Where exactly was the old Wolf Trail from early Alabama history?

Way back in early November, local history buff Bill Hart stopped by The Courant office to show me a copy of a new book called “The Old Federal Road in Alabama: An Illustrated Guide” by Kathryn H. Braund, Gregory A. Waselkov and Raven M. Christopher. Published last year in conjunction with the 200^th anniversary of Alabama statehood, this 164-page book is billed as a “concise illustrated guidebook” to the Old Federal Road, which in large part makes up the border between Conecuh and Monroe counties.

I finally got my hands on a copy of this book last Thursday and while flipping through the index, I noticed an entry for the “Wolf Trail.” I’ve always been interested in reading about these old Indian trails, and the old Wolf Trail is said to have passed right through Conecuh County. This old trail was actually mentioned by name as far back as June 1799 by U.S. Indian Agent Benjamin Hawkins, who made a note of it in his journals.

According to “The Old Federal Road in Alabama,” the Wolf Trail was a major path to Pensacola that Hawkins passed three minutes below Burnt Corn Spring. With that said, most sources agree that it ran through Conecuh County on its way from the Montgomery area to Pensacola. However, not all sources agree which leads one to wonder where exactly this path was located.

The writings of Conecuh County historian B.F. Riley said that this “famous” Indian trail ran from Claiborne on the Alabama River through Belleville to the Chattahoochee River on the Alabama-Georgia line. Other sources say that this trail follows the route of present-day U.S. Highway 29, which will carry you from Brewton to Pensacola.

Many sources note that the Wolf Path was heavily used by Creek Indians, who would travel to Pensacola to trade with Spaniards, who were in charge of Florida until 1821. Probably the most significant thing to happen along this path in the past 250 years was the Battle of Burnt Corn Creek,” which kicked off the Creek Indian War. During this attack, soldiers ambushed Indians on the path as they made their way back from Pensacola.

According to an Alabama Highway Department report titled, “Indian Trails to Interstates: The Story of Alabama’s Road System” by Don Dodd and Gary Reeves, the Wolf Trail was also known as the Great Pensacola Trading Path and served as a “Creek horse path between the Alabama towns in the central part of the state and Pensacola in Florida. The railroad from Montgomery to Pensacola later retraced the old Wolf Trail, on which the Battle of Burnt Corn was fought.”

Last, but not least, another source, “Alabama Encyclopedia, Vol. 1: Book of Facts” says that the “Burnt Corn Fight, which marked the beginning of the Creek War, 1813-14, [took place] near the county line at the crossing of Burnt Corn Creek and Pensacola Trail, which was also known as Wolf Path and was a great trading path used by the Indians, Creeks, English and Spaniards long before the Revolutionary period.” This source also notes that there’s a large “absence of aboriginal remains” in Conecuh County and that the “only Indian town known to have existed within its limits seems to have been a village on Old Town Creek.”

In the end, I’d like to hear from anyone in the reading audience with more information about the Wolf Trail or any other Indian trails in Southwest Alabama. Also, if anyone out there has ever seen a reliable map of the old Wolf Trail, please let me know. It would be nice to lay to rest this minor local mystery by settling the question once and for all.

Both Super Bowl rosters have ties to Alabama college football programs

The NFL wrapped up its conference championship games on Sunday with the Kansas City Chiefs beating the Tennessee Titans and the San Francisco 49ers beating the Green Bay Packers. Kansas City and San Francisco will meet in Super Bowl LIV (that’s 54 for us non-Romans), which will be played on Feb. 2 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. As of Monday, Kansas City was a one-point favorite.

When I got to the office on Monday morning, Butch asked me if either team had any former Alabama players on their rosters. Butch is like me: If my favorite team (the Saints) doesn’t make the Super Bowl, I tend to pull for the team with the most Alabama ties. When I looked into it on Monday morning, I learned that both teams have ties to the state of Alabama.

Kansas City’s official roster includes former Alabama defensive standout Reggie Ragland, who plays linebacker for the Chiefs. The 6-foot-2, 252-pound defender wears the No. 59 jersey. Ragland, who went to Bob Jones High School in Madison, helped lead Alabama to national championships in 2012 and 2015.

Kansas City’s practice squad also includes former Alabama player Gehrig Dieter, who plays wide receiver for the Chiefs. Dieter is 6-foot-3 and tips the scales at 207 pounds. Dieter played one season at Alabama (2016) after a two-year stint at Bowling Green and finished that season with 15 catches for 214 yards and four touchdowns.

