Reed General Store

Our general store building was built in the Verdun area west of Oneida by Campbell County Reed in 1868 after he moved from Chitwood Mountain in Winfield. His son Joel Reed used the building as a store and the museum has copies of the store ledgers which can be viewed inside. Joel Reed would buy supplies for the store in Caryville, which took six days there and back. C. C. Reed, son of Joel, married Rhoda Ann Phillips and they lived in the old building until he died at the age of 91. Thereafter the building was inhabited by their daughter Alta Presley until she died in 1996 at 90 years of age. Alta Presley was widowed at twenty years old when her husband died from the effects of mustard gas that he suffered in World War One. Being left all alone, Alta communicated with family members and kept close ties with them even into her advanced age. Alta Presley is buried in Hazel Valley Cemetery next to her husband. The building sat vacant until purchased by the Museum of Scott County in 2007 to be used as a schoolhouse. After learning about its history, it was turned into a general store to feature items made by students of Scott High School and local crafters. 

"Soldier's Sacrifice" Armistice Day

Exactly one hundred years ago today, the major powers of the world sat at a table to sign the document ending the terrible war that had taken millions of lives. The armistice ending World War I was signed ending the hostilities, and was celebrated around the world as Armistice Day. This day was used to remember all of the soldiers who perished in World War I, and was later incorporated into a day to remember all veterans. Today, remember that freedom and peace cost a dear price and please thank a veteran.

The museum will continue to feature "Soldier's Sacrifice" posts to remember the servicemen who perished after the armistice was signed and how World War I affected Scott County.

"Soldier's Sacrifice" James Gibson

Today the Museum of Scott County wants to take the time to recognize Private James Gibson, who died while in service to his country one hundred years ago yesterday. James Gibson was born on March 16, 1894 in Bell County, Kentucky to Wiley and Elizabeth Gibson. According to his draft card he was twenty two years old, tall, had blue eyes, and brown hair. He was drafted in June of 1918 and spent considerable time in the United States before being shipped to France on September 29th. They arrived in France on October 8th, 1918. Gibson would not see action and would die of pneumonia on November 2, 1918. His body was returned to the United States and he was interred in the Antioch Church Cemetery in Norma.

Information provided by James Gibson's Draft Card and David Jeffers.

"Soldier's Sacrifice" William Charles Blevins

The museum wants to honor William Charles Blevins who sacrificed for his country one hundred years ago.  Blevins was born on February 23, 1896 in Scott County to Abraham and Polly Blevins.  He entered the service during WWI and was killed in action on October 15, 1918.  He was twenty two years old.  William Charles Blevins is buried in the Grave Hill Cemetery.

Information and photograph taken from William Charles Blevins's FindAGrave profile.

"Soldier's Sacrifice" Clovus Jeffers

While this entry is late, the museum wants to honor Clovus Jeffers who gave his life in service for his country one hundred years ago this month.  Clovus Jeffers was born in Scott County in June of 1894 to Claborn and Melvina Jeffers.  He entered the service and was killed in France on October 9, 1918.  He was twenty four years old.  His body was not returned to the United States but was buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial close to Loraine, France.

Information taken from the 1900 United States Census and Clovus Jeffers's FindAGrave profile.

"Soldier's Sacrifice" William Chitwood

The Museum of Scott County would like to honor William Chitwood who died in service for his country one hundred years ago today.  William Chitwood was born in Scott County on September 23, 1896 to Lindsey Chitwood and Armelda Baker Chitwood of Winfield, Tennessee.  According to his draft card he was a farmer, of medium height, stoutly built, had gray eyes, and dark hair.  He was married to Ruby Trammel.  William Chitwood was killed in Europe on October 23, 1918 only one month after his twenty second birthday, leaving Ruby Chitwood a nineteen year old widow.  He is buried in the Chitwood Cemetery in Winfield.

William Chitwood's Draft Card

Information and photograph taken from William Chitwood's Draft Card and his FindAGrave profile.

Picture In A Bottle

We have all seen the ship in a bottle kits that you can buy and assemble, but has anyone ever seen a picture in a bottle?  It is not known where Dilmon Owens, who lived in the Smoky community, learned how to make this seventy seven years ago but the process is amazing.  He began by carving the frame in separate pieces with a pocket knife.  Then he inserted each piece into the empty liquor bottle individually and assembled the frame using crude wire tools of his own making.  Next he selected a photograph of three of his children to put inside.  He rolled the picture up, put it into the bottle, then unrolled it using the same tools.  He added the top of the frame and the brace last.  The Owens children featured in the bottle, from oldest to youngest are Alma, Thelma, and Odis. 

Dilmon Owens, who made the picture in the bottle shown here, used a photograph of his children Alma, Thelma, and Odis, oldest to youngest.  Odis Owens, son of Dilmon Owens, is now seventy seven years old.

One cannot help but wonder if Dilmon Owens was breaking the law by using a liquor bottle for this interesting trinket.  The shoulder of the bottle states, "FEDERAL LAW FORBIDS SALE OR RE-USE OF THIS BOTTLE."

"Soldier's Sacrifice" Hugh Taylor Lewallen

Today the museum would like to honor Hugh Taylor Lewallen who was killed one hundred years ago today in the Argonne Forrest of France. Hugh Lewallen was born in Glenmary, Tennessee on September 3, 1895 to John and Lydia Lewallen. According to his draft card he was of medium height, medium build, had blue eyes, and dark hair. He was called into service by the draft board on August 24, 1917. Lewallen was killed in action on October 6, 1918, two days before another East Tennessean named Alvin C. York would commit the actions that gained him the Congressional Medal of Honor on the same battlefield. He was 23 years old. It is believed that he was killed during a gas attack by the Germans. Lewallen was first buried in France but was returned to Scott County soon after the war. He is buried with his family in the George Lewallen Cemetery in Glenmary.  The epitaph on Lewallen's stone states, "Nobly he fell while fighting for liberty in France."

Lewallen's final letter home to his mother was penned on September 25, 1918 only eleven days before he was killed in action.  He wrote:

"Dear mother I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you hear from me this has me feeling fine and truly hope it will find you all the same. it has been some time since I have heard from you and I sure would like to hear of home times if I could.  well mama I cant say much on the war I guess you know all most as much a bout it as I do for you can see it in the papers.  Mama write me a long letter and tell me all a bout every thing at home how every boddy is geting along.  how the crops are. and be sure and tell me how Grand Paw is.  I hope it wont be long untill I can get back home with you all.  Mama where is Archie?  do you ever hear from him why dont he write to me I havent heard from him since I left Sivure (?).  Has any of the other boys been called yet?  Mama dont worry a bout me for I will try and take care of my self the best I can.  and I am going to write home as much as once a week if I have the chance and I think I will we dont have as good a chance to write here as we did back in camp over there for we cant get the paper as long as the y.m.c.a. furnishes us with paper the best they can but there is so many on the field now that it is impossible for us to get it like we did.  Mama has Pap still got his mill and is he doing any sawing now?  (Lewallen crossed out the next couple of lines, he then started back) Well Mama as I cant think of any thing much to write I will close for this time and write more next time.  I guess it is a bout time for Sorgum makeing back there now. I would sure like to have my mess pan full right now Mama write me a long letter as soon as you get this I am anxious to have a long letter from you all I will close for this time Love to all your son Hugh."

Note: Hugh T. Lewallen's brother Archie Lewallen also served in WWI.

Hugh T. Lewallen, of Glenmary, was 23 years old when he was killed in a gas attack on this day in 1918.

Lewallen's family holding the flag that covered his casket behind his tombstone.  This is after his body was returned to Scott County.  Hugh Lewallen's father, John Harrison Lewallen, is second from right.

A copy of the Lady Colombia Wound Certificate, a precursor to the Purple Heart, presented to the Lewallen family after Hugh Taylor Lewallen was killed. The original can be viewed at the Scott County Historical Society. 

