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Good Thursday evening! This is The Weekender, a final look at this week’s news from the Independent Herald. The Daybreaker (Monday) and The Weekender (Thursday evening) are our two news-first newsletters. We publish several other newsletters throughout the week, as well as our regular E-Edition on Thursday and our Varsity E-Edition on Sunday (during sports season). If you’d like to adjust your subscription to include (or exclude) any of these newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t subscribed, please consider doing so!

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by Buckeye Home Medical Equipment. Serving Scott County and several other communities in the Upper Cumberland region, Buckeye is a full-line DME providing home health equipment to its patients.

New county budget includes pay increase for county employees

HUNTSVILLE | Meeting in special called session Monday evening, Scott County Commission gave its final approval to the budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which includes no new taxes and a 6.5% raise for county employees — those employed by county government offices, as well as EMTs and paramedics, sheriff’s department law enforcement officers, and corrections officers.

Incremental pay raises for county employees has become an annual goal of County Commission as a way to bring local government salaries closer to those in neighboring counties, and have been lobbied for by office-holders that include County Mayor Jerried Jeffers and Sheriff Brian Keeton.

According to Jeffers, county employees have now seen their salaries increase 23% over the past four years, while employees with 10 or more years on the job have seen pay increases exceeding 23%, due to longevity pay increases.

The budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which begins July 1, will leave the county’s property rate unchanged at $1.60 per $100 assessed value for property owners outside the Oneida Special School District. Inside the OSSD, the property tax is $1.96 per $100 assessed value. The special school district tax was approved by voters on referendum in the late 1980s for the purpose of funding new school buildings. The tax levy was approved by commissioners on June 15.

The proposed budget for FY 2026-2027 includes estimated revenues of $11.55 million for the general fund, and total expenditures of $11.48 million. The road department’s budget is $2.47 million, as proposed. The school system’s budget is $26.84 million.

Huntsville Post-Acute & Rehabilitation Center offers short-term or long-term care … on your terms. Learn more. (Sponsored content.)

TCAT launches search for new vice president

HUNTSVILLE | Tennessee College of Applied Technology Oneida/Huntsville announced this week that it has launched a search for a new vice president.

The school’s former vice president, Tim Smith, was promoted to president on June 16, following the retirement of Dwight Murphy, who had served as the school’s president since 2006.

TCAT Oneida/Huntsville has a main campus in Huntsville, satellite campuses in Oneida and Jamestown, and also offers programs in Wartburg and Clarkrange, in addition to the Morgan County Correctional Complex.

TCAT is also searching for a campus coordinator for the Jamestown campus, which is a shared space with Roane State Community College and is slated to open in September.

The application period will close July 17.

Mountain People’s Health Councils offers general practice dentistry for all ages, using the latest technology for dental imagery and digital scanning. Sliding scale fees apply! Learn more. (Sponsored.)

ICYMI

Threads of Life: This week’s Threads of Life newsletter is in remembrance of Betty Robbins, Deborah Cross, Nova Jones, Connie Owens, Marty Shoemaker, Donna Tipton, and Keith Wilson. » Read It

Echoes in Time: This week’s Echoes in Time newsletter looks back at the Paint Rock Coal & Coke Company, which was founded in 1889 as one of Scott County’s first industries and helped transform the community. » Read It

The Weekend

🌧️ Weather: Rain will become likely for a while this weekend. After a slight (30%) chance of thunderstorms on Friday, there’s an 80% chance of rain Saturday and Saturday night. Sunday will see a return of mostly sunny skies, but there’s still about a 50/50 chance of scattered thunderstorms. Check out our daily Eye to the Sky updates on our Facebook page— published each morning at 7 a.m. on the dot.

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⛪︎ Featured Church

Denomination: Baptist
Pastor: Carlie Duncan
Address: 5126 Norma Road, Huntsville

Services

Sunday Morning: 10 a.m.
Sunday School: 11 a.m.
Sunday Evening: 6:30 p.m.
4th Saturday: 6:30 p.m.

» See the complete Church Directory, and thank you to our sponsors of the Church Directory.

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📅 Community Calendar

• Saturday: The Scott County Farmers & Crafters Market (Scott High Drive, Huntsville) will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts.

• Saturday: The Big South Fork swimming pool at Bandy Creek will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $3 ($2 for ages 6-12; free for 5 and under). The Huntsville Municipal Pool will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3.

• Saturday: The U.S.S. Tennessee Battleship Memorial Museum will be open on Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free. The museum is located on the campus of Scott High School.

• Saturday: Fourth Saturday night worship services will be held at Straight Fork Baptist Church (7 p.m.), and Antioch Baptist Church (6:30 p.m.). For more information, see our Church Directory at indherald.com.

• Saturday: Narcotics Anonymous will meet at 7 p.m. at the Highway 27 Unity Club (17737 S. Alberta Street, Oneida).

• Sunday: The Big South Fork swimming pool at Bandy Creek will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $3 ($2 for ages 6-12; free for 5 and under). The Huntsville Municipal Pool will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3.

• Sunday: Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step program designed to help with addiction, co-dependency and domestic abuse, will be hosted by Fire & Purpose Ministries from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 27192 Scott Highway in Winfield. There will be food, fellowship, praise and worship. Childcare is provided.

The Community Calendar is presented weekly by Citizens Gas Utility District. You can help prevent pipeline damage and leaks by calling 811 before doing any excavating or demolition and submitting a utility locate request. Visit citizensgastn.com.

Scenic Sale!

This week’s sale items at Scenic Foods in Huntsville! The sale continues through Tuesday. Sponsored content.

Thank you for reading. Our next newsletter will be Friday Features. If you’d like to update your subscription to add or subtract any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, it’s as simple as adding your email address!

◼️ About the IH • IH Sports Network • The Encyclopedia of Scott County
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Our Newsletters:
• Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
• Tuesday: Echoes from the Past (stories of our history)
• Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
• Thursday evening: The Weekender (news & the weekend)
• Friday: Friday Features (beyond the news)
• Sunday: Varsity (a weekly sports recap)

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You’re reading Threads of Life, a weekly obituaries newsletter that remembers and honors our friends and family members who made an impact on Scott County through the ways they lived their lives. Threads of Life is delivered to you courtesy of Jones & Son and West-Murley Funeral Homes. (Want to adjust your subscription settings? Click here.)

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Deborah Cross, 70

Pioneer
March 8, 1956 – June 14, 2026

Deborah Ann Cross, age 70, departed this life on June 14, 2026.

LIFE

Born March 8, 1956, Deborah was the daughter of Ronda and Gladys Williams.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

• Parents: Ronda and Gladys Williams
• Husband: Benny Cross
• Son: Bobby Cross
• Sister: Deanna Williams

SURVIVORS

• Son: Billy Cross
• Daughter: Donna Lee
• Granddaughter: Aubrey Lee
• Sisters: Connie Ellis and Linda Jeffers
• Brother: Ronnie Williams
• Son-in-law: Danny Lee
• Brother-in-law: Estal Jeffers
• Many other relatives and friends

SERVICES

• Burial: Graveside service will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Annadell Cemetery with Bro. Joey Hutson officiating.

Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.

Nova Jones, 12

Oneida
May 25, 2014 – June 20, 2026

Nova LaShain Rain Jones, age 12, departed this life on June 20, 2026.

LIFE

Born May 25, 2014, Nova was the daughter of Katelin Tequilla Jones. She was of the Baptist faith.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

• Great-grandparents: Ruble and Charlotte Sexton, and Hollis and Imojean Kidd
• Special great-aunt: Regina Chambers

SURVIVORS

• Mother: Katelin Jones
• Sister: Nevaeh Jones
• Grandparents: Malinda Jones and Shain Higgins
• Great-grandparents: Earl Sexton and Tina Sexton
• Great-uncle: Anthony Sexton and wife Tamera
• Uncle: Travis Jones and wife Lakeisha
• Uncles: Dalton Jones, Raven Jones and Isaac Jones
• Special aunt: Mya Jones

SERVICES

• Visitation: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home.
• Funeral: To follow at 6 p.m. with Bro. Jody Harness officiating.

Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.

Connie Owens, 63

Huntsville
July 23, 1962 – June 23, 2026

Connie Lee Owens, age 63, departed this life on June 23, 2026.

LIFE

Born July 23, 1962, Connie was the daughter of Lassie Reed Owens and Lance Owens. She was of the Baptist faith and was a huge animal lover. She considered her fur babies family members and treated them as such.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

• Mother: Lassie Reed Owens
• Father: Lance Owens and wife Johnnie
• Brother: David Tweed
• Sister: Terry Murray

SURVIVORS

• Long-time life partner: Vivan (Lynn) Whitehead
• Sisters: Diane Higgs, Sue White, Patty Tweed, Jean Goins and husband Ronnie, and Lisa Rolston and husband Charlie
• “Almost” granddaughter: Shylie Whitehead

SERVICES

Connie’s wishes were cremation. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Four Oaks Funeral Home.

Betty Robbins, 94

Robbins
December 29, 1931 – June 20, 2026

Betty Jane Reed Robbins, age 94, departed this life on June 20, 2026.

LIFE

Born December 29, 1931, Betty was the daughter of Charles and Daisy Belle Smith Reed. She enjoyed working in her yard and helping out at the Barton Chapel Congregational Church.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

• Parents: Charles and Daisy Belle Smith Reed
• Husband: R. L. Robbins
• Brothers: Kermit Reed, Joe Reed and Vernon Reed
• Sisters: Juanita Smith and Pearl Shackleford

SURVIVORS

• Son: Robert Robbins and wife Pat
• Grandsons: Kris Robbins and wife Michelle, and Brian Robbins and wife Shauny
• Great-grandchildren: Ayden Robbins, Brena Robbins and Gina Robbins
• Great-great-granddaughter: Milani

SERVICES

• Visitation: Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home.
• Funeral: To follow at 6 p.m. with Bro. Steve Laxton officiating. Music will be provided by the Barton Chapel Choir.
• Burial: Friday, June 26, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Reed Cemetery.
• In Lieu of Flowers: Donations may be made to Barton Chapel Congregational Church, 5760 Scott Hwy, Robbins, TN 37852.

Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.

Marty Shoemaker, 72

Robbins
September 3, 1953 – June 14, 2026

Elvin M. “Marty” Shoemaker, age 72, departed this life on June 14, 2026.

LIFE

Born September 3, 1953, Marty was the son of Pharo and Addie Mabel Brewster Shoemaker. He loved the Lord, going to church, spending time with his wife, Brenda, and his family. He also enjoyed being with his grandchildren in everything they did. Marty was vice-president of BKR Service Co., working in the oil fields for more than 40 years and making many friends before retiring.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

• Parents: Pharo and Addie Mabel Brewster Shoemaker
• Father and mother-in-law: Charlie Russell and Grace Hughett
• Sisters: Vida Walker, Thelma Shoemaker, Donna Faye Stonecipher and Nellie Ruth Burchfield
• Brothers: Ray Shoemaker, Charles Shoemaker and Harold Shoemaker
• Brothers-in-law: Roy Branim, Junior Crabtree, Mack Hughett, R.J. Hughett and Charles Ray Hughett
• Sisters-in-law: Juanella Foster, Novella Overton, Marcella Snader, Louella Carlton, Anna Joyce Register, Faye Baird and Charlotte Brummett
• Nieces: Judy Morgan, Vicki Walters and Hilda Lowe
• Nephews: Gary Walker, Tony Branim, Richard Swenfurth, Joey Snader and Danny Carlton
• Special nephews: Alan Shoemaker and Jerry Walker
• Great-niece: Shadow Lowe
• Great-nephew: Justin Thomas

SURVIVORS

• Wife of 52 years: Brenda Hughett Shoemaker
• Son: Brent Shoemaker and wife Leslie
• Grandchildren: Xavier Shoemaker, Lillie Grace Shoemaker and Canaan Shoemaker
• Sisters: Reba Branim, Margaret Crabtree and Patty Lynch
• Brother: Wayne Shoemaker and wife Janet
• Sisters-in-law: Charlene Hughett and Barb Hughett
• Brothers-in-law: Esau Burchfield, Joe Snader and Spencer Brummett

SERVICES

• Visitation: Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home in Oneida.
• Funeral: To follow at 3 p.m. with Bro. Charles Northrup and Bro. Clifford Fraker officiating. Music will be provided by Canaan Shoemaker, Grace Shoemaker and the church family.
• Burial: To follow at the Hawn-Shoemaker Cemetery in Elgin.

Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.

Donna Jean Tipton, 75

Oneida
November 30, 1950 – June 16, 2026

Donna Jean Tipton, age 75, departed this life on June 16, 2026.

LIFE

Born November 30, 1950, Donna was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Harville and Odella Moore Harville. She graduated from Carlisle High School, married her high school sweetheart, David Tipton, and later earned her bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Cincinnati. She built a respected career in Purchasing and Materials Management with International Fineblanking Corporation in Dayton, Ohio. She became known for her dedication, professionalism and strong work ethic before retiring in 2003. Retirement became the beginning of a meaningful new chapter. Donna and her husband moved to a small farm in Oneida, where they enjoyed riding horses, inviting family for vacations and making memories together. Her greatest passions were her family, quilting, her horses and her love of God. She taught her grandchildren to ride horses and ATVs, bake bread, play, have adventures and enjoy life together. Her faith shaped the way she lived and served. Donna led women’s Bible studies, was a certified lay speaker, served at a local food pantry, participated in numerous Walk to Emmaus retreats, taught quilting skills to others and gathered with friends around sewing tables. She believed faith was meant to be lived, shared and stitched into everyday life. Donna will be remembered for her generous spirit, steady faith, adventurous heart and the way she brought fun wherever she went. Her legacy will continue through the lives she touched and the family she loved.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

• Parents: Thomas Jefferson Harville and Odella Moore Harville
• Sister: Cynthia Larimer
• Daughter-in-law: Channa Tipton

SURVIVORS

• Husband: David Tipton
• Daughter: Nicole Baker and husband Matthew
• Son: Brian Tipton
• Grandchildren: John Baker and Alyssa Lee, Grace Baker and Patrick Trout, Christina Alexander and Jared Tipton and wife Mychala
• Great-grandchildren: Culley Alexander and Amara Alexander
• Sister: Pam Kasch

SERVICES

Donna’s wishes were cremation. No services will be held. In Lieu of Flowers: Memorial contributions may be made to Oneida First United Methodist Church, 234 Main St., Oneida, TN 37841.

Arrangements by Four Oaks Funeral Home.

Raymond “Keith” Wilson, 62

Oneida
October 1, 1963 – June 17, 2026

Raymond “Keith” Wilson, age 62, departed this life on June 17, 2026.

LIFE

Born October 1, 1963, Keith was the son of John Raymond and Ona Louise Jeffers Wilson. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend, known for his kind heart and the special relationships he shared with family and friends. He touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

• Parents: John Raymond and Ona Louise Jeffers Wilson
• Sisters: Shelia Duncan and Kathy Morrow
• Brother: Michael Wilson
• Nephew: Christopher Ellis

SURVIVORS

• Brother: Ricky L. Wilson
• Nephew: Brian Wilson
• Niece: Tonya Wilson

SERVICES

The family has chosen cremation. A private family gathering will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.

Threads of Life is sponsored by Jones & Son Funeral Home and West-Murley Funeral Home: Proudly serving the families of Scott County with care, dignity and trust. Visit jandwfh.com.

Thank you for reading. Our next newsletter will be The Weekender tomorrow. If you’d like to update your subscription to add or subtract any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, it’s as simple as adding your email address!

◼️ About the IH • IH Sports Network • The Encyclopedia of Scott County
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Our Newsletters:
• Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
• Tuesday: Echoes from the Past (stories of our history)
• Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
• Thursday evening: The Weekender (news & the weekend)
• Friday: Friday Features (beyond the news)
• Sunday: Varsity (a weekly sports recap)

Subscribe now

You’re reading “Echoes in Time,” a weekly newsletter by the Independent Herald that focuses on stories of years gone by in order to paint a portrait of Scott County and its people. “Echoes in Time” is one of six weekly newsletters published by the IH. You can adjust your subscription settings to include as many or as few of these newsletters as you want. If you aren’t a subscriber, please consider doing so. It’s free!

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Today’s newsletter is sponsored by the Scott County Chamber of Commerce. Since 1954, the Scott County Chamber of Commerce has advocated for a strong community by supporting stronger infrastructure and leadership.

Remembering the Paint Rock Coal & Coke Company

It’s been many years since the Paint Rock Coal & Coke Company existed. But its impact is still felt strongly in Scott County today, with remnants of this once-major industrial enterprise felt throughout the community.

Paint Rock Coal & Coke was one of Scott County’s first major industries — perhaps the first, although it’s tough to nail down the exact timeline of the rapid industrial growth of the 1880s and 1890s. But one thing is for sure: it gave rise to the county’s first short-line railroad, which would become a defining artery of Scott County’s coal and timber economy, and the future of which is being debated as we speak. And the name “Almy,” still remembered fondly by long-time residents of Paint Rock, came from one of the land procurement agents for that railroad.

Today, the Paint Rock community is loosely described as everything between where S.R. 456 (Paint Rock Road) descends into the valley east of Oneida until it leaves it again at Annadale, near Huntsville. Paint Rock Creek itself actually turns away from the highway at the old coal mining community’s hub of Almy. The western part of the Paint Rock valley is drained by Stanley Creek, which empties into Paint Rock Creek near Almy — or, as it was originally known — Morning Glory. Paint Rock Creek then follows Tunnel Hill Road into the gently rolling hills south of the valley. From just a trickle near Tunnel Hill, Paint Rock Creek rolls through Sugar Camp Hollow, merges with Cherry Fork Creek, and then with Stanley Creek to become a major stream before flowing on to New River at a place the locals once called River Junction. It was in those rolling hills south of the valley, between Cherry Fork and Tunnel Hill, that coal was first discovered.

The story of the Paint Rock Coal & Coke Company begins with the arrival of the Cincinnati-Southern Railroad through Scott County in the 1870s and 1880s. Prior to the railroad, most Scott Countians lived a subsistence lifestyle — which is to say that they still literally lived off the land. There were a few folks who were employed, usually self-employed with small general stores or mills or blacksmith shops. But for the most part, there was no organized industry here. The railroad changed that.

When the railroad came, outsiders who were intimately familiar with the coal and timber industries arrived on the scene and discovered the vast natural resources that had been right under our noses the entire time. Perhaps there were Scott Countians who were well aware of the value of those resources but didn’t want to alter the landscape, which looked remarkably different back then, around 1880, than it does today. But as organized industry sprang up to extract the resources, jobs became available for the first time. It was an era that fundamentally changed Scott County — not just because there were paychecks to be had, but because competition for the jobs placed a much higher value on education.

In time, seven different short-line railroads would spring up in Scott County — more than in any other county along the Southern Railroad route. There was the Oneida & Western, the Brimstone, the Kentucky & Tennessee, the short-lived Knoxville & New River, short spur lines at Helenwood and Glenmary, and the Tennessee Railroad, though it was known back then as the Paint Rock Coal & Coke Company Railroad. And that is where the story begins.

Among those who came to survey the Southern Railroad route was a man recorded in local historical records only as “Dr. Gruno.” He was described as a Union physician during the Civil War who later worked as a railroad surveyor. Efforts to further identify him have proven futile.

During his survey work, Gruno discovered large coal deposits along the headwaters of Paint Rock Creek, east of Oneida. He returned to Cincinnati and brought several investors to Scott County, including a W.M. Appleby (or Applebee) and Robert Hibbler. Together, they formed the Paint Rock Coal & Coke Company.

At about the same time the Paint Rock company was being formed in 1889, major mining operations were springing up in Helenwood and Glenmary. Like the one at Paint Rock, these would be relatively short-lived, but each of them gave rise to a community that has long out-lasted the mining days.

Almost immediately after Gruno, Appleby and Hibbler founded the Paint Rock company, they began building a short-line railroad from the Oneida station on the Southern Railroad to Morning Glory, which would come to be known as Stanley Junction. The railroad was the essential first step. Without it, any coal extracted from the Paint Rock headwaters could not be moved to market at viable cost.

But the aspiring entrepreneurs faced a huge obstacle: a large hill along the headwaters of Paint Rock Creek. It stood between Oneida and the coal-bearing valleys below. The company’s construction crews resolved the problem by tunneling directly through the hillside, cutting a 402-foot-long passage lined with timbers. It became the fourth railroad tunnel in Scott County (the other three were along the Southern Railroad in the New River area), and it gave the Tunnel Hill community a name that endures to this day, although the roof of the tunnel was taken off more than 50 years ago.

Beyond Tunnel Hill, the grade into the valley descended at 3.6% at its steepest point — a gradient severe enough to fundamentally shape the economics and operations of every railroad that would subsequently use the line. The grade so limited the number of loaded coal cars that engines could pull up the hill that it was estimated to have doubled the railroad’s operating expenses. A dedicated “hill run” engine was later stationed at Stanley Junction specifically to pull loaded trains up the steep climb to Oneida.

In the decades that followed, railroad engineers periodically revisited the problem, considering alternate routes that would have linked to the Knoxville & Ohio Railroad in Jellico via a massive tunnel through the Cumberland Mountains, or crossed Fork Mountain south of Brimstone to connect with the Harriman & Northeastern Railroad. Both were ultimately deemed cost-prohibitive.

In the fertile valley near where Stanley Creek emptied into Paint Rock Creek, the mining community took shape with miners’ houses, a commissary, and coal tipples — where the extracted coal was weighed and loaded onto rail cars.

In September 1890, a man named Adrian Almy opened a post office there, and the community became known as “Almy.” It was later the site of Almy School. The road across the mountain that we know today as Huntsville Hill Road was originally called Old Almy Road.

The largest mines at Paint Rock were known as the Cornbread Mines. Caswell Sexton — part of the large Sexton family that lived at Paint Rock before the mining operations began — served as a check weighman at the Cornbread Tip House. He was elected by his coworkers as a sort of ombudsman, checking against the company’s weigh master to ensure accurate measurement of the output. In other words: he made sure the miners were getting paid for the proper amount of coal they extracted; that the company didn’t short them. He remained in that position until the Paint Rock company went out of business.

The Paint Rock Coal & Coke Company mined the bituminous seams of coal underlying the ridges along Paint Rock Creek’s headwaters, and also converted raw coal into metallurgical coke through a process of high-heat carbonization in beehive-style ovens. Coke was a critical industrial commodity during that era, serving as the primary fuel for iron and steel blast furnaces throughout the industrial South and Midwest. Unlike the coke ovens at the much larger coke operation in Glenmary, the ones at Paint Rock do not still exist.

In 1902, the Paint Rock Coal & Coke Company was sold to investors from New Rork. Letcher Sexton, the son of Caswell Sexton who provided a deep history of the Paint Rock community, indicated in his oral recordings that a Colonel Roberts took over the operations.

As part of the reorganization, the railroad began expanding. From the Cornbread Tip House, where it formerly ended, it was extended about two miles to just below Jake’s Branch.

In 1905, the railroad sold again, this time to Samuel Spencer, who was president of the Southern Railroad. It was Spencer who reorganized it as the Tennessee Railroad, a name that would stick for the remainder of the railroad’s existence.

Spencer realized that the New River Lumber Company, which had recently established a band mill at Norma and was sitting on nearly half a billion board feet of standing timber in the Bird Lands, would need a rail outlet to the Southern Railroad connection to Oneida. So he continued expanding the Tennessee Railroad toward Norma, following Paint Rock Creek to New River, then following the river south to Norma. His son, Henry B. Spencer, continued that vision after his father was killed in a Thanksgiving train crash in Virginia in 1906. By 1912, the railroad had made it past Smokey Junction to the Scott-Campbell county line. Finally, in 1925, it reached its terminus at Devonia in Anderson County.

