David Patton, Palmer Historian
2009
Due to time constraints, Mr. Patton regrets that he cannot personally respond to every comment and inquiry. Like most small town historians, he is an unpaid community volunteer and makes no claim of “knowing everything” about local history. For a detailed account of Grundy County history, he recommends that you consult your copy of the Grundy County Heritage Book.
However, if you have information you would like to share, you may write him at
50 Dogwood St.; Palmer, TN 37365, and he will attempt to respond through this page as time and circumstances allow. Your courtesy and understanding will be appreciated. Ms. Susan Sissom and other volunteers will be assisting Mr. Patton in transmitting this material, but have no personal knowledge as to the veracity of its contents.
Lewis Brothers Find Abandoned Baby
Imagine stepping outside in the wee hours of a cold February morning and hearing, of all things, the cry of a baby.
Ben and Clay Lewis live on Suck Creek Mountain which is known to just about everyone with Palmer or Grundy County ties. It’s the location of Prentice Cooper State Forest and teeming with wildlife though just minutes from Chattanooga.
The Lewis Brothers were at a card game around 2:00 AM when Ben stepped outside sleepy and headed for home. That’s when he heard the baby’s cry from the nearby Bibleway Baptist Church.
When the brothers went to investigate, they found a 4-6 week old 8- pound baby on the church porch in 36 degree weather with a little onesie on, lying on top of two blankets with a pacifier and one sock on.
The Marion County sheriff’s department was summoned, and the baby is in state custody and doing well after a hospital check-up. This happened February 15, and so far the person who abandoned the baby to the dangers of February weather and wild animals has not been found.
We thought some of you across the country might have seen this story in your local papers. The Lewis Brothers are the sons of former Palmer resident Jeff Lewis. Their grandparents, Howard and Oma Boyd Lewis, still live in Palmer.
25th Annual Grundy County Spelling Bee
The 25th annual Grundy County Spelling Bee was held February 12 at Coalmont Elementary School.
Stella Parris of North Elementary won the 2009 Bee and was followed by second place winner Ashton Scissom of Palmer Elementary, third place winner Kole Mann of Swiss Memorial Elementary, and fourth place winner Kierra King of North. All received the David Patton Spelling Award.
Ashton is the granddaughter of Connie Hargis Cannon and the late Wayne Cannon.
Keon Meeks, granddaughter of Junebug and Carolyn Meeks, received the Louise Geary Layne Courtesy Award while Kirsten Jones, granddaughter of Larry and Gayle Crabtree, was awarded the Y.B. Ashby Teamwork Award. Both represented Palmer Elementary.
Mr. Patton founded the 3 awards to serve as an incentive for the Spelling Bee contestants. "These students represent the best and the brightest and I am honored to recognize and reward them for their hard work in this important academic endeavor, " he said.
Old Sayings and Figures of Speech in Grundy County, TN
1.“He’s as tight as the bark on a tree.” Or “He’s so tight he’d skin a flea for the hide.” You still hear these old sayings that describe a stingy person. Back in the Great Depression a miner with the reputation of being “tight” carried a $50 bill in his billfold at the Palmer Big Mine. After a frantic search he never found the lost money, but year later a fellow miner got “saved” and confessed that he had found the money back then and returned it to the tight man.
2.“Money burns a hole in his pocket.” This described a wasteful and financially irresponsible person and it could describe the United States as a whole in recent years. Every day we hear horror stories from the federal government right down to local potheads and everything in between. The money gets so hot that they just have to spend it immediately with no thought of paying bills of “saving for a rainy day”. The financial monsoon season is here now though and many are being swept away in the ensuing floods.
3.“I’m as weak as water.” This used to be said a lot to describe many things. “water gravy” was well known in the Great Depression when people couldn’t make nutritious milk gravy. We had a 24-hour stomach virus recently, and it did make us as “weak as water”.
4.“I don’t have any wind.” We haven’t heard this in a long time but I’m sure most of you “oldsters” remember it well. It meant the person didn’t have much breath and just a little exertion would make them “paint (pant) for breath” as they used to say. Most of it was caused by cigarettes, and many miners smoked so this combination caused much suffering and death.
5.“She can go fly a kite.” This was said in frustration or anger and meant “kiss off” or “kiss my a—“ in today’s talk. Seldom hear the kite saying anymore.
