Dale County AlArchives News.....Indian History by Creel Richardson 1984 ************************************************ 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: Christine Thacker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00033.html#0008100 April 24, 2004, 3:52 pm Southern Star Dale County Indian History - Part 1 Southern Star 1984 or 1985 and maybe 1983 by Creel Richardson The sun had just disappeared below the horizon March 3, 1832, when JOHN J. ANDREWS and his family after a long and tiresome journey from Darlington District, S.C. arrived at the home of JOHN WINDHAM located on July Creek in Dale County. After a few days visit with the Windham family, John and his family moved to the home of THOMAS ANDREWS, probaly his brother, who had arrived in 1830 and settled on the north side of the Choctawhatchee river a few miles above present day Newton. Sometime prior to John's arrival, Thomas had built his home, cleared his land and erected a mill on Hurricane creek for sawing lumber. During the Summer of 1832 John employed HAMILTON PARRISH to erect a home for him and his family in the area of modern Camp Ground. Upon its completion that fall the ANDREWS family moved into the new home, the first in that section of the county. Since this was some distance from his nearest neighbor, JOHN decided in the spring of 1833, to buy the homestead of ELI RUFFIN just west of Clatbank Church. Here he engaged in farming and the wheelwhite business. Shortly thereafter he decided to construct a grist mill on "little Claybank" about three-fourths of a mile "west" of his new residence. It was completed durning the winter of 1833-1834, and on Saint Valentine's Day, February 14, 1834, he began "grinding Corn" for his neighbors. In the process of digging the mill race, JOHN and his helpers unearthed chunks and fire coals... several feet down. Many years later W.L. ANDREWS, in his history of the area, suggested that this site was probably a village or campsite where some remote time the braves with their chiefs had planned vengeance on the menacing march of the paleface from the east. Whether or not ANDREWS was correct in his assumption, it is true that during the 17th century the "paleface" began his march into Indian territory from all points of the compass. Shortly after the settlement of South Carolina in 1760 the proprietors of that colony instructed its governing body to exercise "Great Care That the Indians be not abused and that all means may be used to civilize them and that you may endeavour your utmost to create a firm friendship with them and bring them over to your part for better protection and defense against the enemy the neighboring French and Spanyards". For about a century and a half after these instructions were issued that area comprising the Southeastern United States- including Alabama- was the scene of inter-tribal, international and national struggles for power, teritory and trade. This region was part of the prize at state in a global struggle, between England, France and Spain, and eventually the American colonies as they assorted their right to independence and control of what for centuries had been Indian territory. Archaeological discoveries and written records reveal many clues, but do not enable us to determine the exact date for the beginning of the first chapter of Indian history in Southeast Alabama. Some authorities suggest that the Euchees, the fourth and last group to be incorporated into the Creek Confederacy, drifted southward during the 17th and 18th centuries and settled on the Savannah and Choctawhatchee rivers, and after joining the Confederay "they moved theirs towns to the Chattahoochee" river valley. Prior to the coming of the white man to the Southeast, however, the Indians "hunted, as they farmed, only for subsistence". Once the Spanish, French and English traders arrived in Indian territory, hunting- principally for deerskins- became "a source of profit" for the Indian, and his "hunting grounds a subject of contention". For many years prior to 1824- present day Dale County had been a part of this "hunting" ground. Deer hunting and the sale of the skins to the traders became big business for the Indians during the 17th and 18th cenyuries. English traders transported the skins to Charlestown, S.C. by horse and Indian pack train; the French and Spanish down the rivers and trails to Mobile, New Orleans and Pensacola. From these ports were shipped to European markets- most of them to england. Some beaver and buffalo skins were included in this trade, but the greatest part of it consisted of deerskins. From 1699 to 17_6 the annual exportation from Charlestown was approximately 54,000 skins. In 1748 about 160,000 were shipped from this port. This is no way determine the number of these that went from Alabama and Dale County- but of the three main trading "paths" leading to Charlestown, one passed through the Creek territory of what later became Alabama. From this "path" shorter ones branched out to the various regions of this area. Traders usually came to the hunting grounds during early fall and remained until the winter Indian hunt was over in the Spring. Indian hunters and their families left thier villages in October and returned by March for the planting season- bringing with them "many furs and smoked meat". One French traveler to the region in 1751-1762, left the following description of the Indian deer hunt: "they take with them into the woods a dried head of the male species. They cover their backs with a deerskin, and put a hand through the neck of the dried head, into which they have put little wooden hoops for their hands to grip.Then they get down on their knees, while holding the head in view, and imitating