Memorial Day Weekend Hit List!

1915 Film "The Birth of a Nation" Clip

DON'T BRING ME DOWN by The Animals The Animals "Don't Bring Me Down" on The Ed Sullivan Show

SOUL MAN by Sam & Dave Soul Man - Sam & Dave | The Midnight Special

BE YOUNG, BE FOOLISH, BE HAPPY by The Tams Be Young Be Foolish Be Happy - The Tams - 1968 ( Northern Soul Dancing )

TIRED OF WAITING by The Kinks The Kinks - Tired of Waiting

ROCK ME GENTLY by Andy Kim   Andy Kim - Rock Me Gently

FEELIN' ALRIGHT by Joe Cocker Joe Cocker - Feelin' Alright (Live From Mad Dogs & Englishmen)

SUNNY by Bobby Hebb Sunny - Bobby Hebb - YouTube

TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME by Tyrone Davis  Turn Back The Hands Of Time

 1601 Alaca Place  

According to Past Horizons, the Miller-Harrison-Laseter House is "circa 1847" but they go on to say it was built in the "late 1850s"

Miller-Harrison-Laseter house Alaca Tuscaloosa - Google Search

Miller-Harrison-Laseter House, 1601 Alaca Place · Tuscaloosa Area Virtual Museum

Not sure when these pictures were taken but it was when the house was falling apart but being rented. Architecture notebook 56: Miller House, at 1601 Alaca Place, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. · UAH Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives

NPS "Druid City" application

Druid City Historic District

Resource 112. 1601 Alaca Place. Miller-Harrison-Laseter House. Circa 1850. Two story, Maltese cross shaped, wood frame, Greek Revival-Gothic Revival residence with cross hip roof of asphalt shingles, wide eaves, exposed rafter tails, wrap around frieze, gable dormer with triangular vent, interior brick chimneys, weatherboard siding, second floor with 4/4 and 6/6 double hung sash windows with wood shutters, first floor Alaca Place elevation with three four panel single leaf doors, each with transoms, the central door also features sidelights, three partial width porticos with hip roofs, the central portico with entablature, box columns, and pilasters, the Section 7 page 26 other two with punch and gouge work Gothic Revival arches and columns, west and east elevations with additional partial width porches with flat roofs, friezes, scroll work brackets, knee braces, rectangular columns, and open rail balustrade; detached garage with hip roof of asphalt shingles, weatherboard siding, single leaf doors.(C/NRHP 1975). C Resource 113. 1602 Alaca Place. Salley House. Circa 1924. One and one half story, brick bungalow with cross gable roof of asphalt shingles, exposed rafters, triangular knee braces, interior brick chimney, off center single leaf fifteen light door, 4/1 double hung sash windows, partial width screened porch with gable roof of asphalt shingles, gable with vent and triangular knee braces, brick closed rail balustrade, and brick columns with tile inlay (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Resource 114. 1604 Alaca Place. Manderson House. Circa 1924. One and one half story, brick bungalow with cross gable roof of ceramic tiles, exposed rafters, notched beams, interior brick chimney, gable dormer with ceramic tiles, acroterion, stucco cladding, faux half-timber work, exposed rafters, notched beams, and two four pane casement windows, off center single leaf four panel door with four light arcade, 4/1 double hung sash windows, wrap around porch with engaged roof, brick closed rail balustrade, brick columns, porte cochere with gable roof of ceramic tiles, acroterion, stucco cladding, faux half-timber work, exposed rafters, notched beams, brick columns; detached, brick garage with gable roof of ceramic tiles, acroterion, and double leaf fly door (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C (Photo #14) Resource 115. 1606 Alaca Place. Circa 1924. Two story, brick Craftsman with hip roof of asphalt shingles, exposed rafter tails, exterior brick chimney, second floor fo;ade with 6/1 double hung sash windows, central single leaf door, 4/1 double hung sash windows, partial width one story porch with hip roof of asphalt shingles, exposed rafter tails, brick columns, and brick closed rail balustrade, one story brick wing, porte cochere with hip roof of asphalt shingles, exposed rafter tails, and posts (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924 1925). C Resource 116. 1607 Alaca Place. Circa 1926. Two story, brick Colonial Revival with hip roof of asphalt shingles, hip roof dormer with two vents, interior brick chimney, wrap around unadorned cornice, second floor fac;ade with central pair of 3/1 double hung sash windows with shutters, two flanking window bands composed of central 4/1 double hung sash and outer 3/1 double hung sashes with shutters, first floor fac;ade with central single leaf six panel door, flanking bay windows with central 4/1 double hung sash and outer 3/1 double hung sashes, partial width porch with decorative iron supports, one story wing with hip roof, arcade and casement windows, and brick columns; detached garage (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924 1925). C Resource 117. 1608 Alaca Place. Circa 1926. Two and one half story, wood frame Craftsman with cross gable roof of asphalt shingles, exposed rafter tails, gable dormer with exposed rafter tails, two three pane lights, sunburst motif vent, interior brick chimney, weatherboard siding, second floor with pairs of 6/6 double hung sash windows appointed with planters, first floor fac;ade with single leaf four panel and three light door, pairs of 6/6 double hung sash windows Section 7 page 27 appointed with planters, partial width porch with gable roof of asphalt shingles, exposed rafters, sunburst motif vent, and tapered posts on brick piers, two tiered sleeping porch with gable roof of asphalt shingles, exposed rafter tails, weatherboard siding, second floor with 6/6 double hung sash windows, first floor with brick columns and lattice work, porte cochere with hip roof of asphalt shingles, exposed rafter tails, and brick columns (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Resource 118. 1609 Alaca Place. Circa 1926. Two story, stucco clad Spanish eclectic cottage with hip with cross gable roof of asphalt shingles, wide eaves with scalloped rafter tails, gable dormer with triangular vent, exterior stucco clad chimney, second floor with off center twelve light door, 6/6 double hung sash windows, and closed rail balcony, first floor with off center twelve light door, 6/6 double hung sash windows, partial width inset porch with arcade (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Resource 119. 1610 Alaca Place. Circa 1926. Sam Wiesel House. Two story, brick and stucco Craftsman with cross gable roof of slate, exposed rafter tails, gable with stucco cladding, exposed beams, faux half-timber work, interior brick chimney, second floor with 6/1 double hung sash windows, first floor with off center single leaf door, 4/1 and 6/1 double hung sash windows, wrap around porch with hip roof of slate, curved braces, and round column, one story wing with side gable roof of slate, French doors with flanking fixed pane lights; detached outbuilding. C The residence was home to Sam Wiesel, one of Tuscaloosa's leading merchants until his death in 1938 (Tuscaloosa News 1938). Resource 120. 1611 Alaca Place. Circa 1925. Two story, brick neo-Classical Revival residence with hip roof of asphalt shingles, wide eaves, unadorned wrap around cornice, exterior brick chimney, symmetric 3/3 bay facade, second floor fa9ade with central single leaf fifteen light door, balcony with open rail balustrade, 6/6 double hung sash windows with wood shutters, first floor fa9ade with central six panel single leaf door appointed with sidelights and transom, 6/6 double hung sash windows with wood shutters, partial width full height semi-circular portico with two Tower of the Winds columns and two Tower of the Winds pilasters, one story enclosed side porch with hip roof of asphalt shingles, entablature, brick columns, and 6/6 double hung sash windows (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Resource 121. 1613 Alaca Place. Circa 1925. Two story, wood frame Dutch Colonial Revival with gambrel roof of asphalt shingles, end chimney with corbel work, weatherboard siding, shed dormer with modillions and 6/6 and 8/8 double hung sash windows, first floor facade with central six light single leaf door appointed with pedimented stoop, flanking pairs of 6/6 double hung sash windows, one story enclosed side porch with half gable on hip roof of asphalt shingles, columns, weatherboards, and 8/8 double hung sash windows; two story wood frame garage apartment with hip roof of asphalt shingles, exposed rafters, weatherboard siding, second floor with off center single leaf door, 4/4 double hung sash, staircase, and first floor with one car bay (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Section 7 page 28 Resource 122. 