Confessions of the Son of a Pack Rat

 J. Mark Lowe

A Friend recently visited me, and left feeling she needed to help me organize my chaos.  I told her - It's really not chaos, but stories left to me by my ancestors - waiting to be shared.  At this time of year, with all the hustle and bustle, we often think about how we are going to tighten up for the new year.  I made a decision to put my Christmas Tree on the front porch instead of in the living room.

“You’re just like your Grandmother,” my Mom used to exclaim over the piles that were created in my bedroom, when I was a teenager. She often told me of cleaning Mama Lowe’s house, her mother-in-law. Papers piled on every piece of furniture were just moved in order to dust. I knew my father collected papers. We inherited my grandmother’s trunk, which ended up being my great-grandmother’s stuff. Just like a treasure chest sought by pirates, this leather and wooden portmanteau was filled with clippings, photos, letters, old ledgers and dust. 

Uncle Obie 
Samuel Obediah ‘Obie’ Martin
was a missionary to India
from 1916 through the 1930s.
He was an uncle to J.W. Lowe 
a great uncle to writer.

My Dad enjoyed going through these old and new pictures and telling us the wonderful tales and stories about these individuals. There was Uncle Obie, the missionary to India; Aunt Esta, the assistant to Congressman William Natcher; football pictures from Jo Byrns High school (the undefeated team of 1959-1960); and a box of hair, flowers and obituaries. Unfortunately, when I realized the individuals in those photographs weren’t identified, my Dad’s memory was not as vivid. The stories he shared continue to be told in the family. There need only be a mention of the railroad, and the colorful stories surrounding his adventures at Granny Martin’s come to mind. I realized long before my Dad died, that all of his children had inherited different aspects of his pack-rat-itis.   My Mom often lamented that she did not remember names from the past as well as our Dad.  Knowing my love of history and stories of the family, I eagerly and proudly accepted the inherited role of pack rat from my father.

However, my Mom did seem to know from where and from whom every piece of furniture in our house originated. These pieces weren’t valuable antiques or rare family heirlooms. “That lamp was a gift from the ladies of the So-Sew club in Cedar Hill, those little ceramic shoes belonged to Aunt Ruth, that old table on the front porch came from Uncle Joe and Aunt Thelma’s Used Furniture Store in Bowling Green – It was our dining table when we first married.”  Perhaps my mother was a pack rat herself. It seemed that she valued the memories connected to these pieces and was quick to recite these stories. Note: That is the table where my Christmas Tree is displayed on my front porch this year. 

With my Mom’s passing, I began to clean out drawers that never seemed large enough to contain all of her clothing. She was a pack rat. My Mom kept every greeting card received by the family from the 1940s until her death. There are cards from my long deceased grandparents, and even my great-grandmothers. The rough handmade cards we children prepared for Mother’s and Father’s Day. Notes written from many of the neighbors and family members that I remember, but who are long deceased.  Those of you who knew my Mom know that she enjoyed traveling. Another drawer was filled with the postcards identifying the Lowe travels beginning in the 1950s.

A picture from Christmas 1962 - Dad is on the couch to the right. Our neighbor, Geneva Joiner Armstrong is setting on the left.  My big brother, Joe has his back to the camera, and brother, Denny, is over by the Christmas tree - which is aluminum.  I notice those two pictures over the couch which were fabric scenes of quail, which has been stitched around and stuffed. It was a stylish craft at the time. This is why I can't get everything done.   

Imagine being the youngest of five children.  My life experience began at the time of my birth.  My siblings have an entirely different view of our family because they bring different life experiences, and often remember family events before I was born. My parents  shared an even different perspective based on the timeframe of their lives. I often heard the stories of the depression by my parents. My Mom shared the story of being hired out as a housekeeper at age 13 to a family in the neighborhood. Her vivid memories of that time were connected to the lives of her children, when she proudly introduced her children to Franklin and Zelma Moss  on visits back to Kentucky. 

One of my vivid memories of the past is a classroom where we discussed the coming of the Year 2000.  At the time, I was 13 years old.  The teacher asked us to consider what we might be doing in the Year 2000.  I could not even imagine being over twenty years old.  I often thought of this dilemma and even wondered if I would be alive to see this day.  We view events of time from our personal perspective and often have trouble imagining how others view their lifetimes and the events they witness. It is almost Christmas in the year 2024 and I find it difficult to fathom the changes that have occurred in my lifetime. 

It is through the collection of pack rats, like my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents that leave the stories of the past for historians like you and me. The historical societies, museums and archive throughout this county are eager to help keep those stories alive. Your family history is America’s history. In addition to your family memories, you may find that your family has documents, artifacts and memorabilia that relate the stories of individuals. Become an educated pack rat. Ask questions of older relatives and friends, but be sure to share your family stories with younger members of the family. 

