, built above ground of heavy plank. The steeping vat drained into another vat, called the beater, in which the liquid was churned. The sun supplied the heat to hasten the fermentation and decay. When the grain or coloring matter was separated it settled on the bottom, whence it was taken by wooden shovels, and put in draining boxes lined with canvass, and finally dried in moulds, into cubes, seasoned and packed for shipping. A variety of light blue color was called "floton," but the prismatic colored, or "pigeon-neck," was most es- teemed. The price is said to have been $1.50 to $2 a pound, and about 150 pounds were produced to the hand. "The whole pro- cess was of the most disgusting and disagreeable character. Myri- ads of flies were generated by it, which overspread the country. The plant, itself, when growing was infested by swarms of grass- hoppers, by which it was sometimes totally destroyed, and the fetor arising from the putrid weed thrown from the vats was in- tolerable. The drainings from these refuse accumulations into the adjacent streams killed the fish." (Wailes' Report.)

Industrial Institute and College. An institution for the educa- tion of white girls in industrial technic and also letters and science, as its name indicates. It owes its establishment to the efforts of a number of able and energetic women of the State, who were not discouraged by repeated failures but persevered until their end was gained. Beginning in 1856 Miss Sallie Eola Reneau (q. v.), of Grenada, made repeated efforts for the founding of an institu- tion for the higher education of women. Mrs. Annie C. Peyton, of Copiah county, Mrs. John G. Hastings, of Claiborne, and Dr. G. S. Roudebush of the A. & M. college worked to the same end, later. Gov. Stone gave the subject attention in his message of

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1882, and finally the public agitation resulted in an act of legisla- ture in 1884, passed in the senate by one vote, incorporating the Mississippi Industrial Institute. (Riley's History of Miss.)

An appropriation of $40,000 was made for the first two years and the generosity of the citizens of Columbus caused the loca- tion of the college in that city. The buildings and grounds of the Columbus female institute, valued at $50,000, were donated to the new college by the city ; also $50,000 in city bonds. This institu- tion is the first State college for women ever founded. The first session began with 341 students in October, 1885, with Dr. R. W. Jones as President. The organization planned and carried out by Dr. Jones has been adhered to on general lines ever since. Three main departments were created, a collegiate department, leading to the degree of A. B. and giving a thorough course in letters and science, a normal course, which prepares its students for teaching, and industrial courses, on completion of any of which, the student receives a certificate of proficiency. Many obstacles were met and overcome. Public opinion had to be satisfied. The same objections which always arise whenever industrial training is established in connection with "culture" studies were satisfactorily met, but to adjust a balance between the several departments, without giving any department undue preponderance was a very delicate task, which required much labor and forethought on the part of the first president and faculty. In the college course, at least one 'in- dustrial course must always be pursued in connection with the other work, unless music or painting are studied, and in the in- dustrial courses, certain academic training is required. A short practical course for teachers is also offered besides the regular normal course. The college has always been very well attended. In its first four years it gave instruction to over 1,000 girls, and fitted a large number for teaching, thus performing the function of the long-needed Normal school. In 1904 there were 700 students. It has attracted a great deal of attention without, as well as within, the State. It has been visited at different times by committees, whose purpose was to establish similar institutions in other States. Well deserved and favorable comment has been the rule on the part of the press, and it has surely satisfied the need for which it was organized. Many girls have been well trained within its walls for home and business duties.

Following Dr. Jones, Mr. C. H. Cocke and Mr. A. H. Beals held the presidency for a very few years, and then Dr. Robert Frazier was elected to that office in 1891 and served till 1898. He was followed by Pres. A. A. Kincannon, during whose administration the institution has made splendid progress. The attendance has more than doubled. Dormitory and lecture room accommodations have also been doubled and still more are needed. He has added de- partments originally planned by Dr. Jones, photography, fine art, millinery, domestic science, pharmacy ; enlarged the music depart- ment, and put the normal course on such a basis that its students can satisfy the requirements of the State board of examiners.

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Some manual work is required of the students and more can be done during spare hours, and in this way the girls can help pay their college expenses. The student care for their own rooms. They do dining room, kitchen, and laundry work, care for the lecture rooms, etc., which services are paid for by the college, but not from the State appropriations. Tuition is exacted of students from other States. Some laboratory fees are required. Board in the dormitories is furnished at cost. The girls are encouraged to work in spare hours and more apply for work than can be accom- modated. Care is taken, however, that no student shall work so much as to prejudice either her health or her studies. The college buildings are large, handsome, brick buildings of modern architec- ture. The dormitories and chapel are connected by a covered passage. The buildings are steam heated, provided with city water, and modern, sanitary plumbing. The dormitory is lighted by gas and has an elevator. The chapel is lighted by electricity. There is a pleasant residence for the president, and a handsome building back of the chapel, devoted to music, painting and indus- trial arts. Columbus Hall was built in 1896, the Tom Franklin Hos- pital in 1901. There is also a new industrial hall. The legislature has always been very generous with its appropriations and the group of handsome, well arranged buildings constitute a substan- tial property. The college is growing rapidly in numbers and widening its field. It maintains a high standard of work and is in every way an institution of which the State may be proud.

