1908 Calhoun Monitor

(Calhoun Monitor, January 23, 1908)

A Hair-Raising Bit of Dare-Devilry

A Story of Wild-Cat Days in North East Calhoun
Mr. Editor: - With your permission, will give you a short story that till this day has never been told in word or by pen.

‘Twas in the early part of November, 188-. At this time one might travel among the hills and hollows of this particular locality, and he could if he so desired, by the slightest kind of search find the secreted wild-cat. Yes, even the night air, in many localities was fumigated with the odor of boiling mash, and while this business had been carried on for quite a long time by a certain few old-timers practically unmolested it was about this time that the revenue officers began to draw the iron hand of Uncle Sam down upon the favored region.

This was unpleasant for the wild-cat man, and he must, if he dared run now, keep out a guard who could give the safety signal, in case there was anything out of the regular order of things about to happen. This of itself made the hardened old-timer uneasy, and the least bit of noise or the prattle of the gifted rabbit might cause a stampede of the little party of select that had gathered around anxiously waiting for their portion of the first doubling. A shrill whistle or the crack of a pistol would cause the owner to rush for his trusty Winchester, and put out the fire and make ready to defend his cat against his foe, the spy who often led the officers to the hiding places of these illicit wild-cat quarters.

This condition of matters made many of the old time ones move his place of business, some taking their kettles with them while others would sell or trade them for what they could get, and seek safety in some of the Western States and forever afterward be a better man. It was one of these old time wildcatters who had decided to quit and sell his equipment that laid the foundation for the story that I am about to relate.

It was peculiar, yet true that the environment of this special region had contained the youth and they, in many cases, actuated by the freedom of what they had taken to be but their business, none of the government would endeavor to make and sell White Mule, as it was sometimes called. This being so when old-timer N. S—made up his mind to go West or quit the business, he sought a buyer of his outfit, and to his delight he found him in the persons of two of the bright young eighteeners who happened to have a little ready cash, and were ready to sacrifice it to their gratification.

The terms being satisfactory, they put their all in a forty-five gallon kettle and a few barrels, thus obtaining from the gifted N. S--- all the right and fee simple to make, own and operate the said forty-five, with the understanding that the seller was to help make the first run, and then leave.

So these boys prepared the meal and sorghum as they were directed to do and got everything ready for their first run. But is was so good a joke that they could not keep everything a dead secret, as was the practice of the gifted old-timers. Of course they had friends, and these must be on hand for a grand time when they made their first run. So they had passed the word around to a few trusted, as they thought, and made these fully acquainted with the situation, and of course, it was a delightful thought to these youngsters to be invited to such a feast as this. So it was a dark, cloudy, drizzly day the word was passed around that the beer was ready and that something would be doing that very night.

As the shadows of night spread out her wings, if one had been at the right place, he could have seen four as gay looking lads as were ever reared in the Free State, making their way across the hills to where they had been directed to meet and they would have an escort to the special place of secretion where old ‘forty-five would be worked to the limit, possibly all night.

Oh, it was a time that made each of the young minds glow with the hope of a good time, and but for the thought of the much dreaded revenue officers there was nothing to mar this great feast to all concerned Each had been cautioned to bring his trusted S. & W. with him for fear that something might happen.

They met at the agreed point, and after an hour of waiting for the guide whom they had expected to find waiting, it began to rain in torrents, a real storm from the Southwest. They took shelter by a large oak and waited for their guide, but another hour and still no guide came. Puzzled and perplexed yet not ready to return till they could find their friends and old ‘forty-five, they determined to make an effort to find the place and friends without a guide. This is where they made the fatal mistake that but for fate and the dense darkness; doubtless the four would have been shot to pieces and would probably shot their friends.

They had gone some three quarters of a mile groping in the darkness, occasionally conversing in a low monotone, peeping and listening for some noise that would tell them that they were right in their search.

They discovered that they were just about to enter an old road when came a voice, “Halt.”

