RHEA COUNTY lies on the left bank of the Tennessee River, and is divided between the valley of East Tennessee and the Cumberland table-land. Parallel with the Tennessee River are a series of broken knobs, between which and Walden’s Ridge is a narrow valley, extending the entire length of the county. The principal streams are White Creek, Clear Creek, Big and Little Richland, Sole Creek, Muddy Creek and Piney River. Like other counties through which Walden’s Ridge passes, it is rich in coal, iron and limestone.
The settlement of the county dates back to the beginning of the century. In 1805, by treaty. the Cherokees relinquished all right and title to the lands. An Indian agency was then established on the Tennessee River in the southern part of the county, where a fort covering an area of about two acres was constructed. It was used until 1819, when the agency was removed to the site of the present town of Charleston, in Bradley County. The Hiwassee purchase having been made in that year the limits of the county were extended south of the Tennessee River to include the greater portion of the present county of Meigs.
The act for the establishment of Rhea County was passed December 3, 1807, and January 25, 1808, the county court was organized at the house of William Henry, situated at Big Spring about half way between the present towns of Darwin and Dayton. The justices present were James Campbell, Jonathan Fine, Abraham Howard, John Henry, Joseph Brooks, Daniel Rawlings and William Long. James Campbell was chosen chairman; Daniel Rawlings, clerk; Miller Francis, sheriff; Thomas Woodward, coroner; Alex Ferguson, register; Thomas G. Brown, ranger; Joseph Brooks, trustee, and William Brown, solicitor. An attempt was made soon after to permanently locate the county seat. The commissioners and several others met at what was known as the Hazzing place, on the north bank of the Tennessee River, to view that location. In passing the Double Pond, one of the party, a man named Handy was drowned, and from this circumstance, it is said, that locality was abandoned.
At the next term of the court William Lyon, James Lauderdale and Joseph Dunham, were appointed to let the contract for a jail to be built on the farm of William Henry. This building was a log structure, twelve feet square and eight feet high. It was completed the following July by Robert Gamble, who took the contract for $38.75. It was not satisfactory to the sheriff, however, and he protested against its being received by the county court. On February 12, 1812, the county commissioners, James Campbell, Robert Patterson, David Murphree, Daniel Walker, John Locke and Jesse Roddy met at the house of Judge David Campbell, at the head of Spring Creek, and decided to locate the county seat at that place. This site was included in a grant owned by Richard G. Waterhouse, but it appears that Judge Campbellhad an occupant claim upon it, and it was he who made the deed to the commissioner, receiving therefore lots valued at $100. The first lots were sold on May 21 and 22 by Miller Francis,auctioneer. Sixty-nine lots sold for an aggregate of $1,984.25. The remaining lots were sold in April, 1813. As soon as the first sale took place contracts were let for the erection of a courthouse and jail. The contract for the former was taken by James C. Mitchell for $926.35; it was a two story frame building thirty feet square. The jail was built by JohnMoore for $338.25.It was a log building with double walls, the intervening space being filled with small stones. Two years later a pillory and stocks were erected by JamesBerry.
All of these structures stood upon a square reserved for them. In 1821 the erection of a new jail was begun, but it was not completed until two or three years later; it consisted of a dungeon built of rock, with walls five feet thick, a debtor’s room, and a residence for the jailer, the last two built of brick. In 1833 the present brick courthouse was completed by Thomas Crutchfield, a contractor, who erected similar buildings for no less than eight counties in East Tennessee.
The circuit court for Rhea County was organized in 1810, but as the records have been lost or destroyed, but little can be given of its transactions. The first grand jury empaneled was composed of James Galbraith, Robert Minus, Walter Edwards, William Henry, James George, Sr., John Abel, John Luck, William Kennedy, JamesCowan, George Worley, Daniel Walker, Joseph Johnson, William Lyon, Elias Ferguson and Joseph Dunham. The first indictments were against William Lester, JohnOwens and Labin Grunly.
The first resident attorney in Washington was James C. Mitchell, who located there immediately after the town was laid out. He was one of the leading criminal lawyers of that day, and was the preceptor of Hopkins L. Turney, the father of the present chief justice. The latter married a daughter of Miller Francis, and soon after receiving his license to practice moved to Middle Tennessee. Thomas J. Campbell, a son of Judge David Campbell, began his legal career in Washington, but subsequently removed to Athens.
Judge Campbell died soon after the town was laid out, and was buried on the left bank of the of the creek near the road leading to the river.
