Richard
Griffin
Newville
Baptist Church Cemetery
Newville, Alabama (Henry County)
Submitted by Roberta Whiddon Childs
Inscription reads:
Federal Prohibition Agent
Died Doing His Duty |
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| Photo courtesy of Roberta Whiddon Childs |
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Griffin,
Richard D. b. January 05, 1896 d. December 07, 1920
Richard, “Dick”,
was the son of State Representative John Thomas and Margaret
Varina Hudspeth Griffin. In 1917, he was attending Howard
College, working at Tennessee Coal, Iron, and Railroad
Company (Docena, Alabama) as a watchman, and joined the
Home Guard of Alabama May 17, 1917. In January of 1920,
he was a druggist in Newville. By December of 1920, Richard
was an FBI “G-Man”. He was killed at Coolie Springs near
Birmingham by bootleggers during the Era of Prohibition.
NOTE:
The following article is exactly as we received it
when the story was submitted to us. Alabama Heritage is
not responsible for its accuracy. Please refer to
the publication's archives for exact wording,
spelling, and information.
Newville Advertiser: "MOONSHINERS CAUGHT"
U.S. Marshal "Dick" Griffin
captured D. Lemous and John Roberts colored for operating
a 20-gallon still a mile from town. December 11, 1920.
Richard Griffin son of Mr. J. T. Griffin of this place,
a federal prohibition officer, was killed in the discharge
of his duty, near Cooley Springs about 30 miles from
Birmingham last Monday night by alleged moon shiners.
Five arrests have been made in connection with the killing
according to information received by wire form N. L.
Pierce, Alabama Prohibition Enforcement Chief. Another
man who is said to have been there was the leader in
setting up the trap to kill the U. S. Officers is still
at large.
The following have been arrested: Allen Johnson
Whitney, who killed Griffin and a deacon of "The Church" and
in whose home officers have captured 118 gal of moonshine
and his three sons. The body of Mr. Griffin was returned
to Newville and was buried Thursday. The funeral was
conducted by Rev. W. J. Martin Abbeville and attended
by a host of Friends and relatives.
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