history

> One reader pointed out that this would not be the first election that led to violence because of corrupt politicians counting votes in their favor. The corruption in politics was just in your face. In Athens, Tennessee, the Cantrell-Mansfield government was not only rigging their election to stay in power, but they were also involved in bootlegging, gambling, and protection scheme shaking down local businesses and citizens along with tourists demanding big fines and fees. Because of the corruption, Athens stagnated and did not boom as other cities revived. When veterans returned home from the war and found corruption out of control, they began to confront Cantrell and Mansfield who tried to nullify the veterans’ votes and reform efforts.