General Notes

[coosa1.ged]
"It is reported that our corn crop is threatened by a small bug which
gets into the shuck of the forming ear and feeds on the silk near the end
of the ear, preventing the communication of the pollen from the tassel
and hindering the development of the grain.  The ears affected have the
appearance of those grown on a isolated stalk, perhaps two-thirds of the
grains being undeveloped.  A. D. Bentley reported the matter to this
office.  They are in his corn and they were brought to his attention by
George Gothard, for many years a successful corn grower of this county.
Mr. Gothard nor any of his neighbors never saw the like before.  Mr.
Bentley sent some of the insects to one of the departments of State for
examination but the officer in charge of that department was absent from
the State perhaps visiting his ‘wife’s kin folks.’" (1)
(1) The Chronicle 23 July 1909, p. 4. Printed in Rockford, Coosa Co., AL.
Microfilm: Located in the Alabama Archives and History, Montgomery, AL.
"Down Chipco Way
Some of the best farms of the early days were located on Chipco
Creek.  Top soil along this creek was some 9" deep.  No fertilizer was
needed.  One of the very first early settlers was Ike Willingham, who
married Samuels, daughter of Major Ben Samuels of Lincoln County,
Georgia.  Ike Willingham moved to what is now Hanover and built an
imposing home on old Turnpike road.  His farm lay mainly on the
headwaters of Chipco Creek.  He opened up this farm on the late 1840's.
Ike Willingham owned slaves and used this labor on the farm.
The next farm in line down the creek was that of John Garnett, who
lived on the Turnpike road.  Then came that of Rainer Dobson, who reared
a large family.  The Dobson family have held this farm to the present
time.  P. J. McAdory, next in line owned much land and was one of the
leading citizens of Coosa County for a long time.  A little farther down
the creek was the farm of John A. Logan who was a successful businessman
and operated a plantation farm many years.  Still farther down the Creek,
George Gothard owned and operated a successful farm.  Next to his place
was that of Jack Miller.  Then came the farm of one of the most
successful farmers of his day - W. S. Darden.  He, too, reared a large
family.  Next farm holder was J. T. Miller, whose farm was one of the
largest of the County and one of the best.  Next land owner in line or in
the flow of Chipco Creeek was John A Smith, Sr.  Later John A. Smith, II
operated this farm.
Just south of the west part of the J. T. Miller farm was Lindsey
Smith, whose farm was mainly on Jack's Creek but Chipco Creek flowed
nearby.  The last of the farms on Chipco was that of James Smith, who
held his farm until recent years.  I was typical that the early settlers
looked for bottom land first.  Of course, throughout the length of Chipco
Creek much of the cultivated land was hill land and it was the first to
wash away in row crop farming.  Much of the bottom land is still fairly
fertile and still makes for cattle raising." (1)
(1)The Story of Flint Hill of Times Past and Present  by John D. Samuels,
Jan. 1969, page 44. This is a pamphlet that was printed and distributed
at Flint Hill Methodist Church, Coosa Co., AL