Montvale Springs

Seven Gables Inn
By Unknown - (2010) Blount County, Arcadia Publishing ISBN: 978-0-7385-8571-0., Public Domain,Link

"Not far above the junction of the Little Tennessee and Holston rivers, immediately upon the banks of the former stream, occurs a level plat or "cove" as it is there called, of most romantic beauty Here the river suddenly ceases its wild leaping down the mountains, and, like a maiden about to be married, pauses to dream upon the alliance it is speedily to form with a mightier stream. On each side the wide expanse of this still river-lake, broad level meadows stretch away some miles down the stream ,until the hoydenish river wakes from its dream and again dashes down its narrow channel between the mountains." 

Sidney Lanier

Hurd and Houghton, 1867

Montvale Springs

By Steamer and Stage

Notice is hereby given to visitors to Montvale that  the light draught Steamer JO. JAQUE
Will run daily between Concord and Louisvllle, Tenn
connecting with a line of Four Horse COACHES, running dally between Louisville and Montvale.
The Steamer Jo. Jaque. having undergone thorough repair, will afford visitors traveling over this line a pleasant trip of one and a half hours on the Holston River, presenting some of the. most attractive scenery in the world.
The accommodations at Col. TIBBS' HOTEL, at Concord, will be as good as can be found in East Tennessee, and terms as reasonable.
Fare through from Concord to Montvale ....$3.00   SAFFELL. BRO. A CO. Louisville, Tenn., June 1, 1857

P. S. Passengers in Montvale should not fail to procure Tickets for Concord.
(Source: The Athens post. (Athens, Tenn.), 11 Sept. 1857. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress)

Sterling Lanier became the manager of the hotel in 1857. He and his brother bought the property in 1860. The Laniers paid $25,674 for the hotel and spent $15,000 on renovations to the building and its 4,500 acres (1,800 ha), hiring a Swiss gardener and two landscape gardeners. Lanier also brought in a French chef. The Swiss geologist Arnold Henry Guyot, after whom Mount Guyot is named, visited Montvale in 1859 during his survey of the Great Smoky Mountains. Sterling Lanier's grandson was the poet Sidney Lanier. Lanier conceived of his only novel, Tiger Lilies (1868), while staying at the resort in 1860. The first half of the novel is autobiographical, describing his vacation at the hotel.[21] With the outbreak of the American Civil War (1861–65) Lanier closed the hotel, which he sold in 1863, and returned to Alabama. (From Wikipedia)

Armistice Day Centenniel

James Henry White was born on October 9, 1892, in Rheatown, Tennessee, his father, James Randolph, was 40 and his mother, Mary Ann Emily Good, was 33.

He had three brothers and five sisters. 

Draft card signed by James Grandville Keebler, who was married to Minnie Hartsell White. James Henry White's sister.

On the 28th of March, 1918, he was ordered to report to Camp Gordon

Camp Gordon photo:

Committee on Public Information. (04/13/1917 - 08/21/1919), Photographer (NARA record: 1147072) - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

James Henry White

Once the First Army jumped off on the offensive, the 82nd Division engaged in a holding mission to prevent German forces from attacking the right flank of the First Army. On 13 September, the 163rd Infantry Brigade and 327th Infantry Regiment raided and patrolled to the northeast of Port-sur-Seille, toward Eply, in the Bois de Cheminot, Bois de la Voivrotte, Bois de la Tête-d'Or, and Bois Fréhaut. Meanwhile, the 328th Infantry Regiment, in connection with the attack of the 90th Division against the Bois-le-Prêtre, advanced on the west of the Moselle River, and, in contact with the 90th Division, entered Norroy, advancing to the heights just north of that town where it consolidated its position. On 15 September, the 328th Infantry, in order to protect the 90th Division's flank, resumed the advance, and reached Vandières, but withdrew on the following day to the high ground north of Norroy.
On 17 September, the St-Mihiel Operation stabilized, and the 90th Division relieved the 82nd's troops west of the Moselle River. On 20 September, the 82nd was relieved by the French 69th Infantry Division, and moved to the vicinity of Marbache and Belleville, then to stations near Triaucourt and Rarécourt in the area of the First Army. During this operation, the division suffered heavy casualties from enemy artillery. The operation cost the division over 800 men. Among them was Colonel Emory Jenison Pike of the 321st Machine Gun Battalion, the first member of the 82nd to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The division was then moved into reserve until 3 October, when it assembled near Varennes-en-Argonne prior to returning to the line. During this time, the division trained and prepared for the war's final major offensive at Meuse-Argonne.

