Do you know if they is any history about the Shiloh Methodist Church besides the Civil War info. I need information of who started the church and would very much like church record information (births, baptisms, christenings, deaths, marriages, etc). Where can I locate this information??? Also, is there a cemetery near the church?? and if so, is the names there listed anywhere?? I need information on the following family Ephraim and Mary Beauchamp Walker, parents of the following Nancy Walker Padon (John Padon) Martha Walker Martin (John Martin) Archelaus and Ellender Chaffin Walker Abel and Phebe Flatt Walker - possible first wife Rebe McFalls William and Mary Williams Walker James and Jane Walker Mary Walker Smith (Richard Smith) Thomas and Mary "Lovie" McFall Walker John Beauchamp and Elizabeth Ann Brown Walker It has been family tradition that the above Walkers help start the Old Methodist Church at Shiloh. I need to be able to confirm this information. Since they lived in Corinth area after 1837, it's possible that they still commuted to Shiloh for church services. If this is the case that may explain why there is no vital records info in Alcorn or Tishomingo Co's Do you know where I can look for info. I'll be in Corinth next week (Aug 3-7). If there is valuable information, I'll drive up. Thanks Nolin Christensen nolin@feist.com 1618 E 43rd St So Wichita, KS 67216
The Wayne County Historical Society's board members met today and guess what folks .......we've decided to publish our our second family history book! Anyone can submit one free family history of 500 words and one free picture for it. Additional pictures are $15 each. Additional words over 500 are 15 cents each. All submitted family histories should be double spaced and preferably typed. The deadline is November 30th so get started writing those articles! The book, "Wayne County, Tennessee Family Histories, Vol. 2", can be ordered now at the prepublication price of $49.95 plus $5.00 shipping & handling from: Wayne County Historian's Office P.O. Box 476 Waynesboro, TN 38485-0476 Articles can also be sent to this address. This book should be available sometime next year. The book will be of the same excellent quality as volume. Maybe even better! Want some more good news? We have also decided to reprint a limited number of the "Wayne County, Tennessee Family Histories, Vol. 1" book. They should be available before Christmas, so if you're looking for a special present for someone, look no further. The cost as I understood it would be $60.00 plus $5.00 shipping & handling. I must stress that this will be a limited reprint so order early to ensure that you get one! They can be ordered from the same address above. Make sure you indicate which book you're ordering. :-) I'll keep you updated as information becomes available. Jerry W. Murphy jwmurphy@netease.net Listowner: ALFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNHARDIN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNWAYNE-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: COCHRAN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: PATTERSON-L@rootsweb.com Wayne County, Tennessee Web Page: http://www.netease.net/wayne Wayne County Computer Club: http://www.netease.net/waccc
At the momet I'm looking for Wayne CO.Info befor election, Aug 6! Audit in paper of JULY 1st paper! why no one making a stink ? Wanting answers ! Later all 95 Counties and why we accept Unfunded Mandates ,Without putting up a fight! Thanks
Looking for any and all info onE.C. and E. Z. Grant Ect.
I am looking for info on a John COOPER that resided in Hardin Co., TN around 1820?-45. He evidently died between 1844-45. I have a copy of a title bond dated 13 August 1844 between John and Amzi Reed. Also a deed registered on 27 Jan 1845, showing transfer of the same property named in the title bond to Amzi REED. States, "Elisha PACK Administrator of the Estate of John COOPER dec'd of Hardin County and the State of Tennessee of the one part and Amzi REED of the county and State above named of the other part....." I have reason to believe that this John COOPER is my 3rd Great grandfather and the father of Jehue M COOPER, my 2nd Great grandfather. If this rings any bells with anyone, please let me know. Benny Cooper Columbus, MS benracer@ebicom.net
Sally, Some of these people you mentioned lived in or near the community where I live today. The last Ledford that I have heard of in this county was Frankie who ran a store in the Swift Community. P. V. or Pleasant Ledford is a name that I run into occasionally. William Peacock was in "G" Co., First Confederate Cavalry during the late war. I find both Arthur B. and Elizabeth Ann in the 1850 census for Hardin Co. How can I help you in Hardin Co. David Sally McAlear wrote: > I am researching the family of Elizabeth Ann Leadford/Ledford (born 1 Jan > 1831 in Tennessee; died 9 July 1922 in Ozark Co., MO), daughter of William > Ledford/Leadford. Have always heard in my family that she was brought up on > a plantation in Tennessee. She married Arthur Barton Peacock (born 19 June > 1830 in Randolph Co., NC; died 8 June 1900 in Ozark Co., MO). They were > married the last of December of 1852 in Hardin Co., TN by the Rev. Jessee > Wimpy (according to a Civil War pension form answered by Arthur B. peacock). > Arthur B. Peacock had two brothers that I know of: William (born ca 1825 in > NC) and Benjamin (born ca. 1837 in TN). Elizabeth had at least two > brothers: Pleasant (born ca. 1827 in TN and B. M. (born ca. 1821 in TN). > Any information would be appreciated.
