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SPRING NEWS Update

 

Hooper named ‘Bard Laureate’ of Tennessee

Linda Lewanski
Star Journal managing editor

KNOXVILLE – The annual Reagan Day Dinner in Knoxville was a little disappointing when congressional candidates scheduled to appear got held up in Washington on the Homeland Security bill, but turned into a memorable evening for the more than 600 who attended the event.
This year’s dinner was a salute to American veterans of Tennessee featuring Special Forces’ Medal of Honor recipient and Department of Defense consultant Col. Lee Mize, USA, ret. as the keynote speaker.
Star Journal news editor Ed Hooper was asked to deliver a tribute to the veterans of Tennessee at the annual dinner. Before he began, however, he was called to the stage where State Representative Jamie Hagood (R-Knoxville) and the Knox County delegation presented him with the legislation naming him the state’s official Bard Laureate – citing his "Looking Back" column, his work on WVLT-TV of Knoxville and his other efforts in radio and the Internet documenting the stories of Tennessee’s veterans, his efforts ensuring that the graves of the state’s Medal of Honor recipients were properly decorated and his coordination of numerous educational exhibits on the state’s military heritage.
"When we asked the veterans of Tennessee who they wanted to deliver a tribute," said South Foundation spokesperson Keitha Kelley, "they unanimously chose Ed Hooper and were responsible for assisting the Knox County delegation in him being named Bard Laureate of Tennessee. The other honors that followed were a surprise to everyone, including us."
Colt Firearms C.E.O. Gen. William Keyes and U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tennessee) presented Hooper with a W.W. II-era Colt. 45.The firearm was accompanied by an official letter from the Colt Historians’ office authenticating its manufacture for the event.
"We present this commemorative W.W. II model .45 to Ed Hooper in recognition of his dedicated work as a broadcast and print journalist in documenting the lives of Tennessee veterans," said Gen. William Keyes, "... We join those here tonight in congratulating and commending Mr. Hooper on his efforts and achievements in preserving the memories of the brave Americans who have so honorably served this nation."
The most surprising moment in the pre-speech ceremony came from the Ireland House of Lords, who sent a letter congratulating Hooper on his being named Bard Laureate.
"Since ancient times, the title of Bard was bestowed only on those rare individuals who proved themselves to be proper custodians of our people’s culture and heritage," said Lord John Laird of Artigarvan, Ireland. "Your work as a broadcaster and journalist is to be commended by both our nations for assisting in preserving a shared heritage that has bound our peoples together for more than 300 years. We extend our grateful appreciation for your efforts and on this momentous occasion and on behalf of the Ireland House of Lords congratulate you on this hard-earned honor."
U.S. Special Forces’ Col. Lee Mize, MOH Korea, in a rare show of emotion, hugged Hooper as he took the stage to deliver his keynote address. Col. Mize has spoken at numerous events in Knox and Sevier County and is regarded as one of the nation’s most decorated soldiers.
"Ed is a great friend of mine and a reporter who helped keep the flames of patriotism alive long before Sept. 11," said Col. Mize. "If people really knew how much he has done with so little to see that the stories of Tennessee’s brave men and women who served this nation are not forgotten, they would feel the same way."
"I really don’t know what to say except I am honored," said Hooper, "and hope I can continue my work. A problem today is that everyone is telling and retelling the same stories of a few American veterans and overlooking the heroes in our own state. The lives of these brave men and women are some of the greatest stories ever told."

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Knoxville residents fight to save historic
J. Allen Smith home

KNOXVILLE – The Knoxville City Council and Cherokee Country Club are locked in a battle over the historic J. Allen Smith home, which sits next to the prestigious Knoxville club.
At issue, is the club’s desire to tear the house down to add a parking lot and a putting green.and Knoxville officials who want to find a way to preserve the structure. Mayor Victor Ashe, who is a life long resident of the area, sides with the preservationists in wanting to save the home from destruction by declaring it a historic landmark – a move which angers officials with the Cherokee Country Club, who stated recently that the home has no historic value that should prevent them from tearing it down.
J. Allen Smith was a prominent Knoxville businessman who started the White Lilly Flour Company in Knoxville. The flour became a staple in Tennessee and across the South and was named in the 1990s as the most sought after gourmet flour by some of America’s most prominent chefs in New York City.
Smith was also a major figure in the industrial and economical development of Knoxville and Tennessee in the early years of the 21st century. He was from the era of such prominent businessmen as Westin Fulton, who made Knoxville one of the South’s most prominent cities. Smith’s official portrait hangs in the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville and, while his company still operates in Knoxville, there is little recognition of him in his hometown.
There has been numerous ideas put forth as to what the home could be used for in the city, but none has taken root as the city finds itself facing court action to try and save the structure.
"My hope is that arguments are not made to save the house solely on its ‘architectural styling’," said one preservationist. "Too many times when the ‘professional historians and preservationists’ get involved, the human story and accomplishments are lost or minimized to the point that the real reason to save a structure are lost. What could happen is, instead of seeing the house be preserved properly and proper historical interpretation done to honor J. Allen Smith and the business people of that era, it could end up like Episcopal Rev. Thomas Humes’ old home – sitting in a city warehouse somewhere numbered brick by brick by Knoxville Heritage and no plans to ever rebuild it. Once that is done, you lose the nuances that could make it a popular historical landmark."
Knoxville is joining a long list of cities fighting to preserve old historic structures and homes from encroaching development. Many are being torn down or falling into decay and preservationists are being overwhelmed trying to save them. Rising property taxes and the costs of refurbishing and maintaining the old homes scares off many potential buyers, who can take care of the structures. The battle is expected to continue to preserve the Smith Home and those Knoxville city officials in favor of it are hoping the matter can be resolved that suits both the interests of the Cherokee Country Club and historical preservationists.
On Tuesday, July 9. the Knoxville City Council passed on second and final reading an act that would give the home "historic overlay" and protect it from destruction. Officials say now the next step for the Cherokee Country Club may be to file suit against the city.

