This is an article from The Atlanta Constitution (pg 3) on 26 August 1887.
I have been trying to figure out the rest of the story for you. I know that both families lived in James County, although they got married in Ringgold, GA. I have also found their marriage certificate showing that they married on the 13th. However, what followed, I would love to know, so I can share it with you. If anyone knows anything about these two families please contact me here or on the Facebook page.
Oops, I did it again. Sounds like a song, but it's not. It's an apology to you for not giving you more notice about our meeting. When the meeting is on the first, it sneaks up on me and it's here before I know that it is even the first of the month. The older I get, the faster time seems to fly.
Without further ado.....
The meeting is Sunday, May 1st at the Ooltewah Methodist Church at 2:30 pm. Dennis Billings will present "Early Times in Old Jim County" I hope to see everyone there.
Chattanooga, Tenn, April 7- A brief dispatch in the papers, announcing that oil had been found in James county, twenty miles from Chattanooga, threw this city into a good deal of excitement, and at Ooltewah, where the well was drilled, the people are fairly wild. Two months ago James Laman & Co, of Pennsylvania, began to bore for oil in the White mountains, but they attracted no especial attention until yesterday, when the oil began to flow. There is no doubt that oil has been struck. Two companies were formed here a few months ago to bore for oil and gas, and the discovery has had a very stimulating effect, as they will begin work at once.
I found this newspaper article that stated that an oil company from Pennsylvania was drilling in James County and had actually found the black gold. Immediately, I have this vision of the iconic picture of oil pouring out of the top of the well and and everyone dancing around in their new found wealth, similar to the television show "Dallas" or the movie "Giant" with James Dean and Rock Hudson.
As, we have already learned, James County was a poor and underdeveloped portion of East Tennessee. So in reality, oil on the mountain was more similar to "Beverly Hillbillies" (without the riches). The well most likely looked like these rather than the large oil derricks from Pennsylvania.
circa 1880
Library of Congress
The Drake Well from the
Library of Congress
At this time, the oil companies were pushed by the demand for kerosene and oil lamps. These companies were looking for oil everywhere, even in the mountains of East Tennessee. The video below tells of the history of oil.
I wonder where this oil was found. Who owned the property and what became of it? How much oil did this well bring to the property owner? I would guess that there was not an abundance of oil, since Ooltewah did not become the boom town surrounding this find, as other oil well locations had. Does anyone have any information concerning this? If so, please contact me.
I just wanted to run a quick reminder by you that the meeting is Sunday, February 7th at 2:30 pm at the Ooltewah Methodist Church. Our presenters for this quarter are Gene and Ruth Merkel. They will speaking about our early American flags. They will also entertain us by coming dressed as George and Martha Washington. How cool is that?
By know, everyone on the email list should have gotten their meeting notice via email. If you would like to be included on the email list so that you can receive an email notice, please notify me and I will get you set up.
Those that are on the list and are not receiving their email, please be sure to check your spam folder and then contact me to verify your email address.
On this Memorial Day, I would like to take a few moments out from our holiday dinner with the family to remember the men and women who have made our American way of life what it is today.
I have chosen two young men from Ooltewah who fought in the Vietnam War: Billy R. Farrior and Billy L. Long. Remember these names, they gave their lives for you and ALL Americans.
Billy Randy Farrior
Billy was born to Jimmy and Lillie Mae Farrior on Jan. 24, 1951. He married and became a father at a very young age. He left for Vietnam in July of 1970, at 19 years of age, leaving behind a pregnant wife. His wife, Betty Jo gave birth 4 months later to his daughter, Audrey. In those days, there was not an internet, where he could have seen his daughter, while he was overseas. He never did get a chance to get to see or know his daughter.
Billy drove the heavy vehicles for the 444th Transportation Company, 8th Regiment, 27th Battalion, in the United States Army. A vehicle crash tragically took his life and his passenger's life on the day after Christmas in 1970 in Phu Yen, South Vietnam; just one month after the birth of his daughter, and just 6 months after arriving in Vietnam.
You can find his memorial on the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC under the name of
Billy R Farrior, located on Panel 5W and Row 8.
Freddie Leron Long
Freddie was born May 16, 1948 to a family with many brothers and sisters, some still living today. His parents raised very patriotic children since others served in the Armed Forces, as well. Freddie served in the United States Army as a rough terrain forklift and loader operator in the Special Four Unit, 87th Engineer Co., and the 198th Infantry Brigade.
He tragically lost his life at 22 years of age on the first of January, 1969 at Long Khanh, South Vietnam in a non-combative incident.
