Ursula Smith Beach
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Austin Peay State University, Tennessee
I. Introduction
Some great writers of the nineteenth and twentieth century have gone unknown, living their lives documenting history. These unknown historians are in a private circle of people that have all the attributes of great well-known literary writers. Amongst these documenters there are the traditional fact quoters, others that glamorize history and those who can use imagery to give the reader the sense of being there. One such historian is Ursula Smith Beach. In noting some of Beach's personnal, professional and styles of writing, you get a sense of what this historian has contributed to the literary world without recognition of her work.
II. Biography
Little is known about Beach, who was born Ursula Smith to Edwin Turnley and Pheobe Lee Smith. She lived and died in Clarksville, Tennessee. She accepted the job of historian for the City of Clarksville and the County of Montgomery in Tennessee. A close friend of hers by the name of Eleanor S. Williams knows Beach's background well, but was unavailable for an interview. Without knowing her personal background, any reader can imagine who she was through her writings.
To try to describe Beach's style can be best described by her, written in Along the Warioto's Epilogue she writes, "The poet of old was the companion of youth and age; the poet of present may limit his acquaintance through his style and material" (332). As a poet of old and new, she uses the age of her material to invoke a style that keeps the reader entwined in reading about the past. Separating her love for history from her writing, and the only part left is the way she can manipulate words to describe an event for her readers.
In her ability to describe an event in history is outstanding work that keeps the reader's mind hungry for more. To try and quote something would require a whole copy of one of her books. She gives details that only someone who was there would know.
III. Literary Works
Historians because of the work they do are only known and criticized by other historians or educators. This leaves society with only the living historians as critics of their works. In an earlier time Beach would have been a storyteller. Making history fascinating and not as it is known now. In the "Rebecca Sever Child of the Frontier" story, a short historical story, the use of long vivid descriptions tells all aspects of a twelve-year-old girl in the wilderness. Writing that this girl is standing on a cliff over a river is not enough. She writes of her in this way,
Currents of air ascending from the rivers brushed her face, and the aroma of cedar, warmed by the autumn sun, filled her nostrils. The hase of the early morning had long ago been lifted and she could now see across the Cumberland to the low lands, heightened by the tall cane drying in the sun. Leaves which a month ago had been scarlet and gold, were brown and sere. (2)
Also in her writings in Along the Warioto citing a story about Colonel Montgomery's death she writes,
Colonel Montgomery kept himself between the Indians and colonel Tinen, thereby drawing their fire. Wounded in the knee, he fell. There upon the Indians rushed him with knives, killing him and leaving his body, which was found when his friends returned to the scene the next day. (83)
The way she tells history causes the reader to want to continue on reading; Beach accomplishes this in a story like manner. The excitement, the sorrow and the character's joy can all be experienced in her writings.
Finally to close in the literary world history is an area that is based on facts, but the writer is the one whose task to bring the facts to life for the reader. Ursula Smith Beach is one such writer, her style of writing will be missed. In Along the Warioto Beach writes,
Individuals, as well as events, leave an impression upon a community. Such an impression may reach far beyond the community in its influence in the fields of music, literature, and the dramatic arts. (332)
In reading her works an impression will defiantly be made. Beach's conviction to the writing about this small Tennessee area will be missed, but will be carried on by Eleanor Williams, a good friend. Ursula Smith Beach, an unknown historian may never have her name known by literary critics, but her books will be read by many in a search into the past.
IV. Literary Works
Along the Warioto . McQuiddy Press: Nashville, TN, 1964.
1850 Federal census of Montgomery County, Tennessee. United States, Bureau of the Census, Alley and Beach: Clarksville, TN, 1971
The First Fifty Years of Austin Peavy State University. Austin Peavy State University: Clarksville, TN 1977, (with Waters, Charles M)
History and Literature of Montgomery County, Tennessee Trinity Esicopal Church: Clarksville, TN, 1979. Rebecca Sevier, Child of the Frontier. Christopher Print: Clarksville, TN, 1984.
Montgomery County . Memphis State University Press: Memphis, TN 1988 (with Robert B. Jones)
Nineteenth Century heritage Clarksville, TN. Guild Bindery Press: Oxford, MS, 1989 (with Williams, Eleanor S.)
Homes and Happenings. Guild Bindery Press: Oxford, MS, 1990 (with Williams, Eleanor S.)
V. Sources
Beach, Ursula Smith. Rebecca Sevier, Child of the Frontier. Christopher Print: Clarksville, TN, 1984.
Beach, Ursula Smith. Along the Warioto. McQuiddy Press: Nashville, TN,1964.
VI. Critic's Information Manners, Oscar A. Jr. Born 14 December 1961, In Detroit Michigan.
On the East Side of town reared by his grandparents. His grandmother had a lot of influence on his creative literary ambitions. He joined the United States Army in September of 1986. Arrived a Ft. Campbell.
This essay was submitted by a student of Judith Broadbent, a teacher at Austin Peay University in Tennessee.