Mea Culpa!

In the July issue we inadvertently ran the first two paragraphs of Little White Churches twice. It was a lovely article and I am sorry.

The Editor

WINNING ESSAY

Nola Melton Elam History Award

War hero, governor, the raven— Sam Houston certainly left an illustrious, diverse legacy. While he began life in Virginia, Houston staked claims in at least two other states, one of them being Tennessee. Unsatisfied with farm life or because of teenage rebellion, he left home to become a Cherokee Indian. Following his time in the tribe, the War of 1812 began between the U.S. and Britain, with the British seeking to reclaim dominance over their former colonies. Propelled by a strong sense of nationalism, Houston would become a key to the success of a continued America. Houston not only played a significant role in Tennessee's local history, but was also one of the most prominent figures in the formation of today's United States of America.

Houston lived an intriguing lifestyle, especially for a politician at the time. He began life in the county of Rockbridge, Virginia on March 2nd 1793 (Thomas H. Kreneck). As the son of Samuel Houston, a prominent participant in the Revolutionary War, Sam Houston was destined for a military career from birth (PBS). Unfortunately, Houston's father could not pass on his skillset due to his death, when Sam was only thirteen (Thomas H. Kreneck). Soon after, the family's sorrows would lead to their uprooting and moving to Blount County, Tennessee specifically in Maryville near the Baker's Creek area (Thomas H. Kreneck). For reasons unsure, possibly his negative opinion of farm life; defiant characteristics of teens; or adventurous thirst from his love for literature, Houston packed his bags and left home for the Native American lifestyle (Thomas H. Kreneck). Kreneck states in Houston, Samuel, "Rebelling at his older brothers' attempts to make him work on the farm and in the family's store in Maryville, Houston ran away from home as an adolescent in 1809 to dwell among the Cherokees, who lived across the Tennessee River."

Although Houston assimilated well into the Cherokee Indian culture and earned the nickname of Colonneh a.k.a. "the Raven," war broke out against Britain in 1812; motivated by his father's history and nationalistic pride Houston joined the fight, earning the rank of private on

NEXT MEETING: Saturday, October 22, 2:00PM at the

Greenback Community Center

Inside This Issue Page 2 Publications, Museum Quilt Show, Ice

Cream Contest, Chili Supper Fundraiser, October Meeting Program

Page 3 GHS Class of 1961 Page 4 In Memoriam, Winning Essay Cont. Page 5 July Meeting Summary, Carolyn’s

Corner Page 6 Upcoming Events

Greenback Historical Society, Inc. 6725 Morganton Road

P.O. Box 165 Greenback, Tennessee 37742

CHRONICLER Preserving Our Past

Issue 37, October 1, 2016 www.gbhistorical.webs.com

March 24th 1813 (Thomas H. Kreneck). Houston quickly advanced as a fierce dedicated warrior. For example, his legacy was forged at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. According to Sam Houston, "Young Sam later came back to white society and then, in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814, became a hero when he fought on despite an arrow wound in his thigh." Knowingly or not, this battle would initiate his political career because his loyalty and toughness for the cause impressed, future president, Andrew Jackson (PBS).

Following the battle, Houston represented "white culture" to the Cherokee Indians and pursued a career in law, as stated in Sam Houston, "After the war, Jackson was instrumental in securing Houston a position as an Indian agent to the Cherokee. Houston also began to study law and was soon elected the district attorney in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1823, he was elected to Congress, and reelected in 1825." However, Houston's close alliance with Andrew Jackson would put him in a troubling situation when he was challenged to a duel by Colonel John Smith T. sent by Jackson's rival John P. Erwin (U.S. House of Representatives). Luckily, Houston ended up dueling General White after declining the first challenge from Colonel Smith (U.S. House of Representatives). After training with Jackson, Sam dueled White as depicted in A Duel Involving Representative Sam Houston of Tennessee:

"On the appointed morning, Houston and White squared off at 15 paces. Houston emerged unscathed. White, struck in the groin, called out to Houston, "you have killed me." White survived, but in June 1827 a

Continued on Page 4

PUBLICATIONS

The long-awaited final draft of Volume III of the Greenback Heritage Scrapbook has been completed and is currently being proofread. A copy is now in the Greenback Heritage Museum and we invite the community to come look through it and help us with checking for factual errors as well as the usual typos. At 394 pages, it is by far the largest of the three volumes completed to date. Once the proofreading is complete, the corrections will be made to the draft and a proof copy will be run by the printer for one last final check. We hope to complete final printing by the end of the year.

