HICKMAN COUNTY, TN - NEWSPAPERS - Hickman Pioneer, 1881 ----¤¤¤---- THESE ARE ARTICLES TAKEN FROM THE "HICKMAN PIONEER" NEWSPAPERS FOR THE YEAR 1881. DURING THIS TIME, SOMEONE FROM THE COMMUNITIES WOULD WRITE ARTICLES ABOUT THE COMMUNITY. THE WRITERS NAMES WERE FICTITIOUS. THE ARTICLES INCLUDED ARE FROM THE COMMUNITIES OF SWAN CREEK; "SUNRISE", "SWAN", "SWAN BLUFF", ETC. Prepared by Ova Lee Sawyer FEBRUARY 4, 1881 "DEATHS" Died, at his residence, on Swan creek, in this county, on Thursday, the 27th. ult., Robertson Whitesides. Thus passed away one of our oldest and most prominent citizens. He was born in North Carolina, in March, 1800, and moved to Tennessee in it's early settlement and settled on the Cumberland river below Nashville. From there he came to Maury county and settled on Cathey's creek, and came to Hickman county and settled on Swan creek in 1830 or 1831. He was an acting justice of the peace in our county for a number of years, and in 1856 was elected to the State Legislature. His wife formerly Miss Sallie Webb, of Pine river was born in January of the same year in which he was born, and died in 1871. Mr. Whitesides was a contemporary of Maj. Bowling Gordon, whose death we announced sometime ago. He was born in the same month of the same year in which Major Gordon was born, and the two figured very largely in politics of the State in olden days. Mr. Whitesides was noted for honesty and integrity, and was one of our most estimable citizens, and will be greatly missed, and his place will be difficult to fill. FEBRUARY 11, 1881 "SWAN" The PIONEER is and should be a welcome visitor in all our homes, as it is the only means by which we can obtain the news direct from all parts of our county. Rev. W. Y. Lindsay preached a very interesting sermon to a small, but attentive audience at the Camp-ground on last Sunday. Bro. Lindsay is young in the ministry, but we predict for him the success which attends all faithful workers. Farmers are most all done gathering their crops; some are preparing to sow oats, while all are making preparations for another crop. Miss Bettie Peery, of Cathey's creek, has been visiting relatives and friends on our creek this week. Hope she'll come again soon. The young folks are having some dances and plays in this vicinity. They haven't got Xmas out of the heels yet, the holidays being so bad they couldn't get about, the disease got a deep set, and is very difficult to move. Rufus Hill is building him a house. What does this mean, Rufus? Franklin Pierce and old uncle Davie (David C.Peery) are erecting an extensive building on the Peery farm, where they intend carrying on the manufacture of brass pins, Spencerian pens, sewing machines supplies, etc. Ask Bill Mc. how Gullett performed at the party, he can tell you all about it. I am glad to see our correspondents coming back to our circle again. I wonder what has become of "Guess-who", "School-boy" and many others that used to adorn your spicy columns with their witty writings. Hoping the PIONEER a long life and a brilliant career, I will close with every feet up. INTERPRETER FEBRUARY 21, 1881 "SWAN" Brother Charley Brown preached at Camp Ground last Sunday, and Parson James Brown preached at New Salem. Esqur. Luther Whitesides has a severe case of erysipelas on his hand. The farmers have not done much the past two weeks, on account of the bad weather. I think there will be a great more cotton planted this year and less peanuts than has been for several years. Horatio's mule ran away with him last Sunday, and threw him off at the widow M.'s yard gate. The fall did not hurt him severely, for he was able by half an hour after dark to start on his way home. Persimon branch is coming out. Bill Mc., has built a smoke-house. He says he has a claim of wild-hogs in the woods, and is preparing to take care of them. J. D. Aydelott has moved to the Sam Aydelott farm. Young folks, if you like to be a Magician, it would pay you to apply to Charley (Bill) Flowers. He can learn you the art of ventriloquism, how to make a horse lie down, and even make cats fight; cheap, too. INTERPRETER MARCH 18, 1881 "SWAN" The farmers are rejoicing over the beautiful weather at present, and are making great preparations for coming crop, breaking stubble land, cleaning up briar thickets, re-setting fences, etc. Wheat has not made much show yet, and some think the crop will be light this season. The large Ship(p) of Duck river made a voyage up Swan several days since. Swan is quite a small stream for ships, but the "old Ship(p) of Duck" made the trip in two days, bringing back one of the finest looking Kitt(r)ells of Lewis county. Mr. John Wolverton, ex-Constable of the 12th. district, is going to cultivate a briar thicket on the Southall farm. Success to him. Our young riffleman (Newt P.) is talking of starting to the great lakes in a few days, for the purpose of shooting fowls, at which he is unexcelled. In conclusion I will send you the following puzzle, to be answered in two weeks: I went out into the field and got it. After I got it, I looked at it; the more I looked at it, the less I liked it. I finally brought it home in my hand, because I could not find it. What is it? INTERPRETER JANUARY 13, 1881 "SWAN BLUFF" As I haven't seen anything from this section for sometime, I will give you a few items. Health is very good in this vicinity, as far as I know. Farmers, as a general thing, are a little backward with their crops, which are rather small; but the people are laying them by. We have plenty of rain in this section, which makes the farmers work to keep the weeds down. Cotton looks well, while peanuts are about a failure. Our young friend, S. R. Bond, returned home a few days since, from Centreville, where he has been going to school, Sam said he liked his teacher, Prof. Wm. H. Gardiner, very much. Sam's father said he introducted the young man to a plow on Monday after his return. We had preaching at Raleigh's Chapel last Sunday morning, by Rev. W. W. Harrington, who delivered an excellent sermon to a very large and attentive congregation. We have Sunday school every Sunday at the Camp-ground, and preaching once a month by Rev. W. Y. Lindsey. Our post-office at this place has played out. Mr. F. M. Flowers, of Copperas branch, returned home a few days ago, from Centreville, where he has been stopping a few weeks. The other day, as our mail-rider, Mr. Stout, was going up the creek, his horse gave out, and he got off and took the mail-bags on his shoulder and took it a foot, leaving his horse behind. Our friend, the "Peanut Raiser," I think will have to come again, for I think we have him this time with "Jonah in the whale's-belly." If this does not reach the waste-basket, I may write again. So, I will close, by giving your readers a puzzle, to be answered in two weeks: I once had it, but now I haven't got it; nor do I know for my life when I lot it, and I would not have it back for the world. POKE STALK JULY 29, 1881 "DEATHS" Died at his residence, on Swan creek, in this county, at 8 o'clock, a.m., last Friday, Mr. Hiram Prince; aged about 63 years. Mr. Prince was born on Big Tiger river, South Carolina, on the 6th. day of August, 1818. He, with his father, moved to Williamson county, Tennessee, when quite young, and in 1835 he came to Hickman county and settled on Swan creek, and for many years worked as a day laborer among the farmers of that stream. In September 1840, he was married to Miss Mary Ellen Farris, the now bereaved widow. They raised a large and interesting family, only one of whom is dead. He was an old line Democrat; belonged to no church, but was a believer in Christianity; a public spirited man, and was liked by all who knew him. In his death the county has lost one of its best citizens, and his family a kind and indulgent husband and father. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Ova Lee Sawyer OLSawyer@aol.com -----------------------------------------------------------------------------