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Archives
03-24-2004
"Hats Off to Women" opens Saturday at history museum
Lyndon Johnson/OCN staff By LYNDON JOHNSON, OCN staff The former Overton County Jail building has been transformed, largely by volunteer effort, into a clean, surprisingly content-rich place in which anybody with an interest in local history could willingly and easily lose a couple of hours. Having had two feature exhibits, one about the Civil War period of Overton County history and the other about Overton County in the Great Depression era, in addition to its vast collection of regular artifacts, the museum is now preparing for its next feature exhibit: Historical Women from Overton County. Figures to be featured include Dr. Myrtle Smith, Overton County's first female doctor and the aunt of Delores Turnbull, wife of Circuit Judge John Turnbull. According to Paula Stover, a curator at the museum, Smith was a director of Overton County Health Department. Stover also said the doctor served as a medic in the Belgian Congo. To further add to the list of her accomplishments, Smith was also an ordained minister. Will Harris will be another of the women featured in the exhibit. Harris was the secretary to both Cordell Hull and Governor A.H. Roberts. "She was first the secretary to the governor," said Stover, who explained that Cordell Hull came to Governor Roberts and convinced him to let Harris go with Hull to Washington, D.C., where she stayed for most of the rest of her career. On top of all that, she was an active member of American Red Cross. Stover said the midwives of Overton County, women who travelled the area to help other women give birth at their homes, will also be featured, as will early civic clubs and a couple of female authors from the area. Stover and her crew of volunteers sounded especially excited about a collection of women's hats that would be displayed, making "oohs" and "ahhs" at a trunk full of hats from various eras, many featuring very ornate decoration, including feathers. "I don't know how in the world they kept this one on," remarked one of the volunteers, noting that the hat she was holding was very shallow where the head is supposed to go. The new exhibit, appropriately dubbed "Hats Off to Women in Overton County History", is only one of a number of undertakings being handled by the museum and Overton County Historical Society. The museum building is still being renovated, though it is in the finishing stages. Many areas of the museum have not quite been fully converted to display-readiness. Stover noted the old jail cells in the back area of the museum, saying that they wished to keep a couple of them there to show what the building used to be. The former jail building is, in its own way, a part of Overton County history. The Historical Society also gives vintage fashion shows several times a year. "We did one last year," Stover said. "Cookeville's junior high had a 'Walk Across America' in the spring, and we did it. The kids, well, and the teachers, too, they just loved it." Stover said a number of volunteers would dress in vintage clothing from different eras in history, and a narrator at the show would give information on the clothing and the history behind it. In addition to that, Overton County Historical Society is sponsoring an event titled "Preserving Family Stories and History" from Thursday, April 22 to Saturday, April 24. The event will start with a tour of no less than six historic locations around the county, with the entire tour (including sack lunch) costing $10. On Friday, April 23, the Historical Society will be at Overton County Public Library to help area residents research Overton County history. The event will then wrap up on Saturday, April 24 at Overton County Senior Center on the bypass, where several book vendors and speakers will help researchers dig into their family histories. With so much going on, Stover and crew are keeping busy. The "Hats Off to Women in Overton County History" exhibit will open this Saturday, March 27. Overton County History Museum is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those interested in Overton County History Museum or Overton County Historical Society and its upcoming events may contact Paula Stover at (931) 498-2551.
More than $100,000 seized in drug arrest A drug investigation has resulted in the confiscation of more than $100,000 in cash along with vehicles, farm equipment, and weapons. According to authorities, a joint effort by Livingston Police Department, Middle Tennessee Drug Task Force, and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation resulted in the execution of a search warrant at the home of Daniel "HaroldÓ Brown on County House Road in Livingston on Monday, March 15. Investigators discovered a quantity of cocaine, marijuana, and an assortment of pills during their search of the property, according to authorities. Livingston Police Chief Roger Phillips said, "I am very grateful to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Middle Tennessee Drug Task Force and the devoted men and women of the Livingston Police Department for their hard work and dedication." Chief Phillips went on to say, "This investigation and case is a continuing effort of law enforcement to slow the increasing flow and sale of illegal drugs in our area." Brown, 49, was arrested and charged with Possession of Schedule II Narcotic (Cocaine) over 1/2 gram for Resale, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Attempting to Commit a Felony. Brown was held in Overton County Jail under a $1 million bond. Also arrested was Willard Mansell, 52, of Linder Mountain, charged with Possession of Schedule II Narcotic (Cocaine) over 1/2 gram for Resale, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Attempting to Commit a Felony. He was held in Overton County jail under a $250,000 bond. And Patti Ingram, 50, of Linder Mountain, was arrested and charged with Possession of Schedule II Narcotic (Cocaine) for Resale, and Attempting to Commit a Felony. She was held in Overton County Jail under a $250,000 bond. The three, who were still in jail Tuesday morning, March 23, appeared before Judge Officer on Tuesday, March 16. The cases were continued until Thursday, March 18 for a bond reduction hearing. On March 18, Judge Officer recused himself from the case at the request of defense counsel. The case was continued until Tuesday, March 23 for a bond reduction hearing, Judge John Hudson of Putnam County presiding. The following items were listed as seized pursuant to the search: a large black tin containing a green leafy substance; a pill bottle containing assorted pills; a pill bottle containing five small bags of a white powdery substance; a pill bottle containing Xanax pills; an ashtray containing marijuana "roaches"; a pair of hemostats; J.O.B. French Light cigarette paper; Zig Zag 1-1/4 rolling paper; 12 packs of J.O.B. French Light cigarette paper; a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson loaded with 4 cartridges; a .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson; a 76TOK 9mm; a 76TOK 9mm with a loaded magazine; a J. Stevens Arms 12 gauge; a Revelation 12 gauge; a Winchester 12 gauge; a Marlin .357 Magnum; a Jack Daniels tin containing assorted gun cartridges; a cardboard box containing assorted gun cartridges; a box of Federal Dove Load 12 gauge shotgun shells; a Craftsman 6 hp lawn mower; an Ingersoll-Rand air compressor; a Sears 2-1/2 hp air compressor; a Yamaha TT-225 motorcycle; a Honda FourTrax; a Massey Ferguson 383 tractor; a Better Built trailer; an Eagle trailer; a Sears battery charger; a Chevrolet Cheyenne pickup; a Craftsman Quantum 6 hp pressure washer; a hay spear; a Pioneer CD player; a 1993 Supreme Gooseneck trailer; 4 illegal direct satellite cards; a Wal-Mart receipt showing purchases made with food stamps; a Sharp Viewcam video camera; a full box of 9mm Winchester shells; a full box of Blazer 9mm shells; a box of 9mm ammunition containing approximately 40 rounds; a box of Thunderbolt .22 caliber shells; a box with 7 Federal 12 gauge shells; a box of Inasitol powder substance from GNC approximately 1/3 full; a box of Inasitol powder substance from GNC 16 oz. full; Ohaus triple beam scales; Ohaus Dial-A-Gram scales; a Sentry safe full of currency amounting to approximately $94,600; miscellaneous papers and notebooks; a 5-gallon plastic water jug containing $554.74 in currency and change; an envelope containing $860 in currency; a black change purse containing $73 in currency and change; a blue wallet in the safe containing $516.50 in currency and change; 5 TennCare cards; a Hitek International night scope; a Harrington and Richardson 12 gauge; a Marlin .22 rifle; a Remington Woodmaster 30-06 rifle; a Winchester .22 rifle with scope; a Browning .22 rifle; a Bridge 12 gauge single-shot shotgun; a Marlin .22 rifle; a muzzle loader; a Future Dreamer CP201 computer; a Phillips 15-inch monitor; Creative speakers; a computer keyboard; a Dell Dimension 4100 computer; another computer keyboard; a computer mouse; another computer monitor; a Lexmark X75 printer; and Altec Lansing speakers with woofers. Total cash seized from the reverse sting operation was $101,741.24.
Overton residents worry about nation's job market With many U.S. manufacturers exploiting cheap labor markets overseas, Overton County residents are asking U.S. Representative Bart Gordon to help implement policies that will be more conducive to job creation here at home. Nearly 3 million jobs have been lost in the U.S. labor market in the past three years, including more than 60,000 manufacturing jobs in Tennessee. Gordon is encouraging the administration to work closely with Congress to stem further job losses in the U.S. "American businesses, including those in Overton County, are struggling to create new jobs necessary to sustain a recovering economy," Gordon said after a two-day phone-in event with Overton County residents. "We need to focus our energy on measures that will actually help businesses grow jobs here, not overseas. "You don't help the U.S. job market by gutting programs that make a real difference to the thousands of small and mid-sized firms across America that drive our economy and provide paychecks to our workers." Gordon was disappointed that the administration's budget proposal for next year eliminates the Advanced Technology Program and guts the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, programs that provide technical assistance and business-support services to small manufacturers. "If we hope to grow new industries, provide new skills to unemployed workers, and foster the economic conditions that will allow us to eliminate our federal deficit, we have to invest in research and development programs," said Gordon, who as a Science Committee member helps oversee federal science and technology programs. "We shouldn't slash federal technology programs that help our small manufacturers stay competitive. And if they decide to ship jobs overseas, American firms should be stripped of any tax credits they may be receiving.Ó Callers also told Gordon that health care costs are getting outrageous. "Some people cannot even afford the premiums on their employer-sponsored health insurance plans," Gordon said. "According to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, average monthly premiums increased 13.9 percent last year, the third straight year of double-digit increases. "We have 43 million Americans who have no health insurance right now, many of them small-business owners. We have to do a better job of providing coverage and keeping costs down. "One thing we could do is allow small businesses to band together so they could negotiate lower insurance rates for themselves and their employees. That would help keep down the cost of health care for all of us," he said. Education was another hot topic for callers, especially the rising cost of college tuition. "College tuition costs have increased on average more than 40 percent over the past decade and about 14 percent at public universities and colleges in the past year alone," Gordon said. "That's why I am disappointed by the administration's proposed education budget for next year. "In addition to other shortcomings, it freezes maximum funding for Pell grants at $4,050, the same level they have been for the past two years. The proposed budget also cuts funding for Perkins loans by $100 million and freezes or eliminates funding for campus-based student-aid programs. "Giving our children the opportunity to attend college shouldn't mean saddling them with an inordinate amount of debt. Pell grants and Perkins loans are means by which low-income students can attend college and get the skills they need to be good providers for their families. And it's a way to ensure that we have a workforce capable of filling the jobs needed for today's dynamic, high-tech world," he added.
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