USA > Tennessee > Sevier County > The White-caps : a history of the organization in Sevier County > Part 2
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It was composed of men stoutly opposed to the other organization ; some from good motives and others no doubt from selfish views. The former desired to put down White-capping because it was a crime; the latter because the White-caps had either threatened them or some of the immoral women of the county with whom they had been associated and had agreed to defend against the White-caps.
It was the purpose of the Blue Bills to find out what particular night, (their raids being always made at night) the White-caps were to make a raid, and the par- ticular person or persons to be attacked. This point . accomplished the Blue Bills then notified their mem- bers who were thoroughly armed with shot-guns and Winchesters, to be ready to march against their enemy at the designated time and place.
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
Several sharp engagements thus occurred between the White-caps and Blue Bills in some of which men were killed and wounded. The White-caps also went armed and it was understood that when they met it meant fight or run. It will thus be seen that both of these organizations were acting without sanction of law, and that one was about as revolutionary in its character as the other. The Blue Bills, however, gen- erally claimed to either have an officer of the law with them, or one deputized by proper authority, to arrest all White-cap raiders and prevent them from carrying out their plans.
Dr. J. A. Henderson, now dead, a brave and fearless man, was said to be the organizer and leader of the Blue Bills. He was recognized as an uncompromising enemy of the White-cap raiders and was always on their track. Being shrewd and cunning, he was ever on the alert. Many times it is said they planned to make a White-cap raid upon his home in the town of Sevier- ville for the purpose of capturing him and punishing him if not to take his life. But as often he caught on to their plans, marshalled his own Blue Bill forces, met his would-be captors on the way and put them to flight.
Notwithstanding Henderson was a terror to the White-caps for about two years, and they were endeav- oring to capture and punish him during all of that time, yet he foiled every attempt, owing no doubt to the fact that he had a spy in the White-cap camps who kept him informed of their movements. Being a man of large means he boldly went into the White-cap camps and hired one of their number to betray them into his hands.
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
The number of White-caps in Sevier county has been variously estimated to be from six hundred to fifteen hundred, while perhaps there never was more than two hundred Blue Bills at any time.
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There are two reasons why Henderson and his raid- ers were never captured and punished by his organized pursuers. First, he was a much shrewder warrior than they were, and knew almost their every movement. Second, he and his band were much better armed, and known to be as brave as Julius Caesar, and would there- fore die before they would surrender or be punished with the lash.
As before stated Dr. Henderson lived in the town of Sevierville, as did several of the leading White-caps. They would pass each other upon the streets and high- ways during the day, but when night came on there was but little travelling alone-every man who had joined either band retired within the barricades.
The first White-cap depredations were committed in the outlying or remote districts of the county. But the organization as well as their nightly performances, gradually moved toward the center of the county, and after the Blue Bills were organized against them, Se- vierville and the surrounding territory for four or five miles became the battle ground of this most novel war- fare,
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CHAPTER V.
WARFARE BETWEEN THE BLUE-BILLS AND THE WHITE-CAPS.
While the majority of the people of Sevier county never actively participated with either one of these or- ganizations in their struggles for supremacy, knowing that both were acting in violation of law, yet it seemed that they were powerless to restore order either by their influence or through the machinery of the courts. Many sympathized with the Blue Bills, because they thought any force which offered itself might be permitted to put down the White-caps, others took side with the lat- ter organization for one reason or another. And thus it was the people of Sevier county for several years were between "the devil and deep blue sea," not knowing where to go or to whom to appeal for protection. Peo- ple were attacked and whipped in their homes, dwell- ing houses and barns were burned, citizens were shot down in their houses and on the high-ways-indeed a reign of terror prevailed.
When we consider the character of the two organi- zations-White-caps and Blue Bills-and the bitter en- mity which existed between the two, the wonder is, that more of them were not killed or wounded.
To show the animosity existing between these two belligerent forces we will refer to some of their military movements and the hair-breadth escapes in engage- ments and in avoiding engagements.
