The Aucilla Hunt
During the winter of 1870-71, a small party of men came to panhandle Florida on an extended hunting trip. The “company,” as they called themselves, consisted of twenty-two year old Richard D. Edmondson, his uncle Robert Edmondson (about 45 years old), Robert’s son – Joseph Jones Edmondson (about 22), George Dick (age ?), and Capt. W. L. Brewster (about 40). The company traveled leisurely overland by mule-drawn wagon and on foot, leaving the north Alabama home of Robert Edmondson on the 29th of November 1870.
COMPANY
By D. Bruce Means
Crossing the border into Florida in mid-December, the company traveled and hunted in Jackson, Washington and Bay counties for about five weeks, then proceeded eastward through Marianna, Quincy, and Tallahassee to their ultimate destination in the swampy piney woods of southern Jefferson and Taylor counties.
These are the ancient borderlands separating the Apalachee and Timucua Indians of the pre-settlement wilderness, lying on both sides of the Aucilla River between the Wacissa and Econfina rivers. These wild lands were among the last to lose their virgin timbers to the cold steel of the ax. They were where Herbert Stoddard came in 1930’s to see the last remnant of the bobwhite quails native habitat. Sixty years earlier, these lands had supplied the company with deer, bear, and other game for the entire month of February. The company started for home on March 1st, arriving back at Robert’s Alabama country home on March 19th.
The following is the text of a diary written in pencil by Richard D. Edmondson during the days of the company. The small leather bound note book was found by Mr. and Mrs. John L. Edmondson behind a chimney in their house in Clarksville, Tennessee when the house was being remodeled a century later in 1970. The diary gives us a glimpse of the activities of a group of men trying to survive in the deep South five years after the Civil War. It also gives us an idea of the state of wildlife populations and some ecological information about panhandle Florida in 1870-71. We thank Mrs. John L. Edmondson of Clarksville, Tennessee for permission to print the diary.
Dec. 16 – From Judge Milligan’s to Campbellton, 4 miles. Some good farms. To camp, 6 miles. Good road, poor sandy country, come into Florida, 3 ½ miles north of Campbellton.
Dec. 17 – From camp to Orange Hill, 14 miles over a very good road and very poor country. To Davis Mills, 3 miles. Country poor and sandy. We are told that deer and turkey are thick.
Dec. 18 – Remained in camp to dust and clean ourselves and observe the Sabbath.
Dec. 19 – We hunt in the swamps about the mill; two deer killed, first a large buck, 5 points, 8 shots. First blood, Jo. Next a fawn, one shot by R. Edmondson.
Dec. 20 – Fair day, hunt, start 6 bucks, one killed by Jessy Sowel.
Dec. 21 – Sent our clothes to be washed and started hunting at 12 o’clock. Brewster killed one 4 point buck. A dog caught one supposed to be shot by Brewster.
Dec. 22 – Just the company go a-hunting, no deer seen, return at one o’clock. I killed dog Sharp thought mistake. Rain all the evening.
Dec. 23 – Company, except G. S. Dick, hunt. Robert Edmondson killed a young turkey gobbler. Several shots at deer, none killed. Had a snow and sleet last night; clear, cold and windy all day.
Dec. 24 – Still snow on the ground and a very cold day. Uncle Robert and myself skinned a large buck, hard froze with the intention of making sausage meat to be froze. Tonight several men come to camp. Dow Wats present to us a deck of cards. They stay and play until 11 o’clock. Old man Wats stayed all night.
Dec. 25 – Christmas. We all dress in our Sundays and go and take an oyster and turkey dinner with Mr. Davis. Clear, still cold day, snow still on the ground.
Dec. 26 – Mr. George still complains of his foot. The rest of us go a-hunting. Several shots at deer, none optained. One turkey wounded by Brewster, shot down by myself, at which shot I broke the tule off Mr. Davis’s gun. Returned from hunting and Mr. George D. Brewster and myself go to a frolic 8 miles north east of camp, the drollest thing I ever saw in the human family. We returned via Orange Hill, reaching camp at 5 o’clock next morning. (Note: droll – amusing in a wry or odd way)
Dec. 27 – Uncle Robert and I go to Mr. Davis’s to grind sausage and put tule in his gun. Mr. George slept most of the day. We take a small round this morning but no luck. Weather warmer and is likely to rain.
Dec. 28 – The company hunted; one buck killed by Jo E. Thick, cloudy and rain. Returned from hunting at noon and prepared for going to the Bay.
Dec. 29 – Mr. Davis loaned me his small gun. We started from his house at 10 o’clock, traveled 12 miles and traded for forage. I am sick.
Dec. 30 – From the school house camp, S. W. 12 miles. Pass Spring Pond, Sister Pond and several others. See a great deal of signs and three deer.
Dec. 31 – From Aligator Camp to Court Martial Pond, 2 miles. One fawn killed by Mr. Davis. To Saddleblanket Creek 8 miles. To camp on West Bay Creek, 8 miles. Lost bucket, wash pan and wallet.
Jan. 1 – Sunday and New Year’s Day. From camp to Mr. Brewer’s, 5 miles. There I first see the Gulf of Mexico.
Jan. 2 – Monday our camp is about one mile from the beach. We wade the dew to the Gulf, walk the beach westward 2 miles then we turned into the scrub and hunted back to camp. Mr. George Dick killed a buck. I killed a fawn, long shot. Mr. George D. and W. Brewer killed an old female bear. She is nicely skinned but the dogs get it at night. Four ruined it. Very windy.
Jan. 3 – Tuesday we hunt to the beach of the Gulf, walk eastward about 2 miles then across to the west arm of St. Andrews Bay. Mr. Davis killed a buck.
Jan. 4 – Wednesday all took a hardy supper last night on bear meat stew. Slept well except a universal dreaming. All well this morning. Hunt westward today, no game except a coon.
