Smoky Mountain Homeplace

www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 • Page 1C









Smoky Mountain Homeplace

Smoky Mountain

Homeplace II

BY DUAY O’NEIL

NPT Staff Reporter



For over two centuries the beauty of

the mountains, hills, and valleys we call

Cocke County has lured thousands upon

thousands of men and women to this

part of the Great smoky Mountains.

untold numbers have chosen to move

here. some came straight from their na-

tive lands of Ireland, scotland, England,

and Wales, while others pulled up roots

from homes in Pennsylvania, Virginia,

north and south Carolina, and other

states to seek greener pastures here.

as the decades turned into centuries,

the reasons for such moves have evolved

from simply seeking a location in which

to build homes and careers and improve

the family’s financial status to the influx

of families whose move to Cocke County

was dictated by an employer who “trans-

ferred” them to oversee a newly-opened

industry here.

some came as slaves, having no say-

so in their masters’ decisions. upon re-

ceiving free status in the 1860s, many of

these men and women opted to go else-

where in search of better educational PHotoS SUBmitteD BY BreNDa wilBUrN

and job opportunities. Others, however,

remained in Cocke County and have de- One of the magnificent views from Halls Top Tower

scendants now into their sixth, seventh,

and eighth generations living here.

In more recent years, our population elsewhere, most of the newcomers quick- led them to share a first prize. smith and stinson families are priceless,

has been swelled by people of hispanic ly become involved in our community’s Popular columnist Brenda Wilburn as was her gift to her first cousin Bob

backgrounds, who work in local agricul- churches, clubs, neighborhoods, busi- shares her memories of hiking to the halls smith on his recent 80th birthday.

tural operations. still others fled Florida nesses, and schools. top Fire tower and also pays a beautiful as Cocke County joins the rest of

after terrible hurricanes ravaged the they join families whose Cocke Coun- tribute to her paternal grandparents. america in remembering our country’s

sunshine state. ty roots stretch back to tennessee’s pre- Local teacher Chris Edmonds, whose Civil War during its sesquicentennial pe-

the past decade has seen a sharp statehood days, all combining to create dedication to the collection of Cocke riod, sally Burnett offers our readers an

rise in retirees adopting Cocke County a settlement filled with people who live, County memorabilia, with a special em- insight into what happened here by shar-

as their home. Many say they first va- laugh, and love together---a smoky Moun- phasis on the World War II era, shares ing letters written in 1927 by her moth-

cationed in the Great smoky Mountains tain homeplace like no other. photos and stories about his great-uncle, er’s cousin, J. h. Faubion, a Confederate

national Park and fell in love with our this special section salutes Cocke master mechanic and World War II hero, veteran.

area years ago. County’s families and their stories. you’ll arnie Carrell. Go with us now through the next

While a tiny percentage of our new read about two sisters, Misses Josephine Mary helen stinson Mincy’s contri- twenty pages and learn about this won-

arrivals become dissatisfied and move and Elizabeth huff, whose love for one butions of photos and stories about the derful place we call home.









When Miss Jo and Miss Elizabeth Huff

refused to battle one another

BY DUAY O’NEIL the clipping reads as follows: the stage at the beginning, but as the line

NPT Staff Reporter commenced to thin they were moved onto









d

Thirty-six spellers from all sections of the main floor, and as the number dwindled

uring the Great depression Cocke county lined up at Central High further the spellers were again seated upon

of the 1930s, communi- School Wednesday afternoon to contest for the stage. Prof. Crockett Denton, acting as

ties such as ours became the championship of the county. One by official pronouncer, started with the simpler

very creative in ways to one they were weeded out until only two words. It was soon seen that with such a

bring their citizens together were left, they being Misses Josephine Huff large number in line, the procedure would

with activities designed and Elizabeth Huff, sisters, of Bridgeport. necessarily be slow so Postmas-

to boost morale and foster camaraderie. At this juncture the sisters announced that ter Roy Campbell

recently I was given they would not spell against each other, and was called

a collec- tion of John B. Ruble, who awarded the various into ser-

clip- pings prize certificates, tossed a coin to decide

the contest. Miss Josephine Huff selected

‘heads’ and heads it was, she thereby being

declared the best speller in the county. Miss

Huff, besides winning the first prize of $2.50

in gold and a pair of silk hose, will be the

Cocke county representative in the East

Tennessee match to be held in Knox-

ville sometime during the early fall.

The list of prizes and those who

received them is as follows:

For best speller in contest:

$2.50 in gold by M & P Bank,

and pair of silk hose by Al-

len’s: Miss Josephine Huff

To second best speller:

two pounds Whitman’s

candy by Nelson-Bales Drug

Co.: Miss Elizabeth Huff

To youngest girl contestant:

finger wave by Elenor Beauty

Shop: Miss Rowena Ray. The

little lady is about 11 years old.

To youngest boy contestant: novelty

two-piece underwear by C. E. McNabb and

Co.: W. C. Goodnough. Mr. Goodnough

also won the prize for coming the great-

est distance, a blue back speller donated

by Dr. J. F. Woodward. Mr. Goodnough

traveled a distance of about 25 miles.

To the ugliest man in the contest: shirt

by Harned-Lauderdale Co. J. N. Shults. Mr.

Shults won over Bill Pierce and Jasper Gray. Miss Elizabeth Huff’s passport photo, also taken in the

To oldest man in contest: two records mid-1930s, is one of the few existing pictures of her.

The passport photo of Josephine Huff taken in the

by Parrott Furniture, Co., R. B. Hickey

mid-1930s To oldest woman in contest: fancy cake

by H. C. Alexander: Mrs. Martha Overholt vice, and assisted Prof. Denton. The first

To woman wearing most old-fash- speller to go down was Chief of Police Henry

ioned dress: pair Humming Bird hose Sweeten. The word was “hovel.” Denton

from local papers of that era, and by Ruble Bros.: Mrs. Nora Hogan pronounced it as it is largely pronounced

one, in particular, caught my eye. To worst speller in contest: 48 now as though spelled “huvel.” The chief

the undated story appeared in The Plain pounds Nectar Flour by Newport spelled it that way and left the platform,

Talk and tells the readers about a countywide Mill Co.: Chief Henry Sweeten the winner of 48 pounds of the best flour

spelling bee that ended somewhat differently To best looking lady speller: year’s the Newport Mill Co. produces. It might be

from the way the organizers envisioned. subscription to The Optimist. This prize stated that Chief Sweeten is rated as one of

With the coming spelling bees planned was won by Miss Mamie Hahn of Del the best spellers in the county, and misun-

in both our city and county school sys- Rio, a student at Central High School derstanding of the world was probably re-

tems, many of us associate spelling bees To heaviest contestant: year’s sub- sponsible for his failure so early in the game.

with our elementary school children. scription to Plain Talk: Mrs. J. J. Jones Two went down on the word “brethren.”

however, in days gone by, community The fun started shortly after two o’clock Jasper Gray “went down like the “Titanic”

competitions pitted young and old alike with a crowd estimated at 500 seated in the

against one another, spelling away until auditorium. The contestants were seated on NSee huff, page 2C

only one person remained standing.





■■■■

Page 2C • the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com







HuFF, Continued from page 1C

when he spelled the

word “hibernal” with a

“u” instead of an “a.”

he made a hit with the

audience at the begin-

ning by a recitation,

and many were pull-

ing for him as the final

winner. He fell hard,

however, and retired

amid applause. “Het-

erogeneous” stalled a

couple and it seemed

a hard one to get over.

However, one of the

contestants knocked

the word from the ring

in good fashion. Jakie

Shults of Cosby, proba-

bly as well known under

the name Razorback,

was one of the old-

timers who fell before

the word “dyspepsy.”

He got the last syllable

“sia” when the Blue

Black differs, and Mr.

Shults fell from grace

on this account. He was

not by himself, however,

for two others followed.



at this point, the

clipping abruptly

ends, but obviously

there was more to the

amusing account.

Misses Josephine and

Elizabeth huff were

two of the daughters of

Major James thomas

huff and his wife, the

former Jane adeline

stokely. neither sister

married. Elizabeth died PHotoS SUBmitteD BY marti Clark SteFFeN

in 1943, and Josephine A pensive Josephine Huff held a fan for this portrait taken

lived until 1973. at the time of her graduation from Carson-Newman College Miss Josephine Huff, far left, disembarks from the ship after one of her travels abroad.

according to their in 1905.

great-nieces, Penny

(Clark) Ervin and Marti including the names of bee continue to bring them and receive the

(Clark) steffen, the late 1800s. John ruble teacher and storekeep- the deceased person’s Cocke Countians same enjoyment we

sisters were extremely spent over half a cen- er. he and his wife, the parents and places of together in the spirit do when we recall the

close friends as well tury as part of new- former algia McMahan, birth, death, and burial of good fun and com- huff sisters and their

as siblings and their port’s business scene, were the parents of have proven invaluable. petition. no doubt, our love for one another.

decision to end the most of that as owner several children, includ- Events such as this later generations will

contest rather than vie of ruble’s, a downtown ing the late dr. Glen C. community spelling read our accounts of

against one another clothing store located shults, who co-founded

was not surprising. on Main street. Valentine-shults Clinic

the sisters were born In addition to his with the late dr. Fred

into a family which work at the store, John M. Valentine, sr.

treasured education and, ruble also served as Jasper Gray was an-

in a day when college president of Merchants other early schoolteach-

educations for females & Planters Bank, now er in Cocke County

were still a novelty, part of us Bank, and, as and, in his later years,

the huff girls left their a World War I veteran, also penned articles for

home alongside the was active in the local the newspaper, al-

French Broad river to american Legion post. though not in the form

attend Belmont College he also served as chair- of a regular column.

(Elizabeth) and Carson man of the Board of Perhaps his most last-

newman (Josephine). deacons of the newport ing contribution to our

Later Josephine spent Presbyterian Church. county was his early

a semester at Bryn Jakie shults was a recognition of the need

Mawr College in Penn- Cosby native and one- to record our history.

sylvania but was ter- time columnist for the his beautiful pen-

ribly homesick for her Plain Talk, penning his manship appears on

warmer, summer home. articles under the name our earliest death

Known in their family ‘razorback.’ his full certificates and his

as “aunt Jo” and “aunt name was Jacob Lloyd attention to detail in

Betty,” the two sisters shults. during his life- filling in every single

were extremely close time he was a school- blank on those records,

and became mothers

to a nephew, James

huff Clark, and niece,

Jane Williams, whose

mothers, both sisters of

Josephine and Elizabeth,

died shortly after the

births of their children.

the sisters also

enjoyed traveling and

in the 1930s journeyed

to the holy Land, us-

ing money the family

received when the new

hwy. 25/70 passed

through their farm

to finance their trips.

however, they did not

take their trips at the

same time. Because A charming snapshot caught a laughing Miss Elizabeth Huff.

someone had to “stay

and look after the farm,”

Elizabeth went one year

and Josephine another.

some of the

other names are

of interest, too.

