They hang elephants in East Tennessee

[Bob]

http://www.blueridgecountry.com/elephant/elephant.html My wife grew up in Kingsport, TN. In high school, she was in the school marching band. She once told me that the band went to Erwin, Tn and got "stoned". Apparently the kids in Erwin were unhappy about a football game loss, and threw rocks at the marching band's buses when they were leaving. So the band got stoned. This past week, my wife's brother told me Erwin had a weird notoriety about capital punishment for elephants. They taught that animal a lesson, and also sent a warning to all violent pachyderms. No elephant homicidal activity has since occurred in East Tennessee. I guess capital punishment is a deterrent to crime.

 

[NoHall]

What a horrible story. You don't have to be a member of PETA to have your heart broken over Mary...

 

[Lady D]

What a horrible story. You don't have to be a member of PETA to have your heart broken over Mary...

This all sounds like a hoax to me but who's to know. It is heartbreaking to read whether real or not. I lived in East Tennessee most of my life. Kingsport is not far from Knoxville, a couple of hours away.

And even though I was born way after 1916 of course I have never heard of any story such as this in all my years there. I don't think they would have the capability to do such a thing back then. I would not think they would even have had appropriate equipment or means to be able to do this.

 

[NoHall]

This all sounds like a hoax to me. I lived in East Tennessee most of my life. Kingsport is not far from Knoxville, a couple of hours away. And even though I was born way after 1916 of course I have never heard of any story such as this in all my years there. I don't think they would have the capability to do such a thing back then. I would not think they would have had appropriate equipment or means to be able to do this.

If it didn't happen, it's one heck of a legend. Apparently songs were written about it. Google will give you quite a list of sources on Mary the Elephant.

 

[Bob]

It ain't right..........but if you've been to Erwin, you'd understand.

 

[Lady D]

It ain't right..........but if you've been to Erwin, you'd understand.

My brother lives in Johnson City as does his ex-wife, and his children. I believe her family was from Erwin originally. It is a totally different lifestyle in that area of the state.

 

[flower-child]

I really want to believe this is an April Fools joke.

 

[dbcooper]

The story is very true and most people believe it was done as publicity stunt to increase tourism. Erwin sits at the base of the Appalachian mountains.

 

[NoHall]

The story is very true and most people believe it was done as publicity stunt to increase tourism. Erwin sits at the base of the Appalachian mountains.

So do I, but I've never once hung an elephant. I've squashed a few spider crickets in a rage, and my father has shot a poisonous snake or two (they have a way of showing up in places where it's not good to have a poisonous snake) but I don't recall ever treating an animal that cruelly.

 

[AugustInTransit]

There are a LOT of stupid laws. Especially in Virginia (the state that brought you the law that you'd get fined $500 dollars for having your underwear showing, which didn't pass, and the new favourite - an automatic $1000 fine if you get a reckless driving ticket while in a car with Virginia plates). Some of my favourite.

It is illegal to use curse words on Atlantic Ave in Virginia Beach (seriously, there are no cursing signs EVERYWHERE). Although if you've ever been on Atlantic Ave you'll know that curse words are the most common as traffic is ridiculous.
It is also illegal to pass the same place twice within thirty minutes on Atlantic Ave or on the boardwalk.
In Richmond, it is illegal to flip a coin in a coffee shop to see who pays for coffee.
And one of my faves, in Stafford County (where PV and I grew up) it is legal for a man to beat his wife on the courthouse steps so long as it is before 8 pm.
Another from good old Stafford County is that a woman can drive down Main Street so long as her husband is at least eight feet in front of the car. The best part is, there's no Main Street anymore.


Also, an old law from the Middle Ages which is still around in some places is that a man may beat his wife with a switch so long as it is no thicker than his thumb. The length doesn't matter.