March 99 News Archives Welcome to Tennessee Online's News Archives Just Click the Headline of interest to go to the story. Melungeon’s deny seeking Native American status Tennessee School for The Blind Student takes top honors in Sam Houston Essay Contest TNT to debut C.S.S. Hunley film in July Proposed Commerce Center could Sundquist issues R.E. Lee Day Proclamation State of the Union Address encourages historical preservation Clarksville-A tornado that touched down in Clarksville has caused considerable damage to the city’s historic district. The storm tore a hole in the Montgomery County Courthouse and did considerable damage to the downtown Methodist Church. It marked the second time in five days that the County was hit by the unseasonable storms that also devastated much of Little Rock, Arkansas and West Tennessee. Federal Emergency Management Agency Director James Lee Witt viewed the damage in both states. Montgomery County is expected to once again be declared a disaster area and be eligible for Federal assistance. escape storm damage Jackson-The storms that blew through Tennessee and devastated Jackson fortunately did little or no damage to historic landmarks and structures. Eight people, however, lost their lives and over 200 homes were destroyed in the Jackson area making it one of the hardest hit communities in Tennessee from winter storms. There are numerous relief efforts to help the citizens of Jackson and Vice President Al Gore visited the area promising federal disaster relief to the community. While that may take awhile, we encourage everyone to lend a hand and support the local agencies sending relief to West Tennessee. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks. Native American status 
Sneedville-In a follow up to last month’s
story, The Tennessee Commission on Indian Affairs met on Jan. 16 to
open discussions on the state loosening its requirements on people
who can claim Native American status. While many of Melungeon ancestry
attended or were invited, Melungeon historical representative Scott
Collins of Sneedville addressed the group and told them that N.A.
status is not a goal of his people. Media members present at the meeting,
however, heard something different and headlined numerous stories
across the state that the Melungeons were in fact wanting Tennessee
to declare them Native Americans. “I don’t know where the media got that information,” said Collins. “ I had just walked over from the Governor’s Inauguration and into a room with people wearing headdresses. I spoke to the group and told them we did not want to be a part of this issue and really shouldn’t be there. We have worked for generations to discover who we are and we know Melungeons are not Native Americans and I don’t want to take anything away from those who are Native Americans.” D.N.A. testing in the 1990s as well as historical research has shown the Melungeons “discovered” by John Sevier in the 18th century in upper East Tennessee to be of Mediterranean origin. Possibly colonists from early Spanish and Portuguese ventures into early America. Dr. N. Brent Kennedy, himself of Melungeon ancestry, has done extensive research on the customs and mores of the Melungeons and found they are similar to early Spanish Moors, who were fleeing the Inquisition. The earliest references to them among the Cherokee described the group as “quiet and given to praying three times a day at the ringing of a bell” - a trait common to the Islamic religion and pointing away from the fact they were a lost Native American tribe.
Nashville-The Tennessee Historical Commission released its nine winners in their annual Sam Houston essay contest. The top winner in the Middle Tennessee division was TSB student Joshua Gentry. The student was able to research Houston by reading Braille books on him and listening to audio tapes of books. In addition, new technology provided by computer voice technology allowed him to “surf” the Internet and gather what he needed. Tennessee department of Environment and Conservation Director Milton Hamilton spoke highly of the student. “Joshua Gentry had to go the extra mile to learn about Sam Houston,” said Hamilton, “and then again to compose an essay for this contest. But the reason he took top honor in Middle Tennessee is that his essay scored highest according to the Historical Commission criteria.” The Tennessee School for the Blind was chartered by the Legislature in 1844 and has become one of the best schools in America dedicated to educating blind students. In fact, it produced one of only two native Tennesseans to be knighted by the English Crown. For more information on the school, check out Artifacts 13. The other winners were; East Tennessee: Kyle Bubp-Maryville, Morgan Daniels-Kingston, Melissa Hannah-Chattanooga, Middle Tennessee: Joshua Gentry-Nashville, Keller Midlin-Franklin, Lauren Walsh-Brentwood, West Tennessee: Elizabeth Armstrong-Bethel Springs, Carl Chando-Cordova, Erica Wilkins-Memphis. Tennessee Online would like to congratulate both the students and the teachers of the competition. 
