Thursday, November 16, 1905

    Madisonville, November 9---Miss Mae Magill attended the funeral of her Uncle Mr. Marshall,
at Maryville last week.

    Cherry Branch---Little Ethel Richeson, the five-year-old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Sam
Richeson, died at her home Thursday morning last. Remains were laid in the cemetery at Murray's
Church.

Thursday, November 23, 1905

    Martin McBroom, an aged and highly respected citizen of this county and for several years a
resident of Sweetwater, has on competent medical testimony, been adjudged insane and a fit
subject for the hospital for the insane at Lyon's View. Senator May accompanied him to the
asylum this week and his friends hope for his early complete recovery.

    J.L. Kinser, for many years a merchant of this place, died at his home near Coytee, Loudon
County, last Saturday morning. He had been afflicted with rheumatism for almost a year. He was
55 years of age, and an honored and highly respected citizen. He was a member of the Methodist
church. During his residence in Sweetwater he was connected with the firms of Hutcheson & Co.,
and W.A. Brown & Co., and his relations were always pleasant, his demeanor such as to endear
him to many friends.
    The body was brought here Monday for interment, the funeral service being conducted at one
o'clock from the Methodist church, conducted by Revs. J.L. Bachman and I.P. Martin. The
interment took place in West View Cemetery. To the bereaved wife, son and daughter, many
hearts go out in deep sympathy.

Thursday, November 30, 1905

    W.D. Howard was called to Conasauga, Polk County, last week by the illness of his father who
is 91 years of age.

    Death Of Carrie Kile---The Angel of Death entered the home of Mr. Joe J. Kile on Saturday
morning, Nov. 26, 1905 and claimed for its victim Carrie May, age 10 years, 1 month and 2 days.
    She was taken sick Thursday, her illness lasting only three days. She was a kind, gentle and
loving child and no one knew her but to love her.

A precious one from earth has gone.
A voice we loved is stilled,
A place is vacant in our home,
That never can be filled.

    She has gone to join her Savior and her mother in that beautiful land, where there will be no
more parting or farewell tears.
    She leaves a father, mother, three brothers and a sister to mourn her death, but their loss is her
eternal gain. May the Lord guide and comfort the bereaved ones.
Where is that flower, the fair young flower?
That lately sprang up and stood,
With smiling face and loving voice---
A beauteous sisterhood.

That flower has bloomed in the field of light,
Transplanted by God's care;
Someone upon her garments white,
Will that dear blossom wear.

The Lord had need of that floweret gay,
The angel said and smiled;
A dear token of earth, I say,
Where he was once a child.

And the parents gave in tears and pain,
The flower they most did love;
They knew that they would find her again,
In the land of light above.

In the cold moist earth we laid her,
When the forest cast the leaf.
And we wept that one so lovely,
Should have a life so brief.

    Funeral services were held at Christianburg Church on Monday morning at 11 o'clock,
conducted by Rev. S.G. Grubb, after which the body was interred in the cemetery at that place.

    Obituary---Moulten G. Jones, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of
Sweetwater, died at his residence in this city, Friday afternoon at two o'clock, after an illness of
several weeks.
    He had not been confined to his bed, however, but a short time. Deceased was a good citizen, a
man of few words, but outspoken in his convictions of right. He was a useful citizen, a kind
husband, a loving father. He was born near Belltown, in this county and was in his 62nd year. He
came to Sweetwater in 1887 and for many years successfully followed the avocation of a
blacksmith. He leaves a wife, three daughters, and two sons. The children are Ben, Clarence and
Miss Blanche Jones, and Mrs. Harry L. Heiskell of Sweetwater, and Mrs. D.H. Hamby of
Rockwood. All were with him in his last hours. One brother, Newton Jones of Rocky Springs,
and a sister, Mrs. Hawkins of Virginia, also survive him. The funeral was held from the church at
Christianburg, Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. S.S. Boyer. A large concourse of neighbors
and friends attended the service, the large church being well filled. The bereaved family has the
sympathy of the community.