John B. ruble was the

son of dr. John ruble

and his wife, the for-

mer Mary Greer, who

moved to del rio from

Greene County in the Jakie Shults









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www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 • Page 3C







From Del Rio and Parrottsville to Cottage Grove-

Bob Smith’s heritage runs deep in Cocke County

BY DUAY O’NEIL

NPT Staff Reporter







W

hen Cocke

County

native

Bob smith left home

on saturday, decem-

ber 11, 2010, for his

80th birthday party,

he thought the cel-

ebration was going to

be limited to his im-

mediate family.

Expecting wife Lois

Jean and his five chil-

dren-debbie, steve,

Mitzi, John, and Mar-

ty-and various spous-

es, grandchildren,

and the like, imagine

his surprise when

he arrived to find a

slew of other rela-

tives and numerous

friend awaiting him

for a party which took

months to organize.

Bob was born in

Parrottsville on dec.

15, 1930, a son of

Lofton John and alice

Marie (stinson) smith

and was christened

robert Luther smith.

On his dad’s side, his

heritage quickly runs

into the Ottinger fam-

ily which pretty much

links him to anyone

born north of the

French Broad river.

Likewise his moth-

er’s family haled from PHotoS SUBmitteD



del rio with connec-

tions to the Old 15th Mary Helen Mincy, right, shows her cousin Bob a special album of family photos she compiled for his 80th birthday.

district where names

like Pack and turner Later he operated Lutheran Church, ex- Maude (Ottinger), Bon- rottsville people. Fol- Bob’s full life and dis-

abound. and that a general store in the cept for a short stay out nie (Gregg), Minnie lowing her death, he played them through-

takes care of that end sinking Creek com- West. (stevenson), Johnnie, married his present out the hall for the gala

of the county. munity of Parrottsville, the couple traveled George ray, una Vee wife Lois Jean. party. Of special inter-

all that history where customers had by train to Missouri, (Fowler), and Everette, Over the years Bob’s est were his baseball

came to one place at their pick of just about where other members and, of course, alice employment resume glove from hiwassee

Bob’s birthday party anything they needed of the smith family had Marie. has included 21 years and the metal suitcase

when his cousin Mary to purchase. the store moved, but became Bob’s education be- with J. C. Penny, Inc. he used during his col-

helen stinson Mincy stood near the Ottinger dissatisfied and return gan in Cocke County. in Knoxville, Greenev- lege days.

presented him with school. home to their tennes- he later entered hi- ille, and Chattanooga, Over the years, Bob

an album filled with On May 10, 1908, see mountains. wassee College, where before going to Paris has remained in close

pictures dating to Luna “did a good day’s Eight children he graduated in 1950, (tennessee, not France) touch with his Cocke

his great-great-grand- work” when he saddled blessed the marriage: his determination to in 1967. County folks, return-

mother. his mare and rode over Lofton, Cloyd, Jay, and further his education In 1971, his farm- ing for numerous oc-

Photos from school to the athan Ottinger roy were the boys and evidenced by the fact ing heritage called him casions, including

days at the old Ot- homeplace to collect alfreda (Wardroup), that he hitchhiked to home, so he resigned last year’s centennial

tinger school, his his bride-elect dessie. Louise (Blazer), Iva hiwassee from his Par- to become a full-time celebration at Luther

granddad smith’s dessie also owned (Marshall), and Essie rottsville home. he farmer, specializing in Memorial Lutheran

store, and favorite a saddle horse and to- smith were the girls. played baseball there, row crops and dairy Church.

mules from days gone gether the young couple dessie died in 1978 earning the nickname production. Once the shock of

by evoke memories of rode across the county at age 92, and Luna ‘speedy’ while he took and he was good at finding a much larger

his growing up days line into Greene Coun- passed away in 1988 care of second base. what he did-so much party than he expected,

in Parrottsville. ty to get married. their on his 102nd birthday. after finishing his so that he received the including Joan Ottinger

Bob’s dad was a son original plans called for When time came for two-year program holstein Progressive nease Elkins, Mimsy,

of Luna and dessie them to meet squire Lofton smith to marry, there, he went to the Breeder’s award nu- Landria, and Grayson

(Ottinger) smith, re- Bert Boles near an old he set his sights on university of tennes- merous times for hav- Fleming, all of sey-

membered by many oak tree to be wed, alice Marie stinson, see in Knoxville and ing the best dairy herd mour, and Juanita holt

of today’s older Par- but instead they rode a daughter of George completed his bache- of any in nine southern strong of dandridge, as

rottsvillians. on to the home of rev. Washington stinson lor’s degree in 1952. states. well as his cousin Mary

Luna once owned and Mrs. Charlie Clow- and his wife the former Military service he also was honored helen, also of seymour,

and operated a ers. there they found a Martha Lou Pack. came in the form of by the dairy shrine Bob kicked right in and

threshing machine. crowd waiting to wit- the stinsons, as a stint in the united Club for his achieve- enjoyed the party to

In addition to his ness the ceremony, be- mentioned earlier, states army during the ments. On many occa- end all parties.

regular farming op- cause someone had let moved across the river Korean War. he was sions, the smith farm and, all the while, re-

eration, Luna toured the cat out of the bag. from del rio. alice Ma- a sergeant when dis- received honors during minding us once again

the countryside with For most of their rie was one of twelve charged in 1955. June dairy Month cel- that Cocke County na-

his machine helping married life, which children born to the he first married Bar- ebrations. tives have crisscrossed

farmers to harvest stretched over 70 years, couple: Betty ‘Lena’ bara nease, a daughter his family gathered the world, achieved

their crops. Luna and dessie lived (askew), della (Cart- of Mr. and Mrs. Gray countless photos and the highest of honors

near Luther Memorial er), Ella (Pack), Lonnie, nease, more good Par- other memorabilia from in all sorts of careers,









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Page 4C • the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com







more piCtUres of bob smitH’s 80tH birtHdaY









This photo from Bob’s school days in 1943-44 was used as Bob Smith presented a gift of his own during the celebration Robert Luther ‘Bob’ Smith during his days in Korea

the cover of the invitation to his 80th birthday party last De- of his 80th birthday in December by giving his wife Lois a

cember. long-stemmed red rose.









PHotoS SUBmitteD





Grandchildren and great-grandchildren attending Bob Smith’s 80th birthday celebration included, front row, from left, Derek and Ethan Easterday, Jill Smith, and Tanner Reese. Middle row,

from left, are Hunter Lashey, Alexis and Carrie Lindsey, Lauren Nash, Brooke Smith, Samantha Reese, and Shelby Smith. Back row, from left, are Kyle Parrish and Rob Easterday. Not pictured

are Tyler and Kelsey Smith, Cody and Caleb Crockett, Eric and Rachel Easterday, and Mrs. Rob (Rachel) Easterday.









Bob Smith, third from left, is surrounded by his five children at a December party in honor of his 80th birthday. From left are

Over the decades Bob Smith and his family have received John Smith of Paris, TN, Marty (Smith) Reese of Petersburg, TN; Debbie (Smith) Easterday of Brentwood, TN; and Mitzi (Smith)

numerous honors for their outstanding work in the dairy in- Parrish and Steve Smith, both of Paris, TN.

dustry.









L to R: Dallas Shults, Phillip Gregg, Andy Austin, Matthew Woody,

Conchita Austin, Chris Austin, Funeral Directors

www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 • Page 5C









Debbie (Smith) Easterday, left, shows her dad the special cake baked for his 80th birthday. The confection featured his school

photo.

Among the memorabilia displayed at Bob Smith’s 80th birth-

day party were his letter sweater from Hiwassee College and

numerous photos.









Luna and Dessie (Ottinger) Smith at their 60th wedding anniversary in 1968. From left are children Roy Smith, Iva (Smith) Marshall, Cloyd Smith, and Louise (Smith) Blazer









During his college days, Bob Smith used this metal suitcase which family members converted to part of the decorations at

his 80th birthday party last December. Photos on display included those of the college’s baseball team when he played second

Elizabeth Smith, great-grandmother of Bob Smith base.

Page 6C • the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com









George Washington and Martha Lou (Pack) Stinson in later years Over the years, the Bob Smith family has been featured numerous times in local papers dur-

ing June Dairy Month.









Dessie Ottinger posed for this photo ca. 1905. She married

Of special interest were numerous photos from Bob’s school days. Luna Smith in 1908, a marriage that lasted over 70 years.









Special guests at the 80th birthday party for Bob Smith included his sister-in-law Joan (Ot-

tinger) Elkins, left, and first cousins Mimsy, Landria, and Grayson Flemming.









Family members gathered on the church steps at the 60th wedding anniversary of Luna and

Dessie (Ottinger) Smith in 1968. From left, front row, are Anthony and Tammy Wardroup. Sec-

ond row, from left, are Ronnie Wardroup, Luna and Dessie, and David Blazer. Third row, from

left, are Mae (Barger) Smith, Pat Wardroup, Iva (Smith) Marshall, Emma Jordan, and Cloyd

Smith. Fourth row, from left, are Roy Smith, Louise (Smith) Blazer, Glenn Marshall, Linton

Blazer, and Clarence Jordan Marshall.

www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 • Page 7C









Lofton Smith and his favorite mule Sid









George Washington Stinson

and his wife Martha Lou

(Pack) Smith, center, and his

half-sister Jenny









John M. Pack, great-grandfather of Bob Smith









Bob Smith’s first car was this 1951 Plymouth, which he (at right) and a friend decorated and drove to Nashville for a UT-Vandy

football game. Note symbols of his fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa, emblem on the hood.









Thanks Again

George Washington

and Martha Lou (Pack)

Stinson









For Selecting Us

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We’ve had the honor of winning this award many times,

and we want you to know we really appreciate it.

Lofton and Alice (Stinson)

•HARDWARE •THREAD PIPE Smith at the time of their

62nd wedding anniversary



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ding anniversary in 1968.









