Newspaper Articles
Cherokee County
Rome Tribune Borden Springs, AL, August 17, 1908
Contributed by Wendell StephensAfter tying the horses on the station platform here, the body of William A. Smith slain by the hand of Will Chandler, has been removed to his home for burial. His slayer who emptied Smith’s own pistol into his body, after his brother, Dave Chandler had knocked Smith senseless with a rock fled, was captured and jailed in Heflin, Ala. The killing took place near the little church where there had been an all day singing and was witnesses by scores of people. Chandler, the slayer has a wife and several children. He lived in the same community as Smith and bore a good reputation.
Accounts as to how the quarrel arose differ. The most reliable seems to be that a quarrel and fight arose between two boys over a shoe trade. A fight followed and Will Chandler rebuked the larger of the two boys for cuffing the smaller. Then Smith took a hand and it is said drew his pistol, forced chandler to his knees, and told him to pray as he had but a moment to live. At this moment, while Smith was pecking Will Chandler in the face with his revolver, Dave Chandler the brother, seized a rock, and felled Smith to the ground, with a well-directed blow. As he fell his pistol dropped from his hand, and Will Chandler, scrambling from his knees, seized the weapon, and fired three shots into Smiths body, one of which took affect and proved fatal.
Famous “Bell Tree” Still Raided Again
Cedartown Standard, June 28, 1917
Contributed by Wendell StephensThe historic old “bell tree still,” over in Cherokee county, known to all revenue men in the South, was again raided last, week by Revenue Officers Edwards, Rollins, Blake and Draper. The raid, it is said, was one of the most successful ever recorded in this district, notwithstanding the fact that some of the same officers raided the still last February and destroyed a big outfit.
The “bell tree” still first came into prominence some six or eight years ago when Will Smith, the alleged owner, was shot and killed by Will Chandler, who was convicted for shooting Smith, but was immediately pardoned by the Governor without serving a minute of sentence.
Last week the officers found and destroyed a first-class zinc still of 50 gallons capacity, and it is said an investigation revealed 350 gallons of beer and three bushels of malt. Going a little further into the woods, the officers discovered a sixty gallon still and about fifteen gallons of “mountain dew” hidden in the cellar of “Bob” Smith, one of the men arrested; the other man was J. H. Moore. The men were carried to Anniston and given a hearing before United States Commissioner Liles, who bound them over to await the action of the federal grand jury, in the sum of $800 each.
The “bell tree” still has been known to the countryside for many years. It is located in Cherokee county, near the Calhoun county line, and got its name from a bell, fastened to a tree, which the “thirsty” patrons used to ring when they wanted to “dampen their guzzles." –Cleburne News
Diabolic Crime - Joe Moore Murdered at Old Bell Tree
Cedartown Standard, August 2, 1917
Contributed by Wendell StephensThe old Bell Tree, on the line between Georgia and Alabama, was the scene of a horrible tragedy Wednesday night, making a blacker blot than usual on its unsavory reputation. For many years a famous “blind tiger,” now foul murder is added to its record.
Joe Moore, a middle aged man of that vicinity, was released, Wednesday on bond by the Federal authorities, who had kept him in jail for some time on a charge of illicit distilling. Thursday morning his body was found on the roadside near the Bell Tree, the head cut off and buried in a ditch several yards away, and the upper part of the chest gone. The head showed that he had first been struck with some blunt instrument, and then decapitated.
Coroner J. O. Crabb was summoned and impaneled a jury, who found that he was murdered by unknown parties. It was definitely ascertained that the crime was committed on the Polk county side of the state line. The crime was one of the most cold-blooded and diabolical ever committed in this section.
“Bill” Smith Is Killed
The Famous Bell Tree Moonshiner Shot by Will Chandler in Self-Defense
Cleburne News Era, Heflin, AL, August 22, 1908
Contributed by Wendell StephensWilliam Smith, the notorious “ Bell Tree” blind tiger keeper and desperado is dead. He died with his boots on as he had sworn he would at the hands of a man he tried to kill.
Last Sunday afternoon at Borden Springs, a station on the Seaboard Air Line railroad in the extreme northern part of this county, Will Smith was killed outright by Will Chandler. It seems that both parties had been to an all-day singing at New Bethel church a short distant away and while passing Borden Springs station a row or scuffle between other parties was in progress, one of whom was an employe of Chandler, and he left his wagon in care of his wife and children to go down and investigate the trouble. When he arrived at the place where the trouble was going on Will Smith and Chandler become involved in a heated controversy because Chandler asked the boy who was in his employ to come away.
During the time of the trouble both Smith and Chandler’s brothers got into the mix-up and Smith’s brother got Chandler’s brother down and was choking him severely, while Will Smith was standing over Will Chandler with his gun on him having him to pray and occasionally kicking him and telling him to get down to it, when Smith observed that his brother was about choked to death he threw his gun on Chandler’s brother and told him to stop; just at this time Chandler took advantage of the opportunity and knocked Smith down with a rock from behind and then it become a hand to hand fight between the four for the gun, each realizing that whichever side got the gun it meant death to the other. Finally, Will Chandler got possession of the deadly weapon and fired four shots at Will Smith, three of which took effect in the head, spattering Smith’s brains over the grass around.
Immediately after the killing Chandler gave himself up to the authorities and came to Heflin that night and was in jail by 2:00 a.m. Chandler waived preliminary trial Monday morning. He made bond for $2,500.00, and will await further action by the grand jury. This is the second killing that has taken place at Borden Springs within the last few months and it is said that six men have been killed within a short distance of that place.
As to the character of the two men we personally know nothing, but it comes to us that Mr. Smith was the possessor of a dark record. He was one of the most notorious moonshiners in the state of Alabama, and as proprietor of the recent “Bell Tree” blind tiger near the state line, on Flagpole mountain has made a fortune selling liquor, having no respect for law and order. Rumor has it that part of his life was stained by the blood of seven human beings. We sympathize with the ones deserving, but to Smith we have no sympathy to offer. Alas! When will our country rid its golden hills from such characters as “Bill Smith the Bell Tree Man?”
Coosa River News, Centre, AL, March 13, 1891
Contributed by Wendell StephensTo secure safe keeping of the two Tanner boys, Bill and Ben, they had to remove them from this jail, to Etowah jail at Gadsden. For days and weeks the turnkey, Mr. Garner, has worked faithfully to keep the prisoners from escaping, and had the jail guarded for some time. Nothing less than a new jail will insure the safe keeping of inmates as it now stands. For several years the old building has been patched and repatched until it is noting but patches. Build a new and substancial jail.
Will Tanner Escapes From An Officer And Is Now At Large
Coosa River News, Centre, AL, July 31, 1891
Contributed by Wendell StephensWill Tanner the young white man from Cherokee County, who was confined in jail in Gadsden was taken by Deputy Sheriff B. H. Melton to Birmingham and there turned over to an officer from Coalburg. He was convicted in the Cherokee county circuit court, but took an appeal to the supreme court and was brought to Gadsden jail for safe keeping a few days ago the news came that the supreme court affirmed the decision of the circuit court. So Tanner, in the custody of Mr. Melton, was carried to Birmingham and turned over to an officer from Coalburg last Thursday. But on the way to Coalburg Tanner's two sisters held up the officer and released him. He took to the woods, hand cuffs on and has not been heard of since. Finally the officer overpowed the women and took them back to Birmingham where they are held in darsnce vile.
Jim Smith, a guard at Coalburg and deputy constable started out from the Birmingham jail with Bill Tanner to carry him to Coalburg to serve out his sentence. Tanner's sisters, Mesdames Kelly and Avery, went along with them and also a little four-year old son of Mrs. Kelly. The party had gotton just outside of Birmingham. The prisoner was shackled and walking and the constable rode a horse. The child got weary toddling along with the grown folks, and Bill Tanner carried him for a while. His arms were shackled however and it made him weary and he put the child down. So they went along for some time in this shape. Then it seems Tanner himself complained of being tired and the constable consented for him to mount the horse. This he did and for a little while road along with the boy on the horse behind him. Then it was that the opportunity came and was seized. By some pretext or other the child was taken from the horse and Tanner was on it. As soon as the child was taken from the horse Tanner clapped his heels to the horse's sides and off he went like a streak. At the same moment his sisters seized Smith by the coat and arms and rendered it impossible for him to shoot at or follow the escaping prisoner. The result is that Tanner effected his escape and has not been heard from and Mesdames Avery and Kelly are in the county jail at Birmingham. Two charges are docketed against them viz: assault and battery and aiding a prisoner to escape - Gadsden Time News.
Cherokee Family of Fifteen Makes Ten-Strike In Rome
Rome News Tribune, Coosa River News, June 28, 1935
Contributed by Wendell StephensThe editorial office of the Rome News Tribune was paid a visit recently by a large, talented and really remarkable family hailing from Cherokee County, Alabama section from which many of Rome's best citizens migrated and which is highly regarded by the people of this community. Led by P. I. McBrayer, of the McBrayer Furniture company, who, on short acquaintance, recognized their ability and talent, Mrs. M. C. Tucker and her fifteen children trooped around the Roaming Roman's desk and for fifteen minutes put on such a rousing musical program that passers-by were attracted and pressmen and printers came running to view the entainers, and to marvel at the sturdiness and robust health of each individual member.
Mrs. Tucker is the widow of the late Andrew S. Tucker. The father died last March in a Rome hospital after a few days illness of meningitis. Geroma, the one month old daughter, nestling in a blanket in her mother's arms, was born after her father's death. Mr. Tucker was 42 and Mrs. Tucker has passed her 37th birthday. The couple were married twenty-one years. They lost their first born, Garvin who would be 20 were he living.
The mother with affection in her eyes and pride in her voice informed the assembled audience that all the children helped-were good help she added-with the farm work. The Tuckers are trying to buy the farm located near Cedar Bluff, Ala., and there is yet a tidy sum due. The three oldest boys, Grady, Grover, and Gus, sell farm truck, coming several times a week to Rome with produce. The children from a standpoint of health and alertness were fine specimens, though the infant snoozed through her visit, never making an out-cry, nor were any of the children abashed by the staring audience which grew at the conclusion of each song.
Geneva, age three, was most unhappy for a few minutes because she was thirsty-she was quite persistent about it and finally an older brother got her a glass of water. Gevalma, aged one, not yet able to walk, was deposited by her 15 year old sister, Gertrude, on a high chair before the city editor's typewriter, which she immediately explored. When her sister and brothers were singing she signified her approval and her ear for music by beating her tiny hands on the keyboard. She also demonstrated her sense of balance, for she never once indicated she might topple from her high perch and her family were never concerned about her bumping her head in a downward plunge.
In reply to questions about their sturdy legs, pink cheeks and bright eyes, the mother said. "They drink Milk, eat eggs, chickens and duck; we have all those things, and vegetables on the farm." The older children were all patience with the younger ones and took great pleasure in showing them off. Mrs. Tucker and her brood of fifteen, she said, would visit relatives in South Georgia in July, going in the farm truck.
The children sang in groups, quartets and duets. They each had an opinion about the song selections and some wanted one, others another, but there was never any display of temper, only a preference. Mr. McBrayer, the sponsor, said they would make fine substitutes for the McBrayer quartet. After showing off so well he treated the younger children to ice cream cones.
Mrs. Tucker proudly proclaimed all her children's first names began with the letter "G." By request, she called the roll, giving their ages, nor did she once hesitate or trip-this is the roster; Grover, 19, Grady 18,Gus 17, Gertrude, 15; Gardie, 14; Garnett, 13; Genette, 11; Gartril, 10' Glover, 8; Gramling, 7; Geraldine, 5; Genoka, 4; Geneva, 3; Gevalma, 1; and Geroma, aged one months.
At the conclusion of the singing, which Mr. Tucker explained they had learned from records and in attending church meetings, Glover, 8, who had not been permitted to sing with his sisters, put on a one-man show, imitating the barnyard animals so accurately that the editorial room became so congested that to prevent a panic the audience was dispersed, which could not be accomplished until Mrs. Tucker and her fifteen young Tuckers made the first exit.
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