    Mrs. Dora Smith Senter, wife of T.N. Senter of Chattanooga, and a sister to Mrs. A.M.
Tredway of Sweetwater, died Tuesday after a brief illness. Deceased was a most estimable
Christian woman, and leaves a devoted husband, five sons and one daughter who are sorely
bereaved. Funeral services were held yesterday, being conducted by her pastor, Rec. C.B. Waller,
of the Second Baptist Church.

    Mr. Walter Howard, one of the oldest citizens of Polk County, died at his residence at
Conasauga, Tenn., Tuesday morning, after an illness of a few weeks. Mr. Howard was in his 92nd
year and had been blessed with remarkably good health all of his life. He was one of the most
prominent and highly respected citizens in the country. He was a brother of the late Johnson
Howard, of Monroe County, the father of W.D. Howard, a brother-in-law to Mr. W.H. Smith,
and an uncle of Mr. James May, Cal and Joe Howard, of this place. He leaves two other sons,
John Howard of Blount County and James Howard of Polk County, with whom he and the
surviving widow, who was his second wife, resided. Funeral services were held from the residence
yesterday being largely attended.

    Thursday, December 14, 1905

    Article containing the Resolutions of Respect for M.G. Jones given.

    Mrs. S.S. Hutsell attended the funeral of her sister, Miss Lula Griffitts, who died at her home at
Unitia, on November 28th. Deceased was a daughter of J.W. Griffitts and a lady of many
admirable traits of character.

    Friends of Martin McBroom who was sent to the hospital for the insane at Lyon's View
recently will regret to learn that his condition is even worse than when he left Sweetwater, and the
hospital physicians do not give much hope for her permanent recovery.

Thursday, December 21, 1905

     The many friends of Bina Young, who has been dangerously ill for several days, regret to learn
that there is but little change yet in his condition, but some hope is entertained for his recovery.

Thursday, January 3, 1907

    Article about Joseph Sands by H.E. Parsons.

    On last Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock just above the county bridge near McCampbell's livery
stable the ordinance of Baptism was attended. Notwithstanding the rain which was steadily falling,
six of the ten which was recently approved by the First Baptist church of this place were Baptized
by Rev. S.G. Grubb. There was a large crown in attendance.

Thursday, January 11, 1907

    Gone To His Long Home---On last Saturday, Jan. 5th, Frank Cleveland, a colored man, died
on the Snead farm in Monroe County, Tennessee. He was about sixty years old and was born and
raised on that farm as a slave, and had been living and working there for more than seven years
next before his death. He was what the south calls "a good old time darkey." He was honest,
truthful, industrious and religious. You could have trusted him "with uncounted gold." His word
was as good as his bond; his credit was good wherever he was known. He was poor but he paid.
    His mother was brought here from Lynchburg, Virginia in 1824, when she was a little girl, by
Rev. Robert Snead. His father was Jube Cleveland, who retained the name of Cleveland although
he belonged to Snead, and his children inherited the name of Cleveland.
    Frank Cleveland has raised a number of children, a dozen in all, but only half of them are now
alive. His whole family, like himself, are honest, truthful and trustworthy. We regret the loss of a
good man like this, it makes no difference what his color is. He is useful and needful to the whole
country and to the State. He never had to pay out a dollar on any member of his family for any
crime that they had committed, not one of them ever committed a crime. They have been useful
and greatly in demand all of the time. Few men who are as poor and have as large families as
Frank Cleveland had, live as honest, industrious and religious life as he did. How greatly we regret
his loss!
    He owned a little home of his own but preferred to live and work with his family for wages on
the old farm where he was born rather than live on his own little farm. He would not live in towns
and cities, always said it would ruin his family, and in this we surely think he was right. Nothing is
a greater curse to the colored race than the dens of rags, poverty and vice that they and their
people often make in the towns and cities. On the farms that are needed, they are all well treated,
they have their own homes and something to do and something to live upon; in the towns it is
often different.
    We greatly regret the loss of poor old Frank, and fear that we will never see many more like
him. However, we hope that his sons and daughters may grow up like he was; faithful,
trustworthy, honest, industrious, religious and true.     January 8th, 1907   S.E.Y.

