William Luther Shirley: Lawman

According to family history, Lawman William  Shirley knew Frank James, the brother of the famed outlaw Jesse James. They apparently became acquainted following Frank's release from prison. He also claimed to be kin to the controversial lady outlaw Belle Starr since she too (sic) was a Shirley. This kinship has never been substantiated

William Shirley was born in Cannon County Tennessee Oct 30, 1874.  His family moved to Hill County Texas in the 1880's and he alone returned to round up horses and ship them from Kansas City to Tennessee. 

   From the Authors. collection. Frank James (L) Jesse James (R)

He served as Sheriff of Cannon County Tennessee from 1910 to 1914. The family lived in Woodbury, the county seat.

He moved to Nashville in 1919 where he worked for the State of Tennessee. His official title was Transportation Officer for the Tennessee State Prison. Unofficially he was known as a "long chain man".  His primary duty was to travel to other towns and cities and escort prisoners back to Nashville. At times he was the lone guard for a dozen or more men. They were joined together by hand cuffs and let irons and chains and were transported by train.  Once on board the chain had to be stretched out in order for the prisoners to be seated.

He left state employment and worked on the police force for the powder plant at Old Hickory, TN during WWI. Later he became a railroad detective for the Louisville to New Orleans. He retired as Chief Detective. When the government shipped whiskey by rail during the Prohibition he rode with the shipment until it was unloaded to prevent a train robbery. 

William Luther Shirley born Oct 30, 1874 Cannon Co. TN, died Aug 28, 1942 Nashville, TN buried Spring Hill Cemetery, Nashville TN,

Reference William Luther Shirley 

William Luther Shirley born in Cannon County Tennessee Oct 30, 1874 was the 8th child of Newton Jasper and Sarah Seal Shirley. His family moved to Hill County Texas in the 1880's and he alone returned to round up horses and ship them from Kansas City to Tennessee. His first wife was Mollie Knight, whom he married in Hillsboro, Texas in 1893. On August 5, 1900 he married Mary Shirley who was the daughter of his first cousin. He served as Sheriff of Cannon County Tennessee from 1910 to 1914. The family lived in Woodbury, the county seat. William, Mary and their children moved to Nashville in 1919 where he worked for the State of Tennessee. His official title was Transportation Officer for the Tennessee State Prison. Unofficially he was known as a "long chain man". His primary duty was to travel to other towns and cities and escort prisoners back to Nashville. At times he was the lone guard for a dozen or more men. They were joined together by hand cuffs and let irons and chains and were transported by train. Once on board the chain had to be stretched out in order for the prisoners to be seated. William left state employment and worked on the police force for the powder plant at Old Hickory, TN during WWI. Later he became a railroad detective for the Louisville to New Orleans. He retired as Chief Detective. When the government shipped whiskey by rail during the Prohibition he rode with the shipment until it was unloaded to prevent a train robbery. He knew Frank James, brother of the Jesse James, following Frank's release from prison. He also claimed kin to Belle Starr since she too was a Shirley. This kinship has not been substantiated. After the death of his second wife, he took as his 3rd wife Lula Ella Nalls. William Shirley died in 1942. Mrs. Shirley continued to live in their home on Elkins Ave in Nashville until 1979.     

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