Book details historic Indian village sites in Wilcox County, Alabama

A good friend recently put me onto a great book called “Historic Indian Towns in Alabama, 1540-1838” by Amos J. Wright Jr. Published by the University of Alabama Press in 2003, this book describes nearly 400 ancient Indian sites based on information from 214 old maps and other reference documents. As you would expect, a number of old Indian sites in Wilcox County are mentioned in this book.

The first of these is a Choctaw village site called Bachcha Illi, which was also sometimes called “Bachele.” According to a 1733 map, this village was said to have been located on the east bank of the Alabama River about eight miles southwest of Camden. Noted historian Thomas M. Owen said that the name for this village meant “Dead Ridge” and that it was located at Gullette’s Bluff on the east bank of the Alabama River, just below Pursley Creek.

Another Indian site possibly located in Wilcox County was the Lower Creek village of Cusseta, which was sometimes called “Casaite.” While opinions vary widely about exactly where this village was located, one 1700 map shows this village to have been located in present-day Wilcox County on the west bank of the Alabama River near Pine Barren Creek. Other sources place this village in a wide variety of other locations, including Dallas County.

According to John R. Swanton’s 1939 “Final Report of the United States de Soto Expedition Commission,” the village of Humati was located on the west bank of the Alabama River, just north of Camden. Sources say that the famous Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto camped at Humati for one night on Oct. 7, 1540 and that it was about one day’s march from another village called Caxa. Other sources say that Humati may have possibly been located in Coosa County.

Another Indian site said to have been located in Wilcox County was a Choctaw site listed as “Old Mobiliens” on nine old maps that date back as far as 1733. Six of these maps place this site on the east bank of the Alabama River near the mouth of Pine Barren Creek in Wilcox County. Other sources say that this village was in Lowndes County or possibly near the mouth of the Cahaba River.

Last, but not least, there is the ancient Indian site of Uxapita. Swanton’s report on the De Soto expedition said that De Soto visited this village in 1540 and noted that it was located on the east bank of the Alabama River, at the mouth of Pursley Creek, in the southern portion Wilcox County. If you read this description closely, you’ll see that it closely resembles that of Bachcha Illi, mentioned above.

In the end, this 239-page book is jampacked full of information about ancient Indian villages throughout Alabama, so if you are interested in this subject, I highly recommend that you check out this book. The author notes that while his book does describe nearly 400 Indian village sites, his book doesn’t contain information about absolutely every Indian site that was within the borders of what is now Alabama. With that in mind, if you know of a Wilcox County Indian site not mentioned above, please contact me and let me know.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Aug. 5, 2020

22 YEARS AGO

AUG. 6, 1998

A Monroeville minister died early Tuesday morning from injuries sustained from a collision with a train late Sunday night.

According to Cpl. Artie Wright of the Evergreen Police Department, Thomas James Williams Jr., 33, of Rt. 2, Monroeville died in the University of South Alabama Medical Center. He was transported to Mobile early Monday.

The accident, according to Wright, occurred at approximately 9:28 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at King’s Crossing. Bells and whistles are used to warn motorists of approaching trains at this intersection.

Williams was driving a 1989 Ford Escort. The train momentum, even with emergency brakes applied, continued moving for 2,000 feet before coming to the Oil Street crossing.

Congressman Bill Dickinson

Wright said several witnesses were present at the accident and reported that Williams was driving south on Hwy 31 when he turned onto Belleville Street.

Local weather reporter Harry Ellis reported that Evergreen received .07 inches of rain on July 27, 1998, .56 inches of rain on July 28, 1.35 inches on July 29, and .04 inches on July 30. He reported a high temperature of 100 degrees on July 31 and a low of 65 on Aug. 2. He reported a total of 9.18 inches of rain during the month of July 1998.

Evergreen Mayor Lomax Cassady signed a proclamation Monday proclaiming Aug. 9-15 as National Truck Driver Appreciation Week in Evergreen.

37 YEARS AGO

AUG. 4, 1983

Local weather reporter Earl Windham reported .63 of an inch of rain in Evergreen on July 30, 1983. He reported high temperatures of 96 degrees on July 25 and July 26. He reported a low temperature of 69 on July 29.

Bill Hart of Evergreen was elected Captain of the Conecuh County Rescue Squad at their meeting Aug. 1. Other officers elected were Steve Dunn, First Lt.; Jeb Barron, Second Lt.; and Mike Kline, Secretary-Treasurer.

Congressman Bill Dickinson of Alabama’s Second Congressional District will conduct an open forum “Town Meeting” in Evergreen Aug. 9 at 10 p.m. in the Conecuh County Court House Courtroom.

Stinson’s flag flies in August: The U.S. flag of the late William Edward Stinson is flying over the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library during August.

The flag of a deceased veteran is flown each month to pay tribute to all veterans of all wars.

Stinson served as a lieutenant in the Air Force and was a pilot in the 415th B. Squadron. He received an Air Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge with one bronze cluster, two War Department War Citations and a Purple Heart.

He entered service in October 1942 and was killed in service March 1, 1942 in Vienna.

52 YEARS AGO

AUG. 1, 1968

Conecuh County has another “first” going for it now as you can see. That’s John Nielsen examining the first Sea Oats ever grown in Conecuh County… and probably the first ever grown inland. Sea Oats grow on the dunes alongside the seashore and no other place. However, the Knud Nielsen Co. planted the ones you see on their farm on the Loree Road and as you can see the plants are thriving. It’s strictly an experiment the Nielsens are conducting in relation to their business.

Spc. Francis Beasley was recently awarded the Army Commendation Medal by the Secretary of the Army for outstanding achievement in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period Jan. 6-June 20 while serving with the 9th Administration Co., 9th Infantry Division.

Spc. Beasley, who has been in Vietnam since early January, is stationed at Bear Cat base near Saigon. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Beasley of Castleberry.

Politics are expected to heat up considerably as the Aug. 13 municipal election for the City of Evergreen draws near. Thirteen candidates will have their names before the more than 1,400 eligible voters when they go to the voting machines on that date.

Five voting machines will be used at these locations: Beat 11, Box 1 and Box 2 in the Conecuh County Courthouse in the new auditorium and the grand jury room; Box 3-A and 3-B at the City Hall in the first station; Box 4 at the County Health Center.

67 YEARS AGO

AUG. 6, 1953

THE WEATHER: Last week: Evergreen Airport, high 95, low 67, rainfall .25 inches in two days.

Evergreen’s newest furniture store, City Furniture Co., will hold its grand opening tomorrow morning. The store is located in the Binion Building, recently vacated by Olen Dept. Stores, on West Front Street.

Two bales of 1953 cotton were ginned in Conecuh County on Tuesday of this week.

Over in Repton, the Repton Gin ginned a bale for Leon Jordan of Excel, which weighed 611 pounds and was sold for the premium price of 45 cents per pound.

The Evergreen Gin ginned a bale for Brown Hawkins, farmer of the Fairview community. This bale weighed 385 pounds and graded middling one inch staple. This cotton will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in Evergreen next Saturday.

L.T. Rutland observed the 50th anniversary of the date he entered the hardware business Tuesday night. Mr. Rutland entertained the owners and employees of Canterbury Hardware, Inc. at a party at his home in honor of the occasion.

The official word from the city hall, friend, is to save those pennies and nickels. Right now those parking meters that adorn the streets in the business district are just for looks. You’ll be notified when they go into effect.

The parking meters were being installed as The Courant went to press. A total of 216 meters will probably be installed shortly after you read this on East and West Front Streets, Rural Street and Court Street.

83 YEARS AGO

AUG. 5, 1937

D.L. POPE NARROWLY ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURIES IN FALL: D.L. Pope, well known L&N employee in the signal maintenance department, narrowly escaped serious injuries Tuesday when he fell from a signal post at Castleberry. It was at first thought that he was badly hurt but upon examination by physician it was found that no bones were broken or other serious injuries unless complications develop.

According to those who were with him when the accident occurred, Mr. Pope fell from a distance of 23 feet. Fortunately, he landed on the ground between the concrete base of the post and the rails. Had he struck either of these things it is believed his injuries would have been much greater than they were.

