Berry Bowling (1886 - 1921)

Born 23 Jul 1886 in Scott, Tennessee, United States

Ancestors

Died 6 May 1921 at age 34 in Huntsville, Scott, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

Berry Bowling was born in Appalachia, in Tennessee.

Berry Bowling was killed by a lynch mob after being charged with two murders. He was buried in Bowling Harness Cemetery, Cordell, Scott County, Tennessee.^[1]

Sheriff Probing Bowling Lynching Tennessee Sheriff and Deputies Making Close Investigation at Huntsville-AP-Huntsville, TN, May 9- Investigation is being made by Sheriff E M Phillips and his deputies of the lynching of Berry Bowling, age 30 years, white, Saturday night. The sheriff stated today that no clues have yet been discovered which might lead to an arrest. "I did not know until Sunday morning of the lynching" said Sheriff Phillips. "As soon as I heard about it, I went from Helenwood to Huntsville and began an investigation. I believe that there were about 25 men in the lynching party, but no clues have been developed as to who any of them might be. We are working on the case, however, and hope to uncover something which will lead to arrests." At the time of the lynching the only persons at the jail were the jailor and his wife. There were no officers in the town to help hold back the lynching party. It seems that the jailor was told that there was an officer outside with a prisoner and as he went to the jail door and opened it. After getting inside the members of the party overpowered the jailor and took possession of the prisoner. Bowling had been charged with the murder of Mrs Mary Jane Harness, age 30, who was shot and killed at her home on May 3. Several months ago William Harness aged 80 years, her husband was also killed by Bowling. At the March term of the Circuit Court Bowling was put on trial charged with the murder of the aged man, but the case resulted in a mistrial. Mrs Harness testified at the trial. Her testimony was most incriminating and this is believed by some to have led Bowling to kill her. Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Alabama, 10 May 1921.

Sources

1. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #103860751 (accessed 1 November 2022)
   Memorial page for Berry Bowling (23 Jul 1886-6 May 1921), citing Bowling Harness Cemetery, Cordell, Scott County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by Leo York (contributor 47707923).