tngenwebproject@gmail.com – Page 5 – Crockett County, Tennessee

Bells

Posted on December 18, 2020 by tngenwebproject@gmail.com

In 1818 a treaty was made with the Chickasaw Indians, whereby West Tennessee was opened to white settlers. Years before Bells became a town, Cherryville was the shipping point of the South Forked Deer River.

This town was first called Harrisbury, and was the first town in West Tennessee. Incorporated in 1821, it was three and a half miles west of Bells.

Daniel Cherry operated a store in this location and one night, as the story goes, in 1827 two young men stopped to spend the night on their return trip to South Carolina.

They had been searching for fertile land in Kentucky, but did not like what they found. Cherry told them that they were on some of the best land that they could want, so John and William Bell purchased 1,000 acres from Cherry for $1 an acre. This land is where Bells stands and extended to the Forked Deer River.

Bells Depot, Haywood County, was founded in 1855 and was named in honor of William Bell, who built the first dwelling in the town. He was the grandfather of W. E. McQuarrie and Mrs. Sally Koonce, who are living in Bells today. A small part of the McQuarrie home was the original first house.

Julia Bell built nearer the river and was the grandfather of Mrs. A. P. Casey, J. R. Barnes and B. B. Barnes, Sr., all of Bells.

Before the Civil War, stage coaches were running between Brownsville and Trenton and as the territory grew, a better means of travel was needed, so in the early 1850s the L&N Railroad was built from Memphis to Brownsville.

Later the rail was extended through Bell’s Depot.

When the road was first talked of one man said, “Gentlemen, when this road is built, you will be able to go as far as Memphis and return in the same day,” and another exclaimed,

“It’s a lie; that is utterly impossible.”

The first merchant was C. C. Clay, who moved from Cherryville to Bell’s Depot and began selling goods in 1859. The following year Harrell & Wood opened a dry goods store; A. C. Allen, a family grocery; A. M. Anker, a bakery; and Tom Evans, a saloon, where the Corner Drug Store now stands.

During the Civil War years no business was transacted at Bell’s Depot, the stores all being closed. As Crockett County had not been organized, there was no military annals from the county during the Civil War, but a full company was organized at Bell’s Depot.

The company joined the 27th Regiment of the Tennessee Infantry as Co. G. The company passed through the entire war, taking part in many engagements such as the battle of Shiloh, the battle of Franklin and many others.

At the general surrender of the Confederate army in 1865, only the three men out of the 107 were accounted for. Capt. Francis J. Wood, father of Mrs. C. J. Montgomery (who is now a retired teacher with 33 years teaching to her credit) was one of these three. He had assisted in the organizing of Co. G. The captain was severely wounded at Atlanta, Ga. and because of this was appointed provost marshal at Macon, Ga., where he was captured.
After the war he was elected Crockett County’s first county court clerk in 1872.

Bell’s Depot was incorporated in 1868 with Hardy L. Winburn as first mayor. Others who have served as mayor are the late J. J. Farrow, Dr. A. G. Hicks, Dr. S. H. Thomas, J. C. Best, L. F. Walker and C. Rex Mehr, Sr.

Also serving were R. L. Spellings, J. R. Barnes, A. L. Brigance and the present mayor, E. F. Barnes. By 1887 Bell’s Depot had the population of about 600. It was the largest and most important town in the county. Land was then worth $9.72 an acre.
Before the building of the I. C. Railroad through Dyersburg, Bells was one of the best cotton markets and trading centers in West Tennessee. Farmers came here from miles around to market their cotton and camp overnight.

The lots at the rear of the present stores, now occupied by warehouses, were used as camp grounds. The leading cotton buyers at that time were E. Solomon, W. F. Dawson, Frank Barnes, E. F. Hicks and Ewell Midyett.

Crockett County was organized in 1872 and was formed from portions of Haywood, Dyer, Madison and Gibson Counties. After its organization in the 1880s by an act of the government, “Depot” was eliminated and we became Bells and part of Crockett County instead of Haywood.

A year or two after Bell’s Depot was established, an old grocery house was fitted up for a church and was used by all denominations. The first church erected was the Christian Church in 1867. It was a log building on the lot where Mrs. Iva Richards home now stands – this burned in 1869 and a brick church was built at the cost of about $2,100.

A note at the end of the article states that the information was taken from an article written by Mrs. Nancy Ann Pearson and published in The Jackson Sun, June 29, 1958. This article is not to be reprinted, or used for any commercial purposes.

The preceding article was contributed to this web page, with permission of the Crockett County Historical Society, by Natalie Huntley.
This information was taken from an article published in the book “Crockett County Courthouse Centennial, 1874 – 1974”, prepared by the Crockett County Historical Society.
This article is not to be reprinted, or used for any commercial purposes.

More Crockett County History

Posted on December 18, 2020 by tngenwebproject@gmail.com

CROCKETT COUNTY AREA FIRST SETTLED IN 1824: FORMED IN 1871

Crockett County is bounded on the north by Gibson County on the east by Madison County, on the south by Haywood County and on the west by Lauderdale and Dyer Counties, and has an area of about 284 square miles. The county is situated between the south and middle forks of Forked Deer River, and the surface is level or gently undulating, with rich, fertile soil, being a yellow loam, of an average depth of about two feet.

The country around the county seat is level from three to five miles in every direction. Going north from Alamo the country is level to the county line; going south the same; going west, level for about three miles, and thence it is hilly and broken to the county line; going east it is level until Madison fraction is reached, about three miles from Alamo, when the surface becomes quite hilly. There are no hard rocks to be found on the surface, or under it, and in most sections sand is reached at a depth of about thirty-five feet. The best lands are found in the Eighth, Tenth, Twelfth and Thirteenth Districts. The color of the soil in these districts is very dark, and has no mixture of sand. The poorest lands are found in the eastern districts, near the town of Gadsden, the soil found there being a reddish color. The lands of the districts numbered above, are better than those of the eastern part and yield very well. The products of the county are corn, wheat, cotton sweet and Irish potatoes, the grasses and fruits and strawberries; of this last product upward of $80,000 worth were shipped from the county in 1885 of which $60,000 worth were shipped from Gadsden, and $20,000 from Bell’s Depot. In 1886 the shipment from berries from the county to upward of $100,000 of which $75,000 worth were shipped from Gadsden and $25,000 from Bells. The streams of the county are as follows: The south fork of Forked Deer River forms the southern boundary line of the county, and the middle fork of Forked Deer River forms the northern boundary line. Pond Creek rises about 300 yards north of Alamo, flows southwest and empties into the main Forked Deer River, at about twenty-five miles from the town. Cypress Creek rises in Madison County, flows northwest, and empties into Forked Deer River, about ten miles north of Alamo. Other streams of the county are Beech, Elliott, Sugar, Mill, Nelson, Beaver Dam and Black Creek. There are but few springs in the county, and but one mineral spring exists, and that, situated two and one-half miles west from Alamo, is of small consequence.

It was not till about the year 1824 that the territory now embraced within Crockett County was first settled. At about that time a settlement was made near the Haywood County line, south of the present town of Bells by a number of Middle Tennesseans and North Carolinians, who were attracted to the county by the large growth of yellow poplar, hickory and oak timber. Among the above settlers were Francis M. Wood and Charles Wortham, the former coming from North Carolina and the latter from Middle Tennessee. At about the same time, Gen. Blackman Coleman, who lived at Murfreesboro, purchased a tract of land in the neighborhood of what afterward became Lanefield, and sent out a party of laborers in charge of Thomas Ferguson, to open up a farm and put in a crop. The following year William Johnson and son, Isaac and Timothy Parker, came from Rutherford County, Tenn. and settled in the same neighborhood. Other settlers of the neighborhood were Wyatt Kavanaugh . In 1826 Thomas Ferguson moved from Lanefield neighborhood and settled what afterward became Ferguson Landing on the Forked Deer River, and in a short time James Wylie and Abram Eason came from North Carolina and settled near him. A few miles farther down the river, a settlement was formed by Cornelius and Albert Buck, Edward Williams and Capt. Moody, and at about the same time David Nunn, Parson Koonce, William Antwine and Henry Powell settled about five miles north of the Lanefield settlement. Other pioneers of the county were John F. and C.H. Felts, Stephen Booth, Spencer Payne, John Burnett, Thomas Young, Solomon Hunter, David Wilson, Zachariah Hobson, Richard Coop, Miles Jennings, Dinwiddie, Solomon Shaw, Samuel Wilkins, Newton Mayfield, Thomas Tucker, Wilson Wyann, James Carter, B.G. and H.B. Avery, Moses Cox, John Tatum, Levin James, B.F. Collingsworth, Robert Edmundson, James McClary, Sugars McLemore, J.B. Boykin, Henry Pearson, H. B. Wilson, R.W. Sims, G.H. Mason, E.B. Mason, Anthony Swift, John McFarland, Solomon Rice, Joseph Clay, John Bowen, Issac H. Mason, Hugh Raines, John Hill and Bently Epperson.

The face of the country, when first viewed by these hardy pioneers, was most beautiful to behold. The woods stretched away into vasts forests of poplar, hickory, oak and ash timber, while in the river and creek bottoms the cypress and tall cane were seen. The face of the earth was covered with pea vines, so high and thick that man or beast could be easily followed by their trail through it. The woods abounded with deer, bear, wolves, catamounts, panthers, wild turkey and the smaller game, and upon this game the first settlers were, to a great extent, compelled to subsist, as food was indeed a scarce article. For a number of years afterwards, in fact, until they were all killed off, the stock of the settlers was destroyed, in fact, until they were all killed off, the stock of the settlers was destroyed to an alarming extent by the wolves and bears, scarcely a night passing but a young calf or shoat was carried off.

The first settlements were in the nature of small clearings. One pioneer, more bold than the others, would push forward into the forest, make a clearing and build a cabin, and in a short time, others would follow and settle near him. The homes of the settlers were small log cabins, notched up a little higher than a man’s head and covered with oak boards. Each cabin, when sufficiently high, received a cave-bearer, on which rested the butting poles for the boards to rest against as well as the knees to hold the weight poles to their places,on which was put on each course of boards. An opening of six or seven feet made in the end of the roof for a chimney, which was built of sticks and clay, the backjambs and hearth being made out of dirt dug up and pounded with a maul till it became solid. The floor was a poplar puncheons, and the cracks of the house were daubed with mortar made of dirt and water. The house consisted of but one room, and that answered for parlor, bedroom and kitchen. The furniture was usually of the settler’s own make, but little, if any, articles being brought from the old State. In those days the settlers were more neighborly and sociable than now, and would think nothing of walking six and eight miles to help a neighbor build a house or roll logs, asking nothing in return but a similar lift in time of need.

