The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-26
Necollecfions of Old
 Claiborne and RiDer Points
BY N. A. AdEE

BY N. 4. AGEE.
 Among the early settlers in Claiborne was Scotchman named McGill. He was a blacksmith. Before he became acclimated there was much talk in the town about fine breeds of fowls and game chickens. McG. caught the in- lection and became enthused on the subject One day he invited some friends to his house to see some fine game stock he had bought; he exhibit ed them and proudly pointing to them said. Aren't they fine birds? See what a foot they've got! All hell can't thrip them up." They were ducks.
 Some of the wags took him to the country to see and get new variety of apples. He was told that they were small and slightly puIgent but deli- cious when eaten fresh from the tree Billy Nc piucked one. chewed and tried to swallow 1t. but Lta "swailow aid not respond. The more he tried, the more astrinsent the apple: tiii ne ah despair exclaimed. "Och. and faith. that I should ever come to America to swal- low . spradlin bug" 1t was a crao apple or green persimmon.
 Another Scotchman In the town got the better of Billy Mo in a trade. Nc became indignant, and publicly pro- claimed that he did not believe that the Alabama Scotch were iuueh better than other people. The Scotch were noto- riously cianpish, and he expected brotn- eriy love from the whole elan.
 Later, in 1s44. perhaps came anoth- CT foreigner, an Irishiaan from County Antrim. Ills name was John McGrorty fnot John oGrote to Lands End), He came from the ould country by sal to Mobile, thence by steamer up the Ala bama river to French's Landing. Clarke County. where he landed in quesf or Mir. Barclay, an Irish school teacher, for whom he had letters and directions On his way out to his mentors studio on the highlands. through the swamp and woods, hesencountered many was. les tsquirreis). which he had to keep of him by stick. else they would have devoured him. He and Barclay were both graduates oi Trinity College, Dublin, were classical scholars and could quote Virgil and Horace as hu- entiy as Augustus Caesar. Barclay was 45 years old and McG. about 20. McG. was in search of . school. Mr. B. told him there waB an opening at Choctaw Corner. forty miles away: that he had a fine young horse he could ride and find out the situation. NC mounted the spirited horse, sped to the Corner, failed, and returned that day. He thought he was on locomotive or a camel. The horse died and Barclay claimed It's value when McG. got able to pay; but Nc did nor see the poiht UT Justice of 1t.
 He soon after came to Claiborne and taught schools near the town, at sugg- vilie Mt. Pleasant, Monroeville, etc. He had a school (sixieenth section) few miles from c. and boarded four or i've miles thence. There was to be picnic two miles furthUr on. which Me wished to. attend. He said he would step up to Claiborne and hire horse to 20. His legs were Hong and light" and he could make six miles an hour.
 Mo had never seen a deer. certainly not wild one. So the sportsmen in- vited him to go on a drive with them. He accepted. They placed gun in his hands, located him at Q stand (where they did not expect the deer to run out), but 1t did, with the whole pack or hounds in full chase. Nc became ex- cited and ran to the nearest stander and said the deer came near running over him. and if he had had club he could have killed 1t, nsver thought to use his gun.
 Mo was invited to a party in c. where the young folks were to dance. He did not dance. but he could look on and eat. His feet had never bson trained to the two step. nor his body to
 
 around supper with refreshments was passed by servants on walters. Mo ap- pfopriated a whole waiter to himself (wine and alb thinking himself the guest of honor. ..s-.sss.s.ss ss.545s..
 In those days 1t was customary for the host to serve wine at the feast Gas at Canaal. and it was not criminal to keep it In your house (and brandy, too) and not an ,unpardonable sin to give it Iul ft ha atnAaNhfQ Qak kR'' In your own home, But this was be- fore the new revelation in the Fuller Ticker bill.
 When war between the States be- came imminent Nc claimed to visit a brother in Kentucky end never re- turned. He went to Ireland and be- came a minister of the Church of Eng land. I received many letters from him In which he referred to his patron Barclay as that Irish "Pettifogger." B became a lawyer, Me never forgave him about the dead horse. McG. died several years ago.
 Among the odd characters was a man named Everett. He was a Nun chauser,- told remarkable stories, had an inventive turn of mind, exagger- ated every thing. but not to the in- fury of any one or thing. except the truth He was farmer and farmed near Claiborne after 1S4S-50. Pre- vIously, he farmed near Galnstown. Clark county. near the Alabama riv- CT. He was then a turnip raiser. He would relate with great sang froid what a wonderful crop of turnips he raised on one acre of ground. 80 many his family and friends could not use them. He decided to ship a cargo by steamboat to Mobile for market He engaged the boat. hauled and hauled turnips. which were stored in the hold of the vessel. on deck and every avail able space. til the Captain feared his boat would sink. begged him to stop 'til next trip. Who will say that Ala hama soil Is not good for turnips and