Hugh Lewallen's first grave site in France. The disk at the top of the cross was his dog tag. 

Hugh Lewallen's tombstone in the George Lewallen Cemetery in Glenmary.

Card notifying Hugh Lewallen of being drafted and reporting to the military.  Original can be viewed at the Scott County Historical Society.

Back of above card

Hugh Lewallen's final letter home written on YMCA paper as he mentioned in the letter.  The original can be viewed at the Scott County Historical Society.

Hugh Lewallen's Draft Card

Lewallen's notice to appear before the draft board for physical examination.

Telegram informing Hugh Lewallen's family of his death.

Information and photographs provided by the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association, Hugh Lewallen's draft card and draft notice, and his FindAGrave profile.  Hugh Lewallen's letter to his mother, notice card, and Lady Columbia Wound Certificate courtesy of the Kathleen Fulwiler papers deposited in the Scott County Historical Society.  Images 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, and 11 courtesy of East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association.  Image 5 courtesy of Tim West. 

"Soldier's Sacrifice" William Brown

One hundred years ago today, William Brown was killed in action for his country.  William Brown was born on August 29, 1899 to Parsida Lowe.  He was a private in the 24th Infantry, 1st Division when he was killed.  He was 19 years old.  Brown's body was returned to Scott County and he is buried in the Smoky Creek Cemetery.

"Soldier's Sacrifice" Sherman Stanley

Today the museum wants to honor yet another WWI soldier from Scott County who died one hundred years ago today.

Sherman Stanley was born in Oneida, Tennessee on January 25, 1893.  According to his draft card he was twenty four years old, had black eyes, black hair, of medium build, and was single.  He had served as a private in the state militia before entering the service in WWI.  While serving in WWI, he attained the rank of sergeant.  Sherman Stanley was killed near Picardie, France on October 1, 1918.  His body was returned home and was buried in Pine Hill Cemetery.

Sherman Stanley's tombstone in Pine Hill Cemetery

Sherman Stanley's draft card, courtesy of East Tennessee Veteran's Memorial Association

 Information taken from Sherman Stanley's FindAGrave profile and his WWI draft card

"Soldier's Sacrifice" Jesse Slaven

As everyone celebrated the history of Scott County yesterday at the Heritage Festival, it is also important to remember the sacrifice of our WWI soldiers who were in service one hundred years ago like Jesse Slaven. Slaven was born in Elva, a small community located in the Big South Fork in 1888. His parents were Charley Slaven and Sally Slaven. He answered the call of his country and left behind his wife Lillie Slaven. Jesse Slaven was killed in action on September 29, 1918, leaving his wife a widow. He was approximately 29 years old. Slaven was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Information and photograph taken from Jesse Slaven's FindAGrave profile

"Soldier's Sacrifice" Huffman Davis

This is a couple of days behind but this edition of Soldier's Sacrifice commemorates the death of Huffman Davis who passed away on September 22, 1917.  Davis was born in Winfield, Tennessee on May 10, 1891 to Henry Davis and Nancy Jane Chitwood Davis.  He died while on duty at Fort Thomas, Kentucky from a, "profuse hemorrhage from right lung, liver, and spleen as a result of gunshot wound" according to his death certificate.  This was most likely an accident that occurred while Davis was in training before he would have been deployed to Europe.  He was buried on this day in 1917 in the Ryan Cemetery in Winfield.

Information courtesy of Huffman Davis's death certificate, photo courtesy of findagrave.com

Fish Gig

This interesting three-tined fish gig was made by Charlie Blevins in his blacksmith shop.  Blevins was well known as a blacksmith in Scott County and learned the trade from his father Jacob.  This gig would have been attached to a handle and used as a spear for spearing fish or frogs.  Charlie's nephew Oscar, who lived in the Big South Fork was known to use a bow and arrow to spear fish as shown in the photograph.  Oscar once stated, "That's the way we done our fishing down here in the river.  I've killed many a fish with that spear and bow...a wagon wouldn't hold the fish we've killed with that."  Meat of all kinds would find it's way to the table for the people of Appalachia.  If you are interested to see more of Charlie Blevins' tools, the museum is in possession of the contents of his workshop.

