"So your father and family and slaves established a homestead and began farming. I've read that in those early years transportation and marketing of goods was difficult. Please tell me about that."
I spoke the word-slaves-but quickly changed course, pursuing a safe path to the unfolding story. I'd planted the seedling, named the evil, and would call on it later to examine its bitter, fruit. My Southern nature restrains me from actual confrontation, no matter how aggressive I am in my thoughts. Conflict is not helpful for blood pressure, health, or stability.
"Flatboats on the river, sir, and rough cut byways, terrible, primitive Indian trails, and later turnpike roads through the wilderness were the means of passage for wagons and livestock, the produce and goods of agriculture, commerce and civilization. For most of the year, The Elk River was boatable. Flatboats could descend down the Elk from north of Fayetteville, along our place southwest to the Tennessee River, about eighty miles from Fayetteville and forty or so from Elkton landing. The traversing passage upriver was a chore, but it was possible. Downriver from our place, the Tennessee River route could connect with New Orleans via the Natchez Trace or Cincinnati by way of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.
"For the old Southwest Territory, the great Mississippi and Ohio Rivers were the majestic thoroughfares of progress, sir, and all the folk in the areas drained by those wonders found ways, by the by, to use them. Even the small boatable waterways that fed the great ones were called on to ferry goods and people.
"For this area it was the Elk River and those rough roads cut to Nashville for connection with the Cumberland River and thence to the Ohio. When the Baltimore-Ohio Canal was completed, Baltimore was the source of many of the goods after the 1840s because of the canal and railroad. Who would have been sensible to that, given the geography? But, with the canal and railroad, the Ohio River connected with all the mid-Atlantic cities: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Alexandria, and, of course, the Capitol city, Washington. By the 1850s, Cincinnati also became a source for all sorts of goods and a market for our agricultural products. New Orleans, naturally, from the earliest years, was vital to our commerce by way of the Tennessee River and Natchez Trace."
I took notes. The observant waitress came to refresh my coffee and ice. "Looks like you're getting lots done, Honey. How's it going?"
"Yes, I am, it's going quite well. It's like I'm inspired. Are you sure there isn't a good spirit out and about around here that helps stuck writers write?" I caught my spirit, Mr. Jones, by the eye as I played. He smiled somewhat tolerantly.