    A telegram to relatives here conveyed the news of the death at Oaksdale, Wash., Thursday,
Jan. 3, of Mrs. Sarah Johnston Jones, widow of E.C. Jones, and a sister of J.H. Johnston of Fork
Creek. Mrs. Jones was formerly a resident of this section and leaves many friends here.

    In Memory Of Mrs. N.A. Boyd---In the death of Mrs. Boyd we have lost a noble woman, a
kind friend; her many lovable traits of character, the interest shown in the welfare of all she knew.
One could always go to her for sympathy and advice, and her kind and loving words of counsel
was of great help to many. Mrs. Boyd loved the Sweetwater people and did much good. She was
an active church member. The poor blessed her name. Her long and useful life was mostly spent in
Sweetwater. The last six months were spent with her daughter, Mrs. Carrie T. Paxton of Buena
Vista, Va., where she received every loving care until she passed away, to spend the New Year
with her Savior. Mrs. Boyd had many misfortunes in loss of loved ones and property. But she
bore it with Christian fortitude and was never heard to murmur. She leaves two daughters and one
son to mourn her loss, Mrs. Carrie Paxton of Buena Vista, Va., Mrs. Joe Roberson of Austin,
Texas, and Will V. Boyd. Those gone before were Winfield Boyd, her eldest son, Joe Boyd and
Mary Boyd Williams. To the living we express our sympathy. We will all miss her.     ---A Friend.

Thursday, January 17, 1907

    Good Reward For Murderer---A reward of $300 has been offered, $200 by Sheriff J.L.
Johnson and $100 by the governor for the apprehension of George McMahan, who killed Joe
Frits at Oral in Roane County on Christmas Day. Sheriff Johnson further offers $100 for any clue
that will enable him to locate McMahan.

    Article about the murder of Col. William A. Guinn of Polk County, Tennessee.

    Mr. James Brooks was called to Newport last Friday on account of the death of his mother
who died that morning from old age. She was 83 years old and ate a hearty breakfast the morning
before she died. The interment took place at Newport on Sunday. Deceased was a most estimable
Christian woman.

    Mr. A.F. Burgner, proprietor of the tent skating rink, was for a number of years connected with
McArthur & Sons Co. and later with the East Tennessee Music Co. of Knoxville, and is an expert
piano tuner and voicer. Anyone needing work in his line, should consult him. Mr. Burgner's home
is in Morristown.

    The little folks have even a greater attraction in Sweetwater than the skating rink. The little
daughters of Mr. & Mrs. F.A. Carter have a sure enough merry-go-round, with music box
attached, and the old as well as young, find much amusement in witnessing the performances,
which continue in Mr. Carter's yard from morning until night.

    A note from Dr. J.L. Prater announces the death of that patient, sweet-spirited, faithful woman
Mrs. Addie Boyd, at Sweetwater, Tenn. Hers was a home that gave ready welcome to the
preachers. Her gentle face was a help to any man in the pulpit. Her courage through much sorrow
was ever an evidence of her faith. She was good and true, and has gone to the blessed home of
rest. As one who was often a welcome visitor to her fireside the Editor sorrows with those who
lose their best friend---a mother. May tender, comforting grace be theirs.   ---Midland Methodist.

    Pete Young Pardoned---Gov. Cox on last Thursday granted a pardon to Pete Young of this
place, who was sentenced to a term of five years in the penitentiary in the fall of 1904, on the
charge of felonious assault following the killing of Calvin Bright by Marshall Joe Thompson July
4, 1904, the responsibility for which was charged to Young. The pardon was recommended by the
trial judge, attorney general, prosecuting attorney, many prominent citizens and the Advisory
Board of Pardons.
    Pete returned from Petros on Tuesday. He has many friends who are glad to hear of his pardon,
feeling that he has been punished sufficiently, and will now make a peaceable, law-abiding citizen.


