Stories of the Bell Witch - Told Yet Again -

 

As regular as tobacco barns start their annual smoking phase, the tales of the Bell Witch or Spirit begin to appear. This year Spirit: The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch of Tennessee returns to the stage in Adams, Tennessee.  It will continue through October 31, 2026.  (LINK to TICKETS)

Nancy Johnston Ayers, the daughter of John & Martha Johnston
was said to have been spanked by the witch. 

Recently, I found a review of the Martin V. Ingram book that recorded the historic tale. This 1919 article relates the story and presents some interesting questions.

A new book gives what purports to be an accurate account of the experiences of certain members of the family of John Bell, who in 1804 moved to Robertson County, Tennessee from North Carolina. The author [Martin V. Ingram] affirms that he " only assumes to compile the data, formally presenting the history of this greatest of all mysteries, just as the matter is furnished to hand, written by Williams Bell, a member of the family, some fifty years ago, together with other corroborative testimony by men of irreproachable character and unquestionable veracity ". Appended to Mr. Ingram's compilation are detailed reports of interviews with his informants, several letters from persons able to speak with authority, and an extended history of " Our Family Trouble " by Richard Williams, son of the unfortunate John Bell.

Mr. Ingram declines to propound any theory regarding the cause of the phenomena he records, nor has he, he affirms, " any opinion to advance concerning witchcraft, sorcery, spiritualism or psychology in any form "; yet he devotes a chapter of thirty pages to the presentation of a mass of evidence tending to establish the reality of supernatural phenomena. He cites the Bible and John Wesley, Richard Watson, Adam Clarke, and other commentators, as well as several modern instances, of which the mysterious " rocking of Dr. William Smith's cradle, which occurred in 1840, in Lynchburg, Va.," may serve as an example.

"According to the author, the Bell homestead was situated on the south bank of the Red River, about a mile from the spot now occupied by Adams Station, the latter being some forty miles north of Nashville, on the southeastern branch of the Louisville and Nashville (the old Edgefield and Kentucky) Rail Road.

After a brief sketch of the social and religious life of the simple, frontier community in which the Bell family settled, Mr. Ingram describes a long series of persecutions which John Bell and his daughter Betsy suffered at the hands of an invisible being who took up its abode at the Bell homestead and made itself a general nuisance. At intervals the " witch " frequented other places in the community, among them Fort's mill, about a mile from John Bell's house. The machinery was often heard running at night after the miller had left the building. It first revealed its presence in 1817, and, when questioned regarding its origin, claimed to have come from North Carolina. Sometimes alone, sometimes accompanied by four other airy personages denominated Blackdog, Mathematics, Cypocryphy, and Jerusalem, it filled the house with wild laughter, profane language, and coarse jests. The smacking of unseen lips and strange sounds "like rats gnawing the bed posts . . . dogs fighting ... or trace chains dragging over the floor" made sleep impossible. Covers were pulled from the beds, chairs were overturned, " chunks of wood and stones" fell unexpectedly in the path of the farm laborers, ghostly lights flitted around the house, and various members of the family were struck by unseen hands. At times the demonic family sang sweetly, and the " witch " quoted Scripture with astonishing accuracy. In 1817 " Mr. Bell, while walking through his corn field, was confronted by a strange animal, unlike any he had ever seen, sitting in a corn row, gazing steadfastly at him as he approached nearer. He concluded that it was probably a dog, and having his gun in hand, shot at it, when the animal ran off. Some days after, in the late afternoon, Drew Bell observed a very large fowl, which he supposed to be a wild turkey, as it perched upon the fence, and ran in the house for a gun to kill it. As he approached within shooting distance, the bird flapped its wings and sailed away, and then he was mystified in discovering that it was not a turkey, but some unknown bird of extraordinary size. Betsy walked out one evening soon after this with the children, among the big forest trees near the house, and saw something which she described as a pretty little girl dressed in green, swinging to a limb of a tall oak. Then came Dean, the servant, reporting that a large black dog came in the road in front of him at a certain place, every night that he visited his wife Kate, who belonged to Alex Gunn [a neighbor], and trotted along before him to the cabin door and then disappeared.” "The Goblin's favorite form, however, was that of a rabbit, . . . the hare ghost took malicious pleasure in hopping out into the road, showing itself to every one who passed through [the lane in front of the house]."

Witch-doctors and other persons attempted repeatedly to discover the cause of the strange events, but to no purpose. " The want of some satisfactory explanation or the failure of all investigators to throw light on the witch mystery, gave rise to the speculative idea that John and Drew Bell had learned ventriloquism and some subtle art. . . , and taught the same to their sister Betsy, for the purpose of attracting people and making money", but, as investigation showed, it was no such matter.

