Savannah Courier
These transcriptions were donated to the project and transcribed by: Edward R. Harrell
Jan 15, 1891 - The contract for The McNairy county court-house to be built at Selmer has been let to Alabama parties. It is to cost about 10,000 and is to be donated to the county by the McNairy Land Improvement company.
Jan 29, 1891 - There is certainly not a man in the State Legislature that can afford to vote against the bill to extend the Four-mile law to towns of three thousand population and under. Should the bill become law it would give towns like Savan-nah the power to incorporate without being compelled to have the dram shop.
Feb 26, 1891 - The Census Bureau puts the population of Tennessee by races as follows: White 1,332,971;Colored 434,300; Indians 173; Chinese 64; Japanese 10; Total 1,767,518.
Mar 12, 1891 - The
bill to amend the Four-Mile law so as to extend its provisions to incorporated
towns of 3,000 inhabitants was defeated.
} Mrs. Bland,
formerly the wife of John A. Murrell,
died at her home in Chester County last week. The name John A. Murrell
is synonymous in the South with assinations and highway robbery.
} The center of population in 1880 was two miles east of Cincinnati. During the past decade it moved forty-eight miles westward and is now in latitude 39 degrees and 11 minutes,and longitude 85 deg-rees and 32 minutes, 20 miles east of Columbus, Ind.
Mar 26, 1891 - The
death of General Joseph E. Johnston
removes the last of six full generals of the confederacy except General Beauregard.
} The courthouse at Henderson burned Monday
of last week. It was a frame building and insured for $1,500. All records
except a few of minor importance were burned.
} Joseph E. Johnston, the famous Confederate General, died at his home in Washington City last Saturday, at the age of 83 years . He was in command of the army of the Tennessee at the close of the war and surrendered to General Sherman in North Carolina.
Apr 2, 1891 - The
Legislature has fixed it so you can't get a shave on Sunday.
} Two negroes burned a portion of Russellville,
Ala. for which they were hanged by a mob.
} A stroll through the prehistoric mounds and extensions, "fortification" of Savannah would lead one to believe that at some time in the world's history this was a place of no small importance.
Apr 9, 1891 - Balls and chains have been ordered by the county clerk to be used on prisoners who will hereafter be worked on public roads.
Apr 16, 1891 - That
the Legislature did right in giving us a law by which all county prisoners
can be worked on the public roads goes as a fact.
} It now appears to be a fact that the county seat of McNairy has been moved to the new town of Selmer. the county court met at Purdy the first Monday and adjourned to Selmer where they went and transacted their business.
Apr 30, 1891 - All
great men who have died recently died of heart failure. This might seem
strange if it was not a fact that the heart always fails just when death
occurs.
} Larkin Lancaster colored, was convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to hang June 2,at Pulaski last week. it was the third time he had received the death sentence, the Supreme court having twice sent the case back, not being satis-fied with the evidence.
May 14, 1891 - Year
before last one large brick business house was built in Savannah, last
year another was erected and this year three more will go up.
} The McNairy county court-house removal case was up in Selmer Wednesday of last week before Chancellor Hawkins upon appli-cation for an injunction. Upon the subject the Pepper Box says: "The injunction was granted in so far as to prevent the building of the Jail, but the Chancellor refused to grant an Injunc-tion restraining the officers from preforming their duties at Selmer or the courts from being held here, for from any manner interfe-ring with the transaction of public business at Selmer. In fact the only thing that was accomplished by the injunction was to stop the building of the Jail. It does seem to us that they accomplished very little considering the fact that there was but one side of the case represented. We will predict that when the other side is presented and the true facts are placed be-fore the court that the Injunction will be disolved."
Jul 9, 1891 - Direct Tax List: Names of those on the list from Districts 6 through 10.
Jul 16, 1891 - Direct Tax List: Names of those on the list from Districts 11 through 14.
Jul 23, 1891 - The
Pepper Box claims forty houses and two hundred inhabitants for Selmer.
Quite a good showing for a town less that a year in existence.
} In the year 1831, the first brick house was
built in Savannah by Col Stephens
a part of which is now standing and occupied as a post office. In 1888 Donohoo
&Churchwell
built a large brick store house, in 1889 The Bank of Savannah built an
ele-gant brick building, and this year (1891) three brick stores are going
up, two for J. K. Barlowand
one for Edgar Cherry.
