RUTLEDGE SMITH and GRAEME McGREGOR SMITH (b. 1870 - d. 1962) (b. 1875 – d. 1949) PAPERS 1840-[1917-1948]-1962 Tennessee Historical Society Collections Processed by: Harry A. Stokes Archival Technical Services Date completed: September 18, 2001 Accession Number: THS 893 Microfilm Accession Number: 1660 Location: (THS) III-L-1-2; top; VII-B-4v MICROFILMED INTRODUCTION This finding aid focuses on the papers of Rutledge Smith, railroad official, aviation pioneer, newspaper publisher, and government official, and his wife Graeme McGregor Smith, educator, genealogist, historian, journalist, author, and an officer in various patriotic and literary organizations, both of Putnam and Davidson Counties, Tennessee. Spanning the years 1840-1962, the papers contain much materials on such patriotic organizations as the American Legion Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution, Tennessee Society of Daughters of 1812, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. In addition to these organizations, there is an abundance of documents relating to the League of Southern Writers, Tennessee Federation of Women’s Clubs, and the Tennessee Woman’s Press and Author’s Club. Other items in the collection include clippings, correspondence, estate papers, legal documents, programs, publications, speeches and addresses, and writings. The materials were donated to the Tennessee Historical Society by the grandchildren of Graeme McGregor Smith, namely Eudora Williams Graham, Malcolm R. Williams, Jr., Marion Williams Kelley, and Albert Smith, Jr. The materials in the collection measure approximately 6 cubic feet. There are no restrictions on the materials. Single photocopies of unpublished writings in the Rutledge and Graeme Smith Papers may be made for scholarly research. 2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES Rutledge Smith 1870 August 1, born in Cookville, Tennessee, the son of Walton and Marion Black Smith. Educated by private tutors and attended Washington Academy at Cookeville. 1888-1917 Owned and operated the Cookeville Press. 1894 Secretary to Congressman Benton McMillin in Washington, DC. 1896 May 14, married to Graeme McGregor of Lebanon, Tennessee. 1900-1906 Assistant superintendent of public instruction in Tennessee. Served on the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Bankers Association. 1910 Industrial agent for the Tennessee Central Railroad Co. 1913 Promoted to executive general agent for the Tennessee Central Railroad Co. 1917 President of Tennessee’s Council for National Defense; commissioned a major in the United States Army. 1921 Moved to Donelson, Tennessee, where he bought a farm and bred Jersey cattle and Tennessee Walking Horses. 1930-1947 Assistant president of Tennessee Central Railroad Co. 1940 Appointed by Gov. Prentice Cooper as advisor to the Tennessee Preparedness Committee. 1947 Retired to Miami, Florida. 1962 May 31, died at Coral Gables, Florida, and interred at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Lebanon, Tennessee. Organizations Rotary Club American Legion Tennessee Forestry Association American Mining Congress Tennessee Society of Engineers Southern Association of Military Engineers 3 Graeme McGregor Smith 1875 March 1, born in Lebanon, Tennessee, the daughter of Andrew and Eudora Anderson McGregor, and a great-great-niece of Rachel Jackson, wife of President Andrew Jackson. 1893 Received a Masters of Arts degree from Lebanon College for Young Ladies, an annex of Cumberland University. 1893-1896 Taught in Linwood and Cookeville, Tennessee. 1896 May 14, married to Rutledge Smith in Washington, DC. 1897 Took part in establishing the National Parent-Teachers Association in Washington, DC. 1907-1917 Edited her husband’s newspaper, the Cookeville Press. 1943 Responsible for placing Rachel Jackson’s portrait in the White House. 1948 September 11, died in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and interred at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Lebanon, Tennessee. Organizations National Parent-Teachers Association—Charter Member Daughters of the American Revolution—State Regent and State Chaplain Daughters of 1812—President American Legion Auxiliary, Nashville Chapter—President, Historian, Chaplain; compiled records for WWI veterans in Tennessee. Women’s Christian Temperance Union—Publicity Chairman and member of Executive Committee. League of Southern Women Writers—Organized and President United Daughters of the Confederacy—President of Nashville Chapter Tennessee Press and Author’s Club—President League of Pen Women—State Librarian American War Mothers—President of Nashville Chapter 5 4 SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE The Rutledge and Graeme Smith Papers, containing approximately 500 items, span the period 1840-1962, although the collection is mainly concentrated in the years 1917-1948. The collection