A Confederate Map 13

You would think it would be easy to take a simple map that has two lines drawn to intersect and find that spot, wouldn’t you? Well, it is not.
It was afternoon by the time that Mark, Marian and Bob, GuyK, Denise, and myself had loaded up a couple of jo-blades and the survey equipment and driven around to the old Christmas Cemetery. There we unloaded in a little pull-off from the road and slipped over to the graveyard. We were on posted land but we do know the landowner Paul Brown. He would have given us permission to visit, but we did not want any questions about what we were doing. We all felt excited as if it was a great adventure; like we were in the middle of the book “Treasure Island.”
Mark and I quickly located the flat marble slab over the grave, checked everywhere for snakes and brought everyone up while we used our hands and the bush blades to clear the marble top so we could inspect it.
The writing was faded with his name, date of birth and death (just a few years after coming here). In the center was a round shape like a sun in the clouds. There were no other markings found that we could use, so we put the instrument over the sun shape, leveled it and aimed it due West. I quickly found out that this was not going to be easy.
100 years ago, I am sure this was all open crop and pasture land, but now it was a grown up forest. It took Mark and I about 15 minutes to cut a hole through the brush enough for us to run out first 100 foot line. After that I would aim, people would chop and cut enough to see and we would move.
A lot of time was spent shooting around trees and resetting the instrument. By 6:00 PM we had only covered half the distance shown on the map.
At 8:30 PM we called it a day and headed back to steaks on the grill that Denise and Marian had decided to get going after it looked like there would not be a treasure chest of gold found. We ate hearty and talked about the journal and map for a few hours, enjoyed a nice fire and went to bed eager to start again the next day.
Noon on that next day, GuyK drove a stake in the ground at the 1962 foot mark. There did not seem to be anything there special that marked the spot. I am not a surveyor so I figured we were within 15-20 yards of the spot at worse. We left that line and headed over to the big Indian Mound near the Beehive Stand marked on the map. Another hour of clearing, looking for a marker and finally setting the instrument as close to the center of the top of the mound as possible and we shot our first line due South.
Once again it was tough work to clear a line through the woods. The woods were bigger and more open but we still had to shoot around a few trees. We drove the stake in the ground at the 849 foot mark at around 6:00 PM. Unfortunately, the two lines did not meet. Did I mention that I am not a damn surveyor.
Anyway we were within 10 feet of the westerly line but over about 20 feet west of the first stake. Everyone was determined to figure out what was there, so we decided to take a quick dinner break and come back with the metal detector. Once again a good meal of hamburgers made by the ladies and by 7:30 PM we were back in the woods. It does not get dark in the summer until close to 9:00 PM here. We had shovels and high hopes as Mark turned on the metal detector and slowly started covering the area.
He almost missed it, it was getting dark and just a slight reading came on the metal detector as he made his way around a large rock. Looking back, I should have realized the rock was not supposed to be there anyway. Excitedly we dug around the rock (with Guy giving directions) and pried it up and out of the way. Everyone got quiet as Mark turned the metal detector back on and moved it over the hole. It gave a loud buzz and everyone almost went crazy. Denise grabbed a shovel and started digging like crazy.
Finally we all cooled down and Mark and I started carefully digging. It was dark now but we had some flashlights and a large Coleman lantern that Marian lit that gave us a bright circle of light.
Metal scraped on metal and I got on my knees to dig around whatever we had hit. To my surprise it was the tip of a metal rod about a quarter inch around that stuck up from the hole. This cooled everyone off as we gathered around and stared at the tip of the rod sticking out of the ground. A bottle was produced, a few cokes from a cooler and some plastic glasses were found and we sat down to talk about what it meant and what to do next.

Truckin' On Social Security

Bobby limped out and bought a brand new truck yesterday.
We have got to get rid of Social Security and put these people back to work.

Harvest Sheet 2008

Please click on picture for a larger view.


there are a few not on there, such as when Kim bagged her hog during
the great hog hunt of 2009

Another Hard Days' Night

The Howell Open

Each fourth of July brings all the family together and it is when the bloody Howell Open occurs each year. Bragging rights and agony are in each shot as the men of the family fight each other to the last hole to win the golf match. This year was no different except that we sent a certain sleazy coast lawyer back home with his tail between his legs. Here are a couple of pics of the losers paying off to us.
We play in a scramble format so everyone can contribute. This year Dad, Kent, Bebo, Hunter, Trent, Paul and myself played along with our friends Bill Kyrick, Joe Black and Greg Jones. It was the most fun I have had in years. We beat the crap out of them the first two days and they squeezed out a victory on the last hole in the Sunday round. It was absolutely great to play with my Dad again and his 83 year old self came through for his team on the last day as his competitive juices got flowing and he carried his team through the last 6 holes and made a birdie at the last to win. That sorry dog never could stand to lose.

