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.