Theresa Jensen Lacey - Amazing Tennessee : Fascinating Facts, Entertaining Tales, Bizarre Happenings, and Historical Oddities about the Volunteer State

Amazing Tennessee

Fascinating Facts, Entertaining Tales,
Bizarre Happenings, and
Historical Oddities from the Volunteer State

T. Jensen Lacey

Copyright 2000, 2004 by T. Jensen Lacey.

All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of this book, except for brief quotations in critical reviews and articles.

Published by Rutledge Hill Press, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, Tennessee 37214.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Lacey, T. Jensen (Theresa Jensen), 1955

Amazing Tennessee : fascinating facts, entertaining tales, bizarre happenings, and historical oddities from the Volunteer State / T. Jensen Lacey.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 1-55853-790-2 (pbk.)

1. TennesseeMiscellanea. I. Title.

F436.6 .L33 2000

976.8dc21

00-030982
CIP

Printed in the United States of America

04 05 06 07 08 6 5 4 3 2

To my parents and to all Tennesseans, by birth and by heart

CONTENTS

When Tennessee celebrated its Bicentennial not long ago, one fact became clear: our state owes its progress and promise to its people. Some of their stories are captured here.

T. Jensen Lacey offers an entertaining collection of facts, oddities of history, and tales both true and tall.

From the Governors Office,
The Capitol, Nashville, Tennessee

If theres ever a way to make people fall in love with a state, its to ask them to write a book about it. Since I took on this project, not only have I found more reasons to love Tennessee, but Ive discovered more about Tennessee than I ever dreamed possible. Having worked some years back at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris (and now living in Middle Tennessee), I seem to be the perpetual tourist, curiosity seeker, and history buff. Theres always a curiosity around the next corner, or in the next town. Go down any highway in the state and there will be a historical marker that tells just enough about something to make you want to know more. And beyond that marker, theres always a Believe It or Not kind of tale. The inspiration behind this book has been those intriguing stories, anecdotes, and bits of history that make Tennessee a state of endless fascination.

Ive tried to include a little of everything in this book, so you never know what the next turn of a page will bring. You, too, are on a mission to discover more, laugh a bit, and be amazed, touched, or inspired as you read along.

There are always more curiosities to be written about and more tales yet to be told, so if you think of something that should be included in future editions, please write me in care of my wonderful publisher.

For those of you who dont live here, maybe this book will entice you to visit. Join me now in my love affair with Tennessee, and enjoy.

Id like to offer special thanks to the Governors Office for providing the foreword; my father-in-law, Richard C. Lacey Sr., for his help in the legal department (thanks again for bailing me out); and my parents, Marian and Joseph Jensen, for proofreading.

I thank the people of the chambers of commerce throughout the state for their assistance. Many others assisted me, as well. Cherry Condra Ralston of Tennessee Backroads Heritage and the staff of the Tennessee Historical Society gave help and advice. Ron Lotz of Lotz House Civil War Museum advised me on Civil War facts. Patrick Glynn of Wireless Flash News Service searched ten years worth of their quirky news items on things related to Tennessee. Ed Hooper, historian and broadcast journalist (who maintains the site Tennessee Online), stayed available day and night to answer my sometimes obscure questions. Barbara Parker and Elizabeth Phillips, of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, disseminated my requests to people throughout the state and reviewed the text. Donna Rea of the Erwin Record set me straight on how Mary the elephant was hanged. Mike DuBose, Muriel Anderson, Amon Evans, and Dave Steighan offered me their invaluable tales. Don Wick, Tennessee historical trivia buff, helped me fill in the gaps. Ralph Emery, celebrity interviewer and himself a celebrity, looked over my chapter on The Sound of Tennessee. Actress Patricia Neal reviewed my text and offered me friendly encouragement. Ashley LaRoche, assistant editor of The Official Tennessee Vacation Guidebook and the magazine Tennessee Connections, both published by Journal Communications, provided neverending assistance. Old buddies Carlock Stooksbury and John Rice Irwin of the Museum of Appalachia shared East Tennessee lore, photos, and the drawing of the still (Ill never tell where yours are located). Marie Tedesco, archivist at East Tennessee State University, researched photos. Stephen Cox, curator at the Tennessee State Museum, provided many photos. Kassie Hassler of the Tennessee State Library and Archives did research and provided information. Authors Vernon Summerlin, James Crutchfield, Phila Hach, and Richard Cornelius gave assistance and advice. Dr. William Foster, professor of historical linguistics at my alma mater, the University of North Alabama, Florence, provided information on speech and linguistic patterns unique to Tennessee. Sportswriter Larry Schmidt looked over the sports section. The librarians at Nashvilles Ben West Library, Austin Peay State Universitys Tennessee Room, and Clarksville Library (especially Tim Pulley and other reference room librarians) provided much assistance. Ron Rogers, computer whiz, gave me technical advice for the inevitable computer troubles. Ludd Trozpek of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation and Byrne Dunn, publisher of the Lewis County Herald, provided help on facts about Meriwether Lewiss grave site. Dr. Sutton Flynt, dean of the College of Education at Austin Peay State University, and his wife, Deb, proofread the manuscript and did not cover their ears when I told them Tennessee anecdotes. The staff of the Tennessee Film Commission supplied facts on the movie-making industry here. I offer Jerry Ray and Mike Gabriel a special thanks for the James Earl Ray story and pictures. I thank Ted Crozier for being my courier; I owe you an errand or two. I am grateful to a thousand other people who were friendly, helpful voices over the telephone lines. I also want to thank Larry Stone, my publisher at Rutledge Hill Press, for his visionary attitude toward this book and for his faith in me, and Jennifer Greenstein, my wonderful editor.

And finally, I wish to thank my immediate family for putting up with me while I wrote this book.

Truly Bizarre Event sand
Notorious Tennesseans

I Got This Six-Point with My Chevy Pickup:
The Road Kill Bill

In 1999 Representative Tommy Head (D-Clarksville) and Senator Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) sponsored the Road Kill Bill in the state house and senate. The bill proposed to make legal the keeping and consuming of wild game, such as deer and bear, killed by motorists. The house passed it, 95-0; in the senate, there was only one dissenting vote, and Governor Don Sundquist allowed it to pass without his signature.

This legislation was the topic of many comedy talk shows, such as