The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-08
HISTORIC GROUND.
Memories of Maury County, Tenn,
A Visit to the Country Where the
Battle Was Fought"
A Region Rich in Romantic and
Tragic Traditions.
Famous Families and Men Who
Have Peopled 1t.
The Social Beginning of the Commu-
nity-The Seeds and Blossoms
OF Culture-History, Old
and New.
Editorial Correspondence.

Editorial Correspondence.
COLUMBIA, Tenn, July 5.-The Chau-
tauqua which has been sosuccessiully con-
Quoted to conclusion, has brought Co.
lumbia into greater prominence than ever
before in her history, it therefore becomes
matter of importance with the public to
know something of place so favored by
scholors and scientists, and so blessed
with an unusual opportunity Tor acquir-
ing varied knowledge. II the reader will
look upon the map OF the State, he
will see that Maury county is the center OF
rich region. Giles and Lawrence, Mar
shall and Lewis, Hickman and Williamson
and Bedford and Rutherford, Franklin and
Lincoln are near, and so is Davidson and
Sumner, Robertson and Cheatham. Most
OF these are among the richest counties in
the State. Lincoln and Robertson are IA
nous for WHISTLES, that no matter how
disguised with water and sugar, are rel
ished by connoiseurs. In this rich region
the land is much broken. Nature ran
short OF material as she came this way
from the Uniaka range, where she raised
so many giant pinnacles. Here she was
TO content herself with high hills and
knobs and lovely valleys lying between,
with undulating pastures and level plains
that yield every year OF their abundance
10 the husbandman. From this inviting
landscape Duck river breaks away like an
over coy maiden, and Guiding every bar
rier, runs into the Tennessee, losing herself
in the bosom oiihat most beautiful drivers.
No country in the world is better watered
and few are more picturesque. The early
settlers were evidently much taken with
the lands between the Tennessee and Cum
berland, and II the letters that have sur
vivcd the gnawing tooth Of time are guides,
>evfc not insensiblc TO the scenery. rich in
form and color and variety. | have never
looked upon the great painting, "West.
ward, llo!" In the national capital that IL
did not call mp the simple story as told by
Ramsey OF the band Of adventurous white
men who were the first Of their race TO
look down on the valley through which
the Tennessee makes its way to the Ohio.
\ purely ideal scene. the picture Is never.
thelcss real in the poise OF the leading fig
urc, the depicted eagerness Of those who
follow him 10 reach his realization OF n
cherished dream that by the weary way,
through morass and swamp, over mount.
ain and hull, was their ever present stim.
ulus. To us who encounter these hard.
ships only in history they are full Of the
adventure that quickens the blood like
the drama upon the stage where all the
passions are merely simulated. But what
awful tragedies those were 20 the actors
where wife and child, in the face Of
impending massacre, called in vain upon
the husband and father who fell as the ad.
yancing picket Of the great army OF civil.
izalion. Some day the story Of all these
tragedies will he gathered by sympa.
thetic hand monument Of heroism and
sacrifice that has few parallels. Duck
river, which Is fell by great many creeks,
was in the early days n very useful stream.
The farmers, who made more meat and
bread than the population could con-
sumo, found tia most convenient highway
hy which, on latboats Of careful constTuc-
ton, they made their way 10 Natchcz and
New Orleans with bacon, corn, chickens,
honey aud "all sorts Of truck" making
their way home aiOot or horseback by the
Naichcz trail 10 Nashville. The trade 10
Natchez was the best Of those days. Jack.
son made two trips down TO that famous
settlement, aud on the second c0nsumma.
ted his marriage with Rachel Robards.
Col. sam Polk, father OF tlie ex.presi lent,
WIS engaged In this trade, ~ was Col.
William lfllow and nearly all the best
farmers In this region. Their natboats
were well aud securely built, with a view
90 voyage that was full Of peril.
Indians were TO be met with on
the Cumberland, the lower Ohio, a. well
~ the Mississippi, and the snags and saw.
yes Of the latter river greatly increased
the danger But such bravery, enterprise
and energy were essential 20 the settle
mcnt OF the country. The least ialtering
or hesitation would have been fatal. aud
would have postponed the coming OF the
CHEEKY, prosperous days that followed
This IL very historic ground. TWAS from
Maury aud the adjoining counties that
Andrew Jackson recruited that division
Of militia whose bloody trail may be
traced from the Tennessee river through
Alabama 10 Florida. Il was composed
principally OF the sons Of the early settlers,
but there were not q few Of those heroes
20 be found among the officers, some Of
whom had survived Kings Mountain"
What history IL that OF this famous Ill.
vision, whose uniform was the picturesque
dress Of the hunter and irontienman.
Emuckiau and Talladega are only less
memorable than New Orleans. They
were among the victories that were essen.
tial 10 the complete subjugation
Of the Indian. A few years there. |
after the Creeks, Cherokees and Chicka. |
saws were on their way, via Memphis, 70 /
the Indian Nation, under the guidance /. !,
"Boggy" Johpston, who IL better known |
10 the people Of the United States than any |
other man In II. twas these old soldiers |
OF Jackson, very few Of whom now sur
viye, who made this section the blooming |
paradise Il IL. and Il was their sons aud |
grandsons who later gave up all they he'd |
OF life aud property in defense Of the lib. |
critics OF the south.
few miles from here the scene Is I
laid Of that most fascinating and am. !
bilious Of the stories II "Cfaddock" Miss |
Mary Murrecl, "Wbere the Battle Was \
Fought" Every inch OF ground here
and hercabouts was contested by great |
srmies, and the names Of Bragg and |