Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-02-17
COL. SELLERS INDICATED.
There are Now Millions in the Tennessee
Lands Purchased by Daniel Webster
and Samuel l.. Clemens.

Lands Purchased by Daniel Webster
and Samuel l.. Clemens.
Samuel L. Clemens, the father of
Mark Twain, was Maine Congressman,
but the humorist was born in Missouri,
according to some authorities, while
men are now living who positively
swear that he was born at "Jimtown," y"
in the Tennessee mountains, says a
Nashville letter to the New York Sun.
The coming of Congressman Clemens
to Tennessee and his overland trip to
Missouri in the early forties were
brought about by speculation in
which he and Daniel Webster lost
100000 through the original of Col.
Mulberry Sellers.
Jimtown is up in the Tennessee
mountains, and on the map lie set down
as jamestown, the county seat of
Fentress County. Fentress County is
a great hollow square of land begirt on
all sides by high spurs of the Cumber-
land range. In the'fastnesses of these
mountains are the hiding places of
moonshiners, highwaymen and des-
peradoes. The James gang sought
refuge once in this retreat. 10 C. Tay.
lor, who has been Magistrate, County
Clerk, County Judge, State Senator
and Deputy Revenue Collector, has
earned $4,000 in the last twenty years
by capturing criminals for whom re-
wards were offered.
Five years ago the little mountain
paper of Fentress County contained a
legal notice warning the heirs of Dan
iel Webster, Samuel L. Clemens ct al.
to appear and show cause why about
100, 900 acres of land decided to them
in Fentress, Overton and Pickett coun.
ties should not be sold for back taxes,
which had accumulated against them
for forty years. No one appeared to
defend the suit, and the land was sold
to the highest bidders at public outcry
for a song Within two years after
the sale oil was discovered, and the
Webster and Clemens purchase was
seen to be worth millions. Jimtown
is in the centre of the oil region.
Fifty years ago foxy lawyer of mid.
die age, the original of Col. Sellers, ar
rived in the mountain town and opened
law and land office. He secured
grants from the State for thousands of
acres of the wild mountain lands, and
made optional purchases of many
thousands of acres more from his neigh
bors for 80 and Accents an acre. Then
he packed his grip and moved on
Washington. Webster was then at the
height of his power in the Senate
while Clemens was in the House oi
Representatives from Maine. Webster
wanted to be President, and Clemens
was his confidential friend. The South
held the balance of power, and Web
ster wanted the Southern vote. Tht
lawyer and land agent from Tennessee
met Webster, and impressed him with
an exaggerated idea of his politica
power, and promised him Tennessee I
support. Then the land agent broached
his scheme to Webster. In the wildl
of the Tennessee mountains, he said
were lands teeming with precious met
ais, and the men who developed them
would become fabulously rich. H,
told about his purchases, and said hi
wanted to associate with him men oI
capital. How better could Webster
secure the support OF Tennessee thar
by being landowner in that State, hi
asked. Webster liked the scheme, an(
persuaded Samuel L. Clemens to inves
with MIN. They raised 100000 ant
turned it over to the Tennessee lawyer
who left Washington after havinl
decided the lands to Webster, Clemen
and their associates. What becam
of him is not known.
Months afterward, when nothing
had been heard from the Tennessee
boomer, Webster persuaded Congress
man Clemens to leave home and tax
his family overland to Tennessee t.
reap the riches that had been promise,
to them. The trip overland was
weary month of travel. When Con
gresham Clemens arrived he found
wilderness. Disguised with his par
of the bargain, he journeyed with hi
wagon train across Tennessee to tn
Mississippi River, and crossing, pro
ceeded to the spot where the little cit
of Hannibal, Mo-, now stands. 1t wa
this venture that gave Mark to th
Southwest.