Kansas City’s practice squad also includes former Auburn defender Devaroe Lawrence, who now plays defensive tackle for the Chiefs. Lawrence is 6-foot-2 and weighs 295 pounds. Lawrence played three seasons at Auburn, finishing with 45 total tackles in 28 games played.

Kansas City’s active roster also features wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who played his final season of college ball at the University of West Alabama in Livingston. Hill is 5-foot-10 and weighs 185 pounds. Nicknamed “Cheetah,” Hill has been to the Pro Bowl four times in his NFL career.

On the other side of the coin, San Francisco has no former Alabama players on its roster, but there are two former Auburn players on their team, Dee Ford and Shon Coleman.

Ford, who wears jersey No. 55, plays on San Francisco’s defensive line. He’s 6-foot-2 and weighs 252 pounds. Ford went to St. Clair County High School in Odenville, then went to Auburn, where he was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2013.

Coleman is on San Francisco’s reserved-injured roster and is listed as a 6-foot-5, 310-pound tackle. Coleman was born in Memphis, Tenn. and played his high school ball in Olive Branch, Miss. Like Ford, Coleman was also an All-SEC selection while at Auburn.

The Super Bowl is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. and will be televised on FOX. Many people watch the Super Bowl just to see the commercials, and a 30-second commercial during this year’s Super Bowl will only cost $5.6 million. Also of note, the halftime show will be headlined by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.

Many in Wilcox County are likely descended from the 102 original Mayflower passengers

Signing of the Mayflower Compact in 1620.

The year 2020 marks the 400^th anniversary of the Mayflower’s arrival with the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. This important anniversary has generated much interest in the Alabama Mayflower Society, a lineage society for the descendants of the 102 original Mayflower passengers.

According to Kevin Sellew, the Lt. Governor of the Gulf Coast Colony of the Alabama Mayflower Society, statistically, Alabama has about 161,000 Mayflower descendants, an average of around 2,400 per county. No doubt a number of these descendants live in Wilcox County, including some who probably have no idea that they are directly descended from this historic group of colonial settlers.

Many Mayflower descendants in Southwest Alabama (including Sellew and I) are directly descended from Mayflower passenger Stephen Hopkins. Hopkins was one of the 41 signers of the historic Mayflower Compact and served as assistant to the governor of the Plymouth Colony for many years. Hopkins was also the only Mayflower passenger with previous experience in the New World, having helped settle Jamestown, Virginia after surviving a shipwreck on the island of Bermuda in 1609.

Hopkins has numerous descendants in and around Butler County, including many in Conecuh, Monroe and Wilcox counties. Many of these descendants are related to Hopkins through Margaret McPherson Baldwin, the wife of Dr. John Augustus Baldwin of Butler County; Sarah Marble Sellers, the wife of John F. McPherson of Butler County; and Elizabeth N. Cromartie, the wife of Duncan Sellers of Butler County. All of these individuals died in the 19^th Century, and if any of them are in your family tree, you are a direct descendant of Hopkins.

I say all that to say that a free family history workshop for those interested in researching the possibility that they are descended from the original 102 Mayflower passengers will be held at the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library on Wed., Jan. 29, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Susan Hatter Crowson of Mobile, who is a member of numerous lineage societies including the Jamestown Society and the Society of Mayflower Descendants, will be the guest presenter during the program.

Crowson, who is also a Hopkins descendant, has worked with over 50 Mayflower Society members to complete their society applications, and she volunteers at the Mobile Public Library Local History and Genealogy Library once a month. The upcoming workshop in Evergreen will focus on Hopkins descendants in Southwest Alabama, but the workshop will also be helpful to people researching other Mayflower family lines. Everyone attending is asked to bring their basic family lineage chart to the event.

The workshop will also address how to join the Society of Mayflower Descendants, the organizational structure of the Mayflower Society and the types of documentation and proof needed to apply for membership. In addition to the Gulf Coast Colony, there are three other colonies in Alabama, including the Capital Colony, the Tennessee Valley Colony and the Cahaba River Colony. According to Sellew, the colony “boundaries” are not absolute and members can support whatever colony they choose. For example, while Wilcox County is closer to the Capital Colony in Montgomery by driving distance, the Gulf Coast Colony has members from Greenville, Thomasville, Andalusia, Butler, Jackson and Enterprise.

The Jan. 29 workshop in Evergreen is a free program, but those planning to attend are asked to reserve a spot by contacting library historian Sherry Johnston at 251-578-2670 or canebrakesociety@yahoo.com. Attendees are asked to call ahead so that organizers can ensure that everyone has a seat and receives the appropriate number of handouts. Attendees are asked to call by Jan. 27.

