On October 6, 1928, newspapers around the country proclaimed that the picturesque little mountain city of Elizabethton, Tennessee would play host to presidential hopeful, Herbert Hoover. 

Herbert Hoover became the 31st president of the United States in 1929 largely because of his favorable national reputation, a booming economy and deep splits within the Democratic Party. The future president, well satisfied with the political outlook and the functioning of the machine he built to carry the Republican message to the country, which included a strategy to target Southern states.

In the fall of that year, Hoover traveled to the Southland to make his fourth major address of the campaign—a personal appeal to the voters of Democratic Dixie to support his Republican candidacy.

After leaving national headquarters in the nation's capitol, the nominee traveled down the Valley of Virginia to Bristol, Virginia where he made an impromptu address to the crowd that had gathered at the station. Republican leaders of Virginia were invited to join the party.

(Clockwise: Hoover campaign poster, vote for Hoover Sticker, comedic policitcal  birthday card, American Glanzstoff (North American Rayon) and Elizabethton courthouse and monument downtown)

When Mr. Hoover arrived at 10 a.m. at the flag station of Childers, located four miles away, he was greeted by a large motorcade of specially decorated cars. During his drive to the city, he passed through a crowd of 7,000 school children who tossed flowers in his path. After traveling the principal streets of the town, the entourage guests were hosted to a luncheon provided by the Chamber of Commerce.

Politics was essentially set aside as Democrats joined hands with Republicans. Even the Al Smith Club that had recently organized suspended activities until after Hoover's departure. The event was described as a “great show” that attracted those who had never visited Elizabethton, or for that matter, had never heard of the town. Thanks to the soon-to-be president, the city was overnight ushered into the limelight.

Three tons of decorations provided a splendid costume for the city that day. The streets were ornamented in red, white and blue decorations with flags plenteously hanging at residences and businesses.

Some 495 deputized patrolmen, recruited from Elizabethton’s citizens, significantly augmented the police department's normal force of five men. Badges were ordered for the “policemen-for-a-day” recruits. Also, a squad of State Troopers as well as local Boy Scouts added their services to the event. After presentation of a huge city key by City Manager, E.R. Lingerfelt, Hoover witnessed an impressive reenactment by the Tennessee National Guard, comprising two batteries of artillery, a machine gun company, aviation corps, light artillery and two companies of infantry. Further, factory whistles within the confines of the city sounded and rock quarries, of which there were many, ignited a barrage of dynamite. While all this was happening, numerous airplanes flew over the battle site dropping a white column of smoke around the pseudo-warriors.

Following a reception for Mrs. Hoover, the Republican nominee rode in a parade headed by more than a hundred pure-blooded Cherokee Indians. This was followed by covered wagons and floats depicting historic epochs in the progress of this section.

A modern Indian camp was erected on the banks of the Doe River, equipped with an Army field kitchen, Army tents, electrically lighted streets and expert chefs ready to provide meals. The facility was large enough to seat 12,000 people, with additional seating in front of the platform and on the slope behind the stand. Two large nearby fields provided overflow space for those unable to find seating. 

The speakers' stand, built on the side of Lynn Mountain, one of the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, was ready for arrival of its welcomed guest. To handle the expected influx of reporters, a vacant building near the platform was equipped with wire facilities and typewriters that also served as a transmitter for radio broadcasts.

At 3 p.m., 81-year-old famed former Tennessee governor, Alf Taylor, introduced the president, after which Hoover began his 45-minute speech. Subsequently, other features of the day included a football game; the first automobile races ever held in this section, for which a special dirt track had been built; a street dance; and a “Hoover Ball” at the Armory. Hoover's visit to Elizabethton concluded with two final events: a commemoration of the Battle of Kings Mountain and the dedication of the town's second artificial silk (rayon) mill – American Glanzstoff.

After Hoover's exhaustive visit to Elizabethton concluded, his schedule called for a second address at Soldiers’ Home at Johnson City, Tennessee and dinner as the guest of the Chamber of Commerce before beginning the return trip to Washington.

Hoover's key focus on the South paid off; he won 58% of the vote, defeating challenger, Al Smith. However, he would not be so fortunate four years later in a bid to seek reelection due to the Great Depression that would descend upon the country and thwart his chances for a second term.

Most politicians show little compassion for their opponents. Often a debate gets ugly with harsh and sometimes angry words emitting from both sides of a debate with each trying to outdo the other. It is rare when two people can disagree on issues while showing respect for the other.

Such was the case in 1886 when Democrat Bob Taylor and Republican Alf Taylor stumped the State of Tennessee campaigning against each other as nominees of their respective party for governor. The fact that they were brothers did not prevent them from waging political warfare against each other throughout the Volunteer State in joint debate.

In that memorable campaign when they met at Chattanooga, they stayed at the same hotel and shared a room. When the supper hour had faded away, a band appeared below their room balcony. A chant commenced from the crowd below calling out in unison: “Alf Taylor, Bob Taylor, Taylor brothers.” The brothers responded by coming out on the balcony. 

Alf Taylor spoke first. He gave a brief speech that included thanking the crowd for their interest in the gubernatorial campaign and for coming to the hotel. Then he took his brother by his arm and humorously proclaimed, “And now fellow citizens, I have the pleasure of introducing to you the brother of the next governor of Tennessee.”

Bob Taylor, not to be outdone by his younger sibling, thanked Alf for his kind words and then invited everyone to the inauguration ball at Nashville. Bob said he would be installed as governor and where he graciously said, “You will again meet my distinguished brother, sitting at my right hand, the chief and honored guest of that occasion.”

When they appeared at Lebanon, Tennessee in Wilson County several years prior, 8,000 people greeted them. The county was once the stronghold of the old Whig party. When Alf began his speech, he offered a eulogy on the party and its leaders: “Fellow citizens, if the Whig party were in existence today, I would not stand before you as a Republican. (My brother) is a more graceful speaker than his brother and he touched a tender chord in the affection of his audience.

But Bob Taylor unmercifully tore away the Whig mask from the brow of the Republican candidate. Yes, fellow citizens, every Republican speaker nowadays begins his speech with a eulogy on the Whig party and its great leaders. He tells you in feeling tones, ‘(Henry) Clay is dead, (Daniel) Webster is dead and I don't feel very well myself.’”

The two unique characters toured the country providing entertainment in a most novel way, something not seen before. It was very popular as noted by the huge crowds that attended their lectures. They were secured for an engagement in St. Paul, Minnesota and then appeared at the People's Church.

Later, the Taylor brothers appeared at Sweeney and Coombs Opera House in Houston, Texas. Their entertainment was not billed as a lecture or two lectures. Instead, it was described as entertainment in which the two men were brought out as in a beautiful drama of fraternity.

In the presentation of the first half of the theme, the Honorable Alf Taylor typified and set forth the spirit and resolve of the Yankee nation. Bob Taylor, with the assistance of a splendid male quartette in which he participated by singing second tenor, portrayed the beauties of the Southland, the peculiarities and oddities of all his people. He provided illustrations of their music and dwelt with humor and pathos upon the rare customs of her rural people.

The other members of the quartette assisting the ex-governor were Robert W. Nichol, Robert I. De Armon and T.A. Davis. The production was proclaimed as “something new under the sun.” 

Prior to 1840, political campaign music was immensely in vogue with local voters because it added a new exciting facet to the gatherings. However, beginning that year, the music fell into disfavor until its use was revived for the campaign of 1860. Its newfound popularity was credited for sparking enthusiasm throughout the north to bring Abraham Lincoln to the presidency.

After the 1860 election, music once again fell into disuse. Although campaign songbooks continued to be popular and circulated to the masses, there was less picking, singing and bowing at political stumps and rallies.

The seesaw scenario cycled again in 1886 when two Tennessee brothers, Bob and Alf Taylor, made state history by competing against each other for governor of the state in a spirited contest known as the “War of the Roses.” Both men were accomplished fiddlers and employed music to energize their campaigns and their audiences.

Robert L Taylor undoubtedly aided himself in his canvass for Governor when he developed the curious habit of carrying his fiddle to meetings and entertaining audiences with renderings of popular tunes. Even his critics could be observed discretely tapping their toes to a lively fiddle tune such as “Old Joe Clark.”

Bob Taylor became known as the fiddling governor, but he obviously possessed other leadership qualities since he was thrice elected to the governorship and became a U.S. Senator in 1907. Several years prior, Taylor defeated Congressman Augustus Herman Pettibone who was a classical scholar and one of the ablest Republicans of that era. Bob’s ridicule, stories and spoof were considerably over the top for the always-serious politician.

On one occasion, Augustus, a Carpetbagger (a Northerner who went to the South after the Civil War for political or financial gain) scoffed at his competitor as a mere fiddler who was trying to break into Congress. The next day, Bob brought his fiddle and a carpetbag (a traveling bag appropriately made of carpet fiber), arrayed them on the platform and asked the audience which they preferred to follow. The crowd applauded heartily.

At night, Bob attended country dances and furnished music for the ever-growing crowd, charming them with such selections as “Molly Hare,” “Polly, Put the Kettle On and “Rare Back Davy.” Republicans from that East Tennessee district deserted Pettibone and supported his admired competitor, electing him by over a thousand votes.

Pettibone’s rhetoric and sophistry were not vote catchers like Bob’s pastoral fiddle and charming eloquence. During one gathering, Bob brought his zealous crowd to an elevated pitch of merriment and enthusiasm by one of his incomparable anecdotes. When his challenger arose to reply, he said to the large crowd, “I will not attempt to excite your ‘risibles’.” At this juncture of the speech, a nearby countrified Republican asked a bystander what he meant by “risibles” and was told that it meant “laughter.” The old man promptly responded, “Then why didn’t he say so.”

Bob’s fiddle was obviously a love of his life. Once, during a speech, he described what he deemed to be the key to happiness: “A nice farm of 75 acres about five miles from a small town with a clear stream of water traversing its entire length, a smokehouse in the rear of the house tilled with fine meat, a barn with a pair of good coachers (large, closed, four-wheeled carriages with an elevated exterior seat for the driver) and a saddle horse, a springhouse, four or five peacocks, a drove of geese and ducks to sport in the stream and a quaint little orchard of productive trees.

Every Saturday, the former governor saddled his horse and rode into town to buy the weekly newspaper. Here he met two or three friends in front of the corner grocery where they chewed tobacco and swapped yarns. One would surmise that Bob always had his fiddle with him   

On July 11, 1910, every business in Johnson City respectfully closed its doors until after the funeral of one of the city’s most beloved citizens. Congressman Walter Preston Brownlow, a nephew of the controversial William Gunnaway “Parson” Brownlow, died two days earlier at the city’s National Soldiers' Home hospital after a lingering illness.

The politician was instrumental in bringing the sprawling VA military complex to the city that opened in 1903. To honor the congressman’s momentous achievement, the city had a bronze statue fabricated, affectionately known as the “Lady of the Fountain,” and erected it on Fountain Square about 1904.

Mayor James Summers and other officials made the presentation on behalf of the city. The statue remained on the square until 1937 when it was relocated to Roosevelt Stadium. Eventually, it was sold and moved to North Carolina where it adorned a flower garden until 1983 when it was returned to the city. In April 2011, a replica of the statue was erected on Fountain Square.

Walter Brownlow was born in 1851 in Abington, Virginia. After his father died, he was forced to quit school at age 10 to earn a living. Over the years, he served as a tinner’s apprentice, locomotive engineer, reporter for the Knoxville Whig and Chronicle and owner of Jonesboro’s Herald and Tribune, a Republican newspaper.

Representative Brownlow, who served Tennessee’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1896 until 1910, completed seven terms in succession and was nominated for an eighth one. He surpassed other southern congressmen in appropriation achievements for his district, which totaled in the millions of dollars.

In 1881, Brownlow was appointed postmaster at Jonesboro, but resigned before the end of the year to become doorkeeper of the National House of Representatives of the 47^thCongress. Following the building of Soldiers' Home, he was elected a member of its board of governors. He was twice the Republican nominee for United States Senator. In 1908, he was elected a member of National Congressional Committee. His initial term in Washington was in the 55^thCongress.

Brownlow’s health declined in December 1909 after he was diagnosed with a kidney disorder known as Bright’s Disease. In spite of treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, his situation worsened and by May 1910 he was critically ill. He lingered several weeks before collapsing into a comatose state for three days with uremia poisoning. His death at age 59 came on July 9. Brownlow left behind a wife, five children and an estate valued at $250,000.

The funeral service was held at Memorial Hall at the Home. Six United States senators were in attendance including James Frazier and “Our Bob” Taylor of Tennessee. The memorial ceremony was conducted by the Reverend J.A. Ruble, chaplain of the home, and assisted by Reverend J.A. Osborne, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Pallbearers, selected from the deceased’s special friends, were Samuel C. Williams, J.W. Howard, Eli A. Warren, Frank L. Britton, J.M. Fink and G.T. Wofford.

After a simple funeral service, Brownlow was buried at “The Circle” at the Home. The body was laid to rest on a scenic knoll overlooking the magnificent $2.5 million dollar facility.

History tells us that few men in public life met more obstacles and handled them more courageously than Mr. Brownlow. Although his career began in obscurity without the advantage of a college education, young Walter firmly grasped the reins of life and demonstrated in a striking way the vast possibilities that lie before self-motivated American youth. 

The bold headline of the July 27, 1925 Johnson City Staff-News proclaimed, “WM. J. Bryan Dies Suddenly.” The noted politician died the previous day in Dayton, Tennessee. He visited Johnson City on at least one occasion, lodging at the Windsor Hotel on Main Street. Within three days, Bryan’s body would make a final passage through East Tennessee by train en route to his final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr. Bryan, a dominant force in the Democratic Party, made three unsuccessful bids for President. He supported prohibition and opposed Darwinism for religious reasons. “The Great Commoner,” so named because of his faith in common people, became a sought-after public speaker.

The commoner is best known for his principal role on the prosecution team at the 1925 John Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, Tennessee. Scopes, accused of teaching evolution in a public school, chose Clarence Darrow for his defense lawyer. Although, the jury convicted Scopes of the charge, an appeal’s court later overturned the verdict on a technicality.

Just five days after the trial, the self-confident lawyer died in his sleep after a heavy meal. Some felt the trial significantly contributed to his death. On July 30 at 8:50 a.m., two special railcars began transporting Bryan’s remains accompanied by his family on a 24-hour journey to the Nation’s Capital. Along the way, thousands of persons besieged the train as a show of respect to the fallen leader.

Although the train was only scheduled to stop at Chattanooga, Mrs. Bryan ordered another one at Knoxville when she learned of the massive crowd that had assembled there. As the train journeyed by Jefferson City and Johnson City, women at the depots sang hymns that included “One Sweetly Solemn Thought” and “How Firm a Foundation.” The train passed through Bristol at 11 p.m. In every town and hamlet, flags were flown at half-mast and many churches sent floral offerings to train depots to show their respect.

The funeral entourage arrived at Union Station in DC at 7:40 a.m. on July 30 where approximately 1,000 people were waiting in the vast concourse. A significant dispatch of police officers stood by and a horse mounted squadron kept the exit clear for the movement of the casket. 

Bryan’s widow left the funeral car before her husband’s body was removed. She was escorted to the rear platform in a wheelchair, which was then raised to the main level of the station in an elevator and taken to her hotel. The strain of the circumstances clearly showed in her countenance.

The gathering in the concourse grew steadily in number. Barricade ropes were put in place as people edged forward to view the casket as it rolled on a small truck through the pavilion. Government clerks hustling to their work desks paused long enough to bow their heads or lift their hats while it passed. 

After a brief time at the funeral parlor, the body was taken to the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, where presidents and dignitaries of state had worshipped. Mrs. Bryan chose not to view her husband in public but agreed to a private one just before the body was taken to Arlington Cemetery for burial.

Eight honorary pallbearers who had been selected by Mrs. Bryan included Tennessee’s Senator McKellar, a Democrat. An informal reception committee met the funeral party, representing the State Department, which Bryan headed for two years.

A small delegation of troops from Fort Meyers met the casket at the entrance to the cemetery and escorted it to the gravesite. Mrs. Bryan insisted that the only display of military pomp at the funeral be the playing of taps.

The country had fittingly honored one of its fallen heroes. Mrs. Bryan joined her husband in death in early January 1930.  

A 1902 edition of the Comet newspaper spoke of the upcoming election that year. The Democratic ticket consisted of James B. Frazier, Hamilton County, Governor; Cy H. Lyle, Washington County, Congress, First District; J.N. McKenzie, Wilson County, Railroad Commissioner; A. H. Tipton, Greene County, State Senator; J.L. Clark, Washington County, Representative; and R.M. Barry, Unicoi County, Floater. The Republican ticket was noticeably absent.

The U.S. Representative race grabbed much newspaper space by duly noting why voters should elect Lyle to the position and why they should not elect the incumbent Republican contender, Walter Brownlow. You may recall that it was Brownlow who got Soldiers Home approved for Johnson City on January 28, 1901.

At first the contest was considered a joke, but the underdog Lyle turned up the heat on his popular rival. The harsh tone of the campaign was much like those of today. A partial listing of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” reveal the torrid debates that ensued:

“Don’t vote for Brownlow because he is a petty tyrant, for he has threatened those holding official positions under the government with loss of their positions if they do not work and contribute to his campaign. He is a spoilsman. His doctrine is that positions in his district shall be given to those only who help him get in office. His practice is to buy votes and influence with governmental appoints regardless of merit.

“Don’t vote for Brownlow if you have any regard for the purity of your election. His motto is that anything is fair in politics and resorts to intimidations, misrepresentations, vote buying and corruption, thus debauching your citizens and imperiling your institutions.

“Don’t vote for Brownlow if you are a union veteran and pensioner. You fought for principle, risked your life and all to preserve your government and are entitled to your pension as a matter of right and law. If you are a confederate veteran, you sacrificed all for what you believed to be right. With your record, you can’t afford to vote for a man whose practices are all wrong and who measures your manhood by the standard of money and the political pie. He is a demagogue, spoilsman, violator of the civil service laws, corruptionist and a disturbing factor in his own part.

The paper then offered reasons for voting for Cy Lyle.

“Vote for Lyle because he will strive to advance the best interests of the people of this district without asking them to be his slaves for so doing. He is opposed to the prostitution of the ballot box and is in favor of upholding, not trampling upon, the manhood of our people. He proposed to act upon the principle that ours is a government of the people, by the people and for the people and not a government of Lyle and his appointees, by Lyle and his appointees, and for Lyle and his appointees.

“Vote for Lyle because he is opposed to the trusts which put from 50 to 75 percent advance on your food and clothing and from 10 to 20 percent advance on your wages, which sell you articles at 100 percent and sell the same articles in Europe at 25 and 50 percent less.

“Vote for Lyle in order to purge your district of politics in which bribery, intimidation, corruption and demagoguery take the place of statesmanship and disgrace your honor, integrity and manhood.”

When the votes were counted, Lyle had lost to Brownlow and Frazier was elected to the governorship. Cy Lyle, as editor of the Comet newspaper, had the liberty, money and position to say what and how much he pleased about his own candidacy and that of Brownlow’s … and he did.