The Sheriff

Wednesday July 4, 2012

Bob Clayton is the wealthiest man in Monroe County, Tennessee. His wealth was built on beer joints and bootlegging. Clayton owned every beer joint in the county, which was a “dry” county for many years. In Tennessee a dry county is one where beer can be sold, but not wine or liquor. Clayton recognized the value of the forbidden liquid, so he made arrangements to sell liquor out of the back room of each of his beer joints.

Clayton also owned every sheriff elected in Monroe County since 1958, the year he first went into business, and Sheriff John Robert “Hoss” Mason was no different. The story is that Mason, who stands 5′7" and weighs 135 pounds, got the nickname when he tried out for the basketball team at Madisonville High School when he was a freshman, and his coach took a look at him and said, “You’re a hoss, ain’t you, son.” Hoss has been Sheriff for the past 40 years having first been elected in 1972. His alliance with Clayton made Hoss a millionaire several times over.

By 2008 the pair controlled all illegal drug trafficking in Monroe County, and Clayton had control over McMinn, Polk, and Bradley Counties through his alliance with the District Attorney General. In 2010 Clayton financed and Mason pushed through a referendum to allow package liquor sales and the sale of liquor by the drink in Monroe County. Each precinct in the county voted in favor of liquor sales, so the entire county was wet. Of course, Clayton controlled the vast majority of liquor sales in Monroe County.

Hoss had announced his retirement prior to the primary election, and his son, John Robert, Junior “J.R.“, had won the Democratic primary to replace his father. J.R. had been Hoss’ Chief Deputy for the past 8 years learning the ropes and the politics of the office. The three men had gathered at Hoss’ cabin in the Rafter community outside of Tellico Plains to plot election strategy. Very few people knew about the cabin, hidden up an old logging trail and not visible from any roadway but relatively close to Indian Boundary Lake and Flats Creek. The cabin had electricity from solar panels, running water from a well, and satellite television and internet service also via satellite. A large open meadow lay a couple hundred feet from the cabin.

“Hoss, can that damned Haverty win the Attorney General race?” Clayton asked.

Tennessee is divided into judicial districts, and the chief prosecutor for each district is the District Attorney General.

“He looks pretty strong from what I’m hearing.”

“That could cause us serious problems. We need get Richard off the golf course and campaigning rather than counting on all of us to elect his sorry ass again.”

Richard Garrett had been District Attorney General for the past 16 years, and he too had benefited greatly from Clayton’s businesses. Garrett didn’t try cases, but instead, he relied on his assistants. Richard played lots of golf and schmoozed with wealthy contributors.

Michael “Mike” Haverty won the May Republican primary for District Attorney General of the 10th Judicial Circuit of Tennessee, consisting of Monroe, McMinn, Polk, and Bradley Counties. Haverty made a reputation among his fellow lawyers as a bulldog defense lawyer, and many were surprised when he entered the race. His campaign had but a single theme: “Get rid of the drugs and dealers.” Haverty pounded on this theme over and over in the primary, and he carried all four counties by a strong margin over two other candidates.

“I hear Richard is still going to do OK in Bradley where he’s from, but Haverty is holding his own in McMinn and is really strong here and in Polk,” J.R. offered. “People still remember him from his playing days at U.T. That former Vol factor goes a long way around here, plus this get rid of the drugs and dealers bullshit he’s sellin’ hits home with the church people.”

Haverty, stood 6′3" and weighed in at 240 lbs., and as a high school player was a 3-time all-state linebacker at Sweetwater High School. When offered a scholarship to the University to Tennessee, Haverty jumped at the chance to play for the Vols. Although injured in his sophomore year, Haverty had worked hard to recover, and started at middle linebacker his senior year. The NFL didn’t call, so he went to law school, passed the bar, and returned to Monroe County to practice in 2000.

“Do we have any dirt on him, Hoss?” Clayton asked.

“Not that I can find. His as clean as a whistle as far as I can tell.”

“Can he be bought?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Everybody’s got a weak spot. The election is August second. Boys, you better find something, or we may be out of business.”

“Happy 4th of July,” Hoss snorted as Clayton got up to leave.

J.R. turned to Hoss as Clayton closed the cabin’s front door, “What are we going to do?”

“You heard the man. Find Haverty’s weak spot or make one for him.”

* * * * *

Across the county in his hometown of Sweetwater Haverty was making a stump speech to an enthusiastic crowd in the town square. “Sadly, we all know someone who has been affected by the scourge of drugs. People have died, lives have been ruined, and crime has risen because of this plague. When you elect me as your next District Attorney General, we are going to take back our communities. We will get rid of the drugs that have ruined so many lives, and we will put the drug dealers in prison. The time has come for change in our justice system. It is in your hands. Get out and vote. Talk to your neighbors and friends. Let’s do this together!”

Hoss’ phone rang as he drove back to Madisonville from Rafter. It was Ronnie Torbett, one of Hoss’ longtime deputies. “Hoss, you should see this crowd Haverty’s attracted in Sweetwater. I’d bet there are over 500 people in the crowd, and they’re fired up.”

“Great. Thanks for the report Ronnie. Go on home and spend some time with your family.”

Shit! We better get busy, Hoss thought as he dialed J.R.’s number.

J.R. answered on the first ring. “Hello.”

“Remember the electronics guy we used to get some dirt on Mayor McNamara a couple years ago?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Have him in my office at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.”