JELLICO NEWS/MAYOR'S COLUMN

FREE!!! Volume # 1, Edition # 22

October 24, 2001

Some times fact truly is stranger than fiction. Some years ago I heard a story concerning the troop train wreck at Highcliff during World War II that was more dramatic than some Hollywood movie scripts. According to that story, a soldier was seriously injured and had a very large wound to his chest and shoulder. Unable to help himself and without significant medical help or transportation to a medical facility for quiet some time, he was forced to endure his pain for hours while he awaited professional assistance. (The first help that arrived were local citizens not trained in medical care. And in any event, they and the doctors and nurses who did arrive on the scene, had to busy themselves with attempting to remove the soldiers still trapped in the wreckage and treating those deemed nearest to death.) A teenage boy arrived on the scene when little light was yet available (spot lights were eventually erected), realized the soldier's terrible wounds and that he was suffering alone. He went to the soldier, sat down beside him and began doing what he could to reassure him that he was going to be all right, obtaining cover to keep him warm and comforting him every way that he knew. And the boy refused to leave the soldier in spite of suggestions that he leave the scene due to his young age. Eventually the soldier was evacuated to an area hospital or home (many Jellico and Jellico area homes took in the wounded soldiers and nursed them back to health.) That soldier did recover and never forgot the young boy who had befriended him in such a manner. The young boy in turn grew to manhood often recalling the soldier and wondering about his eventual fate. About forty years later, a couple from this area went on vacation out west and were visiting one of the national parks (I was told Yellowstone) when they met an older couple from the mid-west. They apparently hit it off immediately and began site seeing together. Eventually they started discussing families, jobs and the usual topics of conversation. Upon learning that the younger couple was from Tennessee, the mid-westerner related that he had been on a troop train many years ago that had wrecked near a little town called Jellico very near the Kentucky line. He recounted his experience and how a young boy had come to his aid. And he expressed how much that he would like to learn the identity of that boy, and if still living, to meet with him and to express his appreciation to him. According to the story that was related to me, the younger man looked him in the eye and stated very softly, "You are looking at him!"

After I first heard that story, I attempted several times to determine its validity even to the point of talking to some residents of the Morley area. But no one seemed to have heard the story other than me and possibly one or two others. I recounted the story to the late Charles Artis, and he found it so interesting that he too tried to confirm its accuracy. But neither of us had any success and I later decided that it was a great story - but just a great story - and I quit making inquiries.

A few days ago I stopped by the Best Western Motel and talked with some of the folks working there concerning the Jellico High School homecoming. One of those was Tommy Overton, Jr.. And since it was JHS homecoming, we talked quiet a bit about Jellico's past and the fact that his father was a Jellico graduate. He eventually related to me that as a young boy, his dad had walked from White Oak to the scene of the train wreck shortly after it had occurred. And as I listened to the account that his dad had given him, he recounted almost exactly the above story including his dad's meeting with the former soldier in the national park. According to him, the former soldier even showed his dad the huge scars left from the injury to his chest and shoulder. That has to be one of the most incredible coincidental meetings that I have ever heard or read about. The odds against something like that happening must be somewhat akin to winning the lottery and we are told that the chances are three times greater that lightning will hit us than having the winning lottery numbers. Tommy Overton, Sr. now lives in Lafollette and for many years never missed one of our high school homecomings. I did not see him at homecoming this year but I sure hope that I have time to talk to him sometime in the future. His personal account of what happened should be recorded and saved for future generations. (And speaking of JHS homecomings, Alfred Stokes made the trip down from Indiana every year. This year I inquired about him only to learn that he had passed away just two days prior to our HC. I greatly missed him and he will be greatly missed at future homecomings.)

The above story concerning the troop train wreck serves as a wonderful introduction to discussing the fact that we will observe Veterans Day on Sunday, November 11th. And in the words of Abraham Lincoln in his renown address during the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg, "It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this" - especially during this time of great peril to our country and our way of life.

The American Legion and other national veterans organizations are urging communities all over America to make special effort to have organized public veterans day observances this year. And certainly Jellico has its share of veterans-living and deceased - as well as active military and active military reserve. Mrs. Maude Smith and Mrs. Mamie Douglas are two surviving local "Gold Star Mothers" (lost sons during combat) of whom I am aware. I recently mentioned the fact that Mrs. Opel Singleton had told me that she had several immediate deceased family members who served our country. My family has several as does Jenny's. Mrs. Bessie Dobson's late husband was a veteran and she has five sons who served, including three who served during the Vietnam era and two who served during the Korean conflict. She also has a grandson who retired from the service. And if anyone wants to see a very impressive display, just stop by the Jellico Cemetery during the Memorial Day weekend and view the seven flags on adjacent graves of the deceased veterans from the S.G. Brown family. And the list of families making similar contributions to our country's defense is an extremely long one and we certainly need to appreciate every individual. I was talking recently with some local veterans who pointed out that we now have approximately 250 names on our downtown Veterans' Memorial who died in wartime and those names date only back to World War I. But when you visit local cemeteries and help to place the flags on the graves during the Memorial Day weekend, you see numerous markers for those who fought in the Spanish-American War, the American Civil War, and even the War with Mexico, the War of 1812 and some go back as far as the American Revolution. And many graves of veterans are unmarked - a situation that should never happen.