I am researching the family of Elizabeth Ann Leadford/Ledford (born 1 Jan 1831 in Tennessee; died 9 July 1922 in Ozark Co., MO), daughter of William Ledford/Leadford. Have always heard in my family that she was brought up on a plantation in Tennessee. She married Arthur Barton Peacock (born 19 June 1830 in Randolph Co., NC; died 8 June 1900 in Ozark Co., MO). They were married the last of December of 1852 in Hardin Co., TN by the Rev. Jessee Wimpy (according to a Civil War pension form answered by Arthur B. peacock). Arthur B. Peacock had two brothers that I know of: William (born ca 1825 in NC) and Benjamin (born ca. 1837 in TN). Elizabeth had at least two brothers: Pleasant (born ca. 1827 in TN and B. M. (born ca. 1821 in TN). Any information would be appreciated.
Sorry if I sounded upset but for every message I forward to the lists that were missent, I get 5+ replies for it. It makes me want to stop forwarding missent messages all together. I don't have to forward them to the list but I figure some of the subscribers would like to see them. It's my good deed when I forward a message! I guess some people get so excited they just have to hit the reply button. :-) Jerry W. Murphy jwmurphy@netease.net Listowner: ALFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNHARDIN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNWAYNE-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: COCHRAN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: PATTERSON-L@rootsweb.com Wayne County, Tennessee Web Page: http://www.netease.net/wayne Wayne County Computer Club: http://www.netease.net/waccc
Read the original message again. I am not offering to do lookups. It was moec@usa.net offering to do lookups! Jerry W. Murphy jwmurphy@netease.net Listowner: ALFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNHARDIN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNWAYNE-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: COCHRAN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: PATTERSON-L@rootsweb.com Wayne County, Tennessee Web Page: http://www.netease.net/wayne Wayne County Computer Club: http://www.netease.net/waccc -----Original Message----- From: Lynda Breeding <lynbreed@myriad.net> To: Jerry W. Murphy <jwmurphy@netease.net>; TNHARDIN-L@rootsweb.com <TNHARDIN-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, July 22, 1998 6:55 PM Subject: Re: [TNHARDIN-L] Fw: 1887 Hardin Co., TN History Jerry, Could you check in your book and see if there were any McCARN, QUALLS, MAJORS for starters. Thanks Lynda
Read the message again! It was not me offering to do lookups. It was moec@usa.net offering to do them! Jerry W. Murphy jwmurphy@netease.net Listowner: ALFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNHARDIN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNWAYNE-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: COCHRAN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: PATTERSON-L@rootsweb.com Wayne County, Tennessee Web Page: http://www.netease.net/wayne Wayne County Computer Club: http://www.netease.net/waccc -----Original Message----- From: SARAH SUE SWINDELL <sss1942@yahoo.com> To: Jerry W. Murphy <jwmurphy@netease.net> Date: Wednesday, July 22, 1998 5:18 PM Subject: Re: [TNHARDIN-L] Fw: 1887 Hardin Co., TN History > >Dear Jerry, > >Please check to see if there are any Roaches, specifically William >Buck Roach. Thank you, >Sarah Roach > > > >---"Jerry W. Murphy" <jwmurphy@netease.net> wrote: >> >> Reply to moec@usa.net, not me. This message was sent to the wrong >address >> and I am simply forwarding it to the list for all to see. >> >> Jerry W. Murphy >> jwmurphy@netease.net >> Listowner: ALFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com >> Listowner: TNHARDIN-L@rootsweb.com >> Listowner: TNWAYNE-L@rootsweb.com >> Listowner: COCHRAN-L@rootsweb.com >> Listowner: PATTERSON-L@rootsweb.com >> Wayne County, Tennessee Web Page: http://www.netease.net/wayne >> Wayne County Computer Club: http://www.netease.net/waccc >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Moe Cunningham <moec@usa.net> >> To: TNHARDIN-L-request@rootsweb.com <TNHARDIN-L-request@rootsweb.com> >> Date: Wednesday, July 22, 1998 9:16 AM >> Subject: 1887 Hardin Co., TN History >> >> >> >I have a document entitled "Hardin County. History of Tennessee... >> >Chicago and Nashville, The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887." It's >> >not real big, but it has lots of names and stories in it. If you >> >want a look-up, let me know. >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >____________________________________________________________________ >> >Get free e-mail and a permanent address at >http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1 >> > >> >> > >== > >What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters when compared to what lies within us (and between us). RWEMERSON > > > > > >_________________________________________________________ >DO YOU YAHOO!? >Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com >
Reply to moec@usa.net, not me. This message was sent to the wrong address and I am simply forwarding it to the list for all to see. Jerry W. Murphy jwmurphy@netease.net Listowner: ALFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNHARDIN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNWAYNE-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: COCHRAN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: PATTERSON-L@rootsweb.com Wayne County, Tennessee Web Page: http://www.netease.net/wayne Wayne County Computer Club: http://www.netease.net/waccc -----Original Message----- From: Moe Cunningham <moec@usa.net> To: TNHARDIN-L-request@rootsweb.com <TNHARDIN-L-request@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, July 22, 1998 9:16 AM Subject: 1887 Hardin Co., TN History >I have a document entitled "Hardin County. History of Tennessee... >Chicago and Nashville, The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887." It's >not real big, but it has lots of names and stories in it. If you >want a look-up, let me know. > > > > >____________________________________________________________________ >Get free e-mail and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1 >
Reply to moec@usa.net, not me. This message was sent to the wrong address and I am simply forwarding it to the list for all to see. Jerry W. Murphy jwmurphy@netease.net Listowner: ALFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNHARDIN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNWAYNE-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: COCHRAN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: PATTERSON-L@rootsweb.com Wayne County, Tennessee Web Page: http://www.netease.net/wayne Wayne County Computer Club: http://www.netease.net/waccc -----Original Message----- From: Moe Cunningham <moec@usa.net> To: TNHARDIN-L-request@rootsweb.com <TNHARDIN-L-request@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, July 22, 1998 9:12 AM Subject: CUNNINGHAM-CURTIS-BRITTON >Looking for descendants of (William?) Mack & Elizabeth (CURTIS) >CUNNINGHAM. Mack was born Aug 1867 in Hardin Co., and is >buried at the Shiloh Church Cemetery, along with his wife. He >is the son of William M. & Affie (BRITTON) Cunningham. >Mack married Elizabeth bef 1890, and by 1900, were still residing >in Hardin Co. (He, his parents & siblings had moved away during >the 1870s.) Mack & Elizabeth had four known children: Thaddis >Cunningham, b. Oct 1890; Wesley Cunningham b. Jan 1892; Edman >Cunningham, b. Feb 1893; Herbert Cunningham, b. Feb. 1899. If >you are a descendant of any of these individuals, please contact >me by e-mail or by snail mail (PO Box 1624, Tulsa, OK 74101-1624). > > > >____________________________________________________________________ >Get free e-mail and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1 >
Jerry, Could you check in your book and see if there were any McCARN, QUALLS, MAJORS for starters. Thanks Lynda
Looking for Brooks' in Hardin County - any of the ones mentioned here: "The Brooks' were well-known residents of the county [Hardin Co., TN]. It's unsure how long they had been around, but it's known that their appearance predated 1830. Bailey Sr. and Jr., Bennett, Browder, William, and Thomas were just a few of this large family. A rough and ready group, they had never shrunk from a fight." This quote from Hardin Co. [TN] History 1818-1930 by Tony Hays... _R_i_c_h_a_r_d_ rbrooksa@pacifier.com ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life.... IT GOES ON.
