The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-07-02
ETlTE Or FRANKLIN.
], INTERESTING CHAPTER IN THE
Az u,sToaY OF THE COUNTRY.


n not in popuiatioh' an important
area u ,he Union 1t had its executive.
part % ,,re and judicial departments ex-
leglsia,'' l'orernmental functions, maintain
erciseu e,octable militia, fourished apace,
ed ~ TT after varied experience. com.
ana w., ~ 'disappeared from the "sisterhoed
pleley From historians the state Of
Of s e,.I,n has received scant attention, and
Dho majority of the present generation
70 1,Sontify with the state of Tennessee
jus almost as mythical as that of Plato's
Suits with the American continent.
sow thousand mountaineers, in re-
a ,yilderness, infused with the princi-
nv ,ybich inspired the Revolution, had
Paod together and formed a state gov
pn N,,ont of their own With John Sewer,
81 ideal frontiersman, as the hero, with
On self government as the animating
'otva with variety of plots and coun-
.n.nIots 70 lend picturesqueness of incident,
e,!h nbases of comedy interspersed now
'nd then with episodes truly tragic, the
,.ouo was acted out amid the mountain
regions of Tennessee.
when the American Revolution broke
ant what Is now the state of Tennessee
was an unorganized, sparsely settled ter.
,itory. In 1776 its inhabitants, under the
leadership of Captain Sewer, petitioned
the North Carolina legislature to be an
nexed TO that state in order to contribute
their share toward national independence
Az the expenses of the war bore heavily
on the Old North State, her Legislature
was only too glad TO divide tho burden.
The petition was granted, and what Is
now Tennessee formed part of North Car
olina until the close of the Revolution. AS
n had now become source of expense
rather than help, the North Carolina leg
islature in June, 1884, without consulting
those most affected, coded to tho federal
government the whole annexed territory
under the name of the District of Wash.
ington, provided the government should
within two years signify its assent.
The settlers, naturally objecting to such
wholesale disposition Of themselves, rose
ND In wrath. The manner and conditions
of the cession were repugnant, and the
people felt that they had not only been
triAed with, but subjected TO two years of
anarchy and disorder. Calling conven-
ton in August, 1884, they formed the
state of Franklin. The North Carolina
legislature, realizing its error, FASTENED to
undo its mistake and reannexed the.
washington district" The inhabitants of
Franklin rejected offers for reconciliation,
and Captain Sewer, though at first in.
clined to advise return of allegiance to
North Carolina, yielded to an overwhelm-
ing public sentiment and accepted the gov
ernorshp of the new state He was in
augurated ut Watauga on March /, 1885.
Some sort of order was now established,
at least for time. A court was created,
the militia thoroughly reorganized and
pence effected with Indians.
But peace did not long prevail. Com |
plications arose which kept the young
state of Franklin in constant turmoil |
Congress still asserted jurisdiction. A re-
action stimulated by disappointed office /
seekers, ensued among those who had been |
most clamorous for the new state Jeal- !
ousy of Sewers success animated his ri |
walls, who henceforth sought to make his |
life burden. The population was divided /
into the Franklin and the North Carolina |
factions. Elections were held and appoint |
ments made under the laws of both states. !
Two sets of officers claimed authority, each !
multiplying the acts of the other. One fac.
ton would steal the public records from |
the other, only to be treated in like man |
ner In turn. The courts were in choatic |
Wills could not be proved, til /
ties perfected or justice administered No |
taxes were paid. Marriages performed by |
officials of one faction were not recognized |
by the other
still the determined young state fought
'or its life. 1t exercised even federal power
md authorized the coinage of specie,
jhough its chief medium of exchange con.
inued to be the skins of wild animals.
FINALLY emissaries were sent to the North |
carolina legislature to make overtures of
)eace. The address of Franklin's repre-
sentative was model of eloquence, fervid
With the rhetoric of the era. But it fell
lpon unheeding ears. No recognition
would be made of the rebellious state.
The last session of the Franklin legisla-
ure was held in September, 1887 That
here was then no intention of surrender
ng is evident from one of the acts of the
legislature, which has been preserved and
5 interesting as an example of primitive
The law is as follows
BE II enacted by the general assembly
4 the state OF Franklin, and it is hereby
nacted by the authority of the same, that
rom the LIST day of January, 1885, the sal
ries of the officers of this commonwealth
% as follows, to wit:
His excellency the governor, per an
um, 900 deerskins.
His honor the chief justice, 500 deer.
kins.
The secretary to his excellency the gov
rnor, 500 raccoon skins.
Treasurer of the state, 450 racooon
kins.
Each county clerk, 800 beaver skins.
CLERK house of commons, 200 raccoon
kins.
Members of the assembly, per diem, 8
nccoon skins.
JUSTICES fee for a warrant, muskrat
kin.
Constable for serving warrant,
link skin.
Enacted into law tho 18th day of o.
,ber, 1887, under the great seal of the
tate."
Meantime Governor Caswell Of North
arolina issued his proclamation declaring
10 government Of Franklin illegal, stig.
latizing Its officers and adherents as reb
IS, and demanding surrender and ao-
of the authority of North
arolina. The Franklinites refused, and
was Onlv xvhau forcad nv n auperior |