1614 Alaca Place. Circa 1925. Two story, brick Dutch Colonial Revival with gambrel roof of asphalt shingles, end chimney with corbel work, shed dormer with 6/6 double hung sash windows with shutters, first floor facade with central four panel and four light single leaf door appointed with pilasters and entablature, flanking pairs of 8/8 double hung sash windows, one story enclosed side porch with half gable on hip roof of asphalt shingles, columns, weatherboards, and 8/8 double hung sash windows with shutters, one story wing with hip roof of asphalt shingles, window band consisting of six pane lights with two light headers, and pilasters; detached, two car garage with gable roof of asphalt shingles, and two overhead doors (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C (Photo #9) Resource 123. 1616 Alaca Place. Circa 1923. Two story, wood frame Colonial Revival with side gable roof of asphalt shingles, central interior brick chimney with corbel work, shed dormer with 4/4 double hung sash windows, vinyl siding, off center single leaf door, 6/6 double hung sash windows with shutters, full width porch with integral roof, rectangular columns and pilasters, one story wing with hip roof of asphalt shingles, vinyl siding, and 6/6 double hung sash window with shutters (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Resource 124. 1617 Alaca Place. Circa 1925. Two story, brick Colonial Revival with cross gable roof of asphalt shingles, flush end brick chimney with corbel work, second floor fa9ade with 8/8 double hung sash windows, first floor fa9ade with central two panel and six light single leaf door with transom, pediment featuring a raking cornice with fretwork, architrave with fretwork, and pilasters, 8/8 double hung sash windows, one story side porch with deck roof, wrought iron balustrade, plain entablature, and Tuscan columns; detached, multi-car garage (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Resource 125. 1618 Alaca Place. Edward House. Circa 1923. Two story, wood frame Colonial Revival with side gable roof of asphalt shingles, interior brick chimney with corbel work, vinyl siding, second floor fa9ade with 6/6 double hung sash windows with shutters, first floor fa9ade with off center single leaf six panel door, 6/6 double hung sash windows with shutters, partial width portico with pediment, cornice returns, rectangular columns and pilasters, open rail balustrade, two tiered enclosed sleeping porch, second tier with gable roof of asphalt shingles, vinyl siding, nine pane windows, and first tier with 6/6 double hung sash windows with single light header (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Resource 126. 1619 Alaca Place. Circa 1924. Two story, stucco clad Tudor Revival with side gable roof of asphalt shingles, north elevation (Alaca Place side) exterior chimney with three chimney pots featuring twisted rope motif, second floor fa9ade with two 6/6 double hung sash windows, first floor fa9ade with off center single leaf six panel door, entry vestibule with steeply pitched gable, cartouche, and graduated arch, 6/6 double hung sash windows; detached carport (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Resource 127. 1620 Alaca Place. L. P. Hodnette House. Circa 1923. Two story, stucco clad Colonial Revival with hip roof of asphalt shingles, wide eaves, interior brick chimney, second floor fa9ade with two 6/6 double hung sash windows with shutters, first floor fa9ade with recessed off center single leaf door with two panels and three lights, eight pane casement windows with shutters, partial width porch with hip roof of asphalt shingles, pairs of rectangular Section 7 page 29 columns, one story, sun room with hexagonal roof of asphalt shingles, eight pane casement windows, two story rear addition (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924 1925). C Resource 128. 1621 Alaca Place. R. H. Wright House. Circa 1923. Two story, wood frame Colonial Revival with side gable roof of asphalt shingles, brick end chimneys, shed dormer with 6/6 double hung sash windows, weatherboard siding, central single leaf door with wood screen, flanking pairs of 6/6 double hung sash windows, full width porch with integral roof, Doric columns (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Resource 129. 1622 Alaca Place. Woolsey Finnel-Leigh House. Circa 1924.Two and one half story, brick neo-Classical Revival with side gable roof of asphalt shingles, gables with lights and cornice returns, brick exterior end chimney, symmetric 5/5 bay fac;:ade, second floor facade with central single leaf six panel door, 6/6 double hung sash windows with shutters, first floor facade with central single leaf six panel door with sidelights, 6/6 double hung sash windows with shutters, two tiered partial width portico with second tier deck appointed with wrought iron open rail balustrade, brick columns, Ionic pilasters, and brick closed rail balustrade; detached wood frame garage (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Resource 130. 1623 Alaca Place. Circa 1923. Two story, brick Colonial Revival with side gable roof of asphalt shingles, brick exterior end chimneys, shed dormer with 6/6 and 8/8 double hung sash windows and stucco cladding, central slightly projecting entry vestibule with curved roof, divided light single leaf door, pediment, cornice returns, semi-circular fanlight motif, and pilasters, window bands composed of central 8/8 double hung sashes and outer 4/4 double hung sashes, side porch with roof, and rectangular columns and pilasters (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Resource 131. 2008 12th Street. Almon Associates. 1976, 1978, 2002. Two story, Post Modem professional building with flat composition roof, parapet, wrap around cornice, second floor fac;:ade (12th Street elevation) with decorative squares, paired 1/1 double hung sash windows, segmental arch divided light window, first floor fac;:ade (12th Street elevation) with decorative squares, off center single leaf door with a transom and flanking plate glass window, twenty pane picture window, wrap around portico with metal seam roof, and rectangular columns (Robert Almon, personal communication, December 5, 2014). The professional office was built outside the period of significance. NC Resource 132. 2 Mannish Drive. F. W. Mannish House. Circa 1923. Two story, wood frame Colonial Revival with side gable roof of asphalt shingles, interior brick chimney, aluminum siding, second floor fac;:ade (Mannish Drive elevation) with shed dormer with 1/1 double hung sash windows, eyelid dormer with Palladian window, 1/1 double hung sash windows with shutters, first floor fac;:ade with off center single leaf twenty light door with sidelights, single and triple 1/1 double hung sash windows with shutters, partial width portico with a flat roof, scalloped end rafters, Tuscan columns, two tiered enclosed porch, second tier with side gable roof, 1/1 double hung sash window, first tier with shed roof and 1/1 double hung sash windows (Sanborn Map Company 1923-1967; R. L. Polk & Co. 1924-1925). C Section 7 page 30 Resource 133. 4 Monnish Drive. A. A. Evans-John Burnum House. Circa 1936. One and one half story, brick and wood frame Colonial Revival, main block with side gable roof of slate, interior brick chimney, three gable dormers with three pane double leaf casement windows, weatherboards, brick dogtooth cornice, three 6/6 double hung sash windows with wrought iron S curve stays, setback one and one half story entrance wing of wood frame construction, side gable roof of slate, interior brick chimney, gable dormer with three pane double leaf casement window, first floor fac;ade with central single leaf six panel door, 6/6 double hung sash windows, portico with engaged roof and arcade with rectangular wood columns, setback wing with side gable roof of slate, weatherboard siding, 6/6 double hung sash windows with wrought iron S curve stays; attached garage with side gable roof of slate and weatherboard siding (Celeste Burnum, personal communication, February 13, 2014). C

