yesterday's tennessee

In the beginning (1822) the city of Lexington was laid out on a 47 degree angle so that the streets would be square with the farm house of Samuel Wilson. Now 176 years later farmers and farms while changing in number, size and direction, continue to be essential to the progress of the area. Newspapers dating back to the settlement of the western district tell the story of farmers who, with little but courage and determination cleared and planted the land.

The following accounts tell the story of raising mules, cows, hogs or chickens, cotton or watermelons; they tell of bad weather, wars and horse thieves. But whatever the crop, whatever the conditions, our farmers feed the world.

June 3, 1825
Jackson Gazette (Jackson, Tennessee)
The District

The weather has been throughout the season, thus far, very favorable to planters; crops both of corn and cotton appear remarkably promising. The harvest of wheat approaches and many fields are ripe and undergoing the operation of the scythe and the sickle. Farmers say more bountiful and fine crops they have never witnessed in any country. Good health as usual prevails.

January 21, 1832
Southern Statesman (Jackson)

All persons who wish to raise fine horses will attend in the town of Lexington on the 13th of February, next, as I intend to offer for sale a noted horse.

Wonder was got by the old imported Wonder his dam by Quicksilver, his grand dam by Eclipse, which shows him to be of as fine blood as any horse in America.

The purchaser will get the indulgence of one, two and three years, with notes and good security. If I can't establish this pedigree, I will give the horse to any man--F.W. Henry

May 21, 1831
Southern Statesman (Jackson)
Agricultural

The cotton shipped from this landing [Forked Deer] during the present season is estimated at 6,200 bales of which about 2000 are the produce of the adjacent parts of Henderson, Carroll and Gibson Counties.

March 16, 1842
Huntingdon Advertiser

Owing to high waters we have had no eastern mail for several days. The Tennessee River is said to be higher than it has been since the flood that destroyed the old world.

[Legal notices posted by county rangers about estrays [stray animals], usually horses]. The lists gave details of the animal and its estimated value and name and location of the person who had taken it into custody. Some rangers were W.R. Bird , James A. Read and John F. Pirtle]

November 29, 1842
West TennesseeWhig

Elias W. Tyler, 17th district, 17th district; horse, $50.

Tignal Bailey, 17th district, upon the Rogers Ferry and Jackson road, eight miles north of Lexington; chestnut sorrel mare, $35.

May 4, 1949
West TennesseeWhig

Lewis Johnson, living 13 miles east of Lexington; one mare, $50.

Robert Dennison, 16th district, nine miles east of Lexington, near the Perryville road, one mare,$15.

June 13, 1849
West TennesseeWhig

John O'Neal, 2nd district; bay mare, $12.

Riley Baker, 2nd district, bay mare, $15.

September 6, 1861

West Tennessee Whig

J.P. Reed, 5th district; mule, $66.

June 6,1856
West Tennessee Whig
Agricultural Society of Henderson County

We are informed by some of our citizens who attended the meeting on Monday last at Lexington held for the purpose of organizing their Agricultural Society, that great zeal and the most liberal spirit were manifested by the good citizens in this vitally important cause. At the period of their application to the Agricultural Bureau for a charter under which to organize the county society, their subscription lists exhibited double the amount which was strictly necessary to obtain the charter. Wm. B. Hall was elected President A.H. Rhodes, Treasurer, and W.E. Penn, Secretary of the Society. A strong executive committee, composed of nine experienced, intelligent, practical and zealous members, was organized tow whom the society will delegate most of the important duties and work necessary to the successful operation of the organization.

March 13, 1857
West Tennessee Whig
For Sale: A Good Farm of 357 Acres

Having concluded to go to a new country, I have determined to sell my farm for what it will bring, and all those who know my land will not hesitate to say that it is one of the best in my section of the country. It lies in Henderson County about 13 miles from Jackson and is well improved, having a good dwelling and all necessary out houses, good apple and peach orchard, some pear trees, and never failing stock water in abundance running through the tract, and as good drinking water as can be found anywhere. The tract can be divided into two settlements. I will sell all together, or either one of them. The one I live on is much better improved than the other, though both are very well improved. James M. Woodson

November 13, 1873
Whig and Tribune

Riley Baker of Henderson County was sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary at the late session of the Circuit Court at Lexington for horse stealing.

