drafts

Looking around at what we call Mississippi county Arkansas today, we see the towns, the highways, the fresh plowed fields and crops ready for harvest. It is hard to believe in years past this was considered a frontier a place where elk, buffalo and deer were plentiful and white man was a foreigner. In 1762 Spain acquired Louisiana which was a tract of land that included what we call Mississippi county Arkansas today. When the French gained back control of the area of land called Louisiana from the Spanish, they sold it to the United States. The United States In 1803 under the leadership of President Thomas Jefferson bought it and it became known as the Louisiana Purchase. This opened up a new frontier to be discovered and settled.
The District of New Madrid which included all of Arkansas and Missouri was formed in 1805. A year later In 1806 the district was divided and the southern half became the District of Arkansas. But our beloved county was far from being called Mississippi county.
The county we call Mississippi was part of the newly formed Arkansas County in 1813. Then It became part of Phillips County and then of Crittenden County. When Arkansas became a territory in 1819, and it would take almost another 15 years before Mississippi county would be formed into a separate county by the Territorial legislature on Nov. 1, 1833.
Trappers, and trader began to travel through the county in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. Early settlers like William Kellums and another man named Carson settled this area as early as 1812. They were both hunters and settled what we know as Carson Lake township and Kellums ridge. Along with hunting and trapping some of the early settlers cut and sold cord wood that was used on the steamboats that traveled along the Mississippi river.

Strangely in 1811 Taming this unsettled land was brought a trickle as nature showed early settlers it’s power and unwillingness to be tamed quietly. What would become known as the New Madrid Seismic Zone earthquakes occurred between Dec. 16, 1811 and Feb. 7, 1812 as four large earthquakes, estimated at between 7.8 and 8.3 on the Richter Scale, shook the ground in this area with such force that church bells were said to have rung in the District of Columbia and the Mississippi river would run backwards for three days. The second large quake was centered in Mississippi County which would form the area of Big Lake and also create Reel foot lake. Many smaller earthquakes and aftershocks, six estimated to be between six and 7 on the Richter Scale, shook the area for several months. Even though Nature gave her warning the settles did continue to come, and over the few decades settle the land.
By 1828 settlers like John C. Bowen and Charles Bowen, James Williams, Elijah Buford and Peter Reeves arrived in the county, and settlements were made on the Mississippi River at Huffman and Barfield. More families by the early 1830’s would settle and live in peace with the local Chickasaw Indians along with their chief Chickasawba. One of these families were the Crawford family that settled in what was called North Sawba
Now the first county seat when Arkansas was a territory was located at the plantation home of Peter Reeds. Then in 1836, a commission was selected and they named Osceola, one of the earliest settlements in the county, to be the new county seat. This is where our story begins In 1836.

There was a drizzle in the air, as Robert Cockrum stirred the early morning coals of the campfire that had given warm and light to his family during the night as they bedded down in their wagon. After putting some small dry wood he kept in the kindling box on the side of the wagon, he put some stout coffee on the fire to boil.
“Lucinda, time to get up and start breakfast.” Robert said to his wife that was nestled in the back of the wagon with their three month old daughter Parmelia.
Waking from her sleep,“Robert is the rain ever going to stop I swear it has rained everyday this week’.
“I hope so sweetheart, if not we may have to put off crossing the river, I hear the crossing barges will not carry teams, livestock or wagon when the river is up. I heard one man tell a story when we stopped in Berryville of a family that lost everything trying to cross the river when it was too high. He said the ole mighty Mississippi is a peaceful river till you rile her then she swells up over a mile wide. While you get breakfast on, I will get the team hooked up and bring the cow and calf to camp I want to try and make into Memphis today before evening sets in so we call find out if the river is too high.”
Lucinda made sure that Parmelia was nice and snug in the back of the wagon then proceeded to check the three small chicken coops wired to one of the sides of the wagon. Just as she suspected five nice sized brown eggs. Salt pork, eggs and warmed up biscuits would do nicely washed down with some hot coffee. Lucinda would never complain to Robert but thought to herself,“I sure will be glad to get to our new homestead and get house keeping set up it’s been almost a year since I have cooked on a stove and slept in a real bed.”
Just then she felt something warm on the back of hair, she looked up and glory be the sun was starting rise over the eastern hills and clouds we giving away so that the sun could caress the country side. A smile came across her face and she so forgot about how long she had been cooking on a campfire, and how happy Robert would be to get to this new land Arkansas.

draft notes 4/15/09

As the wagon pulled out of camp, cutting ruts though the mud, the kitchen wares were keeping time and clanging to the rhythm of the creaking wagon wheel.
Robert? Lucinda asked.“What do you think this new land Arkansas is going to be like? Do you think there will be a lot of people coming to settle this new land? Will it have rolling hills like Pikesville?

Keeping his eye on the trail ahead Robert replied, I don’t really know, but what I heard in Pikesville from an ole trapper that was passing though is that it has rich soil. He also said it had some of the biggest hard wood trees he’s ever seen, the oak, hickory and maple trees almost reached past the sky. Wild game he said was all over never once he said he didn’t have meat for supper. In fact he told me one morning he woke up in his bedroll to the sound of a loud flapping sound and a strong wind blowing in his face. When he opened his eyes he saw six ole big quail had grabbed hold of his bedroll with him in it and was flying him off.

