Skeleton Valley
James Grindstaff was inspired to select law enforcement as a career after hearing the legendary Sheriff Bob Arrowood speak to his high school. He worked hard and was selected by Bob for the Carter County sheriff's department. Soon after beginning his job, he was drafted into the army and served in World War II. James left town a young man and returned a seasoned, wounded war hero. The sheriff welcomed him back into the department, and soon James became his right-hand man. The department maintained a very low crime rate for the county and was used as an example for other agencies. Because of the esteem he held for the office and the man, James chose to ignore a dark and dangerous side of the sheriff, which would surface on occasions. This continued until events unfolded that James could no longer ignore, and which resulted in Bob's death. James was elected to become the next in a long line of heroic sheriffs for the county, and Bob's reputation remained intact. This type of loyalty and service carried James far beyond Carter County and Skeleton Valley.
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Acknowledgements- |
When writing original fiction, inspiration comes from many sources, and this work is no different. There are many I want to thank, but an extra-special thanks goes out to the following:
Dr. P. D. Miller, for his continued interest and encouragement. Mr. Walt Powell, an advisor and friend. Mr. Frank Merritt, for his book, Later History of Carter County-1865-1980. Cyclone 1951-1952, yearbooks of Elizabethton High School. Mr. Pat Murphy, for sharing with me some of his expertise in firearms. Mr. Buck McClellan, for his support of all my projects. |