My Parents Planned Their Funeral Expenses

Prepared by Fred McCaleb 1995

The time was long ago at about the end of the great depression and the beginning
of World War Two. My mother was in her late forties age wise and thought she was
in bad health. It seemed to me that her thoughts might be right. My daddy
seemed to be in good health, although he had a bad habit of smoking cigarettes.
Neither of our parents wanted to put the burden of a funeral on their children.
A salesman from Brown Funeral Home of Fayette, Al. came along with a great deal
on a preplanned funeral. My parents could pay so much each week for so many
years (I believe $1 a week for 10 years) and have all expenses taken care of
for the best variety of funeral ($350) available in those days. My parents
took the offer and made the payments until the policy was paid up.
In 1958 my father died of heart trouble due to continuous smoking cigarettes
during his lifetime. Brown, or its successors, gave daddy a cheap funeral. I
never did see the costs on that. My mother took care of whatever expenses she
may have had to pay from her small funds.
By 1959 momma was unable to stay home by herself. She reluctantly went home
with my youngest sister, a nurse, to her home in Atlanta. But being away from
Fayette, Al. worried my mother. She wanted to be buried in Fayette. She visited
us in Arab, Al. where I was fixing to build a garage. She asked me to build her
an apartment connected with the garage, which I did. She was closer to Fayette
so she could get a funeral just like daddy had. Nineteen Hundred sixty four
came around, and I lost my job with Thiokol as a solid rocket propellant liner
chemist.
The next job was as an ink chemist at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing,
Washington, D.C. No way would my mother go that far away. I managed to help her
get an apartment at the Fayette Housing Project. There she lived for about 7
years, then she went to Fayette Nursing Home. There she lived on and on for
about ten more years until she died in 1981 at age 87.
Momma's request was that she get a funeral just like dad's. When she died Brown
Funeral home was a thing of the long ago, long gone. Norwood Funeral home had
taken Brown's place. Others decided what kind of funeral momma would have. A
daughter and daughter in law decided it should be the best. Norwood allowed
$350 and the rest came to about $2100. Her five children shared the cost. Momma
got buried in style, but not with Brown Funeral Funds. I do not regret my part
of the cost. Momma got a better funeral than daddy. I learned not to do a
preplanned funeral arrangement as is being promoted today by the funeral home
business.
P.S. My mother came to see me in Arlington, VA. She rode a jet airliner from
Atlanta to Washington. It took about as long to get to the airport as her trip
up. She said she enjoyed the ride. Most of the rides during her life were in a
buggy when younger, and in a farm wagon after marriage. She always had
headaches when riding on the farm wagon.

From Marion County,Tracks,Vol,VI,no.1

Written by Fred McCollum

George and Sarah Tipton Hallmark,lived in the present Rock City area on Marion
County Alabama,near the Weeks cemetery.They moved there from Fayette County in
1851.The Civil war dealt their family some deathly blows.Three of their boys
had joined the U.S. army in July,1862 and the Confederate home guard was giving
their home special attention by 1863.Some time in that year the guard came by
and called George outside for a special grilling and flogging,perhaps to find
out where his son Hopwood was hiding or why his boys were in the Union
Army.George's daughter,Ann,stood in the front door,perhaps pleading ot telling
them where to go.They ordered her to get back in the house or they would shoot
her.She refused and they shot and killed her while she was standing in the
door.Her bloody hand leaned against the door,and it is said the stain was there
for a long time afterwards.Also on the floor for many years.Ann is buried in the
Weeks cemetery her marker has born 1837 died 1863 26
years old.George the father was not killed on that trip.But in 1864 they came
back and dealt George the death blow. A descendant said George killed 2 or 3 of
them while they were getting him.