Robert! You are just joshin me now. Just about this time Lucinda looked up and about a quarter mile down the road and off to the side in a grassy area she could see something but could not make it out. What is that up yonder Robert?

I don’t know Lucinda? It looks like a wagon camp. As they got closer, that is exactly what it was, eight wagons positioned in a rectangle with the oxen and mules grazing along a picket line. As Robert got to the camp he could see that the women were busy cooking and preparing food, while some of the men were checking the shoes on the mules. Robert and Lucinda decided to stop and see if there was any news on how high the river was and see what part of Arkansas these families were headed to..

Robert climbs down off the wagon and helps Lucinda and Parmelia down from the wagon and proceed to walk into the camp to look for the leader of the group.

Robert walks up to a stout looking man that was cutting some wood for the cooking fire, Good morning my name is Robert Cockrum, as he sticks his hand out to stranger.
The man takes one swing and leaves the axe head in top of the wood, takes a handkerchief and wipes his forehead and then extends his hand to Robert. Good morning my name is Simion stone from North Carolina. You folks headed to Arkansas too asked Simion.

Yes sir! said Robert. Oh and this is my wife Lucinda and daughter Parmelia, we are from Pikesville Tennessee. Yes we are headed to Arkansas I plan on homesteading a hundred and sixty acers.

Well that’s what most of us has got in mind. Are you all traveling alone? Asked Simion

Yeah we set out about three months ago after Parmelia was born in late February. Looks like we hit the April and May rains just right to slow us down some.

Well, said Simion. Instead of us just standing here jawing lets go into camp and I will introduce you Mrs. Cockrum to some of the women folk, while me and your husband talk to some of the other men.

Simion did he introduced her to his wife Bessy, Mrs. Eubanks, Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Ingram

draft 5/19/09
Mrs. Stacy, Mrs. Harris , Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Nance.

Simion called all the men together and introduced Robert to them. Robert is headed to Mississippi County also.

I am hoping to get there and a cabin up before winter sets in, said Jacob Eubanks, He was a carpenter by trade from North Carolina. I figure that if we can raise a good garden we should get through the first year till I can get some land cleared to put in a cotton crop. I plan to also put my carpentry skills to use.

Luke Cooper was a fairer and blacksmith, He and his family were on there way to Mississippi county to meet up with his older brother Matthew who arrived a year earlier and had a blacksmith shop in little river township

Thomas Reed was a tobacco farmer from Virginia. William Stacy was a General Mercantile owner northeastern Tennessee, Calab Ingram and Jim Harris were both farmers, while Simion Stone and Author Nance both made their living on the waters fishing and trapping.

Robert we have all decided that when we cross the river we will heading to the land office in Helena instead of going upstream to Caruthersville. You and your wife are very welcome to join our wagon train, we figure to make Memphis tomorrow.

I planned on making Memphis today, said Robert.

Taking a silver watch from his pocket Mr. Stacy replied, its nigh on ten a.m. and Memphis is still about forty miles west. That’s about a 10 to 14 hour of traveling why don’t you let the misses and the baby have a day to refresh, then we can all make Memphis together.

After much thought Robert agreed that they all needed a rest and one day would not make a big difference. Robert shared the news with Lacinda and told her he was going to the woods with Simion and Author to get meat for supper meal. Lucinda asked Mrs. Eubanks to keep an eye on Parmelia as she slept in the wagon, Lucinda grabbed a small pail and headed back up the road a little ways to pick some dew berries that she had spotted earlier.

draft 5/20/09

The families all gathered around a make shift table set up in the middle of the camp evening meal was fine example of what the land had to offer the new comers. Wild Turkey, Lambs quarters and dandelion greens, wild yams, dew berry cobbler, asparagus and wild onions along with flat bread and fresh cows’ milk. Simion Stone turned thanks and the new comer began to feast. Talk centered round the morrow’s plans and Memphis.

After supper was done, the women folk cleared the table and the children old enough to help helped wash the dishes. The men folk retire to an area next to the fire, where they cut their plug tobacco and filled there pipes to enjoy the cool spring evening. Mr. Nance went to his wagon and returned a few minutes later with a corked square jug. Boy’s I figure tomorrow we cross over to the west I say this calls a nip, this is some of Tennessee’s best sippin whiskey there is till we get to Arkansas and I can make some more. He said with a raspy laugh. He pops the cork and swings the jug over his forearm and takes a hefty swig shutters and passes the jug around. Running his hand across his mouth and over his beard says, Reed didn’t I see a guitar in your wagon? Robert you make any music? Mr. Nance asked. I,I, play a little on a fiddle my paw used to play. Said Robert. Well don’t just sit there boy go get it, it will be the last time me and the misses will cut a rug in Tennessee.

When Robert returned with his fiddle, Mr. Harris joined in with a mouth harp and Mr. Reed and the trio began to play St. Anne’s Reel. As Mr. Nance proceeded to try and do some fancy foot work, in which Mrs. Nance said. You darn fool you need to stop that before you kill both of us and the others die laughing.

The singing and dancing went on for about an hour and then it was time to get the children in bed, and settle down for the night for tomorrow was a big day and it would come very early. All the families exchanged their good night wishes and the camp grew quiet nestled underneath the clear night skies, except for a few seconds of snoring and a grunt that came from Mr. Eubanks wagon as Mrs. Eubanks would give him a sharp jab in the ribs to get him to roll over on his side.