There was so such thing as mills in the county at that time, and the grain was crushed for bread and hominy by means of the mortar and pestle. A few years later, however, John Warren put up a horse-power mill in Dyer County, to which a great many went from Crockett County for grinding, paying one-sixth of their grain for toll. One of the first mills built in Crockett County was a water-power corn mill on Middle Forked Deer River, at the crossing of the Brownsville and Trenton Road, which was owned by Solomon Shaw. Several years afterwards, Mr. Shaw built a large steam spinning factory, at what was known as Quincy, in the Seventh District, to which he subsequently, added flour and corn attachments. The mills was in active and successful operation until during the late war when Mr. Shaw was murdered, and the property destroyed by fire. Other early mills were owned by Charles Clay, Squire McDonald and William Harpole. The mills and cotton gins of the county, at the present, outside of the town, are as follows: First District, Bunker Sherrod’s steam saw mill; Third Disctrict , J.R. Bowle’s cotton gin; Fourth District, R.J. Williams. steam corn and saw mill and cotton gin combined, and Patterson Bros. steam corn mill and cotton gin; Seventh District,W.A. Cooper’s and Cooper & Nance’s cotton gins; Eighth District, David Mayo’s cotton gin and John Tipkins’s steam corn and saw mill. Ninth District, E.L.Jetton’s and G.W. Vaughn’s steam corn mills and cotton gins; Eleventh District, John Brewer’s cotton gin; Twelfth District, Wm. King’s, Obedah Vernon’s and A.T.Fielder’s cotton gins; Thirteenth District, J.L. Parker’s and J. H. Farmer’s corn, saw mill and cotton gins; Fourteenth District, James Ward’s steam saw and grist mill, wool factory and cotton gin, W.W.Sharron’s steam saw mill and cotton gin and Bailey & Bros. steam saw mill.

The inconvenience of reaching their respective county seats induced the people living in the fractions of Haywood, Gibson, Madison and Dyer Counties, lying between the Middle and South Forks of Forked Deer River, to take steps looking to the formation of a new county as early as 1832-1833, and a petition was circulated, and receiving numerous signatures, was forwarded to the constitutional convention of 1834, praying that body to grant them authority to form a new county out of the above fractions. The petition, however, was not presented to the convention, and consequently nothing came of the efforts, much to the disgust and dissatisfaction of the people.

The agitation of the question was continued, however, and resulted in the passage on December 20, 1845, of an act by the General Assembly, entitled as follows: “An act entitled and act to establish the county of Crockett in honor of and to perpetuate the memory of David Crockett, one of Tennessee’s distinguished sons.” The act provided that the county Madison and Dyer, and appointed Isaac H. Johnson, David Whitaker,Joel Nunn, Willis L. Rivers, Kinchen Hathaway, Isaac H. Mason, Alfred T. Fielder and Noah Perry as commissioners to run the boundary lines, designated the house of Issac M. Johnson, near where the county seat now stands, as the place of holding the various courts, until the selection of a county site and the erection of a court house.

In the spring of 1846 the above commissioners marked off the boundary lines of the county and selected the present county site, where a town was laid out and named Cageville, in honor of Lycurgus Cage, one of the first merchants of that vicinity.

The magistrates of the new county met at the designated place in June, 1846 and organized the county. Officers were elected as follows: Clerk, Isaac M. Johnson; sheriff, John R. Jelks; Registrar, N.W. Mayfield; Trustee, Joel Nunn.

In October of the same year the circuit court met in session at Mr. Johnson’s house. The court was presided over by Judge J. C. Reed, and John Manning was appointed Clerk. The new County had its enemies among the citizens of the old counties, who sought to throw every obstacle in the way of and prevent, if possible, its organization. The question of the new county’s constitutionality was raised, and being presented to Judge Reed, that gentlemen decided adversely to the county, adjourned his court and returned to his home. This action on the part of Judge Reed, in whom the people had great confidence, demoralized the citizens and friends of Crockett County, and the organization, then completed, was abandoned, the several fractions returning to the parent counties. Thus matters rested for awhile, but it was not long before the people began anew their effort to secure a new county, and their incessant labors resulted in the enactment of a similar law to the one of 1845, granting them the desired new county. This second act was passed by the General Assembly November 23, 1871 and authorized the formation of Crockett County out of fractions of the counties of Haywood, Gibson, Madison and Dyer, the same territory before incorporated in the new county.

The act appointed William N. Beasley and John F. Sinclair of Dyer County; J.Frank Robertson and David H. James of Gibson County; Thomas J. Hicks and John C. Pearson of Madison County; Asa Dean and Francis J. Wood of Haywood County as commissioners to survey and mark off the boundary lines of the new county,locate the county seat and hold an election for county and district officers.

The Act further provided for the naming of the county seat, Alamo, in commemoration of the spot where the illustrious Crockett, for whom the county was named. The commissioners met at Cageville on December 19, 1871 and were sworn in, in accordance to law, by Isaac M. Johnson, acting justice of the peace in Haywood County. They then organized by unanimously electing John F. Sinclair as president and F.J.Wood, secretary. On motion, the commissioners were ordered to take the census of the qualified voters of their respective fractions, and report the same on January 15, 1872, after which the commissioners adjourned, to meet again on that date. On the above day the commissioners met at Cageville and received the following report of the census: Madison Couty fraction, 374 votes; Haywood County fraction, 799 votes; Gibson County fraction, 354 votes; Dyer County fraction, 403 votes. The commissioners then ordered an election held in the several fractions of the counties, to take the census of the voters upon the question of the proposed new county. The election was held on February 17, 1872 and resulted in more than two-thirds rate in favor of the new county.

Cageville was selected as the county seat, and the name changed to that of Alamo in accordance with the provisions of the act. The commissioners met with much opposition in the organization of the county from E.B. Mason, Esp. of Madison County, who filed an injunction suit in the chancery courts of Haywood, Gibson, Madison and Dyer. While the suit was pending, however, the organization was proceeded with, and an election for county and district officers was called, and held on March 9, 1872, at which the following officers were elected: Sheriff, R.G. Harris; circuit court clerk, William Best; county court clerk, R. J. Wood; registrar, R.T.D.Fouchee; trustee, Asa Dean; tax collector, John Smothers; surveyor, W.H. Johnson; coroner, A.G. Norville; magistrates, John E. Pearson, Thomas B. Casey, F.M. Thompson,Robert W. Mason, Samuel S. Watkins, John R. Roseman, David H. James, Shady De Harper, John J. Farron [Farrow?], Lewis W. Daniel, Isaac M. Johnson, George W. Bond, John C. Best. Zachary P. Warren, John F.Robertson, Dennis Tatum. Henry Buck, Henry Wyse, Benjamin H. Harmon, James H. Perry, Jonathan H Davis, John F. Sinclair, Isaac H. Nunn and William H. Beasley.

The sessions of the courts were held in the Odd Fellows and Masonic Hall until sometime in 1873, when the records were removed to a large frame carriage factory on the corner of West Main Street, where they were held until the completion of the court house in 1875. This building is a large two-story brick, with four entrances and cross halls. On the first floor are the offices of the county court clerk, sheriff, registrar and two additional offices. On the second floor are the offices of the circuit court clerk and the clerk and master of the chancery court, and also the building is surmounted with an observatory, guarded by iron railings, the same having been constructed with a view of placing them in a tower clock. The court house cost about $25,000 and is claimed to be the finest building of the kind in West Tennessee.

The county jail was completed in 1874 at a cost of about $10,000. The building is of brick, two-story, and is a sheriff’s and jailer’s residence and jail combined. The jail is fitted up with substantial cells, and considered safe as any in the country.

In 1879 the county court purchased ninety acres of land in the Sixth District, two miles west from Alamo, and converted the same into an asylum for the poor. The farm and frame buildings thereon cost the county about $2,000

Source: The Crockett Times 50th Anniversary Edition – Wednesday, March 2, 1983, Page 9 A. There is NO AUTHOR NAME GIVEN.

Thank you to Sister Mary Francis Cates, who transcribed this article, and contributed it for use on this web site.

Goodspeed’s History of Crockett County

Posted on December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 by tngenwebproject@gmail.com

FIRST SETTLERS

The first settlement in this area was about 1824 near the Haywood County line, south of the present town of Bell’s Depot. Among the first settlers was Francis M. WOOD, Charles WORTHAM, William JOHNSON, Timothy PARKER, Wyatt F. TWEEDY, Wiley DODD, William DYER, Thomas TWEATT, and William KAVANAUGH. About 1825, Thomas FERGUSON came to Crockett in charge of a party of laborers to open up a farm and put in a crop for Gen. Blackman COLEMAN, who had purchased a tract of land in the area now known as Lanefield.

A year or so later, Ferguson moved from the Lanefield neighborhood and settled what became known as Ferguson’s Landing on the Forked Deer River. A short while later, James WYLIE and Abram EASON came from North Carolina and settled near him. A few miles farther down the river, a settlement was formed by Cornelius and Albert BUCK, Edward WILLIAMS, and Capt. MOODY settled. About the same time David NUNN, Parson KOONCE, William ANTEWINE, and Henry POWELL settled. Other pioneers of the county was John F. and C. H. FELTS, Stephen BOOTH, Spencer PAYNE, John BURNETT, Thomas YOUNG, Solomon HUNTER, David WILSON, Zachariah HOBSON, James HENDRICKS, Richard COOP, Miles JENNINGS, ____ DINWIDDIE, Solomon SHAW, Samuel WILKINS, Newton MAYFIELD, Thomas TUCKER, Wilson WYNN, James CARTER, B. G. and H. B. AVERY, Moses COX, John TATUM, Levin JAMES, B. F. COLLINGSWORTH, Robert EDMUNDSON, James McCLARY, Sugars McLEMORE, J. B. BOYKIN, Henry PEARSON, H. B. WILSON, R. W. SIMS, G. H. MASON, E. B. MASON, Anthony SWIFT, John McFARLAND, Solomon RICE, Joseph CLAY, John CLAY, John BOWEN, Isaac H. Mason, Hugh Raines, John HILL and Bently EPPERSON.

