2024 Smoky Mountain Homeplace
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Cocke County: A colorful, enduring legacy
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An entertaining, dramatic look at
COCKE COUNTY’S COLORFUL LEGACY Welcome to the latest edition of Smoky Mountain Homeplace as we focus on Cocke County’s colorful, enduring legacy. In this edition, we explore bizarre (but true) stories of love, the perils of moonshiners and notable instances of violence from years past, along with a look at humor, entertainment and more that have shaped Cocke County’s personality over the years. Readers will remember that the previous fall edition featured local news items dealing with agriculture, community appearances, military, religion, the county seat debate, business/commerce, buildings, education, human interest stories and weather. These items had originally appeared in various newspapers around the country and told of local happenings and local people. This edition follows the same format but focuses on different topics with news items all relating to Cocke County, indeed, a most colorful county. The digitized newspapers have been a great addition to historical research. As primary sources, the news items that can be found in these newspapers provide details and exact dates of people and events that otherwise might be lost. Over 200 issues of The Newport Plain Talk, sporadically covering the years 1911-1922, have been digitized and can be found on several sites. Chronicling America is one such site that is provided free online through the Library of Congress. Not only are the newspapers available but also an indexing system which helps in locating the focus of any research. Using these is so convenient since it can be done at home with one’s own computer. There are other local newspapers which have been microfilmed, but researching them requires a trip to a library which has them as well as a microfilm reader. That in itself was once of great help to the researcher, many who can recall hours spent sitting at a reader in a darkened room scrolling through filmed records attempting to locate information. After a time, one’s eyes would indicate when it was time to quit. With digitalization, microfilm reading is becoming somewhat obsolete. Microfilm can now be read through a computer system, and old microfilm readers are being scrapped because replacement parts cannot be found. The same is true for reel-to-reel tape recorders. The Preservation Services Section of the Tennessee Library and Archives began the microfilming project in 1953. Not only records of the state government, they have attempted to copy records of all 95 counties,
Old microfilm reader
newspapers and manuscripts. Not only have these items been preserved, the public has been provided greater access to them. In addition to microfilming, the PSS does digitalization, document restoration and preservation and photograph reproduction. The microfilm availability can be found on the TSLA website.
for the years 1911-1922. From 1923 to 1938, there is a fairly complete microfilm record. For the years 19391943, there were only sporadic editions of the local newspapers available for microfilming, due to the deaths of editors Tom Campbell and R.P. Sulte, the shifts of ownership and changing of editors. However, since 1943, complete
or Roadman family, as The Plain Talk plant burned in 1911, and undoubtedly any morgue of past editions was destroyed. Some other local newspapers which have been microfilmed are: Eastern Sentinel (several editions, 1880-1882), Star Journal (one edition, 1885), Newport News (one edition, 1889), Newport Citizen (one edition, 1889), Tennessean (three editions, 1906), Newport Times (two editions, 1909), Newport Herald (numerous editions, 1917-1927), Newport Times (numerous editions, 1938-1960), Cocke County Tribune (one edition, 1936), Cocke County Banner (complete record, 1970-1978). Would that all of the editions of the local newspapers were digitized! It has been a great help that all of the Knoxville, Morristown, Greeneville and Asheville newspapers have been, and so often Cocke County news was published in them.
Modern microfilm reader
Microfilm of the local records and newspapers can be found at Stokely Memorial Library, the Tennessee State Library and Archives (Nashville), Sherrod Library at East Tennessee State University (Johnson City) and at the McClung Collection of the East Tennessee Historical Society in Knoxville. As mentioned, there is digitalization
microfilm has been available for Plain Talk and Tribune and its successor, The Newport Plain Talk, until the present. The Newport Plain Talk was established in 1900 and there were numerous copies, though not a complete record, existent and microfilmed. These existing copies may have come from the Anderson
Providing readers with various facets of Cocke County’s past has been the focus of the biannual Smoky Mountain Homeplace edition. The past and its events, both good and perhaps not so good, have resulted from the people who created them, but that is history. These newspaper items will indicate that whatever was done or whoever did it was considered by the editors of interest to their reading public. So, readers, here’s hoping you will enjoy this latest edition of Smoky Mountain Homeplace.
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THE POWER AND CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE ‘… I’m half crazy all for the love of you …’ HARRY DACRE Shortly after man was created, God created him a helpmate. Thus began the most significant relationship which has endured through time with varying degrees of such things as love, communication, companionship, support, acceptance, compromise, procreation, forgiveness, respect and trust. Then there is the drama. Human emotions are strong, and conflicts and other situations can arise between partners and those around them. It has been those, both good and bad, which have most often made the news, and oh, what love can cause! When it was said marriages were made in heaven, someone responded “So were thunder and lightning!”
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Knoxville Register, April 2, 1857: The Dandridge Statesman announces last week the marriage of Mr. Ben Husky to Miss Susannah Lindsey, both of Sevier County. We learn from the Statesman that TWO expectant bridegrooms were in attendance… It seems that the fair deceiver had so wound herself into the affections of the two, that when “popping” time came round, she was unable to resist…According to time set, both gentlemen were
at the appointed place, both anticipating the brilliant ”good time coming” with apparent coolness. When the Squire announced his readiness to tie the desired knot by “lead your partner out on the floor,” and to the astonishment of the assembled lookers-on, two grooms advanced with eagerness to grasp the fair hand of the cruel-hearted and bewitching creature. After a somewhat animated discussion, the two frustrated and almost prostrated aspirants concluded to let
the lady make a choice…which she soon accomplished…The outraged, disconsolate lover turned his steps homeward with his license in his pocket and his adored in the arms of his rival. [The Huskeys later divorced.]
Nashville Daily American, February 1, 1877: Mr. S.A.
Sims, postmaster at Fair Garden, Tenn, furnishes us the following information: E.S. Newcomb, a very popular citizen of Cocke County, a Deputy Sheriff of said county and Clerk of the Baptist Church at Wilsonville, eloped on the night of the 19th inst. with Polly Sneed, a near neighbor girl of his, about 18 years of
See LOVE - on page 9
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A long and dangerous history of
MOONSHINE ACROSS ‘THE DEAD LINE’ ‘It was nothing but good ole mountain dew …’ GRANDPA JONES Spirituous beverages have been around forever. They have been used and abused by societies all through history. Producing them has been a source of income by such persons as George Washington. Following the traditions of their native lands, the Scotch-Irish brought the knowledge and experience of distilling spirits (aka moonshine) when they moved through the Appalachian Mountains, right into Cocke County. The business has been here probably since the time of the first settlers arrived. In addition to pleasure, spirits were also the main source of medicine. There have been both legal and illegal distilleries here.
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COLUMBUS (Georgia) DAILY ENQUIRER, July 20, 1869:
Information has been received at the Revenue Bureau from Tennessee of the capture of an ox wagon in the mountains of Cocke County loaded with whiskey from an illicit distillery. The owner of the team was selling whiskey from the wagon. He abandoned the team and took to the woods. His name is Allen. It was taken possession of, but subsequently, recaptured from the officers. The whiskey was poured on the ground and the wagon abandoned.
NASHVILLE UNION AND AMERICAN, March 24, 1872: A
Greeneville paper says: Cocke County is becoming famous. More whiskey cases go up from that county to the Federal Court than any other, perhaps, in the state. And there would be a much greater number if the United States of America could make arrests anywhere in that county…The whiskey distillers have done what they term “the dead line,” somewhere along Cosby’s creek and defy marshals to cross and execute process …
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Jan. 21, 1874: H.P. Dailey, special revenue
collector, while in Newport last Thursday, discovered a couple of kegs of contraband whiskey in a wagon containing apples and chestnuts, brought to town by a man named Joe Campbell, from off of Cosby. The officer seized the whiskey, wagon and four oxen but gave Campbell permission to sell his apples and chestnuts, removing the wagon and oxen to a stable yard and the whiskey to the depot. The next morning, at These men cut down a still. an early hour, the citizens of the quiet village were surprised by the sudden appearance of ten or twelve horsemen, armed with guns and pistols, who first took Campbell a prisoner and made him show them where the wagon and oxen were, which they geared up and moved to the depot, demanding from the collector the restoration of the whiskey or threatening bloodshed. The collector told the men he had placed the whiskey in the keeping of Mr. [D.A.] Mims, and while they were on the way to search Mims’ house, the train moved out…having on board the collector and the two kegs of whiskey. Campbell sent word to the collector that he was in no way responsible for the rescue…
NASHVILLE UNION AND AMERICAN, May 14, 1875: Wildcat
Whiskey Raids: … By demolishing six additional distilleries in the counties of Cocke and Greene, this company met with a great deal of resistance in Cocke County, being fired upon by these law
violators, one of who was dangerously wounded. The [raiding] party returned to this place, being worn down by incessant labor of thirteen days.
