First Bridge Commenced—A Sad and Memorable Duel— Another Bank—Ben Marshall's Reserve (Girard) Purchased —Business Largely Increased—A Mayor's Court Established, &c.

This was an eventful year for Columbus, and one in which the citizens appear to have exhibited more public spirit and enterprise than in any previous year of the settlement. Good navigation continued until late in the spring, and opened again early in November, and large stocks of goods were received and sold. The year was also a healthy one.

In January the following municipal ticket was elected for the year 1832:

Intendant, Samuel Lawhon.
Commissioners, G. E. Thomas, Charles D. Stewart, G. W. Dillingham, Hiram Nourse, William D. Lucas, Elisha Tarver.

H. C. Phelps was Town Clerk.

One of the first acts of the new Board was to advertise for proposals to build a bridge across the Chattahoochee. The bridge was to be about four hundred feet long, including the abutments, and to be built high and strong and of good materials. During the first week in March, the proposal of John Godwin, of Cheraw, S. C., was accepted; the plan of Ithiel Town's patent to be followed, with stone piers and abutments, for $14.000. Daniel Pratt, of Clinton, furnished the model adopted, and was paid $100 for it. Mr. Godwin, with a large force, commenced work on the bridge in May, but did not finish it this year.

On the 23d of January an event occurred which shocked the community, and made men think more seriously of the sad results likely to follow the many personal quarrels (generally springing from politics) that were then so common. One of these difficulties occurred between Gen. Sowell Woolfolk, then State Senator, and who had represented the county in one branch of the Legislature each year since its organization, and Major Joseph T. Camp, a talented lawyer and popular man. They had had a difficulty, without the use of weapons, at Milledgeville, and had then repaired to Fort Mitchell to settle the affair with pistols, but it was there adjusted temporarily. Then followed some publications in the paper, in which it was made to appear that the concession had been entirely on the side of Camp, and this led to a renewal of hostile correspondence, with the sad result told in the following "obituary" from the Enquirer;

"On Monday last, 23d instant, an unfortunate meeting, commonly known by the name of an affair of honor, took place near Fort Mitchell, between Gen. Sowell Woolfolk and Major Joseph T. Camp, which terminated in the death of the former. Gen. Woolfolk was shot through the breast, and expired in a few seconds, and Major Camp narrowly escaped life, being shot through the abdomen, but fortunately for him without entering the hollow.

"The next day the body of Gen. Woolfolk was brought to this city and interred with military and Masonic honors. His remains were followed by the most numerous and respectable concourse of his friends, acquaintances and fellow citizens which has ever been seen on such an occasion.

"In recording this melancholy occurrence humanity shudders at the reflection that the talents, worth and chivalry of our country should be subject to such a barbarous custom. No matter how high and respectable in society, how surrounded with friends, how closely united and necessary to the peace and comfort, yea, even the necessity of a wife and family, how useful and important to the State, all must bow before the unrelenting tyrant. Gen. Woolfolk was warm, devoted friend, a kind and an affectionate brother, a tender and indulgent husband and father, the idol of his family, and occupied a high position in the influence of his fellow-citizens. But he is no more! His relatives bewail his loss; to his country his talents and usefulness are gone forever. He has frequently represented this county in the Legislature of the State, and by that body was promoted to the rank of a Brigadier-General, and he has never sought in vain the confidence and suffrage of his generous people. But he is gone forever. No more shall his high and buoyant step gladden the heart of his disconsolate wife; no more shall his cheering voice awaken the smile of his infant child. 'Alas! nor wife nor child shall he again behold; nor friends nor sacred home.' "

This being the 100th anniversary of the birthday of Washington, the 22d of February was celebrated with much animation. The Columbus Musketeers, the Masonic fraternity and a large concourse of citizens formed the procession to the new Methodist Church, where, after a prayer by the Rev. Mr. Few, Washington's Farewell Address was read by Dr. John J. Wilson, and an appropriate oration delivered by James Van Ness, Esq. A public dinner followed, as usual, at the Columbus Hotel.

About this time Congress passed an act authorizing the corporation of the town of Columbus to select two acres of land on the Alabama side for the abutment of the bridge across the Chattahoochee; but this grant was to be "subject to the incumberance of the Indian claim," and no houses were to be erected thereon [by the town authorities] even after the extinction of the Indian title.