The Almy Post Office, which had given the community its name, closed in August 1909, and postal operations moved to Oneida. In time, the “Almy” designation faded from common use and was gradually replaced by the more descriptive name, “Paint Rock.”

It has been more than 120 years since the original coal mines played out on Paint Rock Creek. Later strip mining operations would extract more coal from the headwaters of the valley, but it was that original operation, between 1889 and 1905, that defined — and continues to define — the Paint Rock community.

Thank you for reading. Our next newsletter will be Threads of Life tomorrow. If you’d like to update your subscription to add or subtract any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, it’s as simple as adding your email address!

◼️ About the IH • IH Sports Network • The Encyclopedia of Scott County
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Our Newsletters:
• Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
• Tuesday: Echoes from the Past (stories of our history)
• Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
• Thursday evening: The Weekender (news & the weekend)
• Friday: Friday Features (beyond the news)
• Sunday: Varsity (a weekly sports recap)

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HUNTSVILLE | Meeting in special called session Monday evening, Scott County Commission gave its final approval to the budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which includes no new taxes and a 6.5% raise for county employees — those employed by county government offices, as well as EMTs and paramedics, sheriff’s department law enforcement officers, and corrections officers.

Incremental pay raises for county employees has become an annual goal of County Commission as a way to bring local government salaries closer to those in neighboring counties, and have been lobbied for by office-holders that include County Mayor Jerried Jeffers and Sheriff Brian Keeton.

According to Jeffers, county employees have now seen their salaries increase 23% over the past four years, while employees with 10 or more years on the job have seen pay increases exceeding 23%, due to longevity pay increases.

The budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which begins July 1, will leave the county’s property rate unchanged at $1.60 per $100 assessed value for property owners outside the Oneida Special School District. Inside the OSSD, the property tax is $1.96 per $100 assessed value. The special school district tax was approved by voters on referendum in the late 1980s for the purpose of funding new school buildings. The tax levy was approved by commissioners on June 15.

The proposed budget for FY 2026-2027 includes estimated revenues of $11.55 million for the general fund, and total expenditures of $11.48 million. The road department’s budget is $2.47 million, as proposed. The school system’s budget is $26.84 million.

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You’re reading Threads of Life, a weekly obituaries newsletter that remembers and honors our friends and family members who made an impact on Scott County through the ways they lived their lives. Threads of Life is delivered to you courtesy of Jones & Son and West-Murley Funeral Homes. (Want to adjust your subscription settings? Click here.)

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Haley Taylor, 81

Winfield
January 18, 1945 – June 12, 2026

Haley Ann Taylor, of Winfield, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Big South Fork Medical Center. She was 81.

LIFE

Born Jan. 18, 1945, in Anderson County, Haley was the daughter of the late Turney Lowe and Myrtle Phillips Lowe.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

In addition to her parents:

• Husband: Mike Taylor.

• Daughter: Lois Russell.

• Son: Butch Taylor.

• Brothers: Ernest Lowe, Jerry Lowe, Walter Lowe and Glen Lowe.

• Sisters: Dorothy Lowe, Dellie Trammell and Hazel Byrge.

• First husband: Carter Russell.

SURVIVORS

• Daughters: Elizabeth Taylor and Magalene Taylor.

• Sons: Randy Taylor and wife April, Danny Taylor, Lonnie Russell and Mitchell Taylor.

• Grandsons: James Taylor and Eli Taylor.

• Brother: Billy Lowe and wife Linda.

• Sister: Ollie Taylor and husband Sammie.

SERVICES

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.

Joe Daugherty, 68

January 12, 1958 – June 12, 2026

Joe Daugherty, passed away at his home on Friday, June 12, 2026. He was 68.

LIFE

Born Jan. 12, 1958, Joe was the son of the late Roy Lee and Lorene Braden Daugherty.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

In addition to his parents:

• Brother: Nick Daugherty.

• Mother-in-law: Ruth Ward Cross.

SURVIVORS

• Wife of 27 years: Mary Daugherty.

• Children: Cheyanne Daugherty and Jake Daugherty and wife Ahlivia.

• Grandson: Rayden Joseph.

• Granddaughter on the way: Wrenley Grace.

• Sisters: Judy Thomas and husband Mike, Ann Mansfield and husband Philip, Vicky Poindexter and husband Arnold, and Stacy Daugherty.

• Father-in-law: Odale Cross.

• Brother-in-law: Mikel Cross and wife Becky.

• Special friends: Tim West, Howard Ellis, David Marlar, Tommy Litton, Robert Marcum and Charlie Koger.

SERVICES

• Visitation: Monday, June 15, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home.

• Funeral: To follow at 2 p.m. with Bro. Gary Boyatt officiating. Music will be provided by Natalie Cross.

• Burial: To follow in River View Cemetery in the Smokey Junction Community.

• In Lieu of Flowers: Donations may be made in Joe’s honor to The Joe Daugherty Memorial Fund, c/o Jones & Son Funeral Home, 20059 Alberta St., Oneida, TN 37841, or by calling 423-569-6353.

Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.

Betty Davis, 96

Oneida
December 29, 1929 – June 14, 2026

Betty Phillips Davis, of Oneida, passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Cameron Hall of Canton, Ga. She was 96.

LIFE

Born Dec. 29, 1929, in Winona, Betty was the daughter of the late Carl and Ernie Newport Phillips.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

In addition to her parents:

• Husband: Morris Davis.

• Brother: Chester Phillips.

• Sister and brother-in-law: Lorene and Luther Gosnell.

SURVIVORS

• Nephew: Bill Phillips and wife Mary Ruth and children.

• Niece: Teresa Enloe and husband Randy and children.

• Sister-in-law: Martha Rogers.

• Many other relatives and friends.

SERVICES

A private graveside service will be at Winona Cemetery.

Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.

Mattie Goad, 95

Sunbright, Tenn.
June 14, 2026

Mattie Overton Goad, of Sunbright, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2026. She was 95.

LIFE

Mattie was the daughter of the late Sherman and Laura Sexton Overton of the Brimstone community. She was a farm girl at heart, loved all animals and was also a licensed cosmetologist. In 1958, she opened Mattie’s Beauty Salon in Sunbright and practiced her profession there for 53 years. She was patient, optimistic and forgiving. She enjoyed gardening, trying new recipes and was the sunshine in our home.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

In addition to her parents:

• Husband of 60 years: Billie Joe Goad.

• Brothers: Arvil Overton, Lloyd Overton and Arlie Overton.

• Sisters: Ervie Overton, Glennis Payne and Mae Olmstead.

SURVIVORS

• Daughters: Gayle Goad and Susanne Goad.

• Sister: Betty Overton.

SERVICES

It was Mattie’s request that there be no public services, flowers or memorials.A private graveside service will be held at Lone Mountain Cemetery in the Brimstone community of Robbins.

Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.

Deborah Ann Cross, 70

Pioneer, Tenn.
March 8, 1956 – June 14, 2026

Deborah Ann Cross, of Pioneer, passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at her home. She was 70.

LIFE

Born March 8, 1956, in Oneida, Deborah was the daughter of the late Ronda and Gladys Williams.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

In addition to her parents:

• Husband: Benny Cross.

• Son: Bobby Cross.

• Sister: Deanna Williams.

SURVIVORS

• Son: Billy Cross.

• Daughter: Donna Lee.

• Granddaughter: Aubrey Lee.

• Sisters: Connie Ellis and Linda Jeffers.

• Brother: Ronnie Williams.

• Son-in-law: Danny Lee.

• Brother-in-law: Estal Jeffers.

SERVICES

Burial: A graveside service will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Annadell Cemetery with Bro. Joey Hutson officiating.

Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.

Matt Anderson, 34

Knoxville, Tenn.
September 5, 1991 – June 13, 2026

Matthew Earl Anderson, departed this life on Saturday, June 13, 2026. He was 34.

LIFE

Born Sept. 5, 1991, in Knoxville, Matthew was the son of Lisa Byrd and Virgil Anderson. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, hanging out with friends and music. He loved to laugh, crack jokes, and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was saved and baptized. He believed in God and had a Bible with some of his favorite verses highlighted.

PRECEDED IN DEATH

• Grandparents: Odeva and Faye Byrd, and Steve and Marie Johnson.

• Great-grandmother: Mertie Adkins.

• Great-grandfather: Earl Anderson.

• Uncle: David Byrd.

• Cousin: Derik Byrd.

SURVIVORS

• Wife: Alivia Anderson.

• Mother: Lisa Byrd.

• Father: Virgil Anderson and wife Karen.

• Sons: Skyler Anderson and Walker Anderson.

• Daughters: Emma Anderson and Ella Goad.

• Grandson: Parker Anderson.

• Brothers: Joshua Byrd and wife Ashlee, Craig Anderson and Andrew Anderson.

• Sister: Jessica Johnson.

• Stepchildren he loved like his own: McKenna, Kassidy, Kynlee, Kiana and Kaizlynn.

• Mother-in-law: Tina King.

• Father-in-law: Jamie Crabtree.

SERVICES

• Visitation: Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the chapel of Four Oaks Funeral Home in Huntsville.

• Funeral: To follow at 6 p.m. with Bro. Carlie Duncan officiating.

• Burial: To follow at Reed Cemetery.

• In Lieu of Flowers: Donations may be made to the Matthew Anderson Memorial Fund, c/o Four Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 410, Huntsville, TN 37756, or by calling 423-663-4400.

Arrangements by Four Oaks Funeral Home.

Threads of Life is sponsored by Jones & Son Funeral Home and West-Murley Funeral Home: Proudly serving the families of Scott County with care, dignity and trust. Visit jandwfh.com.

Thank you for reading. Our next newsletter will be The Weekender tomorrow. If you’d like to update your subscription to add or subtract any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, it’s as simple as adding your email address!

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Our Newsletters:
• Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
• Tuesday: Echoes from the Past (stories of our history)
• Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
• Thursday evening: The Weekender (news & the weekend)
• Friday: Friday Features (beyond the news)
• Sunday: Varsity (a weekly sports recap)

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Twin Arches
Trailhead: Twin Arches
Trail Type: Loop
Payoff: Rock formations, views
Distance: 1.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

It seems like such a long time ago that the calendar was flipping to spring with the arrival of the spring equinox (when there are equal parts of daylight and darkness each day) and the Spring Hiking Challenge began with a hike to Sunset Overlook.

Now we’re on the cusp of summer. The summer equinox — the longest day of the year — is on Sunday, June 21, and we’re concluding the Spring Hiking Challenge with our 14th and final hike, which takes us to the most famous landmark in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area: Twin Arches.

For many years in the mid 20th century, the Twin Arches had a sort of mythical status. It was rumored that there were giant rock formations deep in the forest, but they were located so far back — and getting to them was so rough — that most folks never saw them. A few hardy souls bounced along the rutted logging roads in their jeeps, but for the most part, the arches stood sentry over the surrounding forest landscape in relative obscurity.

Today, the Twin Arches are known to be the largest natural land bridge in the State of Tennessee, and one of the largest in the world. They’re perhaps the single most-visited natural feature in the Big South Fork backcountry, attracting thousands of visitors each year to marvel at these spectacular landforms.

Getting to the Twin Arches requires a short hike that’s not too difficult, and there is a lot to see besides just the rock themselves.

To get there, take S.R. 297 west through the Big South Fork NRRA to S.R. 154 in Fentress County. Turn north onto S.R. 154 for approximately one mile, then turn right onto Divide Road. Follow Divide Road to the second right, which is Twin Arches Road. The trailhead is located at the end of the road. There are picnic and toilet facilities available.

Mile 0.0: The trail begins at a well-maintained trailhead near the end of the ridge that the Twin Arches are located on. This is the Twin Arches State Natural Area, which is comprised of about 1,500 acres and is one of two state natural areas managed by the National Park Service within the BSF (the other is Honey Creek).