GREENEVILLE INTELLIGENCER, June 18, 1875: …a short time ago
three or four revenue soldiers (?) went up on Cosby in Cocke County to make some arrests. A woman out washing saw them coming and went to the house and fired off an old pistol., and of all the running and hollering ever done, those brave chaps did it…again they went to a still house and set in on fire and burnt it and all that was in it…at another still house, they took the stills and tried to sell them, and failing to find a purchaser, they cut them into pieces, so fine, they said, rings could not be made from the metal. These same fellows, in order to get their fees, arrested some of the best citizens of the county and brought them to Newport and without any trial thrust them in jail, denying them bail… took them to Knoxville and there they were set at liberty, there being no charge against them…
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, March 18, 1879: A few days since a
tragedy occurred on Upper Cosby, in which several intoxicated persons were engaged. Quite a number of shots were fired, and in the firing, one John Rollins shot A.J. Hooper. Hooper lived until last Sunday, when he died from the effects of the wound. We learn that the making of illicit whiskey is doing a great many vile deeds in the neighborhood of Upper Cosby. This bloody deed should be a warning to them. They should at once abandon the making of whiskey, where the law is enforced on them. [NEWPORT REPORTER].
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Jan. 7, 1880: NEWPORT REPORTER:
Last Saturday, Deputy Marshal G.T. Lakins and others made a raid on the moonshiners of the 4th district of this county, capturing at one place a still of 120 gallons capacity, 300 gallons singlings and forty tubs of mash. At another place, a still of sixty gallons capacity and twelve tubs of beer, and at another place a copper bottom evaporator, contracted so as to do the work of a regular copper still, a quantity of beer and mash. The above property belonged to unknown violators. They succeeded in capturing an old violator, Mack Correll, after which he was tried, found guilty and gave bond for his appearance in court…
Deputy Bill Barnes carries a still that he and his raiding party found.
revenue officers, found and destroyed a 40- gallon wildcat still one mile from Rankin’s Depot last Thursday night. To show the boldness with which these Cocke County “moonshiners” operate, the still was located within 100 yards of the railroad.
TIMES-PICAYUNE (New Orleans, LA), July 2, 1888: A special from
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, June 29, 1889: A week or
so ago George Hill and his clerk Newton Gray were arrested for the unlawful sale of whiskey…The testimony proved the Church Street “drug store” to be a double distilled barroom…The testimony told that the whiskey was sold by the drink, by the half-pint, pint, quart and gallon without even asking the buyer for a prescription, that beer was sold by the bottle… it was sold to minors and five-sixths of the prescriptions were given by a Doctor O’Neil… who sometimes took a drink with party for whom he had prescribed…
Newport, Tenn. says: The burning of Harper’s distillery on Friday and the finding of the stolen whiskey is causing quite a sensation which each new development intensifies. There was a large crowd in town yesterday and the expose was the allabsorbing topic of conversation. Friday, W.O. Harper, the proprietor, Wood Harper, his brother, and Dan Wiley were arrested. The 400 INTERIOR gallons of whiskey JOURNAL which was found (Stanford, KY), buried and the captured wagon and Feb. 26, 1892: team were brought Newport, Tenn. to town. Early was shaken up by a this morning Tom charge of dynamite Susong who deserves placed under a much credit for the saloon by the promptness and temperance people, thoroughness with who had warned which he worked up the proprietor This liquor jug sold recently for more than the case, left for the not to open. The $1,600. scene of the burning establishment was with a strong posse. A blown to smithereens part of them returned at 3 o’clock pm and stores adjoining demolished. with two wagons, one belonging to Isaac KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND and the other to David Brooks. Today, as TRIBUNE, July 20, 1894: …Appetite, the west bound train rolled in, officers medicine and mechanic arts have boarded and captured Dock Headrick, created a general demand for alcoholic brother-in-law of Harper, who with his liquids. Over the door of a saloon at wife and children, had left Harper’s and Newport, Tenn. several years since, were headed for Greenville, Texas. He there was written “Everybody takes it”… had two large trunks full of whiskey. The lawful use and unlawful use make It is now known that two more of the Harpers, the two Brooks and John Boyd, a powerful combination in support of the liquor traffic and in opposition to the younger, will be arrested. There will Prohibition. be fully fifteen arrests, and about fifty witnesses are already summoned…It is KNOXVILLE SENTINEL, Dec. the biggest thing which ever happened 2, 1899: Newport has four saloons in the revenue circles here. It is now and four churches. The saloons have believed the distillery was set on fire to pavement before them. None of the defraud the government. The Harpers churches do.
CHATTANOOGA DAILY TIMES, March 6, 1881: Four whiskey saloons
at Newport, Tenn. will be closed after the first of May under the enforcement of the four-mile law.
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Dec. 29, 1882: J.E. Hacker, deputy
internal revenue collector, with Deputy Marshal Sprouse, last Friday night made a raid on an illicit distillery near Cobb [Clay] Creek Church, in Cocke County, run by one Rufus Burgess. They destroyed a 170-gallon copper still, about 500 gallons of beer and about five gallons on singlings. Burgess was arrested and taken before the United States Court at Newport for a hearing.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, June 23, 1886: Mssrs. Kyle and Roberts,
are very prominent people, and their arrest is the sensation of the hour.
Distilleries are popular in Cocke County to this day.
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FINDING HUMOR IN LIFE’S MISHAPS AND MISDEEDS ‘…O’er the fields we go, laughing all the way…’ JAMES L. PIERPONT A good laugh can brighten the day, a truth which has been around for a long time. The Bible recognizes that there is a time for laughter and the proverb advises that a merry heart is like medicine. Just as some folks always see the dark clouds, there are those who can find humor in most situations. Of course, the ones most involved in the situation may not find it as funny as the individual relating it. Often, a serious occurrence can be made humorous just in the way it was written or told. Also, wouldn’t it be interesting if history had recorded, in addition to their accomplishments, which people had laughed easily, told a good joke or brightened any gathering?
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KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Oct. 27, 1872: IRON DEALER
ARRESTED: On Friday evening, a boy who has been in the employ of C.T. Peterson of Clifton, Cocke County, took it into his head to go into the hardware business. While Mr. Peterson was at supper, the youth proceeded with great deliberation to carry away several bars of iron from his store, amounting to four or five hundred pounds, and offered them to Mr. Jones, a merchant of that enterprising village, at whatever he was willing to pay. He suspected that there was some trick in the trade, and his suspicions were confirmed by finding the name of Mr. Peterson on one of the bars of iron. Mr. Jones communicated his views to others, and the dealer of iron was arrested…He managed, before reaching the jail…to run. The officer started after him, drawing his pistol at the same time, fired. The iron dealer plunged into the river, where he was apprehended and safely lodged in jail... That day he had “forged” himself a new suit of clothes.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Dec. 11, 1872: A young gentleman
passed through our town last week, accompanied by Sheriff [James] Netherton of Cocke County, enroute for Nashville where he goes as a representative of that county to a certain industrial institution of that city. He had too great a hankering after a merchant’s bar iron at Newport.
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Sept. 1, 1881: Dickering as to the price
of any table luxury he desires has not heretofore been one of the traits of accomplishments of the courteous and gentlemanly master of transportation of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad, Major F.K. Huger. But what effect a recent experience he had in Cocke County may have upon his table spread out, in the future remains to be seen. It comes to us from good authority that during his late visit of inspection to the work of his company on the line of the Buncombe extension, he sent his servant to a cabin near his quarters to procure a gallon of buttermilk as a part of his matutinal meal. The long absence of the servant induced the Major to visit the house himself where he found the old woman and the servant disputing the price. The old woman vehemently contended that she had already measured the milk, that it had passed from her possession and not a stiver less than $1.50 [about $45 today] would compensate her for it. Rather than leave the question to a jury, the major paid the price demanded and enjoys the fame of swallowing the most costly gallon of agitated lacteal ever manufactured in Tennessee.
MEMPHIS PUBLIC LEDGER, May 3, 1882:..Major Heiss prides himself on his agricultural achievements… We tried our best to glean something on this point from Dr. Peck and Green Allen. Green declined any interview…Dr. Peck we found… Here indeed was a man of whom any interviewer might be proud. “Yes, I will show it to you,” said the grave gigantic man. He led and Elbert Early. we followed across a frightfully rustic bridge, to a six-panel rail fence on the west side of the creek, encompassing a half acre, more or less. Upon a panel of this structure the Doctor settled himself, motioning us to a corner where we could have a comfortable look. We stood a moment gazing in awe over the domain and capacity
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The Peterson Store was the two story building to the left of the tall building.
of the farm. The Doctor…said, “There’s the damned thing you want to see! Look at it carefully. It is really valuable…Sir, you nor any of Heiss’ friends know how he agonized over that damn truck patch. Aside from the cost of his potatoes, he spent two days and nights in cutting them into proper agricultural dimensions. Damn the fellow that follows eternally the moon. Heiss has nothing but potatoes…And now every morning, if you take the trouble to watch, you will find Heiss somewhere around this patch to see whether his potatoes have come up. That is, sir, to see if the damn razorback hogs have rooted them up or not!”
