The Hillsville Courthouse Shootout

[@brianhartsell4085]

Thanks guys, for this documentary. I was working there, in Hillsville, setting up a small sewing factory in the mid 1990's. It was several of us and a local gentleman, that was helping us. Just as you were saying these folks were very knowledgeable about this and this gentleman, one day proceeded to tell us all about this event. We were working pretty close to the courthouse, across the street from it. We spent a week or so there. Very nice, quaint little town. We from the Charlotte NC area and it was just very interesting to hear some of the history of the town. I had almost forgotten about this, I really do appreciate you guys, doing this documentary.

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

Thank you for the kind words. We're glad you liked our story!

[@Thesongstaysthesame]

New subscriber here, Fellas, love the channel. Both of you speak very very well. Do either of you have a Radio background ?

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

Thanks, we're glad you like our stories! We have both worked in radio stations in Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee over the years, although its been many years since either one of us has set foot in a radio studio.

[@WhiteOak09]

The courthouse was still in use until not to long ago and you can still see all the bullet holes. Harmons boot and cloths store in Woodlawn, va, has a museum in the back of the store with this history and alot more of carroll county history and I think its still free.

[@blake_lively_matters6553]

Please learn the difference between to, too, and two before doing any more posting. Thank you.

[@WhiteOak09]

@@blake_lively_matters6553 Rodger that Karen

[@daviddavis7136]

​@blake_lively_matters6553 why don't you read it and move on, professor

[@blake_lively_matters6553]

@@daviddavis7136 - Because then I would be guilty of dereliction of duty.

[@DavidGHarris518]

My great grandmother, who was 16 years old at the time, was sitting out on her family's back porch snapping beans. She said it was cold and rainy that day when two men rode up and asked if they could get some food. She told them she would feed them but they would have to move on after they ate because they looked like trouble. Turns out it was Sydna Allen and Wesley Edwards.

[@Yet-Another-Joe]

Floyd Allen and his siblings were my first cousins three times removed (the sons of my great-great-grandfather's brother). My grandparents and great-grandparents lived in close proximity to them and knew them well. I was born and raised in nearby Mt. Airy, NC and the story has always fascinated me. There was significant animosity between the family members of those who were killed and those responsible for the killings, which lasted many years. Decades ago, I remember asking my aunt about the courthouse shootout. Her words still echo with me: "Well, they did what they thought they had to do."

[@emilegriffith1473]

you know the Westmorelands?

[@Yet-Another-Joe]

@@emilegriffith1473 sorry no

[@williamrichardson1587]

Ended up Ken to both sides on my mama side of the family the Wardens

[@aaronthomas3917]

I've read that sentiment many times in Confederate diaries.

[@oldcop18]

I got this story from a fellow cop that grew up in Hillsville, VA.

[@benallen7793]

Jack/Jasper Allen is my great grandpa.

[@sherrihogge5054]

I wish you could help me connect my DNA. Family secrets coming out. My great grandmother's sister used to argue with her husband and her husband used to tell her it was the Allen coming out in her it used to make her so mad because it's like it's some big secret I truly would love to know it surely would explain a lot about my current family

[@emilegriffith1473]

my great great great g-pa

[@emilegriffith1473]

Floyd is.

[@RonaldDelby]

He was a good man and did not deserve being killed like that. He loved his son Friel and would do what he could to help him out of a father's love.

[@RonaldDelby]

So sad that happened to him.

[@klyons8963]

Thanks for this example of a different time.

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

Our pleasure...

[@BladenOnlineMedia]

This was a spin on some historical facts from these two gentlemen’s perspective. Research can give you a different perspective.

[@richardumberger4624]

When people say don't go messing with those hill folks, they mean DONT!!! You won't never be seen again...

[@sunriseboy4837]

Great advice...great advice!

[@FYMASMD]

Those hicks don’t scare me at all.

[@sunriseboy4837]

@@FYMASMD A New Yorker, no doubt?!

[@SMcCaskill]

I love old history stories like this!!!

[@GrumpyGenXGramps]

THAT is a First Class Mustache!😂 that’s gotta be one of the most RIDICULOUS mustaches I’ve ever seen in any of these old photographs!😂😂

[@briansutphin4180]

I guarantee you wouldn't have had the balls to say that to the man's face....

[@GrumpyGenXGramps]

@@briansutphin4180 tell him he has a First Class Mustache??Sure I would!

[@briansutphin4180]

@@GrumpyGenXGramps the word ridiculous wouldn't be included.... you don't have the balls

[@GrumpyGenXGramps]

@@briansutphin4180 wanna BET?!

[@Firekeeper61]

This is true history at its best . My kin were involved with this outfit. Great presentation guys! Your,Oldfirekeeper Great Smokey Mountains N.C

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

Thanks!

