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quote:
Originally posted by themax:
I think a tornado took away half of the old 43 lounge. And also half of the old Tonys. The old Tonys is now Parkers. I'm not sure if it the same Parker that had the club in Minor Hill Tn.


Gosh, I didn't know that!!! And I am not sure about the Minor Hill Parkers either...

Can't get off topic with this forum Wink
quote:
Originally posted by themax:
And if one were really feeling adventurious, the was a place in Columbia called "The Other Place". Some friends of mine knew the DJ up there. He had quite a setup. A glass booth overlooking the dance floor. Big Grin what a place for a young boy to be.


Never did go there, but sure sounds nice!
The Parker up 43 and the one up in Minor Hill are the same. I don't think he still owns the Minor Hill location anymore.

The Bomb of the Tennessee State line clubs used to be Johnny's Club. They had an great UNA night (Thursday). That was back when there were only a few places for people to go. All classes of folks had to go there to party. Now there are so many different places that the party atmosphere is not the same.
quote:
Originally posted by Yo Brotha from anotha Motha:
The Parker up 43 and the one up in Minor Hill are the same. I don't think he still owns the Minor Hill location anymore.

The Bomb of the Tennessee State line clubs used to be Johnny's Club. They had an great UNA night (Thursday). That was back when there were only a few places for people to go. All classes of folks had to go there to party. Now there are so many different places that the party atmosphere is not the same.


*sigh*... I remember the night Johnny got killed... we were in the ER, my Sister-In-Law was checking in to give birth to my nephew. Wow, what a crowd!!! It was so sad. I didn't know him, but couldn't help but cry myself!
quote:
Originally posted by Yo Brotha from anotha Motha:
Johnny Hood was a bank robber. He and a gang of bandits used to rob banks around this area. He was laid to rest in a red velvet casket at his own request. All of his gang members wound up killing each other. It made the FBI's job easy.


I wasn't judging him, YO. I just know the 'feeling' I had when they wheeled him into the ER and the blood was absolutly soaking everyone and everything.... what was supposed to be a great night for my brother's family was dampened by what we had to see while we were checking her in.

I don't care what he WAS, even the Bible says that "The wages of Sin is death"... so I shall not judge anyone for what they do. Or I shall TRY not to, anyway... I am human and fall short of that mark sometimes.



OKAY OKAY OKAY, I went back and started NEW on this post, and saw where beretta got that comment... and correct me if you will with YOUR take... that is fine, but like I said earlier... Johnny Hood may have been bad to the bone, but the wages of sin is death... there is a LOT of people walking around in spiritual death RIGHT NOW, and haven't even died... you think they have paid their wages for sin????? INTERESTING... wonder what faith you associate with?
Last edited by Kindred
quote:
Originally posted by themax:
Yep, part of the South Tn. moffa. Maybe had a hand in the walking tall thing. Who knows?


Yeap, it could have been Johnny Hood or Dewitt Dawson. I have the book the STATE LINE MOB by W.R. Morris. He also wrote THE TWELFTH of AUGUST. He does not go into who killed Buford Pusser but it is a good read. Those were the good old day's.

I was up in Adamsville, TN a couple of weeks ago and I stopped in at the Buford Pusser home and museum. I wanted to purchase a copy of Walking Tall(the first one) but they didn't have any copies due to a law suit. The will get 20 copies after the first of the year. They are also making a new Walking Tall that will star the guy that play's Hercules.
Last edited by The Fonze
quote:
Originally posted by �bermensch:
quote:
Dewitt Dawson


Was this guy one of the infamous Dawson gang I heard about growing up (although before my time)?


Oh yeah, Dewitt and the Dawson gang... but they mostly lived in Colbert County, either out in Spring Valley or close to Littleville (or somewhere out in there) and they were bad in their day, a long long time ago. If I remember correctly, Dewitt died in prison, or shortly after he was released. Even as old as I am, I don't remember it all. Gambling, bootlegging, and a little of this, and a lot of that and loads of money... Wish Dewitt had written a book.
I'm with Max on the Dawson's, NUFF SAID! As for Johnney Hood being a bank robber, don't know where you got that info Brotha, knew him and Shelby both and never knew of bank robbery. Don't know for sure of ALL his activities, but I never heard of him robbing a bank. Max I bet you remember Miss Bess at Johnneys and no one has mention EDDY'S PLACE across the street. Todd Eddy was killed by his ex-wife or girlfriend or something like that recently, hated to read about it, he was one hell of a nice guy. Those were the GOOD OL DAYS!
Those were the days. I knew Johnny and Shelby. I went to school with Shelby's son, who was a couple of years younger than me, and was at their home a few times. Miss Bess' nephew is my friend and her brother, ***, was my father's best friend. I grew up just north of "The Line".

I went to all those clubs.....Johnny's, Todd's, Club 13, Circle E, 43 Club and Tony's all come to mind. I remember we had fun with a couple of bands, Jackson Highway and Cashmere, we first met at the clubs.

I seem to recall hearing people talk about Johnny and bank robbery but haven't thought about that for years.

