Muscogee COUNTY GA Indian Wars Columbus Meeting Resolutions File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jerry Jones http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/muscogee/military/indian/colmtg.txt Transcribed from Macon Messenger, April 25, 1835 MEETING OF CITIZENS OF COLUMBUS April 26, 1835 In consequence of the present hostile attitude of the Creek Indians of Alabama, their numerous aggressions upon the property of citizens of Georgia, and their inhuman massacre of several unoffending individuals, a numerous meeting of the citizens of Columbus, Georgia, convened at the Court House in said town on Saturday, the 25th of April, to adopt such measures as might be deemed proper and necsssary to quell the disturbances and to protect from threatened violation the person and property of the inhabitants of Columbus and the territory in Georgia, adjacent to the Creek tribe of Indians. On motion of John T. LAMKIN, Esq., the Hon. Grigsy E. THOMAS was called to the Chair, and James VAN NESS appointed Secretary. The object of the meeting was stated at length by the Hon. Eli S. SHORTER*, and the meeting farther addressed by Gen. D. McDOUGALD, Rev. Mr. HARRIS, B. MARTIN, Esq. and Mr. E.L. WITTICH, when the following preamble and resolutions, introduced by the latter gentleman, were unanimously adopted. *Judge Elim Sims Shorter and his brother Reuben Clark Shorter(whose son John Gill Shorter became governor of Alabama) lived across the river from one another. Elim near Columbus and Reuban in Alabama. The Shorter home in Eufalla, AL is open to the public today. Researcher: Acdraft01@aol.com Whereas, recent acts of hostility upon the part of the Indians in the Creek Nations have induce the Grand Jury of this County to investigate the subject, to devise means to put the town of Columbus in a more complete state of defence, in case of actual danger and alarm; And whereas the Committee appointed by the Grand Jury and the COLUMBUS GUARDS have met and consulted upon the best means necessary to be adopted in the present unprotected state of the town, have thought proper to call a meeting of the citizens generally, and propose for their adoption the following resolutions: Resolved, That the citizens prsent enroll their names in alphabetical order, and that they be divided into companies of ten each, commencing at the first name on the list--one of whom shall be captain. Resolved, That each member when on patrol be required to be armed with a good gun and a sufficient quantity of ammunition. Resolved, That when an alarm is given by the guad, each citizen repair forthwith to the City Hall, armed for active service. On motion of J.P.H. CAMPBELL, Esq, the following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That a committee of three be apppointed for the purpose of submitting the proceedings of this meeting to the citizens fo the town who are not rpesent, and request them to enroll their names. Messrs E.L. WITTICH, E.S. SHORTER, and M.R. EVANS were appointed this committee. The following resolutions introduced by the Hon. E.S. SHORTER, were adopted: Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Chair, to correspond with the Governor of Georgia, to apprise him of the actings and of the present state of our Indian relations, and respectfully request him to place a sufficient proportin of the military force of this part of the State in a situations for immediate service, and to place them under orders to resist and punish any aggressions which may be committed by the Indians upon the property, habitations, or persons of our citizens, committee within our own limits, and if necessary to pursue them within the limits of Alabama. Resolved also, That the same committee be instructed respectfully to request the Governor to correspond with the Governor of Alabama and to assure him of th eperfect willingness of the people and authroities of Georgia to co-operate with the authorities of Alabama in any measures which may be deemed necessary in repelling any and all aggressions of the Indians and punishing the offenders. Messrs. E.S. SHORTER, A. IVERSON, and J.P.H. CAMPBELL were appointed to compose that committee. Gen. Daniel McDOUGALD introduced the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That this meeting recommend to our fellow citizens of Russell County, AL to organize a force for the purpose of scouring the County, demanding of the Chiefs in the different towns the murderes of those of our fellow- citizens who have been, or may be killed; should any emergency arise requiring additional force, we pledge ourselves to render to them efficient aid. On motion of Mr. E.L. WITTICH, it was: Resolved, That General D. McDOUGALD be appointed to apportion the citizend enrolled into companies and to take charge of them in case of emergency. ====== Notes about Eli Shorter: Marriage and Death Notices from the Southern Christian Advocate 1837-1860 Issue of Jan. 26, 1855 On the 4th inst., by the Rev. Lovick Pierce, D.D., J. Berrien Oliver, Esq., to Miss Virginia Augusta, youngest daughter of the late Hon. Eli S. Shorter, all of Columbus, GA. Issue of June 12, 1856 Mrs. Sophia Shorter, relict of the Hon. Elis S. Shorter, was born in Elbert Co., GA, and died in Columbus, GA, Apr. 13th, 1856, in her 56th year. After her marriage she removed with her husband to Eatonton, and there in 1821, she embraced religion... Issue of July 28, 1859 Mrs. Virginia A. Oliver, wife of J. Berrien Oliver, and youngest daughter of the late Hon. Eli S. Shorter died in Wynnton, near Columbus, GA on the 12th July... >From the Abstracts of GA Death Notices From the Southern Recorder 1830-1855 Eli S. Shorter died in Columbus, GA, 12 Dec. 1836. Contributed by: Lynda S. Eller ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============