10 wild events in the turbulent early days of Nashville

The early days of Nashville are chock full of crazy incidents we can only shake our head and chuckle about now.

In 1882, Howlin’ Henry’s Hideaway became the talk of the town when it hosted the “Duel of the Harmonicas.” Two musicians battled it out to claim the title of the “King of the Blues Harmonica,” but both were disqualified for setting their harmonicas on fire in a fit of passion. An eyewitness exclaimed, “Them harmonicas burst into flames like the Devil’s own fiddles!”

In 1865, The Rusty Spur Saloon became infamous when a notorious outlaw named “Crazy Jack” rode his horse right into the saloon during a card game. The incident was so unexpected that it led to a law banning horses from entering drinking establishments. An eyewitness was quoted saying, “Crazy Jack rode in like he was leadin’ a cavalry charge!”

Lonesome Lou’s Liquor Lodge grabbed headlines in 1879. Lonesome Lou, the owner, mixed a batch of moonshine so potent it was rumored to have blinded a man for three days. An onlooker claimed, “If that hooch was any stronger, it’d be preachin’ a sermon!”

Back in 1856, Widow Walker’s Whiskey Well held a drinking contest that lasted for 48 hours straight. The winner got free drinks for life but left town the next day, claiming he had seen the spirit of Davy Crockett. An attendee remarked, “Davy Crockett himself couldn’t have drunk more whiskey!”

The Gritty Guitar became the stuff of legends in 1890. A bar fight erupted over a stolen guitar that originally belonged to a deceased bluesman. Legend has it that the guitar strummed itself, breaking up the fight. An eyewitness said, “I swear that guitar strummed its own farewell tune!”

In 1884, Daisy Duke’s Den made headlines when the Mayor was caught red-handed at a high-stakes underground poker game, dressed as a cowboy. He claimed he was “undercover,” leading an eyewitness to quip, “Even Wyatt Earp wouldn’t have gambled with the Mayor dressed like that!”

Thirsty Thelma’s Tavern earned its notorious reputation in 1872 for hosting mud wrestling competitions. The most famous was between two rival gang leaders. The match ended in a draw but marked the beginning of a truce between the two warring factions. “If mud-slinging was an art, them two would be Rembrandts!” an observer noted.

Rattlesnake Ray’s Roadhouse shook the community in 1860 when Ray, the owner, dared patrons to drink a shot glass with a live rattlesnake in it. The stunt ended when a snake bit a man who miraculously lived. “That rattler was more scared than a cat in a room full of rockin’ chairs!” an eyewitness proclaimed.

In 1858, the Crying Coyote Cantina became the center of intrigue when an infamous gang used the place as a hideout. When their cover was blown, they escaped through hidden tunnels beneath the floor. “They vanished faster than a bottle of bourbon at a barn dance!” said an eyewitness.

The Honky-Tonk Horror Hole earned its name in 1895 when it became the venue for the notorious “Honky-Tonk Heist.” Thieves dressed as musicians stole the entire cash register during a live performance. An eyewitness lamented, “They picked that register clean as a banjo string!” The event inspired a number of country songs, none of which returned the stolen money.