Politics and Christmas Greetings, 1912

Luke Lea was an attorney and Democratic United States Senator from the state of Tennessee.  He was also the first editor and publisher of The Tennessean and a leading proponent of prohibition.  

Lea's political career and work with The Tennessean went hand in hand with that of Fannie Moran Ezzell and her husband, Jim Ezzell.

Fannie served as Tennessee's legislative chairman for the American Women's Suffrage Association during ratification of the 19th amendment.  Later she was asked to join the Democratic National Committee and became Tennessee's first woman to hold a position with the DNC.  In addition, she worked at the Nashville Banner as the society editor. Fannie belonged to the Centennial Club, the Ladies Hermitage Association, Belmont Magazine Club and the Campbell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Jim had been a member of the agricultural committee of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce for many years and also the Cumberland Valley Association.  His obituary in The Tennessean, June 23 1941, says "He was a potent force in the political organizations of the county and state, although he stood for public office only once." I think the list of honorary pallbearers attests to his place within the political community of Nashville: Albert Houston Roberts (Gov. of TN 1919-1921), George Armistead Sr. (Editor in Chief, Nashville Banner),  Judge Colin P. McKinney, Attorney Miller Manier, C. C. Flannery (Agriculture Commissioner), Judge Litton Hickman, Judge Finis Garrett of Washington DC to name a few.

It wasn't surprising to find a Christmas card from Mr. and Mrs. Luke Lea to Mr. and Mrs. James B. Ezzell.

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.

Dresden Enterprise Apr 24 1896 - The Illustrated Edition Part 11 "H.L. Hill"

This is the eleventh 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.

Henry Leake Hill was born July 28 1856 in Buckingham County Virginia. He is in the 1870 Census for Obion County with his father Robert H. Hill age 45, mother Susannah age 39 and two brothers John age 11 and Lillian age 8 months.  His father is a farmer and he and his young brother John are farm laborers at the ages of 12 and 11.

"Leak" as he was called married Nancy Ann McMurry October 23 1878 in Obion County.  Nancy was the daughter of Hosea Wilson McMurry and Elizabeth Yater.   He and his wife Nancy McMurry appear in the 1880 Census for Obion County with their ten month old son Harry.  According to some family tree's on Ancestry.com Harry died in 1885  "Leak" as he was called was a blacksmith according to the Census.  In 1900 Henry and Nancy and their sons John McMurry and Albert Sidney appear in the 1900 - 1920 Census for Weakley County.   After 1900 Henry's occupation is sometimes listed as clerk and sometimes as farmer. In 1930 his sister Lillian Mosier and her daughter Mary are living with Henry and Nancy. 

During his time in Weakley County, Leak owned a mill which he sold.  He was a Democrat but was able to get elected in a time when the district was "thoroughly Republican" and he was known as the "marrying squire" for the many nuptials he performed.  He died in 1933 in Nashville at the Presbyterian Hospital. Nancy followed him to their resting place in Sunset Cemetery just three years later.

As for their son John McMurry Hill, the only thing I know is that he was the informant on his mother's death certificate and his address was listed as Bloomington Indiana.  

Albert Sidney Hill married Valda Biggs McWherter, the daughter of Doak Alexander McWherter and Adaline Biggs, June 29, 1921 in Weakley County.  He, Valda and their 16 year old daughter Nancy are living in Belle Meade, Tennessee in 1940. Albert was the vice president at an investment bank.  Albert and Valda both died in Nashville and are interred in Sunset Cemetery.

From the Dresden Enterprise, April 24, 1896

Leak Hill was born July 28, 1856 in Buckingham county, Va., and came to Tennessee ten years later, going to Obion county.  He came to Weakley county in 1886 and went into the mill business near Dresden, which he sold to J.F. Brinkley, the latter being afterwards burned out.  Hill was first elected magistrate in '88, and bears the distinction of having become such by accident--not that he was not worthy and popular, but this was then a thoroughly Republican civil district, and for years there had been only three magistrates serving. Hill was head among the Democratic candidates, and some time after the election it was discovered that the county site district was entitled to four magistrates, and had been all the time. This let him in as the fourth man, though first among his party men.  Two years ago he was re-elected, and has made an exceptionally good officer.  He is progressive in the conduct of the affairs of his office, and keeps strictly up with the times.  For sometime he was called the "marrying squire," so frequently was he called upon to unite the destinies of those who fled from the wrath of "stern parents."  He has a host of friends who have been made such by his jovial nature and warmheartedness.  he is decidedly popular and will some day, we hope, come up higher, as a county officer.