Dawn came early as Robert was the first one to wake, He quietly woke Lucinda and asked her to go ahead and start coffee. One by one you could hear movement in the wagons as the camp came to life in the early dawn. The women knew exactly what to do and began breakfast. Mr. Stacy went to bring the teams from the picket lines and Mr. Harris and Mr. Ingram did the morning milking. Mr. Cooper and Mr. Nance began to load up camp as Mr. Eubanks went to feed the live stock and help Mr. stone, Reed and Robert hitch the Teams.

One hour past sun up the families were packed, feed and loaded in their wagons and ready to start to Memphis.

Well it looked as if Mr. Stacy was right ten hours later around five pm the wagon topped over a rolling hill, and down below was Memphis on the banks of the Mississippi river, Population seventeen hundred and ninety-eight. Steam boat and Barges lined the docks.

notes

Elijah Coffey was what was known as a "flatboat preacher"; he worked on the flatboats during the week and acted as notoriously as his peers, but when the boat landed, he preached.
Having been a cobbler in Illinois, Coffey (sometimes spelled Coffee) ran out on his second family in search of wider pastures large enough for his expansive presence. Per James Davis Coffey landed in Memphis on a Springtime Sunday morning in 1822. At this time Memphis was "laid out" and owned by the proprietors, but was not a city proper.
Coffey announced right away that he was a Freewill Baptist and took to preaching. He changed his denomination regularly and that didn't matter much since no established church wanted him around anyway. Coffey sometimes called himself a Holy Roller, sometimes a Foot Washer and even a Jew. The catholic church was the only church that did not officially disown him, but they wouldn't let him preach either.
That was not a problem and Elijah Coffey took to holding forth outdoors. With one hand cocked behind his left ear and the other flailing in the air Coffey called down the spirit or hellfire as the situation warranted. People came from miles to see the wild Memphis preacher. When he preached it was necessary to have a fenced section filled with hay so those overcome with the spirit would have a place to lay. It is said that having a place to lay was important in more ways than one at a Coffey revival. Many young couples took advantage of their parents rapt attention to Coffey to pay rapt attention to one another in the nearby woods and bushes.
The most famous story of Elijah Coffey is, no doubt, his "preaching contest" with a certain "Parson Smith" from New Orleans. Smith who was said to have run a "gospel mill" in New Orleans was insulted by the growing reputation of Coffey and put forth that he could outpray and outpreach him any day of the week. The gauntlet was taken up and Smith met Coffey at the banks of the Mississippi River in Memphis for a praying duel. The prize was a barrel of apples.
Parson Smith prayed first and by all accounts acquitted himself nicely in the ears of the audience. When it came time for Elijah Coffey to pray he began to loudly use his prayer as a method of berating the "most unmitigated scamp, rascal and sinner" Parson Smith. Smith listened to this long enough to realize it may go on all day then charged Coffey, headbutting him into the river. After the scuffle in the muddy water ended Coffey was declared the winner and walked away with the apples.
By the time Coffey left Memphis he had served as both mayor and alderman. He told the Methodist church that if they would present him with a bona fide license to preach he would disappear into the wilds of Arkansas where "the souls of men were unsalvageable anyway". They did, and so did he.

The Bell Tavern was actually the second bar in Memphis, the first having gained little notoriety. Although it went through a series of owners over the years and the actual building stood for almost a century, the establishment is most often associated with Paddy Meagher and his daughter Sally. It has been said that Andrew Jackson was especially fond of Sally Meagher and Paddy boasted of his long and everlasting relationship with Old Hickory. Recent historians such as James Roper have shown that Jackson spent little if any of his time on the bluff. He did encourage his troops to settle there after the War of 1812, but did not maintain close relationships with them.

Born: 1790
Died: 1864
Although he is seldom mentioned as one of the original founders, John C. McLemore, like Marcus Winchester was to play as large or larger a part in the founding of Memphis than the famous trio of Overton, Jackson and James Winchester. He was the only one of the original four owners to live in Memphis.

John Christmas McLemore was born in Orange County, North Carolina. He moved to Nashville at age 16 to train as a surveyor. At the age of 21 he was appointed surveyor general of the military district by the Tennessee state legislature. This was due in large part to the fact that the former holder of that position was his uncle, William Christmas. McLemore married a niece of Rachel Jackson, Elizabeth Donnelson. When Jackson ran for president he traded his remaining share of Memphis, some 625 acres to John McLemore in exchange for a tract of land in Madison County.
In 1828 McLemore was a signer of the deed that gave public access to the river front. Public lands included in this deed included Court Square, Auction Square (for the auctioning of slaves), Market Square and the riverfront promenade. As sells continued at a sluggish pace the partnership was disbanded the following year with McLemore receiving 23 lots. At one point McLemore owned 995 acres on the lower bluff. He participated in the Fort Pickering venture as did John Overton. This was a rival town south of Memphis.

Although McLemore became quite wealthy he lost much of his wealth on the failed Memphis and LaGrange railroad that was chartered in 1834. The project was a dramatic failure that left his finances reeling. A financial panic in 1837 further reduced his holdings. In an attempt to build another fortune McLemore joined the gold rush in 1849. He remained in California some 12 years, returning to Memphis before his death in 1864. During the last years of his life he lived with his daughter, Elizabeth Walker, on Walker Avenue south of Lauderdale

Born: 1796
Died: 1856
Marcus Brutus Winchester was the first mayor of Memphis. He was also the son of General James Winchester, one of the three original owners of the Memphis property. As it happened the growth of Memphis was slow and passed the General by without him seeing a very handsome profit.
Marcus, whose father named the original purchase Memphis was educated in Baltimore. Born to the General and Susan Black, Marcus left school at the age of 16 to serve at his fathers' side in the war of 1812. They were both captured under questionable circumstances and were held prisoner in Quebec.