the deer's cry. The animals, fooled by this trick come quite close to the hunters who kill them easily..They are Indians who have used this ruse to kill up to four hundred deer in a single winter." Indian History Southern Star January 11, 1984- page 8B History Corner Early Indian Hisory in Alabama By Creel Richardson In 1837 Chief EUFAULA of the Creeks, delivered his farewell in the brotherly kindness to the General Assembly of Alabama at the State Capitol in Tuscaloosa- with Representative Abraham WARREN of Dale County as one of his listeners. The Chief and his followers were leaving the"lands of Alabama". Lands, he said which formerly belonged to his forefathers,and where their bones are buried. Since" Indian Fires" in Alabama were almost clean gone, the Chief and his people were enroute to the west where new fires were lighting for them. The annals of history do not set aside a definite time table when the Chief's forefathers staked their claims to the lands that later became Alabama and Dale County. The same observation applies to the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and the Alabamos-the last being relative few in numbers. The exact origin of the Red Man also remains a mystery to modern man. An elderly Alabama Indian living in Oklahoma, told one researcher the Alabanos 'came out of the ground near the Alabama River a little up stream from its junction with the Tombigbee, close to Holsifa (Chocttaw Bluff). After they came out a owl hooted. They were scared and most of them went back into the ground. That is why the Alabamo are so few in number. The process of extinguishing the "Indian fires" in Alabama and the Southeastern section of that area which later became the United States, had its beginning during the first half of the 16th century (1500-1550). within this period several Spanish explorers- including DeSoto- penetrated certain parts of Florida and Alabama. During the next two centuries, England and France, entered the triangular struggle for supremacy over these Indian lands. The contest centered around three major issues: Missions, trade and lands. Key Indian centers of Alabama involved with these issues were the Indian towns along the Alabama and Mobile rivers on the west, the Chattahoochee on the east, and the Coosa and Tallapoosa in central Alabama. The missionary efforts appear to have encountered the least resistance among the Indians. Efforts to obtain the Indian trade was highly competitive among the traders of the three nations vying for control of the area. Deer,buffalo, bear, and beaver skins, brought in from the winter hunt by the Indians, constituted the principal items offered for sale or barter. Various types of supplies, including ammunition and guns, were obtained by the Indians. Trading paths extended from Charlestown S.C., Savannah, Ga., Pensacola, Mobile and New Orleansfor great distances into the interior regions of Indian lands. In 1748 approximately 160,000 skins were shipped from Charles Town to European Markets. For approximately a century and a half prior to 1837 numerous wars and struggles occurred for control of the Indian lands of the Southeastern part of present day United States. Sometimes these were international in scope, and sometimes they were confined to conflicts between the white man and the red man- with the white man the eventual winner. Prior to the victory by the white man the territory that became Dale County, Alabama, in December 1824, had been a part of the Indian lands. Since that time numerous Indian relics and artifacts have been found in the county and collected by the white man. A few Indian mounds were found by early settlers, but those that have been examined did not appear to contain any human remains of the Indian. Dale County as Indian territory was primarily hunting lands for the Indians. Winter hunting camps might have been established in the area, but the wroter has found no authentic evidence of the existence of Indian towns within the bounds of what became Dale County. Several informative observations have been left to us by travelers who have passed through the region prior to the arrival of the white settlers. In 1686 MARCOS DELGADO led an expedition composed of 20 Indians and 13 Spanish soldiers from Apalache, Fla., to the Upper Creek Territory in Alabama.Crossing the little Choctawhatchee River a short distance west of present day Dothan, he measured it to be 36 feet wide, and 12 feet deep. After the crossing he found "many buffalos and bears" in the adjacent area. The Big Choctawhatchee near present day Newton was 140 feet wide and 12 feet deep. The swamp was a "forest of thick trees chiefly chestnuts". Pea River about where Highway 231 crossed was "84 feet of breadth and 18 feet of depth, the bottom covered with flat stones", and the adjacent woods are open. In the Conecuh River swamp he passed through a "forest of sassafras, holly and chestnut trees so thick that two men facing each other with outstretched arms could not encircle them". In 1798, Indian Agent Benjamin HAWKINS, described the region between the Conecuh and Chattahoochee as "high flats of light land... with iron ore in places and all the streams with reed or cane on the margins". The area had the appearence of being a "healthy one, and the range is fine for cattle, hogs, and hores" with "wiregrass... in the pine flats... and pretty good for corn". In may 1801, Cheif MAD DOG noted that the game was "gone". And then commented "When the Acorns fall deer are usually about, but where now are the deer? " In January 1815 David CROCKETT and 500 of his fellow Tennessee soldiers, under the command of Major RUSSELL, passed through the area. in dire need of provisions they hunted every day, and killed every hawk, bird, and