In our dining room, my Mother displayed a plate with a young girl sitting at a table of food.  On this plate was printed the prayer,  “God is good, God is great, Let us thank Him for our food, Amen.”  Because I grew up with this plate and learned my first prayer for thanks from this plate, I thought this plate was one of my childhood gifts.  A few years ago, I asked my Mother about this plate.  She explained that my eldest brother, Joe,  had given it to her as a Mother’s Day gift when he was in elementary school, several years before I was born.  In reality this plate had a much different history than the one I had created in my mind.

A 1964 visit to the Lost Sea near Sweetwater captured J.W. and Christine Lowe with their son, Mark in the cave. Frank and Lucille Chester Jones were behind them. This picture is a reminder of that visit, the people I knew, and the experiences we might soon forget. 

If you have stories that you think I should share, drop me an e-mail at marklowe@kytnresearch.com  If I don’t get back to you quickly, it is because I lost your note in my stacks. Becoming a pack rat was a natural tendency for me – both of my parents (J.W. and Chris) were pack rats.  I hope you are enjoying every moment of the holiday season. (knowing this is hard time for many- thinking of you, too.)  Remember to stop and smell the cornbread dressing, or orange cake, or fresh fudge.  I appreciate you sharing a moment with me.   Now  I need to move that stack out of the way.   

Tennessee's First Lady - Rachel Donelson Jackson

J. Mark Lowe

I know you are all familiar with Rachel Donelson Jackson.  Several years ago, I did a deeper dive into her family and Mrs. Jackson in particular.  Her death came near Christmas in 1828.  I was very impressed with her story, and share some notes from an article written by one of her great-nieces. She was definitely a sturdy adventurer and represented the first Tennesseans.

Rachel Donelson Jackson was born in 1767, while her father, the Colonel John Donelson, was a member of the Virginia Colonial Legislature. Rachel was the youngest of thirteen children. She was described as a black-eyed, black-haired brunette, a handsome lass, the best storyteller, the best dancer, the sprightliest companion, and the most dashing horsewoman in the Western country. 

Colonel John Donelson was appointed principal surveyor of Pittsylvania county, Virginia and Colonel of the militia just three years before his youngest daughter was born. Donelson sold his iron works in 1779, and planned to emigrate to the West. He built his boats, and in company with forty other families started on his journey to the Cumberland Settlement on the 22nd of  December. He kept a journal of this voyage, which began, “Journal kept of a voyage intended by God's permission in the good boat Adventure, from Fort Patrick Henry, on the Holston River, to the French Salt Springs [later called French Lick] on the Cumberland: kept by John Donelson.’

The group, including Rachel Donelson, arrived at their destination on the 24th of April in 1780. Due to the continual fighting with native Indian tribes, several of the Donelson family temporarily located in Kentucky for safety.  While living in Kentucky Rachel Donelson gave her heart and hand to Lewis Robarts. They were married on 1 March 1785, however the union proved most unhappy. The couple was quickly separated. Judge John Overton, a lifelong friend of the families, succeeded in uniting them after one separation, when Rachel’s mother-in-law embraced her most affectionately, being in deep distress over her son’s conduct. When the conduct continued, Rachel moved back to her mother's home. Robarts left his wife and went back to Kentucky.

Shortly thereafter, Rachel learned that Lewis Robarts intended to compel her to accompany him back to Kentucky, she determined to descend the river as far as Natchez with the advice of her friends.

News came through the grapevine that the Virginia Legislature had actually granted a divorce to Robarts's petition. Upon receipt of the news Andrew Jackson hastened to Natchez and offered his hand and heart. Jackson had been a boarder in the home of the Donelson family. Rachel declined the offer of engagement, but her suitor would not be denied. In time, they were married and returned to Tennessee. On arrival, it was learned that the divorce in Virginia had not actually been finished. Once they learned it had been completed, the marriage ceremony was again performed after their arrival in Nashville. 

Andrew Jackson was devoted to his wife. According to all to knew the couple, there marriage was a happy union—a very happy marriage—one of the happiest ever contracted. They loved one another dearly. They held each other in the highest respect. They testified the love and respect they entertained for one another by those polite attentions which lovers cannot but exchange before marriage.

Their love grew as their years increased and became warmer as their blood became colder. No one ever heard either address to the other a disrespectful, an irritating, or an unsympathizing word. He remained Mr. Jackson to her always—never General, still less Andrew—and he never called her Rachel, but Mrs. Jackson or wife. Whatever manner of man he might have been elsewhere, he was always gentle, kind, and patient at home. They were not blest with children. These big-hearted people, having none of their own, were enabled to bestow many kindnesses upon other people's children, for the Hermitage was the place for pleasure and comfort to the younger element of the community, all of her brothers owning the entire lands surrounding the Hermitage.

For four or five years before her death her health had been precarious, and on the 17th of December in 1828, she was taken with a sudden and violent attack of heart trouble. General Jackson was in the field and rushed to her side. The doctor arrived but with no relief for Mrs. Jackson, as she suffered for sixty hours, during which time her husband never left her bedside for ten minutes. Then she grew better and breathed with less difficulty. Rachel then protested to her husband that she was quite well, and he should go into another room and sleep. She did not want anything to interfere with his attendance of the banquet on the 23d of December, 1828. This banquet was planned by the citizens of Nashville and Middle Tennessee in honor of  Jackson's election as President of the United States.

