THE LITTLE GIRL AT THE RAILROAD DEPOT

BROWNSVILLE, TN

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In 1856 the railroad tracks reached Brownsville. The first Memphis and Ohio train arrived carrying freight, mail and passengers. The train came from Memphis to Brownsville then did a turn a round and headed back to Memphis. It was said the train left Brownsville and arrived in Memphis six hours later.The reason was because of the many stops loading and unloading freight ,mail and passengers.It wasn’t until 1906 when the first train station was completed that the sightings began. In 1905 a young girl got on the train with her mother to go to Memphis the mother fell asleep. When the train arrived in Memphis the mother woke up and her daughter was no where to be found. Panic ensued they search the train from one end to the other.Then someone reported they had seen the girl get off in Stanton. Family members searched but no luck . Then when the train station opened in 1906 the sightings started .After the Memphis train left the station people said they would see a little girl sitting on the steps of the station crying and then she wasn’t there.It was not until a year later they found the body of a little girl in an abandoned house in Stanton. They identified her by the doll that was with her. The young girl had been kidnapped by a lady known to have lost her little girl in 1905. The lady had admitted the deed in a note when she killed herself. They think the little girl had escaped and was walkings down the tracks to Brownsville. She had taken shelter in the house and died. The reason she appeared at the train station she was waiting on her mother because that was the last time they had been together. When the station was torn down in 1971 everyone thought that would be the end of the sightings. Not so I have been told on a full moon night you can see a faded set of steps and there she sits holding her doll and crying..This story was told me by my great Aunt Vera when I was a child. I think it was to scare me not to “take up with strangers” .It worked and I never forgot ..

to be added to with more stories of the spirits of Haywood Co Tennessee

The spirits  of the Tree

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I woke up this morning after dreaming about  Pop. He was a gentleman very opinionated while selective about when ,where and to whom he voiced his opinion. He always made sure I had a horse to ride so we could ride almost everyday. As we rode he would tell stories about his life. Now my Pop, grandfather English’s great grandmother was from Mississippi

a member of the Choctaw tribe.  He told great stories once telling me he  learned a lot of them when visiting relatives when he was a child. I don’t know about you but when you are 7 years old imagining your grandfather a kid was hard.

My dream centered around one such ride and the story he told.

We were riding at the back of the farm this time on a mission Grandmother had told us to pick blackberries for her to make a cobbler. As we picked blackberries Pop told me to look to the left. What I saw was a big oak tree with knots all over it. He then told me to close my eyes. I did so then he started the story.

The trees have stories to tell they have grown while watching their world change. For example when your grandmother purchased this farm all this area was forest. When we were deciding to clear this land I insisted this be the tree line and this tree would stay. 

Open your eyes and I will tell you why. This tree has a spirit as do many other old trees. As you look in the center you can see the imagine  of a wolf , look further up and you see the imagine of a wise owl.  The tree is telling you a story of what was here .

Now the Indians that roamed this land were Chickasaw as this was their hunting ground. So if you are real still and look at the tree you can see more imagines and hear sounds of the past.

You see each tree has a different story to tell.  

Can you imagine what the old trees on the square could tell. They saw the pioneers coming to area after the Indians left, they saw the conflict soldiers,  the parades as our soldiers went to war. the sadness of the families when their sons or daughters  did not come back from the  wars, the many changes that followed now they provide shade for the old men as they play checkers.. Next time we go downtown see what stories the spirits of the trees tell you. 

I woke up from my dream happy I had a visit from Pop and a memory to share.

Next time you go for a walk or enjoying backyard or porch sitting focus on your favorite tree. Now close your eyes take a deep breath and let your mind wander. What stories can you imagine the spirits of your tree could tell?

 Did I really see that?

Several years ago before I retired I had my Private Investigations office at the Pythian Building. On this fall night I had left a file I needed in my office so I had no choice but to drive downtown and retrieve it. Now I don’t know how many have driven down Riverside at night but it can be rather dark and with no moon spooky.

