Episodes Located: SHELBY, Tennessee in the 1890's

  1. Convention of Free Silver Supporters
    date June 12, 1895 to June 14, 1895map SHELBY, Tennesseetags Economy

    After the Civil War, silver reserves were discovered in the Western United States. Free silver advocates were people who advocated the Federal Government to allow silver to be minted at 1 per troy ounce as opposed to the gold standard which valued gold at 20 per troy ounce. The result of introducing silver into the market would have been an increase in money supply and inflation. Those who backed...

  2. Birth of Blues Singer, Lyricist, and Actress Alberta Hunter
    date April 1, 1895map SHELBY, Tennesseetags African-Americans, Arts/Leisure

    Alberta Hunter was born on April 1, 1895 in Memphis, Tennessee. Both of her parents were former slaves. At age 15, Hunter left home for Chicago, Illinois, where she launched her singing career, performing with King Oliver's legendary Creole Jazz Band. She came of age as a singer when female musicians received little respect. Her career pinnacled twice: in the 1920s and 1930s, she was one of...

  3. Rate war begins among southern railroads
    date August 13, 1892map SHELBY, Tennesseetags Economy, Urban-Life/Boosterism

    After Reconstruction ended, the South began to rapidly construct railroads. Many different lines rose up, connecting all major cities. Competition arose between these lines. Although these railroads had cost advantages, the railways in the South experienced many financial crises. They increased the South's vulnerability to economic fluctuations, especially in the early 1890s.

    On August...

  4. The Alice Mitchell Trial
    date July 18, 1892 to July 30, 1892map SHELBY, Tennesseetags Crime/Violence, Health/Death

    On January 25, 1892, Alice Mitchell cut the throat of Freda Ward, her lover, in Memphis, TN. The trial of Alice Mitchell began in Memphis on July 18. Her defense entered a plea of present insanity. Many love letters between Freda and Alice were read at the trial, and Lillie Johnson testified that they had plans to elope. A medical expert believed that Alice Mitchell was a sexual pervert.