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 8 "William A. Thompson"

This is the eighth 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.

William A Thompson was the son of R. and Adeline Thompson born on July 4 1837 in Tennessee.  He married Sarah Jane Grubbs about 1860.  He served in the Confederacy during the Civil War.  He went in a private and came out a corporal of the 5th Tennessee.  During his time in the war he was wounded several times.  The "severe wound" he received at Murfreesboro resulted in the loss of his right eye.  He was captured. He was captured at Stone's River and spent time in jail at Louisville and then Baltimore.  In October 1863 he received the Medal of Honor from the Confederate States of America.  Thompson was discharged on August 24, 1863.  

William and Sarah Thompson were blessed with four children: Albert, Benjamin, William and Nancy Adeline.  In 1880 the family is living in Palmersville at the home of his father-in-law, William Debarron Grubb.  William's occupation was "constable".  This began his career as an elected official in Weakley County.  He went on to hold positions such as Trustee and Sheriff and in 1897 he was a candidate for Register but I'm not sure he won that election.  William died September 4, 1910, in Palmersville.  He and many of his family are interred at Thompson Cemetery near Palmersville, Tennessee.

The following article was published in the Dresden Enterprise April 24, 1896 and shows the evolution of "Uncle Billy" from a man living in poverty and dissipation to a pillar of the community.  William Thompson overcame adversity in life to receive the accolades of the Confederacy, his family and his peers.

The Dresden Enterprise April 24, 1896

 The above named might well be called William the Conqueror, for he has been the most successful man at the polls that Weakley county ever had.  Years ago "Uncle Billy," as the boys called him, was perhaps the most dissipated, poverty stricken man in the county, and those who knew him did not think he would ever redeem himself.  He came out of the army where he served with loyal devotion four years, a wreck physically and in general ill luck.

He had been wounded as often as twice, perhaps oftener, having lost one eye by a shot from the federal enemy, as will be seen from his striking likeness in this paper, and also part of one hand. While down in the world he still had friends who stood by him, for they knew down beneath the rugged exterior beat a heart as warm, noble and true as ever was in the breast of man.  His friends finally elected him constable of the Palmersville district, and from then on until the present time he has been invincible before the people, ran one time when Lafon beat him for sheriff in the democratic primary.  

He is a Democrat, tried and true, and submitted to defeat this time by the party that had so often honored him, although we believe with his great personal popularity he could have bolted the primary and been elected anyhow, but he was too loyal to do aught but support the regular nominee.

Twice he was made trustee, and again sheriff.  He is now the nominee of the party for sheriff again, and although he had three good men to defeat he did it with neatness and dispatch, his vote being nearly equal to the combined vote of the other candidates.  He is a man of positive convictions for the right and against the wrong, and has, therefore, some few enemies, but he turns them all down, easily.   A determined fight was made to defeate him by some prominent men in the county, but "Uncle Billy" just laughed and ordered more primary election tickets.  He will be the foremost man in the August election, and will, as usual, lead the party ticket by a handsome majority.  To this office he has long been a true friend and ardent supporter, and we are more than please to tell the Weakley county public that he has made us a better sheriff each time he has been elected.  

He has not saved much money out of his earnings, for he has paid off all his old debts, got even with the world, but the world is not even with him, for he has lost many a dollar by security debts, because he was too kindhearted to say "No" many times when he should have done so.  "Uncle Bill" is all right.

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 West Tennessee Democrat, May 12 1876

The West Tennessee Democrat
May 12, 1876 - Editor T.H. Baker

Considering its age this newspaper is in fantastic condition.  At first I thought it had been saved because of the large advertisement for J.W. Moran's store which I posted yesterday.  But then I noticed a name had been written on the front page, Mrs. Allie Edwards.

Mrs. Allie Edwards

Prof. Hunter weds Blanche Edwards.

What connection, if any, did Allie Edwards have to the Moran family?  After reading some of the newspaper I found an article that mentions Blanche Edwards of Gardner Station and a Prof. Hunter. My logical conclusion is that Blanche and Allie are related but so far I haven't found anything about an Allie Edwards but I did find marriage information regarding Blanche and W.W. Hunter. They were married on May 1 1876 in Weakley County.

"Something Wrong"  The last number of the Fulton Times contains a notice of the marriage of Prof. Hunter, one of its editors, to Miss Blanche Edwards, of Gardner Station.  The same number of the paper contains Prof. Hunter's "valedictory."

There is something wrong here.  We have often heard of men getting "into business" by marrying and most new married couples anticipate "squalls"--after awhile--but this indicates that a man may get "out" of business by the same process, and haven't the "squalls"....   

