The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-26
Franklin. the Dead St. tie.

States which for over a year existed as
a practically independent commonwealth.
having its own constitution and laws,
making treaties and carrying on war?
What is row the eastern part of Ten
nesee, the region lying between the Blue
Ridge and the Cumberland and Holston
rivers, went at one time under the name
of Franklin. or FARMLAND, and was IN
open revolt against North Carolina, the
state which it was legally bound TO obey,
and acknowledged only in the vaguest
way the sovereignty of the federal gov
eminent. This state sprang up in a
night, as 1t were, fiourished for brief
spell, and then disappeared as quickly
as il had come.
In the years Immediately following the
adoption of the constitution the separate
ist movement pervaded the whole West.
The two sections. the East and the West,
did not as yet understand each otneT-
No strong mutual attachment to the I'M
ion bound them together. The eyes or
the West were turned towards the Mis-
sissippi at that time controlled by Spain.
Its interests centered in getting an outlet
for its produce, and the Mississippi Of
fered the only available outlet.
All manner of schemes were discussed
for securing this end, most OF which con-
templated some form of separation from
the union. One manifestation OF this sep
aratist movement was in the attempts 10
secure an alliance with Spain. Another
was in the State of Franklin.
This Cumberland region in 1850
had a population of about 10000. II was
comparatively sparsely settled and was
subjected to constant attacks. Such be-
ing the case it was a source of no little
worry and expense to North Carolina, OF
which state it was still an integral part.
In 1854 the parent state resolved TO get
rid of so Improbable piece OF territory,
and ceded the region, comprising 2S,eoO,ooo
acres of land, to congress. Congress was
given two years in which to accept this
cession, the government in the meantime
TO be administered by North Carolina,
the same as previously.
This arrangement was far from salts
factory TO the inhabitants OF the region
for various regions. Gould any region
in the country be pointed out which need
ed protection, and a strong protectlen'
more? -.
independent action, and on August q,
1884. delegates from the three disanect-
ed counties met at Jonesboro, and pro-
ceeded to draw up a temporary constitu-
ton and petition congress to admit them
as a state. The new state was name1
Franklin after the great philosopher OF
that name. although 1t was almost as
often called FARMLAND. Arrangements
were also made at this convention LOT
the calling of another to draw up a per-
manent constitution and transact such
other business as might be needful for
the good of the new state. There were
to be fifteen delegates in all, hYe from
each of the counties.
This second convention met in Novem-
her. l7S5, and started on its work OF con-
stitution making. 1t did not run quite as
smoothly as its predecessor did, and was
soon broken up into disagreeable fac-
lions While the delegates or FRANKLIN
were suuabbling among themselves the
legislature Of North Carolina met re-
healed the previous act OF cesslon, ana
granted all the reforms asked tor DS
Franklin. This put the new state IN
peculiar position; all Of its grounds tor
action were taken away and II was al
the same time put in position OF open
rebellion against its established govern
ment. Many of the men most lnnuentla
in it's formation now advocated its disso-
lution and a return to the authority anc
protection Of North Carolina. Probably
movement was John Sewer, governor OF
the state. His ancestry dated back sew
eral generations, to when the Frenef
Huguenots migrated to the colonies. His
father had taken an important and cred
table part in the revolution. Sewer him
self had distinguished himself at Kings
Mountain. Being a man of considerable
natural ability and having been univer-
sally successful in his fights with the In
dians. he was the idol of the pioneer
upon the action of North Carolina, he
favored the abandonment OF the new
state. But the majority Of the settlers
were of the opinion that they had gone
too far 70 recede. and he drifted with the
nonuIar tide. A considerable faction
however, headed by a man by the name
of Tipton, formed a North Carolina par
~ and sought to execute the laws OF the
older state.
Then there began lively struggle pc
tween the Sewer and Upton forces Inc
former were at first in the majority ano
carried things on as they pleased.
orous measures were taken against the
Tndians. Sewer, whose renown as an In
alan fighter extended all over the south
ueet led several successful expeditions
AGAINST the CherOkees and Creeks. Urea
tiss were made with the Indians, wneed
ling them out of their lands. The "hole
temnestuous course Of this state was al
tended by constant warfare or pickering
with the red men.
Tba forces of law and order, however
soon came to the fore, and the sewer
Government disappeared entirely. II
March. 17sS. the state Of Franklin resolv-
ed itself back into North Carolina.
The parent state granted a general am
restv TO all participants in the move
ment with the exception Of Sewer 1'
was soon after captured and taken Z
CNIorganton for trial A chronicle OF the
time sags: -,
"A party Of Sewers friends hurried
over the mountains 70 the rescue OF thelI
chisf the hero OF thirty battles Their
Man was. according TO the tssum'hy q
an eyewitness, to obtain his relief By
stratsgsrn and II that failed, to FIRE th'
toU-n. hurst open the prison doors. ant
hear of their iprisoner TO the mouptains
The frontier village Of Morgsnton va
swarming with people, drawn togethel
nv the fame OF the prisoner and the no
toriety Of the recent events
The rescuing party was six II number
fovr Of whom concealed Themselves neat
tho town. while the other TWO. Cozby ans
Evans. went forward into II. These t"c
rode on to point near the court house
Ted their horses. mid their rifles. anf
boldly entered the throng; their hunt1ns
shfrts-tae common costume o. The De
-Iod-hiding their pistols. Evans led =
the court house door a famous mare oi
sewers. and stood there no!ding the nrl-
RE carelessly. apparently ar unfoacern'
ed spectator OF the scene around
.'Cozby entered the court nonse ane
saw MS leader arraigned before me J9oge
undergoing trial FOR high crimes ana rs,
demean8rs. The prisoner tnFnf< nis nsse
and their eyes met sewer Knew i9@'
rlsc,,a v,as near. but. warned 81 a shake
- C-ozhv.s head. Re made 10 sign. a.
.b.,,gb a tear q grateful jev was o.
ss-res 10 steal 6own IFS bro5zeo ard
-.sr,,y. .oetntensnce. There was pa