The business for the town now consists of one printing office, two hotels,
two drug stores, one millinery store, one bank, two family groceries, seven
general stores,two shoe shops, one barber shop and a livery stable. For
the names of these firms see our advertising columns.
} A negro rapist was taken from the jail at Decauterville last Thursday night by a mob and hanged to a large oak tree near Smith & Tate's store and the body riddled with bullets.
Aug 6, 1891 - The Pepper Box is about to make us believe that a railroad is in contemplation from Selmer to Pittsburg Landing. Such as move would be the foundation for an east and west line of railroad that would be of immense value to this section.
Aug 20, 1891 - The Georgia Legislature has given the people of that State a three-Mile law. It is patterned after The Tennessee four-mile law, forbidding the sale of intoxicants within three miles of any church or school house, except in incorporated towns.
Sep 3, 1891 - The corner stone for the new court house for Chester county was laid at Henderson the 22nd of August.
Robert I. Chester, of Jackson and for whom the county was named, and who is in his 99th year, gave a speech on the occasion.
Oct 22, 1891 - A system of sewerage has been started in Savannah, and Tuesday while workmen were digging one, refuse from a tanyard was unearthed four feet under ground. It had been put there to fill a mudhole fifty years ago.
Nov 12, 1891 - The
Symposium, a bright semi-weekly paper, edited and published by M. R. Abernathy
and son, of Purdy, has reached our table. If they hold till Memphis,
Savannah, Norfolk Railroad, which will pass through Pur-dy,is built, they
will be on top.
} Alf Franks,
for robbing and burning Franks
Bros' store, was sent up for ten years, and his accomplice Goon Qualls,
a white woman, was given one year by the circuit court.
} Jim Laferty, col., was also sent up for three years for
stealing a mule.
Nov 26, 1891 - The
Pepper Box says Selmer is to have a bank after Jan 1st., fut fails to mention
just how long thereafter.
} An old book containing the criminal proceedings
in Fairfax County, VA., before the Revolutionary war, has recently been
found. George Washington's
name appears on its pages charged with various civil misdemeanors.
} We notice in the Pepper Box an account of the death of
Mrs. Elizabeth Crump of Crump's Landing, which occurred suddenly on the 28th of last month; and of the marriage at Falcon, on the 11th inst. of Lon Perkins to Miss. Mamie Ervin.
Dec 3, 1891 - A man whose identity was entirely consealed, committed suicide near Bethel Springs last week. He climbed up a tree, and after tying one end of the rope around his neck and the other to a limb, shot himself in the head with a gun. When found he had been dead a week according to the opinion of a physician.
Dec 10, 1891 - The
Pepper Box has come down from an eight to a seven column sheet. An improvement.
} The removalist in McNairy won in the lawsuit over the county seat question, and now the town of Selmer will be the county seat in fact.
Jan 21, 1892 - Col. Robert I. Chester, said to be the oldest man in the State and the oldest Mason in the world, died at his home in Jackson early Thursday morning of last week. He was in his 99th year and had lived under every administration from Washington to the present.
Jan 28, 1892 - T. M. Hurst: Mr. T. M. Hurst, Assistant Postmaster, Nashville, Tenn., was born on the historic battle ground of Shiloh, in Hardin County, Tenn., Mar 5, 1849. (This is a shortened sketch on this person that the Postal Service published on there employees)
Feb 4, 1892 - Charles H. Spurgeon, the noted Baptist divine of England died Saturday night. He was 57 years of age.
Feb 11, 1892 - Our neighbors over at Selmer are trying to incorporate the town. For plea the advocates of incorporating, say that liquor is being sold in the town without restriction, whereas if the town incorporated the traffic can be regulated.
Feb 18, 1892 - There are 28 days and some minutes - the time is not always the same, owing to the moon's position to the earth - between each full moon and as February has only 28 days for three out of every four years it is possible for the moon to be full twice in January and, skipping February, full twice in March. Such a thing is said to have occurred only once in 1866, since the foundation of the world and will not occur again for over 2,000,000 years.
Feb 25, 1892 - D. A.McDougal, editor & proprietor of the Selmer Pepper Box, and forty-eight other citizens of McNairy county, have been sued by Bill Burns for $50,000 damages he alleges to have su-stained by reason of a publication made in the Pepper Box last August. Mr. Burnswas Deputy United States Marshall at the time and the publication over the signatures of these parties was in reference to his official conduct.
