Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-06-09
THE NASHVILLE POSTOFFICE
A List of P0stmasters from lis
Establishment In 1885,
Facts from the Records
at Washington.
Nashville Americana

Nashville Americana
Ofthe seventeen persons who have
acted as postmasters of Nashville
within the eighty -four years which
have interviewed since tho establish.
ment of the Office, eight survive, and
doubtless there are children or friends
of those who have died who can fur
nish brief but important historical
facts and incidents in connection
with. the official life and character of
each of the others.
We think DR.. w. P. Jones, the
present postmaster, would like to col
lect such facts and incidents as the
living ex-postmasters and the friends
OF the deceased ones may deem wor-
thy Of preservation.
In connection with this matter the
following official facts, furnished by
the postofice department at Wash
ington, will be read with interest:
PosTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April p, 1880.
Sir: The following is a list Of post
masters at Nashville, Tenn, as found
on the record books of the depart.
ment, from the date of the establish
ment ofthe Office to the present time,
together with the names of the post
masters and dates of appointment:
The office was established on April
1, 1896.
John Gordon, appointed postmaster
April l, 1896.
William StOthart, appointed post
master October l, 1881.
Robert Stothart, appointed post
master July l, 1902.
Robert B. Ourrey, appointed post
master June 8, 1911.
John P. Erwin. appointed post
master April 10, 1926.
Robert Armstrong. appointed post
master March 16, 1929.
Leonard p. Chatham, appointed
postmaster March Is, 1916.
John Shelby, appointed postmaster
March 10, 1849.
Samuel II. Anderson, appointed
postmaster March %, 1853.
William d. McNish, appointed
postmaster March %, 1861.
Office was discontinued June II,
1861.
Office was re.established March 20,
1862.
John Lellyett, appointed postmaster
March 20, 1862.
Adrian V. S. Lindsey, appointed
postmaster June u, 1862.
Bowling Embry, appointed post
master April 20, 1867.
Enos Hopkins, appointed postmas-
ter May 5, 1869.
William +. Prosser, appointed post
master March II, 1874.
William p. Jones, appointed post
master May q, 1877, who is the pres
ent incumbent.
The foregoing furnishes the names
OF the several postmasters and dates
of appointments, which we believe to.
be correct. AS to the second request
contained in your letter, it is found
to be quite difficult to accurately give
the postmasters .generaland presidents
who made the appointments, owing to
the hre which consumed the postofice
building on the night of December 10,
1896, which burned several of the
early record books, together with
every cas- and bond of the postmas-
tiers throughout the country. Fortu-
nately for the department, however,
the account books of the sixth audit
or's office were saved, which gives the
names OF the postmasters during these
early years.
1t is proper also to state that each
postmaster held the Office up to the
appointment Of his successor. and the
Nashville office became presidential"
on the 9th day Of July 1896. lam.
sir, respectfully your obedient servant,
JAMES H. MARI.
tor LIST assistant postmaster -gen1.
W, P. Jones, Esq, postmaster,
A Russian inventor and engineer
claims to have fund a suhst;tvto a..