You can find his memorial on the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC under the name of
Freddie L Long, located on Panel 15W and Row 13.
Although I have only mentioned two servicemen here, there are so very many other heroes that have come from the James County and by this time, Hamilton County area that fought in the many wars the United States were involved in.
Do you have any memories of these young men that you would like to share? Leave a comment at the end of this blog post as a memorial for all to see.
Here we are again. Another Thanksgiving Holiday. Turkey, Family, Friends, Football, Pumpkin Pie, Vacation. Prayer and Giving Thanks. Isn't it wonderful! We anxiously await it every year. But how did we get here; to what it is today and how we celebrate it?
We believe the first Thanksgiving proclamation was made by Governor Bradford of Massachusetts in 1623, just three years after the Pilgrims settled at Plymouth.
"Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience. Now I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and ye little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the daytime, on Thursday, November 29th, of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty three and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings." William Bradford Ye Governor of Ye Colony
The first National Thanksgiving Proclamations were those issued by the Continental Congress between 1777 and 1784. From 1785 to 1788 there were no National Thanksgiving Proclamations. George Washington issued the first Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1789.
THANKSGIVING DAY 1789
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A PROCLAMATION
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to
obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and
favor - and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested
me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and
prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of
Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form
of government for their safety and happiness."
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to
be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being,
who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be – That we
may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks – for his kind
care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation –
for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence,
which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war –for the great degree
of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed – for the peaceable and
rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of
government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately
instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we
have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and
various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications
to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and
other transgressions – to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform
our several and relative duties properly and punctually – to render our national
government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just,
and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed – to protect and
guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us)
and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord – To promote the
knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among
them and Us – and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal
prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our
Lord 1789. GO. WASHINGTON.
The annual practice continued, by the government, to issue proclamations for a day of Thanksgiving. However, during the Civil War, in 1862 and 1863, President Lincoln tended to give thanks for victories in battle. Confederate President Davis also became involved after the Civil War began. In 1861, his proclamation issued a "Day of Fasting and Humiliation"
A DAY OF FASTING & HUMILIATION (NOT THANKSGIVING!) 1861
by JEFFERSON DAVIS, PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES
WHEREAS, it hath pleased almighty God, the Sovereign Disposer of events, to protect and defend
us hitherto in our conflicts with our enemies as to be unto them a shield.
And whereas, with grateful thanks we recognize His hand and acknowledge that not unto us, but
unto Him, belongeth the victory, and in humble dependence upon His almighty strength, and
trusting in the justness of our purpose, we appeal to Him that He may set at naught the efforts of
our enemies, and humble them to confusion and shame.
Now therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, in view of impending
conflict, do hereby set apart Friday, the 15th day of November, as a day of national humiliation and
prayer, and do hereby invite the reverend clergy and the people of these Confederate States to
repair on that day to their homes and usual places of public worship, and to implore blessing of
almighty God upon our people, that he may give us victory over our enemies, preserve our homes
and altars from pollution, and secure to us the restoration of peace and prosperity.
Given under hand and seal of the Confederate States at Richmond, this the 31st day of October,
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty one.
By the President, Jefferson Davis.
Issued by the departments of the Federal Government, employees would be given the day off. Not just the President, but Governors of the individual states would also issue their own proclamations and wishes. However, the states would declare one date and the President would declare another. There was much confusion and families could not celebrate together because of these inconsistencies.
There were regular requests to the Government to set a firm date for the entire country to celebrate. One woman in particular is credited for finally getting through to the President of United States to set one date for the holiday.
Sarah Josepha Hale, a 74-year-old magazine editor of Godey's Lady's Book, wrote a letter to President Lincoln on September 28, 1863, urging him to have the
"day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." She explained, "You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritative fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution."
In her letter to Lincoln she mentioned that she had been advocating a national thanksgiving date for 15 years. President Lincoln responded to Mrs. Hale's request immediately. Lincoln's upcoming Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863 puts in place our first National Thanksgiving. The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise. Please listen to what he had to say.
A few years later, after the assassination of President Lincoln, President Johnson carried on the tradition. In 1867. Johnson contends in his speech that the rebuilding of the country after the war is progressing. He also asks the country to move past the horrors of the war and to forgive. However, the scars of the war were still deep. The citizens of the south did not agree with the rosy picture Johnson described.
www.newspapers.com The Hillsdale Standard (Hillsdale, Michigan) · Tue, Nov 12, 1867 · Page 2
After Thanksgiving became a National Holiday, and the healing finally began, the fourth Thursday of November would evolve over time as we, the citizens of the United States would evolve. It once began as a day of celebrating the harvest, progressed into a religious holiday and then into our civil holiday.
