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Note: Rufus King Anderson was said to be an overbearing, reckless man, who insulted
whom he pleased, and was generally regarded as a dangerous man. Peacable men avoided difficulties with him, and would often submit to exactions rather than enter into a deadly conflict. To oppose him in any way, or to incur his resentment, brought life into jeopardy. He resided in Pickens and served as Senator in the State Legislature from 1829 to 1833.
His sister Caroline died giving birth to her first born. Her husband, an attorney,
Thomas Paine Taul abused his wife and took no pains in concealing the fact.
Rufus heard about her death and let it be known that he was coming to the
town of Winchester to kill Thomas Paine. Rufus arrived during mid-day and
had someone point out Thomas Paine to him. Rufus walked directly up to
Thomas Paine and shot him among his friends. Rufus was arrested, bailed,
and tried. He was defended by Felix Grundy. The soon to be governor of Alabama
Samuel B Moore had accompanied him to Franklin Co to show his support.
Rufus was found not guilty. Another attorney, Mr Gideon B Frierson, was
very upset about the acquittal. Some time after the trial, it was said that
Rufus King had beaten one of his female slaves to death and left her hanging
in his barn. Mr Frierson made his way to Rufus' barn to see for himself if
it was true, and sure enough she was hanging there. Rufus was told of
Mr Frierson's actions, and Rufus declared to everyone that he would kill
Mr Frierson for taking such a liberty with his property. Rufus advanced
down the main street shouting for Mr Frierson to come out and fight like a
man, as he had come to kill him. Mr Frierson had locked himself in his
office. Rufus climbed the stairs and kicked in the door with two hand guns
drawn. Mr Frierson had armed himself with a shotgun and fired once..
missing Rufus. It is not known if Rufus fired or not. Mr Frierson fired again
and hit Rufus in the chest and he kept coming. Mr Frierson had fired all
his shots and turned the gun around to use as a club and swung it as
hard as he could, in the mean time Rufus had picked up a chair and
held it in front of him, but Mr Frierson was such a large man that the gun
broke the chair, shattering the shotgun stock and the steel cock of the
shotgun was buried in Rufus' skull. He died in a matter of minutes.
There was such a sigh of relief in the town that Rufus was dead, that
Mr Frierson was not charged for any crime.
It is also ironic, that Samuel B Moore (then ex-governor) was elected
to fill out the term of Rufus King Anderson in the Senate.
Source: The History of Pickens Co., Ala 1540-1920 by James F Clanahan.
Colonel Garrett "History of the Public Men of Alabama.
"Early Settlers of Alabama" by Colonel James E Saunders 1880 Page 94
More About RUFUS KING ANDERSON:
Burial: Martin Cemetery near Yorkville.
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