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 9: It is not an easy question to decide now, which of the following occurences created the most excitement, and drew the largest crowd. To wit: The first drum and fife at a militia muster, the first church bell, the arrival of the first stagecoach, which was brought by our old friend and fellow citizen, John Gordon, or the burning of the canebrake, near the junction of Big Indian and Bay Creeks. The latter kept up a continued popping for half a day, which was like the rattle of musketry, and the former attracted large crowds of old and young. That drummer and fifer were admired and wondered at more than was General Beall with his military bearing and trapings. We knew that Mr. Gordon was only a man, but thought as we looked at him, seated on the box of the fine coach, with the reins of his splendid team and whip in hand, that we would rather be a stage driver than to be Governor Troup; and the sight and first tones of the church bell, inspired a kind of notion that we were no longer town, but city boys; didn't live in the country any longer, not we! In 1833, an independent school was taught by a Mrs. Foote, in a log house near where the Presbyterian Church stands. The great storm which passed over and devastated this section in March of the same year, was heard in the distance as "The gathering clouds like meeting armies, came on apace". School was dismissed, but too late for us all to get home, and the whole school took refuge in my father's house near by. The fury of that howling, raging tempest, frantic screams and cries, terror stricken countenances and wringing hands, while the house trembled and shook to its foundation, during which we expected every moment to be hurled into eternity, is beyond description. I noticed but one in the house who was quiet and composed, Miss J. S., now Mrs. D., of Eufaula, Alabama, who was reading the Bible. I drew near her when "Serenely my heart took the hue of her's", and I felt secure. The little damage done to houses was a matter of astonishment. Even until now, its track through the country is marked by what used to be called hurricane roots. After the storm subsided, the sun reappeared, scattering his golden beams in loveliness and beauty upon the drenched, storm beaten earth. The Maker and Ruler had said "Peace be still!" There was a great calm, and then followed "One of those ambrosial eves, A day of storm so often leaves At its calm sitting, when the west Opens her golden bowers to rest, And a moist radience from the skies Shoots trembling down, as from the eyes Of some meek penetent, whose last Bright hours atone for dark ones past." ~~ 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.