Tombigbee Tales

Nancy Luke Carpenter Annual Car Wash and Bake Sale to Fund the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation

It’s that time of year again, folks! It is time for the annual Columbus Cultural Foundation to demand funding from the Columbus Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Yes, here they are again, a 501C3 holding their hand out again for 100K+ to solely fund their foundation again…with zero oversight and zero transparency of where last year’s 100K went. Yes, fellow citizens of Columbus, your tax dollars were distributed blindly to the Columbus boondoggle called the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation (CCHF) that CLOSED the Columbus Welcome Center doors with no notice to the public and more importantly with absolutely NO notice to the Visitor’s Bureau that funds their operation.

The Bumbling Bamboozler - A History of Incompetence

A report was formerly sent to the State Auditor's office on the malfeasance and incompetence of former CVB Director Nancy Luke Carpenter.  The content validates much of Tombigbee Tales' research. This should make every Lowndes County resident get angry and call the CVB and demand they NOT fund the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation. 

The Amzi Love Home in Columbus, MS

The Amzi Love Home in Columbus, MS was built by Amzi Love as a gift to his bride Edith Wallace. It has remained in the family for over 5 generations. It is open for tours by appointment. 

The Ghosts in the Cicero Lincoln Home in Columbus, MS

The Lincoln Home is one of the earlier homes built in Columbus. It is a raised cottage style Gothic/Greek Revival Home. It also is haunted by at least four different former residents. 

Tennessee Williams Birthplace in Total Disrepair

Nancy Luke Carpenter and the Board of the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation have allowed the birthplace of Tennessee Williams to fall in utter disrepair. Please email the board and tell them to remove Carpenter as CEO and to do the right thing to repair the building and to be transparent in their actions.
Board President Brenda Willis: willisbw66@aol.comTreasurer Sonic Johnson: sonic.johnson77@gmail.com

The Tombigbee River and the Underground Railroad: Follow the Drinkin' Gourd

The Tombigbee River was the path to freedom for many escaped enslaved people. Their directions were found in a folk song: 
Follow the drinkin' gourdFollow the drinkin' gourdFor the old man is comin' just to carry you to freedomFollow the drinkin' gourd
When the sun comes back, and the first quail callsFollow the drinkin' gourdFor the old man is waiting just to carry you to freedomFollow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourdFollow the drinkin' gourdFor the old man is waiting to carry you to freedomFollow the drinkin' gourd
Well the river bank makes a mighty good roadDead trees will show you the wayLeft foot, peg foot, travelin' onFollow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourdFollow the drinkin' gourdFor the old man is waiting to carry you to freedomFollow the drinkin' gourd
Well the river ends, between two hillsFollow the drinkin' gourdThere's another river on the other sideFollow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourdFollow the drinkin' gourdFor the old man is waiting to carry you to freedomFollow the drinkin' gourd
Well, where the great big river meets the little riverFollow the drinkin' gourdThe old man is waiting to carry you to freedomFollow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourdFollow the drinkin' gourdFor the old man is waiting to carry you to freedomFollow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting just to carry you to freedomIf you follow the drinkin' gourd

Mississippi Black Belt Prairie Blues

It was in this Black Belt Prairie impoverished environment that many great Blues musicians rose to prominence.

Hickory Sticks and the Valentine's Day Ghost - Columbus, MS

Hickory Sticks is one of the oldest homes if not the oldest home still in existence in Columbus, MS. Built between 1815-1820, the home has a spectral visitor during Valentines each year. Who is it and why is he insistent on going upstairs to bed every year?

The Ghost Rider of Wisteria Place in Columbus, MS

Wisteria Place has a man who walks up the road out of the foggy mist of early morning leading a horse carrying a man in confederate gray bent over the saddle. They disappear once they turn in the back drive. Who are they? 

Ghost Hunting at the Princess Theatre in Columbus, MS

The Princess Theatre in Columbus, MS is known for significant paranormal activity. It is thought to be Mr. Kuykendal, the former president of the Motion Pictures Theater Owners of America from 1932 until his death in 1946.