EAGLEVILLE TIMES March 1-15, 2009

A Step Back in Time By Bobbie Sue Shelton-Lonas TRAGEDY IN THE MCCALL FAMILY The McCall name has been a highly McCall has called this area home. His wife just called me, but she was too Constable McArthur related to Sheriff respected one in Williamson County for over Mr. Samuel Lycurgus McCall, was the hysterical to give me any further details. Fox that Mrs. McCall had recalled there one hundred and fifty years. It is uncertain grandson of Lycurgus and Emeline McCall Can you meet me there at once?” were three bandits involved. Two were where the McCall’s lived before migrating and son of Laban Hartley McCall and his Promising to leave immediately, Fox masked and the third, which she thought to this area, but some was known to be in wife Tennessee Samuella Scales McCall. cradled the receiver and dressed hurriedly. she could identify, was the one that burned North Carolina before the Revolutionary He was born February 24, 1867 and married The McCall farm, he reflected, was about her husband’s feet and legs. War. This is evidenced by the muster roll in 1894 to Nancy Ann Crafton, daughter of fifteen miles from Franklin, and five miles Mrs. McCall was a frail little woman in of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina James Edward and Nancy Matilda Creswell from Allisona in the southeast section of her late fifties. It was apparent that the under Captain Alexander. The roll contains Crafton. He had four children: Carrie, Williamson County. The sparsely settled robbery had unnerved her. She sat stiffly such surnames as Wallace, Brown, Walker, Bessie, Jim and Jessie. Mr. Jim McCall Flat Creek Community was in the same in a straight-backed chair, and glanced Neel, McCord, Robinson, Steel, Reed, and his wife, Nannie made their home vicinity that another robbery had occurred up nervously when the two investigators Alexander and McCall. All of these names in Eagleville for a few years before their only a month before, but despite the tireless entered the room to talk with her. She are familiar ones in the Flat Creek area. deaths. Jack McCall, son of Mr. and Mrs. efforts of McArthur, it was still unsolved. stated they were in the habit of retiring Many times families and friends traveled to Jim McCall, and his wife, Alline, presently With this in mind, Fox called the night early and were getting ready for bed at the new territory together in wagon trains live in Eagleville. nine-thirty when they heard a pounding at and settled in the same general area. The turnkey at the county jail. “Round up all Note: Additional McCall Family History is the available deputies in this district,” the front door. They had been a little afraid first McCall found in southeast Williamson at nights, since the robbery last month, (Mr. County was Lycurgus McCall, born in published in the “Flat Creek, It’s Land and he instructed the officer, “and have them It’s People”. Thanks to Ennis Wallace for stand by. There’s been another robbery White, who lived in the area, had also been 1814. He married Emeline M. Hartley in robbed) so Sam slipped his pistol in his 1837, daughter of Laban (Jr.) and Nancy permission to use the above information. near Allisona, and I might need them on a moment’s notice. pocket before answering the door. She had Carson Hartley. They were parents of eight * * * * * remained in the bedroom and could hear children; Laban Hartley, Hulda Rebecca, PART I Lights burned brightly throughout the them talking. I couldn’t tell what they were William Lafayette, Nancy Marenda, Robert rambling old farmhouse, set far back off saying, but Sam’s voice was angry. Then I TERROR IN FLAT CREEK Lycurgus, Alexander, Tennessee E., and the winding country road, when the Sheriff heard a shot,” she said. Virginia C. All of these children were born It was shortly after 10 p.m., August arrived at the robbery scene thirty minutes Before she could reach the front room, in Williamson County and grew up in the 14th, 1933, and Sheriff Charles Fox of later. Leaving his car in the graveled however, three men were forcing her Choctaw area. Franklin, Tennessee, was awakened when driveway, he mounted the front steps and husband back towards the bedroom. One his telephone began its disturbing ring. was met at the door by McArthur, who Lycurgus was a dedicated citizen, of them, she related, had a pistol. Realizing Sleepily, he rolled out of bed and reached had been watching for his arrival. The apparently well liked and well educated, it was a hold up; Mrs. McCall picked up her for he served the county many years as a for the noisy instrument. Constable motioned for him to follow, and a few seconds later Fox was standing in a purse, containing $250, and threw it out the Magistrate. Lycurgus’ family home was “This is Constable Herman McArthur at high-ceilinged bedroom on the west side of bedroom window. situated on Choctaw Road, where he was a Allisona,” the familiar voice informed him. the house. She continued, “I thought they would schoolmaster. He gave the