New-York tribune., 1895-02-10
'TroM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TEIBrSE.l

SWITZERLAND OF AMERICA
,yrou . STAFF conssspoxpLSr OF THE 1nrBryEl
Parson Brownlow Il he were TO return to
Knoxville. would recognize the mountains as
old acquaintances and the dark river flowing
through a deep chasm as a familiar friend. but
the town itself would seem strange and unreal.
Many of the landmarks have disappeared. The
Jail where he was imprisoned has been removed.
New thoroughfares for business have been
opened. and the aspect of the town has been
changed During the last fifteen years East
Tennessee has made greater advances in popu-
lation and material resources than the remainder
Of the state. and Knoxville has had a large
share Of this prosperity. The old quarter Of the
town where ne lived has been neglected, and
newer sections, with massive business blocks
and fine residences. have grown up around 1t.
Knoxville with its picturesque setting OF bolo'
rugged mountain scenery and darkling rivers is
now busy manufacturing town and the centre
Of the finest marble quarries of the country. 1T
has outgrown everything except the memory OF
its heroic period of storm and stress. and that is
still potent source Of inspiration for its people
The street where Parson Brownlow lived
would have a familiar aspect. for his house still
stands as he left II, with the little once where
he did much Of his work hard by; and the gen
was his sympathetic companion in joy or sor-
row Is still there in her place. 1t is
ouaint unpretentious. roomy house, close to the
street and approached by two high flights of
stems with a closed porch at the apex From a
central hall a large parlor opens on one side
and a smaller family room the other. where
Mrs Brownlow receives her callers with unaf-
fected simplicity If they are strangers she
soon leads them into the larger paror to show
them the fine portrait Of the famous Parson
which hangs on the wall; and then she makes
the round of the room to point out the pictures
OF her children, pausng affectionately before
each one and glancng at it proudly like another
Cornelia displaying her jewels A wonderful
climate is that of East Tennessee! a woman
can grow old there without showing signs OF in
trinity or age Mrs. Brownlow has to tell her
age twice before any one will believe that he
las heard Alright: and she moves about the room
as actively as a GIRL hears the slightest whisper
and talks with animation and unclouded bright
ness of mind She made me promise that l
would not take advantage Of her old age by
printing a photograph Of her. If were to men
tion her name in connection with Knoxville: but
l could hardly do less than 20 pay this modest
tribute to one who had learned to grow old
gracefully.
AS the wife of the Unionist leader Of East
Tennessee a Governor Of the State and Cnl'ed
States Senator Mrs Brownow has seen much
Of public life and has many memories OF stirrihg
events and famous people. But loyal as she Is
10 her husbands memory, she makes him the
central figure Of her "reminiscences. The IT'D
une was Mr. Brownlow's favorite paper she
said when 1 called at her house one sunday
afternoon; land when ! noticed in MT Ruie
paper this morning that gentleman from
Horace Greeley's journal was in knoxViie
hoped that he would come and see me. MI
Rrownlow when he was editing The knoxViiie
Whig' thought that there was NOBODY IKE MI
Greeley" That is an Illustration OF her haoi' oi
protecting herself into the stored past which
sbe shared with the famous fighting Parson' ana
OF irving to look at everything through his eyes.
Yet she keeps fully abreast with the times. one
is interested in the politics of the day ana IN
what is going on In Washington. She Is diii-
gent reader Of books and newspapers, ana ta'Ks
most ntelligently on public affairs.
One OF nv questions made her laugh meriiIy'
asked If the stoop from which l had entered
The house was the one where one or ner uaueh-
ters had waved the Uaion flag when the CON
federate soldiers passed the house mat y
what visitor is sure TO ask me-, she SAID. bu'
there never was anything in the story My
daughter had returned from school, ana watched
the troops go by the house, but no nag was
waved The story got into print. and mas sur
vived all contradictions" ! told her that IL mad
been repeated TO me that forenoon as an Incl
dent as interesting as the exploit or Barbara
Frietchie and that had been playfuliy warned
that I would not be allowed TO leave town WIFI
on, seeing Fort Sanders and the historic house
where the flag waved by Browniow ohe
shook her head. and declined to countenance the
fiction.
Another story which had heard through Mr..
Rule she confirmed. When three brioses were
burned between Chattanooga and Bristol on the
night of November s. 1861, The Confederate officer
in command OF Knoxville proclaimed martial law
and a reign OF terror prevailed. during wnich hVe
men were arrested and hanged. Parson Brown
low had issued. under compulson, the last num-
hor Of "Thc Knoxville Whig." with defiant
article asserting his Willingness to exchange with
nroud satisfaction the editorial chair and the
sweet endearments OF home for cell IN the
prison or the lot OF exile. His friends, con-
yinced that his life was in danger, had ufgeo
him to 20 away and he had yielded to their en-
treaties especially as he mad debts owing TO MN
for advertising. which ne was anxious 10 COL
,ect. Mrs Brownlow lad stress upon this de-
tail. evidently fearing that might suspect that
the Parson was fugitive. Although ne was
thirty miles from home when the bridges were
burned. and was preaching to large congre-
cation in Sevierville. his absence was construed
bv his enemies as evidence Of his completely in
The plot. and scouts were sent out after him. Ihe
destruction of the bridges had interrupted COM
munications with and supplies for the army In
Virginia and had caused intense excitement
Parson Brownlow's friends thought that ne
ought to be warned of the danger or MS arrest
William Rule had been employed Ill MS PRINT
ing office. He volunteered to act as a spec'ai
messenger. and without obtaining pass irohi
the military authorities. he stole out OF hnoN-
Vile one Sunday night embarked In skif WIN
IN stones throw OF the Confederate picets. and
noise,essly crossed the Tennessee River. Union
ist farmer supplied him with a horse. and he