The Washington herald., 1907-06-01
The Birthday of Tennessee
By FREDERIC J. HAsKIN
REDERIC J. HASKIN

Tennessee. the first State formed from
territory owned by the Federal govern
ment. and the sixteenth State in the
Union, was admitted on June l. 1896 The
Volunteer State Is therefore III years
old to-day. Its history is one of the most
interesting of the many thrilling stories
Of the States. The Watauga Association,
formed by the pioneers of the first per-
manent Anglo-Americau settlement in
Tennessee, was the first free government
in North America. According to Theo-
dore Roosevelt these pioneers. by the Ar
ticles Of 1I72, were the first men Of Amer
lean birth to establish a free and inde-
pendent community on the continent;
they outlined, in advance, the nations
work
IL was from Watauga. in East Tennes-
see. that the pioneers who settled in Ken
lucky went forth. and this fact gives
Tennessee the honor of being the first of
the States west Of the Appalachians 10
be founded by Anglo-AmeriCan people
The Watauga settlement was followed
by many others, as it had been preceded
a few years by Been's Station. Gen. Evan
Shelby was one of these early pioneers.
He was a great wOOdsman and a lover Of
free Institutions His son. Isaac Shelby.
later distinguished himself at Kings
Mountain. and was the first governor Of
Kentucky. John Sewer was there. as
was also James Robertson. h0nored by
the title The Father Of Tennessee"
When the war for American indepen-
dence commenced the Tennesseeans were
quick to act. and in. l175. more than a year
before the formal Declaration of Inde-
pendence. the Tennessee settlements unit
ed themselves as an independent govern
ment under the name Of the Washington
District This was tn first geographical
division in the United states TO be named
for George Washington. and that name
was given before the United States had
come into separate existence. The name
is preserved in Washington County. Tenn
essee. which still remains. although much
reduced in area. Within the present
boundaries of this county the first coll
lege west Of the Appalachiaus was erect /
ed by the sturdy Scotch Presbyterians, |
and Washington College is still In oper-
alton. In this country was published the
first newspaper 20 openly advocate aboli-
ton of slavery. as early as 1920 The court
house at Jonesb0r0 is a museum of Amer
lean historical relies, which cannot DE
equaled save 10y the great collections OF
the historical societies.
James Robertson. who had commanded
Fort Watausa when the Indian attacks
We're repulsed. decided 10 settle the rich
country I'm the valley Of the Cumberland
which hunters and scouts had spoken
Of so fairly. With seven other pioneers
and a negro. Robertson reached the site
OF Nashville, which they named NashbOT-
oUgh. in honor of Gen Nash, of the
Revolutionary army, in 1179 They plant
ed c0Uh. left a few men, and returned 10
Watauga for their families. The next
winter Robertson returned with over 200
settlers. and began building houses, and
making ready for their families who
were coming by river.
This noulla Of thirty or forty small
boats was commanded by Col. John Don
e,sou. It left Fort Patrick Henry, on
Holst0n River. came into the Tennessee !
R.ver. descended that stream 10 its mouth I
at what is now Psducah, Ky. went I'D
the Ohio ten miles 60 the mouth 0f the
Cumberland and then asccndcd the Cum
berland TO Nashville II was the first
navigation Of these waters The Indians
fired upon the boats from ambush many
times, and the record of the voyage is one
of narrow escapes from great dangers. .
When it was done, Nashville was found F.
cd. the settlers formed q government for 4
themselves. and adopted a constitution
called the Cumberland Compact which F.
was the second independent State paper in 1
Tennessee. Indian attacks were frequent. T.
and once q large party decided 10 abaB- F.
don the settlement Sturdy James Rob /
ertsOn declared he would stay IF he had
to stay alone. and the colony was saved. !
Then followed the stormy times which I
came between the end If the war of the .
Revolution and the adoption Of the Con- F..
stitution. The East Tennessee settlers |
disputed the authority Of North Caro-
Iina TO rule over them, and IN 1854 set up
the state Of Franklaud. afterward called I
Franklin. which existed for four years I
with John Sewer. a hero Of Kings Noun F.
tain. as governor. This State lapsed and 4
North Car0lina's authority was again rec /
ognized. The Middle Teunesseeans had /
nothing 20 90 with the Franklin move
ment. but 50 friendly did they become /
with the Spanish that the whole section f.
was given the name Miro district i'm T.
honor Of the Spanish governor, Miro, OF I.
New Orleans.
When the state was admitted 70 the |
Union. John Sewer was fits first governor. /
Andrew Jackson was already prominent /