July 23, 2020 | farragutpress

The Colquitts asked that question.” The unique family Colquitt, and kick-hold- that holds a special er for the LIV cham- pion and a place in sports history recent Walter Payton “NFL Man of the Year” nominee, completed ALAN SLOAN a unique trifecta after what his n [email protected] younger brother, , and their father, , About his family’s unique place already accomplished: it put this in professional team sports history family in a rare — if not unprec- The revenoors chased him but in the United States and Canada, edented — place in history as three The legend of they couldn't run him said, “My mind’s immediate family members each Down blown right now. … That’s a very Each time they thought they had interesting point. I’ve never been See COLQUITTS on Page 3 THUNDER him, His engine would explode He'd go by like they were standin' still on Thunder Cavernous sound is ROAD Road. closer than you think MICHELLE HOLLENHEAD (Chorus); n [email protected] “And there was thunder, thunder TAMMY CHEEK over Thunder Road n [email protected] “Now let me tell the story, I can Thunder was his engine, and tell it all white lightning was his For a nonpareil music ex- About the mountain boy who ran Load perience, The Caverns brings illegal alcohol There was moonshine, moon- performances underground to His daddy made the whiskey, son, shine to quench the devil's thirst feature artists including Ricky he drove the load The law they swore they'd get Skaggs and Alison Krouse. When his engine roared, him, but the devil got Located at 555 Charlie Rob- They called the highway Thun- Him first. erts Road in Pellham, past der Road. On the first of April, nineteen Sometimes into Ashville, some- See CAVERNOUS on Page 5 times Memphis town See THUNDER ROAD on Page 1 Amazing

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2 West Side Story July 23, 2020 | farragutpress The Colquitts came together as a family dur- ing pre-game activities. From left are Dustin Colquitt, KC Chiefs punter/kick holder; mother, Anne Colquitt; Britton Colquitt, Minne- sota punter/kick holder; and their father, Craig Colquitt.

Colquitts being part of an all-time great his stadium seat to nervously walk On field with family From page 1 NFL team. He earned back-to-back around the concourse when things With Dustin and wife, Christia Super Bowl rings (XIII and XIV) looked bad early in the fourth Colquitt, gathered with Colston winning at least one Super Bowl, as a rookie and second-year punt- quarter — Colston couldn’t bear to and the couple’s other four chil- World Series, NBA Finals or Stan- er for the “Steel Curtain” Pitts- go back to his seat and watch. dren in celebration on the field ley Cup (National Hockey League) burgh Steelers in the 1978 and 1979 Hearing a crowd roar without after the game, “I think we almost championship. seasons. seeing what happened, he thought broke each other’s teeth out kiss- With a 21-0 fourth quarter rally Doubting Colquitts San Francisco scored “and it was ing,” said Dustin, finishing his 15th last February in Miami, beating However, judging by fourth quar- 27-10, and it might as well be over,” season in Kansas City after earn- San Francisco 31-20, “Much later ter nerves, there was lots of doubt- the two-time Pro Bowler said. ing 2003 All-American and Ray Guy in the night, before we got going ing Colquitts in Miami. “When he talked himself to walk- Award finalist (top college punter with some of the Super Bowl par- Described as “digging his nails ing back down the (stadium) stairs, in the nation) honors for the Vols. ties — I put the little kids down (to into his legs” in terms of inten- Colston realized they punted back His sports notoriety began as a bed), they were exhausted about sity whenever his dad’s Chiefs are to us, and we had the ball back and football and soccer star at Bearden being up all day and watching the playing, then 11-year-old Colston we were about to score” and cut the High School (Class of 2000). game — outside of the room I got Colquitt was quite upset while wit- 49ers’ lead to 20-17. “Brinkley almost tackled me,” he to talk to Britton and my dad, and nessing a late–game turnover in As for the senior Colquitt, “I was added about the reaction of his old- just kind of be in that inner circle,” Super Bowl LIV. a nervous wreck in est child, 13. Dustin said. Already tied in knots emotion- for Britton, but more so for Dustin Britton, his advice “I finally got to tell a Super Bowl ally with his dad’s Chiefs trailing in Super Bowl LIV because he was Also at Super Bowl LIV was Brit- experience, as opposed to just lis- the 49ers 20-10 early in the fourth further along in his career,” Craig ton — who helped UT fan favorite tening to theirs, which I enjoyed,” quarter, a Patrick Mahomes inter- said. end his NFL Hall he added about the trio, all honing ception killing a promising Kansas After Mahomes’ fourth-quarter of Fame career by going out on their NFL skills as First-Team All- City drive sent Colston racing out interception with the Chief trail- top (see photo) — as punter and SEC punters for the Tennessee Vol- of his stadium seat. ing by 10, “I got up and started kick-holder for the Super Bowl 50 unteers. “He literally stood up and started walking around the perimeter of champion . A First- “Just seeing my dad and just how walking out … he went straight to the indoor of the stadium,” Craig Team All-SEC punter at UT in 2006, excited he was.” the concourse and threw up in a said, adding he followed the game he also was a soccer and football “I was so excited,” said Craig, a trash can,” Dustin said. “He was on concourse TV monitors “while I star at BHS (Class of 2003). two-time First Team All-SEC punt- absolutely sick about it. He was was walking.” Seeking family advise on what to er at UT groomed by legends John- devastated.” However, when the comeback expect when playing in Super Bowl ny Majors, head coach, and special Perhaps taking after his grand- was complete, “We went nuts. We teams guru George Cafego before father — Craig admitted leaving were like little children,” he added. See COLQUITTS on Page 9

July 23, 2020 | farragutpress West Side Story 3 Thunder Road roadblocks up ahead running “white lightening.” suit-and-tie governmental officials From page 1 The mountain boy took roads While Mitchum fictionalized at a local service station early one that even angels feared his own character’s backstory, April morning in the early 1950’s, fifty-four To tread. “Thunder Road” was a well-known overhearing whispered mentions A federal man sent word he'd bet- “Blazing' right through Knox- moonshine route that ran from of “Thunder Road.” ter make his run no ville, out on Kingston Pike Kentucky, through Maynardville, The following is Tedasco’s ac- More Then right outside of Bearden, then into Knoxville on what is now count, reprinted with permission: He said two hundred agents were there they made the fatal Kingston Pike, and he incorporated “That cool spring morning, John coverin' the state Strike a legendary car crash that disput- and his friends had inadvertently Whichever road he tried to take, He left the road at ninety, that's ably occurred either in Bearden, stumbled upon a federal operation they'd get him sure as all there is to say near Asheville Highway or in Con- to capture a notorious Kentucky Fate. The devil got the moonshine and cord (now Farragut), depending on moonshiner known only as “Twee- Son, his daddy told him, make the mountain boy who is talking. dle-o-twill,” Tedesco wrote. this run your last That day," While no newspaper accounts “In the early morning hours, just Your tank is filled with hundred- have been found to verify the story, down the Pike from Galyon's (gas proof, — “Thunder Road” song lyrics several members of the communi- station), Tweedle-o-twill, the son of You're all tuned up and gassed ty have gone on record with their an elusive mountain moonshiner, Now, don't take any chances, if More than 60 years ago, a Hol- accounts. was racing against time,” Tedesco you can't get through lywood movie and chart-topping Knoxville-area writers Laura Te- wrote. “As the sun peeked through I'd rather have you back again song highlighted the dangers of desco and Brooks Smith both con- the trees, he rocketed down the than all that mountain moonshining up close for the world ducted extensive research about highway, sweeping across the last Dew to see. the infamous incident, publishing leg of his journey down Route 33 “Thunder Road,” starring leg- lengthy articles on their findings. from Kentucky through Maynard- (Chorus); endary actor Robert Mitchum They also relied on “Return to ville and into Bearden. “Roarin' out of Harlan, revving' — who also wrote the 1958 movie Thunder Road,” a book written by “Federal agents devised a make- up his mill and helped craft the song — told Alex Gabbard, who interviewed a shift