Mile 0.05: Mountain laurel is prominent on either side of the trail to begin the hike. We’ve seen mountain laurel on almost all 14 of the hikes we’ve been on this spring. It is one of the most prominent understory shrubs in the Big South Fork region, typically growing in abundance on well-drained ridgetops near the rim of the gorge. And this trail is indeed near the rim of the gorge. If you look to your right, you’ll notice a huge valley. This is the upper reaches of what we know as Station Camp Creek, which empties into the Big South Fork River at Station Camp. What you’re actually looking at here is the place where Mill Creek, Andy Creek, and Middle Creek come together, at a site commonly referred to as Jake’s Place for Jacob Blevins, who lived there with his wife, Viannah West, in the late 1800s.

Mile 0.12: The trail begins to descend slightly. It leaves the laurel thicket for a brief stretch and enters a mature hardwood forest. The forest here is made up of scarlet oak, chestnut oak, white oak, red maple, sourwood, and blackgum, among other species.

Mile 0.19: It’s not so obvious now, with foliage on the trees, but if this were the cold season, when the trees are bare, you’d be able to see a powerline support tower on the horizon to your right. It’s part of the TVA distribution lines that supply power from the Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River in Kentucky to Oak Ridge in Tennessee. You passed beneath those lines three times on your way in — twice on Leatherwood Road near the Big South Fork entrance outside Oneida, and again on Divide Road just before reaching the Twin Arches Road turnoff. The lines run southeast through the BSF, eventually crossing U.S. Highway 27 at New River and then going over the Cumberland Mountains at Brimstone before winding up at Oak Ridge.

Mile 0.22: The first steps come into view. Mile-for-mile, the Twin Arches Loop has more ladders and staircases than any other trail in the Big South Fork. This isn’t one of them, though. These steps are merely built into the hillside. There are much more impressive steps to come.

Mile 0.23: Rhododendron plants grow amid the mountain laurel on the left side of the trail. This is somewhat unusual, though it’s not the first time we’ve seen it on this hiking challenge. Typically, laurel grows on the well-drained ridgetops that receive partial sun, while its cousin, the rhododendron, grows in the moist, shaded lower-lying areas. That’s why rhododendron is usually found at the base of the bluff lines and laurel is found at the top of them. Obviously, there are exceptions.

Mile 0.26: The trail splits and the loop section begins. You can take either direction and you’ll wind up back here later. We prefer to hike the trail by taking the left fork and hiking in a clockwise direction. Immediately after turning left, if not for the foliage on the trees, you’d be able to see a dominant cliff line in the distance.

Mile 0.28: The trail arrives at its first ladder. These are steep wooden steps. Use caution with children and pets; to slip is to risk almost certain injury.

Mile 0.31: The trail has now arrived at the base of the bluff line, and will follow it to the arches.

Mile 0.35: Having left the mountain laurel behind at the top of the ladder, rhododendron is now the predominant understory shrub and can be seen in abundance along the trail. Both laurel and rhododendron bloom during the warm months — laurel in late spring and rhododendron in summer.

Mile 0.45: Notice the large valley to the left. This is Charit Creek, which eventually heads up near the intersection of Divide Road and Terry Cemetery Road. It empties into Station Camp Creek at Charit Creek Lodge in the valley below. One theory is that the creek got its name from a girl named Charity who drowned in the stream, but no one knows who this Charity was. Hemlocks now become very common along the trail. You’ll notice the painted dots at the bases of the trees, signifying that they have been treated for the hemlock woolly adelgid that currently infests the Big South Fork region and kills hemlock trees.

Mile 0.49: That huge cliff face that was visible from the top of the ladder is now much more clearly seen through the trees to the left side of the trail.

Mile 0.53: The first arch — the North Arch — comes into view in the distance.

Mile 0.58: Notice the honeycomb feature in the rock wall. This honeycomb is a type of weathering found in many rock faces, including sandstone and granite. It’s caused by the disaggregation of mineral grains through forces such as wind.

Mile 0.64: The trail arrives at North Arch. This is the smaller and least photogenic of the Twin Arches. It stands at 62 ft. high, with a span of 93 ft. and a ground clearance of 51 ft. You’ll walk across this arch on the way out. Beneath the arch is where the Twin Arches Inner Loop intersects with the Twin Arches Outer Loop. More on that later.

Mile 0.67: There is another set of steep wooden steps to the right, leading to the top of the arch. Skip the ladder and walk through the trees straight ahead. South Arch is just around the bend. Along the way, you’ll notice the other intersection for the Twin Arches Outer Loop.

Mile 0.72: The trail arrives at South Arch. When you look at photos of the Twin Arches, they’re usually taken at South Arch. This is the biggest of the two, with a deck height of 103 ft., a clearance of 70 ft. and a span of 135 ft.

Mile 0.77: After leaving South Arch and retracing your steps, you’ll arrive back at the stairs that lead to the top of North Arch. This is the way back to the vehicle.

Mile 0.8: The trail arrives at the top of the arch. The edges aren’t protected; use caution with pets and small children as you walk across the top of the arch.

Mile 0.87: The trail reaches the longest ladder or set of steps so far. The good news is that it’s also the last that you’ll have to climb.

Mile 0.88: At the top of the steps, don’t forget to turn around and admire the view. It’s a panoramic offering of the Station Camp Creek valley, and what a view it is.

Mile 1.06: The trail arrives back at the intersection. Continue straight ahead to retrace your steps to the parking lot.

Scavenger Hunt: Take some time to explore around the southernmost base of South Arch and see what you find. We’re looking for a passageway through the rock that’s informally known as “Fat Man’s Squeeze.” Yes, it is a squeeze. No, you won’t get stuck. The tunnel emerges on the south side of the base, and a footpath leads back around to the main arch. Take a picture of it and tag it with the #SpringHikingChallenge hashtag on social media to be entered into this week’s random prize drawing.

Make It Better: The 1.4-mile Inner Loop is great. But the 5.6-mile outer loop is even better! After you leave South Arch and return to the staircase leading to the top of North Arch, turn right onto the Outer Loop and complete the entire loop. You’ll re-emerge beneath the South Arch after five miles. It’s a moderate hike that includes about 750 ft. of elevation gain. Along the way, you’ll visit the picturesque Charit Creek Lodge, where you can have a trail lunch (consisting of sandwich or wrap, chips, trail mix, energy bar and drink) waiting on you if you book two days in advance at ccl-bsf.com. You can also find wine, beer, drinks and snacks. You’ll also visit the Tackett Bros. gravesite, where two teenage boys were buried after they died while attempting to escape conscription into the Confederate army during the Civil War, and Jake’s Place, which was discussed earlier. Along the climb back to South Arch, you’ll pass the site of the first industry in the Big South Fork – niter mining to make gunpowder (it won’t be noticeable from the trail).

Be Careful For: Steep staircases and unprotected rock ledges are the hazards on this hike. Use caution with pets and small children.

Please Remember: Hikers are encouraged to obey the “Leave No Trace” ethic. “Leave only footprints, take only memories.” Please do not litter! Also, remember that while all trails in the Big South Fork are dog-friendly, all dogs must be leashed and kept within six feet.

Document Your Hike: Record your participation on this week’s hike by taking a photo of you and your group and tagging it with the #SpringHikingChallenge hashtag on social media (make sure the post privacy is set to public!) or emailing newsroom@ihoneida.com.

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HUNTSVILLE | Jaclyn Hamby has been promoted to the role of principal at Scott High School.

Hamby, who served as an assistant principal at the school this past year, will replace Marc Taylor, who assumes his new role as Scott County Director of Schools on July 1, after one year as Scott High School’s principal.

Hamby was among several applicants who interviewed for the position.

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If the name sounds familiar, she is a cousin-in-law to Jeremy Hamby, who served as the school’s principal before leaving that post to become the school system’s CTE director last year. She is married to Matt Hamby of Robbins and has three children. She’s the daughter of Jack Sproles of Huntsville. She is a 2003 graduate of Scott High School.

Taylor moves to the Central Office to replace Bill Hall, who is retiring June 30 after 15 years at the helm of the Scott County School System. He is a native of Kentucky who worked in both the McCreary County and Williamsburg school districts before moving to Scott High School a year ago.

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HUNTSVILLE | The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will provide law enforcement assistance to Scott County at the New River boat ramp below the U.S. Highway 27 bridge.

By unanimous vote at Monday’s County Commission meeting, commissioners approved an agreement with TWRA and the TN Dept. of Transportation.

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Scott County Mayor Jerried Jeffers said after the meeting that the state agency has law enforcement powers that the local sheriff’s department does not have, which will allow better control of vagrancy that has recently become an issue near the boat ramp.

In other business Monday, commissioners:

• Approved the renaming of a bridge in the 4800 block of Wolf Creek Road near Glenmary the Elvin & Evelyn Shannon Memorial Bridge, after Elvin Franklin Shannon and his wife, Stella Evelyn Muse, who lived in the Wolf Creek community.

• Approved an annual grant agreement that provides funding to the Scott County Health Department.

• Approved application for a Healthy Active Rural Tennessee (HART) grant, which could provide Scott County with up to $150,000 in match-free dollars for improvements at county-owned recreational facilities.

• Approved new terms for the Scott County Library Board, including the addition of Jo Ann Polk.

• Voted to approve the minutes of the Scott Solid Waste Board’s most recent meeting.

Commissioners also approved the property tax levy for fiscal year 2026-2027 and will meet in special session on Monday, June 22, to finalize the budget.

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You’re reading “Echoes in Time,” a weekly newsletter by the Independent Herald that focuses on stories of years gone by in order to paint a portrait of Scott County and its people. “Echoes in Time” is one of six weekly newsletters published by the IH. You can adjust your subscription settings to include as many or as few of these newsletters as you want. If you aren’t a subscriber, please consider doing so. It’s free!

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Today’s newsletter is sponsored by the Scott County Chamber of Commerce. Since 1954, the Scott County Chamber of Commerce has advocated for a strong community by supporting stronger infrastructure and leadership.

Fifty years ago: The Independent Herald’s first edition

Paul Roy was never particularly comfortable with accolades.

If he were still with us today, a couple of things would probably be true:

One, the Independent Herald would still be publishing print editions each week; he would’ve been too stubborn to have abandoned print, and too good a salesman to not allow print to be profitable — or, at least, pay the bills, which has always been the economic reality for small-town newspapers in the United States.

And, two, he would’ve been immensely proud to have accomplished 50 years of publication, but you would’ve never known it. It would’ve been business as usual.

Roy — a Vietnam War veteran who was just as much a historian as he was a journalist — never accepted praise. In fact, he shied away from it. When someone tried to commend him for starting and running a hometown newspaper, he’d often say, “I’m just a paper boy.”

Roy always knew he wanted to be a “paper boy” — from the days when he actually was a “paper boy,” walking a daily delivery route to sell Grit newspapers door-to-door, to his high school years when he started an Oneida High School newspaper that lasted exactly one issue before it was shut down by school administrators as an unauthorized activity.

It was during his days in the U.S. Navy that Roy — who was raised in Scott County and studied journalism at Tennessee Tech University — decided to return to his hometown and start his own paper. He later said that his shipmates would poke fun at the hometown paper that he received in the mail, pointing out that big news was the installation of a new traffic light in town. (“All these years later,” Roy said late in his life, “a new traffic light is often the biggest news of the week.”)

After stints with the Cookeville Herald-Citizen newspaper, the Cleveland Daily Banner and The Morning Sun, Roy returned to Oneida in 1976 and started the Independent Herald. He later said that it was during his tenure at The Morning Sun, a Cleveland start-up newspaper, that he learned how not to run a paper.

When Roy began soliciting investors to join his effort to establish a second newspaper, three of them signed on board: John Litton, owner of Big John’s Foodette; Jack M. Lay, manager of Lay’s Oneida Furniture Co.; and Bill R. Duncan, owner of Duncan & Sons Insurance. Jan Jeffers, who would later establish Mrs. Winner’s Chicken & Biscuits, became an early stockholder, as well.