Reply to suefeild@jps.net. This message was sent to the wrong list address. -----Original Message----- From: Sue Feild <suefeild@jps.net> To: TNHARDIN-L-request@rootsweb.com <TNHARDIN-L-request@rootsweb.com> Date: Sunday, July 19, 1998 5:33 PM Subject: [Fwd: Returned mail: Local configuration error] >Hello I am new to the Hardin mailing list. Searching for any data on > the Hysmith/Highsmith family. Elias James HYSMITH was b. 26 Aug. 1844> >Tn., m. (1) Hercilla BARHAM (daughter of Thomas BARHAM & Martha) Dec. > 1866. Hercilla was b. c.1848 Tn., d.1876, Hardin Co., Tn. Elias and > Hercilla had 4 children; 1. William Thomas b. 3 Oct. 1867 McNairy Co. > Tn. (my g.grandfather) 2.Logan G. b. Aug. 1870, McNairy Co.Tn. 3. > Charles B. > b. 28 Oct. 1871 Tn., 4. Emily Jane b. 30 Nov.1873, Tn. m. James M. > Johnson. Elias m. (2) Elizabeth Jane Williams (widow of William Alfred > MUSSER,daughter of Robert WILLIAMS & Ann CURTIS) Elias & Elizabeth had >1 > child; Flora b. 1880 Hardin Co., Tn. > Any help on this family would be very much appreciated. > Sue Feild ---- suefeild@jps.net >
Edgar, I agree with you. Some of "Buggar Saga" doesn't appear to be exactly correct. For instance, Bert Hays got credit for killing just about everyone who was killed in the south part of Hardin County-- even some of his neighbors who were also loyal to the Confederacy. After the war, he continued to live in the same community where some of these killings took place. According to his g/granddaughter, he was bushwhacked behind the Cantrell House near where Tennessee State Highway 69 crosses Holland Creek. Someone had a grudge, probably rightly so, but, I will bet It wasn't a Rebel. I would like to hear from anyone who is interested in the, mostly unofficial, Civil War activities that occurred in and around Hardin County in the 1860's. David Edgar D. Byler, III wrote: > Recently the subject of the book "Buggar Saga" by Wade Pruitt appeared upon > the pages of these lists. While I cannot be cited as an authority on the > Civil War and "bushwacker" activities in the Wayne and Hardin County areas, > I can certainly speak my peace about the book "Buggar Saga". > > Please, researchers, don't use this book as a source. Rather use it as a > guide post to steer you toward verifiable sources. The late Maurice Pruitt > of Chattanooga, writing under the name Wade Pruitt, did not compile the > final version of the book "Buggar Saga". That was done by the late Jill K. > Garrett and the late Polly C. Warren of Columbia, TN. They took Maurice's > notes and sketches and put them into the version you read today. Maurice, > regretfully, did not live to see his "baby" in its final form and was not > able to make much needed corrections and comments to some of his "stories". > I do not fault Jill and Polly for this. They took what was available, > edited it and published it. But it would perhaps have been better had > Maurice had time to edit the final version. Better for historians and > better for genealogists. And I would certainly have felt better not being > misquoted several times in the book! > > Not everything in print is gospel! Remember that and you are already on the > road to becoming a better historian and a better genealogist > > Edgar > Edgar D. Byler, III > edby3@netease.net > Editor, Wayne County Historian > Wayne County, Tennessee, USA > Wayne County Web Page: http://www.netease.net/wayne > .