MEMPHIS PUBLIC LEDGER, July 7, 1882:
Messrs. E.S. Early and S.E. Hines, who have just completed a sawmill in the mountains above Wolf Creek, East Tennessee, furnish the following particulars of a recent ground hog hunt. A few mornings ago, a man living near Wolf Creek was attracted to by the barking of his dog and going to where they had treed on the side of the mountain, he found him in a hollow log with the entrance lying up hill. He procured a log pole to reach the game, but this being too short, he crawled in to lengthen the pole and hung his toes over the end of the log. In this position, he lost his hold and down he went in the log on top of the groundhog, and a lively fight began. The man’s superior strength prevailed, but not till he had been bitten in eleven places and badly scratched and scarred. But the trouble had not ended. The man had, wrong end down the hill, could not crawl backwards up hill, so he was a prisoner in a critical, not to say, ridiculous position, with no means of escape. Fortunately, at this frightful juncture, the family became uneasy and went out to see what had happened and were horrified at the
discovery. Finally, after a round of cursing, praying and crying, the victim was cut out of the log and “set right side up,” clothes and in his right mind, but the groundhog was dead!
MILWAUKEE SENTINEL, Nov. 9, 1883: John H. Steel was born in
Cocke County, Tenn. in 1800 and Job Hampton, an old citizen of Moniteau, was born in the same county in 1801. They were raised boys together and mustered together in the mountains of East Tennessee. Mr. Hampton came to Missouri about 1830 and Steel in 1834. Last Saturday the two old gentlemen met in Mr. Burkhardt’s store in California [Missouri] – first time in years. They had an interesting talk over old times, referring to Kit Bullard’s mill and the French Broad River. Mr. Steel told of a severe fisticuff he had with Andy Johnson in his tailor shop. Andy made him a suit of clothes and they didn’t fit; they fell out over it and had a severe struggle in the shop before they were separated. [from MISSOURI REPUBLICAN]
HERALD AND TRIBUNE [Jonesborough} Nov. 15, 1883:
Newport. Abe Rader owned a mousecolored mule for which he paid $130. Tuesday of last week, the animal was experimenting upon the strength of a covering over a well. The plank gave way and his muleship found himself doubled up in a sitting posture as aforesaid at the bottom of the well, thirty feet from the surface. Ropes were attached to the windlass, a man went down and looped the rope to the other end. The winding began and the mule came up without a struggle and landed broadside upon the ground.
ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, June 8, 1885: PHILADELPHIA
TELEGRAM Correspondence. Asheville, NC: Buzzard’s Roost is the name of a post village…just on the line between North Carolina and Tennessee…The TELEGRAM correspondent went down to “The Roost” yesterday to investigate a mysterious mine that was said to be in the neighborhood…A walk of half mile over the mountain leads up to the mouth of a deep shaft sunk into
See HUMOR - on page 9
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HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH From HUMOR - 4 the mountainside. At the mouth of the chute leading down to the railroad track sat a man with a gun. He was not at all pleasant to look upon nor did he seem much disposed to talk. The following colloquy occurred: How are you this morning? How d’ya? Is this a mine, my friend? I reckon so. What do you mine here?
Rock. What kind of rock? Dunno. Why is it called deception rock? Dunno. Who owns the mine? Dunno. Can we go down into the shaft and see the men at work? We don’t want no meddlin’ interlopers. For the first time since the interview
began, the man showed some signs of life. He laid his hand upon the gun and deliberately cocked it. Then he replied, “Not in a big sight, stranger. We don’t want no meddlin’ interlopers round here – now git! The hammer of the gun clicked, and the correspondent “got” without a loss of time. [Buzzard’s Roost was later named Whitwell and was between Bridgeport and Del Rio.] KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, May 18, 1889: NEWPORT
CITIZEN: Monday evening a man and wife named Arwood boarded the train at Del Rio for this place. As the train came into town, the brakeman called out “Newport.” Arwood and his wife at once went to the platform, and thinking the train was not going to stop, leaped off just below the Click House. They both made a half-dozen revolutions – the man was knocked senseless but his wife was herself in a minute.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH From LOVE - 2 age. She was rather a good-looking girl, with fair complexion, blue or grey eyes. “They are gone,” he continues, “to parts unknown to us, but we imagine they are making their way to the far West where public lands are cheap.” Newcomb deserts a respectable wife and five little children who are likely to be reduced to great want from the condition in which he has left them. [The couple ended up in Roane Co., TN.]
Knoxville Daily Tribune, February 8, 1877:
On Tuesday, January 30th, a Mr. Alexander Smith and a Mr. [Eugene?] Roadman stole a march on the old folks and carried their girls to Newport. The girls had accepted the proposals of matrimony, but the parents withheld their consent. So one fine day, the fathers missed their daughters. They immediately went in pursuit of the runaways. The quartette were overtaken at Newport, just as they were in the act of boarding the train. With heavy six-shooters, the young men were convinced that it a great deal healthier to let the old folks take care of their daughters. So the parents departed with their disobedient daughters. But the young men, after mature deliberation decided not to lose their prizes without an effort to keep them. They followed soon after and overtook the fathers and daughters in the woods, and about twenty shots were exchanged with no bloodshed. The sheriff of Cocke County [Creed Boyer], who had accompanied the parents for prudential reasons, waited until the lochinvars had exhausted all their ammunition, when he arrested them both, and brought to Newport, where they were tried and fined $53 which they paid and left for parts unknown.
Knoxville Daily Tribune, March 18, 1878: A correspondent at Parrottsville relates this matrimonial
episode. It appears that one Mr. [Henry] McCraw, colored, had wooed and gained the hand of a very old lady living near this place, and the time of marriage was fixed for the 17th of this month. But on last Saturday night, during the old lady’s absence, the rite of matrimony was celebrated between McCraw and the old lady’s granddaughter [Cumby Stokely].
Knoxville Daily Chronicle, July 10, 1879: A Cocke
County farmer became angry at his daughter a few days since and sought to punish her by chaining her to the smoke house to remain all night. But during the night she was rescued by her lover, who broke the chain that kept her in the meat house.
Weekly Herald [Cleveland, TN], October 16, 1879: Newport
Reporter. Two paupers of Cocke County were married last week: William Tallent, 84 years old to Lucy Miller, 95 years old.
Morristown Gazette, June 30, 1886: Winter and spring joined
hands and hearts at Newport, Cocke County, last Friday. George [Robert] Dennison, a frisky young beau of 67 summers, was united in wedlock to Miss Dicie Elizabeth Beck, a mature maiden of 18 winters. It is hoped that the bride will have due consideration for the youthful inexperience of her husband and be to him a maternal sympathizer as well as a wife. [From Swansylvania area section of Jefferson County]
The Comet [Johnson City, TN], December 16, 1886: Dr. John S. Jenkins who has been in Newport but a short while won the heart of Miss Emma Murphy, one of the prettiest young ladies in that place, and clandestinely married her on the night of November 25th. Several days after, it was reported here that Jenkins had another wife in Blount County. He left for Unaka but was arrested
there and brought back. His case was tried before Justice S.A. Burnett, who held him in $1,000 bond. Failing to give this, he was placed in jail. The community feels greatly enraged by his conduct and demands that he be punished according to law. Since being in jail, he confessed having a wife and three children in Blount County and expressed a desire to receive sentence at the next term of court, which he hopes will be a short one.
New York [NY] Tribune, April 28, 1891: SUICIDE PREVENTS
WEDDING. Knoxville, Tenn. Owen Meredith, a young businessman, shot his brains out today on the historic spot known as Fort Sanders. He came to Knoxville two years ago from Baltimore and for some time had been the local agent for the New South Building and Loan Association. A few days ago Meredith fell from a train on the Cumberland Gap road and was painfully injured. He was to have been married next Wednesday night to Miss Lucy Hudiburg, a daughter of the postmaster here. A note was left for Miss Hudiburg, but its contents cannot be learned. Four years ago, Ashley Peck, a young man from Newport [Wolf Creek] who was engaged to Miss Hudiburg killed himself.
Knoxville Journal and Tribune, May 14, 1892: Newport, Tenn.… Yesterday morning about the early hour of three, on the banks of the French Broad River, the soul of Miss Mary O’Dell passed into the spirit world…it is believed from statements credited to Dr. Snoddy and some circumstantial evidence that the unfortunate young lady came to her death by poison administered by her own hand. It is said that a love affair was at the bottom of the sad affair…Miss O’Dell was about twenty years of age, a beautiful and fascinating young lady.
Knoxville Journal and Tribune, May 17, 1892: A transcript of a divorce case from Cocke County was filed yesterday in supreme court. The case was entitled Laura O’Neil, appellant, vs. Andrew O’Neil. The lower court merely granted a divorce
from bed and board. She appeals, wanting the marital vows entirely revoked and that she be restored to her maiden name.
Knoxville Journal and Tribune, December 14, 1895: COCKE COUNTY ROMANCE. The quiet little settlement in the upper end of the county, known as Wolf Creek, comes to the front this week with a genuine romance says the Newport Weekly.
Forty years ago John [Isaac L.] Adair and Mrs. Sarah Swatzell were neighbors and playmates …. and as the years marched along their friendship ripened into love, an engagement followed. Their dream of love was not permitted…and after a stormy meeting one day, the engagement was dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Adair left with his broken heart for the malaria district of Arkansas. Mrs. Swatzell remained at Wolf Creek…She had suitors galore and in the passing years followed three husbands to the grave. A change of scene in the case of Mr. Adair worked wonders …after a short time he wooed and won a lady with whom he enjoyed many years of married life and who was taken from him by death several years ago. About the same time Mrs. Swatzell had laid away her husband, a knowledge of which accidentally came to Mr. Adair in his Arkansas home, and he wrote a letter of condolence to his first love. This letter was answered, others followed and a correspondence lasting over a year was engaged. Finally, Mr. Adair wrote her asking her to meet him in Morristown and canvass the situation, and after a meeting if it were satisfactory to both, a wedding to follow. Mrs. Swatzell agreed and last week the long separated lovers met. One look at each other and the fires which had lain dormant for years began burning again, and a license and a parson were sent for, post haste. The threads of their existence were taken up where they had laid them down more than a quarter of a century ago.
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A WEALTH OF NATURAL RESOURCES YIELDS BENEFITS AND PROFITS
‘…With all the natural resources to satisfy mankind…’ BUJU BANTON Our natural resources – air, water, timber, minerals, soil, stone, metals, wildlife – have been provided to the inhabitants of earth. It has been human labor, ingenuity and creativity which have rendered these resources for the benefit of the population. These news items will tell of local resources and the persons who sought to profit from them.
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SOUTHERN WHIG (Athens, Georgia), Aug. 12, 1847: From
Chattanooga to Knoxville on the “Holstein [sic] River” is two hundred miles navigable for large boats six months and for small boats all the year. Barges and small boats come down the Holstein 250 miles above Knoxville and 450 to Chattanooga. The French Broad is navigable 50 miles for small steamers and 100 miles for barges and flat boats…”Nolichucky” has flat boat navigation 75 miles. “Big Pigeon” and “Emory” Rivers also have navigation for short distances.
NASHVILLE UNION AND AMERICAN, Nov. 2, 1870: Ten tons
of zinc ore, said to be the richest and best ever found in Tennessee, has been mined recently in Cocke County.
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, March 25, 1873: One remarkable feature of Cocke County is the great variety of timber that grows upon her “flat lands” and upon her mountains and ridges. White pine, a rare growth in Tennessee, is found in abundance and exceedingly tall and large. Walnut is everywhere to be found. Hickory of the finest quality. Tall white oak and poplar, and indeed every variety almost could be mentioned.
NASHVILLE UNION AND AMERICAN, July 14, 1874: The
Jonesboro Echo states that a large lump of silver was recently found by Mr. William Templin on his farm in Cocke County, near Newport. It weighs two hundred and eighty pounds, and if converted to coin would probably be worth about $6000. There is no other silver in the vicinity, and by whom and when it was buried is an interesting question …
NASHVILLE UNION AND
AMERICAN, Dec. 1, 1874: A
correspondent of the Greeneville Intelligencer states that a large portion of the mineral lands of Cocke County have been sold to English capitalists.
UNION AND AMERICAN (Greeneville), Feb. 1, 1877: The
Southern Land and Mining Co, of Cocke County are putting up buildings and making roads to commence operations on a large scale next spring. They have fine beds of iron ore and marble with a prospect for copper. They are building a tram road down Brush Creek to connect with the C.CG. and Charleston Railroad at Wolfe Creek. We hope they will succeed to their full satisfaction. The company is composed of English capitalists and represent a large amount of money.
can be traced for many miles. It has
Notice the men. Cocke County once had timber this size.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, May 8, 1878: The Newport Reporter says
Mineralogist, and Maj. W.R. Smith of Newport visited the gold regions of Wolf Creek. They returned with a that Mr. Thomas Huff who lives on very favorable report and declare that the headwaters of Wolf Creek, Cocke valuable metals are embedded there in County, has without any dispute large quantities. A new discovery has discovered a vein of gold on his land, which cannot be surpassed by those of recently been made of a very rich vein of silver and lead. The gold of Wolf the noted gold regions. Mr. Huff has Creek has been pronounced by several sent specimens to mining companies, of America’s best mineralogists to be and after being weighed, it was found the very best…We have been credibly to be worth 96 percent. It is said informed that an English Company is that other parties have made similar soon to commence discoveries near work…From the by and the small Newport Eastern brooks seem to be Sentinel it is sparkling with gold currently reported dust, which has been that a valuable lead the only means of and silver mine discovery. It is said was discovered on that Mr. Huff will the lands of W.C. go to working it this Roadman near old fall. Newport, about MORRISTOWN two weeks ago by GAZETTE, Aug. 6, a colored man, J.M. Hamilton… 1879: NEWPORT Specimens of SENTINEL: Col. the ore have W.F. Morris of the been examined French Broad Mills Dr. I.T. Peck advocated the varied resources by professional informs us that his of Wolf Creek. mineralogists dams are completed who declare it to and the supply of water booming. The mills are all going be superior quality, composed of silver and lead to a fineness of 85 and in first class trim, ready to supply percent. There exists in the minds and flour in any amount… traditions of the oldest inhabitants CHATTANOOGA DAILY TIMES, hereabouts that there is hidden away Feb. 21, 1880: Last week W.T. Hart, somewhere near the place of the recent discovery of an enormously rich silver and lead mine, and it is now thought it has actually been discovered.
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Oct. 6, 1881: …There is more geology
at what we call “The Bluff ” (head of Wolf Creek, six miles from Wolf Creek depot) than any place I know…I know there are several varieties of granite, gold and specular iron…I secured specimens which I have shown to hundreds of persons…Professor Bradley went to the bluff, and when he returned, he said, “I have named your granite “unakite”…it is not found anywhere else in the world.” Dr. I.T. Peck Renowned for its rafting, the Pigeon River has also played a prime role in the development of Cocke County industry, such as providing a much-needed power resource.
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reported that a rich silver mine has been discovered on the waters of Upper Cosby Creek, in Cocke County, Tenn.
KNOXVILLE DAILY TRIBUNE, February 8, 1883: Professor
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Henry E. Colton, State Geologist and Inspector of Mines, has presented his report…We publish that part of the report that treats of iron and coal of East Tennessee…The Wolf Creek region is one of the least known and also one of the richest mineral sections of the State…Passing up Wolf Creek from the railroad at Allen’s, the Potsdam sandstones are passed over…in them I found several veins of hematite ore, and a well defined vein of quartz carrying gold, silver and lead. Gold has from time to time been washed out of the sands and gravels at various localities on the creek, and the specimens obtained from the vein of argentiferous galena from only a foot below the surface, have every appearance of great richness…This vein of ore has great continuity and
been opened again on the waters of Big Creek…
HERALD AND TRIBUNE (Jonesborough), Nov. 8, 1883:
Newport is a lumber market…During the past eighteen months according to the Sentinel, an enterprising newspaper published there, Capt. D. Williams has shipped from Newport to Philadelphia and other Eastern points the following quantities and kinds of lumber and timber: Black walnut, 25,000 feet; white oak, 30,000; white ash, 5000; yellow poplar, 502, 357; red gum, 239; chestnut, 102; white hickory, 203; curly walnut, 190; walnut logs, 83,000. During the same time there was sold at Newport, to supply demand, 70,000 feet of poplar, pine and walnut lumber. The amount of lumber now on hand at the mill yards near the town, consisting of poplar, ash, oak and walnut, is 600,000 feet, and on the yard at Newport 104,000. The stock of logs at the mill on Indian Creek nearby, amounts to 104,000 feet…
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, June 3, 1885: Newport:
The Scottish Carolina Land and Improvement Company contemplate erecting a second sawmill, the capacity to be the same as the first, which is 50,000 feet per day. The company now pays out $250 per week to hands employed in the mill which is then distributed to our local merchants. They also employ 95 to 100 hands up the river getting timber for the mill.
