Arriving at a stream that had to be crossed on a ferry (probably Boggy Bayou or Bayou Macon( he was told by the ferryman that on the day before a traveler coming from the opposite direction had been chased by a panther. This was far from nerve-steadying news - especially to one carrying nothing more deadly than a .41 calibre vest-pocket derringer, but the Colonel crossed on the ferry and rode on into the wilderness toward Napoleon. He reached that place in due time, and while attending his business at the court house he met a young doctor, and found that he, too, would be returning westward the next day. So they agreed to ride together. Having transacted his business, the Colonel went to one of the hotels (taverns, he called them) to seek accommodations for the night. The whistle of a steamboat had just sounded on the river, and there was considerable movement toward the boat landing. Several men sat about the hotel office, none of whom were known to the Colonel, as he was not acquainted in Napoleon. He was occupied some minutes arranging with the proprietor of the hotel for accommodations, and just as he turned from the counter, or desk, or whatever it was called in those days, he heard several men approaching from the direction of the river. There were three of them, and as they entered the door of the hotel office, two of the men who sat about inside leaped to their feet and drew their pistols. Immediately there was general firing, and when the smoke cleared three men lay dead on the floor and two others had been shot. One of the dead men was the captain of the steamer that had just landed, and two others were gamblers who plied their trade on the Mississippi and Arkansas river steamboats and made Napoleon their headquarters. They had been gunning for each other for some time, and the Colonel had arrived at the psychological moment, thus coming upon a second tragedy in the wilderness. Next morning the Colonel arose early and prepared for the return journey to Monticello. Meeting the young doctor, he was informed by a gentlemen that business would keep him for another hour, but the Colonel was anxious to start west, for he wished to get out of the swamps before night. So it was agreed that he was to ride on and that the doctor would overtake him in the forenoon and the Colonel rode on alone. Approaching the stream that had to be crossed on a ferryboat, he recalled the story told him by the ferryman of the man who had been chased by a panther. The story stuck in his mind, and he found himself becoming nervous as he drew nearer to the stream. Suddenly he heard a scream far back in the direction from which he had come, and he realized instantly that he must get to the stream and onto the ferryboat as quickly as possible. He spurred his horse into a gallop, and hurried on. Another scream came from the rear, and it appeared to be closer. The Colonel urged his horse into a run, and as he came within sight of the ferry he heard another scream from behind and was horrified to find the ferry boat on the opposite side of the stream. Here was a situation indeed! Colonel Whittington yelled to the ferryman, and saw that gentleman moving leisurely toward the boat. "Hurry, Man! Hurry!" the Colonel shouted, drawing his little derringer and preparing to argue matters with the panther. Just at that moment he heard the sound of a galloping horse and immediately thought of the young doctor who was to join him on the road. A moment later this gentleman came into view. The "panther" screams that had so unnerved the young lawyer were merely the hails of his belated fellow traveler, who sought by this means to appraise the man ahead that he was coming. Colonel Whittington drew the picture of that journey with consummate artistry. It had plenty of thrills, and his manner of telling it brought these out into plain view. Moreover, the story had the added quality of being true. In the fall of 1878 the people of Drew and Ashley counties, composing the Seventeenth Senatorial District, sent Col. Whittington to the upper house of the State Legislature to serve during the 22nd and 23rd sessions (1879 and 1881). D. E. Barker, a brother-in-law of Dr. J. F. Wright, Monticello's first dentist (I think), was Drew County's representative in the lower house during those four years, and for several terms thereafter, going to the Senate and becoming its president in 1887. In 1904 he was again elected to the House for the session of 1905. I saw Col. Barker for the last time during that year. The community of Barkada, out on the road to Cornish Landing, took its name from the Barker family. On another summer day (in 1900, I think) the whole town was shocked by the news that Col. Whittington had suffered a stroke of paralysis from which he might not recover. Forty-eight hours later, he was dead. End of article. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos - Share your holiday photos online! http://photos.yahoo.com/