The first settlements were in the nature of small clearings. One pioneer, more bold than the others, would push forward into the woods, make a clearing and build a cabin, and in a short time the others would follow and settle near him.

How Crockett Came To Be….

The inconvenience of reaching the county seat of the counties that created Crockett induced the people that lived in the fractions of Haywood, Gibson, Madison and Dyer counties to take steps to form a new county as early as 1832-33. A petition was circulated and recieved numerous signatures before being forwarded to the constitutional convention of 1834, praying that body would grant them the authority to form a county out of the above fractions. The petition was not presented and nothing came of the efforts.

The request continued and resulted in the passage, on December 20, 1845 of an act by the General Assembly, entitled as follows: “An act entitled to establish the county of Crockett in honor of and to perpetuate the memory of David Crockett, one of Tennessee’s distinguished sons. The act provided that the county should be formed out of the counties of Haywood, Gibson, Madison, and Dyer, and appointed Isaac M. JOHNSON, David WHITAKER, Joel NUN, Willis L. RIVERS, Kinchen HATHAWAY, Isaac H. MASON, Alfred T. FIELDER and Noah PERRY as commissioners to run the boundary lines, organize the county and select a location for a county seat. The act also designated the house of Isaac M. JOHNSON, near where the county seat now stands, as the place of holding the various courts, until the selection of a county seat and the erection of a court house.In the spring of 1846, the above commissioners marked off the boundary lines of the county and selected the present county site, where a town was laid out and named Cageville, in honor of Lycurgus Cage, one of the first merchants of that vicinity.

In the spring of 1846, the above commissioners marked off the boundary lines of the county and selected the present county site, where a town was laid out and named Cageville, in honor of Lycurgus Cage, one of the first merchants of that vicinity.

The magistrates of the new county met at the designated place in June, 1846,, and organized the county. Officers were elected as follows: clerk, Isaac M. JOHNSON; sheriff, John R. JELKS; register, lonN. W. MAYFIELD; trustee, Joel NUN.

In October of 1846 the circuit court met in session at Mr. Johnson’s house. The court was presided over by Judge J. C. REED, and John MANNING was appointed clerk. The new county had its enemies among the citizens of the old counties, who sought to throw every obstacle in the way of and prevent, if possible its organization. The question of the new county’s constitutionality was raised, and being present to Judge REED, that gentlemen decided adversely to the county, adjourned his court and returned to his home. Each fraction returned to their original county until 1845.

The New Act

But before long people began to renew their efforts of a similar law as the one in 1845 granting a new county. The new act was passed by the General Assembly November 23, 1871 and authorized the formation of Crockett County out of fractions of the counties. The act appointed William N. BEASLEY and John F. SINCLAIR of Dyer County; J. Frank ROBERTSON and David H. JAMES of Gibson County; Thomas J. HICKS and John C. PEARSON of Madison County; Asa DEAN and Francis J. WOOD of Haywood County, as commissioners to survey and mark off the boundary lines of the new county, locate the county seat and hold an election for county and district offices.

The act further provided for the name of the county seat as Alamo for the spot where David CROCKETT fell. The commissioners met at Cageville on December 19, 1871 and were sworn in by Isaac M. JOHNSON, acting justice of the peace of Haywood County. They organized as a commission and elected John F. SINCLAIR as president and F. J. WOOD as secretary.

A motion was ordered to take the census of the qualified voters of their respective fractions. On January 25, 1872 they met again and received the following report of the census:
Dyer Section – 403 votes
Gibson Section – 354 votes
Haywood Section – 799 votes
Madison Section – 374 votes

An election was held on February 17, 1872 and more than two-thirds of the voters favored the new county forming. The commissioner divided the county into districts:
No. 1, 2, 3 = Madison section
No. 4, 7, 9 = Gibson section
No. 11, 12, 13 = Dyer section
No. 5, 6, 10, 14 = Haywood section
No. 8 – divided in the Gibson/Dyer section

On March 9, 1872 the following was elected:
R. G. HARRIS – Sheriff
William BEST – Circuit Court Clerk
F. J. WOOD – County Court Clerk
R. T. D. FOUCHEE – Register
Asa DEAN – Trustee
John SMOTHER – Tax Collector
W. H. JOHNSON – Surveyor
A. G. NORVILLE – Corner

Magistrates: John E. PEARSON, Thomas B. CASEY, F. M. THOMPSON, Robert W. MASON, John W. ROSEMAN, David H. JAMES, Shady D. HARPER, John J. FARRON, Lewis W. DANIEL, Isaac M. JOHNSON, George W. BOND, John C. COOK, Noah F. STALLINGS, John C. BEST, Zachary P. WARREN, John F. ROBERTSON, Dennis TATUM, Henry BUCK, Henry WYSE, Benjamin H. HARMON, James H. PERRY, Jonathan H. DAVIS, John F. SINCLAIR, Isaac H. NUN, William N. BEASLEY.

The sessions of the courts were held in the Odd Fellows and Masonic Halls until 1873 when the records were moved to a large carriage factory. The court house was completed in 1875 at a cost of $25,000.

The county jail was completed in 1874 at a cost of about $10,000. The building is a two story brick with the sheriff or jailor’s residence combined with the jail. In 1879 the county purchased 90 acres in the 6th District, two miles west of Alamo. This area was converted into an asylum for the poor. The farm and frame building cost the county about $2,000.

Crockett County had a population of 14,000 in 1886. The voting population in 1872 was 1,900; in 1878, 2,300; in 1882, 2,500; in 1886, 2,800. Of the 2,800 – 2550 voted for the Democratic party. The average value of land per acre was $9.72 in 1885. In 1886 the county tax was 20 cents and the state tax 10 cents on $100.

The main crops was corn, oats, rye, and wheat. The yield of cotton in 1885 was about 800 bales and of that 1886 was 900 bushels.

Source: The History of Crockett County TN by Goodspeed [1886]

Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meetings

Posted on December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 by tngenwebproject@gmail.com

Feb 1927 to Sep 1930

A special thank you to Margaret N. Nichol, who contributed this information.

(During this period, street lights were being installed in various parts of the town; roads were being graveled; ordinances were being passed; and other business of the day was being taken care of. Being a former Parliamentarian, I have made nocorrections to these minutes. They are as recorded, typos, misspelled words, etc. included.. These minutes are available at Alamo City Hall, Alamo, Tennessee)

Page 21, 19 Feb 1927: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in a call meeting held in the Mayor’s office on February 19th, 1927.

Fred P. Warren, Mayor, present and presiding, and the following Aldermen present; J. O. Smothers, Dr. W. C. Corley, Dr. M. S. Read, and H. H. Edenton, when the following business was had and entered of record to-wit:

The bids on the working of the streets of Alamo, Tennessee for the year 1927, which had been received by Fred P. Warren, Mayor, were opened and each bid called off. After considering each bid the bid of Mr. F. P. Baker was accepted and same being at the sum of $370.00 which is the lowest bid received. Vote being had and same and Mr. F. P. Baker was selected, and was to begin work at once on the streets.

A motion was made by J. O. Smothers and seconded by W. C. Corley that the Town of Alamo, lend E. C. Darden & Co. the money to buy material with which to build and put up lights up on the part of town known as Goat Hill, as suggested by the Railroad Public Utilities Commission, and take the same out of the revenue paid each month by the City for City current to the bid E. C. Darden & Co. until the bill or money was paid back in all. After vote being had on same same was duly passed, and a Recorder was to give Mr. Darden notice of the same.

There being no further business to come before the meeting a motion was made to adjourn said meeting, and vote was had which resulted in the adjournment of the meeting.

This the 19th day of February 1927.

F. R. Warren

Mayor of Alamo, Tennessee

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder of Alamo, Tennessee

Page 22, 31 Mar 1927: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in regular session in the Mayor’s office on March 31st, 1927

Fred P. Warren, Mayor, present and presiding, with the following Aldermen present: J. O. Smothers, Dr. W. C. Corley, Dr. M. S. Read, and H. H. Edenton, when the following business was had and entered of record to-wit:

Fred P. Warren, Mayor, reported that Mr. Darden had accepted the City’s proposition and would put lights on Goat Hill at once and would send the bill for the materials to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for payment.

The following bills were presented for payment: E. C. Darden & Co. $50.00 for February 1927 City current, J. E. Cozart $30.00 for February 1927 Marshal’s salary. Same were allowed and ordered paid.

Motion made by J. O. Smothers and seconded by Dr. M. S. Read that the City pay $50.00 on graveling street from R.R. at the Depot around to Highway No. 41 if the people would put the gravel on the same.

Motion made by Dr. M. S. Read and seconded by J. O. Smothers that we loan the school $50.00 on getting the required equipment for the school so that the same might be graded school and that the diplomas of the school children might be accepted by other schools, provided the school is not able to get the money up themselves.

There being no further business to come before the meeting a motion was made that the meeting adjourn, and vote being had on same resulted in the meeting adjourning.

This the 31st day of March 1927.

F. R. Warren

Mayor of Alamo, Tennessee

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder of Alamo, Tennessee

(Minutes from 31 Mar 1927 to 12 Mar 1929 can be found in the Alamo City Hall, Alamo, Tennessee.)

Page 37, 12 Mar 1929: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in a call meeting on March 12th 1929. The following members present. R. F. Tanner, Mayor, present and presiding, J. E. Klyce. D. W. Cates, Neal Nolen, and R. L.Thompson. E. S. Coltrain Recorder.

The following business was had and entered of record to wit: R. L. Thompson made motion that E. S. Coltrain be retained as Recorder under the same rules and regulations as heretofore. The motion was seconded by J. E. Klyce and carried unanimously.

D. W.Cates made motion that the board elect J. J. Smith as marshal and night watchman at the salary of $50.00 per month, and that the Mayor and Recorder draw up said contract governing same. J. E. Klyce seconded motion and was carried.

