'Twas in the spring of 1843 that Garland Rice first came to Calhoun County. (If one wishes to know why his name was Garland they would have to ask his father, McTavish Rice, who would tell you it was his dear departed wife's (may she rest in peace) idea. Garland was born on a snowy winter eve, well  - on the 24th of Dec., which he always said was a real gyp for him as no one ever celebrated his birthday. Anyway, I digress.

While Garland's mother lay dying in the delivery bed, McTavish leaned over her and asked what she wished to call her newborn boy.  Mrs. McTavish Rice chose that moment to comment on the garlands that adorned the walls, and McTavish thought she was naming her newborn child.

As I was saying, it was 1843 or thereabouts (no one kept good records back then, anyway) that Garland Rice first came to Calhoun County.  In matter of fact, there was no Calhoun County before Garland Rice showed up, and had the fickle finger of fate been a bit more straight (if you get my drift) Calhoun County would have been Garland or Rice County.

Garland was on the run from his ex-wife (well, it wasn't really his ex-wife as Garland had not bothered to divorce her, but he had not bothered to divorce the three previous wives, either.) You see, Garland was great at getting married but lousy at getting divorces, so he just moved from wife to wife, hoping that no one would catch up with him!

Garland helped the rest of those in the newly formed Calhoun County make a town and lived there for many years till his death at the age of 105.  In case anyone wonders, Garland did not die a natural death.  It seems a few of the ex or not ex Mrs. Rices managed to track him down, and one of them, Mrs. Chris Rice, who - though she was old - was a very good shot with a shotgun.

She found Garland in the saloon propped up against the bar and let him have it with both barrels from her 12 gauge. In case you're wondering, they were loaded with a combination of birdshot and rock salt, and Garland's last words were "Boy, that smarts!" as he slid down beside the bar he was leaning on.

Mrs. Chris Rice flew back into the arms of the sheriff and was carted off to jail where she was given the choice of being sent to prison for life or marrying the sheriff. She took life. You would have to have seen the sheriff.  Talk about bowed legs and buckteeth, not to mention his lack of hair - and the smell. There are those that say the crooks gave up every time they were downwind of him.  His smell just froze them in their tracks.

Anyways, now you know how Calhoun County came to be. We can all thank Garland Rice for it being the safe, friendly place it is today.

© Copyright 11/18/2005 Tina L. Rice