Bill Dixon,
Son of David C. Dixon Sr. holds the gun that was spoken on
Lois Rush page
"There had been a hearing about a man with a liquor still who had shot a constable who found the still," Buster said. "Grandaddy Dixon was at the hearing and he was given the pistol used in the shooting. He went straight to the play after the hearing."
The fire broke out after a kerosene lamp fell onto the stage during what was possibly the third act of "Topsy Turvy," slated as the school's last play, as Cleveland and Charlotte Thompson schools were being consolidated.
"Uncle Dave found the gun after the fire and kept it. Our cousin Bill still has the pistol," said Buster.
Earl and Buster's cousin, Donnie, said the gun was one of the last things his Grandfather talked about before he passed away in 1976.