Books: Killers of The Natchez Trace

THE OUTLAW YEARS—Robert M. Coates—Macaulay ($3).

For 38 years (1797-1835) the overland wilderness route known as the Natchez Trace was the best but most dangerous road from New Orleans to the Midwest. Ol' Man Mississippi brought the cargoes down, but it was more than sail or paddle could do to get all the way upstream again. The gold went back in saddle bags over the narrow, bandit-infested trail stretching from Natchez, Miss, to Knoxville, Tenn.

First and worst of the Natchez Trace bandits were the Harpes: Micajah ("Big") Harpe...

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