Tennessee Historical Commission could face
cuts in staff and funding

NASHVILLE – One of the agencies who made appearances before the legislative committees in the financial budget battle was the Tennessee Historical Commission. The Commission received $1.5 million last year from the state’s massive budget. The THC is part of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and in the past years has served as funnel for dispersing more than $500 million dollars aimed at protecting and preserving the state’s historical sights and heritage.
One of the plans put forward would not abolish it, but would cut the staff of the Commission back to one person. Many historical preservationists say that cutting the staff to one member would be a huge blow to Tennessee’s developing heritage tourism industry and make it impossible for any Tennessee counties to get funding from the National Park Service, who distributes grants through the Historical Commission. In addition, a powerful lobbying voice in making sure moneys promised tot he parks and other projects get to where they are needed rather than being shuffled around in the massive National Park System.
Numerous historical sites are already operating on reduced budgets and placing donation boxes in the areas to give a way for those who visit them to offer support and some are looking at laying off staff to make sure the money collected will be used to preserve the sites’ historical integrity.
"Heritage tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry that the state is just now beginning to take advantage of," said state preservationist Jerry Lessenberry, "and, if the legislature is going to work to save the Department of Tourism, then they need to do the same for the Historical Commission. Both of these agencies are in their own way money-making entities for the state. Some say if we lose preservation funds, tax write-offs for the renovation of historic buildings will disappear and that would be disastrous for Tennessee. Between the Historical Commission and the Tennessee Museum, this state preserves and holds some of the nation’s most valuable historical treasures and to see them all locked away, projects to preserve battlefields and houses stopped and the ceasing of collecting artifacts in the future would be a tragedy this state could ill afford and a bad judgment call."
Many say the scare that the Commission will be severely reduced in staff or eliminated is extremely low.
"At this time," said one Senator, " everyone is trying to scare people and state agencies into thinking that they are going to be eliminated or crippled by cuts in order to build support for this plan or another. I will agree that all agencies need to be looked at and some changes made to make them more efficient or more capable to do what they are supposed to, but eliminating key agencies that aid this state in making money is cutting off our noses to spite our face. In a worse case scenario, I would want to see the Historical Commission made capable of taking on more responsibilities not less. There are parks and such that they could probably better manage and interpret in ways that would attract more tourists."

KINGSPORT– People of Melungeon heritage gathered in Kingsport last week to learn about some new results of D.N.A. tests on what anthropologists have called the greatest anthropological mystery in the world.
The "Melungeons" was first reported in 1690 by French trappers and later rediscovered by John Sevier when he was on a scouting party in the late 18th century. The people described by both did possessed European features, but had been living in the Appalachian mountains prior to European colonialization. They had developed peaceful and intricate trading relations with the Indian tribes in the region and the Cherokee oral history described them as unusual in that "they lived in log cabins and prayed three times a day at the ringing of a bell," which led many to believe they could have been descended from Islamic moors who had been exiled from Spain during the Inquisition. In addition , old photos of Melungeon cabins showed an architecture heavily influenced with Moorish styles.
Studies by Dr. N. Brent Kennedy, who was diagnosed in the 1980s with a rare disease common only to Mediterranean peoples and reportedly an affliction among the Melungeons was thought to have been a major clue to the mystery that researchers have tried to answer for more than 200 years.
Dr. Kevin Jones, a biologist at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise who unveiled the results of the latest D.N.A. analysis, said the mystery of where exactly the Melungeons originated still survives. The biologists conducted a study of descendants using D.N.A. samples to compare with other ethnic groups around the world.
The results show a mix of ethnic backgrounds, including Native American, African and European.
Their history is one of racial discrimination and they were often described as "free persons of color" prior to the War Between the States. Because of their appearance, the Melungeons often faced discrimination and tended to settle in isolated communities like Hancock County’s Sneedville, Stone Mountain in Wise County, VA and other settlements in Campbell County, TN and the Carolinas.
They were an independent lot, who once took up arms to ensure their right to vote and, like most people in the region, served on both sides of the War Between the States. In fact, Harrison Collins of Sneedville received the Medal of Honor for his actions under fire in West Tennessee – making him the only Melungeon in history to ever receive the nation’s highest award.
In recent years, the Melungeons have been identified by anthropologists as "tri-racial isolates" – an amalgam of European, African, and Native American ancestry.
The event was called "Fourth Union: A Melungeon Gathering," where those of Melungeon ancestry gathered to share old family photos and hear a variety of speakers, including Vardy Collins of Sneedville and Dr. N. Brent Kennedy, who wrote the book "The Melungeons: The Resurrection of a Proud People; An untold story of ethnic cleansing."
Kennedy’s publication of the book and his ensuing research helped form the Melungeon Heritage Association, which encourages Melungeons, who often remained silent about their history, to come forward and try to help preserve the culture. Since their founding, the organization has held numerous genealogy workshops, chat sessions with featured Melungeon scholars and have even started some archaeological excavations around known Melungeon homes and settlements. Wayne Winkler, who now serves as President of the Melungeon Heritage Association, says he the mystery remains and probably won’t be completely solved for many years.
"The D.N.A. study announced was the highlight of the Fourth Union and a milestone in Melungeon research," said Winkler, " but does not solve the mystery entirely. While it tells us a lot more than we know at present, there are variables that modern technology has not learned how to explain with D.N.A. and intermarriage since the Melungeons were first discovered with Native Americans and other Europeans have to factor into the results of those who were tested."
Other present at the Fourth Union say they are skeptical of the results because of succeeding intermarriages with the families and the overwhelming circumstantial evidence that exists showing that they could have very well been the first successful colonists to make it in North America.
"Because oral history among the families was often not shared with succeeding generations, a lot has been lost that could have helped answer many questions," said Terry Goins. "As to African DNA, that is easily explained if we are of Moorish or Portuguese descent. I think Dr. N. Brent Kennedy’s personal work on the subject is more believable to me and the fact that many suffered from the same disease he did and it went undiagnosed until he was able to identify it. As to intermarriage with Indians, that stands to reason since the first Melungeon colonists had to survive and options were limited in those days."
In 1998, the Melungeons of Tennessee stormed out of a meeting of the then-operating Tennessee Indian Commission when they found themselves labeled as Native Americans – stating that those who had tried to put that label on them had no knowledge of the Melungeon peoples and, if they did, would know that they were not Native Americans.