November 13, 1873
Whig and Tribune

Estray notice: Strayed or stolen from J.H. Sharp of Lexington while in this city on November 1st., a bay mare, medium size, slightly crippled in one of her hind legs. An intelligence as to the whereabouts of the animals will be thankfully received. -- J. H. Sharp, at The Jackson Herald

April 11, 1874
Whig and Tribune

Lexington: A representative of the Whig and Tribune spent Monday last in the ancient and pleasant town of Lexington. It has been more than a year since we were there, and we were highly gratified to see that the town had materially improved.

Several business houses and a number of very pretty cottages had been erected within the past year, and the majority of the old buildings repainted and otherwise improved. The town presented an appearance of freshness and was truly pleasant to the eye. A number of old friends were on hand and we spent the hours of our stay most pleasantly as well as profitably. We were especially pleased that the leading men of the town were united on the question of the building of the Jackson and Tennessee River Railroad. We were also gratified to find that the Reporter under the management of L.M. Ford was in flourishing condition. We stopped at the Kizer House, the best in town, and one that we can recommend to our readers. Farming is late in Henderson owing to the excessive rain, but the farmers are pushing matters with extra energy. We return thanks for the kind personal treatment received.

September 4, 1874
The Republican (Huntingdon, Tennessee)

Notice: Taken up the undersigned, near the county line, in the vicinity of Farmville, Henderson County, one mischievous old stifled mare mule, thin in order, ten or eleven years old. The owner would do me a favor and prove property. I do not want to be troubled with it any longer.--G. F. Parrish.

April 8, 1876

Whig and Tribune (Jackson)

Horse stealing: Jim Rodgers, a notorious horse thief, has been operating in Henderson County. It will be remembered that Jim was sent to the penitentiary for a term of five years, some three years ago. For some reason Governor Porter commuted his sentence, and last Christmas, Jim put in an appearance, his former home, once more.

A day or two since, he went to Reid livery stable, hired a horse and was off for Shady Hill. There he swapped horses with someone, made his way to Decaturville , where he again swapped his horse, but this time for a pistol and a bottle of whiskey. Efforts have been made to arrest the bold scoundrel, but at this writing he is at large. Going to the penitentiary is only a pleasure trip for such rascals.

July 11, 1885
West Tennessee Whig
Personal Items

Col. A.J. Wheatley [of Lexington] has been the guest of the city this week. He is enroute to Texas where he says that he has been invited to take an interest in a cattle ranch. He will doubtless fill the position of "Cowboy" and we doubt not that he will make "a whole team" astride a Texas pony and vibrating between a broad brimmed hat and a pair of spurs.

June 26, 1886
West Tennessee Whig

Henderson County News: During a thunder shower last week a stroke of lightning killed two or three horses on the farm of Mr. Milton Buck near Shady Hill.

April 6, 1893
Savannah Courier

Strayed: On February 23, from my place six miles west of Lexington, a small bay mare mule, 10 or 12 years old; saddle marks on back, a few scattered white hairs on forehead. When last heard of was near Coffee Landing. I will pay $5 for information of its whereabouts. Address me at Life, Tenn.--J. C. Hart

August 20, 1909
Decatur County Herald

Lexington, Tenn.--While Henry Rogers, a leading farmer of Middleburg, was enroute to a local meeting of the Farmers' Cooperative and Educational Union last night, his mule ran away with the buggy and threw him out breaking his ankle so that his foot had to be amputated.

September 22, 1916
Progress
Mules Shipped To English Army

In the last week-end a solid train load of thirty cars of mules for the English army, was shipped from Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee. The value of this load of seven hundred and fifty mules was $135,000 and ran the total for three weeks up to two thousand mules value at $250,000. Many of the best mules ever raised in Henderson County have gone to the markets through Columbia, with never a credit to this country or West Tennessee.

April 20, 1917
Progress
All Will Share Same--Harder Times Coming

When the possibly harder times than have ever been seen in this country by the generations not old enough to remember the war of the sixties in the last century, come, it seems that all are going to fare alike--that the mere possession of money is not going to guarantee plenty to some while others may suffer. Even now when flour, in places, is worth $15 per barrel, and corn $1.50 and more per bushel, the purchase of flour and sugar is limited. In some Tennessee cities not more than 50 cents to $1.00 worth of sugar is allowed sold to a customer and not more than one sack of flour. We are rapidly getting up against a food supply proposition which is entirely new to the vast majority. The farmer who puts in all possible cotton and does not heed the request to plant food and feed stuffs will do nothing to help relieve the very serious situations.