This incident colored the rest of his father's life and underscored the rivalry between the various generals of that war, especially between Winchester and William Henry Harrison who would later become President of the United States.
Marcus was an original inspector of the Memphis purchase. He accompanied Andrew Jackson and Isaac Shelby to the signing of the Chickasaw Cession (or Jackson purchase) which drove the Chickasaws from the “purchased“ land increasing its value immeasurably. Marcus actually drew up the plans for Memphis, along with a surveyor named William Lawrence.
Marcus continued to work as a land developer along with his father, actually moving to Memphis for business and civic service. He married Mary Loiselle of New Orleans somewhere around 1823. Mary was said to be a woman of color, but in this context it is hard to say what that meant. Many slaves by this time looked white. In any case the idea that she was a Negro hurt Winchester's reputation and contributed to a number of business reversals that were to follow him to his grave.

Marcus acted as an agent for the proprietors and opened the first store. He was one of the first five members of the Quarterly Court and was elected register in 1820. When Memphis was incorporated in 1826, Winchester became the first mayor. He operated a ferry and served as postmaster until 1849, although his loyalty to the Jacksonians came under question when he supported Davy Crockett for Congress.

Because of his marriage and the deep rifts occurring along race lines leading up to the Civil War, Winchester's career declined. A whispering campaign by members of the Murrell Clan alienated Winchester from the community. He was said to have taken up drinking heavily at home, but this is unsubstantiated. Ultimately Winchester moved his family to a home a few miles outside the city. Many business problems and lawsuits occupied his time now.
Mary Winchester died in 1840. Two years later Winchester, now 46 years old married the 19 year old Lucy McLean. His last job in public service was his 1851 election to the Tennessee State Legislature.

Winchester died on November 2, 1856.

5/21/09 drafts

Memphis sat on the forth Chickasaw Bluff just south of the wolf river. Its population in 1836 was six hundred and sixty three. The wagons stopped atop the hill to overlook the Mississippi River and Memphis. Flatboats and steamboats were deporting and docking. Wagons were traveling up and down the busy streets. New store fronts were being built, and construction of houses kept the saw mills busy.

“My Goodness Robert! The river is so big ” Lucinda gasped.“Yep and on the other side of the Big muddy is our new home, where we raise our children and grow old together. Just a few more days and we will be on our own land. Said Robert with confidence.

Simion Stone? What you say we go down there and find our passage across that big puddle? Yelled out Robert.

What about it Nance, Reed, Harris, Ingram, Cooper, Eubanks, Stacy Ya’ll ready? Barked out Simion Stone. With a hardy acknowledgement the wagons pulled forward in single file with Simion and his wife Bessy in the lead..

As they entered the city they headed down first street and turned on commerce street, Mrs. Eubanks had made the suggestion that this might be a good time to buy some supplies not knowing what dry goods would be across the river. Turning on Winchester street they stopped the wagons across the street from James Winchester’s Dry Goods store. The women went inside to buy supplies. Mr. Nance had made the suggestion that the men, find a saloon to knock the dust from their throats and find a flatboat captain.

The men began to walk down Winchester, after few blocks they saw a sign that read Bell’s Tavern proprietor Paddy Meagher. Watering hole of Old Hickory Andrew Jackson.
Paddy Meagher often bragged about the close and everlasting relationship between he and Old Hickory. He would often tell the story that his daughter Sally had a special place in Andrew Jackson heart, he would also brag that Sally would gain an inheritance from Andrew Jackson. History books tell that Paddy finally drank himself to death, and Sally married a gambler that squandered her fortune. It is said the only reason he married her is for the inheritance she was going to receive at Jackson’s death there are no records that state she ever received anything from Jackson’s estate.

The men walked into Bell’s tavern and up to the bar. The bar was rustic and cut from a large Cyprus tree. Deer heads, a few buffalo and turkeys mounted the wall that was stained from cigar and pipe smoke.
Welcome to Bell’s said a burly man My names Paddy Meagher and I have the poison that will kick you fast or sneak up on you unawares, now what’d ya’ll have.

“Line us up with a mug of beers” Mr. Stacy said.“I am buying.” Mr. Nance popped in with “ I’ll have a shot of some red eye with mine”.

What brings you boys to Memphis? Paddy asked.
Were Just passing through on our way to Arkansas replied Robert.

Arkansas!! My God boy, Arkansas ain’t nothing but a swamp hole, breedin grounds for red skins and yellow fever carring mosquitters and out laws and clansmen.

drafts 2 5/21/09
Paddy’s remarks did discourage Robert and the other men, they knew it would be hard work and not an easy task to settle the lands west of the river but that was their goal and their destiny.

While Robert and the other men were making small talk the door to the tavern flew open and a young, tall man ran in yelling,“I be a damn some bit, they done got him, nobody thought they’d ever bring that snake in but they done got him. Got him in shackles and chain down at the auction square, sheriff said he’s gonna get what’s comin to him.”

