The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-12

" HE dynasty Of the spanish conquer
 ors was soon to fade before the ad- | l vance of the Anglo-Saxon. They had ruled In the pride and pomp or mii- ftary power, as well as In civic ana coni- mercial circles, and even then tneir lh- eian followers had become arrogant IL seems a singular coincidence that In ev- cry part of the western world invaded by them they were forced either by the for tunes of war or the victories of diploma cy to retire. leaving battle scars upon the land and the native aborigines either Tn a state of degeneration on an easy prey to succeeding rulers of the white race who, by the force of arms. or the dom inant power of commerce. administerea the affairs of such nations and communi- ties.
 At the close of the American Revoiu- tion many families of wealth and cui- ture in South Carolina and Georgia WHO adhered to the British side, found It pest for their safety and future social reia- tions to emigrate; and many such. gath ering LID their slaves and stock sought homes in the wilds of southern Alabama, especially in what is now the counties of
  these lonely trails of the wilderness through many hardships and perils they came, soon followed by hundreds of their friends; yet for 20 years their lives were full of anxiety and danger between thelr conflicts with the Spaniards and constant dread of the Indians. Events, long gath ering, at last eliminated In sanguinary strife that began in the fierce battle Of Burnt Corn, and the awful massacre of Fort Mimms, where 300 innocent men, wo- men and children lost their lives. and end- ed at the Battle of the Horse Shoe, Of which gifted writer says: This was the bloody Illad of Alabama, in which the form of Andrew Jackson stands con spicuously forth, a greater than Achilles
 The news of this tragedy at Fort Mimms struck terror into the hearts of all the white population of Alabama and western Georgia. Couriers mounted upon fleet footed horses were dispatched to the nearest fort in Tennessee, and Gov. Will liam G. Blount, who at that time con trolled all the territory between the Ohio river and Mobile bay responded to their appeal by immediately sending Gen. An drew Jackson and General Coffee, with well equipped troops to punish the say- ages, resulting in one of the most terrific and destructive Indian wars that ever oc cured in the United States; and the speedy manner in which 1t was accom-
 
 features. Coming down what is now known as the Tennessee road first made by them by widening an old Indian trail, from Ditto's Landing (now Whitesburg), was General Coffee's detachment of mounted troops. The infantry also marched through Madison county, cross ing the Tennessee river at Bairds Blum (then known as Deposit), having made a wagon road to that place. It was long and tiresome march, but when the scene of conflict was reached they were ready for 1t. t
 The battle of Tallashatchee was fought November 3, 1913; Talladega, November 10; Hillabee the 18th, and Antossee No vember 29; Emuckfaw, January 22, 1874; Echanachaca, or the Holy Ground, the 23d; Enotichopco, January 24 and To- hope-ka, or the Battle of the Horse Shoe on March 27. These battles With many smaller skirmishes, almost externli- mated the Creek nation. The treachery and savage cruelty manifested at Fort Mimms and elsewhere, was fully avenged. Not less than 4000 Indian warriors are be- lieved to have fallen in battle. They fought with desperate and martyr-like courage to the last.
 The 30 battles fought by Weatherford and his Indian followers with Claiborne. Flournoy and Jackson, and terminated by the treaty on the site of Fort Toulouse, in the month of August 1874 lost to the Creek Indians all of their dominions west of the Coosa river. and enabled the pion- eers to dwell in safety
 The United States government owes to itself and the pride 1t feels in the valor of its sons to establish a magnificent park upon the site of the memorable Battle of the Horse Shoe; to mark 1t with menfo- rial tablets and heroic statues of Gen. Andrew Jackson and General Coffee, and likewise statue made from Alabama marble of Gov William Blount of Ten nessee And in this consecrated spot of battle memories should rise on granite base a mighty shield of spotless marble to the honor of the gallant sons of Ten nessee who there fell in conflict, far away from loved ones, faithful to the call of their commander, loyal to the Stars and Stripes bearing an inscription similar in meaning and in sentiment to that dedi- cated to the heroes of Thermopolae:
 "Stranger, go tell at Lacadaemon
 That we lie here in obedience to her
 laws
 Let 1t be a shrine where strong men shall bow their heads. where women shall weep and little children bring flowers. Best of all, an everlasting reminder of the past and assurance to our people that the strong arm of our government is ever ready and willing to protect the lives and homes of its citizens and respond ts their appeals in the hour of distress. Such parks, commemorating the glorious events of historic record, more quickly appeal to the hearts of humanity and arouse the genuine patriotism of a nation than any other form of expression. Macaulay says that "A nation without monuments is a nation without history"
 No body of United States troops ever did nobler duty than that performed upon this famous and hallowed spot, the ground whereon was fought the Battle of the Horse Shoe Over 1t should wave, in sunshine and in storm, the Star-spangied Banner under whose folds those heroes marched, fought and fell for the saliva tion of Alabama from destruction.
 Lord, God of hosts, be with us yet,
 Lest we forget, lest we forget?'
 The first immigrants to our state en- dured the dangers and privations inci- dent to frontier life, and similar to those who blazed the paths of the pioneers of