Saturday, February 3, 2018

George Singleton writes of finding old Indian graves at 'Blowing Springs'

Hernando de Soto
(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Blowing Springs afforded Indians natural camp” was originally published in the Oct. 7, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

When DeSoto crossed the river and visited the village of Piache in the 1540s, the area around Blowing Springs was well known to the native Indians. Nestled between two steep hills almost hidden from view, the crystal clear water rushes from beneath huge limestone boulders. It forms a small stream that supplies the flat land between the hills as it journeys to join the larger streak of Limestone Creek.

The bottoms are alive with wild fern, giving the appearance of a giant green carpet that has been spread over the ground. The air is cool and still between the hills, with only the occasional clatter of a woodpecker breaking the silence.

As one bends to drink the soft, sweet water from the springs, the sound of rushing air can be heard coming from beneath the earth’s surface. The underground currents are like a warm breeze on a fall day.

Looking around the area, it is easy to see why the Indians would choose Blowing Springs as a place to camp. There is plenty of fresh water with which to cook and drink. The hills on each side formed a natural shelter from the cold driving winds in winter. The air from the springs would help warm the area and keep the frost melted away.

The fresh tracks of several wild animals covered the soft round near the springs, giving evidence that man has not been the only creature to occupy the vicinity. The well-used trails leading away into the underbrush give one the feeling that this kind of neutral ground, the animals coming only to quench their thirst and then moving on to give others a chance to do the same.

As I explored the base of the hills around the springs, I found that some who passed this way did not leave. Several graves covered by piles off rock could be seen. This method of burial was used when someone died while the party was on the move a good distance from the main village. The rocks were placed over the grave to keep wild animals from digging up the remains.

I rested awhile atop the huge limestone boulder that sheltered Blowing Springs, and as I sat there, I wondered how many had sat in the same place and rested before climbing the steep hill to the paths that lead to other horizons.

(The story above was accompanied by a photo taken by Singleton that carried the following caption: Stump is reflected in pool at Blowing Springs.)


(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born during a late-night thunderstorm on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

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