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Page 8C • the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com







Arnie Carrell-master mechanic and World War II hero

Photos and information after completing medi-

supplied cal training at Camp rob-

by Chris Edmonds inson, arnie was sent to

Ft. Benning, Ga, where

In moonshining’s hey- he was assigned to his per-

day, complete with the manent unit, a Company,

stuff of thunder road, lo- 48th Medical Battalion,

cal drivers hauling their 2nd armored division,

products to destinations with whom he stayed for

in Knoxville, Chattanooga, the duration of the war.

and beyond relied on the at this time the 2nd

engines of their ‘souped- armored division was pre-

up’ cars to outrun law en- paring for the invasion of

forcements officials lying in north africa. the division

wait along the routes. participated in the Carolina

taking a standard Ford Maneuvers. upon the con-

of the 1940s era, mechan- clusion of the maneuvers,

ics added and removed, the division was directed to

trimmed and tweaked the Ft. dix, new Jersey, where

vehicle’s engine until its its members boarded trans-

capacity for speed had dou- port ships bound for north

bled. africa, landing at Casablan-

drivers in their late ca on 8 november 1942.

teens and early 20s honed In later years, arnie

their skills on the curvy told of the time in Mo-

Cosby Pike before actually rocco when the captain he

venturing forth with a car chauffeured wanted to go

loaded with gallons of local sightseeing in the desert

brew. and they were captured by

In speaking of the local Vichy French soldiers. af-

mechanics who supplied ter much discussion, arnie

this needed service, retired and his captain were finally

moonshiners invariably released and allowed to re-

evoke the name of arnie turn to camp.

Carrell as one of the best after the north african Photos and information supplied by Chris edmonds

mechanics of the era. Campaign, arnie found

Born 11 October 1917, himself in tidworth, Eng- In 1945, Arnie posed for this snapshot with two Russian soldiers when the Allies captured Berlin. Note the extreme youthful-

arnie was one of five boys land. ness of the soldier standing to Arnie’s left.

born to Edward and Clara Preparations for the d-

(Baxter) Carrell. he had day invasion of Europe

two older brothers, Clif- were in full swing. On 6

ford (1913-1998) and Earl June 1944, the invasion

(1915-2001), and two commenced, and arnie

younger brothers Clyde was with the 2nd armored

‘Peanut’ (1920-1998) division when they landed

and hollis ‘Frosty’ (1925- in normandy on 9 June

2004). 1944.

the Carrells lived out he was later awarded

English Creek way and the Bronze star for an act

claimed kin to just about of bravery on 28 July 1944

every early family who set- in Villebauden, France dur-

tled in that neighborhood. ing Operation Cobra, the

he grew up on the fam- breakout from the Cotentin

ily farm and followed his Peninsula. Without regard

fellow friends and rela- for his personal safety and

tives into america’s ser- facing heavy enemy fire,

vice when World War II arnie proceeded to check a

erupted. knocked-out sherman tank

he entered service on for casualties. sadly arnie

2 February 1942 with the found the decapitated body

united states army and was of the tank commander.

first sent to Ft. Oglethorpe, the 2nd armored divi-

Ga for instructions, then sion played a critical role

on to Camp robinson, ar- in stopping Germany’s ad-

kansas. vance during the Battle of

at Camp robinson, he the Bulge in Belgium. after

was assigned to E Com- driving 100 miles, the di-

pany, 106th Battalion at vision met the approaching

the Medical replacement German column.

training Center. the MrtC arnie was in the force

trained medics and medical

personnel needed for front NSee Carrell, page 9C Arnie sitting at the wheel of the Jeep he drove during World War II. Note his name on the rear fender and the medical cross

line combat units. insignia.

www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 • Page 9C





Carrell, Continued from page 8C

sent to ambush advancing Germans. he Company. Later he operated a Mobil gas

later recalled this as being the worst ac- station on the Cosby Pike in the area of

tion he saw during the entire war. today’s I-40 interchange.

after the war’s end, the 2nd armored In 1949 he opened a Pure Oil station,

division had the distinction of being the garage, and body shop that he built. this

first american occupation troops to enter property stood on the site of today’s hard-

Berlin. ees and was sold in 1973. It was here that

Early in May of 1945, arnie’s division many moonshiners brought their vehicles

assembled south of Wolfenbuttel, where for his expert touch.

VE-day was quietly celebrated. here the his mechanical skills, particularly with

soldiers occupied themselves with train- the Ford Flathead V8 engine, placed him

ing, athletics, and a dismounted review in high demand by the local makers of

for visiting russians. moonshine to keep their cars in top run-

three thousand members of hell on ning order.

Wheelers, having the longest service, left arnie was married twice, first to Marie

for home by the end of June. Bryant (23 december 1923-5 september

On June 19, the division moved 70 1951), a daughter of William McKinley

miles to assemble in the Bernburg-Kothen and dicie (hartsell) Bryant, on 27 decem-

area to prepare for entry into Berlin, 100 ber 1947. Following Marie’s early death.

miles northeast. arnie married Betty Jo Gregory (18 March

On July 3, the division was held up 1932-22 december 1996), a daughter of

by the russian bridge work at the Elbe. William s. and Ora (Butler) Gregory.

Marching east in the rain that night, the after his parents’ deaths, arnie pur-

division crossed the river at torgau early chased the family farm. after he sold the

July 4 and entered Berlin late that after- garage, he moved to the farm and eventu-

noon to become the first american occu- ally built a new home.

pation troops in the city. In later years, a group of his army bud-

their five weeks in Berlin were busy. dies from the 48th Medical Bn came to

demands of maintenance and normal gar- Pigeon Forge each summer around July 4

rison duties were squeezed into periods for a reunion. a smaller group would then

between outposting the american zone come over to arnie’s home for a visit, and

of the city, patrols, practice reviews, and still others dropped by in mid-October.

honor guards and security for the Potsdam he will also be remembered for the ten-

Conference. der and devoted care he gave Betty during

standing reviews with all combat ve- her lengthy battle with alzheimer’s, keep-

hicles lined hub to hub along the ‘Outer ing her at home for the entire time of her

ring’ and dismounted reviews were con- illness.

ducted. during these ceremonies Presi- arnie died two years later, thus clos-

dent truman, Prime Minister Churchill, ing this chapter on another part of Cocke

and Generals Marshall, Eisenhower, Brad- County’s fascinating history. a prized pos-

ley, and Patton were honored. General session of his family is the wallet he car-

Patton’s visit was his last contact with his ried during the war. In it are his passes

old division. to Paris, his promotion to Corporal, his

Because of his assignment as a driver, bus ticket home, ration paperwork, army

arnie had some very different experiences script, permission papers to be in pos-

than most other soldiers. he had a front- session of captured souvenirs, and other

row seat for many of the major battles of items, including a tiny watercolor print

the war, both in north africa and Europe. (about 2 inches by 2 inches) of an angel,

Following his discharge from the army with the inscription, ‘Given by a Priest

on 10 October 1945, arnie returned to in the Belgian Bulge dec. 25, 1944,’ the

peaceful Cocke County and went to work only Christmas present arnie received

as a mechanic for Cocke County Motor that year.









Photos and information supplied by Chris edmonds

If he couldn’t buy it, Arnie made it, as in the case of this stove for his garage. He took two 50-

Arnie Carrell during his training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas gallon barrels and started from there.







Best Insurance Agent

Eric

Varner

State Farm

Insurance Company









In the 1960s, nearly a foot of snow covered the buildings and vehicles at Arnie’s garage. No

known photo of the complete building has been found.









Agent Eric Varner (seated) with, from left, employees Julie Newman,

Shawna Brown, and Cindy Hanna





Continuing Darius Miller's

State Farm Tradition.

(423) 623-0096

In 1948, Arnie worked as a mechanic at Cocke County Motor Company. This photo of Arnie and

Fax: (423) 623-0097 his co-workers appears on page 95 of Newport, Tennessee: Pictures from the Past, by Edward

319 Cosby Highway • Newport, TN 37821 R. Walker III. Kneeling is Garland Whitson. Standing from left are Arvin Ledford, Everett ‘Pug’

Palmer, Bartley Ledford, and Arnie Carrell.

Page 10C • the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com









Memories of hiking to Halls Top Tower

BY BRENDA WILBURN and took the road to halls the mountain after she and vices. she was required to

top. I remember cousin Bobby divorced. she was do a night check. Jim spen-

as a young child working arnold McMahan and his the first woman that had ce also a forest employee.

in the fields with the fam- then girl friend Velma Wil- the job at a Forest service he would have her call him

ily, I can remember look- liams, who later became his tower. she said, “I enjoyed when she went up in the

ing at the tower on halls wife, taking this hike with that work, looking at God’s tower to do the check at

Mountain. We had a good us one time. We continued creation. It was beautiful. night and when she came

view of hall Mountain and on this road past Cape and after a rain I could see back down so that he would

the tower from our fields arthur James’ home and to plum to Clinch Mountain. know that she was safe.

that were on the hills of Bell hill past the Milburn I felt a closeness with the tank said that the state

our farm. We watched the and Creta hall home and land.” this was the home Forest manned the tower

mountain when there was Moris hall home. the best of her ancestors-the hall for her while her dad,

a threat of rain or storm. I remember this was the Family. Mack hall, was so sick.