By the early 1900's, the holiday could now include all branches of the family tree, since everyone celebrated on the same day. Family and loved ones now became the holiday's focus. As families gathered, more time was spent around the dinner table and the food was a large part of that. Much time was spent preparing old and treasured family recipes, passing on culinary traditions to the younger generations. In preparation of the holiday, families would save their money and store their valuable pantry items for months in advance. (The future wars ensured that this became a necessity.) The fine china would be set out, the silver would be polished, and the cooking would begin weeks in advance.
www.loc.gov
Eventually, football entered the athletic arena, as well as, the television. Not surprisingly, football became an integral part of the Thanksgiving holiday as the turkey itself.
As you read this, imagine how your family traditions have changed during your lifetime. What was it like for your ancestors and what will it evolve into for your future generations? Think what you can leave behind for them so that they can include that into their holiday traditions. This is a family holiday and let's do our best to keep it that way.
How did I get here? It s an interesting story. I was looking at articles in the newspaper archives about James County and its towns; when I ran across this newspaper story.
July 16, 1863 Thursday The Richmond Enquirer, Richmond, VA
There were many things here that caught my eye that I would like to explore. But the one sentence that really excited me was about the balloons. I had heard of the balloons before, but I had no idea that they had been in this area during the Civil War.
Union ballooning activities were much more extensive than those of the Confederacy. They were far more successful and better organized. The Confederates experimented with it for only a year, while the Union dropped most of its activity after 2 years when Lowe left the corps.
Thaddeus Lowe caught President Lincoln's eye when he offered to demonstrate his ballooning skills on June 16, 1861. Lowe jumped into his basket and rose to 500 feet above the ground across the street from the White House. He then sent a telegraph to the President telling him what he saw from the air.
This was the beginning of the Union Army Balloon Corps with Lowe as the Chief Aeronaut. He then set about developing stronger and higher quality balloons that were needed for military service. He also developed mobile hydrogen gas generator wagons so that the balloons could be inflated and deployed more easily in the field. If they were near a large city like Washington or Richmond, the balloons could be inflated with city gas. The gas wagons were charged with diluted sulfuric acid and iron filings; when combined; the two created hydrogen.
courtesy of the Library of Congress
The balloons were used for reconnaissance of Confederate positions, artillery spotting, aerial map making and the movement of troops. The aeronaut would then telegraph his observations to the commander or use signal flags to report back his findings.
courtesy of the Library of Congress
The balloons ranged in size. The small ones would hold only one man. But their advantage was that they were smaller and easier to transport. More importantly, they could be inflated faster and more easily. This would put them aloft in a shorter amount of time. The largest could carry up to 5 people. Although these larger balloons allowed for observers and telegraphers, it took much more gas and time for it inflate.
courtesy of the Library of Congress
The balloons had the ability to soar up to 1000 feet above the landscape. The riders could see for miles around. They could see above the trees and topography. Also they could see above and through the smoke from the gunfire. This gave a decided advantage to the side that had the aerial observation.
courtesy of The Library of Congress
These balloons were meant to be tethered to the ground, since they did not have control of the balloon and its destination, if set free. They could easily follow the wind into enemy territory.Although tethered, the balloons were never in danger. They were positioned well behind enemy lines, and at an altitude of nearly 1000 feet, balloons were difficult targets for the opposing armies.
By the summer of 1863, when Lowe resigned, there had been over 3000 Union flights using six gas inflated balloons. The Eagle, Constitution, Washington, Union, Intrepid and Excelsior had served their country well. The Confederacy employed an unknown small amount of balloon flights, They feared them, and after the capture of one of their balloons, they chose to disband the use of the balloons.
There have never been documented proof that armies used these balloons for transportation, as this article suggests. We do know that Rosecrans was very technologically advanced and used "toys" such as this to increase the Union's strength. It makes sense that he would have continued the use of the balloons even after the Balloon Corp was disbanded. The article above was written a few months after Lowe resigned.
And as far as we know, the balloons were never used by the war photographers and journalists. Why? Maybe because the balloons were always moving with the weather and photography in those days needed stillness. We may never know why. Transportation and photography would have been excellent reasons to have continued the balloons lofty rides. Those additions to the entire war could have changed history.
As far as James County history is involved, I would love to know what the inhabitants of the county thought when they saw the balloon flying overhead.