May 4, 1917
Progress
What Is Your Community Doing To Help In War?

We must not ask soldiers to go into the trenches hungry but they must if we do not produce more food. Laborers cannot do their best in making supplies if they are underfed and our soldiers must have munitions. The best interests of the entire nation demands a greater supply of food. If the poor people are to get it thee must be an increase.

There are millions fighting and still making supplies for them. Where factories once ran for a part of the week 12 hours they are now running 24 hours a day in the week. The increased labor to do this was taken largely from the farms. Much of it was drawn from our own South. Never was there such a low supply of food perhaps in all our history and still thee are more to feed than ever.

When the Civil War came Henderson County was better supplied with food than she is today, yet many people suffered from hunger. We may prepare to better face any emergency if we act soon. We must all immediately grow more food stuffs and save the supplies we already have.

Find out your community. See what it needs. In this way you may do the highest type of service.

November 22, 1918
Progress

Thirty-nine carloads of big hogs said to be enroute from East Tennessee to Ft. Worth, Texas, passed Lexington the first of the week. There were 84 hogs to the car and their weight estimated at an average of 250 pounds, each made the value of the whole shipments $122,550, as calculated at 15 cents per pound by Ernest Hay and Bob Hart. The lard out of these hogs, when it reaches the consumer, will probably very closely approach the aggregate value of the whole train.

October 13, 1944
Progress
My Column (W, V. Barry)

Knowing that I wanted to go to Savannah, Mr. Bill Braden told me that he would furnish me a good mule and buggy--mind you a GOOD mule, if I would take home his wife's sister, Miss Martin, who lived in Savannah, and of course I jumped at the offer as my money pocket was very shallow and usually had a hole in it--burned there by my family failing.

As I took my seat in the buggy, Mr. Braden handed me a beautiful whip and asked me to be careful with it as the handhold was knotted in silver and cost a dollar or two As I struck the mule the first lick, that animal had not decided in what direction I was going, and behaved very well for a few miles, after which from there until we reached Adamsville, I had to use the whip so vigorously that I wore off much of it.

Reaching Adamsville, that animal began to dart first to the right, then to the left, then began to so cut the buggy as to try to run the fore wheels over the back ones. Off the right in front of a store and near a pile of six foot white-oak boards evidently made that length for the purpose of stopping cracks on outhouses. Among several men standing there was a tall fellow named Tom Phillips whom I knew well. I called to him, "You and another fellow get one of those boards and give me a lift." They came with the boards and the music they played on the South end of that mule going North, was delightful to my ear--and all the time there sat Miss Martin hiding her handkerchief in front of her mouth, but whether she was laughing at me or hiding her ugly teeth, I didn't know.

The start they gave that mule carried us past an old blacksmith on the right as we went out of Adamsville, and by the way, by the vigorous use of the butt end of my whip, I managed to prevent another stop before reaching the the Tennessee River.

If I had owned that critter--that blue nosed, pigeon toed, son or daughter of a jackass, and if I had had a pistol, I would have blown out its brains, for I was on the verge of a berserk.

The remainder of that trip to Savannah is but dimly remembered. I don't know whether I put up the mule in the Edgar Cherry barn on the West side of the river, or ferried it across, nor do I have any special recollection of the trip back home, for it may be that as we were traveling West, which suited the mule, it offered no objections to good behavior.

February 4, 1949
Progress
Ernest Bailey First Nominee for Man of Year Award

First nomination in for the Man of the Year for Henderson County is Ernest W. Bailey of Huron, who is nominated by Joe Brantley, also of Huron. The Rotary Club sponsored this contest to pay tribute to individuals for outstanding work done to benefit the community.

Mr. Brantley's letter of nomination follows:

Soil erosion is a major problem of Henderson County and of all America. The soil in some foreign countries has become so poor that enough food and clothing cannot be produced for the inhabitants. Hunger, unrest and Communism have resulted.

Therefore, I wish to nominate for Man of the Year for Henderson County one who has unselfishly, diligently, faithfully, and consistently striven to solve the problem of soil erosion in our county, a farmer and a rural carrier, Ernest W. Bailey of Huron.

