"Six Feet Six" (Knoxville, Jackson: hotel, house, public school)

[Shenandoah]

My dad was a reader, as am I. One of his favorite books was one called "Six Feet Six". I had read it when I was in my pre-teens, and really haven't read it since. My dad's copy has been packed away, moving along with me, up on bookshelves, back in storage again.

Recently I went thru my book collection, and re-discovered this book. I put it aside to read when I finished my last book. Well, yesterday, I started reading this again.

Most likely, a few of you already recognize the book.

It's about Sam Houston - yes, a romanticized version, and the style it's written in is aimed at the younger set, but I'm still enjoying it.

I've re-discovered that the first part of the book is set in the first part of Sam Houston's life - in Tennessee! With delight, I'm reading about how they travelled thru Knoxville, and settled about 15 miles outside of Maryville TN. They had a store in Marysville, where Sam would occasionally work, in between his adventures with the native americans.

His travels to Nashville, Lebanon, and other towns that I recognize in Tennessee!

What a delight this book is!

And of course, some may ask who Sam Houston is, unless you're a Texan - (shame on our public school system if they don't!!).

Well, Sam Houston was a governor of both Tennessee and Texas. Involved in national politics, and actually could've run for President if not for a few happenings in his life. He was influential with the native americans, bettering their lives on the reservations. A fight with a Congressman, followed by a high profile trial, led to his emigration to Mexican Texas, where he soon became a leader of the Texas Revolution.

Part of what was going on with President Jackson at that time, echoes modern day politics, with an un-popular war, lies, fights, and underhanded tricks by political cronies.

This book is just an introduction into his life, and a romanticized version as it is, but it's going to make me look further into his life and read on.

I am hoping to see what remains of his life and history in Tennessee when/if we move there.

blessings, Shen

[hiknapster]

Thanks for sharing that! I don't really know much about Sam Houston. I'll have to do some research!

[alleycat]

I have a video somewhere around here somewhere of Houston's early life in Tennesse. It was produced by the local PBS station. I'd be glad to send it to you . . . if I can find it. I just taped it off the broadcast so I'm not sure what quality it is.

Everyone here knows about Sam Houston, or at least who he is.

[Shenandoah]

Alleycat - you'd be surprised at what people DON'T know! I was going to a dinner a couple of years ago, where the society was honoring Jimmy Stewart. Well, one of the few living actors who has acted in a production with Jimmy Stewart is Ernest Borgnine. My sister and I made reservations for the hotel, and mentioned we would be meeting Ernest Borgnine. The hotel clerk said 'Who?'

blessings, Shen

[Shenandoah]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Thanks for sharing that! I don't really know much about Sam Houston. I'll have to do some research!

Hiknapster, anytime I can get someone as fired up about American History as I am, it's a good thing!

blessings, Shen

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by shenandoah

Alleycat - you'd be surprised at what people DON'T know! I was going to a dinner a couple of years ago, where the society was honoring Jimmy Stewart. Well, one of the few living actors who has acted in a production with Jimmy Stewart is Ernest Borgnine. My sister and I made reservations for the hotel, and mentioned we would be meeting Ernest Borgnine. The hotel clerk said 'Who?'

blessings, Shen

I was working on the house in Misssissippi owned by William Faulkner's brother. The University was turning it into some of kind of guest house/conference center thing. I told a friend about it. She asked, "William Faulkner? Is he dead?" This was in about 1996. Yeah, I think he's been dead for a while now.

[hiknapster]

You don't have to get me fired up about history, Shen! My favorite channel? The History Channel! You and I can talk about it at our Polish dinner!

Y'all missed the Secret City festival, yesterday. They had a World War II reenactment. Incredible.

They had a lot of people there that were original residents of the Secret City. It was something else.

[alleycat]

I hope there wasn't a big exposion at the end.

;-)

[hiknapster]

Guess what? We won!

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks, Shen, for the facts about Sam Houston. I think he was also President of Texas during its independence. As a native Virginian, I am proud that he was born there near Greenville, between Staunton and Lexington.