It’s not often that an IOTD subject has already been well research. I like to think most of the people and clubs we look into are new ground. However, when Gene asked me to look into the story behind Shot Winchester, my research pulled up the book “Sins of the South: Big Secrets in a Small Town” by Maureen Hughes.

My first thought was, great, that will cut down on the time on creating a timeline and pulling newspapers articles and chasing sources. It became clear rather quickly that if this book was your ONLY source for the life and times of Shot Winchester, you might be missing a few things.

First off, let me say that if you are interested in the history and flavor of southern Illinois in the heydays of vice, this is a pretty good book. Its focus is very narrow as it is mainly about this one character. If you are interested in more about the other movers and shakers of the times you will probably not find it here. Since I was interested mainly in Winchester himself, this is a good source.

I think my main criticism comes from the way the book comes out VERY one sided. In the introduction, the author says she was asked to investigate the death of Shot Winchester by his surviving family, and it definitely reads like the author had them in mind the entire time. In every instance that Shot was accused of doing something wrong, the book tries its best to put the blame elsewhere. Two examples are from the beginning and the end. As said in the IOTD, Shot was convicted of murder at the age of 15 after he killed a kid who had cheated him at craps. The book says that Winchester asked for his money back and an apology, but instead received neither and was further taunted by the boy until he was pushed over the edge. It clearly puts the blame on the murdered boy, not Shot. This pro-Winchester bias is repeated throughout the book. Winchester indicted for receiving stolen property? His friends say “No way, he was set-up.” Winchester indicted for aiding and abetting Clate Adams’ murder? His friends say “Not a chance.” Even the cause for his supposed murder was spun in his favor. The author says the motive for Winchester being assassinated was because he knew too much about the huge drug trade in southern Illinois. But not because he was involved in the illicit business (absolutely not), but because he was so nice that everyone told him their business. To believe the slant of the book is to believe that Shot Winchester was not only innocent, but the victim of everything he was himself accused.

I have no doubt that the author did her homework for this book. She says she interviewed eye-witnesses and did on-site investigations. I think however she might rely too much on 50-60 year old memories of friends and family and not enough on the facts at the time. The book makes it very clear that Winchester was murdered (not really a spoiler since that is the main point of the book) and even goes as far as to reconstruct the murder down to the people and conversations that happened – none of which was stated in any records at the time. What is stated in court documents is his wife testified that he said he would kill himself before going to jail again. The fact he said this on the night he was found dead in his car, and the same day he was being indicted for murder, is not given in the book as a possible reason for his death.

As for the readability, it’s a nice quick read. I wish the book had gone through a couple edits to clean up misspellings and some clunky writing at times, but I was able to get through it quickly (even stopping to take notes).

If it sounds like I’m being over critical, that is not my intention. I enjoyed the read and would recommend that those interested in the subject to pick it up. Just understand that the story you are getting is mainly told from one point of view. Keep your mind open and I think history buffs will enjoy it.