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Oct. 8, 1885: We have spoken time and again of the Scottish Land and Timber Company and the improvements they are making in Newport and along the Pigeon River and its tributaries…They have been busy all summer making improvements at Newport, building new mills and cutting logs. It is estimated they have 100,000 logs lying along the Pigeon River in Cocke County…This company is not confined to lumber…They are encouraging the culture of tobacco in the counties of Tennessee bordering on the North Carolina line and have established a large tobacco warehouse at Big Creek…
KNOXVILLE MORNING TRIBUNE, Aug. 18, 1895: News
Notes of Newport…The baryte mines at Myers Station [Westmyer] are to be opened in a few days by Messrs. Jillet and Daughtery Bros. of New Jersey.
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, Aug. 16, 1896: United
States surveys have revealed the fact that this region is rich in minerals. Newport is in the heart of the brown hematite, manganese, specular and magnetic iron ore region. The United States report of 1888 says: Four miles from Newport, black manganese so far as developed, yields good returns. Vein regular, sixteen feet, pocket formation, 48 per cent. Lumps from shot size in the foothills of the mountains.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, March 8, 1899: A coal mine has
been opened at Wolf Creek, Cocke County.
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RESORTING TO VIOLENCE ‘... I did what I had to do ….’ BARON LEWIS
Wherever there are people, there is the potential for violence. All through history, there has been mayhem and murder. Cocke County has had its share of such incidents and we share some of them here with you. Some mortifying, some heartbreaking and yes, maybe at times, a bit amusing in the manner of the reporting of the incidents.
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INDIANA DEMOCRAT (Indianapolis), July 18, 1838:
On the 3d inst., Arthur Davis of Cocke County, Tennessee, in a fit of drunkenness shot his wife who instantly expired! Davis was upwards of seventy years old, and his wife was young with a child about seven months old.
TIMES PICAYUNE (New Orleans), August 22, 1841: Mr. J.
Hardy, a citizen of Cocke County, Tenn. was murdered on the 1st inst., near Knoxville. Two men have been arrested and charged with the murder.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Dec. 27, 1871: We learn the particulars of
a terrible affray which occurred near Leadvale on Tuesday last, in which a man named W. Finney was killed by a rock by a man named Jno. Wice…Wice who is said to be a quarrelsome fellow, got into a dispute with Finney and after a few hard words, Wice struck him in the head with a rock and killing him almost instantly. Wice then made his escape but was captured on Wednesday morning…
KNOXVILLE WEEKLY CHRONICLE, June 11, 1873: Near
Newport, Cocke County, on the 28th of last month a young woman named Martha Beard was accidentally shot by a young man named William Arrington. He was preparing to go hunting, and after taking his gun from the rack, he wiped it out - the gun being loaded – placed it on his shoulder and started from the house, when he and the young lady got in a scuffle, the hammer of the gun struck the door facing, causing the gun to fire, the bullet penetrating her heart and killing her instantly. KNOXVILLE WEEKLY
CHRONICLE, Jan. 28, 1874: We
learned yesterday that a few days since the Sheriff of Cocke County while making an attempt to suppress a disturbance of public worship, he was resisted by one Clayton Sprouse, whom he was attempting to arrest, and in the scuffle which ensued, to protect his own life, the Sheriff was forced to shoot him. Sprouse died shortly after he was shot.
his pistol and fired, the ball taking effect in Davis’ breast.
with a drawn knife when the fatal stone was thrown.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Nov. 22, 1876: We learn that a Mr.
KNOXVILLE DAILY TRIBUNE, Dec. 5, 1882: Newport, Tenn.
[William] O’Brien, an Irishman, living near Newport, Cocke County, was killed last Wednesday night under the following circumstances. O’Brien and Murphy occupied the same house with their families. Wednesday night O’Brien came home drunk and began to abuse his wife and finally seized an axe and attempted to strike her with it. The axe was taken from him by Murphy…he tackled O’Brien and after a stout wrestle succeeded in throwing him to the floor. In the fall, O’Brien’s head struck a child’s crib…the drunken man was securely tied before it was noticed that he was injured in the fall…Medical aid was immediately summoned, only to declare him a corpse, caused by breaking his neck in the fall.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Aug. 10, 1881: News reaches us that upon
last Saturday evening about six miles from this place John Hammond shot and mortally wounded Henry Thorpe. On Monday preceding Hammond was married to the divorced wife of Thorpe, and on Saturday the latter went to the house of the newly married, as he said to see his child. [from NEWPORT SENTINEL]
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Sept. 23, 1880: We had information
yesterday that David Stokely of Cocke County, the man who killed J.J. Bryant by striking him on his head with a gun while they were returning from a public speaking in Newport last Saturday night…was on Monday released after an investigation before a justice of the peace.
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Aug. 6, 1882: …We learn the
particulars of a bloody and fatal encounter near Newport, Cocke County, Thursday night. It seems a feud existed between the Steeds and the Frees…They met at a point about two miles from Newport and a difficulty ensued. One of the Free boys cut the oldest Steed boy’s throat…killing him. The second Steed boy jumped upon Free and he turned on him a fearful gash…Finally the third Steed boy jumped upon Free…and stabbed him very badly. The result was one Steed killed, one disemboweled and almost certain to die and one of the Frees dangerously hurt.
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Nov. 26, 1882: Newport Sentinel: Ellis Gregory of Lemon’s Gap, Cocke
BRISTOL NEWS (Virginia), Jan. County, killed his father-in-law Jos. 18, 1876: At Newport, Tenn. on the 7th Woody on the 17th inst. with a stone. inst., Thomas Davis was shot and killed by R.T. De Armond. It seems that De Armond was an officer of the law and held a warrant for Davis, who is said to be a desperate character, and while in the act of serving the warrant, Davis attempted to shoot him, when he drew
Gregory had leased a piece of ground from Woody. They had been lawing and quarreling over it for several months, Gregory is bound over for his appearance at the next term of the Circuit Court and will probably come clear as Woody was advancing on him
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Saturday evening at four o’clock, Wm. Ramsey, aged 50 years, in a fit of passion, shot and killed Vol Clark, aged 20, one of the five sons of Howard Clark near Rankins Depot…then the murderer walked twenty steps away from his victim, and drawing a revolver, shot himself in the right temple. He fell but struggled to his feet and was led to his house. The shot destroyed the sight in both eyes but he is alive and may recover. Jealousy is said to have caused the sad and fatal occurrences…The fatal shot was from a double-barreled shotgun.
John W. Graddon was killed by weight.
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, Dec. 4, 1887: Newport,
Tenn. Sometime ago John A. Rollins killed a Mr. Gunter in this county for which he was being prosecuted by Andy Gunter, a brother of the murdered man. Last night, while eating his supper, on Upper Cosby, he was shot and killed by Rollins.
THE COMET (Johnson City), Jan. 19, 1888: Gus Henry struck
Newport Town Marshal Robert Dennis
John W. Graddon in the head with a weight on the 6th inst. in a street fight at Newport from the effects which Graddon died the following Tuesday. Henry is now in jail awaiting trial.
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, June 30, 1888: Newport, Tenn. Wm. Fine and John Bradshaw became in engaged in a quarrel and Fine drew his knife and stabbed Bradshaw to death…Fine is about twenty-two and a desperate character.
RICHMOND DISPATCH, May 10, 1891: A special from Newport, Tenn.
says two or three years ago, Berry Holt and William Holdway had trouble over a tract of land. The bitterness engendered never died…This morning while William Holdway, Jr. and Pleasant Holt were moving a fence…Rufus Holt, a son of Berry Holt, shot them both down with a pistol, Holdway dying instantly, Pleasant Holt a few hours later. The amount of land in dispute is one acre.
KNOXVILLE REPUBLICAN, March 18, 1892: …The body of David
Boyer, a prominent citizen, who has been missing since November, was on Monday found in a cave near his residence. He had been murdered and thrown in the cave, it is charged by his own son, Washington D. Boyer, who held deeds to the old man’s farm. When the body was found, Wash Boyer fled to another cave, but was discovered and apprehended by his uncle, Creed F. Boyer…having offered $500 for him, dead or alive…
THE COMET (Johnson City), Aug. 11, 1892: John Rollins, who was
shot in an election row at Newport by ex-Chief of Police Robert Dennis died on his wounds at that place yesterday.
Cocke County Sheriff Creed F. Boyer
Dennis has been put under arrest.
CITIZEN EXAMINER (Haynesville, Alabama), Nov. 21, 1895: Deputy Marshal Allen of
Newport, Tenn. reports the murder of a daughter of George Dennis of Cocke County by her 10-year-old brother. The boy had been ill and denied certain foods he had wished for but which would have been injurious to him. This angered him and he swore to kill her. On Saturday he carried out his threat… After the shooting, the girl who was 15 became conscious just before she died, forgave her brother and asked all present to protect him…
MORRISTOWN REPUBLICAN, Nov. 23, 1895: Robert Dennis, Chief
of Police, was fatally shot tonight by Dan Jack…whom he was trying to arrest…Jack pulled his gun and shot Dennis twice, one ball entering the left below the navel, the other through hips… [Dennis survived.]