Mar 3, 1892 - Adamsville: The people of Adamsville are longing for a court house of its own. It is just too far to have to go to Selmer to attend court.
Mar 24, 1892 - Thirteen inches of snow fell here last Thursday. On the 15th of Mar 1843, 15 inches fell at this place and be-tween that and this date no such snow has fallen at this season of the year. It is believed that all the fruit has been killed and some damage done to the oak crop, but as to that it is difficult to tell at this writing.
Apr 7, 1892 - Poor Selmer. By a vote of 46 to 6 that town last week decided to incorporate and have the establishment of saloons. The advocates of incorporation think they have improved the business aspects of the town, but the writer is ready to assert that he would not pay twenty-five per cent as much for property there now, if he were forced to occupy it, as he would without the incorporation. But then everybody is not like the writer.
Apr 14, 1892 - A
boat has been built at Detroit, Mich., and tested, that will travel entirely
under water. Many thousands of dollars have been spent trying to build
submarine boats, but this was the first successful attempt.
} A Big Bridge: One of the most toted railroad bridges in the
United States is the one across the Mississippi river at
Memphis, and which will be opened the 12th of May with a big
demonstration. The United States War Department will send the cruiser Concord to join in the celebration.
Apr 28, 1892 - A move has been set on foot among the colored people of the South to invoke aid from the National Government to prevent lynchings of their race by the whites.
May 5, 1892 - In the year 1891,123 persons were hung in this country by lawful means, while 195 were hung by mobs.
May 19, 1892 - D. A. McDougal, who started the Pepper-Box at Selmer a little over a year ago, has sold to Fred Stumph who says he will continue the paper under the same policy as that pursued by Mr. McDougal. Mr. Stumphhas considerable experience in the newspaper business and we are confident he will succeed.
Jun 9, 1892 - Fred Stumph has changed the name of his paper from the Pepper-Box to the McNairy County Record.
Sep 29, 1892 - The McNairy County Record has appeared again after an absence of three weeks. It had the misfortune to be robbed, a calamity that rarely befalls a newspaper office. In this case, no doubt, the thief thought he would find piles on piles of shekels, but finding not a cent took revenge on the editor by carrying away a valuable, the office, lot of type and threw them into the creek near by. Such wanton conduct should be punished severely.
Oct 13, 1892 - At Coffeyville, Kan, Wednesday morning of last week, the Dalton gang of robbers, composed of three Dalton brothers and three associates, undertook to rob two banks at the same time, but the city marshal had received an intimation sometime before of the intended attack and was, in a measure, prepared for them. Immediately after the arrival of the robbers the marshal called together his trusted men and a battle followed in which two of the Daltons and two of their followers, together with the marshal and three of his party, were killed on the spot. Emmett Dalton was shot and captured, but the sixth man of the robber gang escaped on a swift horse.
Dec 1, 1892 - The
McNairy County Record has changed hands. Fred Stumph retiring to be succeeded
by Frederich Van Karpenstein.
} Ex-sheriff John H. Counce has been appointed, Deputy United States Marshal for this district.
Jan 5, 1893 - The Strickeen Indians claim positively to have been animals within the last five years which, from the description given, must be mustodons. Alaska is the abode for those animals.
Jan 12, 1893 - Fred McDougal,
formerly a well known lad of this town, but who is now editor of the McNairy
County Record, at Selmer, claims to have reached his majority on his last
publication day, Friday Jan 6, 1893.
} Speaking of a railroad to Savannah some of our people express the belief that it would materially damage our town. Our advise to that class of people is to sell out at once and leave or they might find themselves in a dead town. We say if it takes a railroad to kill Savannah, let her die.
Jan 19, 1893 - River
News: (Note: This is a partial abstract about the river which had frozen
over with 2 to 3 inches of ice) In 1877 the river was blocked at Cerro
Gordo and a few people crossed the river on ice. In 1881 the river had
floating ice in it but not near so much as this time, and again in 1883.
A gorge formed at Cerro Gordo. The eddy at that point makes a good place
for a gorge to form.
} The mail failed to come from Pickwick Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, on account of the floating ice in the river.
Jan 26, 1893 - Mrs. Mary Ann Forest widow of the late Confed-erate General N. Bedford Forest, died in Memphis Sunday at the age of 66 years.
Feb 9, 1893 - Jefferson Davis remains are to be moved from New Orleans and interred in Hollywood cem., Richmond, VA., on May 30th. A monument is to be erected to his memory in Monroe Park.
Feb 23, 1893 - General P. G. T. Beauregard, the last one of the Confederate generals, died in New Orleans Monday.
Mar 9, 1893 - A petition is being circulated here for signers to counteract a reported move on the part of Selmer people to have con-nections made at Selmer instead of Bethel Springs for our mail route. We are assured by Mr. Wood, of Selmer, that no such move is up with the people of his town.
Mar 23, 1893 - Peter Frazier, a cripple who lives here and elsewhere, was arrested Friday and put in jail on a charge of having violated the election laws of McNairy County.
Apr 6, 1893 - Gen.
E. Kirby Smith
died at his home in Sewanee, after a brief illness on the 28th. He was
in the Confederate Army and his death removes the last man who reached
the rank of general on either side of the war.
} The controversy between Virginia and Tennessee as to the
exact location of the boundary line between the States, from
Bristol to Cumberland Gap, was decided Monday by the United
States Supreme Court, Against Virginia, and the line re-mains as it has long been.
Apr 13, 1893 - The Mormon Temple: On April 6, 1853, Brigham Young laid the corner stone of the great temple at Salt Lake City. It was dedicated on April 6, 1893. This great temple, which is 200 X 99 by 222 and one half feet in height, is a standing monument to the hardship endured by the followers of the Mormon faith.
When Brigham Young and his followers landed at Salt Lake in 1847 they were 1500 miles from civilization; today Utah, with a population of only 26 to the square mile is apace with many of the states in educational and religious advancement.
When Brigham Young first conceived the idea of erecting the wonderful sanctuary he assured all the brethen that when it should be completed, forty years hence, Christ would come again and reign on earth, and that the saints would be gathered together in that valley to live forever in peace, but he was shrewd enough to fix the date so far into the future that he knew he would not be on earth at the time to make explanations about his false prophecy.
Jun 29, 1893 - U.S. Marshals and Moonshiners: U. S. Marshal Brown of the western district of Tennessee, with a posse of twelve men, made a raid on the moonshiners in the ninth district of this county. They succeeded in capturing Gus Thomas and Bob Long, leaving them under guard, they proceeded about daylight to George Davis' for whom they had a warrant, on coming near his house they saw some men coming out of the house, and called to them to halt, the men ran back toward and into the house, the posse firing on them, when near the house, Garner, one of the posse, was shot, several shots entering his right side one in his forehead, killing him instantly. When Marshal Brown reached the gate he was shot, the ball entering his chin and lodging in his neck. The posse then retreated leaving the dead man on the field; they afterward sent one of the citizens for the corpse. The above is all we have heard of the tragic affair up to this writing.
Aug 17, 1893 - J. H. Brodnax has taken charge of the McNairy County Record and will change the name to the
-Selmer Democrat.
Sep 7, 1893 - The messenger on the Frisco train was killed by train robbers early Sunday morning near Oswego, Kan., who failing to get into the safe relieved the passengers of money and valuables. The robbers, three in number, were gentlemanly robbers as they did not molest the women.
Jan 4, 1894 - The
year 1893 contained 53 Sundays, the first and last days being Sunday. The
same thing will occur again in 1899.
} Thirty-one years ago last Monday Abraham Lincoln, by
proclamation set free all the slaves in the South.
Jan 11, 1894 - The McNairy Independent is the new paper at Selmer with John R. Thrasher as its editor and publisher. We wish it success.
Feb 1, 1894 - Governor Mitchell
was completely knocked out by a Florida court and was forced to permit
the Corbett-Mitchell
fight to come off in the town of Jacksonville in the heart of civilization
and contrary to the wishes of the better element of the Florida people.
} Jim Corbett and Charlie Mitchell fought three rounds at Jacksonville, Fla., last Thursday. Mitchell was handled by Corbett like he had been a boy and was knocked to the ground senseless in the third round. The fight was brutal from start to finish and every state in the Union should enact laws by which these fights can be prohibited.
Feb 8, 1894 - It is real funny to stand on the street and watch three or four men slipping around with saddlebags and other devices trying to divide up the contents of a jug.
Feb 22, 1894 - Shiloh
Battlefield: The following taken from the National Tribune, Washington,
D. C., In reference to the purchase of the Shiloh Battlefield for a memorial
park is self explanatory.