In the four years 1900-03, the institution received State appro- priations amounting to $205,000, $80,000 of which was expended in building new dormitories, infirmary, industrial hall, laundry, etc., of brick, and other buildings. In 1894 Congress donated a section of land in aid of this college, and the same, under a State enactment, was sold for $156,458, which was turned into the State treasury, interest to be paid the college annually at 6 per cent.

Ingleside, a post-hamlet of Claiborne county, on the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R. R., 6 miles north of Port Gibson, the county seat and nearest banking town.

Ingomar, a post-hamlet in the southern part of Union county, on the Mobile, Jackson & Kansas City R. R., 6 miles south of New Albany, the county seat and nearest banking town. Population in 1900, 40.

Ingraham, a hamlet of Itawamba county, 8 miles northeast of Fulton, the county seat. It has rural free delivery from Eastman.

Ingraham, Joseph H., was born in Portland, Me., 1809. He be- came a sailor ; saw service in one of the South American revolu- tions; returned home, and after receiving a collegiate education, became professor of languages in Jefferson College, near Natchez. In 1855 he took orders in the Episcopal church and was made rector of a parish and of St. Thomas's Hall, a school for boys, at Holly Springs. He was killed at that place April, 1861, by the acciden- tal discharge of a pistol. Mr. Ingraham was the author of a num- ber of books. He published "The Southwest, by a Yankee," in

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1835, which was followed by romances of wild adventure. Later in life he wrote religious romances: "The Prince of the House of David," "The Pillar of Fire," and "The Throne of David," which were the most famous American books in 1850-60 and are yet pop- ular. His son Prentiss, born near Natchez, served as a colonel in the Confederate army ; went to Mexico after the war and joined the army of Juarez ; saw service in Austria, Crete and Africa ; took part in the attempted revolution in Cuba in 1869; and was the author of a number of novels. His remains rest at Beauvoir.

Ingrams Mill, a post-hamlet of De Soto county, 14 miles east of Hernando, the county seat, and nearest railroad and banking town. Population in 1900, 67.

Insane Hospital, East Mississippi. March 20, 1882, under an act approved earlier in the same month, Gov. Lowry appointed H. M. Street, J. F. Moore, J. F. Gresham, A. J. Ervin and S. B. Rich, commissioners to select a site, contract for and supervise the con- struction of, the "East Mississippi Insane Asylum." The appro- priation was $50,000 for a building to accommodate 250 patients. The location was made at Meridian, upon the donation of 560 acres of land by the citizens, and the main building, four stories in height, was completed in December, 1884, with the aid of an additional appropriation of $56,000. The asylum was formally opened for the admission of patients in January, 1885, with Dr. C. A. Rice, of Vicksburg, as superintendent, and Dr. J. M. Buchan- an, of Okolona, as assistant. Five years later Dr. Buchanan suc- ceeded to the superintendency, which office he still holds. In 1898, by act of legislature the name was changed by substituting "hos- pital" for "asylum." Since the first construction the capacity of the institution has been more than doubled by additional buildings -two wings to the main building, and cottages, the latter being equipped according to the most modern ideas for the treatment of the insane. One hundred acres of the estate is in cultivation, the rest being used as pasturage; the water supply is from a well 300 feet deep, and the institution has its own fire department. The board of trustees, 1905, was H. M. Street, president ; B. F. Cam- eron, secretary ; C. M. Robush, C. E. Cunningham, W. N. Ray.

Insane Hospital, Jackson. This institution is situated on rising 8000 00 ground two miles north of the capitol, the building crowning a slope of beautiful lawn several acres in extent. The main building consists of an imposing center, four stories in height with hand- some facade of columns. On each side are wings three stories high, connected by smaller four story divisions, two on one side and three on the other. Behind the main building are the annexes for colored patients, two for male, and two for female patients. These buildings are of plain, architectural design, but very com- fortable and substantial. There are 1,147 patients, 537 white and 574 negroes. The general government and management of this very important charitable institution is in the hands of a Board of Trustees composed of five members, appointed by the governor and subject to the approval of the senate. This body makes the

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general rules for the government of the institution and reports its condition biennially. The medical superintendent is also appointed by the governor for a term of four years, and he appoints his own assistant. He has the general supervision of both patients and buildings, and his official force consists of 1st, 2nd and 3rd assist- ants, steward, matron, supervisor and supervisoress. There are 110 employes all told.