The regular meeting night for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen was set for the first Thursday night in each month. No other business to come before the order the meeting adjourned.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 45:

T. J. Smith, L. D. Cullipher E. G. McLean

acknowledge ourselves indebted to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the town of Alamo in the sum of $500.00 to bee void on condition the said T. J. Smith shall well truly and faithfully perform all the duties of nightwatchman and marshal of Alamo and collect and pay out all money coming into his hands as marshal of said town to the parties entitled to same, or empowered to receive same by ordinances of the town. On failure to do so we agree to pay to said Corporation of Alamo any loss it may sustain by virture of same, not to exceed $500.00.

Witness my hand this—————-T. J. Smith (his signature)

T. J. Smith do solemnly swear that i will well and truly and impartially discharge the duties of Marshal and Night Wachman of Alamo Tennessee to the best of my knowledge, skill and ability.

R. F. Tanner Mayor

Page 39, 18 Mar 1929: The Mayro and Board of Aldermen, met in a call seccion on March 18th. 1929. The following members present. R. F. Tanner Mayor presiding. J. E. Klyce, Neal Nolen, R. F. Tanner, and D. W. Cates Alderman. E. C. Coltrain Recorder.

The following business was had and entered of record to wit:

R. L. Thompson made motion to pass ordinance that the parking limit be limited to ten minutes, and for same to take effect April 1st. 1929. Motion was seconded by D. W. Cates and was carried. This is applicable to the out side curb of the square. R. L. Thompson made motion that the Mayor be authorized to provide for the passing an enabling act to vote a bond to gravel said streets of city. Seconded by J. E. Klyce and carried.

Mr. J. E. Klyce made motion that the Mayro represent the Board in providing for an act to be passed to put tax on automobiles to gravel streets of said town of Alamo.

Mr. Thompson made motion that the resignation of the local Board of Education be acepted. Seconed by D. W. Cates and carried.

D. W. Cates made motion that H. B. Nance, W. A. Perry, W. E. Hays, H. H. Edenton and Leslie Vernon be elected as the local board of Education. seconed by R. L. Thompson and carried. (Be it further enacted that H. B.Nance be elected for one year H. A. Perry for two years, W. E. Hays for three years, H. H. Edenton for four years and Leslie Vernon for fi years.) (Note: The enclosed was crossed out). Be it further enacted that H. B. Nance be elected for one year, H. A. Perry and J. C. Hays for two years, H. H. Edenton and Leslie Vernon for three years.

No other business ot come before the board the meeting adjourned.

R. F. Taner

Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 41, 4 Apr 1929: Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in Mayors office on April 4th, 1929, with the following members present: R. F. Tanner Mayor, presiding. J. E. Klyce, R. L. Thompson, W. N. Nolen, and D. W. Cates.

On motion of R. L. Thompson and seconed by Neal Nolen it was ordered that the stock law or ordanance passed by a former Board of Aldermen of Town of Alamo, be amended as to fee of marshal for enforcing same and that he be allowed a minimum of fifty cents and maximan of $1.00 for impounding same. This is to apply to all kinds of stock.

On Motion of R. L. Thompson and seconed by Neal Nolen a motion was carried forbidding any parking in alleys of Corporation of Alamo. Penalyt for same bing fine of not more than $50.00 and less than $1.00.

On motion of R. L. Thompson and seconed by D. W. Cates it was ordered that Attorney F. P. Warren be requested to proceed to collect the delinquent tax in the cases in which he took judgement, not later than May 1st, 1929. or relinqish his claims on same so there could be other steps taken.

There being no further business to come before the Board a motion was made to adjourn, and was carried.

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

Page 43, 19 Apr 1929: The Board of Mayor and Alderman of City of Alamo met in called session in Mayors office on April 19, 1929, with the following members present: R. F. Tanner Mayor, D. W. Cates, R. L. Thompson, Neal Nolen.

The following business was transacted and entered to record On motion of R. L. Thompson and seconed by D. W. Cates was unanimously carried. The penalty for breaking the parking ordinance passed by the Board of Aldermen on March 18th, 1929 was a fine of not less than $1.00 nor more than $50.00. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

E.S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 43, 2 May 1929: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in the Mayors office on night of May 2nd. 1929, it being regular meeting night, the following members were present. R. F.Tanner Mayro present and presiding. D. W. Cates. W. N. Nolen, R. L. Thompson., J. E. Klyce.

The following business was transacted and entered to record. On motion and carried unamimously carried the following accounts were allowed.

F. P/ Warreen Insurance policy on school building $26.80

John. H. Perry ” ” ” ” ” 40.20

A. D. Yearwood for painting parking signs 7.00

Motion made and carried that all parites holding corporation election be paid $1.00 each.

Lynden Tanner work on streets ———————————$6.50

A. J. Adcok dragging streets ———————————- 2.00

Lem McLean hauling ten loads of rubbish ……………………… 12.50

There being no further business to come before the house the meeting adjourned.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 57, 7 Jun 1929: Board of Mayor and Alderman met June 7th, 1929. the following members present. R. F. Tanner mayro present and presiding. D. W. Cates, Neal Nolen, R. L. Thompson. Motion was made that all road hands subject to road duty earned to work streets for six days or pay .50 cents each day which would amount to $3.00.

The Board respectfully requests that all property owners cut weeds on side of walk nest to their property and that the Board would cut the inside of the street.

The following accounts were presented and oredred paid.

Gravel Co…………………………………………….. $204.00

Alamo Pilot………………………………………….. 1.50

R. L. Thompson…………………………………….. .65

T. J. Adcock…………………………………………. 2.50

J. T. Smith…………………………………………… 2.10

? Green…………………………………………….. 1.00

? Burnett……………………………………………. .75

No further business to come before the meeting the meeting adjourned to meet theusual meeting night.

R.F. Tanner

Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 60, 1 Aug 1929: The board of Mayor and Aldermem met in regular session Aug 1st 1929.

The following members present:————R. F. Tanner Mayor D. W. Cates Neal Nolen, J. E. Klyce.

The following bulls were presented and passed.

R. L. Thompson……………………………..$7.50

Alamo Pilot……………………………….. $23.00

E. E. King…………………………………..$48.00

LyndenTanner………………………………. $3.50

Hugh Morphis………………………………. $1.00

T. J. Adcock………………………………… $1.00

J. T. Smith…………………………………..$11.00

T. J. Smith,………………………………….. $1.00\

A motion was made by J. E. Klyce to pass an ordinance to with the State law on automobile lights and cut-ous. This Motion was seconed by R. L. Thompson. No further business to come before the house the meeting adjourned.

E.S. Coltrain

Recorder

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

Page 63: ORDANCE

An ordinance to prohibit person, firms and Railroad companies from spoting rail road cars where they interfere with pedestrians using the side walks of the town of Alamo.

SECTION ONE

Be it ordained by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, of the town of Alamo, Tenn that it shall be unlawful for railroad Companies to spot railroad cars at points on the railroad where they interfere with and block pedestrians using the side walks in the said town of Alamo. That the purpose of this ordinance is to prohibit the spoting of railroad cars at a point on the tracts directly across the line of pedestrian traffic, from the end of the sidewalks approaching and direct to the railroad.

SECTION TWO

Be it further ordained that any person, firm or railroad Co., so spoting its cars at such points, for a longr period than fifteen minutes shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be fined not less than $1.00 and not more than $50.00 for each offense.SECTION THREE

Be it further ordained that this ordinance take effect from and after its passage, the Public welfaire requiring.

Passed First reading Sep 10th, 1929.

Passed second reading, Sept 11th, 1929

Passed third and final reading Sep 12th, 1929

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

Page 67, 8 Oct 1929: The Mayor and Board of Aldermen met in called session in the mayors office on Oct. 8th 1929.

With R. F. Tanner Mayor present and presiding, R..L.Thompson D.W.Cates Neal Nolen, Aldermen and E. S. Coltrain Recorder.

The following bills were presented and passed on.

Lynden Tanner………………….$12.25

Loyd cates……………………….. 2.00

Albert coats……………………… 1.60

R. Byrd……………………………. 3.00

R. L. Thompson………………… 2.00

T. J. Adcock……………………… 9.00

H. A. Malone…………………….. 15.00

Nolens Ga…………………………. 2.15

E. M. Murphrey………………….. 3.00

#Euel McLean…………………… 4.00

L. D. Culipher……………………. 2.00

Leon Curtiss……………………….. 1.00

With no further business to come before the meting the meeting adjourned.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 69, 8 Nov 1929: The Mayor and Board of Aldermen met in regular session in the Mayors office on Nov. 8th 1929, With the following present. R. F. Tanner Mayor, R. L. Thompson, D.W.Cates, Neal Nolen, and E. S. Coltrain Recorder.

The follwoing bills were presented and allowed.

A. B. Randle…………………………….$33.44

Will Boling……………………………… 3.50

Linden Tanner………………………….. 16.50

Albert Coats…………………………….. 3.75

T. J. Adcock…………………………….. 20.00

A motion was made by R. L. Thompson and seconed by Neal Nolen that the Tax Rate for 1929 Be as follows. #1.oo special, (interjected in writing: to fray outstanding interest on Bonds and Warrants and to retire Warrants), .30 cents corporation, .10 cents High school, .10 cents elementary school making a total of $1.50 and the motion was carried.

A motion was made by R. L. Thompson and seconed by D. W. Cates that W. R. Warren, S. E. Johnson, and M/A. Williams be elected a board of Equalazation for City of Alamo for the year 1929 and was carried.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned.

R. F. Tanner Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

The Railraad and Public Utilities Commission of the State of Tennessee assessed the following as follows

Birmingham & Northwestern Railway Express Agency..$8,642.00

Alamo Power and L. Co. …………………………………… 4,000.00

Bells Light and water co. ……………………………………. 375.00

Southern Bell and Tel co. ………………………………….. 675.00=====

Page 71, 6 Dec 1929: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in Mayor’s office in a call session on Dec. 6th, 1929. With the following members present, R. F. Tanner Mayor present and presiding, D.W.Cates, J.E.Klyce. R.L.Thompson, and E.S.Coltrain Recorder.

The following business was transacted.

A motion was made by R. L. Thompson and seconed by J. E. Klyce that it shall be and is hereby declared unlawful for any person firm or corporation to transport or be in possession of any intoxicating liquors, any one Guilty of same shall be subject to a fine of not less than $1.00 nor more than $50.00.