Samuel Frazier, who filled the office of State’s attorney for several years, located in Washington some time in the twenties, and continued a resident of the place until his death. His brother, Thomas Frazier. was a student in his office, and resided in the town for some years after beginning the practice of his profession. He subsequently went to Middle Tennessee, became a circuit judge at the close of the War, and was brought into prominence through his impeachmcnt by the Legislature. Franklin Locke, a son of John Locke. was also for many years a member of the bar. He was an excellent judge of law but ‘was not very successful as an advocate. N. B. Beard and John G. Stuart were prominent lawyers, during the fifties. The latter was a successful politician, and served several terms In the Legislature. After his marriage he removed to Cotton Post, and subsequently to Middle Tennessee. The present members of the profession in the county are N. Q. Allen, of Darwin; C. L. Locke. of Washington; V. C. Allen, John A. Denton, I. W. Holt. W. F Lones, and A. P. Haggard, of Dayton. The officers of Rhea County since its organization have been as follows:
Sheriffs – Miller Francis 1808-17; Woodson Francis, 1817-27; John Lea, l827-29; Samuel R. Hackett, 1829-31; Henry Collins, 1831-36; Samuel R. Hackett, 1836-40; D. M. Roddy, 1840-42; Isaac S. Bingam, 1842-48; Willie Lewis, 1848-1850; Jesse P. Thompson, 1850-52; J. F. Ladd, 1852-54; J. M. Caldwell, 1854-60; James M. Cunningham, 1860-61; John Howard, 1861-62; Thomas A. Allen. 1862-64; John P. Walker, 1864-66; William Morgan. 1866-70; B. F. Holloway. I870-72; J. F. Paine. 1872-74; R. L. Garrison, l874-76; M. M. Ferguson, 1876-78; J. L. McPherson, l878-84; J. R. Thompson, l884-86; J. H. Galbraith, 1886. Trustees – Joseph Brooks, 1808-09; Jonathan Fine. 1809; William Johnson, — to 1823; Carson Caldwell, 1823-29; John Cozby, 1828-36; Abraham Miller, 1836-38; John Cozby, 1838-42; John Cook, 1842-44; J. S. Evens, 1843-52; A. R Smith, 1852-54; W. E. Colville, 1854-56; J. H. Locke. 1856-60; William G. Allen, 186O-62; P. T. Rawlings, 1862-64; E. H. Morgan. 1864-70; John James, 1870-74; G. M. D. Spence, 1874-76; R. L. Garrison, 1876-78; John D. Morgan, 1878-82;. M. D. Spence, 1882-86; T. C. Darwin, 1886. Clerks of the county court – Daniel Rawlings, l808-23; James Berry, 1823-36; N. G. Frazier, 1836-40; B. D. Smith, 184O-44; J. S. Evens. 1844-52; William H. Bell. l852-60; H. A. Crawford, 1860-64; J. J. Hoge, 1864-70; James L. Locke. 181870-71; James H. Locke, 1871-72; J. S. Chumley, 1872-74; John Howard, 1874-78; W. R. Henry, 1878-82; J. T. Howard, 1882. Clerks of the circuit court-Asahel Rawlings. l810-21; John Locke, 1821-35; Franklin Locke, 1835-36; Darius Waterhouse, 1836-56; W. H. H. Burkett, 1864-66; Franklin Locke, 1866-74; G. W. Ault, 1874-78; M. S. Holloway, 1878-82; N. D., 1882-86; H. C. Collins, 1886..
Registers – Alexander Ferguson, 1808-21; James Berry, 1821-23; John Robinson, 1823-27; Jonathan Fine, 1827-29; Jesse Thompson, 1829-36: Edward E. Wasson, 1836-48; William Compton, 1848-56; J. S. Evens, 1856-60; H. N. Whittenburg, 1860.64; Allen L. King, 1864-66; John Morgan, 1866-67; Thomas K. Thompson, 1867-70; Aaron Rhea, 1870-71; S. S. Ramsey, 1871-72; Young Colville, 1872-78: G. W. Johnson, 1878.
Soon after the site of Washington was surveyed R. G. Waterhouse laid off an addition on the south, to which he gave the name of the “Southern Liberties.” Four of the best lots he donated to Hon. John Rhea, in whose honor the county was named. The first settlers in the town are said to have been “Billy” Washington. who lived in a cabin near the town spring, and John Birdsong, a hatter. Probably the first merchant was William L. Leuty. Isaac S. McMeans, Haynes & Campbell, Frederick Fulkerson & Co., Rice, Humphreys & Co. and Hazzlerig & Berry were also in business previous to 1820. Among the merchants of a later date were Thomas McCallie, John P. Long, Henry Collins, John Witt, R. N. Gillespie, J. W. Inman, D. N. Rawlings & Co., A. S. Rawlings and Hoyl & Chatten. The first hotels were kept by John Love, whose house stood where John Howard now lives, and John Rice, who was located on the site of the present hotel. The latter was succeeded by David Leuty. Among the other early settlers were John Hackett, a land speculator; John Parker, jailer and shoemaker; John Locke, cashier of the loan office of the old Bank of Tennessee, Edmund Bean and John Day, blacksmith; Pierce, Miller & Co., Morrison and Burnett, hatters; Jefferson Love and Neal & Meyers, tanners. In 1934, John B. Hood began the publication of a paper, which he had previously published at Athens. It continued for only two or three years, and has had no successor at Washington.