In the end, I am sure that there are a number of Mayflower descendants living in Wilcox County, and the upcoming workshop presents you with a golden opportunity if you’re even remotely interested in learning more about your family history and the Mayflower Society. I know that organizers are hoping to have a nice crowd, plus you may end up meeting some distant cousins that you didn’t know you had. For more information about the society, visit www.AlabamaMayflowerSociety.com or www.GulfCoastMayflowerColony.org.

Daily Rainfall Observations from SW Alabama for Wed., Jan. 22, 2020

Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): 0.00 inches.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.00 inches.

Month to Date Rainfall:  4.30 inches.

Winter to Date Rainfall: 7.40 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 4.30 inches.

Readings taken at 0700 hours Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily in Monroe County, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.405783N Lon -87.479861W. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-6, Station Name: Frisco City 5.0 WSW.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Jan. 21, 2020

Hillcrest's band in 2016 parade.

FOUR YEARS AGO
JAN. 21, 2016

Hillcrest High School’s marching band was one of the many highlights of Monday afternoon’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in downtown Evergreen. The parade featured over 50 entries, representing local churches, civic organizations, public officials and clubs.

Evergreen city officials and members of the Evergreen-Conecuh County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday morning to welcome the new Zaxby’s restaurant to Evergreen. The new restaurant is located in the new Liberty Hill Development off Exit 96 and is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A number of public officials, civic leaders and members of the Evergreen-Conecuh County Chamber of Commerce took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning during the grand opening of the new Johnson & Son Appliance and Service business at 532 West Front St. in Evergreen.

Alumni invited to ASCC event: Alumni of Alabama Southern Community College living in Conecuh County are invited to attend the college’s 50^th Anniversary Homecoming Alumni Award Reception and other events set for tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday.

The reception for past graduates of the college, which was formerly known as Patrick Henry State Junior, will be held tomorrow at the Vanity Fair Golf & Tennis Club in Monroeville.

29 YEARS AGO

JAN. 17, 1991

Weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.15 inches of rain on Jan. 7, 0.02 inches on Jan. 8, 0.03 inches on Jan. 9, 1.48 inches on Jan. 10 and 0.10 inches on Jan. 11. He reported highs of 66 degrees on Jan. 7 and Jan. 11 and a low of 25 on Jan. 13.

Conecuh’s Stacey Sims in Montgomery all week: Conecuh County’s 1991 Young Woman of the Year, Miss Stacey Sims, has been in Montgomery all week preparing for the 34^th Annual Alabama Young Woman of the Year Program.

Stacey will perform her creative and performing arts routine at the Friday evening preliminary on Jan. 18, beginning at 7:30 p.m. She will be featured in her poise and composure and physical fitness routines on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 19, at 1:30 p.m. Final competitions will be Saturday evening, Jan. 19, at 7:30 p.m. All performances will be held at the Montgomery Civic Center.

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby will be the featured speaker at the Evergreen-Conecuh County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Promotion Membership Banquet on Friday night, Jan. 25, at seven o’clock at the Quality Inn.

President Willene Whatley and other Chamber officials are elated that one of the state’s top elected officials has agreed to address the meeting.

Conecuh County Sheriff Edwin L. Booker was administered the oath of office for his fifth term Monday afternoon by his brother, Probate Judge Rogene Booker.

54 YEARS AGO

JAN. 13, 1966

Johnson earns combat badge: Pfc. Calvin S. Johnson, whose wife, Shirley, lives on Route 2, Box 79, Evergreen, Ala., was awarded the Army’s Combat Infantryman Badge, Dec. 28, for serving in combat with the 1^st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in Vietnam.

Johnson, a 19-year-old machine-gunner, has been with the division since its arrival in South Vietnam’s central highlands last September.

Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Johnson, Range, is a 1964 graduate of Repton High School.

RESOLUTION: Whereas, the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe in his providence has removed from our fellowship from labor to refreshment our beloved and co-laborer, Brother James Aubrey (Jim) Hassell, who departed this life Nov. 22, 1965. Be it therefore resolved by Dean Lodge No. 112 F&AM in communication duly assembled:

That by Brother Hassell’s passing, Dean Lodge has lost an honored and valuable member, the state a good, upright citizen, and his family a devoted, loving husband and father;

That we extend to his bereaved loved ones our sincere sympathy in this sad hour of sore affliction, and commend them to the Infinite Father who looks down with compassion on the widow and children in their hour of desolation;

That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the permanent minutes of Dean Lodge, that a copy be sent to the family of the deceased brother, and that a copy be sent to The Evergreen Courant for publication. – Robert V. McLendon, Tom M. Kendall, J.F. Clements.

79 YEARS AGO

JAN. 16, 1941

Conecuh Will Inaugurate First Woman Probate Judge: Conecuh County will inaugurate a new probate judge Mon., Jan. 20, when Mrs. Edna N. Dunn succeeds Judge L.W. Price. This inauguration is unusual in that it marks the first time that a woman has ever filled that office in Conecuh, in fact, there is only one other county in the state which has a woman serving in that capacity, Washington County.

Mrs. Dunn states that Lloyd G. Hart, a young Evergreen attorney, will take over the duties of chief clerk at the time she is inducted into office.

ORMAN BOWER: Orman Bower, age 68, lieutenant U.S. Army, retired, died at the Veterans Hospital in Biloxi, Miss., Mon., Jan. 13, after a short illness.

Lt. Bower was born in Troy, Ala. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at an early age, and was retired several years ago with the rank of first lieutenant. During the years he spent in the army, he saw service in many lands. He was a Spanish-American War veteran, a World War I veteran, and served with the American forces sent to China to quell the Boxer Rebellion.

Besides his brother, M.V. Bower, Evergreen, with whom he had made his home for the past 12 years, he is survived by three other brothers: Tom Bower, Evergreen; Henry, Troy; St. Clair, Leesburg, Fla., and one sister, Mrs. Carrie B. Young, Montgomery.

Interment was in Magnolia Cemetery, Evergreen, with Wild Brothers in charge.

104 YEARS AGO

JAN. 13, 1916

THE CONECUH RECORD

Killed As He Holds His Baby: Castleberry - Wade Longmyer was shot and instantly killed at his home six miles from Castleberry. Willis Johnson is held for the crime. When shot Longmyer held one of his babies in his arms, the child’s leg being broken by one of the shots that killed the father.

Thermometer went down to 20 during the cold snap.

Wednesday, Jan. 10, the birthday of that celebrated soldier and model Christian gentleman, Robert E. Lee, was observed as a holiday in Alabama.

The special train bearing the Southeastern Kansas Boosters will reach Evergreen at 2:32 p.m. Jan. 25 and will stop 30 minutes. They will be met by a delegation of our businessmen.

An inmate died a few nights ago in the county bastille.

Dr. Ellison’s pulpit was filled last Sunday by Rev. O.F. Welch of Prattville, representing the superannuated preachers’ fund. At the close of his sermon, in response to an earnest appeal for offerings to this worthy cause, the sum of $58 was realized, several big-hearted laymen heading the list with liberal contributions. Such examples of Christian giving characterize the membership of each of our churches.

A former citizen of Evergreen, W.L. Carter of Eufaula, is visiting his brothers, A.R. and G.M. Carter.

129 YEARS AGO

JAN. 15, 1891

THE EVERGREEN STAR

The remains of Mr. William Holloman were interred here (Gravella) on the 23^rd of December. Reports say he was accidentally killed while performing railroad labor at some point in Florida.

Northern tourists are coming in to Evergreen by every train.

Rev. J.E. Massey of Richmond, Va., we learn, will occupy the pulpit of the Baptist church next Sunday. Mr. Massey is said to be a very able minister.

Sheriff McCreary brought William Wicks back from the coal mines Monday. Wicks has just served out a term and is brought back to answer the charge of setting fire to the jail.

We greatly sympathize with Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wilson of Brooklyn, in the loss of their only child, an infant eight months old. They brought the remains to Evergreen last Monday and interred them in Pensacola Tuesday.

There will be services in the new Baptist church at Castleberry next Sunday afternoon. The chapel is not completed yet, but it is expected that services will be held in it once a month hereafter. Any one who will pay for a window or a pew, will confer a great favor and aid in a good cause. – JNO. W. STEWART, Missionary Pastor.

Mrs. F.L. Hickox has returned from her sojourn in Connecticut. This will be gratifying news to her many Evergreen friends.

Daily Rainfall Observations from SW Alabama for Tues., Jan. 21, 2020

Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): 0.00 inches.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.00 inches.

Month to Date Rainfall:  4.30 inches.

Winter to Date Rainfall: 7.40 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 4.30 inches.

Readings taken at 0700 hours Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily in Monroe County, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.405783N Lon -87.479861W. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-6, Station Name: Frisco City 5.0 WSW.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Jan. 20, 2020

Sparta's Zane Lambert (2) goes up for a shot.

FOUR YEARS AGO

JAN. 21, 2016

Warriors win six straight: Sparta Academy’s varsity boys basketball team, ranked No. 9 in the AISA, extended their winning streak to six straight games during the past week with double digit wins over Lowndes Academy and South Montgomery County Academy.