FIRST BALE GINNED TODAY: The first bale to be ginned in Evergreen and most probably the first in the county was ginned at the Evergreen Manufacturing Co., this morning by R.V. Congleton.

Old Buck’s Grave Is Marked With Stone: The grave of Philip Samuel, better known to his many white friends as ‘Old Buck,’ is now marked with a suitable tombstone. This was recently accomplished largely through the efforts of C.N. Stallworth and J.T. Gaillard who composed a committee to secure the funds necessary and to purchase the memorial stone. Former citizens as well as those now living here, joined in contributing to this fund, donations having been received from a large number now living in other states as well as other parts of Alabama.

The monument which was erected a few days ago, has a splendid photo of the respected old Negro on the face together with this inscription: “Philip Samuel (Old Buck) died Jan. 5, 1937. Erected by his white friends.”

It will be recalled that ‘Old Buck’ was buried on the spot where his little cabin stood in the Evergreen cemetery and where he had lived for so many years. The cabin has been removed since the old Negro died.

He was loved and respected by the white citizens of this community and his tragic death, when he was struck by a freight train here on Jan. 5, 1937, was greatly deplored. For many years, he had been a well known character upon the streets of Evergreen. He was more or less a privileged character about town, going in and out the various stores taking such little items as tobacco and other things which his simple tastes demanded whenever and wherever he wanted to. He made a practice of sweeping off the sidewalks in front of stores and sweeping out some of the stores as well as doing other little errands.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Aug. 5, 2020

30 YEARS AGO

AUG. 2, 1990

The Paul Volunteer Fire Department will hold their annual Hunters Jamboree on Sat., Sept. 1, at Thomas Station in Paul. Events will start at 10 a.m. and will last until.

Last year’s Jamboree was a big success and this year’s will be even better. The main event will be a skeet shoot and turkey shoots will also be held during the day. Entertainment for the whole family will be provided.

A drawing for a Browning automatic rifle will also be held during the day.

Rocky Maxwell of Brewton won first place for his deer mount called Harmony at the National Taxidermy Association Convention and competition held recently in Biloxi, Miss.

Maxwell’s achievements in taxidermy competition will be of interest to residents of Evergreen. He has worked in the Evergreen area for over eight years as an employee of South Central Bell.

45 YEARS AGO

AUG. 7, 1975

The Rev. Zedoe Baxter, minister of the Evergreen United Methodist Church, got a nice surprise Monday night when the players in the Evergreen Softball League presented him the plaque he is holding. Willie Crutchfield did the presenting and the inscription on the plaque said ‘Presented to E. Zedoe Baxter for your service and dedication to the Evergreen Softball League, 1975.’ Those trophies in front of Brother Baxter are to be presented to the teams who earn them at the end of the season. First place trophy was donated by The Nannette Shop; second place by White’s (Claude and Sue Jernigan); third place by Salter’s Furniture, TV and Appliance Center; fourth place by Lomax Cassady, Standard Oil Distributor and the League Championship Trophy by The Conecuh County Bank.

Coach Patten Brown announces that all boys planning to play junior football at Castleberry be practice on Tues., Aug. 12 at 3:30 p.m. This group will include all seventh, eighth and ninth graders who are not playing Pee Wee football.

60 YEARS AGO

AUG. 4, 1960

The Evergreen Quarterback Club will meet Tues., Aug. 9, at the recreation center, according to John Law Robinson, president.

Old and prospective members are expected to attend. Important business is to be discussed.

Snooky Turk, Margaret Hagood, Carolyn Bowers and Ronnie Riley are spending a week at Piney Woods Twirling Camp at Cairo, Ga.

90 YEARS AGO

AUG. 7, 1930

Miniature Golf Course Named ‘Jeff-Led Links’: As a result of the contest to secure a desirable name for the miniature golf course recently opened here, the name “Jeff-Led Links” was selected by the judges from among those submitted. Miss Nodie Gantt suggested the name that was selected and will be awarded a month’s pass to the course. Mrs. Eva Lockwood of St. Augustine, Fla., Mrs. Kerty Dunnan of Monroeville and Mrs. Robert Jones were the judges in the contest.