land on which “There’s been a robbery at Sam McCall’s search the house, and leave when they didn’t the first Choctaw School was built. Many place over in the Flat Creek Community, Mr. Sam McCall had been tortured, and find money, but, instead they tied Sam and descendents of Lycurgus and Emeline and he’s been badly hurt—may be dying. beaten into unconsciousness. He lay across a blood-splotched bed, unaware of the me in chairs and began threatening to torture efforts of a physician to stem the flow of the information out of him, if he didn’t tell blood from three gaping wounds just above where his money was. I knew they meant NNowow OpenOpen the left temple. Large blisters on both legs business, and I pleaded with Sam to let me were mute evidence of the painful torture tell them, but he was stubborn, and told me TThursdayhursday - SundaySunday he had been subjected to before the bandits to keep quiet. One of the men began hitting fled. him over the head with a blackjack, and the ((615)615) 896-4568896-4568 other began to burn his legs and feet. The OOldld RadiosRadios - BooksBooks The doctor informed Sheriff Fox that third one ransacked the house. Finally, the McCall had a possible fracture of the man with the blackjack hit him a terribly GGlasswarelassware - JewelryJewelry skull, and third-degree burns on both legs hard blow, and Sam just slumped down. I and the shock, alone, could easily prove thought he was dead, and told them where I RRecordecord AlbumsAlbums fatal to a man of Mr. McCall’s age. It had thrown the money.” was determined that Mr. McCall needed OOldld MagazinesMagazines immediate attention, and an ambulance After learning the hiding place of the was called to transport him to a hospital in money, the trio of bandits left. Mrs. McCall OOldld PhotosPhotos - More.More.. Nashville.” Upon arrival of the ambulance, stated a few seconds later she heard them the physician accompanied Mr. McCall to outside the window. They were counting the hospital the money, and when finished, one said, “There’s supposed to be more here than Despite his sixty-nine years, time had this. Well, we ain’t got time to go back,” RRalstonalston AntiquesAntiques been kind to the farmer, the Sheriff noted. she heard another say. “I think we killed His large frame was as well muscled as him. Let’s get away from here.” MMainain SStreettreet - EaglevilleEagleville TennesseeTennessee the average, far younger man’s and it was not hard to understand why a man of his Sheriff Fox asked Mrs. McCall if they physical appearance had chosen to resist had more money in the house during recent WWherehere youyou cancan dropdrop offoff youryour articlesarticles & photosphotos forfor thethe EaglevilleEagleville Times.Times. the bandits. weeks. March 1-15, 2009 EAGLEVILLE TIMES Page 13

“About three weeks ago, Sam drew With the arrival of the bloodhounds, the Mr. McCall must have shot at them $3000 out of the bank to buy another farm. two investigators noted with no little concern since there were no marks to indicate The $250 was what we had left after the that news of the brutal torture robbery had that a shot was fired into the room. purchase,” she answered. spread throughout the community. Grim- Returning to their automobiles in Fox obtained the name of the bank faced farmers, armed with shotguns and the driveway, McArthur offered: through which the transaction was carried rifles, had assembled in the shadows of the “There are two angles here that out, and then inquired, “Were they in an McCall lawn, eager to join the chase for the convince me that the McCall bandits automobile?” “If they were, I didn’t hear bandits. are the same who robbed White. it—either before or after the robbery,” she “We’ll have to keep our eyes on those boys,” One is the fact they mentioned there said. Fox requested descriptions. The McArthur confided in Pugh. “McCall and should be more money—indicating unmasked bandit Mrs. McCall described his wife are probably the best liked folks in they knew about the farm money— as being about fifty, short and stocky of the county, and their neighbors won’t stop and the second is that they tortured build, and gray haired. He was wearing at anything to avenge this brutal attack.” McCall in precisely the same fashion a white shirt and dark trousers. His two The guard nodded understandingly. He they threatened White.” The White companions were taller and younger. The had operated with his dogs in Williamson robbery had involved only $50 blackjack wielder wore a white shirt and County before. The well-trained hounds and a pistol. McArthur continued, tan trousers, while the third was dressed in picked up the scent without trouble and at “White had twenty five $20 gold blue denim shirt and light pants. Constable a word from their master, struck off across pieces which he had buried in his McArthur related to the Sheriff that Mrs. the lawn. Flashlights and lanterns blinked backyard. When he was robbed, the McCall’s descriptions fit perfectly the men ominously in the darkness as the