Thursday, January 24, 1907

    Madisonville, January 16---Mr. Samuel Browder, aged seventy-one, died last night at the
residence of C.U. Milligan, his son-in-law, in this town. The funeral occurred today at two
o'clock from the residence of Mr. Milligan, the services being conducted by Rev. William Smith,
pastor of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Browder was the father of Mrs. C.F. Latimore, wife of the
trustee of Monroe County. He leaves besides his wife, five other children, three of whom live in
this county, and three in the west. His wife was a daughter of the late Joseph E. Houston. Mr.
Browder was a much respected citizen by the large attendance present at the funeral.

    George Duff, son of W.P. Duff, of Loudon, was instantly killed while coupling cars in the
Southern yards at Knoxville early Monday morning. He was 25 years old, unmarried, and he had
just earned promotion to conductor and would have been placed in charge of a train in a few days.
His remains were taken to Loudon on No. 41, where the interment took place Tuesday.

    Article containing the Resolutions of Respect for Joseph Sands Sr., given.

    Article containing the Resolutions of Respect for M.G. Sutton given.

    Forty Years In The Ministry---We had the pleasure of spending a part of the afternoon and
Sunday night last with our old friend and brother, Rev. J. Janeway. Rev. Janeway has been in very
feeble health for several weeks past, but we are glad to note that he is improving some and it is
hoped that he will be able to be out again soon; but considering his age and the fact that he has
been a cripple in one leg for over fifty years, and which is the cause of his illness now, we fear that
he will not enjoy perfect health again.
    Brother Janeway is widely known, having preached the Gospel over 40 years, and served as
pastor in many churches over this country, and all who know him love him, and daily friends are
calling to see him. It is worth the while for anyone to call upon this venerable man. His mind is as
clear, seemingly as it ever was, and he is informed along most any line and especially on the Bible.
I love to be with him.   ---S.G. Grubb.

    Hippodrome Skating Rink---Mrs. Charles C. Webb, Bina C. Young, C.P. Hicks and E.L.
McCampbell have rented the old Sweetwater Mill Co. No. 2. Warehouse, and are having it
floored, lighted, and otherwise equipped for a skating rink, which they propose to open for
business tomorrow. The name of the new rink will be "The Hippodrome." The skating floor space
will be 110x52 feet, which will make an ideal place for lovers of the popular and fascinating
amusement.

Thursday, January 31, 1907

    Article containing the Resolutions of Respect for James Goldman Forkner given.

    Found Dead In Bed---Dick Devill, a well-known citizen, was found dead in his bed near Paris.
He leaves several children. His health had not been good for some time.

    Mrs. Dillon Rogers died at her home at Madisonville on Tuesday night, after a protracted
illness.

Thursday, February 7, 1907

     Killed His Own Son---Bristol, Tenn., January 28---While hunting this afternoon, George H.
Dishener, a farmer residing four miles west of Bristol, in Washington County, Virginia,
accidentally shot and killed his 12-year-old son, Jefferson Dishener.
    The father climbed a wire fence and in leaping to the ground the hammer of his gun caught on a
wire, and a heavy charge of shot struck the boy in the breast, tearing a large hole. Death resulted
two hours later.