Material is still being accepted for Volume IV which will cover the period 1960 up to nominally the end of 2000. If you have family or community photos, documents or newspaper clippings, please leave them with Betty Carroll.

In other news, Oscar Lidstrom has submitted the necessary paperwork to the Tennessee Historical Commission to have the Historical Markers for the old Norwood Inn and the Militia Springs historical site reinstalled along Highway 411. These markers went missing many years ago even though they still exist on the state’s list.

Paul Bailey

MUSEUM QUILT SHOW

The Greenback Heritage Museum hosted its 6th Annual Quilt Show on September 8, 9, and 10th. In the three day event there were over 223 visitors signed in and several were from areas outside of Greenback. There were 90 quilts entered with a variety of contemporary and historic.

Each entry was numbered and the votes were cast by dropping money into a piggy bank with that quilt’s number on the nose. The first place winner was Carolyn Martin from Maryville - candle wicking quilt. She won a quilt book and enough material to complete a quilt from the book. This was prize was donated by Mountain Creek Quilt Store. Second place winner was Sue Fugate from Maryville - block quilt made from children’s clothes. This prize was a wreath made by crafter Lou Ann Malone from Lenoir City and donated by one of the museum volunteers. Third place winner was Cindy McCollum Benefield from Greenback - Cathedral Window quilt. This prize was a gift card to a local restaurant.

This year’s show was a great success and donations were over $614.00 which will benefit the museum. The museum committee wishes to thank everyone for their participation and hopes to see them again next year.

Barbara Davis

ICE CREAM CONTEST

This year’s Ice Cream Contest took place on July 23. A good crowd braved the summer heat and sampled the various confections offered by the competitors. Brenda

CHRONICLER, Issue 37 Page 2

Blair won First Prize again with her Hawaiian Delight. Carrie McKelvey took second place and Chip Miller and Tracie Littleton tied for third. The gospel group God’s Humble Servants was on hand again this year to provide an instrumental background.

Paul Bailey

God’s Humble Servants band members include; Roger Moore, Vina Tuttle, Chip Humphreys and Tracy Humphrey’s (not shown). Photo by Paul Bailey.

CHILI SUPPER FUNDRAISER

The Greenback Historical Society will be sponsoring a fund raising Chili Supper on 21 OCT 2016 prior to the Greenback/ Harriman football game at the Greenback Community Center from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. The price will be $5.00 for chili, bread, and drink. Dessert will be available for purchase. If you would like to contribute a dessert, please contact Brenda Blair (865-856-2394) or text 678-575-3238. The committee members include Lavonne Spires, Colleen Ragain, Linda Cabe, Cindy Benefield, Shirley Hall and Brenda Blair. Any donation would be appreciated. Proceeds from the fund-raiser will be used to help purchase the marker for the Depot. Once the wording for the marker has been accepted, we have only ten days to send the needed funds so we need to be prepared!

Brenda Blair

OCTOBER MEETING PROGRAM

The next quarterly meeting of the Greenback Historical Society will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 22, in the Greenback Community Center. The program will be by Dr. Nancy McEntee speaking about her book “Molsey Blount: Colonial First Lady of TN”. Please plan to attend.

Paul Bailey

GHS CLASS OF 1961

The class of ’61 was a surprise from the beginning. We were much larger in number than expected so that two classrooms were needed. Since the school did not have an extra room available, one class met in a Sunday School classroom at Greenback First Presbyterian-- the first and last to do so as far as I know. I was in that class taught by Mrs. Elizabeth Beals. The other class, meeting at the school, was taught by Ms. June Akers. My class spent most of the day riding the bus back and forth to the school. I caught the bus at 7:15 am and played “School’ or ‘Mother, May I” until school started—at which time we rode the bus to the church. We had morning classes and then rode the bus back to school for lunch. Then we rode the bus back to church and had afternoon class. After that it was back to school to locate the bus that would take us home. I wonder how many of us got lost in the shuffle. We had recess on the church grounds, running around the outhouse and playing in the sawdust pile located where the manse is now.

After first grade, our classes met at the school. We enjoyed our grade-school days. Our first cafeteria, directed by Mrs. McTeer, was in the basement and later in the area which became the library. We had recess at the back of the school: making play houses in the bushes along the fence line, jumping rope, playing hopscotch and shooting marbles. We were always falling in the cinder pile and skinning our legs. We were taught by several dedicated female teachers and one male, Mr. Phelps, for fifth grade.