Jackson would still not leave her side. She so earnestly entreated him to rest and prepare for the banquet of the following day that he finally consented to go into an adjoining room and rest. At 9 o'clock he bade her good night, went into the next room, and was preparing to take off his coat when his beloved wife uttered a low, long cry. Her head fell. He looked eagerly into her face, as if expecting to see signs of returning life. He sat all night long in the room by her side, with his face in his hands, grieving, and occasionally looking into her face and feeling the heart and pulse of the form so dear to him. He also sat in the room the entire next day, the picture of despair. 

The sad news reached Nashville early the next morning, where all arrangements for the grand banquet were made. The scene was suddenly changed. Congratulations were turned into expressions of condolence, tears were substituted for smiles, and sincere and general mourning pervaded the community. Announcements from the Board of Aldermen were made, with resolutions from the Mayor, that all business be suspended, and that the church bells be tolled from 1 to 2 o'clock, the hour of the funeral, as a mark of respect for the memory of Mrs. Jackson. On the day of the funeral every vehicle in Nashville was employed in conveying its inhabitants to the Hermitage, and the grounds about the mansion were crowded with people.

More Earthquake Reports From the Area 1811-1812

 J. Mark Lowe

I have received many comments about the 1811-1812 Earthquakes, so I will share some additional earthquake reports from  A Detailed Narrative of the Earthquakes which occurred on the 16th day of December, 1811 (Transactions of the Literary and Philosophical Society of NY, vol. 1, pp. 281-307).  Since the earthquakes continued into the new year of 1812 - we will pick up this story after the holidays.   

Isoseismal map for the earthquake
of December 16,1811, 08:15 UTC
(first of the 1811-1812 New Madrid series)
usgs.gov

The testimony of Colonel Samuel Hammong, in a letter of the 6th February, 1812, which I received from him, was to the following effect. He confined himself strictly to what he know from personal observation. The first shock he witnessed was on the 15/16th of December last. He was then at Herculaneum in Louisiana. A few seconds before the motion was felt, he and others heard a considerable roaring or rumbling noise, resembling a blaze of fire acted upon by wind. The motion of the frame of the house on which he stood was tremulous. It began instantly after to rock pretty violently. This continued, as he thought, about ten to twelve minutes. The vibrations of the chimney were, perhaps, about three or four inches each way, and were in the direction of southeast and northwest nearly. The noise which preceded the shock was from the northwest. Its commencement was about two o'clock in the morning. One hour after there was a second, which was light, and of very short duration. No houses or chimneys were thrown down by either of those. The motion was very much like the first, but of short duration. This injured several brick and stone chimneys. Its duration between one and a half and two and a half minutes. About sunrise the same morning there was a fourth shock. The vibrations of the chimneys at twenty-five feet from the ground, were at least four inches each way. The direction was the same as the first. The motion of the earth was very perceptible. Cradles rocked, and the church bells rang. Several chimneys were cracked to their bases, and some were broken off as low as the stem or funnel. In this last shock, the water in the river Mississippi was thrown into commotion, bubbling like boiling water; and, in a few minutes, the whole atmosphere was filled with smoke or fog, so that a boat could not be seen within twenty paces from the water's edge; and the houses were so shrouded as not to be seen fifty feet; this smoke continued all the forepart of that day.

In passing along upon his journey, he found the effects had been pretty uniform, and their occurrence and duration nearly the same, as far as Carthage, in the state of Tennessee. There were one or more shocks every twenty-four hours, from the first-mentioned one, until the night of January 1, 1812. Then, at about half after three in the morning, being at Carthage, he felt a severer shock. It threw bricks from a chimney which had been previously broken by the first shock; he found, on inquiry, that the motion was considerably greatest near the large water courses. The court-house at Carthage is a large brick edifice, and was cracked to its foundation, and considerably damaged. Several chimneys had been cast down, by the shock of the 16th of December. Everywhere it was stated to him by those who witnessed the motions, that they were from the south of west, to the opposite point, or vice versa. In the county of Christian, (Kentucky,) af fine and fresh spring was observe to run very muddy for several hours. On examining it, after the feculence had settled, he found it to be so strongly impregnated with sulphur; so much so that it was spoiled for domestic uses; indeed it had been converted to one of the strongest brimstone springs he ever met with.

But considerable as these operations were, they were surpassed by others which took place along the river Mississippi; indeed, the strata underlying the bed of this stream appear to have been the principal seat of the commotion or, at least, the place where it was most considerable. The phenomena were described in the most fearful and alarming strains by several writers. Much exaggeration was interwoven with some of the narratives. Some, indeed, were tinctured with fable and burlesque. Among the various recitals it became exceedingly difficult to find out the true, or even the most probable, account. Five or six witnesses, who seem to have been wholly unknown to each other, agree in so many particulars, that their united evidence may be considered to approach as near to the truth as we can expect to arrive.

