About 250 people gathered at the old Sharp Graveyard on the hill, back of John Lett's  residence  Monday to decorate the graves of pioneer settlers. It was the first time ever that memorial exercises had ever been held at this old burying ground.

The morning program was held at the graveyard. Rev. L.J. Mullens spoke on reminiscences of the past. He recounted incidents connected with this hallowed spot from his earliest recollection. It was used, until a few years ago, as the burying ground for a large area in that community. It's gravestones bear the names of original families who came to make homes for themselves in the most beautiful valley in Tennessee.

Gentry is Speaker

Dr. W.I. Gentry spoke of the pioneer stock that not only settled and cleared the land but established a reputation for sturdy integrity that has carried on to the present time. He paid tribute to those who not only conquered nature in establishing homes in the wilderness, but ruled their own spirits to such a marked degree that their influence had much to do with the shaping of a new civilization west of the mountains. At noon the crowd gathered at the spring and spread lunch. It was a lavish  demonstration of the excellence of country cooking. There was enough food to have supplied twice the number present.

At the conclusion of the feast, Rev. Walter Sharp spoke on the Unity of the Churches. He stressed the fact that human distinctions cease at the grave. His plea was for a more understanding of the aims amd purposes of the living to the end that greater unity of action, sympathy and love may obtain in the hearts of the people.

Special Music

Special music was performed by a quartet from Inskip and by Mills' Male Quartet from LaFollette. Both these organizations were heartily received and their selections were particularly appropriate to the occasion. A permanent Graveyard Committee was organized with R.H. Sharp as Chairman and Miss Gladys Sharp as Secretary. This committee will see that the old burying ground is kept in good condition. It was unanimously voted to make the occasion an annual affair as a tribute to those resting there who contributed so much to the development of Powells Valley.

This has been a community  graveyard for over a hundred years. Names connected with early history of Campbell County are found on the old home-made tombstones. Sharp, Hampton, Walker, Ford, Mise and others who wrought nobly in a century already passed into history