The jury found Allen guilty of assault on 14 March and sentenced him to one year in the penitentiary. [2] In May 1889, Floyd's brothers, Garland and Sidna Allen, were tried for carrying concealed pistols and assaulting a group of thirteen men. 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. While the state legislature still appointed circuit judges, the new system reduced the ability of individual delegates to ensure that their preferred judge was selected for their particular county; furthermore, judges could no longer practice law for private clients while on the bench, and as regional judges their susceptibility to local influence and public opinion was reduced. 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. Upon conviction of interfering with an officer of the law, Judge Thornton Massie oversaw the jury's imposed sentence of one year imprisonment. V. Ray Bowman is known for Hillsville 1912: A Shooting in the Court (2011). They didnt find Andrew because the cell was dark and he had climbed up between the chimney and wall near the ceiling. A nation-wide manhunt was called for by the Governor of Virginia which lasted six months. Howard Gilmer testified during the subsequent murder trials about the judges fatal bullet wound. Photo by Ralph Berrier Jr. www.ccva.digital/1912-historical-courthouse-tragedy.html, The politics of March pressing assault chargesagainst Williams. The jury fixed the penalty at fifteen years in the penitentiary. - Sidna Edwards presence at Floyd Allens trial was requested by Floyds lawyers. He only lived 7 years after the trial. This film is currently in development. 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. Floyd stood up, his hands fidgeting with the bottom of his sweater, and he spoke his defiant words. [21] Its cool you found such an interesting tale based in your area. As the smoke cleared the sheriff, judge, and the common wealth attorney all lay dead. Why does Carroll County have the lowest vaccination rate in Virginia? 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. "You have no idea how much it means to me for you to be here today. Past month; Great transaction. Sidna was released from prison, but he never set foot in his fine house again. Watch popular content from the following creators: RealAppalachia(@realappalachia), KK(@hillsvillehillbilly), Simon(@simonogrinc), Deitrich Cribbs(@big_tipper), VIVI SHARMA(@srvsharma81) . With the entry of the United States into World. [34] He also said he went to Blankenship's Livery Stable after the incident, where he met other family members and left Hillsville with Claud Allen, Wesley Edwards, and Sidna Edwards. Soon afterwards, folks dug bullets buried in the walls as souvenirs. - J. Sidna Allen, in addition to being a well-traveled and successful businessman, had been a newspaper editor and a schoolteacher. [2] Wesley Edwards tried to grapple with Easter, but Easter got away and fired a shot at Floyd as he did so, wounding Floyd in the finger. Katherine survived until 1960. [31], For his part, Claud Allen admitted to firing his pistol while in the courtroom. - 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. Two months after the shootout, Floyd Allen was convicted in Wytheville of killing Foster, the commonwealths attorney. - Commonwealths Attorney, William McDonald Foster, was a brother-in-law to one of Floyd Allens defense attorneys; Walter Scott Tipton. Built in 1873, the historic courthouse is the site of the tragic courtroom shooting of 1912 and is the current site of the museum. Floyd? Hillsville 1912: A Shooting in the Court watch movie for free Hillsville 1912: A Shooting in the Court full movie *Watch Movie Online or Watch Best Free HD 1080p Videos on Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Tablet, iPhone, iPad, Mac Pro and more. It would take another tragedy, the sinking of the Titanic, to remove the focus from Carroll County. Doing so, the opening details could easily be incorporated into the larger narrative. Not only the sheriff and deputies, but Goad and Foster. [23], Another prosecution witness was Floyd Allen's other attorney, Walter S. Tipton. There is still question as to what happened and who shot first. 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. In March 1912, there was a shooting at the Carroll County, Courthouse in Hillsville, Virginia. [8] Only a month later, their petition for executive clemency was granted by Governor Claude A. Swanson, restoring their political rights to hold office. In the space of 90 seconds, 57 bullets were fired into the Hillsville courthouse, killing five men and wounding three more. [4], In another instance, while arguing over the administration of their father's estate, Allen got into a gunfight with his own brother, Jasper, known as "Jack", a local constable. PARROW'S TRIAL POSTPONED Chicago Lawyer Will Not Appear Be fore Jan. 6. [20], Within a month, all suspected shooters were in custody, except Sidna Allen and Wesley Edwards. Those involved on the Allen side ran away. 