USA > Tennessee > History of Tennessee, its people and its institutions > Part 28
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State penitentiary and branch prisons 1,508
Three State hospitals for the insane. 1,064
Ninety-three county jails 833
Eighty-nine county asylums 1,858
Tennessee School for the Blind 102
Tennessee Industrial School 630
. Tennessee School for the Deaf and Dumb. 183
Confederate Soldiers' Home
91
Total 6,269
Since the date of this report there have been important changes. Some of the institutions have been largely increased. In 1900 the num- ber of inmates at the Confederate Soldiers' Home had increased to 123. The report does not include the list of Confederate pensioners, 908 in number, who receive from the State an annual appropriation of $100,000.
The report makes no mention of the Watkins Institute, which is founded upon the bequest of Mr. Samuel Watkins, and located in Nashville. Mr. Watkins donated to the State of Tennessee. as trustee, a fund for the benefit of laboring men. The State accepted the trust and appointed a board of commissioners to manage the prop- erty, which is valued at $200,000. The commissioners are Hon. John M. Lea, Mr. John Hill Eakin, and Mr. John M. Bass. The Institute maintains a night school, open free of charge to all white citizens of the State, and which has an annual attendance of about 300 pupils. It also furnishes a home to the Tennessee Historical Society and the Howard Library.
The State Library is a valuable institution, and contains an exten- sive collection of books, maps, charts. pictures, etc. Unfortunately the State has never supplied the library with adequate appropriations. and has burdened the Supreme Court with its management. It needs a special Library Board, much larger appropriations for its support. and better accommodations and facilities.
304
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
529. Organizations Independent of the State .- Many organiza- tions have been formed among the people which exercise an important influence in the "common weal." The Act of 1875 established a general law for the formation of corporations. Under this law many corporations were formed to promote commercial and industrial enter- prises, such as mining, railway, insurance, manufacturing, publishing, electric companies, chambers of commerce, etc. Charters were also issued to companies for benevolent, social, religious, literary, educa- tional, historical, and other purposes not for individual profit.
530. National Benevolent and Social Organizations .- Nearly all the great national organizations of benevolent or social character have branches in Tennessee, which are doing a great work in the interest of religion and morality. Every denomination of protestants, the Cath- olic, Jewish. and other Churches are represented in the State. The Masons, Odd Fellows, Red Men, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor, Knights and Ladies of Honor, Legion of Honor, Royal Arcanum, United Workmen, National Union, Young Men's Christian Association, various temperance societies, and other similar organi- zations have found Tennessee a congenial soil for the growth of all that elevates humanity.
531. National Historical Associations .- There are three of these associations, formed to perpetuate the history of the colonial period and the Revolution, which have established branches in Tennessee. The Colonial Dames give attention to all matters connected with events of the colonial period. The Daughters of the American Revolution are especially interested in the history of the Revolution. "The Sons of the American Revolution" is an organization having in view the same general purpose as the Daughters of the Revolution, but has a small membership and has not been active.
532. The Grand Army of the Republic .- This National Associa- tion is a patriotic organization, formed by the soldiers who participated on the Union side during the Civil War. Men whose hearts have felt the warm sentiments of comradeship which bind those who have fought in a common cause and have shared dangers together, have always shown a desire to perpetuate the friendships and memories of the struggle in which they were engaged. The Grand Army of the Republic was organized for social, historical, and benevolent purposes. to promote comradeship in its local Posts, and to afford at its general reunions the opportunity for comrades to enjoy each others' society.
305
THE PRESENT TIME.
The Department of Tennessee consists of 102 Posts. The State Headquarters are at Knoxville. The officers are: H. Crumbliss, Com- mander; Frank Seaman, Assistant Adjutant General.
The Department of Tennessee, W. R. C., has its Headquarters at Knoxville, with Mrs. Josephine C. Zeigler as President, and Mrs. Tillie Rankin as Secretary.