    Mrs. Nancy Adaline Boyd, the daughter of Goodwin and Rachel Harris, was born in Monroe
County, Tennessee on June 12th, 1829, and was married there to Andrew L. Boyd on February
4th, 1847.
    Her father came to Tennessee from the historic county of Mecklenburg in North Carolina. Her
grandfather, Joshua Harris, who was a soldier in the American Army during the Revolutionary
War, lived and died in Mecklenburg County, where lived James and Robert Harris, signers of that
famous Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence of 1775.
    For more than fifty years Mrs. Boyd was a consistent and devoted member of the Southern
Methodist church, and, until prevented by failing health and the infirmities of age, she was always
to be found in her accustomed place in church and Sunday School. It was in this work that she
found her greatest comfort and pleasure, and she was always a ready and willing worker---never
allowing anything except sickness to prevent the performance of her every Christian duty. For
many years, she taught a class in the Methodist Sunday School in Sweetwater. Here, would go
out into the town and hunt up the poor and neglected children, and bring them into her class,
where they received moral and religious training. Doubtless, many were thus inspired to stive for
a higher and a better life. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living member of the
Sweetwater Methodist church, and, for half a century, her home was open to receive, welcome
and entertain ministers of the Methodist church. This was, with her, not only a duty but a
pleasure. She was respected, honored and loved by all who knew her.
    While Mrs. Boyd presented a serene face to the world, her life was far from being free from
care and trouble, for she had many severe trials. Anxiety and misfortune with her, became a means
to strengthen and beautify her Christian life and character. She met grief and all afflictions, as she
met every duty and responsibility of life, with a resolution and courage that proved the strength of
her unfailing faith and trust in God.
    A few months after her marriage, when she was only eighteen years of age, her husband
volunteered and enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican War. He remained away for a few years, and
did not return to his home until peace was concluded. He hardly became settled in his home on his
return from Mexico when his restless disposition impelled him to again leave home and go with
that will rush of 1849 for the gold fields of California. When he returned from California, after an
absence of over two years, he and his wife located at Concord, in Knox County, Tennessee. They
lived a prosperous and a happy life in Concord until the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861. In
that year, the husband again responding to his country's call; joined the Confederate Army, and
served to the end of the Civil War in 1865. He returned to find his home and country laid in
waste, his slaves and other property swept away, and the savings of the best and most prosperous
years of his life gone.
    In 1864, after East Tennessee had passed into the possession of the United States Army, her
eldest son, A.W. Boyd, then a boy of only fifteen years, was forced by cruel persecution and
threats of assassination to leave his mother and home, and to seek protection and by joining the
Confederate Army. He remained in the service of the South until the close of the war.
    Mrs. Boyd had learned to depend on the manly judgment and courage of her son, and, his
absence, leaving her almost alone without assistance and protection, her cares and troubles were
multiplied. Husband and son absent, braving the privations and perils of war; her Negro slaves set
free; every species of movable property gone to satisfy the greed of the thieves and robbers who
thronged the country and lived at the expense of the unprotected southern families, Mrs. Boyd
found herself reduced in fortune by the cruel chance of war to a condition which she had never
known before. In the midst of these unfortunate surroundings, with five small children depending
upon her alone for support and protection, she found herself faced with a condition requiring
resolution and courage. She had no time for considering difficulties and dangers. Like thousands
of other noble Southern women thus situated, she bravely accepted the changed conditions, and
without hesitation or complaints assumed all added burdens and responsibilities. She had inherited
sterling qualities. Almost a century before, Mrs. Boyd's Harris ancestors back in Mecklenburg
County, during the Revolutionary War, had bravely endured like hardships and persecutions at the
hands of the Tories and the British.
    In 1865, Mr. Boyd, with her husband and children, established a new home in Atlanta, Georgia
where they lived for several years. In March 1873, she removed to Sweetwater, Tennessee where
she resided for over thirty years.
    In May 1906, she went to Buena Vista, Virginia to live with her daughter, Mrs. Carrie Paxton,
where she received every care and attention that gentle hands and loving hearts could give until
her death on December 31st, 1906. She was buried at Sweetwater, Tennessee, in Old Sweetwater
Cemetery, by the side of her eldest son and daughter. Mrs. Boyd was aged seventy-seven years,
six months and nineteen days on the day of her death.
    Her eldest son, A.W. Boyd, died in Sweetwater, Tennessee, on the 21st of June, 1876. Her
eldest daughter, Mrs. Mary J. Williams, died in Sweetwater, Tennessee, on the 12th day of May,
1878. Her second son, Joseph L. Boyd, died in the State of Washington on the 10th day of July,
1892, and was buried at Portland, Oregon.
    She left surviving her, an elder sister, Mrs. Emma Duff of Llano County, Texas, who is now 88
years old; two daughters, Mrs. Carrie Paxton of Buena Vista, Virginia, and Mrs. Ida B. Robertson
of Austin, Texas; and one son, William V. Boyd, now of Buena Vista, Virginia.

