The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-06

I. Wheeling. Wtnn Parish, La.
 E. Hamricls. Esquire. :
 My Old Ffiend :--The Montgomery Mail comes occasionally directed to me at this office; and whether the paper is paid for or not I am unable to say. though I requested gentleman to do so and he says the money was for warded. If such is not the case. call on the editor and pay him what is due; also pay for another years subscription and write to me at this office: when you will have your money immediately. It Is through The Mail that frequent ly hear that you are living, which I hope will be the case for many years to come,
 My friend how times and things have changed since first we met. I think 1t has been forty years the last winter, since I first saw you at Greenville, Pitt County, N. C., rolling tar barrels And your city Montgomery, about that time, or shortly after, was started or begun by Andrew Dexter. and now I suppose it Is one of the most desirable spots in the Southwest.
 I knew the spot where Montgomery now stands before any white man ever thought of locating there. When look back on things as they then were and what they are now, 1t makes me feel -as I arnold. You and I have lived in fast times as our heads will show, my friend: so let it rock on-we will only sleep the sounder when 1t comes our time to rest.
 old Friends Recalled.
 also see announced in The Mail the death of several old boyhood friends Hamong them General Shackleford whom I have known from boyhood. as I was with him in Florida In 1872, in an expedition against the Seminoles. There are few of that detachment or Georgians now living-in fact know of none unless 1t be Dr. Fort, of Macon, Ga; John Howard. of Columbus, Ga-i Colonel R. Broadnax, of Alabama, and myself If there are any more of them it is very few, and have lost the mana of them. but should live, I will be in Macon, Ga. on the first day 0f July 1882, which will be fifty years from the time we started on that expedition. II you are then living in Montgomery vii give you call. ., also see that my old friend, Col. Thomas M Cowles, Is no more. He was a good man-I knew him before he was A man. He was fit to live in any country that God may think proper to occupy with honest men. He be- | longed to my staff and accompanied me to Fort Mitchell with an escort un- der command of Gen. William Taylor to conduct General Lafayette to Mont gomery.
 shall never forget visit that Ma
 ior CowIes and myself paid to Billy l eatherford, the Quadroon. him about
 whom so much has been said and So little known. He remained some days and among our crowd were zach MIG, Girth, Davy TaIt, half brother of | weath erword. old Sam Moniac, who many years before had accompanied l Alexander McGillivray to New York
 in General Washington's time.
 have often thought that Wonlo give you and friend Hooper of The Mall a little sketch of what learned 1 from these men and others on IndiaT
 matters; but they are all dead ano what I have heard and know would in many instances contradict what ha' gone to the world as history, and dc nat know that mankind would be bet fer of. even if l could undecetve them
 and give to the world what I do know in relation to Indian history. and St I will let is pass
 The stiggIns Manuscript.
 Rut still. there Is one thing I want if if can be got hold of. and if George StiRgins is living in your country, h' has it. It is a manuscrpt given tC l me bv the widow of Colonel Hawkins Ii is in the handwriting of Christian | Limbo. who lived with Colonel Flaw lSins many years. It was copied iron Colonel Hawkins's own manuscript which was burned shortly after hi death. I knew Colonel Hawkins well He knew more about Indians and In 5iar history and early settlements am