On this night in late October there was a haze in the bottoms a good night for the deer to roam. Since I am not known for driving fast I was slowly approaching my turn off Riverside to Sycamore that ran along the Cemetery . (This had always been my shortcut to downtown) That was when I saw it a big black dog larger than a Lab but smaller than a Great Dane.

The dog crossed the Street right in front of me at top speed then it looked like went through the wall to the Riverside Cemetery.

Now mind you I had just finished a mystery  on Navajo skin walkers. Out of curiosity I had researched realizing  not only the Navajo had stories of skin walkers but the Chickasaw and other southern tribes also included them in their history. So Skin walker was the first thing that I thought. 

History lesson :America is a hodgepodge of cultures, traditions, folklore tales, and nasty critters of the deep. The Navajo are part of a larger culture area that also includes the Pueblo people, Apache, Hopi, Ute, and other groups that also have their own versions of the Skinwalker, but each includes a malevolent witch capable of transforming itself into an animal.

Ok back to my story 

I was parked and watching the dog walk up the hill where he faded. where he was  now stood a man. He turned and looked my way and walked on up the path then he faded away.

Needless to say I left and went to the office. When I got there I called a friend and told him what happened. Since we had experienced other sightings in the Riverside he was not surprised.

Not long before this happened to me we had been down at the cemetery. I had been recording information off some of the tombstones.  We had looked up and saw a man walking toward the back of the  cemetery toward the graves that were said to have been  of the unknown soldiers. At that time we had seen him fade away. When we told another friend he told us when they were doing the re-enactments at Riverside sightings  happened a lot.

Now I know Riverside Cemetery has an interesting history and is a wonderful place to visit . Many of the  residents there represent the history of Madison Co.  It may just be that not all of them have passed on ….who knows?

That night I returned home a different way…

Major  Charles Sevier , 1778 – 1855

 In the late 90’s I was working on a speech for a gentleman about the Huguenots of Virginia.  In doing the research I fell down a rabbit hole where I discovered the first Governor of Tennessee had roots in this group. I finished the assignment and went back to research the Sevier family. 

I discovered so much I thought I would focus on Major Charles Sevier who was an amazing gentleman of Madison Co.

Here is a bit of history

In October 1780, the battle of King’s Mountain was fought, and we find in history that John and Robert Sevier were officers in this bloody battle, and that Capt. Robert Sevier was slain. This Capt. Robert Sevier was the father of Major Charles Sevier

May 1912 

 John Sevier, brother of Capt. Robert Sevier, was chosen as the first governor of Tennessee. After the death of his brother, Robert, he took his son, Charles, away and put him to work with a hatter at Greenville. Young Charles did not like his job and went to live his mother’s brother, Charles Robertson, Jr., who was a farmer. About the year 1802, Mr. Charles Sevier married Miss Elizabeth Witt, and soon afterwards moved to Overton County. Charles Sevier and his wife had fourteen children .

 When West Tennessee was opened up, young Charles Sevier, with his wife, moved to Madison county and entered or bought a farm four or five miles southwest of the present city of Jackson. ( some say his land was a grant others said he purchased the land)

            During the war of 1812, Charles Sevier served in the West Tennessee regiment and was in the battle of New Orleans. General Jackson promoted him, with seven others, for gallant service in the battle. Major Charles Sevier was a very large man and of wonderful constitution. He was the political leader of the democratic party of Madison county as long as he resided in the county. His enthusiasm was so great for James K. Polk, for president that on the day of the election in 1844, he rode a white bull into Jackson striped with Polk berry juice from head to tail. Major Sevier, while he was an active partisan in politics, was never a candidate for office. He was a prosperous farmer and preferred farming to political office.