Good ol' days indeed.
Johnny
Had a reputation for being less than friendly on many of occassion with the individuals who wanted to stir up trouble in his club..
He was known to take the law into his own hands..and let the coroner be in charge of the clean up...
Johnny gave no quarter...and in the end...he got none...
The shooter was never identified or arrested to the best of my knowledge...
There were not too many people crying when he met his waterloo...
quote:
Originally posted by traderconnections:
Dewitt..
lived at the foot of Lagrange Mountain...and did not die in prison...however, several of his kin came to an abrupt end..
If Dewitt like you...you could not have better friend...but...well you know the rest...
Yes you are on the money. One story I can tell in part is how a truck {18 wheeler} got stuck in the backwoods of $#%% a person who had a dozer got the call and pulled it out. He was going to do it for free, people were like that back then, but Dewitt would not hear of it.He opened his glove box and it was FULL of 100$ bills. He just grabbed a few and stuck them in the guys pocket, and told him if he ever needed anything to let him know.
Yes if he liked you, you knew it if he didn't then you are not reading this.
Does anyone remember the Line/Lion right across the TN state line? We would go there after about noon on Fridays in college. I can't remember if the name was The Line or The Lion. It was pretty much a dive with a big deck on back with picnic tables. They sold these huge bottles of beer- I can't think of what you call them. Quarts, maybe? Many a frat boy did I see lean over the railing on the deck and hurl all the beer he had just drank. LOL!! Even though the weekend didn't officially start until Friday, most of us began on Thursday. Weekends were just too much fun to limit to 2 days! What is funny is we still went there even after Florence became wet. That was a good 30 minute drive. Man, we did some stupid things when we were young.
That sounds like what "Bumpers" is now. I used to go there in the early 80's, but alcohol has killed the cells that retain such information and in the former nameSmiler I was a regular at Johnny's on Thursday's UNA night and would go over to B's Place to hear Jackson Highway or some other live band. We them went to the "private" Club 13 where out of work union guys from the Shoals tended bar until 2A and then headed down Chisholm, dodging State Troopers and the ST Florian policeman who always hid in the same place.
quote:
Originally posted by Tons_O_Fun:
That sounds like what "Bumpers" is now. I used to go there in the early 80's, but alcohol has killed the cells that retain such information and in the former nameSmiler I was a regular at Johnny's on Thursday's UNA night and would go over to B's Place to hear Jackson Highway or some other live band. We them went to the "private" Club 13 where out of work union guys from the Shoals tended bar until 2A and then headed down Chisholm, dodging State Troopers and the ST Florian policeman who always hid in the same place.
Which line are you talking about?
Up 43 North of Greenhill? Parkers was the place to be on Friday or Saturday nights back in my day.

If you went up to Iron City then you'd stop off at Bumper's first and then continue up to Little Sands. Be in before 12 because after that it was OUT only (unless you were a "member").

Head up Savannah Hwy and stop off at the Starlight (that is where I slung beer) or go on over to BB's.

Things always seemed to be more fun in Tennessee...
quote:
Originally posted by M9Beretta:
"The wages of Sin is death"... Kind Red Spirit If you'll check around, I think the "death" referred to in your quote, is generally considered a spiritual death.



LOL, here I am reading all about the line, and out of the blue, here comes your comment... and thanks for your take on it... but mine stays the same.. The wages of sin is death.... pure and simple...

Although religious, I do not believe there is a HELL either... for various reasons I won't go into here... I don't want to spoil the fun of everyone's memories of their party days...

And you can be a smart aleck if ya want about my nickname, I find it rather amusing Smiler Thanks Smiler
quote:
Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
quote:
Originally posted by M9Beretta:
"The wages of Sin is death"... Kind Red Spirit If you'll check around, I think the "death" referred to in your quote, is generally considered a spiritual death.



LOL, here I am reading all about the line, and out of the blue, here comes your comment... and thanks for your take on it... but mine stays the same.. The wages of sin is death.... pure and simple...

Although religious, I do not believe there is a HELL either... for various reasons I won't go into here... I don't want to spoil the fun of everyone's memories of their party days...

And you can be a smart aleck if ya want about my nickname, I find it rather amusing Smiler Thanks Smiler


Actually it's both. Since all men are sinners all will die a natural death, this is the first death. The original sin condemns us all but personally we are each sinners by nature, choice and practice. Hence the scriptures say " there is none good no not one"

The second death for those who do not believe the Gospel is a spiritual death and results in judgment of all the sins of the flesh and condemnation. Hence the scriptures say " He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
quote:
Originally posted by ppb:
Did Dewitt become a preacher in the Church of Christ before he died?

Did any of ya'll know Toehead White from Corinth, MS?




No Dewitt did not become a preacher. Dewitt died while mowing his grass at home.

Yes, Toehead White and my mother were both borne in 1920 and in Mickie TN. Mother said he was a mean kid growing up. He never bothered her but he was mean. I met him once when I was about 10 years old.

He was shot and killed and know one knows who did it although Buford Pusser is suspect by some.
I think you're thinking about Jack Hath****. He was born in 1920 at Michie. He owned the Shamrock on the TN-MS stateline a little north of Corinth. He was killed in 1964 by his ex wife Louise. She said he beat & attempted to rape her. She shot him several times.

Toehead White was born in the MS Delta around Sumner. He was born in 1936. He was killed in 1969 in Corinth in front of the El-Ray Motel. He had just come from Dewitt Dawson's. They say he & Dewitt were real tight. A cop told me that Pusser tried to take credit for his murder, but it wasn't him.

If I'm not mistaken, Dewitt's brother Donald, was arrested with Toehead in connection with a big still in Toshmingo County, MS. I think that was in 1965.

I understand that Toehead & Dewitt would rob high stake poker games.
Lord, you guys make me miss home. I was telling people at work last night/this morning that people at home (and I include Athens, Huntsville, Decatur) don't just kill people. We kill 'em in imaginative ways so we can hand down the legend from generation to generation. BBQ killers, poisoning their food, killing them and locking them in the backroom of our houses for months. I love it.
quote:
Originally posted by ppb:
I think you're thinking about Jack Hath****. He was born in 1920 at Michie. He owned the Shamrock on the TN-MS stateline a little north of Corinth. He was killed in 1964 by his ex wife Louise. She said he beat & attempted to rape her. She shot him several times.

Toehead White was born in the MS Delta around Sumner. He was born in 1936. He was killed in 1969 in Corinth in front of the El-Ray Motel. He had just come from Dewitt Dawson's. They say he & Dewitt were real tight. A cop told me that Pusser tried to take credit for his murder, but it wasn't him.

If I'm not mistaken, Dewitt's brother Donald, was arrested with Toehead in connection with a big still in Toshmingo County, MS. I think that was in 1965.

I understand that Toehead & Dewitt would rob high stake poker games.


You maybe correct, my mother is unable to communicate do to a stroke so I can't ask her.I was just going on a 45 year old memory. I do remember those names.

The guy I'm thinking of was shot from atop of a building and no one knows who fired the shot.
Toehead was shot from the roof of the El-Ray Motel. Some people say he was shot from a room. Junior Smith was arrested for it, but I don't think he was ever charged.

