Heritage Scrap Gallery - The Shoot Out

This 2 page spread tells the story of the day my great Uncle died and another great uncle almost did. Uncle Winton was shot through the foot and bore the injury the rest of his life. There is much more heresay in the family than what I have included here, and as this information was compiled from several different family sources, I hope it is accurate (though you never know). Wink

Here is the journaling from Page 1:

Mary Erwin was Mamaw Porter's sister. Mary worshipped her husband, Paris Underwood, who was a walking fashion plate, sporting custom made suits and shoes. Mary, too, was fond of dressing well, and is said to have lamented on her death bed that she hated to die and leave all her pretty clothes.

Paris was a bootlegger. His friends tried to disuade him from this dangerous business, during prohibition, but he said he liked the things that money buys. He said he would never be taken by the Feds, and he wasn't. In September 1927, Paris died in a shootout. The accounts of the incidents vary. Some say he shot himself. Others say he was murdered. Mary grieved his death and never remarried. She died of cancer in 1945.

According to Carter County Court Records, in November, 1926, there was an Indictment against Paris and some of his friends. The Grand Jury accused them of Disturbing a Public Gathering after they rode into a pie supper being held at the school and used "abusive and insulting language" and disturbed the congregation of people assembled by "fighting and attempting to fight and other acts and demonstrations." A few months later, they were also charged with drunkeness and given a 30 day sentence in the county jail and a $50 fine.

According to Everett Porter, Paris' brother in law, the night before the shootout, Paris and his friend Farris Bowen were in Globe at the general store belonging to Paris' mother in law, playing cards. They both wore a 38 caliber on each hip. They had just returned from Soldier, KY where Paris' father owned a store. The two men had broken into the store and stole several boxes of ammunition. They then drove through the town shooting the windows out of several businesses and homes. They returned to the Erwin store in Globe to have Everett work on Paris' car. Paris told Everett, "If you see the Sheriff come in, get behind something, because bullets don't have any eyes." He then told Everett to fill his car up in the morning, "cause where I'm going, I ain't coming back." No doubt, as they played cards, they planned the shoot out which was to take place the following evening.

The next morning, Paris' young son, Plummer, was peddling his little car around the store. As Paris walked out, he told Everett, "Take care of my boy Everett, I won't be coming back." When Mary asked Paris if he would be home for supper, Paris replied, "I'll be eating my supper in hell."

Credits:
Mother's Photo Album Page Kit by Victorian Rose Designs