USA > Tennessee > Fentress County > History of Fentress County, Tennessee > Part 11
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Several other bluffs on the farm have ashes under them and may contain bodies and Indian relics.
BIG AND LITTLE HARP.
There is an old Indian Trace that passes through this farm. It has been called the Harp Trace from the fact that the fa- mous Harp brothers, who were robbers and murderers, trav- eled this Indian Trace when on their trips through the country from Cumberland Gap to Alabama. It is related that they were very cruel, and if stories about them are true there has never been a more heartless band than the Harps. They spared neither age nor sex in their cruelty.
According to information gathered principally from Mr. J. M. Fletcher (a former Justice of the Peace, teacher and school official of this county, now residing at Rugby, Tenn.), the Harps ranged through this county from Cumberland Gap and as far south as Alabama. They were originally from North Carolina, but were driven out of that State on account of their misdeeds.
At Cumberland Gap they had a dispute with a lady in regard to a board bill and a young man named Langford took the lady's part and got into a difficulty with them. But the matter was adjusted and all seemed reconciled. Langford left the home with the Harps and was never heard of again. He is supposed to have fallen a victim of their treachery.
The leaders were known as the Big Harp and the Little Harp. The Big Harp's real name was Micajah. The Little Harp's name is not known to the author.
Once it is said that a lady by the name of Stegall was pre- paring their dinner and left them in the room with her baby, which was helpless. She heard it crying, but it soon hushed. She supposed it had gone to sleep. After dinner, and after the Harps had gone, she went to her baby and found it dead. The Harps had murdered it.
The murder of the Stegall baby was the beginning of their end. They were followed by the father of the dead baby and
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other men of the neighborhood and soon overtaken, when both sides began shooting at each other. Finally the Big Harp was wounded and, not being able to stay on his horse, dismounted and wanted to surrender to a young man named Leper, or Lapeer, who, being better mounted than the others, had led the chase. Lapeer was afraid to go to him until the others came up. When Stegall came up he rushed right on and seized Big Harp by the hairs of the head and pulled him forward and cut through the back of his neck to the bone. Harp cursed him and called him a rough butcher and told him to cut on. Stegall did so and severed Harp's head from his body and carried it back in a sack and left his body to be cared for by the fowls of the air.
The Little Harp escaped the pursuers. They returned and camped out one night on their return and ate of roasting ears that had been carried in the sack and had been company to the head of the Big Harp on its last march.
The story goes that Little Harp, under an assumed name, later enlisted in the army and served under Andrew Jackson. A reward of $250 had been offered for his arrest, and some Alabama soldiers believing him to be Harp arrested him, and sent for some Tennessee soldiers who knew him to identify him. The Tennesseans agreed to disclaim any knowledge of him and did so, hoping to afterwards rearrest him and get the reward, but one of the Alabamians knew of a scar from a wound he had received in some of his fights, and when the was stripped the tell-tale scar was found that made the identifica- tion complete. Later he is said to have been executed.
For a long time afterwards parents used the story of the Harps to excite fear in their children to obtain obedience, just as thoughtless parents scare their children with stories of the Boogerman.
ALBERT L. BRIER.
Albert L. Brier is a son of A. L. Brier and - (Conatser) Brier.
Grandparents: B. L. Brier and John W. Gaudin.
He was born in Fentress County and moved to California several years ago. Was cashier of the California Moline Plow
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Co., Stockton, Cal., for ten years. Is now secretary and treas- urer of the Stockton Implement Co.
Was married December 10, 1904, to Edith P. Wood, of Nol- ton, Cal.
P. G. Stockton Lodge No. 11, I. O. O. F .; P. C. P. Encamp- ment and P. C. Canton, Ridgely Lodge No. 15, I. O. O. F.
His grandfather, B. L. Brier, was a merchant at Jamestown for a long time, and owner of considerable real estate, and lived and died respected by all who knew him. His grand- father Gaudin was also a merchant and resided here. (See sketch elsewhere.)
His father, A. L. Brier, served as assistant cashier of the Bank of Jamestown for several years. He is one of the best business men in the county, and has worked on records in every public office in the county, and was elected County Register by one of the largest majorities ever given anyone in the county, receiving 1164 votes to his opponents 243. He is also a civil engineer, and has served at different times as County Surveyor.
H. C. Brier, a brother of Albert L. Brier, is a school teacher and is learning civil engineering. Bertha, a sister, is one of Fentress County's successful teachers.
PROF. D. R. CASE.