CHRONICLER, Issue 37 Page 3

Our high schools days were livened up by tranfers from Glendale Elementary School. There was much new girlfriend and boyfriend material there to keep school exciting. We had the pleasure of being part of the first Greenback football team. Coaches were Joe Quirk and Al Cropp. Ronald Rogers and Gene Ryan were on the team and Thelma Keener and I were among the cheerleaders. We were used to cheering for basketball and had a lot to learn about football.

Our senior play was “Lock, Stock and Lipstick.” The class history was written by Ronald Rogers, class will by Jean Best and class prophesy by Gene Ryan. We had our senior prom in the school gym (the one that burned). I don’t remember many people dancing but we enjoyed dressing up. Mr. Eugene Akins was the principal.

There were 44 in our 1961 graduating class. Nine members are deceased. We have had several reunions. The last was at the Greenback Community Center on August 20. We had 19 class members present and 11 guests. We plan to gather again in 2021 for our 60th year reunion. Local members meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month at Shoney’s near Foothill’s Mall. We are long-time friends bound by a history of precious memories and sharing stories of our active lives.

Gail Woods Disney Skidmore

Greenback High School Class of 1961: 55th year Reunion. Front: left to right- Charlotte Spires Wolfe, Ronald Clark, Josephine Ford Sloan, Thelma Keener Murphy, Thelma Cooper (teacher), Jane Best Pesterfield, Gail Woods Disney Skidmore. Back: left to right-Charlotte Kirkland Hunt, Betty Pittman Reagan, Darlene Cochran Kerley, Elizabeth Potter, Almedia Mehaffey Goodman, Brenda Best Medlin, Ronald Rogers, Mary Ruth Brooks Guider, Jo Kirkland Mason, Johnnie Faye Housley Patterson, Betty Harvey Chapman, Jack Chapman, Randall Dixon.

CHRONICLER, Issue 37 Page 4

among the settlers. In 1835, he was chosen commander in chief of the Texas army." After learning Santa Anna had taken the Alamo, Houston opted to fall back and regroup, which would lead to his astonishing defeat of the Mexican army at San Jacinto, which secured Texans independence from Mexico (Sam Houston and the Battle for Texas Independence). Houston time and time again proved to be successful on the battlefield, making him a critical element in American expansion.

Finally, Samuel Houston once again represented his peers off and on again as governor/president of Texas. He had no trouble with reelection after his successor took their turn as stated in Houston, Samuel, "After leaving office because the Constitution of the Republic of Texas barred a president from succeeding himself, Houston served in the Texas House of Representatives as a congressman from San Augustine from 1839 to 1841." Before taking office again Houston married for the third and final time to Margaret Moffette Lea, a strong Baptist from Alabama (Thomas H. Kreneck). The article includes, "They had eight children; Sam Houston, Jr., (1843), Nancy Elizabeth (1846), Margaret (1848), Mary William (1850), Antoinette Power (1852), Andrew Jackson Houston (1854), William Rogers (1858), and Temple Lea Houston (I860)."

Following his break, Houston was once again reelected as president of Texas, where his policies created two factions in Texas government— those who agreed and those who disagreed (Thomas H. Kreneck). Houston, Samuel additionally explains, "When Texas joined the union, Houston became one of its two United States senators, along with Thomas Jefferson Rusk. Houston served in the Senate from February 21, 1846, until March 4, 1859." At the end of his senate term Houston ran for governor of Texas, but was defeated. However, Sam Houston can't be defeated that easily, so he ran again and was the first and only person to be elected governor of two different states (Thomas H. Kreneck). Unfortunately, his policies of anti-succession and flip-flopping on his opposition to the expansion of slavery prevented a possible presidential run in the heavily divided country (Thomas H. Kreneck). With the end of his political career due to illness, Samuel Houston passed away in 1863 on his farm in Huntsville, Texas. Samuel Houston certainly left his legacy on, not just two states, but the entire modern day United States (PBS). Without legends of history such as Houston, the greatest country in the world could merely be another third world nation struggling to be.

Nathan Long, Greenback High School, 20 April 2016

Continued Next Page

WINNING ESSAY (Continued From Page 1)

Kentucky grand jury delivered a felony indictment against Houston, who had left the House to campaign for Governor of Tennessee."

By following Jackson, Sam Houston found his path to becoming a notorious Tennessee political figure.