peculiarly leader, who answers the description who robbed T. L. White during the latter mixed posse representing both the law and of the old man in the McCall case, part of July. volunteer amateurs—ran and stumbled to told him that he knew about the gold Six deputies had been summoned and keep close on the heels of the bellowing pieces and wanted them. But White were given descriptions of the bandits. dogs. insisted he had deposited them in the The deputies divided into pairs and began bank. They slapped him around a bit, Reaching the roadway, the trail turned and threatened him with all kinds of checking all the service stations and cafes west towards Franklin for about one quarter still open between Franklin and Columbia torture, but apparently he convinced of a mile, and then stopped abruptly in the them he didn’t have the money. They and between Franklin and the Davidson middle of the narrow pike. Brining his County line. The State Highway Patrol was seemed satisfied with the fifty dollars torch into play, Fox studied the markings and gun, but told him they would kill also notified and given descriptions of the in the thick summer dust that covered the trio. him if they ever learned he had lied shoulder of the roadway. After finding tire to them. Samuel Lycurgus McCall and Nancy Ann Crafton Sheriff Fox put through a call to the state tracks that looked fresh, they had no doubt McCall with children Carrie, Bessie, Jim and Jessie penitentiary at Nashville and requested that that a car was apparently used in the robbery. Meanwhile, the Williamson County deputies reported little success when he explained, “they got me just as I was bloodhounds be sent immediately. Guard Crossing the road, Sheriff Fox played his returning to the house from the stock barn. Ed Pugh was dispatched to the scene with light on the ground, and discovered similar Sheriff Fox returned to his office. One deputy did report that he found a service It was dark, and I couldn’t see them well”. his dogs. tire prints in the soft dirt of a driveway “Did you ever mention having those gold leading into a cornfield. “They drove station attendant who said, he waited on Fox and McArthur returned to the bedroom three men a short time before nine o’clock pieces to any of your neighbors or friends?” in search of clues. The Sheriff had little in from the direction of Franklin, turned the county official asked. around here and headed the car back. Then on the Franklin Road, near the Davidson hope that the two strands of rope he found, County line. He wasn’t sure about the “I might have, but I don’t recall having used to bind the victim would be of any they walked down to McCall’s, pulled the robbery and came back here. That accounts descriptions of two of the, but the driver done so. But I’m sure the bandits were no help in the investigation. It was of a cheap was a gray haired fellow, wearing a white one I had ever seen before. I don’t think make, similar to that sold in all general for Mrs. McCall not hearing an automobile was the Sheriff’s assumption. With this shirt. They drove off in the direction of my neighbors would have had anything to merchandise stores for use as clothesline. Franklin. He thought the car was a black do with it.” However, he pocketed the pieces for future announcement, the posse began to break up slowly, the men returning to their homes. sedan with Davidson County License “Possibly not, but rumors spread quickly reference, if needed. number, but wasn’t for sure. Fox relayed Fox and McArthur, returning to the and some innocent party might have passed Bits of charred newspaper used to torture this information to the highway patrol in it on to the wrong person.” the farmer were still scattered about the farmhouse, found that a neighbor couple Nashville. The Sheriff gave his deputies floor. Carefully, Fox picked up one partially had offered to stay with Mrs. McCall for samples of the rope found at the McCall Later in the day, Fox decided to go to burned piece, apparently used by the bandit the night. They had a few more questions home with instructions to check general the Nashville and ask them to check for as a grip for his crude torch. for Mrs. McCall about her husband’s pistol. merchandise stores in the area. After fingerprints on the piece of newspaper used “I suppose they took it away from him. I reading about some robberies in Cheatham as the torch to torture McCall. Elkins Lewis, “I don’t know if they can get fingerprints never saw it after he went to the door. and Maury Counties recently, Fox thought a veteran chief of the Nashville Detective off paper like this,” he told McArthur, “but But the pistol one of the bandits had, was it could be the same gang committing these Department met with Sheriff Fox. Lewis we can try it.” (The science of fingerprint not his. Sam’s gun was nickel plated and crimes. listened while the Sheriff told his story comparison was just beginning to become pearl handled. The one they had was blue about the robberies. He immediately started poplar in Tennessee at the time of the steel with a wood handle,” she answered. Sheriff Fox decided it was time to talk checking files on out-of-town robberies and McCall robbery, and full knowledge of Constable McArthur stated to the Sheriff, he to Mr. White, the previous robbery victim requested four of his veteran detectives, this phase of crime detection had not yet didn’t see a pistol when he helped the doctor again. George Redmon, Jack Setters, Witt Scruggs spread to the small outlying districts. Only take McCall’s trousers off so he could treat The victim was unable to supply any and Pete Williamson to come to his office. the four larger cities, Nashville, Memphis, his legs. While studying the living-room information other than what he had Continued in the Mid-March edition of the Chattanooga and Knoxville, had set up walls and ceiling, the Sheriff concluded that previously given the Constable. “You see,” identification bureaus.) Eagleville Times EAGLEVILLE TIMES March 16-31, 2009

A Step Back in Time By Bobbie Sue Shelton-Lonas TRAGEDY IN THE MCCALL FAMILY The following article is Part II of a masked, and a third unmasked bandit, who story that Mrs. McCall had gold Sheriff contact them. Jones returned immediately true story, TRAGEDY IN THE MCCALL answered the description of the torch man, Fox. He added, however, that the unmasked to his uneventful mode of existence, and it FAMILY, that appeared in the Step Back in the McCall case. bandit leader had told him at the door that was soon apparent that he was in no way In Time section of the March 1-15, 2006 Following the Roesch robbery, in early he knew McCall had $3000 in the house, connected with the series of robberies. Eagleville Times. 1933, the same or a similar group struck a and that he wouldn’t be hurt if he turned it Then just before August faded into On August 14th, 1933, Mr. and Mrs. farm home in Hickman County. The bandits over quickly. September, the gang struck again. Seldom Sam McCall of the Flat Creek, Williamson used a blackjack and threats of torture, but “That was when I shot,” he continued, in the crime history of the State of Tennessee County Tennessee Community was only received $190 from the victim. “but in the darkness my aim was bad. Then has a robbery been pulled in such brazen robbed by three bandits. Mr. McCall was A short time later Daniel Boone, an all three of them grabbed me, and one of defiance to a law enforcement officer. It severely beaten and tortured by fire being eccentric resident of Cheatham County, them took my gun.” was shortly before 8 p.m., and Mrs. Josie set around his feet and legs. This was the who lived on the banks of the Cumberland He added that he could remember no one in Ellis and Mrs. Beulah Robinson were alone second robbery to happen in this section of River, and around whom many tales of the bank at the time he withdrew the $3000. in the modest little home, they shared on the Williamson County within a month. The hidden wealth had been built, was robbed “But I reckon there were lots of folks who Franklin Road, just beyond the Davidson first robbery of Mr. T. L. White netted the by three men who escaped with a small knew I was going to buy a new farm. I had County line, in Williamson County. After robbers of only $50.00. The Williamson amount of cash and his automobile. The talked it over with several neighbors—the hearing the knock Mrs. Ellis wondered who County Sheriff Charles Fox asked and stolen car was recovered later, but again the price and everything.” could be at their door at that time night. received assistance from the Nashville Opening open the door, she found herself lack of knowledge of fingerprint science With Identification Officer Dixon, the Tennessee Detective Department to work on the part of county officers, had played looking down the barrel of a pistol, clutched on these robberies, which turned out to be four Nashville detectives accompanied Fox tightly in the hand of a poorly dressed man, its part in allowing the bandits to escape, back over the eighteen miles to Franklin. a much bigger problem than first expected. undetected. looked to be in his early thirties. Stifling Four detectives, George Redmond, Jack Dixon reported hat he was unable to a scream, Mrs. Ellis backed up before Setters, Witt Scruggs and Pete Williamson Then, early in June, a few weeks before the obtain anything but smudges at the McCall the menacing revolver. Less than fifteen were assigned to this case White robbery, Charlie Rohrer, a Scottsboro residence. Penitentiary officials were minutes later, the two horrified women had farmer, had reported the loss of $300 and a contacted by phone, but had no records on * * * * * been relieved of all their valuables and a pistol to three bandits, who beat him with a the release of any prisoner known to use the small amount of cash by the bandit, who A FATAL AMBUSH blackjack, and threatened him with torture. torture method in robberies. warned them, “Remember what happened After Elkins Lewis, veteran chief of the However, in each of these reports, there Bank employees were questioned, but like to old man McCall”? You wouldn’t want Nashville Detective Department, summoned was mention that a fourth bandit had McCall, did not remember seeing anyone of that to happen to you, would you?” the four detectives, they were introduced remained in the car. Each file referred to the suspicious character in the bank, at the time When he had reached the front door to Sheriff Fox from Franklin. Lewis gave elderly, gray-haired bandit leader—except the farmer made his withdrawal three weeks preparing to leave, the gunman turned to the officers a sketchy outline of the facts in the Rohrer robbery. Descriptions of his before the robbery. They all vigorously Mrs. Ellis, and twisted his mouth into a in the McCall case, and added: “Sheriff two companions varied as to size and age. denied having discussed the transaction mocking grin. “You can tell that copper Fox seems to think these robberies might Detective Redmond reminded the others with anyone outside the bank, and were nephew of yours that it won’t do him any have been pulled by the same bandits that that the descriptions could be the result quickly eliminated. good to try to get us. He’ll never do it.” have been operating in other surrounding of faulty memories, or it could mean that Returning to Nashville, the four city Mrs. Ellis stood still for several seconds counties. I’d suggest you go through this there are more than four men in the gang, detectives furnished the pawnshop detail after he had left before realizing the full file, and pick out those that appear to be alternating on each job. “I don’t think with descriptions of the weapons taken in import of the gunman’s words. Detective similar. It shouldn’t be hard, since most there’s any doubt about it being the same the McCall, White and Rohrer robberies, George Redmond was her nephew. gangs vary little in their technique.” gang, because of the frequent mention in the hope that some member of the gang A few minutes later, the Nashville Police While the quartet of detectives thumbed of the unmasked leader. His absence in might attempt to dispose of them. Department was throwing a blockade across through the thick stack of reports, Joe the Rohrer robbery, though, puzzles me,” Four days later, Constable McArthur the Franklin Road, in an effort to intercept Dixon, an identification officer, examined Redmond stated. thought they had turned up the first lead. the bandit. Informed of the robbery, the partial piece of newspaper that was used The detective crossed the room, and pulled Sid Jones, an Allison resident was picked up Redmond and his three companions rushed to burn Mr. McCall, brought in by Sheriff down a huge map of middle Tennessee. on suspicion after the hard working officer to the scene, while at Franklin, Sheriff Fox, but was unable to lift a print. “I’ve noticed in those reports,” he began, had uncovered information that the man had Fox ordered a blockade established at the Upon checking the files of old crime “all of those robberies extend out from openly discussed McCall’s purchase of a city limits. Neither Mrs. Ellis nor Mrs. reports, the Nashville officers uncovered Davidson County like spokes on a wheel. I new farm, mentioned the fact that the farmer Robinson had seen an automobile, but they four unsolved stick-up robberies—all of agree that everything tends to prove that the had withdrawn several thousand dollars. were certain they heard one speed away on which bore the unmistakable label of the gang is centered right here in our county. The tall, sandy-haired suspect denied all the highway shortly after the robbery. They torture bandits. In each instance, victims had But where a local mob manages to get its knowledge of the robbery, but admitted described the bandit as being of average reported that the gangsters had threatened information is another thing. That has me having discussed McCall’s financial status. size, having brownish hair and wearing them with burning, and that one of the men stumped.” He was able to furnish an ironclad alibi for thick-lenses glasses. The description of this had been adept in the use of a blackjack. his whereabouts on the nights of the White bandit was different from all the others they The detectives decided it was time to had heard. The description was relayed to These four robberies all took place before talk with Mr. McCall again. A call to the and McCall Robberies. It was decided the White and McCall episodes. they would lock up Mr. Jones but during headquarters where it was issued to police city hospital revealed that the farmer had throughout middle Tennessee. First of the unsolved stick-up robberies regained consciousness but was still in the next few days, no evidence could be was the 1932 robbery of John Roesch, a critical condition. The officers were allowed found to connect Jones with the gang and As Redmond heard his aunt relate wealthy farmer near Santa Fe, Tennessee, only a few minutes with the victim. he was