Thursday, February 14, 1907

    Riceville, Tenn., February 1---Rev. Dr. N.B. Goforth died at his residence here Wednesday
night, after an illness of three weeks. He was a native of Sevier County, where he was born May
20, 1838. His early life was spent on a farm and he entered Maryville College in 1851, graduating
in 1854. In 1855 he was elected to the chair of languages at Mossy Creek College, now Carson &
Newman and he later served as president os said school from 1859 to 1862. In the latter year he
enlisted as chaplain in the Thirty-first Regiment in the Confederate Army. He was ordained a
minister in the Baptist church at Boyd's Creek, Sevier County, in 1859. After the close of the war
he located in Riceville and founded the literary and classical institute which was for years an
excellent school. In 1871 he was re-elected president of Mossy Creek College and served until
1872. Having resigned, he again re-established his Riceville school, at the head of which he
remained until he met with an accident several years ago, which rendered him cripple for life.
    He was well known throughout East Tennessee as an educator and preacher, and hundreds of
men now filling prominent stations received their early training from him.  On Dec. 24, 1855, he
married Miss R.A. Pattison, of Jefferson County. They recently celebrated their fiftieth wedding
anniversary. His wife and three sons and two daughters survive him. They are Mrs. W.S.
Callaway of Mountain Home, Idaho; Fred H. Goforth of the same place; Hugh R. Goforth of
Knoxville; W.N. Goforth of Heiskell's and Miss Effie Goforth of the same place.
    Funeral services were conducted today at the Baptist church by Dr. M.D. Jeffries, of Jefferson
City, assisted by Rev. R.D. Cecil, of Highland Park. He was buried with Masonic honors."

    Madisonville, February 9---Hugh and Barney Kelso of the University of Tennessee were in
Madisonville Sunday attending the funeral of their father, J.H. Kelso.

    Mrs. Charlie Thompson, who has been suffering with consumption for several months past,
died at her home in Sweetwater Monday morning at 4 o'clock. Funeral services were held at the
residence Monday night at 7 o'clock by Rev. S.G. Grubb, and on Tuesday her body was taken to
the Buttram Cemetery, 20 miles west of Sweetwater and interred. She leaves a husband and two
little children, a girl six years old and a boy three.

    Dr. T.M. Roberts was called to Harriman first of the week to attend his brother's wife, Mrs.
Mrton Roberts, who died at an early hour Wednesday morning.

Thursday, February 21, 1907

    Long letter from John L. Brown of Quartzsite, Arizona.

    Erie---Steve Brannon and family and Leonard Abbott leave Tuesday the 19th for Cherokee
Nation to make their future home. May success go with them.

    Rec. C.B. Waller of Chattanooga has been assisting Pastor O.C. Peyton of the Maryville
Baptist Church, in a series of revival services of a very high character. The preaching was pure,
strong and earnest. The impression on all the community has been deep and widespread. Several
have been converted who will add spiritual and financial strength to Pastor Peyton's church.
Among the converts are "Ole Bull" Jones, the gifted and widely known violinist, and his brother,
Lara, who are now residents of Maryville. These two young men give evidence of a deep and
thorough conversion. The news will bring joy to the hearts of their many friends in Monroe
County.
    Mrs. Robert H. Carson died at her home in Monroe County Saturday morning at 10 o'clock.
The remains were brought to Knoxville Sunday enroute to Cleveland where the interment took
place this afternoon. The deceased was 43 years old, and is survived by a husband, two sons and
one daughter. She was a niece of the late David Richards of this city, and her parents were native
Welsh people. She was born in Cleveland and had lived in East Tennessee all of her life. Her
decense will be learned with regret by many friends in this city.   ---Knoxville Sentinel.

