The Nutbush Creek Buck Story

The Nutbush Creek Buck Story is a vivid family account involving Joseph Henry Atkins during the period the family lived at Palmer Point in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.

The Account

As told by David Allen Spain and corroborated by family members: Joseph Henry was taking a shortcut home through the woods after a day's work. Near the banks of Nutbush Creek, he encountered a pack of hunting dogs cornering a large buck in the middle of the stream.

In an effort to save the dogs or perhaps in desperation as the deer attempted to escape, the buck bounded toward Joseph Henry. He grabbed the deer by its horns, and both were thrown into the water. Joseph Henry managed to lock his legs around the partially submerged deer and, while holding onto its antlers with one hand, used his pocket knife (opened with his teeth) to cut the deer's throat.

Legacy

David Allen Spain claimed to have preserved the horns of the buck for many years. The story highlights the rugged nature of life for small farmers in the Mecklenburg area around the turn of the century and the physical strength and resourcefulness attributed to Joseph Henry Atkins.