Digital Commons Network^™

"A Renowned Slave In The Early Life Of Florence", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Dred Scott, the plaintiff in Dred Scott v. Sanford, was a confirmed resident of Florence, Alabama in the 1820s-1830s. The article gives an overview of Dred Scott's life, including his time in Lauderdale County.

Restoration Of Cannon Cemetery, William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article discusses the restoration of the Cannon Cemetery near the Natchez Trace Overpass on Waterloo Road. Among the individuals buried at the cemetery are the grandparents of Pulitzer-prize winning author and Florence Normal School (predecessor to the University of North Alabama) alum T.S. Stribling's grandparent's James and Lydia Waits.

"Salt Cave On The Doublehead Reserve", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A salt cave located on the previous site of the Chief Doublehead Reserve and current location of Lauderdale County, Alabama is now covered by the backwaters of the Wheeler Dam. The article discusses the oral history and local folklore related to the cave.

"The United States Post Office And Courthouse At Florence", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Brief depiction of the architecture of the Florence, Alabama Post Office and Courthouse Building and the heritage of the architect that designed it, John Robie Kennedy, Jr. Images of the Florence Post Office and Courthouse can be accessed at the William Lindsey McDonald Image Collection. To find the images, simply search the gallery via the search bar located on the left side.

"A Visit With Abraham Lincoln", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

In 1864, a woman from Killen, Alabama, Helen Hamm, was visited by President Abraham Lincoln. William Lindsey McDonald recounts the event.

"The View From Old Lagrange", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A brief history of LaGrange Mountain and LaGrange College, the precursor to the University of North Alabama.

"The Remarkable Miss Lulie Jones", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Short biography of local humanitarian Lulie Jones, who organized the free kindergarten that became known as Maud Lindsay's Free Kindergarten.

"State's First Black Church Was Started By Lightfoot", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

TimesDaily article by William Lindsey McDonald about the establishment of the first African American Church in Alabama, Church Spring and eventually the Greater Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, by the Reverend Robin Lightfoot in 1837.

"History Of The Tennessee Valley Authority", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Speech delivered by William Lindsey McDonald on April 13, 1978, at Cedar Grove in Knoxville, Tennessee on the history of the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority). The speech begins with McDonald's personal recollections of the TVA in Muscle Shoals before broadening to its effects on the entire Tennessee River Valley.

"A Profile Of The Indians At Muscle Shoals, Alabama", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

An article that gives a brief overview of the indigenous people living in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, including key figures, such as Chief Doublehead and the Colbert family. The article is organized by indigenous group with subheadings, including the Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Moundbuilders.

"Our Heritage From The People", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

A lecture presented to a history seminar at the University of North Alabama in March of 1979. The lecture addresses the geography and geology of North Alabama, removal of indigenous people, cultural influence of settlers, and development of the Tennessee Valley into contemporary settlements.

"'Uncle' Tom Brannon And The Capture Of John A. Murrel", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

The speech recounts the capture of outlaw John A. Murrel by Tom Brannon, who was enslaved by the Oaks Plantation in Florence, Alabama.

"Lecture - Anne Newport Royall", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Annotated speech outline about Anne Newport Royall, America's first female traveling correspondent, who traveled to Florence, Alabama from July to December 1821 and also visited other local Alabama cities, such as Huntsville. Royall published a book in 1830 entitled Letters from Alabama about her travels throughout the state.

"Lecture At Colbert Park," “Colbert Family,” And “The Colberts And Colbert County”, William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

The digital file is a compilation of a speech outline entitled "Lecture at Colbert Park, June 21, 1991," "Colbert Family," and an article "The Colberts and Colbert County." The nature of the typewriter ink used in the original document causes the file to be somewhat difficult to read.

“The Contributing Cultures Of Ancient Peoples At The Muscle Shoals”, William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

An article that addresses the ancient history of Muscle Shoals, Alabama with particular attention to the early cultures of influence, including indigenous tribes, such as the Cherokee and Chickasaws, and eventual European settlers of Anglo-Saxon and Celtic descent.

"Florence 175!", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Speech given on the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of Florence's establishment on the Tennessee River by the Cypress Land Company on March 12th, 1818. The speech gives an overview of the geology and key sites in Florence, Alabama.

