This first picture is believed to be of a group that includes many of the members of a gang called the Blue Bills. This picture was taken at Henderson Springs Hotel located near Pigeon Forge Tennessee. We believe the picture was taken after the funeral of a young woman (picture near buggy wheel). The time this picture was taken was between (1887-1893). Books have been published about what went on in Sevier County Tennessee in the late 1800's. One book entitled "White Caps" was written by Ethelred W. Crozier, published in 1899 by Bean, Warters & Gaul Printers and Binders, Knoxville, TN pp. 1-217.

The story tells of a group or gang of well-meaning people of Sevier County TN who decided to take the law into their own hands and punish people who this gang thought were un-fit citizens. The gang called themselves the White Caps. They wore white caps that covered their faces while they carried out the punishment they decided need to be given. Many people knew who these men were, many being well-known businessmen of Sevier County. At first many people approved of this gang. But as time passed the gang started beating people who had done nothing wrong. Even so most of the non-gang members didn't like what was going on, they were afraid to speak up against the activities of the White Caps.

William and Laura Whaley were killed by the White Caps in the presence of their young child. The picture by the buggy wheel could be a picture of Laura Whaley or perhaps a member of the Henderson family who died about this same time, perhaps un-related to the activities of the White Caps. Never-the-less as things the White Caps did, like killing people, intensified, James Arron Henderson a young doctor living in Sevierville organized a gang to oppose the White Caps. This gang was called the Blue Bills. This name came from the caps worn by this gang that was blue in color, not covering their faces.

Many battles took place in Sevier County between these two groups and several of the Hendersons were mentioned in this book. In 1894 someone shot and killed James Arron Henderson as he sat in his living room reading a paper. A unknown person shot him through a living room window. No one was ever convicted of this killing. James Arron Henderson was accredited with being brave and fearless and for bringing terror to the White Caps and bringing about an ending to the activities of the White Caps. Some members of the White Caps gang were convicted sentenced and hanged for crimes committed by members of the White Caps.

This picture was taken to Kansas in the late 1890's by members of the Henderson family who lived in Sevier County and kept in an old trunk until discovered about 100 years later. Upon close examination of this picture, you can see that most men in the picture are holding either rifles or pistols. One person, who might have been James Arron Henderson is standing in front and has two guns, a rifle and a pistol, he is wearing a necktie.

Randal Bruster Henderson
(1816-1886)