Dresden Enterprise Apr 24 1896 - The Illustrated Edition Part 20 "Some of Our Elegant Homes"

This is the twentieth in a multi-part series featuring the April 24 1896 edition of the Dresden Enterprise.  If you missed the previous posts you can find them here: part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve, part thirteen, part fourteen, part fifteen, part sixteen, part seventeen, part eighteen, part nineteen.

Some of our Elegant Homes

The handsome brick residence of Hon. John R. Thomason and wife, formerly the old Gardner homestead, was built by Major Alfred Gardner, deceased, and which has in days gone by been a place where a large family amid social pleasures reigned supreme.  It has been thoroughly remodeled, and is described as follows:

The entrance to the grand hall is beautifully frescoed in pale tints; the hall divided in the center by silken portierrers; stairway heavily carved, with handsome newel posts; the whole being lighted form a skylight.  On the right you enter the drawing-room or parlor, done in pink and white; furniture heavily upholstered in brocade satin in light shades, no two pieces alike, which is quite novel; cabinet mantel, large mirror with brackets in the sides; wood-work, maple; Aixminster carpet, pink, shaded roses, on cream ground.  Dining room--soft shades of green and red; wood-work, English oak, heavily carved; table, chairs and sideboard to match; Royal Wilton carpet.  Family Room--Furniture and wood-work, walnut; large extensive bay windows, giving a fine southern exposure and a beautiful view of the lawn.  Guest Chamber--Rich mahogany furniture and wood-work to correspond; Aixminster carpet in Persian color, very handsome.  Guest-Chamber--Furniture and wood, red oak; blue and cream carpet, draperies to match; cabinet mantle with mirror.  Bed Room--Birch furniture and wood-work; carpet and trimming, red and gold.  Library--Lower room green and red; book cases, table and chairs, oak.

Thus, with porches without number, a commodious bath-room, closets, pantries, a large kitchen, with all the modern improvements, make this one of the handsomest homes in West Tennessee.

As will be seen from the cut, J.W. Moran, president of the Dresden Bank has a magnificent residence--not completed yet, it is true, but an inspection of the interior--which consists of thirteen rooms, including large reception room, front parlor, library and dining hall--will show their beauty and utility.  All these rooms are connected by double doors, and will be handsomely finished in oak, with cabinet mantels.  Besides these, are the large living room down-stairs, little Miss Marion's room (this was actually J.W. Moran's room, Marion was upstairs), and many closets and other conveniences.  Leading up from the reception hall is a wide staircase, that adds much to its beauty.  Up-stairs are a number of bed-rooms, set apart for certain members of the family, and a large airy guest-chamber in the northwest corner.  In the attic is an immense tank, which will supply water for the bath-rooms.  The house has double floors, double walls besides the plastering, and is in every way more substantially built than are the houses of to-day.  there are forty-five windows in the building, and the whole structure rests on a firm foundation.  It will be expensively and tastily furnished throughout, but will not be ready for occupancy before fall.  Mr. Moran is worth much to the town, and we wish we had more men with his financial ability to adorn Dresden with such homes.

Continued on page 9.   Unfortunately, that part of the newspaper is missing.  Hopefully I will come across at a later time.

The complete list of links in this multi-part series:

part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve, part thirteen, part fourteen, part fifteen, part sixteen, part seventeen, part eighteen, part nineteen, part twenty, part twenty-one, part twenty-two, part twenty-three.

The Dresden Enterprise, We Like the Depression

We Like the Depression
Compliments of--
      The Dresden Enterprise
           
            It Covers the County Like
                   the Dew of Heaven

I like the Depression.

No more prosperity for me.

I have had more fun since the Depression started than I ever had in my life.  I had forgotten how to live, what it meant to have real friends, what it was like to eat common everyday food.  Fact is, I was getting just a little high-hat.  

Six years ago, only one man of the Office Equipment Organization could be out of town at the same time and had to leave at the last minute and get back as soon as possible.  many times I have driven 100 miles to a banquet, sat through three hours of bunk in order to make a five-minute speech, then drive the 100 miles back as to be ready for work the next morning.

Nowadays, as many Office Equipment employees as are invited make these trips and we stay as long as we want to.  Most of the out fit could leave the office and it wouldn't make any difference.