The unseen visitor's own account of itself was far from satisfactory. At one time it claimed to be the spirit of a child buried in North Carolina. At another it was a disturbed ghost seeking a lost tooth under the Bell house. When, however, the flooring was removed and the dirt sifted, no tooth was found, and a mocking voice from the air declared it was " all a joke to fool ' Old Jack'," as the " witch " called John Bell. On another occasion it was the ghost of an early settler, come back to reveal the whereabouts of hid treasure; but the money was not found, and the " witch."

Let’s continue with this story.

Kate Batts was a sort of gigantic Mrs. Malaprop, whose propensity for using long words and whose evil tongue made her at once the laughing stock and the terror of the neighborhood. After the " witch's " assertion it was recalled not only that Mrs. Batts had an old grudge against John Bell, but also that certain events connected with her history savored strongly of witchcraft. She had a habit of " begging a brass pin of every woman she met, which trifle," adds the author, " was supposed to give her power over the donor" (p. 63). "The most incontrovertible evidence [however] was that a certain girl in the vicinity was given the task of churning, and after working the dasher diligently for two hours without reward, and no sign of butter coming, she declared that old Kate Batts had bewitched the milk and she determined to burn her. Carrying out this decision, she stuck an iron poker in the fire, and after it had come to a white heat, she soused the iron into the milk, setting the churn away; then making some excuse for the visit, she called on Aunt Kate to ascertain the result of her experiment, and found Mrs. Batts sitting in the corner nursing a burnt hand, which had been badly blistered through a mistake in taking the poker by the hot end that morning" (p. 69 f.). Mrs. Batts violently denied all connection with the Bell " witch," and the matter was never brought to a test.

Whatever may have been the cause of the phenomena described by Mr. Ingram, the persecution of the " witch" brought naught but sorrow to the Bells. The father became despondent and in 1820 died; Betsy was forced to give up her lover, and the household was finally broken up.

The following clipping, taken apparently from the query column of the Nashville, Tennessee, Banner, has some bearing on the events described in Mr. Ingram's book:

"' Is there such a thing as a Bell Witch near Springfield, Tenn. ? If so, please tell some of its doings of the past.'

" A great many of the most reputable among the older citizens of Springfield and Robertson County are convinced that there was an unexplainable manifestation of some sort which was generally regarded as a ghost, and which came to be called the Bell Witch. It was said to jump on the steeds of men returning home from Springfield after dark, shriek in an unearthly manner and of other alarming things (sic). In the eighties, when there was a recurrence of what was supposed to be the Bell Witch manifestations, the Banner sent Mr. John C. Cooke to investigate. He concluded that there was not at that time any supernatural manifestation, though he heard noises that were not explained. Mr. Cooke is still a member of the Banner staff. While he does not accept the ghost theory, he is convinced that there was a mysterious something that alarmed many of the most intelligent people of that community. Mr. Martin V. Ingram of Clarksville wrote a book undertaking to give all the facts and circumstances in which the Bell Witch figured, and this book can probably be obtained from second-hand book dealers."

The student of folklore will recognize at once that we are here dealing with a series of phenomena long associated with haunted houses. Buildings rendered uninhabitable by terrorizing agencies have existed in fact from time immemorial, and their horrors have formed the basis of skeptical or sympathetic treatment from the ancient classical drama to the more modern Gothic romance and the contemporary penny-dreadful. Moreover, it should be observed that, although houses may be haunted by vampires, ghosts, and other uncanny beings not necessarily associated with witchcraft, the ills which befall the occupants have frequently been attributed to maleficium. During the great period of witch mania in Western Europe many buildings in the British Isles and on the Continent were disturbed by the Devil or his human emissaries. A few well authenticated instances of English and American houses troubled by diabolic forces will make it obvious that the agency responsible for the misfortunes of the Bell family did but illustrate the excessive conservativeness with which the powers of evil stick to tradition.

Extraordinary events closely resembling those described in The Bell Witch are outlined by E. B. Miles in a series of sketches of life in the Cumberlands (The Spirit of the Mountains, p. 108ff.). They concern "an old woman, or the spirit of one," who annoyed the family of Beaver. As a result of the visitations the head of the family pined and died.

In 1654-5 the family of Gilbert Campbell, a weaver living in Galloway, Scotland, underwent a series of similar annoyances as the result of Campbell's having refused alms to a sturdy beggar named Alexander Agnew, " who afterwards was hanged at Dumfries, for Blasphemy." When questioned by the minister, an invisible demon confessed that he was the author of the trouble and showed himself even more learned in the Scriptures than did Kate Batts. About the year 1661 a series of persecutions strikingly similar to those described in The Bell Witch were suffered by the household of Mr. John Mompesson, of Tedworth, Wilts. An invisible force pulled the children's hair and night-clothes and even lifted the children themselves bodily out of bed, scattered the grandmother's garments and hid her bible in the hearth, moved furniture, opened and shut doors, and "The commissioners blamed the disturbance on the Devil, but an eighteenth-century tradition, which it must be admitted is not above suspicion, has it that the perpetrator was one John Collins, a loyalist who, by concealing his real opinions secured a place with the commission and who was well acquainted with the trap-doors and secret passages of the building.