Damn it Jake slow down, they caught who, that runaway slave of Franklins? Asked Paddy.

“No Paddy they caught him the ole snake himself John A Murrell” said Jake.

Many of the men sitting at the card tables and the checker barrels got up from their sets and headed to the auction square to see the head of the Clansmen being brought in.

Who is this John A. Murrell? Asked Robert.

Anyone around here knows him and his renegades. They’re the reason we have had to hire watchmen at night. John A Murrell is the head of the Murrell Clan it’s a secret society that robs, steals, Kills anyone they please to their gain. There are hundreds of them, never know when or where their going to show up. Their strung out from the Walnut Hills at the mouth of the Yazoo river to the mouth of the Big Hatchie. John A. Murrell holds his "grand council" in the deep, dark woods of the Mississippi Bottom, in Arkansas, below Randolph, and about six miles from the river, near Shawnee village. They have been murdering and robbing folks up and down the river and far down as Vicksburg all the way up to New Madrid. A year or so back, on the Arkansas side. A crew of a flat-boat was murdered in cold blood, disemboweled and thrown into the river. The Murrell clan was charged with the horrible murders but never caught. The people in different towns called Public meetings, to come up with a plan to rid the country and clear the woods of the clan, and see to it the murderers of the flat- boatmen got their deserved punishment.

Major Hockley and Granville De Searcy formed a company of men in Covington and met down in Randolph where they joined Colonel Shelby. An expedition was formed consisting of some eighty or a hundred well armed men with several days' rations. The expedition floated out from Randolph, down to the landing where the murders took place. A little place in Arkansas called Shawnee Village. They found the sheriff of the county and told him they wanted him to put these murdering clansmen under arrest and behind bars to be tried and punished according to law. The expedition left Shawnee village, they fought their way through the swamps, narrow trails, cane breaks and jungle. Before they could reach the camp of the clansmen they were surprised by the cocking of rifles of the clansmen in an ambush to their right flank, and within less than a dozen yards John A Murrell stepped out in plain sight of the troops, and yelled out “ you boys better stop right there”, saying,“We have man for man; move forward another step and a rifle bullet will be sent through every man in your command.” Just then more than man for man of the clansmen came out their hiding places in the thick cane, with their guns aimed. Looks like the expedition had fallen into an ambush themselves. It’s been said that some of the clansmen had been in the meetings and tipped ole Murrell off and most folks think the sheriff was part of the clan also. No one knows why the troops didn’t find a cold swampy grave in that Arkansas jungle.

But I guess old John A. Murrells thieving and murdering days are over now. You boy’s are going into a wild untamed place they call Arkansas. Said Paddy as he poured them all another beer.

“Ah ain’t a horse that can’t be broke, ain’t no bear I can’t switch the fur offen so I reckon they ain’t no land I can’t tame.’ Said Mr. Nance.

drafts 3 5/21/09

“Paddy do you happen to know a flatboat captain that would take our eight wagons across to Helena Arkansas” asked Robert.

Well said Paddy “You might try The St. Louis New Orleans packet company, the office is located at the foot of Market street. Talk to a man named W. R. Carter he is the freight agent I think the boat leaves every day at 4 pm. Or you might try the P.T. Leathers company It’s a Hell of a big boat they can hold up to four thousand bails of cotton. Now I also know this one captain that will give you a deal on the whole lot of ya’ll; but I can’t say he is the most upright standing man in the front row church pew shout and repentin. He is an Irish men that likes his whiskey and his women, ain’t a man around that would want to scrap with him. His name is Finley, Lushun Finley most folks call him Lue he has a little throw to down on the wharf off of Front street.

Each of the men told Paddy goodbye and headed back to meet the women at the wagons.
Well Simion looks like we won’t be getting out of Memphis today, but maybe we can find a captain that will take us across tomorrow. Said Robert.

draft 5/22/09 one

The night passed quickly as Robert and Lucinda cuddled up one more night in the wagon, so close to Arkansas yet so far. When the morning broke the men gathered and discussed finding a flatboat captain to carry them across. Consensus was to check with the St. Louis and New Orleans packet company the men voted that Simion Stone and Robert Cockrum would make the arrangements. Simion and Robert set out for market street as they walked down market street they saw warehouses that held bails on bails of last falls cotton packed inside these cypress buildings.‘Just think Robert in a couple of years you will have your cotton shipped to Memphis to be sent around the country, makes you feel pretty good don’t it’ said Simion.‘I got to get to Arkansas first’ laughed Robert.“Hey here is the office” remarked Robert.

Robert and Simion walked into the office and introduced themselves to the man behind the front desk. He was a balding short man with a few extra pound in the mid section. He wore horn rimmed glasses that set near the end of his nose, peering over the top of his glasses he put down his pen and listen as the two men introduced themselves. Good Morning sir My name is Robert Cockrum and this is my associate Simion Stone we are looking for a Mr. W. R. Carter. Robert said with a smile. Pushing his chair the wooden floor to stand the man extended his hand to Robert and Simion spoke with a slight british accent.“Well Gentlemen I would be W.R. Carter how can I help you”. Robert replied “You see sir we have a small wagon train and we are needing to purchase passage to Helena Arkansas.”

“I see” said Mr. Carter “I will need to get some information from you Please have a set and we will see what we can do.” O.k. How many wagon are in your group.” A Total of nine” replied Robert.“Alright I also need to know how many people are in your group and how much live stock you are bringing with you.” Mr. Carter asked while taking notes.