I like the Depression.  I have time to visit my friends, to make new ones.  Six years ago when I went to a neighboring town, i always stayed at the hotel.  now I go home with my friends, stay all night and enjoy home cooking.  I have even spent the week-end with some of the boys who have been kind enough to invite me.

It's great to drop into a store and feel that you can spend an hour or two or three or a half day just visiting and not feel that you are wasting valuable time.  I like the depression.

I am getting acquainted with my neighbors.  In the last six months I have become acquainted with folks who have been living next door to me for three years.  I am following the biblical admonition "Love Your neighbor."  One of my neighbors has one of the best looking wives I have ever seen.  She is a dandy.

I haven't been out on a party in 18 months.  I am getting acquainted with my neighbors and learning to love them.

Six years ago I ordered my clothes from a merchant tailor, two or three suits at a time.  All my clothes were good ones.  I always dressed up.  But now I haven't bought a suit in two years.  i am mighty proud of my Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes.  When i dress up, I am dressed up and don't mean maybe.  I like the depression.

Six years ago I was so busy and my wife was so busy that we didn't see much of each other, consequently, we sort of lost interest in each other.  I never went home to lunch.  About twice a week I went home for dinner at 6:30 o'clock.  I never had time to go anywhere with her.  If I did go on a party, I could never locate her, since there was always a "blond" or a "red-headed" available.  I didn't worry much about it.

My wife belonged to all the clubs in town.  She even joined the young mothers' club.  We didn't have any children, but she was studying and between playing bridge and going to clubs, she was never at home.  We got stuck up and high-faluting.  We even took down the old family bed and bought a set of twin beds on the installments.

When I would come home at night, if my was at home, she would already be in her bed and I would crawl in mine.  If I came in first it was vice versa.

We like the Depression.  We have come down off our pedestal and are living at my house now.  the twin beds are stored in the garage and the old family affair is being used.  We are enjoying life.  Instead of taking a hot water bottle to bed cold nights, she sticks her heels in my back, just like she did before Hoover was elected.

I have lost my book of telephone numbers.  My wife has dropped all the clubs.  I believe we are falling in love all over again.  I am pretty well satisfied with my wife.  think I will keep her, at least until she is 40, and then if i feel like I do  now, I may trade her for two twenties.

I am feeling better since the Depression.  I take more exercise.   I walk to town and a lot of folks who used to drive Cadillacs are walking with me.  I like the Depression.

My digestion is better.  I haven't been to see a doctor in a year.  I can eat anything I want.

I am getting real, honest-to-goodness food.  Six years ago, we had a filet mignon once a week, now we have round steak with flour and gravy.  Then we had roast breast of guinea hen, now we are glad to get sow-bossom with the buttons on it.

I like the Depression.  My salary has been cut to where I can't afford to buy lettuce and spinach and parsley and we can't afford to have sandwiches and frozen desserts and all that damfoolishness which has killed more good men than the World War.

I like the Depression.  Six years ago I never had time to go to Church.  I played golf all day Sunday and besides I was so darned smart that there wasn't a preacher in south Florida who could tell me anything. Now I am going to Church regularly--never miss a Sunday. 

And if this Depression keeps on, I am going to prayer meetings before long.

I like the Depression.

Apologies to Henry Ashley, Amarillo News Globe, killed in auto wreck after this article was written.

Politics, a Wedding and a Watchmaker: Dresden Enterprise May 30 1884

I thought it would be fun to post some items from the Dresden Enterprise, May 30 1884.  Sort of a slice of news that would've interested the folks in Weakley County.

Wedding Announcement

Swaim-Boswell

At the residence of Mr. North Brasfield, five miles south of Dresden, on Wednesday afternoon, May 28, Dr. T.H. Swaim, of Gleeson, and Mrs. Carrie Boswell of this county, were united in marriage, Dr. D.C. Johnson officiating.

Attendants.

Dr. B.F. Taylor and Miss Tennie Green, Dr. R.W. Bandy and Miss Carrie Rogers, Mr. J.H. W. Bandy and Miss Kate Brasfield, Mr. C.S. Swaim and Miss Kate Jeter, Mr. W. R. Bobbitt and Miss Fannie Brasfield, Mr. M.F. White and Miss Kate Brasfield.

The bridal couple left for nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, and then to the East, where they will visit Niagara Falls, Saratoga, and other noted places.  

