Reprinted in the Putnam County Herald, 17 June 1937, Page 3.
Sixty Years Ago
Republished from "The Cookeville Chronicle" of December 8, 1877.
This is the second installment of this series of re-published article from the old Cookeville Chronicle. Very few of these old papers are now in existence and these remaining copies are yellow with age. If you are interested in the early history of Cookeville you now have an opportunity by placing these articles in a scrap book to collect and preserve interesting fragments of the early history of Cookeville and Putnam county which would otherwise be very difficult if not impossible to obtain.
Arrivals and departures of the mail.
Lebanon mail leaves Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:00 a. m. Arrives Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 4:30 p. m.
Livingston mail leaves Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:00 a. m. Arrives Tuesday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
Sparta mail arrives Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11:30 a. m. Leaves same days at 2:00 p. m.
Rock Island mail arrives Wednesday at 12 m. Leaves same day at 7 p. m.
11 mails per week.
L. R. McClain, Asst. P. M.
Local News
Our representative, Hon. H. Denton left Monday morning for Nashville, to look after the interests of his constituents in the called session of our legislature. We haven't heard him express himself on the state debt question, but we'll bet his head is level.
At the regular meeting of Cookeville Chapter, No. 112, R. A. M., on the 3rd of December, 1877, the following officers were elected to serve for the ensuing twelve months: Jesse Arnold, High Priest; H. P. Davis, King; C. J. Davis, Scribe; J. B. S. Martin, Sec.
The school closed at the Academy last evening. Prof. Smith will now leave us for his old home in White county, where he will lay aside, for a season, the robes of a teacher, and devote himself wholly to the duties of the ministry. The professor has accomplished a good work here, and we are loath to part with him.
The little folk had a social at Dr. J. F. Dyer's Thursday night. We understand they had a very pleasant time.
Our little friend, Tommy Ford, says he caught fourteen 'possums Wednesday night. Hurrah, Tommy! That's first rate for one night, considering that it wasn't a good time for 'possum either.
H. S. Boyd has returned from a trip to Nashville on legal business.
Mr. Sid Shaw has recently returned from a short sojourn in the "Lone Star State." That's sensible, Sid; You're a man after our own hear, now.
Mr. B. Marchbanks, of Sparta, made us a flying visit one day last week. Burt is a jovial fellow, and we were really glad to see him.
Messrs. Byars, Mizell, Bransford and Hawes, commercial tourist from Nashville, have been taking orders from the merchants of Cookeville this week.
The following "Local News" is republished from "The Cookeville Chronicle" of December 1, 1877.
We had the pleasure of helping to enjoy dinner given in honor of E. D. Staley's thirty-fourth birthday, at the Reagan House, last Thursday.
We welcome to our list of exchanges "The Middle Tennessean," published at Livingston, Tennessee, edited by Prof. Coulson. It is a neat little six column sheet well deserving a liberal patronage, and we wish its proprietors much success in their new enterprise.
In obedience to his Fraudulency's (Ruther B. Hayes) proclamation, thanksgiving was held at the Methodist Church, Thursday; owning to the inclemency of the weather, however, the attendance was small.
Rev. J. W. Cunningham, of White County, will commence a series of sermons at this place, on Saturday, the 8th of this month.
The following "Local News" is reprinted from "The Cookeville Chronicle" of December 15, 1877.
Clay Ford, of this place, left for Spencer, Thursday morning, when he expects to witness the closing exercises of Burritt College.
The Lebanon Stage has made better time during the present week than has been its custom heretofore. Fresh horses on the lower end of the road is supposed to be the cause.
Our merchant friend, Mr. Mike Moore, was made the happy father of a fine, large daughter Thursday morning.
Prof. Wheeler has been compelled to stop his school at Lee's Seminary for three weeks, on acount (sic) of the measles among his students.
Died -- At the residence of Mr. Jordon Low, on the morning of the 9th inst., Miss Nettie Smith. We join with her many friends to mourn their loss.
Our lady-like little friend, Pearl Arnold, has visited our sanctum this week. Come again, Pearl, we are always glad to see you.
The occultation of Venus last Saturday night so aroused the astronomical nature of Cookevillians that they could talk of nothing else for a while. No person was provided with a glass of any kind, but it was beautiful, even as seen by the naked eye.
The young men of the Academy fully intended to give a supper at the close of their exercises last Friday evening, but the measles were raging to such an extent in town that they thought it proper to postpone it till a more convenient season.
Brown & Company, have just received a full supply of any and everything you can think of, in the mercantile line, if you don't believe it call on Zina and Newt and they'll show you. They can furnish you with anything from a bale of cotton to a bowie-knife. ("Zina and Newt" were Z. T. Hinds and Newton Davis -- Editor.)
A drove of forty-five horses and mules passed through town Wednesday morning.
Election Notice
The stock holders of the Putnam County Agricultural and Mechanics Association will please take notice that the annual election for a Board of Directors for said Association will be held in the Courthouse in Cookeville, Tennessee, on the first Saturday, the 5th of January, 1878, at which time and place your attendance is earnestly requested.
H. Denton, President.
A. Sloan, Vice-President,
J. Buck, Secretary
This issue contains a lengthy advertisement by County Trustee, W. J. Isbell, of real estate to be sold on Thursday, December 20, 1877 on account of delinquent taxes.
P. W. Glenn, dentist, has a professional card, illustrated with a picture of a plate of false teeth, in the paper.
The " Reagan House" well known Cookeville hotel for many years, E. D. Staley, Proprietor, carries an advertisement in the paper, - claiming among other strong ponts (sic) -- "it has recently been refurnished, and is the largest and best hotel in Cookeville. The rooms are elejantly (sic) furnished. The table is unsurpassed. Our livery stable is the best and largest to be found in the country. E. D. Staley