6.“Give him an inch, and he’ll take a mile.” This used to be said a lot in Grundy County. Mothers often said it about a child as in “I let him go to the ballgame, but then he stayed out all night. Give him and inch and he’ll take a mile.” It was also said about adults who took advantage of someone that did them a favor.
7.“He was just Cadillacing down the road.” This was someone driving by like they didn’t have a care in the world and probably going fast at that. “Cadillacing” of course referred to the symbol of wealth and influence, the Cadillac car.
8.“In my day” or “In my day and time” or “In Roosevelt’s day” 89-year-old Earl Rigsby grew up in the Great Depression and said “In Roosevelt’s day” recently. He was referring to the great president Franklin D. Roosevelt who led the United States to victory during the Great Depression and World War II. Earl’s a WWII veteran. Now, instead of these sayings, people refer to the past as “in the day or “old school”.
9.“She’s fitty-fied” This meant someone hard to please. Are women really more “fitty-fied” than men? Could be, could be!
10.“He’s as common as an old shoe.” This meant a down to earth person and so easy to get along with, never griping and complaining. Does this describe most all men in the United States? Could be, could be!
Palmer News
Has “spring sprung” where you live? Our beautiful mountain is back to life after a long winter sleep and ablaze with yellow forsythia, red quince, and multi-colored daffodils and jonquils or buttercups as we call them.
We are writing this on March 20 and the first day of spring has been sunny, chilly, and windy, but just enough to put you in a good mood and rejoicing that winter is past. March 1 did come in like a lion with howling winds and a dusting of snow, so we’ll be looking for the lamb on March 31.
Family and friends gathered at the Western Sizzlin’ in Dunlap March 7 to help to help Janice Layne Gulas celebrate her 63rd birthday. Mike Gifford and his sister Donna Gayle Basham have been lifelong friends and were among those present.
What’s for supper? Talk about good timing! On a cool day recently we stopped to visit Jerry Harrison and he just happened to be making a pot of soup. It was delicious and many who grew up in Burnt Orchard like Diana Henry Smith will remember that his mother Mrs. Willie Mae “Bill” Harrison was a good cook.
Our February rainfall was 3.7". The mountains of Grundy County can still be ice cold at times in March, and Rick Layne had 17 degrees on March 2 and the next morning Bonnie Payne had 12 degrees on Palmer Mountain. We heard the first frogs sing later than usual this year, Feb. 24 in Griffith Creek and March 2 in Gruetli-Laager. It seems insects always survive through, and we saw the first wasp in the window on March 7.
We sadly report that Dan Coffelt and Rex Magouirk are now patients in a long-term health care facility. Dan’s a World War II veteran.
Happy 17th anniversary to Bobby Lynn and Mary Cannon Stinnett who celebrated with dinner at the Cookie Jar Restaurant. They were married March 7, 1992, by Rev. Riley Anderson, Jr.
Joyce Hargis returned to Palmer United Methodist Church March 8 after almost a 2-month absence due to sickness. A “cottage prayer meeting” was held at her home during the ordeal by church members. Chris Grooms sang “Beulah Land” at the February 17 church service.
On a cool and sunny March day we took a walk over to Dock White Hollow and visited with Memories General Store owner Cody Cookston. Cody’s a personable young man and the store is located in a very scenic part of Palmer. If you’re coming through Palmer call him at 931 779-5580 for directions. We also enjoyed talking with Cody’s Aunt Sherry Cookston Layman.
Ricky Ruehling, an employee of our local Ben Lomand Telephone Coop, spent several days recently in Kentucky to help crews there restore service after the terrible ice storm. “It looked like a bomb had gone off”, he said, describing the devastation.
We enjoyed visiting with Mrs. Linda Borne Ruehling this week. She lost her husband Doug over the winter, and we extend our sympathy to the family. Linda was the Grundy County tax assessor for many years.
Howard Lewis visited Tom Creighton recently in Tracy City. Tom’s in his 90’s now, and I’m sure they enjoyed talking about old days in Palmer. Both are musicians and many probably don’t know that Tom had been a prolific songwriter over the years and that Howard performs many of those songs. Most remember Tom as a legendary Grundy County car dealer.
The Palmer Cemetery Association had a chili supper this month to raise funds for summer mowing. Graves are free, but it takes money for mowing and upkeep. So, if you have family buried here, please send a donation to:
Palmer Cemetery Association
C/O Jeremy Robinson
39 Rock Avenue
Palmer, TN 37365
Former Palmer resident Juanita Merrell was honored February 23 with the “Betty Probasco Lifetime Achievement Award” presented by the greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame.