Jan. 5 – Thursday we hunted westward. Two bucks killed, one by Mr. Davis, myself and Uncle Robert. The other, by Jo was wounded and ran into the Gulf. Thirteen shots at it, one by Brewster and the other 12 by Jo.
Jan. 6 – Hunt eastward, killed no game today.
Jan. 7 – Saturday hunt eastward down the Gulf coast, 5 miles. Killed 3 bear, 2 one-year olds and one old female. The old mother bear was killed by Uncle Robert and myself. The first cub by Uncle Robert, Mr. George D., and Jo E. The other by myself. There were four at first together. The 4th bear, or 3rd cub, we shot several long shots at, then ran it from three o’clock till sundown, then left him unhurt. The rest of the day is spent in butchering and salting. Mr. Davis and Robert Edmondson go up the coast in search of Muse slut (a fishing hole?).
Jan. 9 – Monday we moved from camp back ½ mile beyond the three notch pine. Messrs. Davis, Robert Edmondson, W. Brewster and Jo E. go with Mr. Brewer saining and caught 314 fish. Made only one drag. Supposed to be about 800 pounds of good fish.
Jan. 10 – Tuesday we leave the cook (Dock) in care of the camp and go to Mr. Brewer’s fish landing and butcher 300 fish caught the evening before. Got through about 11 o’clock. Intended catching more that day but the wind blew from the south and made the Gulf too rough. We returned to camp here from Muse by Mr. Sharps at Point Washington.
Jan. 11 – Wednesday make an early start from camp near Mr. Brewer’s. Travel 22 miles to the Sister Ponds and camp. Dog Loud is snagged bad.
Jan. 12 – Thursday from Sister Ponds to Wells 12 miles. I was taken with a severe spell of disordered stomach and bowels. Was supplied with bed at Welles. Company fish in the gap pond and catch three pike and one trout.
Jan. 13 – This morning I am better. We come to Mr. Davis’s, 8 miles. I am worse this evening. We pay our cook $8.00. He is a very trifling and thievish Negro boy. We attempt to fish again this morning but the waves were to high.
Jan. 14 – Saturday I rise very early quite sick. I am invited by Mr. Davis to go into his house and go to bed, which I gladly accepted after taking a wash and putting on some clean clothes. The other portion of the company spent the day in cleaning and resting up. I am a little relieved this evening. Take a dose of Bluemass tonight. I am kindly attended by Mrs. Davis and Uncle Robert. I am annold by a severe breaking out.
Jan. 15 – Sunday I am still quite sick, a little better this evening.
Jan. 16 – Monday I am better this morning. R. Edmondson, W. Brewster, Jo Edmondson and Mr. Davis go a-hunting. Killed nothing. One deer bloodied by Uncle Bob. G. Dick remained with me.
Jan. 17 – Tuesday I am still better, think I will be able to travel tomorrow, therefore the company made preparation today for renewing our journey.
Jan. 18 – Wednesday this morning load and leave Mr. Davis’s toward Marianna, 15 miles. Road good, land looks better this evening.
Jan. 19 – Thursday, from camp to Marianna, 4 miles. From there to camp, 10 miles. Near Marianna we cross a small river called Chipola. East of Marianna is the best land I ever seen in the state.
Jan. 20 – Friday from camp to the Chattahoochie River, 14 miles. Crossed the river on a flat boat. On the east of this river, about 1 mile from it, we find Chattachoochie town and an old arsenal at present used for State Penitentiary, thence 3 miles to camp.
Jan. 21 – Saturday from camp 13 miles to Mr. Ben Wyatts who is well and wife well, has (10) ten children living, one boy dead, 3 boys and 7 girls. Jo and Mr. George D. go to Quincy, which is only 2 miles.
Jan. 22 – Sunday we dress in our Sundays. Mr. George D. and myself go to the Presbyterian Church in Quincy and heard a good sermon by Rev. Little and splendid vocal music accompanied by an organ or melodian. Brewster remain at camp all day. Uncle Robert visit. Jo also stays at camp until after dinner (which we take with Mrs. Wyatt) when he, Mr. George, and myself walk to the Semetary and around through town. Quincy is a pleasant looking town with about eight hundred inhabitants.
Jan. 23 – Monday camp remains at the same place. The company go to Quincy to see the balloon ascend but it was torn and did not ascend. Uncle Robert is accompanied by the old gentlemen Wyatt. He visits Sister Wouldridge. R. Edmondson, W. Brewster and Jo Edmondson go to the circus in the afternoon. Mr. George D. and myself return to camp and write letters and get supper. We attend the circus at night. I have a pleasant conversation with Misses Virginia Wyatt and Irmin Wyatt.
Jan. 24 – Tuesday we strike tents, bid Mr. Wyatt’s family adew and travel eastward through Quincy where Uncle Robert and myself call to see Sister Wouldridge who has changed in appearance very little. From Quincy to Little River, 6 miles. From there to Mr. Nicholson’s where we camp, 2 miles. We are invited to his house and after supper we all go, leaving camp to take care of itself, and form an acquaintance with his wife and three daughters who made some good music on the piano.
Jan. 25 – Wednesday we are furnished with horses to ride and go a-hunting with the two Nickolsons. Only one cat is killed and that by Mr. Archy Nickolson. After 4 o’clock, Mr. R. Edmondson and myself go deer hunting but no game is jumped. This country is very sandy though the people whom we tary with, make their own meat and bread.
Jan. 26 – Thursday we have a jug of molasses presented to us by Mr. A. Nickolson, also a fine lot of peanut candy by his daughters. We give him two pieces of bear meat. Then we travel toward Tallahassee to the Ockalockany River, 8 miles. Thence to Lake Jackson, 2 miles where we arrive about 2 o’clock. After dinner I go with little Willie Roberts duck hunting. Kill two ducks. Mr. George Dick stay at camp. Uncle Robert. W. Brewster, Jo Edmondson go fishing, ketch 6 fish, trout and jack.
