A Little Gun History...

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. >From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated

In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.

China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated

Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million.

You won't see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians disseminating this information.

Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.

Take note my fellow Americans, before it's too late!

The next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind them of this history lesson.

With guns, we are 'citizens'. Without them, we are 'subjects'.

During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew most Americans were ARMED!

If you value your freedom, please spread this antigun-control message to all of your friends.

SWITZERLAND ISSUES EVERY HOUSEHOLD A GUN!

SWITZERLAND'S GOVERNMENT TRAINS EVERY ADULT THEY ISSUE A RIFLE.

SWITZERLAND HAS THE LOWEST GUN RELATED CRIME RATE OF ANY CIVILIZED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!!!

IT'S A NO BRAINER!

DON'T LET OUR GOVERNMENT WASTE MILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE ALL LAW ABIDING CITIZENS AN EASY TARGET.

Spread the word everywhere you can that you are a firm believer in the 2nd Amendment!

It's time to speak loud before they try to silence and disarm us.

You're not imagining it, history shows that governments always manipulate tragedies to attempt to disarm the people ~

This was sent to me in an email and I thought others may find it interesting.

Source: Internet

Savannah, TN

Town Square in Savannah

Savannah (originally Rudd's Ferry) is a city in Hardin County, Tennessee. It is the county seat of Hardin CountyHistory

The city's original name was Rudd's Ferry, but this was changed in 1850 when the state legislature incorporated the town. and had a population of 6,917 at the 2000 census. Savannah hosted the NAIA college football national championship game from 1996-2007. Savannah is home to several places of historical significance, including the Cherry Family Mansion.

Cherry Mansion


Cherry Mansion in 1974

Savannah, Tennessee's Cherry Mansion is located on the east bank of the Tennessee River. The historic house served as General Ulysses S. Grant's headquarters prior to the 1862 Battle of Shiloh. Two Union generals died in the house. The well-preserved mansion was built in 1830. Although privately-owned, it remains a "must see" sight for U.S. Civil War buffs who travel to the Shiloh, Tennessee area.

Battle of Shiloh

Hardin County was the site of the 1862 Battle of Shiloh (also known as the "Battle of Pittsburg Landing") during the Civil War. This battleground site is just south of the town of Savannah. Union General Ulysses S. Grant commandeered the Cherry Mansion just off the town square for use as a headquarters during the battle.

Demographics


County courthouse dedication plaque at the town square

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,917 people, 2,915 households, and 1,862 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,207.5 people per square mile (466.1/km²). There were 3,206 housing units at an average density of 559.7 per square mile (216.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.79% White, 8.56% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population. The population as certified in 2006 is 7,030.

There were 2,915 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,779, and the median income for a family was $29,771. Males had a median income of $26,311 versus $20,219 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,101. About 20.7% of families and 23.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.

The 2007 population estimate was 7,262.

Notable Residents

John Barnhill, American football player, coach, and collegiate athletics administrator

Stubby Clapp, Minor League baseball player

Geron Davis, musician and composer

Hank DeBerry, Major League baseball catcher in the early 20th century

Bolden Reush Harrison, Naval officer and Medal of Honor recipient

Jim Hardin, Major League pitcher from 1967-1973, World Series Champion in 1970.

Chad Harville, Major League Baseball pitcher.

Myles Horton, educator and civil rights activist.

Elizabeth Patterson, actress on I Love Lucy

Darryl Worley, country music performer.

Queen, grandmother of author Alex Haley

Source: Internet

Hull Dobbs

The Hull Dobbs Automotive was begun in 1921 and continued for 78 years. In the 1950's and 1960's, the company was the largest seller of Ford vehicles in the U.S. They were also the originators of the high-pressure auto sales techniques that folks loved to hate. The downtown location on Union was choice property - next to the Peabody hotel. The family sold the auto dealerships in 1999. The building was demolished when Peabody Place was built.

The Dobbs family moved into the restaurant business - Dobbs House and Toddle House, airline catering, and beer distribution.

Huckster Image Hurts Dealers Today, Automakers Tomorrow

Click Here to read this article in the Washington Post.

Source: Internet

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded in 1962, is a pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases. It is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and is a nonprofit medical corporation chartered as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under IRS regulations.

History

St. Jude was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas, with help from Dr. Lemuel Diggs and close friend, Miami Florida auto magnate Anthony Abraham., on the premise that "no child should die in the dawn of life". This idea resulted from a promise that Danny Thomas had made to a saint years before the hospital was founded. Thomas was a comedian, who was struggling to get a break in his career and living paycheck to paycheck. When his first child was about to be born, he attended a mass in Detroit and put his last $7 in the offering bin after being incredibly moved by the service. He prayed to St. Jude Thaddeus for a means to provide for his family, and about a week later, he obtained a gig that paid 10 times what he had put in the offering bin. After that time, Thomas believed in the power of prayer. He promised St. Jude Thaddeus that if he made him successful, he would one day build him a shrine. Years later, Danny Thomas became an extremely successful comedian and built St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a shrine to St. Jude Thaddeus to honor his promise. In 1957, Thomas founded the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC), which helped him realize his dream. ALSAC is also the fundraising organization of St. Jude. Since St. Jude opened its doors in 1962, ALSAC has had the responsibility of raising the necessary funds to keep the hospital open. Memphis was chosen at the suggestion of Roman Catholic Cardinal Samuel Stritch, a Tennessee native who had been a spiritual advisor to Thomas since he presided at Thomas's confirmation in Thomas's boyhood home of Toledo, Ohio.

Although it was named after Thomas's patron saint, St. Jude is not a Catholic hospital and not affiliated with any religious organization.

In late 2007, the Chili's Care Center opened on the St. Jude campus. Chili's restaurant chain has pledged to provide $50 million to fund the construction of the center. The seven-story Chili's Care Center will house 340,000 square feet (32,000 m2) and will add 24 labs and 16 beds to the campus. It will house the department of radiological services, The Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, two floors of outpatient clinics, one floor of inpatient clinics and rooms, two floors of laboratory space, an office floor and an unfinished level for future expansion.

In June 2008, Sterling Jewelers Inc. and St. Jude officially opened the new Kay Kafe, featuring a spacious lounge area, a significantly larger dining area and a variety of new dining options. More than ever, the cafeteria is the focal point of the campus where families and staff can escape and relax away from the treatment areas. The grand opening ceremony featured Marlo Thomas, national outreach director for St. Jude; Tony Thomas, member of the ALSAC/St. Jude Boards of Directors and Governors; Terry Burman, chairman of Sterling; Mark Light, CEO and president of Sterling; John P. Moses, CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude; Dr. William E. Evans, CEO of St. Jude; Joyce Aboussie, chair of the ALSAC Board of Directors, and Robert Breit, chair of the St. Jude Board of Governors.

Mission

The mission statement given by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is “to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.” The staff plans to achieve this by increasing and sharing knowledge about their research, advancements, and treatment as well as providing free treatment to any child who has a referral to St. Jude based on the eligibility of partaking in a current treatment study at St. Jude.

The Hospital



Discoveries at St. Jude have completely changed how doctors treat children with cancer and other catastrophic illnesses. Since St. Jude was established, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common type of childhood cancer, has increased from 4 percent in 1962 to 94 percent today. During this time, the overall survival rate for childhood cancers has risen from 20 percent to 80 percent. St. Jude has treated children from across the United States and from more than 70 countries. Doctors across the world consult with St. Jude on their toughest cases. Also, St. Jude has an International Outreach Program to improve the survival rates of children with catastrophic illnesses worldwide through the transfer of knowledge, technology and organizational skills.

Directors/CEOs

William E. Evans, Pharm.D. (2004–present)
Arthur W. Nienhuis, M.D. (1993–2004)
Joseph Simone, M.D. (1983–1992)
Alvin Mauer, M.D. (1973–1983)
Donald Pinkel, M.D. (1962–1973)

Awards and achievements

St. Jude and over 46 of its staff members have been the recipients of numerous exemplary awards and achievements. For example, in 2010 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was named the number one children's cancer hospital in U.S by U.S. News & World Report. It has also been named one of the top 10 companies to work for in academia by The Scientist for 7 successive years. Perhaps most notably, in 1996, Peter C. Doherty, Ph.D., of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, was co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work related to how the immune system kills virus-infected cells.

