Chris, I understand your desires for Tom and the events surrounding his murder...and will help you here..... However.....let me take a few steps deeper....where you may not want to go....EVER ....to set the dynamics and nature of the people who shot your ancestor......your choice....been here..done this.....Get some Balls....... The Associated Press today published a story on 'Black Lynchings' and 'Land Grabs' by WHITES from the 'upstart niggers' who were progressing 'to fast' for their local communnities post Civil War. Unbeknownst to most 'White Folks", the Chicago Tribune has been compiling since 1880, a list of 'nigger' lynchings, per County, till the 1960's. Guess what........??????? Do you know, BENTON COUNTY HAS NEVER HAD A BLACK LYNCHING.....NADA...ZERO....NEVER. WHY???? (Chris, this fact is important to your search). Nor Houston (but IT is a NEW county, ca. 1870). Stewart, HENRY, Humphreys & Perry have ALL LYNCHED NIGGERS between 1880 and 1930....not once... but UPTO 5 TIMES during the period...(Read the AP story for your answers.........Talk to folks about 'The BLACK BOTTOMS' in Paris.........you will begin to understand.the 'NATURE' of these folks......I come from a different place and time.....don't understand them.....they 'marry their own'....happened and can under Tennessee Law in the last few years........(email me "privately" and I tell you who and when) Do You have any Idea of from where the KKK came up with the Idea of the Burning Cross........and what It Means ????? Look to the Revolutionary War Scots and the 'Battle of 'Widow Moors Creek Bridge' for the answer......... You're a JOURNALIST.........search the truth....... Dave