Conecuh County AlArchives History .....History of Conecuh County 1881
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 24, 2004, 11:11 pm

CHAPTER XVII.

Conecuh from 1845 to 1855-Status of the County at this Period-Acrimonious 
Politics-Sad Tragedy-Steam Navigation of Conecuh-A Disaster and a Protracted 
Law Suit-Caterpillars-Mexican War-Sickness in the County, &c.

   This period introduces us into the midst of stirring scenes. By its 
increased facilities the county was now brought into easy communication with 
the world beyond. A new generation of men had been reared upon her soil, and 
were coming rapidly to the front, to the assumption of the control of affairs,-
men who were in sympathy with the over-reaching strides of advancement now 
being made in all departments.

   The fertile lands of Conecuh, and their prodigious yield, had drawn 
industry and capital from various directions, until now the population of 
Conecuh had reached almost ten thousand. Business, in all its branches, was 
thriving,-and many of the citizens of the county were becoming immensely 
wealthy. The indications of prosperity were evident in the elegant homes, the 
extensive plantations-tilled now by numerous slaves-the comfortable "negro 
quarters," the neatly built churches and school houses, and the magnificent 
equipages of many of the wealthiest families. What a transformation had been 
produced in the county within a period of three and a half decades! The hand 
of Industry had made the wilderness to blossom as the rose.

   But that which was engrossing more and more public attention was, the 
political issues of the period. The alternating victories secured by both 
parties kept them constantly on the alert. The greatest care had to be taken 
to avoid the mistake of placing any other in the field than the most popular 
man. The standard bearer of the Democratic hosts in the county, in 1845, was 
James A. Stallworth; that of the Whigs was Mortimer Boulware. Mr. Stallworth 
was a young man, who was just now catching public attention by the brilliancy 
of his oratory, and by the readiness with which he grappled with the issues of 
his opponents. He found in Mr. Boulware a formidable opponent. The county was 
never more thoroughly canvassed and aroused. Everywhere the zealous candidates 
were met by vast crowds. In the election which followed, both parties strained 
their facilities to the utmost tension. Mr. Stallworth bore off the palm of 
victory, and thus commenced a brilliant political career, as will be seen in 
the future history of the county.

   In March of this year, a sad tragedy occurred in the vicinity of Bellville, 
which, because of its connection with one of the most distinguished families 
of Conecuh, cast a gloom over the whole county. A freedman, who was popularly 
known as "Free Henry," in a reecounter with Joshua and James Hawthorne-two 
sons of Col. J. R. Hawthorne-fatally stabbed the latter named young man. The 
freedman was arrested, lodged in jail, at Sparta, at the approaching term of 
court convicted of murder, and was publicly executed by hanging, in October of 
the same year.

   The success which had constantly attended the navigation of the Conecuh by 
raft boats, excited a desire finally to launch upon her waters a more stately 
craft, and one in more apt keeping with modern advancement. Accordingly a 
meeting was called at Brooklyn, in August, 1845, to consider the feasibility 
of undertaking the navigation of the river by steam. It was called the Steam 
Navigation Meeting. It was the occasion of much interest, many of the 
wealthiest and most enterprising gentlemen of the county having responded to 
the call. The advisability of such an enterprise was duly considered, and a 
stock company was formed. Subsequently the steamer "Shaw" was purchased, duly 
manned, and started on a trip up the river. Expectations became more sanguine 
still, when the steamer had reached Brooklyn landing without hindrance or 
disaster. The boat, unloaded of its cargo of supplies, which it had borne up 
the stream from Pensacola, was re-loaded with cotton, and, amid the most 
jubilant expectations, started southward. But, alas! when it had descended the 
stream but a short distance, it struck an unfriendly snag and was sunk, and 
with it sank the hopes of the ardent instigators of the enterprise. The whole 
cargo was lost. Mr. George Turk-the father of Laban Turk, of Monroe-was the 
principal loser, having on board most of the cotton. The result of this sad 
catastrophe was a protracted law suit between Mr. Turk and the stock company, 
which terminated in favor of the plaintiff. Thus ended all efforts to propel 
boats, by steam, upon the Conecuh river. This enhanced the value of Claiborne, 
Monroe county, for it was now the most accessible shipping and receiving point 
to the planters and merchants of Conecuh.

