Gatlinburg and the Great Smokies

by Ernie Pyle

GATLINBURG, Tenn., Oct. 31, 1940—

Everyone who has been to Hawaii knows about “The Big Five.” How these five old families control most everything in Hawaii. It is one of the tightest, and also in my opinion one of the best monopolies in the world.

Well, Gatlinburg is just like Hawaii in that respect. There are five leading families here. Four of these families hold the reins. The fifth, although old and numerous and doing all right, could not be considered a member of the “control.”

In Gatlinburg it could be called “The Big Four.” Let me tell you about these families.