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
It is safe to say here that the White-caps, though greatly outnumbering their enemy, were never anx- ious to meet them in actual conflict. Many of the White-caps were arrant cowards while they all knew the fearless character of their foe.
At one time the Sevier county White-caps had planned a raid into Jefferson county for the purpose of whipping an old man by the name of Jenkins, who it was said was living with a woman not his wife. The night was fixed and everything agreed upon. Hender- son learned that the raid was to be made on Friday night. He hurriedly notified a number of his followers, and, armed to the teeth they stealthily slipped to the place-Douglas' Ferry-where they were to cross the French Broad river. They there waited in hiding for them till a late hour in the night, but no White-caps came. But the very next night-Saturday-the raid was made. A large band of White-caps crossed the river at this identical place, proceeded to the house of ' Jenkins and demanded entrance. On being refused they undertook to break in and were fired upon by Jen- kins, who in turn was badly wounded by a gun-shot from the band. He was then captured, taken and given a severe beating and warned to flee the country.
The victors then retraced their steps and recrossed the river at the same place. There is no doubt that if this raid had been made the night before the White-caps would have either been captured or a battle would have taken place in which several lives would have been lost. It was only averted by a misunderstanding of the time the raid was planned.
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
It is known that at least one of the White-caps was wounded on the Jenkins raid as considerable blood was left on the ferry boat that carried them over the river on their return. This was caused by a shot from Jen- kins' gun. The wound is not supposed to have been serious as nothing more was heard of it. The White- caps had their physicians who were always ready to ad- minister to their sick and wounded.
At another time the White-caps planned a raid on either Henderson himself, or some other parties in the town of Sevierville. Henderson through his spy in the White-cap camps, learned of this movement and made ready for them.
They were to approach on the east of the town com- ing down the river road.
Immediately after dark the Blue Bills were summoned and with their leader at the head they moved up the river and concealed themselves behind fences and trees to wait the approach of the enemy. They had ar- ranged themselves into two divisions, one some two hundred yards above the other. The public road that the White-caps traveled ran close to the river bank, and the plan was for one division to intercept them in front and when they wheeled to run, the other and upper di- vision was to close in on them from the rear, and thus capture them. In this way there would have been but little hope of escape from either a capture of the White- caps or a bloody conflict. If they had attempted to cross the river they would have fell easy victims to the Blue Bills' deadly Winchesters while another chance of escape would have been through the open fields in the opposite direction which would have left them equally
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
exposed. On this occasion there was, no misunder- standing, or misinformation. The Blue Bills were lying in wait and the White-caps came marching in. But just as the latter were approaching within a few steps of the first band arranged on their route, they spied some of the Blue Bills and instantly wheeled an fled pell-mell up the river.
The purpose of the Blue Bills being to capture the White-caps, and not to kill them unless in case of re- sistance and conflict, they did not fire on them except perhaps a few shots to frighten them.
About two miles up the river above Sevierville the hills close in toward the river, leaving only the width of the road, which is dug out of the hill, along which peo- ple may travel. Across the road at this narrow point there is a deep ravine or hollow through which a branch runs and over which there is a wooden bridge. There is no way to pass this point in the road except over this bridge. The White-caps in their raids often passed this place.
The Blue Bills were informed that on a certain night they would make a raid and would pass over this bridge. So Henderson and his men arranged for an attack on that night.
The plan was to take up the bridge floor and then way-lay and attack the White-caps near that point so as to cut off all other means of escape except over the bridge. This was accordingly done, and all the other arrangements made necessary to carry out what would seem to be a well laid scheme. But fortunately for the White-caps they either did not make their anticipated
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
raid that night or scented their sleepless pursuers and changed their route.
It is unnecessary to say that a stampede caused by an attacking party from ambush along a narrow road like that described, would have been disastrous, and before» the death trap could have been discovered horses, riders and all would have been thrown headlong into the vortex.
