09/16/2003 - Flatboat Salvaged - History of Under-the-Hill - Slave Market - Ghost? Flatboat Salvaged   CARBONDALE, Ill. -- For more than a century travelers, emigrants and farmers depended on flatboats to travel the nation's waterways. Anyone who could build a log cabin could construct the box-like boat made of planks. Because flatboats couldn't navigate upriver, they were broken up and sold for lumber when they reached their destination. Consequently, none were preserved for posterity. MORE >> Under-the-hill History With the sudden influx of Spanish-milled dollars, things changed around Natchez Under-the-Hill. The swift rise in trade with Mexico and the Spanish West Indies brought strange craft to Natchez. Under the hill suddenly became a place where adventurers flocked to seek easy fortunes. It underwent a mushroom growth. Flatboats, Kentucky Arks, and un-seaworthy sailing vessels that transported farm produce from up river were purchased, quickly dismantled and taken onshore to be raised on brick bases. Thus, seasoned timber from the upper reaches of the river was utilized in building America’s first pre-fabricated homes. MORE >> Slave Market at Forks of the Road in Natchez Slave trade...for enslaved people, those two words conjured up many images: people in chains; long journeys; harsh conditions; moments of uncertainty; fear, worry, or anxiety; being separated from family and friends; an uncertain destiny. For slave traders, those two words meant profit, but often at great risk. MORE >> Haunts of Natchez We are including a list of places other investigators believe may contain “Spirit Energies”. Some areas are not open to public scrutiny without consent, as they are privately owned residences and property. MORE >> Subscribe To Our Newsletter || Tell A Friend