The investors founded Liberty Press Inc., and the first edition of the Independent Herald was printed on June 17, 1976. America was in the midst of celebrating its bicentennial — which led to the newspaper’s tag line, “Founded in America’s 200th Year, in the Spirit of ‘76.”

“Our cause will not be to crusade, but to act as a means of furthering the people’s right to know,” Roy wrote in that first edition. As an explanation of the newspaper’s name, he said: “It is our desire to stand alone in an attempt to be as objective in our reporting as possible.”

For more than 39 years, until his health forced him to take a step back, Roy never missed an issue of the newspaper. He worked on more than 2,000 consecutive issues of the Independent Herald, writing news and feature stories, photographing events within the community, and compiling advertising. He often worked 24 hours and even 36 hours straight to meet the newspaper’s weekly press deadlines.

It’s easy to forget just how good a journalist Roy was. He was viewed as controversial in some circles — which is precisely because he was a good journalist. One of the first issues he tackled was illegal roadside dump sites, which doesn’t seem too controversial today but actually was then because it was such a common practice. He also exposed illegal cock fighting that was taking place in Scott County, which earned him a bullet through the window of the Independent Herald'‘s first office downtown. No one was ever charged.

The Independent Herald quickly became recognized as an award-winning newspaper. Through the years, the newspaper was a frequent winner in the annual Tennessee newspaper awards contest co-sponsored by the Tennessee Press Association and the University of Tennessee, and earned several first place awards for the best education reporting in the state. The awards culminated with the newspaper winning the prestigious “General Excellence” award as the state’s best newspaper in its circulation class in 2015.

Roy was a newspaper publisher through a tidal wave of changes within the industry. When he began publishing the Independent Herald in 1976, newspapers were composed using typewriters, wax machines and paste-up boards. By the time he oversaw his final issue of the newspaper, the production process had transformed to digital pagination, eliminating the need to drive an hour or more through the pre-dawn darkness to deliver the paper to the printing press.

Through the years, Roy remained true to the guiding principles that led to the establishment of the newspaper. He developed a reputation of unwavering impartiality: stubborn, but fair. With his wife, Debbie, working alongside him — and often with at least some of their three kids in the office — more than 2,000 issues of the Independent Herald were churned out, one page at a time and one story at a time.

Besides being a “paper boy,” Roy was also a student of history. Perhaps his biggest accomplishments were his contributions to the Scott County Historical Society. He didn’t start the historical society; in fact, he never served as its president. But without him, the historical society would likely have folded. He was instrumental in the reactivation of the society in the early 1980s. He spent years documenting Scott County’s families and historical events, devoting thousands of hours to work on projects, including typesetting books and compiling a quarterly newsletter. Later, he served on the board of directors for the Museum of Scott County.

He had a special interest in Scott County’s military veterans. He collected photos and wrote hundreds of articles about military veterans, maintaining a database of thousands of Scott Countians who served in the armed forces through the years. He spent several years researching Scott County’s Civil War veterans, and wrote an exhaustive book entitled “Scott County in the Civil War,” which he donated to the historical society to be published in 2001. The book remains the foremost source of information about Scott County’s involvement in the Civil War.

Roy earned the respect and admiration of U.S. Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr., who was a native of Huntsville. Baker invited Roy to the White House during his tenure as President Ronald Reagan’s Chief of Staff, and many years later encouraged Roy to take over the lead role at the historical society following the death of his cousin-in-law, Irene Sobodoski Baker. Roy declined, choosing instead to continue his life’s work at the Independent Herald.

Roy was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014. He died at his Huntsville home on Oct. 6, 2015, at the age of 67. He was interred at Mossop Cemetery in Huntsville — the same cemetery where Sen. Baker, who he greatly admired, is buried.

Roy was inducted into the Scott County Hall of Fame in September 2015, just one week before his death. Months later, he was recognized for his life’s work and accomplishments by the Tennessee General Assembly. A resolution honoring him was authorized by state Sen. Ken Yager and signed by Gov. Bill Haslam.

Thank you for reading. Our next newsletter will be Threads of Life tomorrow. If you’d like to update your subscription to add or subtract any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, it’s as simple as adding your email address!

◼️ About the IH • IH Sports Network • The Encyclopedia of Scott County
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Our Newsletters:
• Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
• Tuesday: Echoes from the Past (stories of our history)
• Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
• Thursday evening: The Weekender (news & the weekend)
• Friday: Friday Features (beyond the news)
• Sunday: Varsity (a weekly sports recap)

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HUNTSVILLE | Scott County Commission this evening took the first step towards approving a no-new-taxes budget for the new fiscal year, adopting both the property tax levy and department appropriations.

The budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which begins July 1, will leave the county’s property rate unchanged at $1.60 per $100 assessed value for property owners outside the Oneida Special School District. Inside the OSSD, the property tax is $1.96 per $100 assessed value. The special school district tax was approved by voters on referendum in the late 1980s for the purpose of funding new school buildings.

The proposed budget for FY 2026-2027 includes estimated revenues of $11.55 million for the general fund, and total expenditures of $11.48 million. The road department’s budget is $2.47 million, as proposed. The school system’s budget is $26.84 million.

See Also: Scott County’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-2027

In Tennessee, property is assessed at one-fourth of its appraised value. To determine your property tax, use the following formula: Appraised value/4/100x$1.60 = Property tax owed.

For example, if your home is valued at $200,000: $200,000/4 = $50,000/100 = $500x$1.60 = $800 taxes owed for fiscal year 2026-2027.

Scott County’s last property tax rate increase came in 2017.

The county’s current tax rate ranks 42nd among Tennessee counties, meaning there are 41 counties with lower tax rates and 53 counties with higher tax rates.

However, Scott County’s median tax — which is calculated using the average home price in the county — ranks 7th in the state, meaning only six counties have a lower median tax and 87 have a higher median tax.

County Commission will finalize the budget during a special called meeting on Monday, June 22. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville.

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WINFIELD | A Scott County woman is recovering at a Knoxville-area hospital after being shot during an altercation here Monday.

The woman was airlifted with what was said to be a non-life-threatening injury after being shot in the leg by another woman with a small-caliber firearm.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

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ONEIDA | Dr. Jeanny Phillips has stepped down as Oneida Special School District’s director of schools, after a 10-year tenure in that role.

By a 5-0 vote at a special called meeting Monday, the OSSD Board of Education voted to approve a proposal shifting Phillips’ employment from the director of schools position to principal of the school system’s new virtual academy.

Kelly Posey Chitwood, a former principal at Oneida Middle School who currently serves in the central office as the director of the school system’s coordinated school health program, has been named the interim director of schools.

Phillips is a 27-year veteran of the OSSD. She began her career as a kindergarten teacher in 1999, and quickly ascended through the ranks of administration from 2010 until she was appointed director of schools in 2016, first serving as testing coordinator, then instructional supervisor.

Phillips succeeded Ann Sexton as Oneida’s director of schools. She is married to former Scott County Sheriff Ronnie Phillips.

Chitwood transitioned to the Central Office after serving as principal of Oneida Middle School. She also represents the 5th District on Scott County Commission.

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Good Monday morning! Welcome to a brand-new week — a short one for everyone fortunate enough to have Friday (Juneteenth) off work. This is The Daybreaker, the first of several newsletters that will be published this week by the Independent Herald. The Daybreaker (Monday morning) and The Weekender (Thursday evening) are our two news-first newsletters. We publish several other newsletters throughout the week, as well as our regular E-Edition on Thursday and our Varsity E-Edition on Sunday (during sports season). If you’d like to adjust your subscription to include (or exclude) this or any of our other newsletters, please do so here. If you need to subscribe, it’s as simple as entering your email address:

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Early voting is quickly approaching

HUNTSVILLE | Fireworks tents beginning to pop up around Scott County is a reminder that the 4th of July is less than two weeks away — when candidates will migrate to the courthouse mall in Huntsville for the town’s annual Firemen’s Fourth festival and court votes from the thousands of Independence Day revelers who’ll be on hand. And after that, it’ll be less than two weeks until early voting starts.

The start of Tennessee’s early voting period for the August 6 county general election and state primary is now just about a month away. The early voting period begins on Friday, July 17, and continues through Saturday, August 1. Anyone registered voter can cast ballots during that two-week period, either at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville or the Oneida Municipal Services Building.

For a big election year, this year’s campaign has been relatively subdued. Changing times — and changing modes of communicating — have made modern elections an evolving process. Gone are the 1980s, when full-page ads for county-wide offices dominated the pages of local newspapers, with spirited battles between the likes of Dwight Murphy and the late Clarence “Denny” Lowe for county executive, or the late J.D. “Headin” Lay and the late Ray Hatfield for road superintendent. Gone, too, are the television infomercials of the ‘90s and early 2000s. Both of those trends went the same way as the stump speeches of the early 20th century, and the door-to-door knock-and-talk campaigns of the 1960s and 1970s.

But even by modern standards, this year’s election has seemed — well, quiet. Races have flared up briefly at times. There was the battle for the Republican nomination for sheriff last month, and the Oneida school board race is the current plat du jour. For the most part, though, it seems like everyone is quietly biding their time as Election Day slowly draws nearer.

Scott County’s biggest elections are on an eight-year cycle. That’s when judicial races are thrown in with county races. Eighth Judicial District officials — judges, prosecutors, and public defenders — are on eight-year terms, and they’ll next be up for election in 2030. But the four-year cycle that falls this year is also a big one, with most county-wide officials — aside from property assessor — and all 14 seats on county commission on the ballot, along with a few school board races.

One big reason for the subdued campaign season is the dearth of contested races. Road Superintendent Kelvin King, County Attorney John Beaty, Circuit Court Clerk Donnie Phillips, Trustee Rena Erwin, and Register of Deeds Ashley Newport Riseden are all running for re-election unopposed.

That leaves just a handful of contested county-wide races: The four-way race for county mayor, the three-way race for sheriff, and the three-way race for county clerk.

In the mayor’s race, first-term incumbent Jerried Jeffers is opposed by Huntsville Mayor Dennis Jeffers, Cumberland Clear president Jennifer Shockley, and former county commissioner Dr. Trent Cross.

In the sheriff’s race, first-term incumbent Brian Keeton — who won a tightly-contested Republican primary race against former sheriff Ronnie Phillips in May — is opposed by veteran lawmen Kris Lewallen and Dennis Chambers.

In the clerk’s race, two-term incumbent Felicia Bilbrey is opposed by her 2022 opponent, Amanda Chambers Sexton, and by Christina Kay Cross.

Most of the 14 seats on County Commission are being contested, though there are exceptions. In the 4th District (Helenwood), incumbents Kenny Chadwell and Shonda Gray will be re-elected without opposition. There is limited opposition in the 2nd District (Robbins), where incumbents Taylor Buttram Stephens and Joyce Keeton are being opposed by challenger Adam King. Both the 5th District (Winfield) and the 6th District (Oneida) feature three-person races with one incumbent and one open seat in the mix. In the 5th District, where incumbent Robyn McBroom is not seeking re-election, the ballot includes incumbent Kelly Posey-Chitwood and challengers Zach Strunk and Ralph Trieschman. In the 6th District, where incumbent Shon Terry is not running, incumbent Colby Burke is on the ballot along with challengers Jason Perry and Torrey Slaven.

Elsewhere, incumbents David “Blue” Day and David Jeffers are opposed by Elaine R. Lowe and Allen Phillips in the 1st District (Fairview), and incumbents Jared Burke and Tom Payne are opposed by Kris Byrd and Anthony Carson in the 7th District (West Oneida). The most crowded race for commissioner is in the 3rd District (Huntsville), where there are two open seats up for grabs with both Amy Jeffers and Sheila Buttram choosing not to run. On the ballot are Mike Keeton, Ron Keeton, Kenny Morrow, Daniel Murley, and Dacy Williams.