Written by Fred McCaleb

Early Hallmark Farm's

Done by Fred McCaleb

1850, 1870, 1880, 1860 Agriculture Census etc
Hallmarks and their kin in Marion and Fayetee Counties,Al
Thomas HaJlImrk had 17 acres in cultivation, 303 in timber worth $300, $60 worth
of implementai, 1 mule, 1 milk cow,7 swine Total value livestock $85, grew l00
bu .com,
and slaughtered $40 worth of livestock. This was 1860 and.he lived,next house
from his daddy George Hallmark.
A U S Marshal came along on a horse and,stopped to take the Census. Thomas said
he was 30 yra old, born in Al and ,his wife Phoeby (Halcorob) said she was 29
born in
Al. and they had.kids Nancy A 7., Sarah F 5., Mary F ., David H. 2 (later called
himself
Thomas David) and they lived bv the Caddell family.
1870 Agriculture census Marion county,, Alo Sarah (Tipton) Hallmark., 10 acres
in culltivation, 30 acres in timber all worth $50., $5 farming implements, 1
milk cow., 4
sheep, 2 swine livestock all valued,$40., made 50 lb butter during the year.,
had, $20 worth homespun furniture , slaughtered $30 livestock for home use,,
total value of produce, produced,on farm $60.
The census taker found the following people at her house; Sarah (Tipton)
Hallmark age 60 keeping house born Va, Susan 29.Nancy 22., John 11, A.J."Drew"
8 , and Wm. "Will "6 All born in Al. The last 3 were her grandchildren, Hopwood
Hallmark kids,and the 2 girls were her and husband George Hallmarks children.
Her dau Ann Hallmark and, Husb. George had been killed by Home Guards during
Civil war. Thomas died at Nashville.
The William MCollum (father of Hopwood, Hallmarks lst wife Susan McCollum) farm
1850 60 acres improved land.., 100 acres wooded, value of farm $600., farming
implements $90, 6 horses, 2 mules. 6 milk cows., 2 Oxen., 12 other cows, 9
sheep, 40 pigs., value of livestock $375., grew 16 bu. wheat., 6 bu rye., 800
bu Indian corn,, 150 bu oats., 6 bales cotton, 20 lbs wool., 10 bu peas and
beans, 75 bu Irish potatoes and made 150 lb. cheese.
The William McCollum farm 1860 agricultural census Fayette Co Al. 100 acres
cultivated, 780 acres timber valued $1300., $35 worth farming implements, 4
horses, mules 4 oxen, 4 other cattle., 15 (fifteen) sheep,, 4 swine all valued
$815 grew 60 bu .wheat., 800 bu corn,, 9 bales cotton, 10 lbs wool., 10 bu peas
and beans., 50 lb butter., 3 tons hay. had $20 worth homemade household goods,
and-slaughtered livestock worth $240.
william McCollum 1870 Fayette County Agriculture census. Had 60 acres in
cultivation,, 300 acres in timber all worth $400 ,$25 worth farming
implements., 2 mules ,4 milk cows,, 1 other cow., 10 sheep., 15 swine, value of
all livestock $350, grew 60 bu winter wheat., 500 bu Indian corn, 15 bu oats, I
bale cotton, 5 lb wool., 4 bu peas and beans., 6 bu Irish potatoes, 50 bu sweet
potatoes., 100 lbs butter, 1/2 ton hay, 4 gal molasses, had $25 home mfg.
goods., slaughtered,$80 cattle for home use for a total value of $300
Living close by in the 1870 census was Harrison Eason ( a bro of our aacester
Moses) He had 75 acres in cultivation,, 560 acres woodland.valued,$800., $30
farming implements ,paid out $150 wages , had 2 mules, 3 milk cows, 6 other
cows,, 15 sheep., 20 swine all valued;$500, grew 40 bu wheat, 300 bu corn 10 bu
oats, 1 bale cotton., 10 lbs wool, 25 bu sweet potatoes., 100 lbs butter., 2 ton
bay, Home mfg goods $25., slaughtered,$80 stock,
The above shows that our ancestors were very much on their own in so far as
making
a living was concerned back in the last part of the 1800s. One had to have a
store of potatoes, dry beans and dry apples, oats., wheat., corn, molasses.,
wool with which to make clothing, etc. There was never an idle moment
especially in the summertime. Our system today (1983) is based on somebody else
producing the goods and,the Big White Father in Washington D C. handing out
money for goods for everybody whether they work or not. It will be interesting
to see if this system can survive.

Fayette County, Alabama Southern Claims Commission Records

Submitted by Fred McCaleb


ABERNATHY, Miles J.
AMERSON, Young R.
COOK, George W.
FILES, Jeremiah F.
FOWLER, William
JOHNSON, Moses
KILGORE, George
LEMONS, David J.
McCALEB, John T.
McDONALD, Alexander
SMITH, Daniel
STOVALL, Green P.

STRICKLAND, Lloyd
STUDDARD, David
STUDDARD, Samuel
TIARA, Jesse V.
TIDWELL, Peter



Background



In the years immediately following the Civil War, the U.S. Government was
besieged with claims from citizens of southern states, many of whom had been
unquestionably loyal to the Union cause during the conflict.

An act of Congress, dated 3 Mar 1871, authorized a special board of three
commissioners to be appointed by the President. These Commissioners of Claims
— known as the Southern Claims Commission — were to "receive, examine, and
consider the claims of those citizens who remained loyal adherents to the cause
and the government of the United States during the war, for stores or supplies
taken or furnished during the rebellion."

The commissioners were to satisfy themselves about the loyalty of each claimant;
certify the amount, nature and value of the property taken or furnished; and
report their judgment on each claim to the U.S. House of Representatives. That
body, in turn, would approve or disallow the claim and appropriate money for
payment.

The deadline for filing claims was set at 3 Mar 1873 and all evidence must have
been submitted prior to March 1879. In an article written for "The CLF
Newsletter" in 1976, Elizabeth Nitschke Hicks suggested that some of these
claimants may have misrepresented their true loyalties: "[Y]ou should consider
that people did what they had to to receive compensation for losses suffered
during the war. Many southerners did not consider it 'lying' to 'lie' to a
Yankee (especially a bureaucrat)." This appears to have been the case
considering that of the 22,298 claims filed, only 7,092 satisfied the rigid
tests of sworn statements and cross examination required to prove both the
sustained "Unionism" of the claimant throughout the war and the validity of the
claim.

A typical case file may contain any or all of the following types of documents:
summary reports; petitions; inventories for supplies and property for which
compensation was desired; applications to have testimony taken by a special
commissioner; testimony of the claimant and others, both favorable and adverse,
relating to the claim; vouchers; powers of attorney; correspondence; a copy of
the final report; and the certificate of settlement issued by the U.S.
Treasury.

Only 17 claims from Fayette Co., AL, were approved. Just a few notes, taken
from sometimes lengthy case files, are included here. Please refer to the
actual records for additional information. Images of these records also can be
found online at Footnote.com (subscription fee required).

Source: Southern Claims Commission, Approved Claims, 1871–1880: Alabama.
National Archives Microfilm M-2062, Rolls 9 & 10.

Find geographical lists of all Southern Claims Commission claimants here (PDF
format only)

NOTE: Several of the incidents described below occurred during Wilson's Raid, "a
cavalry operation through Alabama and Georgia in March-April 1865, late in the
American Civil War. Brigadier General James H. WILSON led his Union Army
Cavalry Corps to destroy Southern manufacturing facilities and was opposed
unsuccessfully by the smaller force under Confederate Lieutenant General Nathan
Bedford FORREST."