Affiliated Hospitals

St. Jude is associated with several affiliated hospitals around the nation to further its efforts beyond its own physical walls. The hospital uses its Domestic Affiliates Program to form this partnership with the other pediatric programs. This program is a network of hematology clinics, hospitals, and universities that are united under the mission of St. Jude.

These sites are used as a means of referring eligible patients to St. Jude as well as a location to administer some care. Through the Domestic Affiliates Program staff at St. Jude work together and collaborate with those at the other institutions. Affiliated sites are expected to comply with standards set by St. Jude and are audited to ensure proper and quality care.

Currently the Domestic Affiliate Clinic sites include:

St. John's Children's Hospital in Springfield, Missouri

Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee

St. Jude Midwest Affiliate in Peoria, Illinois

Louisiana State University, Department of Pediatrics, in Shreveport, Louisiana

Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children, in Huntsville, Alabama

St. Jude also works closely with Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, also located in downtown Memphis. St. Jude patients needing certain procedures, such as brain surgery, may undergo procedures at LeBonheur Hospital. Both St. Jude and Le Bonheur are teaching hospitals affiliated with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. University of Tennessee physicians training in pediatrics, surgery, radiology, and other specialties undergo service rotations at St. Jude Hospital.

The Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon was established in Beirut on April 12, 2002. The center is an affiliate of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and works in association with the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC).

Funding

All medically eligible patients who are accepted for treatment at St. Jude are treated without regard to the family's ability to pay. St. Jude is one of a few pediatric research organizations in the United States where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. In addition to providing medical services to eligible patients, St. Jude also assists families with transportation, lodging, and meals. Three separate specially-designed patient housing facilities—Grizzly House for short-term (up to one week), Ronald McDonald House for medium-term (one week to 3 months), and Target House for long-term (3 months or more)—provide housing for patients and up to three family members, with no cost to the patient. These policies, along with research expenses and other costs, cause the hospital to incur more than $1.8 million in operating costs each day.

Philanthropic Aid

From 2000 to 2005, 83.7% of every dollar received by St. Jude went to the current or future needs of St. Jude. In 2002 to 2004, 47% of program expenses went to patient care and 41% to research. As of 2012, 81 cents of every dollar donated to St. Jude goes directly to its research and treatment.

To cover operating costs, ALSAC conducts many fund-raising events and activities. The FedEx St. Jude Classic, a PGA Tour event, is one of the most visible fund-raising events for the hospital. Other fund-raising programs include the St. Jude Math-A-Thon, Up 'til Dawn, direct mailings, radiothons and television marketing.

St. Jude also has a merchandise catalog called the Hope Catalog. The catalog contains everything from shirts to office items, and from patient art to "Give Thanks" wristbands.

One of the hospital's most recent and successful fund-raising efforts has been the Dream Home Giveaway. The giveaway allows contest entrants to reserve tickets for $100 each to qualify to win homes valued up to $720,000. The Dream Home Giveaway, one of the largest national fund-raising programs, is conducted in cities across the United States.

In November 2004, St. Jude launched its inaugural Thanks and Giving campaign which encourages consumers to help raise funds at participating retailers by adding a donation at checkout or by purchasing specialty items to benefit St. Jude. The campaign is supported by network television spots, advertisements in major publications, interactive marketing on Yahoo! and a movie trailer that runs on 20,000 screens nationwide. Corporations such as Target, Domino's Pizza, the Williams-Sonoma family of brands, CVS/pharmacy, Kmart, Kay Jewelers, New York & Company 7-Eleven, Inc., American Airlines, American Kiosk Management, AutoZone, Brooks Brothers, Busch Gardens, Casual Male XL, Catherines, Diane von Furstenberg, Dollar General, Easy Spirit, General Nutrition Centers, Gymboree, HSN, J. P. Morgan Chase, Marshall's, The Melting Pot, Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), Nine West, Rochester, Sag Harbor, Saks Fifth Avenue, SeaWorld, St. Louis Rams (NFL), West Elm, Westfield Shoppingtowns, and Yahoo! give customers a host of opportunities to support St. Jude. The ultimate goal is to increase awareness with the hope that people will come to identify Thanksgiving with St. Jude, said Joyce Aboussie, vice chairwoman of the nonprofit’s board.

At various college campuses, some student organizations, fraternities and sororities raise funds in a program called Up 'til Dawn.

St. Jude is an International Philanthropic Project of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International, a co-ed service sorority. As of October 2009, ESA has raised more than $135 million for St. Jude.

In 1999, the Delta Delta Delta collegiate sorority formed a philanthropic partnership with St. Jude. Tri Delta supports St. Jude nationally and supports cancer charities at a local level. At the hospital in Memphis, the sorority donated the Teen Room for teenage patients to relax and spend time with each other. In July 2010, Tri Delta completed its "10 by 10" goal, raising over $10 million in less than four years, six years short of the original goal. Those funds were used to sponsor the Tri Delta Patient Care Floor in the Chili’s Care Center. Upon completion of the "10 by 10" campaign, the sorority announced a new fundraising goal of $15 million in 5 years to name the Specialty Clinic located in the Patient Care Center. Two short years after setting this goal, however, the ladies of Delta Delta Delta have raised over $8.5 million and are on their way to completing their fundraising goal much earlier than expected once again.

In July 2005, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (ΚΑΨ) announced St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as its national philanthropic partner. Since that time, members across the country have joined in the fight against pediatric cancer, sickle cell disease, and other catastrophic illnesses. Kappa Alpha Psi has answered the call to service by raising more than $400,000—representing the largest contribution that Kappa Alpha Psi has donated to any charity. Members of Kappa Alpha Psi have committed to raise $500,000 in support of the hospital’s sickle cell program. St. Jude has one of the largest pediatric sickle cell research and treatment programs in the world. St. Jude is the first known hospital in the world to cure sickle cell disease through bone marrow transplantation. Today, bone marrow transplantation still offers the only cure for sickle cell disease. Members of Kappa Alpha Psi reach out to churches in their local communities to host a Sunday of Hope each January in support of St. Jude. January was selected because this is the month of Kappa’s founding. During the Sunday of Hope, churches will take up a special offering in honor of the patients and families of St. Jude. At the 2008 ALSAC/St. Jude Board and Awards Dinner, Kappa Alpha Psi received the Volunteer Group of the Year Award for their efforts in the inaugural year of the Sunday of Hope program which secured more than 130 churches to participate and raised more than $280,000.

Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity adopted St. Jude as its philanthropy of emphasis in 2008.

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. serves thousands of hours each year to a variety of philanthropic causes and needs. In the effort to create a more united and bigger impact nationally, Lambda Theta Alpha selected a national philanthropy. In January 2010, LTA became an official collegiate partner to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, becoming the first individual Latino Greek organization to commit fully to the hospital's efforts. With this partnership, LTA provides our resources of community service and activism and more importantly, another direct link to the Hispanic community for St. Jude. LTA has pledged to raise awareness about childhood cancer and St. Jude in the Latin community, as well as fundraise for the hospital through a variety of events and programs.

Past events have included: sporting tournaments, charity galas, informational meetings, and much more.

McDonald's Monopoly

In 1995, St. Jude received an anonymous letter postmarked in Dallas, Texas, containing a $1 million winning McDonald's Monopoly game piece. McDonald's officials came to the hospital, accompanied by a representative from the accounting firm Arthur Andersen, who examined the card under a jeweler's eyepiece, handled it with plastic gloves, and verified it as a winner. Although game rules prohibited the transfer of prizes, McDonald's waived the rule and has made the annual $50,000 annuity payments, even after learning that the piece was sent by an individual involved in an embezzlement scheme intended to defraud McDonald's.

Link:

St.Jude Children's Research Hospital Website

Source: Internet

E. H. (Boss) Crump

Born: 1874

Died: 1954

Edward Hull Crump was born into poverty in the post Civil War era of reconstruction. Reconstruction was another word for Northern occupation. The Civil War had devastated many areas of the South and what was left was brought down by repeated epidemics of Yellow Fever. Crump's father succumbed to Yellow Fever himself when Crump was one year old.

