"The Infamous South Pittsburg Shootout"
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Labor Dispute Presentation
South Pittsburg Senior Center
Sunday, September 11, 2005
The corner of Cedar Avenue and Third Street in downtown South Pittsburg, Tennessee was the scene of the climax of a year long labor dispute in 1927 in which six law enforcement officers laid dead or dying in the street following a shootout Christmas day. The picture above showing the location shortly after the shootout was published in the Nashville Banner.
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A presentation detailing the events leading up to and those following the labor dispute shootout on Christmas 1927, which killed six law enforcement officers for the South Pittsburg Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff's Department was given on the afternoon of Sunday, September 11, 2005 at the Senior Center on Elm Avenue in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. Key speakers were Barbara S. Haskew and Robert B. Jones who coauthored a story on the dispute, which was published in the Winter 2004 issue of the Tennessee Historical Quarterly.
Sponsored by the South Pittsburg Historic Preservation Society, Inc., the event drew guest from all over the tri-state area including many descendants of those killed that fateful day. With at least 120 in attendance including current Marion County Sheriff, Bo Burnette, this was by far one of the most successful events orchestrated by the Society.
Homemade cookies and lemonade were served to guest and the event was video taped for a future presentation at Middle Tennessee State University, where both Haskew and Jones teach.
Haskew and Jones hope to continue their research on the labor dispute at South Pittsburg for inclusion in another story detailing similar problems between factory owners and unionized employees in five states including Tennessee. If you have more details on the 1927 Christmas shootout in South Pittsburg and/or pictures relating to the event please contact the Society at information@historicsouthpittsburgtn.org. Click local newspaper account to read story of gun battle. More on presentation and new info click MTSU.
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The granddaughter of Marion County, Tennessee sheriff, Wash Coppinger, looks over a copy of the story from a 1927 newspaper that gives an account of the 1927 Christmas shootout in downtown South PIttsburg that left her grandfather and fives others dead.
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Bob Hookey, SPHPSInc. chairman, opens up the shootout presentation with welcoming remarks.
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Carolyn Millhiser, SPHPSInc. secretary, speaks to those in attendance about the postcards and other Society items being offered for a small donation. Dozens of 1899 South Pittsburg Hustler reprints were also given away.
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Those in attendance listen as Robert B. Jones (at left podium) and Barbara S. Haskew speak about the events leading up to and following the 1927 Christmas Shootout in South Pittsburg. Jones and Haskew coauthored an article about labor dispute, which was published in the winter issue of Tennessee Historical Quarterly.
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Pictured here are a number of those who were in attendance to listen as Robert B. Jones and Barbara S. Haskew speak about the events of the 1927 Christmas Shootout in South Pittsburg. Many attending were descendants of those who were killed that fateful day.
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Robert B. Jones
Barbara S. Haskew
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Society members, Helen Clay (seated left) and Patsy Sherrill on right encourage visitors to sign a guest book for the Society.
Society members, Doris Durham, Bob Hookey, Carolyn Millhiser along with Mrs. Haskew's husband, Jerre, seated on counter listen as Robert A. Jones and Barbara Haskew speak on the Christmas night shootout.
Both young and old and all ages in between enjoyed listening to Robert B. Jones and Barbara S. Haskew speak about the events of the 1927 Christmas Shootout in South Pittsburg. Many attending were descendants of those who were killed that fateful day.
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