Jesse James' room in Selma, Al. hotel...!

[Pistolero]

Hello all,
It is a known fact that the James/Younger gang had friends and relatives here in Alabama and that they would come down here to lay over until the dust cleared, their trail gew cold, etc.. I have seen that much on documentaries. One place they would stay was the St. James Hotel in Selma, Al.. I drove the 40 minutes to Selma a while back and went to it. It is a fine old 1800s/antebellum era hotel that has been restored to what it was back in the mid 1800s. It is neat. I asked the fella at the desk if it was true that Jesse James stayed there when he would come to the area. He said it was true and that he always stayed in room 301.  I think that is neat. One weekend I might go rent that room and strap on my hawgleg and sip me some cold beer with my Henry across my lap. Maybe old Jesse's spirit might come by for a visit. Just thought y'all might find that interesting about them staying at that Hotel.

Another historical note of interest is that during the Civil War Union Gen. James H. Wilson, after his 13,000 cavalryment (armed with Spencers) took the City from its maybe 3000 defenders with muskets, made his headquarters in the St. James.  I read that he promised his men that if they took Selma he would turn his head for a while. I can see him sitting on the upstairs porch or viranda sipping his favorite brew with his staff while his men went on a four day rampage in Selma, burning, raping, looting, and pillaging. I can just see him sitting there eating, his evening dinner lit by the glow of arson and the burning of several city blocks.
Take care,
Pistoloro

[Major 2]

Selma  is one of the neatest towns to visit...
If your going http://battleofselma.com/ Apr. 27-30 is the time to go.
The reenactment is one of the best.

Take in the Ball at  Sturdivant Hall,  it is simply the BEST Period ball you will ever find.
Take the Homes of Selma Tour too...

[Brigid Tanner]

I'd heard that Jessie stayed here, but figured it was just wishful thinking. When I was growing up, the St. James was a tire store's warehouse....I never thought they'd manage to restore it, but it does looks nice now. The Pilgrimage (tour of homes) is March 17-19th this year...my weekend to work. Also working the weekend of the Battle of Selma.(my job sucks sometimes)  Last time I got to go I was wearing one of my shooting dresses, made from a late Civil War pattern and they let me through the gate without asking for money. I spent enough at the merchant tents to make up for it 

Growing up in Selma, heard a lot about Wilson, too. What his troops did to Selma was sufficient to make the town fathers in Montgomery (next town on the way) meet him outside the city limits and offer to turn the city over to him if he wouldn't burn it like he did Selma. There are still some houses standing with bullets from the battle in the walls.

There's a visitors center on Broad Street near Highland that has driving tours of the town, including one of the old cemetary. There's a sweet old gentleman who runs it, can't remember his name right now, and they have a nice selection of books on the history of the area.

[Pistolero]

Hello Brigid,
Howdy!! It is always nice to run into "home folks" wether traveling abroad or on a discussion forum. I grew up in Prattville and now live in Millbrook. I too think Selma is a neat old town. I love to stroll up and down that street where the St. James is. I even found some old trenchworks from the battle still in tact in the woods back behind that old abandoned shopping center therre along 14 or 80, not far from Broad st.. There on Range Line Road (they've changed the name of that street to some lady's name) at the little brick church (where the mound is with the monument to fallen citizens) ,there used to be some beautifully preserved trenchworks, moats, and burms stretching all the way across the churches property from Range L. Rd to the street behind the church, a whole block. They were there in '79. When I went back in the '80s someone, I reckon the church owners, had had them all bulldozed flat and fenced part of the property in. Now you would never know it was ever there. There are only the small mound on Range Line Rd where the little concrete monument is and a small mound on the other side of the property. Why in the heck would they destroy a priceless historical spot like that? It should be against the law and someone should have been held liable! I detest ignorant, selfish people!
Take care,
Pistolero
Millbrook, Al.