The management of the course is making preparations to stage a golf tournament to decide who are Evergreen’s best miniature golf players. The qualifying rounds will be played Thursday and continue through Thursday of next week. Everyone is privileged to enter and a record of all scores will be kept. For the lowest qualifying score for the week there will be a prize for both the ladies and men. Intentions of qualifying must be made before the player’s qualifying round is played. The entrance fee will be 50 cents for each entrant. There will be a grand prize each for the lady and the man and also a prize to the one making the best score in each flight.

Old newspaper excerpts from The Monroe Journal newspaper of Monroe County, Alabama

Aircraft carrier USS Constellation

15 YEARS AGO

AUG. 4, 2005

150^th anniversary: The Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, part of the Alabama Baptist Convention, recently recognized Pleasant Hill Baptist Church during its 150^th anniversary celebration on July 3. Standing with a special plaque to mark the church’s 150^th birthday are church members Grace Lambert and Mattie Lou Stacey and Pastor Randy Davis. According to church documents, the church was originally called Polar Bridge Baptist Church and was located in the Manistee community, about five miles from the church’s current location at the intersection of Shiloh Road and Bear Creek Road, west of Frisco City. The church moved to its current location in 1925, the same year that it changed its name to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Davis quits: Monroe County High School head football coach Arthur Davis has resigned.

Davis, who took over the helm in the spring of 2001, submitted his resignation to the Monroe County Board of Education last week.

Davis enjoyed his best success in the 2003 season when he guided the Tigers through a 7-3 season finish and to the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs. Last season, the Tigers moved up to Class 5A and finished 2-8 with 25 seniors on the roster.

Big snake: City of Monroeville employees Robert C. Cunningham and Harold Richardson display the remains of a 6-1/2 foot-long rattlesnake last Thursday in Monroeville. City workers ran over the snake with a mulching mower last Thursday on Tucker Drive in Monroeville’s Clausell community.

40 YEARS AGO

AUG. 7, 1980

Melton joins Navy exercise: Navy Airman Apprentice Charles P. Melton, son of Charles E. Melton of Excel, recently participated in exercise “Multiplex 1-80” in the Indian Ocean.

He is a crew member aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation, homeported in San Diego.

Melton joined the Navy in November 1977.

Defeated at state: The Monroeville Little League all-stars lost in the first round of the state tournament in Huntsville Tuesday night, dropping an 8-2 contest to Gadsden’s all-stars. This eliminated the Monroeville team from the tournament. The team and its coaches departed for the tournament Monday morning after hearing congratulations and best wishes from Monroeville Mayor B.C. Hornady. They won the district championship last week by beating Andalusia twice.

Downtown group forms: Monroeville revitalization committee members decided to form a Downtown Merchants Association in a called meeting at the LaSalle Restaurant Wednesday morning of last week.

Bob Burns, chairman of the organizational committee, said the group had obtained a list of all property owners and stores downtown and will contact each of them by letter, inviting them to join the association.

Hiring a firm or company to help manage and plan coordination among down businesses was discussed. “It’s going to take someone either full-time or part-time to keep the association going,” Burns said.

Committee members attending the meeting were Burns, Raymond Owens, Norman Barnett, Nick Black, Glen Gladwell and Brent Metts.

65 YEARS AGO

AUG. 4, 1955

Four of Monroe’s loveliest residents were contestants for the title of “Maid of Cotton” for 1955 at the annual Farm Meeting at Vanity Fair Park last Wednesday afternoon. They are Miss Martha Black of Beatrice; the winner, Miss Lillo Walker of Frisco City; Miss Patricia Hines of McWilliams and Miss Boyce Green of Uriah.

Frisco City VFW Erects Fatality Crosses In County: Members of the Norris-Ikner Post No. 5624, Veterans of Foreign Wars, at Frisco City completed the erecting of fatality crosses in Monroe County today. Vernon Hanks, publicity officer of the Post, reported the crosses were put up this year to mark the places where fatalities or fatal accidents occurred in 1954.

The detail to erect the crosses were Post Commander Lonnie Manning, Vernon Hanks and C.E. Sheffield. Highway Patrolmen Angus Whitley and M. Porter, pinpointed the location of the accidents.

Crosses were erected to remind travelers to drive carefully.