Crump moved to Memphis at the age of 17 and became a bookkeeper. After being successful in his earliest business career he married into money. Crump was able to buy the carriage factory where he was previously employed. Burning with ambition Crump set out to add political power to wealth. At the age of 35 Crump won his first election to the City Council. Four years later, in 1914 Crump was elected to the first of three two year terms as Memphis Mayor. He won the mayor's office narrowly, by 78 votes. In a reform era Crump was a reform candidate running against a former mayor with "reformist credentials". Crump was in office when the “commission form“ of government was instituted. As mayor Crump soon learned, it was often easier to control politics from behind the scenes.

Crump's dual nature soon became evident. The corruption under Crump's rule was infamous throughout the state. At the same time the local utilities were restructured in a manner that made Memphis' Civil Services envied throughout the country. His passion for effective fire control led the Memphis to what was arguably the best fire department in the country. Deeply in bed with Memphis's bar owners and other bosses of minor street politics, Crump declined to enforce prohibition. This was what some political enemies had waited for. Soon the Governor initiated actions, including the signing into law of the “Ouster Law“ to remove Crump from office. Quick on his feet Crump resigned and continued to influence events in a much less public way.

In the end what Crump had done to be oustered was to try to run a city like a business. He continued in that pursuit throughout his life. He became rich on the back of Memphians, but he dedicated his life to those very same Memphians. In a 1946 Time magazine article Time stated that, "Crump has given Memphis everything but a freely elected government."

For ten years Crump was less visible in politics as he worked to make himself a millionaire through Coca-Cola distribution and insurance. In 1927 he returned to local politics with a vengeance. Forming what was to be known as the Crump Machine, Crump virtually appointed all city officers. This influence eventually spread state wide with Crump strongly influencing the occupancy of the State House. Crump ran succeffully for Congress twice in 1931 and 1933, and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention seven times. He was elected mayor for the final time in 1939.

Crump's iron hand was a two-edged sword for the community. While he kept taxes low and made the city services run smoothly. The utilities were dependable and affordable. He even initiated the first safety inspections of automobiles the South had ever seen. On the other hand he forced political rivals to leave town, had reporters beaten, Unions were harrassed and allowed no new businesses to open without purchasing an insurance policy from the Crump Company. Even the charges for auto inspection were said to benefit Crump directly. Testimony in open court claimed Crump used underworld payments to pay the poll taxes of his supporters.

The election to the U.S. Senate of Estes Kefauver in 1948 began the decline of Crump's state-wide political control. By 1952 the Governor and both U.S. Senators from Tennesse were his political opponents. His poor treatment of blacks and lifetime of strong-armed tactics led to many enemies locally as well, but his control of Memphis politics was still firm on the day he died, October 16, 1954.

The city honored Crump with an 8 foot tall bronze statue. A complex man, full of seeming contradictions, E.H. Crump was probably the person who has most shaped the city of Memphis for better and for worse.

Source: Internet

Julia B. Hooks

Born: 1852

Died: 1942

Julia B. Hooks, the grandmother of NAACP head Benjamin Hooks began her early life as a musical child prodigy. Born a free black woman in Kentucky Julia Britton Hooks is well remembered as beginning social services in the city of Memphis. She served as both teacher and principal at the public Virginia Avenue School. Dissatisfied with the state of public education she soon began her own private school which was called the Hooks Cottage School.

When the Orphans and Old Folks Home was established in Memphis Mrs. Hooks paid all of its debts in full through three years of public performances.

Along with her husband Charles F. Hooks, Julia was given charge of the detention home for juvenile black offenders in 1902. She continued to support that institution even after her husband was murdered by one of the detainees. She taught music as well, founding the Hooks School of Music in Church's Auditorium. She even taught harmony to a you W.C. Handy. She was well known for her essay “The Duty of the Hour“ and for being a charter member of the Memphis Branch of the NAACP. Sixty years later her grandson Benjamin became National Executive Director of the NAACP.

In 1895 Mrs. Hooks was included in James T. Haley's Afro-American Encyclopedia. The article is printed in full below. It is of particular interest as it was written by one of her contemporaries during the prime of her life.

JULIA ANN AMANDA MOOREHEAD BRITTON HOOKS. The writer of the article, "Duty of the Hour," was born May 4, 1852, at the Capital of the State known as the "Dark and Bloody Ground," by the side of one of its lofty land elevations, near the banks of the Kentucky river. Her parents, Laura Marshall and Henry Harrison Britton, were descendants of some of the old Southern aristocracy and Indian blood. Her mother, though born a slave, was liberated at the age of sixteen by her mistress, who was also a very near relative of her father, who was no less a personage than the Hon. Thomas F. Marshall, of Kentucky, the great and renowned statesman. She received at the hands of her owner a splendid education, and was, therefore, left a free girl, above the average colored girls of the South. Her intelligence gave her great advantage. The writer's father was free born, but a descendant also of great lineage.

She was raised in Lexington, the garden spot of Kentucky, and at a very early age was given every advantage of a high learning, having been sent to Louisville in company with her older sister, and placed in the late Mr. Wm. Gibson's school for colored youths, in 1859. Remaining there until the spring of 1860, just at the outbreak of the great civil strife, she was taken back to her home and then placed under the tuition of an English lady in music, having received some instruction from her mother, who was a gifted singer and accomplished musician. Having inherited from her mother great musical gifts, she very soon became famous as Kentucky's little musical prodigy, performing at the age of nine years many works of the Masters, Mozart, Beethoven, Weber, and others. Indeed, she performed at the age of eight and a half years Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique with all the beauty and smoothness of an artist. Her parents were free, and standing high in the social scale of their race, were greatly esteemed and respected by the aristocracy of Lexington, and she and her mother were often seen and heard in parlor concerts by the very highest society, among whom it is pleased to be noted Mrs. Gen. Wm. Preston, Mrs. Gen. Morgan, Mrs. Hunt Dudley, and other grand women who have long since gone to the beautiful beyond.

The writer likes to refer to those dear old happy days of her childhood, when but a child, she and her mother played and sang for their good old friends. She often loves to relate the sad experiences of the scenes and times of the war when they would go to comfort the hearts of their white friends by the singing of the dear old songs, "My Old Kentucky Home," "Old Dog Tray," etc. She, too, likes to tell the stories of the times she would, when but a child, write passes for the slaves who would come to the singing class of her mother and get so deeply engaged in the study that they would forget about the hour, and would be afraid to start home without the "pass to show Mr. Paterole Man." It is sad to listen to her story about helping her mother to teach the slave children in the old garret, who would come to learn with their old "blue back speller" hid in false pockets. This she did with a childish relish. She would often travel around on concert tours with her mother, and would be forced, because of accommodation, to call her own mother Miss Laura. How strange, to think of a little colored girl calling her own mother mistress because her color differed. We have learned that there was never a concert programme complete in Lexington without the Britton's name thereon among their people, and they were often largely attended by the best white people of Lexington. She was pronounced by the press of Kentucky the "Wonder of the Age," being able at the age of nine to read at sight intelligently the most difficult selection for the piano. We might go on telling farther of her early fame, but space forbids.

Having received fine intellectual and musical qualifications, she has successfully taught in the following States: Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee for nearly twenty-eight years, and though her life has been surrounded with many trying difficulties, she enjoys the distinction of being a true woman to her race, a great and successful teacher, an earnest Christian worker, neglecting, oftentimes, for the benefit of humanity, her own personal welfare. Yes, we are told that her life has been one of many privations, disappointments, aspirations, struggles, defeats, temptations, and victories, as she has endeavored to push forward in the race of life. She has often been made the victim of the most cruel injustices, because of racial prejudice, yet as a woman, having a common identity of interest in all that will help to build up the Southland and uplift her race, her sex, and the body politic of her country; with all other American citizens, she has done much for herself, her race, her sex, and her home, and is building up for her people a name that will benefit them more than words can tell. Indeed, she has borne with a fortitude unsurpassed for bravery, what no other woman has been known to bear. She oft hath turned the other cheek to her enemies and oppressors, and though crushed and tossed about, because of the whims of American prejudice, she has quietly submitted to injustices of the severest nature, and yet still blesses the hand of her oppressors for the sake of her race; and she has never lost her patriotism. She often is heard to say, "Take your wounds to the great Healer of wounds." She is a firm believer in prayer, and can relate many strange and miraculous answers to her prayers for the removal of obstacles. She truly believes in liberty and equality, but is not willing to think that liberty means freedom to do wrong, nor that equality means the invasion of social realms.

