CHAPTER IV.
THE BLUE BILLS
There was very little to impede the progress of White-capping in Sevier County until an opposition was formed known as the organization of the “Blue Bills.” Not very much is known about this band further than its object was to thwart and put down White-cap raids. It is said, however, to differ from the White-cap organization in this, that it had no constitution or by-laws, no officers, and no administered oath or obligation, and they never wore masks when on their raids. It was composed of men stoutly opposed to the other organization; some from good motives and others no doubt from selfish views. The former desired to put down White-capping because it was a crime; the latter because the White-caps had either threatened them or some of the immoral women of the county with whom they had been associated and had agreed to defend against the White-caps. It was the purpose of the Blue Bills to find out what particular night, (their raids being always made at night) the White-caps were to make a raid, and the particular person or persons to be attacked. This point accomplished the Blue Bills then notified their members who were thoroughly armed with shot-guns and Winchesters, to be ready to march against their enemy at the designated time and place. Several sharp engagements thus occurred between the White-caps and Blue Bills in some of which men were killed and wounded. The White-caps also went armed and it was understood that when they met it meant fight or run. It will thus be seen that both of these organizations were acting without sanction of law, and that one was about as revolutionary in its character as the other. The Blue Bills, however, generally claimed to either have an officer of the law with them, or one deputized by proper authority, to arrest all White-cap raiders and prevent them from carrying out their plans. Dr. J. A. Henderson, now dead, a brave and fearless man, was said to be the organizer and leader of the Blue Bills. He was recognized as an uncompromising enemy of the White-cap raiders and was always on their track. Being shrewd and cunning, he was ever on the alert. Many times it is said they planned to make a White-cap raid upon his home in the town of Sevierville for the purpose of capturing him and punishing him if not to take his life. But as often he caught on to their plans, marshaled his own Blue Bill forces, met his would-be captors on the way and put them to flight. Notwithstanding Henderson was a terror to the White-caps for about two years, and they were endeavoring to capture and punish him during all of that time, yet he foiled every attempt, owing no doubt to the fact that he had a spy in the White-cap camps who kept him informed of their movements. Being a man of large means he boldly went into the White-cap camps and hired one of their number to betray them into his hands. The number of White-caps in Sevier County has been variously estimated to be from six hundred to fifteen hundred, while perhaps there never was more than two hundred Blue Bills at any time. There are two reasons why Henderson and his raiders were never captured and punished by his organized pursuers. First, he was a much shrewder warrior than they were, and he knew almost their every movement. Second, he and his band were much better armed, and known to be as brave as Julius Caesar, and would therefore die before they would surrender or be punished with the lash. As before stated Dr. Henderson lived in the town of Sevierville, as did several of the leading White-caps. They would pass each other on the streets and highways during the day, but when night came on there was but little traveling alone - every man who had joined either band retired within the barricades. The first White-cap depredations were committed in the outlying or remote districts of the county. But the organization as well as their nightly performances, gradually moved toward the center of the county, and after the Blue Bills were organized against them, Sevierville and the surrounding territory for four or five miles became the battle ground of this most novel warfare. |