A large circle of friends and relatives wish them much happiness in their new relation.

Links to Goodspeed Biographical information:

Thomas H. Swaim

North Brasfield aka George R. Brasfield, the father of the bride Carrie Brasfield.  

Here's a nice advertisement for Calvin B. Scott's business.  Not only was he a watchmaker and jeweler but he sold sewing machines, musical instruments and silverware and "also headquarters for fine Saddles, Bridles, etc."  Located on the west side of the public square in Dresden TN.

Calvin B. Scott was born in 1840 in Madison or Rutherford County TN.  He was the son of George R. Scott and Hester Ann Haltom.  He served in the Confederate Army in Manney's Battery and was at the fall of Fort Donelson.  After that he joined Forrest's Cavalry and in 1864 he returned home.  He married Ann Jane "Jennie" Byrn in 1864 and had a large family.  He died in 1892 and is buried somewhere in Mayfield Kentucky.  His wife Jennie moved to St Louis and died there in 1929.

Link to Goodspeed Biographical information:

Calvin B. Scott

And last are the Political Announcements:

For Congress

We are authorized to announce WISE A. COOPER, of Gibson county, a candidate for Congress from this the Ninth Congressional district, subject to the action of the Democratic Congressional Convention.

We are authorized to announce Hon. RICE A. PIERCE, of Obion, a candidate for re-election to Congress from this the Ninth Congressional district, subject to the action of the Democratic Congressional Convention.

We are authorized to announce Hon. W.P. CALDWELL, of Weakley county, a candidate for Congress from this the 9th Congressional district, subject to the action of the Democratic Congressional convention.

For Attorney-General

We are authorized to announce STACKER J. TAYLOR, of Henry county, a candidate for Attorney-General of this the 12 Judicial Circuit.  Election August 7.

We are authorized to announce JOHN BELL, of Obion county, a candidate for Attorney-General of this the 12 Judicial Circuit.  Election August 7, 1884.

We are authorized to announce JOHN E. WELLS, of Troy county, a candidate for Attorney-General of this the 12 Judicial Circuit, at the next August election.

We are authorized to announce A.B. LAMB of Henry county, a candidate for Attorney-General of this the 12 Judicial Circuit at the next August election.

For Sheriff

We are authorized to announce J.P. (Dad) GIBBS a candidate for Sheriff of Weakley county, Tennessee, at the ensuing August election.

We are authorized to announce BOB SCOTT a candidate for Sheriff of Weakley county, Tennessee, at the ensuing August election.

We are authorized to announce W.P. DUKE a candidate for Sheriff of Weakley county, Tennessee, at the ensuing August election.

We are authorized to announce J.C. CARLTON a candidate for Sheriff of Weakley county, Tennessee, at the ensuing August election.

We are authorized to announce W.A. THOMPSON a candidate for Sheriff of Weakley county, Tennessee, at the ensuing August election.

We are authorized to announce N.T. (THADDEUS) GROOMS a candidate for Sheriff of Weakley county, Tennessee, at the ensuing August election.

For Trustee

We are authorized to announce LEA HARRIS a candidate for Trustee of Weakley county, at the next August election.

We are authorized to announce Dr. J.E. SHANNON, of the 9th district, a candidate for Trustee of Weakley county at the ensuing August election.

Town and County News May 30 1884

From the Dresden Enterprise

May 30, 1884

--But little over two months to the county election

--Mrs. Thomas Glass remains very ill at her residence near town.

--Prof. Charlie Denham and sister, Miss Allie, visited Dresden this week.

--The Prohibition Club, at its last meeting, obtained twenty-three accessions.

--Mrs. Polk Alexander and Mrs. W.A. Swaim, of Gleeson, were in Dresden Wednesday.

--Mr. George W. Winstead left for Athens last Monday, where he will deliver an Alumnal address.

--Mr. Thomas Fitzgerald, of Atlanta, Ga., formerly of this place, is visiting his mother, Mrs. J.A. Rogers.

--Dull times have set in and a local item is as hard to get as a straightforward answer from an evasive politician.

--The picnic to have been given tomorrow by the Dresden Sunday-school has been postponed until Friday, June 6.

--We need a Dean Swift to write up the political Liliputians who fume and fret their small souls in village councils.

--Miss Annie V. Bell, after an extended visit to relatives here, has returned to her home at Trenton, to the regret of her many admirers.