"General John Coffee", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Speech outline delivered on February 22, 1999, at Coby Hall on the campus of the University of North Alabama. The speech discusses the life and accomplishments of General John Coffee one of the founders of Florence, Alabama, treasurer of the Cypress Land Company, and associate of Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812 and various other battles throughout the Southeastern United States.

"Lecture - Religions In The Shoals", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

A William McDonald annotated speech outline that details various early religions in the Shoals, Alabama from indigenous religious practitioners to the establishment of the first white and African American congregations. Faiths mentioned include Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Church of Christ, Catholicism, and Judaism.

"Local Civil War Sites", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Outline of information on Civil War sites local to Lauderdale County, Alabama, including a Confederate Fort, Civil War hospitals, Happy Hollow, the Battle of Florence site, Four-Mile Branch (the site of two skirmishes), Hood's Retreat at the Bainbridge Ferry, Cypress Cotton Mill, the Forks of Cypress Plantation, Sweetwater Plantation, the skirmish at the Widow Ann Hough's Plantation, Peter's Plantation, Center Star, and Green Hill.

"The Worst Of War", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

The article recounts a specific instance of Civil War violence exacted near Cypress Creek and Parsonage Chapel Cemetery in Lauderdale County, Alabama.

"Sketches Of A Few Historic Footprints In Lauderdale County, Alabama", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Brief accounts of frontier life in Lauderdale County, Alabama organized by subheadings, which include "The First White Child," "A Pioneer Lady," "The Lucky Blacksmith," and "A Famous Slave."

"A History Of The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

A speech detailing the development of a local library in Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama from early educational institutions to the present Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. The speech is organized by subheadings.

"A Historical Synopsis: The Muscle Shoals Area", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

The speech offers a historical synopsis of Muscle Shoals, Alabama and surrounding areas in honor of Alabama Day. Alabama Day celebrates the Resolution of Statehood passed by Congress on December 14, 1819. The speech was given in observation of the sesquicentennial celebration of Alabama Day in the Shoals.

"Cox Creek Parkway", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Speech outline detailing the historic origins of Cox Creek Parkway in Florence, Alabama. The Parkway is named after Zachariah Cox of Georgia, so the outline gives some biographical background on Cox, the first promoter who wanted to develop the Muscle Shoals.

"Islands At The Muscle Shoals", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Speech outline of the islands located within the vicinity of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The content is organized under subheadings divided by location, including those below the Wilson Dam, at and above the Wilson Dam, and above the Wheeler Dam. The text includes short depictions of the geography of the islands and notes whether they are still visible after the building of the dams. The mentioned islands include Waterloo Island, Bee Tree Island, an unnamed island between Waterloo and Bee Tree, Brush Creek Island, Colbert Island, Koger Island, Seven-Mile Island, Patton Island, Jackson Island, Polk Stalk Island, Forty-Acre Island, King Island, …

"The College President Who Became A Local Hero", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Dr. Robert Young, president of Florence Wesleyan University, a forerunner of the University of North Alabama, was deemed a hero in the Civil War. This is William Lindsey McDonald's synopsis.

"The Charmed Life Of General Joe Wheeler", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Synopsis of the life of General and US Congressman Joe Wheeler.

"Private Reuben Patterson", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Speech outline given at the dedication ceremony for the grave marker for Private Reuben Patterson, a horn blower for the Fifth Alabama Calvary during the Civil War and formerly enslaved person. Private Patterson was one of the last remaining Confederate soldiers in Florence, Alabama when he passed away at 85 years old.

An excerpt from an article about Private Patterson written by William Lindsey McDonald and published in the TimesDaily is also included within the digital file.

"Stories About Black Heritage In Florence", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Annotated speech outline about African American heritage in Florence, Alabama. The speech includes an overview of African Americans in Florence and Muscle Shoals and a discussion of notable stories and figures, such as "Tom Brannon and the Capture of John A. Murrell" (winter 1834), Randall Campbell, Dred Scott, Edmund Patton, Sam Patton, and Parson Dick. The document also contains xerox portraits of the notable individuals mentioned.

"When The Methodist Came To Lawrence Hill", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Writings

Speech outline about the Methodist history of Lawrence Hill, a settlement on LaGrange Mountain, in Leighton, Alabama. The location was the former site of the University of North Alabama's predecessor LaGrange College before its relocation to Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama and series of name changes.