| Bob Cox, Johnson City Press, 03-13-2006
Daniel Boone is officially returning to public service in Johnson City after a mysterious absence of 27 years, having once served this storied railroad town for a half century. At 2:00 PM last Thursday, the trailblazer, in the form of a large bronze tablet, arrived at the home of Mrs. Mary Hensley, regent for the John Sevier Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
This joyous occasion became a reality through the generosity of an undisclosed individual without whose quick and decisive efforts in 1979 to salvage the bronze marker would have resulted in Mr. Boone being buried in a city landfill. The undisclosed rescuer offered some parting words as he ardently handed off the elusive tablet to the zealous new owners:
“I appreciate the input from the community on possible locations for Johnson City’s historic Daniel Boone Marker. Three would be acceptable and are listed in my order of preference: “The grounds of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church/old Mayne Williams Library, which would be in proximity to where the marker originally stood; the grounds of the new Johnson City Public Library facing Roan Street; and Winged Deer Park. Other locations suggested are unacceptable.
“I am placing the marker under custody of the [local DAR] for final placement with the full intent that this is a permanent location and that the marker will be restored as close as possible to its original appearance and style.
“If for any reason this is unacceptable to the DAR and they want to cast a new marker at some other location, I want the original returned to me through my representative, Bob Cox. My desire is to see Johnson City’s historic markers returned and/or restored. The old city known to generations of people should have its historic sites well marked and remembered. The Daniel Boone Marker was headed for a landfill 27 years ago on April 9, 1979 but instead was rescued from this fate. With the help of the DAR in 2006, the original marker can be brought back out of exile and known to future generations.”
Six members of the DAR responded in fervent fashion:
Mary Hensley, Regent, DAR: “The [DAR] has been trying to locate this Boone Trail Marker for some time. We knew that someone had taken the bronze plate from the arrow-shaped marker but could not locate the person. The chapter made a decision that if the plaque could not be located, we would have a new one cast. Can you imagine our joy at reading your column? Since the property on which the marker originally stood has since become the property of [Munsey Church], Lois Wetzel, our Chapter Historian, and I were guests to the Trustee Board Meeting. The Board and Church Council gave us permission for the marker to be erected on a site to the right of the Mayne Williams Library building. This new site will be just a short distance from the original site [see accompanying photo], with good view for passersby, and will be protected. Our abundant thanks are given to Mr. X for being a preserver of this important historical plaque. The [DAR] is proceeding with plans to reconstruct the arrowhead monument.”
Emily McClellan, DAR Recording Secretary: “I am extremely pleased that we are going to be able to replace the Daniel Boone Trail Marker, which I remember seeing every day when I attended Science Hill High School.”
Doris Whitlow, DAR Director: “How wonderful!”
Susan Dreher, 1st Vice Regent … “The DAR is most grateful to the gentleman who retrieved this plaque. His safe keeping of it has preserved this most important monument depicting the history of our area.”
Lois Wetzel, Historian, DAR: “It is wonderful to have the opportunity to rebuild the marker near its original location.”
Rowena Miller, DAR: “Our members have pledged to help restore the marker for its historical preservation as part of the Daniel Boone era through our area.”
Bob O’Quinn, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church affirmed … “The acceptance [by the church] of this Boone Trail Marker was based on the historical reference of the marker to the area and a desire to allow for its reconstruction on the site of the previous Science Hill High School. There was also a consideration for the preservation of the historical development of the downtown area of Johnson City that is prevalent today. It is felt that the Munsey property would be a permanent and protected site for this monument for many years to come."
Gary Marshall, Managing-Director of the Boone Trail Highway & Memorial Re-Association related … “I find the replacement of the Johnson City Boone monument upon the grounds of a Methodist church to be especially appropriate since each tablet is a sermon, and each monument is a pulpit. Its message encourages economic development, renders tribute to virtue, shouts out patriotism and beckons the youth of America to service.”
Becky Hilbert, Director, Community Relations, City of Johnson City stated … “I believe there is nothing more important than saving and preserving our history, particularly safeguarding our local heritage is what defines us as a community. The commitment of citizens like [Mr. X] to see that our precious treasures, like the Boone Trail Marker, are brought back home to their rightful place make me proud to be a part of this community. Also, I appreciate you and your determination and persistence in following up with these projects to see that our cultural heritage and history are preserved, and your relentless on-going efforts in the preservation initiative that raises awareness and support.”
Steve Darden, Mayor, Johnson City contented … “Preserving our frontier history plays an integral part in making our region such a unique place to live, work and raise our families. The significance of the Daniel Boone Trail should never be forgotten. It is quite momentous for the marker, which had been displaced for quite a while, to be displayed again. For the marker to occupy a highly visible downtown spot is very appropriate and quite exciting for the City of Johnson City. I would like to express a heartfelt “thank you”, on behalf of the citizens of Johnson City, to Bob Cox, the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church for working together to restore the marker to such a prominent place.”
Art Powers, Publisher and Vice President, Johnson City Press proclaimed … “The staff of the Johnson City Press is proud that our historical columnist, Bob Cox, whose Yesteryear column appears on our pages on Mondays, has uncovered the missing Boone Trail Marker. Hopefully this great link to our past will now have a permanent home. The Press is delighted our Mr. Cox has had a hand in this important find.”
As the middleman in this historic transaction, let me also offer my heartfelt thanks to Mr. X for his willingness to part with the tablet, to the DAR for their unrelenting search for the missing marker and to Munsey Memorial Church for its overt desire to give Mr. Boone a permanent home in downtown Johnson City.
The DAR is in search of authentic local arrowheads that might be used in the new monument. If you have one to donate, drop me a note and describe what you have. boblcox@bcyesteryear.com.
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