The Jackson Purchase Historical Society is pleased to announce the publication of Volume 47 of its Journal. The society was founded in 1958. During the last sixty years, it has played a crucial role in the life of the Jackson Purchase region due to the diligent efforts of its members to preserve the area’s past. The Journal of the Jackson Purchase Historical Society continues to be the primary channel through which knowledge of the Jackson Purchase is disseminated.
The 2020 Journal consists of six articles and six book reviews. The opening article details the life and career of Lonnie E. Maness, who taught history at the University of Tennessee at Martin and served as a long-time member of the Jackson Purchase Historical Society. Maness passed away on August 21, 2019. The tribute to him was written by his son, Davis L. Maness, a medical doctor. The writings that follow Maness’s salute to his father address diverse and fascinating topics. Murray State University Professor Brian K. Clardy provides an overview of the tragedy of lynching in the United States, while Melinda Meador explores the murder of an African-American family by a mob in 1908 near Hickman, Kentucky. Meador serves as the First Assistant District Attorney in Union County, Tennessee. William H. Mulligan, Jr., president of the Jackson Purchase Historical Society and Professor of History Emeritus at Murray State University, challenges the traditional interpretation of the reasons for war between the United States and Great Britain in 1812, and Bobbie Smith Bryant, who works as a community advisor for the Kentucky League of Cities, offers her conclusions about Kentucky foodways, conclusions based on reflection and research. The final installment consists of excerpts of a panel discussion about the history of West Kentucky Baptists that took place at a combined meeting of the J.H. Spencer Historical Society and the Jackson Purchase Historical Society.
The book review section comes toward the end of the Journal. There, readers will find reviews of books about the eighteenth century French-controlled town of Kaskaskia in the present day Midwest, about the role of newspapers in the bank war that erupted during the presidential administration of Andrew Jackson, and about various topics related to the American Civil War. All of these book reviews are well written and will intrigue readers.
While the society has not been able to meet during the coronavirus situation it remains active and the Journal is a sign of its continuing activity. Articles are welcome for next year’s Journal and can be sent to the editor Jim Humphreys at jhumphreys@murraystate.edu. Jim would also welcome inquiries about topics, books for review, or offers to review a book. The society hopes to return to its program of meetings as soon as it is viable.
Copies of the Journal are available from the Jackson Purchase Historical Society, PO Box 531, Murray, KY 42071. The cost is $15.90 including postage and sales tax. Back issues of the Journal through 2016 are available through the Murray State University libraries at https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/jphs/. Don’t forget to keep updated by liking and following the JPHS Facebook page!