roadblock, two cars nudged He shot the gap at Cumberland, a tale of bootleggers who tangled young eye-witness, John Fitzger- nose-to-nose across the two-lane And screamed by Maynordsville with the law, with one horrifically ald, among others. With G-men on his taillights, losing his life in the process while The teen recalled encountering See THUNDER ROAD on Page 6 Foster’s has what you desire Clear, clean and crisp. Pronounced and professional. Smooth and sultry. No matter what your desire, it can be found or custom designed at Foster’s Fine Jewelry. Foster’s Fine Jewelry was an authentic family venture and is still owned and operated by Pamela Hanna, who has been there since the business started in 1974. “It’s a way of life for me,” Hanna explained, “I’ve always been in the jewelry business.” Hanna’s extensive experience in the jewelry business, and her apprecia- tion of each customer’s nuanced preferences guarantees a special expe- rience. “Jewelry is incredibly personal. Everyone’s tastes are different,” Hanna elaborated on how shopping for jewelry is unique. As the third generation of jewelry experts, Hanna’s passions for both jewelry and people are in her blood. She has adopted her father’s motto, “If you don’t know what you’re buying, you should know who you’re buying it from.” The customer-sales relationship is founded on trust and bolstered with sincerity. There are even instances where Hanna sold engagement rings to couples, and then, years later, designed rings for their children. With a relationship-based business model, Foster’s generates much of its business by recommendation and subsequently serves people from all over East Tennessee. Their wide selection of diamonds and engagement rings are just the beginning. Foster’s in-house jeweler and watchmaker each have over 40 years of experience. Their watchmaker services all brands of watches, including Rolex. As the sole supplier of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Barrel jewelry in Knoxville, and one of a select few stores that sell the Southern Gates collection, Foster’s Fine Jewelry provides an ex- quisite selection of rare pieces. But of course, to get the full scope of their wide selection and provided services, you’ll just have to go shopping.

4 West Side Story July 23, 2020 | farragutpress Cavernous unique history of Grundy County. From page 1 “Adventure cave tours take guests even deeper inside The Cav- Crossville, it is a two-hour drive erns’ cave system and include the west from Farragut. daunting ‘Tombstone Pass.’” “The Caverns is both a world-re- Additionally, he pointed out visi- nowned destination for live music tors have much to explore in the and cave adventures, which can be surrounding Southeast Tennessee experienced and explored daily,” area, such as South Cumberland Joe Lurgio, general manager of State Park, Tennessee’s largest The Caverns, stated in an e-mail. state park that includes hiking He added it is located down twist- trails, majestic waterfalls, world- ing country roads in a “geographi- class rock climbing and stunning cal sweet spot.” overlooks. Lurgio stated the doors to The “The surrounding communities Caverns are “inscribed with these of Monteagle, Tracy City and Se- words in the Sequoyah script of the wanee offer local dining, shopping Cherokee, ‘Welcome to The Cav- and historic sites surrounded by erns where the Great Spirit brings nature’s beauty,” Lurgio added. all people together through music.’ Along with the daily cave tours, “We began producing concerts it also includes “a very special ‘be- underground over 10 years ago hind-the-scenes’ look at our world- and have grown into a year-round, famous music venue and home of daily tourist attraction,” Lurgio the PBS TV series, Bluegrass Un- stated. He explained The Caverns derground,” he stated. is a large, connected underground “For our concerts, we feature cave system covering more than full concessions with great, lo- 8,000 linear feet of known surreal cally sourced food options, drinks, cave passages. snacks, merchandise plus beer and “Shows are hosted in a section of wine,” Lurgio added, also pointing The Caverns historically known to out the venue features a gift shop locals and cavers as the Big Mouth offering items not found anywhere Cave because of its impressive, else. large archway entrance,” he add- As a music venue, The Caverns ed. “Experts believe humans have features a diverse and broad spec- been