The Division of Alabama and Tennessee Sons of Veterans, has headquarters at Knoxville, with H. T. Cooper Colonel Commanding, and E. E. Carter, Adjutant.
National Cemeteries .- There are seven National Cemeteries in Tennessee, wherein are graves of Union soldiers in number as given below :
Chattanooga - known, 8,157; unknown, 4,969; total 13,126
Fort Donelson - known, 160; unknown, 511; total. 671
Knoxville - known, 2,175; unknown, 1,047; total. 3,222
Memphis - known, 5.192; unknown, 8,822; total. 14,014
Nashville - known, 11,904; unknown, 4.711; total. 16,615
Shiloh - known, 1,238; unknown, 2,367; total. 3,605
Murfreesboro - known, 3,817; unknown, 2,333; total. 6,150
Aggregate. 57,503
533. Special Tennessee Associa- tions .- These associations include the Tennessee Historical Society, the Medi- cal Society, the Press Association, the Bar Association, the State Teachers' As- sociation, the Public School Officers' Association, the Ladies' Hermitage As- sociation, and other similar societies, and the Association of Confederate Soldiers. There are three other Confederate Asso- ciations which have branches in the Southern States.
534. Tennessee Historical Society. -The Tennessee Antiquarian Society was organized in ISI9, with Judge John JUDGE JOHN HAYWOOD. Haywood as its President. This was the first historical society in Tennessee. It was organized while Judge Haywood was collecting materials for his Civil and Political History
306
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
of Tennessee, which was published in 1823. Judge Haywood is regarded as the father of Tennessee history, his work having been the first comprehensive history of the State. He has preserved a great store of valuable material relating to the set- tlement of the State. He is also the author of a Natural and Aboriginal History of Tennessee, as well as a number of other works, mostly legal. He died in 1826.
After the stimulus afforded by Haywood's investigations had sub- sided, the Antiquarian Society was suffered to go out of existence. In 1849 a new Historical Society was organized, with Prof. Nathaniel Cross COL. A. W. PUTNAMI. as President, but it did not last long. The Society was not put on a perma- nent basis until 1857, when a new organization was effected, with Col. A. W. Putnam as President. Colonel Putnam was then engaged in the preparation of his extensive and painstaking History of Middle Tennessee, which was brought out in 1859. He continued to act as President until the meetings of the Society were interrupted by the Civil War. He died in 1869.
After the war the Society was not reorganized until 1874. At that time Dr. J. G. M. Ramsey was elected President. Dr. Ramsey was the first native historian of Tennessee. He published his Annals of Tennessee in 1853. This volume only brought the history of the State down to 1800, but he prepared a second volume and had it ready for the press, but it was destroyed when his house was burned ; during the Civil War. £ His work has always been accorded a high rank among State histories.
DR. J. G. M. RAMSEY.
Dr. Ramsey continued to act as President of the Tennessee Historical Society until his death in 1884,
307
THE PRESENT TIME.
when the present venerable and able President, Judge John M. Lea, was elected to succeed him. Judge Lea has been an inspiration to the Society, which, under his guidance, is doing much to preserve and honor the history of the State. The pres- ent officers of the Society are Judge John M. Lea, President ; Gov. James D. Porter, Gen. Gates P. Thruston, and Col. William A. Henderson, Vice-Presidents; Joseph S. Carels, Librarian and Treasurer ; John M. Bass, Recording Secretary, and Robert T. Quarles, Corresponding Secretary.
535. Medical Society of Tennessee. -The State Medical Society was incor- porated in 1830 and organized with Dr. James Roane, son of Gov. Archibald Roane, as President, and Dr. Lunsford P. Yandell, afterwards of Transylvania Uni- versity, as Corresponding Secretary. The JUDGE JOHN M. LEA. Society has had a remarkably successful career. Its annual sessions have been held regularly, with the excep- tion of a few years' intermission during the Civil War. Its transac- tions have been printed from year to year, and form a series of valuable historical as well as scientific publications.
