The following was written by Green Beauchamp 20 July 1873 for the Eufaula Times: "A Stampede in a Church" In the early part of the summer of 1836, our Indian troubles commenced. Although the Indians had sold their lands to the whites, there were a good many of them still in the country. They were dissatisfied at the idea of leaving the country, and committed hostility upon our people that had lawfully settled on the lands once owned by them. The most of the people that had settled on the lands became alarmed and got out of the country. Some went one way, and some another, several families came to my place at Willamston, among others Milton and Isham Browder, then single men, and occupied my gin house and other out buildings that could be spared. Our immediate neighborhood felt no uneasiness, considering that from the thickness of our settlement, we were able to defend ourselves should any demonstration be made. We took care to keep our powder dry. On Sunday, 16th May, 1836, the Rev. W. B. Neal, a Methodist preacher, had an appointment to preach at New Hope church about a mile and a half from Williamston. The house was a good sized building. Mr. Neal was a popular preacher with almost everybody, there was a large congregation out to hear him. Services had begun, the preacher had just commenced reading out his text when a horse's feet were heard coming at full speed. The preacher paused a moment and Cooly Mann, who lived in Eufaula, darted into the church yard and bawled out in a startling voice, that Roanoake had been burnt by Indians the night before and Irwinton, now Eufaula, would soon fare the same fate, and no doubt, but the whole country would be overrun by Indians in a very short time. Instantly a general rush was made for the doors-the crowd did not stand on the order of going, but got out like hornets from a hornet's nest. A council of war was held in the yard, and decided that every man who could leave home should meet at Williamston at 1 o'clock p.m., with such arms as he had or could get and march to Irwinton immediately. At the appointed hour there was about one hundred men on the ground. Rev. J. R. Turner was selected as Captain. M. E. Bush, father of our respected citizen David A. and his brothers, was made Lt. And so on. Before sun down we were in Irwinton to defend the place. No Indians made their appearance. We reconnoitered about a day or two and were dismissed until further notice. ============================================= Richard Price SOS 6-3