The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-03
TILLS SOIL AT NINETY
JAMES M. THAcKsToN, A VET
ERAN OF INDIAN WARS.
Fine Old Citizen of Montgomery
County Who is Worthy of
Friendly Interest of the
People.

James M. Thackston. a veteran Of the
Indian War of 1896 and 1887. over 80 years
of age is spending the. evening of his
life in rest and quietude on his modest
farm three miles from Ramer, Montgom-
cry County.
Although one of the oldest residents Of
the county and an active participant in
one of the most exciting chapters of the
Souths history. Mr.. Thackston retains
the full possession of his faculties and
from the fund Of long, and valuable ex-
perience he draws "reminiscences that
makes him a most interesting CONVEX
sationalist.
Nearly all of his life has been spent
in Beat 15 this county. He lived there
in his boyhood days and as a young
man he bravely offered his services to his
State and country when the Creeks and
Seminoles rose to destroy the white man
and his civilization in Georgia, Alabama
and Mississippi. With young Thackston
many other Montgomerians volunteered
With party Of young men he went
from Montgomery to join the company
of Captain Bonham, which was attached
to Colonel Chisholm's regiment. 4 ne regi-
ment was sent to Tampa, Fla, which
was threatened by a large and danger
Gus band of Seminoles. q.
The Alabama troops were in Florida
but little while before they had a part
in desperate and bloody fight with the
Indians at Rum Branch. The Indians In
ambush awaited the approach of the Ala
bama troops and a fierce pitched battle
took place, For more than two hours
the Alabamians fought their concealed
foe. The Seminoles were finally dis
lodged and routed by a daring charge
In this battle Mr.. Thackston had an ac-
tive part and to this day he has most
vivid recollection Of the events of those
days.
For his services in the Indian war the
old gentleman is drawing a pension of IS
a month. With the rent from a small and
almost worn out farm Mr.. Thackston re-
ceives a precarious living. His wants
are looked after by a devoted daughter.
His wife many years ago was laid to
rest and since then he and his loving and
beloved daughter have been inseparable
companions.
John r. McLendon, a prominent citizen
of Mattel, describes a visit which he re-
Gently made to the aged veterar:
II found him." said Mr. McLendon.
with a hoe industriously wedding a
small turnip patch. 1t was between
and 3 o'clock in the afternoon on
blistering hot day when ! arrived at his
house. but the old man welded his hoe
as vigorously as he did in his younger
days l found the old man most en-
PERTAINING talker. He waits now in trust
and confidence the final summons. The
old man at best secures but precarious
existence and he sometimes wants. /
suspect. the necessities of life. The gen
erous people Of Montgomery County
oould find no more worthy object on
which TO bestow the necessities of he.
The last days of the valiant old warrior
should he his happiest ana best days.
Mr. Thackston was q resilient Of Beat
X "Nhen the stars fell. He remem-
bers distinctly the awful and inspiring
SIGHT of 1898 when the stars and meteora
darted through space toward the earth
a time when the stoutost heart ouaked
with fear.
NJ Thackston hes voted for e"try
,oan,ocrotic nominee for President s'rce
An6rew Jackson. Except for the Tune
no spent in the service Of his state and
cSuntry he has been a tillcr Of the stil.
Guess the weight of the big cake