It is almost incredible, yet it is true, that while these two bloodthirsty bands were on each others trail for over a year, only one actual engagement took place between them. which occurred near Henderson Springs when Helton Latham and Keeble were killed, a full ac- count of which is given in a succeeding chapter of this book.
"What occurred in that conflict which lasted but a few moments, shows the deadly purpose that each had in view when they started on their raid that night. But for the fact that the meeting of these belligerent parties was premature that night, a dozen men instead of three doubtless would have been picked up dead from the battle ground next morning. As stated the meeting that night at the particular time and place, was unex- pected. The White-caps had not all arrived but were coming in from the adjacent hills, while the Blue Bills were on their way to where they supposed would be the real battle ground. Be this as it may at least some of the parties met on that fatal night, and laid down their lives in a inost tragic way, thereby adding a new chap- ter to the history of Sevier county.
This fatal occurrence put a quietus on White-capping for a time. It occurred about the first of November,
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
1894, and no White-cap outrages occurred until about April of the next year. Dr. Henderson, the leader of the opposition, was assassinated in his house soon after, but his death was attributable to other causes not necessary here to relate. It is not thought that the White-caps or the Blue Bills, as such, either had anything to do with it, but. the former greatly rejoiced to know that their old enemy and pursuer was dead. The following spring after his death new outrages broke out, but the Blue Bills dici little or nothing to impede their progress.
CHAPTER VI.
WHITE-CAPS IN COURT.
The history of White-capping in Sevier and adjoin - ing counties is one of lawlessness and outrages. Froni the year 1892 to 1897, it held sway. One crime fol- lowed another in quick succession. The people lived on excitement as it were. They retired to their homes at night not knowing but wondering what a new day would bring forth.
During the reign of terror that these midnight ban- dits introduced into that peaceful community no part of their history is more interesting than that which con- nects them with the courts.
They seemed to recognize the fact in the out set, at least in their organization, that their mission was one of crime and that prosecutions were certain to follow in their footsteps. With this in view they took every pre- caution to hide their identity and defeat all prosecu- tions, and no part of their work was more successfully accomplished ; for during six years, from the origin of the organization in 1892 until 1898, not a single mem- ber of their order suffered the penalty of the law.
Many indictments were found, but in almost every instance they were successfully defended.
In 1892 or 1893 Sam Lanning, charged with whip- ping one Wyatt Hill, was tried, convicted and sen- tenced to a term of ten years in the penitentiary. He
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
appealed his case to the Supreme Court and secured a reversal, and on a second trial was acquitted.
Newt. Green and West Hendricks, who are now serving a twenty years sentence in the penitentiary, are the first members of this organization to suffer the pen- alty of the law for their crimes. They were charged with the murder of Aaron McMahan, convicted and sentenced as above stated, which sentence, on appeal was confirmed by the Supreme Court on the 18th of November, 1898:
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Pleas Wynn and Catlett Tipton were convicted for the murder of the Whaleys (a detailed account of which appears in a subsequent chapter of this book) and on appeal to the above mentioned term of the Supreme Court were sentenced to expiate their crime on the gal- lows the fourth day of January, 1899.
Likewise the Spurgeon boys, charged with whipping some old woman up in the mountains, have been con- victed of the charge, but appealed and now await the action of the Supreme Court.
All of these convictions in the lower courts, if we are correctly informed, except in the Lanning case, oc- curred in 1897 and 1898, after a revolution in public sentiment had come and a new order of things, at least partially, restored.
In the palmy days of the White-caps they were pre- eminently a success in the courts.
To the casual observer it is difficult to understand the secret of their success. In the remaining part of this chapter therefore, we shall endeavor to give the reader some insight into this part of their history.