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Shiloh repairs expected to be completed soon

SAVANNAH – The United States Army Corps of Engineers is nearing completion on it’s work repairing the battlefield causeway and Mississippian Mound at Shiloh National Battlefield Park.
The rising and falling levels of the Tennessee River over the years had all but washed away the battlefield causeway and cut away half of the largest of a collection of Mississippian Mounds located at the back end of the Park. The problem went unresolved until 1996, when a group of concerned citizens led by the John Ingram Camp of the Tennessee Sons of Confederate Veterans and representatives from Native American tribes took up the issue and began an intense lobbying campaign working with the Park Superintendent to get national attention focused on the problem. U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary (R- Spring City), U.S. Rep. Ed Bryant, Senator Fred Thompson (R) and Senator Bill Frist (R) guided legislation through their respective houses and secured the funding that is seeing the Park and Mississippian Mound brought back to their original condition. In addition, Shiloh Park officials have been working to create and extend the historical interpretation of the Park, which runs from the battlefield in Savannah to Corinth, MS.
Once the work is completed there will also be something new in the Park, which will mark for the first time in Tennessee a proper monument is erected to honor Tennessee Confederate soldiers who fought and died in what historians call "the bloodiest battle of the American War Between the States."
Shiloh National Battlefield Park will be the only NBP in the state with such a monument that will stand equal to those erected by New York, Ohio, and other states represented in the battle.
"This battle in American history is still one of the most studied in the world," said preservationist and John Ingram S.C.V. commander Jerry Lessenberry. "The battlefield is one of the most popular for staff rides from Fort Campbell and other military bases and installations and the Park has seen it’s tourism numbers increase dramatically over the years. Repairing the battlefield back to it’s original condition was our first priority and seeing that a good historical interpretation of both the battlefield and the mounds was developed. Then we went to work making arrangements to see that a proper monument honoring those Confederates from Tennessee who fought and died here was erected. The history that took place on this ground affected and influenced American history for generations afterwards and should be treated with the respect of other battlefields in Virginia. It would not of been possible without our congressmen and senators and their staffs making sure the problem was addressed on the national level by those who could do something about it."
Officials and historical groups are planning an event to mark the completion of the work done by the Army Corps of Engineers and to recognize the efforts of those who have fought to preserve and repair the Park.
"Lessenberry and those citizens who took up this issue deserve recognition," said South Foundation spokesperson Keitha Kelly. "They fought for every inch of print space and every second of air-time to get this story out to Tennesseans and the American people about the plight of Shiloh National Battlefield Park helping to forge a multi-cultural coalition of Native Americans and historical groups and were flexible enough to hold those relationships together through succeeding changes to get it done. Starting a movement is one thing, but hanging in there dealing with the inevitable changes and dynamics that occur in these kind of projects and getting the job done is commendable. These are the kind of volunteer projects that go largely unnoticed and that should not be the case."

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Preservationist protest state plans to
exhume bodies at historic cemetery

SEVIERVILLE – Tennessee archaeologist Nick Fielder walked into a hornet’s nest of protest two weeks ago when he came to describe the reinterment of remains at the historic Forks of the Little Pigeon Cemetery. His opening remark stating "some people think of cemeteries as sacred ground" drew immediate comment from the more than 30 protesters attending the meeting.
"His opening statement didn’t offer much hope," said Daughters of the American Revolution member Helen Allen, who’s ancestors are buried in the cemetery. "I a part of that group of ‘some people’ who thinks of cemeteries as sacred ground. We wanted Mr. Fielder and the others to know that we were going to do everything we can to preserve this historic site. Sevier County’s heritage is so intertwined with those buried in the cemetery and I find it disgraceful that public officials would turn their back on it. With so much interest in Sevier County history, you would think the city or the county would take an active interest in helping to preserve it or create a heritage trail in the county that would showcase this region’s contribution to America’s past. There is more to this region than theme parks or go-kart tracks and we wanted to make sure that Mr. Fielder, Sevier County, TDOT officials know it."
In the meeting, Fielder gave a slide-show presentation of other remains being prepared for removal from cemeteries and explained the procedure for removing remains under a law passed in Tennessee is 1928. According to the legislation, the state has to show that the cemetery has been abandoned or neglected. The only right relatives have to their families’ remains is to be notified where they will be moved. The don’t have to ask permission of the family to move them.
According to Fielder, the removal under the plan should take eight to ten weeks. Duval and Associates, who worked on the site this past winter, will be the company chosen to remove the remains from the site. Fielder avoided questions on the actual project itself and whether or not the road was needed – pointing out that he represented the Department of Environment and Conservation and not the Tennessee Department of Transportation. As to the question of if bodies would be ‘stacked,’ Fielder said no at first, but later admitted that remains would probably be placed on top of one another as there are estimated to be more than 200 graves in the cemetery, of which the majority will have to be moved.
"I almost felt sorry for Nick Fielder in this instance," said N.A.I.M. spokesman Carl ‘Two-Feathers’ Whitaker. "He thought he was coming into a situation where the issues were settled and there was no debate. He had no idea there was this much protest to removing the remains and was clearly misinformed and you could see he was frustrated by it, even saying to us at the end of the meeting that he was tired of having to come in a clean up TDOT’s messes.
This cemetery hold’s the remains of children, Native Americans and some of this region’s founding families in addition veterans that have served this nation in it’s earliest conflicts. We stand beside the Sons and Daughters of The American Revolution and the Daughters of the War of 1812 in defending this historic site. As we have said from the start, this is a sacred ground for many reasons and we will do what it takes to protect it."
The protesters on hand at the meeting with signs and photos of their ancestors buried in the cemetery still question the need for the road and the reaction from local officials.
"It bothers me that there is only a token presence by city officials at this meeting," said one protester. "We have seen many of them in evening gowns and suits at a party next door while the citizens are here trying to save a historic site from destruction. I agree with those who are going to get politically active over this and, if this road goes through, I will do everything I can to see that we turn some of these officials out of office. The fact that they would turn their backs on the citizens who put them in office and go ahead with this ridiculous project is unbelievable. The state of Tennessee would not putting this road in without local officials’ approval. "

