Reprinted in the Putnam County Herald, 01 July 1937, Page 3.
Sixty Years Ago
This is the fourth installment of this series of republished items from the old "Cookeville Chronicle, " which began publication in Cookeville, on October 5, 1877, with Carnes and Cope, editors and publishers.
The Chronicle, although it began publication almost sixty years ago was by no means the first newspaper published at this place, a fact referred to in the first issue of the Chronicle in which there appears a lengthy and interesting "Salutatory," signed by Messrs. Carnes and Cope, its founders, from which we reproduce the following:
"Salutatory"
"It may seem to the people of Putnam and adjoining counties that another attempt toward the establishment of a local journal in their midst would be an exhibition of folly upon the part of its undertakers. So many have been begotten, born and for awhile reveled in the full enjoyment of a liberal patronage, then left to languish and die, that success seems to claim no part of its existence, and a newspaper failure has become almost proverbial among the people This should not be. You have one among the first counties of the state. Her great natural abilities can't be surpassed by her most prosperous sisters. You have, as you have been told by one whose duty it is to look after these matters, (Col. J. B. Killebrew, State Geologist), a soil or soils adapted to the cultivation of almost every production. Then why keep the world in ignorance of these facts?"
"local News" issue of Jan. 12, 1878
The snow measured eleven and a half inches last Saturday.
Hon. Benton McMillin, of Carthage, registered at the "Cookeville Inn" Thursday night.
You will find the Chronicle office in the room upstairs over the law office of Mr. B. R. Womack.
Rev. J. W. Cunningham has rented property and removed with his family to Cookeville, we extend to him a hearty welcome.
Dr. Hugh Lansden, who made arrangements several weeks ago to remove to Cookeville, arrived last Wednesday evening. We welcome the doctor and all other such men to our town.
There was a social party at the residence of Mr. J. H. Brown, Tuesday night. The attendance was large and select. All who were present seemed to enjoy themselves finely, and, when the hour to disperse arrived, regretted only that they had met to part so soon.
A watch-meeting was held at the Methodist Church New Year's Eve. A very respectable congreation watched the dawning of the New Year, while they sang the dirge of the dying year.
There was a social party at Mr. Walton Smith's Monday night. Eveything passed off lovely.
We had the honor as well as the pleasure of occupying a seat at the repast prepared of Mr. J. H. (Josh) Brown, the 4th. The table almost groaned under the immense weight of any and everything the appetite could desire, and, of course, we would not be guilty of having it said that we didn't do it ample justice. Here's a health to the host and hostess.
The (union) Sunday school of this place reorganized at the Methodist Church, last Sunday, under more favorable auspices than ever before. The following officers were elected: H. S. Boyd, Superintendent; J. H. Curtis, Assistant Superintendent; Miss Mary Goodpasture, secretary; Miss Jennie Moore, librarian, and I. N. Davis, treasurer.
"Local News" issue of Jan. 24, 1878
This issue contains a full account of the proceedings of the January, 1878 term of the Quarterly County Court, from which we republish the following items:
"The following proceedings were had at the January, 1878 term of the County Court. Court met at 9:30 o'clock, present J. K. Peek, chairman and 28 justices.
The chairman submitted his financial report, which shows that warrants were drawn on the Trustee for the year 1877, for $4,873.36.
The Trustee has paid off warrants during the year to the amount of $5,071.43.
There are yet outstanding warrants to the amount of $7,452.06.
Current expenses for the year (1877) $4,873.36. Taxes for the year 1877, $4,964.07.
The Revenue Commissioners' reported that all settlements were correct except the settlements made with William Lisk, former Trustee, on the 2nd of September 1876, in which was a clerical error of $18.91 which amount was ordered paid to the widow of said Lisk.
The resignations M. A. Jared and B. R. Womack, Revenue Commissioners, were presented and accepted.
Justice M. A. Jared (of 11th District) was elected chairman of the County Court on third ballot, and Jacob Henry (of the 4th District) chairman protem.
R. L. Gentry and J. R. Bullington were elected Revenue Commissioners to fill the vacancies occasioned by the resignations of M. A. Jared and B. R. Womack.
J. H. Moore, S. G. Slaughter and Henry P. Davis were elected Commissioners of the County Asylum.
G. R. Baldwin was elected Ranger, B. R. Womack was elected Public Administrator, Phillips Sadler gave bond and qualified as Constable in the 11th district.
James Cole, Superintendent of the county Asylum, was allowed $142.50 for the expenses of paupers for the past four months.