released. McArthur was assigned the bandit’s message, a surge of anger to watch his every move in the belief that swept over him. There was no attempt at in Maury County. Roesch had been robbed Still dazed, but apparently rational in his of $3600 by three men, two of whom were if he were connected in any way with the dramatics when he said, “I’m going to get statements, McCall told precisely the same torture gang he would make an effort to that guy if it’s the last thing I ever do.” But Flat Rock, it would be simple for them to Bush went on trial in Franklin, before A few seconds earlier Detective Setters by dawn it was apparent that the bandit had double back to the Nolensville Road while Circuit Court Judge Wirt W. Courtney. The had received a similar call at his home. slipped through the tightly drawn dragnet, we were blocking Franklin Road.” White and McCall robberies stirred the However, the caller had not given a name the various law enforcement agencies had Agreeing to help the detectives, Mrs. citizens of the Flat Creek Community, as and had instructed the officer to go to a thrown around the area. Ellis and Mrs. Robinson was driven to the well as the surrounding area. An overflow house on Tenth Avenue, North, where he At eight o’clock the following morning, state penitentiary to view a rogue’s gallery crowd came to court the day of the trial, would be given information on the torture the four Nashville detectives were back at mug shot of the dangerous gunman, and even small children. Mr. Jim McCall, son gang. the scene. With them were Sheriff Fox and identified Buddy Bush immediately. “That’s of Sam McCall, recounted to his family When Redmond telephoned Setters, the Constable McArthur. Since the detectives the man,” Mrs. Ellis said firmly. “I’d know before his death that on the day of the trial, latter officer had already gone. Mrs. Setters were working out of their jurisdiction, him anywhere.” in the courtroom, he, (Mr. Jim McCall) was had not been informed of the nature of the the Williamson officers were called in to given a shotgun by a court officer, and told call. Redmond drove to police headquarters With these new clues and identification, him to shoot and kill the Bush man. Mr. assist in questioning witnesses. These their investigation lead them to a gang and picked up Detectives Leo Flair and Ed law enforcers wondered if the “McCall “ McCall said he wanted no part in that, and Badacour to accompany him to Bush’s infested barbeque business establishment he put the gun down. job were mentioned, only to throw them located in the Flat Rock area of Nashville. establishment. In the meantime, Setters had off track, also wondering if the last robber The owner and operator, Buddy Bush, had The trial was speedy and a jury returned arrived at the address in North Nashville had been used as the lookout in the other been committed to prison on a charge of a verdict of guilty, setting sentence at eight only to find it deserted and showing signs holdups, and was probably enlisted for this voluntary manslaughter in April 1927. He years. Defense attorneys filed an appeal of not having been occupied over a long job by himself because the gang figured no served two years of the ten-year sentence to the Supreme Court and the gunman was period of time. Puzzled, he returned to his more than one would be needed to rob two and was paroled on January 14, 1930. But released under bond pending action of the home. helpless old women. on April 4th, 1930, he was back in prison higher court. When Redmond, Flair and Badacour The officers searched the Ellis lawn in serving a flat three-year sentence for Intense investigation continued, and approached the Dew Drop Inn shortly before an effort to locate some clue that might housebreaking and larceny. In November several other gang members were brought ten o’clock, they found the establishment in help them trace the elusive bandit. Nothing 1931, he attempted an escape, shooting G. in for questioning, with one of them finally, darkness. Inside a radio had been turned was found there, but near the driveway Fox W. Page, a guard, in his unsuccessful try announcing he wished to confess and within up full volume. Flair was driving with discovered a fresh set of tire prints. He was to crash out. From one to five years was an hour, officers had the names of four other Redmond sitting next to him and Badacour quick to point out that they did not resemble added to his sentence, but a lenient parole gangsters that had been involved in the was on the rear seat. “Wonder what’s wrong the prints he found at the scene of the board had seen fit to grant the gunman his robberies. The confessor refused to name with the lights?” Flair remarked. McCall robbery. freedom on Feb. 6, 1933. Buddy Bush in any robberies, other than the Before either of his companions could Dixon was summoned and made Descriptions on the robbers, given by Ellis holdup. The officers were now certain answer, orange flame leaped from the side photographs of the markings. Working