We could judge when to last house as we hiked up reed Jennings with the ronnie hall took over the

run in order to get to the the mountain. u.s. Forest service was her job of staying at the tower

house before the rain ar- We walked and talked as boss. she had to stay on after tank quit.

rived. We thought it was we climbed the mountain. the mountain during the the tower is no longer

fun to watch our parents there was a short cut that dry season which was from used by the forest fire to

Leonard and doris Green cut off some of the miles, March 15 until May 15 watch for wild fires. We

run like we children did. but it was very steep and and in the fall from Octo- can no longer climb up to

When I was a teenager, difficult to climb. I think it ber 15 until december 15, the top because the steps

my siblings, cousins and I was called “hangover“. We she was required to stay have been removed. It still

hiked to halls top many had to go by the Ben and until rain had reached the stands as a landmark. I can

times. We usually went on Carol James home if we whole area. she had to go no longer see it from my

a sunday afternoon. that took the shortcut. We came up there one time in Janu- home because the trees

was the only day we did back that way many times. ary and stay a week. she have grown up and blocked

not have to work in the It was so steep that we ran said that it was really cold that view, but I can see it

fields. We would get up on down it. Once you started up there then. from the hill nearby. When

sunday morning and walk running it was so steep that tank was not afraid. she I have been traveling and

about a mile and a half to you could hardly stop. One Halls Top Tower soars to the heavens and overlooks Cocke kept her gun with her. she get back to Exit 432 on In-

church at the Church of time someone in the group County. also had a radio with which terstate 40 where I can see

Christ at ravens Branch. just ran right over the top she could contact the unit- the halls top tower, then

then after services we of a snake. they didn’t ac- ed states Forest and the I feel that I have arrived

On a clear day we could electric stove and a wood tennessee state Forest ser- back home.

would walk back home, eat tually step on it; they just see douglas Lake. how we cook stove. they also had

lunch, and start the eight- jumped right across it and enjoyed the view from the water in the cabin until

mile hike to halls top. kept on running. tower! someone stole the pump.

usually my sisters aurine, there was a spring near One time we went up in tank said that the altitude

Joann, and I, along with the top of the mountain the tower when the wind was so high that you could

cousins Earl, James, Edith, and the tower. It was such was blowing hard. that cook soup beans all day

Paralee, Pauline, and Julie good water. We were re- was scary. the tower shook long, and they would never

Green, got together for the ally thirsty and ready for with the force of the wind. get done.

hike. sometimes my broth- a drink of that good cold It did not take me long to the tV reception was

ers George, dale or Ken- water. People back then want to get off of there. great up there. they could

neth went, too. always left a tin can at the By the time we walked get every channel just by

as we began our journey springs for others to drink back down the mountain turning the set on without

down Long Branch road, from. We all drank out of singing, talking, teasing an antenna or anything.

we came to aunt Becky the same can and never one another, we were ex- tank told me that one

and Cousin nina Green’s thought anything about hausted, but Mom would time while they lived up

house. they would usually germs. We were just thank- have a good meal cooked. there when their son Fred-

be sitting on the porch and ful to have water to quench It didn’t matter if it was die was about a year old that

would holler and ask us our thirst. only beans and potatoes, or she looked out and Freddie

where we going and how rueben Black who was “taters’ as we called them had already climbed to the

everyone at home was. this a cousin to us on my mom’s back then, we thought it top of the first stairs. she

was how they kept up with side of the family worked was the best after walking knew if she shouted at

everyone. then we would at the tower watching for sixteen miles. after we ate, him that he might fall. she

speak to aunt Cassie ann fires when we first walked we walked back to church hurried up the steps and

Baxter as we walked past up there. he would always services again and back brought him back down.

her house. Likewise there let us go into the room on home. there was always a she said she gave him a

were Emma Baxter and top of the tower where he road full of us walking to- good spanking and he never

her family. the next two was on duty as a lookout. gether. did that again.

houses were rented out he would patiently explain after rueben Black re- One time Bobby killed a

and different people lived what his job was and tell us tired in 1967 from being big yellow rattlesnake that

in them from time to time. the names of all the moun- the watch person at the was as long as the width

We would speak to the tains that you could see tower, another cousin of of the car when they laid

ones sitting on the porch from the top to the tower. mine on the Green side of in across the hood. It was During a springtime trip to Halls Top Tower in May of 1965,

at roscoe rollins’s store. Most everyone back the family, Bobby Laws took springtime.

By this time I think that then farmed all the land members of the Green family snapped this photo. From top

the job. he worked there Later, tank took on the to bottom are JoAnn Green, Judy Rollins, Edith Green, Dale

it was either run by hugh that was level enough or from 1967 until May of job of working for the for- Green, Parelee Green, Aurine Green, James Green, and Earl

Ball and his wife or Grady had pasture for much of 1972. We walked up there est service and staying on Green.

and Eva Lee Whitten. it. the hillsides were not several time while Bobby

then we went down covered in tall timber as and tank lived there. Bobby

the Creek. that is what the they are today. When we would explain to us what

road was called then, in- climbed up in the tower,









Thanks Again

he had to do if he spotted

stead of the Old Fifteenth we could see some of the smoke and showed us the

road. Just before we got to tombstones at the Green maps and instruments that

uncle John and aunt stel- and Laws Cemetery. We he had to use.

la McMahan’s house we could recognize other land- there was a one-room

crossed the wooden bridge marks in our community. cabin with a bed, desk, an









For Choosing



Kate Wilburn sits on the steps of Halls Top Tower. The steps have now been removed.









The #1

Building Supply

Company

Located at

120 Willis Rd.

Newport, TN 37821

(Behind NU Operations Center)



423-623-8701

PHotoS SUBmitteD BY BreNDa wilBUrN Sashco Means High Performance!



The “Green Cousins” lined up on the steps of Halls Top Tower for this photo taken in May of

1965. From top to bottom are JoAnn Green, Judy Laws, Edith Green, Brenda Green, Parelee Open Monday - Friday 7am-5pm • Saturday 8am-12pm

Green, and Aurine Green.



■■■■

www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 • Page 11C





Remembering my grandparents: John Henry and Ellen (Potter) Green

Information and photos ridge, and Mt. Camerer certificate lists her father

submitted (White rock). as ‘hugh stokely.’

by Brenda Wilburn as a young man, John Grandma’s mother,

henry fathered a son by Mary Catherine Potter,



M

y maternal Jane McIntosh. the boy was born in Carter Coun-

grandparents was named George a. ty, tn. I once asked my

were John Green and was two years aunt Ollie if Grandma

henry and Ellen (Potter) old in 1880 when the ever talked about Charles

Green, who lived in the Cocke County Census stokely being her father.

ravens Branch community shows him living with his she replied that she heard

of Cocke County. grandparents James and her mom tell how she

John henry was born Elizabeth McIntosh. My was staying at his home

on new year’s day in 1855 parents said his middle when Grandpa John came

in Cocke County, a son of name was allen. to get her so they could

Isaac and sarah (henry) the McIntosh property go get married. Grandma

Green. his brothers were lay between that of Isaac also told aunt Ollie that

robert a., William riley, and sarah Green, rubin Charles stokely lived at

david, James, Isaac Mil- Green, Grant Lee, and del rio and that he had

burn, Charles n., rubin, George sparks. black servants to take care

samuel Lawson, and aus- George allen died un- of his family when she vis-

tin Green. he also had two married as a young man ited him.

sisters: Elizabeth Jane and and was buried in the Mc- Grandma was born

Malinda Caroline Green. Intosh Family Cemetery during the Civil War and

the family home- on the old rubin Green died May 8, 1945, the

place stood on Green hill property off Green hill day President truman de-

road. Isaac was one of the road. clared the war at an end in

founders of ravens Branch John henry Green mar- Europe. her life was one

Church of Christ, which, ried Lizzie ‘Ellen’ Potter filled with social and emo-

at one time, was known as on september 3, 1881, tional battles.

‘the Christian Church.’ with George Washington a child born out of

John henry grew up on sparks performing the cer- wedlock in that era was

a mountain farm which emony. considered an object of

bordered Big Creek and Ellen was the daughter shame. her mother later

surrounded by the tower- of Mary ann Catherine married Ira Ball, a widow-

ing silhouette of hall’s top, Potter and, according to er with nine children. Ira

stone Mountain, rocky family lore, Charles h. and Mary Catherine had

top, sol Messer Mountain, stokely. her stepfather six children of their own,

raven’s Mountain, topper was Ira Ball. Ellen’s death bringing the total number









Information and photos submitted by Brenda Wilburn





Sam Green and his wife, the former Dora Rollins are shown with their sons, from left, Theo-

dore, John Edsel, and Earl.



of children in the house- lived in the flat below his property and came out at

hold to 16. father’s home on Green what he called the ‘Goose

Ironically one of Ellen’s hill road. Earlier he had Lots’ where Edith hunt

stepsisters, spicey, mar- purchased property on now lives. then he still

ried George Washington Long Branch road, but had quite a distance to go

sparks, and they became didn’t have a home built before he arrived at his

my great-grandparents on there yet. destination.

my mother’s side! he kept his livestock One year it had snowed

Grandma Ellen and on the south side of ra- every day for several days.

Grandpa John married ven Mountain up on what Grandpa was riding his

when she was 17 and is now Laws road about horse at this time. along

he was 26. they were where r. J. Ball has his the way was a rail fence

blessed with five sons and camper located. Grandpa with ten rails. Later he said

Nina Mae Green, left, is remembered for the popular column she penned for the Newport Plain five daughters. traveled every day across

Talk for over 40 years. With her at a family reunion are her sister Nola (Green) Presnell, center, John and Ellen first the ridge by the Baxter NSee green, page 12C

and niece Lois Presnell. Nina and Nola were daughters of Charles and Becky (Laws) Green.









■■■■

Page 12C • the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com









John Henry Green, left, with, reading left to right, John McMahan, Gene McMahan, Robbie McMahan, Sheela McMahan, Honard McMahan, Ellen Potter Green, Stella McMahan, and Alberta

McMahan







Green, Continued from page 11C

he would not have even all night. When daylight and other shrubs continue any...[They] raised large house, along with big ham chards contained a variety

noticed the fence had he came, the panther left and to bloom every year. amounts of corn, beans, shoulders and middlings of of apples, including horse

not already known where Grandpa returned home. Cousin nina Green, potatoes, vegetables, and meat curing for the winter. apples and an Ohio sweet.

it was located, because the Grandma had to be a long-time columnist for some wheat, rye, and oats; upstairs over the kitchen his peach orchard could

snow was so deep. hard worker to raise ten the newport Plain talk, also several hogs were piles of beans, apples, and be seen from hall’s top

On another occasion, children on a mountainous one described Grandpa raised to kill. They had peaches were dried for when the trees bloomed

when he went to feed the farm. the cooking, clean- and Grandma’s home in their own cows and chick- winter use. in the spring. One of his

animals his little white dog ing, washing, and preserv- an article published nov. ens. Cousin nina also de- peach varieties was an In-

accompanied him. dark- ing of food were done 29, 1974. scribed other things dian Peach with red flesh

ness arrived as the two without the aid of modern In her description, Grandpa did in order to inside, a forerunner of the

started walking home. Be- appliances. Clothes were My grandfather’s house Cousin nina described a earn money, such as sell- open stone Georgia Bell,

fore they got to the Goose washed in a black kettle was a large house, seven huge mulberry tree and re- ing timber, tanbark, and only smaller.

