1903 The Calhoun Monitor, Nov & Dec, 1903

The Calhoun Monitor

November 5, 1903

We present below in its entirety a letter from Billie D. Covington, of Redlands, California.  He was born and raised in Calhoun.  When quite young he shouldered a musket and followed the company commanded by Capt. E. R. Enochs, through the civil war.  He was never known to shirk duty and was very popular with his comrades.  Soon after the war he emigrated with his fathers family to Redlands, where he has resided ever since.  Knowing that his old soldier friends, and many who were not with him in the war will enjoy reading this letter we give it space.
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Redlands, Cal.,

Oct. 24, '03 Dear old Comrade, and old boys of Co. "F" where'er you roam:

Your boyish faces are fresh in memories dreams. We are brothers and I love you still. Boys, our ranks grow rapidly thinner as the years roll by and our battles of life are almost won, and may the Master say "Well done."

Do you all read the "Confederate Veteran?" In it I sometimes find some of our old war songs that we used to sing together. Our company could sing as well as fight, you know. Now if I try some of those old songs my voice chokes and my eyes grow dim with tears in sad sweet memories of those who marched with me.

Say, boys, let the home stretch be as pure, as true and patriotic as in life's morning when we marched to music of fife and drum. Oh, time how fleet.

But yesterday I saw the camp fires surrounded by the boyish faces, but my white locks and the rugged path behind me say it has been years.

Mr. James Cook arrived here on the 2nd, Inst., from his visit to Calhoun, and I wish to say to the friends who sent me greetings through him, God bless them. I appreciate them all.

Mr. Cook visited my old home, west of Pittsboro, and hunting grounds of the long ago. At my request, he went to old Frank's grave; Co. "F" will remember the old darky that followed me through the war. He was a negro 'tis true but he was possessed of a true and noble nature and I reverence his memory. But enough of this.

The Monitor is a regular visitor and I enjoy the many items. Although I have been away from Calhoun nearly thirty-seven years, it has a warm place in my heart. You have a good county and many good people, from my point of view, though your people should grow a greater variety of products

That is a good stock country, as most of the grasses will grow well there. Alfalfa would grow there almost through the entire winter; could be pastured and then cut for hay in the spring.

I have often thought of the many fine streams there that could so easily be utilized for irrigating pastures and crops. Irrigation is all the go out here and lands that can be irrigated are out of reach in prices. Some other time I will write more on this subject, also, of our orange crop and of our little city, Redlands. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

P. H. Covington and family are well. B. P. Davis another old "Free Stater" here is o.k. He is an old bachelor still, but says he is going to Calhoun next year to look him up a better half.

Now, I should like to make some inquiries concerning our old boys but fear my letter is already too long. Will some of them write me? There is Reuben Countiss, Ben Landreth, "Old Bragg" {Jack Maxey,} Mose White, John and Irvin Bryant, Jerry Shepherd, Cap Bagwell, Joe Burns, "Old Doc" {Henry McGuire,} John McGarity, Jim Stewart, John Hastings and Bill Barton. I can't name them all here, but the whole company dwells in my memory and I would like to know of them all.

Well, my crippled hand and the length of this letter admonish me to stop. Meet me beyond the river to "Rest in the Shade."

W. D. Covington
9th Grand St.
Redlands, Cal.

November 26 and Dec. 03, 1903

A Runaway Match of Cowpen Creek.

By Rambler. In the spring of 1845, A. P. Moore was teaching a writing school at Cumps school house on a high pine hill about a mile east of Banner. He had a class of thirty boys and girls about equally divided. Moore wrote an elegant hand and prided himself on his penmanship. He was a professional writing teacher and prided himself on his vocation. The class was arranged all round the wall inside the cabin with a wide rough plank for a writing desk. The pupils all applied themselves earnestly to writing under the supervision of Prof. Moore.