She lives in hope that soon, and very soon the "missing stone" will be placed in the "building," and that when placed in it will be so riveted that it can never be displaced by any concerted blow of "wrong hammers." We invite a careful reading of her article, "Duty of the Hour."

Source: Internet

Josiah T. Settle

Born: 1850

Died: 1900

The following article is from the Afro-American Encyclopedia, James T. Haley, 1895.

JOSIAH T. SETTLE was born among the mountains of "East Tennessee," September 30, 1850, while his parents were "in transitee" from North Carolina to Mississippi. His father was Josiah Settle, of Rockingham County, North Carolina, his mother belonged to his father, who unlike many prominent slave holders of that period, had a deep and sincere affection for his children and their mother.

After several years residence in Mississippi he manumitted the mother and her eight children according to the laws of the State. He feared, however, that their freedom even then, might not be secure, and in 1856 he moved the family to Ohio and located them at Hamilton.

It was at this time the highest evidence of his Christian manhood and nobility of character were shown, when in the presence of his family and many prominent citizens of Hamilton he lawfully married the mother of his children, giving the children a legal right to their name and their mother a right to the sacred name of wife. Giving them all the tardy justice which the conditions of slavery had until then rendered impossible.

He spent his summers with his family in Ohio and the remainder of the year upon his Mississippi plantation until the war came on, when being a "Union man" he came North and remained with his family until his death in 1869 in the 70th year of his age, he having been born in 1799. Josiah T. Settle, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools in Hamilton and vicinity until 1866, when his father sent him to Oberlin where he prepared for, and entered college in 1868. He was one of three or four colored boys in a class of forty or fifty, yet he was chosen as one of the eight class orators to represent the class when he entered college, an honor much sought by all students. He completed his Freshman year and entered the Sophomore Class at Oberlin. In 1869 having lost his father, who had indeed been a father to him in the broadest sense of the word, he left Oberlin and went to Washington City and entered the Sophomore Class of Howard University, where he pursued his college studies and taught in the preparatory department. During a portion of his "college course" he was a clerk in the Educational Division of the "Freedmen's Bureau." In the latter part of his Senior year he was elected Reading Clerk of the House of Delegates, (the District of Columbia then being under a territorial form of government).

He graduated from the College Department of Howard University in 1872 together with James M. Gregor, now professor, and A. C. O'Hear, theirs being the first class to graduate from that department. At the time of his graduation he was performing the duties of Reading Clerk of the Legislature, teaching a class in Latin and one in mathematics daily at the University and pursuing his own studies at the same time. Immediately upon his graduation from college he entered the law department of the same institution, then under the control of Hon. John M. Langston, from which he graduated in 1875.

While a citizen of the District of Columbia, Mr. Settle took an active part in politics and held many positions of honor and profit.

On July 9, 1873, he was appointed a clerk in the Board of Public Works of the District of Columbia at $1,200 a year by Governor A. R. Shepherd, which he held until some time in 1874 when the Board having ceased to exist, he was on August 29, 1874, appointed clerk in the "Board of Audit," a Board consisting of the first and second comptrollers of the United States Treasury, to adjust the indebtedness of the late Board of Public Works. He continued in this position until the Board had completed its work and expired by act of Congress. He was also trustee of the public schools of the District of Columbia, serving in that capacity several years.

During the presidential campaign of 1872 he canvassed several counties of Maryland and Virginia in the interest of the Republican ticket, where his youth and brilliancy created considerable attention; he also made speeches for the ticket in Ohio, speaking at Hamilton, Dayton, Cleveland and other places. Upon his graduation from the law department he was selected as one of the orators to represent his class. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, but having determined to practice his chosen profession in the South, he left Washington in the spring of 1875 and located in North Mississippi and at once began the practice of law. He returned, however, the same year and married the refined and cultured niece of Mr. J. C. Bishop, of Annapolis, Miss Therese T. Vogelsang, and again made his home in Mississippi. In August of the same year he was unanimously nominated by the Republican convention for the position of District Attorney of the then Twelfth Judicial District of Mississippi in which there was, at that time 2,000 Republican majority. The result of the elections in Mississippi in 1875 was a revolution in the politics of the South, and the virtual death of Republicanism in that part of the country. Mr. Settle was of course defeated with all the rest.

In 1876 he was one of the delegated from Mississippi to the National Republican Convention which met in Cincinnati. He was the only delegate from Mississippi who voted for the nomination of Roscoe Conkling for president, and continued to vote for him as long as his name was before the convention. This same year he was chosen one of the presidential electors for the State-at-large on the National Republican ticket, and made the canvass of his State for Hayes and Wheeler. In 1880 he was presidential elector on the "Garfield and Arthur" ticket. In 1882 he was strongly urged to become a candidate for Congress in the Second Congressional District of Mississippi, but in the convention declined the nomination and himself placed General James R. Chalmers in nomination. He was made chairman of the Republican Congressional Executive Committee, and made a thorough canvass of the district which resulted in the election of General Chalmers by a handsome majority.

In 1883 Mr. Settle was nominated and elected to the Mississippi Legislature. He was elected upon an independent ticket, being strongly opposed to the fusion his party made with the Democracy. It was during this canvass that he made the most brilliant efforts of his life. He was met by the ablest speakers of both of the old parties; but before the people he was irresistible and was triumphantly elected by more than 1,200 majority. Though elected upon an independent ticket, for local reasons he never swerved from his Republicanism, and was one of the recognized leaders of the Republican members of the Legislature. Though his party was in a hopeless minority in that body, his ability and genius were fully recognized, and upon the adjournment of the Legislature he was presented with a gold-headed cane as a token of the esteem in which he was held by his fellow members. The correspondent of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat writing from Jackson, Miss., Jan. 4, 1884, of the personnel of the Mississippi Legislature said of him:

"A colored orator--but the palm for natural ability as an orator--is borne by a colored man, J. T. Settle, of Panola County. He comes of the famous North Carolina family of that name, is well educated and a lawyer by profession. He is of spare figure, light of color and good looking. When he gets the floor he speaks in a manner to command the attention of the entire house."

Upon his return from the Legislature he determined to abandon active participation in politics and devote his time and energies to the practice of law, and left Mississippi and located in Memphis, Tenn. About two months after his location in Memphis his success in practice having won for him the respect and admiration of Gen. G. P. M. Turner, the Attorney General of the Criminal Court, he appointed him Assistant Attorney General, which position he held for more than two years. During this time he conducted the greater portion of the public prosecutions. The manner in which he discharged the responsible duties of prosecuting attorney is thus put in a letter written by the Hon. Addison H. Douglas, who was at that time upon the bench of the Criminal Court:

"It is at all times a pleasant duty to offer commendation to those whose exemplary professional deportment has been such as to challenge attention. This is peculiarly appropriate in reference to those who have had the good fortune to be admitted to practice in the courts of the country; for in that capacity, with all its surroundings, of contact and associations, a man more readily and certainly develops his true character than almost anywhere else. I am led to these observations in part by closely scrutinizing the general deportment of members of the bar, both from the bench and as an associate practitioner.

A remarkable instance occurs to me at present in this connection in the character and conduct of J. T. Settle, Esq. He settled in Memphis about the year 1885, having recently served in the Legislature of the State of Mississippi, and shortly after locating in the practice in this city he was appointed Assistant Attorney General, which position he continued to fill two or three years with marked ability and fidelity. His uniform attention to official business, his manly courtesy and amiability won for him the esteem and respect of the bench, the bar and litigants, and went very far to break down the existing prejudices against his color in the profession. His talent is fully recognized, and his integrity has in no instance been in the least questioned from any source.

"He prosecuted without acerbity and with fairness, but neglected no legitimate resources to fix conviction upon the really guilty.

"He is such a master of elocution and displays such fluency and indeed brilliancy, that he invariably captivated those who listened to him.

"He is remarkably simple in his manners and utterly without ostentation, and an honor to his profession. Respectfully,

"A. H. DOUGLAS."

In the spring of 1888 Mr. Settle lost by death his devoted wife, who had indeed been a helpmate to him in every sense of the word. She left him no children, their only child, a little girl, having died years before in infancy.

This same year he was made a member of the Republican State Executive Committee of Tennessee and served continuously for six years. In 1892 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Minneapolis.