First, the writer of a letter from the Chicasaw Bluffs, dated December 21st, to his correspondent in Cincinnati, stated many particulars from his personal observation. The first shock happened at thirty minutes after two, on the morning of the 16th, and was followed by many more within a few days. The boat was acted upon by the water in such a manner as to induce a belief that she had grounded; but upon sounding, he could find no bottom. The current, at the place where he was at the time of the occurrence, (eighty-seven miles below the mouth of the Ohio,) acquired three times its former velocity, and the river rose six feet upon its former level; the trunks of trees, bedded in the bottom, suddenly rose in great numbers to the surface; the banks tumbled down at an alarming rate; and the land was rent by cracks and fissures.

Secondly, a writer from New Madrid, in a communication to a friend in Lexington, dated 16th December, describes a tremendous noise as rousing the family from their sleep, rocking the house, throwing down the chimney, and terrifying them so, that they passed the remainder of the morning, from two o'clock, when the shock was felt, in the open air. During the time of the shock, the heavens were very clear and serene; there being not a breath of air stirring; but in five minutes it became very dark; and a vapour which seemed to impregnate the atmosphere, had a disagreeable smell, and produced a difficulty of breathing. This darkness continued until nearly the break of day. During its continuance there were six more shocks. About half after six it cleared up. However, the danger was increased by another shock, which racked the houses violently, and threw down the chimneys. The darkness returned, and it was accompanied by loud noises, and a bounding motion up and down. Many persons were so alarmed that they formed encampments in the fields. The shocks were repeated from time to time, until the 28th, and then amounted to sixty-seven.

More Stories From the Earthquakes of 1811-1812

 J Mark Lowe

The residents of this area were shaken by the events beginning early on the morning of the 15th of December, 1811. Their inability to watch an instant newscast of the action or even know what happened for days fueled much misinformation. The earthquakes of 1811-12 that destroyed New Madrid, Missouri and made Reelfoot Lake did considerable damage along the Mississippi river. These earthquakes shook the whole country. One of the worst occurred Dec. 15, 1811, at night, the shocks being felt about every 15 minutes. The navigable rivers were thrown into convulsions, and a number of boats were lost. Muddy logs from the bottom of the stream were thrown to the surface and became so thick that they impeded the passage of boats. Great sections of earth along the Mississippi river sunk, and islands were rent asunder and disappeared. Trees were twisted and lashed together. The earthquake was accompanied by a tremendous distant noise, resembling thunder. These disturbances occurred at intervals for some time and were very alarming to the people.  This account by an unknown resident of Springfield to his brother was found in a newspaper.

Landslide scarps in Chickasaw Bluffs, east of Reelfoot Lake,
created by the New Madrid earthquake
are still visible in 1904 (Fuller). 
(Courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey)

City Gazette and Daily Advertiser, Washington DC, 11 January 1812.

(Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Springfield (Tennessee) to his brother in Washington City [DC] dated December 16, 1811.

“We have since yesterday morning about two o’clock experienced one of the  most sublime, grand and awful scenes perhaps on record: The  night of the 15th, being remarkably dark and cloudy, accompanied by a stillness of the air equal to the silence of the tombs; a little past two o’clock, Mrs. (--), and myself, being awake, there appeared to be a rustling of something similar to wind at a distance; we were however, soon undeceived by a rattling of things in the house, and then a sensible rocking of the same, to a very great degree --- I made up a light as soon as  possible and opened the door, more effectually to discover the cause; when to my utter amazement, there was a perfect calm, and nothing but an agitated rolling of the earth from southwest to northeast; this continued, I think from seven to ten minutes; after which the convulsions of nature, appeared to cease for about forty or fifty minutes, when a second shock, tho’ much lighter than the former, alarmed us if possible, more than the first – An interval then took place till about sunrise, when another shock equal I believe to the first gave us fresh alarm. I walked out into the yard, with difficulty could stand steady; saw the earth under my feet, oscillate, as plainly as I ever saw the pendulum of a clock, for some minutes; it then stopped, and was followed by three or four more in succession, for the space of thirty or forty minutes, since then we have had six light shocks – It is now one o’clock at night; we are in dread of other returns before morning. The consternation we are all in has prevented any speculative conjecture – I a now by myself, and will hazard to you my opinion – I think, from the short time I have had to reflect on the course of this phenomena of nature, that it must be owing to one of two causes, viz., either Orleans or New Mexico, or some large tract of land, surrounding the Gulf, has sunk,  a similar circumstance, in all human probability, having formed the Gulf, previous to any historical account of this continent – or the other, which I think more improbable, that the Comet, in its ellipsis, forming so near a parallel with the sun and earth and adding its attractive force to that of the Sun, has had this wonderful effect – This in my mind is mere hypothesis. One thing I know, we have felt the effects, in some degree, and I wish some able philosopher to ascertain the cause, if possible."

On the morning of Monday, the 16th of December, 1811, several shocks of earthquakes were felt at the city of Washington [DC]. The first of these happened at three o'clock; and in some houses was considerable enough to shake the doors and windows, and wake persons from their sleep. There were successive tremors. Tassels of curtains were seen to move; and pitchers of washing-stands were heard to rattle upon their basins. The sound was very distinguishable, and was believed by many to pass from southwest to northeast. The alarm was so great in some families that searches were made from room to room, to discover the robbers who were imagined to have broken into the houses.