Prof. Case was born in Ohio in 1850, and was educated at the University of Lebanon, Ohio, graduating in the scientific and teachers' department. Taught for several years in Ohio, and came to Rugby, Tenn., in 1899 and taught there for eight years. Taught six years at Jacksboro, one in Monterey, five in Scott County, and four years at Jamestown as principal of the Fen- tress County high school. Is now principal of Oneida school in Scott County. His wife, Hattie L. Case, has assisted him in nearly all of these places. .
He is a very successful teacher, is a thorough scholar, and is a student, and keeps abreast of all educational advancement.
He is a father of Ward R. Case, a leading lawyer of the Jamestown bar and at present County Judge of Fentress County.
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HISTORY OF FENTRESS COUNTY, TENNESSEE,
JACOB WRIGHT, SR.
Jacob Wright was a son of David Wright who became one of the early settlers on Indian Creek, settling on the farm now known as the James Ecker Beaty farm. Jacob was a prosper- ous old-time farmer and lived to be nearly 100 years old. He died in 1913 near Boatland.
Jacob Wright had four brothers and two sisters. Their descendants live in the west side of Fentress County.
SIMEON HINDS.
Simeon Hinds is a son of Joel and Nina Hinds.
Grandparents: Eli and Sarah Mullinix.
The Hinds' came to Tennessee via Kentucky from Guilford County, N. C. He attended school at Cumberland Academy in Poplar Cove.
He was Deputy Sheriff of Fentress County two years and held the office of County Court Clerk two terms.
He accidentally shot himself with a shotgun while crossing a river in a canoe and died instantly.
His son, George Hinds, is a leading citizen in Pickett County, and was nominated by the republicans for Floterial Represen- tative from Fentress, Pickett, Overton and Clay counties sev- eral years ago, but was defeated by the Hon. M. C. Sidwell.
PERRY HINDS, SR.
Perry Hinds was a brother of Simeon Hinds. Is a farmer and stock raiser in first district. Has held the office of Justice of the Peace and school director in his district several times.
He is a Mason and a democrat, and for many years a mem- ber of the Freewill Christian Church. Married Elizabeth All- red March 12, 1866. He owns and lives on the Elias Bowden farm near Boatland.
John I. D. Hinds (a son of John and Rhoda Hinds, and a grandson of Simeon and Elizabeth (Stone) Hinds, who later lived in Overton and were buried at Hillham), claims that the Hinds family are of Scotch-Irish and English descent. J. I. D.
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Hinds is Professor of Chemistry in Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn.
John Hinds, a son of Perry Hinds, was a member of the first County Board of Education in Fentress County, and is the author of the plan (now in use in this county) to pay teachers according to grade, age and experience.
LOTTIE STEPHENS.
Lottie Stephens was born over eighty years ago in Fentress County. She is the widow of Zorel Stephens and the mother of Wade and Reece Stephens and Mrs. Matilda Cooper, all of whom reside in the Buffalo Cove near Glenobey.
Zorel Stephens once owned several large tracts of land.
Mrs. Stephens is one of the oldest persons in the Buffalo Cove and is loved and respected by all.
L. D. CULVER.
Dow Culver is a son of John and Nancy Culver. His mother lived to be about a hundred years old, and died near Boatland a few years ago.
L. D. worked in the tobacco business, buying and selling in western Kentucky, going each year until the Night Riders became so offensive that the business became uncertain and he has not returned for several years. Perhaps there is no other man in the county so well informed in regard to the care and culture of tobacco as he is. He is also an expert fisherman.
J. P. Culver, a brother of L. D., owned and operated until recently, the farm known as the Flowers place on East Fork. He sold it recently and bought a small place near the mouth of Poplar Cove Creek where he now lives. He has served as Deputy Sheriff and Tax Collector. The Culvers are noted for old time hospitality.
Tom Culver, a brother of J. P. and L. D., was killed in a skirmish between Beaty's men and a Confederate force under Colonel Hughes in Buffalo Cove in time of Civil War.
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MAYNARD M. CULVER.
M. M. Culver is a nephew of Jake and Dow Culver, and is a school teacher and farmer. He has taught for over twenty years in the public schools of Fentress County. He has resided in the tenth district for several years, but now lives in James- town.
He married Martha Allred, a daughter of Rev. A. C. L. All- red, in 1893.
DOUGLAS WOOD.
Douglas V. Wood was born in 1859. He is a son of William and Elizabeth Jane (Smith) Wood. Grandparents: Mathew and Betsy Wood; great-grandparents : Jessie Wood and Noah Woolsey. He was born in Fentress County. Educated at Montvale Academy under Joe McMillin, a brother of Governor McMillin. Taught as principal of this school two years and also taught in Fentress County. Went to Waitsburg, Washing- ton, in 1886 and began work as a farm hand, later studied law, became a real estate dealer and has become very prosperous. Is now a general selling agent for automobiles, and lives in Walla Walla, Washington. His father, William Wood, was a soldier in the Union Army during the war and died in the service.