The following bills were presented and passed on.

R. A. Byrd…………………..$3.55

W. R. Boling…………………5.00

With no further business to come before the board it adjourned.

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

Page 75, 23 Jan 1930: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Alamo, Tenn met on this the 23rd day of Jan. 1930, on call of Mayor R. F. Tanner, for the purpose of considering the passage of a resolution ratifying the sale of the Alamo Light and Power Company by its owner, Mrs. E. C. Darden, to Mr. J Elliott Hall. Mayor R. F. Tanner, and Aldermen J. E. Klyce, R. L. Thompson, D.W.Cates and W.N. Nolen, with E.S.Coltrain, county Recorder, all being present, when the following business wah had and entered of record to-wit.

Alderman R. L. Thompson, read the following resolution:

—————–

It Resolved by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the town of Alamo, Crockett Country, Tenn. that the conveyance, transfer, or assgnment of “a certain Electric Light and Power Transmission and Distribution System located in and serving the town of Alamo, and adjacent rural districts, in Crrockett County, Tennessee, together with all franchises, land tracts, materials and supplies, fistures and appuratenances thereunto belonging, and heretofore known as the Alamo Light and Company property, and being the same property conveyed to the same named GRANTOR, by Mrs. E. C. Darden, by bill of Sale dated November 19th, 1929, and recorded on the third day of October, 1929, in Deed Book #8, page 498 in Regiter’s office in Alamo, Crockett County, Tennessee, and the said Hall is hereby given and granted all the rights and powers conferred upon the grantor by a franchise whish was granted by the said Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the town of Alamo, on Dec. 5th.1916 to take effect on January 1st, 1917.

Page 76, continued: and running for a term of thirty (30) year from January 1917, and further separately asigned to said J. Elliott Hall by Mrs. E. C. Darden by written assignment of transfer date October 2nd 1929, it being the object and purpose of this resolution to confer upon the said J. Elliot Hall, granted as aforesaid, all the rights, powers, and priviliges herefore held and enjoyed by the said Mr. E. C. Darden with respect to the electric light and power transmission and distributing system located in and serving the town of Alamo and the people within and adjacent to the corporate limits of the Town of Alamo.

——-

Alderman J. E. Klyce moved the passage of the resolution read and Alderman D. W. Cates seconed this motion, and after discussion, the motion ws unanimously adopted, all Alderman voting Aye, and the Mayor declared the motion of the resolution duly adopted.

On motion duly made by alderman W. N. Nolen, and seconed by Alderman R. L. thompson, unanimously carried, the city recorder was ordered to prpare a cerified copy of said resolution to be amiled to the Attorneys for the said J. Elliott Hall.

There being no further business, or motin, the Board adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor, or until the next regular meeting.

R. F. Tanner Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 77, 6 Feb 1930: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in regular session on Feb. 6th, 1930, with the following members present.

R. F. Tanner Mayor, present and presiding, R. L.Thompson D.W. Cates, Neal Nolen and J. E. Klyce. E. S. Coltrain Recorder.

The Following Bills Were presented and allowed.

E. B. McLean………………….. $7.37

J. Pittman ……………………… .70

B. C. Emerson ………………… 7.50 Carl Robertson board bill

J. A. Bailey …………………….. 12.50

Thompson Hdw. Co. …………. 2.65

H. H. Edenton & L. Vernon… 20.38 Trip to Nashville

Hallie Emerson …………………..

James Carter……………………….

A motion was made by Mr. Klyce that Mr. B. F. Colvett be elected as 1930 Tax Aacessor at $25.00 and seconed by D. W. Cates and was carried unanimously.

No further business to come before the meeting the meeting adjourned.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

Pages 78, 81, 82: 6 Mar 1930: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Alamo, Tennessee met in regular session at seven o’clock P.M. on the 6th day of march, 1930 at the Mayor’s office. Present and presiding the Hon. R. F. Tanner, Mayor: also present the following Aldermen,to-wit: D. W. Cates, R. L. Thompson, J. E. Klyce, and Neal Nolen, E. S. Coltrain Recorder present.

The Board was opened in due form, and a puorum being present, the following proceedings were had: The following bills were presented .

John M. Perry, $4000.00 insurance on old sch. bldg…….$55.60

Alamo pilot……………………………………………………… 7.95

A motion was made by R. L. Thompson that S. B. Follis be elected as a member of the City School Board, in place of W. C. Hays this motion was seconed by Neal Nolen and carried unanimously.

In the matter of constructing streets in and for the Town of Alamo, Tennessee, and the method of paying the cost thereof, an ordinance in the following words and figures was read and offered:

ORDINANCE

AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND

SALE OF CUPON BONDS OF THE TOWN OF ALAMO, TENNESSEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING

STREETS IN AND FOR SAID TOWN,IN THE PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT OF $7,5000.00

WHEREAS, the Town of Alamo, Tennessee, had determinet that certain municipal improvements are urgently needed at this time, to-wit: the

construc-tion of streets, and

WHEREAS, the town of Alamo has susarthy under the procisions of Charter 50, Publis Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, the year 1913 (First Extra Session), and amendments thereto, to issue in bearing cupon bonds for the purpose of providing means to pay the cost expensesof such street construction, provided such question is first submitted to the qualified voters of Said town and their approval is obtainted at an election called and held for the purpose, therefore, BE IT RODAINED BY THE BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF ALAMO, TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. That there is hereby authorized and directed to be issued and sold $7,500.00 of interest bearing cupon bonds of the Town of Alamo, Tennessee, for the purpose of constructing streets in and for said Town. No. 1 to be of the denomination of $500.00 and bonds Nos. 2 to 8, to be of the denomination of $1,000 each. Said bonds shall be dated April 1, 1930, bear interest at the rate of 6% per anum, payable semiannually on October first and April first of each year, and shall as follows:

$ 500 April1, 1940

1,000 April l, 1941

1,000 April l, 1942

1,000 April 1, 1943

1,000 April 1, 1944

1,000 April 1, 1945

1,000 April 1, 1946

1,000 April 1, 1947

The principal and interest of the bonds herby authorized shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America at the Chemical Bank & Trust Company, New York Ciry, New York, and the form of such bonds and cupons shall follow the usual and consomary pledges and recitals.

Section 2: that all of said bonds shall be the Absolute and general obligations of the Town of Alamo, Tennessee, and that annuallywhile any of the bonds and interest cupons hall be outstanding there shall be levied a sufficient tax on all the taxabel property in said Town for the purpose of providing a sinking fund, which, with its accumulations, will be sufficient for the payment of the principal and interest of said bonds herein authorized when and as such bonds and interest become due and payable.

SECTION 3: That this ordinance shall not become effective until the question of the issuance of said bonds shall have been submitted to and approved by the qualified boters of the Town of Alamo, Tennessee.

SECTION 4: that an election on the question of the issuance of said bonds is hereby called to be held on the 22nd day of May 1930, such an election to be called and held in the manner prescribed in the Act under which said bonds are issued notice thereof to be given by the Election Commissioners of and for Crockett County, Tennessee, by publishing notice thereof at least once in the Alamo Pilot, a newspaper published and having general circulation in said town, each publication to be made at least thirty days before the election is held, in the manner prescribed in Section 2 of Chapter 50 Public Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee for the year 1913 (First Extra Session), and theElection Commissioners for Crockett County are hereby requested to call and hold said election in accordance with law and the provisions of this ordinance, and in such notice of election this ordinance shall be set out verbatim.

SECTUIB 5. In event the elections results in favor of the issuance of said bondes, the Mayor and Recorder of the Town of Alamo are authoized, directed and empowered to do and perform all things necessary to the proper carryingout of the procisions of this ordinance, to sign siad bonds and affix he corporate seal of the Town of Alamo thereto and cause the cupons thereto attached to be executed with their fadismile signatures, either printed or lithographed thereon.

SECTION 6. That if said bonds are not sold by this Council, they shall be sold by the Mayor and Recorder in sch Manner as said officials may determine to be for the best interest of said Town.

SECTION 7.

Upon motion of R. L. Thompson, seconded by J. E. Klyce,the ordinance was passed on first reading by the following roll: Neal Nichol, D. W. Cates, r. L. thompson, & J. E. Klyce. Those votingin favor of the adoption of the ordinance were: D. W. cates, Neal Nolen R. L. Thompson & J. E. Klyce. Those opposed: None.

WHEREAS, the ordinance was delcared duly adopted on first reading, and on motion which was dulymade and seconded,the Board adjourned to mee at 5 o’clock P.M. on the seventh day of March, 1930, for the purpose of considering the passage of ordinance authorizing Street Bonds on second reading.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor, Alamo, Tennessee

ATTEST

E. S. Colraine

Recorder

Page 82, 10 Mar 1930: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Alamo, Tennessee, met at 5 o’clock on the 10th day of March, 1930, pursuant to adjournment. Present and presiding, the Hon. R. F. Tanner, Mayor: also present the following aldermen, to-wit: D. W. Cates, Neal Nolen, J. E. Klyce, and R. L. Thompson. E. S. Coltrain Recorder.

The Board was opened in due form, and a quorum being present, the following proceedings were had:

AN ORDINANCE, the daption of whish is as follows:

“AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE INSURANCE AND SALE OF CUPON BONDS OF THE TOWN OF ALAMO, TENNESSEE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTION STREETS IN AND FOR SAID TOWN, IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $7,500.00, was read and considered, and upon motion of R. L. Thompson, which was seconed by Neal Nolen, the ordinance was passed on third and final reading by the following roll call vote: In favor of ordinance were: R. L. Thompson, Neal Nolen, D. W. Cates, and J. E. Klyce, those opposed were: None.

WHEREUPON the ordinance was declared duly adopted on third and final reading, and the Mayor announced that he had signed and approved the same.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor, Alamo, Tennessee

Attest:

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder, Alamo, Tennessee

STATE OF TENNESSEE

CROCKETT COUNTY

TOWN OF ALAMO

I, E. S. Coltrain, Recorder of the Town of Alamo, Tennesssee, hereby certify that the foregoing constitutes a true and corrrect transcript of the proceedings of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Alamo, Tennessee, upon the adoption of the ordinance therein set out authorizing the issuance of $7,500.00 Street Bonds of said Town, as the same appears of record on the minutes of said Board, of which I am the legal custodian.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, witness my signature and official seal, this the 10th day of March, 1930.