using the cave to escape the trum of performing artists. heat, take refuge from rain and en- “We have something for ev- joy each other's company for up to eryone, from artists like Alison 25,000 years. Krauss, The Nitty Gritty Dirt “Today, The Caverns is a mod- Band, Brandi Carlile & Crowder to Photos submitted ern music venue with padded The Flaming Lips, Wyclef Jean and chair seating for 850 (seated), or STS9,” Lurgio stated (Top) Thousands flock to The Caverns, located in Pellham, for a one- up to 1,200 for standing-room-on- More examples of performers of-a-kind concert experience in its Big Mouth Cave section of the cave ly shows. What’s more, the cave can be found at: https://thecav- passages. The venue is world-renowned for its live music and cave ad- is equipped with state-of-the-art erns.com/press ventures. (Above) Amanda Shires, country music singer, songwriter and sound and lights, well-appointed “For performers, the cave is a fiddle player. restrooms and delicious food and way for them to connect to fans beverage concessions, including like very few other spaces,” Lur- enchanted by their time spent at Caverns are at home with visitors. craft beer and canned wine. gio stated. “The uniqueness of the The Caverns, with many making “Bats are not a problem at all, Pointing out “the gentle slope of space allows the artist to experi- repeat visits for the unique experi- and we happily co-habitate with the room and its smooth concrete ence the show with their fans in a ence.” the cave flora and fauna,” he floor, the venue is accessible to whole other dimension, experienc- For music fans planning a trip stated. “Most bats that live in our music fans with mobility concerns ing the cave. underground, Lurgio stated The cave system are found much or physical disabilities,” Lurgio “The cave backdrop provides a Caverns stays 59 degrees year- deeper in the cave, and we never stated. musical experience that you can- round with 91 percent humidity. see them. “Daily guided tours include a not find anywhere else,” he added. “The cave feels cool when it's “Once in a great while a bat journey through Big Room Cave, “The acoustics are sublime, and hot outside and can feel warm that lives outside of the cave will an awe-inspiring underground the energy between artist and per- on cold weather days,” he added. make a brief appearance and give room, which gets its name from former cannot be recreated. Shows “Be sure to bring a light jack- the audience a show within the its massive size,” he added. “Dur- underground are never forgotten. et, and comfortable footwear is show,” Lurgio added. “They are ing the tour, you’ll learn a little bit “It is a magical place to visit on recommended.” about geology, cave lore and the any day, and people are often left He noted creatures within The See CAVERNOUS on Page 7 July 23, 2020 | farragutpress West Side Story 5 THUNDER ROAD day site of West Town Mall. From page 4 “Rocketing around the bend, he lost control, sending the car into highway. They parked their fleet a dirt bank bordering what is to- of vehicles in the cedar-lined drive- day the parking lot of where Cat’s way of a roadside farm and waited. Music was once located,” Tedasco “But as Tweedle-o-twill raced to- wrote. “The high-speed collision ward them at 90 miles an hour, it whipped up a cloud of red clay dust Robert Mitchum not only starred in the 1958 film “Thunder Road,” became apparent that he had no visible from the second roadblock. he also wrote it an co-wrote the theme song. intention of stopping. He flew off As the federal agents raced to Photo submitted the road, crashing over fences and the scene, John pedaled down infant trees, evading the roadblock Kingston Pike to catch a glimpse er and thinking, 'What a waste,'" “Somebody had ratted on him. and barreling past the agents un- of the accident that would become John told Gabbard. ‘He gave his life "When Rufe found out, he bought hampered. legendary. for a trunk of whiskey.’” an old car, an old Studebaker, and “After clearing the first road- “As the car launched through Others had similar stories, in- loaded it down. He thought the law block, Tweedle-o-twill roared the fence of a roadside utilities cluding Edward “Eddie” Harvey, wouldn't know him." down Kingston Pike, unaware that substation, its trunk sprung open, a former race car driver, whisky But as the moonshine runner a second roadblock, a row of cars shattered jars of whiskey