Countywide Tennis Tournament Slated: A countywide tennis tournament has been scheduled to open in Monroeville, Aug. 8, according to Coach LaVaughn Hanks. All who wish to enter the tournament should contact Coach Hanks or Assistant Coach Hubert Finlayson.

Courts at the park were being resurfaced this week and new lighting systems have been installed.

The tournament will probably continue through two weeks, Coach Hanks said.

115 YEARS AGO

AUG. 3, 1905

Mrs. Minnie L. Felder died at her home in Claiborne, Ala., July 14, 1905, after an illness of several weeks and was buried at McConnico Cemetery. Mrs. Felder was the only daughter of Mr. N.C. Thames. She was born in Claiborne July 7, 1872. She leaves a mother, father and three children to mourn her loss.

Cases Tried in Court: The following cases have been disposed of in the Circuit Court since the report printed last week: The State v. Wes Raines, charged with murder, sentenced to five years in penitentiary; State v. Sam Mixon, arson, 10 years in the penitentiary; State v. Ben George, murder, five years in penitentiary; State v. W.B. Kemp, murder, jury verdict of not guilty; State v. Nick Stallworth, disturbing religious worship, fined $25; State v. George Rigby, murder, 30 years in penitentiary; State v. Garland Randalson, murder, one year at hard labor, $500 fine; Brooks King, murder, 35 years in penitentiary; Sam Smith and Ben Smith, murder, verdict of not guilty; Edmund English, murder, verdict of not guilty.

Dr. Russell A. Smith has been appointed Tax Commissioner for Monroe County, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Yarbrough.

MANISTEE: The protracted meeting at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church near this place will commence on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in August. Each male member is especially requested to meet on that day if possible. There will be a cleaning up of the graveyard and around the church on Thursday, the 24^th day of August. Everybody is requested to turn out and lend a helping hand.

140 YEARS AGO

AUG. 2, 1880

When Hancock and English are elected, Capt. Jno. Quill, the most accomplished steamboatman on the Alabama, says he intends to give a grand and glorious picnic on his excellent steamer, the Mary. He intends to invite every prominent speaker in Alabama, and give a dinner the gods could enjoy. The patriotic captain is quite sure of the celebration of the “soldier statesman” and feels sure he will give the picnic and excursion after November next. So mote it be.

Our estimable friend, Capt. H. Clay King, first clerk of the steamer Mary, is rusticating near Gosport, his old home. He will return to his “labor of love” when the Mary resumes her place on the river.

The new Maggie F. Burke was to make her first trip last week.

Maiben’s Landing: We learn that Capt. Robt. Maiben, of the Landing, is going north to spend the summer.

Very Nearly a Fatal Accident – The careless handling of firearms has resulted in so many accidents that one might be led to believe people would become more careful after a while. Not so, however.

Mr. Orlanda Hudson, a young man 17 or 18 years old, residing near Monroeville, while handling a pistol, which he did not think was loaded, accidentally discharged its load, the ball striking his mother, who happened to be in the room, in the mouth, ranging downwards and coming out near the shoulder blade. Fortunately, the wound is not a serious one; but this should be a lesson to young men to handle firearms, if at all, not carelessly.

Eli McMorn and the Strange Case of Kill Devil Hill – Part Seven

Lightning flashed, and thunder boomed outside as I continued my interview with Tommy Lawson at the Haines Island mental institution. Lawson, the lone survivor of a mysterious 1988 Halloween incident that left five teens dead, was seated across the table from me. I gave him a few seconds before pressing him with more questions.

“About how long had your group been at Kill Devil Hill before Jimmy Creason’s sister set up the Ouija board?” I asked.

Lawson sniffed and shifted in his metal folding chair. “We’d been there a couple of hours. They’d set up their tents and started a campfire.”

Lawson paused for a few seconds. “Kara. That was her name. Jimmy’s sister. She’d already had a couple of beers before she brought the board out. It folded into fourths, instead of in half like a checkerboard. She had it stuffed in her backpack with those beers.”

Another smile cracked across Lawson’s acne-scarred face. It struck me odd that he had fond memories of a night that ended with five dead teenagers.

“What else do you remember about Kara?”