[Brigid Tanner]

Hey Pistolero!
I grew up in Selma, moved away for about 20 years, and I'm "home" again now. I remember the trenchworks behind the church that you're talking about...not sure when they disappeared, but I was looking for them several years ago with my nephew, and they're gone.  Didn't know about the ones behind the shopping center. I think I know which one you're talking about. If it dries out, I may go for a hike next week.  When I was growing up here, the sign for the battle was in the field across from where the mall is now. I've been meaning to get some old maps of the battle and see if there's anything left of trenchworks, etc since I've been back, but just haven't gotten around to it. Selma's not real good at preserving certain parts of it's history. There was another wonderful old hotel and a great old theatre downtown that were torn down in the 70's to put up small, modern buildings trying to look old to serve as the city offices. I never went in the Hotel Albert, but I loved that old theatre...saw a lot of great movies there when I was young. Need to go visit Cap Swift (the older man at the visitor's center...finally remembered his name) cause my dad said he's the person to talk to about the Battle of Selma. I need to see if there's any kind of historical preservation group here. It's been hard to get involved in much since I'm working in Montgomery and making that drive back and forth...doesn't leave much free time.

Nice to "meet" you Pistolero! If you get over this way again, let me know and we'll go get a drink down at the St. James bar.  And if anyone else wants to come, you're welcome too!
But I'm NOT buying for everyone... That's Forty Rod's job   

[Pistolero]

Hey Brigid,
That sounds good. One of these days when I am down that way on a weekend or something I will give you a hollar and we can do just that. I could also show you around some. I spent many an hour studying over maps, both modern and old, and driving the streets of Selma (some unsavory to say the least) searching for signs of the old trenches. I found many a slight mound and undulations in various yards in Selma marking the track of the great trenches of Selma. The ones I said are in the woods are on land I heard was owned by a Mr. Lipscomb. I also heard, thank God, that his is somewhat of a Civil War buff and has no plans to destroy them or allowed to be destroyed. I hope not. Mr. Lipscomb, or the city of Selma for that matter, could clean up the spot and make a nice Civil War tourist attraction. But I am afraid it will never happen. Now that certain parties seem to be running Selma, I don't think their ignorance, or lack of understanding or love of history and the facts will allow them to ever capitalize on their Civil War heritage or history there. It is a shame. It is their history too!

But anyway, A buddy and I come to Selma evey so often just to cruise historical spots. One of these days I will make it down there and I will give you a hollar and we can knock around. I will be glad to show you those spots I mentioned. I would indeed enjoy a moment in the St. James. From what I remember of what all it looks like inside when I stepped in to ask about Jesse James, it was pretty nice.
Take care,
Pistolero

[Major 2]

I'm not a Selmaite  but I have been there so many times I know it quite well.
In the eighties and nineties I commanded Mounted Cavalry (portraying Wilson's Cavalry) at the reenactment.
I remember Cap (Swift) I don't think I ever knew his last name "just CAP".
Might be fun to join y'all...
I can't recall the fine restaurant on the River and can be seen from the MLK Bridge, the one with the skeleton on the stairs


Brigid , there is a Selma Historic Preservation Society .
    Organized around 1970, this vital community group has been responsible for many restoration and preservation projects in Selma and Dallas County. Two annual events sponsored by the Society bring thousands of visitors to Selma: the Historic Selma Pilgrimage, held each year in March, and Riverfront Market held the second weekend in October .
Contact:
Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce
P. O. Box 467 • Selma, AL 36702 • USA
Phone (334) 875-7241 or 1-800-45 SELMA
Mo-Fr 8:30am-5:00pm

here is your period map... http://www.battleofselma.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=8

I forgot to mention Gen. John Tyler Morgan was married to Great Great Aunt of mine. ( Their Home is on the tour and the General is Buried at Live Oak Cemetary )

[Pistolero]

Hello Major,
I too have participated at Selma a few times. I was with a mounted cav outfit, Ken Morrisons 51st Alabama Cavalry (I forget that units' Union designation). Had some fun. Due to work schedules, family obligations, and some physical problems I sort of drifted away from CW reenacting.
Take care,
Pistolero
Millbrook, Alabama