* * * * *



Miles J. Abernathy


Claim No: 5802
Date of Hearing: 25 Aug 1874
Place of Residence: Near Fayette Court House
Length of Residence in Fayette County: "5 years nearly"
Age: 63 years
Place of Birth: Lincoln Co., NC
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: About five miles from Resaca, Gordon
Co., GA
Remarks: "I opened my house to the Federals and my cribbs and told them to help
themselves as long as I had a pound of meat and an ear of corn. I fed and took
care of many soldiers during the year 1864 and from that time on until the
surrender."
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 15 May 1864, while claimant was
confined in prison by the Confederate authority on account of his Union
sentiments, officers and soldiers belonging to the Army of the United States
confiscated livestock, feed, foodstuffs and supplies valued at about $700. In
September 1864, they took 125 bushels of corn worth about $125. In April 1865,
they took $20 worth of fodder.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• James D. ABERNATHY, son, age 23; witnessed incident at farm
• Mary J. ABERNATHY, daughter, age 24; witnessed incident at farm
• Catherine EZELL, daughter, age "30 years nearly," resided at or near Allens
Factory, Marion Co., AL, in August 1871
• Samuel H. EZELL, son-in-law, age 24, acquainted with claimant "all my life
nearly"; lived no farther than four miles and at times no more than 400 yards
from him during war
• Mary Ann NORRIS, resident of Thorn Hill, Marion Co., AL; listed as testifier
for claim (1871)
• Elizabeth STANSELL, daughter, age 27, resided at or near Allens Factory, AL,
in August 1871
• William J. STANSELL, son-in-law, age "29 years and upwards," acquainted with
claimant for 15 years
• Solomon HOYLE, William JONES, D.F. LUTES & David LUTES (prominent Unionists
in Resaca area)


* * * * *



Young R. Amerson


Claim No: 7531
Date of Hearing: 16 Mar 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, York P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: "For aiding Union men who were trying to evade the conscript law, he
was threatened many times by the rebel cavalry – was arrested and imprisoned
and basely treated on account of his Union sentiment. He had three sons forced
into the rebel army – they came home and he secreted them from the rebels –
they were never again in the army. He had one son-in-law and three nephews in
the Union Army and they remained there until the close of the war."
Brief Description of Incident/s: In April 1865, two fine mares valued at $300
were taken from claimant's residence by officers and soldiers of the Union
army.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• H.G. AMERSON, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
(1871)
• Abraham KILGORE (KILGO), age 32, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with
claimant for 20 years; lived five miles from him during war
• Zachariah MOORE, age 27, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with
claimant for 10 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; served in 12th
Tennessee Cavalry
• Catherine ROGERS, daughter, age 25, resident of Fayette County; witnessed
incident at farm
• Samuel WHITSON, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)


* * * * *



George W. Cook


Claim No: 21671
Date of Hearing: 28 May 1877
Place of Residence: Walker Co., AL (lived near Dublin, Fayette County, when
petition filed in 1873)
Length of Residence in Fayette County: Since at least "six months prior to the
rebellion and during the whole of the late war" (moved to Walker County about
1875)
Age: 69 years
Place of Birth: Georgia
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: At or near Dublin, AL
Remarks: He was known, recognized and treated as a friend to the Union by both
Confederates and Unionists. He was threatened with death by the rebels and hid
in the woods for 6 months to avoid them. He eventually was arrested and put in
jail for his loyalty and was released by a Union scout named John STOUT
(General DODGE's "favorite spy"). He persuaded his son to join the Union army
and also had a brother who served.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 25 Mar 1865, Col. TOMPKINS of
General WILSON's army took from claimant's residence livestock, feed and
foodstuffs valued at about $700.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Francis M. BLACK, age 73; resident of Fayette County for about 30 years;
witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• Charles COOK, brother, enlisted 1863 in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. L, at
Glendale, MS; captured by the rebels 26 Oct 1863 near Vincent's Cross Roads,
MS, "and was brutally murdered by them at Andersonville Prison in the state of
Georgia"
• James COOK, son, enlisted 1864 in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. D, at Decatur,
AL; living in Mississippi in 1877
• Mary A. COOK, daughter, age 34; resident of Walker Co., AL, for two years;
witnessed incident at farm
• James C. COONER, age 41, lifelong resident of Walker Co., AL; acquainted
with claimant for 17 years; lived 2½ miles from him during war; served in
Union army
• Elijah A. JEFFREYS, age 43, resident of Fayette County for 30 years;
acquainted with claimant for 20 years; lived three miles from him during war;
conscripted by the rebels, escaped and hid out with claimant's assistance
• Capt. Stoke ROBERTS, CSA; arrested claimant in Marion Co., AL, in 1864
• James F. STOVALL, age 46, resident of Fayette County and acquainted with
claimant for 20 years; lived two miles from him during war; Union soldier
• Capt. D.H. WHATLEY, CSA; threatened to hang claimant
• Joseph ADKINS, Isham COCK, A.J. FILES, G.W. JEFFREYS, Richard PANTER, Jacob
PHELPMAN (FELTMAN), John A.W. SHAW, David STUDDARD & Samuel STUDDARD (prominent
Unionists in Dublin area)


