The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-05
By D. W. McIver.

man. woman and child living in and near the place. Now there are many changes. The old town has completely changed in the business portion-three sides of the court house square having been burned and replaced by new build tngs and on the south side, the old rickety frame buildings that stood below the Milton Stevenss store have been replaced by new and modern structures. l re- member years ago, just after the war when MT. W. Cook Banner and his brother came to Tuskegee and started jewelry store in a small building just below the Stevens's store and the old two story structure where the postoffice was located so many years when MT. Howard was postmaster. The sons of Mir. W. C. Danner have just torn down the little storehouse and erected new building on the site where they, too. will keep a jewelry store. Thus the boys take up the work laid down by the father and looking around l find many instances of the kind. Thinking of how many strange faces see, some who have grown up since I went away. my mind takes a reminiscent mood and I am sadly reminded of the fact that there are scores of families who were once most prominent in the business and social life who have not single male representa- tive now to preserve the family name.
 
 Laniers. Heards, McIvers, Grahams, Holts. Tates, Bowens, Carlos. Fannins. Harris. McGowans. Jones, Parks. Fosters, Cox, Hunters, Stevens, Adams Harpers and others not now reealled-honored names that have long since passed out of the towns history. hut who in the past did so much to make it's future pos sible. l find some of the landmarks left, however, and can recall one citizen who was here when my father came in 1856. and that is Mir. c. W. Campbell. who came here with his father in 1883. In those days the main building in the town was the hotel kept by Thomas Woodward in the eastern portion of the town in front of the old Hand residence, where Colonel L. Pinkard lived in recent years, and around which the town of those days centered. there being a few log cabins occupied as residences. The hotel was sort of halfway house for passengers to get meals and refresh themselves on the main stage line from Montgomery to Columbus, which in most days was line of the stage mail line from New Orleans to New York and great times they had about the old hotel every day wheD/the stages came in and went out in both directions. have often heard the stories of those days, and among them was a massacre of the pas sengers on stage on a certain trip going to Columbus, near Crawford by the In- dians, and my father has pointed out the very spot to me frequently when I used to go to the Russell court with him at Crawford. when I was a very small boy. The Indians were soon thereafter run out of the county and there was no more trouble from them. The days of Tuskegee during the war can be written as days of anxiety and suspense for tho dear ones who were at the front. can distinctly remember the battle of Beasley's tank. which was the nearest Tuskegee came to a battle in the war. Thet guns could be easily heard and the excitement of the women and children Swas intense when the wounded were brought in and Minnie Hall turned into temporary hospital. I recall the event now, remember with what horrer l thought of the war and it's terrible con- sequences. I remember too, how the cadets that had been sent out on a special train and the citizens from Tus- kegee who went out to meet the Yankees and prevent their burning the bridge at Chehaw, were saved from certain death. The Yankees, Rosser's raid were busily engaged in tearing up the rails on the railroad and had reached Beasley's tank when the special efain landed in that vicinity with the boys. fresh from the university and being fired into by the Yankees one of the boys was killed and several wounded as soon as they got off the train. Just about this time the body of citlzeus from Tuskegee came over the hill about half mile away and raising big dust the Yankees were alarmed and being informed by 4 negro that 1t was Forests command after them. they retreated and when the citizens, who were armed with shot guns and pistols and old flint and steel mus kets arrived on the scene the Yankees were gone and their lives were saved, but they made much to do about run ming the Tanks and winning a battle without firing a shot. lone tomb stone of one of the soldiers killed in the battle of Beasley's tank marks the spot and can be easily seen from the Western train as it passes by.
 Many of the older citizens, who helped to make Tuskegee and who have made honored and respected names are yet to be found here. Among the first of these Is Mir. John B. Bilbro who is treasurer of the county and who is one of the best and most charitable men ever known in Alabama. He has lived to q ripe old age and is indeed d father in Israel" May his useful life be spared many years yet, There is also pr. w. J. Gautier, who has been practic- ing medicine here ever since l can re- member. and who has done as much ChdtlISplt pTdCiICe aS any doctor Tn Ala bana. There is also Mr. Tom Drakcford who is now one of the largest property owners and he made it all right here in Tuskegee. Mir. F.. w Campbell is tho oldest living citizen of Tuskegee, having gone there in 1S33 and m one has com fributed more to making the town than he has, being connected with every public enterprise and being frequently a member of the city government General Charles J. Bryan is one of the best known and leading citizens of the ulace He made a gallant record as a soldier. goinG out with the Tuskegce Light In fantry and serving in the army Of North ern Virginia until he was severely wounded at Malvern Hill. He was cap tain of his company at the time and has always led in every undertaking He is deeply interested in all public affairs and In enjoying as he only knows how. the evening of a long and useful life He has represented Macon County In tho General Assembly and enjoys to the highest degree the respect and love of tho people of the town and county. MT. C. Laslie, MT. F. w. Story who are among the most successful farmers of the county are among the most inhuen- tial citizens of the county. There are many others who deserve mention, but space forbids. The largest and most historic house in the town is the Warner residence, which was built by Mir. Var ner and stands today as d monument to his business sagacity and good man. agement. I have heard my father say that when MT Warner came to Tueskegee he had his earthly