on their victims, soon began matching up that Buddy Bush was involved in other window of the inn, and a rifle bullet tore the theory that since the robbery was staged with the clientele of the Dew Drop Inn rackets and was possibly using his barbecue through the windshield of the police car and at such an early hour, some resident along operated by Buddy Bush. Mug shots of the stand as a front for disposing of stolen crashed through the rear window. Badacour the highway might have seen the bandit’s gang members were shown to the robbery property, taken in robberies throughout the tumbled out of the back and began racing car, the six officers began to scour the area, victims, who were able to identify some country. for a telephone to summon aid, realizing questioning persons at each home. of them. Officers were now certain that Redmond, Setters, Scruggs and that they were being ambushed. Flair took Finally, at the home of a salesman who Buddy Bush was involved in other rackets Williamson decided to pick Bush up cover behind a rock wall at the side of the worked for a wholesale outfit in Nashville, and was possibly using his barbecue stand again for questioning, but Bush remained road. Redmond leaped from the car and ran Detectives Setters and Scruggs found as a front for disposing of stolen property steadfastly, maintaining his innocence. He to the front door of the stand. “Buddy!” he the information, for which they had been taken in robberies throughout the country. was finally released and as he stepped from shouted. “Buddy, open this door. For answer, searching. The young salesman said he Redmond refused to heed the advice of the automobile, Scruggs warned, “Buddy, Bush shoved the barrel of an automatic had seen a car parked in front of the Ellis his fellow officers to hold off on picking you’d better get some more lawyers, because shotgun through the glass window, and sent residence on the previous night, when he up Bush in the hopes of trapping other you’re going to need more than you’ve got. a load of buckshot plowing into the brave was returning from work. He stated he members of the gang. “Maybe he’ll break, if We’re going before grand juries in several officer’s side; Redmond staggered back and had seen the same car parked in front of we take him by surprise,” Redmond argues. counties tomorrow and I think we’ve got then pitched forward on his face. Shoving Buddy Bush’s place over in Flat Rock, on “Anyway, I’m taking no chances with him enough to get indictments against you.” open the front door, Bush fired another load numerous occasions and believed the car getting wise and fleeing the state.” Arrested “From now on I’ll take care of this my own of shot into the detective’s head, and then belonged to Buddy. at his barbecue stand, Bush was sullen, way,” Bush answered. escaped through a hail of lead from Flair’s refusing to make any statement other than revolver. The name, Buddy Bush was a familiar one to At nine o’clock that same evening, to deny the robbery of the two women. A Redmond received a telephone call at his Within fifteen minutes after the fatal the Nashville officers. An ex-convict, Bush check of the tread on his automobile proved had been in a number of scrapes with the home in south Nashville. “This is Buddy,” ambush, approximately fifty city, county conclusively, however, that it was his car a voice said. “If you’ll come over to my and state police were scouring the area law over a period of years, and he, together that had left the marks at the scene. with a brother, had been mentioned as being place I’ll tell you everything you want to in search of the elusive killer. One of the affiliated with the notorious Davenport The September term of the Williamson know.” first officers to arrive was Gus Kiger, who gang, which controlled the whisky and dope County Grand Jury was in session at Before the detective could question his had worked with Redmond in solving the rackets in Davidson County. Franklin, and Buddy Bush was indicted caller, the receiver had been replaced at $13,000 payroll robbery at the DuPont plant the following day. Sheriff Fox, knowing the other end of the line. Redmond, who in Old Hickory several years before. With “This is the break we’ve been waiting for,” the feelings of the populace of his county, tears streaming unashamedly down his Redmond exclaimed enthusiastically when was in the habit of carrying a .32 caliber requested officers to hold the defendant hammerless revolver in a shoulder holster, cheeks, Kiger announced: “I’ll personally informed of the new development. “That in Nashville for safe keeping, pending his give $500 for Buddy Bush—dead or alive.” probably explains the manner, in which the apparently sensed danger in the call, because trial, which was set for an early date at before leaving his home he exchanged the Ed Pugh and his bloodhounds were rushed gang has perfected its sneak getaways from the insistence of Attorney General John Williamson County. With headquarters in weapon for his heavier .38 