She’s a member of this hall of fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Juanita coached her Kirkman High School Volley Ball Team to four state championships and in the 1950’s was an all-star basketball player at Grundy County High School. Her parents were the late Albert and Ladybug Nunley Merrell.
The snowbird returns:
Melvin Hampton of Jasper, TN, returned home this month after wintering in Florida. He visited his sister Wanda Meeks and had lunch at “Pa’s Barbecue Restaurant” operated by Tommy and Viva Birdwell where fresh picked turnip greens were on the menu. He’s the son of the late Rev. M.C. “Bud” Hampton.
Mary Ruth Rogers, widow of Burr Rogers, attended a baby shower recently for her granddaughter Jennifer in Griffith’s Creek. Jennifer’s the daughter of the later Ramona Rogers.
On sick call: Becky Guffey and Harold James have had pneumonia and Billy Carl Guffey has had treatment for a serious infection. Polly Ward Rogers, widow of Hade Rogers, Sr. has been hospitalized.
Carl Worley has been in the burn unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville for a month or so after getting too close to a gas heater. Our friend Franklin “Frank” King has been a patient at Centennial in Nashville for almost a month receiving treatment for leukemia. Please pray and ask your church to pray for these poor men in such critical conditions.
The community was shocked at the sudden passing of Larry T. LeCroy. Larry was the primary care giver for his wife Donna Shadrick LeCroy who suffers from Huntington’s Disease. We extend our sympathy to the family and ask your prayers for Donna.
Ricky Layne says he saw former Palmer resident Nick Creighton at the visitation for Larry, and many will remember Nick’s twin brother Dick. Mrs. Shorty Sanders says she saw Johnnie Ruth Shadrick Trussell of Decherd, TN. She’s a sister to Donna.
We ran into one of Dock White Hollow’s most famous residents while shopping recently. Ezell Layman is a son of the late Homer and Ola White Layman.
Our friend Mrs. Frances Morrison Britton passed away last month, and we extend sincere sympathy to the family. We passed her house on Ducktown Circle while walking every week and sometimes stopped and visited with her and the family. She was such a nice person and will be missed.
Happy ? Birthday to Steve Garner who celebrated march 3. The “honorary mayor” of Chiggertown lists his age as “39”, but we’ll guess he’s 64-65. Steve’s always an interesting person to talk with.
This week while walking in Gruetli-Laager, we enjoyed talking with Leon Christian and Charlie Byers from the Grundy County Highway Dept. Our Grundy County Road Superintendent Dewayne “Turkey” Hargis and his crew do an outstanding job keeping our roads repaired and the right-of-ways mowed. Leon’s a son of the late E.J. Christian.
All of us here “where the good people live” have spring fever, and we hope this is on “bug” you catch. Let’s all walk “on the sunny side of the street” and enjoy this beautiful season.
As we all know, our nation remains in “critical condition” economically so pray for our leaders as they work to find solutions. And don’t forget our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and all points in between as they risk all to keep us safe and free.
Ezell Layman is shown in 1989 with his “chaw of tabaccer” at Jackie Henry’s Service Station. It was before daylight and he had stopped to talk with Hube Henry before going to work at Whitlow Brothers Sawmill.
Palmer and Related Deaths in 1993
Every once in a while someone will ask us, “Is so and so still living?”
Although this list is from 1993, we thought it might be helpful in answering such questions in the future.
Deaths in the Palmer town limits for 1993 included Wesley A. Fults, Leona Finch King, Willie Harold Watts, George Herman Privett, Henry Douglas “Doug” Flynn; who was employed by Tennessee Consolidated Coal Co. all his working life, Agnes “Ag” Morrison Partin Shadrick; widow of Alvin Partin and Clayton Shadrick; Robert T. “Junior” Summers, Jr., Doris Worthy Partin; wife of Bill Partin, Opal Rogers Cookston; wife of W.S. “Buck” Cookston, Esther Bone Magouirk; wife of Ellis Magouirk, Tommy Waymon Fults; son of Hubert Fults, and Louise Meeks Pocus; wife of Roy Pocus.
In nearby Tatesville-Barker’s Cove we lost Edith Givens James; wife of Frank James, and John Ervin “Erv” Coffelt. On Palmer Mountain; Roxie Graham Layne, wife of Harley Layne died.
