Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-23

so warm was that contention that what
is now known as the low lands. or mead
ows. between Wythev.lle and Max Mead
ows. are frequently alluded to and known
In the early court records of this county.
even as late as the beginning of the egh-
teenth century, nearly quarter of
century after Patrick Calhoun had left
Virginia and made his home in South
Carolina. as the Valley Of Contention
and Strife
After several years of wrangling and
legal 'feuding." but so far as ,s known
without bloodshed. the contention between
by an agreed survey, which was closed
late one evening at point on the banks
Of Reed creek. southeast of Max Mead
ows, and by which the lands, some of the
most fertile and valuable in Southwest
Virginia, were shown clearly not to be
those of the Calhouns. AS the last stake
Of the survey was being driven. Joseph
Crockett Jr.. IS said to have exclaimed In
loud and most determined voice. Here
l anchor in hope that am forever done
with the T. Calhouns."
Many years later beautiful brick
church was erected on the Rock road not
far from the scene of the above incident,
which was dedicated and named Anchor
of Hope" But some fifteen or twenty
years ago the sacred edi1ce was torn
down and removed to and rebuilt at MAJ
Meadows. point still nearer to the In
cident referred to. A few years revealed
that Mr.. Crokett's hopes had been real
.zed. for Patrick Calhoun removed to
South Carolina. and in 1871 Ezekiel CAL
houn. while standing in his roughly-con-
structed hut of logs on the Kenton p!anta-
ton. was shot and killed by an Indian,
supposed to have been one of the Shawnee
tribe from the Northwest country, who
was marauding this section.
SHOT FROM AMBUSH.
Mr. Calhoun was shot from ambush In
reed patch, which still exists and con-
tinues 20 furnish pip,s:ems for the old
natives Of this section. The arrow went
entirely through his body and pieced a
log of his cabin. Calhoun was standing
in his door when he was shot. The stone
arrow head remained IN the log until the
cabin was torn down and destroyed. which
was only q few years ago:
The Calhouns were undoubtedly honest
In their contention for these lands. but
were mistaken as to their location, they
holding grants for IL nds in the valley
across the mountain IN what Is now
known az Crockett's Cove.
! squa tied on by Patrick Calhoun. THIS
splendid estate. of now some two thou
sand acres. lies only few miles west OF
kenton, being on the waters of Cove
creek while the latter Is on the waters
of Reed creek.
Early in the nineteenth century. or IN
about 1924 Bowling Green came into the
posse sion of the late Hon. Charles L
Crockett. On the low lands of it and ca ST
y,iI off of tH,,
best race tracks at that time in the
South Spring and fall races were held
annually. at which immense throngs OF
| pc ople from all sections of Virginia. Ten
nessce. and North and South Carolina
gathered. The races generally lasted for a
! week. during which the merriment and
excitement ran to the highest point.
RACING CONTEST.
| The older people of Wythev:lle and vi
cinity recall the incident OF a memorable
| contest between two renowned horses Of
! the late DR.. Robert Crockett. one of the
/ best-known physicians of his time in
this section of Virginia, and a horse
! named Moses. owned by MIR. Hale, of
! Franklin county. The race was three
| niles and three heats. Both horses had
/ won a heat, but in the last heat and
nearing the end of 1t Mordecai, while
| being pushed by the rider, broke his foot
! and Moses won.
| The racing continued until some time
| IN the tlIirties. when they were dscon-
tinued. A portion of the race track Is
! still 10 be seen. but all of the stands.
| stables. etc, have long since been re-
! moved. The old race course recalls what
/ push and undy.ng determination in a;
! youngster will sometimes accomplish. A
| certain citizen of this county, now many
| years deceased. was a small boy in those.
| days. without employment, and with
| dependent mother at humble home. He
asked for employment of those In charge
of the racing. and was given the position
| Of keeping the dogs off the track before
and during the contests. His eventfui
/ life afterwards shows that he was true
to even that small trust and in conse-
4 quence he rose rapidly; lived to be sheriff
and trea suer OF this county, and also
! member OF the Legislature: reared and
educated large family OF children and
died a rich man.
CALHoUN'S RETURN.
1t was in 1874 that John c. Calhoun
came to Wytheville by stage to visit
Bowling Green. which had once been
The hcme OF his father and mother. Hon.
Charles, Lewis Crockett then owned and
+, was living at Bowling Green, which re-
mained In his possession until 1872. when
1t was sold to x-Ilieutenant- Governor
Kent.
II might be we'll to, note here that the
Hon. Mr.. Crockett's mother was sister
Of General Andrew Lewis. who was
killed at the battle OF Point Pleasant, and
whose remains lie buried at Salem. a.
suitable monument having been erected
over his grave a few years since with
appropriate ceremonies.
While in wytheville Mr. Calhoun stop
>.d at ths Boyd House, which was After