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U.S.S. David R. Ray decommissioned

McMINNVILLE– More than 300 sailors and civilians gathered last February in the coastal city of Everett, WA as the destroyer U.S.S. David R. Ray was officially retired from naval service.
The 8,800-ton Spruance-class destroyer was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS and commissioned on Nov. 19, 1977.
David Robert Ray was the son of a pharmacist, who grew up in the middle Tennessee town of McMinnville and attended the University of Tennessee, enlisted in the Navy in 1966 and became a medical corpsman.
In 1969, Hospital Corpsman Second Class David R. Ray and the Marine battalion he was assigned to came under attack in the Quang Nam Province in Vietnam. Although injured in the initial attack, Ray stayed at his post and ignored orders to care for the severely wounded in the sick bay and instead ran into the thick of the fighting to start retrieving wounded comrades – many of whom were in the middle of hand-to-hand combat with the Viet Cong.
Although a medic, Ray fought his way to the heart of the action and began pulling the wounded marines to safety. He was struck by enemy fire more than four times, but is credited with personally saving at least seven men and pulling them to a safe position, where he began applying first aid and getting them to the rear to receive medical attention.
His actions drew the attention of the Viet Cong and two soldiers were dispatched to attack his position. During the fire-fight that ensued, Ray killed one and wounded another. He held his position firing and attending the wounded until one of the enemy soldiers rolled a grenade into the bunker where he was working. Being unable to toss it out in time and without a thought for his own safety, HC2C David R. Ray threw himself on the grenade and used his body to absorb the blast and protect the wounded marine he was attending. His actions under fire saving wounded marines and fighting the enemy so impressed his commanders that they Tennessean was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His father was presented the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony.
The Spruance-class destroyer, which was named in his honor, served the U.S. Navy for 25 years. At the decommissioning ceremony, many former sailors, who served on the U.S.S. David R. Ray described the event as a funeral of sorts. Retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Wayne Babb, however, who was Ray’s commanding officer in Vietnam, spoke eloquently of the Tennessean saying Ray’s actions in Vietnam " went above and beyond the call of duty and the man for whom the ship was named was truly an American hero."
The U.S. Navy and the ship’s crew maintained an Internet site on the ship for the last few years, which was used by numerous school children in Tennessee as well as family members of those serving aboard her. David R. Ray is honored in his hometown with an elementary school and a highway in Warren County named in his honor.
The ship is now sitting in the mothball fleet in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton.
This isn’t the first ship named after a medical corpsman. The U.S.S. John Harlan Willis was named after Columbia, TN native Medal of Honor recipient John H. Willis, who was serving as a Pharmacist Mate at the Battle of Iwo Jima, when he was killed retrieving wounded marines from the battlefield.
National legislation, which was sponsored by Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN), passed the House and Senate a couple of years ago clearing the way for another ship to bear the name of another Tennessean. Marine Corps Gen. Clifton Cates, who served in W.W.I and W.W.II, rose to the rank of Commandant of the Marine Corps and successfully fought to keep the military division its own fighting force following W.W.II when then-President Harry Truman wanted to see the Marines absorbed back into ranks of the U.S. Navy.

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Gatlinburg Highland games celebrates 21 years

