History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 58

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013

USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 58

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The advantages possessed by the western iron belt for making iron may thus be summarized :

1. Ores easily mined and smelted.

2. Abundant facilities for transportation both by river and rail, and every market in the Mississippi Valley easily accessible.

3. Available ore of great variety for the manufacture of any desired grades of iron.

4. Supplies of good coal from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama, making an arc of coal-fields around Nashville of two hundred and twenty degrees, all reached by river or rail.

5. Abundance of good limestone for flux, costing only blasting and cartage.

6. Abundance of cheap labor.

7. Mildness of climate, giving an annual average of from ten to fifteen degrees of mean temperature above the iron centres of the North.

8. Fertility of soil, excellence of climate and water, food cheap and abundant. Mildness of climate also makes living cheaper, and, consequently, labor cheaper.

9. Smaller investment of capital necessary to secure iron and coal properties.

10. The superior quality of Tennessee iron made from the brown ores of the western iron belt has been tried and found equal to any in use, and capable of standing the severest tests.

I wish to say in conclusion that either the cost of making iron at Pittsburgh has been greatly overrated by those en- gaged in this business, or the figures given and the facili- ties offered make a most favorable and even startling exhibit for Middle Tennessee. The estimates for Pittsburgh are based upon letters received from prominent and trustworthy iron-men, and there can be no doubt of their correctness. They do not certainly err in being too high. The estimates for Tennessee are based upon careful inquiry, widely ex- tended and long continued, embracing every possible scru- tiny to avoid error, and calculated with due allowance for any variations that can be reasonably expected in contract prices or freight. I expect them to be carefully examined,

and I invite the most searching inquiry. If I am correct, inquiry will not fail to show it. If there is a flaw any- where, investigation will not fail to detect it. My conclu- sion, from the facts which I have in my possession, is, that of all the places in the United States, no three points offer such facilities for making cheap iron as Chattanooga, Nash- ville, and Clarksville, and that in process of time these three points will become, each assisting and sustaining the others, the triune centre of iron-manufacture in America.

BANKS.

The First National Bank of Nashville was the first bank established in Tennessee under the national banking law. It was incorporated in November, 1863, with an authorized capital of $150,000, and was the result of demands made by the unsettled and temporary business of the war period. A. G. Sanford was the first president, and James G. Og- den cashier. M. Burns, of Nashville, succeeded as presi- dent in 1870.

In November, 1875, the Mechanics' National Bank was organized with a paid-up capital of $100,000, the stock being mostly held in Nashville. B. F. Wilson was elected president, and W. C. Butterfield cashier. The board of directors included the names of leading business men of the city.

Jan. 13, 1880, these two banks united to form a new or- ganization under the name of the " First National Bank of Nashville, Tennessee," with a cash capital of $300,000. Nathaniel Baxter, Jr., was made President; Samuel J. Keith, Vice-President; John P. Williams, Cashier ; and Theodore Cooley, Assistant Cashier. Directors: Nathaniel Baxter, Jr., Samuel J. Keith, John P. Williams, Theodore Cooley, Edmund W. Cole, president Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway ; Thomas W. Steger, attorney-at-law ; Thomas D. Fite, of Evans, Fite & Porter, wholesale dry goods; Henry Metz, wholesale and retail clothier; G. M. Fogg, of East & Fogg, attorneys-at-law; E. S. Wheat, United States marshal; John Lumsden, president State Insurance Company ; S. L. Demoville, of Demoville & Co., druggists ; John C. Gordon, of Gordon, Brother & Co., cotton and tobacco ; B. F. Wilson, of R. T. Wilson & Co., New York City ; M. J. O'Shaughnessy, president Nashville Cotton-Seed Oil Company ; H. W. Grantland, of Morris, Stratton & Co., wholesale grocers, cotton and tobacco fac- tors.

The bank building on the corner of Union and College streets, long and favorably known before the war as the Planters' Bank, and afterwards occupied by the Mechanics' National Bank, was chosen as the place of business for the new organization.

This is one of the leading banking institutions in the South, and the leading one of Tennessee. It carries a loan account of more than $1,000,000, and has a deposit account of above $1,300,000, with an increasing business commensu- rate with the times. It is a designated depository of the United States and of the State of Tennessee, and also holds the united patronage of both the old banks, as well as an increasing correspondence.

A Second National Bank was organized, but soon sus- pended.

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CITY OF NASHVILLE.

