The Moody-Tolliver Feud began as a bitter dispute over the estate of William Toliver, a wealthy farmer in Southern Indiana. He was the son of John and Soloma Toliver, who were among the early settlers of Lawrence County, Indiana, arriving from Alabama in 1818. William and his wife, Delana Burton, would have thirteen children. When Delana died in 1868 at the age of 53, she left him with three children still living at home. Less than six months after her death, William Toliver married Polly Moody, a spinster living on a neighboring farm with four bachelor brothers.

About eighteen months after his marriage to Polly, William was killed in a wagon accident. He was 59 years old and did not leave a will. The Toliver children and sons-in-law publicly accused Polly and the Moody family of theft at the estate sale, where Thomas Moody was severely beaten by five younger Toliver men and Bent Jones, who was married to one of their sisters. This resulted in a series of lawsuits, all won by the Moodys. The Tolivers swore that they would get even.

The next five years would include a midnight firebombing attack and the eventual murder of Thomas Moody. Two Toliver brothers, two of their brothers-in-law, and another man were charged with murder. While they were awaiting trial a mob marched on the jail, only to be driven away by gunfire from the prisoners, firing from their cells with handguns that had been smuggled inside. After a series of dramatic trials that were reported from coast to coast, three men were sentenced to life in prison. The others had charges dropped after two juries were deadlocked, although one of the Tolivers escaped on horseback while the second jury was still deliberating.

This is the first complete account of the Moody-Tolliver Feud, based on extensive research, newly discovered documents, and reports from more than one hundred different newspapers.

“The Terror of Indiana: Bent Jones & The Moody-Tolliver Feud” by Bob Moody is available in paperback and Kindle eBook at www.amazon.com. It is also available online from Barnes & Noble (www.bn.com) and can be ordered from their retail stores. The book has recently been added to Apple iBooks and most other eBook platforms. It will also be sold at selected retail shops in Southern Indiana.