Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1893-03-09
MORE OLD TIMERS.
Interesting Sketches of Some of the
Pioneers.

Pioneers.
DR.. E. Armstrong of this place, now
81 years old, has also been prominent
in county affairs for many years, both
before and since the war, and has been
honored with nearly every county Of
flee within the gift of the people. He
has held the offices of Register, Deputy
County Court Clerk, Circuit Court
Clerk, Trustee, Coroner and Magistrate
an office he is holding today.
In 1859 he was candidate for Circuit
Court Clerk, and was at Hoggart' g cleo.
tion precinct and got a rousing vote,
but two men got to quarreling and fl
nally to fighting and one of them had
brass pistol which somehow went off
by accident, killing an innocent by
SANDER named Combs, and the Doctor
himself came very near being wounded
with the same ball.
Ed. Harris was also very popular
runner for Legislature in ante bellum
days. In 1861, when he was a candidate
against Brookins Campbell, he came
across log rolling down in the Fifth
district, and the hands bantered him
to get down and help them, thinking
they would have some fun out of the
candidate. But Ed. went to work
and displayed such a marvellous skill
at the business that he was soon cap
tain of the squad by common consent,
and when the logs were all rolled that
crowd was solid for Ed. Harris.
In comparing the vote of some of the
districts of the county before the war
with their vote in recent elections we
find that there has been less change in
the political complexion of the Lees
burg district than that of any other
district in the county. In 1866, when
Andy johnson was making his last
race for Governor of this State against
W. P. Gentry, the vote of Leesburg was
johnson S3, Gentry 81. This county
was Democratic before the war, and
johnson received majorities in the fol-
lowing districts Monks, Brickers, Nc
Alisters, Embreeville, Flag Pond, Knob
Greek, Boone's Creek, Buffalo Ridge,
Hoggarts, Sweeneys, Leesburg, Camp
bells, and Taylors-thirteen in all, and
Gentry carried the remaining FIVE:
Williams, Greasy Cove, Fines, Brush
Greek (now johnson City,, and Jones'
boro. The total of Brush Greek was
only S2-3S for johnson and A for Cen
try. The vote of Jonesboro was, for
johnson 100, for Gentry 112, total of
2l2 votes, and by adding the colored
vote shows but little change or increase
at the present day. The Hoggarts and
Fall Branch districts at that time were
all included in one district and gave
johnson 1873 votes and Gentry only 90,
majority of III for johnson, which
would certainly entitle Hoggarts to be
called the banner Democratic district.
The banner Wing district was Fines,
which gave Gentry 70 votes and John
son 45.
We also have in mind a number of
other good men who were unsuccessful
candidates for county offices in ante
bellum days. Among the number we
can now mention Hiram D. Hale, VIM.
G. Slemmons, Addison Wilson, Thos.
II. Murray, Col. Telford, China Marsh,
A. j. Blair, Ez. S. Mathes, D. w. F.
Peoples, A. M. Jervis; these gentlemen,
though not successful as candidates,
were among our best citizens. Some
of them were on the wrong side of the
political fence to get Office in this
county, while others of the number
seemed unable to get rightly into the
swim, and went down in defeat in the
midst of their friends. But looking
back at the history of those who were
elected and those who were defeated,
we can see but little if any difference
in their circumstances. They all seem
to have lived and to have fourished,
the 'ins" making no more a success of
life than the ''outs" have made of it.
From which young men may learn
that after all Office getting and office
holding is not the greatest thing in
life. Any business followed as indus.
triously and closely as man must fol-
low an Office will pay more money and
bemore satisfaction in the end.