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| Hernando de Soto |
(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 “Blowing Springs afforded Indians
natural camp” was originally published in the Oct. 7, 1971 edition of The
Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)
When DeSoto crossed the river and visited the village of
Piache in the 1540s, the area around Blowing Springs was well known to the
native Indians. Nestled between two steep hills almost hidden from view, the
crystal clear water rushes from beneath huge limestone boulders. It forms a
small stream that supplies the flat land between the hills as it journeys to
join the larger streak of Limestone Creek.
The bottoms are alive with wild fern, giving the appearance
of a giant green carpet that has been spread over the ground. The air is cool
and still between the hills, with only the occasional clatter of a woodpecker
breaking the silence.
As one bends to drink the soft, sweet water from the
springs, the sound of rushing air can be heard coming from beneath the earth’s surface.
The underground currents are like a warm breeze on a fall day.
Looking around the area, it is easy to see why the Indians
would choose Blowing Springs as a place to camp. There is plenty of fresh water
with which to cook and drink. The hills on each side formed a natural shelter
from the cold driving winds in winter. The air from the springs would help warm
the area and keep the frost melted away.
The fresh tracks of several wild animals covered the soft
round near the springs, giving evidence that man has not been the only creature
to occupy the vicinity. The well-used trails leading away into the underbrush
give one the feeling that this kind of neutral ground, the animals coming only
to quench their thirst and then moving on to give others a chance to do the
same.
As I explored the base of the hills around the springs, I
found that some who passed this way did not leave. Several graves covered by
piles off rock could be seen. This method of burial was used when someone died
while the party was on the move a good distance from the main village. The
rocks were placed over the grave to keep wild animals from digging up the
remains.
I rested awhile atop the huge limestone boulder that
sheltered Blowing Springs, and as I sat there, I wondered how many had sat in
the same place and rested before climbing the steep hill to the paths that lead
to other horizons.
(The story above was accompanied by a photo taken by
Singleton that carried the following caption: Stump is reflected in pool at
Blowing Springs.)
(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 during a late-night thunderstorm on Dec.
14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946,
served as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand,
lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964
and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from
June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled
“Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The
Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County
that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column
appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. 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.)
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