This has been a teaser into the Military Balloons of the Civil War. I have included a short 3 minute video of all of this for you, as well.
After the Civil War, during the Reconstruction Period, several local retreats were built as vacation spots. These hotels were surrounding the many mineral springs at the base of White Oak Mountain. Families from Hamilton, James and Bradley counties would get away and bath in the mineral spas and enjoy some time away from home. These mineral springs were touted to have many healing powers. Residents who were sick with rheumatism, skin infections, tuberculosis, or poor digestion, prayed that these medicinal waters would help cure all of their health woes.
One such hotel, the Mineral Park, was built on Highway 11 at the base of the mountain, around 6 different springs. It was located about 3 miles up Old Lee Highway between Ooltewah and Cleveland. This 2 story hotel had one advantage that the other nearby retreats did not have. They were close to the railroad. While others were located some distance from the railway with a steep and uneven hill to climb; Mineral Park was erected near enough to the railway to allow a level plank walkway to the inn. The Southern Railroad that went between Cleveland and Chattanooga would stop in front of the resort and allow vacationers to get off. Hence, this park was easily accessible for the feeble and infirm.
from the archives of Mitch Kinder
Although the Park existed maybe as early as 1899, the Inn, built in 1910, contained 23 rooms and a dance pavilion. There were also several cabins on the property. Moderate rates and modern improvements were also the draw to this location. Below are some advertisements for the Park.
All of these advertisements were found in the Cleveland Public Library
Cleveland, Tennessee
The Springs were used for larger gatherings as early as 1906. Here you see The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, celebrating the founding of the IOOF and their own Lodge in Cleveland, at Mineral Springs Park . Other nearby Odd Fellow and Rebekah lodges were invited to the celebration.
from the archives of Mitch Kinder
Also, from 1910 -1912, Mineral Park was the site for the encampment of the Ocoee Baptist Association. There were more than 500 attendees. A number of preachers and denominations took part in the 1910 program. The park worked diligently in preparations and construction of a tabernacle on the grounds for these events. This building was their pride and joy. The building must have highlighted the meeting, because the Association continued to come back for another two years.
In the beginning, the Mineral Springs Inn was owned by Charles P. DuVergery. Dr. H. P. Fitch, while living on Grindstone Mountain, later purchased the Inn and made the improvements necessary to bring in the Ocoee Baptist Association. In 1931, O.J. Lawson, the Bradley County Sheriff, purchased some of the property, fixtures, barn, and houses and began to operate the Mineral Park property. In a effort to keep the resort flourishing, he remodeled many areas and converted the dance hall into a Sunday School room. He also planned to convert the hotel into a tourist home and summer resort for religious gatherings.
But sadly, the popular resort came to an end in March of 1933. A fire erupted in the south wing and spread throughout the entire structure, leaving the building in ashes. Later, the springs were covered to make room for utility lines.
Becky Eaves, an East Brainerd resident, recalls going there as a child around the early 1930's. She remembers a very large, enclosed pavilion that was used for picnics. She does not remember seeing any springs. Later, what was left of the park went into disrepair. Families no longer attended any activities there. Men began to go there to drink and fights became a common occurrence. It wasn't long before the park closed down permanently.
There is some controversy as to whether this park was ever in James County or not. It is currently in Bradley County, however, it is directly on the county border. As we know, the Bradley County and Hamilton County borders moved slightly during the James County Era. Where was the line drawn on that road? There are no maps in existence that would show the amount of detail necessary to determine that. However, the existing deeds for this property are in the Bradley courts. It appears as if this property, although directly on the county line, never was in James County.
If you have any information concerning Mineral Park Springs, please leave a comment or contact us and share your corrections or additions.
Mineral Park
Mineral Park Springs
Six Different Mineral Waters Best Arsenic & Iron Water in the South
Have you signed up for the workshop this weekend. Now that we know the weather is going to be gorgeous, there are no more excuses. If you haven't registered yet, you can come Saturday morning and register at the door. Just $25/$30 will take care of all of your genealogy needs.
We have an awesome line-up covering a broad range of topics including; genealogy, history and methodology. We should be able to meet everybody's needs no matter what your skill set is, a beginner, intermediate or advanced researcher.
