[7] In 1908, while serving as special deputies, Allen and a relative, Henry "H.C." Allen, were charged with unlawful assault upon prisoners held in their custody who they claimed had resisted arrest. However, Goad denied firing the first shot in the fusillade. Most likely, someone had intentionally hidden the drawer to keep people from pawing through and perhaps removing the papers. Photo by Ralph Berrier Jr. www.ccva.digital/1912-historical-courthouse-tragedy.html, The politics of March pressing assault chargesagainst Williams. SHREDDED WHEAT RECIPIES - CIRCA 1933 Booklet~Advertising | Collectibles, Advertising, Food & Beverage | eBay! 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. 272 pages including sources and a few b&w photos. [1] Sentenced by the jury to an hour in jail and a $100 fine, plus costs, Allen immediately posted bail pending an appeal. [4] In September 1889, after pleading no contest to the assault, Garland and Sidna were fined $5 each plus court costs, and the prosecutor dropped the weapons charges. 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. His grandfather, Howard Gilmer, was a young attorney who had been in Hillsville that day, and he was one of the last people to comfort the mortally wounded judge, Thornton Massie, Gilmers neighbor and mentor back home in Pulaski. On 13 March 1912, in the Carroll County Circuit Court, . As historian Ron Hall wrote in his book: And for a moment, the world stopped.. Please visit their website for more information. Although some stories say she didnt know she was shot and some say she said I am killed, no documentation exists to confirm either. [25], Deputy Sheriff George W. Edwards, who became the sheriff of Carroll County after Sheriff Webb's death, testified that, as a deputy sheriff at the time, he had spoken with Floyd Allen just after Allen learned of his indictment. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/ramblinglibrarian/41284, 28 Aussens@iten by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. The sentence would have had Floyd do time. Far from the backward, murderous mob of hillbillies as they would later be portrayed in sensational news accounts, Floyd and his brothers were farmers, business people and even occasional lawmen who sometimes had their own run-ins with the law, usually stemming from their participation in the illegal liquor trade. [5] Floyd's body bore the scars of thirteen bullet wounds, five of them inflicted in quarrels with his own family. I like how youre reading books about where you live. A fight ensued and Floyd beat Samuels with his own pistol. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In 1921, however, Victor moved his family to Tabernacle Township, New Jersey. Careful who you kiss, huh? On the cold spring morning of March 14th, 1912, shots rang out in the tiny rural mountain town of Hillsville, Virginia. [21] Two more illegal stills were found at Sidna Edwards' house. The house back in 1911 was worth 13,000.00 and was said to be the most beautiful house in South-West Virginia. [11] There was only one set of handcuffs, and because Sidna Edwards had tried to escape a couple of times, Wesley was handcuffed in the front seat of the buggy and Sidna was tied in the back seat. Sadler, who said he spent more than 1,700 hours researching the story, spoke to a gathering in March that commemorated the 110th anniversary of the tragedy. Was it Floyds son Claude? I dont know too much historical facts about where I live. He was shot dead in the courtroom.. Many of Allen clan members were spectators in the courtroom, most of them armed with pistols. The definitive history, Mr. Ron Halls Carroll County Courthouse Tragedy is still published and is available at the Museum bookstore. The flood of indictments that came just days after the shootout wail with pain, the typewritten words seething on the page while claiming that the Allens unlawfully, feloniously, wickedly and maliciously killed the sheriff and others. Director Rick Bowman Writers Rick Bowman Bill Perrine Stars He worked for the Edison Lighting Company. As the late Roanoke writer and broadcaster Seth Williamson wrote in The Roanoker magazine in 1982, the Allen men were not a race of mild country squires.. The defense attempted to show that Deputy Clerk Goad shot Elizabeth Ayers in his exchange of fire with the Allens, a charge Goad denied. The pop of a single revolver. It also hired Baldwin-Felt hired detectives (a group like the Pinkertons). [26] Though wounded by four bullets himself, Goad recovered. [4] At the next term of court, Allen produced an order of clemency from Governor Andrew J. Montague suspending the jail sentence. [21] An Appalachian Feud Blows Up in 1912 Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime In Carroll . Hillsville, Virginia is part of the Preserve America program. 