(MURFREESBORO) Life is not forever, but memories can be longer. We're talking about the old, giant sycamore tree on the southeast side of the historic Rutherford County courthouse. 

County Mayor Joe Carr shared some unexpected news on WGNS...

What Is History? - During the depression, that giant sycamore saw the man who called himself "The Human Fly" as he gathered only $13 from a crowd to climb to the top of that courthouse. Once on the top, it started to rain, and he slipped and fell to his death (circa 1923). He was never identified and is in an unmarked grave at Evergreen.

That old tree felt the tugging of the March 21, 1913 tornado as it crushed the Murfreesboro square and beyond.

It was a witness to the day that 5-Star General Douglas MacArthur and his wife Jean Marie (Faircloth), who grew-up Murfreesboro and graduated from this city's Soule College, along with their son Arthur were welcomed to Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee State Teachers College (changed to MTSU in 1965). By the way, that visit was only 16-days after President Truman relieved MacArthur of his command (April 11, 1951) when he delivered his famous "Old Soldiers Never Die" speech. He and the speech were so well accepted that RCA sold recordings of it. 

The old tree heard whittlers, children playing, saw lovers and others walking the historic square. Plus, it gave shadow to the popcorn stand that downtown shoppers so enjoyed. 

Mayor Carr continued...

Preserving History and Memories - Shacklett's Photography is known for preseving this community's history. That family business has hundreds, maybe thousands of pictures of the old sycamore. 

Photographer and Murfreesboro Vice Mayor Bill Shacklett told WGNS, "Yep, a staple under that big tree was the whittlers that gathered there every day on benches under that tree. 

My Aunt Dottie was visiting us from Washington State and was fascinated with them...she just sat and watched them for a while and finally asked one of the gentleman, 'What are you making out of that stick?'. 

The answer came back immediately, 'I'm making it smaller'. 

Aunt Dottie loves to tell that story as 'The Wisdon of Tennesseans' ".

Share Your Memories - Ponder how that old sycamore has added to your life and share it with us. CLICK HERE and share your thoughts.