 Phifer, Alabama was located on the Warrior River just south of the Maxwell Plantation which is accessed by the Maxwell Loop Road. Maxwell Loop Rd - Google Maps

The Phifer post office and the Phifer Landing were probably located on land now occupied by the River Point Way subdivision

River Point Way, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

River Point Way - Google Maps

I was able to determine this by examining the 1912 Tuscaloosa County Map drawn and printed by 46 year old Woolsey Finnell in 1912. Woolsey Finnell (1866-1955) - Find a Grave Memorial

North America and United States: Viewing States/Alabama/Counties/tuscaloosa/Tuscaloosa1912a.sid

A few years ago, Lee Pake allowed me to take his original 1912 Finnell map to the University of Alabama's Cartographic Lab in Farrah Hall and have it scanned. That scan enabled me to enlarge the details of the map and I found that Phifer was located near the river on the Alabama Great Southern Railroad track Alabama Great Southern Railroad - Wikipedia (Tuscaloosa's Queen City Avenue takes its name from this railroad which was called the "Queen and Crescent Route" in honor of the cities of Cincinnati and New Orleans) just south of the northern boundary of Section 9 of Township 22 North Range 11 West.

 Fortunately, anyone with an Internet connection can discover the same thing because Lee allowed the Cartographic Lab to post his scan on their website. Historical Maps of Alabama and anyone with the money to pay for a print of Lee's map can easily order one from TuscaBlue who have the scan filed under my name.