The Third National Bank of Nashville was organized in July, 1865, with an authorized capital of $1,000,000, of which 8100,000 was paid in. By the accumulation of sur- plus this has been increased to $200,000. The bank has always been well patronized; its deposits have for a long time averaged $600,000, and its loans $500,000. Its first officers were Dr. W. W. Berry, President ; John Kirkman, Vice-President; Edgar Jones, Cashier. These gentle- men, together with Messrs. C. E. Hillman and D. Weaver, constituted the board of directors. The stock is mainly held in the city of Nashville. Dr. Berry, member of the wholesale drug firm of Berry, Demoville & Co., has been succeeded by Mr. Kirkman as president, and Albert W. Harris has become assistant cashier. The present directors are J. Kirkman, C. E. Hillman, Edgar Jones, J. F. Demo- ville, and M. Burns.

The Fourth National Bank was organized in 1866 with a paid-up capital of $300,000; the authorized capital was afterwards increased to $1,000,000, and $200,000 more paid in. Hon. James Whitworth was made president, and Thomas Plater cashier. The present officers are Hon. James Whitworth, President; R. H. Gardner, Vice-Presi- dent; Thomas Plater, Cashier; Hugh Douglass, W. H. Evans, R. H. Gardner, Henry Hart, Newton McClure, O. F. Noel, Thomas Plater, Samuel Watkins, and James Whitworth, Directors.

The Nashville Savings-Bank began business as a general brokerage, Dec. 3, 1863, under the management of the present president and cashier, Messrs. Julius Sax and Max Sax. In September they organized under the charter of the " Nashville Savings-Bank," and entered upon a bank- ing business in connection with their general brokerage, entirely similar to that of the national banks, except that they do not issue currency. A heavy German business passes through their hands. The Messrs. Sax are both young men of business energy and talent, and have con- tributed liberally to the increased business of the city.

The Nashville Savings Company, Thomas S. Marr presi- dent, is located at the corner of College and Union Streets, and is a bank of discount and deposit. Mr. Marr was a prominent business man before the war, and Mr. L. G. Tar- box, his associate, was the principal of one of the city schools for several years. At the close of the war this firm did an extensive business in uncurrent bank-notes which were then being retired, and their house became the centre for the Southern trade in that line of securities. Soon the bank became the headquarters for commercial news, and their quotations were received as standard. After the death of Mr. Tarbox, Mr. Marr became sole manager.

The Nashville Brokerage Association is a produce and cotton brokerage, organized Jan. 19, 1880, under a charter, with the following officers: Hugh McCrea, President; S. H. Bell, Secretary and Superintendent; Hugh McCrea, S. H. Bell, Z. Maury, H. C. Gordon, and W. C. Nelson, Di- rectors. The authorized capital is $25,000, of which $10,000 were paid upon commencing operations.

Newell, Duncan & Co., formerly W. M. & A. R. Dun- can, private bankers, at No. 34 North College Street, do an extensive business as stock and exchange brokers, deal in all kinds of local stocks, bonds, and through their corres-

pondents in New York and elsewhere operate in many stocks and bonds regularly called on the New York board. B. F. Wilson, banker, No. 40 North College Street.

THE PRESS OF NASHVILLE.

EARLY NEWSPAPERS AND PUBLICATIONS.

The first newspaper published in Nashville was The Tennessee Gazette and Mero District Advertiser. It was established in 1797, by a printer from Kentucky, whose name was Henkle. The following year he sold the paper to Benjamin J. Bradford,* who changed the name to The Clarion, and soon after sold it to his cousin, Thomas G. Bradford. The State Historical Society has a copy of The Clarion-No. 81, vol. ii .- bearing date Nov. 2, 1801. This would fix the first issue of the series to which it be- longs at about April 20, 1800. The paper is in a ragged and worn condition, but shows the publication to have been a folio sheet, with pages ten by fourteen inches, and four columns to the page, printed in pica type.