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder, Alamo, Tennessee

Page 83: Resolution, Permitting, authorizing and consenting to the sale and transfer by J. Elliot Hall to Tennessee Electric Company of all the properties, rights and franchises held by the said J. Elliot Hall in the Town of Alamo, Crockett, Tennessee.

Section one: Be it resolved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Alamo, Tennessee, that Permission, consent and authority is herby granted to J. Elliott Hall to sell and trnasfer to Tenessee Electric Company, and to Tennessee Electric Company to acquire for the said J. Elliott Hall in the town of Alamo, Crockett, Tennessee.

BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN TOWN OF ALAMO

By R. F. Tanner Mayor.

D. W. Cates………Alderman

J. E. Klyce………..Alderman

W. N. Nolen……..Alderman

R. L. Thompson…Alderman

I herby certify the above and foregoing is a true copy of Resolution passed this dy by the Board of Mayor and Alderman of theTown of Alamo, Crockett County, Tennessee.

Dated Alamo, Tennessee, this 18th Day of March, 1930

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

Page 84, 3 Apr 1930: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the town of Alamo, Tennessee met in the Mayor’s office on the third day of April, 1930, with all the members present and transacted the following business to wit, A Motion was made and carried that the Recorder pay to the Alamo School Board of Alamo, Tenn. the sum of $375.60 it being the amount due them from the tax levy for the year 1928. Also that the Recorder issue check for the balance due the School Board on the .50 cents levy of the 1928 taxes for the purpose of paying on the Judgement held by the Bank of Alamo, vs the Corporation of Alamo.

A motion was made and carried that Warren Greer be paid for the services rendered in cleaning up square and that he be retained for same services at a salary of $3.00 per week only so long as the Board sees proper to retain him.

The Following bills were presented and allowed.

Hallie Emerson……………………………………………2.40

W. J. Pittman………………………………………………1.20

Lymden Tanner……………………………………………2.00

‘ ‘ …………………………………………….1.00

There being no further business to come before the board it. adjourned.

E. S. Coltrain R. F. Tanner

Recorder Mayor

Page 85, 1 May 1930: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in regular session on May 1st, 1930 in the Mayor’s office with all the Members present and R. F. Tanner Mayor present and presiding.

The following bills were present and allowed.

B. F. Colvett………………………………………………$25.00

Edmond Davis…………………………………………… 1.40

Lennie dBrown………………………………………….. .60

Lem McLean…………………………………………….. 12.50

Will Boling0……………………………………………… 7.00

Lyhden Tanner…………………………………………… 2.00

” ” …………………………………………… 4.75

T. J. Smith …………………………………………… 1.00

J. C. Emerson ……………………………………………. 10.50

R. L. Thompson…………………………………………. 3.75

E. H. King (Ditch Work)…………………………….. 21.80

There being no further business to come before the meeting it adjourned.

E. S. Coltrain R. F. Tanner

Recorder Mayor

Page 86, 3 Jul 1930: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in the Mayor’s office on July 3rd, 1930 with all members present.

The following business transacted.

Jim Bailey account for lumber………..$……………

A motion was made by R. L. Thompson and seconed by D. W. Cates that R. F. Tanner be authorized to hav Recorder issue checks to hands for Street work. motion carried unanimoulsy. therbeing no further business to come before the meeting it adjourned.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 87, 14 Jun 1930:

Alamo, Tennessee

June 14th, 1930

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the town of Alamo, Tennessee, met in Special Session, pursuant to call of the Mayor, at 2;30 o’clock P.M. on the above date, at the Mayor’s office in said Town. Present and presiding the Honorabel r. F. Tanner, Mayor, and present also the follwoing aldermen to wit:

R. L. Thompson, D. w. Cates, Neal Nolen, and J. E. Klyce.

A quorem being presnet the following preceedings were had and entered of record:

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The Mayor read the call for the Special Meeting, which was served upon each of the aldermen, and which is in words and figures asfollows to wit:

Alamo, Tennessee

June 14th, 1930

TO THE ALDERMEN OF THE

TOWN OF ALAMO, TENNESSEE

I, hereby call a Special meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to convene in my office at 2:30 o Clock P.M. on the 14th day of June 1930, for the purpose of considering and taking such action asmay be necessary in connection with the issuance and sale of $7,500.00 of Street Improvement Bonds of the Town of Alamo, Tennessee.

This being a very important meeting, each of you are urged to be present.

Respectfully,

(signed) R. F. Tanner

Mayor

In the matter of constructing streets in and for the said town of Alamo, Tennessee and the Method of paying the cost a Resolution in the following words and figures was read and

Resolution.

WHEREAS, this Board by ordinance duly passed third and final reading on March 10th, 1930, authorized the issuance of $7,500.00 of bonds of the Town of Alamo, Tennessee, for the purpose of paying the cost of constrecting and improving streets in and for said Town, and requested the ecletion on May 22, 1930 on the question of the issuance of said bonds, and

WHEREAS, the elcetion Comissioners for Crockett County, Tennessee, have certified in their Board the results of said election, which repre is in words and figures as follows to wit;

WHEREAS, it appears from said report that the majority of the votes cast to said election favored the issuance of said bonds this confering authority upon this Board to cause said bonds to be issued in the manner set forth in the ordinance heretofore passed by this Board, and

WHEREAS, after due notice the said bonds were offered for sale and sold to Messrs. Little, Wooten and Company of Jackson, Tennessee, and

WHEREAS, it appears necessry and proper that this Board adopt, as a matter of record, the proper form of bond for the said issue, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF ALAMO, TENNESSEE:

SECTION l. That the sala of said bonds heretofore made toMessrs. Little, Wooten and Company, Jackson, Tennessee, in accordance with contracts entered into, be and the same is hereby retified, approved and confirmed.

SECTION 2: That the form of such bonds and cuopns shall be substantially as followe;

Page 89:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

STATE OF TENNESSEE

TOWN OF ALAMOSTREET IMPROVEMENT BOND

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the Town of Alamo, a Municipal corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State fo Tennessee, for value received, acknowledge itself indebted and promises to pay to the bearer the sum of Seven thousand five Hundred dollars ($7,500.00), lawful money of the United States of America on the first day of April, 19– with interest hereron at the rate of six percentum (6%) per annum, payable semiannually on October 1st and April 1st. of each year until this bond si paid, upon presentation and surrender of the annexed supons as the severally become due, both principal and interest of this bond being payable at the Chemical Bank & Trust Company, New York.

This bond is one of a series of eight (8) bonds, numbered form (1) to eight (8)’inclusive, aggregating the principal sum of Seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500.00) issued under and prusuance of and in strict complianc with the constitution and statutes of the State of Tennessee, including Chapter 50, Public Acts of Tennessee, 1913 (first extra session), the charter of said Town in such cases made and provided, and in pursuance of resolutions and ordinances of said town duly adopted and had, and pursuant to an regular election called and held at which a majority of the voters participating herein favored the issuance of said bonds; said bonds being issued for the purpose of providing funds with which to construct and improve the streets in the town of Alamo.

Page 90:

IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED, RECITED AND DECLARED that all acts, conditions and thigns required to be done, exist and be performed precedent to and in the issuance of this bond, in order to make this bond a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Twon of Alamo, Tennessee, have been done, exist and been performed in regular and due time, form and manner as required by law; that provision has been made by law and resolution for the levy and collection fo an annual tax on all taxable property within said Town sufficient to pay the principal and interest hereof as the same fall due, and that the indebtedness represnted by this bond, thgether with all other indebtedness of said Twon, does not exceed and Constitutional or Statutory limitation, and for the prompt performance of all convenants, recitals and stipulations herein contained the full faith, credit and resources of the town of Alamo are irrevocably pledged, and this bond is exempt form all State, County and Muncipal taxes within the state of Tennessee.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the Town of Alamo, tennessee, has caused this bond to be signed by its Mayor, countersigned by the recorder and corporate seal for said Town affixed hereto and has caused the interest cupons hereto attached to be executed with the fac-simile signatures of said officials, and this bond to be dated April 1, 1930.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

(form of coupon)

No.———

On the first day of april, 19— the town of Alamo, in the state of Tennessee, will pay to the bearer at the Chemical Bank & Trust co, New York City, New York, the sum of $7,500.

Page 91:

lawful money of the United States of america, being six months interest then due on its Street Improvement bond, dated April 1st, 1930. N. ——-

———————————–

Mayor

Attest

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder, Alamo, Tennessee

Motion to adopt the foregoing resolution having been made by Alderman R. L. Thompson, which was duly seconded by Alderman J. E. Klyce, upon roll call the following voted “aye” J. E. Klyce, D. W. Cates, R. L. Thompson, and Neal Nolen

Those opposed: None.

Whereupon the Mayor declared the resolution duly adopted.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

Attest:

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder, Alamo, Tennessee

15 July 1930:

I, R. F. Tanner, do solemly swear that as Mayor of the town of Alamo, Tennessee, I will to the best of my ability will,truly and impartially discharge the duties of saidoffice so help me God.

R. F. Tanner

Swoen to and subscribed before me this July 15, 1930..

J. B. Edwards, Clerk of Crockett County

We, D. W. Cates, J. E. Klyce, W. N. Nolen, and R. L. Thompson, do solemnl swear that we will to the best of oour ability well and truly discharge the duties of the office of Aldermen of the Town of Alamo, Tennessee, so help me God.

D. W. Cates

J. E. Klyce

R. L. Thompson

W. N. Nolen

Subscribed and sworn to before me – this July 15, 1930.

J. B. Edwards Clerk of Crockett County

Page 92, 24 Jul 1930: The Mayor and Board of Aldermen met in the mayor’s office on July 24th, 1930, with all members present. R. F. Tanner Mayyor, D. W. Cates, Neal Nolen, J. E. Klyce, and R. L. Thompson. E. S. Coltrain Recorder.

The School Board met with the city board in regard to making tax levy for school in 1930 taxes.

