A History of Anderson County, Tennessee

The recorders of history are prone to search the archives of the past in pursuit of truths concerning subjects of recognized value, while subjects of supposedly minor importance are left unexplored and their truths unrecorded. It is with the intention of developing one of these minor phases of history that this thesis is attempted.

Probably no phase of Tennessee history of equal importance has been so grossly neglected as that of the counties, yet it is only by examining their records, recording their activities and fitting them together that a complete history of the state is accomplished. The first history of any country must, of necessity, be somewhat disconnected and fragmentary. A history of Anderson County is no exception to the rule. Fragments have been gathered from various sources and an attempt made to fit them into a compact whole, but due to the incompleteness of written and printed records the attempt has met with only partial success. To overcome this handicap it has been necessary to depend upon interviews to supply a part of the material used. Before using data obtained through interview attempts have been made to determine its accuracy. In most cases such data has been confirmed, in part at least, by printed or written records.

I wish to express my appreciation to Dr. P.M. Hamer, under whose supervision this work was commenced, and Dr. W.S. Jenkins, under whom it was completed. Thanks are also due to the library staff of the University of Tennessee and Lawson McGhee Libraries, especially to Miss Nelson and Miss Luthrell of the latter institution, for assistance in the work.

I am indebted to Mrs. E.A. Reed and Dr. A.K. Shelton, of Oliver Springs: T.U. Crowley, A.E. Hollingsworth, J.H. Webb and D.K. Young, of Clinton; W.W. Lindsey and John Wilson, of Coal Creek; W.R. Moore and Miss Kate White, of Knoxville, for supplying much of the source material used. W.J. Smith, of Oliver Springs, H.P. Farmer, of Clinton, and William Freels, of Edgmoore, also sided in the work by supplying much information through interviews. Rev. P.L. Cobb, of Clinton, greatly assisted in the work by offering valuable suggestions and giving constant encouragement.

To the many others who assisted in the work, I wish to express my sincere thanks.

R.C.S.