I’ve found that one interesting aspect of history is that it’s there whether or not you know orcare to look. And if you start digging, there’s no telling what you may find.

My historical interest was piqued this past year when a copy of True Detective Mysteriesmagazine from 1938 circulated through our family after years tucked away. A story with thedramatic headline of “I married a fugitive!” revealed a remarkable, crime movie-caliber story,told from the perspective of the wife of a wanted man.

The true story was about my great-great uncle, my great-grandfather’s brother, and inspiredthis week’s cover story.

Kohler Holdsclaw, a.k.a. Frank Bentley, died eight years before I was born, but I grew up nextdoor to my great-grandfather, Doyle, and that made the story land with impact.

Over the years, I had heard bits and pieces about a shooting long ago in the small town ofTerrell, just west of Mooresville, and recall hearing about a man fleeing on his horse. But I neverknew that the shooter was sentenced to the electric chair, escaped prison, took on an alternateidentity and lived far from his home, only to later be discovered, then cleared. And I certainlyhad no knowledge of how close it was in the bloodline.

In fact, some things hit a little too close to home, like when I discovered that my neighborgrowing up, a lady I would consider an extra grandmother, is the niece of Johnse Gabriel, theman Kohler killed.

There are also some eerie similarities between Kohler and some of us living today. One of mysecond cousins bears a stark resemblance to him. And like Kohler was, I am a Chicago Cubs fan.

Terrell has changed a lot over the years, but it is still far from a metropolis. Depending on justwhere you believe the town starts, it has either two or three traffic lights. Like all towns nearLake Norman, the town has grown over the past few decades. A hundred years ago, though,homes and people were few and far between. A shooting in town would cause a major stir thesedays; I can only imagine what the town must have been like in December, 1919, as one man laydead and another fled for his life, their families, two of the cornerstones of the area, left to cope.Descendants of both families still live in the area, and many worship together at RehobethChurch, a short distance from the site of the shooting and the spot where Gabriel is buried. Thescene of the shooting, Connor’s Store, is now the Terrell Country Store, at the corner of N.C. 150and Sherrills Ford Road.

My late great-grandfather did not like to talk about the shooting. Whenever people inquiredabout his brother, the results were always the same. Grandpa Doyle would mutter a few quick,sharp words and nothing else. My hope is that he would understand me telling the story. He wasknown to tell some stories, too.

The date of this edition is significant to the story. July 22 was the day Kohler was drafted intothe Army, left for his exploration out West and the date he was found guilty. It was also hisbirthday.

I am glad I’ve learned more about my family’s history. I encourage you to examine yours aswell. But be forewarned.

It can be overwhelming.