Huntingdon Historical Society Presents Reenactors of Prominent Figures

HUNTINGDON (October 15) — The Huntingdon Historical Society presented its monthly program Wednesday morning at city hall. Three prominent figures from Huntingdon's history were brought to life by reenactors delivering rich historical accounts from their perspectives.

Johnny McClure portrayed Captain Walter Boggan Grizzard, Melissa Powell portrayed Rebecca Covington Clark and Dr. Lee Carter portrayed Dr. Joseph Williams McCall.

Captain Grizzard (1833-1918) was a Confederate officer. He told the assembled history buffs the story of his pursuit and capture by Union soldiers while accompanying his friend and neighbor, Major James B. Algee (1828-1863), on a furlough home to Huntingdon after the birth of Algee's son.

Algee fell ill during the journey, and the pair had to stay hidden while in federal-occupied Huntingdon.

Grizzard and Algee were captured at Buena Vista on their return to join their unit. Grizzard spoke of the fair treatment by the Union soldiers, including the opportunity to visit their wives before going to a prison camp in Columbus, Kentucky. At Grizzard's request, Algee was transferred to another facility for medical treatment, but Algee succumbed to pneumonia shortly after.

Algee was buried on a hillside near the Hickman, Kentucky prison where he died, but he has a tombstone at Clark Cemetery in Huntingdon.

Rebecca Clark (1757-1848) was the wife of Colonel John Clark (1773-1850), who served in the War of 1812 and was later a Tennessee state legislator. The pair traveled west from North Carolina and settled in what is now Huntingdon, where the Colonel established Clark Cemetery for his family and descendents.

One of their two daughters, Julia, married James Townes, and the Colonel built the couple a home, known as the oldest home in Huntingdon. It still stands on Main Street near city hall.

The Townes family lived in the home for over 125 years. It has since been owned by the Portis and Francisco families.

The aforementioned Major Algee married Virginia Townes, daughter of James and Julia, and resided in the home.

The presumed last descendant of the Clark family, Dr. Niell A. "Doc" Wright (1909-1984), and his wife, Bela, invested in the preservation of Clark Cemetery, which had become a public cemetery for the town at the direction of the Colonel's grandson, Admiral A.C. McNeill (1821-1887). The Wright Charitable Trust funds the upkeep of the cemetery.

Dr. Joseph McCall (1832-1923), who is also buried at Clark Cemetery, attended the University of Nashville (now Vanderbilt), Columbia University and Tulane University. He was a surgeon for the 7th Tennessee Cavalry USA. McCall is credited with advancing the first correct theory of the cause of malaria and made valuable discoveries involving milk fever and trichinosis.

McCall's son, James (1867-1931), followed in his father's footsteps, graduating from Vanderbilt and serving in the military. He was chief surgeon of the Tennessee National Guard and a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. His service extended from the Spanish-American War through World War I. James was instrumental in connecting Yellow Fever to mosquitos.

Dr. James McCall was twice elected mayor of Huntingdon, in 1907 and 1909, and was also laid to rest in Clark Cemetery.

The three historical figures took questions from the audience at the end of the presentation.

The program was organized by Johnny Beth Nolen.

The next presentation by the Huntingdon Historical Society is Wednesday, November 19 at 9 a.m. at city hall. The speaker will be Herschell Wilkes.