This put Robert brain into action, there is Simion and his wife Bessie and their three children. Jacob Eubanks his wife Zeta and their two children. Thomas Reed and his wife Martha and they have no children. Calab Ingram and his wife Nora they also have no children. William Stacy his wife Millie and their two children. Jim Harris his wife Ellen and their one child. Luke Cooper his wife Kate and their two children. Author Nance his wife his wife Starla but everyone called her Star and their five children, Then Robert, Lucinda and Parmelia Cockrum.. After counting in his head he Replied to Mr. Carter.“We have a total of thirty four. As for the livestock there are nine teams of mules, twelve cows, six calves, three bulls, four boars, four sows, and twenty chicken coops. I think that about does it”

“That is quiet a bit of freight,” said Mr. Carter.“Looks like we may have to use at least two boats possibly three, and you said you were going to Helena.” Mr. Carter scratched and figured then mumbled to himself a bit then looked up at Simion and Robert.“I can have Three boats ready to leave tomorrow at four pm the price is one hundred and sixty dollars.”

draft 5/22/09 two

“That is a lot of money” said Simion.“Sure is,” replied Robert.“Actually it is a fair price, you have come at a good time of the year. We are not as booked shipping cotton in spring as we would be in the fall and winter. What we are shipping now has already been sold we are storing it in warehouses for the traders to sell it to the textiles up north.” Said Mr. Carter.

“I know we will have to talk it over with the rest of the group, will you be in the office this afternoon”? Asked Robert.“Sirs I shall be here till half past seven this evening, we have a load of Negro slave that are being shipped up from New Orleans to auctioned off this Saturday.” replied Mr. Carter.

Simion and Robert shook Mr. Carters hand and began to walk back to the group. About half way back to the wagons Robert remember the P. T. Leathers company that Paddy had told them about so they found the address and stopped in to see if there was a difference in prices. To their surprise the P. T. Leathers would cost them two hundred dollars and would be docked for two weeks waiting on boiler repairs. With prices from both places they returned to camp and called a meeting. There was a long discussion and also Mr. Ingram had brought up checking with the man Paddy had told the about, Lue Finely. That Idea was voted down, because Paddy had not painted a very good picture of Finely. After final calculation Robert explained to them it would cost each family twenty dollars. He also told them that anyone that could not come up with the money that they would find away to make it. One by one the families began to pool their monies. Robert was the first to put in his twenty dollars, followed by Cooper, Stone, Eubanks, Reed, Stacy, Harris and Ingram. When it came to Mr. Nance’s family he was four dollars short.

Now Mr. Nance was a man of pride, wasn’t one to take charity when Robert told him he was loan Mr. Nance the four dollars Author stood up and said.“I be damned Robert Cockrum if us Nance’s takes money he don’t earn.” Then with a grin said,“besides I got me an Idear, I got a little something stashed away Maw didn’t know about. You boys remember the jug I cracked out the other night. Just so happens I go ten more hid in the false bottom of my wagon hehe hehe he. Now would any you boys want to help me walk a few jugs down to the Bell Tavern? He said with a big ole grin. Everyone in the camp began to laugh as the men started pull back the boards on the false bottom of the wagon. Then they pulled out five jugs and down the street they went to see Paddy at Bells Tavern.

draft 5/23/09

“Well if it ain’t the soon to be swampers, how are you boys tonight? What can I get ya’ll” said Paddy as Mr. Nance and the other men walked through the door.“I come to talk some business’, replied Mr. Nance. What kind of business you want to talk about, I don’t buy horses, women or children’ laughed Paddy. With the voice of a preacher watching the offering plate fill up Mr. Nance began.“WHISKEY, smooth as warm butter over bread. WHISKEY straight from the eternal fountains of heaven, so powerful it will cure the sick and raise the dead. WHISKEY that will give a four foot man the courage to whoop a ten foot bear. WHISKEY so magical it can take a mule nosed sway back woman and give her the voice of cherubs and the face of angel, OOOHH and friend I am not talking about that red skunk water your sellin back behind the bar. I am talking about some of Northeast Tennessee’ silkiest, smoothest sippin corn liquor you ever raised to you lips. Why ole St. Peter himself would walk the soles of his sandals for a jug of this precious rejuvenating water.”

“And suppose you just happen to have a jug of that miracle squeeze with you” Paddy said with a chuckle.

“Sure do, would you like to step outside and have a taste of the finest investment your every gone have”. Mr. Nance said as he leaned over the bar and gave Paddy a half cockeyed wink. Paddy turned to Lester on of his bartenders and told him take of the bar while he joined the other men outside. Paddy and the men walked out back and Author handed him the old square jug. Paddy took a large swig and shivered as the clear corn liquor slipped down his gullet.“Swamper now that is Whiskey.” Said Paddy as he raised the jug and took another giant size swallow.

Then he turned to Mr. Nance and asked him how much did he have, in return Author told him that he had five jugs. They stood and haggled over the price for about fifteen minute Paddy all along swigging on the jug. Paddy then offered to buy them for a dollar a jug, which Author would have no part of. Author informed Paddy that one jug of his whiskey would make three bottles of Paddy’s. Author told him that he would take three dollar a jug, as he let Paddy continue to sample the product. Paddy in turned to Author and said.“My man good, uh good man, that is down right wry way I mean highway robbery. I’ll give you two.“sold.” Said Mr. Nance as he shook Paddy hand to seal the deal, the other men carried the jugs in and helped a staggering Paddy Meagher through the door. Paddy paid Author with ten silver dollars and informed Mr. Nance if he ran across anymore he would be happy to take it off his hands.

Once the men went back to the camp, Author gave Simion and Robert four of the silver dollars, Then Robert and Simion headed for the office of the St. Louis and New Orleans packet company. When they arrived Mr. Carter greeted them and asked them if they had mad a decision the men told them they would be ready to pull out tomorrow afternoon. Mr. Carter drew up the contracts while Simion and Robert counted out the money, after they signed the papers they went back to camp to give the others the good news.

draft 5/25/09

The evening so turned into dawn, and the families headed to Arkansas woke and began their chores and preparing for the day that would change their lives forever. At about 12:15 the wagons pulled out and headed for the docking port of the St. Louis and New Orleans packet company. Mr. Carter meet them at the wharf and showed them which two boats they would be boarding. One by one they began to load, once the wagons were loaded the first boat St. Maria they unhitched the teams and placed them on the second boat “The Wondering Maid”. After the wagons were secure the families were able to move about on deck. The livestock and teams were placed in separate corrals that were made on “The Wondering Maid” for safety reasons.

Mr. Carter explained that it would be much safer to have the families and stationary wagons on the other vessel in case some of the livestock became spooked and become uncontrollable. He also told them it would be about a four hour controlled drift down stream to Helena and would dock around eight to eight thirty pm. The families were excited as they peered over the sides and looked into the muddy water of the Mississippi they could hear the steam boilers begin to build up steam and with a clank and a squeak, the big paddle wheel began to turn. With water sliding off of the paddle wheel with ease the boat began to inch it’s way out of the port and before long the wooden bottom of the boat began to toss to and fro with the current. Now to some of the children this was like being in a swing with someone behind pushing to see how high one could go, and on the way down feeling ones stomach churn upward to the throat. Giggles came from some of the kids when they would hit a good size wave and feel the boat come back down with a splash. On the other hand some of the adults had a more queasy feeling about the whole thing. At one point Mr. Nance looked at Mr. Ingram and told him he looked like he had just swallowed a plug of his tobacco, and with laughter in his voice said,“This ain’t no worse than that fifth swig of whiskey.” No sooner as he made that comment and the boat his a swift current and took a dip to the side and Mr. Nance’s knees began to become unsteady. Trying to make it to the side of the boat Mr. Nance grabbed a hold to the railing and proceeded to leave behind in the Mississippi river that last Tennessee breakfast. Gaining his composer Mr. Nance says “ And I be damned if the end results ain’t the same.”

Along the banks the families looked out and could see different wildlife, at one point they were watching a deer that was drinking from where the river was slowed by a fairly nice sized cove. This young buck was about a four point with velvet still his antlers, the deer cautiously came out of the timberline and made his way to calmness of the cover twitching his tail from side to side. When the deer had felt like he was out of danger he began to drink from the water, with in a split seconded from the calm water rose a fury. An Alligator who had been lurking in the water had found its prey. Springing from the water the alligator locked his jaws on to the nose and most part of the deer’s head. With in moments the deer’s legs buckled as the alligator began to pull backwards and drag the kicking and frantic deer into the water, as the alligator began its death roll the water then became calm with a rising of redness and it was as if the deer had never been there.

The men watched in amazement and the women and young girls turned their head in disbelief. One of Simion Stones boys, turned to his dad and said “Paw what you gonna do if one of them gets in your traps?” Simion replied “Recon I’ll be mighty thankful to the good lord to keep both my arms and legs.”

draft 5/26/09
After about two hours on the water or almost the half way mark, the families watched as they drifted along an Indian village. The small village was not unlike most settlements, there were long log buildings that were used as the family dwelling. The roofs were made with large cane that was strapped tight with leather hide or green Muscatine vines the spaces between the cane poles was packed with a mixture of river clay, ground mussel shell and grass when this mixture dried and was cured by the sun it created a complete water seal.

In the center of the village was a tribal and ceremonial house called a long house, this is where the elders would meet and make decisions hold hearings over disputes and hold rituals and praying to the great spirit.

To the south of the village was a community cooking area, where the Indian women cleaned and prepare meals. Large clay pots were used to cook soups and boil water, stone and metal knives were used to cut the meat. To the west of the village was the tanning area, this is where the men brought game to be cleaned and their hides prepared for tanning . The Indians made use of every part of the animal, from the meat, hide, bones, bladders, intestines, antlers what ever was useable they wasted not. Anything that could not be used was placed in a refuse pit and buried to the east of the village was the river banks that stretched to meet the running waters, women would find and area of calm water and wash clothing while the children would bring cane from the can breaks and to make a drying pole for the clothes. To the north of the village was the community’s garden, they grew corn, squash, gourds, beans and some different berries.

The village was alive with everyday activities, the passenger on the boat could see the women cooking and washing clothes some of the men were cleaning game and tanning hides, children running and playing. Mrs. Eubanks noticed two young Indian boys wrestling and scuffling and made the statement,“I guess it don’t matter much if you be white, red, black, yellow or brown, boy’s are just gonna be boy’s.”

