McNAIRY COUNTY, TN - BIOGRAPHIES - JIMMIE REED ============================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping, with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic Pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Douglas H. Prather douglas-memphis@worldnet.att.net =============================================================== McNairy County Independent, May 30,1924 JIMMIE REED Every town and community in the history of McNairy county has had some character belonging to it, which character was an enigma, possessing certain peculiar characteristics, attracting attention by the manner of his living or something of that sort. Such a character was just a part of the place in which he lived. In old Purdy, from about the time of its establishment in 1825, there was such a character, may be more than one, but one in particular. His name was Jimmie Reed, and he was known as "Uncle Biddle." He was born either in Maryland or Pennsylvania, and in early life was a riverman running on flatboats from Cincinnati to New Orleans. He would sell his cargo in New Orleans, and in keeping with a peculiar habit of his, would make the return journey a foot, traveling through the wilds of the country infested with wild beasts and savage Indians. About the time of the establishment of the old town of Purdy, the subject of this sketch bought a few acres of ground, and dividing them into lots, called "Reed's Addition" to the town. He built the old courthouse in Purdy. There is a story told by the late Col. D. M. Wisdom that about the time of the completion of the courthouse, Davy Crockett appeared in the town and was billed to speak in the new courthouse. Uncle Biddle had made a vow that no one should occupy the temple of justice until the same had been formally received by the proper authorities. He planted himself on that proposition and it looked like the speaker would have to find another place. Crockett knew that Uncle Biddle was an ardent Whig, and hated the Democrats, and particularly Andrew Jackson. So during the night word was sent Uncle Biddle that it would be a pity to let Crockett go away without speaking, for he had come to lambast the Democratic party, and in particular "Old Hickory." The heart of Uncle Biddle relented, and early next morning, with assistants, he was making ready for Davy Crockett and his speech. He excused himself for reversing his position by stating that if the courthouse was to be dedicated to the public and for its good, no better way could be done than to have a man like Crockett, who was a Whig, to do the dedicating. Uncle Biddle was one of the two who had the courage to vote in an election against "Old Hickory." But he did that thing, and rejoiced over his achievement. That was in the race between Jackson and Adams. He boasted of the fact that he never heard but one Democratic speech and that was a Democratic candidate for congress who spoke in Purdy, McNairy county at the time belonging to the Memphis district. At the end of the speech, he left the courthouse in a rage, stamping the floor and the ground with both his feet, and with his ever-present and ready walking cane. On one occasion, Col. Wisdom reports that he saw a group of men discussing something near McCann's old grocery. Uncle Biddle asked Col. Wisdom what they were discussing, and he replied that he did not know. Then Uncle Biddle said, "Well I know they are traitors, (using an epithet,) plotting against the liberties of the people. You will live to see the country, my son, wasted by war, and ruin overtake you all, and the Locofocus will be at the bottom of the devilment. It has always been by belief that they would ruin the country and I'll die in that belief." He got his political religion from the old Louisville Journal, and swore by Prentice, and Henry Clay. As evidence of the peculiar traits of Uncle Biddle, he would not let Maclin Cross, an honest man, and an old citizen of the town, draw any deeds for him without first consulting his old friend, W. S. Wisdom. This he invariable did before signing them, because Maclin Cross was a Democrat. Mr. Wisdom was a Whig, and he trusted him. Col. Wisdom in writing of this old character says" "Brave old Whig Cavalier, No gorgonic horrors born of a craven spirit stood around your dying pillow to mock you with a lack of courage in your life work. You followed your convictions to the end, and a consciousness of this face cheered you in your last moments, and you died as peacefully as the exultant crusader in full view of the Holy Sepulchre. You were one of those rare men who never deceived friend or foe, and your very eccentricities the best heritage you have transmitted to posterity. It may be truly said of you that all your faults lead to virtues. Even in your death, you grandly rose above your time and section. You manumitted the only slave you ever owned, endowed him with a portion of your estate, and bade him hurry onward from the dark confines of slavery to the sunlit fields of freedom. I say again brave old Whig Cavalier. You have gone beyond the river to rest beneath the shade of the trees, and should some proud unconquered banner of your beloved party roll out its folds upon a sunny mount of Zion, we feel assured that you are there ready to join John Quincy Adams in denouncing the charge of 'bargain, intrigue and corruption' made