Barry's Genealogy Diary

This online genealogical diary is hosted by Barry T. Self. It is primarily for information pertaining to the SELF surname, more particularly for descendants of John J. and Lydia Avaline Waters Self, who were married in Union County, GA in 1851. Barry Self is the SELF proclaimed family genealogist and historian, having spent over 20 years researching this Self line. This diary is dedicated to preserving and sharing the findings of his research.

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Location: Madisonville, Tennessee, United States

I am married to a wonderful and sweet wife, Svitlana, who is from Ukraine and we have a beautiful daughter, Lydia Elizabeth. I have worked in the funeral business since 1988 and thoroughly enjoy researching my family roots.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

JUST AN OATH AWAY

This story is the fourth in a series of eight stories that Lucille Linton shared with me as told to her by her mother Lila Self Hunt.

Fannie Self married Dutch Summey around 1923, and they moved into a house on the mountain farm of Jim McMahan in the Piney Flats Community. Mr. McMahan had several children before his wife died, and he married Miss Summey, sister of Dutch. Miss Summey had a son named Dick who attended her wedding.

Dutch and Jim had a serious argument one day in Jim's yard. Jim told Dick to fetch his gun. Dick brought the gun, but fatally shot Jim with it instead of giving it to him.

A neighbor, Mrs. Emery Self (Mary) heard the shot and screams and hurried to the McMahan's house. Upon arrival, Mrs. McMahan cried, "Oh, Ms. Self, Dick has killed Mr. McMahan!"

The sheriff was sent for and, during interrogation, Ms. McMahan declared her brother had shot Jim. Dutch was arrested and kept in jail until the trial.

As a witness, Mary testified of what Ms. McMahan had blurted out. Her testimony was the only thing that kept Dutch from being sent to the electric chair for a crime he didn't commit.

As a juvenile who had an accident, Dick was not charged for shooting Mr. McMahan.

Fannie Self Summey was the daughter of John Simpson Self and Mary Tucker Self.