WILLIAM W. WOOD.
W. W. Wood is a brother of D. V. Wood. Was born in Fentress County in 1862. Attended the Montvale Academy at Celina, Tennessee. Taught school in Fentress County for a number of years. Was elected Justice of the Peace of the first district in 1888 and re-elected in 1894 by a vote of over four to one for his opponent.
He owned and operated a good farm. Finally removed to Jamestown and engaged in mercantile business and real estate. About three years ago he went to Anadarko, Oklahoma, and is farming. He still owns valuable timber and coal land in Fentress County, and has also made large investments in land in Oklahoma.
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MILLARD F. HURST.
M. F. Hurst has been a constable in the third district of Fentress County for several years, and has filled other official positions. He is a farmer and business man.
P. H. SMITH.
P. H. Smith is a son of Hon. L. T. Smith. He has been a Justice of the Peace for several years, and is one of the ablest members of the county court. Has served as County Surveyor.
He is an Odd Fellow and has filled with credit every elective position in his lodge.
Married Miss Buna Parmley in 19 -.
J. N. SIMPSON.
J. N. Simpson was born on the northwest corner of the Pub- lic Square in Jamestown, Tenn., March 10, 1845. He is a son of William M. Simpson and Elizabeth (Rhea) Simpson.
His father was William M. Simpson, who came to Fentress County in the 30's and became a member of the Legislature.
William M. moved to Overton County before the war. After the war he moved to a farm on the line between White and Van Buren counties.
The following sketch is taken from the Livingston Enter- prise, May, 1913 :
"Captain J. N. Simpson was born March 1, 1845, in James- town, Tenn., being a son of William M. and Elizabeth Rhea Simpson. In 1853, at the sale of the landed estate of Job Car- lock, his father purchased 600 acres of land on the West Fork River in the eastern part of this (Overton) County, at the price of $4,000, Jesse Roberts being his security on his pur- chase notes.
"In 1861 he enlisted in Captain Hutchison's Company, in which he served for some time as a Confederate soldier, but later on during the war he exchanged places with John A. Rob- erts, the father of Chancellor A. H. Roberts, of Livingston, who was at that time in Scott Bledsoe's Company, he going with Bledsoe and Roberts taking his place with Hutchison. He
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served in Company "I" of Paul Anderson's Fourth Tennessee Cavalry. Throughout the war he saw much and dangerous service.
"In the fall or winter of 1864 he was made a lieutenant and assigned to duty on Gen. George B. Dibrell's staff as Assistant Inspector General to W. P. Chapman, who was then Inspector General, and was one of the bravest soldiers this country fur- nished. He was one of the escorts of President Jefferson Davis from Raleigh, N. C., to Washington, Ga., where he surren- dered in May, 1865. On coming back to Sparta with Gen. Dib- rell he stopped at his home for some time. In the summer of 1865 Capt. Dowdy, a Federal captain, agreed that he would send him home to see his parents. He came to Livingston and there met Jesse Roberts, who was then a very old man, and was advised that it would be perilous for him to make a visit to the home of his parents. He acted upon this advice and went to the home of Thomas Moredock, where he remained until his mother could be sent for to visit him there.
"In 1866 he went to Waco, Texas, riding the same horse which he had brought out of the army. Upon reaching Texas he secured employment as a mule driver at $20 per month, hauling cotton to market. Later he went to Weatherford, and still later to Griffin, where he clerked in a store. By industry and economy he saved enough money to buy a stock of goods which, after a time, he traded for cattle, thus launching out into the cattle business. The plains of Texas then afforded excellent pasturage free. He saw the opportunity and seized it and was soon the owner of very large interests in the cattle business.
"In 1885 he first became interested in the banking business in Dallas, and from that time to the present has had more or less interest in the American Exchange National Bank of that city, being its president for a few years. At this time he is vice president of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Co. He is interested in farming on a large scale, and is prominent in business affairs in his home town.
"In 1875 he married in Weatherford, Texas, but his wife died in 1879, leaving one son-Sloan Simpson-who now lives in Dallas.
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"He is a 32° Mason and an Elk.
"Is now vice president of the Texas Central & Wichita Falls & N. W. Railway, and is also vice president of the Amer- ican Exchange National Bank, Dallas, Texas. This bank has a surplus of over a million dollars."