caliber service to the scene, and trailed the fleeing Bush Henderson. revolver. through the heavily wooded area around Five Points to the Franklin Road, where life rather than face the electric chair for the Setters had already been there and gone. McCall. the trail ended. It was assumed the killer of Redmond slaying. The killer died a short This would account for Bush’s complete ----Mr. Sam McCall, returning from the Detective Redmond had entered a car at this time later on arrival at General Hospital. disappearance from the time of the ambush hospital went to the home of his son, Mr. point, and blockades were ordered set up at Several hours later, an attempt was made until his discovery on the front porch of the Jim, for a while. Dr. Jonathan Blythe Core Franklin, Nolensville and at the Nashville to burn the Dew Drop Inn, apparently in an Martin home. and Dr. Eggeston came and changed his city limits. But four hours later, no trace effort to destroy any possible evidence of In the case of Mr. McCall, it was never bandages on his burned legs. A painful of Bush had been found. At shortly past 2 the rackets in which the killer had engaged. proven how the robbers knew he had life followed. His mind gave away, and he a.m., a weary posse was about to give up withdrawn money from the bank. In the had terrible nightmares about the bandits the search when Jim Martin, who lived only On the same afternoon Detectives Setters, Scruggs and Williamson appeared before robbery of John Rohrer, it was determined coming back to harm him. two doors from the inn, approached officers a family member was a frequent customer breathlessly. various sessions of County Grand Juries ----The bandits parked down the road and in the sections where the torture gang had at the Drew Drop Inn and knew of Mr. walked to the McCall house. They stepped “It’s Buddy,” he cried nervously. “He’s operated and obtained indictments against Rohrer’s large amount of cash on hand. It’s into sleeping chickens and ducks that up there—on my front porch—and he’s still the remaining gang members. Trials were reported Mr. Rohrer refused to prosecute belonged to Robert McCall. Sam McCall got that shotgun.” Bush, always the clever held and each of them received various because of their relationship. knew someone was outside—the bandits escape artist, had wormed his way back to prison sentences. Many, many hours were spent on this shot the coal oil lamp out. the scene through a tight cordon of police. The mystery of the telephone call investigation that resulted in both success ----John A. McCall put up a reward for the The Martin home was quickly surrounded. and tragedy. Spotlights on the various police cars were received by Detective Setters was never robbers. brought suddenly into play, catching Bush clearly explained. Some officers advance The name Joe Sissom is fictitious as is that ----Dr. Clyde Eggleston and Buford Reed put by surprise. Leaping from a porch chair, he the theory that Bush, suddenly turned into of Sid Jones. up the money to bring out the bloodhounds wheeled and ran into the house, as officers a kill crazy madman, reasoned that Setters Sam McCall later recovered partially from Nashville. sent shot after shot into the clapboard would accompany Redmond to the inn and from the injuries he received at the hands ----The robbers took Sam McCall’s pistol dwelling. For several minutes there were that someone close to the Bush organization of the torture bandits. Friends said he never no further sounds. Deputy Frank Bess steered the detective away from certain and watch but the items were recovered and completely recovered, however and several are in hands of some of the McCall family. organized a squad of volunteers to go after death before he was able to contact years later, committed suicide. There is the killer, but before they could reach the Redmond. Still others believe that Bush little doubt in his everyone’s mind the * * * * * house there was a loud gunshot from inside, intended to keep his rendezvous with the farmer’s mental condition, that led to his officer in North Nashville, but his plans were I want to express my appreciation to Jack then silence again. suicide, was brought on by the torture and and Alline McCall for their information and upset by Redmond’s late arrival, brought beating he received in 1933. When police swarmed into the residence about through his decision to go first to the permission to run this story. Also, Mr. Bush was lying in a pool of his own blood Headquarters to pick up Detective Flair and * * * * * Ennis Wallace for who brought this story in the middle of the front room. His still Badacour. There is the possibility that Bush to my attention. This story was featured warm shotgun was lying at his side. The Other accounts of the robbery of his in a 1945 edition of a national detective went to the house in north Nashville with parents, passed to the family by Mr. Jim wild-eyed killer had elected to take his own intentions of slaying the second officer, but magazine.