'Monroe County's wealth lies in its rich history'

George 'Buster' Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Monroe County’s wealth lies in its rich history,” was originally published in the Jan. 7, 1982 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Deep in the heart of the Superstition Mountains in the state of Arizona is the Lost Dutchman mine. Many tales have been told of the enormous wealth that lies beneath the surface of the earth in this little known spot.

During the days when Spain ruled the area that is now Arizona and New Mexico, it is said that the Lost Dutchman mine contributed a great percentage of the wealth to Mexico and Spain. Large quantities of pure gold were carried across the desert by mule train to the treasury of the two countries.

Believe it or not, Monroe County has a Lost Dutchman. It’s not to be found in a shaft of pure gold, as was the mine in the Superstitions of Arizona. But it is found in the rich and colorful history that abounds in this area. Our wealth in history would surprise almost all who investigate.

During the early 1800s, this area was a focal point for the many who came this way. The old cemeteries throughout the county bear witness of the many who came, only to fall by the way and sleep in one of the many unmarked graves along the trails that crisscross the county.

Should you visit one of the historical places like Claiborne, pause for a moment atop the high banks of the mighty Alabama River. Let your mind wander through the faded pages of history that have grown dim with the passing of many seasons. Try to visualize that day in October 1540 when the Spanish explorer DeSoto gathered his army for the river crossing that was to change history.

Listen for a moment and hear the fading notes of a bugle as the troops are summoned to muster at the old fort. Listen for the shouts of combat and the noise of cannon fire as another Indian attack was beat back by General Claiborne’s soldiers.

Listen still to the faint whispers of goodbye as the Indian brave and his white sweetheart make ready to end for all times the persecution that plagued their lives by the settlers around them. Hear the shouts of disappointment as the posse stood atop what came to be known as Lover’s Leap and watched the two lovers sink beneath the waters of the mighty river in their final embrace.

Watch the deserted streets and in your mind see the hustle of the many settlers, hurrying from one store to another purchasing the needed supplies for the journey westward. Continue to watch as yellow fever and smallpox epidemics sweep over the town like a giant sickle through a field of wheat.

And listen finally to the great steamboat whistles as they disappear around the bend of the river to make way for the Iron Horse and more modern times.

And as you take leave from this place of yesterday to visit other places in the county like Burnt Corn, Turn Bull, Axle, Red Hills, Old Scotland and many, many more, remember you have witnessed a portion of Monroe County’s Lost Dutchman that waits to be reclaimed with the untold gold that would be brought by tourists.

As our generation passes from the scene, so will pass the old places that are so dear to the few of us who stop and remember. Our historical riches are as man – without preservation their days are numbered. The winds of the seasons pass over them and they are gone, and places thereof shall know them no more.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)