Slate Springs

Historic Slate Springs Lives Up to Traditions as Worth-While Community

A few people yet living can remember the time that the site on which the town of Slate Springs is located was a virgin forest and these few people have reached a ripe old age. We boast, however, of the honor of having some of the oldest citizens of the county in the persona of James Neely Vance and sister, who are 81 and 83 years old, and Rev. J. T. McPhail, who is 77 years old.

It is quite a pleasure to hear these venerable people talk of the pioneer days and it is from their recollections that the most of the following history has been gathered.

Mr. Jim Neely Vance’s father helped to cut the right of way for the road that ran from Pittsboro to old Greensboro, which crossed the old Houston and Grenada road at Slate Springs. A part of this old road is incorporated in the graveled highway from the Rex Mallory garage south toward the county line. This road was constructed about 1859.

The first saw mill located here was in 1835. It was a sash saw which worked up and down instead of with a circular movement through the logs. It was owned and operated by William Vance and was situated on Shoot-Us-A Spear Creek. Water was used for power. The writer has a plank sawed by this mill eighty one years ago. A portion of this plank may be seen on display at the Monitor-Herald office.

The first house built in this community was constructed by a man named Joe Fox. He was located on the site where Mr. Carter now lives. He also constructed the first store here. Both buildings were made of logs. This gentleman kept the post office and the time was about 1856. He had to close out his little business on account of the Civil War. The next mercantile firm to open for business was a company which operated under [the] name of Woodward Son & Buchanan.

The first post office was served by mail only once a week, the mail carrier being named Hannah, and the route ran from Grenada to Hopewell.

The first school building was located about a mile North of the present building, near what is now known as the Frank Putman place. Miss Elizabeth Vance, who still lives in our town, went to school in this little house. The first teacher was James Cooke and the time was in the year 1849.

By this time the surrounding territory was more thickly settled than previously, some of the families being the Vances, Pryors, Shaws, Therrells and Doolittles. In 1857, the people came together, planned and built a new school house, which was located where Mrs. Belle Spencer’s home now stands. The first session was taught by Major Garvin and son, from Boston Mass. This was a two-story structure, the upper story being a Masonic Hall. In this building plans were made to incorporate the town, and at the same meeting a petition was drawn up, signed by the people and presented to the State Legislature asking that a law be passed preventing the sale of intoxicating liquors within five miles of the corporate limits of Slate Springs. So we claim that our immediate forefathers were among the first to see the evil of strong drink and that the idea of prohibition in Mississippi may have started from the action of these fearless pioneers who placed community morality and Christianity on a higher level than most other communities of that age. This law was passed and was rigidly enforced and there is not a doubt but that it has been an influence for the good of this community that has been beyond estimation through all the years. We claim we have one of the best communities and schools in Mississippi, considering our size.

The first really great school here was taught by Hon. Fuller Fox, afterwards Congressman of this district, whose death occurred only a few weeks ago at West Point, and Hon. Sam Cooke, who died Friday, Sept 10, 1926 at his home at Walthall. As time passed other good men and fine teachers assumed charge of it – so many that we cannot mention them all. A few were Bob Conner, Jim Cox, Prof. Higgins, Alonzo Skelton, Prof. Gaza ? other members of the Fox family, John Taylor, A. E. Ferguson. The influence of this school through the [line faint] great as to be {/}. Such men as Judge Jim ? noted Mississippi jurist, and Major General Fox Connor, who was on Gen. Pershings’ staff during the World War, went to school here, as did others of note.

The school this session is under the management of the following faculty: H. D. Young, superintendent; Mrs. Jim Phillips, High School studies; Mrs. Rex Blue, 7th and 8th grades; Mrs. Sam Pryor, History; Mrs. Izola Morgan, 5th and 6th grade; Miss Nora Burns, 3rd and 4th grades; Miss Dais Skelton, Primary; Mrs. J. A. Spencer, Music.

The school has an enrollment of 225 pupils. It is at present a Consolidated High School and carries four full years of High School work and is fully affiliated under the State requirements. Trustees are Messrs. Gus Vance, A. Pryor and Jim West. A live P.T.A. has helped to make the school what it is since Consolidation.

High Ideals Have Made The Community

Slate Springs is a fine town. It is clean morally and the people have high ideals and work together in unison for the welfare of the community. One of the features of this community is that more people own their own homes and land than in any other section of the county. The town has several business houses and is surrounded by a rich farming section inhabited by well –to-do farmers.

The first rural routes in the county were established at Slate Springs many years ago. There are three of them. The fine State Highway thru Calhoun County passes through the town, and the graded roads of the community are good even better now than at any time in the past

Church Organizations

There are two churches here Methodist and Baptist, with two good pastors. We have Sunday School every Sunday and good B. Y. P. U. Seven preachers live in the community, indicating that Christianity is not only taught by lived here.

Farming Activities

Slate Springs is surrounded by some of the best farming land in North Mississippi. Sabougla Creek, which flows through the community, has had a fine drainage canal cut through its bottom this year. This canal, with laterals, is about 18 miles in length. It is a very efficient drainage district, the canal having a fall of 7 ½ feet to the mile, which assures all flood waters being hurried off quickly. This piece of progress has enhanced the value of the property and made the farming land hereabout more desirable.

All kinds of crops are grown here. The corn and lespedeza crops are the best for many yeas Cotton is fair. Other crops are good. Most everyone is pleased wit their crops as a whole. Diversified farming, livestock and poultry production, hogs and hominy, have put this section of the county on its feet financially.

We have seen no record of any section of the county having participants in the ton-litter contest for the County Fair. We want to go on record now as having a farmer in our midst as the champion 180-day hog producer of the county in the person of J. C. Alexander, who has made a great record with this ton-litter hogs this year. We saw the pigs weighed the other day – and believe me, he has the goods.

County Fair Interest Is Splendid

The Slate Springs Community has won the greatest and most sought after prize of the whole County Fair for the past two years. We have carried away the prizes and ribbons for the best Community Exhibits every year since the Fair was organized. We have had fine school floats and our farmers and housekeepers have secured many blue ribbons on individual exhibits. We realize that we’re going to have to hustle this year to retain our rating as THE BEST, as competition is going to be keener, and there is going to be more of it. But we’re counting on setting the pace for all contenders this year as we have in the past. Meet us as at the biggest and best Fair in the history of Calhoun – and if you can beat us, our hats are off to you and we will congratulate you on your work. If we win again, we’re going to expect your good wishes and congratulations. – Publicity Committee

Transcription notes relating to story:
1. Rex Mallory Garage - possibly at the location of the "Joe Abb Spencer Store" that later became the Leroy McCluskey Store on east side Highway 9
2. William Vance Sawmill on Shoot-Us-A Spear Creek - probably near the Vance Cemetery, land deed have Vance/Burns Mill on deed - waterfall there
3. Mr. Carter's home - probably Preacher Carter. On the corner between Macon Mapping and the south turn to Bethany Baptist Church
4. Woodward Son & Buchanan -
5. Frank Putman Place - old homesite now owned by Funderburg's up behind the 2006 location of Jimmy Sanders Inc.
6. Mrs. Belle Spencer's home - Dr. Putman's house next to the 2006 Masonic Hall - [bought by Tom Davis & Dr. Putman's wife was a Davis]
7. Methodist Church - Driveway was Dr. Putman's house and building located just south of the house site.
8. J. C. Alexander - Mr. Chance Alexander's is now the homesite of the Everette West Jr. family in 2006, roughly a mile west on Dentontown road
Sources: July 17, 2006: Mrs. Alma West, Charlie Lovorn, Mrs Betty Mallory, Eddie Helms