The bend where the Warrior River turns to the southwest in known as Maxwell Bend in the present day. Phifer was located just south of that bend.

2500 acres of the old Maxwell Plantation were auctioned off by the estate of Roland Pugh in July of 2010.

.2,500 acres of ‘trophy’ property to be auctioned

You notice that "F. Maxwell" lived in Section 3 and "J, Maxwell" lived in Section 2 of Township 22 North Range 11 West. According to Thomas Maxwell's 1853 property map, this land was not included in the initial 1853 purchase. 

 Anyone familiar with the U.S. Public Land Survey will notice a problem with Fractional Section 31, Fractional Section 32 and Fractional Section 33 due to those fractional sections being bordered on the south by Section 6 and Section 5 of the next township. One will also note than none of the frantional section lines connect to the section lines below them. That's due to fractional sections 31, 32 and 33 forming part of the southern boundary for NORTH ALABAMA and the full sections 6 and 5 forming part the northern boundary for SOUTH ALABAMA. This boundary is known as the Freeman Line.

The Freeman Line is a major historical surveyor line established by U.S. Surveyor Major Thomas Freeman in the early 1800s. It marks the boundary where the northern Huntsville Meridian and the southern St. Stephens Meridian land surveys meet, making it foundational to property mapping in central Alabama. [1, 2, 3]

History and Purpose

• The Surveyor: Major Thomas Freeman was appointed by the U.S. War Department to survey tribal boundaries, map state lines, and lay out the basic grid of public lands in the Mississippi Territory (which included modern-day Alabama). [1, 2]
• The Grid System: Alabama's land surveys were divided into two halves, each calculated from its own Initial Point. The northern half of the state used the Huntsville Meridian, while the southern half used the St. Stephens Meridian. [1, 2]
• The Freeman Line: The "Freeman Line" acts as a dividing line or closing boundary in central Alabama where these two distinct survey grids eventually intersect. [1, 2]

Geographic Extent

The surveys that branch off this foundational system stretch across Alabama's townships and ranges. Since all property deeds and legal descriptions for land parcels in Alabama are still based on the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), understanding whether a parcel originated from the Huntsville or St. Stephens surveys—and where they intersect—remains a vital step for modern real estate and title searches. [1, 2]

Additional Resources

If you are currently researching land boundaries or looking to access historical survey data, several authoritative resources can help:

• The Alabama Maps Collection: View historical PLSS maps and survey grids on the University of Alabama Map Library.
• Professional Standards: Review state-specific PLSS guidelines and surveying records via the Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors.
• Survey Methodology: Read detailed breakdowns of early territorial surveying techniques in The Faircloth Notes. [1, 2]

NorFreeman Line Alabama survey - Google Search

th America and United States: Viewing States/Alabama/Plat Books/Tuscaloosa/63T22SR11W0000.sid

 Old Tuscaloosa hagood_thomas-chase_201105_phd.pdf

 Camera too high and the fish food was too close. Live & learn but I like all the shots of the coon.

 

 Maxwell Bend, "Pheiffer's", Maxwell's Crossing, Phifer Landing and the Pake Archives.

Reading Matt Clinton the other morning at breakfast informed me that my friend, Trice Keene's grandfather, Taylor Keene, in 1914 at the age of 68, had been awarded a degree in civil engineering  from the University of Alabama. 

MAJ Eli Taylor Keene (1846-1930) - Find a Grave Memorial

His graduation occurred on the same day the Confederate Memorial Stone removed during the 2020 Fentanyl Floyd riots was dedicated on the Quad. 

In reading the Birmingham News article about the graduation and memorial stone dedication I noticed the James Robert Maxwell was shown to be from Phifer, Alabama. James Robert Maxwell (1844-1930) - Find a Grave Memorial

That makes sense because the closest post office to Maxwell's plantation was in Phifer located just below Maxwell Bend on the Warrior River. Phifer was named for Basil Phifer and had a post office until 1919.Basil Manly Phifer (1856-1928) - Find a Grave Memorial

The community and river landing were located at Cunningham Bar just below Maxwell Bend on the Warrior.