Jan. 27 – Friday rained all night last night, though we had tent set therefore slept very well. This morning the weather is very gloomy, thick clouds. Brewster, Jo, Wiley Roberts and myself go ducking. Kill one mallard drake and one squirrel. After dinner we fish, two cats and one trout. Jo kill 3 snipes. The land is sandy, by measuring, it produces from 10 to 15 bushels of corn per acre. Mr. Roberts owns a steam mill for grinding corn. We camped on his place and are treated kindly.
Jan. 28 – Saturday take down the tent and leave Mr. Robert’s, travel toward Tallahassee. Mr. Roberts gives us a dog, part Scotch Terrier. To Tallahassee, 8 miles. Here is a bad government, more Negros and Jews and less Americans than I ever seen anywhere before. From here we travel east 6 miles, camp at a pond on the left of the road. Here is the best land we have seen in the state. Land cultivated by Negros altogether. Most of the farming lands are owned by the Churses (Chaires).
Jan. 29 – Sunday this morning we travel again on account of bad water. Mr. George D. took a dost of pills last night. He is a little better this morning. Jo is complaining of a rising in his hand. Suffers very much with that and his head aching. Travel on the St. Augustine road 6 miles to a Methodist Church near which there lives a man who is having chills and is very much dissatisfied with Florida. We call him a doctor.
Jan. 30 – Monday from the white church eastward 16 miles through flat, piney, palmetto country. Very few houses and mostly Negros. Jo is suffering severely with a rising in the center of his hand. We are compelled to take conveyance in the wagon and on the mules across some swamps. Lost a few eggs which we had in the bucket under the wagon, in a deep creek. Mr. George D. is very much dissatisfied with the country, wishes to direct his course for home. Weather cloudy, a little rain.
Jan. 31 – Tuesday it is still cloudy, also windy. We are all able to renew our journey. Jo still suffers with his hand. We are directing our course toward Mr. Chaney’s. W. Brewster steps out of the road trying to get a shot at a deer and when he comes back he is a good ways behind and takes the wrong road. Mr. George Dick and myself saddle the mules and start to search for him but we meet him coming. Today we see our first Cabbage Palmetto. It is quite a curiosity to us. In crossing a creek on a mill dam, having to pass under a part of the roof of the millhouse, it is so low it breaks all the bows. We also come to the top of the bank of the Aucilla River and turn down it to Mr. Chaneys, 10 miles, where we are invited into the house. He takes our mules into his lot and as we have no corn, they are fed from his crib. We furnish provisions and his wife cooks for us.
Feb. 1 – Wednesday, R. Edmondson and Mr. Chaney go in search of corn and fodder and another gentlemen to go hunting with us. W. Brewster, G. Dick, Jo and myself remain at Mr. Chaneys. Jo suffers greatly with his hand. Wind is very high this morning until about 10 o’clock when its begins to rain and the lightning, thunder and rain comes with great force, so much so that R. Edmondson and Mr. Chaney is prevented from returning until 11 o’clock.
Feb. 2 – Thursday, continues to rain until evening. All of us do nothing except walk to Mr. Chaney’s shop. Here we find him to be a chair maker. His turnling runs by water power by the Wansilla Creek which sinks about 40 yards below the shop. He put up a good strong chair and bottoms altogether made of rawhide. Today we eat a meal of Cabbage Palmetto.
Feb. 3 – Friday, Mr. George Dick and Jo Edmondson remain at the house. It has cleared off and is a beautiful day. W. Brewster, R. Edmondson, myself, Mr. Chaney and his son go a-hunting. Hunt in the hummock just south of Mr. Chaneys. Going about ¼ of a mile from the house, we find where the Aucilla River goes underground forming a compleat natural bridge. The river is high but not overflowing. The water of this river is dark as it usually is in pine woods. We then enter the hammock where is to be seen the Cabbage Palmetto in abundance, also in some parts Diew and noodle palmetto which are indications of good land. Here is also the live oak, water oak, sweet gum, hickory and ash. This land has a great deal of limestone rock in and on it. Only one deer killed and that the fatest doe I ever saw, killed by John Chaney. Then we have a good toat 2 miles to the house. Jumped three times today.
Feb. 4 – Saturday the entire company and Mr. Chaney and son go a-hunting in the hummock again. Drive one drive without a shot. In making our way to the next drive, we jump a deer and four shots are fired at it without injury, as well as we can tell. After taking our stands at the next drive, Mr. Chaney, who is in the drive, gets a good shot and misses. Capt. W. Brewster shot the same deer down afterwards and then it gets away. We hear a deer or something that blates just like it (is) just in front of the standers that we never found or could account for. The next shooting was done by Mr. Chaney and R. Edmondson, who together kill a three point buck. He is killed in the same drive that the doe is and is also carried to the house on a pole. Jo’s hand is getting better. The pack of dogs are 11 in number today. I have been unwell for several days and am worse today, having fever.
Feb. 5 – Sunday, another clear pleasant day. The wagon is repacked for a hunt with some of the neighbors, to hunt about 12 or 15 miles southeast of Mr. Chaney’s. Mr. Chaney goes with us. After going about 2 miles, another man joins us to go on the hunt whose name is Harras. Then going 3 miles further we strike camp at Mr. Tellintton’s who is a noted hunter. He is a man about 5ft 10in. high, dark complected and is about 40 years of age.
Feb. 6 – Monday, this morning Mr. Tellington joins our company for this week’s hunt, which makes us a company of 8 men. After traveling a mile or two this morning, Messrs’ Tellington, Harras, W. Brewster and R. Edmondson turn out of the road to the right to make a drive on Short Branch. Soon after they are separated from us, I am taken with a chill. Mr. Chaney, G. Dick and Jo E. are with me. I am quite sick the balance of the day. The hunters shoot 10 times but get no meat. Two or three deer are wounded and perhaps one or two are caught by the dogs.