Later in the year (June 22d) the Enquirer announced the sale of these two acres and other land on the Girard side, as follows:

Great Purchase -- By the treaty recently concluded at Washington with the Creek Indians, a reserve of one mile square, situated immediately opposite the town of Columbus, and bounded by the western bank of the Chattahoochee, was granted in fee simple to Benjamin Marshall, a half breed Indian. This reserve from its location on the Chattahoochee, at the head of steamboat navigation, and its contiguity to Columbus, has been supposed to possess many advantages, and to be very valuable. It was purchased of the grantee on the 19th inst., by Col. Daniel McDougald, of Harris, and Dr. Robert Collins, of Macon, for the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars. The lines marking the reserve have not yet been run, but it is supposed will extend from the upper limit of this town to some distance below the center. The bridge now constructing across the Chattahoochee River will rest on this reserve, and possibly the ferry owned by the corporation of Columbus may land within its limits.

We learn from one of the owners that this property has been purchased with a view of establishing a town on the opposite bank of the river, and with the design of enjoying the advantages and facilities afforded by the falls for milling and manufacturing purposes, and those presented by the erection of a bridge.

We may get some idea of the extent of the export trade of Columbus for this year from the following statement of the outgoing commerce of Apalachicola. Exports from Apalachicola for the six months ending July 1st: Cotton, 16,000 bales; hides, 2,528; lumber, 491,000 feet; sugar, 129 hhds.; staves, 40,000; vessels entered 64; cleared 67. Of course all this cotton was not shipped from Columbus, but all the cotton which Columbus shipped that year must have gone to Apalachicola. It is probable that very little of the other articles (except perhaps hides) went from Columbus.

On the 4th of August, the Enquirer, noticing the presentation to the three banks of the town of bills to the amount of $93,000, all of which was promptly paid, said:

"Well done, Columbus! Four years ago a howling wilderness now a handsome town, with a population of 1,800 souls and three banks in successful operation to meet their paper with silver if necessary. In addition to the heretofore rapid growth of our town, we notice on Broad Street several large and costly brick buildings growing up, and a very extensive warehouse and other arrangements making to receive the cotton crop of next season. Twice the quantity of goods sold last year are being ordered for the ensuing fall and winter, and every preparation is being made to afford facilities for trade and pay liberal prices for cotton. The corporation is building a splendid bridge across the river, which will add much to the beauty and convenience of our town. We have three churches, a theatre, a book store, and a circulating library, and last, but not least, a handsome public garden, now in successful operation. It is situated at the lower end of the town, along the bank of the river, opposite that very abundant spring called Hansill's spring. This garden, called "Spring Garden," was commenced It whiter by Mr. Henry C. Phelps, and by whose industry and scientific taste, it has become a beautiful and pleasant resort for our citizens; at the same time affording a delicious harvest of all the various vegetables and fruits common to this latitude."

The following were the names, and the condition on the 1st December of this year, of the three banks above referred to:

The Farmers' bank, with paid up capital stock of $60,000, bad bills in circulation to amount of $91,881; deposits $32,579; silver $70,171.71; gold bullion $18,000.

The Bank of Columbus, with a paid up capital of $120,000, had in circulation $229,972; deposits $13,603 50; silver $132,951 92; gold $301.50.

The Insurance Bank, with capital stock of $150,000, had in circulation $101,299; deposits $7,965.23, gold and silver $70,375.72.

In December the Legislature passed an act to establish a Mayor's Court for the town of Columbus.

Incidents

A gin factory was started early in this year by Ephraim Brown.

A treaty made with the Indians, this year, by the United States Government, gave great satisfaction to the citizens of Columbus. By this treaty the Creek Nation of Indians ceded to the United States all their lands in Alabama, and were to be removed to a location west of Mississippi River within five years. The Choctaws had previously made a, similar treaty. The Creek Chiefs signing this treaty were Opotheoholo (he who "had no father or mother, thunder and lightning, struck a hollow tree, and out jumped Opotheoholo,") Tuckabatchee Hadjo, Efiematta, William McGilivray, and Benjamin Marshall.

The receipt of goods in 24 days from New York was considered such a feat of rapid transportation as to call for special notice at this period.

The Bank of Columbus went into active operation in the spring. Gen. James C. Watson was President, Burton Hepburn Cashier, and James C. Watson, James Wadsworth, Daniel McDougald, Lewis C. Alien and Jona. A. Hudson Di rectors.

On the 4th of July the procession was headed by the Musketeers and the Temperance Society; prayer by Rev. Mr. Few, reading by James Childers, and oration by James A. Berthelot.