Atlanta-Turner Network Television
is scheduled to release in July 1999 a film on the life of Horace
L. Hunley and his submarine, which became the first one in history
to sink an enemy ship. Some state historians are wondering if the
film will portray Hunley’s life in Tennessee or the fact that fellow
Tennessean Matthew Maury aided him tremendously in his quest to build
the vessel. The C.S.S. Hunley was discovered off of the South Carolina
coast in 1995 and efforts are now underway to raise it. While the
film “trailers” lend hope that it will be a worthy production, many
historians are nervous about how historically accurate the film will
be. “We’ve seen a lot of political correctness from Turner Network Television,” said one historian, “and the p.c. crowd has crippled more than one important project. A negative portrayal of Hunley could focus attention on the wrong things and hurt public support for salvage operations of the vessel.” Others connected with the project say that it is nonsense and the sub will come up regardless of any person or production because salvage of the historic vessel is “just good archaeology”. hurt Stones River Battlefield Murfreesboro-A planned Commerce Center complex near Stones River National Military Park is getting closer to becoming a reality. City officials are reportedly contracting with a firm in Kennesaw, Ga. to do an impact study on the construction of the facility near the Park. Park officials have expressed reservations about a facility that might pose traffic problems and cut into parts of the Stones River Battlefield where over 80,000 Confederate and Union troops fought over control of Middle Tennessee. When the park was created in 1927, only 600 acres of the 4,000 acre battlefield was preserved along with the National Cemetery. The Park tried to extend its boundaries in the mid 1990s with a bill proposed by Representative Bart Gordon, but the legislation failed in the eleventh hour. Park officials have tried since to work with Murfreesboro, but City leaders have been quiet about the proposed development. It was recently reported in newspaper articles covering the story that some City officials allegedly have personal financial interests in the proposed developments. “This is one of the best preserved battlefield Parks in America,” said Preservationist Jerry Lessenberry, “and unless some careful planning is done on development, we could see a domino effect on the Park’s boundaries and a definite loss in historic value. It is hard to get a true picture ofthe battle if you have to look over skyscrapers to see where the battle took place.” The Park attracted over 220,000 people in 1998 and, with heritage tourism becoming a growing industry, tourism officials say that number could increase dramatically. If so, Tennessee is among only a handful of states that could see a boom in tourist revenues as more and more cities are developing heritage trails. State historians and preservationists are worried Murfreesboro’s sudden interest in developing the property will hurt the historical integrity of the Park. Stones River is already considered to be one of the most endangered National Parks in America. 
Nashville-In honor of the numerous celebrations going on across the state in January, Governor Don Sundquist issued a proclamation honoring Confederate General Robert E. Lee and proclaiming Jan. 19 as Robert E. Lee Day across the state. THE STATE OF TENNESSEE WHEREAS, Robert E. Lee revealed the highest degree of loyalty and patriotism to one's own state; and WHEREAS, all citizens should remember the selflessness and the achievements of General Lee; and WHEREAS, Woodrow Wilson said of Robert E. Lee, "This man was not great because he was born of a soldier and bred in a school of soldiers, but because of whosoever he may have been born and howsoever he was bred; he was a man who saw his duty, who conceived it in high terms and who spent himself, not upon his own ambitions, but in the duty that lay before him." NOW, THEREFORE, I Don Sundquist, Governor of the State of Tennessee, do hereby proclaim January 19, 1999 as
In Tennessee, and do hereby urge all our citizens to join me in recognizing the life and work of this dedicated American. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the official seal of the State of Tennessee to be affixed at Nashville on this 7th day of January, 1999 Don Sundquist, Governor Riley Darnell, Secretary of State The official proclamation can
been see on the Tennessee SCV Savage/Goodner Camp Homepage located
on the Reenactors Page of Tennessee Online. 
