The best I can figure, it wasn’t too long after the Civil War.
It was Jim Simmons, and Uncle Dick Smiley. While researching Ozarks history of 100 years ago, one can be certain that if a man was referred to by other citizens as “Uncle,” that meant he was over 50 years old. Hence, a person can learn a little of our two characters from the start.
Well, Uncle Dick – the County Clerk – and Jim, a well-known stockman whom the community of Simmons was probably named after, had contracted with the State Prison in Jefferson City to supply them with beef, or as they called them back in the day, “beeves.”
The question came up as to who they could trust, under any circumstances, to drive the cattle. For they needed a man who could work from sunup to sundown, hot or cold, and no doubt could handle any trouble that may arise along the way. It was soon agreed that Civil War veteran Brandt Sutton of Houston was the man for the job – and for good reason.
A well-known citizen, he had been a spry young lad with grit. Running away from home to join the State Guard in Alton, he served under General James H. McBride, Texas County Circuit Judge. The day Brandt turned 21 he joined the regular Confederate Army under General John S. Marmaduke, becoming a member of Company B 4th Missouri Cavalry, Col. Burbridges Regiment. Brandt saw battle at Wilson Creek, Pea Ridge and Cape Girardeau and was in General Sterling Price’s famous campaign. Wounded in a battle in Mississippi, he was honorably discharged in 1865. In my mind, there is little doubt his credentials had much to do with Brandt being chosen for what many would call, “the range boss.”
Well, it wasn’t too long, and Brandt was headed north with a large bunch of cattle. Last stop before delivery was a staging camp for the cattle to rest and graze, near California, Mo. From there, they would be delivered to Cole and Howard Counties.
In this resting camp, was an old blind horse with a small bell tied around its neck, and an old dry well nearby that was about 20 feet deep. Brandt was roundin’ up cattle one day on his horse when he discovered the well. What he did not see though, was that ornery Jim Simmons sitting nearby on the root of a tree.
And wouldn’t you know it? Brandt leaned over to peek down the well, when the wind blew his hat off, and it went straight down the hole slicker than a cottontail running from a beagle. He immediately lit off his horse, tied his lariat around a sapling, and headed down the well for his hat. Jim, quick to take in the situation, made no hesitation. He hurried over, untied the lariat, and Brandt soon held both ends. Then Jim took the bell off the old blind horse, and began walking toward the well, ringing it as he went.
Brandt Sutton, hearing the bell, was certain it was the old horse who had untied the rope, and Brandt would holler, “Get back!” Jim would ring the bell some more, and kick a lil’ dirt in on him for good measure. Fearing the blind horse was going to be in the well with him, Brandt kept hollerin’, “Get back! Get back!”
After Jim figured he’d had enough fun, he put the bell back on the horse, and rescued his dear friend Brandt. Of course, all the time pretending he had just happened along.
Obviously, that was all in fun, and one can be certain that Jim Simmons couldn’t wait to share his story back home, and how he got one over on his decorated friend, (it’s archived in the Houston Herald, have a look see).
But I’d about guarantee what Brandt Sutton did from that day forward. Yes, sir! I reckon, after that lesson from the University of Hillbilly-ism, he learned to pay better attention to his surroundings; looking for another Jim Simmons sitting on the root of a tree!
Now, as my Grandpa would say, “put your ears on,” for here is where it gets serious, mighty serious. Did you know that the Bible teaches us to be paying attention to our actions and surroundings in the same way? It sure does.
“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
That’s right, the devil is our adversary, our enemy, and there isn’t anything he enjoys more than to see a man or a woman doing something they shouldn’t be in the first place. Getting themselves in deeper trouble than any twenty foot well. And, if we think the devil would kick a lil’ dirt in on ’em, we would be highly underestimating him. At the very least he will go to throwing dirt that would put a whistle pig to shame. It won’t be in fun either, he plays for keeps. And it will hurt, hurt something awful, and oftentimes with eternal consequences. Eternal consequences? Yes, eternal, hence the warning from Peter that the devil will devour a man if allowed.
Dear reader, in a world where so many are being devoured, how much more should we share Peter’s warning? For we can never become too “decorated” in our faith (as the secular example of Brandt Sutton), to not get slipped up on. We should teach this to the children just as serious as we can teach it, and love them enough to discard the T.V. and other foolishness. We should sit down as a family daily and teach them the Bible. Tell them old-time stories like men used to tell, true stories, mind you, like the one I just shared. Plant a seed, and pray over it, in hopes it will germinate in their little minds, and keep ’em out of trouble. That they may grow to glorify The Father, exalting Christ Jesus in all they say and do (Col. 3:17, Romans 12:1,2).
Well folks, that’s my two pennies on the matter, which wouldn’t amount to a hill of beans. But it’s the Lord’s instruction, and that does.
Lord willing, until next time.
Michael Everett Jones is a Texas County native, old fashioned historian and purveyor of traditional Christian values. Email ozarksgrandpajones@gmail.com.