Articles by Rufus Ward
Rufus Ward: Dr. Spillman, lost in history
Few people recognize the name of Dr. William Spillman of Columbus. Even the marker is missing from his grave in Friendship Cemetery. His 1836 house still stands, but bears no historic marker or plaque. Spillman is a man lost in history.
Ask Rufus: The evolution of barbecue
The early history of barbecue sauce is as cloudy as the sauce itself.
William Cocke and the founding of America
One of the most interesting figures in Columbus history was William Cocke. He was born in Virginia in 1747 and died in Columbus in 1828. Cocke actually lived the founding and settlement of the U.S. He then became one of the founders of Columbus.
Ask Rufus: A slue of information about Mississippi swamps
People have asked what is the difference between a swamp, a slue and a bayou. To be precise, not much.
Rufus Ward: Pirate coins of the Caribbean
The current box office hit is the movie, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” As in all pirate movies, the pirates seek silver coins called “pieces of eight.” A piece of eight was an actual Spanish silver coin. Several of them have been found in Columbus and along the Tombigbee.
Ask Rufus: Memorial Day and the legacy of Dr. William Sykes
The death of Dr. William E. Sykes and the love of his family played a major role in the origins of Memorial Day.
Ask Rufus: Memorial Day and the legacy of Dr. William Sykes
The death of Dr. William E. Sykes and the love of his family played a major role in the origins of Memorial Day.
Rufus Ward: The Tombigbee Flood of 1892
With the disastrous flooding in the Delta, some of the major floods of the Tombigbee River come to mind. The most serious floods in Columbus history occurred in 1847, 1892, 1948 and 1973. It is the flood of 1892 that is considered the benchmark.
Ask Rufus: Capt. Sam Kaye’s ‘Acrobatic Easter Egg’
On June 15, 1919, The Columbus Dispatch reported that Capt. Sam Kaye had arrived home from France; “Decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, bestowed on him by his own government for bravery in action, and with the Croix de Guerre, bestowed by the French government for exceptional prowess in the air.”
Ask Rufus: Capt. Sam Kaye’s ‘Acrobatic Easter Egg’
On June 15, 1919, The Columbus Dispatch reported that Capt. Sam Kaye had arrived home from France; “Decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, bestowed on him by his own government for bravery in action, and with the Croix de Guerre, bestowed by the French government for exceptional prowess in the air.”
Ask Rufus: They sang the blues
I have heard blues music all my life but paid little attention to it until I was at Ole Miss.
Ask Rufus: They sang the blues
I have heard blues music all my life but paid little attention to it until I was at Ole Miss.
Rufus Ward: The Mystery of ‘Maw’
The 1890s Friendship Cemetery square of Thomas Carleton Billups II often draws attention because of its large statue of an angel. It is an angel that faces west rather than the traditional east.
Ask Rufus: Lost landmarks of Columbus
Reading news accounts last week brought to mind the many landmarks that Columbus has lost.
Ask Rufus: Lost landmarks of Columbus
Reading news accounts last week brought to mind the many landmarks that Columbus has lost.
Ask Rufus: And the band played ‘Garry Owen’
Civil War reenactment bands are noted for their playing of period music. Bands recreating Southern units are always thought of as playing Dixie and The Bonnie Blue Flag but the popular music of the South was much more varied.
Ask Rufus: And the band played ‘Garry Owen’
Civil War reenactment bands are noted for their playing of period music. Bands recreating Southern units are always thought of as playing Dixie and The Bonnie Blue Flag but the popular music of the South was much more varied.
