The Birth of Absanie

The Water Crisis of 1837

The Development of Absanie

Absanie Power & Light

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Community rivalry and a devastating battle played a vital part in the founding of the city called Absanie, Maddocha.

Before Absanie became a city, it was part of Hardaway. Settlers began arriving in 1828, most of them of African descent. A community was launched in 1829 with a store and later a mill, built by a man named James Wright. In 1830, James Wright, his brother, Allen Wright, and three other men purchased 50 square miles of land from Bill Hardaway. (When Bill Hardaway died in 1892, he willed the last seven square miles that comprise Absanie to James Wright. The men voted and they named the city Absanie.

Absanie flourished until 1837 when the Water Crisis of 1837 occurred. Absanie was a self-sufficient city. It had its own store, school, and hotel.

The "Water Crisis" of 1837 began on March 21, 1837 between Dorinda and Hardaway. The "Water Crisis" started over the Hardaway River, which divided Dorinda and Absanie from Hardaway. The river was big enough for all three cities at first, but as more cattlemen began to occupy the territory, the water supply began to decrease.

The Hardaway city officials decided that since most of the river flowed through Hardaway, that they deserved the exclusive rights to the river. Hardaway officials fenced off most of the river from Dorinda and Absanie.

Absanie officials decided to strike a trade agreement with Hardaway. Absanie was rich in corn and wheat products. Officials decided that Absanie would trade corn and wheat for water from Hardaway. Absanie and Hardaway were happy with the trade agreement.

Hardaway officials tried to reach the same type of agreement with Dorinda's officials, but they were not successful. Dorinda officials were upset because Hardaway had fenced off the portion of the river that sat in Dorinda. Dorinda believed that Hardaway did not have the right to fence off the river because parts of the river were in all three cities. Hardaway disagreed.

Hardaway had to place armed guards at various points along the river to ensure that people would not steal water from the river. Dorinda officials began to mobilize a small band of men to raid the lookout points along the river. As Dorinda began to attack, Hardaway mounted a counter attack. On May 15, 1937, 20 of Dorinda's men laid dead and 32 of Hardaway's men laid dead at the mouth of the Hardaway River.

Absanie Intervenes

The city officials of Absanie called a meeting between the two feuding cities because the attacks had began to effect Absanie. As Dorinda attacked Hardaway, the shipments of wheat and corn that Absanie were transporting were stolen. On several occasions, Hardaway refused to give Absanie its shipment of water.

Absanie officials convened a meeting with Hardaway and Dorinda to discuss a trade agreement. Absanie tried to get Dorinda to reach an amicable trade agreement with Hardaway, but Dorinda refused. The officials from Dorinda stormed out of the meeting screaming, "We will fight until there is no more water or die trying." With that utterance, Absanie joined forces with Hardaway.

The Water Crisis Massacre

On February 3, 1838, the "Water Crisis" had seen its last battle, The Water Crisis Massacre. The Dorinda soldiers had a base set on a plot of land owned by Joe Harmon. While some of the Dorinda soldiers were resting, a band of soldiers from Hardaway and Absanie slipped onto the base disguised as Dorinda soldiers. The band of soldiers from Hardaway and Absanie forcible took over the base. The band of soldiers from Hardaway and Absanie decided to celebrate the victory by setting fire to the house that was on the land. The house burned down with 10 of the Dorinda soldiers in it.

As the house was burning down, a fight developed between the Dorinda soldiers and the other soldiers. After the fight was over, 123 men laid dead from both armies. The band of soldiers from Hardaway and Absanie left claiming victory.

After this battle, Dorinda set-up a meeting with Hardaway to discuss a compromise. An agreement was reached. All three cities could use the river as their water supply. Absanie and Dorinda were required to pay a tax each year to use the river. This agreement was in effect until 1887 when the river dried up. The "Water Crisis" ended with over 190 men dead.

In 1835, Absanie was incorporated. An election was held April 18, and 60 of the 68 qualified voters voted in favor of incorporation. In May, 1835, M. J. Williams was elected as the first Mayor of Absanie, along with one marshal, Tobias Ethridge, and four aldermen: B. E. Scott, JN Floyd, Ron Brown, G. E. Allen, and J. D. Kurfman.

In 1862, Jesse M. Lampkins was elected City marshal to handle police services. His duties also included grading the roads, mowing, and hauling off trash. Additionally, Mr. Lampkins served as tax assessor-collector and city secretary.

On April 8, 1864, E. F. Cloud became the first uniformed City Marshal after receiving 37 votes to win the race. On July 16, 1864, two City Traffic Officers were appointed by the Council. They served without pay.

In 1864, Fairbanks-Morse offered to sell the City of Absanie on credit a 100 HP generator, provided the City would build its own electric distribution system and use the revenue to retire the debt. Ten businessmen each pledged $500 to the fledgling enterprise and most residents agreed to install electric lights and become customers of Absanie Power & Light. On April 1, 1867, the City of Absanie officially entered the electric and water utility business with 25 customers and a load of seven megawatts.

On October 16, 1895, the Home Rule Charter was adopted by Absanie voters, setting up the Council-manager form of government under which Absanie presently operates. The city is divided into four districts, with a City Council member elected from each district and mayor elected at-large.

Visit Absanie Baptist Church, the most historic church in Absanie.

In 1864, the City of Absanie's first water and sewer systems were funded with a $100,000 bond issue. Water line construction commenced and pumps were purchased with the assumption that Maddocha Power & Light would provide electric service at a commercial rate. To the astonishment of city leaders, Maddocha Power & Light offered a rate so high that the cost to provide water service would be economically impractical.

With Maddocha Power & Light refusing to negotiate with Absanie on the electric rate and the water system nearing completion, Absanie leaders began to consider starting their own electric system. Part of the equipment Absanie had already purchased was a 75 HP Fairbanks-Morse diesel generator, intended for use as an emergency back-up power supply for the water pumps. But, if Absanie intended to start its own electric system, it would need a second generator. Bond funds were expended and no money was available for the purchase of a second generator. Fairbanks, Morse & Co. offered to sell to the City, on credit, a second generator provided the City would build its own electric distribution system and use the revenue to retire the debt. A group of local businessmen personally guaranteed the line of credit used to fund the fledgling enterprise.

On April 1, 1867, Absanie officially entered the electric and water utility business. The system was an instant success and by October of 1867, the City Council convened to consider adding another generator to meet the rapid customer growth. A third generator was purchased as Absanie Power & Light began to flourish.