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
In the outset the White-cap realized that his mission was a violation of law and that, if detected, he would be punished. Therefore it was decided that in their crimi- nal practices their faces should be covered with masks so that their identity would be concealed. They accord- ingly prepared white rags, large enough generally to successfully cover the face and head with small holes cut for the eyes, nose and mouth. These cloths were tied on the head with strings in a way to make them se- cure and were worn on all their raids. They sometimes wore an ordinary hat, but more generally some kind of cap made of white goods, hence the name "White-cap." They also had regular White-cap suits, but these were made in different styles. Sometimes after the fashion of men's suits, and sometimes large loose gowns more like women's apparel. At other times they would wear their ordinary clothing, perhaps with an overcoat turned inside out, relying mainly on the mask over the face to save them from detection. . In this manner the White-caps made their raids, whipped or otherwise punished their victims and returned home.
These raids were always made in night time; doors of houses were suddenly battered down, the inmates aroused from their slumbers, dragged from their beds and generally with but little light surrounding them, cruelly whipped and left bleeding on the spot.
It requires no further argument to convince the reader that under circumstances like these, it is difficult if not impossible to identify the attacking parties. In such an ordeal one would not likely recognize his near- est and best known neighbor.
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
While no one but the White-caps themselves knew absolutely who belonged to the clan, yet nearly every one had a general idea who they were and when a whip- ping occurred some particular person or persons were usually suspected of doing it. If the persons punished or any one else who was present showed a disposition to identify the parties, warrants were sworn out and the suspected White-caps arrested and taken before some justice of the peace.
Sometimes the evidence would warrant a committal to court and sometimes not. If the defendants were bound over to court they promptly gave bond and when circuit court met they were prepared to prove their in- nocence.
We are informed that the White-cap always relied upon two defences : First, the failure of the witnesses for the prosecution to identify him. Second, an alibi.
The state had to show that they were masked to make out its case, under the kuklux law. If masked then who could tell who they were, beyond a reasonable doubt? In some instances the witnesses would claim to recog- nize the defendant by his voice, but in almost every case, the witness would also claim that the defendant changed his voice so as not to be detected. Then de- fendant's counsel would argue that if the voice was counterfeited how could the witness testify that it was the voice of any particular person, however well known to them by their natural voice?
If a case ever got to a court or jury, these two de- fenses alone were generally sufficient to obtain a ver- dict of acquittal.
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
The White-caps, not being without smart and bold leaders, believed in the old adage that "an ounce of preventative is worth a pound of cure." They therefore set about to devise ways and means whereby they could prevent indictments from being found. To do this they invaded the county court and it is said won over to their cause several of the jus- tices of the peace who composed that honorable body. This body appointed the jurors for the circuit court. In this way a number of White-caps always succeeded in getting on one or both of the juries. If they got on the grand jury, the White-caps were happy because they felt sure no indictments would be returned against any of their number. But if per chance a true bill was found then they relied upon their friends on the regu- lar panel of the trial jury or those who may be selected to serve on it in the usual way.
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The White-caps were sworn to stand by their friends and they did it. If one was a grand juror, it meant as a rule no true bill ; if on the trial jury, it meant either an acquittal or a hung jury.
They did their work and did it boldly. While the grand jury was sworn to secresy in all matters pertain- ing to the grand jury room, yet the White-caps knew everything that was going on in that body. When a bill of indictment had been acted on, it was signaled to their friends on the outside who knew all about it before it was reported into open court by their body. The se- cresy and sacredness of the grand jury was thus taken away and the country at large turned over to the mercy of the bold and reckless men who in so short a time had demoralized society, controlled elections, manipu- lated juries and wrecked courts,
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
The White-caps were fruitful of resources when a friend was on trial or in trouble; they never lost hope nor ceased to work. When one of their number was to be put on trial, not only the court house but the town was full of these sign makers. When the officer went to summon the jury, if he was a White-cap himself he could of course do the decent (?) thing and soon find a panel of good (?) and lawful (?) men. If the officer was not a White-cap then while he would know or suspect some of them he did not know all of them and was certain to get some of the faithful (?) on his list. Then while the jury was being empanneled some one of the White-caps who had already had a conference with the defendant's lawyer was stationed at a convenient place, and knowing all who were either White-caps or White- cap sympathizers, he would by some sign or token indi- cate to the defendant's attorney whether to take him or not.
These methods were invariably adopted in every trial, and it is said that it was next to impossible to em- panel a jury in Sevier county during the reign of White- capism without getting one or more White-caps on it, and for this reason next to impossible to convict a man charged with White-capping.
The foregoing is not all that the State prosecutor had to contend with while fighting a battle against White- caps in court.
As stated in a former chapter the White-caps took an iron-clad oath when they joined the order. This oath bound them to stand by each other under all circum- stances and that without equivocation. They were to stand by them as jurors, and as witnesses. They re-
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THE WHITE CAPS.
garded the oath that they took as a White-cap, as stronger and more binding than the oath they took upon the Holy Evangelist, to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So when the two oaths came in conflict, the latter always went down. When it was necessary to save the life or liberty of a brother in jeopardy, no White-cap regarded the oath that he took to tell the truth. Hence it was always easy to find witnesses to prove an alibi for a White-cap charged of any offence. He was always at home or at some other place with enough of his clan to prove his innocence. He was a very poor lawyer who could not secure an acquittal of his client when backed by the White-cap organization in its palmy days.
The White-caps not only came into court with their own suborned witnesses, but they intimidated state witnesses by threatening them with vengeance if they dared to go into the courts and testify against them. Some persons actually left the state to avoid being summoned and forced to testify against White-caps.
There is no doubt that some of the foul murders committed in Sevier county by White-caps, were com- mitted because of what their victims had already sworn or what they were expected to swear. These were ob- ject lessons that were calculated to stagger the stoutest hearted and make them tremble with fear, even in a court of justice.
Under circumstances like these, is it any wonder that the White-caps promulgated their rotten theories, that they went unwhipped of justice and the good people suffered?
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THE WHITE-CAPS.
While this lawless organization was generally known and recognized as "White-caps," yet for reasons appar- ent hereafter, they changed their name from that of "White-caps" to "Grave Yard Hosts.", They endeav- ored, however, to keep the latter name as a profound se- cret. The reason for this change was this: When a White-cap case was in court the defendant and 'wit- nesses were always interrogated about White-caps. He was asked if he was a White-cap? If he ever joined them? If he was ever on a White-cap raid, and all such questions, which he promptly answered in the nega- tive, and which literally speaking, at least from his stand-point, was true, because he had not joined the White-caps, but the "Grave Yard Hosts."
Hence this furnished a loop-hole for such as had any regard for their oath to crawl out at, if ever arraigned for perjury. No doubt for the same reasons, they had other names that they went by, and were sworn in by. But the organization went by the name of White-caps, and when spoken of they were always referred to by that name.
CHAPTER VII.
CRIMES MULTIPLY AND INCREASE IN MAGNITUDE.
Crime and wrong-doing is always progressive, and will increase and spread in its influences in proportion to the encouragement it receives. Whenever it be- comes popular in any community to violate the law, it is not necessary to stop to discuss the question as to whether or not crimes will be committed in that com- munity. It follows as a natural consequence.
When White-capping became popular outrages were frequent.
As stated elsewhere, the original purpose of White- capping was to administer punishment to a class of peo- ple who lived in adultery and kept disorderly houses in the community where they lived. This class of people sometimes becomes very obnoxious to the better ele- ment of society, which is always glad to get rid of them. We can thus see how easily they may have been influ- enced to sanction a scheme to get rid of this class of violators. This accounts for so many good citizens originally joining the White-caps. But having once joined how were they to break away from them and turn their influence against them? They knew not what it was till they got into it, and then to refuse to stand by it, meant the penalty of death would follow. Such as refused to join in the crimes that followed in the progress of White-capping could only remain neutral and keep their lips sealed. The better class did this;
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