536. Tennessee Press Association .- There was no regular press association in Tennessee previous to 1870, though a number of gentle- men of the press had been in the habit of meeting for business or social reasons from time to time for several years. Their membership was few and their meetings informal. At a meeting in December, 1870, it was determined to effect a permanent organization. A call was issued and the first regular meeting of the Tennessee Press Association was held in Nashville on February 3, 1871. At this meeting Mr. George E. Purvis was elected President and Dr. R. L. C. White Secretary. From that time the Association has held annual meetings and published inter- esting journals of its proceedings.
Bar Association of Tennessee .- The first meeting of the State Bar Association was held at Bon Aqua Springs, July 4, 1882. Judge William F. Cooper, of the Supreme Bench, was its first President, and Mr. James C. Bradford, Secretary and Treasurer. It has had 2 marked influence on the legislation of the State in matters touching the
308
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
'courts, such, for instance, as the costs of criminal prosecutions, and its voluminous published proceedings abound in valuable biographical and historical papers.
537. The Ladies' Hermitage Association .- This is a patriotic society of ladies, formed for the purpose of preserving the memory of Andrew Jackson. The Hermitage mansion, twelve miles from Nash- ville, with all its furniture and relics, together with 25 acres of land, was, by Act of the Legislature in 1889, entrusted to the care of this Association.3
538. The Educational Associations .- The origin of these two associations has been previously discussed.+ They are now invaluable factors in formulating educational sentiment in the State.
The State Teachers' Association holds annual meetings during the summer vacation, and has visited nearly every important town in the State. Its membership is open to all educators and friends of educa- tion. Some of its most efficient members have not been practical teachers. At one period of its history, after having accomplished the great purpose of securing the enactment of the public school law in 1873, the energy of its leaders relaxed, and it remained for a time in an inert condition. It was revived during the administration of Superin- tendent Leon Trousdale. Maj. John W. Paulett served as Chairman of the Executive Committee from 1875 to 1881, and inaugurated the policy of holding the annual meetings in the summer vacation at various points in the State. This policy has been pursued ever since, and has resulted in attracting the cooperation of all the educational interests. Prof. J. L. Brooks is now the President, and Prof. R. L. McDonnold is the Secretary.
The Public School Officers' Association is limited in membership to teachers and officers immediately connected with the public school sys- tem. Since its foundation by Superintendent Smith in 1888, it has been a valuable adjunct to the school system. It meets at the State Capitol in Nashville annually, in the month of January, and has a large attendance from all portions of the State. Its officers are : Supt. Samuel Hixson. President : Prof. Frank Goodman, Secretary.
539. The Public Libraries .- Public Libraries had been established in the principal cities and in many of the larger towns previous to 1897, and were maintained by fees and by the donations of private liberality.
3 See page 270.
' Ante, page 269.
309
THE PRESENT TIME.
In 1897 the Legislature enacted the Public Library law, empowering the municipal corporations to levy a special tax for the support of public libraries. Under this law an impetus was given to this important agency for promoting culture. Hon. James H. Bate, of Sumner County, offered a bill in 1897 to provide for public school libraries. which passed the Senate but was tabled in the House. It was unfortu- nate for the school interests that this bill failed to become a law.
540. The Confederate Associations .- There are four Confederate Associations: The Association of Confederate Soldiers, Tennessee Division ; the United Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Sons of Confederate Soldiers. All these organizations are patriotic in spirit, and the United States has no citi- zens more true and loyal than their members. Their sentiments are expressed below in their own language, as quoted from the report of the Committee on History, which was unanimously adopted at the gen- eral reunion of the United Confederate Veterans at Richmond, Va .. June 30, 1896, and which thus describes the Confederate soldier : "His surrender meant peace and conciliation." "He returned to the Union as an equal, and he has remained in the Union as a friend, with no humble apologies, no unmanly servility, no petty spite, no sullen treachery. He is a cheerful, frank citizen of the United States, accept- ing the present, trusting the future, and proud of the past."
