I’m from the area and remember when he died quite well. Over the years I have talked to a number of people around Adamsville and Selmer about him and I have heard some incredible stories. But where he’s concerned, it’s hard to separate fact from fiction.
I also lived in Adamsville and knew his mom. There was no sawmill. His dad was a bootlegger. If you bought from his dad, you were all right. If you bought from the competition he'd break your back. The whole movie was pure fantasy.