Though Mr. Settle takes some part and interest in politics, such as he believes the interests of his race demand, he is by no means what may be called a politician, and seeks no political preferment. He prefers to devote his entire time and energies to his profession and by his success demonstrates the capacity of his race to successfully measure arms with the Anglo-Saxon in the professional walks of life. Mr. Settle's course at the bar demonstrates the fact that it is possible for a colored American to succeed in the practice of law, if he will thoroughly prepare himself for his professional work and then give it his whole time and energy. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire bench and bar; his practice is large and lucrative, and he is rapidly accumulating a competency. He is now in easy circumstances.

In 1890 he married Miss Fannie A. McCullough, one of the most beautiful and accomplished ladies in Memphis. She was distinguished for her superior vocal qualities, and at the time of her marriage had charge of the musical department of LeMoyne Institute. This position she resigned upon her marriage. Mr. Settle owns a beautiful house in one of the most desirable localities in Memphis where their friends always find a cordial welcome. Their marriage has been blessed by two extremely intelligent and handsome boys, Josiah T. Settle, Jr. and Frances McCullough Settle, both of whom give great promise for the future. This man's life, thus far, demonstrates what the colored American can do, and is doing in the South.

Source: Internet

Eugene Magevney

Born: 1798

Died: 1873

The name of Magevney is remembered in Memphis today for only one reason, the Magevney House. This popular tourist attraction in Downtown Memphis' “Victorian Villiage“ was given to the city by Eugene Magevney's grand daughter in 1940 and totally restored by the city. That fact alone does not mean the man was unsubstantial.

Eugene Magevney was born in County Fermanagh with the surname of McGivney. Like many young Irish boys he wished to become a priest, but later decided he was more constitutionally dispositioned towards teaching.

He arrived in Memphis in 1833 when the city was but 14 years old. The city had no public education program, but Magevney was allowed to use a small log house in Court Square that had been used as a school house once before. There was little interest in teaching girls or poor children, but many of the city's more well-heeled residents were glad to have local education for their children. One problem from the start was that some parents wished to pay “in kind“. This is the practice of paying with something other than money. In this case it was land, lots and lots of cheap land.

Despite reports to the contrary Magevney purchased his first truly signficant parcel of land for the sum of $1,000 from one Robertson Topp, the developer of South Memphis. This relatively small parcel of pasture land was outside of the city limits, but not by far. Indeed it was located on Union Avenue. The land was first annexed by South Memphis, then South Memphis was annexed by Memphis. Meanwhile Magevney had improved on the property building a series of buildings soon to be put to use. Eugene Magevney became a very rich man. By the time of his death in 1873, Magevney's net worth was $3.5 million dollars. This was all in solid Union currency as Magevney survived the war and “Reconstruction“ with his wealth in tact.

In 1840 Magevney sent to Ireland for his intended, one Mary Smyth (a former pupil). The previous year he had purchased the small house in which he was boarding. This is the house known today as The Magevney House. The year of the purchase Memphis' first Catholic mass was celebrated in this house. One year later the first Catholic wedding was performed here and the following year, the first christening.

Kate Magevney

At the age of 42 Magevney quit teaching to devote all of his time to real estate. The couple had two children, the first was to become a nun, Sister Mary Agnes who is still fondly remembered in Texas for the work she did in Galveston. The younger of the two, Catherine (Kate) married twice, but produced no children. After the death of her first husband Kate married Hugh A. Hamilton. The two later adopted a young girl from New York named Blanche. Blanche Hamilton later married Dr. Joseph Karsch. It was Blanche Hamilton Karsch who donated the old family home to the city in 1940.

After surviving two bouts of Yellow Fever, Eugene Magevney succumbed to the Yellow Fever of 1873. He died at 75 years old. Sister Mary Agnes donated her entire inheritance to the church. When Kate died in 1930 a number of Irish relatives sprang up to contest the estate.

Kate had not left a will. In the end the courts award all of the cash and half of the property to Blanche. The other half of the property went to the Galveston Convent of Sister Mary Agnes who immediately sold it back to Blanche Hamilton.

Source: Internet

Green P. Hamilton

Green P. Hamilton, one of the city's pioneer educators of color, was born in Memphis in 1867. His mother, Laura Hamilton, was ambitious for her son, and he grew up motivated by the importance of obtaining an education. An intelligent lapel, he was a reader and letter writer by the age of ten.

An 1882 graduate with honors from LeMoyne Normal Institute, he completed his education at Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi, and Columbia University in New York City. "Professor" Hamilton, as he was called, began teaching in the Memphis city schools in 1884. He became principal of Kortrecht High School, the first Negro public high school in the city, in 1892.

Green Hamilton married Alice Richmond, formerly of Arkansas, who was a teacher in the Memphis city schools. The couple did not have children.

Professor Hamilton organized the first Negro high-school band at Kortrecht around 1900. J. Edgar Hodges, a student who was the son of a prominent Memphis brick contractor, played the trombone, and his sister, Eloora, was soprano soloist. The band presented a benefit concert at Church's Park and Auditorium, in order to raise funds to purchase uniforms and instruments. A. L. Hall, M. D., owner of The Memphis Striker, black newspaper, raised the balance of the needed $900. The band was a big success and toured Mississippi and Arkansas, presenting concerts in the larger cities.

Green P. Hamilton was interested in the progress of his race and was one of the first African-American writers in Memphis to present historical information on citizens of color. He was the author of two books: The Bright Side of Memphis (1908), which he dedicated with feeling to his mother, citing the valiant efforts she put forth to enable him to obtain an education, and Beacon Lights of The Race (1911). Both books are valuable additions to Memphis' history.

Hamilton Elementary School, Hamilton Junior High School, and Hamilton High School are named in honor of Green P. Hamilton.

Roberta Church and Ronald Walter

Source: Internet

Frederick W. Smith/Fed Ex

Born: 1944

Fred Smith was born in Marks, Mississippi, on August 11, 1944. The younger of two sons, Smith was named after his father, an entrepreneur and businessman who established the Dixie Greyhound Bus Lines, later a part of Greyhound Bus Lines. To further supplement the family fortune, the senior Smith and his older son established the Toddle House Restaurant chain, which offered Southern-style cooking at locations throughout the United States. Smith was a rennaissance man who developed a love of boats and planes, at one time shattering the existing record for navigating the Mississippi River.

In 1948, when Smith was only four years old, his father died. Fortunately for the family, Smith senior had made enough money to ensure his family which now consisted of a wife, two sons, and two daughters a comfortable existence. However, it would be a long time before the children would see any of their father's money. Concerned that his children would squander their fortunes and waste their lives and talents, Smith senior had his money placed into a trust fund to be released to the children upon their 21st birthdays.

From early childhood, Smith was troubled by a birth defect known as Calve Perthes disease, a peculiar form of childhood arthritis of the hips caused by a temporary loss of blood supply to the hip. The ailment was such that Smith spent much of his early years on crutches and in braces to stabilize his hip joint sockets. However, by the time he was 10, Smith had out grown the disease. Smith attended Memphis University Prep, where he participated in athletics and was an excellent student. He also developed a keen interest in the American Civil War. But Smith's true passion was flying; by the age of 15 he was learning the ropes while operating a crop duster. In time he became known as a skilled amateur pilot. Smith's business acumen started early; while in high school, he and a group of friends founded the Ardent Record Company, a small recording studio that later went on to become a legitimate company. In 1962 Smith left Memphis to attend Yale University.

While at Yale, Smith intended to study economics and political science.

Unfortunately he found himself more drawn to campus social activities, which affected his scholastic performance. However, one incident in his junior year stood out, providing the germ of an idea that later carried Smith to success. For an economics class Smith wrote a term paper that outlined his idea for a company that would guarantee overnight delivery of small, time-sensitive goods, such as replacement parts and medical supplies, to major U.S. cities. The professor was not impressed and gave Smith a grade of C for his work. But Smith's idea stayed with him, though it would be a few more years before he would have the opportunity to try it out. In 1966 Smith graduated with a degree in economics and shortly thereafter enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a second lieutenant, Smith was sent overseas to fight in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Smith would do two tours in Vietnam, enrolling in flight school and eventually flying more than two hundred ground support missions. In July 1969 Smith was honorably discharged at the rank of captain with numerous honors, including a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. In August, Smith married Linda Black Grisham. However, the marriage would not last, and the couple divorced in 1977.