Toehead had just come from Dewitt's & they say that they had a shooting match in one of Dewitt's liqor warehouses. Toehead was with Shirley Smith, Junior's wife.
I think Donald is the one that was arrested with Toehead White when that big still in Toshmingo County, MS was raided. They originally set that still up in McNairy County, TN where Buford Pusser was the newly elected sheriff. He & Toehead had met in Chicago & really hit it off. I hear that Pusser was supposed to get a cut of the profits. He told them to get that still out of McNairy when the ATF was snooping around. They say that Pusser snitched on them so Toehead would go to prison. They say Pusser wanted control at the TN-MS stateline.
quote:
Originally posted by bluesman *:
Dewitt, also had other brothers, Homer Gene, Donald, Bobby, Howard, Ray and Pride.


There was a guy I knew, by way of many mutual friends, who hung out in our circle very often. By no means would I call him a friend, but we were around each other a lot through those other folks. At some point, he decided to take on a second job as a bounty hunter for a local bail bond place.

He was big and gruff and burly, and he often bragged about chasing folks down and being able to win that barfight. I pretty much ignored him until one day when he told us he was heading out that night to find [insert name here]. It was one of the Dawsons he was looking for, the more serious one that had a take-no-prisoners attitude.

I told him he should reconsider, and then I promised myself not to ever, ever, EVER be in the same room with him again, because you never know when... The next time I saw him (and only by coincidence), he was in a hospital emergency room with a pretty serious injury. Bless his heart, he should have known better.
quote:
Originally posted by bluesman *:
FV,
Dewitt was a member of the COC, IRS charges was back in 08/71 for evaded taxes. The article in the Times Daily by then reporter Rusty Cone, story title "Coin Flip Decided Guilty Plea: Dawson". Former F.B.I. agent and latter Morgan County Sheriff Steve Crabb was part of the investigation. Both of whom Dewitt and Crabb that whom I knew real will. Long history behind this, along with the old Western Truck Stop. Enough said.


Mea Culpa. I once knew a woman who was a Dawson before she married--not sure if she was Dewitt's niece or cousin. She once said he was a Baptist and she was glad of it, all things considered. I am glad to know he was reformed in whatever way he was before he died.
Toehead White, often mistakenly called Towhead, was named for his fighting style, toe to the head. He is the bad guy in the Walking Tall movies, although more fiction than truth. He was a friend of Dewitt and he did leave there the night he was killed in front of El-Ray motel in Corinth. Story is he and Dewitt were trying to shoot out a light bulb behind Dewitts house and he was very intoxicated. He stopped at the Muscle Shoals truck stop and ate catfish. He was with Jr Smiths wife and most believe she got him to give her his gun. They were good friends and Toehead was brought to Corinth by the Smiths. Most likely story is Buford had Toehead killed because he always believed Toehead was the person that put out the contract where his wife was killed and Bufords jaw was blowed away. There were four guys in the car and within a couple weeks after Buford left office 3 of the 4 met untimely deaths. 2 in Texas and 1 in Boston Harbor. The lucky dude still alive was in prison. Buford and Toehead had several incidents of trying to kill each other. As usual, it seems there was a hooker they both liked.
I know a cop in the know & he knows everything(practically everything) that went on in the Dixie Mafia. He said that Pusser was at the Thunderbird Motel in Jackson, TN with his girlfriend the night Toehead was killed. He said that informants told him that Pusser bragged about getting rid of Toehead & tried to take credit for it, but it wasn't Pusser.

He told me that Pusser had nothing to do with the deaths of the other men. He said that Pusser was into about every vice there was.

Toehead & Pusser were both messing around with the same underage black girl. They say she was hot & still is. She was supposedly light skinned, almost Creole looking. Her dad or uncle owned a joint near Guys, TN in McNairy County. I think the joint was called Willie B's.
The last time I seen Dewitt was at a now deceased mans house in the Town Creek area about 10 years ago. His hair was solid gray or white. Dewitt tried to con me with a card trick. I called him on it and all I had was $25.00. Dewitt pulled out $5000.00 and told me I had to make the wager more interesting. I could not so I did not make the bet. He then gave me a pink colored hit of speed and told me it was what he used to get up and go. He also told me that he had been bared from several casinos in Tunica. He was a card shark for sure.
Wow this really brings back some memories. Whan I was a boy, Pride Dawson was on trial for murder. They even had an article about it one of those "true crime" magazines. My mother was called for jury duty and was scared to death she would get picked. Fortunately seh did not. She said that Dewitt stood outside the courtroom and told the jurors that if his brother was convicted he would come looking for them. Pride was convicted anyway.

When I was a teenager I worked for a local furniture store. I delivered a bunch of furniture to Homer Gene's place. Like someone said earlier, there wasn't a nicer bunch of folks around if you didn't get on their bad side. A few months after my delivery Homer Gene was going to rob a bank but the FBI was tipped off. They shot him with a 12 gauge when he came through the door. The Times Daily later quoted Dewith as saying he didn't now why the FBI shot his brother, he was just going in the bank to cash a check.

Dewitt's son, Billy Ray, had the reputation of being the baddest guy around when I was growing up. I heard he got in a fight with a black kid at Colbert County High School. The black kid got arrested. Rumor was that Dewitt paid the kid's bail but the kid was scared to leave the jail.
As I recall, the guy Pride murdered was from out of town and they were playing cards. I'm not sure how long Pride was in prison.

Homer Gene survived.

As far as legitimate jobs, Dewitt was quoted in the paper one time saying he was a professional gambler. My daddy was quite a card player and was was at a game on night and Dewitt showed up. Daddy said he was nopt impressed with Dewitt's card playing skills. Dewitt just made huge bets and scared everybody else out o fth game.
Everyone in Corinth says that when Toehead came into town that the women would flock around him like Elvis. This cop told me that all women loved him. He was also one of the top criminals in the southeast. He was in on the Gypsy Camp Robbery. He was also buddies with Bill Clubb & Kirksey Nix--2 Dixie Mafia heavyweights. The FBI files on Toehead are enormous & they started photographing him in the 1960's.

Someone told me that Toehead had a screen test in Hollywood.

Toehead also killed George Fuqua & Doris Grooms after he got out of federal prison.
quote:
Originally posted by e:
My vote would have been for Steve McQueen.


Oh he would have been a good one too... but what about a modern day movie, with actors who are alive, lol... I have sit here and thought and thought and thought about it, and knowing what the Dawson's LOOKED like, I cannot think of any modern day marvels who could do it up right... Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones are the only two who come to mind.
George Clooney for Toehead. AS much as I love Tommy Lee, he's getting too old to be too rowdy any more. Billy Bob is white trashy enough. Maybe old fat beady eyed ponytailed Steven Segal? Naturally, he'd have to wear that long gown they put him in now. It really hides his weight gain well, don't you think? Mel Gibson is looking haggard enough but still good looking, how bout him?
Notice the spelling of Towhead White


The State Line Mob was an association of criminal elements that operated in the 1950's and 1960's at the Mississippi-Tennessee state line in Alcorn County, Mississippi and McNairy County, Tennessee along U.S. Route 45. The State Line Mob was involved in bootlegging, gambling, prostitution, tourist fleecing, robbery, and murder. Many of the members were from Phenix City, Alabama, having been displaced from that town when martial law was declared and the United States Army attempted to clean the town up.
The organization owned and operated motels, restaurants, and clubs at the Mississippi-Tennessee state line and in the southern portion of Alcorn County, just south of Corinth, Mississippi. These establishments were centers for every form of vice and reaped hundreds of thousands of dollars from sales of illegal moonshine and other contraband products. Primary owners were Jack and Louise Hath****, Carl Douglas "Towhead" White, and W.O. Hath****.
The State Line Mob gained national attention throughout the 1960's for its ongoing feud with famed McNairy County Sheriff Buford Pusser. The film Walking Tall and its sequels were based on Pusser's war against the State Line Mob and other criminal elements.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Line_Mob



Drive-By Truckers wrote songs about the events surrounding Pusser's wife's death and his colorful tenure as sheriff. Most notably, The Dirty South contained three consecutive songs, "The Boys from Alabama", "Cottonseed" and "The Buford Stick", that purported to tell "the other side of that story".

· Pusser's predecessor as sheriff, James Dickey, died in a car accident about two weeks before the 1964 election.
· During his tenure as Sheriff, Pusser was shot eight times and stabbed seven.
· The Buford Pusser Museum has been established at the house where he was living at the time of his death in 1974.
· Each May, there is a Buford Pusser Festival in his hometown of Adamsville, Tennessee.
· George McGann, one of Pauline Pusser's murderers, was the husband of Beverly Oliver who in 1970 claimed that she was the famously mysterious Babushka Lady who appears with her own movie camera in the Zapruder film of the actual Kennedy Assassination.
· Parents: Carl Pusser, was the Police Chief of Adamsville, Tennessee, and Helen Pusser.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buford_Pusser
Toehead was dark headed & brown eyed. He was about 6'2" & weighed around 185. He was muscular. He pumped weights in prison. Many women said he was downright pretty.

He got the name Toehead because of his fighting style. They say he could kick somebody in the head 3 or 4 times before they even knew the fight was on. Toe to the head.

He wore expensive suits. Many people thought that he was a wimpy pretty boy until they got their clocks cleaned. A guy told me that he saw him whip 3 guys at a joint near Drew, MS in the MS Delta one night.

I saw an FBI report where he got in a fight outside the Plantation Club in Corinth, MS with a golden gloves boxer. Toehead beat him so bad that his eyeball was hanging out on his cheek.

The Dixie Mafia book has a whole chapter dedicated to him & it claims that he never lost a fight. I was told by a cop that he had gotten beat down pretty bad in Parchman Prison a couple of times.
You have to watch that book called the Stateline Mob. Morris got a lot of his facts wrong. It talks about Dewitt in there & shows his picture. He looks real young. I think he said that Dawson was one of Alabama's most sought after outlaws. They say Toehead & Dewitt were real tight & that both were ladies men.

Have ya'll ever heard anything about a Balentine-Dawson feud? I think the Balentine's were from Tennessee. I have heard that Dewitt's wife's maiden name was Balentine. Do ya'll know if that's true?
My dad was a Gambler & played Poker & Shot Dice with Dewitt many times, once I remeber out in the middle of of a cotten feild under a huge shade tree , a huge dice game , my dad & Dewitt had a lot of dealings together ,once Dewitt came to our house in Town Creek looking for dad , & Mom met him at the front door & as Dewitt was walking off the proch, she kicked him in the arse . Dad was working & trying to do better , so Mom didn't want Dewitt around . Dad had a lot of the same connections from up north as Dewitt with bring Macnics in to games , as the are called, Dealers. Dad worked constrution , but gamblered & in his later years he & two ohers ran a Gambling house just out of Decatur, Poker , Back Jack, Dice , & Booked sports, cattered to Doctors , Lawyers, Car Dealers , money people they would start on a Friday & go on thru early Momday morning, with food , drinks & what ever & No they was Not going to Win! this was thru the 60' tell the early 80s for my dad.
quote:



Drive-By Truckers wrote songs about the events surrounding Pusser's wife's death and his colorful tenure as sheriff. Most notably, The Dirty South contained three consecutive songs, "The Boys from Alabama", "Cottonseed" and "The Buford Stick", that purported to tell "the other side of that story".



The Dirty South is an excellent album. I highly recommend it.
quote:
Originally posted by ppb:
You have to watch that book called the Stateline Mob. Morris got a lot of his facts wrong. It talks about Dewitt in there & shows his picture. He looks real young. I think he said that Dawson was one of Alabama's most sought after outlaws. They say Toehead & Dewitt were real tight & that both were ladies men.

Have ya'll ever heard anything about a Balentine-Dawson feud? I think the Balentine's were from Tennessee. I have heard that Dewitt's wife's maiden name was Balentine. Do ya'll know if that's true?


I'm think I remember hearing about the feud.

I'm related by marriage to the Balintine family in reference so I will ask about it and let you know what I find out.
quote:
Originally posted by Bamafnatk:
My dad was a Gambler & played Poker & Shot Dice with Dewitt many times, once I remeber out in the middle of of a cotten feild under a huge shade tree , a huge dice game , my dad & Dewitt had a lot of dealings together ,once Dewitt came to our house in Town Creek looking for dad , & Mom met him at the front door & as Dewitt was walking off the proch, she kicked him in the arse . Dad was working & trying to do better , so Mom didn't want Dewitt around . Dad had a lot of the same connections from up north as Dewitt with bring Macnics in to games , as the are called, Dealers. Dad worked constrution , but gamblered & in his later years he & two ohers ran a Gambling house just out of Decatur, Poker , Back Jack, Dice , & Booked sports, cattered to Doctors , Lawyers, Car Dealers , money people they would start on a Friday & go on thru early Momday morning, with food , drinks & what ever & No they was Not going to Win! this was thru the 60' tell the early 80s for my dad.



