Meridian MS (12-01-12)

Spending time in the “deep south” has been an interesting learning experience.  Having grown up in Boston, there was really only one war as far as we are concerned- the Revolutionary War. 

Spending time in Mississippi and Alabama (even though it’s not a lot of time) I see how proud the people in these states are to be from the south. 

There are many places where the confederate flag still flies, including inbedded in the Mississippi state flag.

A plaque in one of the many confederate cemeteries reminds people to remember that these soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice, and fought for something that they believed in.

One of the quotes in a museum really struck me- it was the thoughts of a southern lady about slavery. This is what Kate Stone of Madison Parish, LA, whose family owned 150 slaves, thought about slavery:
 “…my first recollection is of pity of the negroes and desire to help them.  Even under the best owners, it was a hard, hard life:  to toil six days out of seven, week after week, month after month, year after year, as long as life lasted; to be absolutely under the control of someone until the last breath was drawn; to win but the bare necessities of life, no hope of more, no matter how hard the work, how long the toil; and to know that nothing could change your lot.  Obedience, revolt, submission, prayers-all were in vain.”

It’s a totally different perspective of the Civil War, here in the south. Being here somehow makes it more personal, less of a history lesson and more of a peek into a different culture.
One of our stops along the way was Meridian, which was once the largest town in Mississippi. For our purposes it’s history began in the mid 1800's, when Paul's ancestors showed up on the town's 1860 census.
Meridian is where he lost "the scent" in his quest to discover his family history.

He knows his great grandfather was born here, but not much else.  We spent two days going through old records and realized it would take weeks to sift through everything there is, so we tried to look at the most likely places to find information about weddings,  and deaths.  Unfortunately the Civil War started during the few years that his family lived here, so official records are hard to come by.

Between bouts of researching, we enjoyed the small town of Meridian.  We walked some of the long trails in the local park, and were impressed with the amenities. Along the trail there were fitness stations, allowing for a complete workout all in one outdoor setting. There were multiple trails, some as long as 5 miles.

We also happen to be in town during the evening Christmas parade, and got to watch Santa’s float meander down main street. It put me in the Christmas mood, and soon thereafter, we got out the Christmas decorations. That’s as far as my mood took me though, so the decorations have been sitting on the couch for the last few days.  Paul did put up the outside lights and has already gotten more than a normal amount of compliments.