} Col. E. T. Lee, Secretary of the Shiloh Battlefield
Association, of Monticello, Ill., is in the city. He is here to make a report to the house committee, composed of Col. D. B. Hendersonof Iowa; Gen. Joseph Wheeler of Alabama,and John C. Black of Illinois; also the Senate Committee,composed of Senators Isham G. Harris, of Tennessee; John Sherman of Ohio; W. P. Vials of Wisconsin.The report covers the proceedings of the Association from its organization, and includes a report of the committee that visited the battlefield and secured options on the land which the association desires the Government purchase for a grand memorial Park, and the graves of the soldiers there be preserved.The association is meeting with great encouragement in their efforts. There is an universal sentiment all over the country that this old historic battle-field, where was fought the first great open-field battle in the West, should be preserved.
The old Army of the Tennessee, have none of the battlefields preserved, and they claim Shiloh.
Secretary Lee has received thousands of letters from the old
survivors from all parts of the country urging that this battlefield be preserved, and he has the names and postoffice address of 1,000 of the survivors of that battle. Many of these will attend the reunion on the battlefield next April 6 and 7, and assist the association in marking the positions held by their commands during the battle of the 6th and 7th, 1862.
It is requested that each command prepare a marker of some kind to place at these positions. It has been suggested that for the present a one-inch board 10 by 18 be painted white, with the letters and number in black, to nail to the trees
until more permanent markers can be placed there by the
Government, the States, or the various associations
that took part in the battle. All are invited to the reunion on next April
6 and 7 to assist in this work.
} If you want to see a dilapidated house and dilapidated surroundings, look at our college building and the conditions of this house should not be tolerated for another scholastic year.
Mar 1, 1894 - Pickwick: Selmer resembles the locality where the Isrealites were fed upon manna. It will be a town some day if the cockroaches don't take it.
Mar 8, 1894 - The
Memphis Appeal-Avalanche says:"No woman, we believe, has ever been hung
in Tennessee." The first person hung in Hardin county was Mollie Huggins
for killing her husband in 1834. The hanging took place just below the
present ferry landing at Savannah.
} Tice Griffin, who was put in Jail Tuesday of last week on a charge of robbing the mail between Pickwick and Iuka, was tried before Commissioner Hinkle and held to await the action of the Fed-eral Court at Jackson in April.
Mar 15, 1894 - Jack Shelley was given 10 years in the penitentiary for the killing of Sam Lay. His case was appealed.
Mar 22, 1894 - Shiloh Battlefield: A letter from E. T. Lee, of Monticello, Ill., who is secretary of the Shiloh Battlefield Association, informs us that all arrangements are about complete for the grand renion at the Shiloh Battlefield on April 6th and 7th. The Association committee that visited Washington in December was presented to the Congressional Committee and believes that a bill will soon be introduced for an appropriation to purchase the ground on which this famous battle was fought, with good prospects for its early passage.
No fancy prices will be paid for the land on which the battle was fought, but the committee will treat all alike. Parties who own these lands that have not yet given the committee options should do so during the reunion. The committee headquarters will be on the W. F. Nisbet.
The railroads and steamboats have all made liberal reductions in rates, and the steamboats will lay at the landing and fur-nish meals and lodgings as far as possible. Visitors who cannot be accommodated by the steamboats will be carried by the steam-ers to Savannah, where the hotels will provide lodgings and meals.
All the good people of Hardin county and Savannah
are invited to be present.
Mrs. Amanda Brooks,
sister of Mrs. E. P. Churchwell,of
this place, committed suicide by hanging herself last Monday. Deceased
was the wife of Robt. Brooks
and lived near Stanton-ville in McNairy county.
} Pickwick: We were partly reared near Corinth and we have many friends in that town and Selmer. We got off a joke on those places recently to have some fun with our friends, but the editor of the Selma Independent did not comprehend our joke and gave us a lecture through his paper.
Apr 12, 1894 - A Pleasant Reunion: The Blue and Gray Meet on Equal Footing. On April 6th and 7th, 1862, Hardin county was drenched with the blood of brothers who had met at Shiloh in deadly combat. On the 6th the two armies met about two miles south of Pittsburg Landing, the Confederates completely surprising the Union army which was forced to retreat as they fought till late at night when both sides rested on their arms.
The morning of the 7th found the Union forces
greatly reen-forced and on that day it was the Confederates who retreated
as they fought over the ground won the day before. All know how the battle
ended in a victory for the Union soldiers.