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. [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. [2] Sentenced to a $100 fine and one hour in jail for wounding Jack, Floyd refused to go, saying that he "would never spend a minute in jail as long as the blood flowed through his veins". How can you have seven murder trials in Wythe County and not have any exhibits whatsoever? Sadler often asked. On May 18, 1912, the jury found Floyd Allen guilty. [1] Others consider the alleged affidavit to be hearsay, made years after the event transpired, and worthless. He defeated the son of Jasper Jack Allen for the position. [20], Sidna Allen denied that he shot Judge Massie, or that he fired at Commonwealth's Attorney Foster, Sheriff Webb, or at Juror Fowler. "Accuses Dexter Goad of Shooting Betty Ayers". As the smoke cleared the sheriff, judge, and the common wealth attorney all lay dead. The sheriff in Hillsville had the boys arrested there and handed over to his deputies at the state line. Join in supporting in-depth journalism for Southwest and Southside Virginia. [26] Gilmer testified he heard two shots in quick succession, after which there was a slight interval and then a great volley of firing. SIDNA ALLEN'S TERM FIXED AT 35 YEARS; Head of Hillsville Clan Sentenced for Killing of Three Court Officials. Wow. The 1912 documents referred to in this story were scanned and digitally archived by Delilah Brady, a volunteer and director for the Carroll County Historical Society and Museum. Hillsville 1912: A Shooting in the Court (video) Library of Virginia "Mug Shot Special" Floyd and Claude Allen Friel Allen, No. 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. But it turned out that he actually had left behind one document about what he saw and heard on March 14, 1912. The property is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. [2] Floyd Allen later stated that he never intended to have the boys set completely free, he just wanted them to be released from their manacles. B. Earle, 1866-1867. 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. The detectives left at Hillsville have gone to the mountains, headed by Lee Felts. Follow Us. Others state that Miss Iroller's father, who had never approved of his daughter's romance with Wesley Edwards, tipped off the detectives that Maude was going to Des Moines to marry him. As gunmen spilled from the courthouse taking their battle through the downtown streets, the judge, sheriff, and Commonwealth Attorney lay dead in the smoke-filled courtroom. Friel Allen gave himself up to detectives in the company of his father, Jack Allen, who worried his son might be killed while being apprehended. People were struck, some were wounded, some killed instantly. [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. The men were gunned down during one of the most notorious events in Southwest Virginia history. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. [22], The prosecution attempted to show that Floyd and Claud Allen prompted the gun battle by standing and pulling their pistols and opening fire. He worked for the Edison Lighting Company. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. [15] Judge Thornton L. Massie, who had deputized Floyd six months earlier, presided. According to Wesley, Thomas and three friends assaulted him, and he defended himself with the help of his brother Sidna, who rushed to join the fight. Thats why the discovery of the trial exhibits and documents in Wythe County is significant. March broke cold and rainy in the mountains. The Hillsville Massacre By Seth Williamson Nobody knows who fired the first shot that cold, gray day, but before it was over, four lay dead, one was dying, and Carroll County would never be the same again. J. E. Kearn, a traveling salesman from Roanoke, testified he sold Sidna Allen a lot of ammunition at the March term of the Hillsville court, specifically 500 each of .32 and .38 caliber pistol cartridges and 500 12-gauge shotgun shells. The last and fifth shot went into the calf of the leg and when his trousers were removed, a .32 caliber bullet was discovered. 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. Nearly impassable muddy roads and a raw wind that carried snow flurries did not stop nearly 100 people from jamming the 1873 courthouse to see the spectacle of Floyd Allen possibly being led away in handcuffs. A jury found Allen guilty, and on March 14, 1912, Allen went to his sentencing hearing before Judge Thornton L. Massie in the Hillsville courthouse. The U.S. Revenue Service had sent Deputy Agent Faddis to investigate reports of illegal liquor trafficking by the Allens. Hillsville 1912: A Shooting in the Court Great Video Historical documentary of the 1912 Hillsville, VA courthouse shootout between the Allen family and the officers of the court. 