THE ALLISON MURDERS ~ 1875
Allison Murders ~ Braswell (Brassell) Hangings
Russell M. Allison 1858-1875
John James Allison 1845-1875
(My 2nd cousins 4X removed)
Even though this is a rather dark chapter in our county's history, it is what it is. There still remain unanswered questions, unsolved mysteries, different ironies surrounding the events, and a 'not-so-tasteful' subject matter … this event remains part of our local history.
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Rather than my retelling this EVENTFUL story, I will direct you to the following site…
http://www.tngenes.net
The site has over 800 pages of information - a researcher's paradise.
Tons of information on cemeteries, death records, deeds, marriage records, Bible records, census records, obituaries, wills, Civil War Veterans, military records, and on and on and on…
Once you get to the site, just look under History. There you will find The Allison Murders.
The Allison Murders at TNGENES includes:
The Hanging of Joseph Lewis Brassell and George Andrew Brassell for the Murder of Russell M. Allison and John J. Allison
Taken by J. Fletch Woodward on 27 March 1878 in Cookeville, Tennessee
Restored by Mitzi P. Freeman
The hanging attracted the eastern half of the Country.
The New York Times covered it - ballads and songs were written about it …
The Braswell brothers are buried in a lot adjacent to
Upperman High School in Baxter, Tennessee.
This photo of the hanging is from the New York Public Library - Digital Library
The Allison Brothers are buried at the Rhea Cemetery in Putnam County, Tennessee
Grave Marker for Russell M Allison and his brother John James Allison
A local newspaper (Herald Citizen) printed an article in 1979 about the murders. Dr. Fred Terry, a Cookeville physician, called in to the newspaper to "correct" and "give information" concerning some facts to the story.
On December 26, 1979 Dr. Terry said, "…it was generally understood and maybe told by one of the alleged participants in the crime that their intended victim was not Allison but was the County Trustee William Jefferson Isbell." William Jefferson Isbell was Dr. Terry's Grandfather. Dr. Terry said that "…both of his parents attended the hanging in March 1878 in south Cookeville in the vicinity of Billy Goat Hill.
(I must note that Dr. Fred Terry was our family doctor - he delivered this is little spit-fire!)
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Russell M. Allison - "Russ" was the first murder victim at the hand of Teek Brassell. He was born 16 December 1856 in Putnam County and was two and a half weeks shy of his 19th birthday when he was murdered. He was engaged to Miss Rebecca Frances "Frankie" Barnes.
John James Allison -John, Russ's older brother, was the not at the house the night that Russ was shot but rather was a member of the posse that went to apprehend the Brassell brothers on the following night. He was the second murder victim at the hand of Teek Brassell. He was born 16 August 1845 in White County (later Putnam County). He married Lee Ann Maxwell on 16 January 1866 in Putnam County, and they had four children under the age of eight years old: Mary Plinie, Joseph Wilson, Eliza J. and Amanda Angeline. After his murder, Lee Ann remained a widow for the rest of her life. She died 22 October 1915 and was buried next to her husband.
Joseph C. Allison - "Joe" was the youngest of the Allison children. He was born 30 March 1859 in Putnam County. He, too, was living with his step-mother and her new husband. Although he was at the house the night of the melee, he was uninjured. He was sleeping in the dining room, which was located on main floor of house.
Russ and Joe Allison had grown up with and attended school with Jo and Teek Brassell.
It was said that the Brassell boys had been at the Allison home on numerous occasions.
"I trace my family history so I will know who to blame.
Every family tree has some sap in it."
Every family tree has some sap in it."
This part of my family too. My great grandmother was Mallie Allison. My grandmother had copies of the song about this.
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ReplyDeleteHi another allison family member I am so excited to find this page line line is john allison sarah toler Matilda Jane allison and George taylor have dna looking for links
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