Another bit of history

d n english

Thought this was interesting

From the history of Hardeman Co. from

Introduction to the Resources of Tennessee, Volume 2

Tennessee. Bureau of Agriculture, Joseph Buckner Killebrew 1874

Rivers, Creeks, etc.

It is claimed by the people of Hardeman county, and not without reason, that they have the best watered region in West Tennessee. The streams which are more deserving of mention are as follows: Big Hatchie River enters the county near its south-eastern corner, runs north-west, passing through the county. Little Hatchie River enters the county from the east, and empties into Big Hatchie| about twelve miles east of Bolivar. Wade’s Creek rises a little north of east from the county seat, empties into Big Hatchie River, about nine miles east of the county seat. Piney Creek rises in the north- eastern part of the county, and empties into Hatchie River, about three miles cast of Bolivar. Gray Creek rises in the north-eastern part of the county and empties into Hatchie, two miles north of Bolivar. Mill Creek rises in the same neighborhood, ranges nearly west, and empties into Hatchie six miles north-west of Bolivar. Cloon Creek also rises in the north-eastern section of the county, runs west, and empties into Hatchie nine and a half miles of Bolivar. Hickory Creek rises ten miles west of Bolivar, and empties into the Hatchie sixteen miles north-west of Bolivar. Clear Creek rises eight miles south-west of Bolivar, ranges east and north, and empties into Hatchie seven miles north-west of Bolivar. Pleasant Run rises six miles south-west of Bolivar, and empties into Hatchie two miles north-west of Bolivar. Spring Creek rises south of the county seat, runs north, and empties into Hatchie one mile north of Bolivar. Cub Creek rises south-cast of Bolivar, and empties into Hatchie six miles south-east of Bolivar. Porter’s Creek rises south-east of Bolivar, and empties into Hatchie eight miles south-east of Bolivar. Muddy Creek rises in the southern part of the county, and empties into Hatchie about seven and a half miles south-east of Bolivar. Besides those mentioned, there are numerous other but smaller, streams which ramify throughout the county, watering not only every civil district, but almost every neighborhood. These, as well as the larger streams, are lasting, and afford a plentiful supply of water, especially for stock purposes, throughout the entire year. They are fed by never-failing springs, which are numerous and very bold, and the water all over the county is well tasted and generally clear. Pools and cisterns are easily made, and hold water well, but are not much needed, hence are not frequently seen. The wells vary in depth from twenty to eighty feet, the average depth being about forty-five feet. The water throughout the county is freestone and chalybeate. About two and a half miles south of Bolivar are the Dunlap Chalybeate Springs, the water of which is held in high estimation.

Timber.

The best varieties of timber are white oak, red oak, hickory, gum, poplar, and much pine. Large quantities of lumber are shipped annually for staves, and are sent to New Orleans, and a great many cross ties are annually cut for railroad purposes. Saw-mills are numerous. The lumber they make is of pine, cypress, poplar, and oak.

Land Statistics.

In 1873 about two-thirds of the open or cleared lands in the county were worked by the land-owners, or under their immediate control, and the other one-third was worked by renters. The usual terms of rent are as follows: When money rent is required the price asked and obtained is $4 per acre. When part of the crop is required, the land-owner furnishes everything but the labor, and gets one-half of the corn and cotton, or the renter furnishes everything but the land, and gets two-thirds of the corn, and three-fourths of the cotton. Not less than one-third of the land can be purchased at reasonable prices and on reasonable terms, the usual terms of sale being one-third cash, the balance in one and two years, without interest, for improved lands; for unimproved lands, the general rule is to give one, two and three years’ credit. The prices charged are as follows: