USA > Tennessee > McNairy County > Reminiscences of the early settlement and early settlers of McNairy County, Tennessee > Part 6
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Portal, her Cet Bulard, care with his father. The Thul. and his brother, Nathaniel, and sister, Leon, to McNairy from Maury county at an early date. He was a partner in Lu-iness with W. S. Wisdom for many years, and a Enclusters man and was q. i-am essful, 'e ring his family in very conforta- ble circumstan s at the time of his dad.
Nathaniel Shull and Lean, Mrs. Gilespie, are still living bear Purdy. Calvin, the obest son of Peter and roll. Shall, has been a leading aul popu lar business toun in Fuedy since he was a young man, lie held for some years the office of clerk of the county court. He married Mary, the elviest daughter of Um. S. Wisdom, and has readed until very recently in Purdy. The old W.a. dom manson in Purdy, which Calvin and family an I his mother re- Med in was re- cently destroyed by Are, and he has since reraoved to Jackson, Tenn.
SKETCH OF JAMES REED.
In the past of Fordy there flourished an eccentric character by the name of James Leed, clos Leda Idle" He was indeed an generi, arata aris one of those origin. I mena in word and action, who leave their impress upon the community winch holds them, and through life on account of certain traits of character attra ta larga snare of publie attention an lare rolled as a sweet mor- sel under the t nguse of gosangers
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He was born in Maryland, near the Pennsylvania line, and brought to his Southern bome much of the shrewdness, thrift and enterprise of a "regular down Easter." In early life he was a flat boatman, and carried produce, staves, &c., from Cincinnati to New Orleans, and there disposing of his boat and cargo, re- turned co foot through a will and unsettled country offen infested with robbere, and overrun with savages and bears, wolves and panthers.
We have been told that he made seventeen trips in succession before be abandoned so hazardous a life, and it may be proper to mention here that " Uncle Biddle" had as flat a foot as ever trod terra firma. It looked, indeed, as if it might have been, if not " smoothed by a scythe " -- at least " leveled by a roller," and its unusual flatness was always attributed to the fact that he bad reduced it to that shape by its constant use on his return trips, and he could walk with such rapidity that no horse was his match in endurance-save in the first days of his journey. He distanced everything like a horse on the "home stretch," and came victoriously stepping into Cincinnati ahead of time to the tune of forty to fifty miles per day. It is supposed that these trips were profitable to " Uncle Biddle," since he bad too shrewd an eye to business to pursue any venture that did not bring forth fruit in due season, and put money in his pockets.
His ruling passion-his predominating trait-was an intense aversion to the Democratic party. If Dr. Johnson liked an honest bater, bis love for " Uncle Biddle " would have exceeded all computation. He honestly believed that the removal of the deposits and the overthrow of the United States Bank was the parent canse of all the evil. that afflicted the country and harressed the people, and he hated old Hickory and the hosts that went out under his banner with an intensity that bordered on the fiercest fanaticism. He always called a Democrat & Locofoco, and no occasion no time, and no person could so moye him as to force a change of what he deemed the most expressive term of hate within his range of exiletives. In the race between Jackson ant Adams, Uncle Jimmie was one of the two men who voted for Alims in MeNairy county, and as hs neared the polls to cast his ballot, he was told by the sherin, who received it, that whoever voted against Jackson was a traitor to his kind and his country. Uncle Jimmie responded in terms fully as polite, if not more emphatic-"denouncing both the all-gation and the all-mator," anl a row szemed imminent, which, had it occurred, somebody would have been bally hart. It took a bold man in those days to vote an open ticket against Jackson. But Unele Jimmie was a boll man and honest one too, and woull have followed his convict ons to the death. I re- call another inc. dent in his career. " Chele Bildle" took the contract to build the Court Hone at Purdy, and he completed the job in a workmanlike manner. He had taken a vow in his youth that he would never do another day's work after he had reached his 50th year. I mean anot .er day of man til labor. This vow he faithfully kept. On Ins Såtieth birth lay he lai aside bis pline, and dur- ing hite never cut another shaving, or smo hed another board. On the day. or about the time of the completion of the Purly Court House, the celebrated Divy Crocket made his first appearance as a political stamper in those parts. " Undle Biddle" Lad store by all the Girls at ware, that no man should speak in or otherwise use or ovenpy the Temple of Justice until it had been received by and the keys delivered up to the County Commissioners. Oa this point he was both "solid and unanimous" Crockett , . . mach desired to speak in the court Louse, but on his first to application ' Un le Bildle " he was met with a promptre.
