Amazing Tennessee : Fascinating Facts, Entertaining Tales, Bizarre Happenings, and Historical Oddities about the Volunteer State

283 Pages·2000·2.88 MB·English

by  Theresa Jensen Lacey

Amazing Tennessee
Fascinating Facts, Entertaining Tales,
Bizarre Happenings, and
Historical Oddities from the Volunteer State
T. Jensen Lacey
Copyright © 2000, 2004 by T. Jensen Lacey.
All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of
this book, except for brief quotations in critical reviews and articles.
Published by Rutledge Hill Press, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., P.O. Box 141000, Nashville,
Tennessee 37214.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Lacey, T. Jensen (Theresa Jensen), 1955– Amazing
Tennessee : fascinating facts, entertaining tales, bizarre happenings, and historical oddities from the
Volunteer State / T. Jensen Lacey.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-55853-790-2 (pbk.) 1. Tennessee—Miscellanea. I. Title.
F436.6 .L33 2000
976.8—dc21
00-030982
CIP
Printed in the United States of America 04 05 06 07 08 — 6 5 4 3 2
To my parents and to all Tennesseans, by birth and by heart
CONTENTS
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Truly Bizarre Events and Notorious Tennesseans
2. Politics and Transportation
3. Before the War
4. Famous Tennesseans
5. From the Hills of East Tennessee
6. Religion and Utopian Communities
7. Sports
8. The Civil War in Tennessee
9. Wheelers and Dealers
10. The Sound of Tennessee
11. Flora, Fauna, and Natural Phenomena
12. Speech, Food, and Fascinating Cultural Tidbits
13. Unusual Grave and Burial-Site Stories
Virtual Tennessee
Index
FOREWORD
When Tennessee celebrated its Bicentennial not long ago, one fact became
clear: our state owes its progress and promise to its people. Some of their stories
are captured here.
T. Jensen Lacey offers an entertaining collection of facts, oddities of history,
and tales both true and tall.
—From the Governor’s Office,
The Capitol, Nashville, Tennessee
PREFACE
If there’s ever a way to make people fall in love with a state, it’s to ask them
to write a book about it. Since I took on this project, not only have I found more
reasons to love Tennessee, but I’ve discovered more about Tennessee than I ever
dreamed possible. Having worked some years back at the Museum of
Appalachia in Norris (and now living in Middle Tennessee), I seem to be the
perpetual tourist, curiosity seeker, and history buff. There’s always a curiosity
around the next corner, or in the next town. Go down any highway in the state
and there will be a historical marker that tells just enough about something to
make you want to know more. And beyond that marker, there’s always a
“Believe It or Not” kind of tale. The inspiration behind this book has been those
intriguing stories, anecdotes, and bits of history that make Tennessee a state of
endless fascination.
I’ve tried to include a little of everything in this book, so you never know
what the next turn of a page will bring. You, too, are on a mission to discover
more, laugh a bit, and be amazed, touched, or inspired as you read along.
There are always more curiosities to be written about and more tales yet to be
told, so if you think of something that should be included in future editions,
please write me in care of my wonderful publisher.
For those of you who don’t live here, maybe this book will entice you to visit.
Join me now in my love affair with Tennessee, and enjoy.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’d like to offer special thanks to the Governor’s Office for providing the
foreword; my father-in-law, Richard C. Lacey Sr., for his help in the legal
department (thanks again for bailing me out); and my parents, Marian and
Joseph Jensen, for proofreading.
I thank the people of the chambers of commerce throughout the state for their
assistance. Many others assisted me, as well. Cherry Condra Ralston of
Tennessee Backroads Heritage and the staff of the Tennessee Historical Society
gave help and advice. Ron Lotz of Lotz House Civil War Museum advised me
on Civil War facts. Patrick Glynn of Wireless Flash News Service searched ten
years’ worth of their quirky news items on things related to Tennessee. Ed
Hooper, historian and broadcast journalist (who maintains the site Tennessee
Online), stayed available day and night to answer my sometimes obscure
questions. Barbara Parker and Elizabeth Phillips, of the Tennessee Department
of Tourist Development, disseminated my requests to people throughout the
state and reviewed the text. Donna Rea of the Erwin Record set me straight on
how Mary the elephant was hanged. Mike DuBose, Muriel Anderson, Amon
Evans, and Dave Steighan offered me their invaluable tales. Don Wick,
Tennessee historical trivia buff, helped me fill in the gaps. Ralph Emery,
celebrity interviewer and himself a celebrity, looked over my chapter on “The
Sound of Tennessee.” Actress Patricia Neal reviewed my text and offered me
friendly encouragement. Ashley LaRoche, assistant editor of The Official
Tennessee Vacation Guidebook and the magazine Tennessee Connections, both
published by Journal Communications, provided neverending assistance. Old
buddies Carlock Stooksbury and John Rice Irwin of the Museum of Appalachia
shared East Tennessee lore, photos, and the drawing of the still (I’ll never tell
where yours are located). Marie Tedesco, archivist at East Tennessee State
University, researched photos. Stephen Cox, curator at the Tennessee State
Museum, provided many photos. Kassie Hassler of the Tennessee State Library
and Archives did research and provided information. Authors Vernon
Summerlin, James Crutchfield, Phila Hach, and Richard Cornelius gave
assistance and advice. Dr. William Foster, professor of historical linguistics at
my alma mater, the University of North Alabama, Florence, provided
information on speech and linguistic patterns unique to Tennessee. Sportswriter