Politics in Rutherford County were heated a century ago: the developing textile industry, the growing population, an agricultural crisis and race relations inflamed everyone. Mills Higgins Flack, a leader of the Farmers' Alliance and the county's first Populist in the state House, was allegedly murdered on August 28, 1900, by Avery Mills, an African American. This book documents the murder and the lynching of Avery Mills. The author (Flack's great-great-grandson) considers the phenomena of racial lynching, the Populist movement in the county, the white supremacy movement of the state's Democratic party and the county's KKK activities.

When the story of banjo superstar Earl Scruggs is told, the rich musical environment that produced him is often ignored. During his lifetime Scruggs spun a creation myth around his playing, convincing many that he was the sole originator of a three-finger, up-picking, banjo style. For the first time, this book tells the full story of the music and musicians of the western Carolinas that influenced Earl Scruggs. Based on more than 15 years of in-depth research, this book includes the story of country music recording pioneers Parker and Woolbright, Fisher Hendley and Martin Melody Boys; rare images of area music makers; and the history and development of fiddlers' conventions and radio barn dances. Together, these stories are woven into the biographies of Earl's mentors to reveal the musical atmosphere in which they developed the "three-finger picking" style that so enchanted a young Earl Scruggs.

Offers a guide to census indexes, including federal, state, county, and town records, available in print and online; arranged by year, geographically, and by topic.

William Brooks (1745-1844) was born in Pennsylvania, fought in the Revolution and married Nancy. Descendents lived in North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and elsewhere.

Walter LaFayette Bell (1889-1976) was born in Butterfield, Missouri, son of Jonas Bradley Bell (1843-1931) and Martha Ann Cooper (1865-1890). He married Ruth Rankin (1900-1975), born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, daughter of James Lewis Rankin (1854-1928) and Mary Elizabeth Dawson (1860-1912). Ancestry traced to John Bell (1668-1713) who died in Surry County, Virginia and Robert Rankin (1749-1816) of the Carolinas and Kentucky, as well as many other ancestors. Ancestors, descendants and relatives lived in Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Arkansas, Texas, Indiana, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Iowa, Mississippi, South Carolina and elsewhere.