Upon returning to the United States in 1970, Smith decided to revisit the idea he had written about in his economics paper. The need to create something was also spurred in part by his time in Vietnam. As he later told an interviewer, "I got so sick of destruction and blowing things up … that I came back determined to do something more constructive" (Current Biography Yearbook 2000). To get his fledgling business underway, Smith began by purchasing the controlling interest in Ark Aviation Sales, an aircraft maintenance company owned by his then father-in-law. By 1971 Smith had expanded the company's venue, turning the focus from airplane maintenance to a company that bought and sold used corporate jets. But even the success of posting over $9 million in revenue and the company's seeing profits for the first time were not enough to satisfy Smith.

By now Smith had devised a well-thought-out strategy to implement his idea while making the most of his resources. Originally Smith wanted to do contract work for the Federal Reserve System, transporting, sorting, and rerouting checks. His business plan called for a fleet of planes that would pick up packages for delivery. The planes and cargo would be flown at night, when air traffic was minimal; packages would then be dropped at a central location or hub, where they would be sorted. From there the parcels, using both ground and air, would be routed to their destinations within a 24-hour period. Smith chose Memphis as the hub city because of its central location, moderate climate, and labor resources. Smith also wanted the company to own its own planes in order to bypass federal shipping regulations.

Despite Smith's proposals, which he calculated would have saved the nation's banking system an estimated $3 million a day, many financial institutions, while interested, were not convinced that Smith's ideas could realistically be carried out. On paper Smith's delivery system was simple and practical. However, there were many problems to overcome to make it work. Financially, the business required a tremendous amount of money for planes, pilots, and insurance. Smith also needed to design a transportation system that could not only link any two parts of the country but also ensure that packages going back and forth could be delivered within the promised 24-hour window—something that had never been tried before in cargo delivery.

Although Smith was unable to convince the Federal Reserve that his plan would work, he decided to spend money on an intensive advertising campaign to persuade anyone else who might be interested in such a venture. Smith also realized that by using both air and ground transport, package deliveries did not have to take the most direct route, as long as they made it to their destinations within 24 hours. Over time a web of interconnecting cities was established that would provide Federal Express service. Finally, on June 18, 1971, Smith, then 27 years old, created the Federal Express Corporation. His startup funds consisted of $91 million from venture capitalists in addition to his own $4 million inheritance. By 1973 Smith was ready to go; Federal Express, with a fleet of 14 jets and several vans, began offering service to 25 cities. Still, as Smith later recalled, few people were encouraged by his new venture. In a 1979 interview, Smith said, "People thought we were bananas. We were too ignorant to know that we weren't supposed to be able to do certain things" (New York Times, January 7, 1979).

Federal Express's first two years were grim. In fact, on its first night of business, the fledgling company shipped only 186 packages onto its 14 Falcon jets routed to 22 cities. Within the first three months of operation, the company had lost almost a third of its start-up cash. It was not uncommon for Federal Express drivers to dig into their own pockets to pay for gas. The company also lost money because of high advertising costs (Smith believed advertising to be essential for his company's survival) and because of increased aircraft fuel and gasoline prices resulting from the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973. Smith's sisters also brought suit against their brother for misappropriating their trust fund monies. These and other factors, such as outdated federal aviation restrictions and run-ins with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, caused FedEx to lose $29 million in its first two years of operation. However, by 1976 the company had begun to show a profit as it delivered everything from documents and computer parts to sensitive parcels, such as blood and organs. Despite competition from UPS and other delivery companies, the Federal Express customer base was growing as well; besides counting several businesses among its clientele, Federal Express was also handling deliveries for the federal government. By 1978 the company had proven itself financially stable enough to begin selling shares on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1984 Federal Express reached a milestone not only for itself but also for American business when it surpassed $1 billion in revenues.

Not content just to oversee his growing delivery network, Smith cast about for other ideas that would maintain Federal Express's position as the fastest-growing and speediest delivery service. To that end, the decades of the 1980s and 1990s were characterized by adaptation and experimentation. In 1984, to aid clients in sending documents anywhere in the United States within a short period of time, Smith created ZapMail, a satellite-based system of linked stations that guaranteed delivery of documents by fax machines and courier within two hours. Unfortunately ZapMail never really caught on with customers, and by the end of the decade, fax machines were becoming more commonplace in businesses. Finally, in 1989 Smith discontinued ZapMail, but not before it had ended up costing the company over $300 million. Federal Express also continued to suffer severe financial losses, in part because of increased competition from UPS. To combat the problem, Smith became more aggressive in dealing with the competition. In 1988 Federal Express bought the Los Angeles–based international heavy freight carrier Flying Tigers for $880 million, thereby becoming the largest all-cargo airline in the world. Now Smith had his own network of overseas delivery routes and no longer had to rely on outside contractors to make his foreign deliveries. He also negotiated the purchase of several trucking companies in an attempt to make Federal Express a more diversified freight and parcel powerhouse. Still, Smith's entry into the foreign markets suffered. Even though the company's international traffic had grown to include over 560 planes flying out of three hubs, Europe as a whole was slow to develop as an express market.

In 1994 the company changed its name to FedEx. That same year Smith, sensing the importance of the Internet and trying to recuperate from losses in his international division, introduced InterNetShip, a service that allowed customers to coordinate their domestic deliveries via Internet-linked computer software. Smith also developed BusinessLink, a marketing service that provided businesses with an online catalogue of their goods directly linked to FedEx. Despite financial setbacks, the company continued to grow. By 1997 FedEx employed 120,000 employees worldwide; delivered an average of 2.5 million packages a day in 211 countries and territories through one of its 37,000 trucks; and had made Smith one of the four hundred wealthiest people in the world. In 1998 FedEx formed the FDX Company, which served as a holding company that oversaw both domestic and international operations of the organization.

Despite intense competition and financial setbacks, Smith continued to persevere. His success came in part because of his ability to understand the changing needs of business and the importance of such things as the Internet, deregulated trade, and changing business practices. But Smith found that he had to wait for American and European business owners to understand his vision of a delivery system that promised savings, increased productivity, and improved efficiency. Smith also saw the possibilities with the Internet and the growing potential of e-commerce for the shipping industry. Toward the end of the 1990s Smith leveraged the company to take advantage of ecommerce opportunities by fostering partnerships with Webbased companies such as Sun Data, a $200 million computer company, which through its Internet sales increased the customer base for FedEx. In speeches and interviews Smith also acknowledged that the business of doing business was rapidly changing as the 20th century came to a close. With the increased availability of express shipping, Smith foresaw a trend in which companies would reduce their inventory as they became more dependent on express shipments. This development would in turn make the intermediary warehousing and distribution facilities less necessary. Smith pushed for the United States in cooperation with other countries, such as Japan, to work on fashioning a model of such a network that other countries could follow. Smith continued to increase his hold on the express delivery market. In 2003 FedEx purchased Kinko's, a large office and print store chain, for $2.4 billion. With the purchase of the company, all 1,200 Kinko's locations worldwide offered FedEx shipping services and increased FedEx's share of the express document and delivery business, helping FedEx to build an even larger customer base.

By 1999 FedEx was shipping three million packages every day with annual sales totaling $16.7 billion. In 2000 the company changed names once more to the FedEx Corporation. Once again, though, the company stumbled. In streamlining company operations, Smith decided to let various divisions of FedEx operate more independently. In April 2000 it was discovered that a number of FedEx drivers and couriers had been using company vehicles to deliver more than 120 tons of marijuana in a delivery system that went back and forth between the East Coast and the West Coast.

Certainly one of Smith's most resounding successes was in the creation of a corporate culture that inspired an intense loyalty to the company and its founder. Smith operated his company on a basic premise that he called P-S-P: people, service, profit. The idea was that the three concepts work in a circle, each supported by the others.

From the company's earliest beginnings, Smith strove to provide for his workers, even when times were tough. Even when money was tight, Smith made sure that his employees were given medical coverage. A position with FedEx remained one of the most sought-after jobs in the Memphis area, partly because of the generous wages, overtime, and benefits the company offered its employees. Smith acknowledged the importance of his workers. For instance, during the 1990s, when UPS workers went on strike, thousands of FedEx employees worked numerous hours to process the additional 800,000 packages that flooded into FedEx centers. Smith rewarded his employees with special bonuses while taking out full-page newspaper ads to thank them for their hard work.

