The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-05-22
MISSISSIPPI IN EARLY TINES
EXTRACTS FROM
Mr.. v. 4. Sparks Memories Of Fifty Years

territory first settled in the State Of Mis-
sisslppl. The settlements along the
Mississippi came up from New Orleans
and went gradually up the stream. The
English or American immigration ia
that river antedated but ii very short
time the war of the Revolution. The
commencement of the war accelerated
the settlement, many seeking an asylum
from the horrors Of war within the peace
ful borders of this new and far away
land. The five counties above named
constituted the county Of Bourbon when
the jurisdiction of the United States was
extended to the territory. Very soon
after 1t was divided into three counties
Wilkinson, Adams, and Jefferson; and
subsequently, as the population increas-
ed, Claiborne and Warren were organi-
zed and established. These counties
were named after John Adams, Thomas
Jefferson, General Wilkinson, General
| Warren, who fell at Bunker's Hill, and
General Ferdinand Claiborne, a dis
tinguished citizen Of the Territory. As
u Territory Mississippi extended to and
comprised all the territory east to the
| Ala ama River or to the Georgia line,
In fact, there was no distinct eastern
boundary until the admission of the
State into the Union.
The leading men of the communities
first formed in the counties on the Mis-
sIssippi were men Of intelligence and
substance The very first were those
who, to avoid the consequences of the
war of the Revolution, had sought secu-
/ rity here. Some, who conscientiously
| scrupled as to their duty in that conflict
unwilling TO violate an allegiance
which they felt they owed to the British
crown, and equally unwilling to take
part against their kindred and neigh
| bors- had left their homes AID come
| here There were not a few of desper-
ate character, who had come to avoid
| the penalties Of the criminal laws of the
countries from which they had fled
/ The descendants Of all these constitute
large element of the population of
| these counties at the present moment
Some of these sustain the character of
their ancestors in an eminent degree;
others again are everything but what
their parents were.
One feature of the country is differ
ent from that of almost any other por-
ton of the United States. The de-
there There has been no emigration
from the country. The consequence is
that intermarriages have made nearly
all the descendants of the pioneers rela-
tives. In very many instances these
marriages have united families whose
ancient feuds are traditions of the coun
try.
Who that has ever sojourned for a time
in this dear old county, (Adams) does not
remember the generous and elegant hos
pitalitv of Colonel Wood, Joseph Dun
bar, and Mr.. Chew; nor must L forget
that truly noble hearted man, David
Hunt, the founder of Oakland College,
whose charitable munificence was lordly
in character, but only commensurate
with his soul and great wealth. 1t seems
invidious to individualize the hospitality
of this community, where all were so
distinguished; but | cannot forbear my
tribute Of respect-my hearts gratitude
to Wood and Dunbar. | came among
these people young and stranger, poor,
and struggling to get up III the world.
These two opened their hearts, their
doors, and their purses to me; but 1t was
not alone to me- Should all who have
i'm like circumstances been the recipients
of their generous and unselish kindness
es record them rs | am doing, the story
of their munifcent generosity and open,
exalted hospitality would seem an East
ern romance.
They have been long gathered to their
fathers; but so long as any live who knew
them, their memories will be green and
cherished. In this neighborhood was
built the first Protestant Episcopal
Church in the State, and here wOr-
shipped the Woods, Dunbars, MacGru-
ders. Shields, Greens, and others com
posing the settlement. The descend
ants of these families still remain IN that
neigh borhood, where anterior to the late
war was accumulated great wealth. The
topography Of the country is beautifully
picturesque with hills and dal les, and all
exceedingly fertile. These hills are a |
continuation of the formation common
cling at Vicksburg, and extending to
BAYOU Sara. They are peculiar, and
seem to haye been thrown over the
primitive formation by some eXtraordI- |
nary CONFUSION, and are of sandy
loan. No marine shells are found In
Them. but occasionally trees and leaves
are exhumed at great depths No water
is found in this loan by digging or Dor
ing: but after passing through TINS sec
ondarv formation, the humus or soil OF
the primitive is reached-the leaves and /
limbs of trees superintendent on TINS
indicating its character-then the sand
and gravel, and very soon water, as IN
other primitive formations. 1hese MUS
extend back from the river III an lrreg,
ular line from ten to fifteen mtleS, ana
are distinguished by a peculiar growth OF
timber and smaller shrubs.
TO encounter the perils of pioneer to
such a country required men OF IRON
nerve. Such. with women who dared TO
follow them, to meet and to share every
dancer and fearlessly to overcome every
obstacle to their enterprise, coming from
every section of the United States,
formed communities and introduced the
arts and industry of civilization, to SUB
dine these forests and compel the soil to
Weld its riches tor the use OF man.
From these had grown population htty
wears ago, combining the daring ana
noble traits of human character "nlcn
which lie at the base of grand ana
cbivalrous civilization, Such men were
the leaders and controllers OF the society
at that time, assuming uniform anu no
mogeneous character throughout tue
western portion of the State. Inc In
vasion Of New Orleans had endangered
tbis section. and to a man they rallied
70 meet the foe. More than half the
male nopuIation of that portion OF the
atate ware at New Orleans and IN the
trenches on the memorable 9Th OF Jan
narv 1915. Their eondRct upon that