The project of providing an asylum of this sort originated in the discussions of a small circle of leading physicians, prominent among whom were William S. Langley, T. J. Catchings and E. Pickett, 60 years ago. At that time the wealthy found refuge for their afflicted in other States, the indigent insane were with- out retreat, and some were chained to the floors of county jails and dungeons. There were about 450 insane in the State. Several medical gentlemen secured election to the legislature to work for an asylum. Gov. A. G. Brown urged that some provision be made in his message of January, 1846, and Senator Williams soon re- ported a bill for a Lunatic Asylum at Jackson. It failed of pas- sage, and in 1848 Gov. Brown urged the measure with more vehemence, declaring the condition was a reproach to any Chris- tian people. A bill was passed appropriating $10,000 for the project, a lot of five acres in Jackson, and use of the convicts in the penitentiary to make the brick. William S. Langley, William Morris, H. Hilzheim, Thomas J. Catchings and C. S. Tarpley were appointed commissioners. They sold the donated lot for $700 and purchased the present site of the asylum, 140 acres, for $1,750. The plan of the New Jersey asylum was adopted, and the com- missioners began work, trusting to the legislature to increase the vastly inadequate appropriation. In January, 1850, the wall was about two feet above ground, and the $10,000 nearly exhausted. Gov. Matthews, in January, 1850, made a presentation of the sub- ject that attracted popular attention, and showed the economic value of such an institution. The work of Pinel in France was then fresh in mind. Miss D. L. Dix, a ministering angel to the afflict- ed to America, aided in presenting the subject to the legislature, which appropriated the estimate of the architect, $50,000. A new board of commissioners, Langley, Tarpley, C. H. Manship, Charles Scott and D. O. Williams, with Joseph Willis as architect, took up the work, discarded the foundation that had been laid, and though the State did not furnish the brick, had the walls up two stories, and partly three, in 1852. Then the legislature appro- priated $75,000, and new commissioners, headed by Dr. Langley, had the building ready for occupants Jan. 8, 1855. The first board of trustees, appointed March 2, 1854, was composed of W. S. Langley, George S. Yerger, Charles E. Hooker, John C. Carpen- ter, and Warren P. Anderson. The cost of the institution was $165,000. Dr. Langley, the first superintendent, received the first inmate, an incurable, Jan. 10, 1855. March 9, 1856, the rear build- ing burned down, and the whole institution was only saved from loss by the efforts of the Jackson fire companies. In 1857 super-

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intendent Langley was succeeded by Dr. W. B. Williamson. He was succeeded by Dr. Robert Kells, Jan. 10, 1859. When the Fed- eral troops invested Jackson in July, 1863, one corps encamped round the asylum, from which the inmates were expelled. The cupola was occupied as a signal station. The Confederate guns were turned upon the institution and three shots took effect, when the superintendent asked the Federal general to withdraw the sig- nal corps, which was done and the firing ceased. The damage done was slight. (Committee of legislature, 1864.) In the war period 150 acres were added to the grounds, at a cost of $7,200. Aided by Gov. Clark, Superintendent Kells kept the institution in operation through all these exciting years. When it was possible for the legislature to make appropriations again, great repairs were needed on account of the settling of the walls. In 1866 Dr. Kells was suc- ceeded by Dr. A. B. Cabaniss. Another fire, and damage from tor- nadoes, were events of 1866. The legislature of 1866 authorized a lottery to help support the institution, but it never was effective. A board of supervisors, one from each congressional district, was appointed in 1867. Dr. Cabaniss was removed under the recon- struction act and succeeded by Dr. William M. Deason in Septem- ber, 1869. In 1870 a board of five trustees to serve four years was authorized, and appointed, the governor to be president of the board. In the same year Dr. Deason was transferred to the State hospital at Natchez, and Dr. William M. Compton, of Holly Springs, appointed superintendent. After a service of eight years he was succeeded by Dr. T. J. Mitchell, the present incumbent. The legislature, during the administration of Gov. Alcorn appro- priated $150,000 for repairs and added two new wings, and prac- tically a new institution was thus created, with a capacity for 300 patients. (Report of Dr. Campton, 1871.) The building of an additional wing was authorized in 1875. In 1878 there were 420 inmates, of whom 100 were colored. The admission of colored patients was first recommended by the board of trustees, George S. Yerger, chairman, in 1856, when a special department for that class was urged. In 1878 the colored inmates were housed in the same building, though the races were kept quite isolated. As the building was badly overcrowded, Dr. Mitchell immediately set about securing more room. Meridian was chosen as the site for a new institution. (See E. Miss. Insane Hospital.) This new build- - ing relieved the congestion for a few years, but by 1890 both in- stitutions were overcrowded. The question of locating still an- other institution for colored inmates in the Delta section of the State was mooted for a time, but the Legislature deemed it wiser to build colored annexes to the State Hospital at Jackson, and appropriated $60,000 for that purpose. A building for men and another for women were erected, and while they were still but partially occupied, fire destroyed the major part of the dormitory for white men patients. With the help of the new buildings all the patients were temporarily accommodated except 65 who were sent to Meridian, where they had room for their reception, on ac-

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Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. I, Part 100

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association Number of Pages: 1030

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association
Number of Pages: 1030