seeping car mechanic and owner of Eddie’s neared Knoxville, “just outside bumper to bumper, was aligned at their contents amidst the electrical Body Shop in North Knoxville, who the city limits at Swann Bridge on the intersection of Morrell Road equipment. John watched as the shared the tragic ending of Rufe Highway 70, the police began tail- and Kingston Pike. John and his substation burst into flames, the Gunter with Tedasco. ing him, determined to catch the friends watched from a nearby smell of whiskey strong and biting. “Rufe … was coming from New- farmhouse, located on the present- "I remember looking at the driv- port to Knoxville,” Harvey told her. See THUNDER ROAD on Page 10

Cavernous mas Day, New Years Day, Thanks- will be wearing masks,” he added. Normally, “We host shows al- giving and Easter Sunday. “Stay-and-Cave” packages most every weekend of the year, From page 5 “We are constantly monitor- are available with lodging and as current listing of shows can be not a nuisance at all.” ing the CDC and Tennessee State transportation to and from the seen (on the website) and we are al- The Caverns also is home to a Pledge for guidance,” Lurgio add- venue. ways adding new shows,” he stated. special salamander, called the “big ed. “Our cave tours are still hap- However, because of the pan- mouth salamander,” with Lurgio pening, but we are limited them to demic, The Caverns currently is For more information, including adding, “We’re proud to call it our 10 people on a tour and are asking unable to host concerts. updates on revised concert mascot.” guests from different households to “We are working with every art- schedules, The Caverns’s website Despite the coronavirus pandem- keep a safe distance if they are on ist and trying to reschedule all of is https://thecaverns.com/. It ic, The Caverns continues to give the same tour. our shows that we can for a time can be contacted by e-mail, tours of its caves every day of the “We also have enhanced our when it is safe to host large gather- [email protected], or by week, year-round, except Christ- cleaning procedures and our staff ings,” Lurgio stated. phone at 931-516-9724.

6 West Side Story July 23, 2020 | farragutpress Ingles Markets offers floral solutions for last-minute events The Ingles Markets floral depart- cific colors. Customers can choose chases their flowers directly from a ment can provide the perfect flower from color sheets right in the store, farm in South America, which is not arrangements for any occasion even making the process extremely con- only unusual in the floral business, at the last minute. venient and hassle-free. but it also allows for an even wider With an array of fresh bouquets “We have about 44 different bou- variety of floral options and keeps constantly available in store, Cheryl quets that they can choose from in prices low. Sloan, the company’s floral director, any color schemes that they want “A lot of your retail chains buy said that customers can easily cus- for any event that they want, as long from a broker that gets it from a tomize different floral arrangements as we have enough notice to order it farm,” she explained. “Because we with what’s currently in stock. for them,” she said. do this, we customize our bouquets.” “We have hand-tied bouquets that Sloan said that some Ingles loca- Each year, for example, Sloan we have in stock all the time that we tions, including the Morristown handpicks every arrangement the can easily wrap and make them into store, are even specially trained company will carry for the upcom- a bridal bouquet,” she said. to deal with floral arrangements ing months. Certain colors, however, may not for weddings. All of the company’s “I sit down with our vendors and I be available. flower department associates under- pick out the recipes,” she said. “Ev- “Any bride that gets in a situation go extensive training in which they ery stem that goes in every bouquet, where she needs flowers at the last learn how to make various arrange- everything for any event and for minute can pick out flowers we have ments like bouquets, boutineers and holidays. We do that all a year in ad- in stock,” Sloan said. “It may not be corsages. vance.” body wants fall flowers for whatever the colors she has chosen originally, Because what sets Ingles apart Sloan noted that the company’s they’re doing during a specific sea- but we can do a last minute bouquet from other floral shops, Sloan