Long before the creation of Tellico Village and the neighborhood of Kahite, the area was inhabited by generations of Native Americans, pioneers and farmers who left a mark on the land.
A new book, “Four Mile, Kahite and Beyond, A Tapestry of Tales,” was written by longtime Kahite resident and historian Gary Mulliner to pay tribute to the people who owned the land before present occupants arrived.
An Oct. 6 book signing at the Kahite Community Center celebrated Mulliner’s chronicle of the origins of the land now called Kahite.
A former history teacher who moved to East Tennessee, Mulliner and his “chain gang” of volunteers are perhaps best known for the 20-plus miles of hiking trails they built and maintain. They also created numerous kiosks that display the history of the area.
“I’m always looking for things to do so I got involved in building trails,” he said.
The journey in writing the book began more than 15 years ago. While building a trail in Kahite in 2007, he came across an old foundation and asked, “I wonder who lived here?”
The discovery marked the beginning of a long series of interviews with more than 100 “Four Mile” locals willing to tell their stories.
“I’m a curious guy,” Mulliner said. “I like to ask people questions.”
He learned a great deal about the history of Kahite, which is named after a small village that existed until about 1780. Mulliner said archeological evidence proves the one-time presence of the Native American village, although there are few records.
A question and answer session with the family of farmer Sharton Williams produced an interesting story about a family farm that had to be moved to make way for the lake. Mulliner spoke with many Williams descendants who had not been back to the property since Tennessee Valley Authority moved them.
Dwight Williams, possibly descended from members of the Cherokee tribe, showed Mulliner collections with lots of arrowheads and some of the implements used on his grandfather’s farm. Williams also made molasses from local sugar cane the way farms in East Tennessee have done for a few hundred years.
Mulliner soon discovered every person and story created a segue to other stories, resulting in the compilation of tales in his book. He said he used to share such stories with others while leading them on walks around the trails he built.
He became well acquainted with Kathleen Miller, a Monroe County historian who tutored him on much area genealogy.
“I learned that everyone in East Tennessee is related,” he said.
Nancy Gaul listened intently to Mullinar’s stories. At Gaul’s insistence, Mullinar said he began to write down the stories, adding more research to what he had already learned. With her help and plenty of time on his hands over the winter, Mullinar produced the first draft.
Gaul said she loves hearing the stories and reading them in the book.
“I loved the history of the Tellico Reservoir and learning about the sacrifices of the Cherokee and the farmers who lived in the area,” she said.
The book documents the trials and tribulations of the people who lived in the Kahite area, including the Cherokee. Hundreds of years later came the property owners of what was once a quiet and somewhat isolated farm community until TVA appropriated the land.
A number of Four Mile residents, as well as Monroe County historians, attended the signing and received Mulliner’s thanks for sharing their stories and knowledge during his research. A generation after the federal government usurped their land, some of the families have continued to live near their original farms.
The community center was crowded with about 150 current residents and people from nearby neighborhoods, all enjoying the opportunity to view historical artifacts and photographs. Attendees were also treated with samples of homemade molasses, pumpkin rolls and other traditional treats, including a taste of “white lightning” moonshine.
The blending of current residents with ancestors of prior land owners and other Four Mile area neighbors created a broader sense of community and a new appreciation for history, Gaul said.
Mulliner said his next research project will involve the history of Tellico Dam.