The heart of each flew into his mouth and his quivering hand went into his pocket after his S. & W. with the dexterity that a hardened criminal would have done.

“Consider yourselves prisoners,” called a voice. “Officers” said one to the other. “Run,” and at that instant each whirled and ran for life. Bang, bang, bang, went a dozen guns, the balls passing so close that they could be heard, and it seemed to the fleeing lads that if they did not take shelter behind trees that [they] would be killed. The order given by the volunteer leader, and each fell behind a tree for safety with pistol in hand, trembling as if he had unexpectedly run into a gang of highwaymen.

It was but an instant till they discovered that they were being followed by the posse who did the shooting. There was but one alternative left; either stand and be made prisoners, run and risk getting shot, or make fight. A decision must be made and that quick. And it was, for just at this moment, the leader by his own volition said: “Boys we have done nothing to be arrested for and d—n it, let’s shoot the devil out of them.”

The word was the signal for rapid action, and in an instant a flash of fire, yes a real fire blazed from behind the trees that sheltered them, right in the face of the pursuing party, who were not more than twenty yard away. They returned the fire for one or two shots only, and then turned and ran for dear life in obedience to the command of the leader, “Get out of here boys, I believe we are surrounded.”

So both sides retreated on the dead run, the officers thinking that the “wild-cat” men had set a trap for them, and the boys scared out of their wits, thinking that if they were overtaken they would be punished for making “White Mule.”

The distance, however, between them was soon of such convenience that each could talk freely over the wild scenes of the night without any fear of being heard by the other. The boys returned to their respective homes wet and chilled, but before they separated for the night, each agreed that he would never divulge the secret to a living soul, a promise I am sure has been kept to this good day, as there is but one of the four boys living, the others having passed over from whence no traveler returns.

But here I guess dear reader; you would like to know what became of the two youthful owners of old ‘forty-five and their tutor and grantor, the noted N. S--, who was to make the first run a success for the lads.

Well, the early morning telegraph brought the news that he had made the run alright, but it was a run for safety, and that the lads had taken some lessons in the same kind of a run and that old ‘forty-five, together with the barrels etc., had been consigned to the ax and flames of the posse of successful ‘wild-cat’ hunters. Signed: Uncle Newte

Miscellaneous

Announcements April 16, 1908

Laymen's Rallies
Through the kindness of the Editor of The Monitor, I will announce that there will be three Laymens Rallies with the following named churches on the dates below mentioned: Concord, 3rd Sunday in April. Gaston Springs 4 Sun. in Apr. Air Mount 1st Sunday in May.  The exercises will begin at 9:45 sharp.  Signed: A. A. Bruner.

A Call
To All Locals of the Farmers Union.
You are requested to meet with the Board of Directors of the Warehouse Association at Vardaman, April the 25th at 10 o'clock a.m. 1908.  Signed: J. N. Cook, Ch'm, S. T. Hawkins, Sec.

Notice Teachers
The spring Examinations for teachers will be held as follows: Whites April 3 and 4. and 17th and 18th.  Colored 10th and 11th, and 24th and 25th.  Examinations to open promptly at 8 o'clock a.m.  Signed: J. O. Rich, Supt. of Education

Buy your Fertilizer early.  We handle the best.  Two cars just in. Buchanan, Lawrence & Mabry  Derma, Miss.

NOTICE
Bids for painting Court House roof and repairing Court House will be received until 1st Monday in May.  Plans and specifications on file in Chancery Clerk's office.  Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids.  
Signed: W. R. Byars, Pres. Board and N. R. Lamar, clerk. 

April 30, 1908 First Woman To Store Cotton in Mississippi Union Warehouse.

Miss Nora Hodge
The beautiful daughter of the late F. C. Hodge of Slate Springs, Miss. Miss Nora is the first young lady in Mississippi to store cotton in a Union Warehouse. She holds receipt No. 1,043, issued by Calhoun county, (Miss) Warehouse Company, whose receipts to date amount to over 1,449 bales -- Commercial Appeal.