A second shock, though lighter, was experienced about six o'clock, and a third about eight.

A gentleman standing in his chamber at his desk and writing, in the third story of a brick house, upon the Capitol Hill, suddenly perceived his body to be in motion, vibrating backward and forward, and producing dizziness. Not suspecting the moment that the uncomfortable sensation was caused by an earthquake, he examined his desk to know whether it stood firm. Finding that it did, he dropped his pen; and turning his eyes upward, discerned that the looking-glass, and other things hanging near him, were in a similar motion.

Another person was near a table placed beneath a mirror. Feeling a giddiness come upon him, he seized the table for support. The general agitation of the chamber and house ceased in about a minute; but the looking-glass, which was suspended in the usual manner, continued to swing for some seconds longer. 

The atmosphere seemed to forebode some unusual occurrence. One of my most correct and respectable friends, declared in conversation, and stated to me in writing, that he made an observation of the sky about ten o'clock that night. It was quite calm. There was not a breath of wind stirring. The air was perfectly clear and free from clouds. Nevertheless, it was uncommonly dark, and the stars which appeared in every part through the gloom, were lurid and dim, and afforded little light.

In Richmond [VA] the signs of an earthquake were witnessed by many persons. At three o'clock on the same morning, (the 16th of December,) there were said to be three successive shocks; another about six; and a third about eight. Several people were impressed with a belief that thieves had entered their dwellings; and in one of the most elevated mansions, the bells were set a ringing in both the upper and lower rooms. The noise and concussion were supposed by some to proceed from east to west.

At Raleigh [NC] several slight earthquakes were felt on the morning of the 16th December. The first happened between two and three o'clock, and was distinctly perceived by all who were awake at the time. Two others were reported to have occurred between that time and seven o'clock, but were not plainly observed, except by some members of the legislature, who were in the state-house, and were considerably alarmed at the shaking of the building.

At Columbia [SC] the inhabitants were alarmed by repeated shocks. The first took place at half after two in the morning of Monday, which was represented as shaking the houses as if rocked by the waves of the sea. It was followed, after the cessation of a minute, by three slighter ones. At eight o'clock two others took place, and at ten, some slight ones. The South Carolina college appeared to rock from its foundation, and a part of its plaster fell; which so alarmed the students, that they left the chambers without their clothes. It seemed as if all the buildings would be levelled. The dogs barked; fowls made a racket; and many persons ran about with lights, not knowing where to go, so great was their terror. During the first agitation, it was observed, that the air felt as if impregnated with a vapour, which lasted for some time.

At Charleston [SC] the sensation was of considerable strength. One account stated; that on the morning of the 16th, at a few minutes before three o'clock, a severe shock of an earthquake was felt. Its duration conjectured to ahve been between two and three minutes. For an hour previous, though the air was perfectly calm, and several stars visible, there was, at intervals of about five minutes, a rumbling noise like that of distant thunder; which increased in violence of sound just before the shock was felt. The vibrations of St. Philip's steeple caused the clock bell to ring about ten seconds. Two other shocks were felt afterwards, one a little before eight, and the other about a quarter of an hour after. Both these were slighter and shorter than the first. Many of the family clocks were stopped by the concussions. In many wells the water was considerably agitated. From another source it was related that Charleston was shaken by an earthquake severely, at the time before specified. This was preceded by a noise resembling the blowing of a smith's bellows. The agitation of the earth was such that the bells in the church steeples rang to a degree indicative of an alarm for fire. The houses were so much moved that many persons were induced to rise from their beds. The clocks generally stopped. Another slight shock was experienced about fifteen minutes after; and yet another at eight o'clock. This last one produced a considerable rattling among glass, china, and other furniture. A looking-glass hanging against a west wall was observed to vibrate two or three inches from north to south.

Sources: City Gazette and Daily Advertiser, 11 January 1812; Earthquakes in Missouri, 1913; History of Tennessee, Haywood.  A Detailed Narrative Of The Earthquakes, US Geological Services, 1814.

The Earthquakes That Shook This Area in 1811 & 1812 (New Madrid Fault)

 J. Mark Lowe

Two hundred and thirteen years ago, (1811) an earthquake along the New Madrid fault created fear and turmoil throughout the South. Church pews were filled and calls of the end of the world were commonplace. The President was James Madison. He organized a large geographic survey to understand the extent of the earthquake damage. He was forced to face other issues very quickly with the War of 1812. 

James Madison was President during these earthquakes. 

Let’s take a look at a collection of scientific observations from an 1814 report.

