John Sevier, on the leading spirits in the King’s mountain affairs and commander of the transmontane militia, was a brilliant, daring, dashing character; the idol and leader of bold frontiersman, who nicknamed him “Nollichucky Jack”. The whole of Tennessee then belonged to North Carolina, but the settlers on the Holston were so far removed from the seat of government that, practically, they were without government. Sevier and his friends conceived the idea of organizing a new state, which, being in the nature of a measure for self-protection, was unquestioned west of the mountains as a just and proper proceeding, but by the home government denounced as an insurrection. The new state was named Franklin, in honor of the Philadelphia philosopher and patriot. For four years there was civil contention, which, in one instance, resulted in contact of arms and bloodshed. After this the parent state adopted a radical policy for the restraint of her premature liberty seeking child. “Nollichucky Jack,” the governor of the insurrectionary state, was arrested for “high treason against the state of North Carolina and taken to Morganton for trial.
The prisoner’s chivalric character and gallant military services, on the one hand, and the extraordinary nature of the indictment on the other, gave the trial momentous interest. The village streets were crowded with hold soldiers and settlers from far and near, eager to catch a glimpse of the court. There were others there with different purposes. The chivalry of frontier life and savage warfare, who had fought under him to establish their country’s freedom, and who loved him as a brother, armed to the teeth, had followed the captive across the mountains, determined to “rescue him or leave their bones.” Their plan was to rescue him by stratagem, but if that failed, to fire the town and in the excitement of the conflagration make their escape.
On the day of trial, two of the “Franks,” as they were called, leaving their companions concealed near the town, and hiding reliable side-arms under their hunting shirts, rode up before the courthouse, one of the them on “Governor” Sevier’s fine race mare. He dismounted, and with the rein carelessly thrown over her neck, stood with the manner of an indifferent spectator. The companion, having tied his horse, went into the courtroom. Sevier’s attention, by a slight gesture, was directed to the man outside. During a pause in the trail, the bold “Frank” stepped into the bar, and with decided manner and tone, addressed the judge: “Are you done with that there man?” The scene was so unusual, the manner and tone of the speaker so firm and dramatic, that both officers and audience were thrown into confusion The “Governor” sprang like a fox from his cage, one leap took him to the door, and two more on his racer’s back. The quick clash of hoofs gave notice of his escape. The silence bewildered court was broken by the exclamation of a waggish bystander: “Yes, I’ll be damned if you aren’t done with him!”
Sevier was joined by his neighbors with a wild shout, and they bore him safely to his home. No attempt was made to re-arrest him. The State of Franklin died from various causes and a few year later the new State of Tennessee honored “Nollichucky Jack” with the first governorship, and later, by an election to the United States Senate.