Impelled by sentiments similar to those which moved the Federal soldiers, the Confederate Veterans, with their sons and daughters, have formed associations to perpetuate memories which are dear to them, and for social, historical, and benevolent purposes.
The Tennessee Association of Confederate Soldiers is an exclu- sively Tennessee organization, and has no membership outside the State. This association obtained a charter from the State December 30, 1887, with the following charter members : R. G. Rothrock, John P. Hickman, George F. Hager, E. R. Richardson, Frank Anderson, T. F. Sevier, George B. Guild, Jesse Ely, W. J. McMurray, John W. Morton, T. F. P. Allison. and F. S. Harris. It consists of 36 local divisions, styled "Bivouacs." Delegates from these Bivouacs assemble at the annual reunions and constitute the "State Division." This is the Asso- ciation which is recognized by the laws of Tennessee, and to which is entrusted the power to nominate the Trustees for the Soldiers' Home and the Board of Pension Examiners.
The United Confederate Veterans is a general organization for the Southern States. It has a department in Tennessee styled "The Ten-
310
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
nessee Division," commanded by Major General George W. Gordon. with John P. Hickman Adjutant General. The department embraces 72 camps. When the general association of U. C. V. was formed the special Tennessee Associ- ation joined it, its Bivouacs becoming Camps of the U. C. V., yet still retaining their separate exist- ence.
MAJ .- GEN. G. W. GORDON, Commanding Tennessee Division, U. C. V.
The United Daughters of the Confederacy is a general organization for the Southern States. It is said to be the largest organization of women in the world. It has 27 Chapters in Tennessee. Mrs. M. C. Goodlett organized this association in Sep- tember, 1892. Mrs. Frank A. Moses is now the President, and Mrs. John P. Hickman Secretary.
The ladies of this association have devoted especial attention to social and benevolent purposes and to the care of the graves of the Con- federate dead. To their exertions and influence are due the erection of monuments, the custom of decorating graves, and most of the charities to relieve the wants of indigent veterans. They were largely instru- mental in securing the State appropriations for the Confederate Soldiers' Home and for the pensions. The Confederate exhibit at the Centennial Exposition was largely their work.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans is a general Southern organiza- tion, which has a department in Tennessee. It is an · association auxiliary to the Veterans, and having the same general regulations and organization. Hon. A. B. Wilson is now the President.
LIST OF CONFEDERATE CEMETERIES.
No
Location.
No Buried.
Location.
Buried.
Shiloh
1,728
Tullahoma 400
Knoxville
1,600
Jackson
225
Nashville
1,492
Clarksville
Franklin
1,484
Columbia
123
Murfreesboro
1.340
Lebanon
75
Memphis
1,095
Gallatin
3
Chattanooga
905
Union City
11
Shelbyville
600
Lewisburg
Fort Donelson
464
Total
11.252
311
THE PRESENT TIME.
Monuments in honor of the Confederate soldiers have been erected at Knoxville, Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Chatta- nooga, Shelbyville, Jackson, Clarksville, Columbia, Lebanon, and Bolivar.
541. The Physical Features .- The educated Tennessean should be accurately informed on all subjects that pertain to his State. It is not enough that he should be proud of his State. He should have an intel- ligent pride. In connection with its history he should study its geog- raphy, its geology. and its civil government. For the study of the . physical features in detail the student is referred to Safford and Killebrew's Geology of Tennessee, and to Frye's Complete Geography. chapter on Tennessee.
Its grand physical features have attracted its population, and have supplied the resources for its growth and development. Its location. midway between the Cult of Mexico and the Great Lakes, stretching east and west across the fertile Mississippi Valley ; its gradual declivity from the highest mountains of the Alleghanies to the Mississippi bot- toms, giving a range of altitude from 6,660 feet to 170.44 feet above sea level, unite to supply such varieties of soil and climate as to promote the cultivation of every kind of plant grown in the United States, except tropical fruits.
Its eight distinct natural divisions supply great and varied mineral resources, among which are coal, iron, lead, copper, zinc, phosphate. marble, limestone and sandstone.
Its climatic and physical conditions are also highly favorable to the growth and development of animal life. No country affords a more delightful residence to the human race, and no country is better suited to the raising of horses, cattle, poultry, and live stock of all kinds.
542. Occupations .- These varied natural resources afford to the people the opportunity to engage in a great variety of occupations. Agriculture is the most important industry. To this pursuit the tastes and habits of the people incline them, and the genial soil invites then. The manufacturing and mining industries are rapidly growing.
The facilities for transportation add greatly to the value of the several industries, and have developed important commercial interests. The Comptroller's report for 1898 shows that there are in the State 2,992.68 miles of railroad, and 20.921.27 miles of telegraph and tele- phone lines. The Mississippi. Tennessee, and Cumberland rivers. navigable at all seasons of the year. afford excellent facilities for river
312
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
THE PRESENT TIME.
313
VIRGINIA
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Formation.
Population
NAME.
COUNTY SEAT.
Date of
Population
in Boyu.
Date of
Formation.
Population
Anderson
Clinion.
18ot
Fentress
Jamestown
[82%
5,2.0
Lake.
Tiptonville
IS70
5.704
Rhea
Daylon.
12,647
Bedford
Shelbyville
1807
24,739
Franklin
Winchester.
1807
1.auderdale.
Ripley
1835
13,750
Roane
Kingston.
17.415
Benton
Camden
1835
11,230
Gibson
Trenlos.
1323
Lawrence
Lawrenceburg
12 .: 56
Robertson.
Springfield
1795
20,075
Bledsos,
Pikeville
1407
6,134
Giles
Pulaski
1500
.4.457
Lewis
Hohenwald
1843
2,555
Rutherford.
Sturfreesboro
35,097
Blount.
Maryville
1795
17,559
Grainger
Rutledge
1-95
13,1.4
Lincoln
Fayetteville
+500
27, 192
Scott
Huntsville
9.794
Bradley
Cleveland
1835
13,607
Greene.
Greeneville
1795
Luudon
Loudon
1570
9. 73
Sequatchie
Dunlap.
1557
3.027
Campbell
Jackshoro
13,486
Grundy
Altamont
1-44
6.+45
Athens
17,199
Sevier
Sevierville
1794
18,76₺
Caution
Woodbury
1835 12, 197
Hamblen
Morris.own.
McNairy
Selmer
Shelby
Memphis,
1819 112,740
Carroll ..
Huntingdon
ISat
73,630
Homillon
Chattanooga
ISTY
53,4"2
Atacon ..
Lafayelte
30,497
Stewart .
Dover
12,195
Cheatham
Ashland City
1956
9,845
Hardeman
Bolivar
1825
Starion
Jasper.
15,':1
Sullivan.
Blountville.
1779
20,579
Chester.
Henderson .
9,069
Savannah ..
=51-
Starshall
Lewisburg
1815
13,006
Sitmner
Gallalin.
1:56
21,665
Claiborne
Tazewell
1801
Hawkins
Rogersville.
Maury.
Columbia
1807
38,112
Tiplon
Covington
1523
24.271
Clay
Celina.
1820
7.260
Brownsville
24 .***
Meigs
Decatur
1934
6.1)30
Trousdale
Hartsville
1570
Cocke
Newport
1797
16,523
Henderson
Lexington
IO .: 6
Slonroe
Madisonville
ISIQ
15,320
Cuicai,
Erwin ..
1575
4,619
Coffee
Manchester
1835
13,92;
Henry.
Paris .
14,4 $3
Moore .
Lynchburg
1872
54 75
Van Buren
Spencer
IS40
2,863
Cumberland
Crossville
1955
5,376
Erin.
11 .- 40
Obion
L'nion City .
1821
27,173
Washington.
