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Story Archives: Stories on Natchez City Cemetery in Estes' book
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Stories on Natchez City Cemetery in Estes' book
There are a thousand stories in the Natchez City Cemetery and Don Estes knows them all.
Some of those stories appear in his book -- "Legends of the Natchez City Cemetery" -- which is being released this weekend.
Estes' favorite story is that of Bud Scott, a famous black musician, born in Natchez in 1876. Scott was famous for his renditions of "Danny Boy" and "Little Liza Jane," among others. He and his band played locally as well as at locations along the lower Mississippi River. One of his children, son Clarence, died in the 1940 Rhythm Night Club fire.
Scott's gravesite at the Natchez City Cemetery is marked by a simple homemade concrete stone that states: "Bud Scott 1856-1938."
"He was the greatest musician and singer Natchez will ever have," said Estes, the former director of the cemetery. "Although he was married and had children, the girls liked him, too."
In 1900, said Estes, Scott "got 15-year-old Mary Ann Albert pregnant. Her parents sent her to New Orleans to have the baby. That baby's name was Louie Armstrong."
Estes said Armstrong, the future jazz great, visited his mother's family in Natchez during the summers. He notes, too, that Armstrong paid tribute to Natchez in his song: "Sleepy Time Down South," which includes the words, "Oh, how I long for them good ole sleepy days in Natchez, with them red beans and rice."
Signed copies of Estes' coffee table book will be available at the Natchez Visitor's Center on Friday and Saturday nights, Nov. 6-7, as part of the Angels on the Bluff program. Estes' first book signing is slated for 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the Natchez City Cemetery office.
He said the book is 208 pages, has 118 articles, 200 photographs (68 in color), including pictures he's "been hoarding for years."
Estes says two famous Concordia residents are also in the book -- Don Jose Vidal, Concordia's founder, and Civil War Confederate Pvt. James Lewis Hopkins, who lived to be 120-years-old.
The book sells for $39.95, not including tax. Shipping and handling costs are added, too, if ordered by mail. For details, call 601-442-9277. |
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