The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-09-21
THE STATE OF FRANKLIN.
ONCE FORMED AN IMPORTANT PART
OF THE UNION.


tant part of the Union, SAYS writer
in the Chicago Post. 1t had its execu-
tive, Legislative and judicial depart
ments; exercised governmental func-
lions, maintained respectable militia.
hourished apace, and then, after n
varied experience, completely disap-
peared from the "sisterhood of States, "
From historians the State of Franklin
has received scant attention, and To
the majority of the present generation
its identity with the State of Tennes
see seems almost as mythical rs that of
Plato's Atlantis with the American
continent
One DESTROYS of dwelling on the ro-
nance of facts may find much to at
tract In this obscure chapter of orr Ma
uonal history. a few thousand noun
taineers, III remote wilderness, in
fused with the principles which in
spired the Revolution, had banded to-
gether aud formed State government
OF their own. With John Sewer. nm
ideal irontiersman. as the hero, with
local self-government as the animatino
motive, with variety of plots and
counter plots to lend picturesqueness
of incident, with phases of comedy, in
terspersed now and then with episodes
truly tragic, the drama was acted out
amid the scenery furnished by the
mountain regions of Tennessee.
When the American Revolution
broke out, what is now the State of
Tennessee was an unorgauized, srarscIy
settled territory. In 1776 it's inhabi-
tants, under the leadership of CAPTAIN
Sewer. petitioned the North Carolina
Legislature to be annexed to that
state IN order to contribute tba S-i tire
toward National indepep IN ~ \As
the expenses of the war Fon.,Jre heavily
on 1.-THE old North State, " her Legisla.
ture was only too glad to divide the
burden. The petition was granted
and what is now Tennessee formed
part OF North Carolina until the close
OF the Revolution. As it had now be
come n source of expense rather than
help, the North Carolina Legislature
In June, 1881, without consulting those
most affected, coded to the Federal
Government the whole annexed terri
tory under the name Of the District of
Washington provided the Government
should, within two years, signify its
assent
The settlers, naturally cbjecting to
snch wholesale disposition of them
selves, rose up in wrath The manner
and conditions of the cession were re.
pugnnnt and the people felt that they
had not only been trihed with. bnt
subjected to two years of anarchy mud
disorder Calling convention i'm
AnnnGI
OF Franklin. The North Carolina
Legislature, realizing its error.
fastened to undo its mistake aud re-
annexed the Washington district.
The inhabitants of Franklin rejected
offers for reconciliation, aud Captain
Sewer, though at first inclined to adj.
wise return Of allegiance to North
Carolina, yielded to an overwhelming
public sentiment and accented the
Governorship of the new State. He
was lnauSurated at Watauga, March
l, 1873. Some sort of order was now
established, at least for time. A
court was created, the militia thorough
ly reorgauized and peace effected with
Indians who had been CARVING ON n
destructive warfare for n quarter of n
century.
But peace did not long prevail.
Complications arose which kept the
young State of Franklin in constant
turmoil Congress still asserted
jurisdiction. A reaction, stimulated
by disappointed office seekers. ensued
among those who had been most
clamorous for the new State. Jealousy
OF Sewers success animated his rivals.
who hencefoTth sought to make his
life burden. The population was
divided into the Franklin md the
North Carolina factions. Elections
were held and appointments made I'M
der the laws of both States. Two sets
OF officers claimed authority. each
multiplying the acts of the other. One
faction would steal the public records
from the other, only TO he treated in
like manner I'm turn. The courts were
In chaotic condition. Wills could
not be proved, titles perfected or Justice
n iministerel No taxes were paid.
Marriages performed by officials of
one faction were not recognized by the
other
Still the determined young State
fought for its life II exercised even
Federal power and authorized the coin
nG OF specie, though its chief medium
Of exchange continued to be the skins
of wild animals Finally omissaries
were sent to the North Carolina Leris
latue tomaie oycrtures Of peace. The
address OF Franklin's representative
was model of cloqueuce. feryid with
the rhetoric of the Revolutionary era.
But IT fell upon unheeding ears. No
recognition would be made Of tho re-
bellious State, though North Carolina
had once cut her off without her con
sent
The last session Of the Franklin Leo
islature met in September. 1887. That
there was then NO intention Of surren
dering is evideut from one Of tho acts
OF the Legislature which has been pre-
served, and which is interesting ms an
example Of primitive financiering. The
law is as follows:
BE 1t enacted by the General As
sembly OF the state of Franklin. aud
1t is hereby enacted by the authority
Of the same: That from the list day of
January. 1888. tho salaries Of the Of
fcers Of this commonwealth be as fol-
lows, to-wit.