Brushy Mountain..James Earl Ray was here. by TomDart
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Description
After convict labor became and irritant to local coal miners, a "miners revolt" led to the establishment of a prison system in the state of Tennessee, USA. Brushy Mountain was the first, dating from 1896. In 1998, the confessed assassin of Martin Luther King, Jr. died as a prisoner here. That was James Earl Ray. He recanted the confession soon after incarceration. Many conspiracy theories have come and gone about the killing of Mr. King.
I could get no closer than the visitors gate and shots are from the best viewpoints available outside the fences. I was in there once, years ago..(not for crime LOL). Today, I would not go in since the hardest of criminals are in those walls.
Sorry the photography is not better. Still, the history is interesting and seeing the place is even better. Diffult and steep terrain surrounds 3 sides. Escapes have been attempted but all are caught generally nearby.
Comments (6)
Richardphotos
very interesting but I do not want to visit. My son recently was applying as a jailer close to Dallas.luckily for him he did not get hired.
MrsLubner
Yes, interesting. I remember camping in Huntsville, TX years ago as a teenageer and later in life going to the Huntsville prison rodeo every year. The lifers were featured in a bull match... they would try to snatch a check for some big money off the forehead of a wild bull. What did they have to lose? They were all going to stay behind the walls or be executed anyway. Now I live not far from Folsom prison and they have a gift shop with crafts and art done by inmates and a history center people can visit. I pass by there and have no desire to stop any more, although 25 years ago I did and bought some inmate art. Big named people have seen the inside but I only want to quickly drive past it and get on with life... not examine suspended life forms... Nice shot of a historical site.
Biffowitz
I think you've done a grand job of portraying the toughness of this place and its inhabitants. It's certainly somewhere I'd rather pass on residing at. Cool captures!!
jocko500
thanks for the history. First time I saw this place. I do know of Ray but did not know where he was at.
mollymaye
Interesting photo and info.
DJB
Surprised you can take photos of this. Good bit of info, and I like the way you shot the wire fence at top.