The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-20
THE FATHER or TIE PRESS or
TENNESSEE.

tADnsnen Newspaper IN IcnntHSfc, anu Wnen anu
where he published ~ And please tell MS when
the fnt paper wGs published In Memphis by
doing this you will greatly oblige yours,
CoSTAEr REApER
The first journal published in Tenncs-
see was Tie Knorrlf Gatctie, which, on
the 9TH OF November, 1901, made its APP
pearance at Rogersyille, Hawkins county,
because Knoxville was not yet safe
from attacks by the Indians. Roul-
sion was the name Of the publisher
and editor, and he adopted the name
Gazette, because Il was appropriate rs that
usually given to official organs, whence,
we may remark came the term "gnzetted,"
the announcement OF nm appointment in
the government, organ, or gazette. The
historian, Ramsey, tells us that Roulston
"scldom venturcd on opinions combining
himself 10 the more casy and ordinary
duty OF chronicling passing events" The
old editor seems TO have had nose for
news" since The historian also tells us in
the same page in which announcement
OF his enterprise is made that he
was 10 be theraitor indebted TO The Castle
for many Of tho facts OF his history after
that bleak, cold LAY in November, when
the newspaper made lis appearance and
the press became factor in the life Of
Tennessee. Nearly hundred years have
passed away since that memorable day
when the journal and brief abstract Of the
times came 10 strengthen and uphold
the hands Of the men who began the work
Of building commonwealth. This event
preceded the formation, organization and
admission Of tlio State into the Union by
nearly iye years I've OF the most por-
tcnious ycars in It's adolcsccnt condition.
Tennessee had passed out Of the colonial
and into The territorial condition; Il had
passed through the anomalous and reyo.
lutlonary conditions OF indopendcnceas the
State Of Franklin; IL had run the gauntlet
OF Spanish machinaiion and local treason
and had rcadjus,od itself to political con
ncclion with the mother State Of North
Carolina and was a territory under the d.
rcciion OF Gov. Blount, one Of the
most polite, nlablc and cultivated oi men.
II was a very irving period In the history
OF The State. The Indians were still hos.
tile The Chicka1ws. Crcks aud Cher.
okccs were dispuiing the possession Of
their ancient hunting grounds with The
advancing white moc. who, increasing In
numbers, we've anxious 10 possess y soil
that WIS iai with the promise Of the riches
Il has since yielded TO three generations
MasSacrus and military meetings were Of
daily occurrence, aud Mr.. Roulston was
no doubt kept too busy chronicling the
hurrying and horrible events 90 devote
oven a moment 10 comment. Hut even
though lac had desired 10, what comment
could hc have made that would have
appealed morc cloqncntly 10 the brave
pioneers than tho horrors that, as
We mad them today, appeal IN
us ,rumpoi.tongucd for sympathy. The
tmca were iicklish. The Indians we've
punc,ua,lnv the history Of the struggling
community with arrows that were traced
In tho blood Of good people. Father
RoulH,on named his paper The KDorrilc
CAM, In anticipation OF time When the
town named Tor washingion's Secretary Of
War, tho gallm, Gcn. Knox, would be-
come In fact, On !, was then In name, III,
capital Of the Southwestern Territory
Nearly year after the papcr had bccr
established Capt. Thomas Gillespie was or
dcrcd Wy Col. James White 10 "cpair
with hls company IN Knoxville, cquippc,
10 protect the frontiers. Thco Is. add
the Colonel, Imminent danger. Brlnl
with you two days provisions, Il possible
but You an no, 10 delay IN lou
/, on that head" The call wis ur
gent Tic savagcs wcp debating IN
question, shall We massacre all thl
inhabitants Of Knoxville, or the met
only" Under such circumstances Their
was no time for editorial comment. Mr.
Roulaion found that ho had ~ much n