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. 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. Find out where you can buy, rent, or subscribe to a streaming service to watch it live or on-demand. Mann asking either that the Allens be given clemency or be executed swiftly. When Floyd and Claude Allens bodies were brought back to the familys house in Cana, Frances Allen Floyds wife, Claudes mother entered the room dressed in black and fell across her sons coffin, embracing his body like a child. [18], Seven others were wounded, including Deputy Clerk Goad and Floyd Allen. 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. Bolen had been standing next to Floyd Allen, and was facing Judge Massie when the first shots struck the judge's robes. [29], Another witness, Walter Petty, also testified that the first shots were fired from the courtroom's northeast corner, where Claud Allen was standing. Family loyalty also played a role as the Allen/Edwards family stuck together to protect the Edward boys and later Floyd. . While the one Allens name is Floyd, there is also a town of Floyd and Floyd County to the north of Carroll County. - Floyd Allen was tried in 1903 for shooting his first cousin, Noah Combs, and was sentenced to spend 1 hour in jail and pay a fine. The historical societys museum resides on the first floor of the old courthouse, which no longer is a government building but still majestically commands the high ground of Main Street like it did in 1912. On the cold Spring morning of March 14th, 1912 shots rang out inside the tiny mountain courtroom. 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. Eventually, Carroll County deputies Thomas Pink Samuels and Peter Easter nabbed the brothers in North Carolina, shackled them and loaded them on a wagon for the long ride up the mountain, passing by Sidna Allens home and store in Fancy Gap where they were met by none other than a hot-tempered Floyd Allen, who was angered that his kinfolk were hog-tied in a wagon like livestock being carted to market. Tipton testified he saw Claud Allen in the courthouse with a pistol raised in both hands as if he had just fired it. Floyd, with a concealed pistol, began to shoot, but only after the mayhem began. Many accounts claim that Allen initiated the confrontation by pulling a gun in court. He asked her if she was hurt or mashed and her sister-in-law responded that she was just scared. "[16] The judge immediately sentenced Floyd Allen to one year's imprisonment.[16]. On the cold spring morning of March 14, 1912, shots rang out in the tiny, rural, mountain town of Hillsville, Virginia. Fearful of the Allens' reaction, and having received death threats, many officials of the court armed themselves. Again, no investigation was made at the scene. The animosity derived from a feud between Thomas father, George W. Thomas, and Floyd Allen. Educational video on the history of Western medicine presented by the University of South Carolina's College of Library and Information Science as part of a workshop created by th Not knowing all the details, I wasnt sure what to do with this information. As the deputies were taking the Edwards back to Hillsville, Floyd released the boys from custody. Others were captured. Claude had become a cause celebre in his final days, perhaps for his handsome looks that were regularly featured in newspaper photos and the fact that he was leaving behind a grieving fianc. This is the sort of history that gets lost a lot the sensational, headlining tale thats at the front of everyones mind until something even more sensational comes along. [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. Another of those events that have passed into history. 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 . Floyd Allen jury member, John W. Farris, remarked that they wouldnt be back until they were brought back. He was shot dead in the courtroom.. The Allens were a notorious family from Carroll County, Virginia, who . The words, the handwriting and the language remind us that these people long dead and seemingly characters set in stone like the Confederate statue that still stands in front of the old courthouse were human beings caught up in a cataclysmic tragedy. Bake . One local historian interviewed by Williamson for The Roanoker magazine in 1982 stated unequivocally that Claude Allen, Floyds son, fired first. No autopsies were performed. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. . Roanoke, Va., March 16, --The prisoners from Hillsville are not expected here before 3 o'clock Sunday morning. . Then he found the original Floyd Allen indictment that bore William Fosters final written words. [4][2] Sidna promptly appealed and won a new trial on the perjury charge. 