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Volume 32, Issue 10 Sandra J Stacey, Editor October 2009

THE CORNSHELLERNewsletter of the Montgomery County

Historical Society

Officers:

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Harold Vann

Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. David Elliott

Recording Secretary . . . . . . . . . . Carolyn Vann

Correspondence Secretary . . . . . .Rubye Patch

Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tracy Jackson

Historical:

County Historian . . . . . . . . . . . . .Eleanor Williams

County Archivist . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jill Hastings Johnson

County Genealogist . . . . . . . . . . .Randy Rubel

Members at Large:

Susan Paisley

Joe Filippo

Rick Hollis

July 19

Michael Doubler, Historian“ Interesting Things You May Not Know about the Civil War”

August 16William Turner , Christian Co. Historian“Personality of Dr. David Amoss, Night Rider leader

September OPEN

October 19

Billyfrank Morrison“Dorothy Jordan, Famous Hollywood Movie Star from Clarksville”

November Harvest Diner

or

December Christmas Diner

Monthly MeetingThird Monday of the month unless otherwise noted

Time: 7 p.m.

Scheduled Programs 2009-2010

October 19Riley Darnell ”Uses of new TN Archives Bldg.”

November 17Harvest Dinner “God and Country”Music by Bill and Carol Morris and CompanyMeet at: Laida Fellowship Hall, First Baptist ChurchCost: $15, Reservations May be purchased at L&N Train Station(T, Th, S--hrs, 9 - 1) or at Sept. and October’s regular meetings.

DecemberNO MEETING

January 18David Britton, Port Royal Conservator“First White Settler of what-is-now ClarksvilleNOT John Montgomery!”

February 15Joy Norwood Bland, 4th Great Granddaughter of Davy Crockett“Davy Crockett”

March 15Antonio Thompson, Professor at APSU“WWII German POWs” (some were farm laborers in Mont Co)

April 19

Lawson Mabry, Clarksville Resident of many generations

”Witty Things about Clarksville residents of old

May 22 PICNIC SATURDAY Greenwood AveHach house outing, owners: Marlin & Lisa Huddleston,

(out of doors lap lunch plus tour of home)

Phila Hach, caterer and speaker on the Hach family days there

June 21Tracy Jackson, MCHS Treasurer

“Cave Johnson, Postmaster General from Clarksville during

James K. Polk’s Administration”, a bio in progress

*** MCHS Programs will be held in the Gentry Auditorium,Kimbrough Bldg, APSU unless otherwise noted *** LOCATION

L&N Train Station

10th & Commerce Streets

Clarksville, TN 37040

931.553.2486

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We will be voting for next years officers at the October meeting. Thenominating committee composed of: Pam Gadsey, Rachel Pace, C.David Elliott and Rubye Patch recommend the following individu-als for offices for the 2010-2011 year.

President: Joe FilippoVice President: Billyfrank MorrisonSecretary: Ellen KanervoCorresponding Secretary: Peggy BonningtonTreasurer: Tracy Jackson

Members at Large:Gloria DavisCleo HoganRachel Pace

If you have someone else you would like to nominate for one of thesepositions, nominations (as always) will be taken from the floor (in whichcase committee will be equipped with pencils/paper.)

FOUNDING OF THE CUMBERLAND SETTLEMENTS

Enclosed with this month’s“Cornsheller”, you will findan order blank and flyer forthe new book “Founding ofthe Cumberland”. If youattended the program thatJack Masters presented tothe historical society, youwere given a preview.Many hours (and years)were spent in the produc-tion of this book. What avaluable asset it will be toany genealogist or histo-rian!

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

Enclosed in this month’s “Cornsheller” youwill find a copy of proposed changes of theby-laws of the Society. Please take time toread them before the meeting. All changesare in italics. We will be voting on thechanges at the October meeting.

PLEASE MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND OCTOBER’S SOCI-ETY MEETING. WE HAVE IMPORTANT BUSINESS TOCONDUCT!

