New Book By Marion O. Smith

[Larry E. Matthews]

Marion O. Smith has a new book out. It is titled "Confederate Nitre Bureau Operations In Alabama". It is 124 pages long and sells for $17.

I plan to pick up a copy this weekend at the Cumberland Caverns Christmas Party. It is rumored than Marion will be there to autograph the new book.

I don't know where you can order this book. Hopefully, the NSS Bookstore will have it in stock soon.

Larry E. Matthews
NSS #6792-F

[tncaver]

I have a hardbound copy of Caves of Tennessee, autographed
by Dr. Thomas C. Barr. I'd much rather have that than a copy
of Marion's book. But of course, I'm predjudiced.

[Phil Winkler]

I wouldn't be surprised if Marion's new book contained the poems about John Harrelson of Selma. Check out this page to read the poems:
http://www.armchairgeneral.com/?p=2064&page=2

[Brian Masney]

That's great! Thanks Marion.

I wish that Marion or the NSS, with appropriate permission, would republish his book about the exploration of Ellisons Cave. I would buy a copy of it if it was available.

[Larry E. Matthews]

Me too !!!

But, a lot has happened at Ellisons Cave since that book was first published, so it would be great if Marion could up-date it.

I would think the NSS would be more than willing to publish it for Marion.

But, it may be a case of "too many caves, not enough time".

Larry E. Matthews
NSS #6792-F

[tncaver]

Speaking of book autographs...I have a hard back version of
Descriptions of Tennessee Caves that I would like to have
autographed some time. What would it take to get that accomplished
Larry Matthews? Won't be attending the CCCP this
year. But I hope to for the 50th reunion of CCCP which is coming
up in a few short years.
11906

[Larry E. Matthews]

Well, in a two hours, I will be at the Nashville Grotto Meeting. Bring the book on over and I will be glad to sign it.

December 6, 2007.

Or, drive over to Bellevue some weekend. Just call first to be sure I will be home.

Larry E. Matthews
NSS #6792-F

[tncaver]

Missed the grotto meeting.
My daughter just moved to Bellevue. I might have to come by
some time or attend a Nashville Grotto meeting when you are
going to be there. Thanks, Larry. I hope to take you up on the
autograph some time.

[JoeyS]

Yes TnCaver. You should come to a meeting sometime. DW brought his Homemade Guiness ice cream, we had cookies, nuts and coffee. You missed the deals, too!! The auction lasted till almost 10. I got some nice beer glasses from Camp Hoffelt, and another one of those deadly micro racks*.


*a tongue n' cheek statement. Micro racks are safe, so long as they're used properly, like any other SRT device.

[tncaver]

Thanks for the invitation Joey. I'll come to a meeting sometime after
"Survivor" ends and bring my copy of Descriptions of Tennessee
Caves with me for Larry to sign.

[Larry E. Matthews]

I bought a copy of Marion O. Smith's new book, "Confederate Nitre Bureau Operations In Alabama" at the Cumberland Caverns Christmas Party this past Saturday (December 8).

The book is 124 pages long and, as expected, is chock-full of interesting historical information. One thing I like is that the book is heavily foot-noted, so that other researchers can go directly to the material that Marion located in his years of research. There is also a very good Index at the end of the book.

I haven't had time to read the entire book, yet, but the portions that I have read are very interesting to me. The book is available directly from Marion. He will mail it to you for a nominal fee. I think the post-paid price is $18, but you should check with Marion to be sure before you mail him a check. The book may also be available from Jim Whidby in Knoxville, since his Byron's Graphic Arts did the printing job.

Marion's mailing address (he doesn't use email) is:

Marion O. Smith
2023 Bone Cave Road
Rock Island, TN 38581

I believe Marion said that it took 20 years of research to produce this book. I don't doubt that, at all.

Larry E. Matthews
NSS #6792-F

[Phil Winkler]

I used google earth on Marion's address and someone has pinpointed and named dozens of caves in the area. I had no idea there were that many caves there, but I don't know that much about TN caves either. Still, someone went to a lot of trouble doing this.

[Larry E. Matthews]

Yes, I think there are at least 60 caves on Bone Cave Mountain alone and many, many hundreds there in Van Buren County.

But, I can't imagine who put the locations on the Google map. It certainly wasn't Marion. He won't even email !!!

Larry E. Matthews
NSS #6792-F

[tncaver]

I hope all those cave locations on Google Earth don't backfire
on Tennessee cavers. Most of the caves near Marion's house
are on private land. Much of that is hunting club land that requires
a permit from the landowner to be there.
Computers can be convenient but can cause a lot of harm via the internet.
Maybe that's why Marion stays away from them. I bet Marion has a lot
fewer viruses than a lot of us.

[Scott Parvin]

I've finally had a chance to flip through Marion's new book, and it's great. As a bit of a saltpetre cave historian myself, the amount of research that goes into a book like this one is amazing.

Well worth the investment!

Thanks to Marion for all the hard work.