A trail crosses a small footbridge across Tiger Creek and winds its way up to a small, secluded hilltop graveyard, a fitting resting place for Tiger Whitehead and his wife, Sallie. Tiger was an east Tennessee legend -- Tiger Creek and Tiger Valley were named for him. The inscription on his tombstone reads, "The noted hunter - James T. Whitehead - Born 1819 (Killed 99 Bears) - Died Sept. 25, 1905. We hope he has gone to rest."As the story goes, this bear hunter was named Tiger after a traveling circus lost a tiger and commisioned him to hunt it down. In just a few short days, he brought it back from the thick woods alive. Tiger was almost killed once when he only wounded his target and the black bear charged him. Not having time to reload, Tiger shoved the butt of his gun into the bear's mouth and then reached for his knife and killed it. It's also said that when he was near death, his friends trapped a bear and brought it to him, trying to help him reach the 100 mark. But Tiger said, "No! If it's not free and running wild, I can't kill it."
Next to Tiger's grave, lies his wife, Sallie Garland Whitehead. She was just as much a character as her husband. Her tombstone tells her story: "Sallie Garland - Wife of James Chambers and James T. Whitehead - Age 97 years - She was not only a mother to the human race, but to all animal kind as she gave nurse to one fawn and two cubs. She is now resting from her labor." Interesting that there were numerous pennies left by visitors on her grave. While her gravestone does not indicate her dates, her great-great-grandson emailed to tell me she was born in 1803 and died in 1900.
In the early 1970's Johnny Cash played a concert in Jonesborough, TN -- the next day, his friend Dr. Nat Winston took him to see Grandfather Mountain in NC. On the way, he stopped off to show Johnny the graves of these local legends and to tell him their story. Johnny wrote the song which he included on a 1975 children's album. He actually tells the story of their visit to the grave on the album "Personal File" which was released after his death.Click here and here to read more about Tiger and Sallie;
Click here to read the lyrics to Johnny's Song; and finally,
Click here to see a wonderful painting inspired by Cash's song.
Very cool
ReplyDeleteI have been there! It was one of the best days ever. Appalachian folklore class, good friends, a high ridge with dogwoods in bloom...
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting and informative post Mark, I enjoyed it! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDo you know if it's OK to be on this private property? I like to be adventurous but don't want to get in trouble with anyone.
ReplyDeleteSince it is private property, it is important to get permission from the cemetery owner before visiting the cemetery. I had spoken to a neighboring landowner who pointed the way for me, but before I post the directions, I will try to find out who the owner is and see if they would allow visits. I agree with you that it's best that we be respectful and ask permission first. Thanks very much for your note.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Roan Mountain, TN all my childhood years. It's a beautiful place to explore and camp and see the great outdoors. Everyone is so nice and pleasant. I can't wait until I can move back and retire!!
ReplyDeleteAfter my friend Johnny Cash passed away I listened to his Personal File recordings, learning the lyrics to Tiger Whitehead and wondering on visiting there one day and about the story he retold in his own unique way. For me a visit would be in part about experiencing what John did when he took that now famous walk with Dr. Nat Winston over Grandfather Mountain and part about the life and times of James T and his wife Sallie.
ReplyDeleteThe words of John's song co written with Nat are:
Wild blackberries bloomin' in the thickest on the mountain
Sheep shire and water cress are growin' round the fountain
Where a big black bear is drinkin' lappin' water like a dog
Tiger Whitehead's in the bed sleepin' like a log
Tomorrow he'll see bear tracks seven intches wide
And by sundown he'll be bringin' in the hide
Pretty Sally Garland comin' down the mountain side
Where Tiger Whitehead's tryin' to nap a mill at the mill
She sits down on a bearskin and she says you'll be my man
I'll have me the best bearhunter in the hills
A wild child was Tiger Whitehead and they say he killed
Ninety-nine bears before he went to rest went to rest
Once he left two bearcubs orphaned but he brought 'em right on home
And Sally nursed the two bearcubs upon her breast
Tiger now is eighty-five and he lay upon his bed
And the bears he killed now numbered ninety-nine ninety-nine
Some fellers trapped the bears but Tiger said just let him go
If he ain't running wild he won't be mine
But at night when the wind howls cross eastern hills of Tennessee
And when the lightnin' flashes there's the strange thing that the people say they see
An old grey headed ghost runnin' through the mountains there
It's Tiger Whitehead after his one hundreth bear
Wild blackberries bloomin' in the thickest on the mountain
Sheep shire and water cress are growin' round the fountain
Where a big black bear is drinkin' lappin' water like a dog
Tiger Whitehead's in the bed sleepin' like a log
Tomorrow he'll see bear tracks seven intches wide
And by sundown he'll be bringin' in the hide
Does any one have a picture of James tiger whitehead because my grand mother is also an whitehead her name is bell whitehead my mother wants to find out who her grand father was because tiger whitehead had four brothers names Thomas,david , Carter, John I have a picture of them and my grand mother looks a lot like John but I really don't know if some one could help me that would be great my mothers name was Mary hill before she got married if some has the answers to my question you can reach me at rose mundy 118 penny lane sterling va 20164 thanks
ReplyDeleteMy mother is also a Whitehead. James' father is my GGGG-Grandfather. He actually has 5 brothers. I have a picture of Tiger. You can email me if for more info. I would love to trade family history and keep in touch with the Whitehead line.
DeleteSarah
James "Tiger" Whitehead is my GGGG-Uncle. I have a photo of him. I would like to get in touch with the Whitehead line.
Deletetiger whitehead was also my husbands 5th great grandfather on his fathers side and our last name is Lowe we also have pictures of some of the other whiteheads that his father had remembered knowing
DeleteTiger Whitehead is my 3 great grandpa on my mom's side.
DeleteUnknown,
DeleteI have an Uncle buried beside Tiger. I was raised a few hundred yards from there. Tiger's cabin was located about where the road goes up to the old Isaac Wright property was located. His cabin stone step used to still be there but don't know if the new owners knew what it was ? I get sick every time I return there to visit which is not often. I remember Tiger Creek when it was a small close knit community and not all about land and money. I as a child knew every person on the creek and have hunted from one end of it to the other. I understand now no one will allow anyone to even cross their land to get to government property. One thing though you cannot block a cemetery from the public. Guess it is true that you just cannot go back home again.