squirrel they could find, but no record of any deer killed. Writing in 1836 of the results of a survey of the route from Columbus to Pensacola for a prosed railroad Major J?. D. GRAHAM of the U.S. surveyors, noted that the territory "was blessed with a climate scarcely equalled in salubrity by any portion of our cotton districts" In August 1836, HOPOTHIE, LITTLE DOCTOR, TUCKABATCHEE, and MAD BLUE wrote to Major General JESSUP that they were about to begin their journey "toward the far west, abandoning our homes and the consecrated sepulchres of our forefathers, never again to revisit them". Indian History Southern Star 1984 By Creel Richardson In February, 1827, roving Indians robbed several homes along Pea River in upper Dale. "About 30 or 40 men turned out to defend the county"; but returned "home" because they could not find the Indians. On February 26, the wife and sister-in-law of Eli ALBERSEN were murdered at their homes about 25 milesbelow Daoleville. The next day Captain Jeremiah PATE mustered about 40 men and chased the Indians into Florida. About the same time an estimated 100 Indians were discovered on Double Bridges creek southeast of Daleville; another 150 were located on Pea River in upper Dale. On March 12, 1837, Colonel William FOSTER, Commander of the 46th Militia Regiment in Dale County, wrote and requested authority from Governor CLAY "to call into service by volunteers or draft and provision and pay a sufficiency of men, by which means safety may be rendered to the community until your Excellency may be pleased to order us __ from some more populous part of the state...otherwise," he continued, "it cannot be done as our citizens are particlarly engaged about their farms and will not turn out volunteers and defray their own expenses." the Alarm was so great among the settlers of the county that they were "gathering eight and ten families together the better to defend themselves against the ruthless savages-- and unless something is done for us I conceive our county must be desserted or its inhabitants remain to be butchered or famished". In early April, 1837, Circuit Judge J.P. BOOTH- a Major General of the Alabama Militia for Dale, Henry, Barbour, Pike and Lowdnes counties- who had just finished the spring session of court at Daleville and was at the time presiding over the Spring Session at Monticello on Pike County, wrote Governor CLAY that all of Southeast Alabama had "been in a state of terror and consternation. From the head of Pea River to the Florida line, the settlers near the River". had "abandoned their homes and retired to places of security". On April 25 the Governor indicated to Abraham WARREN that Colonel WELLBORN had "furnished the additional Company" to aid Colomel FOSTER. With the two companies the Governor felt that the safety of Dale would be secured". He expressed his gratitude to Captain WARREN, Colonel FOSTER and General LEDBETTER for the "energy, patriotism, and magnamity" which they had shown during the dangers which had threatened Dale County. Indeed, he continued, "too much praise cannot be accorded to your entire population in Dale so far as I am informed, for the laudable courage with which they have repelled. And, I trust, subdued the savage enemy". In his reply on May 23, Captain WARREN expressed regret that same had given the Governor the impression that a sufficient number of men were in service to subdue all the hostile Indians. He assured the Governor that if those gentlemen would come and shoulder their gun and nap sack and follow our troops through the camps of Pea River and Choctawhatchee and east river and Black Water bay they would be convinced that there were Indians plenty and they are full of fight. In fact, the Indians had murdered six of our good citizens in addition to Josiah HART, his wife and six children since April 20. His company of 80 Dale County volunteers had just returned from a victory over about 150-200 Indians; had killed thirty of them and recovered about $500 worth of property. On November 23 Representative Abraham WARREN wrote to Governor Arthur P. BAGBY, who had just been inaugurated, citing the distressing conditions of the citizens of the frontier region of Dale and urged the Governor to take the necessary measures, you in your wisdom may deem expedient and proper, for the protection of WARREN's constituents. Two days later Governor BAGBY authorized Colonel William POUNCY of Daleville to organize a company of mounted rangers for the protection of the lives and property of the frontier settlers of Dale County. On December 12 Colonel POUNCEY acknowledged the Governor's letter, which he had just recieved, authorizing him to raise a company of mounted rangers and assured the Governor that he would gladly obey any and every order he might recieve keeping in view at all times the interest of the State as well as the protection of the frontier citizens of Dale County. In early February 1838, Captain Jeremiah PATE informed Governor BAGBY that Indians had robbed Colonel BRIGHT's boat as it moved up Choctawatchee River. Some items taker were five kegs of powder, some lead, 1 barrell of sugar, a quantity of whiskey and some blankets. He also stated that Judge HARPER had to haul corn and other provisions 60 or 70 miles from Headquarters in Barbour County. And he noted, a good many citizens of the Pea River region had returned to their homes under the protection of his company. The Indians were no longer disposed to do any mischief except to pree on our Stock. Meantime, Representative WARREN of Dale had requested the Governor and the Legislature to consider aid and-or reimbursement for those citizens and military companies who had suffered losses or been involved in militia service. A