Oscar Blevins is shown demonstrating how he speared fish in the Big South Fork.  Note the fish gig on the end of the arrow is similar to the one made by his uncle Charlie Blevins.

Information and photograph number 2 taken from Guns And Gunmaking Tools of  Southern Appalachia by John Rice Irwin.  Photograph 1 courtesy of the author.

Tintype Photograph

People today love taking pictures. Pictures can be taken anywhere using an iPhone or other device. It was not so easy one hundred years ago. This artifact of the week goes back to the earliest days of photography. The tintype photograph was developed before the American Civil War and differed from other forms of photography because the image was developed on a thin metal sheet. A metal plate was prepared for the photograph by dousing it in chemicals and then inserting it into the camera. The negative was produced on the metal and the positive was created by pouring chemicals on the plate. No copies could be made of the photograph because no separate negative was produced. Tintypes were durable and cheap to produce. The woman in the photograph is unidentified.

 Click on the video to see how a tintype was made:

 Information taken from Eastman Museum film featured here and Encyclopedia Britannica entry on tintype photography. 

Mason Jar

This item is related to the small crock that was featured last time. In 1810, Nicholas Appert invented a way to seal food inside glass jars using a vacuum seal. John Landis Mason patented the first screw top jar in 1858. Jars like these were fitted with a zinc cap and a rubber gasket that went around the neck to seal the jar. Canning with jars like this became popular in the Big South Fork area around the 1920s, making the small crocks and beeswax technique obsolete. Jars like these were good for holding any manner of contents. Notice that this jar has the November 30th, 1858 patent date for the Mason screw closure.

Information taken from https://www.freshpreserving.com/about-us.html

Miniature Crock

Before the introduction of Ball Mason canning jars these small crocks were used to preserve everything from sausage to blackberry jam. This time of year saw the ripening of the delicious native berries and farm wives were busy picking and processing the fruit. After preparing jam, the hot mixture was poured into these jars and the top was sealed with a white cloth dipped in liquid beeswax tied over the top. The opening was untied and the product was savored all year long. 

 

Information taken from Foxfire 1.  Photos courtesy of the author. 

Grand Army of the Republic Badge

These remnants were once part of a badge that belonged to a Union veteran. After the Civil War, veterans on both sides wanted a way to keep in touch with old comrades and relive the glory of their service. Union veterans formed the Grand Army of the Republic, which was similar to the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars. Membership reached its peak in 1890 with over 400,000 members around the United States. Local chapters were named after Union soldiers from that area that were killed in action. The Scott County chapter was named after John Newport, a Union captain who was killed in Virginia. The photograph shows Philip Low(e) wearing a badge similar to the fragments displayed at the museum. Low(e) served in the Second East Tennessee Infantry.

Bonus fact: Julia Marcum, who was featured a couple of weeks ago, was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. The organization was only open to Union veterans but an exception was made for her based on her service. The organization provided her with a military funeral.

These remnants were part of a Grand Army of the Republic badge that belonged to the local GAR chapter named after Captain John Newport.

Philip Low(e) is shown wearing a John Newport GAR Post badge. Low(e) served in the 2nd Tennessee Infantry for the Union army and was a member of the John Newport GAR post.

Information provided by Scott County in the Civil War by Paul Roy and the Library of Congress.  Photograph 1 courtesy of the author, photograph 2 courtesy of the descendants of Philip Lowe.

"Soldier's Sacrifice" Edson Lafayette Toomey

Today marks one hundred years since Edson Lafayette Toomey died for his country in the First World War.

Toomey was born in Scott County to lumberman John Samuel Toomey and Elizabeth Phillips Toomey on February 8, 1896. His draft card states that he was a farmer at the time he entered the service and had been a private in military school.  He was described as being of medium height, medium build, having gray eyes, and blond hair.  At the time of his death, he was a Private 1st Class in the 26th Infantry, 1st Division. Toomey was killed on duty in France on July 19, 1918. He was 22 years old.

