30. The Road to Revolt
As the returning veterans saw it, violence was the only way to vindicate their rights in McMinn County. Complaints went nowhere, as local officials and the local judge were corrupt. The entire government machinery was on the take, getting a cut from various illicit activities, from moonshine stills to misappropriation of public funds. And presiding over it all was Sheriff Cantrell, who turned a blind eye to official corruptions, and acted as enforcers to intimidate dissenters.
Things had gotten worse during WWII: with nearly the entire fit male population in uniform and away, the Sheriff’s deputies had a free run of the females. As they endured the depredations, “wait ’til the boys get back!” became a mantra amongst the locals. As the vets drifted back home, they determined to change things. So they formed “The GI Nonpartisan Party” to contest the elections scheduled for August 2nd, 1946.