            Among the early settlers of West Tennessee, there was quite a spirit prevailing to be known as a “bully.” In those days no weapons were used and frequent fist fights occurred. While Major Sevier was not a quarrelsome man, when he was aroused, he was a perfect Hercules in strength, and his name was not only confined to Madison, and adjoining counties, for it is said that a “bully” from Kentucky who had heard of Major Sevier concluded he would visit Madison county and test the strength and nerve of Major Sevier. The party arrived in Jackson and was told that  Sevier lived a few miles south  of Jackson. The Kentucky fighter proceeded to the farm of Major Sevier and met him in the road as he was loading some wood. After telling Major Sevier what the object of his visit to Madison county was, Major Sevier told him to alight and hitch his horse. While the Kentuckian was hitching his horse, he looked around and saw Major Sevier lift the hind end of the loaded wagon and place it out of the road as if it was a toy wagon. No sooner than the “bully” from Kentucky saw him toss this wagon from the road  like a toy he jumped into his saddle, and with lashing and spurs, was soon out of sight, cutting air with the swiftness of lightning, and I dare say he didn’t stop until he got to his “Old Kentucky Home.” How true this story is I cannot say, but it is tradition that is handed down.

         Major Sevier in Madison County until 1854, when he decided to go to Texas. The long trip in private conveyance so told on his strength that he and his wife did not live long to enjoy their new home. They died within a few weeks of each other during the fall of 1855 at the residence of their son, Valentine Sevier, near Milford, Ellis County, Texas.

 (At lot of this information is  from an article based on  a biography  published in the Jackson Sun 1912 by Capt. T. M. Gates)

   In the late 90’s I was working on a speech for a gentleman about the Huguenots of Virginia.  In doing the research I fell down a rabbit hole where I discovered the first Governor of Tennessee had roots in this group. I finished the assignment and went back to research the Sevier family. 

I discovered so much I thought I would focus on Major Charles Sevier who was an amazing gentleman of Madison Co.

Here is a bit of history

In October 1780, the battle of King’s Mountain was fought, and we find in history that John and Robert Sevier were officers in this bloody battle, and that Capt. Robert Sevier was slain. This Capt. Robert Sevier was the father of Major Charles Sevier

May 1912 

 John Sevier, brother of Capt. Robert Sevier, was chosen as the first governor of Tennessee. After the death of his brother, Robert, he took his son, Charles, away and put him to work with a hatter at Greenville. Young Charles did not like his job and went to live his mother’s brother, Charles Robertson, Jr., who was a farmer. About the year 1802, Mr. Charles Sevier married Miss Elizabeth Witt, and soon afterwards moved to Overton County. Charles Sevier and his wife had fourteen children .

 When West Tennessee was opened up, young Charles Sevier, with his wife, moved to Madison county and entered or bought a farm four or five miles southwest of the present city of Jackson. ( some say his land was a grant others said he purchased the land)

            During the war of 1812, Charles Sevier served in the West Tennessee regiment and was in the battle of New Orleans. General Jackson promoted him, with seven others, for gallant service in the battle. Major Charles Sevier was a very large man and of wonderful constitution. He was the political leader of the democratic party of Madison county as long as he resided in the county. His enthusiasm was so great for James K. Polk, for president that on the day of the election in 1844, he rode a white bull into Jackson striped with Polk berry juice from head to tail. Major Sevier, while he was an active partisan in politics, was never a candidate for office. He was a prosperous farmer and preferred farming to political office.

            Among the early settlers of West Tennessee, there was quite a spirit prevailing to be known as a “bully.” In those days no weapons were used and frequent fist fights occurred. While Major Sevier was not a quarrelsome man, when he was aroused, he was a perfect Hercules in strength, and his name was not only confined to Madison, and adjoining counties, for it is said that a “bully” from Kentucky who had heard of Major Sevier concluded he would visit Madison county and test the strength and nerve of Major Sevier. The party arrived in Jackson and was told that  Sevier lived a few miles south  of Jackson. The Kentucky fighter proceeded to the farm of Major Sevier and met him in the road as he was loading some wood. After telling Major Sevier what the object of his visit to Madison county was, Major Sevier told him to alight and hitch his horse. While the Kentuckian was hitching his horse, he looked around and saw Major Sevier lift the hind end of the loaded wagon and place it out of the road as if it was a toy wagon. No sooner than the “bully” from Kentucky saw him toss this wagon from the road  like a toy he jumped into his saddle, and with lashing and spurs, was soon out of sight, cutting air with the swiftness of lightning, and I dare say he didn’t stop until he got to his “Old Kentucky Home.” How true this story is I cannot say, but it is tradition that is handed down.