"Famous and Forgotten", MCHS Cemetery Tour:

When: Sat, Oct 10

Where: Burt/Cobb Community Center, 1011 Franklin St

Time(s): Two productions 4:00 and 6:00

Tickets are available at:

1. L&N Train Station (T, Th, Sat, hours: 9 - 1)

2. CMC Library, Veterans' Plaza (everyday:hours 9 - 6)

3. Customs House Museum (closed Mondays, hours 10 - 5)

4. Tickets will also be available at October’s meeting

Light refreshments will be served.

(This is a moneymaker for the society. Please come support your society)

Cost $12.00

TENNESSEE STATE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES

This month’s guest speaker is Riley Darnell.Riley, former Tennessee Secretary of State, isa graduate of Austin Peay State Universityand Vanderbilt University Law School. Hisprogram will be on the Tennessee State Ar-chives and its future location.

The new building will be located at the northend of the Bicentennial Mall and will featurestate-of-the-art storage and retrieval systems. The new locationwill also solve parking problems. If you go to the state archivesnow, there are very few designated parking spaces because of itslocation next to the state capital and Supreme Court.

Nighttime rendering of proposed new building from the archives website

The Tennessee State Museum and the Museum of African-American History and Culture will also be located in the Bicen-tennial Mall.

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VOLUME 32, ISSUE 10

Formerly City Alderman

An honor was bestowed upon Mr. Gardner in 1912 when the cityboard of aldermen and mayor appointed him an alderman fromthe sixth ward to an unexpired term. Mr. Gardner took a greatinterest in the work, and when his term expired he was urged byhis friends to run for reelection. This he did and wasreelected.

During his term Mr. Gardner succeeded in putting through anappropriation of $10,000 For the purpose of buying the first gaso-line-driven fire pumper for the city., as the other members of theboard ? ?. But Mr. Gardner was farsighted and knew that the citywould need some up-to-date equipment for fighting fires. Finallyafter a hard single handed battle, he won a majority of the boarmembers over and his proposition went through. The purchase ofthe engine was found a short time later to have been one of the bestmoves made by the city government during the entire term. As anhonor to Mr. Gardner the board had the fire-engine named forhim. The machine is in toe? Today and has been worth thousandsof dollars to the city for the extinguishing of fires the machine isresponsible for.

Mr. Gardner and his sister, Mrs. B.F. Carleig? Of West PalmBeach, Florida when last September ? The nineteenth, birth anni-versary are the last surviving members of a family of twelve chil-dren,

nnnnn

Robert was born in Milton, KY a city in Trimble County, inthe Louisville metro area. He was the son of Nelson andNancy Gardner. Robert’s father was a blacksmith and movedhis occupation to Clarksville when Robert moved.

Robert lived in: Milton, KY in the 1850 census, in 1860 dis-trict 1 Owensboro, Daviess County KY, in 1870 Upper Town,Owensboro, KY, 1880 district 15 Clarksville, TN, 1900 HighSt. Clarksville, 1910 Second St. Ward 4 Clarksville, 1920College St. district 12 Clarksville and 1930 Clarksville.

In 1880 Robert’s occupation was listed as clerk in a tobaccohouse in Clarksville; in 1930 he was listed as tobacconist.Robert was married two times. He married Julia Ballard(born 1861 and died 1909) in Robertson County TN, 7 No-vember 1899. After Julia’s death Robert married Eula D.(last name unknown). I’m not sure when Robert died, buthe was listed in the Clarksville City Directory in the 1942-1943 year. He lived at 211 S 6th St. Eula D was listed inthe directory in 1947-1948 as the widow of RN.

The article said there were twelve children born to Nelsonand Nancy Gardner. I only found nine: Lucy, Sarah,Amanda, Martha, Thomas S, Robert Nelson, Nancy, Georgeand Cordelia. The other children may have been born anddied before the first census that actually listed names in-stead of numbers of died as infants.

ROBERT NELSON GARDNER

Back in the 1920’s life expectancy wasn’t as long as it isnow, so you will find articles written about individuals intheir 80’s. The following article is one example.

R.N. GARDNER AT 80 STILL HEFTYWould Race Man of 40,Says Tobacconist

(Clarksville-Leaf Chronicle 28 February 1929)

Thirty years in the saddle, through days and nights of rain andstorm is credited by R.N. Gardner, retired tobacconist andwidely- known resident of this city, who today celebrated hiseightieth birth anniversary as being responsible for his perfecthealth.

As erect in stature as an Indian, Mr. Gardner’s fine physique,standing six feet two inches and a quarter high, today re-minded one more of a prize fighter than a man past three scoreand ten years by another ten. Mr. Gardner is almost as activeas the average man of forty and challenges and man of that ageto a wrestling match. He always prefers walking to riding forany distance up to five miles and guarantees that he “can makeany young man sore-footed to keep up with me”.

“I have lived in Clarksville fifty-three years” Mr. Gardner said,and declared that he truly hoped to live here nearly that muchlonger. “I have already planned celebrations for my hundredthbirthday, and I’m not aiming to make that my last one either”said the retired tobacconist. “I’m not retired because of my age”he declared, “I retired to enjoy life.” Mr. Gardner never lets aday pass without getting out to see some of his friends, unlessunavoidably detained, and nearly everyday he comes down-town.

Born in Kentucky:

Mr. Gardner was born in 1840 at Milton, Trimble County Ken-tucky. From there he went to Owensboro and spent most of hisearly life. He also began a long career as a tobacconist there.He started into that business as a boy for Hamilton & Co. andcontinued with that firm for seven years.

Mr. Gardner’s residence in Clarksville began on January 18,1876 when he removed here from Owensboro to begin workwith H.M. Dunlop in the tobacco business. He remained withthat firm for thirteen years. After that he connected with T.D.Lockett & Co. for five years. Severing relationship with thatfirm Mr. Gardner went into the tobacco business in the firm ofGardner & Shaw in which he was senior partner. In this busi-ness he shipped much tobacco to foreign market.

Later Mr. Gardner was employed by the old Ewing tobaccoassociation as partner, and remained with the organizationuntil it disbandment. At that time he retired from businesslife.

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By the way, have you heard from Jefferson lately? I saw

the _________ ? Yesterday. He has been to Hopkinsville this

week. Did I tell you that he sat up all night Friday work-

ing on his books? Then he slept all Sunday evening.

I have to write and essay on “Looking Backward”

for Monday. I had rather look forward if I had my own

choice.

I am glad to hear that you are improving. I hope

you will not have any more fever, and can come to school

Monday. What will Jeff do Sunday if he don’t get to see

his little girl? Have you sent your “best beau” word? How

is old Xenophon, don’t forget that you and I have an invi-

tation to dine with me. For “Plato, Pericles, and Socrates

will all be there.

Goodbye,

Your Athenian friend,

Aspasia

Do pray don’t show this to anyone, please

1891 LETTER FROM GIRL’S SCHOOL

I recently received a gracious invitation to visit with Hazel Good-

lett. She wanted to share with me the following letter sent to

her aunt Lela Edwards. Hazel and I enjoyed reading about the

different subjects young ladies studied in the 1800’s. Appar-

ently Lela’s friend is writing to Lela during class time. Lela at-

tended a girl’s academy in Clarksville, but Hazel wasn’t sure of

the name of the school.

Clarksville, Tennessee 1891

Miss Lela Edwards

Dear old girl-

What on the earth Possessed you to go

and get sick at this time? We need you so much

now at school. I practiced our pantomime yesterday

evening. Mamie Hicks practiced in your place. We

came to practice our Women of Athens this morning

but Mrs. Buford did not come down.

