Just a quick question regarding a little "hear say" history...

[Jdevil]

In the past, I have heard from several old timers that back during the Native American relocation, the U.S. Army spent a great deal of time seeking out early Native American habitation sites to dynamite, in hopes of preventing those Native Americans in opposition of said relocation a place to hide.  I am not too sure how true this is, but there are many indications that I've found for such to be true (in Morgan County, anyways).  So, I was wondering if anyone else has ever heard of such.  If so, what you have heard or experienced to indicate such, and where, if any, there is any historical record or more information on such activities to research.  Any information that anyone would be willing to share would be greatly appreciated.

[squidbilly]

Either that or the old timers were destroying the evidence of their looting said habitation sites.

[Jdevil]

I don't really think the later is the case, since these two old timers had no interest in artifacts, not to mention, the fact that they both, like myself, have a considerable Creek/Cherokee lineage....they. ..like me, are descendants of those who chose to hide in seclusion from the relocation process, which pretty much robbed us of our true histories.  But, thanks just the same. 

[Bankheadboy]

This makes me see things in a different light! I've never heard about them blowing up shelters, but I see lots of shelters that have mortar rocks on the outside and the shelter's are full of  rock boulders on the inside. I often tell my Buddy's that a whole family of Indians could be under those rock piles. I hope not!  This makes perfect since to me! I'll ask around and see if this happen in Bankhead? Thanks for question!

[Jdevil]

I heard about such things back when I was a teenager. For a long time, in my explorations, have found many such places and wondered deeply about this question, though I haven't really been able to find any conclusive historical or physical evidence to support such allegations, though it does make good sense and have found no reason to believe otherwise.  Every time I find a place such as this (and I live pretty much right on top of several), I have pondered the answer and find myself doing so more and more with the quest for that answer seeming to have become very personal.  I wish I would have had the foresight to ask more questions way back then, especially considering that these "old timers" passed away over a decade ago. As noted, any information on such matters would be appreciated more than you know.       

[Joshua Szulecki]

I've heard some anecdotal evidence, too. I've never seen anything written confirming it, so I'm skeptical.

The vast bulk, if not all, of those rocks under the ledges are natural. You can tell by the shear lines, the lack of drill holes or other signs of blasting, and where they land. I've always been paranoid under ledges, since I've watched small chunks come off a few after harsh weather. In fact, I've always wondered how folks who spent nights under them regularly didn't get squished, since one of the quickest ways to break chunks off by accident is to start a fire underneath them.

[Jdevil]

Hi Joshua, thanks very much for the response.  In most cases, I completely agree that it is a natural phenomenon resulting from various types of temperature changes, especially those concerning where water condenses within the cracks and freezes, causing expansion, which eventually results in such obvious breakage. However, I have also found many where such couldn't possibly be the case. For example, where the chunks of rock appear to be too small and found randomly scattered across a proximity in conjunction with larger and slabbed pieces of an obviously earlier part of a roof and where the effects of gravity, erosion and expansion don't seem to apply.  I too remain somewhat skeptical, especially considering the inability to locate any conclusive evidence to support such a notion other than those instances where such doesn't appear to have occurred naturally.  Then again, I haven't found any true evidence to refute such a notion either...either way, I sincerely appreciate the response.