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Impromptu Stump Speaker Was “Intellectually a Human Nondescript” May 23, 2016 Politics - On 04-05-1871, the "impromptu stump speaker," a political fixture, was intellectually known as a "human nondescript." He was likened to a kind of terribly crushed meat, specially salted, saged and peppered, which became known as "souce" (from the Latin word "salsas," (which is always ready for use). A stump speech is "a standard campaign vocalization… Continue Reading
Andrew Johnson Stover: from White House to Mountain Shanty May 25, 2015 Politics - Andrew Johnson Stover was a grandson of Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States. As a child, he frolicked about the White House and lawn and became a favorite of the political brass of his day. His lifestyle later changed dramatically when he left the nation's capital to became a hunter and a… Continue Reading
President Benjamin Harrison Visited Johnson City in Spring 1891 February 17, 2014 Politics - In April 1891, two years after being in office, President Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901), the 23rd President of the United States (grandson of William Henry Harrison, the 9th President) had begun what was widely regarded as a perilous 9,000-mile journey by train. After the President rolled out of Washington Station, the next morning's newspapers were studded… Continue Reading
Recalling 1899 When Governor Bob Taylor “Quit” Politics September 16, 2013 Politics - Robert "Bob" Taylor and Alfred "Alf" Taylor are notable in Tennessee for their legendary 1886 brother-against-brother "War of the Roses" gubernatorial campaign, acquiring its colorful name from the original 1455-85 “War of the Roses” conflict fought for the throne of England between supporters of the houses of Lancaster (red roses) and York (white ones). Bob… Continue Reading
In 1946, B. Carroll Reece Became Chairman of GOP National Committee September 9, 2013 Politics - In the spring of 1946, Republican legislators were lining up behind Representative B. (Brazilla) Carroll Reece of Tennessee to succeed Herbert Brownell Jr. as GOP National Committee chairman. Mr. Reece, 56 year-old representative from the Volunteer State's 1st Congressional District, if selected, was eager to resign from Congress and take over the party chairmanship on… Continue Reading
Al Gore, Sr. Followed in the Musical Footsteps of the Fiddlin’ Bob and Alf Taylor Brothers August 29, 2016 Politics - In the summer of 1952, an expert hillbilly fiddler from the mountains of Tennessee became a member of the “world's most exclusive club.” The fiddler was black-haired 44-year-old Albert Gore, Sr. who the previous week won a seat in the sedate U.S. Senate by ousting one of its oldest and most powerful members, Senator Kenneth… Continue Reading
President McKinley Spoke at Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897 July 6, 2015 Politics - Nashville was decorated and adorned on every street to welcome President William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States and his party on their visit to the first Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Their special train arrived at 8 a.m. and Mr. McKinley and his fellow travelers were escorted to the Maxwell House by a squad… Continue Reading
Bristol Overrun by Hobos in Advance of William Jennings Bryan’s 1901 Visit December 29, 2014 Politics - An old newspaper from July 1901 dealt with three news items: the visit of William Jennings Bryan to Bristol, the arrival of the Secretary of Agriculture to consider a proposed Appalachian Park reserve and the death of a Blountville Civil War veteran. Soon after William Jennings Bryan was scheduled to visit Bristol, it appeared that… Continue Reading
Walter Brownlow’s 1901 Eulogy by Soldiers’ Home Chaplain, Rev. Ruble October 27, 2014 Politics - Walter Preston Brownlow, a prominent name among East Tennesseans, worked in 1876 as a reporter for the Knoxville Whig and Chronicle and that same year purchased the Herald and Tribune in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He served as Tennessee's 1st district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1896 until his passing in on July 8, 1910.… Continue Reading
Former President Andrew Johnson Eulogized in Greeneville in 1909 October 14, 2013 Politics - May 31, 1909 was a momentous day in Greeneville, Tennessee - the former 17th president of the United States, Andrew Johnson, was eulogized. He lay at rest among the sprawling greenery in the National Cemetery, which for the previous 34 years had served as the resting place for the remains of the former president. purchased… Continue Reading
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