The story of the Bell Witch will continue to captivate the residents and visitors to Robertson County. To learn more about the families of this region, visit all of the great history museums in Robertson County, and don't miss the story told in Spirit: The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch of Tennessee.  Limited tickets are available for next week -   https://bellwitchfallfestival.com/

Amazing Happenings of 1928 Around the County

Our newspapers were always filled with great information about families and interesting events. I found some very interesting information about the citizens of Robertson county reported in the Robertson County Times of 1928.  

Bell Community  Club Has Kitchen Quiz. The Home Demonstration Club of the Bell Community met August 10th [1928] at the home of Mrs. Frank Roe. There were thirteen members present and one visitor. Miss Cullens gave a demonstration on canning corn and butter beans. An interesting  feature of the afternoon was a contest  Kitchen Quiz in which Mrs. Clarence Fyke was the highest scorer. After the business session, delightful refreshments were served. 

The next meeting will be with Mrs. Claude Benton and the subject will be Making Pickle. All members are urged to attend.

Farmers Attend Field Study Day at Farm Station. A number of farmers attended a field study day of the work of the Middle Tennessee experiment station at Columbia last Friday. Those in the company were J. J. Farmer, C.H. Baggett, Rufus Burnett, A.G. Woodward, John Goodman, Walter Toon and county agent, H. H. Jones.

A careful study of the various experiments resulted in some interesting information. The following phases of work as being carried out at the Station was studied by the party: Different dates of seeding grasses and clovers, beginning the middle of August and running until the first of December at intervals of fifteen days and beginning the first of January and running at intervals of fifteen days until the middle of April, brought out the some very interesting facts. The methods and rate of seeding alfalfa sweet clover and red clover were studied. 

Local Osteopath Saves Drowning Man. Many of our readers will be interested in the story of the rescue of a man from drowning by Dr. George W. Stevenson of this city.

Dr. Stevenson was attending a convention of osteopaths at Kirksville, Missouri , recently and with other doctors went in swimming. The doctor is an expert swimmer and all round gymnast. 

One of the doctors while in the water on August 10 sank for the second time. Dr. Stevenson dived after him, and after a hard struggle he was able to punch the drowning man senseless and then pull him to the shore. 

Dr. Stevenson since his return home has made no mention of his heroic exploit, and the story of his courage was learned from another doctor, who lives far from Springfield, who was attending the convention. 

The Orlinda High School opened in 1928 under the
supervision of  Professor E.C. Hicks, a noted educator.

Orlinda High Opens with 300 Enrolled; 150 Patrons Present on First Day of Term. The Orlinda High School opened on September third with an enrollment of three hundred. A feature of the opening day that greatly pleased and encouraged the faculty was the presence of 150 patrons of the school. 

The opening exercised included scripture reading by Rev. A.M. Nicholson, a prayer by Rev. Cecil Jones, and an address by Prof. E. C. Hicks and speeches by several of the patrons. 

The Orlinda school was graded “Class A” by the state board of education for the year ending June 30, 1928, and the schedule for a Class A school for the following year has been approved by the state supervisor of high schools.

There are ten teachers in the faculty of the Orlinda schools. D.D. Willmoth of Oklahoma City has charge of the science department. and directs athletic activities. He received his degree from Union University at Jackson, Tenn. Prof. C.W. Broyles received his degree from Peabody at Nashville. He teaches vocational Agriculture. 

Prof. E.C. Hicks, superintendent of the school is beginning his first year’s work at Orlinda. He moved there from Cedar Hill where he left a record of notable service. He is one of the county’s ablest and most energetic educators.

With a capable faculty and a citizenship that takes great interest in education, the Orlinda High looks with confidence to a successful school year.

Medical Society Has Picnic Dinner. The regular monthly meeting of the Robertson County Medical Society was held in Springfield last Tuesday on the High school campus. A picnic dinner was served at noon by the doctors’ wives and was thoroughly enjoyed by the members of the society, visiting doctors and their wives and a number of invited guests. Members of the society present were: Drs. Connell, Jones, E.S. and J. S.  Hawkins, Bradley, Thomas, Dye, Porter, Kempf, Moore and Fyke.

Visiting doctors present were: Drs. W. L. Gossett and J.L. Russell, Adairville, Ky.; Dr. E. C. Morgan, Schochoh, Ky.; Dr. W. W. Scott, Pleasant View, Tenn.; Dr. P.L. Pitt, Ashland City, Tenn.; Dr. M. B. Garner, Edenwold, Tenn., and Dr. W. A. Bryan, W. W. Core and F. B Dunklin, Nashville, Tenn.

On the scientific program Dr. W.A. Bryan delivered a lecture on ‘The Gall Bladder,” followed by Dr. W. W. Core whose subject was “Appendicitis.” The essayist for he meeting was Dr. F. B. Dunklin who chose for his subject “Encephalitis Lethargica.” The lectures and essay were very interesting and were received most attentively by the members and visitors.

The society accepted an invitation to meet with the Cheatham County Medical Society in Ashland City on the third Tuesday in October. 

1928 Atwater Kent Radio

Atwater Kent Radio Show. The Tennessee Light and Power company will have an Atwater Kent radio show Monday and Tuesday, September 24 and 25thh.

This event is the first of its kind in Springfield. Through the cooperation of Atwater Kent manufacturing company it has been made possible for Springfield to have the same advantages as the larger cities have enjoyed. 

At this show the company will feature a complete line of cabinets and phonograph combinations, and also the new Atwater Kent model 43-dynamic set which will be on display for the second time in this section of the South. 

Mr. A. Frank Trimble extends a cordial invitation to the public to visit this show and receive information about the 1929 Atwater Kent receivers. 

Source: Robertson County Times, 1928.

Remembering 9\11\2001 - 25 years - Our memories

In an effort to preserve these memories, I have included this blog with my thoughts over these last couple of days. Sharing our memories is a way to hold on to them, which is the goal of this blog - Keeping The Story Alive.

Twenty-five years ago, I was visiting Quad Cities (Davenport Iowa). My Mom spent an entertaining evening with Pat Stamm, in a nearby casino, while I was busy getting ready for a well-planned FGS (Federation of Genealogical Society) Conference, which would begin in two days. We were ready for a great conference, and I climbed into bed after a fun travel day. We had driven from Tennessee to the Quad Cities area with my great friend, Gail Miller, and my cousin, Rebecca Lowe Shipley. The weather was great and the drive up had been fun and leisurely. Once we got checked in at the hotel, the work began. For me, there would be the FGS Board Meetings, and of course, the conference. Here is a picture of the 2001 FGS Board made earlier that year. 

Early morning meetings would require an alarm to be set. That night would open on a morning that would change our lives - September 11, 2001. When the alarm went off, I remember looking out on to a beautifully clear blue day. Getting ready for an FGS Executive Board meeting, and running out of the room, telling Mom I would see her later. The meeting was filled with congratulations and excitement for the great work that had been done by the Conference Chairs - Jim and Paula Stuart Warren and the great volunteers from the area. All was ready for the conference attendees to arrive - we were expecting a large crowd and everyone was ready. We adjourned from the first meeting with enough time for me to go back to my room, and pick up some additional notes for the next meeting. When I got back to my room, my Mom was up and watching TV. I asked her what she was watching. She said "A plane ran into the World Trade Center!" I later learned American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower. I quickly grabbed my extra material and headed downstairs for the next meeting.

We began our meeting before we learned about what was happening at those moments.

9:03 AM (Eastern) United Airlines Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower; 9:37 AM (Eastern) American Airlines Flight 77 strikes the Pentagon; by 9:45 AM (Eastern) The FAA orders a nationwide shutdown of U.S. airspace.

We were all excited about the great conference that had been planned and the excitement about all of the activities. We talked enthusiastically about the upcoming events. David Rencher got a phone call, and he stepped out of the room. When he returned, he told us about what has happened in New York, at the Pentagon, and the fear that it could happen oher places. He suggested we take a few minutes and try to learn what had happened. I still remember the puzzled looks on the faces of my friends and colleagues. Someone asked, "Is this really happening?" When we reconvened, we had to face some difficult decisions. Jim Warren and Paula Stuart Warren has organized a great conference, with a group of active volunteers.  As we left that room, many ran to their rooms and watched TVs in the lobby.  9:59 AM (Eastern) The World Trade Center South Tower collapses.

Within minutes, we heard that all flights were grounded, and we were expecting a large number of attendees to arrive during that day. Many folks began to arrange caravans to travel to the Quad Cities. Later that day, the FGS Board made the decision to go forward with the conference. There were many people already there, and many were already on their way. It was a tough decision, but we agreed to try to stand tall. People who were there really worked hard to make everything work together.  I know there were people (primarily not there) who were unhappy we went on with the conference. There were hundreds of people who worked with Jim and Paula to make everything come together. Events needed to be adjusted; Speakers who were there filled in for Speakers who could not attend. Sandra Luebking made a quick drive home in order to become the Speaker for the Banquet, when the planned Speaker could not attend.  