} An organization was recently formed,known as the Shiloh Battlefield Association,and is composed of ex-soldiers of both armies which has in view the purchase of all the lands on which the battle was fought and the conversion of the same into a memorial park. The association is only in its infancy but we have great confidence in its ultimate success. The reunion on the 6th and 7th was inaugurated by this association, and of its success all who attended will testify.
The distinguished characters present at the reunion were:
Gen. Lew Wallace, author of Ben Hur and other famous writings, and on whose shoulders was put the blame of the defeat of the Federals on the first day.
It was claimed that he was all day marching five miles, but a careful survey of his line of march shows that travel 18 and 1/4 miles with an army of 7,000 men. Gen. John A. McClernand, who is president of the association; Gen. Wm. T. Shaw, who gained fame in the "Hornets Nest" fight; Gen. Sam McGinnis, and Col E. T. Lee, secretary of the association, all of the Union army. Gen. J. R. Chalmers, who led the Confederate right and so completely routed the left wing of the Union army was the only Confederate general present.
Able and conciliatory, speeches were made by McClernand, Chalmers, Lee, Wallace and others.The number of visitors of the grounds was probably between 2,500 and 3,000, each day. The number registering in the cemetery office for the two days was 455.
Apr 26, 1894 - A charter of the Shiloh Battlefield Association has been forwarded to the Secretary of State by James Williams, the assistant Secretary of the South.
May 3, 1894 - John
F. Pitts
died Thursday, Apr 26, 1894, at his home in the 1st District of this county.
Mr. Pitts
was a good citizen and was closely identified with the interests of Hardin
coun-ty for many years. John A. Pitts,
now one of the leading lawyers of the Nashville bar, and T. F. Pitts,
of the firm of Harbour
& Pitts
at Cerro Gordo, are sons of the deceased and are well known in this county.
} Wm. B. Montgomery,
an old and respected citizen of Sardis, died Apr 6, 1894, at the age of
67 years. He was born and reared in this county, his father Maj. James Montgomery
having moved into this county in 1824.
} An Ugly Find: J. R. Hitt started Saturday morning to clean out the well at the Boyd old place and the first thing that was brought out was a colored boy baby that had probably been in the well two or three days. Suspicion rested on Nan Dixon as being the mother of the child and when questioned acknowledged that it was correct.
She said that Bud Cherry was the father of the child and took it away about half hour after it was born, saying he would throw it in an old well. A post mortem examination of the child showed that it was born dead and on a trial before Judge Martin the woman was acquitted. Bud Cherry proved an alibi on his trial and he was acquitted. Mr. Hitt had not dug a well at his residence, which is close by,and had used water from that well up to the day before, when it began to smell badly, and the examination resulted as above.
May 10, 1894 - In Colored Circles: Bud Cherry felt aggrieved at having been accused by Nan Dixon as being the father of her child and as having thrown it in the well, so he collected some evidence and Monday swore out a warrant charging Nan with putting her own child in the well. Judge Martinconsidered the proof sufficient to bind the woman over, and in default of bail sent her to Jail.
May 17, 1894 - The
Bloody 9th: George Davis,
who has made his name famous over a small section of the country as a maker
of wild cat liquor in Hardin county, selected the time, place and terms
of capitulation and surrendered Monday to the United States authorities.
Davis has been in the business for several years and will doubtless be
carried through a farcical trial and be acquitted. At the same time and
place and under the same terms three of his confederates surrendered.
} Some Indian relics and bones were unearthed on the Holt farm, south of town, last week. Some rocks had gotten in the way of the plow and in removing them these things were found in what was suppose to be a grave.
May 24, 1894 - Mary Connor, who prosecuted her uncle, John Shelly, for incest last February, gave birth to the child of their illicit union the 10th inst. The mother died during confinement but the child is still living and doing well.
May 31, 1894 - The McNairy Independent changes hands this week, John R. Thrasher retiring and Terry Abernathy taking charge. We hope the new management will succeed.
June 14, 1894 -
Bill Dalton
was killed near Ardmore, I.T., Friday by a United States marshal. Dalton
is a noted robber.
} Col. E. T. Lee, Secretary of the Shiloh Battlefield Association, got off the Nisbet last week and remained over here and at Pittsburg Landing till the City of Savannah went down. He practically completed the work of taking options on all the lands included in the field, so that the work can proceed to completion as soon as appropriation is made by Con-gress, which is now well under way.