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FROM CATTLE TO HOGS AND ‘SHABBY SHEEP’ ‘… the cattle are lowing …’ MARTIN LUTHER Livestock have of fattened pork been an important in the county. part of the culture Prices now range of this area from from 3 ½ to 4 the earliest days cents gross of settlement. $3.63 per 100 Imagine the lbs. – being the settlers leading average. Dealers the cattle and think that 4 and horses across the 4 ½ net will be primitive trails, almost the price but the beasts were by slaughtering necessary for the time. Hog feeders food and the labor usually estimate they provided. the quantity of With cattle, it corn in the field, was oxen that did buy it and turn the work and the their hogs on milk cows that it – 25 cents per provided the food. J.A. Susong and his horse. The building in the bushel is about Soon following the average price background is now Sav-Mor Drugs. them were the so far…Beef swine that gave cattle is very Tennessee its first nickname “Hog scarce. One of our best traders took a and Hominy” state. Horses were drive to Virginia and has just returned essential for transportation here – making a handsome profit. Mules until about 1910 when automobiles are scarce; a gentleman from Alabama began arriving. Not as sleek or as fast just brought up a grove at an average as a horse, the mule has deserved of $105 – they are above an average more recognition than ever received, lot. Horses are scarce – fine horses are because of the amount of work it has higher than I ever knew them. done. It wasn’t long before livestock A.J. Fletcher became sources of income. Western Democrat [Charlotte, N.C.],
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Knoxville Gazette, Jan. 12, 1793: On Monday, the 31st of
December, the Indians drove off 18 head of very valuable horses, from Big Pigeon, Jefferson county, near where Richardson’s family were murdered and wantonly killed several cattle and hogs.
Knoxville Register, March 19, 1834: It was not more than two or
three years since the attention of the people in that rich and populous section of the country was roused to the importance of a good and direct highway leading from the Warm Springs in North Carolina by way of the mouth of Chucky to Cumberland Gap. During the last two seasons this route has attracted the attention of stock drovers and many thousand hogs have passed along it to the Southern market.
Knoxville Register, April 17, 1839: The fine imported jack DON
CARLOS will stand the present season on the farm of Alexander E. Smith… two miles west of Newport, Cocke County, Tenn. and will render service to mares at $5 the single visit, $10 the season and $15 to insure. The insurance money will be considered due when property is traded or the fact is ascertained. DON CARLOS is a well-proportioned and vigorous jack, 6 years old this spring and was imported to the United States from the northern part of Italy, via Leghorn, in January 1837, and was landed at Charleston, S. Carolina…Good pasturage for mares and every reasonable accommodation will be extended to breeders. John Stuart, Geo. W. Carter, Alex. E. Smith
Jonesborough Whig and Independent Journal, Nov.15, 1848: Stray horse taken up by
Oct. 18, 1864: LATE OPERATIONS IN EAST TENNESSEE… When Gen. Vaughn was ordered back to the Salt Works [VA], Col. Palmer returned in this direction, making a “flank movement” into Cocke County to gather up supplies, which he effected to his entire satisfaction, bringing off large supplies of beef cattle, hogs and wheat from under the nose of a heavy Federal force stationed at the mouth of Chucky River…
Pigs on the Burnett farm at Del Rio.
Pulaski [TN] Citizen, Nov. 16, 1866: Mr. Napier, cousin of Lord
Napier… has just bought the large plantation known as the Smith farm near Newport, in Cocke County, East Tennessee…He intends prosecuting agriculture on an extensive scale. He intends to send to England for fine blooded stock…
Nashville Union and Dispatch, July 12, 1867: NAPIER’S FAILURE…He began by buying several hundred head of shabby sheep and stocking his farm with a sufficiency of work horses, mules and oxen. Everything moved off swimmingly, and I might say magnificently, at the beginning… He managed his finances so as to pay for most of his stock at the start…A collapse seemed imminent…These scenes of the grand drama startle creditors here, and attachment after attachment is taken out…All can see now that he [Napier] was crazy, or a monomaniac, on the subject of farming…
Nashville Republican Banner, Jan. 6, 1871: Howard Clark of
Cocke County raised a lot of hogs last year, that averaged at killing time 528 pounds gross.
Knoxville Weekly Chronicle, Nov. 29, 1871: …The hog-raising
Sanders McMahan residing in Cocke County on Big Pigeon River, an iron gray horse with a dark mane, about fourteen hands high. Had one shoe on the left foot. Has marks of a collar or breast plate on his shoulder with dark on his knee and hock. Slender, made rather slab sided with no brands perceivable and supposed to be six or seven years old. And valued by Joel Rains and Joseph McWilliams at thirty-five dollars on 31st of July 1848. Said McMahan resides in Civil District #8. L.D. Porter, Ranger, Cocke County.
sections are Cocke County (which outstrips any other locality), Powell Valley in Campbell and Claiborne Counties, Little River in Blount County…Two classes of hogs are fattened. The first class are those fed on corn…The other class are fattened on the mast and come from the mountains…These last are smaller and their meat is not considered so good as the corn-fed hogs.
Loudon Free Press, Sept. 30, 1853: Newport, Tenn….The number
hog-raising county in East Tennessee. About four thousand head have been driven from this county and Jefferson this season. Two men [Alex] Stuart and [Robert] Evans drove thirteen hundred. These hogs go by way of Warm Springs and Asheville, North Carolina to Greenville, South Carolina where they reach the railroad and are
of hogs now fattening in Cocke County is less than last year, but they are better, and as the present corn crop is unusually fine, they will be liberally fed, so that by the 10th of Nov. (the usual time of starting to the market) there will be nearly the same amount
Bertha Walker with her cow with a new calf.
Herald and Tribune [Jonesborough, TN], Nov. 30, 1871: Cocke County is the great
White Leghorn eggs brought higher prices.
shipped to various points in the state and sold.
Morristown Daily Gazette, Oct. 16, 1876: Newport, Cocke
County…Passing over to the west side [of French Broad], I called on James A. Rorex again, who showed me his hogs he is fattening for the Southern market. He has over 100, and they are whopping big ones already, with three or four weeks’ time yet to feed. He also has a fine lot of mules for the same market.
Rome [Georgia] Weekly Courier, Sept. 26, 1877: Hog and
Hog Cholera…Every year hundreds fall victim to this frightful complaint. Last year, just as he had fattened his hogs and ready to put them on the road to the South Carolina market, Col. [William] Jack of Cocke County, lost one hundred in less than ten days, and weighing from two hundred and fifty to three hundred pounds. This is very discouraging and has thrown a wet blanket on the hog trade. Knoxville Tribune.
Dec. 2, 1879: Farmers on the French Broad River, Tennessee, are turning their attention to the raising of cattle and fewer hogs.
Weekly Constitution [Atlanta], Dec. 30, 1879: Mrs. Julia Smith, of Newport, Tenn. shipped of her own raising 100 turkeys last week.
Chattanooga Daily Times, Jan. 3, 1880: Newport Reporter:
Robert Thomas, colored, one of Cocke County’s most reliable stock traders, passed through town last Monday, with 116 head of fine market cattle.
Knoxville Whig and Chronicle, Oct. 19, 1881: Morristown Times.
Mr. Alexander Stuart of Cocke County shipped from this depot last Thursday one carload of 102 fine fat hogs and 199 fine sheep.
Knoxville Daily Chronicle, Oct. 27, 1885: Col. William Jack has just
Knoxville Whig and Chronicle, April 16, 1879: The Newport
informed us of the death of “Old Sailor,” the famous saddle horse of Alex Stuart. Sailor was probably one of the best horses ever brought to East Tennessee, was 24 years old and had been rode [sic] as high as 80 miles a day. Col. Jack had him decently buried and placed a stone at his grave. Newport Star-Journal.
Cincinnati [Ohio] Daily Star, June 30, 1879: Morristown, Tenn.
Southwestern Christian Advocate [New Orleans], Nov. 17, 1898: Mrs. Catherine M. McSween
Reporter knows of a Cocke County man who has sold $8000 worth of mules in Atlanta during the past three months.
Over in Cocke County, the citizens are compelled to pen their sheep at night on account of the wolves which have been killing the sheep rapidly. It is said that there are about twenty wolves in the gang, and that dogs could not be found that could do anything with them.
Weekly Constitution [Atlanta],
of Newport, Tenn. in order to raise missionary money each year has set aside one of her most diligent and productive hens. From this hen she saves every egg and every chicken and sells them for the missionary cause. She says in order to make the plan a success, one must be absolutely honest with the Lord.