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fasal. Chagrined and mortified, as he was, still Crockett determined to try some other mode of access to the obhurate heart of Uncle Jimmie. In the night before the day of the speaking some one whispered unto " Uncle Biddle's " ear that Crockett was likely to overhaul Jackson and his administration, and, perhare, ventilate " Old Hickory " generally. No sunbeam ever melted down a snow-bank more rapidly than this welcome intelligence softened the feelings of " Uncle Bid- dle." His beart at once relented, and the dawn of morning found the old gen- tleman, broom in hand, and aided by one or two assistants, sweeping out the trash, arranging seats, and doing everything to promote the comfort and con- venience of the distinguished " bear hunter and politician of Tennessee." Uncle Jimonie defended himself by saying that if the court house was to be dedicated to the reformation of the public morals, he knew nothing better in a preliminary way than an anti-Jackson speech ; that in the course of time the Locofocos might fire the last gun, but he had given the first shot, and that was one point gained in a good cause, and he always contended that Crockett cumbered the ground with the killed and wounded, and that his speech was a telling and powerful ef- fort, full of homely, yet apt illustrations, and sparkling with a Row of humor that belonged alone to Davy Crockett.
When ever there was a joint discussion between leaders of the old parties at Pardy, " Uncle Biddle " was alive, active and aggressive. He seemed to sauf the battle from afar like Job's war horse, and appeared bedecked in war paint and feathers, so to seak, and with tomahawk in hand. Woe to the uncappy knight of a Democrat that came in his pathway ! It is said he never but once heani a Democratic speaker. If the Whig champion opened the discussion he was always promptly present, and usually occupied a chair, which he located near the stand, in order that no word might escape him, and that he might sit under the " very droppings of the sanctuary." When the Whig orator closed his speech-at the very instant-" Unde Bille " "stood not anon the order of his going, but west at once," amid the smiles and sometime illy-suppressed tones of derision on the part of his Democratic friends and neighbors. His exit on such occasions was really a dramatic performance. His step was as agile as an Indian, his face red as & bandana han lkerchief, and he stanak I frame upon the unofinding earth with violent energy. That cane had the most peculiar rattle I ever heard, and the recollection of it c'ings to me yet over the weary roll of years entombed in the unreturning past. I said he never brand bat one Democratic speech It seems that he was prevailed upon to hear a j Int discussion between Col-inin and Stan- ton, who were opposing can lidates for Congress in the Memphis distries, to watch at that time McNairy county was attacked. Stanton hat the reput tion of a far debator, that is to say, he did not alone his o ponents, and dealt hard, but courteous blows. True to his worl. " Co le Biddle" sat through the debat -. Yes, he sat bold upright through ir ; chr ), This hin ! firmly about the head of bis cane, and fixed an eye as keen and gathering as that of the " Ancient Mari- ner " upon Stanton, who was greeted again and again with storms of apola se by his party friends. There was the usual Camping of hand stamping of thet and Iund huzzas "outvoreing the deep moithed sea. No do ibt the very fires of hate forcely burnt in his bosom, but he gave no sign He what we imperturbable is a granite shaft, and apparently heelless of the tumultous popular uproar that raged around him. When the deadser cafel he left the court house, and these who saw him report the old gentleman to have been "'exceeding wroth," ani
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i. adition says he filled the air with oaths tolerable to neither men nor Gods. We have heard him say that on that occasion he heard enough Locofoe, lies to drown a thousand men, and that he never would again be so weak as to be caught in such a trap. It is needless to say he never attended another simdar discussion.
On another occasion the writer wanted to make a short trip into one of the districts of his native county, impelled, perlage, more to see a "bonnie lascia" than to be edified upon the tarif, or upon the recor Is of the opposing van lidtes. In these days it was not always convenient to procure a horse, and hence we re- ertel to a little stratagem. We told " Uncle Bridle" that on such a day a celebrated Whig speaker was to orate at such a place, and that then and there a Whig club would be forme I, an I that I had been informed there was a need of a few battle-Rags, as Jidge Sneed call abour the mountains of Last Tennesee, to " decorate" the ceremonies ; that I had a few left over from a former celebration, which I would be glad to hand over to the chairman of the committee on ar- rangements, provided I could get a horas to carry me to the 6-11 of action. The old gentleman furnished me a horse at his own expense, and I set out as " brave & lad as ever commission bore, to display the Whig bunting to the battle an! the breeze '" By some mi-take the orater f del to put in an appearance. the club was not evolved from the inner conciousness of the local politicians, ani thie anticipated jubilation was a Sit failure. I knew the old gentleman to> well to return with a true report of what recu rel, and so I resortel to an ther piece of strategy. On my return I found the oli gentleman standing on tip toe eager for the fray, an Urealy as he always was to hear of a mighty a thing of the people in behalf of Whig candidates and measures.
I told him in substance as follows " That whilst I did not regard M .. B. as a great ovator, that he made strong and telling monate in his speech; t'as among other things he call that the i . Hal chargei that Henry Chiy vas a black-leg, a duelast, and his morals generally were bal and loove i yond ut- termin ar ! that he was, therefore, unit to occupy the Presidential Chair core filled :y / Washington That he, Mr. Be ' al but on - way of meeting anh slander, and the we by tvinge the lie det," that he wished it to be dis- tinetly understood that he had meware I his works, and was persind y respon-i- ble for them both We're or el, where" " Mere DITH" was lighted at roy re- cital of the points of the anech, and he spoke oit quickly, with the off war gleam in his eye, "Do I an derston! yes rosy thit he called them ' Locofusos, or d-d Lovefocos" I replied. Loco pros wit's an epithet.
Yes, said " Unde Bilde," and he (Vr B ) was willing to be personally re- sponsible for his words. Oh, ges and I wr ovaly asjons We.
Anl no Locofoco, said " Cach D. IN-," dared to tak- him up or meet bis dental ?
Nobody whimpered " Undla Balle," mail I. All was a- silent as the grave.
Whereat the old genil man apun nestled the earth with les cane, and sail the only way, the lalal : es maili ) : tent Lowteens wast can takedown their threats, and to keep it so cramm . I down well. "Strong coffee" va- the only medicine that a milk and rider pois weleave to end in ruin ; that be was for carrying the war in > Array, &s. Carlo e deeste was his mile!
and I bethought again of his eternal watred to Jackson, and I went on to report
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that B. had denounced the removal of the deposits as au act of high-handed tyranny that in Europe would have cost Monarchy a crown, and that for this act Le bald Oll Hickory up to the reprobation of mankind as a tyrant, who in his- tory would take his plice by a Nero or Caligola, and that he End destroyed the best currency the world ever saw by his overthrow of the United State Bank.
Did he say Jackson was just a tyrant, or ad-ned tyrant ? said " Uncle Biddle."
If I recollect right, " Uncle Biddle," he said he was a d-ned Longjuco tyrant. The . 1.1 gen'leman could stand no more. His cane rattled with a nervous energy ; it described gyrations in the circumambient air, his whole frame shook with a wrathful kind of joy, and be directed me to write to Mr. P. at once to make an appointment at Pardy ; that he had heard of his celebrated speech in the Eighth District ; that he would assure him a big erowi; that Clay was cer- tain to be elected, &c. I wrote the letter, of course, but to this date I am reason- ably certain it has never been mailed, and that it never reached its destination.
With him, indeed, the " ruling passion was strong in death." He died in 1852, on the eve of the Presidential election, fully confident that Scott would sweep the country, and enter the Presidential Chair backed by a large popular majority.
A few days before his death the writer visited him, and cheered his dying hours by reading extracts from Whig newspapers. His favorite paper was the Louisvi le Journal, and he was never so happy as when bearing editoriale from the pen of the gifted Prentice.