The Clarion was afterwards enlarged, and became The Clarion and Tennessee Gazette, in the hands of " Thomas G. Bradford, printer." The series from which it then numbered began with Nov. 12, 1807. Dec. 24th of that year reference to it is made by Thomas Eastin in his paper, The Impartial Review, and also to the Public Gazette,- the legislative record recently established. The only copies available at this late day are No. 293, vol. v., dated July 20, 1813, and No. 345, vol. vi., dated Tuesday, June 21, 1814. This last is entitled The Clarion and Tennessee State Gu- zette, in a single line of clarendon, on a four-page sheet twenty by twenty-six. It contains upon the margin the written name of the subscriber, Benajah Gray, Esq. No editor or publisher is named, but a pressing call on delin- quents to relieve " an editor who is pressed by debts" is made. It is a very interesting and readable number. There are three columns of " estrays" from Lincoln, Wilson, and Bradford Counties; an announcement that Edward D. Hobbs has just opened (March 15th past) his Brick Tavern on College Street, a few steps from George Poyzer's factory ; and for the accommodation of travelers he has " Road Bills" to the principal roads in the country, which will be pre- sented to the guests gratis. An indignant editorial handles Gen. Hull without gloves. Proposals are made for raising stock to build a steamboat to complete the line between Nashville, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and Louisville,-thirty thousand dollars in one hundred and twenty shares at two hundred and fifty dollars each, with full estimates, including two dividends and sixty per cent. profit on the investment the first year.

A " Fountain of Health Mineral Spring" is announced, " which was produced by the violent convulsions of the earth in the last tremendous earthquakes which visited our land in the winter of 1812,"-and several wonderful cures, -" at one dollar per day entertainment for man and horse, or five dollars per week ; three dollars per week for a single person, and half-price for children and servants." This is by " William Sanders, Davidson Co., Tenn., four miles

* Benjamin J. Bradford, the first editor of the Clarion, was elected mayor of Nashville in 1809.

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above Clover Bottom, and fourteen above the town of Nash- ville."

Prime Spanish " soal" leather is advertised by Thomas Yeatman, and the announcement is made that Andrew Jackson is appointed a major-general in the United States Army, vice William Henry Harrison, resigned.

A more recent old series was begun by Thomas G. Brad- ford the 1st of December, 1817. A new series was com- menced with the change of proprietors, Sept. 4, 1820, under the management of Wilkins & McKeen, and the new editors soon after aired their rhetoric by pitching into the editor of the Gazette for some undue reference to their "junior editor." Their motto ran thus :

" Truth is our guide, the public good our aim, Well pleased to praise tho' not afraid to blame, Averse meanwhile to flatter or offend."

The paper was worked with double column-rules and a head of German text with ornate initials. From the con- tents of its columns it appears to have received a liberal support. With the beginning of 1821 the name was changed to simply The Nashville Clarion, and the first number extant for that year-March 21, 1821-bears the name of John H. Wilkins, publisher. Before the end of the year the name appeared in highly ornate text capitals, abbreviated to The Clarion, with T. G. Bradford editor. The oldest number of this series under Mr. Bradford's management is vol. xv. No. 14, of Tuesday evening, Dec. 4, 1821. The five columns were narrowed and a sixth admitted, increasing the breadth of the paper by half a column. London papers furnished the editor with foreign news,-when they arrived. The subscription price varied at from two to three dollars in advance, and three or four dol- lars payable after six months.

The name of Thomas G. Bradford last appears at the head of vol. xv., No. 43, July 9, 1822. Later numbers are not known to exist. Some time prior to 1826, The Clarion was purchased by Patrick H. Darby, a lawyer, who associated with him Mr. - Van Pelt, subsequently editor and proprietor of the Memphis Appeal. In 1824 it was purchased by Abram P. Maury and Carey A. Har- ris, who discontinued The Clarion and started the Nash- ville Republican.

Bradford's " Tennessee Almanac" was first issued by " Thomas G. Bradford, printer," from The Clarion office, in 1808, and continued without interruption until 1824.

The following quaint assertion of rights from Young America was received by the first editor at Nashville over three-quarters of a century ago, and shows that "printers' devils" even then were averse to manual labor and hard usage. It was written, as the context shows, in reply to an advertisement which appeared in The Clarion :

" Mr. B. J. Bradford has published in his paper that William L. Berry and John G. Berry run away from him; and he will give 85 reward to any person what will deliver said boys to him, and forewarns any person from harboring s'd boys. I now give Mr. Bradford Public Notice that I am one of the boys he calls his apprentices, and am now living in 300 yds. of his house, and have been since I left ; also my brother, John G. Berry, who is my next youngest

brother, who he pretends to claim as his boys ! But we both deny being his boys; for we deny being any person's boys where we are compelled to milk the cows, wash clothes, and make up beds, and hardly any clothes to wear, which I can prove if I had a witness. I am,

" Mr. B. J. Bradford, " Humb-come-tumble,

"W. L. BERRY."