[Brigid Tanner]

Major,
thanks for the link to the map and the info on the preservation group.  I've got a copy of that map here somewhere...got it from ebay from someone who had an old book of maps in bad shape who was selling the pages individually. But I can resize the one on line!  I'll call about the preservation society this week.  I don't know the restaurant with a skeleton on the stairs...there was one, called "The Crossing", I think, in the building right at the foot of the bridge, but it burned several years back, and there's a small park area there now. There's another place down the street a bit, Major Grumbles, but haven't heard about a skeleton there, either. Have to ask my parents tonight.  And MLK may have marched across it, but it's still the Edmund Pettus Bridge 


Pistolero, I've pm'd you with my phone number. My sister-in-law and I went to the St James one afternoon for a drink after a day of antique shopping, but the bar was closed. It looked really nice, though! I've had lunch there, and the couryard area is pretty and the food was good. I keep thinking if Alabama legalizes gambling that the waterfront area would be great turned into restaurants and up-scale casinos.

Brigid   

[Pistolero]

Hey Brigid,
Yep, that River area is neat. Montgomery has done a lot to its riverfront. I wish they would make a miles long walking/bycycle trail like they have done in Columbus, Ga.

Anyway, as far as Selma goes, have you ever heard of a bar/retaurant called Lil' Mexico in Selma? It is right on the river also. We went there one afternoon and drank a cold one. It was real neat and has an outside deck area I think over looking the riiver. My two buddies I was with just chatted, but beings as it is situated a few yards from where Wilson built his pontoon bridge and crossed the river to move on Montgomery, I sat there imagining the 13000 yankees crossing that river, much of Selma smoking ruins, etc.. I love history.
Take care,
Pistolero

[Major 2]

Hello Major,
I too have participated at Selma a few times. I was with a mounted cav outfit, Ken Morrisons 51st Alabama Cavalry (I forget that units' Union designation). Had some fun. Due to work schedules, family obligations, and some physical problems I sort of drifted away from CW reenacting.
Take care,
Pistolero
Millbrook, Alabama

I know Ken very well... I was comander of the Florida Unit we would bring about 20 Troopers to Selma.
One of my guys still goes Capt. Bob McLendon , he lives in Troy now.
The 1st. ALA would ride under my comand too ,as federals , If Don Smith were not there.

You remember Frank Pierce ?

[Major 2]

Major,
thanks for the link to the map and the info on the preservation group.  I've got a copy of that map here somewhere...got it from ebay from someone who had an old book of maps in bad shape who was selling the pages individually. But I can resize the one on line!  I'll call about the preservation society this week.  I don't know the restaurant with a skeleton on the stairs...there was one, called "The Crossing", I think, in the building right at the foot of the bridge, but it burned several years back, and there's a small park area there now. There's another place down the street a bit, Major Grumbles, but haven't heard about a skeleton there, either. Have to ask my parents tonight.  And MLK may have marched across it, but it's still the Edmund Pettus Bridge 


Pistolero, I've pm'd you with my phone number. My sister-in-law and I went to the St James one afternoon for a drink after a day of antique shopping, but the bar was closed. It looked really nice, though! I've had lunch there, and the couryard area is pretty and the food was good. I keep thinking if Alabama legalizes gambling that the waterfront area would be great turned into restaurants and up-scale casinos.

Brigid   

Major Grumbles may be the one I'm thinking of. Entrance is from the rivers side correct ?
It's been maybe ten years. The Skeleton is/was on the steps up to the rest rooms

I'm glad it's still the Edmund Pettus Bridge named after the Confederate Brigadier General.
But didn't they change the road ( a section of US Hwy 80 ) in to Selma over it M L King Bluv. ?

[Rube Burrows]

That is pretty neat....I have family in Selma. I will have to check it out.
When Hurricane Katrina came.....we evacuated to Selma.