Dear Edgar: Saw your response to the listing about "Buggar Saga." I think I mentioned Dr. Pruitt to you several months ago but I didn't realize there was such a difference in the women's version of his work and his manuscript. I found a copy of the book in Florence about 10 years ago and was lucky enough to have received a copy from a very generous cousin (who bought them all up I think so no more are available). I have talked to the UNA archives several weeks ago about going there and viewing all of Dr. Pruitt's papers. I found that the archives is only open for that two days a week (Mon. and Thurs.) and only from 8-12 on Monday and I think less than that on Thurs. I was very interested in seeing this and am especially now, since you said what you did, because my line is mentioned in the book (Alexander Pruitt who married Frances Palmer). This part of the book has always seemed very vague to me and now I understand why. I am hopeful that there is more in the boxes at the archives that will shed more light on especially the Palmer connection. According to the book, the Palmers and Pruitts intermarried for generations. I know figuring out the relationships in this book is very confusing at times. You seem to know more about this than what is even in the Foreward. Do you know if there are any other records used that were not found at the archives or at Nashville?. Do you know how much is found in the TN State Library? Thank you, Sabra
Recently the subject of the book "Buggar Saga" by Wade Pruitt appeared upon the pages of these lists. While I cannot be cited as an authority on the Civil War and "bushwacker" activities in the Wayne and Hardin County areas, I can certainly speak my peace about the book "Buggar Saga". Please, researchers, don't use this book as a source. Rather use it as a guide post to steer you toward verifiable sources. The late Maurice Pruitt of Chattanooga, writing under the name Wade Pruitt, did not compile the final version of the book "Buggar Saga". That was done by the late Jill K. Garrett and the late Polly C. Warren of Columbia, TN. They took Maurice's notes and sketches and put them into the version you read today. Maurice, regretfully, did not live to see his "baby" in its final form and was not able to make much needed corrections and comments to some of his "stories". I do not fault Jill and Polly for this. They took what was available, edited it and published it. But it would perhaps have been better had Maurice had time to edit the final version. Better for historians and better for genealogists. And I would certainly have felt better not being misquoted several times in the book! Not everything in print is gospel! Remember that and you are already on the road to becoming a better historian and a better genealogist Edgar Edgar D. Byler, III edby3@netease.net Editor, Wayne County Historian Wayne County, Tennessee, USA Wayne County Web Page: http://www.netease.net/wayne .
Hi everyone! Since both Hardin and Wayne Counties have ties to Lauderdale County, Alabama I thought some of you might be interested in the following book. Jerry W. Murphy jwmurphy@netease.net Listowner: ALFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNHARDIN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: TNWAYNE-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: COCHRAN-L@rootsweb.com Listowner: PATTERSON-L@rootsweb.com Wayne County, Tennessee Web Page: http://www.netease.net/wayne Wayne County Computer Club: http://www.netease.net/waccc -----Original Message----- From: Pat M. Mahan <mahan@hiwaay.net> To: ALLAUDER-L@rootsweb.com <ALLAUDER-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, July 15, 1998 4:14 PM Subject: Lauderdale Co AL Heritage Book >Today is the 15th of July. Those of you that have written but not sent >in your family articles for this book should do so by the 31st of this >month. > >Some of you, I know, have been working on your families for years, and >others are just getting started, but everyone that has Lauderdale >County, AL ancestry has something to write about. > >Please take the time to send in an article about your families. > > >Briefly what you need to do is: > >1890 - the present - you are allowed 500 words for free [if it's more, >it'll cost 10 cents per extra word.] > >PRE 1890 - you are allowed 1000 words for free [if it's more, etc.] > >The stories should be typed, double-spaced, with a word count at the end >of the article. > >THEN: 1. List your sources i.e. personal knowledge of submitter, etc. > 2. Name and address of person who wrote/compiled the article > 3. Name and address of the person who actually submits the article >[this gets a little 'tricky' - only one submitter per article, but one >person can write/compile several, then use the husband, their parent, >cousin, etc as the submitter.] > >RE WORD COUNT: have been told that (1845-1920) would count as one word >[NO SPACES]; Any time there is a space between words, then that counts >as a word. [14 words in this sentence.] > >SNAIL MAIL TO: Lauderdale County Heritage Book Committee > P. O. BOX 421 > Florence, AL 35630-0421 > >OR: if you like, you can send to me as an attachment, and I'll see to it >that it gets to the proper person. > >Thanks, > >Pat M. Mahan >County Coordinator >Lauderdale Co ALGenWeb > > >==== ALLAUDER Mailing List ==== >Troy McCarley >mccarley@shoalsnet.com >Lauderdale County ><http://www.shoalsnet.com/~mccarley/index.html> > > > > >
