Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1865-11-16
IllFEifa TSsE SCOTn. /.
EUNBER ONE.
IoG-ROLLING IN TENNESSEE.

LoG-R0LLIMe IN TENNESSEE.
Editor of the Fayetteville Observer: '-
7 will not take Upon myself to
asseverate absolutely the verify
of the following story, as contain
ing facts actually within my own
personal knowledge. merely
give the incidents as they were re-
lated to me by many elderly peo-
pie, who claimed to be eye wit,
nesses; and if the whole should
chance to be a fiction, it is their
fault, not mine. Besides, the tale
has an air of what rhetoricians
term verisimilitude, which is in
perfect accordance with the pas
sions and habits of men and bears,
and has therefore a great advan-
tage over Christopher North's ec-
gle story; for the mighty master
of criticism laid down the very
penpicuous rule, which received
! the warm appreciation of even SO
severe a Judge as Bishop Whate-
ley, chat in literary efforts, prob
abilities which arc impossible
should he preferred TO possibilities
! that are inlprobablc!' But the
facts which | am now about to
narrate are both possible and prob
able, and there are veracious men
still living in that lonely valley
who are willing to swear to their
truth. At least, SO they say.
It was the morning Of the first
of March, some thirty years ago,
when almost the entire population
of Sequatchie Valley had met to-
gether in one of those not untre-
quent reunions which were devoted
partly to labor and amusement,
and where the most arduous toll
itself was regarded by all asa pas
time. The occasion which had
called every able-bodie man from
his home was termed, in western
phraseology, "a lOg-rol ing" aud
the object was to collect the trees
previously felled, and cut into por-
tons of length convenient tor
handling, into enormous heaps,
destined 10 be consumed into ash
es, and thus make room for the
farmers plough. The space to be
cleared of this woody ircumbrance
included about thirty acres, and
fifty hands stood ready to com.
mence the work. But, first of all
the ground was divided into halves
by a line of stakes running through
the centre of the field, two cap
: tains were chosen, and the human
force was apportioncd also into
equal groups, one being designed
, to obey the leadership of eacl
, commander.
And then the contest began II
earnest, each party being deter
mined to clear the space allotted
to itself before the accomplishment
!. of a like task by the other, unde1
: the forfeit of arousing treat at the
, , close of the day, besides as many
! side bets as individuals migh
choose to make. Thus stimulated
and excited nov and then. per
haps, by a spirit more materla.
than even that Of emulation, AM
altogether as potent the riva
companies put forth all their ener
eies, and the scattered logs ros'
into enormous heaps with grea
rapidity. Shouts, laughter, songs
rude jokes, aud the most bolster
Gus elee prevailed during the morn
ing, and the prospect of success
seemed in equipoise, without an.
perceptible inclination towards el
ther side. 81 o. /,
; Atlength dinnerwas announced
: and the opposing parties adJourn,e'
. to the house, or, more properly
d cabin, situated some two hundre'
3 wards off in the heart of the fol
: est, where an immense table oi
!, rough boards, supported BY forke'
: stakes and long poles, presented
= tempting arraS Of smoking venl
: son, veal, and Wild turkey the tru
{. dal;cac;es OF al seasone cn III