A DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS A DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS
In Southwest Tennessee In Southwest Tennessee
Adamsvillehostsa
DickensChristmas SouthwestTN Christmasparades spotlightcommunities Governorvisits SouthwestTN communities
Duncan’sChristmas TreeFarmhosts wreathmakingclass
SWTTAmember spotlight- TourHardin County
BufordPusserFamousorInfamous
The Tourism Association of Southwest Tennessee is dedicated to providing cooperative tourism development and promotion in Chester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, McNairy and Madison Counties.
Clickheretoplanyourtriparoundtheregion! Clickheretoplanyourtriparoundtheregion!
BUFORD PUSSER
Famous or Infamous and does it matter?
Opinion/Editorial by
Russell Ingle
“You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” Harvey Dent – The Dark Knight.
That quote could be slightly revised to say, “You either die a hero, or the subject of revisionist history.” Revisionist history is the reinterpretation of historical events, which challenges established narratives by introducing new evidence or perspectives. In the case of Buford Pusser, there have always been those who loved him and those who didn’t necessarily hate him, but suspected he wasn’t as knight worthy as he was presented. Truthfully, being deemed a here really depends on perspective. Though fictitious, Robin Hood was viewed as a criminal by law but a hero by the poor whom he helped. Jesse James was for the most part a career criminal but viewed as a champion of the people. And despite his legend as notorious gunfighter in the old west, many people of the time viewed Billy the Kid as a romantic figure fighting against oppression. Bonnie and Clyde were violent criminals by all accounts, but the media of the times romanticized them to the point they became anti-heroes because many of the banks they robbed had foreclosed on families during the Depression. A closer comparison to our subject matter may be legendary lawman Wyatt Earp. Continue reading..........
Again, depending on perception and historical accounts, Earp was both hero and villain. Historical accounts portray him as a legendary law man that was more than willing to meet the criminal element of the day at their level, with violence and a quick trigger, which made him a hero to many. Latter accounts painted Earp as a horse thief, pimp and brothel owner.
Like the above mentioned, the late and former McNairy County Sheriff, Buford Pusser, depending on who you asked, was both hero and villain. But to a five-year-old in 1973, he was a hero. I remember my parents loading me up and us going to the Sunset DriveIn in Selmer, Tennessee to see Walking Tall, a movie that was totally inappropriate for a child. I remember telling daughter Dwana years later that I had no perception that Buford was a real person, but as a comic book fan, I viewed him as a superhero. I remember trading in my red cape and web-shooters for a stick that I ran around the yard with, beating up the bad guys. Years later, I realized Buford’s story was more complex, and depending on who you talked with, he was either a good person that did what he had to do to fight evil, or he was evil himself. The facts though are that he fought the criminal element of the time; fought them tooth and nail. Were his methods above board or overboard? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe it depended on the moment and individuals he was dealing with. Maybe not.
It was commonly known that the movies that were made about Buford were more fiction than fact. Even the first one that directly involved Buford had a great deal of fiction in it. That’s what Hollywood does, it romanticizes its subject matter to make it more appealing to audiences. Still, I believe there was enough truth in the tales of Buford that it inspired countless thousands of men and women over the years to pursue a career in law enforcement. That has been well documented. It’s also a fact that Buford’s story has given a rural county a story to tell and a hero to promote. Does that change now that new information has come out regarding Buford and the possible cause of his wife Pauline’s death? Maybe, maybe not.
On August 12th, 1967, Pauline joined Buford on a call. The call came at around 5:00 a.m. suggesting Buford needed to go to investigate something at the state line, a notorious site in which Buford had confronted many of his foes. A short time later Buford and Pauline were travelling along New Hope Road in Southeast McNairy County when, as Buford claimed, they were ambushed. It was during the ambush that Buford claimed Pauline had been fatally shot and killed. Investigators by and large took Buford’s account of the incident and closed the case.
Approximately 57 years later, based on new information and what was deemed as inconsistencies in Buford’s account of the incident, the fact an autopsy had not been performed, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation exhumed Pauline’s body.
Continue reading............
Not to rehash what came of the TBI’s investigation, it was believed there was sufficient evidence to suppose that Buford could have killed his wife and self-inflicted his own wounds. It was stated that if Buford were alive today, there would be enough to indict him. To be clear, and it was stated, an indictment does not mean Buford was guilty of killing his wife. It just meant investigators believed there were sufficient questions and that would merit a trial. Some facts to consider; in addition to being a law enforcement legend, he was a son, a husband, a father and a grandfather. So, it is understandable that those who were and are family and friends would lean hard towards believing the best of him. It’s also understandable there would be a narrative out there, especially from Pauline’s side of the family, to want and expect answers. Those answers, while maybe providing some sense of closure for some, brought some new questions and concerns to light. Was Buford Pusser a hero or a villain? Was he a bit of both? Like Wyatt Earp, his legacy is both complex and contradictory. Was the investigation into Pauline’s death merited though maybe late, absolutely. It’s perfectly fine to want answers and truth should always matter and should always be the top pursuit of law enforcement. What does it mean today though and what does it mean for the family, communities and fans that are still here? From a tourism perspective, I believe nothing changes. Buford Pusser is still a legend, albeit a flawed one. Is it possible that he was both hero and villain? Absolutely. Does that change anything? Not to me. There is still a story to tell, it has just changed. Now there’s more to tell. From a tourism and attracting visitors perspective, Buford may be both famous and infamous. Both stories may possibly be true and both stories matter to an overall legend in which the only ones that truthfully knew the whole reality are no longer alive to tell it. Community leaders will decide how to proceed with the Buford Pusser Home and Museum, as well as the Buford Pusser Festival. Will it be renamed? It is up to them to decide what they feel is best. Either way, the community will move forward and will thrive. I believe people and visitors will support them. Just tell the whole story as you know it. To me, my first encounter with the story of Buford Pusser will be that of a superhero. That’s what I choose to remember. I also choose to be sensitive and caring to Pauline’s family. They lost a loved one and that matters. I also choose to care for Madison, Buford’s surviving granddaughter. She has an opinion and it matters how she feels and believes. The stories and those involved and personally connected, though complex, matter. What’s important is that they are told.
Buford Pusser died in a car accident in 1974, seven years after Pauline’s passing. The Buford Pusser Home and Museum is located at 342 Pusser Street in Adamsville, Tennessee. The museum has a website, www.bufordpussermuseum.com, and a Facebook page. To date, the Sheriff Buford Pusser Festival is held each May in Adamsville.
This December, McNairy County is getting ugly!
Beginning the first Friday in December, I Love McNairy County challenges residents, schools, businesses, organizations and officials to take part in Ugly Sweater Fridays. The challenge will be on Friday, December 5th, 12th, and 19th.
ILoveMC is challenging to wear their ugliest Christmas sweater and post them on Facebook, tagging I Love McNairy County and using the hashtags #ILoveMC, #MerryMcNairy and #MCUglySweaterFridays.
This holiday challenge will help everyone get and stay in the Christmas Spirit, as well as enjoy more casual Fridays by wearing their ugly Christmas Sweater. Schools can challenge schools, towns can challenge towns, and elected officials can challenge other elected officials. Get involved by wearing your most outrageous, colorful, jingly, joyful ugly Christmas sweater each Friday and spread holiday cheer.