Below is an article, that may tie in someone's surnames. Most of the surnames I'm searching in Lauderdale Co., AL is Sharp, Wood, Lindsey, Murphy, Milford, Lamb, Thompson, White, Hardin Co., TN is Cossey, Austin, Qualls/Quarles, Lamb, Lard, Freshour, White, Thompson, Lindsey, Rainey Wayne Co., TN is White, Thompson, Lindsey, Rainey, Freshour, Sharp, Qualls, Austin. Working in the area where Hardin Co., and Wayne Co., TN join to Lauderdale Co., AL. In the article below, Hubbard Cossey is my 3great-grandfather, son of Luke Cossey who was in Hardin Co., TN in the 1830 Census. Also, Monroe Cossey was the son of Hubbard. I haven't figured out 'which' Tom and Luke the article talks about, as there were several kids named after uncles, ect. Richard Lard was my 4great-grandfather, and his daughter Cynthia Rebecca Lard, married Augustus Austin, great-grandson of Stephen Austin who married Dorcas Pinson. This Stephen is the grandfather of the Stephen mentioned in the article. My ties in Hardin Co., TN are around the Walnut Grove and Hollands Creek area, and in the Waterloo, Wright, Gravely Springs, Bitter Branch and Lindsey Branch in Lauderdale Co., AL. Also with the lower Southwestern corner of Wayne Co., TN. My database is over 70,000 names in these and other areas. Please visit my genealogy website at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/7578 and browse my GenMaster Series. There are over 5,000+ names there from my database, and many outdated. I never seem to catch up! Debbie Cossey Wasserburger Huntsville, AL Other than correcting spelling, this article is copied as written. I guess it was written in the Tennessee Homecoming '86, as this copy of the article was given to me by a 4th cousin. __________________________________________________ Hardin Countys heritage: The Bert Hays Story by Tony Hays During the first tragic months of the Civil War, the nations attention was focused on Hardin County. The Battle of Shiloh thrust an unwanted prominence on this small, rural county. Within a couple of months, however, the nations eyes turned elsewhere as the massive armies of blue and gray moved to other killing grounds, leaving Hardin County as a tidal inlet in the ocean of war which soon flooded the country. As with most counties in the boarder states, the people of Hardin County were soon faced with a new, and certainly more horrible, form of warfare - the onslaught of the bushwhackers. The severity of the problem soon became evident to them as the armies of both sides scavenged the land taking any and everything of value. But these were soldiers; answerable to some legal authority. The danger of lawless renegades would prove to be even more real and even more bloody. The first and foremost of the guerrillas in the Hardin County area was W. Bertram Hays, a twenty-six year old cavalry captain born in Wayne County. Hays was the son of Wallace Hays, a wealthy Wayne County planter. Among his family were sisters Amanda, Abigail, Paralee, and Margaret. Berts grandfather, John Hays, came to Tennessee from North Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. Lawson, Berts brother, was eight years older than the future guerrilla; and Bert appears to be the youngest male in the family. By 1860, the Hays family had moved to Hardin County. Some sources say that Bert was a successful planter in the Mississippi area at the start of the war. But, a survey of the 1860 census of Hardin County shows Bert and his wife, Terresee E., and their children Mary M. and Leander V. living not far from Berts father, Wallace. At this same time, Lawson was serving as a deputy marshal at Savannah. Wallace had a large farm and appears to have been a prosperous farmer. By the start of the war, Wallaces household had swindled to himself, wife Lucinda, and Abigail, Margaret and Paralee. When the war began, Lawson and Bert joined a local Confederate Cavalry Regiment. He was enrolled as a private, but when the company held their election for officers Bert was selected as Captain. In the ensuing period, Bert served honorably and was singled out for a commendation for valor at Brices Crossroads. The next episode in Hays story is best told by Wade Pruitt in his book The Bugger Saga. According to Pruitt, shortly after Hays participation in the battle at Brices Crossroads... This whole company disappeared from the regiment...What happened we do not know. Whether Hays company was order on a private scout and went bad, or whether Hays led the whole company into desertion we may never know. Hays during the last year of the war was