Will Repair Court House

The Board of Supervisors are advertising in this issue for bids for a general lot of repairs on the Court House here, and we are glad they are making this move for the preservation of the building. There is no doubt that the building needs some repairs badly, and yet, there is no reason why, with the repairs made, it should not be good for a long time yet.

This house is a historic old building, having seen quite a lot of exciting scenes and changes during the period of its existence. Some of the ablest lawyers that the State of Mississippi has ever produced have practiced their profession under its roof. Among them were: Reuben Davis, Edward Mayes, Hamp Sullivan, Judge J. A. Orr, C. P. Mitchell, Edward Cary Walthall and Isom G. Harris. Fuller Fox, three times member of Congress was licensed to practice law here in 1876 and made his maiden speech in this old Court House. Judge W. A. and S. M. Roane began their practice in it. Judge A. T. Roane held his first court here and Judge I. T. Blount made his debut as a lawyer within its walls.

All of these great men who have held or aspired to office in Mississippi since the construction of this house have addressed Calhoun citizens here, and it has witnessed numerous social, political, and other kind of gatherings, as well as some exciting judicial trials. Among the later we mention the famous Dock Bishop case, the contested election trial, and later, the Cook trials. Bishop was, after one of the hardest legal battles ever fought, convicted and was hung July the 3rd, 1886, for the murder of a detective, named Wise. The Election case was a contest of the general election held in 1889 on the ground that a device of some kind was placed on the “relief” ticket contrary to law, and although this ticket was considerable in the majority, it was thrown out and candidates on the democratic ticket were declared elected.

This old house still contains the records, books, etc. which during the war were, for fear of their being burned by the Yankees, hauled, by J. A. Harrelson, with three yoke of cattle, to a hut on Yalobusha river immediately south of where Calhoun City now stands and kept under the floor for several months.

Below we give a short sketch from the History of Calhoun County by Judge J. S. Ryan who was for more than twenty years Probate Judge here, relative to the building and cost of the Court House:

“On the 8th day of December 1852 the Board accepted the bid of L. Brasher to build a court house of brick for $8,000.00. This contract was rescinded however, on the 28th of Feb. M. J. McGuire was employed as architect to furnish plans and specifications and superintend the building of a court house at a fee of $500. Various contracts were from time to time made and abandoned or modified, until 1855 under a contract with John Binning at $7,600; the work was commenced and carried on to completion. M. J. McGuire architect, A. G. Helms, B. F. Davis and J. S. Ryan, building committee, S. C. Brewer & Son, brick work and plastering, John Binning wood work and Hugh McPhail & Co. tinners.

“On the 7th day of July, 1856, the committee having previously received and approved the work, the Board passed an order directing the Clerk’s and Sheriff’s office to be kept in the Court House. During the progress of work, changes had been made in the construction of the house by the architect and committee, resulting in changes in the amount of the contract, but it’s deemed safe to say that the aggregate cost of the building did not exceed $8,000.00.

May 7, 1908

Teachers Association 

{Excerpts} In company with Supt. J. O. Rich and Prof. A. A. Newell, ye scribe left last Thursday evening to attend the State Teacher's Association at Jackson, which convened Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week. The down trip was an uneventful one, arriving at Jackson at about 8 o'clock Friday morning. ...We met several acquaintances, and Calhoun people while there among whom were the Powell boys, Leonard and Archie, who are Calhoun boys and who both hold responsible positions there; Prof. Hudson, with the B. F. Johnson book Co., who was formerly a resident of this county and Walter Pate, who is well known here being a son of our good friend Mr. L. Pate, of this place. Mr. Pate introduced us to his wife, who was a Miss McLaurin, daughter of Senator McLaurin and we found her a most charming lady and realize that Mr. Pate was indeed fortunate in winning her. ...The Calhoun delegation returned feeling that they had a most pleasant and profitable trip.