Peter Staub Letter
This collection contains a letter written to then Mayor Peter Staub of Knoxville, Tennessee, by a group of Knoxville citizens on May 20, 1875. The letter concerns their dissatisfaction with a new hog law in which hogs must be penned up. Staub is accused of only supporting the rich in his capacity as mayor and not looking out for the interest of the poor. In the letter, the authors threaten to burn down Staub’s home and anyone inside should the law be enforced. The post-script notes that the letter was written so that Staub may be aware of himself and his actions.
Dates
- 1875 May 20
Language
The language of the material is English.
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 (1 folder)
Abstract
This collection contains a letter written to then Mayor Peter Staub of Knoxville, Tennessee, by a group of Knoxville citizens on May 20, 1875. The letter concerns their dissatisfaction with a new hog law in which hogs must be penned up. In the letter, the authors threaten to burn down Staub’s home and anyone inside should the law be enforced.
Biographical/Historical Note
Peter Staub was a Swiss native who settled in Knoxville in 1856. At the age of 29, he opened a tailoring shop. Fourteen years after arriving in Knoxville, the Swiss government appointed him consul for the state of Tennessee. He was elected mayor of Knoxville on two separate occasions, serving in 1875-1876 and again in 1881-1882. He proved a civic-minded leader who helped the city of Knoxville grow tremendously through projects such as expanding the fire department, organizing the public school system and improving the city water system. Staub died on May 18, 1904 from injuries he sustained in a carriage accident.
Arrangement
This collection is in one folder.
Acquisition Note
This collection was donated to Special Collections by James D. Hoskins in 1939.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository