Murder in Coweta County

John Wallace has lived his entire life in Meriweather County, Georgia.  He’s a farmer, a bootlegger, and the most powerful man in the county – everyone knows you just don’t cross John Wallce.  Wallace’s ego leads him to make arrogant decisions, flaunting his power and giving him an air of untouchability.  Which is exactly why the community is stunned when Sheriff Lamar Potts arrests Wallace and several accomplices for Murder in Coweta County. 

Margaret Anne Barnes was a journalist and writer from Newnan, Georgia – the seat for Coweta County where this murder and trial took place.  She won the Edgar Allen Poe award for this debut work, which was later made into a movie staring Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith as Sheriff Potts and John Wallace respectively.  This book delves into the gruesome details of the murder and the coverup perpetrated by Wallace’s team, as well as Pott’ work to bring justice.

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I give Murder in Coweta County 4 out of 5 stars.  Growing up just one county over from Coweta, I had heard of this case, but only in passing – I learned so much more by reading this book.  However, I also noticed quite a few typos and mistakes in the writing.  This may have just been the translation into the e-book format, but should have been corrected by the publisher prior to release.  I also wouldn’t say this book is one I’d shout from the rooftops – you’d definitely have to have a reason to pick this one up.  It’s a great documentary-style book about the murder and trial, but not something that someone would probably choose for a fun read.

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I would recommend this book for readers looking to learn about the history of our area.  With discussions of the murder and later destruction of the body, along with Wallace’s execution, I would recommend this book for readers over the age of 13.  If you are a true crime junkie, you will love this book!

I chose Murder in Coweta County for the Friends and Fiction Book Club November prompt “nonfiction by an author from your state”.  It was interesting seeing the names of several friends of the family and people I have met in the past among the cast of characters here!  An interesting note for anyone reading this book – Mayhayley Lancaster, the “seer” who aided in the case, was a well-known figure in the state for her participation not only in this murder trial, but also in the case of Leo Frank.  Lancaster spoke in support of Frank when he was wrongfully convicted of the murder of a 13-year-old worker in his factory and later lynched.  In 1926, she became the first woman to run for the State Legislature, though she did not win.  Nearly 20 years later, she would become one of the witnesses that helped convict John Wallace.  The actual spot of the murder (the Sunset Tourist Camp) no longer exists, but was located in Moreland, Georgia, whose most famous resident was columnist Lewis Grizzard.  If you choose to read Murder in Coweta County, it can be easy to fall into a trap of wondering how anyone could think they would get away with a murder like this, but consider these events happened in the 1940s when bootleggers were the law in rural areas but as the mafia was in inner city areas.  Most of the residents of Meriweather County lived in fear of Wallace and knew better than to cross him.  The bravery and leadership shown by Sherriff Potts truly changed the course of history in this area by ending the legacy of the Strickland clan and leaving no felony cases unsolved when he left office.

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What I’m Reading

• Current print book: The Heiress, Rachel Hawkins
• Current audio book: The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Book I’m most looking forward to: The Woman in Me, Britney Spears