The testimony of Colonel Samuel Hammong (6 Feb 1812) was to the following effect. He confined himself strictly to what he knew from personal observation. The first shock he witnessed was on the 15/16th of December last (1811). A few seconds before the motion was felt, he and others heard a considerable roaring or rumbling noise, resembling a blaze of fire acted upon by wind. The motion of the frame of the house on which he stood was tremulous. It began instantly after to rock pretty violently. This continued, as he thought, about ten to twelve minutes. The vibrations of the chimney were, perhaps, about three or four inches each way, and were in the direction of southeast and northwest nearly. The noise which preceded the shock was from the northwest. Its commencement was about two o'clock in the morning. One hour after there was a second, which was light, and of very short duration. No houses or chimneys were thrown down by either of those. The motion was very much like the first, but of short duration. This injured several brick and stone chimneys. Its duration between one and a half and two and a half minutes. About sunrise the same morning there was a fourth shock. The vibrations of the chimneys at twenty-five feet from the ground, were at least four inches each way. The direction was the same as the first. The motion of the earth was very perceptible. Cradles rocked, and the church bells rang. Several chimneys were cracked to their bases, and some were broken off as low as the stem or funnel. In this last shock, the water in the river Mississippi was thrown into commotion, bubbling like boiling water; and, in a few minutes, the whole atmosphere was filled with smoke or fog, so that a boat could not be seen within twenty paces from the water's edge; and the houses were so shrouded as not to be seen fifty feet; this smoke continued all the forepart of that day.

In passing along upon his journey, he found the effects had been pretty uniform, and their occurrence and duration nearly the same, as far as Carthage, in the state of Tennessee. There were one or more shocks every twenty-four hours, from the first-mentioned one, until the night of January 1, 1812. Then, at about half after three in the morning, being at Carthage, he felt a more severe shock. It threw bricks from a chimney which had been previously broken by the first shock; he found, on inquiry, that the motion was considerably greatest near the large water courses. The courthouse at Carthage is a large brick edifice, and was cracked to its foundation, and considerably damaged. Several chimneys had been cast down, by the shock of the 16th of December. Everywhere it was stated to him by those who witnessed the motions, that they were from the south of west, to the opposite point, or vice versa. In the county of Christian, (Kentucky) a fine and fresh spring was observe to run very muddy for several hours. On examining it, after the mud had settled, he found it to be so strongly impregnated with sulphur; so much so that it was spoiled for domestic uses; indeed it had been converted to one of the strongest brimstone springs he ever saw.

 A writer from New Madrid (Missouri), in a communication to a friend in Lexington, dated 16th December, describes a tremendous noise as rousing the family from their sleep, rocking the house, throwing down the chimney, and terrifying them so, that they passed the remainder of the morning, from two o'clock, when the shock was felt, in the open air. During the time of the shock, the heavens were very clear and serene; there being not a breath of air stirring; but in five minutes it became very dark; and a vapor which seemed to impregnate the atmosphere, had a disagreeable smell, and produced a difficulty of breathing. This darkness continued until nearly the break of day. During its continuance there were six more shocks. About 6:30 it cleared up. However, the danger was increased by another shock, which racked the houses violently, and threw down the chimneys. The darkness returned, and it was accompanied by loud noises, and a bounding motion up and down. Many persons were so alarmed that they formed encampments in the fields. The shocks were repeated from time to time, until the 28th, and then amounted to sixty-seven.

 

I add another respectable communication, from Mr. Joseph Ficklin of Russellville, (Kentucky) who thus describes the earthquakes, in a letter dated 5 Feb 1812: The shocks continue. The accounts that you will see in the Nashville and Lexington papers may be confided in. I have conversed with several persons from New Madrid, all of whom confirm the above. The bottom of the Mississippi river, two under miles west of this place, was cracked in some places fifteen feet in width, and cast up warm water sufficient to inundate the settlement from one to two feet. In this situation, the poor inhabitants sought for the highest ground, where some remained for seventeen days, looking for the earth to swallow them up.

Source: A Detailed Narrative Of The Earthquakes, US Geological Services, 1814.

19th Century Patent Medicine with Local Connections

 

J. Mark Lowe

As we approach the end of the year, we often look over our collections of items.  Many folks that I know have collected brightly colored bottles.  One of my cousins actually makes a bottle tree. 

Some of the many old bottles collected over the years are patent medicine bottles. The term "patent medicine" has become particularly associated with drug compounds in the 19th century, sold with colorful names and even more colorful claims. In ancient times, these compounds were called nostrum remedium, or our remedy  in Latin.  Also known as proprietary medicines, these mixtures were trademarked medicines but not patented.

Most manufacturers (often small family operations) used ingredients quite similar to their competitors. These were vegetable extracts laced with ample doses of alcohol. They were medicines with questionable effectiveness whose contents were usually kept secret and occasionally were deadly.

Originating in England as proprietary medicines manufactured under grants, or royal patents, to those who provided medicine to the Royal Family. These medicines were soon exported to America. Daffy's Elixir Salutis for colic and griping, or Dr. Bateman's Pectoral Drops were some of the first English patent medicines to arrive in North America. The medicines were sold by postmasters, grocers and other local merchants.