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FISH AND GAME PROVIDED PLENTY OF SPORT ‘… I do love the huntin’ season …’ MACKENZIE CARPENTER Animals were created for the benefit of man, for labor and for food. While capturing, taming or slaying them was once a necessity, in this country hunting evolved into a sport, recreation for those to whom it appealed. Weaponry evolved from clubs and spears to various powerful firearms, only in recent years for the bow/arrow to return in popularity. Fishermen, too, find such time to be relaxing and beneficial, even if they do not eat the fish. Laws, of course, eventually had to be enacted to prevent depletion of the species. In addition, providing the necessary equipment for hunting and fishing has become big business, too.
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MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Nov. 22, 1876: The forests this fall were full of “mast.” Acorns are still plentiful in the mountains and the wild hogs are fat.
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Dec. 8, 1878: A correspondent of the NEWPORT REPORTER says: Last week a company of four men while hunting near the state line in Cocke County, treed four bears, and by good management shot all four from the same tree; all in fine order.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Dec. 18, 1878: Four men, while hunting on
the headwaters of Wolf Creek in this county, week before last, accidentally came upon four bears up in one tree and succeeded in killing them all. We learn the hunters have since ordered two pairs of moose hide moccasins for the purpose of still hunting bear. NEWPORT SENTINEL. We four-bear comment.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, July 23, 1879: A party of Newport citizens, according to the REPORTER, have
Henry Alexander (right) and companion return from rabbit hunting.
started out on an extended bear hunt to North Carolina, which, it is thought, will be composed of about 100 people.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Dec. 3, 1879: Mr. Benj. Hanner [Hannah]
of Cosby while out coon hunting last week killed a bear with an axe which weighed 700 lbs. – NEWPORT REPORTER. Don’t believe it. Don’t believe any of the Hanners of Cosby would be fool enough to “coon it” with a 700 lb. axe.
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Dec. 3, 1880: Joseph Phillips of Big Creek, Cocke County, killed a huge bear last week weighing about 600 pounds. According to NEWPORT SENTINEL it is the largest ever taken in that locality.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, April 26, 1882: …The particulars shadow
themselves, up and down Wolf Creek, out on the river, and all along the line as do the happy memories of boyhood. The fishing was glorious – for Heiss. He gave us a reel and when he had time from his own machinery he did a noble part – probably the best he could – to secure the bass monster
that preferred our bill of fare to his. It is astonishing…what Heiss knows about taking bass. There is not an eddy or ledged rock hole…that Heiss cannot tell the exact number of bass it contains, their enormous size and just how they soon will come upon the table.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, April 29, 1885: The fish law of this state prohibits the use of a seine, trap, net, fishberries, powder, dynamite, gunpowder or any other explosive substance in taking fish. A hand or minnow net may be used in taking small fish for bait. Owners of private ponds may take fish at any time. No trap shall be used in any stream, and there shall be no disturbance or damage of fish eggs or young fish, except by fish commissioners, their agents or owners of ponds… [Fishberries are the dried fruit of the anamirta plant, which when used as bait, stupefy the fish rendering them easier to catch.]
NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN, Aug. 8, 1889: …The Cataloochee [Haywood Co., NC] is a bold,
broad beautiful river much visited by fishermen…Mr. Palmer told us Maj. Heiss spent much time fishing here… Fishing for minnows, as he called the noble trout, was not to his taste. It was just the right hour when Panier and I reached the creek and began operations. I have usually fished for speckled trout up narrow rocky streams…These are by far the best streams for trout fishing after the middle of June. The Cataloochee is wide, rapid and shallow, requiring an extreme cast of about twenty or thirty feet. It is too late for fly fishing, and besides, the stream is too muddy; so we sought other bait, finding it, in native parlance, to “sink for ‘em.” The largest of the gold and red-speckled scaleless beauties weighed about a quarter of a pound…
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, October 14, 1891: Here’s a little story
about a Cocke County bunny curious enough to be embalmed for posterity in the Natural History column of the “General Organ.” We copy from the NEWPORT NEWS, October 8: There is an old field rabbit on Mr. David P. Boyd’s premises at the old muster field, one mile north of Newport. It is two years old and will fight when vexed; it eats victuals and stays indoors at night on account of dogs but runs at large during the day. We never heard of an old field rabbit being so domesticated before.
ASHEVILLE DAILY CITIZEN, March 8, 1892: C. [Charles] A. Engle, a young man who was formerly a bartender in the saloon of W.O. Muller, was killed on the French Broad River near Newport, Tenn. on Saturday. Engle and another young man [Nathan Clary] were in a boat, killing fish with
See SPORT - on page 17
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From SPORT - 16 dynamite. A charge exploded under the boat and both men were killed. Their bodies had not been recovered at last accounts.
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL, May 1, 1892: Newport Dots. Fishing in the
limpid waters of the Pigeon is now the order of the day. One may takes a cat[fish] weighing forty-seven pounds and another a two pound “red hoss.” [sucker] Such is life.
CHATTANOOGA DAILY TIMES, April 23, 1893: Newport, Tenn…. A
delightful fishing party was enjoyed by the young people on Thursday. The party consisted of the following: Misses Nannie Swaggerty, Hattie Swaggerty, Kate Swaggerty, Helen Fine, Etta Reams, Thursa Henry, Mattie Robinson, Della Dennis, Ella and Anna Ailey, Daisy Fairfield, Mrs. Sara Graddon, Miss Nettie Catlett, Messrs. Talley, Susong, Mims, Smith, Headrick, Hickey and McNabb. All report a good time and a fine dinner, generously provided by the young ladies of the party.
CHATTANOOGA DAILY TIMES, May 22, 1893: Newport, Tenn.
Some of the local fishermen have been having a great sport this week, seining on Monday. One crowd caught 500 pounds despite the fact that it is contrary to the laws of Tennessee, and they are liable to a very heavy fine.
CHATTANOOGA DAILY TIMES, June 4, 1893: Newport, Tenn. There
2024 • SMOKY MOUNTAIN HOMEPLACE • 17
accidents that could have happened occurred about three miles from this place yesterday morning. Early in the morning Charles Robinson and his cousin went squirrel hunting. Robinson, with his gun cocked, was standing on a log watching a squirrel. He lost his balance and fell. The fall discharged the gun, the whole load of shot entering his abdomen. He lived about an hour. He was the son of the late Col. J.H. Robinson and a brother of W.B. Robinson of the firm Robinson and Murphy of Knoxville. He was just sixteen years of age and a fine looking and exceptionally bright boy…
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, May 3, 1896:
Newport…W. Dooley McSween has returned from a ten day’s fishing tour of the Smokies and reports an abundance of trout…
KNOXVILLE SENTINEL, May 11, 1898: Several people living in the
Fourth and Fifth Districts of Cocke County went fox hunting in Greene County, catching fifteen of the animals.
CHATTANOOGA DAILY TIMES, August 28, 1898: Newport, Tenn.
Tenn. One of the saddest and most distressing
week and enjoyed fine sport. Under the new law, permission must be obtained
See SPORT - on page 19
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On Tuesday evening, 20 young men accompanied by 20 young ladies enjoyed a fox chase in the neighborhood of Bridgeport.
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, Nov. 3, 1898: Members of the S.E.P.A. and several other railroads have announced that dogs belonging to hunters will be carried free in baggage cars until the end of the hunting season.
is a movement on foot to have the US fish commissioner place at least MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Nov. 1,000,000 fish in the rivers of this county…a county fish commissioner 8, 1899: Hunting Season. The hunting will be appointed at the d next term of the county wne y O irm! l l a court as provided by L o c s ta te F E eal R an act passed at the last session of the general assembly.
KNOXVILLE SENTINEL, August 19, 1897: Newport,
season for quail opened November 1st. Birds are reported quite plentiful and a number of local shootists were out last
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MOUNTAIN LIFE ENHANCED BY ENTERTAINMENT ‘… Everybody have fun tonight …’ WANG CHUNG The proverb “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy” first appeared in print in 1659. Although she wasn’t mentioned, the same would apply to Jill, too. Mentioned throughout history are activities which have taken folks away from work and the responsibilities of life and allowed moments of fun and relaxation, as well as education and enlightenment, just something different from the daily routine. It may have been a party, a revival, a club, a trip or a gathering. It does seem, however, from the following news items that such engagements mainly involved the younger generation, who perhaps were considering another old adage – “gather ye rosebuds while ye may” – knowing that someday, they may not have had the same opportunities.