         Major Sevier in Madison County until 1854, when he decided to go to Texas. The long trip in private conveyance so told on his strength that he and his wife did not live long to enjoy their new home. They died within a few weeks of each other during the fall of 1855 at the residence of their son, Valentine Sevier, near Milford, Ellis County, Texas.

 (At lot of this information is  from an article based on  a biography  published in the Jackson Sun 1912 by Capt. T. M. Gates)

Photographer Dr. Danny Winbush

Horton-Bond Building

211 Baltimore

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When the Storm hit downtown Jackson May 4^th 2003 many buildings were damaged or destroyed. 211 Baltimore was a mess but the owner, David Horton ,saw this as an opportunity to rebuild and improve his building.

David Horton  had met David Burke at a Cattleman’s Association meeting . Horton had heard from mutual friends that David Burke was ironwork artist. David H.had this vision of a balcony on his building like the ones in New Orleans. So the conversations began between the two Davids.

David Burke was from St. Rose, Louisiana,20 miles from New Orleans, he had learned welding in high school since he knew it would come in handy around the ranch. He enjoyed welding so much he sought out more classes in fabrication. With all the addition education he became certified in highly specialized welding and fabrication.

Burke’s talent was in demand for equipment repair, pipe repair all around the New Orleans area. That work paid the bills but his love was his ornamental iron work.  Soon  he found he was in demand for his ornamental iron designs and  work. He told me the ornamental work in New Orleans had to be historically correct and was hard but satisfying . His joy was his original designs seeing them going from a drawing to a finish product. As his work became  more in demand he could pick and choose.This also allowed to expand his Louisiana ranch spend more time riding horses and spending  more time with his daughter and two sons.

Burke designed the balcony and second story feature with historic New Orleans in mind. Through phone calls and faxes the Davids were able to narrow down the design, structure, materials and city regulations . When David Burke arrived in Jackson it took him a little over 2 weeks.  The structural steel was made in Jackson but he bought the ornamental steel with him since he had created it in his shop in St. Rose.

Burke was very complementary about the people he met in Jackson and the City itself.

Thanks to the vision and work of David Horton and David Burke we have a bit of New Orleans in Jackson. Now the building is for sale and will pass to another to appreciate and care for this lady on Baltimore.

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The Funeral 

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I was sitting in my office one night when the telephone rang. The voice on the telephone identified herself as Mattie Lou she went on to tell me she was over 80 and wanted to tell me a story.

She began by saying , “Now I am not sure of the year but I think it was 1932. I was a young bride my sweet Alfred and I had only been married a few years. It was our duty to represent the family to sit with the dead at the funeral home on Chester. The man that had died was my husband’s Uncle Ben and from what I had been told he was a rounder.  He had run around with a rough group of friends that hung out at the café in the bus station. Al’s uncle had departed this world under “ odd  circumstances” as my mother in law told me. Odd circumstances my foot he got shot for cheating at cards.” Mattie Lou said

“ Now honey I remember that night clear as all get out. It was 

8:00 when we got to the funeral home. We were taking  his sister and cousin place who had been there since 6:00. They had to get home to their  husbands and children. They lived in town so they did not have far to go.”she sighed 

She continued  by telling me they went into the parlor they spoke to the people that were viewing and making all the correct remarks. As everyone that was not family cleared out we settled in for the night. Sitting with the dead meant just that you sat there all night so your kin folk would not be alone on their last night.

I remember there were 6 other relatives in the room sharing memories, reading our Bible, or just sitting in reflection.

She laughed “ that meant they were napping.”

She went on to explain she looked up at the clock 1:16AM  and all of a sudden the lights went out  the room got real cold.  A gentleman got up and declared “the body is gone”People started praying out loud and doors were slamming. 

  “I was holding on to Al for dear life. I was scared later on  Al admitted he was scared also .” Miss Mattie took a deep breath and was quite for a few minutes.

“Now what happened next I swear to be true.” She said

She went on to tell me all of a sudden the door to the Viewing Room flew open and the lights came back on. At the doorway was the Bus Station night manager,Jim, he ran up to the casket.

Looking down he said “Ben  is still here!” The man who had declared the body gone joined him by the casket. “He is right he is here.” 

Then Jim  explained he had been sitting at a table having coffee in the station and he looked up and there was Ben setting across from him . I looked up at the clock it was 1:18  that was around the time Ben would come by most nights. But when I turned around Ben was gone. “So I ran down here to see if I was dreaming. I must have been cause Ben is here dead.”

He made his apology and left.

“The rest of the night Al and I went and sat in the car. Then later we headed home to get freshen up and pick up his parents to go back to the funeral. We did not speak about what happened.” She said

The funeral went off without a hitch until the pallbearers headed out to the hearse. Al and his cousins were the pallbearers I mean Ben was not known for his friends.In the hall the lights went out and they dropped the casket. “Al told me for some reason he looked at the clock 1:16. When they picked the casket up it was light like no one was in it. He said he looked at his cousin who had been at the funeral home last night they shook their heads and got to the hearse  real fast .

At the grave site the casket was still light. As far as I know none of the family has ever discussed this.” Miss Mattie said

The story around town that on certain nights Ben would be seen at the Bus Station even after it moved to Main Street.

As the years went on she and Al had a good life . They had been blessed with two daughters and two sons, six grandchildren.

But every once in a while Al would change he would get mean his personality would change he would be his Uncle Ben. “ Now I was lucky this only happened when the children were not around. His cousin saw this side of Al a few times it would not be good. Unfortunately Al had an accident on the job at the railroad he was only 55 the same age that his Uncle died.” She told me

The day of the funeral Miss Mattie said she had word with the funeral director. She asked him that when they got to the grave site she wanted the casket opened one last time. Her son overheard her  he did not understand  but he went along with because he loved his mother. At the grave site she walked up to the  open casket kissed her fingers then pressed them on Al’s  cheek laying a rose on his chest. They helped her back to her chair and closed the casket. Everyone was so touched by her jester.

I could not stand it I had to ask why. Over the telephone I heard a wicked little laugh. “ Honey, one I wanted to make sure Al was still in the casket and that the spirit of that mean Uncle Ben was really gone and my sweet Al was at peace.” Miss Mattie wished me well and said goodnight.

There were sightings of the man at the bus station even after it closed. Now I wonder if he will be seen at Doe’s the new occupant of the bus station?

the police station was in the basement of city hall

the 4 door Chevy patrol car 1946 the floor plan of the police dept

A whiskey still that the police got out of a truck the gentleman had just had it built the report said the welds were still hot .

remember when

History of  Dairy Queen: In 1938, near Moline, Illinois, J.F. McCullough and his son, Alex, developed the delicious dairy product millions have come to know as Dairy Queen soft serve. The McCulloughs’ innovation was the beginning of today’s system of more than 5,700 Dairy Queen and Dairy Queen/Brazier stores in the United States, Canada, and many other countries in Europe, Central America, the Far East, and the Middle East. The McCulloughs arranged to test their new product in an ice cream retail shop in Kankakee, Illinois, owned by Sherb Noble, Noble held an “All You Can Eat for 10 Cents” sale on August afternoon. More than 1,600 people lined up to try the new treat, and the McCulloughs knew they had an exciting business opportunity. All they needed now was an efficient way to dispense their soft serve product — and they soon located a freezer, invented by Harry Oltz of Hammond, Indiana, which could produce a continuous flow of the product.  J.F. McCullough often referred to the cow as “the queen of the dairy business”. Thus, the Dairy Queen name originated. The first Dairy Queen® store, owned by Noble, opened in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois