Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-11-10

VI oioooiuB anu power 10 hil tnlB west
ern section. 1t was first chartered as
Martin Academy and afterwards be
came Washington College, the first
literary institution in the Mississippi
Valley.
SOME EARLY HISTORY.
The beginnings of that day were
small and simple. Three small cabins
made of logs and you had the home
and the church and che school Early
Presbyterianism, built on this founda.
tion, and men stood firmly here to fight
life's battles successfully and grow
into perfect manhood.
About this time there was a remark.
able excitement in all the region. The
struggle for independence was on and
fears were greater than hopes, The in.
Vading army was driving everything
before it in the South and East. Word
had been sent to the mountain men Of
Watauga that if they did not lay down
their arms, lesson would be taught
them, they would not soon forget.
1t was then that old men and young
men and boys. at the call Of Shelby,
Campbell and Sewer, could be seen
rallying at Sycamore Shoals, on the
Watauga They came as the tribes
came of old when Samuel called, and
there stood among them that day one
like unto the judge of old. though the
dew of his youth was still upon him.
The scene heggars description. Hun
dreds of hardy men with rife, blanket
and haversack, with their wives and
little ones, bowed their heads while
Samuel Doak lead in prayer.
Commanding them to the favor of
the God OF battles and asking protec.
ton for their wives and children in
their absence, the prayer ends, when.
springing 10 his feet and looking like a
'hNooShBNi iiOin bhO ehltb, ue CIltu I.
And now my countrymen, the Sword
OF the Lord and Gideon" Catching
up the cry, the whole army shouted:
The sword of the Lord and Gideon. :"
The far off hilltops seemed to catch
the shout, and, as if in JOY at the com
ing struggle, tossed it from peak to
peak, till every mountain was filled
with the name of the Lord. And then
the mighty cry rolled downward, fill
ing the happy valley with music akin
to that of victory; while the sparkling
Watauga, as laughing maiden, went
singing the praise of the men who were
going to fight the battle and turn the
tide Of victory on Kings Mountain.
At his home on the Limestone, DR..
Doak accomplished the great work of
his life. As preacher and teacher
he laid foundations on which others
have builded for more than hundred
years.
Salem, New Bethel, Concord, Heb.
ron, New Providence and Carter's Val
ley, in Hawkins County, and Mount
Bethel congregations were formed by
him.
THE PREACHER OF EARLY DAYS.
The preacher of that day was a man
among men. On Sabbath morning he
might be seen neatly and plainly
dressed, according to the fashion OF the
day. Then putting on his shot pouch
and powder horn, with rifle in hand, he
would mount his horse and ride away
to church. Tnen he would find an in
telligent and gallant congregation n
armed like himself, ready to hear the
word or fight for the defense of their
homes.
DIR. Doak was plain, strong preacher
of the Word. He fed his people with
the truth of God as he taught them in
classics and mathematics, to make
them strong men and women in the
faith.
He has been described as rather rug,
ged aud severe in aspect, above middle
stature, knit brow and pressed lips