SCHEDULE
8:30-9:30 Registration
9:30-10:30 Linda Mines- "The War of 1812 and Beyond in Tennessee"
10:30-11:30 Linda Woodward Geiger, CG, CGL - "I Swear Allegiance" - Naturalization Records: 1790-1950
11:30-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:00 Linda Woodward Geiger, CG, CGL - "More than Land Descriptions: Treasures Among The Deeds"
2:00-3:00 Debra Leining - "Tracing your Family History using the The Family History Center and Family Search"
No need to worry about lunch. We have you covered! If you want it...Ooltewah has it. Ooltewah has every fast food restaurant that you can think of. If you want to sit down and discuss everything that you learned during the morning sessions, then Ooltewah fills that bill too! When you can not eat any more, come back, buy a James County Book and settle in for the afternoon sessions.
We look forward to seeing this weekend ! Come join us at the Ooltewah United Methodist Church located at 6131 Relocation Way, behind the Bi Lo.
As we all know, this is the Big Weekend for football fans. It's Super Bowl weekend. GO BRONCOS! You might ask why I care who wins. I am not particularly a big football fan. So why does it matter to me? Well, I'll tell you why. The Broncos have Tennessee's beloved son, Peyton Manning, as their quarterback. If you live in Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee during the Peyton Manning era, as I did (yes, I see you doing the math in your head to see how old I am) then your blood runs deep orange. Peyton Manning has always been the one to paint it orange. A UT alumni will always smile when they hear his name mentioned or see his face on the television set. GO PEYTON! I should say.
Now comes the next question. Why am I posting this on a genealogy/history site? I'm so glad you asked. I have attached a link with the family ancestry of the Manning family. Archie Manning, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning are names that go back many generations. As genealogist, we all are taught about naming patterns, and this practice is still being used in our generation. Even in today's society, people still care about their ancestry. Isn't that awesome!
This is just an example how one can incorporate genealogy and football at the same time. Now, maybe you can get something done on your research and not feel bad about it, while your husband is watching TV.
GO PEYTON! But, just keep chanting, GO PEYTON!
Well, the entire holiday season has come and gone. Mine, of course, began just before Halloween and has just now ended. It is now time to say goodbye to the holidays and welcome in the new year.
A good place to start will be the next historical society meeting. How many of you feel the same way?
We have another good speaker for you this quarter. His name is Bob George from the Bradley County Historical Society. He will be speaking on the history of Cleveland and its Revolutionary Heroes.Their most important hero was Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, a commander at the Battle of Kings Mountain during the American Revolution.
I must admit that I don't know anything about this. I am looking forward to what he has to say. I just love History! Hope to see you there!
Ooltewah United Methodist Church in Ooltewah at 2:30 pm on Sunday, February 2, 2014.
The fall meeting has been scheduled for THIS Sunday. Yes, I said this Sunday at 2:30 at the Ooltewah Methodist Church.
David Knicely will lead a discussion on Dead Man's Cut and how it got its name. We hope to include everyone in the discussion. So bring your stories and photos with you.
This is a perfect discussion on the weekend after Halloween when the James County Spirits are still roaming around. MAUHhahaha (Hear it Here!)
I have been the very happy recipient of one of many remarkably kind persons who are sharing their "stash" of James County ephemera. The people who have been sharing with the Historical Society via me have been amazing. When information is shared, everyone is a winner. There is very little documentation left concerning James County, so when items are shared, it adds to the puzzle that is James County. These ephemera items help to tell the story of our lost county. Thanks to all of you who are sharing James County with the rest of us.
One of the items, I'd like to share with all of you. This one really intrigued me on many levels. Firstly, the advertisement for Mellin's Food, is a brand that I had not heard of. Secondly, who is this little girl, named Idella Mae Moon from Norman, Tennessee? Thirdly, I had never heard of "The National Magazine" before.
The Advertisement
From the Archives of Mitch Kinder
Department of Progressive Advertisers
MELLIN'S FOOD
for the BABY
Idella Mae Moon, Norman, Tenn., a Mellin's Food Baby A discouraged young mother wrote to us the other day and asked, if we really believed that Mellin's Food would help her baby. She said that she had already tried many different foods and methods, and baby was steadily growing worse. We told her that we felt sure that Mellin's Food would help her baby, and we sent her a Sample Bottle of Mellin's Food and our beautiful book, "The Care and Feeding of Infants." We also told her just how to prepare the first few feedings of Mellin's Food and how to continue. Now she writes that baby is doing splendidly .[S]He gains steadily, is happy all day long and things couldn't bebetter. How about your little one? Let us send a Sample Bottle of Mellin's Food and the Book to you. Both are FREE. We know you ought to have them. Mellin's Food Company Boston, Mass.
Don't fail to mention "The National Magazine" when writing to advertisers.