Edson Toomey's body was not returned to the United States and was buried in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery in France. The cemetery is 36.5 acres and contains 6,012 American dead. For more information on the cemetery check out their website here. http://www.abmc.gov/cemeter…/…/oise-aisne-american-cemetery…

Edson L. Toomey's draft card

Information and photograph taken from Edson L. Toomey's FindAGrave Profile and his WWI draft card courtesy of East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association. 

"Soldier's Sacrifice" Robert M. Hughett

Today the museum would like to recognize another one of Scott County's WWI soldiers who sacrificed their life one hundred years ago.

Biographical information on Hughett is scarce. Robert M. Hughett was born in February of 1898 to William and Martha Hughett. According to his tombstone, he served as a private with the 16th infantry 1st Division and died on July 18, 1918. He was only 19 years old.

Robert M. Hughett is buried in Knoxville National Cemetery in plot B-17, 3678.

If you have any information regarding Robert Hughett or other Scott County WWI soldiers who gave their lives, please contact the Museum of Scott County Facebook page.

Information and photograph taken from Robert M. Hughett's FindAGrave profile

Moonshine Still

This artifact of the week tells a story of Scott County's checkered past. Distillation of alcohol was brought to Appalachia by Scots-Irish settlers and was practiced through the Civil War period. Farmers were able to take left over corn and convert it into an easy to transport commodity. The making of alcohol by the light of the moon, from where the name moonshine comes from, reached its peak between 1920 and 1933 during prohibition. While moonshine often gets a bad wrap, it was often a main ingredient in home made medicine. 

Jerome Boyatt, of the No Business community, stands in front of a moonshine still. Note the copper coil making up the condenser.

 Information taken from Smokehouse Ham, Spoonbread, and Scuppernong Wine by Earl Dabney.  The second photograph is courtesy of Findagrave.com

"Soldier's Sacrifice" Alvin C. York

Instead of doing the regular Artifact Of The Week, this week will be another segment of Soldier's Sacrifice. Soldier's Sacrifice commemorates Scott County's role in World War One which was being waged one hundred years ago this year.

Dr. Fred Phillips was born in Scott County in 1882. After service in the Spanish American War, he graduated from dental school in 1911 and opened a successful practice in Oneida. During WWI he became a registrar helping to enlist men for the service from this area. It was while serving in this role that he had one of his most memorable experiences. He stated:

"The young men going into military service from our area used to come to Oneida, spend the night, and take a fast train out the next day to army camp. There was one, from near-by Fentress County, whom I particularly remember because he was tall, redheaded and carried a Bible under his arm. The next afternoon all of the boys were at the train depot ready to catch the train and again I noticed this tall, red-headed fellow. He was on the platform but off to himself, and he still carried that Bible under his arm. As I was to learn later, that man was Alvin C. York, the conscientious objector who was later to return as America's most decorated hero of World War One."

This information was taken from Dr. Fred Phillips obituary.

Bonus fact: Sergeant York also recorded his overnight stay in Oneida in his wartime diary on November 15, 1917. He stated, "I went to Oneida, Tennessee and stayed there at the hotel until about 2 A.M. next morning when I entrained for Atlanta, Georgia."

Photograph courtesy of Tennessee State Library and Archives

Bee Gum Made From Hollow Tree

This interesting item often causes visitors to ask, "What is it?" This section of hollow tree was put together to serve as a beehive for Appalachian farmers. The ever resourceful farmers would take sections of the black gum tree, which grows hollow, and would use them as hives for their honeybees. They were called bee gums because the black gum tree was often used. Crossed sticks were added in the center to serve as a support for the bees to build their honeycomb on. Small v-shaped notches provided a doorway for the bees and a plank lid, weighed down with rocks, was added to the top. These bee hives are sometimes visible in pictures of old homesteads. Honey was an important food item for families in the past and beeswax extracted from honeycomb was sold to stores to provide cash income.

For more information on honeybees, honey, and bee gums check out Foxfire 2, which is a volume featured in the popular Foxfire Book series. It can be purchased on Amazon.