By all accounts, Smith was a boss who worked hard at being accessible to his employees. He was known to visit the Memphis site late at night, greeting many of the employees by name. He also offered a standing invitation to any employee with 10 years of service to come to Memphis for breakfast with the boss. Although gregarious by nature, Smith tended to stay out of the limelight; when necessary, however, he showed that he was capable of impassioned and thoughtful analysis on the state of business in America and the world. A true believer in the advent of the global economy, Smith saw the future with the creation of Federal Express; his risk-taking set the standard by which other companies were often forced to measure themselves. Unafraid of new technology, Smith instead saw it as a challenge to be mastered, implemented, and used as means of furthering the global community. By following this philosophy, FedEx continued to shape the very face of global communications.

Primary Source: www.referenceforbusiness.com

Fractured Carols

Listen very closely when kids sing Christmas carols, This is what you just might hear!

Deck the Halls with Buddy Holly

We three kings of porridge and tar

On the first day of Christmas my tulip gave to me

Later on we'll perspire, as we dream by the fire.

He's makin' a list, chicken and rice.

Noel. Noel, Barney's the king of Israel.

With the jelly toast proclaim

Olive, the other reindeer.

Frosty the Snowman is a ferret elf, I say

Sleep in heavenly peas

In the meadow we can build a snowman, Then pretend that he is sparse and brown

You'll go down in Listerine

Oh, what fun it is to ride with one horse, soap and hay

O come, froggy faithful

You'll tell Carol, "Be a skunk, I require"

Good tidings we bring to you and your kid

As a little girl climbed onto Santa's lap,
Santa asked the usual, "And what would you
like for Christmas?" The child stared at him
open mouthed and horrified for a minute,
then gasped, "Didn't you get my E-mail?"

Source: Internet

Prince Albert (tobacco)

Prince Albert is an American brand of tobacco, introduced by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in 1907. It has been owned since 1987 by John Middleton Inc.

History

Prince Albert is one of the more popular independent brands of pipe tobacco in the United States; in the 1930's, it was the "second largest money-maker" for Reynolds. More recently, it has also become available in the form of pipe-tobacco cigars. (A 1960's experiment with filtered cigarettes was deemed a failure.) The blend is burley-based and remains one of America's top-selling pipe tobaccos.

The tobacco was personally named by R. J. Reynolds after Edward VII, who was known as Prince Albert before being crowned King. For some time after Prince Albert had become King Edward VII, the can bore the additional words "Now King" under the portrait, which was based on one acquired by Reynolds at a tea party with Mark Twain.

The Van Dyke Parks song Clang of the Yankee Reaper references the tobacco with the line "The sun never set on the Empire / Prince Albert came in a can."

Prince Albert's cigars are available in packs of 5. Prince Albert's pipe tobacco is available in 1.5 ounce pouches and 14 ounce tins.

"Prince Albert in a can"

The brand is the basis of a practical joke, usually made in the form of a prank call. The prankster typically calls a store and asks if they have "Prince Albert in a can." When the unsuspecting clerk responds "yes" (because the tobacco is typically packaged in a can, though other forms of packaging also existed), the caller follows up with, "Well, you'd better let him out!" or "Then why don't you let him out before he suffocates!?"

In pop culture

The joke was used in the 1990 horror miniseries Stephen King's It where Pennywise (Tim Curry) taunts one of his intended victims (he says "Well ya better let the poor guy out" as the closer).

In Weird Al Yankovic's parody of TLC's Waterfalls (TLC song) "Phony Calls" on Bad Hair Day, the lyrics include the reference "Little Melvin has a natural obsession/Askin' for Prince Albert in a can/He gets a kick each time he makes a collect call/To some guy he doesn't know who lives in Japan".

In Death Masks by Jim Butcher, Harry Dresden makes an offering of Prince Albert tobacco to a loa he'd summoned. Later, Molly Carpenter tricks their Russian friend Sanya into prank-calling a number of stores, under the guise of helping Harry with his shopping list. Sanya doesn't understand why asking if they have "Prince Albert in a can" causes people to hang up.

In the Family Guy (season 2) episode "Fifteen Minutes of Shame", Stewie makes the stereotypical prank call to a talk show called The Diane Show.

Brendan Fraser's character buys Prince Albert pipe tobacco while stockpiling supplies in the film Blast From the Past.

In Retail (comic strip) on 3-11-11 Cooper takes a call for Prince Albert in a can. Assuming it is a joke he hangs up, only to notice that the store does in fact sell "Prince Albert" in a can.

In the Wings (NBC TV series) episode Airport '90, Lowell calls Faye from within the terminal in an attempt to prank her using the Prince Albert in a can joke.

Source: Internet

The Outhouse

Ma and Pa were two hillbillies living out on a farm up in the hills.

Pa has found out that the hole under the outhouse is full. He goes into the house and tells Ma that he doesn't know what to do to empty the hole.

Ma says, "Why don't you go ask the young'n down the road? He must be smart 'cause he's a college grad-jyate."

So Pa drives down to the neighbor's house and asks him, "Mr. College grad-jyate, my outhouse hole is full, and I don't know what to do to empty it."

The young'n tells him, "Get yourself two sticks of dynamite, one with a short fuse and one with a long fuse. Put them both under the outhouse and light them both at the same time. The first one will go off and shoot the outhouse in the air. While it's in the air the second one will then go off and spread the poop all across your farm, fertilizing your ground. The outhouse should then come back down to the same spot atop the now-empty hole."

Pa thanks the neighbor, then drives to the hardware store and picks up two sticks of dynamite, one with a short fuse and one with a long fuse. He goes home and puts them under the outhouse. He then lights them and runs behind a tree.

All of a sudden, Ma comes running out of the house and into the outhouse! Off goes the first stick of dynamite, shooting the outhouse into the air. BOOM! Off goes the second stick of dynamite, spreading poop all over the farm. Then, WHAM! The outhouse comes crashing back down atop the hole.

Pa races to the outhouse, throws open the door and asks, "Ma, are you all right?"

As she pulls up her clothes she says, "Yeah, but I'm sure glad I didn't f@#$t in the kitchen!"

Source: Internet

"Happy Thanksgiving"

May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump, may your 'tater 'n gravy have narry a lump.

May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize, may your holiday dinner stay off of your thighs.

"Happy Thanksgiving"

Unknown

Source: Internet

"Twas The Night Of Thanksgiving"

Twas The Night Of Thanksgiving,
But I Just Couldn't Sleep.
I Tried Counting Backwards,
I Tried Counting Sheep.

The Leftovers Beckoned -
The Dark Meat And White,
But I Fought The Temptation
With All Of My Might.

Tossing And Turning With Anticipation,
The Thought Of A Snack Became Infatuation.
So, I Raced To The Kitchen, Flung Open The Door,
And Gazed At The Fridge, Full Of Goodies Galore.
Gobbled Up Turkey And Buttered Potatoes,
Pickles And Carrots, Beans And Tomatoes.

I Felt Myself Swelling So Plump And So Round,
'Til All Of A Sudden, I Rose Off The Ground.
I Crashed Through The Ceiling, Floating Into The Sky,
With A Mouthful Of Pudding And A Handful Of Pie..
But, I Managed To Yell As I Soared Past The Trees....
Happy Eating To All - Pass The Cranberries, Please. ~~unknown

Butterball Turkey's Hotline

A woman called the turkey hotline to find out how long it would take to roast her turkey. To answer the question, the Talk-Line home economist asked how much the bird weighed. The woman responded, "I don't know, it's still running around outside."

Home alone, a Kentucky woman was in the doghouse when she called the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. While preparing the turkey, her chihuahua jumped into the bird's body cavity and couldn't get out. She tried pulling the dog and shaking the bird, but nothing worked. She and the dog became more and more distraught. After calming the woman down, the Talk-Line home economist suggested carefully cutting the opening in the cavity of the turkey wider. It worked and Fido was freed!

Roasting a turkey doesn't have to interfere with the daily routine, so said a retired Floridian. He called "Turkey Central" for turkey grilling tips while waiting to tee off from the 14th hole.

Taking turkey preparation an extra step, a Virginian wondered, "How do you thaw a fresh turkey?" The Talk-Line staffer explained that fresh turkeys aren't frozen and don't need to be thawed.

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-time takes twelve minutes. This is not a coincidence.