Meuse-Argonne

328th Infantry Regiment of 82nd Division advances in preparation to capture Hill 223 on 7 October 1918.
The division was next moved to the Clermont area, located west of Verdun on 24 September. They were stationed there to act as a reserve for the US First Army. George B. Duncan, former commander of the 77th Division, relieved Burnham on 3 October, and Burnham subsequently served as military attaché in Athens, Greece. On the night of 6/7 October 1918, the 164th Infantry Brigade relieved troops of the 28th Division, which were holding the front line from south of Fléville to La Forge, along the eastern bank of the Aire River. The 163rd Infantry Brigade remained in reserve. On 7 October, the division, minus the 163rd Infantry Brigade, attacked the northeastern edge of the Argonne Forest, making some progress toward Cornay, and occupied Hill 180 and Hill 223. The next day it resumed the attack. Elements of the division's right flank entered Cornay, but later withdrew to the east and south. The division's left flank reached the southeastern slope of the high ground northwest of Châtel-Chéhéry. On 9 October, the division continued its attack, and advanced its left flank to a line from south of Pylône to the Rau de la Louvière. (From Wikipedia)

He was hit by shrapnel on Hill #180, and died later the same day.

He died on October 10, 1918, near Chateau Thierry, France, at the age of 26, and was buried in Rheatown Cemetery, Greene County, Tennessee. He was about 4,000 miles from home.

Inscription on monument: Member of Company G 327th US inf 82 Division

Was wounded and died on same day was buried at Chateau-Thierry, France

He was always ready to do his best

Remnants of Wreath from committal Service of James Henry White in Rheatown Cemetery on September 4, 1921.

More: Link Link2
American Armies and Battlefields

Columbia:The County Seat of Maury County

Of all the many lovely interior cities that dot the State of Tennessee like the islands of an archipelago, it can be said without disparagement to any other, Columbia the county seat of Maury county is the loveliest. It is charmingly situated on the south bank of Duck river very near the center of the county on the Decatur Division of the main line of the Louisville Nashville and Great Southern Railroad, forty seven miles from Nashville, two hundred and thirty-two from Louisville, three hundred and forty-two from Cincinnati, one hundred and fifty-nine from Birmingham, Alabama and two hundred and fifty-four from Montgomery.

It rests upon a series of undulating limestone hills nestles at the base of Mt Parnassus whose summit towers over two hundred feet above the city, and from whose height can be viewed an absolutely exquisite panoramic display of thousands of acres of fertile field and sylvan glen of lawn and running brook of town and country.

The capital of Maury county, the third in wealth and population among the counties of Tennessee being exceeded only by Davidson and Shelby, whose wealth lies principally in the cities of Nashville and Memphis, is one of the richest cities in Tennessee. Today Columbia has a population of 5,600 including suburbs. Laid out in a most generous Southern manner with broad and regular streets crossing each other at right angles and many of them luxuriantly shaded with maples and oaks, it has fifteen miles of macadamized streets in good repair, and some of the finest public and private structures in the State, evidencing a high idea of art in their owners and projectors.