The school board races feature incumbent Tommy Silcox and challenger Rhonda Marlow Davis in the 1st District; incumbent Angela Anderson King and challenger Roger Douglas in the 5th District; and incumbent Dr. Tressa Murphy and challenger Matt Stiltner in the 7th District. In the 4th District, incumbent Kimberly Kidd is unopposed.

The Oneida Special School District, which will elect three board members with incumbent Dorothy Watson not seeking re-election, features four candidates: incumbents Kevin Byrd and Mark Matthews, along with challengers Benji Jacobs and Stuart Jones.

The deadline to register to vote in the August general election is July 7, ten days before the start of the early voting period.

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Train derailment impacts Obed Wild & Scenic River visitation

WARTBURG | A portion of the Obed Wild & Scenic River near here has been placed off-limits to visitors as clean-up continues in the aftermath of a train derailment that occurred last week.

The National Park Service announced Friday that the Nemo Picnic Area has been temporarily closed, and the waters around the Rock Creek Campground and Nemo Picnic Area have been temporarily closed to swimming and fishing.

A train carrying ethanol derailed on the Norfolk-Southern line near Lancing in Morgan County on Thursday. The derailment sparked a fire, and there were concerns that contaminants might leak into the Emory River, which flows through the Obed Wild & Scenic River.

The Obed is a sister park to the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, which is not impacted by the derailment cleanup process.

The Growth Chart

On Mondays, we present The Growth Chart, a look at recent and ongoing growth throughout Scott County. Already-completed projects will shift to the bottom of this list, before eventually falling off the list.

Toomey Road: Contractors for the Scott County Road Department last week completed a paving project on Toomey Road in the Coopertown area west of Oneida. Toomey Road serves as the entrance for the rapidly-growing Toomey Falls subdivision that extends into Black Oak, and is the entrance to the O&W area of the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. This parks the first time the road has ever been paved with “hot mix” asphalt.

Dollar General: Although an official opening date has not been announced, the new Dollar General on Coopertown Road in West Oneida is nearing completion. Following a failed attempt to place a store near the intersection of Coopertown Road and Cooper Lake Road in Oneida, the Goodlettesville, Tenn.-based corporation secured property at the intersection of Coopertown Road and Smith Road in the Coopertown community, across from New Haven Baptist Church. The new location is currently hiring. More information can be found at www.dollargeneral.com. The new DG will join other stores in Oneida, Huntsville, Robbins, and Winfield, and is likely not the last DG location in Scott County.

Hammer’s: Signage is now in place for the forthcoming Hammer’s in Huntsville. It will be located in the former Napa Auto Parts building, which is owned by Oneida-based Brewco and is currently being remodeled. The signage reflects the chain’s recent branding as Hammer’s Dry Goods. Hammer’s is not new to Scott County; the company has a warehouse in the Tibbals Industrial Park in Oneida.

Parkside Villas: Stanley Building General Contractors has begun construction on a new condominium unit near Oneida City Park. Parkside Villas will be located next-door to the Scott County Ambulance Service headquarters off Paint Rock Road and Buffalo Road, and will consist of four units with two-bedrooms and two baths that will be offered for sale once completed. There will be a monthly HOA. Amy Martin, Oneida realtor and Stanley Building representative, called it “a new style of housing here in the county. Home ownership and someone else does the maintenance.”

Niggs Creek Road: After the condemned railroad overpass at High Point was demolished in late April, Cookeville-based contractors have begun construction of the new bridge that will eventually result in the reopening of Niggs Creek Road.

The Oak & Ash: Scott County’s newest restaurant is the Oak & Ash, which opened last week in Winfield. It is located in the building that has formerly housed Moose’s Sports Bar & Grill, Murf’s Gearbox Grill, and Boo’s Roadhouse. The restaurant is open 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. It is closed Tuesdays.

The Florist: A new flower shop has opened in Oneida. The Florist is located in Northtown Plaza, 20435 Alberta Street, and is owned by Tony Litton. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

Long John Silver’s: A Long John Silver’s fast food seafood restaurant is being constructed at Oneida Plaza, on the south side of McDonald’s. The targeted opening date is August 2026.

Zaxby’s: Zaxby’s, the fast-food chicken restaurant chain, has purchased 1.3 acres of property on Alberta Street, just north of the Oneida Municipal Services Building, and continues to prepare it for the start of construction.

Dairy Queen: Nick Patel, who owns several other businesses in Scott County, is planning to purchase a DQ franchise that will be located in Oneida. Patel told the Independent Herald in March that the property for the new store has not yet been finalized.

Polo’s Italian Restaurant: Polo’s Italian Restaurant & Pizza, which will be located in Oneida Plaza (up the sidewalk from Walmart), announced on April 3 that its new store will open soon. A grand opening has not yet been announced.

Package Stores: The Town of Oneida began accepting applications for certificates of compliance for liquor stores in May, following November 2024 referendums approved by voters of both the town and the county. Two package stores have since been permitted and are slated to open in the coming months. Lisa Meadows announced on Facebook on Dec. 2 that applications for employment are currently being accepted at one of those stores, which will be located in Oneida Plaza.

Huntsville Store: Huntsville, too, will soon have a package store. Signage for that store went up at the site of the old Hickory Mill on S.R. 63 last month. A convenience store and “fast food” are also planned for the location. Mayor Dennis Jeffers says the fast food portion of the business will not be a recognizable chain, but will instead be a store kitchen.

Veterans Memorial: Although not officially open, work has been completed on the new Revolutionary veterans memorial, which is located at the John John Yancey Memorial Park in Huntsville. The memorial pays tribute to the Revolutionary War veterans who later moved to present-day Scott County.

New Flea Market: The 63/27 Flea Market recently opened at the former mobile home retail lot on U.S. Highway 27 just south of the S.R. 63 intersection in Huntsville. Tina Reed — who most folks will recognize from Perdue’s Shell Kitchen in Huntsville — is the face behind the new flea market, which rents spaces for $25 per day.

O&W Road: The O&W Road into the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area re-opened last month, following completion of a bridge over Pine Creek near the intersection with Toomey Road just outside the national park.

Alberta Street resurfacing: Rogers Group has completed its resurfacing of U.S. Highway 27 through Oneida.

University of Tennessee Medical Clinic: University of Tennessee Medical Center has added cardiology and neurology to the list of services it is offering at its new clinic, located adjacent to the Scott County Food Court on U.S. Highway 27 in south Oneida.

27/63 Site Prep: Excavating work has been ongoing at a commercial lot located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and S.R. 63 in Huntsville, and a home that was located on the property has been demolished. According to Huntsville Mayor Dennis Jeffers, there is no construction slated for the site. Dirt removed from the property is being used for the new convenience store across the road, while the property itself remains for sale through Ayers Auction & Real Estate.

More to Come: Something to add? Email newsroom@ihoneida.com.

Words of Wisdom

Each week, Preacher Johnny Polk and the Oneida Church of Christ present Words of Wisdom, short devotionals that are archived on our website. Here is the current Words of Wisdom. (Sponsored content.)

☀️ Weather: We’re going to see a couple of days of really nice weather to start this week. Both Monday and Tuesday will feature plenty of sunshine, with a high of only 76 degrees on Monday and 79 degrees on Tuesday. Temperatures will push back into the mid 80s with a slight chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday, then rain will become likely Thursday and Friday. Check out our daily Eye to the Sky updates on our Facebook page — published each morning at 7 a.m. on the dot — or always available at indherald.com.

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📅 Community Calendar

Monday: The Scott Appalachian Industries Senior Center (Monticello Pike, Huntsville) offers a walking program, puzzles and games, and massage chairs every week day (Monday-Friday) from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services’ Mobile Health Clinic will be in the Walmart parking lot in Oneida from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering integrated primary care and behavioral health. No insurance is not a problem. Call (866) 599-0466 for more information.

Monday: The Huntsville Municipal Pool is open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. each week day. Admission is $3. The Oneida City Park Splash Pad is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is $7 for dine-in or carry-out. Phone: (423) 569-5972.

Monday: Scott County Commission will meet at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville, beginning at 5 p.m.

Tuesday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will host exercise from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Tuesday: Pinnacle Resource Center’s food pantry (1513 Jeffers Road, Huntsville) will be open beginning at 10 a.m. There are no income guidelines; however, a photo ID and a piece of mail with a Scott County address are required.

Tuesday: Boy Scout Troop #333 will meet at the Oneida War Memorial Building on Alberta Street in Oneida beginning at 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Wall Builders will meet from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church (1611 Glass House Road, Helenwood) for those struggling with addiction or striving to keep off drugs. There will be preaching, teaching, food, fellowship and personal counseling.

Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 7 p.m. at the Highway 27 Unity Club (17737 S. Alberta Street, Oneida).

Wednesday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is $7 for dine-in or carry-out.

Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 12 p.m. at the Highway 27 Unity Club (17737 S. Alberta Street, Oneida).

Thursday: The Gerry McDonald Mission House, located on Church Avenue, directly behind First United Methodist Church, is open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. You are eligible to receive food once per month. 569-8828.

Thursday: The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will host exercise from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Thursday: The Scott Appalachian Industries Senior Center in Huntsville will host Tai Chi at 11 a.m.

Thursday: The Town of Oneida Board of Mayor & Aldermen will meet at the Oneida Municipal Services Building, beginning at 6 p.m.

Thursday: The Town of Huntsville Board of Mayor & Aldermen will meet at the Huntsville Municipal Building, beginning at 6 p.m.

Friday: The Big South Fork swimming pool at Bandy Creek is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $3 for ages 13 and up, or $2 for ages 6-12.

The Community Calendar is presented weekly by Citizens Gas Utility District. Citizens Gas Utility District pipelines are generally safe. They can be damaged by things such as excavation, natural forces, and automobile accidents. These can potentially cause a leak. Visit citizensgastn.com.

Thank you for reading. Our next newsletter will be Echoes From the Past tomorrow. If you’d like to update your subscription to add or subtract any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, it’s as simple as adding your email address!

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• Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
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• Thursday evening: The Weekender (news & the weekend)
• Friday: Friday Features (beyond the news)
• Sunday: Varsity (a weekly sports recap)

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You’re reading Friday Features, a weekly newsletter containing the Independent Herald’s feature stories — that is, stories that aren’t necessarily straight news but that provide an insightful look at our community and its people. If you’d like to adjust your subscription to include (or exclude) any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t subscribed, please consider doing so!

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by First National Bank. Since 1904, First National Bank has been a part of Scott County. First National is local people — just like you. Visit fnboneida.com or call (423) 569-8586.

The night Campbell Countians marched over the mountains for one of Scott County’s own

“Excitement.”

That’s what the newspapers used to call it when somebody killed someone and the natives got a little restless. “Lots of excitement up in Scott County,” a newspaper in Knoxville or Chattanooga might say when a killing riled up a community eager to see the killer brought to justice.

Those days — the 1880s through the 1920s — were the days of “Judge Lynch’s law.” That’s also an old newspaper phrase. Papers would throw the terminology around casually as if hanging an accused — but not convicted — person from a tree was a spectator sport. The papers would even predict when an accused killer was about to fall victim to “the excitement,” like ESPN analysts might predict the outcome of a ballgame today.

“Judge Lynch,” of course, was a reference to lynching — a kind of rural, small-town justice where folks didn’t waste time waiting around for judges and juries to carry out their proceedings and took matters into their own hands, usually breaking into the jail to take a prisoner out of it, marching him to the closest available sturdy tree, and hoisting him up by the neck.

And in those days, nowhere in East Tennessee did it as well — or as often — as Scott County.

Seven times between 1880 and 1832, someone awaiting trial — presumed innocent by the U.S. Constitution; presumed guilty by the mob — was taken from the Scott County Jail at gunpoint and sent to their maker. Nowhere else in East Tennessee could the vigilantes claim so many notches in their belts.

But in March 1896, the “excitement” that was roused in Scott County had nothing to do with the man doing the initial killing. Instead, folks were getting riled up because a mob had come across the mountains from Campbell County and lynched a Scott County man.

