The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-21
HAYWOOD VS.. PHELAN.
The Hon. John Allison Points Out some
Errors In Phelan's History.

The Hon. John Allison Points Out some
Errors In Phelan's History.
From the Knoxville Tribune.
The Tribune, has been shown q letter
written by the Hon. John Allison to
friend in this city, and though it was not
written for publication, its contents are oil
such nature that we make no apology
for printing it. The letter refers to
matter in which all Tennesseans, partlcu-
larly all East Tennesscans, will feel an in
terest. Here is The letter
You ask me whether / have read Phe-
lan's History Of Tennessee, and II so,
what think OF it.
In answer say that have read 1t, and
that part OF IL which covers the same
period embodied in Haywood's History of
Tennessee TO 1866 carefully. Haywood
is the text, Phelan the context. l like
the "tex" more than do the Context"
Compare Haywoods Civil and Politically
History with Phelan's. "0connostota's
speech at treaty OF Henderson, April,
! 1875, Haywood 45-6, Phelan IS and 49,
Estate OF Franklin" Haywood pages 1873
to POP, Phelan 20 to l04; "Kings Noun
tain," Haywood pages 63 to "a, Phelan
81 10 G2. A careful examination OF the
text and Context" Ii. @. Haywood
and Phelan) will disclose the fact that
Mr.. Phelan has omitted many and impor-
tant facts, which ! think Tennesseans
would be proud OF, and have right TO
have stated in connection with those re-
corded. II strikes me he has interpolated
matters, rs fact, which are mere infer
ences, most likely suspicious,
Let me point out specifically some OF
these. Haywood, page As, says: Browns
settlement was IN part composed of Tories.
OF this circumstance he (Fallen) had given
timely notice TO Carter, who applied for
aid 10 the settlements in Virginia at the
Wolf Hills, whore Abingdon now stands.
A body Of men came from thence imme.
diatoly TO Browns settlement; called the
inhabitants together, who came readily,
not knowing what was intended, aud there
administered to all OF them an oath to be
faithful Ia the common cause
Phelan's account, page So "In 1875 the
Brown or Nolichucky settlement, being
composed for the most part OF Tories, was
compelled by the Wanlauga people and a
band OF Nirginiaus from Wolfs Hill, who
had heard OF their lukewarmncss toward
the revolut onary cause, TO take the oath
OF fidelity 10 the common cause"
have italicized two words in Haywood $
account. viz. ''in part" and two in Phe-
lan's, viz, "most part" Phclan interpo-
latcs the following lyon will notice.: twas
compelled by the Wautauga people
TO take the oath, T" aud the word
most"
II cannot be said that these changes are
immaterial and harmless. To say that the
settlers in the Brown OF Nolichucky settle.
mcnt mt this date were nearly all Tories
and were forced into loyalty aud support
Of the revolutionary cause does n great
wrong TO the memory OF those people. A
careful examination OF llaywood's account.
in connection with that which procedes
aud follows II. will satisfy tho impartial
reader that the facts were about these.
William Fallen, who did not live in the
Brown or Nolichucky settlement, stopped
In IL, perhaps. over night or longer on hi.
way TO Virginia or Carter Valley (mosl
probably the latter with Isaac Thomas.
While In the settlement, Fallen, from
some cause not stated, suspected that there
were Tories 10 hs settlement. Fallen
and Thomas were carrying message from
Nancy Ward 10 the settlers In Carter
7 Valley, llolston, Wauiauga and Virginia
that the Indians were going TO attack
them, and II Is fair 10 infer that Il
he ~ believed there were Tories In
Browns settlement ho was not very com.
municaliye with them. They In turn
were probably not very cordial with him,
and may have suspected him. Fallen
( communicated his suspicious to Carter
, Carter communicated Il to the Nirginians
. and they came without the knowledge OF
. participation OF the "Wauiaugn people, "
and administered the oath without force u
compulsion to the whole OF thcse settlers
Not fact 80 FAR M | have ever bccn adj,
20 learn, occurred either before or subse
qucnt TO the event IN the settlement. e
Justify this action on the part OF the Nir
ginans or this suspicion.
The Wautaugn aud Brown settlers were
, always on the best OF terms, aided nnt
tru,t,d each other.
Mr.. Phclan may have authority Tor biz
: version, but nj this late day prefer TO nc.
ccpt Haywood ~ authority, who live,
among and knew personally many OF th,
people whose history he wrote, aud
= think It bnt just and fair to thosc pcopl,
that such differences should be dmWT
from aud constructions placed on th,
facts ~ will DO most favorable To their
4 fame aud good name.
That Tories. horse thieves aud iugitivci
from justice did inlrst these settlements In
< HITS NC all know, but Haywood, page
A bs, etc, says the settlers organized a tro
OF two companies, aud shot, whipped ant
fined them, etc, ~ that In less than tive
months the country became happily freed
= FROM their presence. There are peculiar
= reasons why you aud | should feel M
, anxious interest In preventing misrcprc.
! sensations Of these early settlers
> am surc NJ. Phrlan has uninlcntion
!. ally committed some crron In rclcrcnc,
=, 10 matters mentioned, and probably some
! others.
4 Have YOU read Phcian? suppose YOU
, have, aud would like 10 have your opinion
on the points hastily mentioned and an,
others YOU may think new, strange OF In
uccurtcs Your friend,
I JouN ALLISON.