Feb. 7 – Tuesday, this morning I feel some better but am not clear of fever and an not able to go into the swamp hunting. Therefore I am left to keep camp. Jo E.’s hand is not well but has improved enough for him to go in to the hunt today. We are camped on the Econfina River (the west bank) in Taylor Co. about four miles above its mouth. It affords us very good water, though like all the other streams of this flat pine wood, its water is very dark. Mr. Chaney and Mr. G. Dick return a little before sun down with a piece of venison apiece. Mr. George comes in crying, “Done, done, enough of this swamp,” and advising me to take his word for it. They say they are too tired to cook then. They eat a little cold bread and go fishing, catch one trout. The other portion of the company come in about night being very much wearied, saying they will either hunt in the pine woods or fish. Only one deer is killed today and that by R. Edmondson.
Feb. 8 – Wednesday, this morning I am taken with a chill just before daylight. It last me about an hour, having very high fever all the rest of the morning. Jo E. is left at camp to attend to me, all others start for a deer hunt. Mr. George is left at a stand close by and the others plunge into the swamp again. Mr. Harras (who is about 6ft high, red beard, blue eyes intelligent and as quietly dispositioned man) is separated from the rest and not being able to hear them again, returns to camp about 12 o’clock. Jo E. kills a 4 point buck. Messrs. Chaney, Brewster and R. Edmondson come in a little before night saying they had lost a man and they were very sorry for him, for they expected he had killed a bear. Sure enough about dark here he (Mr. Tellington) came with a good fat year old cub on his back, knapsack style, saying he had killed an old one besides and had butchered it and covered it with palmetto leaves. She was also fat but he could not bring in any of her except her scalp.
Feb. 9 – Thursday, preparations are made to move out to Tellington’s today by Mr. G. Dick and Jo with me and the wagon as I am yet quite unwell. The others are to go into the swamp to hunt and bring out the other bear, killed the day before. We arrove at Mr. Tellington’s about 2 o’clock and I hearing that there is Quinia at Mr. Johnson’s about 4 miles from here, so I get Charley Tellington to go and get some for me. Just before night, the hunt men not coming, Jo carries the mules to meet them, thinking they would be very tired of their load of bear. Sure enough, when he met with them they were very much wearied but (had) not a scrap of bear meat or vension. They had jumped 5 or 6 times during the day, what they thought to be bear, but did not even get a shot and also failed to fine the dead one. Threstens rain several times today and a little after dark we have a shower sufficient to make us seek shelter where we go into Mr. Tellington’s house.
Feb. 10 – Friday, I took three dost of Quinia last night, but I have a good deal of fever this morning. Slept very little and have no appetite. Mr. Harras separated from the other portion of the company in the swamp and went home. Mrs. Tellington cooks breakfast for all of us this morning. Clears off and is a very pleasant day in the shade. The men are all doing nothing until about 12 o’clock when they pack up and lie down in the wagon while Mr. George D. drives to Mr. Chaney’s. After getting there I go into the house and lie on a hard mattress bed. R. Edmondson goes with him fishing catch one dozen pollywogs and warmouth perch while Jo E. goes in search of old Bawly which has been missing several days and W. Brewster and G. Dick stay in camp and cook. Chaney is very much dissatisfied with the way his wife and children have progressed with his business at home. Though she says he always comes home mad (Poor old fellow).
Feb. 11 – Saturday, took a dost of blue mass last night and this morning feel some better. No movement of camp today. Mr. George D. and Capt. Brewster stay at camp while R. Edmondson goes a-fishing in the creek near Chaney’s shop. Catches a few little pollywogs. Jo E. returns with dog Bawly about 10 o’clock. Stayed all night with a man called Richerson 8 miles from Chaney’s. After dinner, R. Edmondson go to Tellington’s according to promise to go fire hunting with him. Capt. Brewster goes with Mr. Chaney up the creek to ascertain if there is much deer on the creek sufficient for them to go fire hunting tonight but they saw very little sign. Mr. George D., Jo E., John and George Chaney go into the hummock squirreling while I keep the dogs and camp. Mr. George Dick shot nothing, except as old Katy, which is something we never saw before and is something of the Woodpecker order.
Feb. 12 – Sunday, last night was my chill time again but Mrs. Chaney let me have some Quinia. I took three dost and rise this morning feeling better. I slept in Chaney’s house but I go and take breakfast with my comrades this morning as they have a squirrel fry and some biscuits (Capt. Brewster’s first make up). R. Edmondson returns from Tellington’s toward the middle of the day having fire hunted the night before without even seeing a pair of eyes. Then Capt. Brewster, R. Edmondson, Jo and myself go south into the swamp to hunt bear, leaving Mr. George to board with Cheney as he does not wish to hunt. We are on an elevation or nole where there was perhaps buildings 50 or 60 years ago on the bank of the Aucilla River about 300 yards below its final rise. It sinks 3 miles above here and rises 3 or 4 times forming several natural bridges. Mr. Tellington and his son meet with us here just about night.
Feb. 13 – Monday, R. Edmondson, Brewster, Jo E., Tellington and his son go into the swamp bear hunting. I not being strong enough to hunt remain in camp thinking I would fish but became tired of that very soon, not having tackle satisfactory. Very early they jump a bear. He ran to the river but too far below me for me to head him off. After running about an hour she came back and getting the dogs after him they soon treed him and was killed by Jimmy Tellington. About 2 o’clock while I was sitting by the fire at camp, I heard a stick break as not a great distance in the thicket. I picked up a Spencer rifle that we had and ran 150 yards to a stand and just as I got there a large buck jumped into the trail and stopped. I fired, it ran off as though it was not hurt. About 60 yards farther I found that it was shot directly through the hart. He was ______ buck that had dropped his horns.
