From Joe Waters; “Goldville District.” http://jovikri.tripod.com/public-index.html

In 1842, gold was discovered in Northeast Tallapoosa County. . . . The population of Goldville quickly reached 3,500. Almost overnight Goldville became one of the largest towns in Alabama. In the "Goldville District", gold veins were rich. The gold was there, but the methods of obtaining it were crude. There also was free gold, concentrated at the surface by weathering which made it possible to work with a shovel and pan in some places. Gold was worked down to water level. A great amount of work was done as indicated by the trenches, pits, and shafts that can still be found. There were at least fourteen merchants, seven saloons, and two hotels that served the miners needs. Most of the miners lived in tents. There is not any evidence of a church in the gold rush days. The town of Goldville was born and died between the census of 1840 and 1850.The amount of gold taken from the mines and pits will never be known. Most of the miners were gone before 1850. When news of the California gold strike reached Goldville, the miners packed up and left not even taking time to put out their campfires. The first mine in the Goldville District was the Birdsong Pits (S4, T24N, R23E) owned and operated by Edward Birdsong who between 1840 and 1850 carried on mining operations with negro labor(slaves). Other mines included the Jones Pits (S5, T24N, R23E) which is one of the oldest mines in the county. The Log Pits (S24, T24N, R23E) which was one of the richest operations ($30,000.00 in gold and a small amount of silver). The Ulrich Pits, later called Dutch Bend or Romanoff Mine (S8, T23N, R22E) were located on the east bank of Hillabee creek about eight miles from Alexander City. Dr. Ulrich, a German, found gold here while digging a wine cellar. As late as 1906 a stamp-mill was operating on this property. The mining equipment here included a 20 stamp-mill and a cyanide plant. The Ulrich Pits were acquired by Robert A. Russell of Alexander City, who operated these mines till 1934. Other mines that operated in the Goldville District mostly before 1900 were the Early Pits (SW1/4, S26, T24N, R22E), Stone pits (S34, T24N, R22E), the Chisolm prospect (S9, T23N, R22E), the Duncan prospect (S16, T23N, R22E), the Mahan Pits (S4, T23N, R22E), the Croft Pits (S34, T24N, R22E), the Tallapoosa Mine (Sw1/4 S26, T24N, R22E), the Tine Burnett Lode (SE1/4 S24, T24n, R22E), the Houston Pits (S18, T24N, R23E), the Hawthorne Mine (S8, T24N, R23E), the Goldville Pits (S8, T24N, R23E), the Germany Pits (NW1/4 NE1/4 S9, T24N, R23E), and the Lowe Mine (NW1/4NE1/4S9,T24N,R23E). There were numerous other pits that were worked and abandoned. Men in the financial capital of the United States were aware of the gold in Tallapoosa County. A letter to Colonel Dean from E.M. Morgan of R.A. Ammons and Company, bankers and brokers of #2 Wall Street, New York dated December 2, 1887 states " Regarding that Birdsong and Jones property. Mr. Roudebush leaves tomorrow for London and from cables and letters which we have received we are confident that the property will be taken by some people over there." There were many similar inquiries.

Land Entries of Womack Surname in Butler County

George L. Womack – resident of Butler County; entered T12, R12 – January 2, 182329   Jesse Womack – resident of Butler County; entered T10, R12 – November 20, 182630 John Womack – resident of Butler County; entered T11, R12 - 182031 John H. D. Womack – resident of Butler County; entered T14, R10 – April 28, 183632 John M. Womack – resident of Butler County; entered T12, R13 – January 20, 183633 Kincheon R. Womack – resident of Butler County; entered T11, R11 – November 2, 182534 Mancel Womack – resident of Monroe County; made payment at Cahawba for land in T6, R10 – May 14, 181935 Mancil N. Womack – resident of Lowndes County; entered T13, R14 - April 5, 183636 Mansil Womack – resident of Jones County, GA; made payment at Milledgeville for land in T10, R14 – September 8, 181737 Resident of Butler County; entered land in T11, R11 – October 20, 182438 Noland L. Womack – resident of Butler County; entered land in T11, R13 – December 25, 183239 Sarah Womack – resident of Bulter County; entered land in T11, R13 – August 29, 183640 Thaddeus A. Womack – located a military warrant granted to James R. Durand on December 31, 1847 in T11, R13 – October 14, 184741

Obituary for John M. Womack Greenville Advocate, May 31, 1877

John M. Womack was born in Jones Co., GA 7/21/1818 and moved to Butler Co. with his parents when 1 year old. He died in Pine Flat on the 21st. He joined the Methodist Church at age 23 and was baptized at Old Breast Works Church by Elder D. T. Seale. He is survived by his wife and child.