GATLINBURG – Cold weather, rain and mud didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 21st annual Gatlinburg Scottish Festival & Games this past Saturday at Mills Park in Gatlinburg. The honored clan at the year’s festival was Clan Campbell.
"The viewing stands are the best place to be this year," said Gerald McKay "but everyone has to wander around and see the vendors and clan tents and the rain has made it very difficult. The cold weather is a shock somewhat as I don’t ever remember it being so chilly and the mud is unbelievable, but everyone seems to be having a good time."
Officials say the annual event has seen its attendants ebb and flow over 21 years, but the recent upsurge of interest in family genealogy has seen the festival grow tremendously over the past three years. More than 50 clans had tents at the games to share their family history and offer information on helping others research their Celtic heritage.
"This region is idea for more festivals like this and I would like to see some also held on British, Irish and Welsh culture, " said Mary Stewart, "especially with the tremendous amount of immigration here from the British Isles. The Scottish Festival and Games is a long-standing tradition in Gatlinburg and I have been to practically every one held here. This one is somewhat of a mess because of the mud, but I had to laugh when one of the Scottish traditional musicians said this year’s games reminded him of being home in Scotland."
The Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Games featured highland dancing, Scottish heavy athletics and an all-day field Ceilidh with musicians from Scotland and across the United States. In addition, there were pipe band competitions featuring bagpipers from across the country and numerous Scottish agricultural displays. There were also numerous vendors offering Scottish goods and samples of native cuisine. New this year was the Kids’ Kastle, which had numerous activities for children.
The Scottish Festival and Games are held across the nation with the biggest one being held each year at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.
Officials say they hope next year’s festival and games is a little drier, but that plans and preparations are already underway for 2003. For those interested in being a part of the annual games, you can contact the local Scottish Society in Knoxville or at numerous on-line web sites on Scottish culture and genealogy.

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Federal Attorney disrupts Confederate
Memorial Day Service

KNOXVILLE – The annual Confederate Memorial Day Service, which is held at the Confederate Cemetery off of Dandridge Avenue was interrupted this past weekend by a federal attorney, who demanded that the ceremony be stopped and summoned Knoxville police to break up the event.
United States Department of Interior attorney John Austin, who is with the Knoxville solicitor’s field office, was reportedly driving by the ceremony when he stopped and demanded that it be ended.
The Memorial Day ceremony, which featured past Tennessee commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Covington, TN mayor Russell Bailey as guest speaker as well as federal representatives from the Tennessee congressional delegation, is an event sponsored by the Knoxville Chapters of the Sons of Confederate Veterans as part of the state’s and Knoxville’s annual observance recognizing Tennessee Confederate soldiers who died in the War Between the States.
Knoxville police summoned to the Confederate Cemetery informed Austin the assembly is legal, they were not going to stop the Memorial Day Service and that he would have to leave the site immediately.
While some of those in attendance at the ceremony say they were intimidated by Austin using his position as a federal attorney to try and stop the memorial service, others were furious that he disrupted the event.
Tennessee Conservative Union chairman Lloyd Daugherty, who attended the ceremony and has often spoken at the Confederate Memorial Day Service, left the grave site and confronted Austin and the police to see what the problem was.
"It was unbelievable that he (Austin) would try to use his position as a U.S. attorney to summon police and stop a ceremony where descendants were paying tribute to their ancestors," said Lloyd Daugherty. "This is clearly a case where a federal employee used his position to intimidate taxpaying citizens and should not be tolerated. This event is a lawful assembly held here every year and has never encountered any problems whatsoever from the people in the neighborhood where the cemetery is located. It’s a memorial day service where people who have Confederate descendants come here to pay tribute to their ancestors, pray over their graves and hold a small religious service. I commend the Knoxville police officers, who handled the matter very professionally and remained until the ceremony was concluded to make sure there were no other problems."
Following the incident, those in attendance at the ceremony contacted the office of U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. as well as the U.S. Department of Interior’s Field Office in Knoxville informing them how upset they were over the federal attorney’s disruption of the service.
According to reports, the board of the Mabry-Hazen House is expected to discuss the incident after Austin’s wife allegedly began a telephone campaign to Knoxville officials and members of the board reporting that the group gathered at the Confederate Cemetery were using racial slurs, racing trucks up the small city street where the cemetery is located, throwing bottles and playing the song "Dixie" on loudspeakers. Accusations called incredulous by members of the local S.C.V.
"Where that came from is beyond belief and an outright lie," said a Knoxville S.C.V. member Earl Smith. "If that was the case, I and everyone else there would have called the police ourselves. Confederate Memorial Day is a highly dignified and reverend occasion for us that honors our ancestors who fought and died during the War Between the States. This is something people with Confederate ancestors do every June across the South, especially in Tennessee and is duly recognized as state day of remembrance."
Telephone calls and e-mails requesting comment from the U.S. Department of Interior Knoxville’s Field Solicitor J.T. Begley, who is Austin’s immediate supervisor, had not been answered at time of publication.
The Mabry-Hazen Historical site is the caretaker of the Confederate Cemetery and the Mabry House, which was the home of Joseph Mabry – one of the city’s early leaders and a Confederate supporter that supplied Confederate soldiers with uniforms in the early days of the war. The local S.C.V. has done numerous "Living History" exhibits on the Civil War era in Knoxville featuring both Confederate and Union encampments for school groups and visitors to the site.

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"Tennessee’s world-class marksman dies in Atlanta

 

WEARS VALLEY – The Tennessee and American sports community was stunned last week to learn that world-class exhibition shooter and marksman Robert Michael Blackburn had passed away suddenly in Atlanta on April 29.

According to medical examiner reports, the Wears Valley resident was returning home from Alabama on Interstate 285 when he started feeling seizures coming on and pulled to the side of the interstate. His wife immediately telephoned emergency personnel who transported Blackburn to South Fulton Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Blackburn allegedly suffered from a seizure disorder for a number of years and the official cause of death reported by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office was a seizure disorder of unknown origin. The Wears Valley resident was laid to rest in the Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens with graveside services last Saturday. Michael Blackburn leaves behind a wife and daughter.
Blackburn was known throughout America as one of the greatest exhibition shooters with rifle, shotgun and handgun, even holding a spot in Guinness’ Book of World Records for the smallest target ever hit by a firearm. He was also an adamant supporter of the Second Amendment and, when once tested by a crusading reporter on national television who insinuated to Blackburn he was a gun fanatic who believed everyone should own a firearm, the marksman stole the reporter’s thunder when he replied: "I know many people who shouldn’t be allowed to own a firearm, but everyone should know how to use them."