Houston, with the backing of very popular Andrew Jackson, was elected Governor of the state of Tennessee in 1827 (Secretary of State Tre Hargett). Soon thereafter, his first wife Eliza left him, so he retreated back to Cherokee lands leaving his office unmanned (Secretary of State Tre Hargett). In the wake of his political rise, Houston simply abandoned his most powerful office yet, due to a broken heart, concluding his service in the state of Tennessee. Houston fled to Oolooteka and immersed himself in Cherokee culture once again, with little contact to the outside world (Thomas H. Kreneck). During his reinvention, Houston remarried detailed in Houston, Samuel, "Under Cherokee law, he married Diana (also known as Tiana) Rogers Gentry, an Indian woman of mixed blood." Nonetheless, Houston progressively reentered the "white world" and regained political activism when, "On the evening of April 13, 1832, on the streets of Washington, Houston thrashed William Stanbery, United States representative from Ohio, with a hickory cane. The assault resulted from a perceived insult by Stanbery over an Indian rations contract" (Thomas H. Kreneck). This reckless behavior would end the career of today's politicians, but in 1832 it catapulted Sam Houston back into the game.

After leaving Cherokee Indian territory, Houston entered the final phase of his military and political accomplishments. Once again Houston withdrew from Indian lands, but this time also left his second wife Diana to move to Mexican Texas (Thomas H. Kreneck). Shortly following his move tensions arose between settlers and Mexican officials (Sam Houston and the Battle for Texas Independence). The article Sam Houston and the Battle for Texas Independence adds, "Voicing his support for a separate state of Texas, Houston emerged as a leader

IN MEMORIAM

Stephens, Larry Dean, 61, July 3, 2016.

Keaton, Thelma, 91, July, 20, 2016.

Cansler, Frank, 89, July 22, 2016.

Peck, Sarah Margaret Walker, 27, Aug 9, 2016.

Heaton, Carolyn Bryant, 72, Sept 1, 2016.

Walker, Reba Carolyn Keener, 85, Sept 13, 2016.

WINNING ESSAY (Continued From Previous Page)

Works Cited

Hargett, Tre, Tennessee Blue Book, Nashville: Secretary of State, 2013.

Print, History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, "A Due! Involving Representative Sam Houston of Tennessee," (April 25, 2016).

Kreneck, Thomas H. "HOUSTON, SAMUEL." Texas State Historical Society, 15 June 2010. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

"Sam Houston." PBS. PBS Interactive, 2001. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

Sam Houston and the Battle for Texas Independence. Library of Congress. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

"SAM HOUSTON." Tennessee History for Kids. Blue Cross-Blue Shield. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

JULY MEETING SUMMARY

The July meeting of the Greenback Historical Society was held on Saturday, July 23, 2016, at 12:00 noon prior to the Ice Cream Contest.

Several short reports on ongoing activities were presented. The status of the proposed Depot Historical Marker was discussed. Regarding the Greenback Walking Tour, Bobby Anderson asked if the Greenback Museum had a map of the route. The map presented by Teresa Goddard at an earlier meeting is being updated and improved. Brenda Blair reported that she had several CD’s made of images of the original Ration Book Application Cards filled out by each family around Greenback and they were available if anyone would like one. One was placed in the Greenback Historical Museum. The fate of the original cards was discussed. A motion by Carolyn Peck to buy 525 cards at $1.00 each with Preservation Account funds was approved.

Paul provided a status report on the scrapbook. Carolyn Peck announced that Nathan Long and Charles Tefteller were the winners of the essay contest that she sponsored at the Greenback School. Brenda Blair announced that the board members voted to have a chili supper fund raiser before the Greenback vs. Harriman football game on October 21.

Under new business, Shirley proposed that we consider having signs made that say HISTORIC GREENBACK to put at Highways 411 and 321 intersections with 95. The idea is being explored. The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 PM.

From minutes provided by Linda Cabe

NOLA MELTON ELAM HISTORICAL AWARD

The Nola Melton Elam Historical Award will be given in 2017 to a Greenback High School Student. First Prize: $1,000. The subject of the essay will be James Madison. Details will appear in the January issue of this newsletter.

Carolyn Melton Peck

CHRONICLER, Issue 37 Page 5

CAROLYN’S CORNER

September 17 was Constitution Day! While we typically celebrate Independence Day, July 4, we often forget to celebrate the Day our Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. Prior to 2004 when Constitution Day was made a federal holiday, the day was known as Citizenship Day. Tennessee was not, of course, a state at the time the Constitution was signed but much of Tennessee, particularly East Tennessee, was a part of North Carolina. An independent sort, our area would not ratify the Constitution until James Madison had promised to add the Ten Amendments, known as our Bill of Rights.