J. W. STORY.
J. W. Story was born in Fentress County. Graduated at Cumberland University in 1868. Practiced law at Lebanon, Tenn., then at Sherman, Texas, now at Forrest City, Ark.
Served in Bledsoe's Company during the war. Was lieu- tenant at the close of the war. Was promoted for gallantry by W. S. Bledsoe-has the original commission in his possession. Attended the Confederate reunion at Jacksonville, Fla., in a private car, where the author met him.
W. D. HULL.
W. D. Hull is a son of Louis and Matilda Hull. Grandparents: A. B. and Syrena Hull.
L. A. Hull is a brother of Wm. and Lewis C. Hull and an uncle of Congressman Cordell Hull.
W. D. attended the A. B. Wright Institute, and began teach- ing in 1898. Has taught his home school seven years, and has taught several other schools. Was a member of the first County High School Board in the county and a member of the present board. Was Justice of the Peace for six years in the tenth dis- trict. Is a democrat. Married Josie Buck, a daughter of Lan- don and Margaret J. Buck, 1908. Lives on a farm near Shirley. --
W. C. SMITH.
W. C. Smith is a son of L. T. Smith, a native of Fentress County. He served six years as Clerk and Master and one term as Floterial Representive for Fentress, Overton, Pickett and Clay counties, being elected as the democratic nominee in 1906. He is a regular practitioner at the Jamestown bar; does considerable work in chancery court.
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HISTORY OF FENTRESS COUNTY, TENNESSEE,
W. J. SMITH.
W. J. Smith is a brother of L. T. Smith and a member of the Jamestown bar. Has served as Justice of the Peace, and has done considerable work in the various offices of the county.
MILTON H. SPURLIN.
M. H. Spurlin was born in the sixth district of the county. He is a son of Clinton Spurlin and Samantha (Stephens) Spurlin.
Grandfathers: Nathan Spurlin and John Stephens.
His grandfather, Nathan Spurlin, settled on Wolf River. His grandfather Stephens lived on East Fork of Obey, above the mouth of Piney, where John Stephens, Jr., now lives.
M. H. Spurlin married Lillie Franklin, a daughter of Hedley Franklin, a Union soldier in the Civil War. He has served as constable, Deputy Sheriff and Justice of the Peace. Was nom- inated in the republican primary, 1914, for Sheriff of Fentress County.
He is an Odd Fellow and K. P. Has filled every office in K. P. Lodge. Is a member of the Freewill Baptist Church. Resides at Wilder.
JOHN STEPHENS, SR.
John Stephens, Sr., was a brother of Isaiah Stephens; was a farmer on East Fork and a respected citizen of the county. He was a great deer hunter. His son, John Stephens, Jr., has served on the Advisory School Board for several years in sixth district.
Frank Stephens, another son, lives on the East Fork. He is a prosperous farmer and has held the office of school director and constable of his district.
THOMAS OWENS.
Thomas Owens resides in the twelfth district five miles south of Jamestown. For several years he served as school director of the twelfth district.
Elias Owens, a relative, was in Company "I", Fourth Ten- nessee Regiment, Bledsoe's Company, and was killed at the
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battle of New Hope, Ga., in 1864. Mr. Owens is a farmer. He is a democrat in politics.
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D. L. RICHARDS.
D. L. Richards, who lives near Grimsley, is a son of John Richards. He has held the office of constable in his district, and has served a number of times as Deputy Sheriff. He is well known all over the county. He is a republican in politics.
A. J. MACE.
A. J. Mace served the county eight years as County Court Clerk, and was Sheriff two years. During this time there was a legalized saloon in Jamestown. He probably made more arrests than any other one Sheriff during one term.
For the past two years he has been clerk of the Advisory School Board in the third district of the county.
He has served on Finance Committee and performed various other duties in connection with county affairs.
He served in the Union army during the Civil War, although just a boy. He now receives a service pension from the govern- ment. He was one of the youngest soldiers in the service, being only about thirteen at the opening of the war.
BRUNO GERNT.
Mr. Gernt, who resides in Allardt, is a native of Germany, as is his wife. He is a naturalized American citizen.
He controls more land than any other man residing in the county. He is also engaged in the mercantile business at Wilder, Tenn. He has done much to develop the value of Cum- berland Mountain land and to interest non-residents in secur- ing homes here, and is always found at the front in every move- ment for the development and improvement of the county. He maintains a well equipped real estate office at Allardt, Tenn.
DR. PLEASANT HOGUE.