Thursday, February 28, 1907

    The many friends of Mr. & Mrs. W.B. Rucker were pained to hear of the death of their little
daughter, Evelyn, on Monday, at the home of their grandfather in Loudon. She had been ill only a
few days and her death was a shock to everyone. The little one was only 5 years old, but had
during her brief life so entwined herself around the heart strings of loved ones, that her slipping
away leaves them toen and bleeding. The tenderest sympathies of many friends are extended to
the bereaved father and mother.   ---Cleveland Journal.

    Mrs. John R. Bradley left Tuesday afternoon for Chattanooga to attend the funeral of her
uncle, Sam Johnson, one of the best known and highly respected citizens of that city. Mr. Johnson
died Tuesday afternoon after a brief illness.

    The infant child, Della Carter McClain, died rather suddenly from the effects of a severe cold
last Monday at the home of its grandparents, Mr. &. Mrs. D.G. McClain on Central Avenue. The
remains of the little one was interred in the city cemetery Tuesday afternoon.   ---Cleveland
Journal.

Thursday, March 7, 1907

    Feud Of Long Standing Ends---Robert Bruce Bundren, one of the principals in the
Holland-Bundren feud of Grainger County pardoned by Gov. Cox on Dec. 6, on condition that he
would never return to the scene of the trouble, has returned there, and is now living at his home at
Lone Mountain. Furthermore, the feud which had beginnings in reconstruction days and in its
course has cost directly or indirectly six lives, is at an end and the Bundrens have been invited to
pay a visit to the Holland home.
    The information comes from Bruce Bundren himself in the shape of a letter written from Lone
Mountain, Feb. 5th.
    "I am back at my old home," writes the rugged, old man, "in one mile of where I enlisted in the
Confederate Army in 1862, and where I have lived ever since the 15th day of June, 1865, except
the four years and two months I wore the stripes in the State prison. I have spent a good poor
man's fortune, and killed two men since the war to keep from being driven out of my native State
and today I am sitting at my old fireside where I have lived ever since the war. It is snowing today
and I have a big, hot, wood fire, and my good and faithful old wife now in her 65th year and me
68 years old, sitting in one corner and her in the other, as happy as any two pigeons that ever
dwelt together."
    "I met my old antagonist, Reuben Holland, who has given me so much trouble, and who is the
father of the boys who bushwhacked my son on the 12th day of June 1905, and the old man came
up to me with his hand out and grasped me by the hand, with tears in his eyes, and said he wanted
to be friendly and pledge his honor that he would never harm me anymore. He is 79 years old, and
I gave him my hand and told him I would freely forgive him and for him to repent of his sins and
meet me in Heaven, and the old man wept and bid me good bye and invited me and wife to visit
him. So I think my long struggle for forty-four years contending for a white man's government
and white supremacy is at an end. God help it be so."
    "Us old Johnnies up here," he concludes "don't believe we have but one more little battle to
make and that is to help land Ed Carmack in for President in 1908 and Benton McMillin in the
United States Senate, and we are going to make "Our Bob" stay at home next time and send our
"Ham Patterson" up there to his place."

    Mr. J.H. Hardin left Tuesday for Pecos, Texas where he has been called by the serious illness of
Mr. W.D. Howard.

    Samuel Johnson died at his home, 421 Chestnut St., Chattanooga, Tenn., Tuesday afternoon,
Feb. 26th, 1907 after an illness of four weeks. Deceased was sixty years old and had been in
Chattanooga about 20 years, going there from Roane County. For a number of years he was
associated in the grain business of Johnson and Wheeler. Later the partnership was dissolved and
for several years both of the former partners continued in the business separately, until Mr.
Johnson's retirement some years ago.
    Mr. Johnson was a splendid businessman and had made many warm friends during his business
career. He was the only brother of the late G.B. Johnson of this city, and is survived by his wife,
two young sons, James and Samuel, Jr., and one sister, Mrs. Mary Finley, of Ten Mile.
    The funeral was conducted by Rev. H.L. Jones, of the 1st Baptist Church, Thursday afternoon
at 1:30 o'clock from the residence