   A sudden check was placed upon the prosperity of the county in 1846, by the 
destruction of the cotton by the caterpillar. So sudden and wide-spread were 
the ravages of the cotton worm, that the crop of that year came well nigh 
proving a failure. During this year, too, there was an alarming prevalence of 
pneumonia in Conecuh. It spread with violence in all portions of the county, 
and did not cease its ravages for several years together. The year 1846 is 
memorable in the annals of the country as the beginning of hostilities between 
the United States and Mexico. During the latter part of this year several 
victories had been achieved by General Taylor. When the news of bloodshed, and 
his splendid successes, reached the States, crowds of volunteers demanded the 
acceptance of their services. Nor did the patriotism of the Conecuhians lie 
dormant, while others, from different sections, were rallying beneath the 
American banner. It is to be regretted that the names of but two of the brave 
patriots of Conecuh, who enlisted in this war, can be secured. These are 
William R. King and Mark Travis. The former of these died in service in 
Mexico, and his remains were sent home and interred in the graveyard at 
Bellville. Mr. Travis survived the war, and returned to his home, bearing the 
mark of a wound received in the battle of Cherubusco.

   The only interest which attaches to the history of the county for several 
years together, subsequent to the period already adverted to, is that which 
gathers around the political contests. The Democratic Party, having been led 
to victory in 1845, under the leader-ship of their young champion, James A. 
Stallworth, continued to hold the majority of the popular vote until 1849. At 
this period the Whigs nominated William A. Ashley as their candidate for 
leislative honors. Through personal popularity, as an able advocate of the 
principles of the Whig Party, Mr. Ashley succeeded in securing triumph to his 
party, and marked distinction to himself. This was to him the beginning of a 
very long and popular career as a leader in Conecuh. Such was his acceptance 
during his term of service, that he was rewarded by his party with a second 
nomination and was again elected by the popular voice of the county. Political 
supremacy was held now by the Whigs until 1857. For after Mr. Ashley had been 
elected State Senator, Andrew Jay became the favored leader of the party, by 
which he was honored with two successive terms of office in the lower house of 
the General Assembly.

   With 1854 came the first railroad excitement ever experienced by the people 
of Conecuh. Prodigious advantages were promised the people of the county if 
they would only aid in the construction of the Mobile and Girard Railroad. 
Eloquent agents depicted in glowing description, the advantages which must 
accrue to the county by the projected enterprise, and thus succeeded in 
booking handsome subscriptions from very many of the citizens. The total 
failure to reap any benefits from the road, bred dissatisfaction and gave rise 
to serious litigation, which resulted in the recovery of a portion of the 
funds contributed to the establishment of the enterprise. A comparative lull 
of several years followed this period.

   The following is a list of county officers who served during the decade 
included between 1845 and 1855:

COUNTY JUDGES.
1849-P. D. Castillo. (Appointed to fill an unexpired term. The following year 
the office was abolished.)


PROBATE JUDGES.

1850--A. D. Cary.

SHERIFFS.
1847John D. Travis. (Resigned the following year.)
1848-William M. Stallworth. Appointed.
1851-Stephen Richardson. 
1854-George Christian.

CIRCUIT CLERKS.
1849-Mark B. Travis. 
1855-Mark B. Travis.

COUNTY CLERKS.
1837-1841-Jordan B. Lewis.  (This should have been embodied in the earlier 
list, but was overlooked.)

1841-1845-John D. Cary.
1845-1849-John D. Cary.
1849-1850-Sherman G. Forbes.  (Office universally abolished in 1850 throughout 
the State.)

SENATORS.
1847-John Morrisett.
1851-William Perry Leslie.
1853-William A. Ashley.

REPRESENTATIVES.
1845-James A. Stallworth.
1847-James A. Stallworth.
1849-William A. Ashley.
1851-William A. Ashley.
1853-Andrew Jay.
1855-Andrew Jay.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
History of Conecuh County, Alabama
By

Rev. B. F. Riley
Pastor of the Opelika Baptist Church

Columbus, Ga.;
Thos. Gilbert, Steam Printer and Book-Binder
1881

Chapter XVII

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/

File size: 9.7 Kb