R. L. Thompson made motion that all road hands subject to road dut be warned to wok streets for seven days at .50cts per day which would amount to $3.50 each. Seconded by D. W. Cates and carried unanimously.

The following bils were presented. Elmo King, $30.00 for road grading. Leslie Vernon $25.00 trip to Nashville in regard to lights, Alamo Pilot $10.30. F. M. Porter $3.20 election officers meals. All bills were allowed.

A motion was made by Neal nolen that the Mayor R. F. Tanner be given the authority to buy gravel for streets. this was seconed by R. L. Thompson. and carried.

A motion was made to receive bids for contracts to gravel streets. There being no further business to come before the board it adjourned.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

Everett S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 93, 4 Sep 1930: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in the office ofthe Mayor on the the 4th day of Sept. 1930, with the following members present, R. F. Tanner, Maor, residing, D. W. Cates, W. N. Nolen, J. E. Klyce, and R. L. Thompson, Aldermen, also present Everett C. Coltrain, City Recorder, when the following bsiness was had and entered of record to wit:

TAX ORDINANCE

The following ordinance was introduced and read by R. L. Thompson.

Be it ordained by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Alamo, That there be and is hereby levied, a tax, on all taxable property witnin the corporate limits of said town of Alamo, For the year 1930 and subsequent years as follows: $1.15 on each $100.00 of taxable property within said corporation, designated as special tax, and for the purpose of paying the principal and interes of all outstanding bonds and indebtedness of said corporation.

.40 on each $100.00 of taxable property within said corporation, designated as a corporation tax, and for the purpose for paying the corporation light bills, marshal salary, and other general expenses of said corporation, not included in the foregoing levy, making a total rate, for the year 1930, and swubsequent year, of $1.85 on each $100.00 of taxable property in said Town of Alamo. Be it further ordinaed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen that each and every trade, occupation and business,not declared to be a privilege and assessed as such by the State of Tennessee be and the sam is hereby declared to be a privilege within the corporation of the town of Alamo, and the privilege tax thereon fixed at the same rate as

Page 94

as is now fixed by the State of Tennessee.

Be it further ordained that each and every paragraph, clause, phrase, and word of this ordinance is declared to be separate and distinct from every other paragraph, clause, phrase, and wor, and the same would have been passed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen regareless of the remaining part of this ordinance.

Be it further ordained that in event any paragraph, phrase, sentence, clause, or word of this act is held to be illegal or unconstitutional the remaining paragraphs, clauses, phrases, sentence, and words of the remaining shall not be effected thereby.

Said R. L. Thompson moved the passage of the foregoing ordinance. On first reading, which motion was seconded by Alderman D. W. Cates, and on roll call all members of the board voted aye, and the Mayor declared the ordinance passed on first reading.

There being no further business the Board adjourned until tomorrowfor the purpose of passing the above ordinance on the second reading.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

Everett S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 95, 5 Sep 1930: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Alamo, met in the office of the Mayor on this the 5th day of Sept, 1930, for the purpose of cosideringon the second reading the tax ordinance assessed on the first reading, at the meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, on yesterday, which said ordinance is fully set out from the minutes of the Board, and in the minutes of the meeting was held on August 4th, 1930, R. F. Tanner, Mayor prsent and presiding, J. E. Klyce, W. N. Nolen, D. W. Catea and R. L. Thompson, Aldermen, also present, Everett Coltrain, City Recorder, when the following business was had and entered of record to-wit:

R. L. thompson moved that the Tax Ordinance passed yesterday by this Board on first reading and copied on the minutes of themeeting yesterday be passed on second reading, which motion was duly seconede by D. W. Cates, and on rall call all members of the Board voted aye, and the Mayor declared the motion carried and the Ordinance passed on second reading. There being no further business the board adjourned to meet tomorrow, for the purpose of passing said Ordinance on third reading.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 96, 6 Sep, 1930: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the town of Alamo, Crockett County, Tennessee met in the office of the Mayor on this 6th day of Sept, 1930, for the purpose of passing the Tax Ordinance, for the year 1930, and every subsequent year, on reading which Ordinance was passed on irst reading day before and second reading yesterday, and which is carried in the minutes of the meeting held on day before yesterday, with following members present:

R. F. Tanner, Mayor, present and presiding, J. e. Klyce, W. N. Nolen, D. W. Cates, and R. L. Thompson, Aldermen, also present Everett S. Coltrain, City Recorder, when the following business was had of record to-wit:

Alderman R. L. Thompson, moved the passage on third reading of Tax Ordinance of said Town of Alamo, for the year 1930, all years, which was passed on first reading day before yesterday the meeting of said board, on second reading yesterday, are on the minutes of the meeting of said Boardon day before whicch motion (esd fulydrvenfrfny Slfrsman: Note: obviously wrong keys. mn) D. FW. Cates on roll rall all members of the Board voted aye, and thereupon the Mayor declared said Ordinance duly carried on third reading and said tax rate fixed for the year 1930, and every subsequent as provided in said Ordinance.

thereoeing no further business the Board adjourned.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 97, 16 Sep 1930: The board of Mayor and Aldermen met in special meeting on Sept. 16th, 1930 with following membrs present:

R. F. Tanner Mayor present and presiding, D. W. Cates, Neal Nolen, J. E. Klyce, R. L. Thompson Aldermen: also Everett S. Coltrain recorder.

A motion was made by R. L. Thompson tha an ordinance be made to make the Court Square of Alamo, Tenn. a Fair ground during the week of the Crockett County Fair for 1930. From Sept 22 to 27 inc. Thiswas seconded by J. E. Klyce and passed unanimously. R. L. Thompson made motion that an ordinance be passed prohibiting any parking on square during fair week, seconded by J. E. Klyce and passed.

J. E. Klyce made a motion that the Board of Mayor and Aldermen not plead Statue of limitation on School warrents held by Bank of Alamo.

Motion was made to adjourn.

R. F. Tanner

Mayor

E. S. Coltrain

Recorder

Page 97, 1 Oct 1930: The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in special session on Oct 21st, 1930: the Following members present R. F. Taner, Mayor, R. L. Thompson, D. W. Cates, J. E. Klyce Aldermem and Everett S. Coltrain recorder.

The following bills were presented and Allowed.

-.B. Ross…………………………………$ 3.00

Alamo Pilot………………………………12.50

Camden Gravel Co……………………791.97

Motion was made by R. L.Thompson that T. J. Smith be hired as night watchman for town of Alamo at Salary of $50.00 per month.

Contributed by Margaret N. Nichol.

William Ward Butler

Posted on December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 by tngenwebproject@gmail.com

William Ward Butler was born in 1852 in Winston Co. MS as the seventh child of James M. Butler and Sarah Crawford. Billy’s Mother died shortly after his birth. In 1857, Billy moved with his father and step-mother Amanda Bishop to Walker Co. AL to live on a land patent purchased by her father. In 1861, Billy moved with the family to northern Alabama. By 1870, Billy had moved to Decatur Co. TN along with his parents and several siblings.

Billy married Martha Stanfill in Decatur Co. TN in 1877. They had one surviving son, Elbert Eldest Butler and a daughter Alice who died shortly after birth and is buried at the Sardis Cemetery. E. E. Butler finished a scientific course at Scotts Hill College, and was one of the first rural mail carriers in Scotts Hill, TN. He later entered the grocery business in Lexington, TN and continued in this business for 25 years.

Martha died shortly after Alice’s birth in 1880 and is probably buried at the Sardis Cemetery in Henderson Co. TN. Billy married the orphan, Eliza Julita Edwards in 1882 in Decatur Co. TN. Billy and Eliza had eleven children – Sallie, William Festus, Mary Louise, Nora, Joseph Lewis, Robert L., John T., George Washington, James Ernest, Charles Paul and Thelma Inez. Sallie, Nora and James died young and are buried at the Scotts Hill Methodist Cemetery in Scotts Hill, Tennessee.

Billy was a farmer and lay preacher/evangelist in the Scotts Hill area starting in the 1870’s. He preached at the early Scotts Hill Methodist Church. He was admitted to the Lexington District of the Memphis Conference on trial in 1889 and discontinued from trial in 1891. He remained a lay preacher associated with the Scotts Hill mission and performed several marriages in Decatur Co. between 1890 and 1907.

By 1910, Billy and Eliza had moved their family to Crockett Co. where Billy continued to work as a farmer and serve as a lay preacher for the Methodist Church. Their daughter Thelma died at age five in Crockett Co. in 1911 and was returned by a horse drawn hearse to be buried at the Scotts Hill Methodist Cemetery in Decatur Co. TN.

From 1911 to 1914, Billy was assigned to the Gadsden Circuit of the Brownsville District of the Methodist Church. From 1915 to 1924, he was assigned to the Alamo Circuit of the Brownsville District.

Billy had a sad ending to his life. Billy’s son, John T., ended his life and two others in a tragic murder-suicide in 1924. Billy died within two weeks of this tragic episode and is buried at the Belleview Cemetery in Crockett Co. TN.

Billy’s many descendants include teachers, merchants, pubic servants and a variety of business people who were all productive and successful members of society.

From The History of Scotts Hill, Tennessee, Gordon H. Turner, Sr., (Carter Printing Company, Southaven, Mississippi, 1977):

Methodists erected a meeting house and began worship across the road from present Bethel Cemetery. It was called the Bethel Methodist Church and whether the church or the cemetery came first may never be known. The church dates from about 1843.

The Bethel Methodist church was well organized and growing before the Civil War. After the war, more and more people were moving into the little town proper. About 1885 Bethel Methodists erected a frame meeting house on the site of the present building donated by Edd Austin and the congregation moved to meet and worship there.

Other early Methodist membership names — individuals or families — before and since 1900, included: Tom and George Smith, Nat Huggins, Dr. W. B. Keeton, the Bagbys, Brights, Davidsons, Austins, McCollums, Waltons, Whites, Butlers and others.

In 1943-44 a pretty concrete block building replaced the worn and leaning frame house. The Pastor, John P. Murphy, worked mightily also with his hands, assisted much by Dee McCollum, Jim S. Walton and others. Other well-known preachers and leaders through the years were: Billy Butler, O. H. Lafferty, and the Treadwells, Flatts, Gilliams, etc.

