Abstract:
As a result of the February 1916 murder of Oakley Jewell on Fodderstack Knob in Cannon County, Tennessee a whole cast of Middle Tennessee characters became involved. Neighbors, acquaintances, crap playing and drinking buddies plus friends and relatives were questioned and cross-examined at the court hearing and later trial. The main players of the drama were three young associates; Chester Willard, Mack Odom and Oakley Jewell. So, what went wrong among friends? What would cause such rage among comrades to leave one dead and two convicted of first degree murder? Who were the families of these young men? When the dust settled what happened to everyone?