Deputy Sheriff William Bartlett McIntosh

William Bartlett McIntosh

Deputy Sheriff William McIntosh was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest two men in south Ooltewah.

The suspects had set up a roadblock on the Dixie Highway and were robbing travelers. One of the suspects shot Deputy McIntosh as he arrived on the scene. The suspects then took people hostage and refused to allow them to render aid to the officer. Other officers arriving on the scene shot and wounded one of the suspects. He then forced a couple to drive him to a hospital where he was apprehended. The other suspect escaped.

The suspect who was apprehended was convicted of murder and sentenced to 21 years. The suspect, and the gunman, who escaped was arrested four days later in Carrolton, Georgia, for robbing a woman in Dalton. He and a Tennessee officer were on a train on their way back to Hamilton County when he asked permission to use the toilet. When he never came out, the officer discovered he crawled through a small window and jumped out near Cassville, Georgia.

In October of 1929 the James County Sheriff took a trip to Oklahoma. He was looking at pictures of Oklahoma Penitentiary inmates when he saw one that was Deputy Mcintosh's killer. He was extradited back to Hamilton County and tried for murder in February of 1920. The suspect who had changed his name said they had the wrong man. Witnesses from 1919 were not sure if he was the suspect or not. His accomplice was brought in from the Tennessee Penitentiary, but refused to say anything. He was acquitted.

James County reincorporated into Hamilton County on December 11th, 1919, after the county went bankrupt.