Gruetli-Laager deaths with Palmer connections were J.C. Sweeton, Charles Aler Tate, Carma Nell Wideman Sanders, Winnie Lockhart Ross; Mother of Rev. Cotton Ross, Gertrude Leona Ward Mitchell; widow of Oscar Ward and Emmett Mitchell, Mila Green Grimes; wife of Fred Grimes, Dorsey E. “Satch” Meeks; who worked at the Palmer Big Mine, Almedia Bone Kilgore Meeks; daughter of Will “Deacon” Bone, Violet Burnett Crutchfield, wheelchair-bound Grundy County Register of Deeds, and Glenn Hicks, son of former Palmer Police Chief Farrell Hicks.
Other deaths across the state and country with Palmer connections were Floyd Owen; Boss at the Palmer Big Mine, Amos Lee Nance, Charlie Cat Conry; son of Duncan Conry, Christine Martin Brooks, Florence Cleek Flynn, Myrtle Land Tate, Herbert Elmer “Red” Kilgore; son of Almedia Bone Kilgore Meeks and WWII POW, Pascal Sissom, Jr., professional wrestler Emmett Kelsey “Rocky” Cookston, Charles “Chuck” Knighton, Jr.; son of Modena Gifford Knighton, Cecil Levoy Garner; son of Herbert Garner, Esther Roberts Creighton, wife of Lacrtis “Curg” Creighton, Billy Gates “Bill” Harris, Herman David Morrison; brother of Claude Morrison, Mamie Smith Geary; wife of Johnny Geary, Tammy Lynn Shadrick Nunley; daughter of Joe and Patricia Johnson Shadrick, Albert “Abb” Griffith, Carl David Nunley and his sister Elizabeth Nunley Geary; wife of Robert Malcolm Geary, and Frank Hembree “Red” Nunley. We believe this Frank was the brother of Ladybug Nunley Merrell of Palmer and we know his son was a linebacker for the San Francisco ‘49ers.
Although these loved ones and friends left us 16 years ago, we know that they are still missed and extend to you our sincere sympathy.
Palmer and Related Deaths in 1994
Every once in a while someone will ask us, “Is so and so still living?”
Although this list is from 1994 we thought it might be helpful in answering such questions in the future.
Deaths for 1994 in the Palmer town limits included Thomas E. “Muskie” Overturf, Pearl Layne Morrison; widow of Lee “Fat” Morrison, Naomi Geary Pocus; widow of Joe Pocus, Opal Crabtree Shrum; widow of Howard “Blue” Shurm, Paul Logan “Pepper” Sanders, Christine Land Tate; daughter of Ruby Land Henry, Dennie J. Magouirk, Richard Smith; brother of Rev. Hub Smith, and Osbin Wayne Shaddrick; son of Chester Shadrick.
Over in Dock White Hollow we lost Thelma Mae Hobbs Worley; widow of Raymond Worley. In nearby Tatesville-Barker’s Cove the passing of Hazel Margie Layne Layman; widow of “Abb” Layman, William Robert Pickett; a coal miner who lived to be almost a hundred and Lela Mae Kilgore Layne; wife of Ray Layne, is noted.
Gruetli-Laager deaths with Palmer connections were Billy Joe Shrum and his wife Martha Campbell Shrum, Jay Layne; son of Rev. J. Hugh Layne, and Louie Hascel Smartt.
Other deaths across the county, state and country with Palmer ties included Myrtle Brown Creighton; A Grundy County Herald correspondent for some 50 years, Bernice Smith White; wife of Roy White; Eddie White Layne; daughter of Charlie and Rachel White, Mose Shrum, brother of Howard “Blue” Shrum, Paul W. Summers; son of Robert Summers, Jr., Clata Hampton Frank; daughter of Rev. M.C. “Bud: Hampton, Francis Magouirk; who worked at the Palmer Big Mine, Anna Bell Stotts Tate; wife of Alfred Tate, Tommy Brown; son of Bill and Dovie Brown, Billy Holt Tate; son of Lorene Hold Akins, Tommy Golston; brother of Ralph Golston, Kenneth Ross; son of Bill and True Sitz Ross, Maudie Sehourne Brown; mother of Mrs. Raymond (Doris) Hargis, James David “Hammerhead” Mitchell; son of Pascal Mitchell, and Libby Hampbon Gray, sister of Rev. M.C. “Bud” Hampton.
Even though these loved ones and friends left us 15 years ago, we know that they are still missed and extend to you our sincere sympathy.
