Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is a time to have fun, grill burgers, eat watermelon, and watch fireworks with family at dark.  It is also a day when we should should reflect on the sacrifice and hard work that made our country what it is today.  Freedom for all has never been guaranteed and has been threatened by foreign powers and our countrymen alike.  The United States has endured several scars such as the War Between the States and the Civil Rights Movement, but each trial has pushed us to do better for the next generation.  Be thankful for the freedom given to us.  Happy Independence Day from the Museum of Scott County.

 

Lard Bucket

Animal fat has been used in cooking for centuries, yet it was pig fat that dominated among the Southern Mountaineers.  Every fall a pig was killed and the pieces cut up and cured in the smokehouse.  The left over fat and skin residue was melted down over an open fire.  The melted fat was strained through layers of cloth to catch rich pieces of pork called cracklins, which were added to corn bread.  The melted fat was then allowed to harden and become lard.  Store bought lard became available around the turn of the century and came in metal buckets.  Ever resourceful cooks and farmers would recycle these pails by using them as lunch boxes and storage containers.

 

Mussel Shell

Hello everyone!  It has been busy at the museum for the past few months and one thing that has fallen to the side has been our "artifact of the week" posts.  We will try to do better from now on.

Mussel Shells are fairly common in the streams and rivers of Scott County, yet it was the Native Americans who benefited most from this mollusk.  Over 2,000 years ago, the Native Americans in the Big South Fork region were harvesting them in large quantities.  Mussels, a cousin to clams and oysters, are rich in protein, omega 3, iron, and vitamins B-6 and B-12 which makes them a huge payload for their small size.  Mussels were often eaten raw on the riverbank or were taken back to campsites and roasted over fires.  Archaeologists have found garbage piles of mussel shells around ancient villages that measure in the hundreds of square feet which shows how important this small organism was as a food source for the Native Americans.  

Photograph courtesy of the author.  Information taken from Tribes That Slumber by Lewis and Kneburg and https://oceana.org/blog/benefits-eating-bivalves.   

"Cordless Iron"

How many of you remember using this "cordless" iron?  Irons like these are made from solid cast iron and are heated on a wood stove to warm them up.  If the user wanted to see if the iron was hot enough to iron clothes, they would lick their finger and touch the heated iron quickly.  If the saliva evaporated, then the iron was hot enough.  Washing clothes and hanging them on the clothesline caused the clothes to wrinkle as they dried so a whole day had to be dedicated to ironing shirts, dresses, handkerchiefs, and sheets.

Breast Auger

Coal mining was a dangerous and back breaking occupation, especially from 1870 until the 1930s.  During this period all mining activity was completed by hand.  When the miners needed to drill a hole to "shoot" the coal with dynamite or gunpowder, they had to use a breast auger.  The U-shaped bracket fits over the chest of the miner and the long drill fits into that piece.  The men would push against the wall of coal with their chest and use their hands to turn the drill to make a hole in which to put the gunpowder.  When the whole length of the drill was inserted in the hole, it was changed out and longer drills were used to go deeper.  The same design is used today except the augers are electric.

One section of a breast auger that was used in the early coal mines of Scott County.

This U-shaped bracket was held against the miner's chest to put pressure on the drill.

This catalog page shows how the breast auger pieces fit together.  Miners often had to buy all of their own tools that they used to work.

Images 1 and 2 courtesy of the author.  Image 3 found on Ebay.

"Hamp" Law Cartoon

William Hamilton "Hamp" law was born in De Soto Parish, Louisiana on November 13, 1923.  Law spent an unhappy childhood growing up in the great Depression, but he found that he had a knack for drawing.  Although he never attended art school, Law prayed to become an artist and escape his rough life.  Hamp Law served aboard the USS Tennessee during World War II and make several hilarious cartoons about life aboard ship.  He continued to draw cartoons after the war until he died.  The final years of his life were spent drawing get well cards for veterans and sick children, which was a ministry that he started with his Sunday School class.  Law passed on December 22, 2009.  Visit the USS Tennessee Battleship Museum, part of the Museum of Scott County, to see more of Hamp Law's work.

The caption on this cartoon states, "I'd like to hear th' Stateside news to see WHO'S WINNING!!!"

Hamp Law drew his makeshift studio aboard the USS Tennessee, which was located in gun turret one.

Hamp Law later in life.  His cartoons provide a wonderful look into what life was like for a sailor.

Merry Christmas

The day before Christmas was a busy time.  This is when a chicken was killed to fry and the hams, from pigs killed after the first cold snap, came from the smokehouse.  Vegetables from the spring garden that had been canned in late summer would appear from the cellar.  Apples that had been dried on rocks and the tin roofs of outbuildings would be soaked in water, cooked, spiced, and spread between thin pastry layers to make stack cakes.  Exotic treats such as oranges, coconut, and brazil nuts would make their yearly appearance on the table or in the stockings of young children.  Although the food and the gifts were very simple compared to today, people who remember Christmases like this always emphasize an important detail, they were able to spend the holiday with the people that they loved and counted their blessings.  We hope that you are able to spend the holiday with the people who mean the most to you.

Merry Christmas from the Museum of Scott County.

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.