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

283 Pages·2000·2.88 MB·English
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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

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Take a closer look at all Tennessee has to offer! This engaging volume is a treasure trove of fascinating facts, incredible anecdotes, and bizarre events in Tennessee’s storied history. With nearly 250 pages of reading enjoyment, Amazing Tennessee is packed with tidbits and tales ranging from the
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