Luther Meade Blackman
Luther Meade Blackman (February 14, 1834 – July 11, 1919) was born in Sandy Hook, Newtown, in Fairfield County, Connecticut to Denman (or Denmon) and Elizabeth Jane Shepard Blackman. His parents were married January 6, 1831, just three years prior to his birth. He was second of six children. Years after Blackman's death, he was accused of forging the Bat Creek Inscription of 1889.[1]
Bat Creek Stone
Major Luther Blackman was accused of forging the Bat Creek Stone, which was found in a burial mound in 1889. The theory of Major Luther Meade Blackman being the forger has not gained much support. However, Professor Lowell Kirk who lives on Bat Creek is convinced that Major Blackman is the forger. Major Blackman was an engraver who lived just miles away from the Tipton farm. He was also a neighbor to the teenaged Jim Lawson. Major Blackman having Lawson plant the stone is a very good possibility. John W. Emmert being a former Confederate and a Democrat is two good reasons to believe that Major Blackman did not want him around. Major Blackman held a Federal Patronage job from 1870 to about 1890. It was during this time that President Grover Cleveland created the 1883 Pendleton Act. He was trying to fix the Pensions Claims Office and the Postal Service. Unfortunately, Cleveland let many Republicans be replaced by Democrats. This increased the tension between the Democratic and Republican parties. It has been suggested that the L.C. Houk Political Machine that basically ran the Republicans in East Tennessee might have had Blackman create the stone in a chance to remove John W. Emmert and other Democrats from their positions.[2]
References
- ^ L Kirk, http://www.telliquah.com/Batcreek.htm
- ^ Cook, M. D. (2011). Bat Creek Stone: At a Glance. Soddy Daisy, TN: POL Publishing.