Vigilantes Archives - Appalachian History

Grundy VA in 1912 with 'lawless' overlaid in red

We had just as good as no law at all in Buchanan County

The Commonwealths had run away for dealing in Bogus Land Business, and Jim Thomas was never indicted for killing the two men.

pen & ink drawing of the Whaley cabin, scene of the murder

July 6, 2018 Appalachian crime / Tennessee / Vigilantes

White Cap hired assassins on trial

When we got even with the Whaley house, we left the river and went up the hollow to where the Whaleys lived. We stopped a short distance from the house.

July 5, 2018 Appalachian crime / Tennessee / Vigilantes

He wanted them put out of the way & would give one hundred dollars to kill them

The White Caps of Sevier County, TN, were a vigilante group formed to rid Sevier County of individuals (mostly women) whom they deemed lewd.

illustration of tennessee map with a swastika overlaid

March 9, 2018 Politics / Tennessee / Vigilantes

George W. Christians, American fascist

Tennessean George W. Christians, chief officer of the fascist Crusader White Shirts, was an odd combination of comedian and sinister revolutionist.

September 27, 2017 Appalachian crime / Kentucky / Vigilantes

The Killing Rock Massacre of 1892

Dr. Marshall B. Taylor was hanged at Wise Courthouse, VA at 2:20 this afternoon, October 27, 1893, for the murder of the Mullins Family.

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