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Friends of the Forks of the Road raising funds
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2008
NATCHEZ — The Friends of the Forks of the Road Society has launched a national campaign to secure funds for the purchase of two private properties adjacent to the city-owned historical site.
Ser Seshs ab Heter-C.M. Boxley, Friends of the Forks coordinator, said the land purchase is vital to the preservation of Forks of the Road.
In 1833, Issac Franklin of Tennessee rented the two properties, according to the Mississippi Historical Society. Franklin and his business partner, John Armfield of Alexandria, Va., operated slave markets in Natchez and New Orleans. To meet the demand of slaves in Mississippi and surrounding states, the duo transported more than 1,000 slaves annually from Alexandria to Natchez and New Orleans.
Two privately owned businesses now sit on the Franklin and Armfield site — Custom Exteriors and Natchez Exhaust Services on Liberty Road. Per a 2002 appraisal, the properties are valued at $478,386, Boxley said.
“Our mission is to extract or rescue the Franklin and Armfield site out of the hands of private ownership,” Boxley said. “To do so immediately is critical and tantamount. The longer the property remains in private hands, the more expensive it becomes.”
Gene Williams, who owns Natchez Exhaust Services, said he is willing to entertain the thought of selling. Custom Exteriors owner Clifton McCarstle said he’s not actively trying to sell his property but would work with FRSI to strike a deal.
“I would have to have an appraised value plus a relocation allowance to do it,” McCarstle said.
FRSI has opened a Forks of the Road account at Britton and Koontz Bank (No. 0364190), which is managed by Natchez City Clerk Donnie Holloway.
“We appeal to private citizens, corporations and businesses, churches and other organizations to make contributions,” Boxley said.
FRSI has made requests to the Adams County Board of Supervisors and the Mississippi Department of Transportation for funding, but “we have no donations or contributions from those sources to date,” Boxley said.
This month the board of supervisors voted to seek legal counsel to determine what they can do to buy the properties. They are still awaiting a response.
“As soon as (board attorney) Bobby Cox gets an opinion back from the attorney general, he’s going to let the board know,” said President Henry Watts.
In a previous report, Watts said he would like to see the National Park Service involved in the project. Boxley believes NPS’ involvement would be counterproductive at this time. He wants the purchase and development of the land to be a grassroots initiative between private citizens and local government. However, Boxley has not ruled out NPS’ future involvement.
FRSI will shift their focus to the development of an interpretive center once the land is acquired. The group has been working with Tulane University and Mayor Phillip West on this phase of the project.
“(The interpretive center) brings up a question of concern about the next term mayor and the board of aldermen continuing the Forks of the Road initiative generated by Mayor West,” Boxley said.
Comments
Posted by rattlesnake (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 2:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is obamas websight at the bottom of this story. He has nothing to do with it. I dont think he has anything to do with Forks of the road sight.
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 4:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i think the forks of the road should be financed by people that support it..not the taxpayers.im glad to see that charlie boxley is going to the private sector now instead of the cash scrapped taxpayers
Posted by oldschool (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I personally dont believe the property needs to be bought. What are yaw planning to do set up an reanactment there. And the next thing other issue will be taking place. This Fork of the Road thing is never ending in NATCHEZ. Heck might as well purchase ALL of Natchez.
Posted by triscuit (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NPS advised that a public entity should acquire the land, since private groups form, then sometimes fizzle, or even change their purpose. I guess if you really believe in the Friends group, you could donate to them. But for those of us who don't know those people and want to make sure our money goes to the purchase of the land, shouldn't the county or city set up a way to accept donations?
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rattlesnake wants to complain about Ads by Google's selection of ads to put at the end of the article. Maybe they are playing the race card and we know how much we hate that don't we? He,he!
I will have to say that the Forks of the Road from a freedom, patriotic, reality standpoint is AT LEAST as important of a historical site as the Grand Village. The natives at the Grand Village were dealt with early on and we all know who it was that actually built Natchez brick by brick in the 150 or so years after that. But it is easy to understand why the people of Natchez would prefer to just show the lavish homes and not tell the whole story.