The only church in the town prior to the civil war was a large hewed-log building, erected by the Presbyterians on the lot now occupied by the cemetery. It was used by all denominations, and was also occupied by the Tennessee Academy for many years. In 1832 a large brick church was built, but before it was entirely completed it was destroyed by a tornado. About 185O an academy building was erected. It was used until a short time after the war, when it burned.
Prior to the division of the county in 1836, Washington was a flourishing town. It then began to decline somewhat, and has never recovered. The destruction occasioned by the civil war, together with the building of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, which passes four miles to the west, has sealed its fate, and doubtless before many years have elapsed it will have entirely disappeared.
Dayton, in the southern part of the county, is one of the most remarkable towns in the State, having grown in the space of three years, from a small village to a city of over 3000 inhabitants. It was formerly known as Smith’s Crossroads. Among the first settlers in the vicinity were the Lauderdales, Cain, John, Philip and Abel, Spencer Benson, Charles and Robert Gamble and James Cowan. In 1813 or 1814 Smith & Cozby, a firm that had been selling goods at Hiwassee Garrison, opened a store at the cross roads. The latter soon after retired, but the former, “Billy ” Smith, continued for many years. At a later date John H. Fleming, W. b. Cozby and Edwards & Caldwell were engaged in business there. The first church in the vicinity was erected by the Methodists, and was known as French’s church. About 1830 the Presbyterians also erected a building.
The village continued under the name of Smith’s Cross roads until 1877. Its growth was slow until 1884, when a company of English capitalists, of whom Sir Titus Salts, is principal, began the work of erecting blast furnaces, developing mines, and constructing a system of rail roads for the transportation of raw material, coal, iron, and limestone, all of which is found near at hand, The first furnace was put in operation on February 9, I896, and has since turned out an average of 100 tons of pig iron daily. A second furnace was put in blast about April 1, 1887. The first superintendent of the works was John H. Ferguson, who continued until about one year ago, when he was succeeded by George Jamie.
The other manifactories of the town are the Dayton Roller Mills, operated by Snow Bros; a flouring mill, owned by Allen & Keith, which is soon to be enlarged and befitted with the latest improved machinery; two planing and saw mills, operated by A. H. Rennebaum and B. G. Steere, and a broom factory, operated by Buchard & Galbraith. A foundry and machine shop will also soon be put in operation by John H. Ferguson. The commercial interests are represented by J. H. Rogers & Son, H. T. Blevins & Co., R. N. Magill, W. N. Ault, Gilbert Reed, W. A. Yarber, Ferguson & Spence, Dayton Coal & Iron Company, and McAndrew & Johnson, general merchandise; Shaver Bros. and John W. Hudson, groceries; S. A. Gettys & Co., notions and fancy goods; Buchanan & Crabbs and Bicknell & Johnston, drugs; J. M. Boynton, furniture; John Abel, jewelry, and J. A. Foster & Co., saddle and harness. The Dayton City Bank with a capital stock of $50,000, has been incorporated, and will begin business within a few weeks. V. C. Allen is president, and D. C. McMillan vice-president.
The first newspaper, published in Dayton, was the Times, established by F. M. Morrison, who soon after removed it to Pikeville, and changed the name to the Advance. In November, 1884, B. A. Frazier established the Gazette. He then purchased the Advance, and under the name of the Advance-Gazette continued the publication until September, 1886, when it was purchased by a stock company which consolidated it with the Spring City News. It has since been known as the News-Gazette, of which T. T. McWhirter is general manager and B. A. Frazier, editor. The News was established by Mr. McWhirter at Rhea Springs in 1877, and removed to Spring City in 1880. The news company, with perhaps one exception, has the most commodious and best equipped newspaper office in East Tennessee. In October, 1885, the Leader, a Republican paper, was established by Thomas & Gilmore, who have since continued its publication.
In 1885, the Dayton Masonic College, a large three story brick building was completed, and the institution went into operation with Creed M. Fulton as president, who, with an able corps of assistants, is making the school a success.
The second largest town in the county is Spring City, situated on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad about _____ miles from the northern boundary. It was laid out upon the building of the railroad on lands owned by Jonathan & Edley Caldwell. A Narrow-gauge railroad, which has been completed over Walden’s Ridge to the Cumberland table-land has added much to the importance of the town.
Evensville is another thriving village on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. It took its name from the first Merchant, J. S. Evens, who began business in 1878. It is the seat of the Tennessee Valley College, which went into operation in 1881 under the management of Prof. W. E. Stephens.
—published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company
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