* * * * *



Jeremiah F. Files


Claim No: 11631
Date of Hearing: 30 Jan 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Age: 37 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: "My farm" on Wolf Creek in Fayette
County
Remarks: He was threatened by the rebels with damage to his person and property
– they threatened to hang him, shoot him and burn him. They took his
property and even drove his wife and children away from home after taking all
they had to subsist on. He enlisted 1863 in the 1st Alabama Cavalry at
Glendale, MS; served part-time as 2nd Lt. and part-time as recruiter for the
regiment. He influenced about 500 men to join Union army, including two
brothers, two nephews, two brothers-in-law and a number of cousins.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 1 Oct 1863 at Glendale, MS,
claimant furnished 1st Lt. [William P.] GRAY – quartermaster of the 1st
Alabama Cavalry – two horses and one saddle worth $285.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• B.F. FELPMAN (FELTMAN), age 28, resident of Fayette County; witnessed
incident at Glendale, MS
• J.J. KINET?, resident of Decatur, Morgan Co., AL; listed as testifier for
loyalty (1872)
• Richard PANTER, age 33, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
Glendale, MS
• Col. George E. SPENCER, resident of Washington, D.C. (1872); acquainted with
claimant since 1862, when he came into Union lines "as a refugee from rebel
lines"
• J.V. TIARA, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• Jeremiah B. TIARA, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)


* * * * *



William Fowler


Claim No: 10017
Date of Hearing: 4 Feb 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, at or near Handy
Occupation: Blacksmith
Length of Residence in Fayette County: "Always resided in Fayette County before
and after war."
Age: 55 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was postmaster at Handy P.O. when the war broke out. After refusing
to take the Confederate Oath, he was arrested by Col. JENKINS and kept in a
rebel prison for several days; the P.O. equipment was moved to Mr. GARRISON's
house. He was arrested twice more during the war and held for six weeks one
time and for 13 days another time. He aided Union men to escape the rebels and
rebel conscription officers. Two of his nephews served in the 1st Alabama
Cavalry.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 15 Apr 1865, a mare valued at $200 was
seized by order of Col. CROXTON during General WILSON's raid. The horse was
bridled and saddled and tied to a gate at the residence of Lewis IDSON in
Fayette County when taken.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• H.L. BOLTON, age 37, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant
for 17 years; lived 1½ miles from him during war; served in Union army and was
assisted by claimant while on a "recruiting expedition" in spring of 1864
• William HISAW, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
(1871)
• Mary IDSON, age 54, wife of Lewis IDSON; witnessed "yankees" taking
claimant's horse
• R.G. JOHNSON, age 46, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant
for 20 years; lived three miles from him during war; served in Union army
• William LAWRENCE, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• Nathaniel NELLUMS (NELMS), age 64, resident of Fayette County; witnessed
incident at IDSON farm


* * * * *



Moses L. Johnson


Claim No: 11634
Date of Hearing: 8 Feb 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Age: 42 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 100-acre farm in Fayette County
Remarks: He was arrested by the rebel cavalry in October 1862, put in prison at
Columbus, MS, and kept for five months. He escaped by cutting a hole through
his cell floor. He hid in the woods to avoid capture; was eventually piloted
to Mississippi by J.F. FILES. In September 1863, he joined the 1st Alabama
Cavalry and remained in the Union army until honorably discharged. The rebels
took nearly all of his property. He did not return to Fayette County until the
spring of 1867.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 30 Mar 1865, Col. TOMPKINS and "several
hundred Union soldiers" of General WILSON's army took claimant's mule worth
about $160. Incident occurred at residence of Ambrose M. HARDEN in Jefferson
Co., AL, where the mule had been taken for safekeeping during the war.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• David FIELDS, witnessed incident at HARDEN farm
• Ambrose HARDEN Jr., age 26, resident of Fayette County; shoemaker by trade;
witnessed incident at HARDEN farm
• Rance HARDEN, age 33, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
HARDEN farm
• Green P. STOVALL, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• James M. STUDDARD, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)


* * * * *



George Kilgore


Claim No: 6505
Date of Hearing: 17 Feb 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, York P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Age: 61 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 140-acre farm on Wolf Creek in Fayette
County
Remarks: He was arrested by Capt. POE, handcuffed for five days and imprisoned
for five weeks. "I was then stripped of all my clothing but my drawers and
shirt and turned loose in that condition and let go home." He later was
arrested by rebel Capt. WHATLEY and William RUTLEDGE and put in jail again
because he would not tell where Union men were hiding. He influenced his two
sons to join the Union army and did all he could to help Union men avoid the
rebel army.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 15 Apr 1865, 1,000 Union soldiers under the
command of Col. CROXTON confiscated a large quantity of corn and bacon worth
about $235. The incident lasted nearly two hours.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Thomas CHRISTIAN, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for
loyalty (1871)
• Burrell EARNEST, age 54, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with
claimant for 30 years; lived one mile from him during war; also imprisoned on
account of Union sentiment
• Edward FROST, age 69, resident of Walker Co., AL; acquainted with claimant
for 40 years; also imprisoned on account of Union sentiment
• Abraham KILGORE, age 28, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• John KILGORE, age 33, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• Thomas J. WHITSON, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)


* * * * *



David J. Lemons


Claim No: 17146
Date of Petition: 23 May 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, at or near Dublin
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 40-acre farm in Fayette County
Remarks: He was a poor man who was arrested and forced into the Confederate
army. After three or four months (as soon as he could), he deserted. He
joined the Union army 4 Jan 1864 and served until close of the war.
Brief Description of Incident/s: Claimant's horse valued at $125 was taken by
Union forces 15 Apr 1864 at Choctaw Co., MS.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Sarah BROWN, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
• James HAGAN, witnessed claimant's petition
• Mary LEMONS, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
• A.J. TIDWELL, witnessed claimant's petition

NOTE: This file appears at the end of microfilm roll #9 and is incomplete. Mr.
LEMONS also filed a claim in Walker Co., AL, so additional information may be
found there.


* * * * *



John T. McCaleb


Claim No: 10348
Date of Hearing: 1 Feb 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, at or near New River
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: Capt. D.H. WHATLEY threatened to hang claimant for refusing to join the
rebel army. He entered the army of the United States as a volunteer in December
1862 and remained until honorably discharged 26 Jul 1865. Other than a few
cousins who served in Union commands, he had no known relatives in either army.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 7 Dec 1862 at Cherokee, Colbert Co., AL,
Capt. SWEENEY of General DODGE's Union army corps took claimant's horse and
saddle worth about $220. This happened shortly after a battle at Tuscumbia,
AL. The horse and saddle were taken to Corinth, MS.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• William B. McDONALD, age 34, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident
at Cherokee, AL
• Johnathan TAYLOR, age 38, resident of Marion Co., AL; witnessed incident at
Cherokee, AL
• A.J. TIDWELL, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• P.S. TIDWELL, resident of Dublin, Fayette County; listed as testifier for
claim (1871)


* * * * *



Alexander McDonald


Claim No: 10347
Date of Hearing: 5 Mar 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, at or near New River
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was visited at his farm in July 1863 by a Mr. BEARD (probably a
Confederate conscription officer) and 14 other men. When he refused to tell
where his sons were, he was hanged with a rope three different times until he
was nearly dead. He was then "bucked and gagged" for four hours and severely
beaten over the head. He was taken five miles from his home on foot and
released. Three of his sons enlisted in the Union army, and he frequently
advised other young men to do the same. He declared that he would suffer death
rather than forsake the Union. "Since the war, he has been threatened by and
been in constant fear of the Ku Klux."
Brief Description of Incident/s: In December 1862, a horse, saddle and bridle
valued at $200 were taken from claimant's son, Miles H. McDONALD, at Cherokee,
Colbert Co., AL. Miles had just entered the Union army of General DODGE when
incident occurred.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Andrew McCALEB, age 56, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant
for 40 years; lived one mile from him during war
• John T. McCALEB, age 32, witnessed incident at Cherokee, AL
• William B. McDONALD, age 34, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident
at Cherokee, AL
• A.J. TIDWELL, age 53, resident of Dublin, Fayette County; acquainted with
claimant for 40 years; lived some four miles from him during war


* * * * *



Daniel Smith


Claim No: 17152
Date of Hearing: 2-4 Sep 1875
Place of Residence: Marion Co., AL, Palo P.O. (now in Fayette County)
Length of Residence in Fayette County: Since "30 or 40 years before the war"
(moved to Palo about 1868)
Age: 69 years
Place of Birth: Greenville District, SC
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 440-acre farm at or near Dublin in
Fayette County
Remarks: Most Union men who remained in the county were threatened to be hanged
and, in fact, some were. Claimant's nearest neighbor was hanged, and claimant
believed his time was close at hand. "I didn't know at what hour or minute it
would be done." He sent three sons into Union army, furnishing them with
money, clothes, arms and ammunition. They each enlisted in the 1st Alabama
Cavalry about June 1862 at Decatur, AL, and all died while in the service.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 25 Mar 1865, some 20 or 30 Union troops
under James H. WILSON's command took an iron-gray horse worth about $140. They
went into claimant's stable, caught the horse, haltered it and led it off on
march.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• John D. CROW, age 52, resident of Fayette County for 38 years; acquainted
with claimant for 30 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; conscripted by
"rebel & dog cavalry" in November 1862 – deserted in May 1863; later joined
Union army
• Joseph McCOLLUM, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty
& claim (1872)
• George W. McDONALD, resident of Fayette County for about 22 years; did not
witness incident but later saw claimant's horse with troops of General WILSON's
army
• Henry H. SMITH, son, age 23 upon entering service
• John M. SMITH, son, age 19 upon entering service
• Matthew J. SMITH, son, age 21 upon entering service
• Andrew J. TIDWELL, resident of Dublin, Fayette County; listed as testifier
for loyalty (1872)
• James TIDWELL, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• Thomas F. (Frank) TUCKER, age 47, resident of Fayette County for 9 years;
witnessed incident at claimant's house from a distance of about 100 yards
• Drew C. WHITEHEAD, age 45, resident of Fayette County for about 9 years
("lived in county of Marion most of my life"); acquainted with claimant for 30
years; lived two miles from him during war; served with claimant's son Henry in
1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. D; honorably discharged at Memphis, TN, in January or
February 1864
• W.P. ANTHONY, James BRANNON, Andrew McCALEB, Bird McDANIEL (McDONALD),
Alexander McDONALD, Dr. J.F. MORTON, L.P. MORTON & Joseph P. WHITEHEAD
(prominent Unionists in claimant's neighborhood)


* * * * *



Green P. STOVALL


Claim No: 11640
Date of Hearing: 9 Feb 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He refused to enlist in Confederate army. In October 1863, he was
arrested at his house in Fayette County by rebel Col. HARRIS and jailed for
seven days at Fayetteville. He was asked and again refused to join the army.
He spent the next several months imprisoned at various locations from Meridian,
MS, to Richmond, VA. He eventually made his escape, returned to Fayette County
and remained in the woods near his home until close of the war. One brother
and four nephews served in the 1st Alabama Cavalry under George SPENCER.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 26 Mar 1865, Col. TOMPKINS of General
WILSON's army took from claimant's residence one horse, feed and foodstuffs
valued at $214.50. The supplies were needed by the army "in order to put down
the rebellion."
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Newton ALVIS, age 27, resident of Walker Co., AL; acquainted with claimant
for 20 years; lived "near" him during war; served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. L
• Alford (Alph) RUTLEDGE, age 31, resident of Walker Co., AL; witnessed
incident at claimant's farm
• George STOVALL, age 23, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• James STUDDARD, age 52, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant
for 25 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; also imprisoned for refusing to
serve in rebel army