said, arrangements also vary by season. son,” she said. with flowers we have in stock at that is the store’s variety. In the fall, for example, the store Ingles Markets is located at 11847 moment.” “We customize everything we will be stocked with oranges, reds Kingston Pike. For more information According to Sloan, the company do,” she added. “Everything that we and other autumnal hues. about its floral department, call the typically needs about a four-week choose, we handpick.” “But you’re also going to see some store at 865-966-4360 or visit ingles- notice for events that require spe- In fact, Sloan said that Ingles pur- pastels in there because not every- markets.com/department-floral. David’s Abbey Carpet and Floors found its home in the heart of Farragut After first opening David’s Abbey Carpet and Floors Moore, bookkeeper and credit manager, are still a part off Asheville Highway in 1973, owner David Hayes said of the business to this day. it didn’t take long to realize an additional location was “I always have surrounded myself with good people needed further out west. and let them do their job -- that’s a big key to our suc- “As the business grew and as the town grew and as cess,” noted David Hayes. “You’re only as good as the the county grew, it was obvious that the direction that people you surround yourself with.” I needed to come to was West Knoxville,” said Hayes. In the decades since first opening, Hayes said the So in the early 80s, when the World’s Fair was being business has changed “tremendously.” held in Knoxville, Hayes rented a small store next to “The products we sell are much more diverse,” he Frontier Package on Kingston Pike. said, adding that the store started out focusing on car- “And then as we grew and the community grew, we pet and vinyl flooring, but has now shifted to hardwood moved in 1990 to where we are now,” he said of the busi- and ceramic. “We now have people who actually design ness’ current location at 10853 Kingston Pike. showers and backsplashes and help with color selec- Although the new location was initially opened as tions and everything, so it’s grown into a much more only a temporary store, Hayes said he quickly discov- diverse and full service store.” ered that David’s Abbey Carpet and Floors needed to The aim, however, remains the same -- take care of have a permanent location in the heart of Farragut. customers. “We always did a lot of business in West Knoxville, “When we leave we want their home to be beautiful but as it grew, we realized it wasn’t wise to close the and for them to have exactly what they thought they West Knoxville store,” he said. were going to get, and that’s been our goal since we Hayes, whose father was raised on a farm off Lovell started and that’s still our goal,” he said. Road, said he then moved his own family from East Knoxville to the Cedar Bluff area and enlisted the help For more information about David’s Abbey of his children at the Farragut store. Carpet and Floors, call 865-777-0661 or visit Son Mike Hayes, store manager, and daughter Barbie davidsabbeycarpet.com. July 23, 2020 | farragutpress West Side Story 7 State Farm agent Cindy Doyle From one small provides specialized service business to another In 1988, Cindy Doyle was ap- for the perfect location to plant her Congratulations to The farragutpress for over Thirty Years in Business! proached about a job working as office, Doyle settled on Knoxville, The team at Rick Terry Jewelry Designs would like to commend you for a State Farm agent in Fort Walton taking over the agency of long- that monumental accomplishment. As a fellow small business in West Beach, Fla. time insurance agent Tom “Buck” Knoxville, we know the work that it took to get there. “The company was looking to Breazeale, who retired from the in- Our little community has surely come a long way from when we first hire a female agent,” said Doyle. “I dustry in 2004. opened our doors. Just as our business has. We never would have imag- was the token female and the rest is In 2009, Doyle moved the office ined we would be using 3d Printers and robotic Milling machines to cre- kind of history.” from Perimeter Park Road to a ate custom jewelry in-house on our little corner of Kingston Pike and Only a few years later, in 1995, building she purchased and reno- Cambell Station. We would have been floored if you would have told us we Doyle was offered a leadership po- vated at 248 