The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-11-29

IeSk IN same time Independent state.
Mh va district In another state and an
49, unorganIzed federal territory and
which finally came into the Union us part of
4 state OF an entirely different name.
Closely associated with the history OF the
short-lived state of Franklin"-in fact the very
storm center of Its turbulent career-was that
frontier immortal John Sewer "Nolichucky
Jack" whose record is inscribed upon the tall
shaft In Knoxville. Tenn. as follows: Governor
Of the state OF franklin six terms governor OF
Tennessee: Four times elected to congress:
protector and hero Of Kings Mountain. 30 bat
tIes-35 victories: His indian war cry was: Here
they are! Come on. boys, come on
The Immediate incentive for founding the State
of Franklin came out OF conditions which pre-
vailed after the close OF the Revolution TN
June 2 1884 the legislature of the new state
of North Carolina coded to the congress Of the
United States Its lands west Of the Alleghenles
on the conditions that this territory should he
formed Into separate state or states and that
congress should give due notice Of Its accep-
lance Of the lands within two years. otherwise
they would revert to North Carolina.
No sooner Ind this reached the settle
ments beyond the mountains than the Western
ers began making pians for settling up local
government which should form the basis for
new state There we're several reasons for their
haste North Cardinals delay In sending goods
To the Indians. promised under former treaty.
had irrifated the trihpsmpn and the threat of
Indian hostility hung heavy over the pioneers.
Tf II should burst Into fame. they could not look
for prompt aid from the home authorities be
cause of the long intervening distance ann fhe
lack Of quick communication, not to mention the
fact TINT North CAROLINA was so occupied with
Its post Revolution civil problems that II could
give little Thought TO the needs Of Its remote
frontier settlements Another reason. no doubt,
wns that the formation OF new state meant
high offices to he hlled and ambitions for prefer.
ment to he satisfied. for the frnnfirrsmen were
Just as politically minded as their Eastern hrefls9
rem once the wilderness WIS conquered and its
dangers safely past
Accordingly. on August Is, l7Sl convention
assembled ut Jonesborough composed Of dele
Eutes from the Western counties OF Washington,
Sullivan and Greene, who pissed resolution
declaring We have u just and unbeatable right
to petition Congress to accept the cession niade
by North Carolina, and for that body to counte
nance us for forming ourselves into separate
government and To frame either permanent or
temporary constitution, agreeahy To resolve of
Congress =" In the meantime Gov. Alexander
Martin Of North Carolina had decided TINT his
state had acted too hastily In cedng valuable
lands TO the federal government and he used
his iRfuence To get the state assembly to repeal
the cesson act late In November
But the Weslerners going ahead with
their plans and un December II second conven
ton assembled at JonesburunEh This time senti
ment somewhat divided lsumurs nf the
impending repeal OF the cession act had reached
the settlements und some Of the delegates ia
vored continuing as part OF North Carolina
has h.p utufa mo pf
was John Sewer. If we are to believe later
statement of his that he was "nraged Into the
Franklin measures by large number OF the
people Of this country"
One delegate after reading the Declaration OF
Independence declared that the sume reasons.
which had moved the Colonies to separate from
England could be applied to their decision 10
desert the uncertain protection Of North Care
lima and set up government VI their own. Ills
REV had enough supporters that the cs,nven
tiDn adopted temporary constitution for SIX
months With provision for Il convention to he
held within year. al the end OF which time this
constitution should be altered or adopted as the
permanent charter Of the state. To II WIS
given the name of "Frankland' the Land of the
Free. Late. feF-reasons Of policy. the name
Franklin was chosen In honor OF the sage of
Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin.
Back In North t,arnlina Martin and his assem-
My were taking steps 10 reassert soyprrlgrHy
over the Western settlements The District OF
Washington. composed Of the four Western cnnn-
Ties was set up with John Haywood as presiding
Judge. and David Campbell as associate. Both
N a diplomatic gesture and for the better reason
that his Misunderstanding record made him best
lifted for the job Sewer WAS made brgndier-
general Of the state militia. Accompanying his
.-mmissi0n which sent In December. 1884
wns an inquiry whether. In view Of the repeal
~ the cesson act he Intended to persist In the
movement for new stnte or to await further
developments Sewer replied that: 1--WE shall
pursue no further measures HI TO new State
But despite this avnwn Governor Martin
thought II best To send personal representative
lod Samuel Henderson fbrother Of Judge Rich