A Confederate Map 12

It was the weekend of the 4th of July that I set for the treasure hunt. I had taken the old rifle, removed the butt plate and pulled out a folded, yellow piece of parchment. I understood the writing easily. It was drawn to show a point on the East that said Parker, with a line from there going West 1962 ft.
Another point on the map said Indian Mound with a line running South 849 feet. Where they met was the proverbial X with a notation beside it that said 690 feet.
Here is how it looked. Not much of a treasure map I thought to myself. I realized that the point labeled Parker was the grave of Mr. Parker that had originally started the plantation. I also knew from the map exactly which Indian Mound the other point was supposed to be. I bought a good compass, borrowed a survey instrument and I had a hundred foot tape. I set my plan in motion.
I needed help and finally told Mark (Mailrider) who eagerly agreed to help me after reading the journal. Denise was gung-ho to start and I also brought Marian and GuyK into the search after swearing them to secrecy. Cookie was kept in the loop by cell phone.
As friends and bloggers, I thought it would be fun for all of us to write about our experience. They were all invited up for the 4th of July that year.
I wrote all about the fun we had in this post.
The weekend ended, we all packed up to leave and I watched GuyK leave with his camper. Marian pulled out after many hearty good-byes, then we all got in our trucks and left for home too.
An hour later I met my friends in Yazoo City and we headed back to camp for the treasure hunt. Dad and the rest of the family were gone and we opened the camp back up, got the map out and looked it over. Mark and I knew we would have to do most of the walking and measuring but it was thrilling to actually start.
The treasure hunt was on!

Damn A Duck

It was 105 degrees when Dad rounded us all up to help him for just a few minutes. He herded us down to his pond and explained the situation.
He was draining the duck hole to plant millet, but the last bit of water would not drain. He sent us into the creek beside it to dig down and increase the flow of outward water. Everybody got a turn on the shovels as Dad shouted instructions.
Damn a duck.

Night Fishing

Saturday night had cooled down to a balmy 99 degrees and the kids were clamoring to go night fishing (thanks to Davin). Catfishing at night! Sounded like loads of fun, so we waited 'till dark and headed up to the lake. We lit a big bonfire on the edge of the lake, got everybody a rod with catfish bait and turned them loose.
They crowded the dock and the stern of the Othmar and started fishing. I forgot to mention that there were approximately 40 zillion mosquitos there too. It wasn't long until they tired of this and the fish would not bite.
They could hear Thunderhoof splashing around down the lake but he would not come close. (Davin was scared)
We came in early but I can see that on a slightly cooler night we could all have fun fishing and sitting around a big fire. Where's our favorite fisherman, Matt, and his family?

The Othmar is Back!!

After over a year in storage, we finally have the Othmar back on the water. We spent a hot morning cleaning the pontoon boat up and making sure it was in great condition for when Jody comes down to sunbathe and fight the snakes, alligators, and wild hogs.

100 Degree Camping

All I can say is Thank God the camp has an airconditioner. The middle of the days are so hot you can not even think about getting out very much and doing anything. My cousins Davin and Burney went out in the mornings to go fishing and had a little success. They killed a lot of beer and even caught a few fish.

Denise and I made the attempt to find the blackberries and I think they are two weeks from being ready. Maybe my friend at Mommy Cracked and Marian will be able to join us then. We did stop at a very pretty spot where Spanish Moss overhangs the road and I wanted to show you that. We saw a few very, very, red colored deer and Dad managed to kill a rattler with his truck. Of course Dad found a few things for us to do during the hottest part of the day... we will tell about that later.

Berry Picking Time??

It is a hair early, but the blackberries are just getting ripe.
I am heading to camp today to meet Burney and his kids, Davin and his son Matt and a friend of theirs(Ronnie). My kids are coming up Saturday morning.
The object is to find something for them to do. Yes, they are going fishing but there are a lot of hours in the day to fill and picking blackberries sounds good to me. In many places you never have to get off your 4-wheeler, you can just rake them into a bucket. Hopefully it will be a fun time for all.
I bet my hippie chick friend Libby would want some.

Mexican Weirdness

There is something strange going on in Mexico. Mark (Mailrider) Stewart left Saturday and Paul (Shyster) Howell left today for Cozumel, Mexico.
Does this not strike you as odd?
drinking, partying and enjoying a life of luxury sounds great but the idea of someone seeing their fat white bodies reflecting in the sun is a horrifying thought.
Of course the idea of those two rats slinking through the streets of Cozumel at night is terrifying too.
Let's see, crooked Lawyers and Government employees....
My God! they are going to take over and unionize the Mexican Postal Service!
I had better warn Jamie to guard the border.

