The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1890-08-28
STATE OF FRANKLIN.
An Incident Of Early History IN
Tennessee.
The First Secession-Its Similarity TO
tho One of '61-Orlgin Of the Upris.
Ing and Its Jnglorious End
Tho Fate Of Its Leader.

newspapers who have ever heard OF the
state Of Franklin" or "Frankland,"
as sometimes called. Yet it Is we'll
known to students Of American history
that such State once existed in this
country-it existed as much SO as did
the Southern Confederacy. 1t did not
attract so much attention, nor did II re-
quire SO many great sacrifices every
way as did the late Confederacy. Never
theless, "The State Of Franklin" ex-
listed, and existed in the South.
Like the Confederacy, the State Of
franklin was born Of secession, writes
M. V. Moore, in the Atlanta Constitu-
tion. It lived exactly the same length
of time that the Confederaoy lived
just four years, and like the Confedera-
cy 1t collapsed in blood and failure.
And furthermore, its chief Of govern
ment-like the chief of the Southern
Confederacy-was arrested on charge
Of treason. placed in irons. and also re-
leased without . final trial. A most
curious parallel exists in the history Of
Jefferson Davis, the chief Of the Con-
federate Government, and tho history
of Colonel John Sewer, the Governor Of
the State Of Franklin.
But the parallel between the two men
ends with the release from confinement
of the respective characters. While ex-
President Davis was forever relegsted
to . private life after his release, Cover
nor Sewer after his restoration to nber-
ty rose to highest distinction in honors.
In his State. He was one Of the patriots
OF the revolution, having distinguished
himself at the battle OF Kings Mountain.
In South Carolina. When Tennessee
was afterwards admitted into the Union
Colonel SEWER was the first constttu-
tonal Governor. He died afterwards, in
1Sl6,in the service Of the United States,
Willie engaged in negotiating treaty
with the Indians In Alabama. His re-
mains were buried in Alabama, where
they reposed until in 1889, when, in &C.
cordance with the long-expressed wishes
Of the people Of Tennessee, they were
disinterred. removed and committed to
final resting place near Knoxville, In
the latter State.
The State Of franklin was, as pre-
viously noted, the outgrowth Of the first
secession in the history Of our country.
That secession occurred immediately
after the close Of the revolution. and un.
der the following circumstances:
After the immediate close of the war
many Of the old soldiers from Virginia
and the Carolinas emigrated to the beau
tiful and fertile valleys Of what is now
East Tennessee. 1t was an inviting
land-no fairer or more delightful spot
OF earth known then for the backwoods
home.
The Territory then belonged to the
State of North Carolina, that State then
reaching from the Atlantic Ocean on the
east to the Mississippi river on tho west;
the northern boundary SO degrees and
80 minutes north latitude. The part of
the Territory lying west Of the ALLIE
ghantes was too remote from the seat of
the State government of North Caro-
lima, then at Fayetteville. for the west
ern pioneers to derive or receive such
protection and authority as they expect
ed or desired. The authorities OF the
State recognized this fact, and made a
tender to the general Government of
the United States Of all that part of
North Carolina territory west of the AL
leghsny mountains, to be placed under
Territorial government, to be ruled by
the Federal authorities, the seat of the
general Government then at Philadel-
phia. -44a
The colonists occupying the country
lying along the waters OF the Holston
nver-shis stream then known to the
Indians BY the name HoGoheagee--these
"Hoaston colonists.' as they were called,
protested against this TERRITORIAL psopo-
sttion. and. refusing to submit 70 She
action of 81" S'ate aushoritiss. thsy ae-
lAfHl sSsss'fos. i..Sa S,,e varo M EtSte.
J stss~s from ~ pssA = the Lsls-