After a fusillade of shots, the Allen clan left the courthouse, armed with pistols and 12-gauge pump shotguns and shooting as they ran. You can subscribe to the Stories podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spotify, IHeart Radio or on your favorite podcast app. Or the Clerk of Court Dexter Goad, who seems to have first pulled a gun? Wesley was sentenced to sixty days and his brother thirty, which were served outside jail on work-release. And forensic science was almost non-existent, at least in rural areas. Floyd spent the night at his brother Sidnas splendid new home in Fancy Gap, about 7 miles away. Two were executed and a number went to prison for their part in the tragedy. V. Ray Bowman is known for Hillsville 1912: A Shooting in the Court (2011). The discovered papers do little to shed new light in the darkended corners of the tragedy. March 14, 1912 - Hillsville Massacre Hillsville's history has a bit of a dark spot within it; the dark spot is known as the 1912 Courthouse Tragedy which was rivaled in the news only by the devastation known as the Titanic. [29], Another witness, Walter Petty, also testified that the first shots were fired from the courtroom's northeast corner, where Claud Allen was standing. He proved to be right. [10][39] Shortly after the Allen trials, law enforcement officers found a still in an old house on Burden Marion's farm, and he was arrested for making illegal liquor. In his defense testimony, Floyd Allen stated that Sheriff Lew F. Webb fired first, but that the shot missed Allen, at which point Deputy Clerk Goad, the Clerk of Court, fired and hit Allen, causing him to fall. Hillsville 1912: A Shooting in the Court (2011) Plot Showing all 1 items Jump to: Summaries (1) Summaries On the cold Spring morning of March 14th, 1912 shots rang out inside the tiny mountain courtroom. - William Fosters daughter, Aline, married George Ellison Bud Edwards in 1917. A nation-wide manhunt was called for by the Governor of Virginia which lasted six months. Many accounts claim that Allen initiated the confrontation by pulling a gun in court. But the storys roots go further back and involve politics, rivalries, clannishness, thuggery, vengeance and even a little geography. Nonetheless, the grand jury indicted Floyd Allen, Sidna Allen and Barnett Allen for interfering with the deputies, and Floyd Allen was also indicted for assault and battery upon Samuels. 272 pages including sources and a few b&w photos. Howard, I believe thats what youve been looking for, Horney said. The prosecutor's case was based on the formation of a conspiracy by the Allens to kill the trial judge, local law enforcement, and others who had wronged them in the event of a guilty verdict. You do have some interesting local history. Floyd? This story could have been written in a Creative Non-Fiction genre. Generations of Carroll Countians would grow up and grow old hearing about the shootout, arguing over who the true perpetrators were, creating and dismissing wild theories and resolving nothing. )[12], Foster called upon a grand jury to investigate the escape/pistol-whipping incident. [15] Judge Thornton L. Massie, who had deputized Floyd six months earlier, presided. The museum has extensive archive and reference materials in its resource section, as well as exhibits and artifacts that reflect the heritage of Carroll County. Marshall. After several months' chase, Baldwin-Felts detectives located them in Iowa after an informant's tip. On the cold Spring morning of March 14th, 1912 shots rang out inside the tiny mountain courtroom. Supposedly, Andy Griffins father would take him up there when he was a boy (it was about 25 miles from Mt. In 2015 or so, Sadler also found a .38 caliber bullet among the keepsakes. The town's name was changed to Hillsville in the late 1820s to honor a local family. How can you have seven murder trials in Wythe County and not have any exhibits whatsoever? Sadler often asked. Hillsville 1912: A Shooting in the Court; Videos; The Holstein Dilemma. '"[11][17] At this point, shots broke out in the courtroom. The bullet came up under the skin of her right breast. 10994 Hillsville Masscre Sidna Allen, No. A jury foremans handwritten verdict in blotchy ink condemns Claude Allen to death. WALTERBORO, S.C. ( WCSC /Gray News) - Attorneys in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial are expected to deliver their closing arguments beginning Wednesday after jurors visited the scene of the killings . Sadler said that reading Fosters handwriting gave him chills. All men were pardoned by Gov. - J. Sidna Allen, in addition to being a well-traveled and successful businessman, had been a newspaper editor and a schoolteacher. In the confusion there was a lot of shooting. See production, box office & company info. Look after this now. Otherwise, neither Sidna Edwards nor Victor Allen would have been present. Who fired their pistol first? Hall has done an outstanding job researching this subjectt. Sadler, a real estate broker in Blacksburg who lives on a family farm in Pulaski County, had taken an interest in the shootout story after looking at old scrapbooks kept by his grandmother, Howard Gilmers daughter. Elian Gonzalez is a more recent example. Allen also had political run-ins with Foster, who switched parties from Democrat to Republican in order to defeat an Allen relative for the prosecutors post. Edwards was one of those involved in the fight at the church with the Edwards brothers and went on to be County Sheriff for numerous terms. During a second glance Tipton again saw Floyd with his pistol raised and held in both hands; he then saw Floyd Allen fire his pistol. - Nancy Elizabeth Betty Ayers was shot in the back just about the beltline and just to the right of her spine. COOPERSTOWN NEW YORK POSTCARD~Orphanage Building/House~Cart 1911 (#185750574261) l***n (1544) - Feedback left by buyer l***n (1544). [1] Others consider the alleged affidavit to be hearsay, made years after the event transpired, and worthless. [8] Only a month later, their petition for executive clemency was granted by Governor Claude A. Swanson, restoring their political rights to hold office. Hillsville Courthouse. Such stories as you mention, deserve being told. More leniency was given to the other Allens and their family members. However, Goad denied firing the first shot in the fusillade. "You have no idea how much it means to me for you to be here today. [4][2] The next year, after the Allens complained that they could not expect justice from William Foster, the Republican Commonwealth Attorney of the county (who had recently switched parties), Judge Thornton L. Massie appointed both Floyd and H.C. as police officers for the New River section of the county. Some of the detectives bragged about how many miners theyd killed. This sideline didnt add to the story. Wesley Edwards drew nine years for each count of murder for the slaying of Foster, Massie, and Webb for a total of 27 years' imprisonment. Perhaps the hardest thing for an outsider to understand is the frequently heard claim that the subject is dead. [1], In his testimony at his murder trial, Floyd Allen admitted he had fired at Deputy Clerk Quesinberry and again twice more at other unknown persons once he had left the courthouse.[28]. The Holstein Dilemma Trailer; The Holstein Dilemma Preview; The Holstein Dilemma Director's Cut DVD; Screening Dates and Locations; Electronic Press Kit; agriCulture Podcast; About Us. In response, the judge told the two men that if the law could not be faithfully enforced in Carroll County by the county's deputized officers he would bring in state troops if necessary to maintain order. One bullet entered the back and ranged upward, lodging directly under the collarbone. He had them handcuffed and tied up with a rope. It is the county seat of Carroll County and the only incorporated community in the county. I like that youre reading up on your new home. On 13 March 1912, in the Carroll County Circuit Court, Floyd Allen was tried for attacking two deputies who had arrested two of his nephews for fighting and disturbing a religious meeting. If the Blacksburg-Roanoke-Lynchburg area wants a regional tech hub, here's a chance to help write the rules, Beware the Ides of March; bloom-busting cold likely lurks. He said he thought Floyd's fumbling with his sweater buttons was a prelude to drawing his pistol. Sidna Edwards pleaded guilty in August 1912 to second-degree murder, and was sentenced to 15 years in the penitentiary. [23], Another prosecution witness was Floyd Allen's other attorney, Walter S. Tipton. Accounts differ as to whether this was for a lack of evidence, or because Marion became a state's witness and admitted his role in aiding the Allens. The documents were found in the basement of the Wythe County Courthouse and have now been returned to Carroll County. Wesley, the story goes, shucked a red ear of corn and proceeded to kiss the girlfriend of a Thomas boy who he did not like. However, Sidna Allen and his nephew, Wesley Edwards, fled Virginia. The definitive history, Mr. Ron Halls Carroll County Courthouse Tragedy is still published and is available at the Museum bookstore. [21] On the morning of March 14, 1912, Mr. Floyd Allen stood in the Carroll County courtroom to hear the verdict of his peers. 23 school districts remove challenged books from library shelves; more . Maybe he didnt want anybody else rifling through those things, Hall said. He was the patriarch of the county's most prominent family, which, in addition to owning large tracts of farmland and a prosperous general store, were also active in local politics as proud Southern Democrats. B. Earle, 1866-1867. Friel Allen sat in the back of the room, and the Edwards boys stood on benches next to the north wall. [32], Victor Allen, whose pistol was used in the courthouse shooting, said he saw Wesley Edwards from outside the courtroom firing a revolver through the courthouse window and over spectators' heads just after the shooting began, and later saw Edwards run from the courthouse together with Sidna Allen. During my term of office Floyd Allen was several times charged with violations of law. A local tradition maintained that if a boy discovered a red ear of corn, he had the choice to kiss any girl at the party. The courtroom buzzed. Again, no thorough investigation of the courtroom happened, and the scene was almost immediately compromised by people who dug bullets out of the walls with pocketknives to keep as souvenirs. The exciting story of the Allen family and the officials who tried to bring them to justice. The author also hints there were issues between the Democratic Allens and the Republicans who made up much of the courthouse crowd. If thats the case, those against the Allens saw a way to get back at them. Allen had been convicted of a serious offense interfering with a deputy (beating up a deputy was closer to the truth) to release his nephews from custody but nothing so serious that rose to the level of instigating a deadly shootout. (Interesting Southwest Virginia side note: Initially, Floyds nephew Barnett Allen, the grandfather of legendary Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer, was charged along with his uncles Floyd and Sidna for taking the Edwards boys from the deputies. [1][4] Floyd had wanted to buy a farm owned by one of his own brothers, but could not agree on a price. [6], Sidna Allen pleaded guilty and received a total of 35 years in prison for the voluntary manslaughter of Commonwealth's Attorney Foster, and for second-degree murder of Judge Massie. Sadler also knew that, minutes after Foster laid down his pencil, he was dead. Petty also witnessed a pistol duel between Sidna Allen and Deputy Clerk Dexter Goad. He only lived 7 years after the trial. [citation needed], The Commonwealth's attorney, William Foster had served as Carroll County's prosecutor for eight years, having been first elected on the Democratic ticket. Family loyalty also played a role as the Allen/Edwards family stuck together to protect the Edward boys and later Floyd. On March 17, 1916, he stopped for the night in a roadhouse near Mt. Floyd even paid their bail. ")[1] Floyd Allen stated that only then did he draw his own revolver and begin shooting. But a year later the Hillsvile courthouse tragedy occurred and Sidna and his wife had only lived there a year. The Commonwealth of Virginia posted rewards ($1000 for Sidna Allen, $1000 for Sidna Edwards, $800 for Claud Allen, $500 for Friel Allen, and $500 for Wesley Edwards) - dead or alive. March broke cold and rainy in the mountains. As Sadler studied his grandmothers old scrapbooks, he found a copy of a letter that he had written to state legislators nearly 20 years after the shootout. The agency, infamous for busting coal miner unions, breaking strikes and shooting people in West Virginia, were led by Thomas Felts from just down the road in Galax. Bolen testified that Claud Allen fired the first shot, and that Claud Allen's pistol shot, together with a second shot fired by Sidna Allen, killed Judge Massie. Ralph Berrier Jr. is a writer who lives in Roanoke. A recent documentary film "Hillsville 1912: A Shooting in the Court" won an independent film award last year and will be shown this week in Hillsville. [26] He also testified that he saw the crowd come out of the court house, and recognized Floyd and Sidna Allen as the last to leave, both of them following and firing as they backed out, apparently in response to fire coming from within the courthouse. On the morning of March 14, 1912, Mr. Floyd Allen stood in the Carroll County courtroom to hear the verdict of his peers. Hall thinks that Sheriff Webb, who was carrying a borrowed gun, might have fired accidentally. View over 100 different photos - art pieces about the 1912 courthouse tragedy and Allen family from Cana, VA in this. Eleven minutes later, his son, Claud, followed his father to death in the electric chair. As if entitled, they took what they wanted or needed. As Foster followed the judges instructions to re-write the verdict on the indictment, Allens lawyer, W.D. A fight ensued and Floyd beat Samuels with his own pistol. This film is currently in development. [2] Samuels again pulled his gun on Floyd. Floyd Allen was born in 1856 and spent much of his life living in Cana, Virginia, located below Fancy Gap Mountain in Carroll County. I enjoyed the book even though it took me a while to get into it. Those old papers were lost or stolen, Horney replied. Friel Allen was tried in August 1912 and after confessing to shooting prosecutor Foster, was sentenced to 18 years in prison. [7][9], However, times were changing: Virginia's judicial structure was altered in a series of legal reforms, particularly the county court system, which was replaced by circuit courts. Wow. The Hillsville Courthouse Shootout 1,426 views Jul 30, 2021 In 1912 a Carroll County, Virginia, man was sentenced to serve a one year sentence in the state penitentiary. On the cold spring morning of March 14th, 1912, shots rang out in the tiny rural mountain town of Hillsville, Virginia. It was a huge goal to get this back in Carroll. In March 1912, there was a shooting at the Carroll County, Courthouse in Hillsville, Virginia. Judge Bolen confirmed his prior testimony that he saw Claud Allen fire the first shot at Judge Massie from the courtroom's northeast corner, whereupon Claud advanced toward the court officers to where Commonwealth's Attorney Foster was standing. [27] Years later, an allegation surfaced that Deputy Clerk H.C. Quesinberry had confessed on his deathbed to starting the shooting; two men swore an affidavit to that effect in 1967 (for which each man was reportedly paid $25). Again it is . . When Floyd Allen's case was set for trial, rumors arose that he had sent word to Deputy Samuels that he would kill Samuels if the deputy testified against him. Most significantly, Sadler knew that he was reading a document that had been missing for more than 100 years. He asked her if she was hurt or mashed and her sister-in-law responded that she was just scared. The trials happened quickly in 1912 and early 1913. Ninety seconds later, 57 bullets had been fired. Then a cacophony of gunfire. Bolen had been standing next to Floyd Allen, and was facing Judge Massie when the first shots struck the judge's robes. [2], Deputy Samuels was left lying unconscious in a ditch, and his horses were run off. Elbert Lee Trinkle and Gov. [6], Despite their history of violence, the Allens held considerable political power, and Allen had a reputation for courage. The legend also claims that the marker was removed as a condition of Sidna Allens pardon in 1926 after he served 14 years. The police of 1912 were not exactly professional. A handsome man who sported a whisk-broom of a mustache and carried a comb and toothbrush in his jacket pocket, Floyd frequently found himself in political squabbles with the county establishment, which he saw personified in clerk of court Dexter Goad, commonwealths attorney William Foster and leaders of the sheriffs department. Newport News nuprt - -prt -6 is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. Horney told Sadler he decided to take one more look in the basement for the lost documents, moving more than 700 boxes. The Allen clan believed that Goad shot first. We dont sell ads, or block you with a paywall. Sheriff. On 13 March 1912, in the Carroll County Circuit Court, . The girl he chose to kiss led to a later fight at a church and resulted in a warrant for his arrest. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. He defeated the son of Jasper Jack Allen for the position. The end result was three people deadthe judge, the Commonwealth Attorney and the sheriff. [2] In May 1889, Floyd's brothers, Garland and Sidna Allen, were tried for carrying concealed pistols and assaulting a group of thirteen men. Site of the Bloody Massacre Photo by Author, Thelma Raker Coffone. Such tampering hindered the ability to link bullets to the guns fire or the direction from which they came. The detectives left at Hillsville have gone to the mountains, headed by Lee Felts. When the men were buried, it was beneath one final statement of defiance. "Accuses Dexter Goad of Shooting Betty Ayers". 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The Hillsvile Courthouse tragedy and Allen family and the officials who tried to bring them to justice Ayers.
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