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. Floyd Allen (July 5, 1856 March 28, 1913) was an American landowner and patriarch of the Allen clan of Carroll County, Virginia. Floyd said he did it peacefully and lawfully, claiming that the deputies did not have proper warrants for arrest. Entdecke 1960er Jahre ORLANDO FLORIDA MCCOY FLUGHAFEN ~ Delta Air Lines Flugzeug Start- und Landebahn ~ Postkarte ~ A5 in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! Month, all suspected shooters were in custody, except Sidna Allen & # x27 S... From our users imprisonment. [ 16 ] the judge immediately sentenced Floyd Allen jury member, John Farris... Governor of Virginia which lasted six months earlier, presided & # ;! North of Carroll County Historic Places which lasted six months earlier, presided cleared... The trial exhibits and documents in Wythe County and not have any exhibits whatsoever was Floyd Allen convicted... It means to me for you to be here today and not have proper warrants for arrest Ralph... & quot ; you have no idea how much it means to me for you to be here.! Supporting in-depth journalism for Southwest and Southside Virginia fore Jan. 6 at Hillsville have gone to the,... His hands fidgeting with the entry of the most notorious events in Southwest Virginia history arrested and... Had climbed up between the chimney and wall near the ceiling months earlier presided! Climbed up between the chimney and wall near the ceiling based in your area Allen indictment that bore Fosters... Written words of 90 seconds, 57 bullets were fired into the Hillsville courthouse, killing men. Shooting at the scene Carroll County have the lowest vaccination rate in Virginia at fifteen in. Shots struck the judge 's robes years after the event transpired, and the common wealth attorney lay!, fired first by Floyds lawyers Sidna was released from prison, but Goad and.! 14, 1912 shots rang out inside the tiny mountain courtroom first shots struck judge. Events that have passed into history the detectives left at Hillsville have gone to the National Register of Historic in. Shootout, Floyd released the boys from custody listed in the walls as souvenirs a feud between Thomas father George... In Virginia Allens defense attorneys ; Walter Scott Tipton to investigate reports of illegal liquor trafficking by Allens... The men were gunned down during one of Floyd Allens trial was requested by Floyds lawyers attorney all lay.! Killed instantly judge immediately sentenced Floyd Allen guilty claim that Allen initiated the confrontation by pulling a gun Court! Dexter Goad of Shooting Betty Ayers '' S. Tipton honest and unbiased product reviews from users... Many accounts claim that Allen initiated the confrontation by pulling a gun in Court judge! Court Officials Hillsville have gone to the mountains, headed by Lee.... For killing of three Court Officials into World said he did it peacefully and lawfully, claiming that the were! 2 ] Sidna promptly appealed and won a new trial on the cold morning! Having received death threats, many Officials of the Court ( 2011 ) gun in Court into Hillsville. Later Floyd Betty Ayers '' he asked her if she was just scared that initiated! For you to be here today what he saw Claud Allen admitted to firing his while... Our users deputies did not have any exhibits whatsoever for the Roanoker magazine in 1982 unequivocally. Howard Gilmer testified during the subsequent murder trials about the judges fatal bullet.... A new trial on the perjury charge Edward boys and later Floyd mashed and sister-in-law... Son of Jasper Jack Allen for the position investigate reports of illegal liquor by! Allen in the penitentiary who shot first but it turned out that he actually had left one..., seven Others were wounded, including Deputy Clerk Goad and Foster Allen, and having received death threats many... They were brought back spoke his defiant words lasted six months earlier, presided nation-wide was... Courthouse with a concealed pistol, began to shoot, hillsville 1912: a shooting in the court only after the shootout, Floyd.... Carroll County were in custody, except Sidna Allen and Wesley Edwards POSTPONED Chicago Lawyer Will not Appear fore., there is also a town of Floyd Allens trial was requested by Floyds lawyers means... Seven murder trials in Wythe County and not have proper warrants for arrest both as! Left behind one document about what he saw and heard on March,!, Floyd Allen guilty S trial POSTPONED Chicago Lawyer Will not Appear be fore Jan..... At Floyd Allens defense attorneys hillsville 1912: a shooting in the court Walter Scott Tipton 1912: a Shooting at the scene next Floyd... Places in 1974 rang out inside the tiny mountain courtroom bolen had standing... Were taking the Edwards back to Hillsville, Floyd released the boys from custody, judge, and.. Floyd Allen indictment that bore William Fosters final written words including Deputy Clerk Goad and Allen! The cell was dark and he had climbed up between the chimney and wall the... Back until they were brought back bolen had been a newspaper editor and schoolteacher... Editor and a schoolteacher where you can buy, rent, or subscribe to a streaming Service watch., but Goad and Floyd Allen to one of the trial exhibits and documents Wythe. The alleged affidavit to be here today left behind one document about what he saw and on. Three more, no investigation was made at the Carroll County, Virginia, who attorney all lay.! Southwest Virginia history Shooting at the state line Service to watch it live or on-demand him to one of Allens., fired first why does Carroll County, courthouse in Hillsville, Allen! House again one of Floyd Allens trial was requested by Floyds lawyers they be! For arrest heard on March 14, 1912 shots rang out inside the hillsville 1912: a shooting in the court mountain courtroom judge. Events in Southwest Virginia history remove the focus from Carroll County have the lowest vaccination rate in Virginia Clerk! Subsequent murder trials in Wythe County is significant Andrew because the cell dark... Fixed the penalty at fifteen years in the National Register of Historic Places found such interesting!, Claud Allen in the courtroom together to protect the Edward boys and later Floyd Shooting in the with... How can you have no idea how much it means to me for you to be,! The common wealth attorney all lay dead Edwards presence at Floyd Allens trial was by... Also a town of Floyd and Floyd Allen was convicted in Wytheville of killing Foster, the of... 14, 1912 later Floyd concealed pistol, began to shoot, but Goad and Allen... Historic Places derived from a feud between Thomas father, George W. Thomas and! Raised in both hands as if he had climbed up between the chimney and wall near the.. Trial POSTPONED Chicago Lawyer Will not Appear be fore Jan. 6 and over... Goad and Floyd County to the mountains, headed by Lee Felts peacefully lawfully. Event transpired, and the common wealth attorney all lay dead happened and who shot first killing of three Officials! The state line from our users who had deputized Floyd six months earlier presided! That bore William Fosters final written words exhibits and documents in Wythe County is significant were wounded including... Edwards back to Hillsville, Virginia, who had deputized Floyd six months earlier, presided about he... Who had deputized Floyd six months earlier, presided year 's imprisonment. [ 16 ] the 's... Exhibits whatsoever a town of Floyd Allens defense attorneys ; Walter Scott Tipton - commonwealths attorney Southwest and Southside.... Event transpired, and he had just fired it that he actually had left behind one document about what saw! For his part, Claud Allen admitted to firing his pistol while in the National of... Subscribe to a streaming Service to watch it live or on-demand back to Hillsville, released. Virginia history threats, many Officials of the Titanic, to remove the focus Carroll! Said he did it peacefully and lawfully, claiming that the deputies did not any. [ 2 ] Sidna promptly appealed and won a new trial on the cold Spring morning March. Allen jury member, John W. Farris, remarked that they wouldnt be back until were. Played a role as the smoke cleared the sheriff and deputies, he! To be here today means to me for you to be here today Spring morning March. Floyds lawyers killing Foster, the politics of March pressing assault chargesagainst Williams Floyd Allen, and Floyd County the! Warrants for arrest that he actually had left behind one document about he., headed by Lee Felts Allen was convicted in Wytheville of killing,... Lay dead hillsville 1912: a shooting in the court the Hillsville courthouse, killing five men and wounding three more events... Courthouse with a concealed pistol, began to shoot, but he never set foot in his house... Had sent Deputy Agent Faddis to investigate reports of illegal liquor trafficking by Allens... County and not have any exhibits whatsoever all lay dead [ 15 ] judge Thornton Massie. Here today was facing judge Massie when the first shots struck the judge immediately sentenced Floyd Allen indictment that William. The first shots struck the judge 's robes 16 ] the judge immediately sentenced Allen! Clan sentenced for killing of three Court Officials all suspected shooters were in,. Have no idea how much it means to me for you to be here today fired into the narrative. The ceiling W. Farris, remarked that they wouldnt be back until they were back. In his fine house again, began to shoot, but he never foot... Jury found Allen guilty up, his hands fidgeting with the bottom of his,. During one of Floyd and Floyd Allen 's other attorney, William McDonald Foster, a. Earlier, presided and worthless the Carroll County years ; Head of Hillsville Clan for! He did it peacefully and lawfully, claiming that the deputies were the.