Did you happen to have the pleasure of meeting Nick Nicholson? He lived near Town Creek. He passed away about 4 or 5 years ago. He was a jolly story telling fella that has some of those connection you are referring to.
There is a web site hosted by Barbara Blevins. Google or Yahoo it. She was married to one of the muscle men around the state line that was a ex marine and was bad to the bone. He and Toehead got into a fight at one of the joints and he was supposedly winning until Toehead shot him in the face. I forgot his first name but if you go to the site she talks a lot about things that used to go on there. She still lives about 50 feet fron the concrete pad that was the El-Ray motel. She is on the site talking quite a bit.
he looked back as if in shock , maybe she didn't make contact, but was sure trying to, Dewitt wasn't really a bad guy ... to his friends Wink.. he didn't dress in jeans , mostly casual wear but very nice, dad dressed in suits or dress pants & white dress shirt, when not working on a job , a real job as constrution work. I offten though of them as a modren day Robin Hood, if they was makeing money ,they shared- not saying it was right in how they made the money .
Bama, bet our fathers knew each other. I think one of those guys actually bought my grandmother's place when it was auctioned and let my father live there till he died. (The guy's wife bought the property, he was in jail for something.) My mom has Alzheimer's now and can't remember which one my father told her bought the place.
Vick , I thank it may have been Dewitt , he did serve some Federal time , at what some called the County Club , in Montgremg a lot of the ones there they worked at the Golf Course , at Maxwell, I beleave Tax evanion. from what I know his wife was a very nice lady, my Mom sure was ! Dad never was around the State Line Clubs & don't think Dewitt was a whole lot. --- Bamagurl I do remember something of the Balentines around the State Line , I never was around the State Line Clubs .Just some storys
A woman told me that 2 guys got in a fight one time in a truckstop restauraunt on the MS-AL-TN line. She said there were 2 Balentines eating at a table in the same place. She said that when those 2 fighting each other would get close to the Balentine table, they would stop & move away & then go at it again. She said they could hardly fight for worrying about bumping into them. They knew the Balentines would clean their clocks if they got hit.

She also told me that she recorded some songs one time at a club the Balentine's owned. I think it was in Savannah, TN. She had a song called the Ballad of Toehead White. She said that Toehead was friends with the Dawson's, especially Dewitt & that the Balentine's & Dawson's didn't get along. She said that they had just started the Ballad of Toehead White when some of the Balentine's walked in & sit down to listen. She said she stopped the song & gathered the band around & told them the history. She went ahead & sung the song & the Balentine's didn't do anything. She said she thought they were going to have to shoot their way out of that one. She didn't know what the Balentine's would do when they heard that song. She said they all left in a hurry.
I think I saw in Pride Dawson's obituary that he was related to a Willingham. His sister may have married one. My great grandfather's half sister married a Willingham from Alabama. My great grandfather's family was from Pontotoc County, MS. They lived in Northport, AL after they married.

How was Pride related to the Willingham's?
Don't know how to start this but here goes. I started going to the state line when I was 16 years old. Club 13 then oned by Mike, spent a lot of time at Todd's. If you played FOOS BALL I and my partner beat ya!! Both places were KOOL and trouble was seldom. If u went to johnny's, sow what ya reep!! My cousin Tony owned his club the music was great. Jackson Highway rules!! I worked for FAME studios for a while with Travis Womack, Bobby Sherill RIP ,Dumpy Joe Hamilton, an Don Cartee all state line music. TREE
Just got thru reading some old messaging about the dawsons and Toe head White,Johnny Hood, Eddy, and a couple more folks. I will agree with one person, It all would make a helluva book. Dewitt one time did try have his biography written. It was written and only a few copies were ever published. It was called 'The Kingpin'. I used to have a copy of it that he gave me...It's been long gone. I was in my early twenties when I was around the Dawsons. Matter of fact, I introduced Dewitt to his wife Her name was Joyce Beavis,from Central, I believe. Dewitt was in the Colbert County Jail on an appeal from the Alabama State Pen. Raymond Wheeler was Sheriffe. My father was a major Bootlegger that supplied Beer and Whiskey to Dewitt as well as every other boot-legger in North Alabama.I was directed by my Father to set up the old 157 motel in Leighton, Al. as a bootleg outlet for Dewitt. When he got out of prison, I had him around $20,000. to start with. Yea I knew the Dawsons, All of them Pride Pinky, Howard,Donald and Homer Gene, And my favorite Bobby. I could tell you stories that is worthy of publication. I have had a helluva myself. One of these days I just may put something together so that my kids would see what their old man was as a young man. I was a bad man at one time in my life but no more. Too old and too slow. It was great reading all the things that I read. To see how the Dawsons was viewed by stories passed down thru the years. Some of it is accurate some not. I will say this, Toehead White came by my house and visited my Dad and myself then drove to Corinth, Ms. to his death. You know, Buford Pusser shot Toeheads wife in a Stateline bar she operated she died. It really pissed Toehead off. I figure Pusser was quite scared of Toehead being released and all knowing revenge comes to those who wait. I think the shot came from a parked vehicle while Toehead sat behind the wheel of his car. Toehead was a good guy as was lots of these mentioned souls were. They just chose'the other side of the law'. Only thing is, back then, There was just as many bad law as good law, or so it seems, so who was bad or good was kinda up in the air.I've known both good and bad. I am 61 Years old now. One of the 'last of the Mohicans'. Write me at my e-mail address:::::: edhavnfun@gulftel.com You all take care now.
i work with a Balentine and his father use to be pretty mean at the state line tn i have only heard a few stories also worked with a fellow and his last name was Townsend he use to go to the clubs alot he's told a few stories to me. these 2 fellow's are 60 to 65 years old yes i agree i wish someone would write a book
Dewitt Dawson: I have no idea what religion he practised (if any) but I know his wife was a member of the Church of Christ. I know this because I went to her church. Dewitt would only show up occasionally for stuff like dinners or meetings. He was a friendly guy from the few times I remember seeing him around. I have no other info about him other than the stuff I hear. Dewitt was not a preacher -- the poster who said that has Dewitt confused with another guy.