Feb. 14 – Tuesday, had a very hard storm and rain last night, our tent leaked a little. Mr. Tellington and his son leave us this morning before breakfast. So much rain last night that no hunting is done in the swamp. R. Edmondson and Jo E. go down the river in a boat and see a turtle, two alligators and caught a good many cat fish. Capt. Brewster and myself remain in camp to dry up the bear lard, salt down the bear and deer, cook dinner etc. Mr. George Dick comes down to camp this morning and brings Capt. Brewster’s tobacco and my quinia saying he thought he would take dinner with us today but we were so late getting dinner ready, he was forced to stay all night. He is very much displeased with the cat fish cleaning, says it is the last one he will ever clean. We had very good biscuit this morning. It was R. Edmondson first make up, rose splendidly. Jo E. killed three squirrels late this evening.
Feb. 15 – Wednesday, instead of Mr. George Dick going out to Chaney’s this morning as he said he would, he goes with R. Edmondson, W. Brewster and Jo E. into the swamp bear hunting. I am too unwell to hunt therefore I stay about camp and catch one cat fish and kill one crow. They return this evening with one two year old bear, killed by Capt. Brewster. He shot it down with the first barrel then shot it with the other barrel, it still moving some, Mr. George Dick shot it one time. The swamp is very full of water and the men say they got their feet wet in about 300 yards of the camp and waded water most of the day, half leg deep. The Live Oak and Cedar grows here in abundance and we see a great deal of sign where it has been cut and carried off for ship building purposes. There is also a great many deer and turkey about here but it is so thick and the palmetto sprads make so much noise that it is a very rare case when we meet up with them.
Feb. 16 – Thursday, no bear hunt in anticipation for today. Therefore the attention of the company is directed to drying up the bear oil or rather bear fat from one small bear but our vessel for boiling in is small. We think we obtain about four gallons of oil from this one. Had to make three boiling therefore it took us all day. But after getting the last kettle full to boiling, Capt. Brewster, Mr. George Dick and myself got into the boat to go up to the rise (about 300 yards) fishing. I carry a gun and after getting up there I get out to shoot squirrels when Jo comes up by land and he and I kill 13 squirrels while Capt. B. and G. Dick fish and catch one very small one. R. Edmondson goes out to the settlement to carry the Widdow Hale a fish I caught yesterday and some bear meat and also to get some corn.
Feb. 17 – Friday, it was the intention of the company to go southward hunting but just as our breakfast was ready, here comes John Chaney saying his father wanted to meet us between here and his house to drive for a bear that killed a hog last night. All started in good hope for getting the bear except myself who remained at camp not feeling strong enough to undertake the tramp. About 10 o’clock here comes Bawly bitten in the front leg severly. I supposed he had come up with the bear and attacked it and the bear had bitten him. Soon after him came the two curs, looking full as though they had something to eat. Then I got on a mule and rode up the road to above where I thought the men were. Not seeing or hearing them, I came back and went a mile or two down the trail where two more dogs came to me, Winkle and Chaney’s brindle cur, and I could not hear anything of the huntsmen. When I returned to camp there was Capt. Brewster who had missed the others and came to camp. He said that Bawly’s wounds were made by Chaney’s yellow cur dog and that they had not started the bear but Jo E. shot at a deer and a Negro who was with Chaney also shot at a gang of three. Capt. Brewster and myself put on a stew for supper and just as we about got it on, here came the hunters with a very fat doe which they supposed to be one of the deer the Negro had wounded and dog Jack bayed it laying down and R. Edmondson shot it while down. Chaney, his son, and the Negro George stay with us for supper and the supper was enjoyed very much by all. The stew was of bear meat and squirrel, the bread was biscuit made up by Capt. Brewster. After supper, Chaney, son, and the Negro take two quarters of the doe and go home. R. Edmondson and myself go in the boat up to the rise fishing but caught nothing. Cloudy with some indication of rain.
Feb. 18 – Saturday, had some rain last night or just before day. Breakfast is late, very good vension stake this morning. All but me go eastward bear hunting. I stay at camp, stretched the doe skin, cook some potatoes, spread up the bed, etc. In the afternoon go up to the rise fishing, bate with vension, catch five fish. Clears off during the day and the wind shifts to north and is a good deal cooler. Just before sundown the hunters came into camp with the hams of a spike buck harnessed on Mr. George Dick, who says he is very tired of this draying business. They frequently have to toat their game two or three miles and that through a very thick of cane, bushes, briars and Palmetto and from the looks of their feet and legs, they do a great deal of wading. The woods are so bad the huntsmen pay very dearly for their sport. Nearly every days hunting there is a bee tree found but we have taken none yet.
Feb. 19 – Sunday, this morning made another move from a camp ground that is highly appreciated for its convenience. The Aucilla River for water was in about 40 yards though the water was not as good as some water we find. Small green hickory wood in about 60 yards, which is better to cook with than pine (for that is what we have had to burn most of the time in Florida). Our tent is pitched on a mound an elevation of about 3 feet, the highest I have seen in 2 weeks. About 10 feet in front of the tent, stands a large Cabbage Palmetto the stems of which act as our hang rack, cupboard, etc. we have nearly everything on it. We think there was once a house on this mound as we see some rock here and it being an old field around. Mr. Chaney tells us there once lived a man here or kept up a sugar farm here by the name of Nutall, about 35 years ago. No one having lived here since, it has become as much or nearly grown-up as it ever was. He said the farm was broken up by the Indians. The tent is taken down, wagon packed and I drove (the other portion of the company walked) out to Chaney’s. He is away from home, gone with a Negro to try and catch a varmint bear or wild cat that has been interrupting his hogs as it is Sunday and any other day he has not got the time. We leave two bear hides, two deer hides and five deer hams more to be dried and taken care of, as we wish to take another hunt east of here and return this way. About 1 o’clock we leave Chaney’s and go to Shohee’s There we take the left and travel several miles in the right direction then turn to much to the right and find ourselves at Turlington’s where we camped, so as to get corn for the mules.