The 51-year-old was born in Salem, Ill. on July 29, 1950 and developed a love for the shooting sports while still a child. He came from a long line of sportsmen that could be traced back to his great-great-great grandfather, who was regarded as one of Illinois premier gunsmiths.
Robert Blackburn’s skill with firearms in competitions quickly drew the attention of some of the nation’s best firearms experts and he began touring on the profession circuit. He made his first national appearance during a competition in St. Louis, MO when an NBC television crew taped him doing some of his remarkable feats. He would later go on to do a stint with ESPN, but left the national sports network over a financial dispute and went back on the road performing for audiences across the nation. He skill would later earn him a sponsorship from some of America’s most prominent firearm and ammunition manufacturers, including the Remington Firearms Company.
His love of firearms and his abilities thrilled crowds of all ages. While vacationing in East Tennessee as a young man, he fell in love with the Smoky Mountains and eventually moved to Wears Valley where he could enjoy the peace and quiet. He was a consummate shooter who was known for spending hours at a time practicing when he wasn’t traveling on the road. He always regarded his talent and skill as an American tradition, even once remarking: "I’d just like to leave my name in American history. I’d like to be remembered as one of the best exhibition shooters ever - remembered as a good guy, as a straight shooter."
Rocky Top Outfitters owner Greg Ward was among those shocked to hear the news of his death. Ward has a target in his shop from one of Blackburn’s competitions where the Wears Valley resident shot a perfect bulls-eye with a nine-shot cartridge from a 12 gauge shotgun, earning him a perfect score.

"Michael Blackburn was truly one of the greatest marksmen in the nation," said Ward. "He would go out with his firearms, set up targets and literally spend all day shooting and making up shots that would entertain people. His using the reflection off of a bowie knife to nail a bulls-eye was one of his best exhibition techniques that would get applause every time he did it."
He was also a featured guest on the Dixie Angler Radio Network and a close friend with program host Lloyd Daugherty. The two even taped a video pilot in the 1990s.
"I considered Michael Blackburn a good friend and he was undoubtedly the best hand with a gun I had ever seen," said Daugherty. "He was a huge bear of a man that was as gentle as a lamb and great with children. You would have to see him to believe how much natural talent he possessed with firearms. He will be sorely missed by myself and the untold thousands of people he entertained and inspired over the years. The American shooting community has truly lost one of its greatest inspirations. My thought and prayers go out to his wife and family."
Others across Tennessee expressed their sadness upon learning of his death and remembered him fondly.
"It is really sad that a man of his skill and talent should die so young," said Paris, TN resident John Sutter. "I saw him shoot two or three times and was simply amazed at the things he could do. You may not know him when he started, but, by the time he was through, Michael Blackburn was a name you would never forget. I get angry with sportswriters and broadcasters, especially on a local level, who ignore people of such considerable talent because their sport does not involve a ball of some kind and think their narrow attitudes towards outdoor sports, which make more money for this state than all college and professional ball teams combined, put a black mark on their profession. People like Michael Blackburn only come along once in a lifetime."
An autobiography on the Wears Valley resident entitled: "The World’s Greatest Sharpshooter: Keeping History Alive" should be available through your local bookstore or obtained by contacting Arrowhead Classics Publishing at P.O. Box 1489, Sevierville, TN 37864. The book details his life and times and also offers the shooting tips and techniques that made Michael Blackburn an icon in theAmerican firearms community.

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New insect threatens Smoky Mountain Hemlock trees

GATLINBURG – Biologists at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have confirmed the Park’s first-recorded infestation with the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, a tiny aphid-like insect that attacks and kills hemlock trees. The first outbreak was confirmed two weeks ago about three miles north of Fontana Dam in the Swain County, NC portion of the Park and a second infestation was found last week a mile from Cades Cove in Blount County.
The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is native to China and Japan and is a close relative of the Balsam Woolly Adelgid that has devastated more than 90 percent of the Park’s Fraser firs at areas like Clingmans Dome and Balsam Mountain. The hemlock adelgid was first detected in the mid-Atlantic states in the 1920s, but was not recognized as a serious pest until its population exploded when it reached large forested area such as Shenandoah National Park in the 1970s. In Shenandoah, officials say around 80 percent of the Park’s hemlocks are infected and most are expected to die.
Throughout the 1990s, federal and state biologists monitored the adelgid’s slow spread north into Maine and south along the Appalachians. The tiny insect can be spread by larger insects, on the feet of birds and by wind, but the fastest spread occurs when infested landscape materials are brought in for planting in developed areas. Between 1999 and 2001, the insect is believed to have made the jump quickly from the Virginia/North Carolina border down to the Robbinsville, NC area via this human transport.
The hemlock adelgid feeds by sucking sap from the bases of the tree’s needles starting with the underside. The parasitism retards the host’s growth and causes its needles to discolor from deep green to grayish before they drop off. The loss of new growth generally results in mortality of the tree within a few years. The infested twigs are fairly easy to recognize because the insects clump together at the base of each needle into a whitish mass that resembles a small cotton swab.
Areas of the Smokies which are primarily hemlock occupy only about 5,000 acres of the half-million acre national park, but individual hemlocks are scattered widely throughout the Park from the lowest elevations to about 5,000 feet. The hemlock is of particular importance when it grows along stream banks where its deep shade helps to keep mountain streams sufficiently cool to host the Park’s cold water fish population.
Officials say there may be a way to stop the disease are hoping new techniques will stop the spread of the disease and save the hemlocks.
"There is a range of treatment alternatives that may slow or hopefully someday prevent the widespread loss of hemlocks from our forests, " said GSMNP Supervisory Forester Kris Johnson. "Trees can be treated by injecting a pesticide into the soil where it is taken up through the roots and/or can be soaked with a soap solution. There are also some promising results from introducing an Asian beetle that feeds exclusively on the adelgid. The soap and pesticide must be applied by hand so it is not practical to treat large or isolated stands, but in the developed areas or with smaller outbreaks we may be able to keep an outbreak in check."
Park vegetation staffers treated the North Carolina stand last week with both the soap and the pesticide and will continue to monitor those trees to see if those treatments were effective. The extent of the infected stand near Cades Cove has not yet been mapped so managers have not decided on a course of action.
Park managers are asking hikers and others visiting the Park to report any sightings of hemlocks with the characteristic cotton-swab deposits on their needles to the Park’s Vegetation Management Office at (865) 436-1707. Specific locations and close-up photos are especially helpful in confirming any new infestations. Homeowners who suspect that hemlocks in their yards or other non-park areas may be infested can report their sightings to the county agricultural extension agents.