As the steamboats passed the Indian village, the captains’ gave a tug on the whistle cord and one long followed by two short high pitched shrills filled the air, you could hear the echoes off of the high river banks. The Indian children would coming running to the edge of the bank way both hands jumping up and down hollering in their native tongue as the boats would pass by.

The Captain yelled down to the small clan of travelers and told them they were still about three hours from Helena, due to the rivers current they were running a little behind. He assured them he would have them docked in the Helena port buy ten pm at the very latest. Robert and the men began to talk among themselves, about finding a place to spend the night and what would be the first order of business for the day. Mr. Cooper suggested getting to the land grant office the very first thing to look at the available grants. All the men agreed that would be the first thing to do, after that finding and mapping out their route should be the second.

About two hours and forty five minutes later the captain yelled down,“Helena port dead ahead about three miles.” He then called for Simion and Robert to come up to the top deck.

Simion and Robert went to the control room where the captain and his first mate navigated the steamboat.“Gentlemen” he said,“ I will be porting Helena in about twenty minutes. When we port I would suggest that we wait to unload the wagons and live stock until morning. I would feel safer with the number of women and children that are aboard that you spend the night on the boat. I will have my crew on night watch , it has been know that some of the clansmen like to prey on the new comers.” Robert and Simion thanked the captain and went back down below to let the others know that they would be sleeping on the boat tonight.

draft 5/26/09
The St. Maria docked at about eight forty five and the “Wondering Maid” at about eight fifty five along the side of the St. Maria. The crew made busy to tie off the boats and placed a walk plank between the two boats so that Robert and the men could go to the “Wondering Maid to feed the live stock”. The captain came down to the main deck and told Mrs. Nance and Lucinda that the galley cook had two large pots of catfish stew and a mound of showboat bread cooked and there would be enough to feed his crew and their families. Lucinda and Mrs. Nance thanked him and got Mrs. Cooper, Ingram, and Stone to help serve While Mrs. Reed, Eubanks, Stacy, and Harris watched the smaller children.

After the livestock was feed the men came back to the St. Maria and set down to a hot bowl of catfish stew and showboat bread. Mrs. Stone and Mrs. Ingram took a small kettle of the stew from the galley and took it to the crew members that were on night watch. After all had eaten super, the women as a kind gesture had the galley cooks to join the men in their evening tobacco parlay while the women did the dishes for them. The captain sat with the men and began to give his view on what he has seen in his twelve years of travel up and down this might river.“Gentlemen, I wish not to sow seed of doubt on any of your ventures, but in my dealing of carrying settlers like yourselves across the river to what some refer to as “The Great Swamp” I have seen many come back broken and defeated. This land the Indians call Arkansas, is a hard country it takes more than good intentions to settle and make a life there. Most of the Indians live in peace with the white man in Arkansas, the white man is the one you will have to fear the most. It is a lawless land the clansmen make the “great swamp” there hideout, that is why I arm all of my crew. I do not want to end up like captain Donavan and his crew a few years back, murdered and thrown in the river to be fish food. If you can make the first three years I figure that you have grown hard strong enough to make it, I pray you do.” Then he laugh and said,“You know they say it takes a pretty strong and ornery cuss to make his life on the river but I will take the wildest parts of this river over Arkansas. Something that may be of help, most of the local Indians have a medicine man or most of the time it is a woman who knows the plants and herbs learn from them. Knowing how do doctor snake, spider bites will come in handy. Unlike Tennessee and North Carolina the delta land snakes do not warn you by rattling before they strike. The copper head the cotton mouth and water moccasin are deadly snakes that make their home in the “Great Swamp”. Spiders are another of natures creatures that can become a lingering death. The brown recluse, I had a crew member that was working the bales of cotton on the flatboat sometime back get bitten by one, his arm swelled up larger than a Virginia ham, and began to rot off. Even with the herbs and natural salves the medicine woman applied and gave him, it still left a hole in his arm the size of a mason jar lid. But I can see by looking at you men, that you have what it takes to go up against all odds and settle this land for you and your families. I thank you for allowing me and my crew to be of service to you in these few miles of you destination. With that being said Gentlemen I will bid you a good evening. We should be ready to start unloading in the morning about six am. May the Lord bless you and your families.”

After making this depressing but true speech the captain rose from his chair, tapped out his pipe and went to his quarters. One by one the crew and the men got up from the table and went to quarters and wagons to rejoin their families and bedded down for the night.

Insert add on.

“Well if it ain’t the soon to be swampers, how are you boys tonight? Hey by the way did you get by to see Lue Finely.” Paddy asked.“No Paddy we didn’t”. said Robert.“Well that a pity but all in all probably the best, ole Lue went to see his maker in the wee hours of the morning.” Paddy said sadly shaking his head.“What happened to him?” Asked Simion.“ Well as some irishmens luck would have it, Lue had just finished a fifth of his favorite Scotch and was curling up with a fireball of a red headed, green eyed lass when her husband came home. Yep he came in the bedroom just about the time ole Lue was untying the sailors knot. The husband did take to kindly of ole Lue docking his vessel in the husbands port. So he shot him dead, they said ole Lue didn’t even ask the man to spare him but taunted him by saying she was a little loose on the starboard side. Then the husband took her and tied her hands together and tied her up to one of the lamps post on front street so everyone could see what a tramp she was. They found ole Lue Butt naked with a bullet in his head a smile on his face. Anyway boys what can I get you.”