The Grenada sentinel., 1921-09-16

During the very heated political
campaign of 1885 the Tullahomians
thought to make use of the rivalry
between Gov. Runnels and Mr.. Plum
mer and petitioned Gov. Runnels to
allow them to extend their border far
enough west to take in the town of
Pittsburg. But in some unknown way
the citizens Of Pittsburg learned of
this scheme and within five hours
after the Tullahoma courier had de-
parted they started courier on the
same mission, with instructions to
spare neither horses nor money, but
to beat the other courier if possible
The TullahOma courier not knowing
Of Pittsburg's intentions allowed his
opponent to overtake him just at the
Governors mansion. Both were
clamOring for an audience at the
same time but the Governor seeing
their respective petitions, decided that
he would grant neither Each mes
senger therefore returned with tale
Of disappointment and after several
efforts to settle the rivalry amiably
they decided to unite the towns
1t was agreed that the union
would be in the form Of marriage
ceremony, to be celebrated by a bar
becue. Pittsburg wanted the barbe-
cue held on the boundary line be-
tween the two towns, but as there
was no water convenient a site was
selected near a spring in TullahOma.
The marriage ceremony was perform
ed July 4, 1886 by Rev. Lucas, a
Methodist minister They had some
Il IL IL 30,
its maiden name The worthy DR..
| Gillaspee suggested that they adopt
the name Grenada" This was voted
on and agreed to by all the citizens.
At the conclusion of the barbecue
| there was great handshaking and
a general reconciliation.
THE honeymoon had hardly pass
ed over, however, before the old
spirit of rivalry was revised. Pitts
burg broke up the union and took its
old name. The other side kept the
name of Grenada. Pittsburg arrang-
ed for incorporation within its old
limits, leaving out Grenada But the
citizens of Grenada, informed of this,
secretly secured the passage of a
Legislative act which incorporated
their town with certain limits, leav-
ing out Pittsburg. This caused the
citizens of Pittsburg to give up hope
of a separate charter of Incorporation
for their town because of its proX-
nifty to Grenada Then they petition
ed Grenada to extend her corporate
| limits SO as to embrace Pittsburg,
agreeing TO drop forever their old
| lame and to be recognized forever as
a part of Grenada. This action was
! followed by harmonious adjustment
of all factional differences. After
the consolidation began rapid growth
and development and Grenada be-
came an important commercial and
residence point For many years it
was the most important town in this
section of the state.
In the latter part of the 30's North
Mississippi was dependent in a great
measure upon wagons from Tennes-
see for provisions. Many provisions
also reached Grenada by boats on the
YalObusha river The first two keel
boats up the river landed May 7, 1885,
loaded with -four. bacon, plain furni-
ture and whiskey. Cotton was
brought to Grenada in wagons from
sixty miles in all directions and
stored in warehouses along the river
front, to be taken on boats and ex-
changed for dry goods, sugar, coffee,
potatoes, etc. Early Grenada was
rough, like all frontier towns. James
Sims, marshal, conquered this rough
element when he made the first ar
rests early in the 4O's. At about that
time, John A. Murrell, the noted out
law, was tried at Grenada.
1.-The first white boy born in Gre
nada was Rius Carl, son of Jona-
than Carl. He was born July 26,
1888. Jonathan Carl was the owner
of a horse mill, for grinding corn,
and Of the first lathe in this section.
He was a manufacturer of wagons,
tread-wheel gins, spinning-wheels and
looms and he established, at the foot
Of Line ST., on the river, the first
steam saw-mill in Grenada. The first
carding factory was established early
in the 4O's. and owned by Matthew
Robinson and the first team grist mill
at Grenada was built 1858 by G. w.
Ragsdale.
In the early days there was town f,
patrol made up of citizens. This pa
troll did police duty, enforced the nine
o'clock curfew and whipped all
slaves out after dark without per-
mits. There was a property tax of
25c on 500 and a poll tax Of 37hc
on white men and 25c on negroes. |
The first municipal election was held
the first Monday in August, 1886. The
results were as follows: j. w. Phil
lips, Justice of Peace; j. T. Talbert,
N. Howard, r. Coffman and j. Bull
lock, Selectmen; and C. Phillips, Town /
Constable. The first meeting of the |