The city has one of the finest systems of water works in the South, erected in 1883 at a cost of $50,000 The reservoir is located on the summit of Mt Parnassus 300 feet above Duck river capacity 2,000,000. The pumping engine is 85 horse power with a condensing steam pump and has a daily capacity of 1,153,000 gallons. There are about six miles of water main in the city affording every advantage for domestic manufacturing or public use. The fire department is also in first class condition and affords ample protection from ordinary disaster. Water rents are as cheap here as elsewhere and the water better than in most cities pumped as it is from Duck river which has its source among the freestone knobs of the Highland river. The system of sewerage is also good and the natural drainage is to be admired. The streets of the city as well as the public buildings and many private residences are lighted by a superior quality of fixed oil gas, possessing great brilliancy and the attributes of cheapness as well. There are five miles of gas mains, and the reservoir has 40,000 cubic feet capacity. The city has also a telephone exchange with eighty subscribers, being more than many other cities of larger proportion, giving Columbia telephonic connection with all the principal cities and towns within a radius of sixty miles. The telegraph affords communication with all distant points.

REVISED HAND BOOK OF TENNESSEE pp. 163- 167

Swift Memorial College

Eight thousand dollars were expended in adding a wing to each end of the Main Buildin at Swift Memorial College Rogersville Tenn One wing was left unfinished for lack of funds The whole improvement when done will cost about $10,000 (Source: Minutes - United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. 1913, p. 248) Link

"In 1883, Union Presbyterian Church sent the Reverend William Henderson Franklin to Rogersville to organize a school for Negro girls. The school was named for the Reverend Elijah E Swift, president of the Board of Missions for Freedmaen of the Presbyterian Church. By 1893, Swift Memorial College had a three story administration building and a girls dormitory, located where the Presbyterian Church now stands." (Touring the East Tennessee Backroads, Second Edition,Carolyn Sakowski, John F. Blair, Publisher, 2007, p. 142)

Boys Dormitory

 

 After so long a time we are at last able to to the readers of the HERALD and the Memorial Institute with the understanding that our Board would erect an additional building for the accommodation of young men at a cost of at least $10,000. It took two years to raise this desired amount, and another year was consumed in obtaining plans, and erecting and furnishing the building. It is now finished and occupied much to the delight of the President Faculty and students. In the year 1903- 4, $7,202 were raised, in the year 1904-5 $2,174 more were raised bringing the amount up to $9,373. When we reached this point we began our plans for building, many friends of our work a picture of the boys new dormitory at Swift Memorial Institute in Rogersville, Tenn. 

It will be recalled by those who keep themselves informed of current events, in connection with our work that after the Tennessee Legislature made it unlawful to educate colored and white pupils in the same school, the trustees of Maryville College, Maryville ,Tenn, that had formerly admitted both colored and white to its classes agreed to turn over $25,000 of its Endowment Fund to the Trustees of the General Assembly for the benefit of colored education at Swift and although delayed somewhat by the first contractor, who failed to give sufficient bond, we started again and finished the building far enough to have it occupied by students last fall, although some finishing touches were not put on until as late as last spring. The total cost of the building and furnishing was $12,676. The Institution is in a prosperous condition under the faithful and able administration of Rev WH Franklin DD. The arrangement seems quite satisfactory to the Tennessee people white and black and both colleges seen much benefited by this adjustment of affairs. (Source: The Presbyterian Magazine, 1901, p. 635) Available on Google Books, Link 

William Henderson Franklin: college president was born in Knoxville Tenn Apr 14, 1852, son of Henderson and Elizabeth Bates Franklin. AB Maryville College, 1880, AM 1883 STB Lane Theological Seminary Cincinnati, Ohio, 1883; DD Maryville College 1898, married Mrs Laura C Emmons of Concord, N C Dec 24, 1893. Conducted State Teachers Institute Knoxville 1881-2, founded Swift Memorial College Rogersville Tenn 1883, and since pres gave $1,000 1912 toward purchasing lot for college building. 

