The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1945-01-19
Nc. 2
The Jackson for Whom Jackson
County Was Named

" 49, " 1H
that is correct, but a little reflec-
ton win raise the question as to
why il was named for him at a
time when he was known only to
the people in few states. The
county was named on December
IA, 1912, and at that time jack
son had not yet taken part in the
Greek War, or driven the Span
iards and British out of Pensa-
cola, or won the battle of New
Orleans, much less u for presi-
This brings up two ques-
tions Of interest, Was Andrew
jackson a Mississippian? Well
nearly, on two occasions Did he
ever do anything for his county
namesake? Indirectly but def
nitely, plenty.
A short sketch Of Jackson's life
should be of interest to Jackson
countians. Born in 1857 in the
Carolinas of Irish parentage, he
was orphaned early, his father
before his birth and his
mother when he was fourteen.
He was captured by the British
when he was fourteen and re-
ceived scars on his wrist and on
his head because he refused to
shine British boots. From this
incident and from his prison ex-
perience, came an undying hatred
for the British.
By the time he had reached
the age of twenty, Jackson had
had experiences fast and furious.
He had lost his grandfathef's pat
rimony ON horse races, had taught
school, studied law, had been adj
mitted to the bar and was a prac-
lawyer. He secured an APP
poantment as prosecuting attor-
ney for the new settlements
across the Appalachians on the
Cumberland. now Nashville, and
this opened up opportunities to
his liking. He broke up a ring
of land gamblers operating on
this frontier and had soon won
reputation as a hard fighter,
legally, in fisticuffs, and with
pistols. Soon he began to acquire
extensive landed interests.
In 1890. Jackson took up land
on Bayou Pierre, near Port Glib
son, in territory claimed by both
and the United States. On
This property he built a substan-
Iial log dwelling and planned a
slave trade with the settlers in
his rich farming area. He con-
Linued to live at Nashville but
came again the next year to Nat
chez to marry the beautiful RAJ
rhel Robards, who had fled from
Kentucky to escape being cap
tured by a former husband. Jack
SON and his bride spent their
honeymoon at his plantation on
Bayou Pierre and then returned
to Nashville.
In 1896 Jackson became the
congressman for the new
state of Tennessee. and the next
year became one of its senators.
He soon resigned his place in
Washington TO return to his plan
interests, and was immedi-
ately appointed TO the Supreme
Court of Tennessee.
In 1903, Jackson began to show
his first inclination to get away
from Tennessee. He applied for
the governorship of the new Loui-
siana Purchase, but the appoint
ment went to an old friend. Clai-
borne. BY 1912, he had decided
to get out of Tennessee, appoint
ment or no appointment, and Of
fered his place, the Hermitage,
for sale. Wade Hampton, of
Charleston, made him an offer,
and jackson quickly sent out
prospectors into Louisiana and
Mississippi, at the same time APP
plying for a judgeship in the Mis-
sissippi territory. He selected a
place in Mississippi, although he
had had very little encourage
ment as to the iudgeship. His de-
termination to move was due to
the constantly recurring trouble
between him and any one who
had voiced any slanderous re-
marks concerning his wife.
Suddenly all his resolve to
move was forgotten in the posi-
bihty that he might get into ac-
ton against his old enemy. Bri-
tain. He offered his services to
the government. offered to take
$500 men and capture either Que
bee or the Floridas. He had been
made major-general of the mill
tia in Tennessee and he wanted
his own army and to get into ac-
ton at once, but the swivel chair
officials at Washington feared
his powerful personality and let
him cool his heels in inactivity.
Then suddenly the officials offer
ed To let him serve under Wilkin-
son in the defense of New Or
leans. Jackson swallowed his
pride and called for two thousand
men to assemble at Nashville on
December 10, 1912, ready to leave
for New Orleans by way of the
Natchez Trace.
Whether or not the news trav-
eled down the Natchez Trace that