The Tallahatchie seemed to be everywhere. Looking out the backseat window, we crossed it a million times going up old 7 to Memphis. And, you had to cross it twice as much to get into New Albany. Of Chickasaw lore and country music legend, somewhere along her Delta route, Billy Joe McAllister was more than likely thrown off a bridge. She’s twisted, muddy, ugly and hard.
But, at the Spillway, she is a queen on her throne. Jumping out and running down to the rocks has awed many a Lafayette County kid, at the raw power, danger of her majesty. The roar at the bottom, billowing spray, the old Sardis veterans giving the nod to Dad, with his sons. Later, pulling away with the morning’s catch and evening’s dinner, we head back to Oxford.
John Cofield is a HottyToddy.com writer and one of Oxford’s leading folk historians. He is the son of renowned university photographer, Jack Cofield. His grandfather, J.R. “Colonel” Cofield, was William Faulkner’s personal photographer and for decades was the Ole Miss yearbook photographer. Cofield attended Ole Miss as well.
Stay tuned for more information on Cofield’s forthcoming book: Oxford, Mississippi ~ The Cofield Collection — a pictorial history book with John’s writing on the history to go along with the photos.
Contact John at Johnbcofield@gmail.com.
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