On one such visit I called his att miento a knot of gentlemen residents of PurIs-all Democrats -- who were holding a conversation near McCann's old grocery store. He viewed them a moment in vullen defiance, and asked me what was the object of the meeting. Replying that I jil not know, be rallied with his old-time energy, and said : " We i. I know they are traitor (with an either ) plotting against the liberties of the prople. You will live to see the country, my son, was'ed by war and ruin overtake you all, and the Locof cos will be at the bottom of the d-vilment. It has alviys been my beher they would rain the country, and I die in that better." I opted these words in an oni scrap book at the tince, and their strict accuracy may be relied upon by all who reads these lines Another trait or two, which ought perhaps to have been noticed earlier, and I shall have done this rough and basty reneili-g. Before election day Uncle Biddle was the impersonation of aggressiveness. He wore the hypothetical coat tail of Donnybrook Fair, and was literally " spelling De night." Mellom-elf he al- ways asserted that the Democrats were mal also, and by a singular and happy hallucination he drew inspirations of victory from that very fast. His constant cry was, " Boys, the Locofocos are mad : they know that defeat awaits them, and we've got them. But if " Code Buldie" had his car up bedre election day, how furiously he razed when the returns cameio ao I showed his favorite cham - pion under an avalanche of overwhelming ball .a. Then, indeed, he quit the public streets and his accustomed haunts through cheer disgust, retired to his room, nd there remained a week or so like a weather beaten vessel hauled in , docks for repairs. At such a time he had no company and wanted none, and he never rallied mat! he had the Lonisvile Journal read over to rim, which, of course, abused the Whigs for pray ing at home, and not having patrichem enough left to vote their principles, and two or three copies of it would usually satisfy
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bim that there was really no decrease in the Whig ranks, but just a crimine! negligence to vote : and also, " Uncle Bridle" had a keen nose for frauds which never failed to cut an important figure in every race that resulted in the defeat of his favorites. According to his arithmetic very few Democrats were ever honestly electedl, and where he living to-day his voice would roll over the bor ler into Mississippi, demanding a "full vote, a free ballot, and a fair conne." " Uncia Biddle," (so called after Nicholas Billie, the President, I believe of the once famous United States Bank ) bought several acres of ground, which be divided into small lot4, and his purchase was known as Reg's addition to the original plat of Purdy. It, therefore, become necessary for him to make warranty deels to purchasers, and these deeds were often drawn after the old style by Machia Cross, Esq., the leadling Democrat of MeNairy county. The old gentleman pre- cured Cross to write them, but before he would attach his signature he required that they should be read over and their correctness vouched for by the late W. S. Wisdom, a well-known Worg, whose political faith, outside of bis sterling integrity, was a sufficient avouchment to " Uncle Bitlle" that the calls and dimensions of the lots were set out correctly in the conveyances, and so is commercial matters even the doughty old Whig carried the leaves of bis pattina.
Brave oli Whig cavalier! No gorganic horrors born of a craves spirit stood around your dying pillow to mock you with a lack of courage in your life work. You followed your convictions to che an I, and a cosaciousness of this fact cheered you in your la-t moments, and you died as peacefully as the exalrant crusvier ia full view of the HI. ly Sepulchre. You were one of those rore men who never deceived either friend or foe, and your very eccentricities constitute the best heritage you have transmitted to posterity. It may be truly said of you that " all your faults leaned to virtues," and that but one epithagh should Etly be le- scribed upon your tomb : " Here !- s an honest man, the no lest work of G 1." Even in your death you grandly rose above your time and section. You maca. mitted the only slave you ever owned, endowed bim with a portion of your estate, and bad- Lim hurry onward from the dark confines of slavery to the sun- lit fells of freedom. I say again, brave pid Whig cavalier! You have gone be- yond the River to rest beneath the shade of the trees, and should some proud ac- conquered banner of your beloved party roll out its f. Ils upon a sunny mount vf Zion, we feel assured that you are there ready to join Jno. Quincy Adaios in de- bouncing the charge of " bargain, intrigue and corruption " male against Henry Clay as'a falsehood, even though it should emanate from omnipotence itself.
D. M. WISDOM.
The BRADEN FAMILY.
Major P. H. Bladen was born in Williamson county, T-on , February, 19CD; removed to Maury count . and in the year 1822. inter-married with Masset Lane, nee MeEwin, of Maury cosary. The issue of this marriage was dass 3 Dr Joseph L Balen. She liel, and he ruter-raapril with Sal .. M. Johns a, si the same county. Born to them n ne villren. towit, Mary E., who inter ass- Martha Martin, dungliter of Ju ce Tones Marta, of Harden events, Der. M. J Braden, who inter- worked with Jer nie Bell, daughter of John Bull. Mar's D, who inter-married with Join W. Stample; Sarah T, who inter-marmel with
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Teadell Crump, son of Dr. Richard Crump, of Hardin county, Tenn ; George W., who inter married with Nora Hollingsworth, daughter of Judge Hollingsworth, of Kentucky, who now lives in the city of Louisville-merchant; T. J., who inter. married with Mattie Crump, daugliter of Dr. Richard Crump, of Hardin county, Tenn., and sister of Tende !! Crump.
Maj. P. H. Braden died December 5, 1870, at the age of seventy, and was buried in the cemetery at Purdy, after a residence in the county of McNairy for about forty years. He was a man of fine physique, of strong mind, and was among the leading Dem crats of the county during the days of the Whig and Democratic parties of anti-bellum tim-s. Dr. Joseph L. Braden was an emi- nent physician of his age, but met his death untimely at the hands of Capt. Wm. Forrest in 1863 at the home of his father in Purdy ; Mary E. enter-married with I. F. Huddleston, who was born in (Turborn county, East Tennessee, went to McNairy county in the year 1852, studied law, and when quite young took a high stand in his profession. Mr. Hudalesion at the age of sixteen years was an officer in the war with Mexico, he and Col. Burch having organized a company in the mountains of East Tennessee, joined Col. Waterhouse's regiment, 4th Ten- Dessee Volunteers. After the close of the fate war between the States be settled down in Pardy, and has been practicing law there ever since.