Mr. William Lawson Berry, the writer, lived to be for many years known as "the oldest printer in Nashville," and died highly respected by the faculty of which he was an industrious member. .

The Impartial Review and Cumberland Repository was first issued about the 1st of December, 1805, by Thomas Eastin. The eighth number of volume one, dated Feb. 1, 1806, is the oldest number preserved. It has four pages, five columns to the page,-twenty inches long,-in primer type. The two first words of the title, in antique Roman letters, form the head-line, beneath which is the rest in smaller type. The first column announces the following :

"Terms : It shall be printed regularly every Saturday, unless the arrival of the mail may make a change neces- sary ; on its present size. Price two dollars in advance, or two dollars and a half at the end of the year. Adver- tisements of no more length than their breadth, seventy- five cents first insertion, and thirty-seven cents for every other." A communication from an " Observer of Truth" gives a three column moral review on the amusements of the town, ably written. Then follows foreign intelligence from New York to December 17th ; a page of miscellany and small advertisements; an act of Congress; London news to November 15th ; and a four-column card of Thomas Swann in relation to the forfeit in the match between Gen. Jackson's horse Truxton and Capt. Erwin's Plowboy, rehearsing the trouble out of which grew the duel and the death of Charles Dickinson.

Swann asserted that Gen. Jackson had mentioned in his presence that Capt. Erwin did not give in the notes agreed upon, but substituted others. This Jackson denied, and it led to an issue with Swann and a challenge by the latter, which was refused because Jackson " did not know Swann to be a gentleman."

Among the advertisements which appear at this time are the following :

" Philip Thomas, barber, has Hackney Coaches for the accommodation of gentlemen ; keeps a livery stable, and attends to the Nicking, Bleeding, and fixing of horses with the greatest care."

" Dr. Watkins has removed his shop to the house formerly occupied by Mr. Joseph McKain, next door to Black Rob's, and entered into partnership with Dr. Catlet."

Jan. 28, 1806, Thomas Kirkman advertises a new store of fresh goods, part of which he had purchased himself in London, Yorkshire, and Manchester. His list fills over a column, and comprises a most elegant assortment.

William Wright & Co., merchants, have an advertise- ment. A three months' advertisement bears date of Oct. 11, 1805, which suggests former connection or the date of Mr. Eastin's first canvass on starting his paper.

The paper is coarse, thick rag paper, and very stout. A

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few weeks later we find a moderate reduction in advertising rates and the statement that " the subscription is two dol- lars and a half at the end of the year," and " Notes will be required of those who do not pay in advance." Aug. 30, 1806, the head-line first announces the motto " I from the Orient to the Drooping West,-Making the Wind my Post-Horse." The issue of Nov. 26, 1807, in answer to inquiries, makes the statement that " the Knoxville papers have discontinued publishing the proceedings of the Legislature, and on that account we are forced to follow their example for the present. As the Legislature has elected a State printer some time since, it is conceived to be his duty to furnish them in the first instance."

The latest number of the Review on file is that of Dec. 8, 1808 (No. 157, vol. iii.).

The Museum, a monthly magazine, was commenced by Thomas G. Bradford, in the Clarion office, in July, 1809, and continued for six months. It was devoted to politics, literature, and the history of Tennessee, and contained much valuable historical matter. The size of this magazine was octavo, thirty-two pages, with two columns, in pica type, to the page. The subscription price was two dollars a year. A single mutilated copy, in possession of the State Histor- · ical Society, is the only one known to exist.

The Religious and Literary Intelligencer, edited and published by Rev. David Lowry, was the first paper in the United States published as the organ of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The first number appeared Dec. 16, 1830. It was issued weekly, and bore the imprint of " A. Book, printer, Princeton, Ky." It was a small sheet, with four columns to a page, devoted to religion, literature, science, agriculture, and general intelligence. Its publica- tion was suspended near the close of the second year.

The Nashville Herald was started by Mr. Wilkins Tan- nehill in 1831, and conducted for a short time with indif- ferent success. He moved it to Louisville, Ky., soon after its commencement, and it was subsequently merged in one of the papers of that city.

The Kaleidoscope was a weekly literary journal, estab- lished by W. Hassell Hunt, July 11, 1833, and issued every Thursday, at two dollars per annum. It was printed in primer type, three columns to the page, in a quarto form, seven and a half by ten and a half inches in size. The latest number known is No. 50, vol. i., dated July 21, 1834, and now among the archives of the State Historical Society. As a literary journal the volume preserved evinces a high standard, and it undoubtedly wielded a good influ- ence during its brief existence.