Yes, the Scott County man was accused of murder. Yes, Scott Countians had broken their own out of jail before and lynched him, and would again. But this was different. Sort of the same principle — much deadlier, of course — as “my brother and I can fight but don’t you dare pick on my brother.”

So when William Murphy was left dangling from a large tree less than a hundred yards from the jail, folks were riled up.

They were excited.

***

“It’s me — Joe Raynor; I’ve got a prisoner here.”

That’s what “Jailer Ellis” — we don’t know his first name because the newspapers didn’t concern themselves with his first name — heard in the middle of the night on Saturday, March 22, 1896.

We do know who Joe Raynor was. He was a deputy sheriff, who frequently herded prisoners to the jail in the middle of the night. Those were the days of moonshine liquor, bootlegging, and saloon brawls. There was always someone who needed arresting.

So Jailer Ellis thought little of it when Raynor announced himself with another prisoner. He simply opened the door. And found a gun barrel shoved in his face.

The guest wasn’t Raynor at all. It was a masked man, with plenty more masked men behind him. And he demanded the keys to the cell.

Jailer Ellis may have been outnumbered, but he wasn’t intimidated. “Not by a damn sight,” he said, and tried to close the door.

But the mob rushed him. As they did, his wife and daughter, eyes still matted with sleep, stumbled from their beds and discovered the masked men trying to overtake the jailer. His daughter grabbed the keys and threw them to the men.

William Murphy, the condemned man, pleaded for his life. “Oh, John,” he said, apparently recognizing someone in the mob, “don’t kill me; pray don’t let them kill me.”

He was an atheist, and an avowed disciple of Bob Ingersoll — at least that’s what the newspapers claimed, saying that “when he saw death staring him in the face, he prayed to God that his life might be saved, and promised to make amends for his misdeeds.”

When his prayers went unanswered and the noose was around his neck, Murphy was said to have pleaded that he be shot or stabbed or anything other than hanged.

But the rope was the preferred method of vigilante justice, and Murphy was left hanging from a locust tree just 80 yards from the jail, a note tacked to the foot of it warning passersby to not cut down the body until eight o’clock the following morning.

Judge Lynch had held court in Scott County once more.

***

It was three weeks earlier, in February 1896, that William Murphy had gunned down William Bowlin. Why? Who knows. The official accounts said that Bowlin was simply walking by Murphy’s house when he was shot. Murphy said there was an “old grudge” between the men, though his friends said they’d never known the two men to have a disagreement. Some said a woman might be involved. Others said Bowlin had information that would be harmful to Murphy’s reputation if it got out. The most likely reason appears to be that Bowlin had threatened to whip Murphy after accusing Murphy of making crude comments about his wife.

Either way, Murphy was arrested, denied bail, and placed in the county jail to await a trial that was scheduled for July.

But justice — that mountain sort of vengeance that passed for justice, at least — would not wait until the trees had greened and the corn was ripening.

Some newspapers placed the number of the men in the mob as high as 30. Others said the number was as few as 10. Tracks outside the jail indicated that they’d all headed back east on the Jacksboro Road — what is now S.R. 63 — leading Sheriff John Goad to conclude that they were from Campbell County. Someone inside the jail said the man Murphy had recognized as “John” was John Bowlin, brother of William Bowlin.

***

Jailer Ellis waited until the sun arose Sunday morning, as the mob’s note commanded, then cut down Murphy and carried his body into the jail. As word of the lynching spread, so did the anger — especially when folks figured out that the hanging had been committed by Campbell Countians. Before that Sunday was over, a group of men had gathered at the courthouse and drafted a resolution demanding that the governor offer a reward for the mob’s capture. It was signed by Sheriff Goad, County Judge W.H. Potter, and other leading men in Huntsville.

There had never been justice for a lynch mob in Scott County … and never would be again. But it was clear that this time was different. Not because anyone believed Murphy was innocent; he had confessed to killing Bill Bowlin. But, perhaps, because of the audacity of Campbell Countians to march into Scott County under the cover of darkness and kill one of Scott County’s own.

Before the week was out, Sheriff Goad — who had himself hanged a man a year earlier; but that was different, for Mike King had actually been convicted after killing a schoolteacher, and sentenced to death by a jury — had assembled a posse of two dozen men and set out for Campbell County. His mission: to bring those responsible for William Murphy’s hanging to justice.

The men divided up into groups. Some went north and picked up brothers John and Elijah Terry. Another went to Pioneer and picked up S.R. Pickering, William Brown, Riley Taylor, Francis Shoemaker, Andrew McClure, James Woods, and Joseph Day, with a promise of more arrests to follow.

Turns out, the “John” that William Murphy had pleaded with minutes before his death wasn’t a brother to Bill Bowlin at all, but a friend. His brother, Elijah, was released for lack of evidence, but John was bound over to court and hauled off to jail. A newspaper wrote that he “begged piteously” not to be placed in the cell that Murphy had occupied.

And the excitement flared again. The Chattanooga Daily Times wrote on March 28, 1896, that there was “great excitement” in Pioneer and at the Terry settlement north of there. That’s the way it was in the mountains, where an eye-for-an-eye and a tooth-for-a-tooth meant just that, and there was always a killing or some other misdeed waiting to be avenged.

And vengeance always seemed to turn up, whether from a hangman’s noose or the end of a gun barrel.

A year after William Murphy was lynched, in the spring of 1897, a Scott County man named Elswick Hughett started telling tales about a Campbell County justice of the peace — William Claxton — being a part of the Murphy lynch mob. So Claxton shot Hughett, killed him from ambush near the Rock House community east of Huntsville.

Two months after that, at the first of June 1897, Claxton was gunned down at the foot of Braden Mountain, located at the head of Rock House Creek.

Excitement raged again. Although the official word was that Claxton had been “shot by some unknown party,” everyone was sure enough of who it was that a newspaper a hundred miles away reported that Elswick’s brother, Henry Hughett, was the man who pulled the trigger.

The bodies were piling up now.

And on June 2, 1897, the Chattanooga Daily Times ominously predicted: “More murders may follow.”

That’s just the way it was in the mountains, where vengeance seeped out of the ravines like spring water from the ground.

Editor’s Note: Henry Hughett and another man, Mike Allen, were arrested by Sheriff John Goad and charged with William Claxton’s murder. However, the charges were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Elswick Hughett (about 34 at the time of his death) and Henry Hughett were the sons of Delitha Hughett of Buffalo.

Thank you for reading. Our next newsletter will be The Daybreaker bright and early Monday morning. If you’d like to update your subscription to add or subtract any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, it’s as simple as adding your email address!

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• Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
• Tuesday: Echoes from the Past (stories of our history)
• Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
• Thursday evening: The Weekender (news & the weekend)
• Friday: Friday Features (beyond the news)
• Sunday: Varsity (a weekly sports recap)

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HUNTSVILLE | A Scott County grand jury has indicted a 19-year-old in the death of Scott High student Gage King, 16, which occurred in April.

Cole Heltoff, 19, has been indicted on charges of aggravated assault and reckless homicide. He turned himself in Thursday and was booked into the Scott County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

King died after being shot in the Byrges Creek community south of Huntsville on a Sunday afternoon. His grandmother, Angela Brummett, said at the time: “Losing someone so young and dear is something no family can ever truly prepare for, and our hearts are broken as we try to come to terms with this loss. Gage brought so much joy and love to everyone around him, and his absence leaves a void that can never be filled.”

Grand jury indictments are criminal accusations and do not represent evidence of wrongdoing. Indicted persons are presumed innocent until convicted in court.

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Good Thursday evening! This is The Weekender, a final look at this week’s news from the Independent Herald. The Daybreaker (Monday) and The Weekender (Thursday evening) are our two news-first newsletters. We publish several other newsletters throughout the week, as well as our regular E-Edition on Thursday and our Varsity E-Edition on Sunday (during sports season). If you’d like to adjust your subscription to include (or exclude) any of these newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t subscribed, please consider doing so!

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Today’s newsletter is sponsored by Buckeye Home Medical Equipment. Serving Scott County and several other communities in the Upper Cumberland region, Buckeye is a full-line DME providing home health equipment to its patients.

Fire destroys home in Strawberry Flats area

ONEIDA | A four-alarm fire in the Strawberry Flats neighborhood east of Oneida completely destroyed a resident Tuesday evening.

Paint Rock Volunteer Fire Department was first on the scene, with the first tone sounded at 7:22 p.m. Tuesday. The first arriving firefighters found the mobile home aflame and already partially collapsed. Subsequent tones were sounded for Pine Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Huntsville Fire Department, and East 63 Volunteer Fire Department, as crews aggressively battled the flames to prevent further spread. Oneida Fire Department was also dispatched, but later canceled.

The fire occurred on Walnut Lane, off Strawberry Flats Road. Firefighters remained on the scene for more than four hours, battling the fire until nearly midnight.

No injuries were reported, according to Paint Rock VFD.

Huntsville Post-Acute & Rehabilitation Center offers short-term or long-term care … on your terms. Learn more. (Sponsored content.)

Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken to close after 43 years

ONEIDA | Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken is closing, the Jeffers family announced Wednesday.

The restaurant will first move to an abbreviated schedule, closing at 2 p.m. daily after serving breakfast and lunch, beginning today. It will continue to accept catering orders. The restaurant will “close for good in the next month or so,” it said.

Opened in 1983 as Mrs. Winner’s Chicken & Biscuits, the restaurant is Oneida’s oldest fast-food establishment, pre-dating the arrival of McDonald’s. It has remained a staple in Scott County for 43 years, especially for breakfast and on Sundays. In addition to fried chicken, a fan favorite has long remained the super cinnamon swirls, a holdover from the Mrs. Winner’s days. It has been known as Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken since 2000.

Located in front of the Capitol 3 Theatre that the Jeffers family also owns, the restaurant was established by Oneida business owner Jan Jeffers. Jeffers has owned many businesses through the years, starting with the old Goodyear store, and was one of the original stockholders of the Independent Herald.

“I have determined that the time has come when I should reduce the stress and needs of a fast-paced business,” the 87-year-old Jeffers said, “with my age and a couple of medical issues being the determining factors.”

While several other fast-food restaurants have recently crowded the Oneida market, including the pending construction of a Zaxby’s that will also create competition in the fried chicken niche, Jeffers said Lee’s sales remain strong, which makes the decision to close difficult.

“We want to end our 43-year run on our own terms, at a high point, and with only good thoughts and memories for our guests,” he said.

Jeffers said Lee’s has been “a great company to work with, going far above what was necessary and expected.”

Lee’s has been managed for several years by Louise Phillips, who Jeffers said has been “the heartbeat of the business for years.”

The Jeffers family has been prominent on the Oneida business scene for years. Jan’s sister, Joan Williamson, owns Dilly Dilly Lavender Farm. His nephew, Leif Jeffers, is the 8th Judicial District’s Public Defender. His sister, Judy Davis, established the Horace M. Jeffers Scholarship Fund in their father’s memory to help Oneida High School students attend Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville.

“We have had hundreds of the local population pass through our doors as workers, and are happy to have aided with their transition to adulthood and hopefully contributed to others in raising their families. The thousands of Scott County and Kentucky residents who have literally carried us on their backs throughout the 43-year span should be recognized and thanked for their support as well,” Jeffers said.

Mountain People’s Health Councils offers general practice dentistry for all ages, using the latest technology for dental imagery and digital scanning. Sliding scale fees apply! Learn more. (Sponsored.)

Severe weather is possible Friday

There’s a chance of severe weather on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS’s Storm Prediction Center has the entire area under a “slight risk” for severe weather Friday afternoon, primarily for damaging winds. A slight risk means there is at least a 15% chance of severe weather occurring, and is the second step on the SPC’s five-step severe weather threat assessment scale.

The NWS weather forecast office in Morristown, which covers Scott County, said Thursday afternoon that isolated thunderstorms will quickly develop Friday afternoon, bringing damaging wind and hail to some areas. The storms are expected to persist through sunset.

