Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1904-02-04
r. M. Payne.

R. NJ Payne, Of MonteagIe, who is a
candidate for State Senator before the
Democratic primary to be held at Alta
mont on the goth inst, was born in Marion
county, Tennessee in 1S4S His father
was farmer and he worked on his fathers
farm the greater part Of the time till be
attained his majority. In the meantime he
attended such schools as the neighborhood
afforded.
During the war he was the.main support
and stay Of a large family, situated as they
were, between two contending armies.
When he was but IA or 10 years old he
was often employed as scout and spy by
the Confederate scouts.
After the war he taught school at various
places. obtaining in this way the means to
attend College. He attended Burrett
College in 1869, Lookout Mountain Edu-
cation Institutions 10 1870 aud III and the
University of The South at Sewsnee Ten
nessee in 1872 and '73, where he graduated
with distinction. Both years at Sewanee
was elected to represent his society in the
annual oratorcal contest between the two
ealing societies of the University.
Upon leaving the University at the age
of twenty-five, he was elected TO the
Presidency Of the Peoples College at Pike
Vile, Tenn, and he has always stood high
in the esteem OF the patrons OF that institu.
ton for his efficiency and executioe ability.
He was Superintendent Of Public In
struction in Marion county in lS77and rs,
and during his term Of Office, did much to
elevate the schools and maintain higher
standard among the teachers.
In 1870 he went into business in the ris-
ing young city Of South Pittsburg. 1t is a
part of the history OF that progressive city
that he entered actively into every euter
prise and undertaking to advance its pros
perity aud development. BY close atten-
,ion to business he soon became the largest
individual tax payer in the city. v hen
the city government was first organized he
was elected president of the city school
board, and under his efficient instrument
tally the city built up and maintained
high standard Of public schools.
For twenty years he kept constantly en-
ployed small army Of men in his various
enterprises Of developing the timber and
mineral interests of the vicinity, manufac-
turing brick, building houses, roads, and
conducting a large mercantile business
For many years he operated the Battle
Creek coal mines and supplied the various
towns from Nashville to Chattanooga with
the famous Battle Creek coal. With the
exception Of the big corporations operating
there, he employed more men than all the
rest Of the inhabitants of the town COM
biped.
Since 1895 he has been citizen of Grun-
dy county. He bought the Monteogle
Hotel when il was badly run down and I'M
der his efficient management he has built
up prosperous and constantly increasing
business. As the proprietor OF this hotel
and as the proprietor and owner of the now
famous Mopteagle Wonder Cave, his name
is familiar 10 the people throughout the
southern states His keen forethoueht
and knowledge OF values enabled him 10
see in an unsightly and Shiny hole in the
earth hi dden away far beneath the over.
hanging cliffs, and seemingly inaccessible,
the most wonderful and wonderous works Of
nature ever beheld by the eyes OF man.
; Several thousand dollars were spent by