One of the oldest most respected citizens of East Tennessee is dead. The mountaineers of Grainger County will see and hear of old Uncle Eppie Hightower no more. After a months time in which the old man had taken no nourishment, he gradually sank down and died. Eppie Hightower was something of a recluse. He was ninety-nine years old at the time of his death. Most of his life had been spent in the hills of Clinch Mountains beyond Lea Springs. He has always been a firm friend to those who were true to him and preferred to live a quiet happy life, such as many sturdy East Tennesseans are doing. Uncle Eppie as he was best known could recount many startling encounters with wild animals and red skins in his younger days. He has a number of relatives in Knoxville.

Knoxville Journal — Thursday, August 16, 1888

Transcribed by Robert McGinnis and used by permission.