Notes: Robert L. Hipp was a rising star in early North Alabama politics until a fateful day in April of 1905. Blount County marriage records and Federal Census suggest Robert L. Hipp was son of Lieurgus Montaville Hipp and Lety Hyatt, who were married 1 Feb 1872. Robert was born 13 Feb 1873. The 1880 census recorded L.M. Hipp had divorced Lety and was living with his father, Levi W. Hipp near Brooksville. Incidently, L.M. Hipp was the census enumerator for that area in 1880. Levi and his son L.M. Hipp were both ex-Confederates in Company C of Stewart's Battalion of Alabama Cavalry. Lety and Robert were not located on the census for 1880. However, in a few short years, Robert L. Hipp was making a name for himself. Hipp was educated locally and became a Professor and taught school in Blount and Cullman counties. Hipp was very active in the Democratic party throughout the 1890s. In 1900, he was living with his mother, Letie S. Hipp, near Hanceville, which at the time was in Blount County. Later that year, he was elected as a State Senator. On 23 Aug 1900, the Southern Democrat wrote: Blount county will have two of her brightest young men in the next Legislature-W.E. Dickson in the House and R.L. Hipp in the Senate. They are men who have the ability to do something for our county and state and we hope they will not disappoint us. The Southern Democrat, 20 Apr 1905 Senator Hipp Meets Death In An Awful Tragedy. A most dastardly and distressing tragedy occurred near Joppa in Cullman County, on Apr. 11th, and as a result Senator Robert L. Hipp is dead and Deputy Dunlap is painfully wounded. The facts as near as can be learned are that Deputy Sheriff in company with Senator Hipp, R.E. Ryan, a liveryman, Constable Giles of Joppa precinct and a Mr. Holmes of Joppa went out to serve some papers of ejectment upon a man by the name of John Williams, who had previously been ejected from the premises but had returned without legal permission. Senator Hipp was the attorney in the case and he and Dunlap stepped in at the front door and informed Williams of their mission at the same time reading the papers to him. Williams accepted the situation very coolly and seemed to submit without a word of protest, inviting them into the house. There was no thought of trouble by either Dunlap or Hipp. Deputy Dunlap called to Constable Giles and Holmes, who were in the yard, to come in, at the same time placing his hand upon some pieces of furniture, whereupon the wife of Williams remarked: "Don't you move any of that stuff," and signaled her husband to open fire, which he did with deadly effect. The first shot struck Deputy Dunlap in the breast and he started for the front door while Senator Hipp was making for the rear door, when Williams turned the weapon upon him and fired, the ball striking the Senator in the head. Hipp walked around the house and fell, while Dunlap, realizing the seriousness of his wound and suffering from the loss of blood, made his way to a neighboring house. Seeing Giles, Holmes and Ryan on the outside, Williams then turned upon them and continued his murderous fusillade by firing several shots at them. They also sought shelter of the nearby woods. Williams evaded arrest for several days but was finally captured in Marshall county and carried to Huntsville jail where he will remain until the grand jury meets. Senator Hipp was born and reared in Blount county and the Democratic party had always delighted to honor him. He was nominated for County Superintendent of Education before he was 21 years of age and was afterwards nominated and elected to the State Senate. He distinguished himself as one of the leading members of that body. Whenever he was known for his ability was recognized and his ambition admired. He made friends wherever he went and his death has cast a gloom over the entire state. The Southern Democrat 8 Jun 1905 John Williams was convicted of the murder of Senator R.L. Hipp at Cullman last week and sentenced to hang on July 14th. An appeal to the Supreme Court has been taken. Notes: Williams' ultimate fate is undetermined at this writing. Robert L. Hipp was buried in the Cullman City Cemetery. His father, L.M. Hipp second married Rollie A. McMurry in 1906. L.M. Hipp died in 1926. Rollie was in Marshall County in 1950 when she died. L.M. and Rollie are buried in the Rock Springs Cemetery. Their children included Marvin L. and Arthur Hipp. Grandfather Levi Hipp died in 1899 and was buried in the isolated Blue Ridge Cemetery near Brooksville.