The CROSS FAMILY.
Judge Maclin Cross, whose name is frequently mentioned in this book, was one of the early settlers of the county, and one of its most prominent and re- ¿pected citizens.
He was the first dierks of the chanty court, was delegate to the Constitutional convention of 1535, was Judge of the county court, and held other places of trust, and was the acknowledged leader of the Democratic party in his county. He was a merchant and lawyer, his practice in his profession, however, was mostly online business, he seldom appearing b fore the courts. He married Miss Denny, a sister of Alvin Denny, a very Handsome and intelligent woman. He removed after 1 935 to Humboldt, where he dral some time last year, nearly, if not quite, eighty years old. His ed --: son, Alpho zo Cross, who died a few years sicce, was a man of rare quanti ". He was truly a man of "infinite wit and most excellent humor." He was most of his life engaged in merchandise. Ha was clerk and Master of the chancery court of MONary county for many years. He raised and took into the Conf- lorat- service from M.N dry county a company which formed part of the 13th Tennessee Regiment, comman led by Col. Jan V. Wright, and subsequently by on off A. J. Vaughan.
Jan. F. Calma, the second am, mardi a Mise Woodward, of Mississippi, and died in Arkansas a few years since. Let hand, the youngest son, marri . it May Gordon, of Tennessee, all ww level -ame yeus an. There were three daughters, none of whom co the writer's srovledge are living.
Albert Cross & younger bryder of Taladros, married Miss Jane Pica, daughter of Sur D. P.e., at. how's my, . Iremoval to Texas. Emig. a sister, married Thomas J. Lnstone, who di i in Party many years ago. TLe widows of Alphonso and Richa. I Cross rende at abumodlit.
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JNO. V. WRIGHT.
the ellest son of Benjamin and Mutha A. Wright, was born at Purdy Jong 28, 1-28. Ile was once a candidate for the lower house of the General As- sembly of Tennessee from M.Nairy county, but was defeated by one vote-the vote of his opponent. He served three terms in the Congress of the United State from the (then) Seventh District in which MONairy county is situated. He resigned his seat in 100. In 1561 he raised the 13th Regiment of Tennessee Infin'ry for the Confederate Army. and commasdel it as Colonel at the battle of Belmont, Mo., where he was wonn led. He was soon afterwards elected to the Confederate Congress, where he served until the end of the war. He has resided for a nom. ber of years at Columbia, Teno. Ile has held the offces of Judge of the Circuit, Criminal and Chancery Courts in his judicial district, and has also been several times appointed by the Governor as special julgo of the Siprem: Court of the State.
He was the candidate of the State 'redit Democracy for Governor of the State at the election in lero, but by reason of the division in the party, (there b-ing two cand lates,) was defeated by Governor Hawkins.
He lias a leading practice at the bar of Columbia, and enjoys to a large ex- tent the confidence and regard of the people.
RICHARD S. HARWEIL.
As will be seen elsewhere, Richard S. Herwell has livel longer in McNairy county than any one now living except Mrs. Cella Shull Wisdom. He is the oldest son of Mrs. Martha Ann Wright by her first marriage.
He is a fine business man, and was a succes-fil merchant in Pardy for many years.
In early days he was a great hunter, and enjoyed the reputation of being one of the best shots in the county. Hestill resides in Pardy.
JACOB JACKSON.
Jacob Jackson was born in North Carolina on the Inth lay of April, 1799 ; emigratel to East Tennessee with his father; went into the wir of 1312 at the age of seventeen ; servel une campaign; marriel to Mary Fillgot, who was a native of Virginia; emigrated to MeNairy county, Tenn, in the year 1828; served as justice of the peace for thirty years; died September the 17th, 1330, age 84 years, 5 months and 7 daya.
The NEWBERRYS.
Sarah and Isa' ella Newberry, familiarly called " Sa ly and Ibby," removed from Owl Creek, M Natry county, to Pardy in 15 2, where they soon became noted for their in histry and cleanliness, but expeonly for the " ginger-cakes and beer," which they soll as a meios of support. In 1: 50 the ;- brother-in-law froma East Tennessee catde to see them, and they retn. ned with him.
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