Aug 9, 1894 - We
today announce P. H. Thrasher,
of Selmer, as a Republican candidate to represent the Eight Congressional
District in the Fifty-Fourth Congress of the United States. Mr.Thrasher
made the race against Mr. Enloe
two years ago and came so near beating him that he contested the seat before
Congress. He now pro-poses to take the contest directly before the people.
His candidacy is subject to the action of a Republican convention to be
held in Lexington, Aug 30. But we understand Mr. Thrasher will have no
opposition before that convention unless it develops later.
} Adamsville: A. K. P. Lodge(Adamsville Knights of Pythias) was organized here Friday night, July 27, assisted by the Shiloh K. P. Lodge of Savannah and the Gunnivers K. P. Lodge of Hen-derson.
Nov 22, 1894 - The entire business portion of McNairy Station, on the Mobile & Ohio railroad, was burned Monday night.
Dec 13, 1894 - The Shiloh Battlefield Association: The Shiloh(Part of this is missing) for the purchase of the battlefield and the improvement of the same parcel passed the House of Representatives on Dec 4, without a dissenting vote, and will certainly pass the Senate in a short time and become a law. The bill gives the Commission $75,000 for the commencement of the work, which is all that will be needed until the next con-gress meets.This is one of the greatest achievements that has been carried through and means much for Hardin county and the State of Tennessee. I have given it my undivided time and have put in the best work of my life on this matter and have the right to feel justly proud of the results. As soon as the Commission is appointed and organized the work of securing the lands and settling for the same will begin. The coming reunion on April 6 to 12, 1895, will be an immense gathering and will be atten-ded by many from all parts of the Union. The various posit-ions will be marked and all disputed points settled. Let all prepare for this gathering of the Blue and Gray, on the border of the historic Tennessee. E. T. Lee, Secty, Monticello, Ill., Shiloh B. Ass. Dec 7, 1894.
Jan 17, 1895 - Memories of Mr. A. G. McDougal(Note:This is a lengthy article on this person, but may be of interest)
Jan 24, 1895 - Bill Cook, the notorious train robber and mur-derer, for whom there was a $15,000 reward offered, has been captured.
Feb 7, 1895 - The Memphis Avalanche, a daily paper published at Memphis has suspended.
Feb 28, 1895 - Capt. J. W. Irwin, the Government agent to purchase the land for the Shiloh Memorial Park, passed up on the Cherry Tuesday, to begin the work to at once.
Mar 7, 1895 - Maj. Davis, of the war records office, will be down this week to assist Capt. Irwin in establishing the boundary of the National Park.
} County Surveyor Harbert and crew, with Capt. Irwin,
Government Purchasing Agent, commenced the survey of the
National Park at Pittsburg Landing on Tuesday. They will
first locate the boundary, or outside lines
of the Park, then a separate survey of each tract or parcel on the inside
of the park will be made. Owing to the fact a large portion of the battlefield
is very hilly and rough, it will necessarily require several weeks to complete
the entire survey.
} Robert Hardin came in on the Paducah Tuesday from Nashville, to assist in the survey of the National Park at Pittsburg Landing.
Mar 21, 1895 - Fire! Fire! Fire!: Hardin College Now Lies In Ashes (Note: The building had burned Tuesday morning. The article is quite lengthy for copying)
Mar 28, 1895 - Hardin College: Chapter II (Note: This is an interesting article on Hardin College and is quite lengthy to copy)
Apr 28, 1895 - Edgar Cherry, son of W. H. Cherry, deceased with whom Gen. U. S. Grant headquarted just before the Shiloh battle, has, at present, a bottle of champagne left there by Gen. Grant in 1862.
Apr 18, 1895 - Five members of the religious sect known as Seventh Day Adventist, who observe Saturday for Sunday, were recently convicted in East Tennessee and sent to jail for working on Sunday. These people were properly pardoned by Gov. Turney, but the point we want to make is that men work in Savannah every Sunday, who also work on Saturday, who are in dan-ger of being prosecuted.
Jun 13, 1895 - Wanted For Murder: William Bryant must go back to Tennessee. Springfield, Ill. June 10. Governor Atgeld today honored the requisition of the Goveror of Tennessee for the extradition of William Bryant, wanted in Hardin county for murder. Bryant is under arrest at Metropolis, Illinois.During a free fight December 26, 1894, Bryant killed J.M. Scott with a club
-St. Louis Chronicle.