operating around Waterloo which was a twilight zone in which there were maneuvering of all kinds of spies and those skilled in espionage, the best known being Capt. S. P. Emerson, Co. B, 6th Kentucky Cavalry, C.S.A., who was one of those characters that floated about Gen. John Hunt Morgan during the war. In early 1864, Hays established his headquarters in the Cypress Creeks are of Lauderdale County, Ala. Using this as a staging ground, he launched uncounted raids into Hardin, Wayne, and Lawrence counties. Bert maintained at least superficial ties with the Confederate Army assisting Capt. Emerson, mentioned above, in breaking up a desertion ring in the Waterloo area. For the most part, however, Hays seems to have been involved in less honorable activities. The soldiers of the 2nd Regiment Tennessee Mounted Infantry at Clifton were especially troublesome to Hays. Practically in his backyard, Hays initial raids were directed against the families of these troopers. The Emerson brothers, John, Tom, and George were captured and killed about seven miles south of Savannah on the river by Hays. Samuel Martin, the commanding officer of Company B of the regiment, was killed close to his cabin under suspicious circumstances. This could have been Hays doing as well. Within a short while, Hays became one of the most notorious guerrillas operating in the Tennessee River area. A list of these renegades was forwarded to Washington and Hays name appears along with several others. Interestingly enough, three women were included on that list for passing information to the Confederate guerrillas. Lucy Lancaster of Saltillo was one of these. The people of Hardin County soon learned to dread the name of Bertram Hays. It is not known how Wallace and his family were treated in the wake of his sons activities, but certainly there must have been a great deal of hate and ostracism. Several rapes and murders were ascribed to Hays and his men. Alabamians Tom, John, and Leroy Huggins are said to have been three of Berts henchmen. The Ross family of Horse Creek had good cause to hate the Hays gang. During April of 1864, sixty-two year old Morgan Ross, who had just returned from a trip to Mississippi, was shot by two of Hays men while he struggled with Hays himself. One of the most violent exchanges, according to tradition, occurred on Hollands Creed between Hays and several Union soldiers home on leave. The Battle of Hollands Creek began when Hays and his men first stopped at the home of thirty-six year old Richard Lard. Finding no one at home, they moved on to the homeplace of Stephen Austin. Austin, 54, was crippled with rheumatism, but Hays proceeded to administer a pistol-whipping. Nancy Lard, Austins daughter who had come over to help with the cooking, slipped out a back door and alerted the people along Hollands Creek of their predicament. A number of Union soldiers, Tom and Luke Cossey among them, were home visiting and rushed to the aid of their neighbors. The Cosseys had a special reason to get Hays. Their kinsman, Monroe Cossey allegedly the son of Hubbard Cossey, had been forced to guide the guerrilla band to the Pinhook Road one night. On delivering the gang to the appointed sight, young Cossey was shot in the back by Hays as he started back home. The battle was joined. It became a running fight up and down Hollands creek that morning. One account states that ten men were killed before the shooting ended. One famous cutthroat is known to have fought on hays side in this battle. Tobe Thornton was later hanged in Savannah for the murder of a prominent businessman. Among the others said to have been killed by Bert Hays were One-Eyed Martin Hardin, Roan Porter Sr., and 55 year old John Falls. Naturally, the tales of murder grow with the telling. One story has it that Hays abused and killed a woman as her baby lay sleeping. When the child finally awoke, Hays killed it too saying, I never liked babies, anyway. The war ended and so, it seems, did Bert Hays reign of terror in Hardin County. Stories of his death are many and the true story will probably never be known. Some say the Dave Thomas, one of Hays own men, shot him during an argument. Another, and possibly more truthful story according to Wade Pruitt, is that Hays was killed while crossing the Tennessee River by a band of people he had antagonized during the war. His family stayed in Hardin County for some years after the war and appears to have remained relatively unmolested. Lawson, Berts brother, died in the late 1860s. Wallace, his father, didnt pass away until about 1880. War causes men to do things they would never have done otherwise. Some say that there is evil in all men, but it requires evil times for it to emerge. None would argue that the Civil War produced some of the worst times in history. And none would argue that to the citizens of Hardin, dealing with Captain W. Bertram Hays was a very real and frightening possibility as the War Between the States drew slowly to a close. _________________