Unfortunately that last line of the article is forever lost but even without that last thought it seems to me the article is not very complimentary to Prof. Hunter.  Anyway, the Moran tree has several folks with the surname Edwards in it, usually in connection to Bondurants and Gardners and since Blanche Edwards was from Gardner Station there's a good chance she's a distant Moran relation.  The other curiosity is Prof. W.W. Hunter.  Agnes Hunter Cowardin, another Moran relative, married John Almus Gardner.  I wonder if W.W. Hunter is a relation via Agnes?  More research is necessary on this line.

I thought it would be fun to share what people in Weakley County were talking about and reading in 1876.

On the political front:

For Trustee: Smyth--We are authorized to announce the name of J.M. Smyth, of the eleventh district, as a candidate for Trustee.  Election in August next.

For the Senate: Martin--We are authorized to announce the name of George W. Martin, as a candidate to represent this Senatorial District in the next General Assembly--election in November.

For the Legislature:  Finch--We are authorized to announce C.F. Finch, of the Tenth District, as a candidate for the Lower House of the Legislature at the ensuing November election, subject to the will of the people.

For Sheriff:  Irvine--We are authorized to announce R.N. Irvine as a candidate for Sheriff, at the ensuing August election.

For Constable:  Parham--We are authorized to announce W.W. Parham as a candidate for Constable for the 5th Civil District of Weakley County, at the ensuing August election.

Dresden, Tenn., April 6, 1876--Remembering with gratitude the support so generously given me in the past, I come again to ask your votes for official promotion.  By your votes I have twice been chosen as one of the two constables which it is the privilege of the qualified voters of this District to elect.  How I have executed the varied, and sometimes painful and delicate duties of that office, is well known to you all.  If an active, vigilant and impartial attention to the interests of those who entrusted their business to my care during the two terms to which you elected me is ony (sic) recommendation, I certainly feel that my past official life entitles me to  future preferment Thanking you for past honors, and assuring those who support me in my present need will be enshrined in my heart of hearts, I am, most respectfully,

         W.W. Parham

Women, education and the Bluestocking.

"Education of Women"--Keep as much as possible in the grand and common road of life.  Depend upon it men set more value on the cultivated minds than on the accomplishments of women, which they are rarely able to appreciate.  It is a common error that literature unfits women for the every day business of life.  It gives women a real and proper weight in society, but they must use it with discretion.  If the stocking is blue the petticoat must be long; the want of this has furnished food for ridicule in all ages.

Drug Addiction in 1876

"Morphia Disease" -- Terrible Consequences of the Abuse of narcotics in Modern Society.

The vast abuse of narcotics in modern society is becoming, the London Lancet remarks, a serious evil. There is no denying the fact that in countries where no administrative control of chemist's shops exists, as in England and America, the public has too easy access to such drugs.  The report of the medical officer to the Privy Council on the use of laudanum in the industrial districts of England for the purpose of keeping infants quiet startled its readers some years ago.  It is not long since a political weekly contemporary boldly contended that chloral was to be found int he work-boxes and baskets of nearly every lady in the West End, "to calm her nerves."

Women and Fashion

"Miscellaneous Items"--Entire costumes for evening are now often modeled after fashions which prevailed in revolutionary days, as for instance, the lengthened court train, with satin petticoat, deep pointed corsage and Lady Washington sleeves.

The prevailing style in parasols is the canopied top, with crochet rings, to which are attached small bows of ribbons.

Cream-colored cashmere over-dresses are among the special fancies of the season.

The rough and ready straw hats are being covered with full puffings of white tyarlatan, and trimmed with scarlet poppies and green leaves.

Postillion reappears at the back of basques.

Bias folds, with narrow Tom Thumb fringe, are again seen on skirts of rich silk dresses.

Little girls' frocks are now made in what is called the English Style.  The bodice is prolonged to below the hips, where the skirt is put on in plaits at the back and plain in front.

And let's not forget the men!

"Southern Men and Manners"--Olive Logan, writing to the Chicago Times from Washington, gives her views of southern men from a social standpoint:

Men of this decidedly southern cast of thought and breeding are amazingly agreeable to women.  I forstall retort here, by at once asserting that I do not speak of the as lover or sweetheart (in which capacity I have no use for them), but as the mere cavaliere savante of society, the carpet knight of the drawing-room.  In this respect they are immeasurably superior to our pre-occupied, busy and thoughtless northern men.  Their form of address is in itself more respectful.  A remark to a lady is almost invariably prefaced by the word "madame."  A seat in a street care is instantly relinquished in favor of a woman by these courtly men.  To meet a lady in the street and walk with her, and not relieve her of such parcels as she may be carrying, would be considered very rude conduct.  This particular item in their code of etiquette is directly at variance with that prevailing among New York men, who, copying the European custom, hold that a lady may carry a small bundle with propriety, ladies being constant purchasers of odds and ends, but no gentleman carries a parcel, that being a distinctive badge of a counter-jumper or errand man.  I know that I shall evoke a responsive "yes" from the lips of hundreds and hundreds of my lady readers when I ask if it is not their custom to carry their own shawls, umbrellas, bundles and even bags, instead of stowing the same in the arms of hubby, pa or brother.