Johnny Hood: He was a barber at one time (worked at King Cotton in Florence, I think. Someone else might be able to confirm this). I know some people who used to go up to his clubs in the 60's and early 70's. I don't really feel like going into any stories they told me (though I have many). Let's just say that those clubs could be a dangerous place for your health if you messed with the wrong people. Hood was not, from what I have heard, really a member of any organized group. He might have been loosely affiliated with some people and involved in some minor drugs or something, but I don't think he was involved in any really serious mafia activity (rackiteering, drug smuggling, etc.). He was mainly just a guy who often walked on the wrong side of the law and a guy no one wanted to mess around with. There were rumours that Hood had been involved with some murders, but those are just rumours and I have no idea if they are true. When you are talking about people like Hood, everyone has their own story and a lot of the stuff is just plain BS. People tend to exaggerate.

Buford Pusser: Some of my family is from Finger, TN and I have a distant cousin who was a deputy sheriff under Pusser in McNairy Co. I don't talk to these people very often, but I have heard stories 2nd hand from some of my immediate family. I have heard basically that there is a lot of falsehoods out there about Pusser.

Pusser didn't really have anything to do with Johnny Hood or Dewitt Dawson. Buford was in a different region all together (McNairy Co. TN and northeast MS.) I guess its possible that Buford knew of the Dawsons since the Dawsons might have been connected loosely to the "dixie mafia" as depicted in Walking Tall. I know that in one of the films the Dawsons are mentioned, but not by name. They are called "that gang from Alabama" or something like that. However, I am pretty sure that Buford didn't know who Johnny Hood was.

Buford Pusser never carried a stick. That's a myth.

It's funny that this thread was started. I have thought this would make a good book (even though some of the characters didn't have any connection to the others).
Dewitt Dawson was not really a bad guy , to some he was as a Robin Hood, as my My Dad was . Dewitt and a few others was all, in this time, was friends .. as each had and did what they did , and had friends from up North to come down South if needed ! Some times it was a High Dallor Dice Games under a Shade tree in Lawrence Co. , or in a Card Game in a shack in Colbert Co.... Yes we as children had it good one day and not so good the next !! My Dad had a trade and was well repected in what he did . Mom did the best she could for us , and yes he had bad times in between Jobs , and good days at a Poker or Dice Games at times. So yes as a teenager during them times I remember the good and bad !!
quote:
Originally posted by bcmT:
Dewitt Dawson: I have no idea what religion he practised (if any) but I know his wife was a member of the Church of Christ. I know this because I went to her church. Dewitt would only show up occasionally for stuff like dinners or meetings. He was a friendly guy from the few times I remember seeing him around. I have no other info about him other than the stuff I hear. Dewitt was not a preacher -- the poster who said that has Dewitt confused with another guy.

Johnny Hood: He was a barber at one time (worked at King Cotton in Florence, I think. Someone else might be able to confirm this). I know some people who used to go up to his clubs in the 60's and early 70's. I don't really feel like going into any stories they told me (though I have many). Let's just say that those clubs could be a dangerous place for your health if you messed with the wrong people. Hood was not, from what I have heard, really a member of any organized group. He might have been loosely affiliated with some people and involved in some minor drugs or something, but I don't think he was involved in any really serious mafia activity (rackiteering, drug smuggling, etc.). He was mainly just a guy who often walked on the wrong side of the law and a guy no one wanted to mess around with. There were rumours that Hood had been involved with some murders, but those are just rumours and I have no idea if they are true. When you are talking about people like Hood, everyone has their own story and a lot of the stuff is just plain BS. People tend to exaggerate.

Buford Pusser: Some of my family is from Finger, TN and I have a distant cousin who was a deputy sheriff under Pusser in McNairy Co. I don't talk to these people very often, but I have heard stories 2nd hand from some of my immediate family. I have heard basically that there is a lot of falsehoods out there about Pusser.

Pusser didn't really have anything to do with Johnny Hood or Dewitt Dawson. Buford was in a different region all together (McNairy Co. TN and northeast MS.) I guess its possible that Buford knew of the Dawsons since the Dawsons might have been connected loosely to the "dixie mafia" as depicted in Walking Tall. I know that in one of the films the Dawsons are mentioned, but not by name. They are called "that gang from Alabama" or something like that. However, I am pretty sure that Buford didn't know who Johnny Hood was.

Buford Pusser never carried a stick. That's a myth.

It's funny that this thread was started. I have thought this would make a good book (even though some of the characters didn't have any connection to the others).


Fir Darrig, a post and paste for ya.
I'm going to ask my Dad about Johnny's club stories. I know that he was pretty much a regular and I believe he even had a personal friendship with some of these guys. We have never talked much about those days. Its the reason my mother divorced him.

He has talked alot over the years about what he considered "bad cops" in and around the MS line. He grew up in the top most corner of AL. He could be in TN, Or MS in a matter of a few minutes. I remember one story about him and one of his cousins traveling across the line into MS one night and met some girls at a bar. They were driving around with them talking and drinking, when they got pulled over. I can't remember all the details but the jest of the story was that the cops were in cahoots with the girls and they were going to rob my Dad and his Cousin, but they put up a fight and my Dad's cousin got shot in the arm. My dad was one of those country boys that would not let something like this go. He took his cousin home to his momma to get sewn up and then went got a bunch of buddies and went back across the line. They had some big fight with the cops and lots of cutting and beating and the like. Smiler I've heard him and his friends sit around and laugh and talk about those days like they were alot of fun. All I could ever think was "how awful" but then I am a girl and it seems like in another place and in another time this kind of thing was just a regular weekend and alot of fun. My Dad is 64 years old now and not in the best of health. A lot of years of living hard and fast have taken its toll on him. I am going to get him to tell me as much as he remembers before its too late to hear those stories.
quote:
Originally posted by p2bf_bama:
Who are the Balentines mentioned here? I knew the ones from Cypress Inn, they were basicly pretty good people, one was a bootlegger?


