Guys in McNairy County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Site of Shamrock Motel
Historic Tennessee-Mississippi State Line
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 11, 2021
1. Historic Tennessee-Mississippi State Line Marker
Since the 1930's the state line was known for illegal drugs, bootleg whiskey, gambling, and prostitution. Death, blood-shed, and illegal activities continued through the 1960's. Buford Pusser was elected McNairy County Sheriff in 1964 and his promise was to clean up the state line.
On February 1, 1966 Sheriff Pusser visited the Shamrock to serve warrants on Louise Hathcock, owner. She invited him to her office, room 1. Allegedly, Ms. Hathcock attempted to ambush and kill Sheriff Pusser but was not successful. Sheriff Pusser shot and killed Ms. Hathcock that day in room 1.
The concrete foundation of the Shamrock Motel and restaurant are all that remain today.
Erected 2019 by McNairy County Tourism and the McNairy County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement • Political Subdivisions • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is February 1, 1966.
Location. 34° 59.784′ N, 88° 30.856′ W. Marker is in Guys, Tennessee, in McNairy County. It is at the intersection of State Line Road and Old U.S. 45S, on the right when traveling south on State Line Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 State Line Rd, Guys TN 38339, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in the Upper South, and in the Black Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At
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Also see . . .
1. Newspaper article about the event. (Submitted on September 22, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia.)
2. Sheriff Buford Pusser. (Submitted on September 22, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia.)
3. Wikipedia entry for Buford Pusser. Excerpt:
Buford Hayse Pusser (19371974) was the sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee from 1964 to 1970 and constable of Adamsville from 1970 to 1972. He is known for his virtual one-man war on moonshining, prostitution, gambling, and other vices along the MississippiTennessee state line. His efforts have inspired several books, songs, movies (most notably Walking Tall), and a TV series. ...(Submitted on April 13, 2025.)
Pusser survived several assassination attempts. On February 1, 1966, Louise Hathcock attempted to kill Pusser during an on-site investigation of a robbery complaintat The Shamrock Motel. Hathcock fired on Pusser with a concealed .38 pistol. Pusser returned fire and killed Hathcock. On January 2, 1967, Pusser was shot three times by an unidentified gunman.Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 11, 20212. Historic Tennessee-Mississippi State Line Marker
While he was already a local hero, Pusser's war on the State Line Mob was brought to national prominence when his wife, Pauline, was killed on August 12, 1967, during an assassination ambush intended for Pusser and instigated by Hathcocks common-law husband. Pusser named Kirksey Nix as the contractor of his wifes killers, although neither Nix nor anyone else was ever charged with the crime.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 16,375 times since then and 783 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 22, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