The Commercial Transcript, a small quarto sheet, with three columns to the page, was first issued in January, 1835. It was printed at the office of the National Banner and Nashville Whig, and published by White & Norvell, C. C. Norvell editor. It was printed in minion type, and issued every other Saturday, at one dollar a year. The Transcript was chiefly devoted to commercial news. On the completion of its second annual volume it was merged in the Banner and Whig.

The American Presbyterian was commenced Jan. 8, 1835, by an " Association of Gentlemen," edited by Rev. Dr. J. T. Edgar, and published by Joseph Norvell, at two

dollars and a half a year. It had six columns to the page. Mr. Edgar's name did not, however, appear at the head of the editorial column until October 22, No. 42, when the editorial heading announced that it was " aided by contribu- tions of the ministry, laity, and friends of the Presbyterian Church in the Southwest." Their contributions failed to add materially to its support, and this heading disappeared March 17, 1836. The last number of this paper was issued Dec. 29, 1836.

The Cumberland Magazine, a quarterly publication, de- voted to the doctrines and practice of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, was edited and published by Rev. James Smith. It was commenced in August, 1836, with forty-eight pages, octavo, one column to a page. Rev. Mr. Smith was a Scotch Presbyterian, who embraced the Cum- berland doctrines on his settlement in Tennessee and wrote a history of that church, defending its doctrines with great ability. He soon became identified with the publishing in- terests, started the Cumberland Magazine, financially in- volved several leading elders and ministers, and shortly after failed. He afterwards left that church and returned to his original faith.

The Revivalist was a weekly paper issued in 1837 and 1838 by James D. Smith, D.D., and Rev. D. Lowry. The name was changed to the Cumberland Presbyterian at the close of the second volume, and after a few more num- bers were issued it ceased to exist.

The Tennessee Baptist was commenced in January, 1835, by Rev. Robert Boyte C. Howell, pastor of the First Bap- tist Church of Nashville, editor, and printed monthly by A. Buffington, at the office of the Banner and Whig, on an extra imperial sheet, in sixteen seven-and-a-half by nine-and-a-half-inch pages of three columns each, at a subscription price of one dollar a year in advance. With volume two, 1837, W. Hassell Hunt & Co. became printers. Mr. Howell resigned the editorial chair to Rev. Matthew Lyon at the close of the year. Jan. 3, 1837, it began issue as a semi-monthly. J. C. Carpenter & Co. became proprietors in August, but made no change in its manage- ment. In 1838 it was changed to a monthly and reduced to thirty-two duodecimo pages, three and a half by five and a half inches. Rev. Mr. Howell again became editor, and W. H. Dunn publisher. The January and February num- bers were issued, and the journal was discontinued.

The Old-Baptist Banner was commenced in Nashville in 1838 by Rev. Washington Lowe, editor. Mr. Lowe was for some years the leading spirit among the " Old Bap- tists." In 1860 he was settled in Springfield, Tenn., and engaged in the practice of law. His paper was an octavo monthly, and the organ of the church. He was succeeded as editor by Mr. John M. Watson, and the paper removed to Murfreesboro'.

The Tennessee State Agriculturist was commenced in 1840, and continued until Aug. 1, 1846 ; Tolbert Fanning was its editor. Dr. Girard Troost and Dr. John Shelby were liberal contributors to its columns. It was published by Cameron & Fall until 1846, when it was succeeded by another publication.

The Christian Review, the organ of the Christian Church (sometimes called Campbellites), was a monthly magazine

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of twenty-four pages, commenced in January, 1844, and edited by Rev. Tolbert Fanning and others. Jesse B. Ferguson, H. T. Anderson, J. Creath, Jr., and W. W. Stevenson were regular contributors. The subscription price was one dollar per year. It was enlarged in January, 1846, and soon after disappeared.

The Southwestern Law Journal and Reporter, a monthly publication for the bench and bar, was first issued in Jan- uary, 1844, by William Cameron and John T. S. Fall, publishers, Deaderick Street, and edited by Milton A. Haynes, Esq., of the Nashville bar. It had twenty-four two-column pages, and was published at two dollars and fifty cents per annum. The last number of this valuable periodical, the first of its kind in Tennessee, was issued for December, 1844.

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 58

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1013

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013