John Murrell and Land Pirates of the Natchez Trace

The historic Natchez Trace was a place of myth and legend even during its own time.  It was the “Wild West” before the Wild West moved across the Mississippi River.  Among its dangers, notorious land pirates preyed on unsuspecting travelers.  Their tactics were often as ingenious as wicked.   One of the most feared of the “banditti” was John Murrell, who was raised in Williamson County.  Murrell was rumored to control an organized crime organization of over one thousand men.  Yet, Murrell was not the most ruthless. Franklin lawyer Tony L. Turnbow will discuss “John Murrell and Land Pirates of the Natchez Trace” or “When Pirates Roamed Franklin.”

About the Speaker
Turnbow has studied the old Natchez Trace for more than thirty years.  He authored the nonfiction Hardened to Hickory: The Missing Chapter of Andrew Jackson’s Life about Jackson’s first military command on the Natchez Trace.  He has also written a young adult historical fiction trilogy Fighting Devil’s Backbone about a young boy’s fight with a bandit and other challenges on the road. Turnbow is the past president of the Natchez Trace Parkway Association, and he serves on the Board of Trustees of the Lewis and Clark Trust.  He is currently writing a book about the mysterious death of explorer Meriwether Lewis south of Franklin on the Natchez Trace.