{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"05 | Settlement of Nashville, Indian Wars | Elvis at the State Capitol | August 2018 Issue","description":"Nashville today attracts thousands of new residents every month, but over 200 years ago, people risked their very lives to move here. Host Allen Forkum (editor of The Nashville Retrospect newspaper) interviews historian Paul Clements about the first settlers to arrive in the Nashville area in the late 1700s. Led by James Robertson, the settlers not only endured a treacherous journey, but after arriving they also faced an ever-present threat of attack from Native-American groups trying to drive the settlers from their hunting grounds. (Note: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence. Segment begins at 03:50) This postcard image, from the mural in the west lunette of the nave of the Kentucky State Capitol, depicts representatives from the Transylvania Land Company and Cherokee Indians negotiating the Transylvania Purchase in 1775. James Robertson attended the meeting, along with Richard Henderson and Daniel Boone. Some of the land acquired would be the future home of the Cumberland Settlements and Nashville. (Image: Mike Slate) General James Robertson (1742\u20131814) as depicted by Henry Benbridge (1744\u20131812). (Image: Tennessee State Library and Archives) This mural, located in offices of the Tennessee State Capitol, depicts the Battle of the Bluff, which occurred on April 2, 1781. Legend holds that Charlotte Robertson, James Robertson\u2019s wife, let dogs out of Bluff Station (later know as Fort Nashborough) to drive off attacking Creek Indians. Also in Episode 05, hear Elvis Presley\u2019s speech to the Tennessee Legislature at the State Capitol on March 8, 1961. School-skipping teenagers in the galleries screamed as a gavel was banged to bring the crowd to order. Elvis received a round of applause after declaring that he would never leave his adopted home of Tennessee. (Segment begins at 48:00) Excerpt from the original caption in the March 8, 1961, Nashville Banner: \u201cGov. Buford Ellington introduces singer-actor Elvis Presley to the State Legislature this morning amid applause from the packed house. \u2026 The artist, who drove up from Memphis for the appearance, was named a colonel on the governor\u2019s staff and in reply said: \u2018This recognition is the greatest honor I\u2019ve ever received.\u2019 \u2026 He\u2019ll be returning here this weekend for a RCA Victor recording session.\u201d (Image: Tennessee State Library and Archives, photo by Don Foster) Original caption from the March 9, 1961, Nashville Tennessean: \u201cAnn Ellington and Elvis share a private joke at the entrance to the governor\u2019s mansion after his tumultuous reception at the Capitol. Shorty before, Gov. Buford Ellington said, \u2018You\u2019re a great man.\u2019 And Elvis rode off\u2014with Ann.\u201d (Image: Tennessee State Library and Archives, photo by Gerald Holly) The blue vinyl disc above features the audio recording of Elvis\u2019s appearance before the state legislature in 1961. A machine like the one pictured below was used to make the recording. Both items are archived at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. And finally, Allen Forkum briefly reviews some of the stories in the August 2018 issue of The Nashville Retrospect, including: the rediscovery of a mystery tunnel on Capitol Hill in 1961; old swimming pools of Nashville, such as Cascade Plunge and Centennial Park (story by Tom Henderson); the city of Nashville\u2019s purchase of slaves in 1830 (story by Bill Carey); and a road rage incident in 1884. (Segment begins at 01:30)   SHOW NOTES A list of articles relating to this episode contained in archive issues of The Nashville Retrospect (archive issues can be ordered by clicking here or on the issue links below): \u2022 \u201cOur Frontier Heritage and Why It Matters\u201d by Paul Clements, The Nashville Retrospect, October 2010 \u2022 \u201cJames Robertson\u201d by Paul Clements, a 25-part series, The Nashville Retrospect, from September 2014 to September 2016 \u2022 \u201cRichard Henderson\u201d by Paul Clements, a 3-part series, The Nashville Retrospect, from December 2017 to February 2018 \u2022 \u201cColonel John Donelson\u201d by Paul Clements, a 4-part series, The Nashville Retrospect, from May 2014 to July 2014 \u2022 \u201cPrehistory Life and Death in the Cumberland River Region\u201d by Paul Clements; The Nashville Retrospect, July 2013 \u2022 \u201cIndian Village Uncovered In Granny White Area,\u201d Nashville Banner, June 8, 1973, (The Nashville Retrospect, June 2017) \u2022 See the August 2018 issue of The Nashville Retrospect for other stories referenced on this episode.   Other related articles: \u2022 \u201cElvis Does Free Shot For Assembly,\u201d Nashville Banner, March 8, 1961 \u2022 \u201cElvis Still Wows Womenfolks," Nashville Tennessean, March 9, 1961   Links relating to this episode: \u201cJames Robertson\u201d by Terry Weeks \u201cTransylvania Purchase\u201d by Michael Toomey \u201cJohn Donelson\u201d by Anne-Leslie Owens \u201cFrench Lick\u201d by Anita S. Goodstein \u201cCumberland Compact\u201d by Kenneth Fieth \u201cFrontier Stations\u201d by Walter T. Durham Fort Nashborough Native History Association Native American Indian Association of Tennessee Gray Audograph Werthan Lofts Music City Center   Audio: Excerpts from \u201cElvis Presley, March 8, 1961,\u201d an audio recording by the Tennessee Library and Archives Music: \u201cNear You\u201d by Francis Craig and His Orchestra (Bullet, 1947); \u201cQuiet Outro\u201d by ROZKOL (2018); \u201cCovered Wagon Days\u201d by Ted Weems and His Orchestra; and \u201cThe Buffalo Rag\u201d by Vess L. Ossman ","author_name":"Nashville Retrospect","author_url":"http:\/\/nashretro.libsyn.com\/website","html":"