(Levin Lake was one of the first settlers to come to this area we know now as Grenada, therefore, the article of reminiscences in a historical publication should probably have unquestioned merit. Mr. Lake’s interview gives more insight into the “marriage” of Pittsburg and Tullahoma.)
Grenada Sentinel
Saturday, April 6, 1901
The Sentinel has received Vol. III, “Publication of the Mississippi Historical Society,” and contains the following reminiscences, which is the result of an interview with Mr. Levin Lake, once of Grenada, but now living in Oxford. This valuable and important article will be read with great interest by our people, generally.
The present town of Grenada originally embraced two rival towns. The western town was situated on the Yalobusha River and was founded by a company headed by Franklin E. Plummer. It was known as Pittsburg. Adjoining it on the east was the town of Tullahoma, which was founded by a company headed by Hiram G. Runnels. There was an inveterate opposition between the two towns similar to that existing between their founders, who were uncompromising political enemies. This antagonism greatly impeded the progress of both towns.
During the political campaign of 1835, in which Plummer concentrated his rugged eloquence against Runnels, who was a candidate for reelection to the office of governor, these two little towns were in a state of constant turmoil. The inhabitants of each shared the feelings and prejudices of their respective leaders and indulged in spirited denunciations of those living in the other. On the occasion of a joint discussion between Plummer and Runnels, partisan feelings ran so high that bloodshed was narrowly averted.
In July 1836, commissioners were appointed from the two towns to endeavor to bring about reconciliation with view to an ultimate union. The reconciliation was effected and the consolidation took place. The original names of the two towns were abandoned and the name of Grenada was agreed upon. The union was consummated at a barbecue held on July 4, 1836, the marriage ceremony of the two towns being performed by Rev. Lucas, a Protestant Methodist minister. At the conclusion of this unique ceremony, there was a great handshaking and a general reconciliation. The barbecue was held at a spring in the eastern part of Tullahoma.
There was at first some opposition on the part of Pittsburg to the choice of this place as the scene of the reconciliation, many of its citizens preferring any place on the line between the towns. But as there was no water convenient to any place on the line, they finally yielded the point and agreed to enter the limits of Tullahoma.
The honeymoon had hardly passed, however, when the old spirit of rivalry was revived. The west side finally broke up the union and settled back on its old name “Pittsburg.” The other side retained the name of Grenada. The opposition was so intense that the citizens of Pittsburg were arranging to have it incorporated with its old limits, leaving out Grenada. The citizens of Grenada were duly informed of this scheme. Without letting the other party know of their intention, they sent a committee to Jackson, and secured the passage of a legislative act, which incorporated their town with certain limits, leaving out the rival town. The success of this scheme caused the citizens of Pittsburg to abandon the hope of securing a separate charter of incorporation for this town, because of its proximity to Grenada. Realizing the great disadvantage under which they were placed, they plead for peace. They presented a petition to Grenada to extend her corporate limits so as to embrace Pittsburg, agreeing to drop forever their old name and to be recognized forever as a part of Grenada. This action was followed by a harmonious adjustment of all factional differences. The business interests of the enlarged town concentrated at a later date in the eastern part (old Tullahoma) with the western part (old Pittsburg) making rapid progress as a commercial and residential point.