Lots, he heard a panther and scrubbed on a wash- spacious rooms, a small called gathering chestnuts, shingles, as well as pulp- When Grandpa and

scream nearby. his little board. Water had to be hallway, and two large making molasses, and wood from the big chest- his sons cut shingles and

dog ran between Grand- carried from the spring. porches. It was a nice harvesting corn. she also nut trees that died of the planed them, he sent them

pa’s feet in its terror. all the family’s food was home too for that day and described corn huskings, terrible blight. by wagon to del rio by his

Grandpa decided rather grown by the family and time. It was built of very bean stringings, and apple Wintertime brought a son Isaac. Often the wagon

than to try to outrun the cooked on a fireplace and fine poplar, pine, and oak peelings, popular events degree of relaxation, along became mired in the mud

panther, he would just later a wood cook stove. lumber that came from the of the day that combined with the icy cold tempera- on sand hill in the Old Fif-

stay where he was. he they also owned and farm. The first grade ceil- work and fun. tures, snow, and ice. the teenth community.

built a fire, which kept the operated a gristmill, and ing and wainscoting and according to Cousin family, said Cousin nina, Grandpa Green loved

panther at bay. during the Grandpa made shingles. outside weatherboard- nina, big jars and barrels gathered around the fire- literature and often called

night, the large cat circled Grandma still found time ing would be very costly held pickled beans, kraut, place to pop corn and swap on his daughter-in-law to

him and his little dog, to plant flowers. her beau- now and all this planed and sulfured apples. these stories from earlier days.

screaming periodically, tiful peonies and bleeding by hand...Grandpa had a were kept in the smoke- Grandpa John’s apple or- NSee green, page 13C

but the animal’s fear of fire heart still bloomed at the large farm, approximately

kept it away. Grandpa’s lit- homeplace until just a few three hundred acres or

tle dog stayed right by him years ago. her forsythia more, before he sold off









We are proud to call this

“Smoky Mountain Homeplace”

home!

John and Stella McMahan, Mary Payne, Ollie McGaha, and Leonard Green are shown front

row, from left. In back, from left, are Arbell and Robert Green, Willie Payne, Doris Green, Dora

Green, and Shelah Laws.









Ellen Green, seated left,

with children Ollie, mid-

dle front, and Samuel

David. In back are Stella,

left, and Robert.

www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 • Page 13C





Green, Continued from page 12C

read the classics to him. he read his Bible himself, but about 1899 or 1900 when he was only 16 years old. he 1) Charles L. Green-born august 19, 1882-died au-

he always asked her to read the classics aloud to him at and his older brother Charles were cutting a small tree gust 17, 1916, who married 1) tennie hall 2) rebecca

night as they sat by the fire. when it fell the wrong way. Milburn tried to outrun it, Malinda Laws

One morning as Grandpa went to the barn, an owl but the tip end of the tree hit him in the back of head. 2) Milburn Green-born december 19, 1884-died de-

flew down and grasped Grandpa’s hand with its talons. then in 1916, Charles died at 33, probably of can- cember 26, 1900

the wound became infected, and Grandpa was unable cer, leaving his widow Becky and daughters nina, 8, and 3) Flora ann Green-born august 23, 1887-died april

to work. Grandma had to run the gristmill for him. nola, 3, as well as a son aldon from an earlier marriage. 19, 1954, who married shelah Laws

In his last years, he liked to sit on the south side of In 1925, tragedy struck again when their youngest 4) Mary L. Green-born March 31, 1890-died May 21,

the house outside in the sunshine and eat apples. daughter Eula went to newport with her sister Ollie to 1967, who married 1) Garfield Laws 2) William ‘Willie’

their beautiful home burned in 1936. a new home have a local dentist pull a tooth. Eula received a shot to Payne

was built a short distance away on Long Branch road deaden the pain, the tooth was extracted, and she be- 5) samuel david ‘sam’ Green-born december 18,

and my grandparents, along with my parents and their came ill shortly after and died. how heartbreaking it 1892-died august 3, 1962, who married dora rollins

daughters Eula and aurine were living there in 1937. must have been to see their beautiful daughter brought 6) Isaac robert Green-born august 13, 1895-died

Grandma was kind of ‘snappy talking’ and prone to home dead from such a simple procedure! december 28, 1980, who married arbell hall

fuss. she sounded like she was angry much of the time, In 1938, Grandpa died in May at the age of 83. 7) stella Lee Green-born March 28, 1898-died sep-

whether she was or not. On the other hand, Grandpa Grandma spent most of her remaining years with my tember 18, 1981, who married John Wesley McMahan

was very mild-mannered and mostly listened to her parents, visiting her other children periodically. Follow- 8) Ollie E. Green-born april 2, 1901-died July 16,

without commenting. however, sometimes he’d say, ing a bout with influenza, she died in 1945 at age 80. 1995, who married John McGaha

“now, Ellen, that’s enough,” and she would cease im- 9) horace Leonard Green-born March 2, 1906-died

mediately. the children of John henry and Ellen (Potter) March 31, 1986, who married doris sparks

My grandparents weathered many tragic experienc- Green: 10) Eula Green-born October 14, 1907-died septem-

es. their son Milburn was killed the day after Christmas ber 9, 1925









Flag Raising Day was observed at the Laws School in the Laws Community. This photo was

taken about 1925. Members of the Odd Fellows Lodge gathered for the occasion. At one time,

several families made their homes in this community, which had its own store and school.

Church services were sometimes held in the schoolhouse. John Henry Green (with mustache)

is shown front row center to the left of the stump.









Honoring our past..







Planning for our future..

Flora (Green) Laws, left, is shown with her family. Starting second from left, front row, are

Cletis, Shelah, and Otis Laws. Standing from left are Lee, Desmound, Fred, Obie, and Delilah.









PRESENT BOARD of DIRECTORS

L-R: Ben W. Hooper III, William Myers, Richard Harwood, Dr. William B. Henry,

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Page 14C • the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com









America’s favorite pastime quickly found its way to Ravens Branch where teams enjoyed pitting

The living children of John Henry and Ellen (Potter) Green gathered in 1965 for Decorate their athletic skills against one another. This photo was taken ca. 1910. Front row, from left, are

Services at the Green-Laws Cemetery. From left are Isaac Robert Green, Stella Lee (Green) Alton Justus, Sam Green, George Laws, Bernie Hall, Joe Holt, and Osborne Baxter. Back row, from

McMahan, Ollie (Green) McGaha, Mary (Green) Payne, and Horace Leonard Green. left, are ____ Johnson, Charlie Hall, Ike Hall, Polk Baxter, Roy Laws, and Creed Laws.









Sam Green at age 16









Ravens Branch School always had members of the Green family among its students. Front row, from left, are Walter Price,

Estel Price, Osborne B. Baxter, Sam N. Baxter, Polk K. Baxter, Walter Huff, ____ Jones, ____ Jones, Jimmy Jones, Jasper

Jones, Ruben Bartley Miller, and Oscar Laws. Second row, from left, are Edna Laws, Pearlie Laws, Mae Baxter, Bernice Laws,

Media Caldwell, Mary Caldwell, Addie Jones, ____ Jones, Annie Knight, Burl L. Jones, Jack Rollins, and Pearl Jones. Third

row, from left, Ida Jane Green, ____ Green, Effie Laws, Emma Jones, ____ Jones, Zora Laws, Ola Green, and Lee Ester Knight.

Fourth row, from left, are Leora Ball, Zona Miller, _____ Jones, Bessie Green, ____ Laws, Myrtle Laws, Effie Ball, ____ Green,

Fleudelles Laws, Horace Hill, Richard Caldwell, and _____. Fifth row, from left, are Rainey Ball Laws, Bartley Laws, Hubert

Laws (baby), Tilmon Ball, Rosco Rollins, Johnny Ball, Joe Rose, Creed Rollins, and John Clark. Sixth row, from left, are George

Knight, Shafer Rollins, and Osborne Riley Laws. The photo was taken Sept. 13, 1911.









The John H. and El-

len (Potter) Green

homeplace-note the

beautiful trim work

on the home.



Horace Leonard Green, left, and sister Eula Green









Rebecca Melinda (Laws)

Green, a daughter-in-law John

and Ellen (Potter) Green, was

married to their son Charles

John Henry Green L. Green on March 16, 1907.

with his sons Charles His death at age 33 left her a

and Milburn young widow with two daugh-

ters Nina and Nola. Known

to the family as ‘Becky,’ she

never married again and de-

pended on John and Ellen for

encouragement and advice in

rearing her small daughters.

The family spent many happy

hours in John and Ellen’s

home.

www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 • Page 15C







Faubion letters provide local Civil War history

BY DUAY O’NEIL

NPT Staff Reporter



In 1927, the number of living Civil War veterans in the united states had

dropped sharply. the war had ended 62 years earlier, and even the veterans

who were only teenagers at the time of their service to either the union or

Confederate armies were nearing their 80th year.

One of these was James henry ‘J. h.’ Faubion, who was born between

newport and Parrottsville, a son of tilghman a. and Margaret (Mcsween)

Faubion.

tilghman Faubion was born June 17, 1824 near Bridgeport and died in

Marble Falls, texas on October 8, 1908.

tilghman married twice, first to Margaret Mcsween (1824-1886), a daugh-

ter of Murdock and Margaret (Jackson) Mcsween, and secondly to Matilda G.

(Page) smith, widow of alexander Evans smith. Known in the family as “aunt

Bonnie,” Matilda was born in 1854 and died in Marble Falls, texas in 1929.

When war clouds gathered, the Faubions threw their support to the south-

ern cause and the sons marched off to battle.

tilghman was the youngest son of William and Perthenia (ayers) Faubion,

who were among Parrottsville’s earliest settlers. he was a wealthy landown-

er and slaveholder, whose 300 acres lay in the sinking Creek area near the

French Broad river. he was also a merchant and, at one time, Parrottsville’s

postmaster.

When the Civil War broke out, tilghman, a Confederate sympathizer, did

not enlist in the regular army, but did, however, aid the southern cause in any

way he could, until he was captured and sent to a Knoxville jail.

he and several other men eventually escaped and went to north Carolina,

where he later learned his son J. h. was working in Greenville, south Caro-

lina. the older man went there, and the two discussed the possibility of mov-

ing their families to texas to join two of tilghman’s sons.

Once war ended, the Faubions left for texas on september 14, 1865, with

several other refugees, about forty wagons, and several horsemen.

they settled in Williamson County, tX, where they started afresh and once

again amassed land, built businesses, and rose to prominence in their newly-

adopted community.