[@Any-Okra]

I have a quick hot temper I'm ashamed to say but still dont think I could be a mean person. I'm more of a mouthy type lol. Good video. New Sub 🙂

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@tomrose6292]

I also was in a fight with the allens descendants. Next two generations later of course Marty Allen broke in my house with a gun ..thanks be to God I was able to over power him .broke my foot on stomping him once my wife saw he had a gun ..once again the family seemed above the law.because when it went to court the judge asked him did he think the month of January in jail was adequate punishment for what he did .of course Mr Allen said that was plenty of time judge.and he was immediately released

[@MartinReiter143]

The mist surprising part of the story is that the death sentences were carried out so soon. No forty years of appeals.

[@kennethmoles4643]

Great presentation, but I guess time has faded the memory of what the underlying reason was for this mess. As always, it was political. That's why the court cases went the way they did. The Allens were a long time established family in that area. I don't want to name the other family, because one of them is presently running for office in the neighboring county right now. My family had a part in Sydna Allen's successful escape and the local knowledge of what transpired which lead up to the event. Thank you for the fine work.

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

Thanks.

[@laithnightchild437]

Allen House has been restored

[@amberdeal4997]

Great voice!

[@bonniestormcloud]

I am related to the Allen gang and on another note my great grandpa Charles Troy Higgins was killed at the Mattawan massacre. Both sides of the law lol.

[@laurajanesherman9126]

My great great grandma is Laura Jane Carter Wilkinson. Her brother is Robert Lafayette Carter, the statue of the man in front of the courthouse! My mom’s family is all from Carrol county and goes back many generations. My great granddaddy was in the courthouse that day. Our kin are Edward’s. My grandma was from Coone Ridge. Mom heard the same stories told by mouth from family who lived there at that time.

[@rihardhedley4066]

This was the best version Ive seen so far. Much more details on the earlier business & crimes of Floyd Allen. Gives the story more context. Other versions conveniently left out details. Perhaps not to offend the locals and leave the guilt in doubt. Floyd constantly threatened the Judges life...on record !!! Pretty convenient that the Judge, the Sheriff, the Prosecutor, the Jury Foreman and the witness were the only ones who ended up dead. (If it quacks like a duck...) Look how Sidna (the oldest brother) was pardoned !!! He was lucky not to be executed too. I dont think our country have learnt any lessons from the murderous intentions of families who gained their power from crime and extortion.

[@hot88s23]

I have been in the Sidna Allen home. (shown at 2:10)

[@RonaldDelby]

I played harp there once.

[@sethgravley6995]

I live near by. Floyd and signa's younger sister is my pop's grandmother

[@RonaldDelby]

@@sethgravley6995 I played harp in the Sidna's house when the old lady owned it. It was in bad disrepair I am glad it was saved and looks great outside. I hope they have remodeled inside to its original look.

[@MelissaDove-hb7vw]

What happened to the Dalton and allen fud

[@kennethcurtis1856]

Courthouse security is relevant today after the shooting in KY.

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

It is indeed.

[@sherrihogge5054]

I'm trying to connect my DNA to the Allens. My great great grandfather I think was technically an Allen. Man listed as his dad died 6-8 years b4 he was born in the civil war. Can't find anyone willing to talk about it!

[@holzlastname1976]

So Floyd's mom is a Combs I wonder if they aren't related

[@hot88s23]

Yikes! I'm a Combs.

[@fredallen7493]

Yeah, we Allens kinda get a long look there. My great granddad was part of that melee, I go to the flea market there occasionally.

[@kathrynludrick4821]

Horrible, how one man's pride can lead to such terrible consequences.

[@marciapasthing6799]

My mom was born there our Family’s cemetery is way out on a hill outside town but still mowed❤

[@brendabirge6694]

I would like to see a podcast on Logan Belt front Illinois. He appears to have been a distant relative of my dad.

[@pickititllneverheal9016]

Sometimes I wish I was born in these earlier times.

[@bdpage2023]

Sheriff recently shot dead a judge in Letcher Co., KY.

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

Yes, we saw that. Very sad. A future story for whatever replaces podcasts in fifty years.

[@rihardhedley4066]

Yeh. But notice we have all forgot about that already. Can you imagine...a Sheriff in a Court House kills the Judge !! Why is this not constantly in the news....What is wrong with us, that this murderous side of our society is just taken for granted..?.I say that in 2024, we are even worse than 1912 Hillsville

[@holzlastname1976]

Floyd Allen is my relative

[@benallen7793]

Jack Allen is my Great Grandpa. My grand father, father and oldest brother are named after him.

