Fictional Lynching Causes Big Stir in Little Tennessee Town
Author's Book Creates Conflict in Davey Crocket's Hometown
Manassas Park, VA, November 02, 2007 --(PR.com)-- When Virginia author, Larry Buttram, released his third novel, The Third Generation, he didn't expect the response he would receive from some of the residents in Greeneville, Tennessee where the story takes place.
Said Buttram, "This is my third and final novel set in Greeneville, and the other two have been well received by the local residents. I didn't think referencing a fictional lynching would create such a controversy."
Buttram said that, although he has explained that the lynching referenced in the story never really happened, he's had a couple of people tell him how disappointed they are that he chose to include such an incident in his book. "They informed me that Greeneville has always been a peaceful and progressive little town void of the racial turmoil that engulfed many southern towns in the 'old days'."
"I would understand," continued Buttram, "If I were referencing an incident which really happened and therefore flaming old fires, but I even state in the book that to the best of my knowledge no such event ever took place in Greeneville."
While Buttram's book is fictional and does not reference any actual event, at least one former Greeneville resident thinks it may closely reflect the truth. Eleanor Mosca, who now resides in California but who grew up in Greeneville, believes that lynchings did take place in the area at one time. Mosca describes how, as a child growing up in Greene County in the 1940's, she would often roam the woods near her home. One day, while walking with her grandmother, they came upon a large tree in a clearing. Her grandmother pointed out the tree and told her that it was where, in the old days (presumably in the 19th century) that they used to hang colored people. Mosca says she never discussed the issue with her grandmother again.
When asked why he chose Greeneville as the setting for his novels, Buttram explained, "I grew up in a little town nearby, but Greeneville was a better fit for my stories. It was the right size, had the right racial makeup and, with both Davey Crocket and President Andrew Johnson being from the area, it had a lot of history."
About the Author
Larry Buttram was born in 1949 in Oneida, Tennessee and started writing at the age of twelve when his English teacher challenged him to enter a school short-story competition. He entered and won the competition. He continued to write as a hobby throughout high school, and began a school newspaper when he was fourteen. He continued to write throughout his career and college and took numerous creative writing and literature courses. Today he lives in Manassas Park, Virginia, with his wife, Bridget. They have two sons and four grandchildren. He has written three novels and one collection of short stories.
Contact: Larry Buttram at 703-331-5957, or via e-mail at lab49@att.net.
New Virginia Publications
9185 Matthew Dr.
Manassas Park, Va. 20111
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Said Buttram, "This is my third and final novel set in Greeneville, and the other two have been well received by the local residents. I didn't think referencing a fictional lynching would create such a controversy."
Buttram said that, although he has explained that the lynching referenced in the story never really happened, he's had a couple of people tell him how disappointed they are that he chose to include such an incident in his book. "They informed me that Greeneville has always been a peaceful and progressive little town void of the racial turmoil that engulfed many southern towns in the 'old days'."
"I would understand," continued Buttram, "If I were referencing an incident which really happened and therefore flaming old fires, but I even state in the book that to the best of my knowledge no such event ever took place in Greeneville."
While Buttram's book is fictional and does not reference any actual event, at least one former Greeneville resident thinks it may closely reflect the truth. Eleanor Mosca, who now resides in California but who grew up in Greeneville, believes that lynchings did take place in the area at one time. Mosca describes how, as a child growing up in Greene County in the 1940's, she would often roam the woods near her home. One day, while walking with her grandmother, they came upon a large tree in a clearing. Her grandmother pointed out the tree and told her that it was where, in the old days (presumably in the 19th century) that they used to hang colored people. Mosca says she never discussed the issue with her grandmother again.
When asked why he chose Greeneville as the setting for his novels, Buttram explained, "I grew up in a little town nearby, but Greeneville was a better fit for my stories. It was the right size, had the right racial makeup and, with both Davey Crocket and President Andrew Johnson being from the area, it had a lot of history."
About the Author
Larry Buttram was born in 1949 in Oneida, Tennessee and started writing at the age of twelve when his English teacher challenged him to enter a school short-story competition. He entered and won the competition. He continued to write as a hobby throughout high school, and began a school newspaper when he was fourteen. He continued to write throughout his career and college and took numerous creative writing and literature courses. Today he lives in Manassas Park, Virginia, with his wife, Bridget. They have two sons and four grandchildren. He has written three novels and one collection of short stories.
Contact: Larry Buttram at 703-331-5957, or via e-mail at lab49@att.net.
New Virginia Publications
9185 Matthew Dr.
Manassas Park, Va. 20111
###
Contact
New Virginia Publications
Larry Buttram
703-331-5957
www.larrybuttram.com
Larry Buttram
703-331-5957
www.larrybuttram.com
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