There lived at this time up on the head waters of Cowpen creek, an honest farmer by name of Simon Jenkins; better known as "Old 'Possum Jenkins," who had a beautiful daughter Joanna, of sweet sixteen. Her hair was black, cheeks rosy, eyes bright, with faultless form and elastic step. She was the ideal of the family and the bell of the creek.

Many young men of the creek paid her marked attention and bowed at her feet. John Maizey lived near Joanna and they had been playmates and school mates and naturally became much attached to each other, though John was a small red-headed, snaggled toothed, hatchet faced youth, by no means handsome, he was a good hearted hard working boy.

Now old 'Possom expected his daughter to look higher than John in the selection of a partner for a life and as soon as he caught the drift of matters, he invited John to steer clear of his house. Nothing daunted however, the youngsters agreed to meet at the home of Tom Starks near by and soon arranged for a runaway match.

John called on Jerry Ragland as his best friend to assist him in arranging for the marriage. Jerry called on Dr. Stephens to assist him in fixing up the runaway match, the Dr. being young and full of fun, gladly accepted the offer. So Ragland and Stephens went to meet John Maizy at Tom Stark's and assist him in stealing the girl.

They went by the writing school to notify Esq. Brower. They arranged also with the boys and girls at the writing school to have waiters and to bring the bridal pair to the school house. On went Ragland and his friend Stephens to old Tom Stark's.
John was there waiting.

He insisted that Ragland and Stephens should go on to Jenkins' after Joanna, as she had not yet arrived. The fact is, John was a little timed. Old 'Possum was a fighter when aroused and John dreaded him. So the two plotters dashed up the road toward Jenkin's house but they met Joanna on the way. She was standing on a big log, from which she jumped up behind Stephens. Ragland took John up behind him and on they went to the school house. The school with great joy ws ready to receive them.

Eight boys and eight girls volunteered to wait on them. The waiters were in the yard ready to receive the young couple and preceeded them in-to the house. Squire Brower and Prof. Moore were standing in the west side of the house, the couples marched in through the door on the east. The waiters moved up in front of the J. P. and opened ranks and the contracting parties came up and faced the august form of Brower, who with all the dignity of an Oriental prince, performed the ceremony and pronounced them man and wife, congratulation followed.

The boys kissed Joanna and some of the girls kissed John. The school was then turned loose to hilarity and fun. They played stealing partners, etc. until late in the evening, when John mounted his little mule with Joanna behind him and made his way to Tom Stoke's.[Starnes/Stokes?]
Ragland and Stephens were happy, they had had a jolly time with the school and felt that they had distinguished themselves in the runaway match. The next morning Albert Arnold, Sid Brantley and Alfred Wilson walked into the office of Stephens.

{Continued to Next Week}

The next morning Albert Arnold, Sid Brantley and Alfred Wilson walked into the office of Stephens. After the usual greeting, Albert Arnold, the spokesman, said: "Doctor we have called this morning to say to you that the prominent part you took in the runaway match yesterday does not meet with our approval. You recently settled among us as a young physician; we extended to you a cordial welcome; we needed a physician; we have been favorable impressed [by] you; we supposed you would apply your self to the close study of your profession and fit and prepare yourself to be a benefit and a blessing to this community, but we want to say to you now if you propose to assist these wild boys in stealing wives, you will not commend yourself to these people or make a success of your profession. This much we feel it our duly [duty] to say to you for we are pleased with you and feel a deep interest in your welfare."

The doctor responded; "I thank you for this interview. I know you are my friends. I, like most boys, am young and thoughtless and when Ragland asked me to assist him in stealing the girl, I was delighted with the idea and entered into the scheme with my whole heart without, for a moment considering the impression it would make in the minds of my friends. I was up for fun and frolic. I now clearly see my the mistake. Occupying the position I hope I do in the community, the example was not a good one to set before the young people of the neighborhood. I see my error and I assure you that this will be the last time I will take any part in a runaway match while I live," and the doctor has been as good as his word.

John and Joanna lived happily together and did well. They have both long since passed to the great hereafter.
Rambler.