Co-operating with the Agricultural Extension Service, he has changed a low producing, badly eroded farm to one of the show places of Henderson County. Lands were once covered with wide deep gullies, principally growing only sedge grass, thistles, and bitter weeds, now grows alfalfa, red clover, white clover, crimson clover and blue grass. A pasture of some thirty-five acres supports a large number of purebred beef and dairy cattle. Some of the best dairy cattle of our county have been produced on his farm.

May agricultural extension agents with a wide knowledge of our state have judged this pasture as one of the outstanding pastures in Tennessee. A system of diversified farming practices is carried out on the entire farm. A tenant on this farm once won first prize in Tennessee in the Commercial Appeal Plant to Prosper contest.

Many Henderson County farms and others interested in progressive diversified agriculture visit this farm. A large number of the G.I. agricultural classes of this county and their teachers visited this farm last year.

Mr. Bailey conducts these groups over the farm and explains the successes and failures of different cloves and grasses, and the low cost, practical, common sense methods of soil and water conservation.

Mr. Bailey has spoken to groups of farmers and G.I. agricultural training classes in most of the communities of Henderson County on the subject of agriculture. These lectures have been the subject of much favorable comment and have been helpful in creating a more confident attitude to the agricultural possibilities of our county. He was elected the first president of the Henderson County Soil Erosion Association several years ago and has been annually reelected.

He is a rural mail carrier who has given faithful and conscientious service, highly satisfactory to the Post office Department. An active member of the Rural Letter Carriers Association, from President of the Tennessee Rural Letter Carriers Association. Twice he has represented the Tennessee Association at the national convention of the rural Letter Carriers Association.

Unfortunate children on his route and in his community are always assured of Santa's visit at Christmas at his own personal cost, if necessary. He has given much of his time and means for the relief of distressed persons and families, wherever he has found them.

Rehabilitation, welfare and relief agencies have always found him most cooperative in their efforts to serve humanity. He has been active in all bond sales, Red Cross and U.S.O. drives, and has rendered many services to draftees and to ex-service men.

It is a pleasure to name for consideration as Man of the Year for Henderson County one who has freely given so much of his time and means to the progress of our county and the general welfare of all its citizens.

May 25, 1951
Progress
Drought Reaches Serious Stage; Crops Suffer

The seriousness of the lack of rain in the county was emphasized Wednesday by County Agent W.B. Wilson following a scattered "dust-settler." Mr. Wilson reported Tuesday's rain was light and spotty, with the major portion of the county still suffering from lack of water.

"At least 75% of the cotton planted has failed to germinate and pastures are beginning to die," Mr. Wilson said. "The lack of rain in the past ten days has cost Henderson County farmers thousands of dollars."

Examination of cotton seed over a cross section of the county indicated a large per cent has not been damaged, so it does not seem advisable to replant as some farmers are doing. Mr. Wilson pointed out that replanted seed cannot sprout unless sufficient moisture is present.

Where a well-prepared seed bed was made, rolling, or culti-packing seems to help in getting a stand of cotton, the county agent added, but such does not help much if the seed bed is cloddy and rough.

[Printed with article was photo: "Rain Maker: Helping nature in the matter of providing water for cotton seed is this TVA-owned sprinkler system being used on the farm of J.F. Pope Tuesday. Water is pumped from small lake on farm. System will provide equivalent of one inch of rainfall per acre per hour. The sprinkler system made of aluminum cost about $700."]

August 31, 1951
Progress
Broiler Business Pays Off: Scholarship, Job, Steady Profits

Fred Stephens has made feeding chickens pay off. For proof: he won a $300 scholarship and has a job caring for a poultry flock while in college.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Stephens of Poplar Springs, Fred recently won a Jessie Jones scholarship in a competitive examination and the money will be applied on his expenses during his freshman year at UT Martin.

Right now, he's home for a short vacation, but he's been at the Martin branch of the state university caring for the college poultry flock there. That job was the result of a "hurry up" call from the head of the department for Fred to come early and "take over this flock." Fred succeeded his elder brother, Noble, in this job.

But behind it all is a record of hard work and astounding success with broiler projects. Here again, Fred followed in the footsteps of his brother, who started a broiler project at his home. Fred fed out four broiler houses yearly while in high school and his extra time was spent in working for a poultry farm gaining experience and know-how. The profits from his broiler projects plus is salary given him a sizable bank account.

Another interesting part of this story is that the entire family is in the broiler business now. Noble built the first broiler house. His father became interested and built one. Another was constructed for Fred and now the youngest, Bruce, a LHS freshman, has one.

