Ogly-Stroud Massacre
William Ogly built his cabin near this site at Poplar Springs along the Federal Road, and was killed here with most of his family on March 13, 1818. His friend Eli Stroud's wife was fatally wounded and their infant child killed in the attack. Dr. W.B. Ector wrote from Claiborne on March 16, 1818: "A most horrid massacre was committed on the federal road...on Friday night last, the 13th inst...l encamped all night within two miles of the place, and dressed the wounded myself...
Mr. William Ogly and three children killed, and two wounded; Mrs. Eli Stroud wounded and child killed by the Indians...Two persons only Mrs. Ogly and Mr. Stroud, escaped unhurt." The warriors were believed to have been led by the notorious Savannah Jack, who committed the Butler Massacre a week later.
Gary's Stockade
Early in March 1818, prompted by hostile Indian threats, Thomas Gary built a stockade or block house on his property along the Federal Road in what is now northwest Butler County, about two miles west of where Fort Dale was afterwards built. Because Gary charged protection fees, dissatisfied settlers petitioned the Alabama territorial government for another fort. The Ogly-Stroud Massacre of March 13, 1818, brought Capt. Sam Dale and his militia from Fort Claiborne to defend settlers in this area. When the militia constructed Fort Dale, people ceased using Gary's stockade. Thomas Gary died April 23, 1818, and is buried in the Fort Dale Cemetery.
His is the oldest marked grave in Butler County.
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