Presbyterian Pastor St Mark's Church Rogersville 1883-1914, erected new church on ground secured from the Freedmen's Board of the Presbyterian Church, principal organizer Rogersville Presbytery and Synod of E Tenn, gave name and was first moderator of both, again elected moderator of latter by acclamation 1913 commissioner to General Assembly of Presbyterian Church USA for Holston Presbytery (white) 1888-1902; Trustee Maryville College. Republican. Member East Tennessee Colored Teachers Assn, pres 1914. Active in all race matters. Contributor to New York Age, Herald and Presbyter (Cincinnati), the Continent Chicago and other papers. 

Laura C Franklin matron and principal born at Concord, N C on Oct, 1858, daughter of Dalia Holmes, ed Scotia Seminary, Concord; married William Holmes, deceased, 2d marriage Rev William H Franklin pres Swift Memorial College of Rogersville, Tenn Dec 24, 1893. Reared under influence of Scotia Seminary and helped in the care of its students, teacher in schools of Concord 1870-92, became matron 1892, matron and principal since 1893 with Swift Memorial College devoted to child welfare work labored unselfishly and sacrificed much for good of colored race.

In 1932 the Presbyterian Board of National Missions sold the Swift College property to the county.

 

House at 3738 Speedway Circle

This house is currently for sale by the City of Knoxville, Tennessee is currently accepting applications to purchase and develop properties through the Homemakers Program. The minimum bid $6.000.  It is also being promoted by some people as being an important part of our Black History and by others as the home of Joseph Knaffl, a well known local photographer.

Let's look at the these claims:
The only connection I can find between this house and Cal Johnson is that it is located on Speedway Circle. I have not found a home address for Cal Johnson, except for the State St address listed on his death certificate. Cal John died in 1925. His second wife died in 1927, and her address is also listed on State St.

 

In 1920, Joseph Knaffl was at the original location (918 S Gay).  The information on the offer for sale says:

"It originally stood at 918 Gay Street, but was moved sometime between 1926-1928 when construction began on what was then a luxury hotel originally known as the Tennessee Terrace with the name later changing to honor president Andrew Johnson – present day’s A.J. Building."

According to a KNS article (1926), the Knaffl house was torn down and J R Stephens built a replica, using materials salvaged from the old house. The house was built in Burlington, and the stone facade is made from stones from the Knaffl house, the staircase and paneling were also used. 
James Rogers Stephens was a contractor.  The address on his death certificate is 3738 Speedway Circle.

Winan High Mission School

Winan High and Garnet League
We are glad to learn of the progress of the Freedman Bchool of East Tennessee, now under the control and support of an organization in the city of Harrisburg, State of Pennsylvania, known as the "Garnet League." This league is composed solely of colored people of that city, who have associated themselves in this grand enterprise for promoting tte educational and religious improvement of the freedmen, the stimulation of a higher standard of literature and civilization, by sending among them as numerously a possible their own "kith and kin" as teacher and ministers, to instruct them in all their moral and religiou dutio. The League haves commenced their work in the city of Knoxville, where already may be seen tbe good results of their labors. Under it supervision, the large school now flourishing was opened early in the month of December, and a highly educated colored woman was sent to take charge of the school. She was here but a short time till the school increased so rapidly that
it became necessary to employ another teacher. This being communicated to the League, it immediately employed and sent here as Principal and Superintendent, Professor O. L. C. Hughes, a finely educated colored man. Under the control of the Professor, who seems to have adopted the proper plan to meet the wants of his people, this school is making fine progress, and if sustained pecuniarily and otherwise, may, in a little time, occupy a position in the van of literary progress secend to no Freedman school in the State, and from among it pupils may walk forth those who will be beacon lights to their benighted kindred.
The colored people of Knoxville seem wide-awake to their own interests; and, believing their destiny to rest in their own bands, and fully realizing the truth of the old adage, "The Gods help those who
first help themselves," have gone to work te help themselves in every honorable direction deeply and earnestly engaged in the work of their own mental, moral and religious culture, and are determined by the assistance of this philanthropic organizatien to make a brilliant history for themselves in the rise and progress of the colored race. With this spirit of thrift and enterprise among them, we need have no fear for the future of our colored population. Then let them be countenanced, encouraged and sustained in their efforts to increase in usefulness, and soon we may be a better and a happier people.
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. (Knoxville, Tenn.), 13 Feb. 1867. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045629/1867-02-13/ed-1/seq-2/>