We are all in better health though Capt. Brewster had the tooth ache for a while but gets over it before bed time. We were attempting to get to Mr. Whidden’s but came several miles out of the way.
Feb. 20 – Monday, we start from Mr. Turlington’s this morning with high anticipation of a glorious bear hunt with Mr. Whiddon in the swamps about camp Misery, we having been informed of there being a great many bear about there and that Mr. Whiddon sent us word to come over and hunt with him. After crossing four creeks we came to the Econfunee (Econfina) River about 7 miles from Turlington’s, then three miles and we get to Mr. Whiddon’s. Col. George Dick finds him, whom we find to be in very bad health and his business in bad order. We stay about there all the evening. This is in Taylor County, the Aucille R. being the line between Taylor and Jefferson. Taylor Co. has no town at its Court House therefore it is called Taylor County Court House. Very little tilling of soil in this county which is thinly settled and the people here live on their stock (hogs and cattle) and game which they carry to market, generally to the railroad near Monticello (which is the county seat of Jefferson Co.).
Feb. 21 – Tuesday, Mr. Whiddon came out this morning to tell us that his health and business did not admit of his going a-hunting with us. He seems to be a very nice clever man about 50 years of age and owns about 1,000 head of cattle and 600 or 800 hogs. He raises the long staple cotton, has a rowler gin and also a grist mill attached to his gin for grinding his own corn only. Although he has so much cattle, he has no milk and butter, nor does anybody about here have it. We not being able to get any one to go hunting with us down about Camp Misery to show us the woods, we (after R. Edmondson gets his pants mended) start back for the swamp between Aucilla and Econfunee (Econfina) where we are to some extent acquainted, first going to Mr. Shehee’s to get corn and fodder from Addams which is not at all popular and has a mean expression on his face. We also buy a bushel of meal from him then go and camp at Turnington’s again.
Feb. 22 – Wednesday a little cloudy this morning but soon cleared off and was a pleasant day. Mr. Turlington and Jo Edmondson went fire hunting and shot one of Turlington’s dogs through the front leg. Found no deer. R. Edmondson made egg bread for supper last light and for breakfast this morning. Breakfast very late. Our decision is to go down to the Econfunee (Econfina) to camp and hunt though not so low down as we went before. Turlington goes to work at his cane taking it up, sorting and planting. He says although it is a very busy time with him, he will come down to hunt with us tomorrow evening, to hunt the balance of the week. We get to our camping grounds at 12 o’clock when Jo E. and R. Edmondson go into the swamp to cut a road. Capt. Brewster, G. Dick and myself have dinner of fritters and molasses and coffee after which Capt. Brewster goes and helps them cut the road. Mr. George Dick cuts some tent poles and stays at camp. I go with my little rifle squirrel hunting and kill 8.
Feb. 23 – Thursday, this morning every one of us go a-hunting. I and G. Dick ride the mules, going into the swamp on the road cur out yesterday: R. Edmondson, Jo E. and Capt. Brewster go in on foot carrying the dogs, going into the swamp south of the road and parallel with it then turning to the right they struck the road not far from the end. They started no bear. One deer ran by G. Dick and he shot at it but no blood was found. Gun made a long fire. About 2 o’clock we meet and break up the hunt for the day, R. Edmondson and G. Dick going to extend the road farther, while Capt. Brewster, Jo E. and myself go to camp. Capt. B. and Jo E. getting supper while I go down to the river to kill squirrels. I, having taken Blumass last night, feel quite unwell. The weather is a little cool and thick clouds this morning. In the afternoon it clears off warmer without any rain. I kill five squirrels on the bank of the Econfunee (Econfina) R. with rifle.
Feb. 24 – Friday, Mr. Turlington came to us late yesterday evening bringing his gun and three dogs with the intention of hunting with us two days. This morning we all go a-hunting again, leaving the wagon to take care of itself. Capt. B., G. Dick and myself go in on the trail and take stands while R. Edmondson, Jo E. and Turnington go into the swamp driving south on the trail. Jumped one bear but most of the dogs got on the back trail and therefore it got away. Turlington left the other drivers when the dogs struck the bear as he generally does for he is a good runner for speed as well as distance. In Trulington’s return from the end of the bear chase, he jumped an old buck and it run by Capt. B. and Jo E. Both shot at it and it ran off badly wounded. Dogs ran it about a mile and caught it. The dogs even ruined the hide. This morning it is thick cloudy and likely to rain as it was yesterday, but breaks away toward the middle of the day and is quite warm, enough for house Martins to be flying about first I have ever heard. Today is also one long to be remembered by us as the day R. Edmondson killed the alligator and uncapt his head measuring all of (2) two feet in length, the first one I ever saw. Not far from where he killed the alligator, he killed the first cotton mouth snake I ever saw.
Feb. 25 – Saturday, the intention of the company is to make an effort to kill a bear and then take a bee tree that was found by Mr. Turlington yesterday about 3 miles in the swamp westward. R. Edmondson, Jo E. and Mr. Turlington drive again but this time north of the trail. G. Dick and myself ride the mule and carry the apparatus for bee robbing, pole ax, water bucket and large tin pan. I toat the Spencer rifle, shoot twice at a turkey, both shots miss, then going on out to the bee tree where I find Mr. George D. I leave my mule and walk out west 300 yards as I think the drivers have passed us. While out there I kill a large rattle snake which has 8 rattles. We hear one of the drivers horns, do all we can by hallowing and shooting to attract them to us but failed. We then went to camp. Soon after we got there, Jo E. came in with a cub bear that he had killed about 5 miles in the swamp, and a mile or mile and a half from where Mr. Turlington its mammy just before Jo E. killed the cub. About an hour into the night, in came the other drivers, R. Edmondson and Turlington with half the old bear, Turlington brought it alone, the piece of meat would have weighed 100 pounds. He is a man use to hard labor, both of them are very much wearied. G. Dick, Capt. Brewster and myself butcher the bear that Jo E. killed.