This is a bee gum made by a farmer as a hive for honeybees. Notice the v-shaped notches on the bottom that served as a doorway for the honeybees.

This photograph shows what a completed bee gum looked like. Notice the sticks that protrude from the side, which served as supports for the bees to build honeycomb on. The photograph was featured in "Foxfire 2" by the Rabun County, Georgia high school class. — at The Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center.

Inside of the bee gum. One of the cross beams has broken in half and notice the remnants of honeycomb on the walls of the gum.

This photograph shows what a modern bee gum looks like. Compare this to the photograph of the bee gum featured earlier.

 

 

 Information and one photograph taken from Foxfire 2 published by the Rabun County High School.

Julia Marcum Spinning Wheel

Julia Marcum, daughter of Hiram and Permelia Marcum, was sixteen years old when the Civil War came to the remote mountains of Scott County. Her father, who made this spinning wheel, was a noted Unionist and he often had to hide to keep from being killed by roving Confederate soldiers. On September 7, 1861 a band of Confederate soldiers came to her house searching for her father. One soldier followed Julia's sister Didama upstairs as she went to get a candle for the family. Julia and her sister Minerva grabbed two axes and began to battle the soldier. Julia was wounded in the scrape when the soldier fired at her and shot her finger off, then stabbing her in the eye with his bayonet. Hiram Marcum heard the struggle and then came and shot the soldier. Julia became a schoolteacher and later in life petitioned Congress for a pension, which was granted to her by a special act in 1885. She died in 1935 at the age of 91. This spinning wheel was built by Hiram Marcum and was in the house when Julia battled the Confederate soldier in 1861. It has been passed down through the family and is on loan to the museum. 

Want to read Julia's story in her own words? Click the URL to be taken to a type written copy in the possession in the Kentucky Historical Society. http://www.kyhistory.com/…/com…/collection/MS/id/10118/rec/2 

Information and photographs courtesy of Kentucky Historical Society collection SC 207 and SC 208.  Additional information provided by owners of artifact.

This spinning wheel was made by Hiram Marcum, who was a Union sympathizer in Scott County. His daughters Julia and Minerva battled a Confederate soldier in 1861.

Julia Marcum when she was twenty years old. She was blinded in her right eye by the bayonet of a Confederate soldier who came to her house when she was sixteen. She and her father killed the soldier. — at Kentucky Historical Society.

Julia Marcum late in her life. She received a pension for her efforts to protect her family during the Civil War by Congress in 1888. — at Kentucky Historical Society.

Miniature Arrow Point

This miniature arrow point was found in Scott County by the SHS anthropology class. The miniature points are very rare and were used for small game such as birds and rabbits. Smaller points are evidence of prehistoric people having more leisure time and that they were experts because they could manufacture something this small. The detail on these points is amazing. Compare the size to the "standard size" arrow head in the photograph.

Civil War Cannon Shell

This Civil War cannon shell, on display at the museum, was found in Scott County. Not to be confused with a cannon ball which is solid on the inside, hollow shells like these were used against enemy forces by exploding into shrapnel when fired from a cannon. Isaac Griffith, one of the few men from Scott County to fight for the Confederacy, remembered in his 79th year his experience with a shell like this. "On our return through the (Cumberland) Gap wee campd at Tasville at the last of October in the morning the snow was about 5 inceas deep, when wee was getting beakfast some fool picked up a bomb shell and had it for a dog iron. It exsploed and killed three men."

Isaac Griffith was born on Brimstone Creek in Scott County in 1836. He joined the Confederate Army in 1862 and was one of the handful of men from the area to do so. He moved to Bradley County after the war.

Burial place of Isaac Griffith in Bradley County, TN.

Information taken from 1915 Confederate Veteran's Questionnaire completed by Isaac Griffith.  Photo two taken from a First National Bank Chronicle article about the Griffith Family  FNB Chronicle Vol. 6 No. 3 Spring of 1995.  Photo three courtesy of findagrave.com.