Bolton–Dickins feud

The Bolton–Dickens feud was a bloody intrafamily conflict in Tennessee in the United States from 1856 to 1870. The principals were former business partners in the extensive multi-state slave trading firm, Bolton, Dickens & Co. In what amounted to a West Tennessee gangland war, between seven and 19 people were ultimately killed, including at least two (and possibly several) unidentified former slaves. The conflict began when Isaac Bolton killed another slave trader over a business deal gone bad. When the cost of getting him acquitted was put into the Bolton & Dickens business accounts, Thomas Dickins protested fiercely and the firm was ultimately dissolved. Following the American Civil War, as various parties requested in court that firm's accounts be settled and remaining funds distributed, tensions rose again. There was a raid on Thom Dickins' house in which two of his servants were killed. Then Thom Dickins walked up to Wade H. Bolton in broad daylight and shot him. Dickins was acquitted at trial, but was himself shot and killed a year later by persons unknown. Dickins' son died shortly thereafter under unclear circumstances, effectively concluding the violence.