Food for thought
Consider: When you put the words "THE" and "IRS" together, it spells "THEIRS."
Thanks to the Cloud Family Journal.

Virginia Confederate Pensions
The State Library of Virginia's website includes scanned images of the actual applications for Confederate pensions from that state. First, go to The Library of Virginia's site at http://www.lva.lib.va.us/. Then click on "Search Catalogs," then "Military Records & Resources," then "Confederate Pension Rolls, Veterans and Widows Database."
Files with the scanned images are available for the following Clouds:
Columbus H. Cloud; Mrs. Elizabeth B. Cloud (wid. of Isaac Newton Cloud); Mrs. Ellen Cloud (wid. of Uriah Cloud); W.H. Cloud.
Thank you to the Cloud Family Journal.

Pickens County Genealogical Society publishes Gordo History Book
The Pickens County Genealogical Society of Gordo, Alabama has published ECHOLA ECHOS, Echola, Alabama (Tuscaloosa County). The 440 page hardback book is 8 1/2" by 11" and contains hundreds of photos of Echola's historical buildings and families. The text covers the area's history and families from the 1800s to present. Prepublication price is $50 (plus $5, if mailed). Prices increase to $60 ($65 if mailed) after October 1. Make check payable to Echola History Book and mail to P.O. Box 250, Gordo, Alabama 35466. Books may be picked up in Echola or at the society office in the historical City hall/jail building in Gordo in mid August. There are still limited copies of the Gordo Area History and Chronicles book for sale for only $50 ($55 if mailed). Make checks payable to Gordo History Book. For information call (205) 364-0399. Thank you.  Karen O. Manning

Joseph H. Vann presents The Life and Times of the Vann Family
Joseph H. Vann, great, great grandson of Chief Rich Joe Vann, gives us an insight into one of Georgia's colorful Cherokee families -- the Vanns. Vann gives freshness to a part of history that is sometimes passed over or glibly mentioned in history books. The Life and Times of the Vann Family is a story of a clash between two cultures -- Cherokee and the white settlers. There was a clash of ideologies and the need for land. One of the most definitive causes of conflict was the discovery of gold in North Georgia. Word eventually leaked out and the rush was on and the river of golden tears flowed freely.

The gold rush was one of the contributing factors to the wealth of the Vanns. Chief James Vann built the Vann House mansion and owned Diamond Hill Plantation. Rich James Vann inherited the plantation and mansion. He purchased a steamboat The Lucy Bell. The Lucy Bell, while in a race, exploded and Joe Vann was killed.

No novel, fact or fiction, is written without romance. The Vann men were cavalier and lovers. James Vann was married four times but still had a wandering eye. Rich Joe Vann numerous romantic encounters but it was Jennie Springston who caught his eye. He married Jennie in 1820. He affectionately referred to Jennie as "my Cherokee Rose." The Cherokee Rose was a small flowering, roselike plant. It was sacred to the Cherokee.

Joseph H. Vann writes as though he was keeping a journal with short and long entries. As a reader, I found his style easy to read. I enjoyed the book. While reading, I felt as though Mr. Vann was sitting in an easy chair telling his story about the Vanns and their adventures. He gave a personal snapshot of his family and how they related to the changing times of Georgia and to the United States. The Vanns were representatives for the Cherokee Nation to George Washington and Andrew Jackson. They were in contact with John Sevier, Jean Lafitte and the Georgia Guard.

I recommend this book to students of history and to those readers who like to read nonfiction novels, adventure, romance and family history. Very few books about the First Americans exist that tells the story from the First American point of view and are written by a First American.
-- Will W. Rogers