I have always been amazed at how the slave story was hidden here in Natchez and around the south. Whether this is a public purchase or private, we purchase roads, rights of way and various spots here and there -- casually. But there is certain to be an element of the old school who would especially NOT like to see this effort succeed.
Posted by SayItRight (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe if people heard what the Forks project would bring for everyone in Natchez besides shame for the past and a reminder to everyone that wants to remain bitter about it, there wouldn't be so much apathy for it.
Guilt, blame and shame makes people close their hearts and their wallets. Isn't that obvious by now?
Posted by Oracle (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Right on SayItRight. Let me say again, and for the last time, "if the confederate flag raises the ire of African Americans by reminding them of slavery, what do they want a "Forks of the Road" for??????????
Mr. Seshab Heter did remove his sign "Natchez MS Supports the Jena 6" from his headquarters on Providence Road last week. Wonder why?
Posted by rattlesnake (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeahuhuh idid not know google put the add in here. But it does sound like you want to play the race card. I dont think there is any slaves working on anything anymore, but it always has to be brought up by people who never spent one day in slavery. Slavery was practiced long ago so get over it .
Posted by oldschool (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My words exactly! GET OVER IT!!!! How would you like it if NATCHEZ Displayed the REBEL FLAG AGAIN?? SO you win one LOOSE ONE. Take your pick
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, I still think reenactment productions would be an excellent way to dramatize the story of the Forks of the Road.
Posted by CitizenSane (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Forks of the Road is a great project.
I don't understand why the Friends think NPS involvement would be a negative. Seems like keeping NPS out of it is slowing it down. I thought NPS already funded the feasibiity study.
That needs to be explained.
Posted by Riffian1964 (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The best thing about the NPS taking over the project is there would be no revisionist history associated with the project. They would tell the story from well researched sources, without any personal axes to grind and with no political or personal agenda. Wouldn't that be a refreshing event in Natchez?
Posted by observer (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, Riffian and Citizen. NPS may move slowly but they are thorough and would do it right. Mr. Boxley has accomplished so much. It is admirable that he would like to see a grass roots effort fulfill his dream, and perhaps this is a place to start. However Mr. Watts is wise to suggest that the Park Service get involved.
It would be a shame for all the Friends' efforts to go up in smoke with a lot of bickering about which entity should take this on. This site is a vital part of the story. It is of national importance and its inclusion would bring the Natchez National Park complex full circle.
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on May 20, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, the story of slavery is really about most all of us, regarding our ancestors. The slaves in America were the last vestiges of the peasant system in feudal England. Slaves were the lowest class of the peasants in England, but all in the peasant class didn't have much more. Those English slaves were white, and when America first got started both white and black served as indentured servants. Blacks were put into lifelong indenture after a big rebellion in the Cheasapeake region, the only reason the whites weren't was so the whites would have superior status to the blacks and so would have incentive to help the plantation owners control the blacks.
There should be a place to talk about freedom from slavery because that is what America is all about.
Posted by rattlesnake (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 2:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Enkikur i agree with most of what you say, but i would like to know where the big rebelion can be read about. I still have never had slaves or knew anybody else that had any, or for that matter I never seen a slave.
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 5:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is called Bacon's Rebellion rattlesnake. Because of it the Virginia legislature enacted laws making the social condition of indentured whites different and socially above the condition of indentured blacks.
The NPS has one version of it, but if you go to www.blackcommentator.com and search for Jonathon Scott you can read his article on it. And if you email him he will write back and tell you more about the situation.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)
Most of us, including me, now are slaves. We are working our @$$e$ off to afford everything now. I'm upset with all of this.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on May 21, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We are only slaves if we allow ourselves to be. I am no longer a slave to a job, and soon will be free from debt also. When you finally get good and tired of it, you can find a way to escape. It may mean a simplyfing of your lifestyle, forgoing some expensive pleasures such as eating out, cutting back in some small ways - but the freedom you get will more than offset any pain you may feel from giving up the current lifestyle. I am not saying you or anyone else is living beyond your means - I could not possibly know that - but I know from experience we can all cut back in some ways.
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