These four broiler houses, one for each son and one for the father, are operated so there is continuous supply of plump marketable broilers. Each takes the profits of his individual house.

The custodian of funds is one of The Progress' better correspondents. She sees there is correct distribution of the profits.

June 1, 1951
Progress
Poplar Springs Farmers Help Sick Neighbor

Last Monday morning ten tractors along with two row planters and other equipment roared roared into the fields of J.H. Anderson (who has been a patient in a Memphis hospital for the past two months) and planted his crop, also sowing soy beans. The ground was broken, harrowed and planted the same day.

Furnishing and driving tractors were Johnnie O'Brien, Menton Anderson and Lonnie Manley of Independence, Z.B. Anderson and son Nolan, Larry Anderson's tractor driven by Norris Moffitt, W.L. Autry, Sr., W.L. Autry, Jr., Leo Tyler, Lester Cagle and B.O. Anderson.

Furnishing and driving the planters were Guy White and James A. Eason. W.P. Anderson did his share by sowing seeds. Others could not be present but lent a helping hand. When a good deed like this is done it makes us know our community is still a good place to live and we know it will inspire Mr. Hubert to get well faster.

May 23, 1952
Progress
Dairying Pays For Wildersville Farm Family

Proof that "dairying pays" was brought to our attention this week while talking with Claude Roberts of the Wildersville community. Claude is a young farmer who believes in diversification. During the past few years he has grown on his farm from 30 to 35 acres of cotton, about 30 acres of corn and 15 acres of hay, as well as 63 acres of pasture. He has been carrying from 10 to 15 head of beef cattle and usually two brood sows in his livestock.

Last fall when a Pet Milk route was established in his community he decided to add to his other sources of income by selling whole milk. He felt that he and his family could milk four cows without interfering with his other farm enterprises. These four cows have brought the Roberts family an income of $100 or better each month. In Claude's own words, "These cows pay all living expenses for the family."

This is a story that could be duplicated hundreds of times in Henderson County. It is the story of a young farm family whose basic crop is cotton and in all probabilities will always be cotton, yet they believe in utilizing their family labor the entire 12 months of the year, through diversification on their farm. For them it pays dividends in a better home and better living.

November 6, 1953
Progress
From Tenant to P-to-P Winner in 13 Years: The Hyder White Story

From sharecroppers to state Plant-to-Plant landowner winners in 13 years--that's the story of the Hyder White family of the Ebenezer community.

The Commercial Appeal last week announced Mr. and Mrs. Hyder White had won top place in Tennessee in the contest and will represent the state against winners of Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri in Memphis on December 17.

But back of it all is a story of teamwork of the family which includes three girls, Martha Jo, Barbara Ann and three-year-old Paula Kareen--teamwork with agricultural leaders and soil conservation advice.

The story started back in 1940. The next year, Mr. White bought a 330-acre farm in partnership with his father-in-law for $3,600. In 1945 Mr. White bought his partner's interest for $4,000 on borrowed capital, feeling he needed a larger unit to develop the system of farming in which he was interested.

About the same time the farm was set up as a demonstration farm with emphasis on heavy fertilization of both row and sod crops. Bulldozers filled hideous gullies, wild-growing underbrush was cleared and idle land began producing.

Each succeeding year saw more land reclaimed until now the White farm has 77 acres of permanent pasture, 28 acres of summer pasture, 30 acres of hay, 23 acres in corn, 28 acres of winter pasture and 10 acres of cotton, with the remainder in woods.

In this drought-stricken year, Mr. White produced more than 80 bushels of corn per acre, 9 bales of cotton and his pasture supported 54 head of cattle and 100 head of hogs.

In 1950 the White family built a modern 3-bedroom brick house and all modern conveniences were added. With the addition of the new home, new machinery and more livestock, the original investment has increased nearly five times and there is no indebtedness against any of it.

County Agent Bill Wilson says Hyder has always followed a well-planned program and is always on the lookout for something that will help him.

In 1950 he asked the Soil Conservation Service to develop a soil and water management program to help in his cropping system.

Not all the work is in the field, however, as Mrs. White and the girls can tell you.

This year they canned 400 quarts of fruits and vegetables, their storage house is filled with Irish and sweet potatoes, onions, popcorn, peanuts and many other products, all produced on the farm. What's more, a 12-foot deep freeze is crammed with meats of all kinds.