--Mrs. Annie Winston, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs. R.N. Irvine, the past few weeks, has returned to her home in Bowie, Texas.

--The cholera is still killing hogs in Dresden.  If this disease could be transferred to the Dresden dogs it would be changed from a curse to a blessing.

--This is the dull season for the towns but a very busy one for the rural districts, and consequently but few farmers are to be seen on our streets.

Dresden Enterprise Apr 24 1896 - The Illustrated Edition Part 12 "J.W. Killebrew"

This is the twelfth in a multi-part series featuring the April 24 1896 edition of the Dresden Enterprise.  If you missed the previous posts you can find them here: part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven.

J.W. Killebrew, the present register, was raised near Palmersville and lived there until elected register six years ago.  He is crippled from white swelling, but has recovered sufficiently to throw away his crutches.  He has made and (sic) excellent register, has kept his books in exceptionally good condition, and his efficiency in office caused him to be now serving his second term.  He is married and has six children.  He has bought a home here and is truly a citizen of the town.  Mr. Killebrew is a genial, kindhearted man, and has a personal friend in each of our people.  He is, of course, a Democrat, and has ever remained loyal to his party.

The complete list of links in this multi-part series:
part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve, part thirteen, part fourteen, part fifteen, part sixteen, part seventeen, part eighteen, part nineteen, part twenty, part twenty-one, part twenty-two, part twenty-three.

Dresden Enterprise Apr 24 1896 - The Illustrated Edition Part 9 "George Thomas Mayo"

This is the ninth in a multi-part series featuring the April 24 1896 edition of the Dresden Enterprise.  If you missed the previous posts you can find them here: part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight.

George Thomas Mayo, born in 1860 near Palmersville TN, was the son of William Mayo, who died during the Civil War, and Mary Ann Hart.  Over the course of his lifetime he worked in the dry goods business, clerked, was the County Court Clerk and had a lengthy career as a Baptist Minister.  He was married twice. First to Ella Savannah McWherter and late in life to Annie Mai Pentecost.  He and Ella had a large family together.  Rev Mayo and many of his family are interred in Sunset Cemetery, Dresden TN.

The following brief article and the picture above appeared in the Dresden Enterprise April 24, 1896.

Mr. Mayo, who is our present county court clerk, was born near Palmersville, remaining on the farm until grown.  He entered the dry goods business at Woodland Mills, Obion county, and was married while living there to Miss Ella McWherter, of Palmersville five children having been born to them.  

Mr Mayo was at one time in the dry goods business in Paducah and Fulton, Ky, and also clerked here a while for C.W. Cottrell. Later he went into the dry goods business for himself at Palmersville.  He was elected to fill the unexpired term of T.M. Biggs as a member of our county court, and later was re-elected. Two years ago Mr. Mayo was nominated on the Democratic ticket as a candidate for county court clerk, defeating Mr. T.L. Little, one of the very best officers this county ever had.  Mr. Mayo, was triumphantly elected, and his coduct (sic) of the county's business proves that he was a wise selection.  

He has bought a home here which he has greatly improved, and has thoroughly identified himself with the town's interests, something we Dresden people like very much to see done when practicable.  Mr. Mayo is a thoroughly honest man in his conceptions of his duty, and this caused him to withdraw from the Primitive Babtist (sic) organization because he found he had been mistaken in believing that church meant to do anything for the cause of foreign missions.  He is now a Missionary Baptist and will make them a good member.

The complete list of links in this multi-part series:

part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve, part thirteen, part fourteen, part fifteen, part sixteen, part seventeen, part eighteen, part nineteen, part twenty, part twenty-one, part twenty-two, part twenty-three.

Dresden Enterprise Apr 24 1896 - The Illustrated Edition Part 4 "Hon. Rice A. Pierce"

This is the fourth in a multi-part series featuring the April 24 1896 edition of the Dresden Enterprise.  If you missed the previous posts you can find  part one here, part two here and part three here.

Hon. Rice A. Pierce.

A history of Union City and Obion county would be incomplete without reference to Hon. Rice A. Pierce, the distinguished statesman and lawyer, whose popularity just now is overshadowing nearly everyone else in his congressional district.  Mr. Pierce has made a reputation for consistency of which any man should feel very proud.  He has stood before those who denounced him for his financial view and defied them, and now sees them coming over and joining hands with him.

It was in 1892 that Mr. Pierce, then a member of Congress, began his fight for free silver.  He and land were alone in that fight.  Mr. Pierce made a speech which those who heard it remember well, because some of them who oppose him then are repeating the same speech now.  He made a strong speech, but free silver was not considered the hope of Democracy then, as it is by some Democrats now, and he went down in defeat, both in his fight for the free coinage of gold and silver and for his re-election to Congress.

In ninety-two Mr. Pierce positively refused to support the gold plank in the Democratic national platform.  this caused a bitter fight on him by those in his district who favored the gold plank.  He was assailed all over his district for free silver views.  He was denounced by leaders of his party, but he stood firm and said he could not be driven from his position.  He said that the free coinage of silver was the hope of the country and the Democratic party must solve the question.  But he was

defeated.  Another candidate took his place in Congress.  But during the past four years Mr. Pierce has stuck to his views and now finds the very men who opposed him and who compassed his defeat declaring that free coinage of silver is the hope of the nation and the slogan of the Democratic party ?ends of Mr. Pierce claim that his record in Congress and before the people is unassailable.  They point to his public acts. In February ninety-three, when Sherman tacked onto the civil sundry bill the 3 percent bond amendment, it passed the senate, but when it reached the house Mr. Pierce at once detected it and alone and single handed opened a fight against this amendment.  It was a hard fight and there were big odds against him, but he never flagged and kept up his struggle until he gained recruits and defeated it.  In this case as in others he was assisted first by Mr. Bland.  Many will remember the fight.  Mr. Richardson of Tennessee, was in the chair when it took place.  But it was a great victory for Mr. Pierce, and his friends point to it as a triumph for which they intend to reward him.  In the fifty-first Congress he introduced the only bill to bring about a graduated income tax and made one of the only two speeches delivered on this bill.

In ninety-four Mr. Pierce was asked to canvass the state for the Democratic party.  He consented and it cannot be denied that he did excellent work.  He is credited for this work by his friends, and Chairman Carroll said he did more for the ticket than any man in the state.

Mr. Pierce is now a candidate for Congress again.  The selection of a candidate is to be made by a primary at the regular August election.  It is no trouble to find his friends in Union City or Obion county.  He is the head and front of the free silver Democrats They are wildly enthusiastic for him. They declare he cannot be defeated for the nomination which is equivalent to an election.  They claim that he is the only consistent free silver Democrat in the party; that he has won the right to claim anything he wants.  They say that those very men who opposed him and defeated him are now falling over each other trying to get on Rice Pierce's platform.  He stands out pre-eminently as the original free silver advocate in Tennessee and it looks very much like he will take his old seat in Congress again.  These views are obtained from men who were both for and against him his last race.  As to his record on the financial question, even his enemies and political opponents are agreed and say that it "fits in mighty well with the present times."--R. Christopher in Nashville American.~~~~~

Additional information about Rice Alexander Pierce:

PIERCE, Rice Alexander, a Representative from Tennessee; born in Dresden, Weakley County, Tenn., July 3, 1848; attended the common schools in Tennessee; during the Civil War served in the Confederate States Army with the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry; after the war attended school in London, Canada; studied law in Halifax, N.C.; was admitted to the bar of the supreme court in Raleigh, N.C., in 1868 and commenced practice in Union City, Obion County, Tenn., in 1869; served as mayor in 1872; elected district attorney general of the twelfth judicial circuit in 1874; reelected in 1878 and served until 1883; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-eighth Congress (March 4, 1883-March 3, 1885); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1884; elected to the Fifty-first and Fifty-second Congresses (March 4, 1889-March 3, 1893); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1892 to the Fifty-third Congress; elected to the Fifty-fifth and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1897-March 3, 1905); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1904 to the Fifty-ninth Congress; resumed the practice of law in Union City, Tenn.; chairman of the Democratic State campaign committee in 1929; died in Union City, Tenn., July 12, 1936; interment in the City Cemetery. 

The complete list of links in this multi-part series:
part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve, part thirteen, part fourteen, part fifteen, part sixteen, part seventeen, part eighteen, part nineteen, part twenty, part twenty-one, part twenty-two, part twenty-three.