George P. Rowell & Co. American
Newspaper Directory, 1873

The West Tennessee Democrat wasn't around for very long and at the time it was in circulation it was the only paper being published in Weakley County. The editor & publisher was T.H. Baker, who had previously published the Carroll County Democrat.  In 1876 The West Tennessee Democrat was renamed the Dresden Democrat. In 1881, the Dresden Democrat had this to say about its former editor: "T.H. Baker, Former editor of the Dresden Democrat, and later of the Paris Post, has made another flop.  He flopped into the Republican Party at this time."

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.

Politically Speaking

Being an election year this seems like a good time to show off the political buttons collected by the Morans.  I believe the earliest are the Landon and FDR campaign buttons.  Alfred Mossman Landon ran against Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1936.

I think the most interesting is the card with a clear stone in the shape of a drop.  It says Goldwater '64 Droplet.  Symbolizing the Character of the Man: Clear, Clean, Forthright, Valuing Freedom Above All.  Made with 23 k. Gold.

No matter what your political philosophy is just get out and vote!

Oh, and I just noticed, it's not a political button but I included it anyway.  The Martin Tenn Centennial button from 1973.

Governor Charles Slaughter Morehead of Kentucky, 1855-1859

Charles Slaughter Morehead from the
Kentucky Dept of Libraries and Archives

Charles Slaughter Morehead, 1802-1868
At least we think it's him.

Search for Charles Slaughter Morehead at Amazon

Who was Charles Slaughter Morehead? He was many things including Attorney General of Kentucky 1830-1835.  A United States Representative from Kentucky, 1847-1851 and the Governor of Kentucky, 1855-1859.  He was also a Delegate to the Peace Convention in Washington D.C. in 1861.  He was accused of treason because his sympathies lay with the South during the Civil War.  He was even arrested and confined in Fort Lafayette, New York, by Federal authorities for disloyalty, 1861-1862.  He was released after several of his prominent friends asked for his release however, he was not allowed to go back to Kentucky or any southern states and he went into exile in Canada, Europe and Mexico.  After the war, he moved to Greenville Mississippi.  He is buried in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Kentucky.

The picture we have comes from a very old Album that held a number of CDV's and a few tintypes.  We are fortunate that some of the pictures have names written on them and most of them are Morehead's with a few Gunn's in there as well.  The Morehead and Gunn Family had several connections in their day.  My husband, a Moran,  is related to the Morehead family through his great great grandmother, Caroline Morehead Gunn.  She is the daughter of Turner Morehead and Mary Polly Ann Hewitt Hooe.  Caroline Morehead married Lyman Taft Gunn and the Moreheads have another connection to the Gunn's via the marriage of Sallie Boyd to Lyman T. Gunn's son, Lyman Cephas Gunn.  To see a very messed up family chart take a look here.  Anyway, according to the Consanguinity Chart my husband and Charles Morehead are 1st cousins, thrice removed..

Backside of the image above of Charles Slaughter Morehead.

We think that this picture looks very much like Charles S. Morehead in his later years. Unfortunately, it is one of the unmarked pictures in the photo album.  The photographer's mark is Bogardus, 363 Broadway Cor. Franklin St., N.Y.  Abraham Bogardus was a well known daguerrotypist producing about 200,000 in his career and we know that Morehead was held prisoner in New York in 1861-1862 so it is very possible that after he was released from prison he sat for Bogardus before leaving the country in exile.

We can't say for certain that this is Charles S. Morehead but when you look at the provenance of the picture the odds of it being him greatly increase.

TN House of Representatives, 1925, 64th General Assembly

Search for the Tennessee House of Representatives at Amazon!

James Henderson Moran III, Representative from Weakley County
Fifth Row from the top, seventh person from the left.

This is a composite picture of the Tennessee House of Representatives, 64th General Assembly, 1925.  James Henderson Moran III was the Representative from Weakley County.  For a complete list of the 64th General Assembly be sure and visit the Tennessee General Assembly website.