The girls are studying their examination on

Geometry today, so Lenora and myself do not have

and lessons to say except Latin. Mrs. Louis Wood has

just been to see Mrs. Buford on business. I don’t

know what it was, but expect it was something con-

cerning Mabel’s ? Geometry. She said this morning

that she did not expect to pass. Mrs. B is hearing

Bennie’s outline study of Man now.

You can’t imagine how much I miss you. I

feel completely lost. I believe I am getting better

though.

We have commenced receiving our Christian

Evidences, we are using the Index. The lesson for

Monday is from Evidence Competency of in general,

p. 32 to Miracles Concomitant with Revelation, 211.

The Chemistry is from Nitrous Oxide P. 32 to

Carbon Logic—from Theory P. 210 to Joint Method

on page 219.

Mrs. B is reading us a long article on the

trial of Christ now, so that we will not have any Bi-

ble. lesson any more for about two weeks. Then

after she finishes it, we will have to write it up for

her.

Lenora and myself have been “Dealing in

Futures” yesterday and today. We are going to write

each other a letter and seal it up and not look at it

until we marry and if that is never, look at it

when we are twenty-five. Let’s us do the same, won’t

you? We were discussing who we thought would

marry first in our class. We decided that it would

be either Matie or Birdie.

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MEMBERSHIP

Welcome new member:

Amelia Allen Hartz2401 Allen Griffey RdClarksville, TN 37042ameliahartz@aol.com

The following pictures are from the family collection of Hazel Goodlett. If you can identifythem, please contact me at 931.648.3814 or at sandra.stacey@charter.net .

Mrs. Goodlett believes the pictures are kindergarten or elementary school pictures. Herfather John Whitfield Edwards, is in the pictures.

MORE VITALOGY

In a previous issue I ran some information froman old 1800’s book I bought. Here is somemore information from this old book. I imaginea lot of you readers were forced to take cod-liver oil as a child. I know I was. I vowed neverto give it to my children.

The book says, Cod-liver oil may be consideredas an item of food, and its power in checkingemaciation and improving the healthy tone ofthe muscular structures is now known too wellto require commendation. Perhaps some of itsusefulness depends on the iodine and phospho-rus contained in the oil, thus forming a naturalcompound of food and medicine. It may beadvantageously given in scrofulous affections(any of a variety of skin diseases; in particular,a form of tuberculosis, affecting the lymphnodes of the neck.), and troublesome cough,especially if occurring in a family in whichconsumption has been fatal.

Besides cod-liver oil, there are other animal fatsand oils which, if they can be taken and assimi-lated are certain to be followed with good re-sults; such as rich milk cream, butter, home-fedfat bacon and other substances rich in fatty mat-ter. Cream is, however, probably inferior to cod-liver oil and is not the same anti-tubercular ef-fect, for the iodine which is present in the for-mer is absent from the latter. These varietiesare mentioned so that in the event of a changebeing desired, one may be substituted for an-other, as circumstances indicate.

The best time to administer the oil is with, ordirectly after, food. If there be any difficulty inretaining the oil, it may be given just as thepatient lies down to sleep. Tasty accessorieswill often disguise the flavor of the oil so as toprevent nausea.

Cod-liver oil is a food rather than a medicine,although the minute amount of iodine and phos-phorus it contains may account for some of itscurative virtues. It is especially valuable in thevarious forms of scrofula and in all diseaseswhich require fatty substances as food and io-dine as a remedy.

In the treatment of consumption it stands pre-eminent above other remedies for when given insuitable cases it checks emaciation and strength-ens the muscular structures.

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Montgomery County Historical Society

P.O. Box 262

Clarksville, TN 37041-0262

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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ADDRESS _______________________________ ______________________ ________ _____________(Street) (City) (State) (Zip)

PHONE: ________________________________ EMAIL: _________________________________________

Please check type of membership

(Membership period is January to December)

Please make checks payable to MCHS

Individual $20 Family $30 Student (K-12) $5 Life $200

Corporate $250 Institutional $500 Preservation Society (2 years) $2,000

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