"You're standing right about where the judge died," pointed out Ron Hall, a Carroll County historian, while standing inside the old Carroll County courthouse.
In a Carroll County courtroom, on March 14, 1912, a guilty verdict was handed down, and Floyd Allen was sentenced to one year in prison.
"He stood in the courtroom and said 'Gentlemen, I ain't a-going,'" said historian Gary Marshall, of what started the gun battle. "Whether that was a signal or just emotion venting, that's part of the debate surrounding this event."
"In the space of about 90 seconds they fired 57 shots in the room. They killed five people: the judge, the prosecutor, a member of the jury, a witness, and the sheriff," said Hall.
In the end a total of seven were dead; Floyd Allen and his son were tried and executed for capital murder.
"The consequences of the devastation here in this courthouse was hell for a number of families and for our community for a long, long time," said Marshall.
The courthouse has been remodeled since 1912 and it's not often used, but signs of the gun-battle are still visible. Two bullet holes can be seen in the courthouse steps.
Less visible but just as real, is the impact the shooting still has on the community, even now 100 years later.
"It's history. We can't do anything about it," said David Victor Allen, a Carroll County resident. "It's been written about, talked about, it's history. We need to look at it and try to learn the lessons that need to be learned."
Victor Allen is a descendant of the Allen family. He's participate in anniversary events, including a play, a symposium and memorial services, all in an effort to honor the lives lost and move forward.
"I hope that's what happens," said Allen.
You can get more information on the specific events scheduled by clicking here.