Enlisted at 17

James henry ‘J. h .’ Faubion was born august 20, 1844. at age 17, he en-

listed in april, 1861, in the first company of Confederate soldiers formed in

Cocke County. he was a private in Company C, 26th tennessee regiment.

after three or four days of hard fighting at Fort donolson, on the Cumber-

land river, J. h. was surrendered with 13,000 other soldiers to General u. J.H. Faubion center Left Earl M. Faubion right Oran E. Faubion

s. Grant and sent to Camp Morton, Indiana, a prison which had once been a

fairground. he remained there until september of 1862. request and writes

By the 1920s, several Cocke County ladies had formed the Clifton Chapter

of the united daughters of the Confederacy. …I am the only Confederate soldier in this part of our county, while thirty

according to their website, the udC was formed in 1894 by Caroline Meri- or more are sleeping their last sleep in our local Cemetery…I am in my

wether Goodlett and anna davenport raines as the national association of 84th year and no longer able to do any labor of any kind, and time hangs

the daughters of the Confederacy and changed its name to the udC the fol- heavy on my hands now, and I will find plenty of enjoyment in recalling the

lowing year. incidents of the war experiences of the camp and the march, story of the

It was established as a “women’s heritage association to honor the memo- battles, and the leaders that guided us throughout the bloody four years, the

ries of those who served and died in service to the Confederate states of life in prison etc. All those ladies who suffered and sacrificed, and labored,

america.” and virtually supported the men in the ranks have passed over the Great

Locally two of the ‘moving forces’ in the organization were Mrs. Fred Greer Divide and those of the present generation know little of the life of the

and Mrs. d. G. allen. mothers, sisters, and sweethearts of the men at the front, their anxiety, and

Mrs. Greer, the former Kate Mims, and Mrs. allen, the former Emma Malo- anguish of mind, distressed at the news of the next day’s battle would bring

ney, and other local ladies kept the local group active for several years. the news of the death of the loved ones. They should be honored equally

at the request of Mrs. allen, J. h. Faubion sent a series of typed letters in with the men at the front. The present generation should know more of the

which he shared his memories of his services in the Confederate army. Even- inside history of this great war, and the mothers and daughters should be

tually these letters found their way into Mrs. Greer’s hands and were shared honored equally with the men in the ranks.

with us by her great-niece sally Burnett.

On October 20, 1927, Faubion began his series of letters by enumerating

Anguish of mind the various companies of men organized in Cocke County.



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Faubion letters, Continued from page 15C

The formation of local companies him after he was discharged, and I lost my diary after I was exchanged at

Vicksburg, and have no correct list of the Company. Two men died in the

My Dear Mrs. Allen: hospital at Tullahoma, whose names I do not remember. I think both were

Clevengers, and one of them married Miss Betty Lillard, Mark Lillard’s

Your most pleasing and interesting letter arrived less than an hour ago, daughter, who lived near Wilton Springs on Cosby. These were both married

which was mailed in Newport Oct. 17th, 8 p.m. and reached me at 10 men and died of ‘home-sickness.’ I will tell more of them later on.

a.m. this the 20th. I feel as if Newport is not so far away now as it seemed

in the long ago. Many thanks for the letter and its interesting contents. I have the names of some of the boys killed at Chicamauga, and if any of

So you will see that I prize your letter from the fact that I am now seated their friends want to move their remains, the graves can be identified.

at my old Oliver Typewriter in an effort to reply just half an hour after it

came. But I regret very much that in examining the Roll of Co. C, 6th Tenn, In november of 1927, J. h. sent another letter to his newport friends. In

Allen’s Company, none of the names given in your letter were members of this installment, he first identifies his commanding officers and then recalls

that company with the exception of that of Mr. John Allen, there being the his first days as a soldier in the Confederate army. remember, he was only 17

following Allen names on the roll: Edwin Allen, Capt., Lewis Allen, son of years old at the time.

the Captain who died in prison at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Ind., Hiram

Allen, Acton Allen, Abram Allen, E. S. Allen, George Allen, Wilson Allen, We were ‘real soldiers’ now

Will Allen, Andrew Allen, there being nine Allens. Perhaps there may be

some errors in the given names in making this copy of the roll. However, After we were organized, we were placed in camp in East Knoxville, a

I find the name of Fox Askew on the roll. I was well acquainted with Alex suburb called Shields, Tenn. we drew our guns (old flint lock muskets that

Smith, who may have been a member of Captain A. L. Mims’ Company had been used in the war with Mexico in 1846), bayonets, cartridge boxes,

of the 5th Tenn. Cavalry Regiment, of which company James Morris, Alex canteens, tents, and an assortment of cooking vessels, such as a skillet and

DeWitt, and R. A. McNabb were Lieutenants. R. A. McNabb married a Miss lid, a few tin cups and tin plates. We were, in our imaginations, ‘real sol-

Lillard, and a few years ago had a daughter living in Newport. Charlie Mims diers’ now. Our bedding was just what we brought from home, usually just

ought to know something of the membership of Capt. Mims (his Uncle) a light blanket. We were just about as green a lot of boys as had ever been

Co. The following Companies were made up, or partially so, in Cocke mustered into service. None of us had even seen even a military company.

County. Captain A. L. Mims, Co. 5th Tenn Cavalry, to which Dave Porter, After our tents were set up in streets, all fronting south, the next thing

Ben Gorrell, the Hopkins boys, and many others belonged. You ought to was to ‘carry on’ like a real army. The ‘rank and file,’ that is the non-com-

find some of them. Also a Company known as Capt. Wash’s Company, missioned officers, were not the only ‘greeners.’ Our field and company

A Company in Capt. Tom Rumbaugh 18th Battalion Cavalry had a num- (Commissioned officers) were just as raw as we were. The next morning we

ber of Cocke County boys in it and so did Capt. [blank space—no name were to have our first ‘Guard mounting.’

given] of Cedar Creek in Powell’s 19th Tenn. Infantry which was with Gen.

Zollikoffer at Fishing Creek, Ky., which he was killed. Capt. James Huff Each company formed in line in front of our Company tents, the Orderly

(afterward Major) made up a company which was attached to the 63rd (First) Sergeant called the roll, the Captain taking command of the com-

North Carolina Reg’t or Infantry. I knew a number of Capt. Huff’s and one pany, did not know what commands to give, but they got at last ‘in a string’

of them, J. P. Hedrick, lives at Georgetown in this county and was at our and led us to the parade ground. Our field officers did not know, as the

last County Re-union in July. I will see him soon and see if he knows any old Georgia woman expressed it, ‘how to form a string of fight.’ At last we

of the parties you have named. I was acquainted with Capt. Allen Rorax got in a kind of line, and next the field officers (Col. Lt. Col. and Adjutant)

(sic) and two of his sons. I know nothing of Capt. Morgan’s Co., nor of the mounted on their ‘snorting war horses,’ galloped down to the center of the

Watkins Co. I think several Cocke County boys about Rankins belonged line and faced us. Next came our Fife and Drum Corps. They were the men

to a Jefferson County Co. Now if you no copy of the roll of Capt. Allen’s who were to ‘cheer us with martial music, to urge us on when we were in

Company, and you would like to have it, I will be glad to send it to you, for the battle’s fury.’

if there is anything that the UDC wants done that I can do, just name it. If

I were able to make the trip I would go back to Newport and stay as long But this Corps consisted of only two musicians, an old man perhaps 65

as you would allow me and help you hunt up these Confederates and their or 70 years old, who was the fifer, and a boy about 16 was the drummer.

descendents. They did their very best as they paraded back and forth in front of [the] line,

which they did several times, but alas! They could play only one tune, ‘The

A daughter of Major Robinson Girl I Left Behind Me”!, but that was a heartening tune for all of us, more

or less, had left a dear girl behind him.

Not long ago a lot of us old Rebs were carrying on a discussion of who fired

the first gun and where at. This controversy was carried on in the columns Baking bread was the greatest difficulty

of The Dallas (Tex) Morning News, and a lady at Dallas wrote to me to ask

if I was the same ‘Jim Faubion’ she used to know in the hills of Tennessee. All of us were adept at eating and never without a good appetite, but to

She is Mrs. Josephine Tulloe, a daughter of Major Robinson, who lived our sorrow, perhaps disgrace, none of us knew anything about cooking.

below Newport (Old Town) on French Broad. I was well acquainted with Baking bread was the greatest difficulty. We could stir up a lot of corn meal

Miss Robinson, and she was very popular with the boys who were in and water, turn it into a hot skillet, put on the lid, pile some coals on, and

the war, and perhaps could tell you of some that I don’t remember. Here forget it, until it was almost burned up. That was about the only bread that

address is 218 West 10th Street, Dallas, Tex. I suppose she is still there liv- we could make. But fortunately, an old man, who had served with Generals

ing with her daughter. I have never met her, and I have not been in Dallas Taylor and Scott in Mexico in 1846, felt impelled to help us out of out in

for two years. There was a man by the name of Mills living just below our ‘scrap with the Yanks,’ and tried to join our company, but was later on

Parrottsville some time ago who was a Confederate, and his wife wrote me rejected on account of his age. While staying with our ‘Mess,’ while the

about his war record, thinking he was in my company, but I think he was in matter of his being accepted, he volunteered to cook for the mess.. and he

Capt. Rumbaugh’s Co., 18th Battalion… could make pretty fair kind of biscuits, considering the fact that we had no

shortening nor buttermilk. Our cows did not come up regularly. Anyway

I find in looking over the Allen Company Roll that there are a number of Uncle Wash gave us a start in bread making. We usually sliced some bacon,

names left off. I have added quite a number. This copy was made from a and broiled it on sticks, if any were convenient, and if not we would string

diary kept by Sam Stanberry, the first Orderly Sergeant, and I succeeded the bacon slices on a ramrod from one of our muskets.



At night for the purposes of training us in military customs, a guard line

was established around our camp—a Garrison Guard. I think it consisted

of about nine posts or stations. Each morning, a detail from each com-

pany for ‘guard duty.’ Stations were marked for each of these sentinels

and numbered from one to nine, enclosing enough space for all purposes.

Each sentinel had to ‘stand guard two hours, when he was relieved.’ Each

sentinel had to call out the time, and the number of his post as follows:

‘Post Number Five, Nine o’clock, and all’s right.’ The officer of the day

had charge of the guard and had to make the ‘Grand Rounds’ occasionally

through the night to see that each man was awake and alert. The cry of the

sentinels sounded rather doleful when a fellow would awaken and hear it

all through the night.





