Dr. Jonathan Hale was a prominent resident of Pickett County Tennessee. Hale was a very wealthy and well educated man. He was involved in many business ventures. He along with his friend David Beaty (Tinker Dave, pictured above on the right), and John Jouett owned and operated a grist mill in Pickett County that was known as Huddleston's Place. Hale also served as postmaster in Pickett County. Hale was considered to have been the anti-Champ Ferguson. Hale wrote many pamphlets detailing the activities that Ferguson had been involved in. Hale and his family fell victim to Ferguson and his gang many times. The first incident occurred while Hale was away on business. Champ and his men rode into the Hale farm knocking down the fence. Hale's wife Pheroba was at home at the time. Ferguson and his men took horses, gunpowder, and money, and then left. This led Hale and Tinker Dave to form a band of "home guards" in order to protect their family and property from Champ Ferguson and his gang. Ferguson managed to slip past the home guard however and make another raid on the Hale farm. This time Ferguson and his men were able to steal the Hale family's piano. Ferguson took the piano and attempted to sell it at a general store in the White County community of Yankeetown. After the war Hale and his wife had the pleasure of testifying against Ferguson at his trial. Hale and Beaty went on to become prominent members of their communities. Together the two men were able to bring down Champ Ferguson.
Not much is known about Jonathan Hale. For more information I suggest that you check out any of the books written about Champ Ferguson.
Stay tuned for more blog posts about tales from Tennessee and beyond.
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