Marriages performed by William W. Butler in Decatur Co. TN Decatur County Marriage Records 1869-1921

Page 4 A. F. Austin, Mary Kincannon, 11-20-1901, W. W. Butler, MG
P. L. Brasher, Virgie Davison, 12-20-1897, W. W. Butler, MG
Page 59 George C. McClearen, Lillian Wright, 12-25-1905, W. W. Butler, LE
Page 61 N. R. Marr, V. A. Butler, 4-17-1890, Wm. W. Butler, MG
Page 62 Z. T. Meggs, Authand E. Herndon, 3-17-1896, W. W. Butler
Page 77 Jasper Rickets, Annie Williamson, 2-23-1903, W. W. Butler, MG
Page 85 Ed Stout, Alley Tuck, 8-20-1904, W. W. Butler, MG
Page 86 W. T. Stuberfield, Maude E. Kirk, 11-7-1907, W. W. Butler, MG
Page 101 Guy Yarboro, Clara Swift, 3-30-1905, W. W. Butler, MG

The archives of the Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church indicate that William W. Butler was admitted to the Lexington District of the Memphis Conference on trial in 1889 and discontinued in 1891. In 1911, he was listed as a local preacher in the Memphis conference.

Minutes of the Fiftieth Annual Session of the Memphis Conference of the M. E. Church, South 1889 Page 12-13 Ques. 1. Who are admitted on trial into the traveling connection? Ans. <deleted> Wm. W. Butler, of Sardis circuit, Lexington district; <deleted> having been recommended by their respective quarterly conferences, and having stood an approved examination before the committee, were admitted on trial. Page 28 LEXINGTON DISTRICT Sardis ct, W. W. Butler

Minutes of the Fifty-First Annual Session of the Memphis Conference of the M. E. Church, South 1890 Page 16 Ques. 2. Who remain on trial? Ans. <deleted> Wm. W. Butler <deleted> having passed in examination of character, and being approved by the committee, were continued on trial. Page 30 LEXINGTON DISTRICT Scott’s Hill mission —W W Butler.

Minutes of the Fifty-First Annual Session of the Memphis Conference of the M. E. Church, South 1891 Page 15 Ques 3. Who are discontinued? Ans. Wm. W. Butler

DIRECTORY OF LOCAL PREACHERS. 1911 Brownsville District. W. W. Butler, L. E., Gadsden, Tenn., R. F. D.

MEMPHIS CONFERENCE YEAR BOOK 1921 Directory of Local Preachers Page 16 Butler, W. W. Grade E Post Office Bells, R. F. D. 3 Brownsville District Alamo Circuit

Funeral of Rev. W. W. Butler Interment in Belleview Cemetery In our last week’s issue a brief announcement appeared of the death of Rev. W. W. Butler, which occurred at his home near Cypress church, where he had resided for the past seventeen years. He moved from Scott’s Hill, Henderson County, to the place where he succumbed, after a long and useful life. He was a faithful, earnest and successful Minister of the Southern Methodist church for near fifty years. He is survived by a lonely companion, six sons and one daughter. Funeral services were held in the Methodist church in Bells, Friday morning, June 20th, by his pastor, Rev. E. L. Robinson, assisted by Rev. C. C. Newbill and J. C. W. Nunn. Brief tributes of respect and love were also paid by Esq. F. M. Goldsmith, a long co-laborer and close friend, and Revs. Bryant, Hope and Maxedon, pastors of the Presbyterian, Christian and Methodist churches, respectively, of Humboldt. But few funeral services so impressive, so full of deep sympathy, have been held in this place for the past twenty-five years. After the services at the church, his body was taken in charge by his Masonic brethren of the Alamo Lodge, assisted by members from Bells and Humboldt, and impressive burial services conducted at the grave. Rare, numerous, beautiful and fragrant floral offerings covered the grave, underneath resting the body of a loyal, true soldier of the Cross. May the Good Spirit be your constant help in this time of deep sorrow, is the united prayer of hosts of friends, bereaved companion, children, grand-children and other near relatives of this departed servant of God.

Compiled by Jerry Butler, source: Mary Butler Curry.

Walnut Hill Baptist Church Photo

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Walnut Hill Baptist Church

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Walnut Hill Baptist Church was organized about 1849, with services being held in a log schoolhouse. The seats were made of logs with no backs. One corner of the church was occupied by the old negro slaves who worshiped here also and who belonged to the church. The first building was erected of logs in 1852 on a one-acre lot which was donated by Newton Williams. The town of Bells had not been formed at this time and Walnut Hill was the only Baptist church in the area. Charter members included Tommie Williams and wife, Meekins Williams, Berry Williams, Newton Williams, Nat Williams and wife, Neddy Williams, Betsey Williams, Mary Ann Davis, C. H. Medlin and wife, Lusette Ellington and father, ____ Lacy, ____ Pipkins and ____ Winburn.

The ground on which the church is presently located was given by Newton Williams in 1860 (deed still in existence) and under the terms of the deed, the original grant of one acre went back to the grantor. The first church building was torn down and the logs were moved to the home place of Elisha Jackson near Fruitvale where he used them to construct a barn. The present building was probably begun in 1861, having been erected during the Civil War. There have been alterations and remodeling during the years, including the addition of Sunday School rooms and an annex; also, a pastorium was built in 1948 and a full time ministry was begun a few years later. Up to 1925, Walnut Hill was a member of the Madison Co. Association when the Crockett Co. Association was formed.

Some of the earlier pastors were Thomas, Williams, Allen, Haste and in later years Bozeman, Lennon, Guthrie, Edwards, Joyner, West, Camp, Perry, Holland, Utley, Farris, Patterson, Gossett, Ross, Goode, Atchley, Smothers, Davidson and the present pastor, Rev. Wayne Webb. Two young men from Walnut Hill Baptist Church who entered the ministry and are successful pastors are Rev. T. T. Crabtree and Rev. Oscar Patterson.

At present, the church is a modern, growing facility and is increasing its size now through a building program in order to accommodate the increasing attendance as it continues to bless and enrich the spiritual life of the community.

There is a large cemetery located here on a portion of land set aside from additional land which had been purchased by the church in 1944. East of the Walnut Hill church property is the old Williams graveyard which was given by Thomas Williams as a family burying plot and graves of many of his descendants can be found there. Just west of the Caliah Medlin land was the farm of Wiley Brigance and the Brigance cemetery is located there.

The preceding article was contributed, with permission of the Crockett County Historical Society, by Natalie Huntley.

This information was taken from an article on the community of Walnut Hill, which was compiled and written by Judy G. Alpha, and published in the book Crockett County Courthouse Centennial, 1874 – 1974, prepared by the Crockett County Historical Society.

South Fork Church Photo

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Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church Photos

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Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Posted on December 17, 2020 by tngenwebproject@gmail.com

The first church building at Salem was a small, one-room frame one with a dirt floor. It faced east and west and had steps leading down to the road. Later a second building was built. It also faced east and west, and was a white frame one. This building was destroyed by a storm on June 22, 1928. The present building was then erected facing south and north. It had been added to and remodeled and is now very attractive.

From the minutes of the Salem Church, Salem Congregation Session June 7, 1884, recorded as a transcript “from the old session book” the following: “Salem Congregation of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, being a part of the Center congregation, was organized into a separate congregation by petitioning the Madison Presbytery of the Cumberland Church A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four (1854) to be received under her care…which was granted.

Petitioners were: Lucinda Evans, Elizabeth Davis, Jonathan H. Davis, James Tarpley, Jame B. Smith, Narcissus A. Smith, Sarah A. McRee, James Drinkard, Helen M. Davis, A. M. Reid, S. S. Hopper, Elizabeth C. Hopper, Sarah Harpole, Louisa E. Lemonds,

Inda (?) A. McLeary, Nathan Arnold, Nancy Arnold, William Tinsley, Sarah Tinsley, J. Seth H. Lemonds, William M. Lemond, Nichols H. McRee, Rachel E. Smith, A. P. Davis, John Kenedy, Mary Kenedy, Louisa Clark, Margaret Boyd, Rebecca Boyd, P. W. Hopper, G. L. Kincaid, Nancy A. Kincaid, Francis A. Smith, John A. Kenedy, John E. Smith, Susan E. Musgraves, Gracy J. Musgraves.

From the same source was this record of some of the early ministers:…”Rev. Young A. McLemore, serving 1854-1877; Rev. Thomas H. Crofford, serving 1877-1879; Rev. Albine P. Davis, serving 1882-1883; Rev. H. J. Ray, serving 1883-1884…” Becoming preachers from the Salem residents were: Carl Davis, Russell Tatum, Paris Davis, Ira Davis, all Presbyterian Ministers. Also from the natives of Salem came Rev. Herman A. Butts, Methodist.

The last three pastors of the church have been, Rev. Cecil Burnett, Rev. Donald Carter, and at present, Rev. Carl Davis.

The first deed to church land found in the deed books of Crockett County was one made on Sept. 26, 1951, and filed March 25, 1952. This deed was from R. C. Drinkard and his wife, Viola, for four-fifths acres deeded to the Trustees of the Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church: J. B. Kincaid, A. L. Kincaid, Oscar Tinsley, Jimmy Davis, Joe Hopper, R. S. Boals, and Eugene Reasons. The next deed recorded in Crockett deed books was one of April 5, 1963, from Lloyd S. Adams Jr., Frances Jarrell Adams Tipton, and Ann Blair Adams Parke. They deeded land to Richard Ellis, A. L. Kincaid, Jimmie Davis, Joe Hopper, Paul Reasons, Eugene Reasons, Jeff Davis, Oscar Tinsley, and Bobby Joe Davis, elders of Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church and to their successors in office…”

This is a thriving church and many descendants of the original members still attend, as well as other long time residents. Among those coming after 1900 were the Jim and Austin Ellis families. Tannie Macon married Mattie Ellis, and they live in sight of the church. Nearby is their daughter Betty (Mrs. Franklin Selph, and their son, Bennie Macon, and their families, and Richard Ellis’s family.

The preceding article was contributed, with permission of the Crockett County Historical Society, by Natalie Huntley.

This information was taken from an article on the communities of Coxville, Center and Salem, which was compiled and written by Mrs. C. C. James, and published in the book Crockett County Courthouse Centennial, 1874 – 1974, prepared by the Crockett County Historical Society.