Feb. 26 – Sunday, although today is Sunday, it is made a day great fatigue by us. Having a very fine bear skin and half of the bear in the swamp, the one to remain at camp is to render the fat of the cub and butcher the buck that Jo E. killed yesterday morning and slat down the meat which is quite enough work for one man. This piece of work was placed as my portion which I finally concluded about the middle of the day. Just as I was done salting and butchering, it commenced raining and rained all day. A little before night the other portion of the company came in quite wet. They succeeded in getting the bear, they also took the bee tree, getting a little more than two buckets of honey. They say that Turlington is also a very good hand at bee robbing. He goes home (which is about 6 miles) after night. We cook on the old bear drippings all night. Some of us sleeping all the time.
Feb. 27 – Monday, we wind up the lard drying, get our breakfast and start to the bay. We go three miles down the Econfina River where we find Trulington’s boats, get in and go 4 miles down the river where we find its mouth and the bay. Having no guide and the wind being from the south (which blows the tide up) we are not successful in finding any good oysters, but saw a good many Paupuses. Capt. Brewster shot at one and we think he was hit by his leaving his comrads and making the water foam and splash. We saw also a great many water fowls called by the natives here Negro Geese (Double crested Gormorants). They are smaller than the common goose and of a black color and also has a sharp bill. Two of these were killed, one by G. Dick with shot gun flying, the other by R. Edmondson with an army pistol flying. We got back to camp and found our bear hides eaten by the buzzards.
Feb. 28 – Tuesday, pack our wagon and start for Turlington. Meet him and his son out hog hunting. All of us then except G. Dick (who drives the wagon to Turlingtons) turn out of the road to the left to deer hunt. The dogs jump one deer and run it to Capt. Brewster who killed it, being a very fat doe. We then went to Turlington’s and ate dinner with him, polk greens, corn bread and strong coffee which we enjoyed very much, then butchered the deer, gave Turlington all of it except one shoulder. We then bid goodby and started. Left G. Dick’s hatchet unintentionally and Jack Dog unintentionally. To the Widdows Hale to get our clothes that were washed there, then on to Chaney’s. Just before we got there, Jo E. killed an owl. We camp near Cheney’s house, he coming out and telling us that a bear or panther had killed two of his hogs since we left and that he was going to hunt it the next day.
Mar. 1 – Wednesday, this morning we prepared for traveling homeward. Chaney comes out and bids us goodbye early as he has to go in search of the hog varmint. Some of the company desire very much to go with him but we had started and would not turn back. From Cheney’s to Mr. Stricklin’s (who lives at the edge of the flat woods) 8 miles, a good deal of water. The woods are being burned for the cattle. G. Dick gets a little tobacco of Mr. Stricklin’s. From Stricklin’s to one mile beyond Mr. Mays, 13 miles, 21 in all. It is a pretty day and looks very much like Spring. The doog wood, yellow Jessamine, crab apple and rose bushes being in bloom and most of the trees putting forth their leaves. The land in the neighborhood of our camp tonight is as good as any we have seen in Florida, being the same kind as that about Tallahassee. Sold our spoilt bear meat to the Negros at Gambles Quarters.
Mar. 2 – Thursday, this morning we get on the road at half past 8 and go one mile and a half to a saw mill that is rented and run by a Mulatto. Then to Monticello 9 miles from camp, the county seat of Jefferson Co. Monticello we suppose to have about 600 population. At this place, we sold our dried vension hams and hides and mailed our letters. R. Edmondson and myself have our shoes repaired here. We crossed the Florida RR at station No. 3, just 3 miles before we get to town. From Monticello we traveled 9 miles, 18 miles from last night’s camp. From Chaney’s to Monticello 30 miles. Tonight we are in Georgia, Thomas Co., at a well and is threatening to rain but we sleep our near the wagon without fire or shelter except our blankets. This country is principally populated with Negros and is very good and productive for sandy pine woods. The people seem to raise enough corn to do them but cotton is the principal crop.
Mar. 3 – Friday, this morning we leave out the Chaney meat box and start again to Thomasville. Get there (which they say is 13 miles) about 1 o’clock and while we are there the rain commenced to fall. Go nearly a mile past and stop and eat. Thomasville is the county seat of Thomas Co., and we suppose to have about 1000 population. Here we crossed another RR and we passed by the town, not directly through it, a very neat looking town. Here was the white Negro school. From Thomasville we traveled 9 miles through the rain. Capt. W., L. B., G. Dick and Jo E. walked through the rain all the evening. We were admitted into vacant house by Mr. Hurst, which was quite acceptable. Have hot biscuits and oysters for supper for we are now out of meat and very scant supply of oysters for the distance to the next town. Mr. G. Dick talks as though he was quite hungry. Crossed the Oclockny River, 5 miles from Thomasville on a bridge north.
Mar. 4 – Saturday, from Hurst’s we start about 9 o’clock and travel about 20 miles to camp. We come today through a very poor country. Made it in quick time to be entirely out of meat. I speak of those who walked, as for me, I was in the wagon all the time being to unwell to walk. Where we stopped today to eat we were close to line between Thomas and Mitchel counties. Today has been a cool clear day. We are told that there are a great many deer and turkeys about here but we see no sign of them except a very extensive pine woods. The man who tells us about them seems to know a good deal about most every thing and every where except Columbus (the city we intend to go through). Some times we meet with a man that tells it not very far while some others will have it double the distance. Mr. George D. complains of being hungry for meat, threatens to skin a dog. Jo E. killed a very large black fox squirrel.
Mar. 5 – Sunday, from camp to the Blue Springs, 22 miles. The first 10 miles this morning was through a very poor pine woods with very few settlements. Here we arrive about 11 o’clock and fine a very good looking man and dwelling, get forage from him. Come to some better farming country this evening, large farms and cultivated altogether by Negros. It is a pine woods county but has a red clay foundation and therefore last tolerable well. It has been a pleasant sunshiny day. Very much annoid by musquitoes this evening. About 6 miles before we got to camp, we came into Dority County from Mitchel Co.
Mar. 6 – Monday, from the Blue Spring to Albany, 4 miles. Just before going up into town we cross the Flint R. on a flat ferried by rope. The river is very high and the water looks more like that of Cumberland R. than any one I have seen, on account of the red clay foundation of the land. Albany is a very pretty town of about 3,000 population. T’was here the red wagon ran over Old Buck. This is the County seat of Dority Co. From Albany, 5 miles to a village called Palmyra, thence 9 miles to camp in a creek bottom. Traveled 18 miles in all today. From Albany, 14 miles. Distance from Chaney’s to Monticello 30 miles, from Monticello to Thomasville 22 miles, from Chaney’s 52 miles. Thomasville to Albany 54 miles, Chaney’s to Albany 106 miles.
Mar. 7 – Tuesday, from the hogbed camp to the mill and bridge across the Cinchafony Creek, where we by one bushel of meal, 11 miles. We meet a marriage party consisting of four couples including the bride and bridegroom (whose name is Hollas) which was quite a pleasant sight to we tide swamp drayers. Crossed the line about 3 miles north of the Cinchafony Creek of Lee and Sumter County. County seat of Lee Co. is Startsville, of Sumter is Americus. Very good cotton producing lands we passed today. Travel 20 miles today which makes 36 miles from Albany.
Mar. 8 – Wednesday, traveled only 7 miles passed a crossroads called the plains of duro and also Black’s Boot and Shoe Manufactory and Tanyard where they make from 50 to 60 pair a day, work 15 hands. Dog Bawly strayed from us today and took our back track. Jo E. got on a mule and went back in search of him for about 15 miles, inquired of people on the road found that the dog was gaining on him, he therefore turned back, lost over half the day. We see a man today who tells us that in the neighborhood of Black’s Manufacturing is some of the best land in the state for cotton on the Cinchafony Creek. We are now from Albany 43 miles, from Chaney’s 149 miles.
Mar. 9 – Thursday, Bawly came into camp last night after we had gone to bed. We are aroused by rain a while before day. A large quantity of rain falls this morning, get off from camp a little before 10 o’clock. Passed out of Sumpter into Marion Co., this morning, also passed a small place called Friendship and 20 miles in all today brings us to Bunavista the County seat of Marion Co. Camped last night near ca man’s house by the name of McGarthy. We are now 63 miles from Albany, from Jake Chaney’s 169 miles.
Mar. 10 – Friday, today we start from Bunavista toward the City of Columbus, traveling 24 miles, passing out of Marion Co. into Chattahoochee Co., thence into Muscogee Co. Have had the worst road today that we have had since we came into the state, deep sand, hills and roots, 15 miles today that we did not cross a branch or any stream of water. Today the hide Dutchman and Negro came in the one horse wagon. My feelings are some better today being a little relieved of my disease, but am quite weak.
Mar. 11 – Saturday, this morning we travel 11 miles and find ourselves in Columbus, the County seat of Muscogee Co., which is quite a good looking city and business place, several very large cotton manufacturing and some fine manufacturing mills. Here we cross the Chattahoochee on a covered pine bridge. Thence 8 miles out the O & W P RR placing us 1 mile from where we started from this morning. Came out of Georgia into Russell Co. Ala., just through the corner of Russell then into Lee Co. This country is exceeding rough, poor and rocky. From Chaney’s 212 miles.
Animals Shot or Killed by Aucilla Hunt Company and Associates during 76 days in Florida.
Species Numbers
Bucks 13
Does 3
Fawns 3
Deer 1
Wounded deer 4
Sow bear 4
Bear 2
Cubs 4
Turkeys 2
Coon 1
Cat 1
Dogs 2
Squirrels 30
Porpoise 1
Owl 1
Cormbrant 2
Crow 1
Old Katy (ivory bill) 1
Snipe 3
Ducks 3
Alligator 1
Cottonmouth 1
Rattler 1
Pike 4
Trout 9
Catfish & pollywogs 25
Warmouth 6
Gulf fish 314
Oysters 100s
Richard Edmondson’s diary allows us a small glimpse of how some men passed the winter in the rural Reconstruction Deep South. Between growing seasons, a man could support himself through the winter on a long hunt such as this one. The womenfolk, presumably, stayed on the farm with the younger children and survived on the foodstuffs grown and stored from the previous summer.
A lot of natural history information about eastern panhandle Florida can be gleaned from Edmondson’s diary. Both from what is stated as fact and from what is not. For instance, Edmondson mentions the first cottonmouth moccasin snake he ever saw on Feb. 24th, and makes almost no mention of snakes in his whole journal. The reason of course, is that the hunt takes place in the middle of the winter when reptiles are inactive and usually underground.
The Old Katy shot by Mr. George Dick on Feb. 11th probably was an Ivory-bill Woodpecker, and most likely went into the pot. It is interesting that none of the company had ever seen one before, if we can believe Richard Edmondson’s statement to that effect. It is an indication that the Ivory-bill was either naturally rare or by 1870 was already severely depleted in the Florida panhandle.
Several times medication was mentioned one was called Blue Mass. Blue Mass is a drug of which blue pills are made and is called in A. .blue-mass, being prepared by rubbing mercury with glycerine, honey, confection of rose, & c.., until a mass is formed. The other medicine mentioned was Quinia an older name for quinine. Quinine was an early drug used to treat malaria.