Dresden Enterprise Apr 24 1896 - The Illustrated Edition Part 3 "Weakley County in Brief"

This is the third in a multi-part series featuring the April 24 1896 edition of the Dresden Enterprise.  If you missed the previous posts you can find part one here and part two here

Colored M.E. Church

Weakley County In Brief

Situated on the western slope of the plateau of West Tennessee, and is bounded north by Kentucky, east by Carroll county, south by Carroll and Gibson, and west by Obion.  The county has an area of seven hundred square miles, and is drained by the north, south and middle forks of the Obion river.  Its tributaries are Mud, Cypress and Cane Creeks.  The dividing line of the twelfth and thirteenth surveyor's district runs through the town of Dresden.  The western part of the county is generally level: the other portions gently undulating.

The Subsoil being of clay, fertilizers are well retained, Oak, hickory, sweet gum, ash and other timbers, with

some walnut and poplar, are abundant, except the latter two.  Evergreen holly is frequently found in the woods.

The first settlers were Uncle Reuben Edmonston (now gone to rest) and his brother-in-law, John Bradshaw and family.  The next settlers in this neighborhood were Isaac H. Ward and Wm. Miles.  The famous DAvy Crockett once lived in the southeast part of the county, and in our court-house now is a legal document bearing his signature.  Lewis Stunston, recently deceased, was the first white child born within the county's limits.  He died possessed of much wealth.  Dr. J. Almus Gardner was the first white child born in Dresden.

The county was created by an act of the legislature October 21, 1823.

A tract of thirty-nine acres was donated for the town site by John Terrell.  For fifty dollars seventeen and one-half acres more were added thereto, making fifty-six and one-half acres in the town site.  In April of the year 1825 the first town lots were sold--$5,742 being realized.  This sum went towards erecting public buildings.  The first courthouse was a brick structure, built by John Scarbrough, of Stewart county.  Later Emerson Etheridge, Alfred Gardner and Dr. A.G. Holden, commissioners, let the contract for a new court-house, the old one proving too small, and $16,000 was appropriated.  The final cost was $20,000.  The present jail was completed in 1875, at a cost of $8,000.  It has been added to since, and is a nice two-story brick.  $100,000 was subscribed by a small majority vote to build the N., C. & St. L. road, which was completed through the county in 1861.  The county has lost the whole amount of its stock.

The following are the first recorded officers: county clerk, Wm. H. Johnson; circuit clerk, Mears Warner;

sheriff John J. Calvert; trustee ? Dodd; register, William Landrum.  The latter two are not the first, and their predecessor's names are lost to history.  Adam R. Alexander was the first congressional representative.  The first term of the circuit court in Weakley county was held November, 1827, John C. Hamilton presiding.  The chancery court at Paris had jurisdiction over chancery business here until 1838.  Jas. Julian was the first grand jury foreman, and the first indictment was against Wm. Ward for assault and battery, who plead guilty, threw himself on the mercy of the court, and was fined one dollar and costs.  The first murder trial was the State vs. George W. McClain and Wm. Price for the murder of one Stunston.  McClain escaped from jail while under sentence to hang, and was never rearrested.  Price was later acquitted.  The first and only judicial hanging in the county took place June 181853.  Anthony and Alfred Peck, colored, were hanged for the murder of their master, the maternal grandfather of our present circuit court clerk, Mr. John J. Thomason.  Milton Brown was the first chancellor.  

The Tennessee Patriot was the first paper published in the county, Jesse Leigh, editor.  Its first issue contained the message of President Van Buren.  In the newspaper business he was succeeded by Carlton & Whittlesey, and they by Wash Talbert and he by A.W. King, who published a paper about the year 1849.  Somers & Guinn published the dresden Spy a short time in the fifties.  Henry Massey published a paper preceeding the civil war.  The Gossiper was published six months in 1867 by W.F. Hampton.

Weakley County Court House

The complete list of links in this multi-part series:

part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve, part thirteen, part fourteen, part fifteen, part sixteen, part seventeen, part eighteen, part nineteen, part twenty, part twenty-one, part twenty-two, part twenty-three.

Dresden Enterprise Apr 24 1896 - The Illustrated Edition Part 2 "A Dead Town"

This is the second in a multi-part series featuring the April 24 1896 edition of the Dresden Enterprise.  If you missed the previous post you can find part one here.  The following segment was written tongue in cheek by an unknown contributor and is entitled "A Dead Town."