This is a picture of David Rencher trying to coordinate the stranded speakers from the Family History Library.  

A picture of the day’s newspaper shared in the afternoon meeting. In those moments, you realize who will always stand with you!

Marcia Rice collected beads and ribbon to make red-white-blue pins for us to wear.

Pat Stamm added, "The next days were filled with talks. Between talks, people would huddle around the TV in the lobby. To this day, my hats off to the various FGS board members who worked through the hard times to give the participants a good conference."

Paula Stuart-Warren added," A tough day and yet it did bring the hugs and tears that truly help in our bonding."

This is a photo from the FGS Banquet that week. Sandra Luebking had given a memorable and inspirational talk. The Board and Local Volunteers gathered at the end of Banquet, when I had been asked to lead the group in singing, "God Bless America." We sang proudly! I'm sure that Sandra's hand was crushed as I held tightly to her as we sang. May we always remember the strength and courage of those who protect us! Hug your friends, neighbors, and even some acquaintances with a smile- Make every day count! 

I will remember the costs of that day. Every moment counts! We need to learn from what we see, hear and do! My memories of 9/11 include friends who are no longer with us. Memories & Stories tie us together with our History. May we never forget those who died and the brave men & women who ran towards danger to save others.

I come from a long line of Firefighters and Policemen, I was touched by the active remembrance of the 30 Clarksville [Tenn] Fire & Rescue personnel and 21 members of Recruit Class 01-26 who completed their annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Each firefighter climbed to the top of the training tower and grabbed a card bearing the name of one of the 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. They called out the name and rang the bell. They climbed, one after another, and did not stop until all 343 names had been called. Thank you Clarksville Fire & Rescue for remembering.

Faith without hope is like beefsteak without gravy.

"Faith without Hope is like beefsteak without gravy!"

Willis Polk

This phrase was shared with me by a wonderful gentleman who lived in Port Royal, Tennessee.  Robert Riley knew the Polk family that lived there when he was a young man in that same community.  He described Willis Polk as part of those "old folks" who had lived in the rural country always, and was hesitant to accept technology quickly.  He also said that Willis Polk was not sure about drinking water that came from a spigot or faucet - he thought it might still have electricity inside. 

These stories were shared by Mr. Riley as we sat in his house and he talked with Willis Polk's Great-nephew Jim Polk.  Jim Polk had come to Tennessee to learn more about his family, who had lived in this area before his father, James Polk (born about 1890), went to Detroit, Michigan to find work with automobiles or construction. 

Mr. Riley had known Willis Polk, who lived and worked in this same area until his death in 1949.  As I got involved with this work as a genealogist, I discovered that Mr. Willis Polk had been a patient of the same medical doctor who delivered me as a baby, Dr. Robert H. Elder.   Jim Polk, who lived in Detroit like his father, had come to Tennessee to walk the farm where his ancestors stood and learn more about their lives. 

Robert Alley and Jim Polk discussing Port Royal families

We will learn more about both of these gentlemen, their families, and the stories they told.   

If you are interested in learning some interesting information - Mr. Jim Polk's grandson and his family appeared on PBS' This Old House restoring an old home in Detroit

Link to Story: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/detroit-house/21018948/the-detroit-house-before

Next Edition: How Jim Polk learned about his Grandparents and Aunt No.

Looking Forward to a New Year - While Looking Back to 1925

 J. Mark Lowe

Today is the last day of 2024. What happened years ago has always interested me.  As I wrote articles I often looked back 100 years or so.  As we contemplate the beginning of the New Year – I want to predict what was appeared in the newspapers on January 1, 1925 – the Robertson County Times.  

Well, I don’t have to predict since the paper was published on that day.  Let’s look at a few articles..

Happy New Year – Today marks the advent of a New Year. Last night was a momentous birthnight in which, upon the stroke of twelve, the old year went out, the new came in: 1924 departed, 1925 arrived. Where did the one go, from whence came the other… Man, now, is a creature of time; but he shall not be forever. He is mortal, but he hopes to putting on immortality. Until then, there is no antonym for time or the consummation of his hope, he lives in bondage to his allotted portion of duration.  “Time is precious,” time is valuable,” are the familiar expressions. In recognition of this truth, mankind from earliest days have tried to measure this thing. All over the civilized world calendars hang up on office walls, clocks are hung in towers and placed on mantelpieces and watches are worn on wrists and in waistcoat pockets.

Calendar from 1925

“Live in deeds, not years,” doing not measuring. From the thoughts here poorly written frame a slogan for 1925, a slogan pointing to worthwhile objectives and lofty aims. Review and appraise the old year, and welcome the new with worthy, well considered resolutions,  ambitions, plans and noble purposes.[Editorial Comment for the New Year]

All-Color Picture Due

“Wanderer of the Wasteland: a Zane Grey paramount production, directed by Irvin Willat and featuring Jack Holt, Kathlyn Williams, Noah Beery an Billie Dove comes to the Princess [Theater] on Saturday.

You’ve  heard about the wonderful colorful photography in Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments?” Well, this one’s done entirely in color.  There’s not a black and white sequence throughout the length of the film.  Think of it?

Even if it weren’t for the great story, it really is, you should go see this picture just for the novelty of the thing. Remember, it’s the very first really practical all-color production to be shown on the screen anywhere. But it’s more than just a novelty – much more, it’s Zane Grey greatest story brought to life. They say you can even see the different shades of sunburn on the players!   Skeptical? Why not take it it?

 

Billie Dove, George Irving, and Kathlyn Williams in Wanderer of the Wasteland (1924) Although the picture was filmed in all color, the photo print shots taken on set are black and white. 

New Bridge Over Railroad

The State Highway Department announces that the contract for building the overhead crossing of L&N railroad, 2 miles South of town, near Glenview will be let on January 23rd. Tourist whose route leads over the Dixie highway as well as the people of the county will be gratified to learn that work on the project will begin at once after the contract is LED the bridge or crossing is to be of the deck girder type of 226 foot spans and a 32 foot span and will be a splendid improvement over the old narrow sharp turned dangerous crossing. Work on the underpass at Hygiea will begin in early spring and with the completion of these two crossings the road from Springfield to Nashville be one of the finest and safest in the state.

Good news let the work go on. All roads lead to Springfield let them be made hard, smooth, durable, comfortable, and safe.

[This would have been the bridge that crossed the railroad behind Midgard Storage – where Old Greenbrier Pike extended between the Dollar Tree and Tidal Wave car wash.  That bridge has since been removed.]

Couple, Married In Wrong County, Are Wedded Again Cookeville, Tennessee. December 31.

 An amusing event occurred here today the county court clerk of this county recently had returned to him by mail a marriage license which he had issued a few days before. The return on the license showed that the couple to whom the license had been issued had been carried by a White County justice of the peace. County court clerk Moore of this county wrote a letter to the White County magistrate, whose return on the license showed that he had performed the ceremony and in his letter suggested to the White County justice of the peace that he had acted without authority in marrying a couple on Putnam County license. Today the White County magistrate came to Cookeville, accompanied by the quote happy couple UN quote who had imagined for the past few days that every requirement in the solemnization of their marital intention had been met. Upon arriving in Cookeville they promptly reported at the county court clerk's office, procured their returned license and going into the room in the courthouse in which Squire R.P. Capshaw holds his court, they were married again by Esquire Capshaw.

[I haven't determined the names of this couple.  There names were not mentioned in the Robertson County Paper, but I will look for this story in other newspapers across the state.  This will definitely be a update for 2025.  Thanks.]

Thank you for sharing my stories of both family and local history.   I will continue in 2025 although I might only share a story weekly in the new year.  You can subscribe to the Blogger, but I will also continue to share with my Facebook friends.   May you and your family have a great wrap-up of 2024, and a truly blessed and healthy NEW 2025 YEAR!!!      

Preparing For the Coming New Year - Memories of New Years' Eve

 J. Mark Lowe

My first cognizant memory was the New Years' Eve when I was two-years-old.  I'm not sure why I remember it was that date, but know that the memory has always been my memory - not an event that my siblings or parents told.  Both my Mom and Dad confirmed the memory over the years, but the clue was the fact that I had the croup that year. We were living in a house owned by Dr. Robert Elder, that was very near the feed mill owned by my parents.  In fact, this lot adjoined the feed mill lot.  [Important for a genealogist, who always tries to put the whole story together.]

I'm obviously feeling good here, but this is about the same time.

I was feeling better in the evening, and was lying on the couch wrapped up.  Soon, people in the neighborhood (town of Cedar Hill)  were shooting fireworks in celebration of the coming New Year.  I'm sure that my brothers had a few firecrackers and maybe a few rockets of their own to propel in the stars. 

I remember Dad picking me up off of the couch, and wrapped me in a soft, orange plaid woolen blanket with satin wrapped bound edges. We found similar blankets at the Springfield Woolen Mills Outlet in Bowling Green.  Dad carried me outside to see the fireworks.  I can remember hearing the laughter of my siblings, the popping noise of firecrackers, the loud booms or retorts as rockets reached their summit, the oohs when a colorful rocket exploded in the air, and the brilliant colors. As the fireworks continued, I remember seeing the bright light reflecting on my Dad's face.  I was warm, secure and protected.  There were other people around me watching these fireworks outside, but, mostly, I remember seeing the faces of my family.  

I had Uncles who loved fireworks, and often visited us in Tennessee because we had fireworks. There were special fireworks purchased for the kids. I remember those little black tokens, that would turn into a snake when touched by fire.  There were always firecrackers around the holidays. My older brothers also always enjoyed shooting fireworks.  This pattern continued into adulthood; we often have gathered in past Summers to enjoy fireworks at my brother - Denny's house.   As a fireman, he always ensured that the fireworks were handled safely, always made with proper precautions, and available equipment.  As the younger nieces and nephews grew, they were allowed to participate in the family tradition.

I think that the reason this memory remains so vivid in my mind, is that it includes the faces of my family. My family has always provided a warm, secure place to grow, be loved, and be encouraged.  It has been a long time, but FAMILY ALWAYS COUNT!  I understand that not all of us have been blessed to grow in an family like this.  I wish all of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR that brings you joy, love and happiness in your life.   

Eating black-eyed peas and something green (cabbage or greens) on New Year's Day is said to bring good luck and financial prosperity to the one eating them throughout the rest of the year. My Mom insisted that we at least have a spoonful of peas. Other lucky foods are lentils, pork (because chickens scratch backwards, a cow stands still, but a pig roots forward.) and sauerkraut. In order to take this a step further, some place a silver coin over the doorway or a penny on the windowsill. (I need to look to see if any of those placed in earlier years are still there. 

There are many traditions about the people with whom you celebrate and activities you are doing both on New Year’s Eve and Day.  So depending on your beliefs, the person you were with to celebrate the new year last week is with whom you will spend the next year. There's long been a superstition that if you kiss your true love at midnight on New Year's Eve, you will live in love and happiness with that person for the entire rest of the upcoming year. Plus, whatever you were doing on January 1st is the task you will continue to do all year.  My Mom, tried very hard not to wash clothes on New Years Day!  . There is one superstition about New Year's Day that if you lend someone money or something of substantial value on the first day of the New Year, you will be loaning money out to people all year long. You're also not supposed to pay off any loan on the first day of the New Year, either. If you cry on New Year's Day, for sad reasons, then you set the tone for a year's worth of sadness and tears. Whatever happens, you should be happy and upbeat all day on New Year's Day in order to ensure a happy year to follow.

Many folks opened the doors or windows of a home at midnight on New Year’s Eve to let the old year escape.  We also make loud noises at the same time, so we scare away any evil spirits that might be tempted to come into the house. An Irish tradition involves banging on the door and walls with Christmas bread to chase the bad luck out and bring good spirits to the household with the promise of bread enough in the New Year.

Watch Night began with the Moravians, a small Christian group with roots in eastern Europe. The first such service was held in 1733 on the estate of Count von Zinzendorf in Hernhut, Germany. John Wesley, founder of a Methodist movement, incorporated the Watch Night vigil into the practices of the early Methodist church. These watch night were not only held on New Year’s Eve, but one a month and on full moons.  The first such service was held in the United States in 1770 in Philadelphia. 

I look forward to sharing more of my memories with you in the coming days.  Memories shared are part of Keeping The Story Alive!  So before the year ends, be sure to make the preparations that ensure the new year starts with a positive bang.  

(Next Edition:  One more update for the New Year - 2024 Goes Out the Door - 2025 Enters)   

Memories of Christmas Toys and More Fun

 

Many of us need a few days of rest after all the family visits over the last week or so.  As I remember what made those memorable moments so lively is truly a combination of the people, the food, the toys, and did I mention the toys.  I have already recalled the Christmas of 1963 when I received the Sears Typewriter from Santa.  But  I remember the Christmas of 1964 in a very different way.  It was the first Christmas after my grandmother, Mama Lowe, passed away.  I think my parents were trying to keep us busy and provide plenty of activity for the family.  It was also the year that my sister graduated from High School. She was attending the T Duff School of Cosmetology, so was not at home all the time. Big brother, Joe was fully involved at Tennessee Tech, and working at the radio station, WPTN in Cookeville.  Wayne was a  Sophomore at Jo Byrns High School, and had a busy fall playing football, and working at the feed mill.  Denny was finishing his last year at Cedar Hill Elementary School, he spent a lot of time riding his ponies, and working at the feed mill.  Wayne and Denny would hook up Mr. Hawkins buggy , so we could ride the buggy with the ponies.  They had ridden in the Robertson County Fair Parade that September with the buggy, and enjoyed the experience.  We certainly enjoyed watching the parade that year.