On Tuesday of last week, Sparta’s Warriors beat Class A, Region 2 opponent, Lowndes Academy, 78-45, in Lowndesboro, and last Thursday, the Warriors downed SMCA, 72-16, in Evergreen.

(Standout players for Sparta in those games included Tanner Bledsoe, Hunter Bolton, Tyler Davis, Sean Kelly, Colton Lambert, Zane Lambert, Peyton McCraney, Davis Nix, Noah Pettis, Lanse Robbins, Ethan Tyree and Griffin Weaver.)

Jaguars remain perfect in area play: Hillcrest High School’s varsity boys basketball team had a busy week last week, playing four tough opponents in the span of five days and keeping their record perfect in area play.

The Jags began the week with a 70-59 win over 3A Area 2 opponent, Opp High School, in Evergreen. On a night when every player on the team scored, sophomore Kobe Bradley led the Jags with 15 total points.

On Saturday night, the Jags wrapped up its five-day run with an 80-70 loss to Class 5A Escambia County High School in Atmore. Bradley led the way in the loss with a team-high 28 points.

29 YEARS AGO

JAN. 17, 1991

Warrior girls win tournament: The Sparta Academy girls won the championship of the Demopolis Christmas Tournament on Dec. 21-22.

Sparta defeated Cathedral 27-18 in the first round. Pam Brown made 10 points; Kelly Booker, eight; Kimberli Griffin, five; and Kaye Salter, four.

The Warrior girls won the championship game defeating Jackson Academy 40-33. Brown had 12 points; Griffin, nine; Becky Hooks, six; Salter, six; Pam Jones, four; and Booker, three.

Pam Brown, Kimberli Griffin and Kelly Booker were named to the all-tournament team.

Warriors take first at Demopolis meet: The Sparta Academy Warriors boys won the championship in the Demopolis Christmas Tournament on Dec. 21-22.

Sparta beat Cathedral 70-53. Tim Salter had 21 points, and Steven Gall 18 to lead the Warriors. Scott Brown had eight points; Wayne Cook, seven; Richard Weaver, six; and Mark Watts, two.

Sparta beat Demopolis 75-65 to win the championship game. Salter had 20 points; Gall, 18; Watts, 14; Brown, 12; Cook, seven; and Weaver, two.

Three players were named to the all-tournament team with Salter named Most Valuable Player. Cook and Gall were named to the all-tournament team.

The Sparta Warrior boys finished in second place in the Monroe Academy Christmas Tournament on Dec. 14-15. Sparta defeated Lowndes Academy, 80-64. The Warriors lost to Demopolis in a close 62-61 defeat. Tim Salter and Mark Watts were named to the all-tournament team.

54 YEARS AGO

JAN. 13, 1966

Brent Thornley captures awards at QB Banquet: Brent Thornley, a senior and co-captain of the 1965 football team at Evergreen High School, won both top awards at the Evergreen Quarterback Club’s annual football banquet last Friday night at the EHS lunchroom.

QB President Waynard Price was master of ceremonies and recognized special guests. The invocation was given by the Rev. Frank Scott.

The featured speaker was Coach Richard Williamson of the University of Alabama. Coach Williamson made a fine talk on “the values I got, and you are getting will get from football.” He stressed three things he had learned from football that he thought would help any young man in life as well as sport: 1. You must be dedicated, determined and willing to pay the price to succeed. 2. You must get along with your teammates and learn to depend on them and be dependable to them. 3. Perhaps most important you must learn to work.

Evergreen Jaycee President Harold Ryals presented the Jaycees’ Most Outstanding Player of the Year Award to Thornley. EHS Principal Morris Ward presented the D.T. Stuart Football Sportsmanship Trophy to Thornley in behalf of the donor, Tal Stuart. Ward said: “This is the most prized trophy of all, the winner was selected by his coaches and his teammates, those who know best.”

Sat., Jan. 8, Mr. Frank Chavers took his Sunday School class to the Senior Bowl Classic. They were Jimmy Bell, Hollis Tranum, Gerald Salter, Johnny Crook and Mark Chavers, his son. It was a great experience for all.

79 YEARS AGO

JAN. 16, 1941

Evergreen High School: The basketball team played Chumuckla last Friday night, but lost by the score of 22 to 28. Well, boys, you can’t win them all. You have all to gain and nothing to lose.

The next game to be played is with Excel at our school Fri., Jan. 17. The usual admission will be charged, 10 and 15 cents. Everyone is urged to come.

104 YEARS AGO

JAN. 13, 1916

A big dove shoot was enjoyed by a number of gentlemen at Chas. Ivey’s place this week.