Locally, there is a 60% chance of thunderstorms Friday. Greater chances of storms exist further east, including in the Knoxville area.

Rain will be possible again Saturday night and Sunday, as a cold front approaches the region.

ICYMI

Threads of Life: This week’s Threads of Life newsletter is in remembrance of Regina Allen, Katrina Bertram, Anna Fairchild, Nathan Hill, and Faye McDonald. » Read It

Echoes in Time: This week’s Echoes in Time newsletter remembers H. Clay James, who was quickly becoming a very prominent attorney in Scott County in the early 1900s before his life was cut short by illness. » Read It

Spring Hiking Challenge: Hike #13 of 14 takes us to Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, near the historic Victorian English village of Rugby. » Read It

The Weekend

🌦️ Weather: There’s a 60% chance of thunderstorms this afternoon, and severe storms are possible. Temperatures will top out around 86 degrees. Tomorrow will be dry and sunny, again topping out around 86 degrees. Rain will become likely on Sunday, as a cold front approaches the region. Check out our daily Eye to the Sky updates on our Facebook page— published each morning at 7 a.m. on the dot.

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⛪︎ Featured Church

First Baptist Church of Robbins

Denomination: Baptist
Pastor: Mike Smithers
Address: 251 Sims Road, Robbins

Services
Sunday School: 10 a.m.
Sunday Morning: 11 a.m.
Sunday Evening: 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 7 p.m.

» See the complete Church Directory, and thank you to our sponsors of the Church Directory.

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📅 Community Calendar

• Saturday: The Scott County Farmers & Crafters Market will be at the Scott County Visitor Center in Helenwood (12025 Scott Highway) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts.

• Saturday: The Big South Fork swimming pool at Bandy Creek will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $3 ($2 for ages 6-12; free for 5 and under). The Huntsville Municipal Pool will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3.

• Saturday: The U.S.S. Tennessee Battleship Memorial Museum will be open on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free. The museum is located on the campus of Scott High School.

• Saturday: Second Saturday night service will be held at Jake’s Branch United Baptist Church at 6 p.m. For more information, see our Church Directory at indherald.com.

• Sunday: The Big South Fork swimming pool at Bandy Creek will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $3 ($2 for ages 6-12; free for 5 and under). The Huntsville Municipal Pool will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3.

• Sunday: Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step program designed to help with addiction, co-dependency and domestic abuse, will be hosted by Fire & Purpose Ministries from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 27192 Scott Highway in Winfield. There will be food, fellowship, praise and worship. Childcare is provided.

The Community Calendar is presented weekly by Citizens Gas Utility District. You can help prevent pipeline damage and leaks by calling 811 before doing any excavating or demolition and submitting a utility locate request. Visit citizensgastn.com.

Scenic Sale!

This week’s sale items at Scenic Foods in Huntsville! The sale continues through Tuesday. Sponsored content.

Thank you for reading. Our next newsletter will be Friday Features. If you’d like to update your subscription to add or subtract any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, it’s as simple as adding your email address!

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Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole
Trailhead: Laurel Dale Cemetery
Trail Type: Loop
Payoff: River views, rock formations
Length: 2.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,035 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

We’re nearing the end of the Spring Hiking Challenge, and visiting the historic Rugby settlement for the second time with a trip to a destination that is among many people’s favorites: Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole. This is a trail that combines spectacular beauty with a subtle dose of history — subtle because you don’t even realize it unless you’re looking for it, but powerful once you know it.

This short, 2.2-mile hike begins and ends at the Laurel Dale Cemetery just outside Rugby. It begins with a downhill trek to the river to the popular (and historic) swimming hole, then follows the river beneath towering bluff lines to the Meeting of the Waters, then climbs back to the top of the ridge and follows the ridgetop back to the trailhead.

The Clear Fork River is arguably Scott County’s most beautiful stream. At summer flow, it offers many excellent places to swim or simply wade into the water, and Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole is one of those. Not only is it a preferred swimming destination among locals today, but it was where the men of Rugby went to swim (and bathe). Of course, that was the 1890s, and it would’ve been improper for the ladies to be in the same pool with the men, so they had their own swimming hole just upstream. Hence the name of this one: Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole.

After English author and social reformer Thomas Hughes founded Rugby as a home for second sons of English gentry, he visited in 1880 and awoke his first morning in the fledgling village to the sounds of young men gathering. “In a few minutes,” he wrote, “several appeared in flannel shirts and trousers, bound for one of the two rivers which run close by. They had heard of a pool 10 feet deep … and a most delicious place it is, surrounded by great rocks, lying in a corpse of rhododendrons, azaleas, and magnolias.”

That pool that Hughes wrote about was the Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole, and the trail we’re going to hike to get there is the same trail they built and used to get to the river nearly 150 years ago.

To get there, take S.R. 52 west from Elgin to the turnoff for Rugby Parkway, which is the old highway leading into and through the historic village. As you drive through the village, look for the sign for Laurel Dale Cemetery, and turn right onto Laurel Dale Cemetery Road (it’s the second right past Christ Church Episcopal). Follow the road a half mile to Laurel Dale Cemetery, where it ends at the trailhead. The trail will depart on the west side of the small loop at the end of the road.

Mile 0.01: The trail forks. Go left to hike the loop in a clockwise direction.

Mile 0.14: Note the huge hemlock tree on the right side of the trail. This is one of the biggest hemlock trees standing in the entire Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. Hemlocks have always grown in abundance in this region, and were important to the early settlers who chopped down many and used them to build their homes. There are several massive white pines growing along this section of the trail, as well.

Mile 0.20: The forest darkens as the trail enters a small stream drainage. This is the closest thing to an old-growth forest you’ll find in the Big South Fork, which was heavily logged in the 20th century. There are enormous evergreens — hemlocks and white pines alike — growing along this small drainage. Although it’s a wet-weather stream that is dry during the summer months, the hemlocks shade this drainage and provide cover for a variety of plant and animal life that thrive in these conditions. The same is true with almost every drainage in the Big South Fork region.

Mile 0.25: The trail descends down some rock steps. Be careful; these are slippery.

Mile 0.28: The trail enters a dense thicket of rhododendron. There are three species of rhododendron that grow naturally in the Big South Fork region, including Rosebay, Catawba, and Flame Azalea. (The Flame Azalea is relatively uncommon but a spectacular find when you happen across it, producing vibrant orange flowers in late spring … unfortunately, we won’t find that particular species along this trail.) The shaded, steep ravines of the BSF landscapes provide a perfect microclimate for rhododendron to thrive, often in the shade of the hemlock canopy.

Mile 0.30: As the trail winds its way to the river, it passes Witches Cave — which is really just a picturesque rock overhang along the right side of the trail. These rock shelters are common throughout the Big South Fork region, and this one pales in comparison to many, but you can imagine how early settlers from England and Boston felt when they witnessed these craggy sandstone rocks for the first time. Their only experience with the BSF had been disembarking from the train at Sedgemoor (Elgin) and riding a buggy west across the Rugby Road (which we now know as S.R. 52). Their trip to find the mysterious 10-foot-deep hole of water at the river was their first exposure to these spectacular gorges. Little wonder they conjured up visions of witches lurking in the shadows.

Mile 0.36: A spur trail leads left off the main trail. This is the way to Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole. It’s worth your effort to take the extra steps to the river’s edge. It’s a picturesque area with a small, sandy beach and a rapids that empties into a deep hole of water. You can swim here, or simply wade far enough in to get your knees wet. Either way, it’s a great place to cool off from the heat.

Mile 0.43: Back at the main trail, go left to continue the hike. For the next half-mile, the trail will squeeze between the river on the left and the bluff lines on the right. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells — because the free-flowing water tumbling over all that rock creates a very distinctive smell that is especially noticeable during the summer months — of the Clear Fork. Because of the nature of this section of trail, there are many short ups and downs, giving the loop much of its elevation gain without being too strenuous.

Mile 0.90: Check out the maze of huge sandstone boulders in the river’s edge.

Mile 1.22: The trail reaches “Meeting of the Waters,” which is what the Rugby villagers called the place where White Oak Creek empties into Clear Fork. They considered these two separate rivers. Today, we consider one a small river and one a creek. There isn’t much distinction between them. If you close your eyes while the trail makes its turn away from Clear Fork and up White Oak, you’d open them and swear that you were still along Clear Fork and the stream had changed directions. Fun fact: There are two White Oak Creeks in the Big South Fork. Today, we call the other North White Oak to distinguish it. It empties into the BSF River below O&W Bridge, and the old railroad grade parallels it into Fentress County. This White Oak — South White Oak — drains part of northern Morgan County south of Rugby. These two streams are the largest tributaries of the Big South Fork River, besides Clear Fork and New River.

Mile 1.26: The trail passes beneath a towering cliff line.

Mile 1.31: The grunt-work part of the hike begins, and it’s this short stretch that earns it a “moderate” rating. This represents the steepest climb of the Spring Hiking Challenge, other than climbing the staircases at Yahoo Falls and Cracks in the Rock. It’s not too strenuous, but it does make you slow down and take your time on a warm summer day.

Mile 1.45: When you reach Sign Post 15, you’ve reached the top of the hill. Incidentally, these sign posts represent points of interest along the trail. You can pick up a trail guide that corresponds with them by visiting the Rugby Visitor Center before your hike. Here, at #15, the trail intersects with an old road trace along the Cumberland Plateau. It’ll follow this old roadbed back to Laurel Dale Cemetery, and the hike is mostly level from here on out.

Mile 1.88: Purple spiraea flowers grow along the trail.

Mile 2.08: The trail reaches a gate that once blocked vehicular access down this ridge. At this point, it intersects with one of Rugby’s trails and begins another uphill climb.

Mile 2.18: The trail arrives back at the trailhead.

Scavenger Hunt: This week’s virtual scavenger hunt is a little different. We’re searching for the oldest identifiable grave (that is, a headstone with a legible date) in the Laurel Dale Cemetery. The old cemetery is worthy of exploration because of the history associated with it. It was the community cemetery for the Rugby settlement, and many of the village’s original residents are buried here. Finding the oldest identifiable grave might seem like a daunting task because there are more than 400 burials in this cemetery. But it’s pretty easy to identify the older parts of the cemetery by the condition of the stones. And here’s a hint: the grave we’re looking for was one of Rugby’s original settlers, who died during an outbreak of typhoid fever that hit the village hard in 1881. Take a picture of this headstone and post it on social media with the hashtag #SpringHikingChallenge to be entered into this week’s random drawing. (We’re running behind on announcing the prize winners … look for that in the coming days.)

Make It Better: Rather than another hike, try this: on your way back from Rugby, stop at Thelma Frogge’s Grocery on S.R. 52 just across the Scott/Morgan county line. Thelma opened this tiny general store in 1956 and has operated it continuously ever since. Yes, it’s still open! Yes, you can still get a bottle of pop here! It’s truly one of the last of its kind … and you’ll still find Thelma inside, running the store.

Be Careful For: There are no notable hazards on this hike.

Please Remember: Hikers are encouraged to obey the “Leave No Trace” ethic. “Leave only footprints, take only memories.” Please do not litter! Also, remember that while all trails in the Big South Fork are dog-friendly, all dogs must be leashed and kept within six feet.

Document Your Hike: Record your participation on this week’s hike by taking a photo of you and your group and tagging it with the #SpringHikingChallenge hashtag on social media (make sure the post privacy is set to public!) or emailing newsroom@ihoneida.com.

Hike #1: Sunset Overlook
Hike #2: Angel Falls Rapid
Hike #3: Yahoo Falls
Hike #4: O&W Bridge
Hike #5: Northrup Falls
Hike #6: Burnt Mill
Hike #7: Buzzard Rock
Hike #8: Cracks in the Rock
Hike #9: Angel Falls Overlook
Hike #10: Kellogg’s Crack
Hike #11: Slave Falls
Hike #12: John Litton Farm