Washington, D.C.-President Bill Clinton
closed out his State
of The Union Address on Jan. 20 by calling on Americans to get
involved in historical preservation projects in their community. While
historians and preservationists are reviewing the President’s remarks
on this subject, it was one of the few he mentioned that didn’t follow
with a mention of funding to go with it. Historians are hopeful, however,
that the President plans to do more than talk about it. Many communities
in Tennessee are battling to save historic landmarks and federal recognition
of such efforts could go a long way in helping to raise funds for
the projects. In December, President Clinton had a wreath laid at the grave site of President Andrew Johnson. While many saw an irony in it as both have been impeached by Congress, White House officials say the President was merely honoring a tradition started by President Lyndon Johnson, who was the first to have wreaths placed at all former Presidents’ graves on their birthdays.
seeking block grant 
Chattanooga-The National Medal of
Honor Museum in Chattanooga has applied for a Community Block Grant
to start getting things underway for the move to the new St. Elmo
Location. The museum has been working since last year to raise money
and see how they can refurbish the historic school to accommodate
the museum’s growing displays. Their current location on Georgia Avenue
has become to small for the numerous groups and artifacts it needs
to display. “Any donation someone can give will be helpful,” said Museum Trustee Ann Moyers. “Even a single dollar helps us with the ongoing work and projects the museum does each year.” The NMoH Museum is the only national facility that preserves the records and artifacts of the nation’s 3,400 plus recipients. Their work includes developing Walls of Honor for Arlington National Cemetery and U.S. military installations around the world. Last year State Senator Bud Gilbert secured passage of Senate Bill 2979 calling on Tennesseans to help the museum and to honor the state’s 44 recipients of the Nation’s Highest Military award. For those who would like to help, you can contact the museum at www.smoky.com/medalofhonor or by phone at (423) 267-1737. Virginia-Following a report a few years ago that American History standards were dropping, many states tried to raise the standards of their history educators in order to ensure students would make gains in a subject that is often politicized and overlooked. For example, Tennessee hasn’t updated state history texts in over 25 years. Many states have tried to raise the history standards, but have had political correctness law suits launched against them . In addition, political action groups have also tried to add new “cultural studies” subjects to school curriculums, which have caused their own set of problems as revisionists have often “altered” facts that change the impact of historical events. The argument made it into the Virginia statehouse in January as elements of the body criticized the Governor for raising standards that many Virginia students could reportedly reach. The Virginia Democratic Party chairman said Gov. Jim Gilmore should scrap the history portion of the Standards of Learning test because it is an embarrassment to the state. The remarks made by Del. Kenneth R. Plum, D-Reston, drew a retort from Sen. J. Randy Forbes, R-Chesapeake, the Republican Party chairman, who also addressed the annual meeting of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. A Gilmore spokesman also spoke out against Plum. Plum, a retired public school administrator, described the history standards as "trivial pursuit" memorization tests that were largely the work of Republicans. "The Republican Party feels a continuing need to appease its extreme fringe elements," Plum said. Plum also described the recent tests in which 97 percent of Virginia schools failed as "a fiasco. . .The biggest failure lies in the testing and in the standards on which it is built." Some Tennessee officials have been watching the Virginia debate and some are worried about the direction it is going. “I have never seen a subject so berated,” said History teacher Stephen Brewer, “history is the most important liberal art that you could take. In it are the seeds of knowledge that explain the foundations of other subjects and disciplines. Students should be taught as much history as possible. Research has shown without a good grip on history, there is no foundation for other education.” If the standards are lowered in Virginia, experts say it could influence other states to do the same. Gatlinburg-Tennessee Online has added some new features to the site. Our preservation page has had a much needed update and now also includes a complete listing of Tennessee’s National Medal of Honor recipients. We have also updated Artifacts 13 to include some photographs we received from England on Sir Francis Joseph Campbell and have also added some new links that have been requested. If you need help or volunteers in an ongoing preservation project, please contact us and tell us what you need. We do reserve the right to decide on which projects we will include in the site. Some people have also asked how they can help Tennessee Online continue in its educational, preservation and news gathering operation. We are part of the South Foundation, a non profit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1982, that relies soley upon private donations to fund Southern and Southern Appalachian educational programs like this one. For those wishing to make donations, all checks must be made payable to the South Foundation. Please make sure to write Tennessee Online on the memo portion of your check and mail to:
158 Watertower Rd Gatlinburg, TN 37738 In addition, Tennessee Online’s Ed Hooper has an article in the third quarter of Southern Partisan magazine on General N. B. Forrest III, the Air Force General that was shot down over Europe in World War II. Many have asked us where they can obtain a copy of it and we are referring them to the Southern Partisan web site or to local bookstores that may carry the magazine. News Archives |