The Coolidge examiner., 1934-11-30

Franklin 10 exercise her authority over the citi-
Eens OF what Il considered an outlaw state. Hay
woods History OF Tennessee. printed during the
early part of the last century. gives a vivid pic
ture OF the state OF affairs existing:
In the early part Of the year 1856 was pre-
sented the strange spectacle Of two empires ex.
ercised at and the same time over one and
the same people. County courts were held In the
same counties. under both governments: the
militia we're called out by officers appointed by
both laws were passed by both assemblies. and
taIes were laid by the authorities Of both states.
~The judges commissioned by the state OF
Franklin held supreme courts. twice In each
year In Joncsboro Colonel Upton openly re-
fused obedience 10 the new government There
a deadly hatred between him and Gov
ernor SEWER and each endeavoured by ell the
means IN his power. 10 strengthen bis party"
SO involved and desperate had become the sit
untion that Cooke and SEWER in turn appealed
10 wise old Ben Franklin. for whom their state
had been named. for aid and advice. In 1856
Franklin advised Cooke 10 submit the points In
dispute between North Carolina and It's illegiti-
mate offspring TO congress for a decision and 10
abide by It's decision llut year later his views
had changed and he advised Sewer 10 try 10
bring about some satisfactory compromise with
the mother state.
met for the last time and conditions were so
unsettled and uncertain that no attempt was
made to hold another election. In February.
lTSS adherenis OF Tipton and SEWER had an
armed collision in which two men were killed
and several wounded. "Soon afteFward SevIer
sent word TO Upton that on condition his life
be spared be would submit 10 North Carolina
writes Henderson. "on this note OF tragicomedy
the State OF Franklin appeared quietly 10 ex-
pire." II drew it's Gnal breath the following
month. March, l7ss. when Sewers term as gov
ernor ended.
At that time he was fugitive in the distant
settlements because. through the action of Gov
ernor Johnson OF North Carolina. he had been
attainted OF high treason. Later he was arrested
by Upton on the treason charge handcufTed and
taken first 90 Jonesborongh then to Morganton-
There the sheriff. who had fought with him at
Kings Mountain. Knocked the irons from his
wrists and released him parole. When some
OF his devoted friends heard OF the arrest OF
their beloved "Nolichucky Jack" they rode swift.
ly across the mountains to Morganton and bore
him away TO a place OF safety.
In November ITss, the North Carolina legis.
lature passed an act OF pardon and oblivion In
regard to the State of Franklin which automat-
ically cleared Sewer OF the charge Of treason
and removed any stigma there might have been
upon the citizenship OF any others Thus the
State OF FranklIn's turbulent existence of four
years came 10 a close.
The later career OF Sewer is too well known
TO demand more than brief mention. Restored to
citizenship he was elected TO the North Caro-
lima legislature and given his former rank OF
brigadier-genera OF the militia. When North
Carolina ratified the Federal Constitution and
became one of the United States Of America
under that document. Sewer was elected con
gressman from the North Carolina district be
yond the mountains. In 1890 North Carolina ceded
her western lands again to the federal govern
ment and on April of that year the cesson
was accepted. On May 26 the Southwest terri
tory was organized and Sewer made general Of
It's militia. Six years later this territory became
the state OF Tennessee and he was her first gov
ernor. So John Sewer entered the roll OF unique
Americans" In that he was the only man w.
ever became governor Of two states. even though
one Of them was an outlaw commonwealth.
state which existed In fact II not In official form
cby Western Newspaper Union