Extinct Towns & Villages of Kemper County, Mississippi

Extract taken from Publication of the Mississippi Historical Society, By the Mississippi Historical Society, Edited by Franklin L. Riley, Secretary, Volume V, Oxford, Mississippi, 1902, pgs 348 , from chapter entitled “Extinct Towns and Villages of Mississippi” by Franklin L. Riley

Submitted by Debora Reese

Wahalak[1] – The old town of Wahalak was situated on Wahalak creek, a branch of the Noxubee river, eight miles south of the station of the same name on the Mobile and Ohio railroad. It was laid off by Victor Welsh in 1837. The name of the first mercantile firm that did business at this place was Loomis Brothers. The town soon had three churches and two flourishing schools, one for girls and one for boys. It had two physicians for a number of years. There were at this place at one time several business enterprises, among which was a bank with a very remarkable record for the times[2]. Unlike most of the early towns of Mississippi, Wahalak had no grog shops during its entire history.

When this place began to wane as an educational center, its business enterprises also declined. The building of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, which went only a few miles to the west of Wahalak, completed its destruction.

[1] The writer will give only a brief outline of the history of Wahalak, as a veryu interesting and complete sketch of this place appears in this volume of the Publications under the title, “Recollections of Pioneer Life in Mississippi”, by Miss Mary J. Welsh of Shuqualak, Miss.

[2] See Miss Welsh’s “Recollection of Pioneer Life in Mississippi”

Extract from “Recollection of Pioneer Life in Mississippi” by Miss Mary J. Welsh, published in “Publication of the Mississippi Historical Society”, Vol. IV, pp. 354 – 357

The country soon began, however, to change its pioneer aspect. Many people of culture and refinement, some of them very wealthy, had settled in this section of Kemper. In 1837 Victor Welsh laid out into town lots a few acres of land around his own home and the Loomis Brothers’ store. These sold readily. It was a hilly locality, beautiful for situation, pleasant and healthful. The town grew rapidly in all that foes to make up a desirable place. It was named Wahalak. The Loomis Brothers soon moved to Brooklyn on the Noxubee. The Presbyterians and Baptists moved their churches into Wahalak and built commodious houses. The first school within its limits was a mixed school taught by Lewis R. Barnes, from Georgia. He admirably sustained the reputation which he brought with him of being a thorough teacher and a good disciplinarian. Unruly boys were sent to him from all parts of the country to be tamed, and he never failed to get them well in hand. He was kind in disposition, courteous in manner, - a manly man in his intercourse with others, and untiring in his work. He was assisted at different times by Revs. Sterling, Jenkins, Wm. Farrar, and Mr. ____ Chivers.

About this time there was much discussion as to the feasibility of navigating the Noxubee. Finally a steamboat, the “Little Jim” was sent up to Macon on a trial trip. The neighborhood was notified of its expected arrival at Wahalak landing and there was a large turnout to meet it. Mr. Barnes closed school for an hour or more and led the procession to the landing. It was an insignificant looking stern wheeler with a keen, shrill whistle. The visit might have passed out of our remembrance but for this the whistle. When it sounded the crowd of sightseers, old and young, white and black, turned and ran until we were stopped by the loud derisive laughter of the boat crew. Mr. Barnes led us back to school in disgust. When we compared notes, nobody was afraid, but everybody ran because everybody else did. That was the last attempt to navigate the Noxubee; until after the War another unsuccessful attempt was made.

In 1838 the citizens deeming it advisable to establish a female school, built a suitable house and elected trustees, who employed Miss Ann Hazard, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take charge of the school. The results proved the wisdom of their action. She came among us as a stranger, but soon won the confidence of her patrons. She was an earnest Christian woman, and proved to be a valuable social acquisition. This school and the male school lived through the most flourishing period of he town, and from experience I can say that the teachers of both deserved the high reputation they gained, and they still live in the hearts and lives of their pupils scatted over many of the Southern states.

There were three churches in the town, a Baptist, two Presbyterian, an old and a new school respectively.

Two physicians, Dr. John McIntosh and Dr. James M. Baird, represented, very ably, the medical fraternity for many years. Later Dr. Harris came in as Dr. McIntosh moved away.

Of the several merchants, I recall now the names of Barnes and Sanders, John T. and Wm. Mosely. John Malone was perhaps associated with one of these firms. James MCCalebb had a store and a blacksmith and wood shop. There were others, but their named do not occur to me now.

At one time the old town had a bank, incorporated under the name of “The Real Estate and Banking Company”. Judge John Hardeman was president and Mr. John T. Moseley cashier. It was in operation but a short time. I have recently had the pleasure of meeting one of my schoolmates fof the Barnes school, Mr. Wm. Boughton, now of Jasper County, Mississippi. In recalling many reminiscences of old Wahalak, I chanced to remark upon the short life of the bank. “Yes”, he replied, “but it did not fail nor break, but closed up business with a perfectly honorable record. The stockholders fully met every claim, if they lost anything it was never known.”

To the credit of the citizens, be it known that there never was a grogshop in Wahalak. The “abomination of desolation” that is now sapping our national life never camped within the limits of the town, neither nearby. The healthy moral sentiment of the community forbade it.

The town early became a great educational center; the seat of a Christian culture and refinement unsurpassed by any community in the State or any other State. The high standard of moral rectitude, the reverential respect for Christianity, the neighborly kindness, the open handed hospitality, the public spirit that characterized the pioneers were also prominent traits of their successors in the town and surrounding country. This natural refinement enhanced by a liberal culture made the social life of Wahalak all that was desirable.

It is hard to say what caused the death of the old town. It declined steadily after Mr. Barnes and Miss Hazard, two of its prominent teachers left; but perhaps the pupils of eduacable age in the community caused them to leave. The building of the Mobile and Ohio railroad had a perceptible effect upon it. It lived on, however, through the war between the States. It is now dead except in the memories of its former citizens. Its name ha been given to a station a few miles west of it on the Mobile and Ohio railroad.