In an October 25, 1837 letter to J. W. Campbell of Jackson, Tenn., General William Conner writes of town of Ashport, for which he was a promoter. Having just returned from the town, Conner notes that "the place is really becoming to be very public. I was constantly passing waggons [sic] & horsemen from steam boats stopped whilst I was there." He also speaks of Mr. Patton who has invested in the town, saying his "prompt measures in relation to building will be not only very fortunate for himself but for us also."

Conner closes the letter with a description of finding Native American remains. He says, "My waggon [sic] has this moment returned from the bottom and brought an entire human skull with all the teeth &c. I will keep it for the inspection of some Antiquarian. Perhaps Doctor Forrest could tell to what nation it belongs. Your brothers hands are digging up a number of skeletons. The teeth are very rarely missing & seem to be sufficiently sound in some instances to be used by a dentist."