    Mrs. Mary Martin---One by one our pioneer settlers are rapidly passing into the Great Beyond.
    On Thursday, Feb. 28th, 1907, the gentle, loving spirit of Mrs. Mary Martin left its frail
tenement of clay and winged its way to the realms of peace and joy, and to the God who gave it.
    Her maiden name was Mary Griffitts, and she was born in Blount County, Tenn., April 17,
1819.
    At the early age of nineteen deceased was married to Hugh E. Martin, and to them were born
eight children. In the early forties Mr. & Mrs. Martin came to this community and settled on the
farm where the deceased remained until death relieved her suffering last Thursday. More than fifty
years ago, she was left a widow and during this lonely period, she fought the battles of life with
Christian fortitude, always relying upon Him who promised to be a "father to the fatherless."
Throughout the community Mrs. Martin was familiarly known as "Aunt Polly," which in itself
signifies a nearness to all. She was a member of a most excellent family and no better woman ever
lived in this community, none of more sweetness and purity of disposition and character.
    While in her teens the deceased professed faith in Christ, and though never demonstrative in her
religious life, she was kind, tender and gentle; always considerate of those about her, and always a
friend to those in need, thus exemplifying a Christ-like spirit. The stranger was never refused
shelter in her home, the hungry always fed; the down trodden and heavy hearted could find hope
and strength in her words of motherly comfort.
    Hers was a beautiful life lived in all its quiet, humble, consistent and self-sacrificing manner.
She died sustained by the promise of Him who said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall
see God."
    She will be missed by her friends, her neighbors to whom she ministered both in sickness and
health, by her children, and greatest of all will she be missed by those left in the old home where
the emptiness and stillness of the surroundings seem to be crying out in the silent despair for
"mother."
    She bore the weight of eighty-eight years with a cheerful heart and smiling countenance,
dreading not the inevitable hour when her "dust shall return to the earth as it was, and her spirit to
the God who gave it."
    Her illness was long and painful, but she endured her suffering with Christian fortitude and
serenity, and often expressed a willingness to go when the summons came, and be at rest in the
eternal city of God.

"Beautiful toiler, thy work all done,
Beautiful soul into glory gone,
Beautiful life with its crown now won,
God giveth thee rest.
Beautiful spirit, free from all stain,
Ours the heartache, the sorrow and pain,
Thine the glory, the infinite gain,
Thy spirit dwells with the blest."

    The funeral services were held at Old Sweetwater Baptist Church Friday afternoon, conducted
by Rev. J.L. Prater, after which the body was carried to Philadelphia and tenderly laid to rest
beside her husband and four children.
    Aside from a number of grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, deceased is survived by
the following sons and daughters viz: Mrs. Thomas Arrants of Big Spring, Tenn., Mrs. Eli
Cleveland and J. Harle Martin of this place, and George W. Martin of Oakesdale, Washington.

   Mrs. Mary Martin, a most estimable woman and one of the oldest citizens of Sweetwater
Valley, died at the residence of Harland Martin at noon Thursday of a complication of ills due to
advanced age, Mrs. Martin having attained her 88th year. Funeral services were held Friday at Old
Sweetwater Church, followed by interment at Philadelphia.
    Mrs. Martin belonged to a family well known and widely connected in East Tennessee, being
before her marriage Miss Mary Griffiths of Blount County.
    She reared a family of eight children, several of whom survive her, among them Mrs. Eli
Cleveland and Harland Martin of Sweetwater; Mrs. Arrants of Decatur, Tenn., and George
Martin of the State of Washington.

Thursday, March 14, 1907

    Messrs. J.H. Hardin and James Howard are expected to return from Pecos, Texas this week,
accompanying Mr. W.D. Howard, who is still in quite ill health, and expressed a desire to return
to East Tennessee.

    Little Willie Cate, infant daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Byrd of Roane County, died March
7, 1907, after a week's illness with that treacherous disease, whooping cough. Her sweet spirit
went home to Heaven. She is safe in the arms of Him who said, "Suffer little children to come
unto me and forbid them not."