The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-09-11
Chronicles Of The Canebrake
CHAPTER XII
BY JOHN ,wITTIERsPooN DUBosE

| the cotton states. Among the hst, and
meetings, was that held in Montgomery
May, 1868. Mr.. A. P. Calhoun came as a
delegate from South Carolina and was
made president of the convention. He
delivered a speech upon taking the chair,
All the southern states were represented,
making a membership so numerous that
the capitol could not furnish hall large
enough, so one of the great cotton ware
houses, empty at that season, was fitted
up with plank benches for the event.
Probably no body of men composed of
as many individuals of eminence at this
convention ever assembled in the United
States. They did nothing but talk. They
talked three days--the young Virginian,
Prior, Ballard Preston, Scott, Yancey
and Hilliard and others.
The next public appearance of Mr.. Cal
houn in Alabama was as commissioner
from the secession convention of South
Carolina to the corresponding body In
Alabama. He addressed the Alabama Sc
cession convention on the subject of his
mission with marked ability. He re-
minded Alabama OF the phenomenal nat
ural wealth of the state and spoke of the
certainty of its development In the neal
future, when a federal government more
friendly to her people than Mr.. Lincoln S
would appear.
There were two school land sections in
St. Michael's parish that is two sections
of land donated by the federal govern
ment to the support of state schools
Nothing OF serious movement to open
public schools in Alabama was attempt
ed until the 185Vs. Personal convenience
in the Canebrake did not favor the in
stitution. The residences were too far
apart to allow the selection of central
spot for a school house. when the i'm
practicable winter roads were consid-
cred. Tutors were employed in all the
families The 18th section of each OF
two townships in st. Michael's parish
| on Powell creek was sold and bought
by owners of adjacent plantations. The
other was settled by a number of non
slaveholding. small farmers. Powers
and James NJ Hopper were prominent
men of the number. All were citizens OF
the best character. Hopper In his young
manhood was a dry goods clerk, COMING
in contact with all classes of people. He
was esteemed highly by all. Later he
married an excellent young girl, daugh.
| ter of a section farmer, took up the
| farmers life and increased In the es-
TEEN of the public. He was Confed-
crate soldier. 1 remember him as ever
my friend.
REV. JOHN Y. GHoLsoN.
This gentleman was a native of vir-
ginia, received university education
and became the Junior member of the
law firm, Gholson. Jones & Gholson OF
Petersburg, Va, one Of the foremost
firms in the state. His father, Judge
Thomas Gholson, senior member OF 1t
owned two plantations in the Cane.
brake. The son left the bar for the min.
istry of the Episcopal church. and hav.
ling fallen heir to one OF the plantations
came to live on It, when chosen to be
rector of the parish. His liberal edu-
cation, great energy in labor and ac-
complished manners in private life Sc.
cured to him high place in the es.
TEEN Of his parishioners. Besides he was
an earnest and eloquent pulpit orator
Mr.. Gholson married young and &C.
complished lady of New Orleans.
CHARLES WALKER.
About the year 1851 this gentleman
bought the plantation of Colonel Arm
istead, lying in the fork Of the upper
a part of it lay there, and moved his
family from Georgia to reside on it
His two sons. David and Minis. became
prominent citizens and large planters
They were Confederate soldiers and
Minis became an influential man In the
/ politics of the state, having been more
| than once q member of the legislature.
The Groom estate lay in the parish
/ Cant v-''rasa NJ. Selden Of Virginia
/ fnAfflass ons II the heirs, Miss Betty. q
! srliecafiv siaszant youn io4s< ~ kyTesf!
an,9i aN8 fsff iers, and Tvs al ftsas Pr n
t, ~. IRE the ~ " ~ (