By the Civil War the manufacture of similar products had become a major industry in America. Often high in alcoholic content, these remedies were very popular with those who found this ingredient to be therapeutic. Many concoctions were fortified with morphine, opium, or cocaine. Unfortunately, parents seeking relief for their babies from colic or fussiness often administered these remedies with tragic results.

Remedies were available for almost any ailment. These remedies were openly sold to the public and claimed to cure or prevent nearly every ailment known to man, including  tuberculosis, colic in infants, indigestion or dyspepsia, and female complaints. This final category of medicines was very popular

offering hope for women to find relief from monthly discomforts. Consider J. Bradfield’s Female Regulator.

Dr. Josiah Bradfield was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee in 1829. He was the son of Daniel and Mary Bradfield of Murfreesboro. After farming for several years, Bradfield moved to West Point, Georgia near his in-laws, the Clarks. He became a merchant and began to be interested in patent medicines and became a druggist. He moved to Atlanta during the Civil War and began to manufacture patent medicine on a large scale. His remedies were Bradfield's Female Regulator, Mother's Friend and Pryor's Ointment. He advertised these products across the country extensively.

An 1881 Atlanta magazine describes his store. “Dr. Josiah Bradfield drug store is located at No. 26, Whitehall. The name is at once recognized as familiar, in connection with a noted female remedy. Dr. Bradfield, the compounder of the medicine, is proprietor of this drug establishment, and has a fine line of pure drugs and medicines and all the popular patent remedies. He keeps a large assortment of colognes and toilet goods. He furnishes the trade, or single orders from a distance, promptly. His prescription department is carefully conducted, and the drug store is first-class in all its appointments. His business in this line has grown very rapidly on account of the satisfaction of customers.”

Bradfield ran advertisements in newspapers using letters from satisfied customers. Henry D. Featherston from Robertson county was one of those customers.

November 27, 1880.

Sir: My daughter has been suffering for many years with that dreadful affliction known as “Female Disease,” which has cost me many dollars, and, notwithstanding I had the best medical attendance, could not find relief. I have used many other kinds of medicines without any effect. I had just about given her up, was out of heart, but happened in the store of W. W. Eckles several weeks since and he, knowing of my daughter’s affliction, persuaded me to buy a bottle of your Female Regulator. She began to improve at once. I was so delighted with its effects that I bought several more bottles.

The price - $1.50 per bottle – seemed to be very high at first, but not I think it the cheapest preparation on the globe; and knowing what I do about it, if today one of my family was suffering with that awful disease, I woiuld have it if it cost $50 a bottle; for I can truthfully say it has cured my daughter sound and well, and my wife and self do most heartily recommend your Female Regulator to be just what it is recommended to be. Respectfully, H. D. Featherston.

Henry D. Featherston was the son of William and Elizabeth Jones Featherston. According to the family bible, Henry was born the 13^th of June 1823 in Robertson County.  He married Mary Draughon in April of 1846.  Mary died shortly after giving birth to a daughter, Nora, who lived 14 days.  Mary died in July 1851.

According to the U.S. Census taken in 1880, Henry D. Featherston and his family are living in Springfield. Henry is listed as a Census Enumerator. In his household are his wife, Margaret; daughter, Bell; son, McKinnin; and son, James.  The advertisement mentions his daughter, which according to this other record is Bell Featherston, who is seventeen years of age at the time.

Dr. Josiah Bradfield died in Atlanta on 5 August 1885 at age 56. He left a wife, two married sisters, and his brother, Dr. L. H. Bradfield (an Atlanta druggist). The brother, Lewis H. Bradfield, left Atlanta to engage in the wholesale drug business in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1898 with failing health he moved to Abilene, Texas where he died.

In 1909 the company started by Dr. Josiah Bradfield was charged by the Food and Drug Act of mislabeling product.

”This is one of the greatest comforts to those expecting to become confined. It is a remedy upon which confidence can be placed, one that will assist in the safe and quick delivery, and that shortens the duration of labor. Such is Mother's Friend. Try it. It is a blessing to suffering women." and on the other side of said carton: "Mother's Friend has been used by hundreds of ladies throughout the country. It has been prescribed by many of our best physicians, and all pronounce it a success, giving relief from the dreadful pains and suffering of this trying time. Every woman expecting to become a mother should use it."

The finding of the court showed that the label above set out was false and misleading in claiming for the said drug properties and powers which it did not possess. The product was removed from the market along with many other patent medicines.

Source: Atlanta illustrated (Clarke, 1881); 1880 Census; Elmwood Cem Records; Featherston Bible Records; 1910 Report of FDA Cases.

