Fact or Fiction? Wild Life of Gunfighter Clay Allison

Robert Andrew “Clay” Allison was once asked what he did for a living and he replied, “I am a shootist.” It is simply not possible to verify the multiple accounts of his numerous outrageous activities with “news” being what it was at the time and a century intervening. Though many of the tales were highly exaggerated, if even half of them were true, people were right to be afraid of him.

Born with a clubfoot, Robert Clay Allison, known as “Clay”, was born September 2, 1840, in Waynesboro, Tennessee to Jeremiah and Mariah Brown  Allison. His father, a Presbyterian minister, also worked in the cattle and sheep business and died when Clay was only five. Clay was said to have been restless from birth and as he grew into manhood, he became feared for his wild mood swings and easy anger.

Read Full Article »


Comment
Show comments Hide Comments


Related Articles