The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-15

N detachment of troops on their
 w invasion of the Creek Indians marched through Browns Valley and Blountsville Valley on their way to Old Town, and thence farther southward it enabled the Tennessean an opportunity to view the wonderful beauty and fertility of the region that was afterward known as Jones' Valley. So charmed were they that when the warfare ended many of them returned to make it their perma- nent home. Among those deeply im- pressed and who planned for rest and peace amid it's solitude, but whom fate called elsewhere to win imperishable fame, was the immortal hero of The All amo, David Crockett.
 of his part in this campaign David Crockett, in the history of his life as written by himself prior to his removal to Texas, says on page S3. in reference to the destruction of Black Warrior Town in October, 1913:
 We pushed on till we got to what was called Black Warrior Town, which stood near the very spot where Tuscaloosa now stands. This Indian town was large one, but when we arrived we found the Indians had all left it. There was a large field of corn standing out and a pretty good supply in some cribs. There was also quantity of dried beans, which were very acceptable to us and without delay we secured them, well as the corn, and then burned the town to ashes, after which we left the place."
 After peace in the year 1915, many Ten nesseans came out to inspect the region lying along the line of their march, some with view toward buying land and oth- CTS to locate their military land war rants. The United States acquired right to the country in August, 1Sl4 but the whites were not permitted to take general cir f1afn xUh and his brother-in-law, Caleb Freyley, moved down from Madison county, Ala bama bringing the first immigrant wagon to Blount county. MT. Jones located at what is now known Jonesboro, giv- ing his name to 1t and the world fa- nous Jones Valley. MT. F'reyley located at Bearmeat Cabin, named for an Indian chief and now Blountsville. They came along the old Huntsville road, which was originally an Indian trail leading from Dittot Landing (Whtesburg) on the Tennessee river to Mud Town on the Cahaba river.
 Among these prospectors were Colonel Crockett and his comrades in war, James Lanier. Thomas Brandon and Luther Morgan, the first owner of B1ount Springs. After fully inspecting the beautiful re- zion of Murphree's valley, which Is really continuation of Jones valley, and the same, only under different name he BelecIeu u tract Slludleu Aol lol iiOiiA the site of the town cf Oneonta, and de- clared 1t to be the one spot in the world where he wished to make his permanent home. Always fair to look upon, it must have been doubly so at that period; and to the soul of one who so fondly loved the wilderness, it seemed haven of rest and peace for which he yearned, but was never destined to realize.
 Of this visit to Alabama in the year 1915, Colonel Crockett writes on page 12S of the same history of his life already quoted: We passed through large, rich valley, where several families had set tied, and continued our course till we came near the place where Tuscaloosa now stands Here we camped, as there were no inhabitants, and hobbled out our horses for the night. About two hours before day we heard the bells of our horses going back the way we had come. They had started to leave us. At day. light l started in pursuit of them on foot and carrying my rife. which was very heavy one. I went ahead all day wading through creeks and swamps, and climbing mountains, but could not overtake the horses. gave up the pur- suit at last and, from the best calcula- ton I could make, had walked over 6o miles, Next day I returned on my track till near midday, when | became sick and could go no further, and laid down in the wilderness. Some Indians came along. They signed to me that l would die in the forest--a thing I was confound- edly afraid of myself. l asked how Tar to any house. They made me understand if was a mile and half. I got up to go but when I rose I reeled like COW with the blind staggers, or fellow who had taken too many horns. one indian proposed to carry my gun. l gave him half a dollar and accepted his ofrer. We got to the house by which time l was
 for U and put to bed. I knew but little that was going on for about two weeks, when I began to mend from the treatment of the good woman. She was the wife or Jerry Jones, and she thought l would die anyhow, if she didn't do something, so she gave me whole bottle of Bate mans Drops" and 1t threw me into l sweat and I absolutely got well.
 Jeremiah Jones, husband of the kind lady, brought his family to the valley in 1915, and made crop; his home was nearly on the present site of the Wood- ward furnace.
 Alter his recovery Colonel Crockett and his party journeyed along the road in the limestone rocks. called Tn those days .rtony lonesome" and was after ward the public highway from Elyton to Tuscaloosa. From Elyton they wan. along the Huntsville road as far as Mt. Pin son, turning to the left and crossed the river at Cooks ferry, near the present Lehigh mines, and from that point over the mountain plateau, thence across lovely valley covered with a dense growth os cane, now occupied by notable Jer- sev dairy farm, arriving shortly at the sulphur springs to rest few days and be the guest of MT. Luther Mongan. whose establishment consisted at that period of a wigwam covered with bark, and which stood just above the two large beech trees now close to the bowling al- lev As if to add to the wildness of the spot, a very large pet bear was Kept chained to one of the beech trees, and deer roamed the woods around. indians were the only visitors, but they were of a friendly nature. Upon his departure hs drank from the pure waters to the health of good Mrs. Jones. and returned to Tennessee via Bearmeat cabin and