June 24, 1955
Progress
Opportunity Neglected

Farm leaders have long pointed out that the answer to Henderson County's agricultural problem was the development of a livestock industry. This understanding has become especially important now that cotton allotments have been so drastically reduced.

With this fact in mind, a group of foresighted business and farm leaders united under the auspices of the Lexington Industrial Improvement Association and secured a livestock sale barn for Lexington, in order that the farmers might have a local market for their products. Funds for the enterprise were subscribed privately.

All that was necessary for success was public cooperation and support, and in the early months of its existence, the barn flourished. Now comes the disturbing news that receipts have fallen sharply, and that unless the farmers of the county participate more fully in the weekly sales, the barn may be forced to close. This must not be allowed to happen.

We can never hope to secure new industry for Lexington unless we encourage those who are willing to risk their capital with us. The more progressive communities which surround Lexington have had no difficulty in supporting livestock markets, and it will reflect discredit upon our city and county if we fail to do so. In this issue of The Progress there is an article on what one farmer accomplished by selling his produce locally--a practice which means much to the people of the County, to our agriculture, and to our hopes for future expansion and development.

The Lexington livestock barn has become a part of our economy, and is entitled to the wholehearted support of everyone who is interested in the future of Lexington and Henderson County.

October 10, 1958
Progress
Antioch News, by Mrs. A.H. Taylor

The fine weather we've had the past few days is helpful for farmers. Cotton is being picked, hay baled and some early corn gathered. In addition for feed, we hope some cane is being grown for sorghum. One of our early and very pleasant memories is molasses making time. Yes, there was hard work stripping, cutting and topping the cane, skimming and getting the molasses cooked. But then, there was the juice so good to drink and foam to eat if someone would take your place for a few minutes. After the mill was loaded on one wagon, the barrel, kegs and buckets of molasses loaded on another wagon, there was the ride home, which is something to remember; over the field, across the creek, up the hill and down it, jolting along. But who minded the jolts? We laughed and sang as we rolled along the shady wooded road to the house. Hot biscuits, butter and new sorghum for breakfast. Then cold winter nights to make molasses candy. We're just a little bit sorry for those who have missed this delightful experience.

November 30, 1967
Progress
Pepper Project Offered Farmers

Henderson County farmers have the opportunity to add a new crash crop, pimento peppers, provided growers in three counties will contract to plant a total of 500 acres.

The proposal is advanced by the National Biscuit Co., which reports that many acres are needed to make establishment of a buying station feasible. Counties involved are Henderson and Chester in addition to McNairy where some peppers were grown last season.

The company will offer a guaranteed price of $100 per ton delivered to its buying station, expected to be at a central point in the three counties. Last season the firm paid $90 per ton. Average yield last season in McNairy County was 6 1/2 tons per acre. The highest was 10 tons per acre and the lowest two.

July 16, 1970

Progress

[Printed with article was photograph: "Big Hog--This old picture of a huge hog was furnished by Richard Carrington, who obtained it from Dee Goff. The hog was said to have weighed 1900 pounds. Does anyone have any information on it?"] {Man and hog; man holds hat; stands beside a very fat hog, a hog so big it looks like a "squatty" horse.}

July 23, 1970
Progress
‘Big Ed' Held Biggest Title

They called him "Big Ed" and he was the biggest hog around, alive or stuffed.

Richard Carrington, who furnished the picture, said later information he was able to find indicated the hog was enroute to a world's fair when the picture was made.

Paul Parker of Memphis furnished the name and said his recollection was the animal was stuffed after it was killed because of a broken leg at a fair.

Willie Hollis Tate of Wildersville said he believed the animal originally came from near Gleason and Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Flake also recall that. Mrs. Mark Taylor of Highway 104N also recalls the animal.

While memories of the animal's weight ranged from 1900 lbs. to 2500, there was no doubt "Big Ed" was big.

July 30, 1970
Progress
Big Hog Show In Early 1934

"Big Ed" may have been "Big Bill."

Progress reader Clyde Dodds of Baltimore, Maryland, wrote that he saw the hog in Huntingdon in February or March in 1934.

"He was in a big truck and they were charging 10c to see him. He was on the way to the World's Fair in Chicago. I believe he died in Nashville," Mr. Dodds wrote. "Seems I can remember they called him ‘Big Bill.'"

Mr. Dodds said he was born and raised in Henderson County and at the time he saw the hog, he was living in Hollow Rock in Carroll County.