Pickens County Courthouse
Pickens County
Courthouse
Pickens
County
Courthouse
Carrollton,
Alabama
In 1878, a black freedman, Henry Wells, was arrested for burning down the second Pickens
County Courthouse. He was placed into the garret of the newly constructed third courthouse
to await his fate.
He stared out from his room's tiny window, watching helplessly as mobs of men gathered on the
courthouse steps. They wanted Henry Wells' blood.
Also gathering outside were the dark clouds of a raging thunderstorm. Wind howled and
lightning lit the distance sky. Then, a bolt hit near the courthouse. Why or how, it is not
known. All that is known is that his image stayed with the garret forever.
Some see terror. Some see defiance. All see a man.
the historic marker
an insignificant building
a significant legend
the face in the window