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

A  DEAD  TOWN
{Contributed}
Eleven years ago, when the effort was being made to abolish the charter of Dresden, and thereby drive the saloon from the town, the economics of the movement urged with zeal and eloquence, with argument and invective, that the result of success would be the destruction of the business of the town----a wiping out of all public spirit, and end to progress, in short, that Dresden would soon be a "dead town."  In spite of these doleful predictions, in the face of the convincing arguments thus offered, with the certain prospect of ruin before them, a majority of the people rushed heedlessly to their doom, and Dresden ceased to be an incorporated town, the majority, in its blindness, deciding that the absence of a police and no whisky was more tolerable than the presence of both.








Eleven years have now elapsed and our citizens are able to see the effect of their greivous (sic) error, in the
fact that new residences have been built in the village by only the few persons whose names follow, at an average cost of not exceeding one thousand dollars, towit: Gus Atkins, V H Davis, R T Overton, J F Brinkley, G Landres, Wm McCuan, B Jackson, W.J Reavis, Nat Moore, E H Ayres (e), Joe Nanney, G W Winstead, R G Maloan, the Methodist Parsonage, J A Irvine, G A Dowd, J G Thomason (2), G S Boyd, T A McElwrath, C P Meadows, John McGlothlin, J E Jones, A V Boden, T M Little J W Moran, T L Woods, (3), J B Jolly, C A Bailey (2), Joe Loyd, G I Baxter, J W Killebrew, A E Gardner (2), J R Thomason, T A McElwrath, H W  Paschall, W H Riddle (2), W T Mangum, Jeff Harris, H L Hill, C M Ewing and J W Rogers, besides the remodelling and rebuilding of the residences of J A Gibbs, Lea

Harris, W C Holt, and Will Fuller, and among the colored people Cullen Edwards, Nancy Bondurant, Ike Fowler, Bledsoe and Ruffan Rogers, and several others whose names we do not now recall.


The business houses erected are, six iron fronts, one by J.M. Meadows on lot that stood vacant since the great fire here in the 60's, three by J.W. Moran, one each by J.A. Gibbs and B.D. Irvine, and the two-story Brick hotel, on north side of the square.










The brick banking houses of the Henry County Bank and Weakley County Bank, the brick livery stable of J.A. Paschall and the iron roofed and weatherboarded livery stable of E.A. Maloan; while two story frame buildings have been built A.V Boden, B.D. Irvine and E.L. Rogers.  The J.W. Rogers frames, The Enterprise Office and T.L. Woods' business house have been remodelled.  Wm. McCuan built a business house near the depot, and McCuan's and Fuller Bro's., tobacco warehouses and the spoke factory, giving employment to fifty men and supporting as many families, complete the list of business houses.

Irvine & Scott

The public buildings are limited to two churches, two school houses and the new depot.  To be strictly just we must not omit the establishment of the Weakley County Bank and the Dresden Bank, neither of which has during the long continued depression failed to meet promptly every demand, and both of which have paid fair dividends to the stockholders.

As a striking contrast to this doleful record of sloth, inertness and decline, let us now look at the rapid growth, striking progress and marked prosperity during the ten years preceding the suicidal act of its citizens in repealing its charter, during which time residences were erected by the following persons, greatly to the delight of every lover of the town, towit; M.D. Cardwell, R.N. Irvine, S.P. Scott and J.M. Meadows, at an average cost of probably not less than $1,500.  The Irvine& Scott flouring mill was also built during this period, but has been entirely refitted with new machinery of the latest construction and most approved styles within the last few years.

Of public buildings, there was built during that ten years, THE JAIL.


In the face of these startling facts, of this record of decline and degeneration, of rapidly approaching death there are, strange as it may seem, men in our town who are not ashamed to admit that









 they assisted in the fatal act which has brought such ruin and destruction upon our town, and obstinately assert that they have no regrets for what they have done.  There are even some blinded, hard-headed and misguided individuals, who go so far as to say they would like to see the town "ruined some more," on the same lines.

Weakly (sic) County Jail

The complete list of links in this multi-part series:
part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve, part thirteen, part fourteen, part fifteen, part sixteen, part seventeen, part eighteen, part nineteen, part twenty, part twenty-one, part twenty-two, part twenty-three.