King's Tavern is the oldest building in the oldest city on the Mississippi River. It was built in the 1760s, with the wood from old flatboats that were used to bring goods down the river to Natchez and New Orleans before the steamboat days. Since the flatboat merchants couldn't float back home against the river's strong current, the last items they sold were their flatboats. Then they traveled home (or at least as far as Nashville) by land via the Old Natchez Trace, a wilderness road that originated from a series of trails used by the southeastern Native American tribes.
Undoubtedly, the merchants and boatmen stopped for a drink or two at King's Tavern before leaving Natchez. Later, the notorious Trace bandits would return to King's Tavern and spend the money they robbed from them. The Harpe brothers were among the most feared bandits of the Old Natchez Trace. Unlike most outlaws, the Harpes were motivated by bloodlust rather than financial gain. Entire families fell victim to their bloody rampages through Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The elder brother, Micajah "Big" Harpe, was so cold-blooded that he killed his own daughter for crying too loud.
In 1799, Big Harpe was hunted down and killed by a posse near Henderson, Kentucky. His head was mounted and displayed on a pole at a crossroads, which is still called Harpe's Head Road to this day. His brother, Wiley "Little" Harpe, escaped and joined up with the Sam Mason Gang. Sam Mason was another notorious Trace outlaw. He was known for leaving messages after his crimes (often in the blood of his murdered victims) proudly stating, "Done by Mason of the Woods."
In 1803, Mississippi Territorial Governor William C.C. Claiborne put out a $2,000 reward for Mason. Little Harpe and James May (another member of the Sam Mason Gang) decided to collect it. So they killed Mason, cut off his head, and presented it in Greenville. The head was positively identified as Mason's, but a man in the crowd recognized Little Harpe. Both Little Harpe and May were arrested on the spot. They were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death by hanging. Their heads were mounted and displayed on poles at opposite ends of the Trace to deter outlaws.
Records show that Sam Mason and Little Harpe hit Yazoo and Walnut Hill (now Vicksburg) during their crime spree, so it's very possible that they ventured to Natchez to spend their ill-gotten gains at King's Tavern. Some believe their ghosts still haunt King's Tavern. A menacing-looking red-headed man wearing a top hat has been spotted from time to time. Could this be the ghost of Sam Mason or Little Harpe?
By far, the most famous ghost of King's Tavern is Madeline. The story goes that Madeline was a beautiful young woman hired to work for Mr. King, the original owner. Not long after, Mr. King and Madeline began an affair. The jealous Mrs. King had Madeline killed, and then stuffed her body in the walls along with the murder weapon: a bloody knife. According to Natchez locals, three human skeletons (two male, and one female), were discovered in the wall behind the fireplace during the 1930s. A Spanish jeweled dagger was also found among the bones. No one can say who the men were, but the residents of Natchez believe that the woman was Madeline.
Madeline is believed to be responsible for much of the mischief that happens at the tavern. Sightings of a young woman in old-fashioned clothing, a face suddenly appearing in windows or mirrors, and warm spots on the bed upstairs are reported. It's been said that visitors come to King's Tavern for the prime rib, and stay in the hopes of seeing Madeline!
The remnants of the Old Sunken Trace are spooky even in the daytime.
Sam Mason (above) and the Harpe brothers were among the most notorious outlaws to prowl the Old Natchez Trace. Sam Mason and Little Harpe (below right) were frequent patrons of King's Tavern, and it is believed by many that their ghosts still return to visit their favorite haunt.
Eudora Welty grew up hearing tales of Old Trace boatmen, bandits, and outlaws. They inspired her to write one of her best-known classics, The Robber Bridegroom. The book is also based on "The Robber Bridegroom," a Grimm's fairy tale.
