Houston County Researchers: For the past 3 years, I have been compiling a book entitled: EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS OF HOUSTON COUNTY, GEORGIA 1821-1871: Copyright 2000 by William A. Mills. I thought I had this book finished last year, but I keep finding more interesting items to include in it. By the time that I actually print this book, it may be too large to contain in one volume. But, there is no need to keep all of this good info hidden away. I stumbled across an original story written by a man who was born in 1826, and resided in Perry, GA for several decades. This story was supposed to be published right after the Civil War, but I cannot find any evidence that it ever was. I've checked everywhere that I can, and no one has ever heard of it before. ================>>> Portions from Chapter 10: Indian relicts consisting of a tomahawk and an earthen pot, found deeply imbedded in the sand near the Perry bridge, and the innumerable flint arrow points scattered along the water courses, confirm the opinion that this immediate section was one of the hunting and fishing grounds of the Creek Indians. Their removal to the Chattahoochee was a very great relief to us all, as we were in constant dread of them, they having given intimations of disaffection and intended hostility. Soon after their departure, war was declared, and in 1836, a cavalry company left Perry for a campaign of three months, under the command of Capt. Hugh L. Dennard, with Hal Raleigh 1st, Merideth Joiner 2d, James Owens, 3d Lieutenants, and James Johnson, Orderly Sergeant. John M. Allen had previously left Houston with his company of volunteers, for the seat of war with the Seminoles in Florida. Roll of these companies are not now in reach, and besides those mentioned, I remember only the lamented Jared S. Dennard of Captain Allen's, and J. W. Mann, J. M. Chastain, B. Batton, G. S. Haslem, P. N. Chain, C. W. Felder, Terrell Perry, George W. Slappy and J. Black, of Captain Dennard's company, which returned after its term of service expired, having lost but one man. The commissariat of the forces drew its supplies from Hawkinsville by road wagons, large numbers of which loaded to their utmost capacity with bacon, flour etc., passed in companies through Perry. That splendidly mounted company, the Pulaski Volunteers passed here also, its fine martial appearance and the clear thrilling notes of its bugle charmed us. The contrast between this command and a stream of men, horses, mules and wagons, apparently a disorganized and demoralized rabble, said to be volunteers for the war against the Seminoles, was noticeable and striking. The Texan War of Independence also drew a few volunteers from Houston, among whom was William Kaigler, now of Dooly County, who was captured and kept a prisoner in the city of Mexico for a number of years; also Jack Oliver and Austin Pirkins, who were massacred with their command (Fannin's) at the Alamo. In giving the names of the first settlers of the county, I unintentionally omitted old Mr. Thomas Duffel, of General Lafayette's command during the Revolutionary War. He attended the General when wounded at Brandywine, and when the latter passed through Georgia, they met, recognized and embraced each other at Milledgeville and wept. This old man always carried a fine flagstaff with the stars and stripes at the Fourth of July celebrations. He was very tall and wore a continental costume, with his white hair long, after the old style. William Wellborn, previously mentioned, who kept hotel in Perry in 1824, became a General and distinguished himself in the Creek War. The first popular elections are items of thrilling interest. The voters commenced gathering a week before, and very many never left town under a week after the election was over. A description of the incident and excitement occuring and attendant upon these occasions would require the powers of a Bill Arp and a Longstreet combined, therefore, I must pass on, leaving them at least for the present, remarking only that every phase of character, personal appearance, age and condition, were the material, and every conceivable expression in words and conducts, the outcroppings which entered into and made these gatherings scenes the most ludicrous and difficult to describe. The boys always looked forward to election days as extra occasions of enjoyment, and like those who voted, we had our politics. Union men and nulifiers, Clark men and Troup men were the parties; Troup and Clark being the leaders in Georgia. We wanted to vote, but couldn't, and how slowly our beards grew, and tardily time moved on when we would be men and own and use a razor etc., and vote. Other occasions of amusement and pastime, evolving incidents, and inspiring emotions and aspirations rise up, which we fondly cherish. I want to write them, but as time will allow, as I hope, more interesting scenes will be the subject of the next chapter. ~~ TO BE CONTINUED ~~ _______________________________________ William A. Mills Perry, GA [email protected] ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.