* * * * *



Lloyd Strickland


Claim No: 18765
Date of Hearing: 16 Aug 1876
Place of Residence: Fayette County
Length of Residence in Fayette County: "About 7 years"
Age: 69 years
Place of Birth: Jackson Co., GA
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Near Oregonia, Tuscaloosa Co., AL
Remarks: He resided in Tuscaloosa County for at least six months before the war
and during time of the rebellion. He fed and gave comfort to men trying to
escape rebel conscription, including his son Lloyd Jr., Jackson BOULTON, John
CHRISTIAN, Thomas CLEMENTS, Samuel DAVIS & John HAMNER (HAMMER).
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 9 Apr 1865, Union forces took from
claimant's residence livestock, supplies, feed and corn worth about $580.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Nancy J. CHRISTIAN, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for
claim (1873)
• J.J. CLEMENTS, age 30, resident of Tuscaloosa Co., AL; acquainted with
claimant for 20 years; lived three miles from him during war
• Thomas CLEMENTS, resident of Tuscaloosa Co., AL; listed as testifier for
loyalty (1873)
• John HAMNER, resident of Tuscaloosa Co., AL; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1873)
• Samuel T. PINION, age 42, resident of Fayette County for 4 years; acquainted
with claimant for 21 years; lived two miles from him during war
• Lloyd STRICKLAND Jr., resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for
claim (1873)


* * * * *



David Studdard


Claim No: 9461
Date of Hearing: 10 Feb 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He opposed secession and fully sympathized with the Union cause. In
September 1863, he fed and took care of a Capt. William D. SHEARMAN and seven
or eight other Union soldiers who had escaped from prison at Tuscaloosa, AL.
He then guided them safely through the rebel lines. He also assisted Union
scouts whenever able. Capt. D.H. WHATLEY of the rebel army threatened to hang
him and burn his property. He was arrested on four different occasions for
disobeying conscript laws and held for weeks at a time at various locations.
He made his final escape from Blue Mountain, (Calhoun Co.) AL, returned home
and retreated to the woods until close of the war. He never fired a gun nor
did any other duty to aid the rebellion.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 15 Apr 1865, a portion of General WILSON's
forces took claimant's horse valued at $300. "The horse was a stallion and a
fine animal – worth to the owner much more than we can allow, which must be
his value for army use."
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• John M. ENIS, age 49, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant
for 25 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; member of and "regular
scouter" for 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. L
• J.F. FILES, age 36, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for
27 years; lived three miles from him during war; member of and recruiter for
Union army
• William HISAW, resident of Walker Co., AL; listed as testifier for claim
(1871)
• M.L. JOHNSON, resident of Fayette County; witnessed claimant's petition and
listed as testifier for loyalty (1871)
• Thomas R. KILGORE, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• Green P. STOVALL, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• Andrew STUDDARD, brother, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• George STUDDARD, age 21, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• James M. STUDDARD, age 22, resident and merchant of Fayette County;
witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• Mary STUDDARD, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
(1871)
• Nathaniel STUDDARD, brother, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• J.V. TIARA, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)


* * * * *



Samuel Studdard


Claim No: 6514
Date of Hearing: 23 Feb 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was a soldier of the War of 1812 and "a very old man." In fact, had
it not been for his extreme age, the rebels probably would have murdered him –
he would not give an inch to them and argued his points most strenuously. He
often risked his life to provide information to Union soldiers when they were
endangered by rebels. He also advised young men to take death in preference to
going into the rebel army. He had two sons and one son-in-law in the Union army
but "would have furnished ten thousand in aid of the glorious cause" if he could
have done so.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 26 March 1865 at claimant's
residence, a party of United States soldiers took a mare, bridle and saddle
worth about $200.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Manerva EDMONDS, age 27, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• J.F. FILES, age 36, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for
27 years; lived three miles from him during war; said claimant was a bold and
outspoken Union man
• Thomas R. KILGORE (KILGO), son-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• Richard PANTER, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)
• Adam STUDDARD, age 20, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm
• Andrew STUDDARD, son, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• Nathaniel STUDDARD, son, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• J.V. TIARA, age 50, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for
27 years; said claimant took care of his family while he (TIARA) was confined by
rebels on account of Union sympathies ~ his signature on affidavit reads J.V.
TIREY
• A.J. TIDWELL, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)
• John S. WEST, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)