Let's start with The National Magazine. What is this magazine? When was it published? That will help us to establish the date of this advertisement. Joe Mitchell Chapple bought The Bostonian in 1896. He gave the magazine a new name and a new vision. In November of 1896, the magazine became known as TheNational Magazine. The name change signified the transformation from regional topics to those of national interest. This allowed for more general and broader topics to be published. It was written for the average reader and cost only 10 cents.The articles included primarily American subjects, then foreign topics that were deserving of our attention were added. It was highly illustrated and also included many short stories. Topics relating to women were also authored by women. An innovative idea at the turn of the century.
Examples of a few of the covers from the magazine are shown below. You can read an example of this magazine here.
provided from Wikimedia Commons
The Mellin Baby Food
Gustav Mellin was a chemist from London, England. He took the difficult formula from another chemist and perfected it to a degree where an average mother just needed to add water and milk to create a baby formula for mothers who could not nurse their babies. It was an extract of malt and wheat that could be kept in a clean and dry environment. This allowed the food to have a shelf life and be mobile to accommodate the lifestyle of the family. It was said that the food "would produce firm flesh, strong limbs, sound teeth and healthy bodies that defy disease." It was touted to give cow's milk all the nutritional value of breast milk. Later, the firm located a center in Boston to distribute the food to a worldwide market. This move was a very successful marketing tactic. The American market was open to a product of this type.
Credit: Science Museum London
Before Gerber babies ever appeared in the marketplace, Mellin Food conducted another successful marketing tactic with their advertising campaign. A Mellin Food advertisement typically displayed a picture of a healthy child and a glowing letter of endorsement from the child's mother. The ads covered all forms of media, mostly magazines. Each advertisement showcased a different photo of a beautiful child, their names and locations, sometimes the parent's names, and a testament to the product. By 1890, Mellin Food became the most popular infant food on the market. There are many examples of these on the internet, especially e-bay. Here are a few other examples of these Mellin babies. E-bay has the same advertisement you see above with Idella Mae Moon and the magazine is dated 1907.
The Baby Moon
Idella Mae Moon was born on the 23rd of February, 1906 to Abner Lafayette and Laura Moon in James County, Tennessee. She was eldest of 4 children. The Moon family lived and farmed in the same area their entire life, but the political address changed during the James County era: from Hamilton County to James County and back to Hamilton County again. In fact, the Moon family lived in an area where the name of the town also changed. It began as Norman's Store, then the name changed to Norman, then to Work, then to Friendship. The Friendship community lies south of the Salem community and bordered the Tennessee River on the west. This land contained rich, river bottom farmland.
The earliest known settlers into the area were William Denny, William T Moon, several other Moon families, and Simeon M Eldridge. Some of the other settlers in the area were Ford, Cooley, Thatcher, Rains, Irwin, Norman, Priddy, Henry, Malone, and McCreary.
Idella Mae married Marlin Rigsby between 1930-1935.They lived in the Hwy 58 area and she was a school teacher/librarian. She later married R L Kelley and lived in Ooltewah. She was the Ooltewah High School Librarian for many years. She died in 1997 at 91 years of age.. Although there may be information on the early Moon's, there is not much more known about the life of Idella Mae Moon, but we do know, that for a short while, she was the face of Mellin Foods.
If anyone knows any information that they would like to add concerning this story and the life of Idella Moon, please contact me with a message or comment below.
As you have noticed, I have not been busy researching and writing on this blog for awhile. I apologize for that. But I believe you will understand after I tell you what I have been working on.
Several of you have asked me when meetings for James County are and where they are located. I believe that I keep you well informed. You can find the answers to those questions on the Facebook page and on this blog. I have also been asked when the other meetings around town are? "Tell me about Chattanooga Delta Genealogy Society or Chattanooga Area Historical Society." How does the public find out about meetings, lectures, workshops, etc. that various organizations have around town? I might add to that...What events are just a day trip away? What does Atlanta, Birmingham, Knoxville, Nashville and all points in between have to offer to genealogists and historians, as well.
So... how do you and I find out what events and activities are open to the public? Well, I have come up with a solution. I have been working on a website that has an embedded calendar on it that these organizations have full access to for notifications. Along with that, there will be a corresponding blog that will give you a full description of that particular event.
I am contacting historical organizations and societies, genealogy societies, speakers, clubs, etc. and sharing with them this opportunity to become involved in this calendar of events. There are many of these organizations in our vicinity. This will take awhile to get this website working at its full potential. If you know of any such organizations that would like the option to participate in this endeavor, please have them contact me and I will get them involved immediately. This is a win-win situation for all involved. The public will now know about a scheduled activity in their area, societies will be able to announce their events and speakers will be able to announce that they are speaking at a certain location and advertise the engagement.