I grew up in that area. I can't think of his first name right now but the Balentine that stands out in my mind was a big guy that wore overalls every day. Nice guys. Like you said they were good people. Mostly farmers.
I vaguely remember that happening. Wasn't it before it was Dan Jones Ford? I remember stories that Nelda Stephenson worked as a bookkeeper at the time this happened for this Ford dealership and that is how she got the money and financial backing she needed to become Nelda Stephenson Chevrolet. The rumor was that she was mob connected.

This is strictly rumor and for entertainment purposes only...I have no basis for this information. Just what I have heard through the years.
quote:
Originally posted by BellaSwan:
quote:
Originally posted by Fir Darrig:
Are you talking about Bobby Mitchells Chevorlet ?


Yep. Have you heard about that murder? I am wanting to say it happened in the late 70's early 80's?


Yes , I have heard stories about it , I heard some man came in the dealership and shot at someone , cant remember, may have killed someone .
My mother bought a lemon from him and she called him and told him she would drive that car right into his picture window if he didnt make it right . Then she told him she would put a tag on the front of her car that said Bobby Mitchell Chevorlet # 1 drug dealer in the area .
Big Grin : He made the car deal right . lol
Bama, I didn't say anything negative at all. I am actually his third cousin by the way. I don't know that side of the family much b/c of alot of different reasons. I just have heard the story about his murder passed on through the generations. I just wondered if anyone had heard things I have not heard before about the murder. I really wish I did know some more of my relatives in this area.
quote:
Originally posted by Just_:
How can I save this whole thread??


Im not sure Just , but one time I wanted to save a thread that was 6 pages long . I did the copy and paste and put it in an email and sent it to myself. I bet theres an better way than that ,but it does work . Wink
quote:
Originally posted by BellaSwan:
Bama, I didn't say anything negative at all. I am actually his third cousin by the way. I don't know that side of the family much b/c of alot of different reasons. I just have heard the story about his murder passed on through the generations. I just wondered if anyone had heard things I have not heard before about the murder. I really wish I did know some more of my relatives in this area.


No Bella, you didn't say a thing out of the way. Bama was talking to me because I DID post something that I should not have. I have already deleted that part.
He wasn't talking about Bobby Mitchell or Peggy Fulton.
Right Bama? Confused
quote:
Originally posted by Fir Darrig:
quote:
Originally posted by Just_:
How can I save this whole thread??


Im not sure Just , but one time I wanted to save a thread that was 6 pages long . I did the copy and paste and put it in an email and sent it to myself. I bet theres an better way than that ,but it does work . Wink
Thanks Fir Smiler
quote:
Originally posted by blue's:
Bobby was shot over a bad car deal by a man from the Florence west side, there were all kinds of half-truths floating around that it was something else, but none was ever proven.


Thanks blues! Smiler

I heard at one time that the murderer had flown in and left after he killed Bobby.


I have read the book State Line Mob. It's very interesting to me, especially since it's close to home!
BellaSwan , cool name ..and thanks for the Job you do Smiler no as Julie said it was of something else nothing you said , lol I just home from playing golf.. a windy day for sure it was! Wink Now I am trying to catch up on what I may have missed . I know a lot about them days and many people involed and some things , I sure best not say on this forum Roll Eyes
Bobby Mitchell was shot by a man with the last name of Ingram...I left his first name off...Ingram was well known to us at the Police Department for various reasons...one is he shot his roommate while he was sleeping because when Ingram awoke he thought he smelled smoke. He assumed his roommate had blown smoke up his nose and shot him.
He was a known mental case and bobby was I belive the 5th person he had shot over the years......
We kept sending him to Bryce Mental Hospital in Tuscaloosa and they kept pronouncing him cured...
We now know who was right...
quote:
Originally posted by traderconnections:
Blues...
I believe you know who I am talking about...


Yep, I do "trader", also along with another one name "Billy Joe" last name not mention, who they said tried to take out an FPD officer and if I can remember either shot him or shot at him, I think at that time he was putting some pressure on some of the haulers of some to the whiskey that was coming in here from Missouri.

Also I talked to a retired State Trooper yesterday from Missoui, who said he knew one of the Tennesee State Trooper's who work the wreck of Bufford's and he was told there was no foul play, but as with most I still have doubt's about that watch the video RE: Link
Blues's...
Bufford by the time of the acccident had a obtained a desire for the taste of the hops and malt.
A research indicates that no test was given to determine if Pusser was intoxicated at the time of his death.
He had been in Memphis, Tenn for an announcement that he was going to play himself in another movie, that was going to be made about his life.
He was headed back home east on 64 late at night, being followed by his daughter in another car. According to witnesses that he was traveling at a speed way beyond the speed limit in the Cheverolet Corvette that he had gotten from Gene Crumps in Tuscumbia, Alabama.
I travel that road a lot and where he wrecked there is a slight upgrade and curve but nothing that would make one lose control.
He was west of Adamsville and just about home when around 12:55am his car ran off the road, and hit an embankment. He was thrown from the vehicle, killing him instantly, according to the State Trooper.
The Trooper arrived around 10 minutes after the accident to find the car engulfed in flames. What made him run off the road has not been determined. The Trooper goes on to state that it could have been a blowout or he just plain went to sleep. Foul play definitely was not involved.
The ambush that killed Pauline Pusser is still an open case with the TBI. The TBI refuses to receive any information on this case. This was a big case back in 1967 around west Tennessee. In 2 weeks it was over and Buford was back home from the hospital. All these operations that he had were mostly from another accident that really damaged his under his right eye. The injuries from the ambush were not life threating. I have the autopsy of Louise Hathcok. It appeared that Will Abernathy didn't use it in grand jury, Jim Moffit or Warren Jones didn't investigate the shooting very well. Ask any of the former and current tarven owners back in the Pusser era, he received bribes.
quote:
Originally posted by themax:
There are a lot of storys that I have heard from very reliable sources about the Dawsons. So reliable I would never even think about posting them on a public forum.