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The ‘last Viking’ dies of brain cancer

Although not directly related to Tennessee history, a death in the historical community brought to an end an era that literally changed the way the subject was studied world-wide.
There are few people in our time that have had so much impact on historical studies in the humanities as archaeologist and explorer Thor Heyerdahl of Norway. The 88-year-old man, who revolutionized the way we thought about mankind and our capabilities, passed away last week in Colla Micheri, Italy from brain cancer. While his death received little attention in the states, his remarkable life inspired millions of people around the world.
Heyerdahl was born in Larvik, Norway in 1914 and, from his earliest days, was an enthusiastic explorer. He graduated from the University of Oslo with a degree in Zoology and began his career on an expedition to Polynesia in 1937. He made such an impression on the local chief that he and his wife were adopted by him and the Norwegian began an intensive study of the people on the island of Fatuhiva in the Marquesas.
His studies and growing knowledge of the people soon led him to lose faith in textbooks on the region and the prevailing theories of stone-age Asian settlement of the Pacific islands. He became convinced that settlement had come from South America instead and his theories went so against the grain of scholars of the day as they pointed out that South American natives were incapable of building a craft that could have withstood the ocean’s currents and violent storms. Heyerdahl abandoned his zoological studies and took a position at the Museum of British Columbia, where he published his theory suggesting that Polynesia had been reached in two waves of immigration from Peru and Easter Island on balsa rafts.
Heyerdahl’s theory caused immediate controversy, but his studies were interrupted by W.W.II. The Norwegian patriot returned to his nation to volunteer for the Free Norwegian Forces, where he served in a parachute unit in Finland.
After the war, Heyerdahl continued to meet resistance and ridicule to his theory from scholars. It was then that Heyerdahl built a replica of the aboriginal raft from balsa wood named the "Kon-Tiki." In 1947, Heyerdahl and five companions pushed off in the craft from Callio, Peru and crossed 4,300 miles in 101 days and reached the Polynesian Raroia Archipelago – proving his theory that using the natural westerly currents Peruvian ancestors could have traversed the distance.
It was a thumb in the eye to scholars, who could no longer dismiss the Heyerdahl theories of how the Pacific islands may have been settled. The book the Norwegian later wrote of the expedition sold untold millions of copies and was translated into 64 languages.
Heyerdahl’s "hands on" approach to archaeology was revolutionary for its day and the Norwegian was later entrusted by his government to lead an expedition to the Galapagos extending South American archaeology into the Pacific. He paralleled this project with working to reinvent and rediscover the "guara"– a Native American center-board used by the Indians of Peru and Ecuador for Ocean navigation. Although not used on the "Kon-Tiki voyage," it further proved that South American Indians had the ability to navigate on long voyages.
In 1955 to 56, he led major archaeological expeditions to the mysterious Easter Island where the first sub-surface excavations of the island were attempted.
At the 10th Pacific Science Congress in 1961, scholars – citing Thor Heyerdahl’s work in the islands – issued the unanimous statement supporting the Norwegian’s theories.
One of Heyerdahl’s greatest accomplishment would not come until 1969 and 70, when he turned his efforts to ancient Egyptian archaeology. Of interest to him, were the ancient reed boats made from papyrus. While legendary in their travels up the Nile and other short-haul situations, scholars again said the crafts were not seaworthy enough to withstand an open Atlantic Ocean crossing. In 1969, he purchased 12 tons of papyrus and worked with local experts to construct an ancient-style vessel, which he launched from the ancient Phoenician port of Safi, Morocco. Sailing under the United Nations flag with seven men from seven different countries, the craft christened "Ra" sailed 2,700 nautical miles in 56 days until storms forced the craft down one week away from Barbados.
Not one to give up, the old Norwegian tried again ten months later with a smaller vessel using the ancient techniques. The vessel "Ra II" crossed the Atlantic Ocean at its widest part sailing 3,270 nautical miles from Safi and landed safely at Barbados in the Caribbean. The scholars’ theory that Mediterranean vessels built prior to the Europeans could not have crossed the Atlantic was literally blown out of the water and proved that commercial trading traffic between the two continents could have existed thousands of years earlier than previously thought. Later work on Egyptian mummies would find trace amounts of cocaine in hair follicles, which also lent credibility to Heyerdahl’s theories about possible trade routes existing between the two continents in the Egyptian Dynastic era. He voiced the unspoken knowledge that a good commercial trader in any era would never reveal his sources of cargo and the Americas could have been one of the best kept secrets in the eastern world.
Heyerdahl would receive numerous awards, honors, medals and be a contributing member to numerous international scientific congresses. His flamboyant, rough-and-tumble techniques of proving his theories often angered many scholars who held close to their antiquated ideas of immigration and sociological evolution. Forcing open the minds of supposedly open-minded scientists made enemies and his theories often referred to as "forbidden archaeology" had its critics.
Upon news of his death, some scholars immediately started pushing the pre-Heyerdahl theories saying the Norwegian’s work had fallen out of favor with "respectable science." Evidence supporting Heyerdahl’s theories, however, continues to be found, especially in the field of South America as archaeologists in the 1990s found primitve wall paintings on the continent that pre-dated the Bering land bridge and conventional theories of how people first immigrated to the Americas.
Until his death last week, the Norwegian remained active and continued his work on numerous archaeological projects around the world as well as serving as an international promoter of cooperation and understanding between people from around the world focusing on the commonalties that existed between people of all nations.
While he was regarded as a citizen of the world, the best epitaph for Thor Heyerdahl came from his own people.
While Heyerdahl didn’t raid villages, loot churches or lay waste to nations, he did do so to the pillars of science. Like his ancestors before him, from small crafts on vast, unforgiving oceans, he raided the antiquated ideas of scholars, looted theories and laid waste to the world-wide empirical premises that governed how scholars viewed the abilities of ancient peoples. To Norwegians and those who knew him and his work, he will be forever remembered as "the last Viking."

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Regional partnerships credited with
2001 tourism increase

KNOXVILLE – East Tennessee tourism officials announced that 2001 was a banner year for tourism in the region because of its involvement with the East Tennessee Marketing Partnership.
The Partnership place more than $193,000 in print media to market East Tennessee as a vacation destination. According to reports, advertisements were placed in 53 magazines and newspapers with a circulation of more than 60 million. The advertisements resulted in an impressive increase in visitor traffic to the partnership’s web site and in inquiry fulfillment. The partnership’s web site at www.easttnvisit.com received 178,481 individual user sessions totaling a 216 percent increase over 2000’s activity of 52, 718. The partnership fulfilled 67,133 requests in 2001 a 100 percent increase over the 32,988 requests for it’s vacation guide in 2000. More than 90,000 guides were printed in 2001 to meet the demand.
A new venture in 2002 will make it even easier for tourists to come to East Tennessee. The partnership has contracted with All in One Destination, vacation packages in an effort to get visitors to stay longer and spend more money during their stay. Providing organized, easy-to-purchase vacation packages in one way the East Tennessee Marketing Partnership hopes to increase visitor travel to the area.
"East Tennessee offers such diversity to travelers and families," said Chairman of the Smoky Mountain Tourism and Development Council Leon Downey. "The partnership allows us to pool our resources to educate visitors about all the attractions in this part of the state."
More than 60 communities participate in the partnership, which is made up of a group of tourism professionals that has actively promoted the region as tourism destination since 1997.
"The organization has really been an asset to this region," said one tourism official. "In the past, individual cities were on their own in trying to promote tourism and attract people and the unwritten rule was not to use the money you had budgeted to do that to promote another attraction, which might sit in an adjacent city or county. In a region like East Tennessee, it is foolish to do that when it comes to attracting the numbers of visitors it takes to make tourism profitable. By working together through partnerships like this one, a small city like Vonore in Monroe County can attract tourism day-trippers to Fort Loudoun or the Sequoyah Museum and the next day they can drive to the craft and tourist destinations in Cosby, while staying in Gatlinburg and seeing the Great Smoky Mountains. Everyone one wins through these kids of promotions."
For more information on East Tennessee vacation packages, officials say to visit the web site www.easttnvisit.com or call toll free at 1-866-327-8861.

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Dykeman steps down from state historian post

 

NASHVILLE – Tennessee State Historian Wilma Dykeman Stokely announced last week she is stepping down from her post after 22 years.
Tennessee Historical Commission’s Executive Director Herbert Harper said the Newport native has served the state well and helped raise awareness of the state’s rich heritage during her time as state historian.
Wilma Dykeman was first appointed to the post in 1980 by then-governor Lamar Alexander. Among the many reasons cited for her appointment was her award-winning work as a writer and contributor to numerous national publications on Tennessee history.
In addition, she has authored numerous books, lectured at some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities and fills 30 to 50 speaking engagements every year. Dykeman-Stokely is also noted for her work with women’s studies and as a travel writer. She sits on numerous boards and has been a force in conservation on both a state and national level.
After more than 20 years as state historian, Dykeman says she just feels it is time to step down.
"I have really enjoyed what this position has allowed me to accomplish," said Dykeman from her home in Newport. "It has taken me across the state speaking and raising awareness of Tennessee’s rich and diverse heritage. The time has come for someone else to take over the position. I am still writing my books and will continue my work."
Dykeman says she hopes whoever is chosen for the position will continue raising awareness of the state’s heritage. While a lot has been accomplished over the last 20 years, she is concerned that many public schools have diminished their programs on Tennessee history in the last few years and would like to see more importance placed on the subject and history taught differently than it is now.
"The biggest problem with the way history is taught is the emphasis on times and dates," said Dykeman. "The last part of history is ‘story’ and students should first learn the stories and then go back and find the dates. It makes the subject much more meaningful. History tells us who we are and why. It is a subject that you can’t place enough importance on in a classroom because it shows us how to interpret the present and the future."
Dykeman is the first person to hold the honorary position of state historian. Since it is a gubernatorial appointment, it is officially separate from the Tennessee Historical Commission.
"Wilma Dykeman has done a lot for Tennessee history," said Tennessee Historical Commissioner Executive Director Herbert Harper. "She has written a lot of books on the subject and really worked to raise awareness of it across the state."

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