Renowned as the “Black Patch Three”, William Turner, William “Bill” Cunningham, and Rick Gregory, will share their storytelling skills this weekend as they recount the dramatic tales of the Tobacco Wars that once raged along the Kentucky-Tennessee state line in the 1900s.
Robert Ward of the Caldwell County Genealogy Society announced that the free presentation this Saturday is sponsored by the Caldwell County Trail of Tears Commission and the George Coon Public Library.
click to download audioHe mentioned that these three men are well-versed in the history of the Black Patch War.
click to download audioWard explained that the Black Patch War began because tobacco farmers were being cheated by tobacco companies.
click to download audioHe noted that by the time the tobacco farmers decided to form the Tobacco Growers Protective Association around 120 years ago in Guthrie the price of tobacco had dropped to a quarter of its previous value.
click to download audioHe noted that those who refused to join the Association were labeled as hillbillies, while those attempting to coerce farmers into joining were known as the Night Riders, as nighttime was the only time they weren’t working.
To learn more about the Night Riders and the Tobacco Wars, attend the free presentation at 6:00 Saturday evening at the George Coon Public Library, located at 114 South Harrison Street in Princeton.