Pleasant Hogue is a son of Milburn and Rachel (Young) Hogue and was born in 1849 in Fentress County, where he
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resided until about twenty years ago. He followed farming, preaching and lecturing. He now resides near Pineknot, Ky., and owns a large farm. He is also engaged in the practice of medicine. His wife was Mary Ann Richards. He has a large family of children, all of whom are located on farms near him.
GILBERT H. BOLES.
Parents : James B. Boles, born October 13, 1856, died November 24, 1914; Zilpha (Albertson) Boles, born July 24, 1858.
Grandparents: Robert F. Boles, 2d Tenn. U. S. Vol., Civil War; Naoma (Worley) Boles; John C. Albertson, born April 12, 1827, died October 31, 1903; Cuzza (Beaty) Albertson, born August 25, 1830.
Great-grandparents: John Boles, with Capt. Beaty in Civil War, member of State Senate and member of House of Repre- sentatives; Matilda (Beaty) Boles; John Albertson, fifth set- tler in Jamestown, 1827, Justice of the Peace; Ruth (Dillon) Albertson.
Great-great-grandparents: James Boles, soldier in Revolu- tionary War, in battle of King's Mountain; Jennie (Franklin) Boles, related to Cherokee Indians; Early Albertson, soldier in Revolutionary War; Elizabeth (Coulson) Albertson.
Children of J. B. and Zilpha Boles-Gilbert H. Boles, born August 28, 1889; Herbert C. Boles, born January 18, 1892; Annie L. Boles, born June 29, 1896.
J. B. Boles, born on Big Piney Creek, near Wilder, Fentress County, Tennessee; removed with parents to Indiana during Civil War; attended school at Wayport and at Elletsville, Ind. After the war he came back to Big Piney Creek, remained there some time, then attended school at Joppa, Tenn., Alpine Acad- emy and Montvale Academy. Taught first school at Boatland in the year 1881. Trustee of Fentress County one term (1896- 97), defeating Calvin Tompkins. Defeated for re-election by James B. Reed. Elected Justice of the Peace in 1912. He remained in the teaching profession for more than thirty years. His last work was in school at Bills Creek during the fall of
J. B. BOLES
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WHEELER W. JOHNSON WITH NATIVE FILIPINO AND DAUGHTER
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1914. He never joined any church denomination, but was a Christian. He was a strong believer in the immortality of man. Just before he died he said, "Immortal man shall not die."
Robert F. Boles served in 2d Tenn. Regt., U. S. Vol., Civil War. Was wounded in a bayonet charge near Big Creek Gap, Ky., a musket ball striking him in the knee as he jumped a fence while charging the enemy. Captured the Confederate commander after being disabled. Later was captured by the Confederates and taken to Bells Island, but escaped. After the war he spent the remainder of his life on Big Piney Creek. Died September 26, 1912.
John Boles, member of House of Representatives; member of Senate; with Captain Beaty during Civil War.
John Albertson, Sr., born in North Carolina, removed with parents to Kentucky when only three families lived south of the Cumberland River in Kentucky. Came to Tennessee and settled in Overton County, removed to Wartburg, Morgan County; removed to Jamestown in 1827, being the fifth settler in Jamestown; removed to Poplar Cove and spent remainder of life; died 1866.
James Boles, Sr., came from North Carolina and settled at Jonesboro, Tenn .; first child was born in the fort at Jonesboro. Soldier in Revolutionary War, fought at battle of King's Moun- tain. Came to Overton County and spent remainder of life.
Early Albertson came from North Carolina to Kentucky, being the third family to settle in Kentucky south of the Cum- berland River, lived with other two families in block house for protection against Indians. Removed from Kentucky to Tennessee and settled in Overton County.
GILBERT BOLES. 1889.
Was born near Boatland where he now resides. He was a teacher for several years. Began merchandising about two years ago in partnership with Elbert Clark and is making the business a success. Has followed farming and is also a photo- grapher.
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HISTORY OF FENTRESS COUNTY, TENNESSEE,
LUTE SMITH.
Hon. L. T. Smith is a native of Kentucky. He came to Tennessee many years ago and engaged in farming and the practice of law. He has been in active practice for forty years, and is now a leading member of the Jamestown bar, and has a wide practice covering both criminal and chancery cases.
He represented his district in the State Senate in the 80's. He has probably drafted more legislation for his county than any other man now living. He is a democrat in politics.
ELBERT J. CLARK.
Parents : James Newton Clark and Nancy Jane (Albertson) Clark.
Grandparents : John C. and Cuzza (Beaty) Albertson ; Jason S. and Jerusha (Saunders) Clark.
Great-grandparents : John and Ruth (Dillon) Albertson.
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