"East Tennessee, secluded land,
Of gentle hills and mountains grand;
Where Nature's richest verdures grow,
And coolest springs and rivers flow;
Where golden wheat and waving corn
Are liberal poured from plenty's horn.
Land of the mountains and the glen,
Of lovely maids and stalwart men;
Where beauteous sunsets greet the eye
In golden splendor on the sky." —Nelson.

Because of its picturesque scenery, lofty mountains and beautiful streams East Tennessee has been called "the Switzerland of America." The resemblance to that marvelous and beautiful land does not end with its mountain scenery and productive soil, so far-famed, but is illustrated in the heroism of her sons, a prominent characteristic of the little Republic in the Alps.

Carter and Johnson counties, where the scene of the greater part of our history is laid, are situated in the extreme eastern part of the State, bordering on Virginia and North Carolina, and under the shadow of the highest peaks of the great Appalachian range of mountains which extends from Canada to the foot-hills of Georgia. A part of the area of the proposed great Appalachian Park or Reservation, which through the influence and untiring energy of Hon. Walter P. Brownlow, Congressman from the First District of Tennessee, it is hoped will soon be made a Government park to be known as the "McKinley Park," will lie within these two counties.

Almost every spot in East Tennessee is heroic ground, made sacred by some heroic deed of valor. The grandeur of her lofty mountains, the music of the streams, the brightness of her skies, have ever been themes for poetry and song. Her poets and orators have woven about her name a halo of love and beauty, set in rarest gems of rhythm and eloquence.

East Tennessee is the birthplace of the history of the State. It was on the banks of the Watauga, in what is now Carter county, that the first permanent settlement was made on the soil of Tennessee. The pioneers from Virginia built forts along the Watauga river in 1769, and, remote from either the colonies of Virginia or North Carolina, not knowing even to which of these colonies the territory belonged, they erected forts and dwellings, trusting in God and their own strong arms for protection for themselves and families from the savage and treacherous Indians. They met at Sycamore Shoals on the Watauga river and enacted laws for their own government, and elected officers from among their number to see that the laws were duly executed. This was the first convention held upon the soil ot what is now the State of Tennessee.

With the rude implements of husbandry then at their command, and their trusty rifles near by, they began to subdue the virgin soil, and to develop that skill and courage in warfare that made our ancestors so famous.

These brave pioneers while yet a part of the colony of North Carolina, though feeble in numbers and constantly harassed by the Indians, found time to join forces with the Virginians, and, starting from Sycamore Shoals, made the memorable march through North Carolina and defeated Ferguson at King's Mountain.

In the Indian Wars, and in the Second War with England in 1812-15, the volunteer soldiers of East Tennessee, under General Jackson, maintained the high standard of chivalry and courage that had distinguished their ancestors at King's Mountain. In the war with Mexico the East Tennessee Volunteers, under Generals Scott and Taylor, proved themselves "worthy sons of noble sires" and added new names to the long list of Tennessee heroes who had given to our commonwealth the proud distinction of "The Volunteer State."

At the battle of Point Pleasant, under Evan Shelby, at Musgrove's Mill, at King's Mountain, the Alamo, San Jacinto, New Orleans and on the plains of Mexico— in short, on every battlefield since the beginning of our country's history, wherever Liberty has been endangered and Freedom has needed champions, East Tennesseeans have been the first "to fill the breach, and do or die for home and liberty."

In the ante-bellum days the hills and dales of Carter and Johnson counties were a veritable Arcadia where the soil responded to the hand of industry in the fertile coves and valleys and even far up the mountain sides, and yielded grain and fruits in abundance to supply the wants of a frugal people. The mountains were yet the abode of bear, deer and turkeys, as well as smaller game, affording sport and exercise, and palatable and nutritious food for the mountaineer and his family. The streams abounded in bass and trout, affording respite from the toilsome hunt and adding to their table comforts. The air was full of health, and was scented with the fragrance of wild flowers. The people were virtuous, honest and industrious,—patriotic and contented. It has been truly said that contentment is better than riches. These people were contented with their lot.

A quotation adapted from Burn's "Cotter's Saturday Night" would have been a fitting invocation in behalf of these people :

"East Tennessee! my dear my native soil;
For whom my warmest wish to heaven is sent!
Long may thy hardy sons of rustic toil
Be blest with health and peace and sweet content!
And, 0! may Heaven their simple lives prevent
From luxury's contagion, weak and vile !"

The tyranny of fashion, the ambition for wealth or power were unknown to them. There were no caste or ciasses marked by gaudy apparel, showy equipages or glittering gems. These things found no place in their thoughts by day or dreams by night. They were content with honest toil, frugal meals and simple raiment. They loved their humble homes which were open alike to their neighbors or to the journeying stranger. Their hospitality was proverbial.

Their pleasures and recreations were of the simplest kind. At the quarterly courts, election and muster days they gathered sufficient news of the outside world to last them all the year. They read the "Hagertown," or "Greely's" almanac, believed in the prognostications as to the weather and the best time to sow seeds, lay fence worms or make clap-boards — whether in the dark or light of the moon. They had great reverence for the Bible and the House of God and went many miles .to preaching or to attend camp-meetings, quarterly meetings, associations and synods. They spent the winter evenings around the blazing fire in relating stories and. traditions or mending their shoes and garments, often to the music of the spinning wheel. The violin was their favorite, and almost only, musical instrument. They assisted each other at house and barn raisings, log-rollings and corn-huskings, winding up the day with a party or a "hoe-down" dance in which old and young engaged with great zest and pleasure.

On these occasions, though apple brandy was freely passed around, it was not often indulged too freely. It was the pure apple juice which "cheered but did not inebriate" unless used to great excess, which was seldom done. In those days there were no poisonous liquids to stupefy the brain and incite to crime, no bachanalian revelry or noisy debauchery. The evenings were often enlivened with song and mirth and all were at peace with all the world; and when the hour came to retire to their humble couches, with hearts void of guile, they sank into that peaceful and refreshing sleep known only to those who are acquainted with honest toil, and whose minds are free from the harrassing cares which wealth and ambition give to their unhappy votaries. Such was the condition of the majority of the people in those two counties before the demon of civil war, with all its harrowing cruelties, invaded these peaceful and happy homes. Content to leave the cares of State to others, and resting secure under the protection of a free government which they had helped to protect, and the old flag they loved so much, they flung care to the winds and dreamed not of the danger that was soon to cloud their happiness.

There were comparatively few slaves or slave owners in these counties. The slaves, with very few exceptions, were kindly treated and were contented with their condition.

While we have said the majority of the people were uneducated and were not ambitious to win fame or wealth, there was a fair proportion of the more wealthy citizens who had been educated in Eastern colleges, and who were ambitious to distinguish themselves in the various professions, in the ministry and in politics. Some of these men became the leaders when the dark days came and performed their part nobly, joining hands and hearts with the toilers, whom they had been taught almost to. despise, in the grand work of preserving the nation.