Anniversary of 'Night Riders' Attack in Lake County

Night Rider Trials, 1909
From a composite photograph in Harper's Weekly
Archives Photograph Collection

West Tennessee's Reelfoot Lake is a peaceful spot for outdoor excursions, but life along the lakefront hasn't always been so tranquil. In 1908, the West Tennessee Land Company bought all the land along Reelfoot's shoreline, angering nearby residents who relied on the lake for fish. The company planned to drain part of the lake to grow cotton on it, but local residents had other ideas. 

The residents formed a mob known as the 'Night Riders,' who on this date in 1908 set out to murder two of the land company's stakeholders. The Night Riders abducted Quentin Rankin and Robert Z. Taylor from their rooms at the Walnut Log Hotel and took them into the woods. The mob shot and hung Rankin, but Taylor managed to escape by jumping into the lake and hiding under a log while the mob riddled the water with bullets. More than a day later, Taylor was found wandering in a bewildered state.

"The man seated between the two women is Judge Harris, Tiptonville, Tennessee, principal owner of the West Tennessee Land Company, which owns the major portion of Reelfoot Lake"
THS Photograph Collection

The governor called out the Tennessee National Guard to restore order in the community. The governor also offered a $10,000 reward for bringing in the people responsible for the killing, dead or alive. More than 300 people were eventually indicted in the case. However, only six were found guilty of murder - and their convictions were overturned by the Tennessee Supreme Court the following year.

"Camp Nemo, Reelfoot Lake. Colonel W. C. Tatum, of Nashville, Commander First Tennessee Regiment, with staff and line officers. The troops and the prisoners get on together famously, with no ill-feeling"
Archives Photograph Collection

To learn more about other calamitous events in Tennessee's history, visit our online Disasters in Tennessee exhibit at http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/index.htm.
 

The State Library and Archives is a division of the Tennessee Department of State and Tre Hargett, Secretary of State

Another War for Tennessee's Returning World War II Veterans

It sounds like the plot of a summer action movie: A group of war heroes return from the battlefield to find their idyllic rural community overrun with corruption. After being thwarted in their efforts to peacefully bring about change through the democratic process, they take up arms again and successfully lead a violent revolt against the government on U.S. soil.

It may sound far fetched, but it really isn't: That's what happened on Aug. 1, 1946 during the so-called "McMinn County War," which is also called the "Battle of Athens." Soldiers who had returned to McMinn County after World War II were fed up with what they perceived to be machine-style corruption there, led by political boss Paul Cantrell. When Cantrell ran for election as sheriff in 1946, he was opposed by former GI Knox Henry. Several of Henry's allies ran against Cantrell loyalists for other races on the ballot.

Three ex-servicemen firing at the jail
Athens, Tennessee, 1946
Archives Photograph Collection

About 200 of Cantrell's armed deputies watched the polls on election day, intimidating and in some cases beating people they suspected would vote for the GI slate of candidates. After the polls closed, the deputies spirited the ballot box away to the county jail in Athens. Suspecting voter fraud, the GIs took weapons from the local armory and began firing on the jail. The deputies surrendered to the GIs early the next morning when the GIs began lobbing dynamite at the jail.

Crowd gathered at the jail,
Athens, Tennessee, 1946
Archives Photograph Collection

A governing council was established and a special police force was empaneled to keep order in the community. After the GI candidates were certified as victors in the election, they adopted a number of anti-corruption reforms, including the removal of an incentive system that rewarded deputies based on the number of people they arrested.

H.E. Gunther looking over a pile of smashed slot machines and punch boards which were confiscated by ex-GI forces during raids on gambling houses in Athens, following election mob violence the previous week.
Athens, Tennessee, 1946
Archives Photograph Collection

To learn more about the McMinn County War and other disastrous events in Tennessee's history, visit http://sos.tn.gov/products/tsla/disasters-tennessee.
 

The State Library and Archives is a division of the Tennessee Department of State and Tre Hargett, Secretary of State.

Today's Anniversary: The Great Fire of East Nashville

Ninety-nine years ago today, a large part of East Nashville was destroyed by a fire that originated at one house but quickly spread through wind-driven sparks.

The fire began March 22, 1916 in the North First Street home of a man named Joe Jennings. It quickly spread to a neighboring mill and then other houses along First and Dew streets. Wind gusts of 44 to 51 miles per hour helped the fire spread quickly to wood-shingled roofs throughout the neighborhood.

View from Tulip Street Church tower, Nashville, Tennessee, March 1916
Houses on the corner of 6th & Russell Streets with Woodland Street in the background.
Samuel Anderson Weakley Papers
Tennessee State Library and Archives

Nashville's fire chief telegraphed every city within 100 miles, asking for assistance, while local residents formed "bucket brigades" in an attempt to bring the flames under control. Gov. Tom C. Rye called in the Tennessee National Guard to help as well.

Engine Company No. 7, Nashville, Tennessee, n.d.
Library Photograph Collection
Tennessee State Library and Archives

In all, the fire destroyed more than 500 houses and left more than 2,500 people homeless. There were few injuries and only one fatality - a man electrocuted by a live power line - but the total property loss was estimated at more than $1.5 million.

Panorama of East Nashville after the Great Fire, 1916
6th Street is on the left, Russell Street is in the middle, and Fatherland Street is on the far right.
Library Photograph Collection
Tennessee State Library and Archives
(Click here for a larger view)

You can learn more about disasters in Tennessee, including the Great Fire of East Nashville, by visiting the Tennessee State Library and Archives' online exhibit. To access that exhibit, go to: http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/index.htm.

Nashville Banner, March 22, 1916
Newspaper Microfilm
Tennessee State Library and Archives

The State Library and Archives is a division of the Tennessee Department of State and Tre Hargett, Secretary of State.