Check this out and make a comment as to whom you would like to see advertise their events here and I will see if I can make it happen for you.
President Obama flew into Chattanooga the other day to visit our new Amazon distribution center and speak to the local community. However, this is not the first time that a President has come to our area. A local James County man had an encounter with President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt in 1902. Remember, at this stage of history, the President traveled across country by train and Chattanooga was a prime location for changing directions and destinations. The depots between Chattanooga and Ooltewah were only 30 minutes apart. It was very easy to make a quick stop in Ooltewah.
HistoricalStockPhotos.com
The article listed below is dated November 21, 1902 and was in the Daily Illinois State Register from Springfield, Illinois, on page 4. I have highlighted the section about the Ooltewah citizen. Anybody know who this person is? It might be part of your family lore. This story must have been passed down the generations, its too good not to be a favorite story around the holiday table. Let me know if you have any idea who the famed mountaineer from James County is.
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Teddy is Hastening Home
Homeward Journey was without special incidents
Fast time was made over Southern Road Through the Mountains - President let school children see him in Virginia
Asheville, NC Nov 20 President Roosevelt's special train arrived here at 4:10 tonight and left fifteen minutes later. The President made no formal speech, but shook hands with a number of citizens.
The President's homeward journey today was without special incident. The ride across the mountains over the southern road was made in fast time. The train stopped only to change crews and engines.
It's coming was generally announced, but there were small gatherings at many of the stations through which the train passed.
At Stevenson, VA about 6 am , fifty school children gathered around his car and begged the porter to let them see the president. The president who had just gotten up, heard their cries, and rather than disappoint the little ones, he stepped to the door in his stocking feet and said: "Good morning," just as the train drew out.
At Ooltewah Junction, where the train stopped for water, a tall, haw-boned mountaineer engaged the president in conversation. The Tennesseean remarked that the bears in the Mississippi had proved too wild for the president. "Perhaps they were democratic bears and took to the woods upon my arrival," replied the president smiling. ______________________________________________________________________________
Below is a description of James County taken from the Handbook of Tennessee in 1882;
pages 95-96. It was prepared by A. W. Hawkins, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Statistics, Mines and Immigration.
James County
"County Seat, Ooltewah, with 263 inhabitants. Other towns are, Birchwood and Harrison. The Tennessee River separates James from Hamilton county. Other streams are Wolftaver, Long Savannah, Grasshopper and Gunstock. Water power, good; timber good; oak, pine, poplar, hickory, walnut, etc.
The surface of the country is broken and irregular, with considerable valleys of fine airable land. The minerals are coal, iron and lead; the two former of which are mined to a considerable extent, giving employment to about 100 hands. Ther iron ore is the fossiliferous red hematite and exists in large quantities. The coal is of good quality. The agriculture products are corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, hay, tobacco sorghum, potatoes, peanuts, etc. There are two high schools at Ooltewah and one at Harrison. The churches are Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian.
There are thirteen manufacturing establishments in the county, with a capital of $100,00.
The taxes on $100: for schools, 20 cents; roads, 10 cents; county purposes, 35 cents."
It has some very interesting facts.
- Gunstock Stream...I need to find this and tell you about it.
- What does the 1880 census say about how many inhabitants lived in Ooltewah? The United States Census for Ooltewah for 1880 show 263 residents. You can read all about here and then again here.
- Let's find out about the churches and high school.
- 13 manufacturing establishments in the county... What were they?
- In 1882, taxes were 65 cents on every $100.We will get into the taxes at a later date.
On May 18, 1910 Haley's Comet was visible by all of the citizens of James County and the surrounding areas. One Hundred and Three years later, there has only been one other time where this comet was visable.
(Don't miss the comments below by some of the townsmen in Michigan about the comet. They are just too funny to pass up.)
courtesy of Wikipedia.com
taken May 29, 1910 during its approach
Halley's Comet] is the best-known of the short period coments and is visible from Earth every 75–76 years. Halley is the only short-period comet that is clearly visible to the naked eye from Earth, and thus the only naked-eye comet that might appear twice in a human lifetime. Other naked-eye comets may be brighter and more spectacular, but will appear only once in thousands of years.