Television Comes to Town

Bill Jay and Captain Bob Lobertini

Brenda Lee visits Romper Room

The Map of the famous Bonanza - Sunday night television

Bob Overton hosted the Five O'Clock Hop

(As published in the Robertson County Times - August 2009
J. Mark Lowe

In a January 1937 edition of the Robertson County Times, an article predicted that Television would be a reality by next Christmas [1938]. I suddenly realized television has been present for most post-WW2 babies and wondered how this medium has changed our perception of the world.
Here’s the article reprinted from the Times taken from The Progressive Farmer magazine.
Television by Christmas of 1937 is now the prediction. Of course many engineers around the world are working at the problems of television. If we do have television by next Christmas, it is largely due to the genius of an Idaho farm lad – Philo T. Farnsworth.
Philo Taylor Farnsworth was born in 1906 in southwestern Utah, in a log cabin built by his grandfather, a follower of the Mormon leader, Brigham Young. As a young boy, Farnsworth loved to read Popular Science magazine and science books. By the time he entered high school in Rigby, Idaho, he had already converted most of the family's household appliances to electrical power.
Farnsworth was particularly interested in molecular theory and motors, as well as then novel devices like the Bell telephone, the Edison gramophone, and, later, the Nipkow-disc television. In 1922, Farnsworth sketched out for his Chemistry teacher his idea for an "image dissector" vacuum tube that could revolutionize television.
Neither Farnsworth's teacher nor anyone else around him had ever heard of the "television," which in the 1920s meant a device that mechanically scanned an image through a spinning disc with holes cut in it, then projected a tiny, unstable reproduction of what was being scanned on a screen. Farnsworth imagined instead a vacuum tube that could reproduce images electronically, by shooting a beam of electrons, line by line, against a light-sensitive screen.
Living on a farm 50 miles from a railroad, by the time he was 12 years old, he was chief engineer on his father’s farm. He developed a home lighting plant, hay-hoisting equipment and converted a handpowered washing machine into an electrically operated one. He even winded the armature for his electric motor.
Farnsworth dreamed of television without moving parts when he was thirteen; a year later, still in high school, he invented some of the basic parts of electronic television.
At age 19 in 1926, he completed his models and blueprints, applying for patents on his television device. In 1927, he received his first patent, on an entire television system – not just one part – and Donald K. Lippincott, the radio engineer, called him one of the ten greatest mathematical wizards of the day. Since that time, he has been busy building his system. An experimental broadcasting station has been completed in Philadelphia and test are now being conducted on an extensive scale. It seems likely that the image will be 8 by 10 inches in size with a home receiver becoming available for $200 to $300.

Television did not become a reality in 1937. It was two more years before limited broadcasts would begin in the U.S. Television came to Robertson county in 1950. WSM, Nashville’s first AM radio station in 1925 and FM radio station in 1941 became the first television broadcaster. It was estimated there were 10,000 television set in all of Middle Tennessee in 1950. The first program included Jack DeWitt, Ott Devine, David Cobb and Dottie Dillard. WSIX-TV began broadcasting in 1953, and WLAC-TV joined the air in 1954. Most Robertson county folks depended upon radio stations for local news and weather reports, along with the daily newspapers from Nashville and local weekly papers. With the advent of television, early morning news and weather reports became popular. Eddie Hill, hosted a news and variety show, called Country Junction. This program featured local talent, with current farm prices and basic weather forecasts. WSM added the Waking Crew, the Noon Show and regular news programming with Jud Collins.
WSIX introduced us to live studio wrestling, Youth on Parade, and Shock Theatre.
When asked about the first TV shows he watched, my brother, Wayne, remembered watching the Howdy Doody Show with Buffalo Bob Smith, Clarabell the Clown and Chief Thunderthud. He also mentioned the Lone Ranger and Romper Room, but they never called his name through the Magic Mirror. Romper Room changed teachers over the years, but stuck with some of the same songs, games, and sayings – like Do Bee. My sister, Beverly, and her friends watched American Bandstand in the afternoon, and a Nashville show, called 5 o’clock Hop hosted by Dave Overton. Little Miss Brenda Lee was a regular guest on that show.
The cartoon shows continued to be the primary entertainment of younger viewers. I remember Captain Bill Jay and Captain Bob Lobertini both hosting Popeye and other cartoons. Other folks mentioned Bozo the clown, Captain Countdown, Cap’n Crook’s Crew, and the Happy Town Gang. Boyce Hawkins, remembered as a weather man, played Grandpa Moses on the Happy Town Gang which played the Three Stooges comedies. The great westerns like Roy Rogers, My Friend Flicka, Have Gun Will Travel, Gunsmoke, Bonzana, and Maverick were the favorites of young and old alike.
My Mom and some of her friends watched Jack LaLanne and Slimnastics, with Bob Lobertini and Jackie Bell. These exercise program introduced the Glamour Stretcher and regular daily exercise routines. I remember these grown ladies rolling on the floor doing the bicycle and hip rolls. One of my Dad’s favorite programs was Woods ‘n Waters hosted by Bill Jay and Bill Clay. I remember we made a special trip down 8th Ave in Nashville to visit Bill Clay’s Sporting Goods store in Melrose Place.
Today with the addition of cable and satellite programming, recording devices and movie rentals, it is not uncommon for homes to have a television in every room of the house. My how times change, I still remember when WLAC – Channel 5 became the first Nashville station to go to a 24-hour format. We sat up all night just to see it happen. I wonder what Philo T. Farnsworth would think today about his invention.
Sources: Nashville Broadcasting, Dorman; Popular Science – Nov 1940; RC Times 1937.