* * * * *



Jesse V. Tiara


Claim No: 7552
Date of Hearing: 10 Dec 1871
Place of Residence: Farm on Wolf Creek in Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker
Co., AL)
Age: 51 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was arrested by rebel cavalry, taken to an infantry camp and told to
report to headquarters at Jasper, AL, within four days. Failure to do so would
result in his being shot or hanged. He arrived in camp on fourth day and was
promptly arrested again. This time, he was told to join HORTON's company, a
home guard unit that was to remain in Fayette County. To his surprise, he was
put under guard the next morning and started for Atlanta, GA. Along the way,
orders were received to take him to the iron works at Blue Mountain (Calhoun
Co., AL). He served five months before deserting and making his way home. He
then took his family to Marion Co., AL, where a large Federal force commanded
by Capt. STOUT protected "Union men." The rebels burned his house and
outbuildings, as well as all of his cotton, oats and fodder, one good wagon and
a set of blacksmith tools. They also cut off the ears of two of his horses.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 26 Mar 1865, soldiers belonging to General
WILSON's Union cavalry took from claimant's farm one dark bay horse and a large
quantity of foodstuffs and sundries valued at about $700.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• A.J. FILES, resident of Walker Co., AL; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)
• J.F. FILES, brother-in-law, age 36, resident of Fayette County; acquainted
with claimant for 30 years; lived 1½ miles from him during war; served as
lieutenant in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Jesse FILES, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Jesse L. FILES, nephew, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• John W. FILES, nephew, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Thomas B. FILES, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• R. HOCUTT, resident of Walker Co., AL; listed as testifier for loyalty
(1871)
• Thomas R. KILGORE, nephew, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• William Y. NORRIS, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Jesse V. TIARA Jr., age 22, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident
at claimant's farm ~ this affidavit was signed by J.B. (Jerry) TIRIA [sic]
• Riley TIARA, age 63, resident of Fayette County and a former slave of
claimant's father; acquainted with claimant all of his life; said "claimant was
before the war what the people here called an abolitionist and often said to me
that I would live to see the day when I would be free and slavery done away
with in this country"
• John S. WEST, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• Newton WILLIS, age 24, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at
claimant's farm


* * * * *



Peter Tidwell


Claim No: 17153
Date of Hearing: 19-20 May 1875
Place of Residence: Fayette County
Length of Residence in Fayette County: Most if not all of his life
Age: 31 years
Place of Birth: Fayette or Marion County; "near the line of both counties"
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: At or near Dublin, Fayette County
Remarks: He strongly supported the Union cause. In 1862 or 1863, he was
threatened to be hanged or shot by Harrison EASON of the rebel army. His
property was taken and he was molested so much that he had to go into Union
lines for protection. He enlisted 11 Mar 1863 in the 1st Alabama Regiment of
Volunteer Cavalry, Co. B, and remained in the service until honorably
discharged 22 Jan 1864.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 10 Aug 1865, claimant furnished a
mule worth $125 to J.O.H. SPINNEY, a captain in the 9th Illinois Cavalry, USA,
who was stationed at Fayette Court House.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Joseph McCOLLUM, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• Andrew J. TIDWELL, father, age 55, resident of Fayette County for 30 years;
witnessed incident at Fayette Court House
• James C. TIDWELL, brother, age 25, lifelong resident of Fayette County;
witnessed incident at Fayette Court House
• John CROW, Andrew McCALEB & George WHITEHEAD (prominent Unionists in
claimant's neighborhood)

FAYETTE COUNTY ECONOMICS IN EARLY DAYS FROM ANNALS OF NW ALABAMA

by

Fred McCaleb

Economics always plays a large part in the life of any people, and Fayette
County was no exception. When a product cannot be bought, it must be made. In
the early days it was next to impossible for a frontier family to buy
ready----made goods. In the first place, thely had little or no money; and
secondly they , they had no market from which to buy. Four or five pounds of
coffe could be bought for one dollar. The price of cloth was extremely high,
with brown domestic selling for 34 to 37 cents a yard and calico selling for
50 to 75 cents a yard.

` Prices like these forced the early settlers to make their own clothing, and
the homespun with which to make them. The following is an account of the way
one family.

My grandmother Hollingsworth had eleven girls and two boys. During the war
between the states, my grandmother Hollingsworth took a square black oilcloth
and fashioned a raincappe for her husband, lining it with jeans she made from
wool cut from their own sheep. She spun thread from the wool, dyed it brown
with the leaves and hulls from the walnut tree. This dye she brewed in a
washpot,and it made a dark brown color. She also made a grey dye by mixing the
brown with indigo. The family grew the indigo in the garden. They also grew
the madder plant, which produced red dye. From the swamps they gathered leaves
from the laurel trees to make yellow dye. Copperas was also used for dying the
thread brown. Sumac leaves were used for making black dye. Thread was spun on a
home made spinning wheel, and was wound by a reed into a hawk. Four cuts were in
a hawk. This made a yard. Petticoats, called balmorals, were made from two
widths of cloth, vari colored and with a dark border.

Grandmother said that she and her daughters(11 in number!) made clothes and
shoes for her husband and two sons in the war. They killed the animals, removed
the hair with lye from the ashes, and tanned the hides for the shoes. They
soaked the leather for days in a large vat in the ground, using red oak ooze
for the tanning process.Then the spread out the skins and rubbed and rubbed
them to soften them. Calf skins were used for making soles of the shoes. Tiny
blocks of maple were made into pegs to tack the soles to the shoes. These tacks
were sharpened at one end. A pegging awl was used for making holes in the soles
for the tacks to be driven in.

Grandma and the girls knitted socks and underwear, and made a suit and a pair
of clothes each to send to their menfolk in the war. When they heard the
Yankees were coming, they took two boards off the wall of the piazzo and hid
the clothes underneath until after the soldiers were gone.

Mrs Connell related another interesting incident. Her grandmother
Hollingsworth, who had been accustomed to cooking on an open hearth fire, was
approached with the idea of getting one of those new – fangled stoves. She
was quick to make the reply. “Wouldn’t have one of those stoves__too much
like childs play.” In passing we might add that Fords Mountain, one of
Fayette County’s landmarks, was named for Mrs McConnell’s father who
settled near the base of it.

