Description:
For the first half of the 20th Century in Polk County, Tennessee, Sheriff Burch Biggs reigned supreme. From 1904 to 1948, the political machine of Biggs was built upon three pillars-election fraud, police brutality, and graft-and while it is true that Biggs was not the first (or last) American sheriff to permit "fee-grabbing", take kickbacks, or stuff the ballot box, the duration and brutality of his tenure makes him exceptional.
Biggs was elected sheriff eight times, and when he was out of office, one of his two sons served in his place. The Biggs Machine tells the story of Burch Biggs, his corrupt empire, and how it all came crashing down following World War II.
Extensively researched, including interviews with Polk Countians who lived during the Biggs regime, The Biggs Machine presents the true story of how "absolute power corrupts absolutely", and a cautionary tale to prevent history from repeating itself.
Brief description: Tyler L. Boyd's first book, Tennessee Statesman Harry T. Burn: Woman Suffrage, Free Elections and a Life of Service(2019), was selected for the Tennessee State Museum's 2020 Book Club, won the Award of Distinction from the East Tennessee Historical Society, and the Award for Historic Preservation from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. His second book, Nellie Kenyon: Trailblazing Tennessee Journalist, was published in 2022.Boyd studies history, civics, economics, geography, and philosophy. He enjoys genealogy, running, traveling, and the cinema. He has a B.A. in history and a M.S. in teacher education, both from the University of Tennessee. He has taught high school in Loudon, Bradley, and McMinn Counties. He currently serves as a Programs committee member at the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, as vice president of the McMinn County Historical Society, and on the McMinn County Library Board.Born and raised in Athens, he resides in East Tennessee.
Review Quotes:
"My father's family moved from Marietta, GA to Cleveland, TN in 1948,
and the bus line came up 411 Hwy to Benton. He told me how scared he was
as a six-year-old child when he got off the bus and saw the National Guard
troops around the Polk County courthouse. This book had me reliving what
my dad experienced and helped me understand the divisions I can still see at
times in modern day Polk County. I once had a public official tell me 'we've
been screwed for years. It's time for us to do the screwing.' I wondered where
such hard feelings came from. After reading Tyler's book, I now know." -Mike Bell (R),
former Tennessee State Senator
"Tyler Boyd has captured the political climate in Polk County, Tennessee
in the mid-20th century with this book. This picturesque rural county
in East Tennessee with its small population became a must stop for every
politician seeking state or federal offices. Burch Biggs was a political strategist
that was able to control all local races for years, and grew his influence
to affect adjoining counties and state and federal elections as well. His influence
in the state legislature was well documented. The Sheriff controlled
the county with little oversight in these days. During this same time, several
murders occurred, many that were a direct result of political differences
and evidences of voter suppression and stuffing the ballot boxes."
-Richard W. Brogan,
retired Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Special Agent in Charge for East Tennessee
"Tyler Boyd has written not only a well-researched and engaging story but
has also written the definitive account of how Polk County politics came to
be dominated by the infamous, political-machine boss, Burch Biggs. This is
essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Tennessee politics."
-Dr. Warren Doctker,
President and CEO, East Tennessee Historical Society