“She was pretty. Her nose was big, but she had long, black hair. She was an outcast at school, into pagan, wicca stuff. It’s no surprise that she would bring out a Ouija board.”

“What did you think about it?”

“To me, it was a big joke, kids just goofing around.” Lawson paused for another few seconds. “You know, Kara had a lot to do with why we were even there in the first place.”

“Why is that?”

“We all went to high school at Claiborne, so I’d seen her at school before. She was a couple of grades behind me. When her brother asked me to take them to Kill Devil Hill, and I heard his sister was going, I wasn’t about to say no.”

I pulled a manilla folder out of the leather bag at my feet. I set the folder on the table, flipped it open and scanned my copy of the original Sheriff’s department report on the incident.

“The other three people there were Cathy Merriweather, Meghan Caldwell and Brooks Paget,” I said.

“That’s right,” Lawson said. “Brooks and Meghan were boyfriend-girlfriend, and Jimmy liked Cathy. All five of them were friends. I was the outsider.”

“They weren’t just friends,” I said. “Two of the girls – Meghan and Cathy – were related, right?”

“They might have been cousins or something,” Lawson said. “I don’t remember. That was a long time ago.”

“Brooks was the football player?” I prodded, already knowing the answer.

“That’s right,” Lawson said. “If memory serves, Halloween fell on the Monday night right after the end of football season. Claiborne lost at home to Escambia County in overtime. I didn’t attend.”

“What happened after Kara set up the Ouija board?”

“We started playing around with it,” Lawson said. “You know, like you see in the movies. I thought it was a bunch of crap. You know those things used to be sold to little kids all over the country by toy companies?”

I nodded. “When did you know something wasn’t right?”

Lawson seemed hesitant to say more. “The first odd thing that I noticed was that the night sounds had gone quiet,” he said. “The few birds and insects that you hear that time of year went totally quiet. It was also a clear night, but when I looked up from the Ouija board, I couldn’t see any stars. I initially thought that the light from the campfire had screwed up my night vision.”

“What next?’

“We were sitting there with our fingertips on the plastic thing that moves around the board,” he said. “When I looked down from the sky, I looked across the board at Brooks and saw something I couldn’t explain.”

“What was that?”

“His head was missing,” Lawson said. “Where it should have been, there was nothing but a bloody stump.”

(All rights reserved. This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.)

Singleton writes about the effect of the 'Dog Star' on nature and mankind

(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 “Sirius, the Dog Star, will ride tomorrow’s skies” was originally published in the July 27, 1995 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

On Friday, the 28^th of July, Sirius the Dog Star will make its debut once again in the heavens above us. With its appearance between our earth and the sun, many strange happenings will begin to take form.

There are those who do not believe that the little-known star has any effect within our solar system and our earth and on the lives of those of us who live here. But history records many unusual happenings that have altered world events during the months of July, August and early September.

The 40 days of Sirius’ reign played an important part in the lives of the early Indian. This was a time of change in their living habits, as the hot, summer months began to give way for the coming seasons of fall and winter. The time was at hand when their carefree living had to be put aside and plans would begin for movement into winter quarters. Their nomadic wanderings would cease along the rivers and streams, and work would begin on the brush and mud huts that would protect them from the cold, icy winds from the north. And once again the ancient tales of the mystery devil star would be heard around the evening camp fires.

According to legends told and retold for many hundreds of years, the fish in the rivers and streams are slow about biting during this time of year. The ears of the yellow corn become too hard to boil in the pots for eating. The deadly rattlesnakes are said to become blind during this period of the reign of the Dog Star. A thin skin is said to form over their eyes for about 40 or so days. The blindness makes them to strike out at any movement or sound.

These legends go on to tell that dogs, wolves and foxes tend to go mad during this period when the star Sirius appears in the heavens. Truly, this is a time of uncertainty and a time of change. Great care has to be taken to keep them from getting hurt. Wounds are slow to heal and infection is more likely to appear in a wound during the 40 days of the reign of Sirius.

The lightning that dances across the heavens seems more severe and does more damage during this time. While the thunder, as it rolls across the heavens, seems louder and heavier while the devil star appears. The belief of the early Indian was that the gods had become angry, and during this time, they would deal out punishment to those who had disobeyed them.