This must have been related to the Hollingsworth that married a Ford man. I saw
the remnants of what was left at the John R Hollingsworth house. There was a
spinning wheel and loom up stairs and maybe other things. Had a round table to
eat on. You could spin it and get what you wamted. His son Jim and wife Mandy
Kelly were in house at that time. Jim had a blacksmith shop out back and could
make most anything
Including a still to make whiskey. He also made fishtraps. My mother’s
grandfather Eason didn’t like cornbread cooked anywhere but on fireplace. My
mother told me that. What would they think now?
Last paragraph written by Fred McCaleb

~ Temple of Education ~

Fayette County, Alabama


Generously contributed by
Karen Melton Manasco

Submitted by Fred McCaleb

According to the Sesquicentennial Broadcaster (Sept. 1969): "Hal P. McDONALD was
a colorful and sincere man. He had a dream for years that one day Fayette would
have a college of its own. He built his own institution of higher learning many
years ago on top of Ford's Mountain just off of Townley highway. He named it
the 'Temple of Knowledge'; spent years of hard work and no one knows how much
money trying to get it started. He advertised through newspapers and handbills
and equiped it as money was available. He gave guided tours to Sunday
visitors."

Mr. McDONALD bought a 1000-acre tract of land on Ford Mountain. He chopped
timber on this land and sold it for more than $20,000 to help build the school.
His wife was the former Hattie Belle RAINWATER. "He worked from 1936 until his
untimely death in 1960."

Everyone around Fayette County has heard about Hal P. McDONALD. Some say he
never had a student, but I guess they were wrong. Here is a "Certificate of
Proficiency" that my aunt, Sarah Joyce SMITH, received in 1958. The
certificate also lists the courses that she took and the grades she earned. I
just thought others would like to know that something of that old school.was
left behind.

Man's Best Friend, the Dog

Down through the centuries the dog has come in many varieties and has been used
for many purposes. It has been used to herd sheep, to go after the cows, to tree
squirrels and other animals, to run rabbits, and to hunt fox and other animals.
It has also been used as a house watch dog and as an inside-the-house pet and
companion. I suppose the most important use has been as a guide to the blind.

The dog's most beneficial use, other than as a guide for the blind, has been in
a rural setting. In a town or city setting, most of the benefits of a dog
vanish. Dogs are there to bite the postman trying to deliver a letter from your
best friend. They have a tremendous ego, trying to bark and bluff away friends
and foes. Fortunately most dogs are mostly bluff, or everybody would get bit.
Pick up a rock or stick, and the brave watch-dog loses his zip and high tails
it away. If on a bicycle, the dog is brave as long as you are moving and he is
running after you. Stop the bicycle and point it at him, and then he high tails
it away. So the house watch dog is good for making a noise and trying to bluff
your visitors. That's about all he is good at.

There is another use of dogs that seems absolutely foolish to me. That is the
use of small and large dogs inside the house treated as members of the family.
They are used as man's best friend when he appears to have a scarcity of human
friends. These best friends lick their friends in the mouth after licking
another dog's tail end or after eating another dog's bowel movement. One must
be really suffering from lack of human affection to tolerate this kind of
friendship. But millions of families do just that. They then catch diseases and
pay big doctor bills to get their health partly restored to where it had been.

Man's best friends cost their owners dearly. The owner is legally responsible
for damage their dogs do to others. They are required to have the dogs
inoculated against hydrophobia and other diseases. All this costs plenty of
money that could be better spent on other family needs. Just feeding the dogs
costs more than feeding a baby. Most young families figure they can't afford
more than two children, but many seem to be able to afford thousands of dollars
for dog food while foreign immigrants come and take over the country. The dog
food industry is a multi-billion dollar set up. They can pay for expensive adds
on TV. It is far ahead, in volume of sales, of the baby food industry.

People provide for their supposedly best wild animal friend. If their friend
has been hurt, it will bite them as soon as they try to show it some love by
rubbing or touching it. If one is approaching a dog in the road, and another
car is approaching in the opposite direction, then beware! The driver of the
other car will most likely run over and kill you before he will dare run over
MAN'S BEST FRIEND. If your female dog friend has just had pups, she will chew
up your best human friend that comes along. I have just recently experienced a
bite on the leg by a little female dog with pups. She quit biting when I kicked
her about ten feet against a wall. The dog's owner can never see that his dog
could cause woe to other people. According to him, his dog is a lovable dog and
could never hurt him or anyone else. He or she is a perfect dog. The owner's
love for dogs has put blinds over his eyes. When he goes visiting he takes his
dogs with him, and expects others to take them into their residence. Love of
dogs in one direction prevents love and respect for fellow human beings in the
other direction.

My summary on dogs:

1. They are mostly a costly nuisance in modern urban society. In some cases they
may be of benefit to the blind, the aged that has lost a mate, and to the old
maid or bachelor that has no children.
2.They are a danger to both the owner and to his fellowmen.
3.They are an unnecessary carrier of diseases such as hydrophobia and other
diseases that transmit to the owners.
4.Dogs are a symbol of your insensitivity to your fellowman's welfare. They may
boost your lagging ego, but at the same time your neighbor may want to use his
firearms on them to liquidate your best friend.
5. The dog is nothing more than a wild beast that waggles its tail and jumps
upon you to make you think it loves you. Thereby it gets a free meal. There are
more dogs on welfare handouts than all the white and black people combined.
Think of all the good that could be done with all the billions spent on dog
food and dog medical care. This would be a good area for people that call
themselves Christians to meditate upon. What am I doing here? Christians are in
the same boat as are others in the DOG LOVERS' WORLD.
Prepared by Fred McCaleb