Source: Internet

Redneck Thanksgiving

You Might Be A Redneck If:

You've ever had Thanksgiving dinner on a Ping-Pong table.

Thanksgiving dinner is squirrel and dumplings.

You've ever re-used a paper plate.

If you have a complete set of salad bowls and they all say
Cool Whip on the side.

If you've ever used your ironing board as a buffet table.

On Thanksgiving Day you have to decide which pet to eat.

Your turkey platter is an old hub cap.

Your best dishes have Dixie printed on them.

Your stuffings secret ingredient comes from the bait shop.

Your only condiment on the dining room table is ketchup.

Side dishes include beef jerky and Moon Pies.

You have to go outside to get something out of the 'fridge.

The directions to your house include "turn off the paved road".

You consider pork and beans to be a gourmet food.

You have an Elvis Jell-o mold.

Your secret family recipe is illegal.

You serve Vienna Sausage as an appetizer.

Source: Internet

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are the most popular plants sold between the months of August and November.

The chrysanthemum was first introduced into the United States during colonial times. Three hundred years later, its popularity has grown such, that mums now reign as undisputed "Queen of the Fall Flowers.

For many of us in the South, our introduction to the chrysanthemum was a corsage at Homecoming football games.

Follow these steps to increase the chances that your potted mums will survive the winter:

1. Water mums daily while they're blooming. The potted mums you buy in the fall dry out quickly since they are usually top heavy with bloom and have a relatively small amount of roots. Keeping the soil moist will help plants stay healthy until you are ready to plant them.

2. Get mums out of their pots and into the ground soon after purchase. This gives the roots the maximum amount of time to become established before a hard freeze. If you prefer to display mums in the pots they came in, plant them promptly once their flower display is done.

3. Don’t cut back the foliage of mums in the fall. The above-ground growth offers the plant an extra layer of winter protection. It also serves as a good reminder in the spring to search for any healthy new root growth under the ground. If you feel you must trim off something, remove the spent flowers only, but leave the rest of the plant alone.

4. Provide mums with a generous layer of a light mulch as soon as the ground freezes. Mounding pine needles, straw or evergreens around the plant will help prevent the roots from heaving out of the ground during repeated freeze/thaw cycles. If using leaves, be sure they are shredded so they won't form a soggy mat over the plant.

5. Try to create a microclimate in which the plants will be protected from winter winds. A location on the south side of a building or other sheltered spot is ideal. You can also protect potted mums by planting them in a cold frame.

6. Continue watering mums even after their blooms have faded to encourage new root growth. Keep in mind however, that mums demand good drainage. They will not survive the winter if planted in soggy soil.

Source: Internet

Someday

When the kids are grown....life will be different. The memo pad on my refrigerator door will read,

SOMEDAY

When the kids are grown....the house will be free of graffiti. There will be no crayoned smiley faces on the walls, no names scrawled in furniture dust, no pictures fingered on steamy windows, and no initials etched in bars of soap

SOMEDAY

When the kids are grown....I'll get through a whole chapter of an engrossing book without being interrupted to sew a nose on a teddy bear, stop a toddler from eating the dog food, or rescue the cat from the toy box.

SOMEDAY

When the kids are grown....I won't find brown apple cores under the beds, empty spindles on the toilet paper hanger, or fuzzy caterpillars in denim jeans. And I will be able to find a pencil in the desk drawer, a slice of left over pie in the fridge, and the comics still in the center of the newspaper.

SOMEDAY

When the kids are grown....I'll breeze right past the gumball machine in the supermarkets without having to fumble for pennies; I'll stroll freely down each aisle without fear of inadvertently passing the candy or toy sections; and I'll choose cereal without considering what noise it makes, what prize it contains, or what color it comes in.

SOMEDAY

When the kids are grown...I'll prepare Quiche Loraine, or Scallops Amandine, or just plain liver and onions, and no one will say, "Yuk! I wish we were having hot dogs!" or "Jimmy's lucky, his mom lets him eat chocolate bars for dinner." And we'll eat by candle light, with no one trying to roast their peas and carrots over the flame to "make them taste better", or arguing about who gets to blow out the candles when we're done.

SOMEDAY

When the kids are grown...I'll get ready for my bath without first having to remove a fleet of boats, two rubber alligators, and a soggy tennis ball from the tub. I'll luxuriate in hot, steamy water and billows of bubbles for a whole hour, and no fists will pound on the door, no small voices will yell, "Hurry up mommy! I gotta go!"

YES....SOMEDAY

when the kids are grown..life will be different. They'll leave our nest, and the house will be quiet....and calm....and empty....and lonely....and I won't like it at all! And then I'll spend time, not looking to SOMEDAY
but looking back at YESTERDAY.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Source: Internet

Raising Boys

I scrub the wall of fingerprints,
Pick up the mounds of clothes.
I sweep the dirt that shoes track in-
Wish I could use a hose!

Meals are served from dawn to dark,
Dirty dishes crowd the sink.
Just when they're washed and put away-
Everyone wants a drink!

The washer pulls the dirty grime
From pants worn thin and patched.
They look so very neat and clean-
Yuck, look what the pockets hatched!

Broken bones and bloody knees,
I should have been a nurse.
I take it all in shaky stride-
Just grateful it's not worse!
Screams and shouts and arguments
Test the keeping of my cool.
They left the neighbour's faucet on-
See their new front yard pool!

A soothing bath is ecstasy,
A reward at the end of my rope.
Raising boys isn't really bad-
But first I must wash the soap!

A rose can say I Love You,
Orchids can enthral;
But a weed bouquet in a chubby fist,
Oh my, that says it all!

by Roberta I. Teague

Redneck Etiquette

Ears:

While ears need to be cleaned regularly, this is a job that should be done in private using one's own truck keys. (NOTE: Keys must also be cleaned regularly, because ear wax buildup can short circuit a starter switch.)

Brushing & Flossing

Scientists have proven that the use of a toothbrush(and toothpaste when available) can help people keep their teeth into their thirties and even beyond. Dental floss, the modern equivalent of broom straw, is also helpful. A lightweight monofilament
fishing line works just as well. Remove lures first.

Manicures and Pedicures:

Dirt and grease under the nails is a social no no, as they tend to detract from a woman's jewelry and alter the taste of finger foods. Corns and calluses can be removed using a common potato peeler, remember never to cut against the grain.

Hair Care

(FOR MEN)

Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is not an incurable disease. Rubbing motor oil
into the scalp once a week will turn the flakes dark and then they will not be noticeable.

If you can't afford hair tonic, brake fluid holds the hair in place and gives it
a dark, Elvis like sheen.

(FOR WOMEN)

While a tall hive of hair is the current rage, it can be an open invitation to bees and hornets. A 50/50 mixture of Black Flag and hairspray can prove to be a girl's best summertime friend.

Driving

When approaching a four way stop, remember that the vehicle with the largest tires always has the right of way.

When sending your wife down the road with a gas can, remember that it is impolite to ask her to bring back a beer.

Remember that the median is not a passing lane.

Never tow another car using panty hose and duct tape.

Source: Internet

Fall Foliage

This fall foliage picture was taken along the Mississippi section of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

In middle to late October, the maple, hickory, oak and other hardwood trees begin to change colors and visitors have the opportunity to view the brilliant fall foliage along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Fall color - one of the most spectacular shows on earth - is a natural phenomena. And while fall color doesn't happen everywhere, it takes place around the same time each year where it occurs.

Trees make sugar from the energy of the sun through a process called photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves, absorbs the energy trees need to photosynthesize.

Fire Power Nandina



A fine upright evergreen shrub, the Firepower Nandina displays rich red and burgundy winter foliage on its compact frame. From mid to late summer, the Firepower Nandina grows conical panicles up to 16 inches long of lovely small white flowers with star-shaped petals with large yellow anthers.

As fall approaches the weather cools and something else happens too. The days get shorter.

Less daylight = less energy = less sugar. And it also equals less chlorophyll. This green pigment breaks down as the photosynthesis factory slows.

Carotenoids and xanthopylls, pigments that produce yellow and orange, are present in tree leaves year round but they aren't as strong as chlorophyll. When chlorophyll fades carotenoids and xanthopylls shine turning fall leaves from green to yellow and orange.

Anthocyanins, pigments that make purple and red, are something different all together. Not all trees produce anthocyanins. Those that do produce it only in fall.