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at Hudson’s School House. It was the most complete success I have ever witnessed in the way of a Sabbath School picnic. No one thought of seeing more than 150 persons on the occasion…but to my astonishment there were from 600 to 700 persons and a table about 100 feet long, loaded with everything that was good to eat, and baskets full, stacked underneath, to fill up the table as fast as it was consumed. There were three schools present: Liberty Hill and Rorex Chapel being the visitors…
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Sept. 30, 1880: The young people of Newport, Cocke County, are making arrangements for a grand tournament and coronation ball October 15.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Oct. 20, 1880: The Tournament in
Eastport Friday evening, October 15, was a pleasant affair and had a large attendance. Sir Knights, J.M. Susong, It was my pleasure to be at a Sabbath’s Chas. Harrison, J.C. Vinson, A. School Picnic on the 22nd of August Moore, Ed Mims, Dr. R.C. Smith, Dr. G.H. Berry, A.B. Smith and A.B. Hudson entered the contest. When the riding was over, Maj. Langhorne made an eloquent address to the successful parties. Sir Knight Vinson, visitor, bestowed the crown upon a beautiful and accomplished young lady – Miss Flora Roadman – and 601 East Broadway, Newport, TN 37821 2023/2024 Misses Mollie Clark, Multi-Year Jessie Kidwell and Winner Daisy Poats were called Debit and Credit Cards Accepted Maids of Honor. The
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Sept. 27, 1873: Rankin’s Depot…
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The Taylor family at their cottage at Carson Springs.
Coronation Ball was given by Dr. and Mrs. Rhea, where a number of invited guests enjoyed a very pleasant evening and appreciated very much the hospitalities so kindly extended by the Doctor and his most estimable wife.
KNOXVILLE DAILY CHRONICLE, Sept. 2, 1881: Newport expects something novel today in the way of a game of Indian ball, in full costume, by a band of North Carolina Indians.
CHATTANOOGA DAILY TIMES, Feb. 18, 1884: The religious revivals
at Newport that have been in progress for more than two weeks are still going on.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, Aug. 14, 1889: A Trip to Carson
Springs…we strolled around the little village until it was almost time for the nightly dance to commence at the Rogers House…Soon the strains from old George’s bow announced that everything was in readiness… the light fantastic was tripped until the wee sma’ hours of the morning, and one and all united in saying that it was an enjoyable occasion. Truly, Carson Springs is a place that would please the most fastidious. It is a place
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MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, July 16, 1890: Carson Springs has about
one hundred and fifty visitors, most of whom are families occupying their own cottages. The Rogers House, during the past two or three weeks, has had about twenty-five regular boarders. Of the one hundred and fifty persons now here, two thirds are seeking rest and the remainder pleasure and pastime.
KNOXVILLE DAILY TRIBUNE, See ENTERTAINMENT - on page 19
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From SPORT - 17 from owners of the land before you are allowed to hunt on same.
NASHVILLE AMERICAN, Oct. 22, 1900: A correspondent from Naillon writes to the NEWPORT PLAIN TALK: We would like for the people to know, if we do live in the mountain gorges of Snow Bird Mountain, we are
2024 • SMOKY MOUNTAIN HOMEPLACE • 19
doing something. The tan bark and lumber business is the life of this part of the country…Bill Keagle [Cagle] went hunting with his shotgun the other day and brought in three wild turkeys, two opossums, one raccoon and two ground hogs. Miranda cooked them all together in one pot with sweet potatoes. What a time we had eating “possums stuffed with taters” or “taters stuffed with possum!”
Horace Burnett (left) and Herb Stokely with their catch on Douglas Lake.
Advertisement from Morristown Gazette in 1880.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH From ENTERTAINMENT - 18 July 28, 1891: Newport News. A
surrey party went from here yesterday to Hall’s Top, six miles in the country, and returned the same evening. All were delighted with the trip. KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, June 12, 1892: Newport News. A union picnic of the various Sunday Schools of the town went to Big Creek today, one of our most enthusiastic bands your correspondent ever saw.
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, March 8, 1897: A
number of young men of Newport met in the K.P. Hall Monday night and organized a social club under the name of the Clifton Club…The club has secured the spacious hall of W.B. Robinson’s new building on Main Street and are making preparations to furnish the same in elegant style.
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, June 13, 1897: Newport
14, Longfellow Lodge #121, Knights of Pythias, was installed with twenty members…Newport Lodge #234 F&AM gave a supper Friday night for the benefit of the Masonic widow and orphans’ home, and quite a neat little sum was realized.
Items…From all accounts the Dandridge base ball team acted very “short” with the Newport boys who went there Tuesday to play a match game of ball. When the Dandridge team came to Newport, the Newport team paid all the expenses while here, but when Newport went to Dandridge, they had to pay for everything, besides receiving treatment that was anything but courteous.
MORRISTOWN GAZETTE, August 22, 1894: NEWPORT
MORRISTOWN REPUBLICAN, Aug. 21, 1897: The annual gun shoot
CHATTANOOGA DAILY TIMES, June 25, 1893: On Wednesday, June
WEEKLY. Miss Sallie Loop of Morristown is visiting her sister Mrs. John Glenn. Miss Loop brought with her a lady’s bicycle and its appearance is about to create a rage among our gentle dames for that method of locomotion.
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, January 26, 1896:
Newport. The Schubert Symphony Club and Lady Quartette [from Chicago] gave an entertainment at the Opera House tonight.
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, June 29, 1896: Newport News. The Newport Cotillion Club gave one of the famous balls at the Grand View Hotel on Friday night, which was well attended by the society people of the city and a splendid time is reported. No better place for social entertainment can be found than the Grand View, as mine host, Lincoln, knows exactly how to make all pleasant who visit this first class hostelry.
EVENING STAR (Washington, DC), Aug. 29, 1896: W.S. McIntyre
and his wife have just completed a trip from New Orleans to Washington on bicycles. Mr. McIntyre is a newspaper man in New Orleans and made the trip simply for health and recreation… How were the roads farther south? Rocky in every sense of the word… Tennessee needs good roads…we crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains from Knoxville, Tenn. to Old Fort, NC via Asheville…a distance of thirty miles is a steady climb from 1,446 feet above the level of the sea to 2,340 at Asheville…From Asheville to Newport, Tenn. there is a fairly level path along the French Broad River, although the tourist will often reverse position with the wheel in fording the river, which has to be done quite often…When we went through, except those who had been to Asheville or Knoxville, none had ever seen a lady awheel…
of the Morristown Gun Club came off on Wednesday. Knoxville and Newport Clubs were well represented, and we understand that all the boys did good shooting…
Entertainment continues to be a mainstay in Cocke County with events such as the annual Rhythm on the River in downtown Newport.
County, are very much interested in the spelling contest which is to come off next Friday night. It will be
a regular old-time affair, in which everybody in the community will participate.
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KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, Dec. 28, 1898: In
Newport Society. Tonight the young ladies of the Winooski Club entertained complimentary to the young gentlemen who belong to the Clifton Club. The entertainment consisted of s sumptuous feast, excellent music, etc., choice refreshments were served, being furnished by Kern of Knoxville… Tomorrow night the Clifton Club will give a german complimentary to the members of the Winooski Club.
CHATTANOOGA DAILY TIMES, Jan. 8, 1899: Newport, Tenn. Hon.
Henry Watterson delivered his famous lecture on “Abraham Lincoln” to a very representative assembly in the Baptist church Thursday evening.
KNOXVILLE JOURNAL AND TRIBUNE, March 20, 1899: Mr.
and Mrs. B.D. Jones also entertained Friday evening but in a more “violet” manner…the guests, like banqueters of old, being arrayed in “purple and fine linens.” The spacious parlors were handsomely decorated with violets and other beautiful adornments, while the host’s reception was indeed royal.
KNOXVILLE SENTINEL, May 16, 1899: Gen. John B. Gordon passed
through the city this morning en route to Newport. Tonight he will deliver his “The Last Days of the Confederacy” at the Cocke County capital.
ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, May 18, 1899: General John B. Gordon delivered his lecture “Last Days of the Confederacy last night at Newport, Tenn…General Gordon was received with much demonstration.
KNOXVILLE SENTINEL, Oct. 20, 1899: The citizens of Edwina, Cocke
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Family-Centered Maternity Care with on-site 3D Ultrasound. Continuity of care before, during, and after pregnancy with the same board-certified physician. Deliver close to home at the newly renovated Birthing Center at Newport Medical Center.
NEWPORT CENTER
229 Hedrick Drive• Newport, TN• (423) 623-1057
PARROTTSVILLE CENTER
111 Mockingbird Ave.• Parrottsville, TN• (423) 625-1170
COSBY CENTER
103 Wilton Springs Rd .• Newport, TN• (423) 487-2222
GRASSY FORK CENTER 4261 Big Creek Road • Hartford , TN • (423) 487-2249
CHESTNUT HILL CENTER
3222 Chestnut Hill School Road • Dandridge, TN (865) 509-6611
CORPORATE OFFICE
207 Murray Drive • Newport, TN • (423) 613-3300