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. View over 100 different photos - art pieces about the 1912 courthouse tragedy and Allen family from Cana, VA in this. The courtroom buzzed. Floyd, 56, a once proud man now destroyed, was strapped to the electric chair, a leather mask placed over his face and four, 1-minute bursts of 2,000-volt electrical shocks were sent coursing through his body until he was pronounced dead at 1:26 p.m. Claude, just 24, was electrocuted in the same chair 12 minutes later. During the initial manhunt, several posses of detectives and local deputies searched the surrounding countryside. Harry F. Byrd Sr. in the 1920s. HILLSVILLE Howard Sadler held the last words of a dead man in his hands. No one secured the courthouse as a crime scene. He died there in 1953. Sidna Allen received a 35-year prison sentence, his nephews Wesley and Sidna Edwards and Friel Allen got lesser sentences. He has a wonderful essay in there titled The American Geographies. He speaks of the need to understand the stories, the voices of memory over the land. I think that is why I always insist on exploring my neighborhoods by walking (or on bicycle) and reading about them. Hillsville 1912: A Shooting in the Court - Actors and actresses. He borrowed a .38 automatic from another cousin, Church Alderman. As if entitled, they took what they wanted or needed. Sidna was released from prison, but he never set foot in his fine house again. Samuels' departure forced Commonwealth's Attorney William M. Foster to rely on testimony from Deputy Easter. I was distraught over the recent rush to execute in our country. Three trials were needed to finally convict Claude. There are even questions as to what happened here. View Map and Driving Directions Phone: (276) 728-2594 Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. The deputies, though, accused Floyd of forcibly freeing the brothers, assaulting the lawmen and smashing Deputy Samuels pistol against a rock. She was shot on Thursday morning and lived until early the next morning. [26] Gilmer said he heard Floyd Allen say two or three times, "I am shot, but I got the damn scoundrel. As the smoke cleared the sheriff, judge, and the common wealth attorney all lay dead. [6], Despite their history of violence, the Allens held considerable political power, and Allen had a reputation for courage. In some ways, the county never recovered from that day. The judge refused. Located in the Fancy Gap community near I-77 Exit 14. Ron Hall, a local historian who has written a book about the shootout and is considered one of the best sources for factual information about the story, told Sadler that he was probably the first person to see those documents in 100 years. In the second, a husband, Spread the loveOne hundred five years ago this month opposition against the draft was coming to a boil, including in Appalachia. 1912 SIDNA ALLEN CRIMINAL HOUSE FANCY GAP HILLSVILLE VA COURT SHOOTING ~ A1 (#185771767538) s***s (604) - Feedback left by buyer s***s (604). On a different occasion, he heard Floyd Allen make the same threat of putting the biggest hole in the courthouse that any man ever had seen. Sidna Allen maintained until the end of his life that this informant was Maude Iroller, Wesley's fiancee, who provided information on the fugitives' location in exchange for $500 from the detective agency. . - J. Sidna Allen, in addition to being a well-traveled and successful businessman, had been a newspaper editor and a schoolteacher. Burden "Byrd" Marion, a cousin and neighbor, had all charges against him dropped. Sheriff. While there, Wesley kissed a girl who was romantically linked to a local youth, Will Thomas, which led to an altercation between the two young men. William Hodges Mann from Hillsvilles one outside line brought the famed Baldwin-Felts detectives to town the next day. The oldest, continuously operating . Bolen had been standing next to Floyd Allen, and was facing Judge Massie when the first shots struck the judge's robes. The tale of the courthouse massacre is lengthy and complicated, covering more than two years beginning with a fight in 1910, followed by Floyd Allens trial and the shootout and culminating in Floyd and Claude Allens executions in 1913. Bolen, asked for bail and for Allen to be freed as they appealed the case. The execution of father and soon occurred in 1913. Later, the Thomas boy and others scrapped with the Edwards boys outside a church service, with the Edwards brothers getting the best of their rivals. 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. Past month; Great transaction. Floyd, with a concealed pistol, began to shoot, but only after the mayhem began. Gerald Goad, Carroll County Clerk of the Circuit Court, engineered the transfer of the documents from Wytheville to Hillsville. ")[1] Floyd Allen stated that only then did he draw his own revolver and begin shooting. Court testimony says she was outside throwing up on the lawn when Doctor Nuckolls came by. Easter ran to an acquaintance's home, and he telephoned the sheriff at Hillsville. However, no extradition order was issued. He lived to be the last surviving member of the jury, dying in 1963. - Old timers said that when Wesley kissed the McCraw girl at the cornshucking, it wasnt out of affection for her, it was to irritate her boyfriend, John William Thomas. "[26], County Treasurer J. A witness later testified that Floyd Allen had remarked that he "would not let any man talk to me that way."[14]. I enjoy learning about local history. Two others had been shot and would soon diethe jury foreman and a 19-year-old girl who had testified against Allen. He defeated the son of Jasper Jack Allen for the position. At the 2020 census the population was 186247.5 Located in the Massie, Foster, Webb and juror Augustus Fowler died in the courtroom. We depend entirely on donations. - Sidna Edwards presence at Floyd Allens trial was requested by Floyds lawyers. Upon his arrest by deputies at the hotel, Floyd attempted to slash his own throat with a pocketknife, but was overpowered before he could complete the job.[19]. Allen, who was before the bar for sentencing after being convicted of taking a prisoner from a deputy sheriff, allegedly triggered the shooting at the Carroll County Courthouse in Hillsville on March 14, 1912. These mostly came from recent labor disputes in coal country and their mannerism didnt endure them to anyone, it seems. Allen rose to his feet and calmly said, "Gentlemen, I ain't goin'." [2] Both Allen and his brother Sidna held legal licenses for the production of alcohol. One day in the fall of 2016, when Sadler was in Wytheville doing more research on a Friday afternoon, Horney called him into his office. Upon conviction of interfering with an officer of the law, Judge Thornton Massie oversaw the jurys imposed sentence of one year imprisonment. 11218 The Roanoker - Hillsville Massacre Industrial Survey - Carroll County (NOTE a 1929 publication) Media The Carroll News - William Sidna Edwards, the nephew of Floyd Allen, was sentenced to 18 years in prison as a result of the Courthouse Tragedy, although he never fired a shot. The Historical Society has gathered significant materials, published over the years, that attempt to interpret this event in our local history. The jury found Allen guilty of assault on 14 March and sentenced him to one year in the penitentiary. 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. 10994 Hillsville Masscre Sidna Allen, No. 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. Just a Presbyterian Church and a store. They were arrested by Caleb Haynes and Oscar Monday of the Mount Airy police department and brought to the state line. [6] Governor Mann refused a request to commute the death sentences to life imprisonment, and Floyd Allen was electrocuted on March 28, 1913, at 1:20PM. The exciting story of the Allen family and the officials who tried to bring them to justice. To find the prized ear meant he could kiss any girl there. Another of those events that have passed into history. He wept freely as the verdict was read. There were, however, nearly 20 Allen men among the spectators in the courtroom. Contact him at ralph.berrier@gmail.com. [1] Combs wanted the land badly enough to pay the asking price and bought it despite Floyd Allen's warnings not to "butt in. 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. The Stories podcast uses the following music as its opening and closing themes: I Have Often Told You Stories (guitar instrumental) by Ivan Chew (c) copyright 2013 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. No autopsies were performed. As the smoke cleared the sheriff, judge, and the common wealth attorney all lay dead. [22], The prosecution attempted to show that Floyd and Claud Allen prompted the gun battle by standing and pulling their pistols and opening fire. Again, no investigation was made at the scene. [4][2] Sidna promptly appealed and won a new trial on the perjury charge. The exciting story of the Allen family and the officials who tried to bring them to justice. [34] They returned to their homes by traveling cross-country through the farm fields rather than public roads. 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. . Not knowing all the details, I wasnt sure what to do with this information. The property is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. . "Floyd Allen Defense Gets Well Into Case", Bluefield, W. Va.: "Accuses Dexter Goad Of Shooting Betty Ayers". The identification label on the drawer bore a large A and an X. Horney pulled the label out from its slot, flipped it over and read the typed words on the other side: (Claudes name was frequently spelled with and without an E.). [2] Deputy Samuels pulled a gun (later determined to be inoperative) and ordered Floyd to move away, and Floyd rode back past the buggy to Sidna's store where he then blocked the narrow road with his mare. Its cool you found such an interesting tale based in your area. With the death of the Sheriff and so many of the Allens on the loose, the state sent help. Neither was prosecuted. Accounts differ as to who actually fired the first shot. The play was still occasionally performed before the pandemic. Mr. Allen stood and declared, "Gentlemen, I ain't a goin'." He proved to be right. More leniency was given to the other Allens and their family members. 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. Line the bottoms of pan or pans with piece of waxed paper trimmed to fit. But the governor refused. Wesley was sentenced to sixty days and his brother thirty, which were served outside jail on work-release. The jury could not agree on a verdict immediately as the trial ended, and were sequestered in a local hotel overnight. Mr. Alderman said he was not privy to what they discussed. Sidna Edwards pleaded guilty in August 1912 to second-degree murder, and was sentenced to 15 years in the penitentiary. 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. A few weeks ago, that trove of documents related to the shootout and subsequent trials made its way back to Carroll County, where the whole mess started. The men were gunned down during one of the most notorious events in Southwest Virginia history. On March 14, 1912, Floyd stood in the Hillsville, Va. courthouse, convicted of interfering with police business and assaulting a deputy sheriff. [4] Sidna was retried and found guilty of perjury in his trial testimony, and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. One can wonder if that was a sign that she blamed her husband for the tragic calamity that befell the family. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. We dont sell ads, or block you with a paywall. Floyd said Goad and Foster were part of a privileged clique, according to Hall, one that would never include the likes of Floyd or his family. A stolen kiss. Courthouse Productions will stage "Thunder in the Hills" again at the historic Carroll County Courthouse, North Main Street, Hillsville, Virginia, beginning April 7. V. Ray Bowman is known for Hillsville 1912: A Shooting in the Court (2011). He began his sentence in August 1913, and died of pneumonia in prison on November 25, 1913.[A]. The exhibits were discovered in 2016 in Wythe County's courthouse. The documents found their way to Wytheville because that was the site of the ensuing trials that followed the shootout, the venue having been moved from Hillsville where anger against the defendants boiled. Because of his vision to preserve and protect these exhibits, theyll never be lost again.. People who have researched the shootout long knew that Judge Massie had instructed Foster to re-write the jury verdict in proper legal language just minutes after it had been handed down, but no one knew precisely what Foster had actually written until the discovery of the Allen documents. But the documents do bring humanity to a story often told through tintype pictures, brittle newspaper clippings, hazy memories and fables passed down through generations. [32], Sidna Edwards testified that he was not armed on the day of the shooting and that he did not like to carry guns. - Carroll law officers did not cross into North Carolina to arrest the Edwards brothers as has long been claimed. More by Ralph Berrier Jr. Support Cardinal News and connect with more than 13,000 of our most engaged readers by sponsoring a Cardinal News newsletter. The was never a barber shop in this Mayberry, however. Movies. [34] Sidna Allen and Wesley Edwards then left Virginia, eventually reaching Des Moines, Iowa. M arch 14, 1912, arrives just as badly as the day before. Judge Thornton L. Massie called Constable Jack Allen (and Floyd Allen, who had been deputized by Massie about six months earlier) to the bar and proceeded to question them about the alleged intimidation. Theres Fosters handwriting and then you realize that within five or six minutes, he was dead. (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. They were proud men, perhaps none more so than Floyd, who it could be said carried a log-sized chip on his shoulder. He found the murder indictment against Sidna Allen, Floyds brother who would be convicted and serve more than 13 years in prison. 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. In a fusillade of shots, Allen hit Jack in the head, which struck a glancing blow on Jack's scalp, while one of Jack's bullets hit Allen in the chest. For example, Betty Ayers, who was killed in the courthouse tragedy, was a 4th cousin to Dexter Goad (clerk of court), 4th cousin, twice removed, from Woodson Quesenberry (deputy clerk), 2nd cousin, twice removed, from Floyd Allens wife and a 3rd cousin to the Edwards brothers, Wesley and Sidna. The Carroll County Historical Society will host a special presentation of "The Last Witness - A story of Friendship and Trust," an examination of the Courthouse Tragedy in Hillsville on March 14 1912.". A second shot entered the back about four inches lower, while a third shot cut the sheriff across the chin. Floyd had been seriously wounded. He never wrote a damn word about the most significant event in his life, Sadler said. The home is owned by Bert and Marlene Widener, who offer tours by appointment. Witnesses said she never looked Floyds way. I should do better and learn more about the area I call home. Elizabeth Ayers, a 19-year-old subpoenaed witness who had testified against Floyd Allen, was shot in the back while trying to leave the courtroom, and died at home the next day. In one case, after having ridden their horses to death, two of them took a mans mules from his plow in the middle of the field. Massie refused, saying he was there to prosecute, not persecute.. The end result was three people deadthe judge, the Commonwealth Attorney and the sheriff. Carroll County Clerk of Circuit Court Gerald Goad opened the formal transfer of the papers from Wythe County in the very room where the shootout occurred - a circle completed some 100 years, nine months and six days since traveling to Wythe County. Tipton testified he saw Claud Allen in the courthouse with a pistol raised in both hands as if he had just fired it. WYTHEVILLE, Va., Nov. 22. Floyd Allen's son, Victor, bought his father's house so his mother would not have to move. 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