Legislative Act of February 1, 1838, made provisions for loans up to $500 or not more than one-half of the damage suffered during the Indian uprising-- the loans to bear interest at the rate of 7 percent and to be repaid in five equal installments. On February 2 an appropriation was made to reimburse Judge William HARPER for his services "as Assistant Quarter Master and Commissary". The same act carried an appropriation of $5,219.19 for Captain Jeremiah PATE and his "Company of Mounted Men...for subsistence, forage and wagons used for the protection of the inhabitants of Dale County against Indian hostilities. Indian History Southern Star Wednesday October 31, 1984 page 9B Indian Relics- As part of the History Corner during the Catfish Festival in Ariton on Nov. 3, a Muzzle loader rifle held by Jimmy Willoughby, similar to those used in the Creek Indian War of 1836-38 will be displayed. Shown with him are his daughters, Kristi and Misti.(note there was a picture for this article). By Creel Richardson Among the artifacts that will be displayed during the Ariton Catfish Festival as part of the History Corner on November 3 in Ariton will be relics from battlefields during the Indian wars of the 1830s. About MArch 15,1837, Colonel William WELLBORN of the Alabama Volunteers visited the campsite of a large number of Creek Indians near Montgomery who had been assembled to emigrate to new homes in the West. While there he discovered that several hundred "hostiles" had deserted the camp. Their apparent motive was to migrate southward to seek refuge in the swamps of West Florida, and thereby escape migration to those western homes. Alerting and assembling several companies of local militiamen, Colonel WELLBORN and his forces began a search for the deserters. About March, 22, he recieved an "express" from Capt. JONES of the Barbour Rangers that he had located and was a in "pursuit of about 300 of the enemy in the direction of Pea River". With the torch in one hand and the rifle in the other the enemy had created fear and the utmost consternation throughout the area. Moving as rapidly as circumstances permitted, Colonel WELLBORN and his fighting forces arrived at Hobdys Bridge on Pea River about noon of March 23rd. Led by their Commander, a bold and fearless man, Luche-poker Indian by the name of Ches-ke-Micco, the Indians had pitched camp about four miles up stream in the middle of Pea River swamp. After a careful assessment of the diffculties to be encountered in reaching the enemy in his stronghold, the Colonel deployed some of his forces on both sides of the river. As they moved up the river some of his men had to swim and at least 20 guns were rendered unfit for use. Once contact was made it became a battle of charge and counter-charge which continued for 3 hours and 52 minutes. In his report of the battle to Governor CLAY, Colonel WELLBORN wrote that "few battles in modern times have been more severe. His son JAMES HOLLAWAY, was shot through the head and killed. Four other militiamen were killed, and ten wounded. Forty-two Indians, incuuding the Commander, were killed. There was no authentic count of those who were killed and fell into the river. The next day a squaw was found dead holding a canister of powder and a large number of rifle balls. After refreshing a little that night the Colonel traveled down stream in search of those who might have escaped. He found a trail which he followed into upper Dale where he overtook a party of some 30 or 40 including women and children in the area where JIMMY and his daughters are standing. Calling in his advance guard the Colonel charged and killed 11 and captured 8 women and children. On April 1, 1837, Quarter Master, Major D.G. SKINNER of the volunteers, sent a report of the battles to Governor Clay. In reply the Covernor expressed gratitude for Col. WELLBORN's victory over the Indians near Blacks mills. The Col. and his brave men have won never falling laurels for themselves, in their two last triumphant battles. In reply to an inquiry by the U.S. Secretary of War to Governor BAGBY in 1841 relative to any native CREEK Indians remaining in South Alabama, Major J.P. BOOTH of Irwington (now Eufaula) wrote that he had a girl 12 years of age who had been brought to him by one of his detachments sent out in 1837 to protect the settlers of lower Dale and Covington counties. Her relatives had been killed at Pea River, and she had been abandoned at a camp in the swamps of Florida. There was not a habitation or a morsel of food within 20 miles of her. Several others in the Irwington area had Indian children. BOOTH was not only willing, but desirous to surrender his to the property authority. Whether or not the others would do the same he was unable to say. As to their condition and treatment, he wrote "I can only say, that as far from being made slaves those in possession of Gen.WELLBORN, Mr. LAIRD and myself are not permitted to associate with slaves more than our own children of the same size. They are now being educated. Pea River is near the site where JIMMY and his daughters are standing. In the backgroug, according to family tradition , there is an Indian cemetery. At least two Indian families lived in the area at one time. A medicine man was a member of one of the families. Black's mill of that day was a short distance upstream- where Highway 231 crosses the river. The land of this area was homesteaded by the WILLOUGHBY family about 1850 and has been in the family since that time. Many of the artifacts in JIMMY's possession were colected from the area of this battle site of 1837. From the Newspaper collection of Harold Stephens. Typed and submitted by Christine G. Thacker. 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