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W. V. Giles Letter

 Collection
Identifier: MS-3490

  • Staff Only

In this letter, W. V. Giles of Sumner County, Tennessee tells Edwin Giles about a blood shower that took place recently in Lebanon, Tennessee. He also discusses a political demonstration in Gallatin, Tennessee in response to President Tyler's recent veto of a bill to establish a National Bank.

Dates

  • 1841 September 5

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet

Abstract

In this letter, W. V. Giles of Sumner County, Tennessee tells Edwin Giles about a blood shower that took place recently in Lebanon, Tennessee. He also discusses a political demonstration in Gallatin, Tennessee in response to President Tyler's recent veto of a bill to establish a National Bank.

Biographical/Historical Note

No biographical information about William V. Giles or Edwin Giles could be found.

The blood shower that W. V. Giles refers to took place on a tobacco farm near Lebanon (Wilson County) Tennessee on August 17, 1841. According to legend, enslaved individuals on the farm reported that drops of blood fell from a red cloud that was flying overhead. After visiting the field, Dr. Troost theorized that that a tornado-like wind might have taken up part of an animal which was in a state of decomposition, and have brought it in contact with an electric cloud and so caused the unusual rain.

Arrangement

This collection consists of a single folder.

Acquisition Note

Special Collections purchased this letter on January 6, 2010.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480