The Greenville times., 1910-05-27
N-MALLISTER FAMILIES

L. L. vs.. from Lue w dSHluSUOu-bd1l
stock, was one Of our prominent ply
sicians. His wife was Miss Lavinia
Bateman His children were Mrs. La
vinia Yerger, Harry and William Ball
Squatters and Outlaws.
Along the banks of the Mississippi
river from about 1920 to 1926 were
settled a class of poor whites. They
were honest, and happy in the posses
sion of a cabin, a few acres of corn,
a garden and dogs to hunt with. By
cutting cord wood for the steamboats,
they managed to secure some cash.
Then there were others, the worst out
laws Of the land, fugitives from jus
tice, engaged in countefeting and
robbery of all kinds. There were then
no civil officers, and if any person was
molested there was no recourse, and
the early settlers were forced to be
polite with this class. With the
squatters the planters were very con-
siderate, for if they incurred their
enmity, these people might do them
serious harm. It was considered quite
an accomplishment to gain the good
viii of the squatters.
Early Times.
When anyone wished to be married
they were compelled to cross to Point
Chicot to Madame De ViIlemont's and
there the probate judge of Chicot
county met the happy couple and tied
the knot. DR.. Samuel r. Dunn and
Miss Elizabeth McAllister, daughter
of Thomas McAlIister of Waterproof
La, also Miss Louise Berthe, niece
of VIM. w. Blanton and Col Rice Bal
lard were married there. They con
structed a bateau, and with stout
negroes rowed up the river to Point
ChicOt where they met the probate
judge, and returned in high glee, their
boat laden with all the luxuries of the
season. The flow of champagne was
only surpassed by the current of the
river
The planters of those days were men
Of wealth and refinement, highly edu-
Gated and created excellent society. In
those primitive days everyone rode on
horseback many miles through bride
paths in the cane brakes to dinners
which were generally on Sundays. Dur
ing the week they often met for a
dance, the music furnished by negro
musicians who performed well for reels
and cottiIlions.
There were no levees at that time,
and in the spring of the year when
the overflow was at full height the riv-
er flowed over the country everywhere
except where the high ridges were 10
Gated. BY this flood of waters, every
stream, pond and lake was filed with
immense quantities of fish of every
kind. In August, September, Octo
ber and November fish fries were fire.
quently in vogue, principally on Sat
urdays. The negroes were encouraged
to hurry their work to have Saturday
as a holiday, and with cooks super
vised by the ladies, fish were prepared
in every style, and we returned home
well supplied, and the negroes with all
the fish they would need for their fam
lies.
Fishing with pole and line was the
sport. Gentlemen enjoyed themselves
at hunting with dogs, and there were
great quantities of deer and bear, al
so some wolves and panthers. Wild
fowl were in immense focks, and a
few hours hunting would furnish delic-
ious living.
No people enjoyed themselves in their
social gatherings more than the plant
ers in these early times. They built
steamboat called the Southerner,
Capt Hart, Master, with its cabin on
the lower deck, aft the shaft, with
berths on each side with curtains and
screens, dining table in the center,
office and cook rooms in front of the
shaft. They made up parties and had
delightful excursions to New Orleans,
Natchez and Vicksburg, everyone
bringing game, meat and vegetables
to fill the larder. The steamer was the
old style. After this came many
steamers, the Walk in the Water, and
II