A week ago, I wrote of the possibility of installing a marker, plaque or sign on the Walnut Street Bridge in memory of the two black men - Ed Johnson and Alfred Blount - lynched from the first two spans more than 100 years ago.
Some said I was race-baiting. Others, sensationalist. But the overwhelming response I heard?
"People should remember," one reader said.
"Reminders like this keep tragic events before us so that we can constantly hear our hearts say, 'Never again,'" another added.
"Please let me know where to mail my check," emailed a third.
In 1893, Blount was hanged from the first span; 13 years later, Johnson was murdered from the second. His story, which involved the U.S. Supreme Court, is remarkably told in "Contempt of Court," written by Mark Curriden and the late Leroy Phillips Jr.
"Dad thought it should never be forgotten," said Michelle Schrader, who is Phillips' daughter. "Just because it wasn't a pretty piece of history, it shouldn't be swept under the rug. Dad always thought that although it was a shameful time for our city, it also highlighted how far we have come since."
Then I got a call from Garnet Chapin.
"There's already a plaque there," he said.
From the beginning, Chapin has been integral to the transformation and upkeep of the bridge. When it reopened as a pedestrian gem 22 years ago, part of the funding came from the sale of small plaques located at the end of many bridge boards. The very first one installed was done in Johnson's name.
"He was remembered in the most prominent place on the bridge," Chapin said.
You can see it there today, near the south end. A small plaque, maybe the size of a footprint, with two words: Edwin Johnson. Just across the bridge: Alfred Blount.
The plaques are simple and elegant.
They are also historyless.
Johnson and Blount are placed in a storyless vacuum, their names no more or less remarkable than the hundreds around them. You could walk by 10,000 times and not know what happened. There is no distinction, no narrative.
"That's not enough," said County Commissioner Greg Beck.
Beck has offered to use his discretionary funds to help pay for a new sign. Other politicians have offered their support. He's even received letters from students. (Say hello, Mr. Gooch's English class at Tyner Academy.)
"A plaque is very respectful and honoring to all African-Americans," one student wrote.
For Beck, a new sign would include more than first and last names.
"Enhance the story and make it more visible," he said.
This can happen in several ways.
Linda Mines, the city-county historian, is meeting with City Hall soon about this and is also planning a series of public conversations in February and March.
Chapin mentioned the 10 or so free-standing signs already on the bridge, each devoted to the history of the river and area. When and if the city renovates the bridge, the signs could be renovated as well, and rewritten to include the Johnson-Blount history.
"Fully and tastefully described within the context of the history of the bridge," Chapin said.
What would the signage say? Could public art be involved? What part of city government approves this?
Folks in City Hall are interested in discussing this. Beck and others are, too. Next month could be appropriate for a public meeting.
(Perhaps on Feb. 9, which marks the day - 122 years ago - that Blount was lynched.)
I pray this idea does not get lost in some bureaucratic hole or talked to death, which would leave us with this disturbing truth - it was far easier to lynch these men than install a memorial sign on their behalf.
Contact David Cook at dcook@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6329. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter at DavidCookTFP.