"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