I was just an aggravating little brother, and I’m sure there were times when they preferred I would be quietly playing somewhere. I didn’t have a bicycle yet, and I was a speed racer on my well-worn tricycle.  We had a concrete floor in our garage, and I could turn a mean speed on the tight circles. My sister’s graduation had brought several family members in for the events.  Mama Lowe had worked with Beverly to make a beautiful blue dress with a moire rose pattern.  I believe the dress was made for Senior Night, and my sister was beautifully dressed and looked the part of a proud graduating Senior.  In order to accommodate the families of the Seniors, they had made little badges with red ribbon streamers for the reserved family seats for graduation.  I remember Beverly pinning that little badge on Mama Lowe.  That was a special night.

My grandmother left a few days after graduation to head out to Oklahoma City to visit Aunt Martha and family  That was the last time we would send her off on a train.   She died that June and her body was sent back on the train to Bowling Green.  I was riding my tricycle in the garage, when the phone rang – it was a long distance call from Aunt Martha.  We were all stunned by the news.  All the joy of graduation, turned to grief, and as I look back some 60 years – I can see how hard the loss of Mama Lowe was on my sister. 

I’m sure it was hard on all of us, but my parents had to deal with the estate including a sale of the property and contents in Bowling Green. My Aunt Ione gave me the listing of the buyers from the sale that was included in the Estate Papers that Uncle Ralph had kept, and she knew that I would appreciate those details.  Before the sale, each of the grandchildren was allowed to choose an item from Mama Lowe’s corner cupboard.  I chose her Lenox Peacock sculpture. I had always admired it, and she would get it down, and let me examine it more closely.  I won’t go into the details of what everyone chose, but I remember those choices very clearly.

The holidays came on us very  quickly that year.  My parents, and Uncle Ralph and Aunt Ione decided we would have Christmas Dinner in Bowling Green that year at Ralph and Ione’s house.  We would have the 1965 Dinner at our house in Cedar Hill…We had gathered for Christmas Eve normally in Cedar Hill, but we had extra company.  My Uncle Junior ‘Ernie’, Aunt Novice and Dianna, along with Uncle Kenny, Aunt Martha and Jimmy were saying with us. I remember visiting with Santa earlier that December at Gamble’s Hardware in Springfield.   I told him I wanted a little Santa, and maybe a G.I. Joe or a Secret Agent action figure.  I had been excited about my Christmas shopping that year.  I mentioned the great gifts I purchased at Gregg’s 5 & 10  in an earlier article.

Bev with all those stuffed toys, and Wayne with a paint set

My sister received several stuffed animals and a doll.  In retrospect, she was missing Mama Lowe, and was not her usual cheerful self.  I didn’t understand the same feeling of loss, as a young adult was experiencing.  My big brother, Joe, unwrapped his tie-tac and shared that classic smile and thanks.

It is much easier for me to understand how the evening was different that year. I can’t imagine how my Dad was dealing with the loss of his Mother, and trying to carry on for his family.  We opened our gifts for Christmas Eve, and headed to bed to await Santa, and Christmas Day.

I didn’t  pop up quite as early since we had extra folks in the household.   But the movement began about 6 am.  We shuffled around quietly since our bed rolls were all around the room.  I found my stocking filled with oranges, apples, bananas, and some great chocolate drops.   Standing near the stocking at attention was a little Santa and a G.I. Joe in full camouflage. Santa came through again.  My Dad received a new recliner chair from Santa, and he was testing in out while were sorting through all our new treasures.

It wasn’t long until I heard Dad say – it’s time to get ready – we’re heading to Bowling Green in an hour.  So the crowd of people began to make time in the one bathroom house – to prepare for that annual trip to Kentucky on Christmas Day.   This time we were headed to Ralph and Ione’s house which was on Sherwood Lane out past Fairview Cemetery.   We passed our Aunt Ruth’s house – widow of Uncle Getty (the police officer).  Our Great-Grandmother Ida Lowe lived with Aunt Ruth.  As we drove into the Lowe household, cousins, Don & Linda greeted us. As we entered the house, the smells of Aunt Ione superb dinner greeted each of us.  There was lots of Merry Christmas- Hugs – and laughter.   In a few minute, Aunt Ruth and Great-Grandmother Ida arrived.  That was a special Christmas Day.

My Great-Grandmother Ida was on the right in this picture. Her twin sister, Ada, is on the left. They both married Lowe men. 

There were more gifts, hugs, and special thoughts shared that day.  Family is often what makes the special times together so wonderful, but occasionally the losses make those special times a little more difficult.  I have learned from experience that talking about our losses and sharing special stories help us all feel more complete.

(Next Edition: Preparing for the New Year)