A female academy, under the superintendence of Misses Gunby and Grigg, was open in July; it was announced in December that Rev. John Baker had been employed to take charge of the male academy. Mrs. E. J. Smith had a music and painting school. G. J. McCleeky had an "infant school."

There was some alarm, this year, about the cholera, which prevailed in other places, but Columbus escaped.

The first load of new cotton of this year was brought in on the 27th of September, and on the 28th about 20 bales were received. Price 9 cents.

At the Presidential election, Columbus gave 252 votes for the Jackson (or Troup) electors, and 15 for the Clay (or Clark) ticket.

The Enquirer was somewhat "stirred up" by the passage of three loads of cotton from Harris County through Columbus to Montgomery. Since that time the railroads have regulated this matter better.

Cotton was quoted at 6½ to 8c. in January, 9 cents in September, 10½ cents in November, 8½ to 9⅝ in December.

Steamboat arrivals during the year: Baltimore, Marion, Plaquemine, Georgian, Chattahoochee, Van Buren, Columbus.

Personal

A. Hamill was presiding elder, and I. A. Few stationed Methodist preacher in Columbus this year.

W. D. Lucas had charge of the Columbus ferry and Marshall's grist and saw mills.

The following served as grand jurors, spring term, 1832:
Jas. Coleman
Wm. Kirk
C. M. Farlan
Hardeman Owens,
A. S. Clifton
R. D. Wyche
J. Thorn ton
G. W. Dillingham
L. J. Davies
L. C. Alien
H. K. Hill,
H. S. Smith
J. L. Cunningham
Oliver Jeter
D, B. Nafew
Thomas Davis
Isaac W. Webb
Wm. Rogers

The Temperance Society appears to have been, active and flourishing. The following were the officers of this year:

Rev. I. A Few, President
Rev. John Baker, Vice, President
Gen. N. Howard, Secretary
G. E. Thomas, Dr. J. J. Wilson, John Coleman, Hiram Nourse, C. E. Bartlett, James Norman and Wm. Root, Executive Committee.

A Health Committee for this year consisted of Drs. Childers, Clifton, Thornton, Broadnax, and Messrs. C. E. Bartlett, Phil. B. Woodruff, A. B. Davis, and James Kivlin.

In October, W. D. Lucas was elected Senator, and A. J. Thornton and E. W. B. Spivey Representatives.

Thos. M. Dennis was acting Postmaster of Columbus, during the latter part of this year.

Sol. Smith and company filled a theatrical engagement in May.

Wm. D. Hargrove was Sheriff
Wm. Holland, Deputy Sheriff
John Townsend, Clerk Court Ordinary
A. B. Griffin, Clerk Superior Court

The grand jurors for the fall term were:

Nicholas Howard, foreman;
J. W. Fannin,jr.
E. B. W. Spivey
James Wodsworth
Charles I. Bass
Matt. R. Evans
E. S. Norton
J. L. Cunningham,
Wm. Clark,
Geo. N. Langford
Stephen Kirvin
J. P. Jackson,
S. R. Andrews
Alex. Ligon
Wm. Rogers
John Johnston
Wm. Williamson
Drury Mims

Marriages

Feb. 16 - Thos. S. Martin, of Columbus, and Miss Mary Springer, of Carroll.
March 29 - James G. Godfrey and Miss Laura M. Pride.
April 18 - David Lopez and Miss Catharine D. Hinton.
June 20 - John Spearman and Miss Mary Ann Butt.
July 18 - Geo. W. Dillingham, of Columbus, and Miss Lucy E. Ticknor, of Jones.
July 25 - Gen. James N. Bethune, of Columbus, and Miss Frances Gunby, of Columbia Comity.
Aug. 25 - Michael N. Clark and Miss Pamelia Hale.
Dec. 17 - Moses Yarbrough and Miss Harriet Harper.

Deaths

Feb. 5, James Bosworth, formerly of Augusta.
March 24, Harvey H. Squire, merchant, aged 2?, formerly of Mas sachusetts.
April 5, Mrs. Margaret Jeter, formerly of Lincoln county, aged 40 years.
April 12, Wm. A. Hitchcock, tax receiver, aged 32, son of Col. Jas. Hitchcock.
Oct. 20, Nathaniel P. Bond, Esq., formerly of Savannah.
Nov. 14, James H. Westmoreland.

The following are names of business men or firms, not noticed in the personals of previous years: