The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1883-12-19
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO.
AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM
A FORMER CITIZEN.
s.. JosErR, Mo., Dec. 2. 1sss.

me that il was the Morristown paper.
Then began a search for names that
were familiar fifteen years ago, and soon
found that time had changed the firm
names and that many strange to me are
now in the place of the old ones of a
decade and half ago. And as lock-
ed on ever the pages, found the name
of young lady, and as ! remembered
her only ms little girl OF eight years, ]
thought there must be some mistake
but no fifteen years is q long time
and boys and girls grow Hp 10 man and
womanhood. Time plays us some cruel
tricks, and as the years roll on one by
one, we must acknowledge that we are
growing cd, and those little boys and
girls must take our places as the young
life of society, though, SINE of us hold
on TO youth longer than others, yet we
must at least give way TO the light
bounding hilarity of young and happy
boyhood; our limbs are too stiff or we
ate TOO tired, while all the time il 10 the
passing years that is hurrying us on to
the dui les and perplexities OF man and
womanhood and thence on to old age.
Fifteen years ago came to Morris
town from the back country and APP
prenticed myself TO Ben. Mitchell 20
learn the carpenters trade; and / sup
pose there never app. AIRED q grerner or
more awkward boy on the streets Of
Morristown. During the two years Of
my apprenticeship became pretty well
acquainted with the people of the town
aud also with the tricks of the boys. At
first was regularly imposed upon-as
the "cub" always is-and in my YER
dancy / imagined it was pat of the
''Iraid," and green as was. that sup
position was about as near correct as
any of my life. However, after while
began To make friends, and then 1
soon came in as one of the regular grad
yates.
Fifteen years agr Hamblyn county
WAS formed and the question of coun-
~ seat was upper Eost in every mind;
and the first county election was an
event of great interest. and men of all
parties and all degrees of capability
were seeking to serve the people, and
the one who furnished the most food
for fun, was humorous, good-natuIed
Capt. Leftwich, then a candidate for
county clerk. Many times, when the
Captain WAS hard pressed by the friends
of his opponent, has he resorted to the
happy humor of his generous nature.
Once, during his canvass fer clerk,
some of the opposition had found him
in Joe Browns store, and when closely
pressed he said in his happiest way:
boys, there is no use Of mincing mat
ters, want the Office simply because /
need the salary"
G.. III. Boyd was elected first sheriff
of Hamblen county, and Sam Furrow
was one of his deputies. Sans first i'm
portant arrest was the negro who shot
and killed Wash. Fulton, near the rail-
road track, just west OF the depot. And
the trial of this negro was the frat muir
der case ever heard in Hamblen county.
The first regular district court was
held in an old frame store-room on Main
street. John Mitchell and myself fit
the room up by taking down partition
and making . number of rude board
benches.
George Speck was publishing THE
GAZETTE then, and the results of little
in which he took q leading
part arc no doubt remembered by many
who were fun-lovers in those days.
However, some of the boys found the
Joke rather an expensive one.
The firm OF Morris, KidwelI 81 Co.
was the great institution of the town in
hose days, and ne doubt many still re-
member how the firm was sometimes
'tyled-"Morris, Kidwell, Colvin & IL
And this reminds me that the Colvin
here, is now a prosperous
'armer OF Atchison county of this State
in my pilgrimsges / call at
he coy little farmhouse on The Tarkio
md COlvin and have quiet reunion;
he other paIties to the meeting are, OF |
course, brought in In fancy-Glen KID |
veil, Jehu Morris, Bob Mitchell, Will
Bill Flynn and half dozen
'ths:s were the fun-loving aud prank
'layinG boys of the town, and could |
ell some incid. nts that would liVen up |
he memory of many q one who suffer-
d that they might laugh. Tom Fitz-
'atrick and Elem Cooley were the
udes, and during Tom Fitz'a wooinR
/ was quite interesting to see him of an
vening getting himself up in the reg
lation style. After Tom married
lem would not be comforted, and he
DON hid himself in perfect seclusion.
IN any clear noon day Jes. Lane could
e found seated on a goods box in front
[ little building that stood near the
Buncombe" crossing, on Main street,
.lling stories TO crowd of idlers and
II the time using jack-knife vigor-
nslY. Dave Pence was the little giant
nd at his innocent head was hurled
amy a witicism. Jim Hodges, think,
as the busiest man In Morristown Ia
lose days; at one time he kept up his
w practice-was largely engaged in
lie marble business-was partner in
.w-mill and was earnestly endeaYoring
reduce pine thicket back OF town
TO something like 9 comfortable habi-
tion. Prof. Wilson was principal of
70 academy out on the old Kentucky
ad. Prof. Summers was principal of
20 young ladies' seminary. And since
lose girls who were then i'm attendance
his school are, it Ia presumable, all
arried. will BAY that during all my
mmmAl4-- a..