[@RWBJR]

Whats wrong with guns? Originally gave a thumbs up but changed my mind after his gun gabbing comment at the opening.

[@tomgarrett6303]

Legendary story. I am posting before I watch. If you also have a video on the horse that was convicted of running moonshine I found the right place.

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

Well, I have to admit I’ve not heard that story but, by golly, we will find out about it and tell that tale, too!

[@tomgarrett6303]

@@StoriesofAppalachia I think it was Henry County. 1910s

[@CR-ud5qj]

Kin, on my Papaw’s side 🖐🏻

[@hayesgoad]

you left out dexter goad, clerk of court, who was shot and wounded.

[@outdoorlife5396]

From what I have read and seen, it seems like Floyd Allen thought he was above the law.

[@rickmiller1429]

And this was not the wild west, but the wild east, lol.

[@paulrowe606]

Ridiculous!

[@DaniMcGuire-ki7jd]

If I'm not mistaken Floyd Allen has been shot 13 times during his life if I remember reading history correct he had been in over 13 gunfights can you imagine during the medicine during those years and being having 13 gunshot wounds and not dying those are tough times and tough men and women

[@TheRandomEffGuy]

I Am Part Of The Allen Family. Well I Mean Like Floyd Is My Great-Great-Great Uncle. Im Not Kidding

[@gordonmccreadie2008]

They all mostly drank in the local lodge.

[@RonnyThomas-x9u]

Out laws never win

[@phillipdewitt4454]

In the first two minutes of your presentation you made a serious error . Caroll county and most all of the mountain counties were controlled by Republicans who were pro union. The Allen family were pro Confederacy Democrats. The whole thing was political and the last shots fired in The War of Northern Aggression. My family lived in adjoining Floyd County another Republican county and my family were Democrats. My grandfather was a friend of Floyd Allen and was to be at the trial but was kicked in back by mule and couldn’t travel . I’ll comment more as I listen to the rest.

[@phillipdewitt4454]

I listened to the whole presentation and was underwhelmed. The State of Virginia was very divided politically at this time with Democrats holding the State government and Republican holding the South Western mountain government. Democrats in Caroll and Floyd had no hope of winning an election even in the ‘70. The Allen family was considered wealthy and white trash Republicans were jealous and worked against the Allen’s as they tried new opportunities. If I was visiting the area I wouldn’t brink up the subject to strangers. The Sidna Allen Home sits outside of Hillsville on route 52 near top of Fancy Gap.

[@johnmorganjr769]

Were they drankin' ??

[@Random_clown_not_found]

Sorry about my family y'all 🥲

[@tomrose6292]

😅

[@emilegriffith1473]

Floyd is my great great great grand pappy!

[@johnnycash578]

guys you could have told this in half the time?

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

What can I say, we're old men who love to talk! Thanks for sitting through the episode!

[@TRIChuckles]

Yes I'm sure!..... But I'd rather hear long version. My dad could never tell a short story!

[@rihardhedley4066]

Nah...this was the best version Ive seen so far. Much more details on the earlier business & crimes of Floyd Allen. Gives the story more context. Other versions conveniently left out details. Perhaps not to offend and leave the guilt in doubt. Look how Sidna (the oldest brother) was pardoned !!! He was lucky not to be executed.

[@rihardhedley4066]

This was the best version Ive seen so far. Much more details on the earlier business & crimes of Floyd Allen. Gives the story more context. Other versions conveniently left out details. Perhaps not to offend the locals and leave the guilt in doubt. Floyd constantly threatened the Judges life...on record !!! Pretty convenient that the Judge, the Sheriff, the Prosecutor, the Jury Foreman and the witness were the only ones who ended up dead. (If it quacks like a duck...) Look how Sidna (the oldest brother) was pardoned !!! He was lucky not to be executed too. I dont think our country have learnt any lessons from the murderous intentions of families who gained their power from crime and extortion.

[@seancurran8249]

Not a great voice ,👮‍♂️🇬🇧👮‍♂️🇬🇧👮‍♂️

[@briansutphin4180]

Couple of things you either left out or didn't discover.... Floyd Allen was often appointed as a "Special Deputy" in Carroll County when nobody on the police force had the balls to arrest "tough customers".... Floyd was the man for the job..... This shooting was front page news all over the country until the sinking of the "Titanic" took the lead..... I live in Carroll County til this day, and you better be careful what you say about the incident, you may just get your ass whipped or shot.... Some of the toughest and meanest sons of bitches ever bred come from Carroll County....

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

Well, we didn’t know Floyd was a lawman on occasion or we sure would have included that. Thanks for the info, which we’ll use if we ever retell the story.

[@MarlinWilliams-ts5ul]

Really, this reminds me of an episode of the Trailer Park Boys