This was a time, too, when sickness among the tribes was at its worst. Fever and disease took its toll among the elderly and the very young. Death stalked the lodges of the tribes during this time of mystery.

Much care had to be taken in the selection of water that was used by the tribes. All drinking water had to be taken from only the purest of the springs. Water from the mineral springs was much sought after. Carriers were known to travel many miles to gather drinking water for the sick and feverish members of the tribes.

Many times, those who were able would travel great distances and camp around the few mineral springs found in the area. These people would continue to camp and drink the healing waters until the mysterious devil star appeared from the heavens. Then they would return to their villages to be part of the celebration, when the gathering of crops and hunting and fishing would begin once again. The foods would be stored and dried for the coming chills of winter approaching on the distant horizons.

Sirius, the Dog Star, has done much to influence the lives of early man. From the time of the Egyptians and the Romans, and even before that, much heed was paid to those days when this star of mystery made its way across the heavens.

Many thought that this was the ideal time for war, if a war was inevitable. Many of the warlords of long ago believed that man became more like a savage animal and would fight harder and endure more pain during the passage of Sirius, the devil star.

There were those who believed that the spirits of those who had been slain during these times of battle would follow the trail of the Dog Star into the land of darkness. Their spirits would forever return from this land beyond the stars to stalk their camp fires and haunt their nights of sleep and rest.

Today, in our world of make believe and fantasy, we give little or no thought to the legends of yesterday and those from beyond the past. Many of us will go through these dog days, when Sirius roams at will across the heavens, and never realize the importance this 40 days has had on history. We may never know how much many has been influenced by the passing of this star across our universe. And, there are many among us who will never give the passing of Sirius a second thought, even though their lives are affected by it.

I will be the first to admit that we live in a space-age society. We profess to be smart. But there are certain things that we should tell our children and pass on to their children’s children. We must become more enlightened about our surroundings and the happenings of our universe. If we are not careful, we, too, will go the ways of the Egyptians and the Romans. And, sometimes in the future years, when Sirius, the Dog Star, returns, our beloved land as we know it will have faded into oblivion.

So, tomorrow (Friday), with the break of dawn, the mockingbirds will cease to sing until that time around Sept. 5 when the devil star gives up its place in the heavens above us. The tempers of we humans will tend to be a mite short during the 40-day journey of Sirius across the heavens. Our patience will grow thin with our neighbors and our friends as this strange and unknown force affects our lives. Our hospitals will become more crowded with the sick and injured. It is said that death from suicide will become more frequent during the passage of Sirius.

Let’s not forget, man occupies only a very small part in this place we call the universe. However smart we think we are, our knowledge ceases to exist just a short, short distance above this planet we call earth. A thousand years is no more than a flick of any eye when compared to the nine light years that it takes for the light of Sirius just to reach our planet earth.

We should always remember that a good knowledge of the past will much better enable us to solve the problems that ride the winds of the future. So, as dawn breaks on the tomorrow, Sirius will have returned again to its place in the heavens for the reign of mystery of 40 days.

(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 to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, 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 paratrooper 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. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. 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.)

Singleton writes about the effect of the 'Dog Star' on nature and mankind

(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 “Dog star season upon us” was originally published in the July 25, 1996 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

As the dawn breaks across the heavens on Sunday morning, the 28^th day of July, the reign of Sirius, the Dog Star, will begin. For a total of 40 days, many events may happen that we, as a society, have come to giving little or no thought about. In our society of fairyland and make believe, we have forgotten almost all of the old folks’ tales that were handed down through the past generations while they sat wide-eyed around the evening fires, listening to the tales and legends passed down to them by the older members of the families.

On this certain day in July, the Dog Star will take its place between our earth and the sun for a period of 40 days. Many of the events that we take for granted will change or disappear from the skies above us. Many happenings in our everyday lives will change or make a turn around during this period of time. With our lives and entertainment centered around the bloob tub, we might travel through this period and not be aware anything has changed or taken place.