N. Peters Road. would be repairing 400 items per month, and 20 custom from scratch items sition with State Farm. Although Doubling the size of the agency, for our community. This year has certainly been complicated for small hesitant to accept the role, Doyle Doyle noted that her team of 15 em- businesses but we would like to thank our community and customers for took the plunge, moving from Flor- ployees consists of specialists in a working through this with us and continuing to support us. We are open ida to Illinois to Ohio before decid- variety of areas, including life in- regular hours 10-6 Monday through Friday and 10-3 on Saturdays. Stop by ing to return to her previous job as surance, health insurance, banking and have your rings checked and cleaned at no charge, we are still cast- an insurance agent. and claims, which allows for a more ing, repairing, and creating jewelry on site. We are dedicated to helping “I never wanted to be on a fast- personalized experience. you continue to celebrate, create, and care for your specials moments. We track corporate ladder and I was “My greatest satisfaction is when want to be your Jeweler. constantly traveling,” she ex- I’ve been able to help customers get plained. “ I wanted to go back to to the point where they can retire – Submitted by the Rick Terry Jewelry Team what I really love, and that’s help- or get to the point where they are ing customers right there in the financially secure,” she said. 11320 Kingston Pike Farragut, TN | (865) 777-3793 community.” For more information, call 865- 618 S. Gay Street Next door to the Tennessee Theatre | (865) 525-3793 After searching all over the South 690-6300 or visit cindydoyle.com. www.rickterryjewelry.com decades, generations & 3continuing to grow

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Come visit us in our new showroom! 11320 Kingston Pike 618 S. Gay Street We make it Special, We make it Unique, Farragut, TN Next door to the Tennessee Theatre We make it Just for you, (865) 777-3793 (865) 525-3793 Laser Welding and We want to be Your Jeweler! www.rickterryjewelry.com

8 West Side Story July 23, 2020 | farragutpress Colquitts From page 3 (Above left) Punter/kick- LIV, Dustin said Britton shared holder Dustin Colquitt proudly valuable advice when recalling his elevates the Super Bowl LIV own experience. Lombardi Trophy, which was Britton was so wound up about earned by his Kansas City being part of the biggest TV event Chiefs just days before, for in the world, with more than a bil- thousands of fans to see dur- lion estimated viewers, “He said, like, ‘I blacked out during and ing the team’s championship after every punt. … There was a celebration parade in down- couple of times I didn’t know what town Kansas City. happened,’” Dustin said. “He said it was a so surreal feeling.” (Above right) A poster captur- With Super Bowl 50 foe Carolina ing then having one of the league’s top punt punter Craig Colquitt in action returners in Ted Ginn Jr., Dustin said Britton told him, “‘I have to with accompanying photos of play an almost perfect game. I the two Super Bowl rings he can’t mis-hit any balls. They’re earned (SB XIII and SB XIV) asking me to (punt) the ball out of along with one of his favorite bounds’ on at least four of five of Bible verses. his eight or nine punts” to avoid Ginn. (Left) Punter/kick holder Brit- But Britton’s successful punt- average. “I wanted to be very much school top talents in Nashville, ing, big brother added, “Hardly in the moment.” Craig described his gameday as ton Colquitt, right, and future allowed any return yards” from Steelers Super Bowls “an out-of-body experience be- Hall of Fame quarterback Ginn, with Britton attributing his Recalling “so much media” cov- cause it is The Super Bowl. Peyton Manning display their success, despite the blackouts, erage for his two Super Bowl expe- “It was an adrenalin rush the matching Super Bowl 50 rings “‘probably to muscle memory.’” riences, Craig added, “It was con- whole time.” earned after their Denver As a result of Britton’s experi- stant, but it was fun, high energy.” Broncos defeated the Carolina ence, “I just made sure I was really Now in his mid-60s, helping im- (Repeated attempts to contact Panthers 24-10 Feb. 7, 2016. focusing,” Dustin said about his prove the punting and kicking Britton Colquitt for this story were two punts for a whopping 50-yard skills of a select number of high unsuccessful).