Thomas Maxwell bought the Maxwell Bend property in 1853, the same year that he dedicated the cornerstone for Bryce Hospital. 

from the original 1853 map

In his autobiography James Robert Maxwell describes the circumstances which shaped his father, Thomas's decision to buy the Maxwell's Crossing property in 1853.

Scans of the 1853 map of Maxwell's Bend from the Pake Archives

Reclaim Alabama

from the Autobiography of James Robert Maxwell(1926):

"Our father, about the years 1852-55, withdrew a considerable part of his capital from the business firm of T. J. R. and R. Maxwell, doing business in Tuskaloosa and Northport, being the largest business firm in the county, and invested in the lands now known as the Maxwell Plantation, and went on to Virginia and purchased an outfit of slaves, of both sexes, to furnish the labor necessary to raise crops on same...

"Meanwhile our father's plantation work had gotten established at its first quarters, on the hill lands just west of where Mr. Charles Hinton now lives; on the same ridge and west of the Greensboro road eight and one-half miles south of Tuskaloosa. The overseer's house was a large double log cabin with a passageway between the two rooms; shed rooms on each side of the two main rooms of smaller dimensions, thus making six rooms in all, with the hall between, covered by one roof. At the end of each main room was a big fireplace of logs, mud, and stones, the flues of chimneys being of sticks and red clay mud, in the usual style of most of the country cabins then in vogue. This house was across the front end of 'quarters,' as such a settlement was called; and a line of single room cabins, four on each side, extended back, beginning some forty feet from each end of the overseer's house, with a space of some thirty feet between each cabin. At west end, being on west end of the hill, and lying north and south at that end of the yard, was another double log cabin, but without the shed rooms. The houses thus left a rectangular yard, in which was a well for drinking water, the place for washing clothes being at several springs at the foot of the hill. At the foot of the hill also were stable barns, for fodder and corn, and lots for horses, mules, and oxen, with a lane down to watering places furnished by several springs.

 Father's Plantation House and Negro Houses 

"Behind each house was ground for a vegetable garden, and at the north end of the overseer's house was a large vegetable garden, with peach trees along the enclosing fences, and a plum thicket outside of the north end of the garden. In those days no insects troubled such fruits, so that during seasons they flourished and were used in abundance at scarcely any cost, and very little attention. Very little land was cultivated on the hills. That, now in cultivation on the hills of the Maxwell Plantation, was grown up in broom-sedge and old field pines. The Vandyke owners had worn it out until it did not pay to cultivate it. Commercial fertilizers were unknown. Cotton and corn were both raised on the river bottom lands. The Warrior River floods came from about the middle of December to May 1st, and a destruction of a matured crop had never been known. Soon after my father had gotten his negroes home from Virginia, he told them he wanted the grown men and women to pair off and he would give them a big wedding frolic, and as soon as they had arranged it amongst themselves, so he did. There was in Tuskaloosa a free mulatto man, who was running a barber shop, and was a man of some education and was also a preacher. 

MARRIAGE OF TEN COUPLES OF SLAVES

"So one day our family all went down to the plantation, and ten couples all were married on the porch of the overseer's house by a preacher of their own color, the Rev. Shandy Jones, and couples were given separate houses to live in, and enjoyed a wedding feast of barbecued meat, cakes and pies, starting in with an appetizer of the noted Dexter Whisky, which at that time was sold at about 35 cents per gallon, by the barrel, or 50 cents a gallon retail, and was about as plentiful throughout the country as were barrels of molasses and sacks of coffee. That marriage ceremony is perfectly fresh in my memory, as if it were yesterday. We children knew them all by names and were constantly in and out of their houses, when we were down at the plantation, and we had our own particular friends amongst them, whom we could get to do for us anything in their power. Our father gave my brother John and myself a yellow pony that was able to carry us both, and we would ride it double when we wanted to come to the plantation, which was every Friday night, when weather permitted. We would change about on its back, first one in the saddle and the other behind on a good pad. We managed to keep one or two good rabbit dogs, and we ranged the wooded hollows for a mile square on our father's lands and his neighbor's and kept a plentiful supply of rabbit meat and dried rabbit hams on hand that the darkies would cure for us over their fireplaces. We knew every foot of those lands, and the hollow trees that the rabbits would take to."