Did you know the Dawson brothers? well I'm just curious because i'm related to them some how and have their photo albums in my garage. My grandmother use to tell me many stories when i was little and some of them were about the three brothers. I've been trying to find out what i can about them but so far turned up empty handed , so anything anyone can tell me about them would be great.
does anyone out there remember black cat, doghouse, escape lounge asnd circle e club which was owned by james eddy. dewitts brother in law was bartender,bouncer at the black cat. his name was ray bevis. i used to go to all these places and learned that you will be treated good so long as you minded your own business. I had alot of friends that used to also make the rounds. dewitt was not the monster that some claim. the balentines were good people also. also back in 60s used to go to el rancho club. good ole days
Does anyone remember the Joe Wright, James Balentine and Johnny Hood murders that took place back in 1974 and 1975? It is believed that Johnny Hood shot James Balentine at his tavern on 43 (just north of the AL. State line); then someone went in and shot up Johnny before he could stand trial for James' murder. Joe ended up dead after James' son Charles shot him 3 times with a sawed-off shotgun on Cowpen Road just south of the Tennessee State line. I was Joe's step-son and I moved down to Iron City with Joe, my mom and my two sisters back in 1971. It is believed that my mom was having an affair with Abe Gable (Sheriff of Iron City). She is buried in Greenhill and her tombstone says Mother...she was 25 (died on February 4, 1973). Old Joe was put to rest a little over 2 later (April 24, 1975). This whole blog covers a lot of stories about people that I can remember hearing Joe talk about when I was a kid. I am not looking for any kind of trouble here, that stuff took place many years ago and I enjoy doing research on the crazy things that took place on the back roads and Highway 43 between Florence and south Tennessee back in the early 1970's
themax, this was started before my time here at the tdf. How fun, I totally enjoyed reading thru it. Sadly enough, Mr. Parker passed away a couple weeks ago. I have an old album that was made in the 70's by the old gang from Johnny's Club. The album cover is a picture of the band in front of the club. It's frame worthy.
quote:
Originally posted by themax:
Wow, I couldn't believe it when I saw it. An old thread I started back in 2006, was on the 1st page. It brought back many old memories, some I'd like to forget.


Did you know James Balentine, Charles Balentine or Joe Wright? How about Mitchell Simpson; I heard he shot himself about a month or so ago.
quote:
Originally posted by WesternOne:
themax, this was started before my time here at the tdf. How fun, I totally enjoyed reading thru it. Sadly enough, Mr. Parker passed away a couple weeks ago. I have an old album that was made in the 70's by the old gang from Johnny's Club. The album cover is a picture of the band in front of the club. It's frame worthy.


That would be the Dry Creek Band. They were a great band, I always loved the song Matilda.
Here's a version of it on youtube. Its not by the band but by the original singers. Wink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jLn1_shQXQ

And another one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRC_ZS2ROqE

I wish you could upload that album you have to youtube.
quote:
Originally posted by The Fonze:
Johnny Hood was a bank robber. He and a gang of bandits used to rob banks around this area. He was laid to rest in a red velvet casket at his own request. All of his gang members wound up killing each other. It made the FBI's job easy.


Before Johnny opened the bar he was a barber, I didn't know him myself as this was a bit before my time but EVERYONE I know that did know him has had nothing but good things to say about him, at least till I started reading this thread.
quote:
Originally posted by The Professor:
[QUOTE] How about Mitchell Simpson; I heard he shot himself about a month or so ago.


This just got interesting, I have not seen Mitchell in years but even as an old guy he was a pistol and had a wild side. I checked out his obit and it said he died after an extended illness. nothing about shooting himself. Anyway, I thought the world of Mitchell and would love to hear some tales from when he was younger.
Hi BFREDo7,
I drove through St Joe. on August 8 and I stopped by city springs to see the old swimming hole. Mitchell's daughter (Shirley) was there with her grand kids. My wife struck up a conversation with Shirley (I had no idea who she was when we walked past her to get to the waterfall...I had not seen her in nearly 40 years). When my wife told the lady (Shirley) who I was, she could not believe it. Shirley then walked up and told me that she was Mitchell Simpson's daughter. She then told me that Mitchell had shot himself in the head during his last days of fighting prostate cancer. Mitchell was with Joe when Charles Balentine Shot Joe Wright on Cowpen Road. In fact, he was arrested along with his daughters boyfriend (Randy Wilson) and Charles B. Mitchell and Randy were released the next day, and Charles was charged with Joe's murder.



quote:
Originally posted by BFred07:
quote:
Originally posted by The Professor:
[QUOTE] How about Mitchell Simpson; I heard he shot himself about a month or so ago.


This just got interesting, I have not seen Mitchell in years but even as an old guy he was a pistol and had a wild side. I checked out his obit and it said he died after an extended illness. nothing about shooting himself. Anyway, I thought the world of Mitchell and would love to hear some tales from when he was younger.
quote:
Originally posted by BFred07:
...
Before Johnny opened the bar he was a barber, I didn't know him myself as this was a bit before my time but EVERYONE I know that did know him has had nothing but good things to say about him, at least till I started reading this thread.


I knew Johnny since i was a kid, also knew his parents. The Johnny i knew was a good person.
quote:
Originally posted by blue's:
Them were the days of old and should be forgotten and laid to rest.

Royal flush
Straight flush
Four of a kind
Full house
Flush
Three of a kind


Hi blue's.
I hope that I didn't "strike a nerve." I was just caught up in the whole mess when I was a kid, and I enjoy researching and sharing what I know. As I said before, I am not looking for trouble here; I have long gotten over what took place down there. No hard feelings of any kind.
Two pair
One pair
High card.

Enough said.
Yes, this has been fun. I roll through Saint Joe, Iron City, and the "Coon-dog Cemetery" in Cherokee Alabama on a regular basis (2 to 3 times a year). I always drop off on 412 west to hit 43 South. I stop at (when headed south) the St. Joe Cemetery off of main street to see old Joe (Wright), then I drive past my old house on Davis street (where I found my mom dead)... gunshot through the heart (suicide,,,didn't want to mess up her pretty face at 25 years old). I will post more on the "pre-Joe wright, Balentine episode" in a few days. I still have a scar (at 43 years old) on my right hand where the palm meets the thumb, from a 38 caliber chrome pistol that old Joe tried to teach me how to shoot; I was and am left handed. Peace out and love for now, I want to concentrate on putting together all of my research....P.S. don't speed past the Shoal creek bridge in Iron City (227); those young Cops will write you a well deserved ticket; I remember reading about a fool that tried to burn up his truck after he hit a lady,,,, then decided to cover his tracks by committing murder.

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