We were hospitably inclined

We had many visitors each day, as many of the relatives and friends of the

‘soldier boys’ came to see how we were getting along and to bid us ‘good-

bye’ as we were expected to go to the ‘front where honor calls and do

our duty there.’ Lots of young ladies were within our encampment every

day. And they were very inquisitive about our cooking, eating, and sleep-

ing. They were especially anxious about the cooking. One day a number of



has been selected

young ladies were inspecting the soldier camp, perhaps some of them from

Cocke County, were at our tent about dinnertime, and we were hospitably

inclined. We invited them to ‘dine with us,’ and they kindly accepted our

invitation. I think more to laugh at us than to enjoy the dinner we were



#1 Chinese Restaurant preparing. On having such distinguished guests, great pains were taken

by all ‘the mess’ to make the meal a success. The cook for that day (each

member had his day for cooking) on account of our lovely guests, decided

that he would have biscuits for dinner, and with sleeves rolled up, he went

“We have won this award many to work. Putting the skillet on the fire and the lid, too, he got his large, tin

bread pan, filled it nearly full of flour, put in a quantity of salt, then some

times, and we really fried meat grease saved from a former meal, for ‘shortening,’ and last added

some ‘saleratus’ (we call it soda now). Calling Bill to assist him, he dived

appreciate it!” into the flour with both hands, while Bill poured in water, as our churn-

ing had been neglected and we had no buttermilk. He mixed industriously,

occasionally rising from his knees to get rid of the mess of dough sticking

to his fingers. He called on his assistant Bill very often to pour in more

water. After a long struggle, he began to make out his monster biscuits,

which greatly amused the girls, who laughed heartily at his efforts. After

putting the skillet on some coals, he deposited these wonderful biscuits

in the skillet, put on the lid, put a lot of coals on the lid, and waited for

them to mature. Presently smoke was seen rising from under the skillet lid.

The cook, thinking his bread was sufficiently baked, he raised the lid with

a stick, spilling a lot of coals and ashes on these precious biscuits, which

were found to have turned a beautiful black on top and bottom, too. While

the regular cook had been doing the baking act, his assistant had been

busily engaged in slicing some good-sized pieces of fat bacon and made

some coffee. Dinner was shared on a scaffold nearby, with the cups and tin

plates, from which our guests were to enjoy the menu. All sorts of remarks,

mixed with giggling and small-sized screams, mingled with the enjoyment

our distinguished guests. After dinner one of the young ladies took from

the table one of our cook’s wonderful biscuits, placing it some distance

from the fire, proceeded to place a red hot coal on it. When asked what

she was doing, she said, ‘I am trying to see if it would crawl.’ She said she

had made other terrapins crawl by putting coal on their backs. A number of

these wonderful biscuits were carried away by these jolly, light-hearted girls

as souvenirs. Little did they think, that in the ensuing years, that these mas-

119 Western Plaza Way • Newport, TN 37821 sive chunks of half-burned dough



(423) 623-8816 unfortunately Faubion’s letter ends here, but one can surmise that he would

have said something about how welcome such a bite of half-baked bread would

have been to the starving soldiers.

Faubion’s next letter is simply dated ‘december.’ In it, he turns his atten-



NSee Faubion letters, page 17C

www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 • Page 17C





wHo are tHe otHer people?









Photo submitted by marti Clark Steffen





This beautiful photograph, dating to the early 1900s, continues to intrigue members of one of its subjects. Seated second from left is Mary Eliza (Huff) Clark, the oldest child of Major James

Thomas Huff and his wife, the former Jane Adeline Stokely, who resided in Bridgeport, and wife of George Clark of Rankin. Sadly the identities of the other people remain unknown. Hopefully

someone will recognize others in the picture and perhaps shed some light on its history.







Faubion letters, Continued from page 16C

tion to his company’s transfer from Knoxville to Bowling Green, Ky and the

coming battles. While his previous letter seems almost light-hearted at times, Finally orders came

especially when he describes the army’s pitiful attempts at baking bread, this

installment is much more somber. Finally orders came for our Regiment, the 26th Tennessee, to entrain for

Bowling Green, Ky. General Albert Sydney Johnston was to command the

Dear Daughters of Chapter of the U. D. C. Department of the Cumberland, embracing the Southern part of Kentucky.

I think in my last letter, that I was telling you of the ‘breaking in’ of the We were at the train early in the evening, but did not get a train until late

boys of Co. C to be real soldiers. We made some progress standing guard, in the night, as the Rail Roads could not furnish trains on time, as the

keeping step when drilling, and many other things that go to make soldiers. demand was too great.

It was a common sight to look upon Generals, Colonels, and other officers,

parading in new Confederate uniforms, with gilst lace braid on their coats, During the evening, some of the men, who imagined they were orators,

straps on their shoulders, new canes ornamented with all sorts of bright made speeches. Our company had one of this kind, and he was full of

ornaments, and high-top shiny boots. Occasionally troops from west of the patriotism, and made a ‘rip roaring’ speech. Among the things I remember

Mississippi and other Southern states passed by with brass bands playing was a request he made. It was something like this:

and cheering on the way to Richmond, Va.

NSee Faubion letters, page 18C









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Page 18C • the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com







Faubion letters, Continued from page 17C

A rip roaring speech To invade the hunting grounds of Daniel Boone

‘My dear comrades, when we go into battle, as we will soon, I have this When the shadows were growing long, and our day in the Capitol city was

request to make. If, when engaged in a bloody conflict with the enemy, and about to close, our train came along, and we were soon aboard our side

while the air is full of the screams of the wounded, and the groans of the ‘Pullman’ cars, (stock and freight cars) on our way to invade the hunting

dying, and it should be my misfortune to be wounded by a bullet or shell grounds of Daniel Boone. We were making very fair progress, until about

of the enemy, and I am unable to do battle with the enemy, I want you to midnight, when with sudden bumping of the cars, and the screeching of

carry me to some high point of the bloody field, where I can look on at the the brakes, we came to a sudden halt. Orders were given immediately, ‘All

conflict, and if possible cheer you on to victory, or at least allow me to hear out with your guns!’ ‘Fall in Company C.’ We soon had our guns loaded

your shouts of victory, as I know you, my brave comrades, will sacrifice all and ready, as we supposed for an attack by the enemy. But we soon learned

your lives on the altar of your much loved country, rather than permit your- that we were at the mouth of a tunnel, and that some miscreant had placed

selves to be overcome.’ some boulders on the track inside the tunnel with expectation of wrecking

our train, but fortunately the train was running slow and the engineer dis-

We cheered this patriotic speaker, who was inspired with such patriotic covered the blockade before a collision with the boulders.

devotion to Dixie’s Land. But the time came soon when men were to be

tested, lives sacrificed, and blood spilled, and where was our patriotic offi- About nine o’clock a.m., we reached the beautiful little city of Bowling

cer then? Was he lying wounded, forgetting his wounds, and the ebbing of Green in Warren County, Kentucky. A few soldiers had preceded us, but

his life’s blood, and cheering us on to victory. Ah! No, after the first gun quite a number of people were out to greet us to see what kind of ‘critter’

was fired, his soul must have taken its flight and carried his body with it, these East Tennessee mountaineers looked like.

for never more did we ever see or hear of him again.

We were soon supplied with tents and located our residences on the South

We started without rations, going to Chattanooga, and thence to the beauti- bank of Barren River in the suburbs of Bowling Green.

ful city of Nashville, where we had to await the coming of another train to

carry us to our destination—Bowling Green. With all their gew-gaws on

Two pretty ladies We were put to drilling at once—Company drill at 9:30 a.m. and regimen-

tal drill in the evenings, and brigade drill and general review on Sundays.

Our Regiment was the first to invade that section of Kentucky, and our We ‘high privates’ were not all the ‘greeners,’ for despite their bright new

regiment was among the first to pass through, if not the very first, to pass uniforms, shoulder straps, and other official paraphernalia the officers were

through the city of Nashville, and attracted much attention and while wait- equally as raw as we were. General Review on Sundays were show days,

ing for a train, had many visitors. We reached Nashville on a Sunday morn- when all the people turned out to see the army maneuvers. The Generals

ing. We were without rations and were getting real hungry. Two pretty and and their staff officers on fine prancing horses, with all their gew-gaws on,

neatly dressed young ladies came to where I was standing and asked a went dashing over the field making a great show before the new soldiers in

number of questions—where my home was and how I liked being a soldier. the ranks, and the hundreds of ladies and girls who had never before seen

They asked me if I had eaten breakfast, it then being about eleven o’clock. ‘an army with banners.’ Brass bands, fife, and drum corps, lent a brilliant

I told them no rations had been issued to us, and that we had no way to character to the display.

cook, if we had been supplied with rations. They asked me to go home

with them for dinner. We had orders not to leave the railswitch, but Lieut. General Simon Bolivar Buckner was the Commander in Chief, was mounted

Hickey, when I explained the situation to him, gave me permission to go, on a fine imported Arabian horse and all his staff were riding Kentucky

and I accompanied the young ladies to their home a few blocks away. It thoroughbreds, and all had on good clothes. After we had marched by

was not long before I was sitting down to an elegant dinner, the first since General Buckner in ‘Column by Fours,’ (4 men abreast) where he was

entering the army. Language fails me in trying to describe my enjoyment of surrounded by his staff and many beautiful women on horseback. Then

this dinner, with two pretty girls doing their best to make things pleasant came the command for us to pass around the field again in ‘Column by

for me. This was one incident of the war that will never be effaced from my Companies.’ We did that fairly well. On the next round came the com-

memory. They were unusually pretty girls, educated and refined and lived mand, ‘In Echelon by Companies—March!’ That command ‘got the goat’

in an elegant home. Their name was Cockerell, but I do not remember the of our field and Company officers both. I can only illustrate that movement

street on which they lived. by a drawing, enclosed herewith. General Buckner, when he saw the confu-

The most pathetic part of my story is that about fifty years after this inci- sion our regiment had fallen into, and he came at us full speed, his whole

dent, I was in the city of Nashville, and having a little time to spend, I went staff following. He called us to halt, and got us in close ranks near him and

to the home of the Coekerell family, whose daughters had been so kind to spoke to us in a loud tone saying, ‘Gentlemen, You are a fine Regiment of

me, in giving me a real good dinner, and filling my haversack with pies and men, in fact, one of the finest in the army, but you have no officers.” Our

cakes to give to Lieut. Hickey, and my mess mates. I found the house, and officers hated Gen. Buckner ever afterward.

it was little changed from the passage of years.

I rang the door bell, but no answer came. The shades of the windows were After several weeks our encampment was moved to the north side of Barren

drawn. There was no one at home. It was summertime and perhaps they River, on the road to Mammoth Cave. We were then united with the follow-

were off on a visit, or possibly the home had passed into the hands of ing regiments: 15th and 28th Miss., 17th Tenn, 2nd Kentucky, and 41st

strangers. While the picture of the rosy-cheeked, bright-eyed girls was in my Alabama into a Brigade, commanded by Col. Baldwin of the 15th Miss.,

mind, what would I have found had they been living in their home of ‘war he being the Senior Colonel. Brigade lines enclosing these regiments were

days’? Sixty-five or seventy, old and gray-haired, faces wrinkled, perhaps established, and the real duties, with strict military rules, were established,

long ago they had answered the call that comes to all or us, or perhaps they and we were soon engaged in real war work.

had married, had moved away, into homes of their own—perhaps mothers

of families. Were their lives happy as I believed they deserved to be? A feel- Winter was then upon us

ing of sadness came over me as I turned away. When I started to return to

my command, I gave them some of the brass buttons on my coat as souve- Our mess was composed of eight men, and we were lucky in getting what

nirs. They invited me to come to see them again if I were ever in Nashville

again. I had returned but— NSee Faubion letters, page 19C









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Faubion letters, Continued from page 18C

was then called a Sibley tent—a large round tent, with walls about 4 feet We built forts of earthworks, or Baker’s hill, which was near our camp, and

high. Winter was then on us, so we proceeded to build us a ‘stick and on the same side of the river. All the other forts were on the south side

daub’ chimney to our tent, and when we made a good fire, in our fire place of the river. They were called College Hill, Vinegar Hill, and Underwood’s

and tied up the door, it was very comfortable, but unfortunately we had Hill. The latter was named for Governor Underwood of Kentucky, who

only green beech wood, which made it very difficult to get a fire started. lived nearby. The Baker Hill Fort surrounded the beautiful residences of Mr.

Baker, on all sides. I will give in my next letter some incidents occurring

Our regular duties were guard mount and company drill and on Sunday while the fortification of the pretty town of Bowling Green was being forti-

General Review and inspection. A squad of men were detailed from each fied and prepared for a siege which never materialized.

company every morning to work on the fortifications. When on such

details, we would cook some extra rations for our dinners, as we had to With kindest regards and good wishes for he success of your splendid

work with picks and shovels all day, and it was sure enough work. Chapter.



The dinner rations that we prepared consisted of hard tack, corn dodger, Your friend—J.H.F.

and a hunk of bacon, but occasionally we were given a loaf of baker’s bread

which was quite an addition to our meal. NSee Faubion letters, page 20C





Confederate Veterans assembled in newport









photo submitted







A group of Confederate veterans are pictured here ‘who assembled in Newport Friday, June 3, 1910, to pay tribute to their Dead Comrades,’ according to an inscription of the back of the

photo. The picture was taken on the steps of the Presbyterian Church which faced McSween Avenue. Front row, from left, are E. H. Taylor, J. W. Caleway, A. A. Bayless, Willis Gray, W. J. Woody,

William Whitson, J. S. Smart, and Joseph Huff. Second row, from left, are W. V. Fine, J. W. Ponder, W. C. Allen, R. R. Summer, J. T. Allen, J. C. Morrell, Allen Brooks, W. A. Denton, Robert Neely, H.

H. Hardin, and Thomas Moore. Third row, from left, are J. C. Brown, J. W. Harvey, William Pack, T. D. A. Harper, W. D. Mason, William Bryant, M. M. Shelton, J. H. Gilbert, J. H. Welch, J. A. Kiser,

J. R. Knisley, and James Allen. Back row, from left, are Lynn Buchman, J. S. Black, Lem Mims, and A. R. Swann.









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Page 20C • the newport plain talk, thursday, January 27, 2011 www.NewPortPlaiNtalk.Com





Faubion letters, Continued from page 19C

On January 3, 1928, Faubion once again wrote the newport ladies about late in the fall of ’61, and then came the mounting of the guns therein. This

his memories of Civil War days. after describing the Christmas holidays and was decided could be done by man power, that is was done by fastening long

a recent visit from Maxie Weaver, a young lady with Cosby connections, Fau- ropes to the gun carriages and then ‘hiching’ [hitching] the soldier boys by

bion continued his reminiscences. their hands and pulling on the ropes. The plan was effective, and the heavy

siege guns were soon in place. After the guns were in place, as a reward to

the boys for their work, a barrel of old Kentucky whiskey was opened, and

So-called ‘Union’ men tin cups procured, and whiskey flowed like water. I never knew who autho-

rized or paid for this treat, for I did not assist in mounting these big guns,

In my last communication, I failed to tell you of a very important feature of and did not share in the treat. But the consequences of this treat became

soldiering while at Knoxville. At the beginning of the organization of the rather serious. The Mississippi regiment and our regiment had for some time

Confederacy, a large number of so-called ‘Union’ men refused to obey the been for somes (?) under the same guard lines, and an unfriendly feeling

laws promulgated by the Confederate States, and were giving the govern- had grown up between the two regiments. Our regiment complained that

ment a lot of trouble. They sought in many ways to arouse opposition to the this Miss regiment had been swiping our can kettles and other things and

authorities, instigating rebellions and trying to induce the negro slaves to rise an occasional contest occurred over these accusations. On the return from

against the white people. the gun mounting in the forts, these quarrels came up, and a few fisticuffs

occurred on the way back to our camps and with the stimulus given by the

The government found it necessary to arrest many of the leaders in insurrec- whiskey the fighting became general. From fistfighting it increased to the use

tion. When arrested, they were turned over to our brigade. To hold them, it of rocks and sticks, then changed to picks and shovels, and at last the men

was necessary to form what was termed a Bull Pen. It consisted of forming a grabbed their guns. But before any fire arms were used, Col. Baldwin, the

circle of guards, perhaps ten in number, enclosing a space of sufficient area senior Colonel, ordered out a regiment in time to quell the riot.

to hold the prisoners as they were brought in from various parts of the state,

and sufficient number of tents to accommodate these prisoners. This Bull There were very few [who] were seriously hurt, but quite a number of the

Pen had to be securely guarded, night and day, and herding the inmates of participants in the battle had to be sent to the hospital. This ill feeling

this pen was a very disagreeable duty to us new soldiers. But a soldier’s duty between the two regiments was srill (?) kept up, as these Mississippians

is to obey. continued to offer us insults, calling us vile names, but later on when real

war started, we turned the joke on them beautifully.



‘Old Bill’ Brownlow The East Tennessee Ragamuffins

Among the important prisoners were two sons of ‘Old Bill’ Brownlow. Jim

Brownlow was making it his business to circulate a book written by on Soldiers from different states had nicknames, sometimes no very compli-

Hinton Ryan Helper, which was being used to promote a rebellion against the mentary. A lady out to see the General Review on Sunday asked another

State and Confederate Government and was a special appeal to the negroes. lady, what regiment that was, as we were marching past: ‘Oh!’ she said,

Jim Brownlow commanded a regiment of bushwhackers and outlaws. John ‘those are the East Tennessee Ragamuffins!’ we were getting rather ragged,

Bell Brownlow did not cut much figure. Old Parson Bill gave the South ‘Hail as we had never drawn any clothing since leaving home. North Carolinians

Columbia’ in his paper the Knoxville Whig, and otherwise. Some of the sol- were called ‘Tar Heels;’ South Carolinians were ‘Sand Lappers;’ Texans

diers from Mississippi and other states were preparing to mob Old Bill, but were ‘Chubs’; Arkansans were ‘Joshes;’ Georgians were ‘Goober Grabbers;’

the authorities found it out and placed a strong guard around his residence. Alabamians were ‘Yaller Hammers.’ There were names for each state, but I

Old Bill had no use for Confederate soldiers and treated the guard around cannot remember all of them.

his home as if they were some stray dogs. One night [one] of our boys (of the

26th Tenn) was taken seriously ill at Brownlow’s home. But Mrs. Brownlow Our regiment was moved from Bowling Green, I think, in November, to

treated him kindly and cared for him as if he were one of her own sons. We Russellville, a beautiful little town where we were joined by quite a number

were glad on the account of Old Bill when we were ordered to entrain for of Kentucky troops, of which I will tell you something in my next letter.

Kentucky…

The holidays are over now, and I wish to thank the Chapter for the many

kind remembrances for which I am truly grateful.

Back in Bowling Green In the language of Rip Van Winkle, ‘May you live long and prosper.’

We continued building forts at Bowling Green. Built one on the North Most respectfully, J. H. Faubion

side of Barren River, called Baker’s Hill. In Bowling Green on this South

side we built one Fort known as College Hill, where I am told there is a Faudion continued his letters for several months, and transcripts of them

college building. One of these was called Vinegar Hill, and the other was will appear in later editions of the Newport Plain Talk. he died in 1930.

called Underwood’s Hill, where Governor Underwood lived. One day Gov. Faubion’s insights and comments about the terrible days of america’s Civil

Underwood came out about dinner time where I and another small boy War, especially his information regarding happenings in Cocke County, are

soldier were preparing to eat the lunch we had cooked and put up our- rare. at the time of the war, Cocke County had no newspaper.

selves…The Governor asked us to go to his home nearby and eat dinner additionally the fire which destroyed Cocke County’s courthouse in 1876

with him. We hesitated some time before accepting the very polite invitation. took with it priceless documents of the era, especially court records which

We looked our ragged and dirty selves ever and hesitated. But the Governor would have provided vital data to our understanding of the war’s impact on

seemed to realize what we were thinking about and gently insisted on our our local citizens.

going to dinner with him, and we finally accepted. The ladies had prepared although Cocke County’s citizens suffered from invasions by both armies

a good ‘home-cooked’ dinner, which, with their gracious manners, made us as well as from roving bands of bushwhackers, they did escape the total de-

feel like we had been promoted to some high rank in the army. struction which beset other locales, because of the absence of a railroad across

the county.

A few fisticuffs occurred Plans for such a railroad had been drawn on more than one occasion prior

to the war, but disagreements about its exact location and other arguments

delayed its construction until after the war, when the first train here arrived

The construction of forts and other defensive preparations continued until on Christmas day in 1867.









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