} Hardin E. Ross left Saturday morning for the Military Academy at West Point, where he will learn to serve and to fight for Uncle Sam, if he should need his services. The Courier extends its best wishes to Hardin. He was accompanied by his brother, Lige.
Jun 20, 1895 - Shelly Is Free: The case of Jack Shelly, who was charged with the murder of Sam Lay, has last been settled and he is a free man. The first trial was held in March 1894, in Cir-cuit Court at this place and he was declared guilty. An appeal was then taken, and the Supreme Court ordered another trial. In the March term of the present year he was again found guilty, another appeal was made, and he was given his freedom.
The work of our townsman, D. W. Broyles, Shelly's
attorney, deserves the greatest commendation for the energy and skill displayed
in behalf of an impecunious client.
} John Shelly, who was convicted in the March term of the Circuit Court, was released by order of the Supreme Court.
Watson & Smith had charge of the case.
Jul 4, 1895 - Sheriff Story Landed Bud Pittsin jail Friday. Pitts, it will be remembered, in connection with Bill Bryant, who is now in jail here, killed old man Jim Scott near Clifton in this county, in Dec 1894. Pitts had been concealed in his father's barn since the deed was committed.
Jul 11, 1895 - The
heavy hand of law has dealt extensively with John and Jack Shelley,
but perseverance on the part of their lawyers have brought them their freedom.
They are now free and exonerated from any charges in the sight of the law.
We suppose no one can better appreciate it than they.
Jul 17, 1895 - July 9 was sentence day in the United States court at Ft. Smith, Ark. and thirty-three persons were sentenced, three to be hanged and thirty to the penitentiary.
Sep 17, 1895 A match
Base ball game is being prepared for this afternoon, which will take place
on the Savannah grounds, between the Savannah,"Sky Blues" and the Saltillo
"Lily Whites." They played once before at Saltillo, the "Whites" carried
off the honors after a close game. A large crowd is expected out.
} We learn that the Adamsville High School is moving on nicely. With a good faculty of well trained teachers, we cannot see why it should not do well.
Oct 17, 1895 - Base Ball: The Nixon base ball nine claims to be "cock of the walk," and can't get a nine to play them. A little nine from the "sticks" in McNairy county, known as the "Stantonville Nine" makes a contract with Nixon to meet at Pittsburg L'd'g., Saturday Oct 10, and have a contest.
Stantonville came in all her "Pomp and Glory," but a Nixon representative was not to be seen. Of course Stantonville claims the victory, until further investigation, and Stantonville is open for investigation at any time.
31 Oct, 1895 - We
think Savannah should feel good these times. She has fifteen business houses
that are doing Fair business, she has a number of new residences that would
be an honor to any town, that will be completed in a few weeks. Her school,
under the management of Prof. Cox,
is doing as well as we could ask it to do. Everyone's face betrays happiness
and thrift and all complainers of hard times have hid the burden of their
troubles and have caught the spirit of the times.
} The new enterprise of Thompson
& Story
is a business that Savannah has been needing for quite a while. They should
be encouraged to an active trade in real estate. No town can do well without
agents, to rent, buy and sell property for it.
} The people of Savannah have not forgotten that they must build a college next year, but are only busily engaged pre-paring the wherewith,that when the time comes they to a man will be ready.
Nov 28, 1895 - The two full moons that will come in December have not occurred since the coming of Christ, 1,896 years ago, and the Adventists claim that this strange coincidence is sufficient evidence that the approaching holidays will welcome his second coming.
-Bolton Times
Dec 26, 1895 - Ninth District: There are some good people in the Ninth District of this county, but it is a fact that much of this goodness is overshadowed by the evils of their neighbors.
Hardin County has a reputation abroad that is hard to beat for lawlessness, this is given to her by this district. But if the heavy hand of the law is not stayed, these violators of the law will sooner or later be broken up. In the past six months three of the leaders have been sent to do penal service, and two others have been killed outright. The wages of sin are heavy, and larger the seal the larger the penalty. Pistol carriers, church disturbers get off usually with fines, but our more aggregate cases get severe punishment.
Dec 19, 1895 - There
is some nice work going on in the way of improving the sidewalks of the
town. If you live in town make the town show up.
} There were more wagons on the streets Saturday than ever were seen before. Hurrah Savannah.
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