Natchez Trace

Natchez Under the Hill

In 1792, a treaty with the Chickasaw at Chickasaw Bluffs established the Natchez Trace, a significant route connecting Nashville to Natchez. Initially a thoroughfare for emigrants, it soon became infamous for outlaws like Mason and Murrell, who preyed on travelers. Despite efforts to capture these bandits, they eluded authorities until betrayal led to Mason’s demise. The Trace witnessed both lawlessness and camaraderie among its diverse users, ultimately fading from memory as it transformed into farmland, overshadowed by the bustling growth of nearby settlements.

Biography of William T. Davenport

William T. Davenport, born on October 13, 1822, in Alabama, is a prominent figure in Searcy County, Arkansas. Renowned for his integrity and industriousness, he has significantly advanced local agriculture through his progressive farming methods. Davenport served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, where he rose to the rank of orderly sergeant. Married in 1849 to Mary C. Cauthorn, he raised a family and became an active member of the Christian Church and the Masonic Lodge, contributing to his community’s growth and development.