Idle Hands

Dad has way too much time on his hands. Lately he has been seen driving all over town with this device in the back of his truck. He claims it is a Propane Tank, but you can tell it is obviously a Nuclear Bomb.
He says we can use this for auxillary heating at the camp and to cook on the grill outside. I did not know we were piped for nuclear fuel.
Looks like he has a plan to take care of Thunderhoof once and for all.
He is taking the bomb to the camp this weekend and I might go to Albuquerque.

Bear Claws' Baby Boy Graduates

Drew Stewart, son of the infamous Mailrider, has actually managed to graduate high school. His Momma, the woman only known as Bear Claw is soooo proud.
His good looks, pleasant manner and knowing a famous blogger (me) helped fool all the teachers at the Collierville High School for a passing grade and with the Stewart fortune, his father managed to buy his way into Ole Miss.
He wants to be a lawyer. HAHAHA!
He is ready to continue in his older brothers footsteps and I am sure the professors at Ole Miss will soon be calling him John Jr.
Needless to say his hunting will be more limited than it is now because if he fails he is looking at the Marines, Army or Air Force and Water Valley needs a few more guys riding around on the back of a Garbage truck.
CONGRATULATIONS DREW!!!
PS- do not worry, we will be glad to shoot those big old bucks you won’t be hunting this fall.

A Secret Hole

This weekend it was only about 100 degrees in the shade, but I got to camp to visit with dad for Fathers Day. Of coure, he was at camp. Where the hell else would he be? We had a relaxed weekend of basically hanging out and watching the U.S. Open. It was nice to be with him.
Camo and I did take a break and go across the property to look at a hunting spot I have been thinking about for a couple of years. Black flies, mosquitos and Camo trying to drive the Gator were hell but we got there and slipped into a deep valley.
Years ago it was too open, but now it is perfect for a big horned buck. Swampy, lots of water, thick brush with openings. Me and Spencer are about to pull a big whammer-jammer out of that hole this fall.

The Missing Golf Shoe

After my weird day of golf with Denise and Camo, I put my clubs and golf cleats in the back seat of my SUV. On Wednesday, Mr. Jones called and we decided to play again late that afternoon. Opening my truck I discovered one of my golf shoes was missing. I tore the truck apart, but no shoe. Who would have stolen my shoe?
I thought about who I had seen or heard from lately that could have stolen my shoe. What twisted mind could conceive of the idea? I quickly wrote down the names of all the suspects.
1. Mark Stewart- He once stole my tennis shoes and said he was just taking them for a walk.
2. Trent Howell- with his agricultural golf swing is super jealous of me.
3. Camo- I will not let her drive the golf cart.
4. Denise- afraid I will go on the Tour and leave her with Camo.
5. Jody- trying to ban me because she is afraid I will win the Pulitzer Prize from my brilliantly conceived Blog Posts.
6. Othmar- He is trying to take over the world one shoe at a time.
7. Goon- jealous because he has to play golf in snow 11 months of the year.
I am hot on the case now and will discover the culprit soon.

Golf With Camo

On Mondays the country club here is closed so I thought it would be a perfect time to take Denise and Camo to play golf with me. I could see me blistering the course and rolling in those birdies as Denise watched in awe and my faithful dog trotted along with me. I do not know what kind of drugs I was on.
The problem started on the first tee as I had to explain the rules of etiquette to Camo as she tried to rip the club out of my hand.
Finally we got going and it rapidly got worse.
The first water filled ditch we came to Camo bailed off into the middle of it. Sploosh! Denise said "why did you hit your ball over here?" WHACK! I hit it again.
Camo decided to roll across the green while I was putting. A quick shake and she went looking for another water hole. WHACK! "Rex! There could be snakes over here!"
Splash! Camo jumped into the lake; damn dog looked like a beaver cutting across it.
"Why did you hit your ball in the water?" "There's mosquitos out here!
Galoomp, Galoomp, Camo tried to run off with my golf ball. WHACK! Whizzz...
"That was pretty before it went in the woods" Sploosh! in the creek.
Camo wasn't worth a damn helping me line up putts and we had some trouble with holding the flag. She got the message to pull it out but catching her and getting the damn thing back was a problem.
"Rex. I'm sweating" Splash! Grrrrrr!
"Get back you stupid dog!" Galoomp, Galoomp, Splash!
"Is this the last hole?" YES!

Strange Statues

These are dotted across our land at the famous Christmas Place.
Is it me? or do they bear a strange and uncanny resemblance to Steve Creek?

An Amazonian Tidbit

Things are quiet here, but since it is, I want to mention a strange group of people that live in the deepest and hardest to reach portion of the famous Christmas Place. Strangely, it is a group of women that seemed to have adapted well to the terrain and hardships of living off the land. Being the nice guy I am, I spend a lot of time trying to communicate with them and get to know these ladies.
All you guys that I have invited down that have not come to visit me,
Eat your heart out!

Hogs Squared

Two years ago I had never even seen a wild hog.
Last year we killed almost 40 of the damn things.
Dad has come back from camp with the news that the
hogs are destroying everything on the property.
They are even digging wallows in the side of the leevee
on the lake. This could be a real problem.
Their reproduction rates must put a rabbit to shame.
I don't know if we can shoot enough of them to stay ahead.
Obviously, we need more alligators.

P-H-D in D-E-E-R

The Doctor is IN.

I wonder if I could get a session for that damn Thunderhoof?

Deer Camp Reader

Deer Reader, Deer Reader,
You won't believe this.
I write like a genius, can't get me no hits!
I hide in my room all the day long,
writing an epic, a best-selling book.
I swear I'm a genius, please give me a look
signed- Crider
Deer Crider, Deer Crider,
You have no complaint.
You are what you are, and you ain't what you ain't.
so listen up Buster, and listen up good
stop writing like Phillip and knocking on wood.

Notes From The VA Conference

Yesterday I had to get up early and drive to Jackson for a Veterans Affairs conference. Listed below are the things you need to know if you are going to apply for a VA loan.
1. if you buy a homelot, the driveway better be on your property all the way to the street. If not, I am going to require a permanent easement and a road upkeep agreement.
2. if your water is from a well it better be on your property. (No matter what your Mom next door says). I am going to require a permanent easemant and an upkeep agreement.
3. don't call me to do an appraisal on your new home unless you are finished. we will let a few doorknobs and light fixtures slide, but it had better be very close to a final product.
4. if the house you want to buy is in really bad shape, do not even apply for a VA loan to begin with. (I would suggest a bridge loan to start.)
5. If you served in the Civil War like Jon Bryan, I am not sure what program you should apply for in the VA. Maybe something to do with 40 acres and a mule?
That should wrap up about all you need to know for today.

What's Wrong With My Hair?

I have been noticing something wrong with my hair. I have a full head of sandy brown hair but recently I have noticed some light colored streaks in it. In fact they seem to be white and gray;, and to make it worse they seem to be getting bigger.
I need a cure for this if you have any suggestions.

Old Camp In Abbeville- 1960's

Summer Time In Mississippi

Rebs Win !!!

The Ole Miss Rebels Baseball Team has won their Regional playoff and are now headed to the Super Regionals this Friday to play the Virginia Cavaliers. Those guys are very good too, so it should be quite a matchup.
Please visit your roving reporter Matt Coughlin for an update.

Like Peas And Cornbread

Whatever else you know about them, those Lammeys like a fish. This past Memorial Day they organized a big fishing weekend at their camp near Abbeville. They finished it off with a big fish fry that night that everyone enjoyed. Even Burney, who may have a little Lammey blood in him, went over and had a great time.
They posted a lot of pics on Facebook and from those pics it looked like a real party atmoshere. I think Judge Lammey even showed up. Davin is the organizer and has made a great effort to bring all our families closer together. Here is a pic of them hanging out and frying the fish.
Looks like we all missed a great time.

2 Broken Plates

Pauls' daughter Haley and Old Scratchs' son Tyler both graduated this year. Please donate to their respective colleges to the Get Out Of Jail fund.

A Confederate Map 11

I spent part of the fall and winter trying to figure out what we had missed in the old rock carvings. I tried to remove from my drawing everything that I knew was recent. John loves Mary, lots of dates like June 1955, names and anything else that did not seem as old as the 1800's. I left all the old code we had found and finally realized that it kind of ended with these symbols. I thought the middle one was a deer since there are several carved in the rock. That spring it occured to me that it might be some other animal and the answer struck me that it was a mule.
Then the three symbols made sense, box, mule, barn. The barn had the main beam through it strangely marked.
The next week, without anyone knowing, I took the wooden key and a flashlight and went into the old mulebarn to look. I had to fight wasps and be careful of snakes but I managed to study the rafters and main beams carefully.
The main beam across the structure was 6 inches by at least 10 inches hand hewn white oak and seemed in great condition after all these years. It was in two sections that met in the middle of the building and had a 3 foot gap between the two end pieces secured by two braces of equal size than ran down the 12 feet to the floor. I worked a ladder into this space, tried not to get bitten by a brown recluse and shined my light in the space. I ended up using a hammer to clear away the dirt dobber nest and finally found what I was looking for.
A small keyhole in the end of one of the beams. All of this took the whole day, plus I could not get the key to turn and ended up getting a can of oil to squirt in the hole. I tapped on the end, eased the key and it finally turned. More banging and the plug in the end of the beam came out. I shined the light in and saw something wrapped in canvas. I started pulling it out, got down to the floor and opened the long bundle. Inside was the rusted old rifle that Julian Christmas had used as a crutch all those years ago.
I rubbed the old rifle clean, rewrapped it and headed back to the camp. I knew what was hidden in the stock.