We do plan to continue with plans for a Jellico Veterans Day parade in spite of the fact that we yet have very little definite information available with which to proceed. The current situation has things in such a state of limbo. (We will cancel plans for the parade only in case of insufficient participation and/or very inclement weather conditions.) The parade may be small but we will have what is available at that time! We certainly cannot guarantee a very large parade but if things develop as we hope, we can still have quite enough for a meaningful parade and an appropriate observance of Veterans Day. As I stated in an earlier article, we will also recognize our police officers (city and county if the latter chooses to participate), firemen, rescue squad members and all other emergency personnel. We have a commitment from Jellico Community Hospital that a float representing local medical care will be entered. We expect two veterans groups from Campbell County and Whitley County, three units of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and boy and girl scouts. The units of the 278th Armored Cav Division Support Squadron, Jacksboro have had to withdraw due to the unit's heightened state of alert and possible activation. The 100th Division (Tng), U.S. Army Reserve, Corbin still plans to participate in the parade, provide a small umber of troops with two vehicles and to set up a static display in Veterans Park that should be very interesting - especially to our younger citizens. (First Sgt. Danny Douglas told me that he feels confident that he can supply a limited number of troops and vehicles for the parade and display even if it the unit should be called to active duty prior to Nov. 11th.) Again we hope that our area veterans will all get involved and march or drive in the parade. That is the main purpose of the event. (Place signs with name(s) and branch of service on vehicles.) And we hope that spectators will wear red, white and blue and display our flag in every appropriate manner. The parade will line up at Jellico High School beginning at 1:00 PM, step out at 2:00 PM and follow the usual parade route. U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt (Ret.) Charles Allen will arrange for the order of march. 784-2244 He will line up first those units who have already committed to participate since he must establish some order of march. But there will be room for all units and veterans who want to participate. (Veterans families are invited to ride with them.) After discussing the situation with Utilities Director John Leach and City Administrator Tom Barclay, we decided to remove the American flags from the utility poles. The flags were beginning to deteriorate from wind and rain. We will order replacement flags and a few additional flags but may not have them back in time for Veterans Day. The all weather flags will be difficult if not impossible to locate at the present time. Last Thursday night's city council meeting proved that a very few can accomplish a lot when they work together. Only three council members were present (Barton, Dobson, Evans) with Neal, Vann and Violet absent. The meeting was conducted in a very cordial and cooperative atmosphere and we processed a lot of our city's business - although a couple of items had to be deferred until the next meeting upon the advice of the city attorney. Our biggest points of issue believe it or not, dealt with the placement of Christmas lights and the observance of Halloween. And those issues were presented with humor and several times brought laughter from the audience. In fact the meeting was a rare enjoyment for everyone in attendance. Spectators and representatives of the media alike left calling it our best meeting of the city council within the last two years. My sincere thanks to all meeting participants and the audience for a job well done! The Cornbread Festival at the Granny's Homeplace Restaurant last weekend was a great idea and I don't know why someone hasn't come up with that idea before. There's nothing more representative of our area (and all Appalachia) than good cornbread backed to a golden brown crust. If you don't believe me, just break up a big piece of cornbread into a glass of milk, eat it with a spoon and see for yourself. Or better yet, cover a hot piece with butter and let it melt (if you can) before gulping it down. I hope that the event is continued next year and into future years. Who knows what may develop from this first attempt? The highly successful Chicken Festival in London and the equally successful Daniel Boone Festival in Barbourville both started out in much the same way.

We have just celebrated our 60th year of association with the Tennessee Valley Authority - changing over from producing our own electric power to purchasing it from TVA in 1941. (The huge smoke stacks at the large power plant in Yellow Row had quit belching out smoke that sometimes covered Jellico just before I was old enough to recall. But I do remember when the vacant building was still standing and we used it for a "hideout" when we played Cowboys and Indians. And I have already told the story of the Daugherty twins and the two coal fired boilers made by the Erie Iron Works and the Keeler Iron Works.

My dad hauled coal to fire the boilers for many years during the 1930's - loading the coal with a hand shovel and unloading it in like manner. (The "light" office was located in the Trammel Building where monthly bills were paid. Some who worked there that I can recall included Clarence Baker, Judd Scott, Gene Holt and I believe Rhea Beaver although I am not sure of the latter.) The Campbell County Commission recently established an Animal Control Commission with former United States Department of Education official and Jellico High School graduate Adrion Baird as its chairman. The commission is working on preparing a building for an animal shelter in the Lafollette/Jacksboro area. There has been some discussion concerning the possibility of the Jellico area joining in that project and there has also been mention that some type of shelter be constructed in Jellico. Area resident Tonya Thomas is working with the Humane Society and the Animal Control Commission and can be reached at 784-0606 for those who may be willing to help with that idea.

Final note: Lisa Casey is now working to post all back copies of these articles on the Internet. (Aside to Wartisha Morgan: I greatly appreciate your letter of several days ago. You certainly are right in what you wrote. But things can and do change - and hopefully that will happen here in the near future!)
Mail any comments or suggestions, etc. to:
John Clifton
P.O. Box 533
Jellico, TN 37762
E-mail: jclifton@whitley.kl2.ky.us

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