For example, should it rain on the first day of Dog Days, the legends states that it will rain for the remaining 40 days. If it should be dry on that first day, then the countryside will suffer a 40-day drought. Another legend is that all snakes go blind during this period. Being unable to see and search for food, this causes them to become short tempered and hungry. They will strike blindly at the slightest sound or movement, causing the risk of getting snake bit much greater to those who wander in the thick underbrush or tall weeds.

Another story is that milk cows give less milk during this time period. Hogs and cattle, dogs and various other animals that are born during Dog Days is less likely to survive than those that are born at other times during the year. It is said that dogs are more likely to go mad or grow vicious during the reign of Sirius. Among the humans, our tempers tend to grow shorter and less patience is shown to those who cross us. Cuts and bruises are slower to heal during this time, our bodies seem to lose much of its resistance, and we become weaker during the passing of this evil star. Infection and fever blisters are said to be more common during this time as the devil star makes its journey across the heavens. An early Indian legend has it that the cool fresh drinking water found in the fresh water springs along the hillsides is less pure during the time when Sirius is on the prowl.

The early Indians paid a lot of attention to the coming of the Dog Star. If all possible, much of the crops that could be harvested were gathered and brought out of the fields before the arrival of Sirius. If, during the 40 days, the weather was wet and rainy, legend has it that the thunder was more severe and the lightning that flashed across the darkened skies were more likely to strike the earth and cause damage to the villages along the rivers and streams. The medicine men or the wind walkers of the tribes watched the heavens closely during this time so they could warn their people of the dangers to come. They also believed that the spirits of the departed were more apt to wander on the winds of the evening during the reign of the devil star. And, as the members of the tribes gathered around the evening fires, prayers were raised to the Great Spirit to ward off the curse of the devil star. This 40-day period was truly a time of mystery for the early Indian who roamed the hills and flatlands of our area. Much of their life was based around this period of the year and the signs that they looked for as the Dog Star made its way across the heavens.

Much of their religion was focused around this star that roamed at will between the earth and the sun. They watched the heavens and they watched the rivers, knowing that the mystery star would have great effect on their search for food in the deep waters of the great rivers. Living off the land as they did, all signs of the heavens were very important to their every day living.

Today, in our modern lifestyles, we hear very little about the mystery signs and goings on within our universe. We pay little or no attention if it rains for 40 days, or if it stays dry for this same period of time that starts in July and ends in September. We pay little or no attention to the heavens on a clear night during the month of August when the full moon hangs high in the heavens. If it does not appear on our television sets, most times we know nothing of the happenings above us. Once in a great while one might find a calendar that shows the start of the period of Dog Days. There was a time when much of the life of the local country folks was based on the signs of the heavens and what the Almanac had to say about the planting and growing of crops.

Much was also done in regards to the signs of the moon. No farmer in their right mind would begin to plant his crops if the signs were not right. From planting corn to killing hogs bordered on the signs of the moon. And, even though the coming of the Dog Star was much surrounded in mystery, many of the older citizens of the farm communities, kept an eye toward the heavens, hoping to know in advance what was about happen next.

I don’t profess to be smart, but as I wander around the countryside and talk to the younger generation of our society about certain happenings and signs in the skies above to look for. I see total disinterest. Very few care whether it rains for 40 days unless it interferes with a trip to the beach or some local event of entertainment. Not one of our youth of today know how to search for food that they can eat in the deep forests of our area or along the banks of our rivers. I am not a fatalist by no means, but it frightens me to know that our youth of today know totally nothing about how to survive if worst comes to worst.

In writing this article, I do not intend to preach my readers a sermon. But, I do believe that we, as creatures of this universe, should strive to learn all we can about this world that we live in and the heavens above it. If we disregard the signs that have been placed here for use to see and abide by, we are doomed to roam forever in a world that has no meaning. But if we try to understand that which is around, our lives will be richer and many facts of the unknowns will come to life and even be helpful in our journey through time and distance.

As July 28 has come and gone take time to look and learn all you can about that devil star and the effect its journey across the heavens has on man and his surroundings.

Don’t be afraid to seek out a high hill on a night of the full moon and watch the heavens. It will surprise you what you will be witness to.

Let us not journey through this life without learning as much as we can about this universe – this universe we call home.

(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 to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, 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 paratrooper 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. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. 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.)