Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-08-07
HAYWOOD'S
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
GCoNTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.

GCoNTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
Upon the return of the members oil
Assembly from Tarboro, in the early
part of February, 1888, it was soon un.
derstood that North Carolina would
not come into the views of those who
favored the establishment of the Frank.
land Government, and a storm was
blown up. A fieri facias had issued in
the latter part of the year 1887, and
been placed in the hands of the sheriff,
to be executed against the estate of
Gov. Sewer in the early part of 1888.
The sheriff acting under the authority
of North Carolina, by virtue thereof,
seized all, or the greater part, of Gov.
Sewers negroes to satisfy it, and re
moved them for safe keeping from his
farm on Nolachucky River, to the
house of Col. Upton. Sewer was at
this time on the frontiers of Greene
County devising means for defending
the inhabitants against the incursions
of the Indians whose conduct of late
had given room for the apprehension
of formal renewal of hostllities.
Hearing of the seizure of his negroes
by virtue of an unlawful precept, as he
deemed it, and by an officer not legally
constituted, he resolved Immediately to
suppress all opposition to the new Gov
ernment of Frankland, and to punish
the actors for their audacity. He
raised one hundred and fifty men,
principally in Greene County, but
partly in Sewer, and what is now called
Blount, and marched directly to Tip.
ton 8 house, near to which he arrived
in the afternoon. Not more than fif-
teen men Of Tipton's party were then
with him. Sewer halted his troops
two or three hundred yards from the
house on sunken piece of ground,
where they were covered from annoy.
ance by those in the house. Sewer was
also melted to action by another incl
dent. Upton, 1t was said, in order to
get possession of his person, had col
lection a party of his adherents some
time before, and had sent them off
with orders to make Sewer a prisoner
The latter happened TO be on the from
tiers and Tipton's emmisaries missed
their aim. When Sewer came home
and was informed of this attempt, he
burned with indignation at the ingrati
tude of it. and at the unrelenting tenn
per which he considered to have
prompted it. Hence he received an
additional motive to action, and re.
solved in turn, to look for the Saul
who searched for him in all dens and
hiding places of the country. Upton
had gained some intimation of Sewer 8
design, and had just time to call for
the aid of fifteen of his friends, who
were with him at the time of Sewers
arrival. With them he kept possession
of his house, and barricaded it against
the expected assault as well as he
could, and with undismayed steadiness
waited the arrival of the Governor.
The house of Col. Upton was on Sink
ing Greek of Watauga River, eight or
ten miles east of Jonesboro. The Gov
ernor was not dilatory in making his
appearance. He presented himself and
his troops, with small piece of ordi.
nance, and took post in front of the
house. He demanded the unconditional
surrender of Upton, and of all who
were with him in the house. Upton
with the earnest language which he
sometimes employed on emergent occa-
sions, sent word to him Ito fire and be
damned" He sent to Upton a written
summons. This, with letter calling
for assistance, Upton Immediately
sent to Col. Maxwell of Sullivan, who
was commandant of militia in that
county, and representative of the
county in the General Assembly of
North Carolina. For some time Upton
would not permit any communication
with Sewer. Early the next day, how
ever, he consented that Robert Love,
Esquire, one of the fifteen who had
come to his assistance, might cores
pond with him. Mr.. Love wrote to
him through the medium of his own
flag, and directed his letter to Col.
Sewer. In reply it was said, that Col.
Sewer was not in camp, alluding to
Valentine Sewer, q brother of the Gov
ernor, who bore the title of Colonel.
Mr.. Love answered them and strongly
recommended to the troops to with
draw and disband thensel yes, W hic b he
said, would enable those who support
ed the Government of North Carolina
to countermand the orders for levying
troops in Sullivan County and other
places. The reply made to this recon-
mendation was that Gov. Sewer could
countermand the orders for their
march. Here the correspondence ended
A few of the most influential persons
then with Upton, were sent out to col
lect reinforceiuents from the neighbor.
hood and from the settlements above.
Two or three were also sent to Sulli-
van County for the same purpose. On
the next day few men joined Upton,
and in the course of the day woman
coming to the house on some occasion,
in company with another WON an, was
shot in the shoulder. Some of Sewer g
| troops occupied an eminence of lime.