is composed of account books, associations, institutions, etc., cards, Civil War materials, clippings, correspondence, estate papers, genealogical data, legal documents, photographs, portrait of Rachel Jackson, programs, publications, school records, speeches/addresses, World War I materials, Wright brothers, writings, and several miscellaneous items. A large portion of the collection consists of copies of personal correspondence of Graeme McGregor Smith with family members. Besides Mrs. Smith’s family correspondence, there are letters of various prominent correspondents including William Jennings Bryan (Box 3, Folder 2), Cordell Hull (Box 3, Folder 5), Woodrow Wilson (Box 5, Folder 12), and Alvin York (Box 5, Folder 13). In addition, there is an interesting letter of Eudora Anderson McGregor (the mother of Graeme Smith) to Gen. L. H. Roussea, written in 1864 refuting a charge that she had given aid and comfort to the Confederate military (Box 1, Folder 19). Finally, there are a series of letters written by Albert Smith to his parents describing his experiences while serving with the American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.) in France during World War I (Box 3, Folder 9). Mrs. Smith was the executrix of the estate of her cousin Sallie Tilgham (1854-1934) who died intestate. Estate papers in the collection provide information on Mrs. Smith’s long search to trace down legitimate heirs to her cousin’s estate. A sizable part of the collection is composed of speeches and addresses of Mrs. Smith to patriotic and literary organizations in which she was a member and/or an officer. Because of her speaking ability she received many invitations to share her thoughts on patriotism, citizenship, and the role of women in society, particularly in the suffrage movement. Although the collection is largely focussed on Graeme McGregor Smith, there are several items relating top the activities of her husband, Rutledge Smith. Mr. Smith had a long association with the Tennessee Central Railroad and was assistant to the president from 1930 until his retirement. In Box 10, Folder 3, there is an informative article about his leadership role. Among Mr. Smith’s interests was aviation. He was a friend and consultant to the Wright brothers. He was instrumental in bringing their plane, the “Kitty Hawk,” back from Great Britain to the United States in 1948 (see Box 11, Folder 6, for Correspondence and Clippings). Photographs include several of the portrait of Rachel Donelson Jackson which Mrs. Smith was successful in having placed in the White House. Another photo is of Rutledge Smith and Woodrow Wilson York, son of Alvin C. York. All of the photographs in the collection are housed in the vault of the Tennessee State Library and Archives. 5 CONTAINER LIST Box Number 1 1. Account books—Dick Tilghman, 1870 2. Account books—T. O. Tilghman, 1840-1844 3. Announcements—Speaking—Maj. Rutledge Smith, Feb. 26 4. Associations, Institutions, etc.—American Legion Auxiliary 5. Associations, Institutions, etc.—Daughters of American Revolution—Applications for 6. Membership 7. Associations, Institutions, etc.—Daughters of American Revolution—Graeme M. Smith 8. Associations, Institutions, etc.—League of Southern Writers 9. Associations, Institutions, etc.—Tennessee Federation of Women’s Clubs 10. Associations, Institutions, etc.—Tennessee Society of Daughters of 1812 11. Associations, Institutions, etc.—Tennessee Woman’s Press and Author’s Club 12. Associations, Institutions, etc.—United Daughters of the Confederacy 13. Broadsides—“Judicial Primary, Who is Entitled to vote” 14. Camp Monterey, Monterey, Tennessee--Clippings 15. Cards—Graduate—Mrs. Rutledge Smith 16. Cards—Greeting—Graeme M. Smith 17. Cards—Membership—American War Mothers—Mrs. Rutledge Smith 18. Certificates—Voter Registration—Mrs. Rutledge Smith, 1919 19. “Chateau Graeme”—Description—Fanny O. Walton 20. Civil War—Correspondence—Eudora Anderson McGregor-to-Gen. L. H. Roussea, 1864 21. Civil War—Permit—to purchase supplies, 1864 Box Number 2? Clippings 1. Mrs. E. A. Barbour 2. Eudora (Williams) Graham 3. Cordell Hull 4. Marion (Williams) Kelley 5. Andrew McGregor 6. Douglas W. McGregor 7. T. Harry McGregor 8. Mrs. Horde McKnight 9. John Sevier desk—Purchase and acceptance, 1937-1938 10. Albert Smith 11. Albert Smith, Jr. 12. Graeme M. Smith—American Legion Auxiliary 13. Graeme M. Smith—American War Mother 14. Graeme M. Smith—Daughter of American Revolution (DAR) 15. Graeme M. Smith—Daughter of 1812 16. Graeme M. Smith—Davidson Co., P.T.A. 6 17. Graeme M. Smith—Houston (Texas) Jackson Day Dinner, 1936 18. Graeme M. Smith—League of Southern Women Writers 19. Graeme M. Smith—Tennessee Federation of Women’s Clubs 20. Graeme M. Smith—Tennessee Historical Commission 21. Graeme M. Smith—Tennessee Woman’s Press and Author’s Club 22. Graeme M. Smith—United Daughters of the Confederacy