G. R. Baldwin was allowed $3.00 for making a coffin for Celia Terry, colored, deceased.
William Bartlett allowed $3.00 for shrouding for a pauper.
John Terry, chairman of Poor House Commissioners, allowed $10.00 and J. H. Moore and Edward Choate allowed $5.00 each for their services as Poor House Commissioners.
J. K. Peek, chairman of the County Court allowed $100.00 for his services as financial agent for 1877.
Henry P. Davis, County Court Clerk, allowed $78.20 for making out tax book and duplicate for 1877.
Capt. S. G. Slaughter, J. H. Moore and C. R. Ford appointed Commissioners to superintend the putting in and building a cage for the county jail and $150.00 appropriated sa part of the fund ofr that purpose.
C. J. Bohannon, Sheriff, allowed $11.65 for wood and sawdust and half dozen chairs furnish the courts.
Samuel Young allowed $2.12 for shrouding for paupers.
A. T. Anderson, County Superintendent, made his report which shows the scholastic population of the county at 3,804.
A large amount of road business was transacted by the court.
Messrs. H. S. Boyd and Walton Smith, attorney of this place atended (sic) Chancery court at Carthage last week.
Markets
The following are the market prices paid by the merchants of Cookeville for country produce:
Feathers, per pound 40 cents.
Wool, washed, per pound, 35 cents.
Wool, unwashed, per pound, 25 cents.
Ginseng, per pound, 95 cents.
Beeswax, per pound, 25 cents.
Lard, per pound, 8 cents.
Bacon, sides, per pound, 8 cents.
Hams, per pound, 8 cents.
Shoulders, per pound, 6 1-2 cents.
Butter, per pound, 12 1-2 cents.
Eggs, per dozen, 12 1-2 cents.
Wheat, white, per bushel. $1.00.
Wheat, red, per bushel. 90 cents.
Flour, per pound, 3 cents.
Corn Meal, per bushel, 50 cents.
Corn, per bushel, 50 cents.
Cotton seed, per pound, 2 cents.
Cotton, ginned, per pound, 8 cents.
"Local News" issue of Jan. 31, 1878
"We notice that the frame of Dr. H. C. Martin's new residence (on Jefferson street) is almost completed.
Hon. H. Denton is attending Circuit Court at Sparta this week.
The municipal election resulted in the election of Anderson Sloan, Mayor; and H. S. Boyd, B. R. Womack, A. Algood, H. P. Davis, J. J. Mills, and S. G. Slaughter, Board of Aldermen for the Cookeville Corporation. We think the citizens of the town have a good selection in the choice of their officers, and hope they will go to work and not only pass, but enforce, such laws and ordinances as will secure peace and quiet to the town.
The meeting which was commenced at the Methodist Church, on the 3rd Sunday and carried on under the supervision of Rev. Jesse E. Hickman, closed last Sunday night. It resulted in the addition of ten members to the Cumberland Presbyterian Congregation of this place.
Mr. Lee R. Taylor of the Second District of this county, died at his residence, three miles from this place, on the morning of 26th.
Sunday evening his remains were interred at Salem.
Mr. Taylor was a worthy citizen beloved and respected by all who knew him, who deeply mourn his death.
Esquire S. G. Slaughter, J. H. Moore and C. R. Ford, have been to Sparta to examine the workmanship of the new jail at that place.
Capt. Barnes of Nashville has paid Cookeville a short visit since our last issue.
Capt. H. H. Dillard has returned to Cookeville after a professional visit to Gainesboro and Granville.
Cookeville is still improving. Another new house. Mr. J. B. Shores has established a new family grocery and confectionery.
In this issue of the Chronicle, there appears a lengthy communication from a correspondent at Buffalo Valley, who wrote under the nom de plume of "Ridgewood," from whose communication we publish the following items:
"Have you Chronicled the marriage of Mr. T. L. Denny to Miss Fanny Ford of Cookeville? Next came the wealthy widower, Mr. Thomas A. one trip is expected soon again."
Virginia Jared, daughter of John Jared, Esq. Marriage has no terrors for him. After him James A. Carlen went the way of all the world in company with Miss Minerva Huddleston, on the 13th day of January, 1878, and on Thursday last, the 17th instant, S. D. Maddux married Miss Mary Burton, daughter of Alex Burton, and Lewis Garner married Miss Melvina Smith, daughter of Thomas Smith, Esq., all the foregoing weddings were notable from the standing of all parties.
Capt. Exum has been running his boat the "Katie Vertrees" regularly on the Caney Fork, taking off all surplus produce. The Vertrees is lying now at our land loading with wheat. The "B. G. Wood" has made one trip and is expected soon again.