Colored Schools.
Knoxville, Aug. 30lh, 1867.
Editor cf the Knoxville Whig:
In a former communication, I noticed the colored schools of this place and surrounding country, carried on under the supervision and control of the United Presbyterian Church. I propose, in this present communication, to notice those under the control of the Garnet League. The Garnet League is an association of colored people, with headquarters in the city of Harrisburg, Pa., for the purpose of assisting the recently emancipated slaves in education. This League has auxiliary Leagues in diverse portions of the country. The one at this place ia known as the Winan's High School League, and in connection with this League is a school numbering from one hundred and fifty to two hundred scholars. This school was conducted by Profeesbr O. L. C. Hughes and Mrs. Jones, who, for their qualifications and success as teachers, I have never seen surpassed. The conduct of the scholars was good and commondable, tbey being strictly attentive to their studies, and make groat proficiency in
learning to read and write, and in mental arithmetic; also, one class in Geography was quite advanced. Two boys, William Franklin and Jerry Jarnagon, will, if encouraged, make speakers of which any community might be proud. There is also an auxilliary League at Dandridge and Mossy Creek, in Jefferson county, with a school at each place, which have done a noble work in the cause of education.
I wish not to take up too much space in your valuable paper at one time, yet will write from time
to titne such communications in regard to the colored schools of the country as shall come under my
notice.
Respectfully,
F. Schade
(Source:Brownlow's Knoxville Whig., September 11, 1867, Image 1 Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Link



Winan High School
AN ACT Incorporating the Winan High School at Knoxville Teunessee and for other purposes WHEREAS Sundry citizens of Tennessee have purchased suitable grounds in Knoxville, Tenn and erected thereon a building for the purpose of religious worship and of conducting therein a first class High School for males and females which High School is to be under the government and control of the Winan High School League at Knoxville an auxiliary league to the Garnett League of Harrisburg, Penn subject to such rules and restrictions as are herein set forth and whereas the security of society the supremacy of the laws and the preservation of our civil and religious liberties the perpetuation of our institutions and of the Union are materially dependant upon the intelligence and virtue of the people and whereas it is greatly to the interest of the State to encourage the erection of schools and colleges for the dissemination of knowledge and education Therefore:
SECTION 1 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That a corporation is hereby constituted and established under the name and style of the Winan High School and in that name capable of suing, and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, and of buying holding improving disposing of govern and protecting suitable grounds and buildings for higher educational purposes in or near the town of Knoxville, Knox County, State of Tennessee and also capable of collecting gifts, grants, or bequests made to the purposes of education in said institution .
SEO 28 Be it further enacted: That this Act shall take effect from and after its passage
FS RICHARDS Speaker of the House of Representatives
DWC SENTER Speaker of the Senate
Passed March 5, 1868
Read the entire act here: Link

Repeal

AN ACT to repeal Section 27 of an Act incorporating the Winan High School at Knoxville Tennessee and for other purposes:
Section 1 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee That Section 27 of an Act passed the 5th of March 1868 entitled An Act to incorporate the Winan High School at Knoxville, Tennessee and for other purposes be and the same is hereby repealed.

Passed March 20 1877

EDWIN T TALIAFERRO Speaker of the House of Representatives

HUGH M McADOO Speaker of the Senate

Approved March 22 1877

JAS D PORTER Governor

Source: (Acts of the State of Tennessee Passed at the General Assembly, Tennessee, F.M. Paul, printer to the State, 1877, p 55) Link)

The National Anthem, the War of 1812 and Black History Month

By Original uploader was Dr.frog at en.wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia, Public Domain,Link

The lyrics for "The Star Spangled Banner" were written by Francis Scott Keyin a poem called "In Defense of Fort M'Henry" on September 14, 1814. The poem was set to the tune of a British song written by John Stafford Smith. It was officially made the national anthem in 1931.