The 1910 approach, which came into naked-eye view around 10 April through the 20th of April. This was notable for the reason that it was the first approach of which photographs exist. Furthermore, the comet made a relatively close approach, making it a spectacular sight. Indeed, on 19 May, the Earth actually passed through the tail of the comet. It was claimed that, when Earth passed through the tail, the gasses from the comet "would impregnate the atmosphere and possibly snuff out all life on the planet." This pronouncement led to panicked buying of gas masks and quack "anti-comet pills" and "anti-comet umbrellas" by the public. In reality, as other astronomers were quick to point out, the gas would be so diluted that the world would suffer no ill effects from the passage through the tail.
The comet was also fertile ground for hoaxes. One that reached major newspapers claimed that the Sacred Followers, a supposed Oklahoma religious group, attempted to sacrifice a virgin to ward off the impending disaster, but were stopped by the police.
American satirist and writer Mark Twain was born on 30 November 1835, exactly two weeks after the comet's prior orbit. In his autobiography, published in 1909, he said,
I came in with Halley's comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don't go out with Halley's comet. The Almighty has said, no doubt: 'Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.'
Twain died on 21 April 1910, the day following the comet's subsequent orbit.
Halley's 1910 apparition is distinct from the Great Daylight Comet of 1910, which surpassed Halley in brilliance and was actually visible in broad daylight for a short period, approximately four months before Halley made its appearance.*
*the information provided above by wikipedia.com
Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA; May 22, 1910; page 3
Genealogy Bank
Below is part of an article from The Kalamazoo Gazette, Tuesday, May 17, 1910; page 4
Kalamazoo People Prepared for Coming of Halley's Comet--Patiently Waiting for Arrival
Wednesday night at 11:20 o'clock the earth will dive into the tail of Halley's comet. It will remain there for two hours, emerging at 1:20 o'clock Thursday morning. What is going to happen to Kalamazoo people at that time? Here is what some of the comet students say.
J D Clement- Comet bosh: Way back as far as the ten hundreds, comets were fashionable and nobody's been snuffed out yet, guess there need be no worry, at least until Wednesday. Okay
H R Horton- That's right. It does happen on Wednesday. Hadn't thought much about it. Well if it does happen I will about as ready as ever. Boring
A L Blumenburg- If I see that comet coming earthward at its advertised schedule of 31 miles a second, I am going to write to all my creditors and tell 'em I will forward a check later written on asbestos paper. A Banker perhaps?
E P Wilbur- Mr Halley's orphan will probably find me playing golf at the Country club when he or she (as the case may be) visits the earth. My husband?
A K Edwards- I am going to put a lightning rod on the six-story store and conduct this heavenly tramp to the ground in safety. Planning on going Back to the Future?
F P D'Arcy- When the comet strikes the earth I am planning to have it drop on one of our D'Arcy Bed Springs. It will then land easily and gracefully. Wouldn't that jar you? A salesman to the end.
Bill Orrell-They say that Halley's comet will strike the earth with a terrible thud- let her come- my auto bumps have prepared me for anything in this line. Yep, cars and roads were pretty bumpy in those days
Glen Hathaway- If 'tis true that there may be poisonous gases in the tail of the comet, I think I'll go to the lake with an oxygen tank for my own safety and pick up the large fish that will line the shore if this happens. Is that cheating? What about the thrill of the hunt?
Mrs F C Russell- You can't imagine what a business we are planning on having as the result of the comet scare. Why, the women are all worrying so that they are causing many wrinkles and frowns. I have already ordered from Chicago two more operators to be here by Thursday morning ready to work at smoothing out these ladies' faces. What can I say...just too funny!
F B Crego- Have I made any preparations for Comet day? Yes, I have laid in a good stock of cigars. Hid them in a safe place , as I sure would dislike having to search around the town through an excited crowd, for a good smoke. Is that my husband again?
C W Vanderbilt- I 'd like to find some means of bottling the gas from the comet- it would save coal bills in running my bake ovens. He was a restauranteur and a candy maker- can you tell?
W O Harlow- If it visits us, It'll find me singing "Buick" praises to the last. He must have REALLY looooved his vehicle
John Rose- A-H-W them reports circulated in the papers by reporters about the comet make me tired- ought to hang you all for your nonsense. Bloomin' things been circling us hundreds of years and we're still all here and alive. So true! No truer words have ever been said!
W P Major- Only hope that after the comet passes the swish of the tail will start some business excitement. Yet, I think it's going to strike alright but when we recover we'll be in a world of new ideas and can all take it easy and smoke our pipe. Smoking seems to be the preferred past time
Well, now that you know all about Halley's comet in 1910, relax, chill out and grab a smoke some lemonaide, sit on your front porch rocker and be thankful that we are still here today.
