Digital Alabama (/series/melvins-alabama-a-series-by-tracy-o-crane-and-terry-w-platt)
Melvin Cane, born in North Alabama in 1890, traveled the state of Alabama all his life. After years of research by his family and others into the family stories and Alabama folklore, the family presents here a series of stories that they feel tells the true story of Melvin Cane–where he went, what he saw and what he did.
Terry Platt, Editor
The information for the articles in this series comes primarily from historic newspaper articles, court house records and family documents which have been carefully and thoroughly examined. Much of the information gathered is entertaining, educational and certainly viewed by very few other than historical researchers. Therefore, we are taking the opportunity to pass on these stories by way of a series of historical fiction articles. The incidents and locations in the articles are factual, or as factual as possible to ascertain considering the passage of time. It is our hope we will eventually publish one or more historical fiction novels for your enjoyment.
Melvin’s Family
The difficulty of the rescue work tonight is enhanced by the stygian darkness. There are no lights except miners lamps and a few lanterns. The mining village of Palos is all excitement tonight and the wives, daughters and friends of the entombed men present a pitiful sight as they stand above the bank of the river on the opposite side from the mine wringing their hands and crying.
Turkeytown Alabama
Turkeytown, also called Turkey’s Town, was a Native American settlement found in 1788 by the Chickamauga Cherokee chief, Little Turkey. It was the largest Cherokee town in Alabama – at one time it covered 25 miles along both banks of the Coosa River. Little Turkey built the settlement as a refuge for his people because of the ongoing hostilities between the Cherokee Indians and the whites. Turkeytown Alabama History
During the Creek War of 1813, specifically in October, the Red Stick Indians were planning an attack on Turkey Town, The Cherokee Chief at that time, Pathkiller, send word to Andrew Jackson for help. Jackson sent a detachment let by General James White.
Melvins Alabama History with Melvin Cane (alias) has been a popular topic of discussion among his relatives for over a hundred years. Melvin was born in north Alabama in 1890 and the family discussions started when Melvin first walked off the family farm around the turn of the century. Melvin was seldom seen after he walked away but he would show up often enough to let others know he was still alive. His random reappearances added further to the mystery of this man. He did not emerge from his enigmatic existance until he was 42 years of age at which time he started his family.
Origin of Murder Creek
About 1788, a bloody transaction occurred in the territory of the present county of Conecuh. During the revolutionary war, Colonel McGillivray formed an acquaintance with many conspicuous royalists, and, among others, with Colonel Kirkland, of South Carolina. That person was at McGillivray’s house, upon the Coosa, in 1788, with his son, his nephew, and several other gentlemen. They were on their way to Pensacola, where they intended to procure passports, and settle in the Spanish province of Louisiana. When they determined to leave his hospitable abode, McGillivray sent his servant [slave] to guide them to Pensacola.
What A Melancholy History Is That Of The Red Man! Yes ! tho’ they all have passed away, —
That noble race and brave,
Though their light canoes have vanished
From off the crested wave ;
Though ‘mid the forests where they roved. There rings no hunter’s shout, —
Yet their names are on our waters,
And we may not wash them out
Their memory liveth on our hills,
Their baptism on our shore, —
Our everlasting rivers speak
Their dialect of yore
‘Tis heard where Chattahoochee pours
His yellow tide along ;
It sounds on Tallapoosa’s shores,
And Coosa swells the song ;
Where lordly Alabama sweeps,
The symphony remains ;
And young Cahawba proudly keeps
The echo of its strains ;
Where Tuscaloosa’s waters glide,
From stream and town ’tis heard. And dark Tombeckbee’s winding tide
Eepeats the olden word ;
Afar, where nature brightly wreathed
Fit Edens for the Free,
Along Tuscumbia’s bank ’tis breathed,
By stately Tennessee ;
And south, where from Conecuh’s springs,
Escambia’s waters steal,
The anoient melody still rings,—
From Tensaw and Mobile.