Hazard, Kentucky is the setting for this historical story enhanced with some fiction, amazingly well told by author Wayne Combs, the great grandson of Bad Tom Smith. "Bad Tom" Smith was a notorious and murderous character in the late 1800s and as a result of his misdeeds was hanged in the town square for all to see. Still, there is more to a man than his public reputation, Bad Tom Smith was also a family man. This fast paced and realistic book will fill the reader in on many little-known facts, yet told in a storytelling fashion for enjoyable reading. But watch out, many of Americans have roots in Kentucky! You might find your own ties to this infamous character!
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Wayne Combs. Singing From the Gallows: The Story of "Bad Tom" Smith
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction
Smith-Combs Genealogy
A Brief Historical Background of Some Mountain Characters and Characteristics
Early Religion in Eastern Kentucky
Chapter 1. Attempted Escape
Chapter 2. Young Tom
Chapter 3. The French-Eversole Friendship
Chapter 4. French-Eversole Feud Begins
Chapter 5. Tom Takes a Bride
Chapter 6. Tom Joins the French Cause
Chapter 7. A Reign of Terror in Hazard
Chapter 8. The Battle of Hazard
Chapter 9. Tom Helps Start a Church
Chapter 10. Marital Problems
Chapter 11. On to Breathitt County
Chapter 12. Quicksand
Chapter 13. The Murder of Dr. Rader
Chapter 14. Two Trials
Chapter 15. The Hanging
Chapter 16. The Burial
Epilogue
Sources
About the Author
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This work is dedicated to my daughter Christin, who has two great-great-grandfathers mentioned in this book. One was as good as the other was bad.
Back in 1969, I put together a small booklet recounting the life and times of Tom Smith, including an account of his hanging. The little book was well-received, and the 1,000 copies soon sold out. Now, some 44 years later, it is a real treat to learn of Wayne Combs’ new book on Bad Tom called Singing From the Gallows. The wonderful details and a keen insight make his book not only a joy to read, but offers many facts not known by most of us. It is evident much research and hard work have gone into the composition.
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“I talked to them today, Breck. They’re supposed to deliver the lumber tomorrow. I’ve hired a couple of boys in town to build it.”
“Good, H.W. I wish I could find a rope that easy. The only thing I can find around here is that little old one-inch stuff. You can’t hang a man with that flimsy a rope. I telegraphed to Louisville, and they said they will try to find me some suitable rope. By the way, you don’t think some of Bad Tom’s former gang members might try to break him out of jail, do you?”
