I was born and raised in Kingsport, Tennessee, a town that once sentenced an elephant to death and the last place Elvis ever played second on the bill. I graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and became the East Tennessee stringer for The New York Times, Time, and Newsweek. I wrote four editions of Moon Handbooks: Tennessee, a guidebook to the state–see cover below–and now live in Boulder, Colorado.
This blog is a part of www.tnguy.com, a website containing detailed information about Tennessee travel, culture, and heritage.
October 19, 2006 at 7:29 am |
I’ve heard, for many years, that it was Erwin that hanged the elephant. Are there two doomed elephant stories here? If not, which is correct?
October 19, 2006 at 7:28 pm |
Mary, the elephant in question, was indeed hanged in Erwin, but the decision that led to her demise was made in Kingsport. Mary killed a man in Kingsport, but Erwin happened to be the only place with a crane large enough to execute an elephant. Several citizens of Erwin, over the years, have complained about the notoriety their town has collected, and feel that any opprobrium properly resides in Kingsport.
September 25, 2007 at 3:07 pm |
The irony of Mary the Elephant being hung was that they made all the other elephants watch. I guess this is to reinforce the purpose of Capital punishment. Do elephants ever forget?
Speaking of Kingsport, they are doing some cool things to redevelop their downtown! keep an eye Kingsport, it’s not just about Eastman anymore…
October 16, 2008 at 5:16 pm |
I just watched a “Tennessee Crossroads” show that featured a segment about the “Mayberry” town and we loved it!!! We love anything to do with the historical places, landmarks, and places such as this man and woman have built to share with people!! The story about Mary the elephant is sad—-Shame that animals have to suffer because of man’s faults—-rogue or not, she was a creature of the wild. Thanks for your website and your love for Tennessee!!
January 12, 2009 at 11:58 am |
Jeff,
I read your blog about the Alexander Inn in Oak Ridge, TN. I recently visited there and was wondering if you have any more information on who the current owner is or if there is any movement afoot to restore this historic landmark? Thanks!
A Northerner that cares
January 12, 2009 at 12:04 pm |
Alas, I do not. I do hope it can be saved, however.
March 25, 2009 at 2:44 pm |
I noticed a photograph posted to this blog showing lateral slip somewhere in the New Madrid earthquake zone. Do you know where exactly was this photo taken, or the county perhaps? Thanks.
March 28, 2009 at 6:47 pm |
Actually, this photo is not from the New Madrid Earthquake Zone. It is a photo that illustrates a fault line, but not one in the New Madrid area.
August 24, 2009 at 2:01 pm |
I accidentally found the tennesseeguy! Will publicize it to teachers who are members of the Tennessee Council for the Social Studies. I need some help as well. I want to find contact nformation for Betty Ferguson, daughter of WDIA Memphis cofounder Bert Ferguson. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
August 25, 2009 at 6:01 am |
Alas, I have no contact infor for Betty Ferguson.