Murder & Mayhem in Nashville - Paperback

by Brian J. Allison (Author)

From post-Civil War political feuds to Depression-era mass murder--explore the criminally fascinating secret history of Music City, USA.

Nashville is known for its bold, progressive flair, but few are aware of its malevolent past. Now, historian Brian Allison sheds light on some of Nashville's darkest deeds in this compulsively readable chronicle of turn-of-the-century bad behavior.

Included here are tales of infamous bar brawls, escaped fugitives, and deadly duels instigated (and won) by legendary hothead Andrew Jackson; a tour of the notorious red-light district of Smokey Row, where one of the largest congregations of prostitutes in the country was at the service of 1000s of beleaguered boys in gray; a killer temptress with a penchant for poison who strolled the city streets looking for victims; a grisly--and true--local legend known as the Headless Horror; the facts behind the macabre 1938 Marrowbone Creek cabin murders; and much more.

Vividly capturing the outlandish mischief, shocking crimes, and political powder kegs of an era, Murder and Mayhem in Nashville lifts the veil on a great city's sordid secrets.

Author Biography

Brian Allison has worked in the public history/museum field for around twenty years. His past experience includes curating, public speaking and creating documentaries. Brian holds a degree from Austin Peay State University in American history. He has also worked as a staff historian for several local museums and served as curator for Travellers Rest Plantation. Brian is co-author of Tennessee State Penitentiary.