Jonesboro
1777
20.354
Decatur
Decaturville.
8,905
Jackson
Galnesporo
13, "-5
"Overton
Livingston
1806
12,179
Whyde
Waynesboro
It.475
De Kaib .
Smitbrille ...
1837
15,650
Ooltew th.
18-1
PerTy
Linden
7,755
Werkley
Dresden.
1813
34.935
Dickson
Charlotte
ISQ3
13.645
Jefferson
Dandridge
Plckett
Byrdslowp
1979
White
Sparta ..
1506
12.345
nver
Dyersburg.
1823
Johnson.
Mountain City
15 .5
Polk
Benton
1810
8,561
Williamson
Franklin.
26.321
Fayelte.
Somerville
1825
24,5;8
Knox
Knoxville
1,"9:
Putnam
Cookeville ..
1512
Wilson
Lebanon
"Warren
Me3tinnville.
IS07
14.413
Davulson
Nasbville ..
1753
108,174
Humphreys
Waverly
..
' The total population of Tennessee, by the census of 1800. was 1.567.515. of which the urban population was 11.45 per cent, and the rural population was 53.55 per cent. The native-born population was 98.57 per cent., and the foreign-born population 1. 13 per cent. of the total .- (See O. S. Census, Potuination Part I. A (rami-lxxxni )
" The circular shape of Warren and Overton countles was caused by the operation of Section 1, Article IN, of the Constitution of 1570, which provides, that no territory shall be takeu from an established county lo form a new county, or to be transferred to another county, witbin eleven miles of the court-house. For the same reason, the boundary lines of other counties are formed, in part, of ares of circles.
COUNTIES OF TENNESSEE. '
NAME.
COUNTY SEAT.
Date of
Formation.
Population
in INyo.
NAME
COUNTY SEAT.
Date of
WHITE
K
LALDERUS
POCKE
CHICHMAN-7
with Assay
uUN
sor
ARY.1
WAYNE
LINCOL
ADL
TENNESSEE
5
1
4
Formation.
NAME.
COUNTY SEAT.
in 1890,
Carter,
Elizabethton.
1596
13,359
Hancock.
Sneedville ..
د :* ٢٥
Atadison.
Jackson
1821
Smilh.
Carthage.
15.444
Clarksville.
1796
29,1107
I'nion
Mayuardville
1850
11 ,459
Crockett,
Alamo.
1370
15,146
Hickman. Houston,
Centreville
Morgan
Wartburg ...
1817
סני-7
Hardin .
15,103
Haywood.
Montgomery
5.5kg
c
7
HENRY
HOUSTON
DISON :
CILLES
OF TESTESSLE.
15,125
314
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
transportation. Nearly every county in the State has either railroad or river transportation.
543. Wealth and Population .- The assessed value of all taxable property for the year 1898 was $306,116,297. The real value is much greater. A noticeable feature is the rapid growth of the cities. Dur- ing the decade from 1880 to 1890 the five principal cities increased in population 93 per cent. The total population of the State by the last census was 1,767.518.
544. Conclusion .- Thus, the feeble settlements of the Watauga and the Cumberland, beginning their career by establishing independent governments for preserving law and order, entered on the struggle for the conquest of the wilderness. Triumphant over savage foes, British hostility, and Spanish intrigue, they made the early period of their history romantic in adventure and achievement, and illustrious in the grandeur of their virtues.
Overcoming all the obstacles to the acquisition of citizenship and statehood. they contributed to the Union the first State erected out of Federal territory.
Rapidly growing in wealth and influence. the State was exalted by the talents and virtues of its citizens to occupy for many years the most commanding position in the sisterhood of States. It has furnished to the United States three Presidents. Its citizens have filled high places in the Cabinet, in foreign missions, in the military, judicial, and legis- lative departments of the Government. Although an inland State, it has contributed to the navy two of its most illustrious officers. It has gained by the patriotism of its people the proud title of "The Volunteer State."
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