BOOKS BY LOCAL AUTHOR THOMAS V. "TOMMY" SWAFFORD

1. Whiskey Wars - The Life of Jim Hamilton Published November 2008

Tommy Swafford reaches into years past to tell the story of Jim Hamilton, a man influenced by the times in which he lived -
times of making whisky as a way to earn a living and settling scores according to a personal standard of justice.

From Chapter 1 - Whiskey making and whiskey drinking led to a great deal of violence in Jim's life and the lives of others
in Tennessee's Sequatchie Valley during the early and mid 1900s......
         The Whiskey War of 1920 saw nine men go to battle over their competing home brews; six were severely injured by
gunshot wounds. A few days later, another shooting resulted in death....
         Jim Hamilton was caught up in many brawls and killings during his life; and relatives were not immune. Several of his
family members suffered severe mental problems, and Jim ended up killing his drunken, unstable brother to stop him from
abusing their mother on her deathbed. He was also implicated in the murders of his former sister-in-law and her new
husband over whiskey dispute....

" When the truth of the past reads like great fiction, it really puts our ancestors' lives in perspective. Tommy Swafford has a
writing style that kept me engrossed in the book from start to finish. Some of the Cumberland County stories were ones I had
heard bits and pieces about over the years, but not the whole truth. Realizing the widespread violence our recent ancestors endured,
I cam away with a new respect for the harshness of their daily lives. "

                                                                                        Dr. John Sherrill

2. Moonshine Man - The Life of Church Lester Published December 2007

Tommy Swafford's book provides a window into the notorious past of Bledsoe County, Tennessee, in which he deftly narrates the recollections
of firsthand storytellers, verified by supporting news articles.  These stories provide insight into how our county became labeled 'Bloody Bledsoe."
A great book to add to your collection!
                                                                    Myki D. Frady

"Bloody Bledsoe" now seems an unfitting nickname for the beautiful, serene valley of my hometown.  Growing up, whispered bits and pieces were all
I heard of this fascinating story of moonshine, mystery and murders until Tommy Swafford brought it to life.  While reading about the hardships these
real people endured, you will be both horrified and sympathetic, and finally arrive at a new understanding of this troubled time in our past.  But even
those who have never heard of the Sequatchie Valley will be spellbound by this violent soap opera.  Carve out a chunk of time before you open the
book, because you will not want to put it down!

                                                                Ruth Burton

From Chapter 1 - "His parents named him for the building in which he was born, but Church Lester's first name must have been bitter irony for those
who suffered at his hands.  Known as a good friend to many, but a dangerous enemy to some, Church killed several people during his forty-four years
of life.
   "Three little girls died during his most notorious crime, the bombing of a home in Carter County, Tennessee.  Church and three other Bledsoe County
men set the explosives during the dark morning hours Friday, January 7, 1938.  The intended victim, the girl's father was not even at home.
    "Church was sentenced to death after a widely publicized trial but hanged himself in his jail cell before he would face the electric chair."

3. SWAFFORD-TOLLETT FEUD published in March of 2003

This feud between the Swaffords and Tolletts had it’s genesis in the Civil War and continued for over sixty years
from the 1860's until the 1920's. Fascinating tales of the Civil War, Politics, fights, lawlessness, killings, intrigue,
intermarriages, infidelity, moonshine, and lawsuits fill the pages of Swafford’s new book. A sixteen page chapter titled
"The Civil War-A Perfect Hell" tells how the war drastically affected the civilians living in this area. Sentiment between
support for the North and South was very evenly divided in Bledsoe County.. This led to a terrible unconventional war of
guerrillas and bushwhackers here. After finishing this chapter the reader will understand why this "Perfect Hell" was the
perfect incubator for this terrible feud. This Chapter is the most comprehensive coverage of the Civil War in Bledsoe County
that has ever been written.

This feud escalated in the late 1800's, and seven men were shot during a bloody battle on election day, November 8,1892,
at the Old Hall in the Melvine Community in the head of the Sequatchie Valley. Two of the men died. At the time, the polling
place was a five-hour ride on horseback from the Bledsoe County seat of Pikeville. The people living in remote areas were
more likely to take the law into their own hands than to rely on the authorities or courts to settle their differences.

A four-color vicinity map in the front of the feud book shows the location of the communities, homes, churches, schools,
cemeteries, grist mills, roads, etc.. The book contains fifty well placed photographs, many of which are of the men involved
and their families. Ten of these photos are in color and made by a professional photographer. These ten color pictures show
the brilliant fall colors and depict scenes of the general area where the feud took place here in the beautiful Sequatchie Valley.

REVIEWS OF THE FEUD BOOK:

I received your book and found it remarkable well-written and documented, along with wonderful photographs to accompany some
of the characters involved. I am proud of your accomplishment on another outstanding book. Keep writing. I hope to see more books
from you in the future. You are multi-talented. God has blessed you with talent. --- Peggy Conley, Hollister, CA.

Congratulations! Your Swafford-Tollett Feud book is marvelous. We are grateful to you for attacking this awesome job and enlightening
us on this story that most of us had heard bits and pieces of. I loved the book. You must write another one. --- Linda Shaver Hinds, Dayton, TN

Writing a book of this magnitude was a monumental undertaking, and you have done a fantastic job. --- Patsy Morgan, Bledsoe County

Having read the finished product, I wanted to let you know that I think the book turned out extremely well. You have made an enjoyable
and interesting contribution to the preservation of East Tennessee history. --- Danette Welch, McClung Historical Collection, Knox County Librar

3. MY SWAFFORD ANCESTORS published in August of 1999

In 1999 Swafford published a 280 page hardback book titled My Swafford Ancestors (MSA). The saga of the Swaffords of
Bledsoe County began in 1810 when eight Swafford brothers migrated from South Carolina into the head of the Sequatchie
Valley. The book chronicles the lives of these Swaffords and their descendants and tells how they lived. Over the years there
have been many colorful Swafford characters. Many interesting, colorful, and humorous stories about these characters fill the
pages of this book. This MSA book contains a eleven page chapter exploring the history of the Melvine Community where the
Swaffords, Tolletts and many other families attended school and church.

REVIEWS OF THE MY SWAFFORD ANCESTORS BOOK:

I love the book. I could not turn it loose. I am still reading it the second and third time. ---

Chris Earnest, Harrison TN

Reading your book was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding time spent. The pages of the book brought to life the way our ancestors lived during
these earlier times. --- J. B. Roberson, Pikeville TN --- Note: Neither Chris Earnest or J. B. Roberson are Swafford descendants.

I’m having a wonderful time reading your book. Thank you for taking the time to compile and write this tremendous family history. --- Paula Starnes, San Antonio, TX.

Ordering Info

The price for the books are $30 for each of the two hardbacks (My Swafford Ancestors and The Feud) and only $20 each for two paper backs (The Moonshine Man and Whiskey Wars).  

To order the books by mail, send a check to Tommy Swafford, 157 Woodland Street, Pikeville, TN  37367.  Add $5 Shipping and Handling for the first book. For orders of more than one book add only $1 for each additional book shipped to the same address.

All four of these books my be purchased in Pikeville at Lynn Swafford Law Office, Perfect Light Gallery or State Farm Insurance ; and in Crossville at Wisdom TV.

Tommy's phone number is 423-447-6450 and his email address is TomSwafford@Bledsoe.net

Please share this information with any family and friends that you believe may be interested in these books.