Greenback Historical Society has a supply of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitutions. These are sold for $5.00 each at the Museum as a fund raiser for the Society. During an election year, some candidates also provide these free to some of their supporters. However you acquire these, there should be a copy of these documents available to every U.S. Citizen.

In reflecting over the events of the last three months, I find that I am amazed at the variety of interesting events that occur in our area. Every week there is a festival of some kind from the Highland Games at Maryville College to the Fall Festival in Blount. We celebrate Tennessee Emancipation Day in East Tennessee August 8, and attend the National Campground Meeting in Greenback in September as we honor our heritage and continue to seek unity.

From the Smoky Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg and the reopening of Clingman’s Dome, we listen to the music of the old timers and we enjoy the beauty of the Smokies. At the TVA A & and I Fair in Knoxville, or the Pirates of Penzance at the Historic Tennessee Theater to the East Tennessee Historical Fair, and Boomsday on the River attended by the UT Navy, the variety is there for each of us. The Clayton Center for the Arts at Maryville College has brought many plays, concerts, and programs that we were unable to enjoy before. The Knoxville Symphony plays both Rocky Top and Beethoven.

Shakespeare and Ballet are performed in the streets of downtown Knoxville contrasting to the excitement of getting ready for the football season at both UT and Greenback. As I am writing this we proudly honor our football players as both Tennessee and Greenback are undefeated. Luke Bryan is performing at his Farm Concert in Greenback tonight and tomorrow the Hyde Farm is offering vegetables and meat produced on the

(Continued on page 6)

CAROLYN’S CORNER (Cont. from page 5)

farm without pesticides and hormones. They offer a corn maze for everyone and a chance for children to pet the animals. In Loudon County, we have a winery and a Cheese Farm, both offering tours. Our mushroom farm not only supplies mushrooms but also supplies mulch for our yards and gardens.

Our lakes are filled with sailboats, jet skis, and bass fishermen. Our children play on the banks and our young people participate in rowing competitions on Melton Hill Lake. In Knoxville, tourists can stay in luxury hotels and walk on walking or bike trails or go down to the river to kayak Walking Trails near the Tellico Lake are kept clean by volunteers for our pleasure, and the Cherokees have located a dock for the many boats in the area.

Between the mountains and the lakes, how can we ask for more beauty? Between the kindness and hospitality of the people, how can we ask for more humility?

Carolyn

UPCOMING EVENTS

Oct 12, Noon People of the Upper Cumberland, ETHS, 601 Gay St. Knoxville Brown Bag Lunch.

Oct 16, Hist. Soc. Of Loudon Co., Loudon County Courthouse 3:00 P.M. Notice the address change!! Bo Carey and John Napier.

Oct 19 - Nov 3, Early Voting, Loudon County Election Commission; Lenoir City, Roane State Bldg.; Tellico Village, Oct. 24-28.

Oct 21, Greenback Hist. Soc. CHILI SUPPER, Community Center. 5-7 PM Prior to Harriman-Greenback Game. $5.00 each. Fund Raiser.

Oct 22, Quarterly Meeting, 2:00 PM. Greenback Community Center. Dr. Nancy McEntee.

Oct 29, Halloween in Greenback. Set Up 4:00 PM; Trunk or Treat 5:00-8:00.

Nov 8, Election day. If you did not vote early. Vote today!

Nov 9, Noon Valor, WWI Aviator, Kiffin Rockwell, Documentary Film. Winner of the ETHS Award of Excellence, Marc McClure. 601 S. Gay St. ETHS.

Nov 26, Lighting of the Christmas Tree. 6:00 P.M. Downtown Greenback

Dec 3, Christmas Parade, 1:00PM Line-up; 2:00PM Parade.

CHRONICLER, Issue 37 Page 6

Stamp Greenback Historical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 165 Greenback, Tennessee 37742

Officers and Directors Shirley Ridings Hall, President 865-856-3419 Colleen Ragain, Vice President 865-740-5429 Linda Cabe, Secretary 865-856-6412 Brenda Tarwater Blair, Treas. 865-856-2394 Cindy McCollum Benefield Brenda Tarwater Blair Laura Del Rio Roy Goddard Teresa Goddard Penny McLoughlin Kitty Ragain Larry Skidmore Lavonne Spires

Supporters City of Greenback Kizer-Black Attys. T.C. Dixon, Printers