Jay Guy Cisco Collection

By Megan Spainhour

Today we highlight the small yet mighty collection of the Jay Guy Cisco Papers (1894-1921). The Jay Guy Cisco Papers consists of biographical sketches of nine prominent Tennesseans, newspapers clippings, correspondence, publications and 12 scrapbooks.

Jay Guy Cisco (1844-1922) moved his family to Jackson, Tennessee, in 1875, where he became a sort of Jack-of-all-trades. He owned Cisco’s Bookstore in Jackson. He was also known as a historian, journalist, businessman, diplomat and archaeologist.

Through his research of West Tennessee, he obtained a great passion for Native American history and culture. He helped bring light to many Native American ruins in the Tennessee area, and drew interest because of his efforts. Many of the relics he found would be displayed in his small office museum.

Throughout his life, Cisco published numerous works pertaining to American history, politics and archaeology. For some time, he also ran a steam printing press when he was a member of the publishing firm Cisco and Hawkins. In 1883, Cisco established and edited the weekly newspaper The Forked Deer Blade out of Jackson, Tennessee. The Forked Deer Blade was known for its excellent writing and taking a stand on controversial topics, such as supporting prohibition. Cisco also became the Assistant Special Industrial and Immigration Agent for the L & N Railroad. He also accepted an appointment as U.S. Consul to Mexico during the Grover Cleveland administration.

The Jay Guy Cisco Papers collection covers a wide range of topics, from a biographical publication about the life of General James Winchester (one of Tennessee’s first senators) to several random newspaper clippings and images inside the 12 scrapbooks that Cisco kept. There are also several names featured in the correspondence kept in this collection. This collection would be very useful for genealogy purposes, history of Tennessee research between 1894-1920. And biographical research on prominent Tennesseans such as Albigence Waldo Putnam, Joseph Saudek, St. George Leakin and Susan E. W. Smith, just to name a few.

View the finding aid to this collection online and stop by the Tennessee State Library to check out this great collection!

Harriman Newspaper- Article from a Chattanooga newspaper, July 2, 1890, detailing the first four months after Harriman, Tennessee, incorporated in 1890. Box 1, Folder 11.

Tennessee Centennial Exposition Ticket, 1897. Box 1, Folder 1.

Lists of Revolutionary Soldiers buried in Tennessee. Each soldier is categorized by which county he is buried in. There are several pages of these lists. Box 3, Folder 4.

History of Madison County publication written by Jay Guy Cisco for “The Blade” (Forked Deer Blade newspaper?) in 1902. Box 3, Folder 5.

Map of “Old Haysborough and Surroundings,” showing where Haysborough Boulevard (known as Haysboro Avenue) in northeast Nashville was to be located. Box 3, Folder 8, Scrapbooks.

The Old Zollicoffer Residence- Newspaper clipping showing Home belonging to Civil War General Felix Zollicoffer. The house stood where the Andrew Jackson Hotel was erected in 1925. The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) stands there now. Box 3, Folder 8, Scrapbooks.

Two images shown on this scrapbook page- First Presbyterian Church which today is known as the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville. The other image is of “The oldest house in Memphis,” the Old Bell Tavern. Box 3, Folder 8, Scrapbooks.

Newspaper clipping of ‘Hundred Oaks’ mansion near Winchester, Tennessee, Box 3, Folder 10, Scrapbooks.

Map of Plan of Battle of Tohopeka, as prepared by Andrew Jackson (Also known as the Battle of Horseshoe Bend). Box 3, Folder 11, Scrapbooks.

The Tennessee State Library and Archives is a division of the Tennessee Department of State and Tre Hargett, Secretary of State