July 23, 2020 | farragutpress West Side Story 9 Thunder Road sides of lined notebook paper in a From page 6 neat script, probably that of an el- derly woman. It was postmarked Newport outlaw.” Knoxville. It said the facts, “as In his mission to outrun the law, told by my mother,” were that “the Gunter reportedly lost control of person in Thunder Road was from his car, struck a tree stump and Mountain Rest in Upper Cosby, the vehicle ended up in the Holston now in the National Park. Pinkney River, along with 20 cases of whis- Gunter was a maker of moonshine. key. His son, Rufus, was the ‘runner’ "The law never did stop," Harvey and delivery man. said. "I went up there and I found “After Rufus’ death," the letter him hanging on a limb in the creek, continued, “The family was ap- drowned." proached by Mitchum’s people Smith’s interviews and inves- about signing a release to make tigations into the legend took a movie based on their son’s ex- him down very similar roads. In ploits. At first, his father refused, his own writings, he mentioned but eventually his mother did sign Fitzgerald, describing him as “a the release.” Farragut farmer” who “went to his Then Clabough got a call from grave swearing, absolutely believ- Cocke County Circuit Court Judge ing, and persuading many others Ben Hooper. “Thunder Road was that he saw with his own eyes that based on a man named Rufus Gunt- car swerve off Kingston Pike and er,” Hooper further confirmed to into a Lenoir City Utilities Board Clabough. “He didn’t die like Mit- switching station.” chum’s character, but he certainly Smith also detailed exhaustive lived like him.” Cleveland Banner, wrote a col- station at the intersection of Watt research fellow freelance writer Hooper said in January 1953, umn in 2016 in Road and Kingston Pike — about 2 Kate Clabough made, investigat- Gunter was being chased on the which he chal- miles beyond the Willow Creek and ing the “true story” on which the Asheville Highway, heading to- lenged the long- Fox Den golf courses in Farragut. movie was ultimately based. ward Knoxville, when he got to the standing legend “It is an inconvenient truth that “Clabough checked newspaper J. Will Taylor Bridge. of the alleged there is no record of a crash involv- microfilms, police reports and fu- Harvey, who also was inter- crash site. ing a moonshiner on or around neral home records,” Smith wrote. viewed by Fred Brown of the Knox- “My memo- April 1, 1954. That would have been “From the very beginning, Grant ville News Sentinel, reiterated the ries, and infor- too easy. Still, old-time residents of McGarity, longtime head of the details for that journalist. mation and I Farragut remember such a crash. Knoxville office of the Bureau of "It was ice cold and Rufe was red have received This could be wishful thinking on Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, hot from driving that car,” he told since (the pur- their part, but all of the stories I’ve told Clabough he had always heard Brown. “He jumped for it. When he ported crash), been told are very similar,” Bowers the real subject of Mitchum’s mov- hit the water, he took a cramp and contradict the Bowers wrote. ie was from Cocke County. went under. It took me a week to location of the “Regardless of which story is “This was logical, since New- find him." actual crash ... if there was a crash. true, or not true, the ‘Thunder port had for many years been the “The words of Mitchum’s song Many think the story is fictional, Road’ film, and its accompanying nation’s capital of moonshining,” are so vivid — and tied to the roads but others who lived in West Knox- ballad, have become legends since Smith added. we drive every day — that in our ville and surrounding communi- they were released in the 1950s. “Following that lead, Clabough minds many of us have seen that ties claim it is real. “The sad thing about the whole sent a letter to the editor of The Ford Coupe leave the Kingston “I worked and spent consider- scenario is, if the story is true, Newport Plain Talk. It was a short Pike at 90 and flip into that switch- able time in West Knoxville in the no one knows the identity of “the note, saying she was looking for the ing station a hundred times,” late 1980s and early 1990s. More mountain boy” who died in the identity of the person in the movie Smith wrote. than one person told me there was tragic crash," Bowers added. Thunder Road. Site still questioned an actual crash, but they say it “With that in mind, it would “Within days, Clabough received However, Larry Bowers, staff wasn’t on Bearden Hill. They say be best to think the story is all an unsigned letter, written on two writer and former editor for the it happened at a power line sub- fiction.”

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July 23, 2020 | farragutpress West Side Story 11 David’s Abbey Carpet & Floor has been owned and operated by David Hayes since 1973. He and his experienced and knowledgeable staff are committed to providing customers with superior quality products and installations, from start to fi nish.

David’s daughter, Barbie Moore, and son, Mike Hayes continue in there father’s footsteps to drive their business with a commitment to maintaining their business tradition of excellence for years to come.

David’s Abbey Carpet & Floors take pride in giving back to the East Tennessee area. Their derived employee charity fund has contributed to over forty local organizations and charities since 1998. David’s Abbey Carpet & Floors is committed to serving the community.

12 West Side Story July 23, 2020 | farragutpress