Black men fought for both sides. The Britsh promised freedom to those who chose to fight with them. "All told, more than 4000 people were freed from slavery – the largest emancipation that took place in the U.S. until the Civil War." Source: Black sailors and Soldiers in the War of 1812, PBS, Link

Also see "The Life of Charles Ball, A Black Man" Available on Google Books Link

War of 1812

There were some Americans among them but they were mostly French creoles and one band had in its formation something that was curiously pathetic. It was composed of free men of color, who had gathered to defend the land which kept the men of their race in slavery; who were to shed their blood for the Flag that symbolized to their kind not freedom but bondage; who were to die bravely as freemen only that their brethren might live on ignobly as slaves. Surely there was never a stranger instance than this of the irony of fate. (Source:The Naval War of 1812: The History of the United States Navy During the Last War with Great Britain, to which is Appended an Account of the Battle of New Orleans, Volume 2, Theodore Roosevelt, G. P. Putnam's sons, 1882, pp 206-207)

Article I

There shall be a firm and universal peace between His Britannic Majesty and the United States and between their respective countries, territories, cities, towns, and people of every degree without exception of places or persons. All hostilities both by sea and land shall cease as soon as this treaty shall have been ratified by both parties as hereinafter mentioned. All territory places and possessions whatsoever taken by either party from the other during the war or which may be taken after the signing of this treaty, excepting only the islands hereinafter mentioned, shall be restored without delay and without causing any destruction or carrying away any of the artillery or other public property originally captured in said forts or places and which shall remain therein upon the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty or any slaves or other private property. And all archives records deeds and papers either of a public nature or belonging to private persons which in the course of the war may have fallen into the hands of the officers of either party shall be as far as may be practicable forthwith restored and delivered to the proper authorities and persons to whom they respectively belong. Such of the islands in the Bay of Passamaquoddy as are claimed by both parties shall remain in the possession of the party in whose occupation they may be at the time of the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty until the decision respecting the title to the said islands shall have been made in conformity with the fourth article of this treaty. No disposition made by this treaty as to such possession of the islands and territories claimed by both parties shall in any manner whatever be construed to affect the right of either. (Source:The Pictorial Field-book of the War of 1812: Or, Illustrations, by Pen and ..., Benson John Lossing, p 1071

Article X

Whereas the traffic in slaves is irreconcilable with the principles of humanity and justice and whereas both His Majesty and the United States are desirous of continuing their efforts to promote its entire abolition it is hereby agreed that both the contracting parties shall use their best endeavors to accomplish so desirable an object (Source: Old South Leaflets, Issue 212, Directors of the Old South Work, 1818, p.8)

"The Senate finally voted to ratify the treaty and it was published to the world. Then the opposition opened upon it their heaviest batteries of abuse. The chief targets for their shot were its provisions for the payment of honest debts contracted before the Revolution and the omission to provide for the remuneration of slaveholders for their negroes carried away during that war. As the Constitution of the United States and the public sentiment and judicial decisions of Great Britain did not recognize man as property, the claim relating to slaves in the old treaty was passed over." (Source:The Pictorial Field-book of the War of 1812, Benson John Lossing,p. 87)

Article V the contracting parties agreed to refer to arbitration the question whether under Article I of the Treaty of Ghent American slaveholders were entitled to compensation for slaves carried off by the British forces. The Emperor of Russia was chosen arbitrator but the commission appointed under his award in 1822 could not agree. This unsavory question was finally laid at rest by a special convention of November 13, 1826, by which the British government paid the United States $1,204,960 in complete satisfaction of its claim. ((Source: Old South Leaflets, Issue 212, Directors of the Old South Work, 1818, p. 18)