Susan Harber, The Daily News Journal, June 19, 2017 The term “slaughter” emanates cold chills down the spine of any individual in Rutherford County. Yet, slaughter was unending on December 31, 1862, with the perilous, bloodiest encounter of Union and Confederate troops in a heavy forest near the Stones River.…
Susan Harber, The Daily News Journal, May 15, 2017 Henry Shaw of the Coleman Scouts was the son of Thomas Shaw, who came to America from Scotland and settled in both Lancaster, Pa., and North Carolina. Thomas established roots in Robertson County in 1821 and made Clarksville his home. Living…
Greg Tucker, Murfreesboro Post, April 25, 2017 Sophie took care of Sophie! Educated in Philadelphia, Alfred H. Dashiell came to Tennessee in the 1830s as president of the Nashville Female Academy. After four years at the Academy, he entered the ministry and served four years as pastor of the Presbyterian…
Susan Harber, the Daily News Journal, April 17, 2017 While there are unprecedented records on file in the history of our county in the past 200 years, the study of our primeval history is limited and vague. Therefore, the events in our county over 1,000 years ago is elusive. Yet,…
Frank Caperton, Rutherford County Historical Society, April 8, 2017 Jefferson Springs native Toby Francis conducted a tour of Old Jefferson for a few former residents of the community once known as Jefferson. The weather was warm and beautiful as were the memories shared by all.
Greg Tucker, The Murfreesboro Post, March 22, 2017 Even the fences tell tales in Rutherford County. Devil’s fence Virgil Pitts and Ellis Peyton, neighbors on Trimble Road in the eastern portion of Rutherford County in the 1940s, raised sheep. Their respective sheep pastures shared a common fence, and for years…
Susan Harber, the Daily News Journal, March 18, 2017 I have thoroughly enjoyed touring the Collier-Crichlow-Smythe House twice in recent times. The interior of this majestic home on East Main Street is abounding in special treasures and wondrous collections. The rare antiques are beyond astonishing in the 18 rooms. This…
Connie Esh, The Murfreesboro Post, March 14, 2017 Mabel Robertson was awarded a key to the city by Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland for her birthday. “I’ve been told I’m the oldest person in Rutherford County,” she said – and McFarland pointed out that makes her the “wisest” person in Murfreesboro…
Greg Tucker, The Murfreesboro Post, February 22, 2017 A full house was an entrepreneurial enterprise requiring special skill, knowledge and eventually an ingenious device. The first slot machine, a gambling device, was invented in 1895 by Charles Fey, an auto mechanic. In 1901 Fey modified the design of the mechanical…
Susan, Harber, The Daily News Journal, February 19, 2017 Editor’s note: This is the first story in a two-part series. Coverlets in Rutherford County of the 19th century were an artistic expression of high expertise. These exquisite gems are preserved over time from both Peru and Egyptian deserts in the…
