A Reign of Fear
In 1890, Cedar Key, Florida, was ruled by Mayor William “Billy” Cottrell, whose drunken rampages terrorized the town. Armed and volatile, he bullied residents, forced a black man to attack another at gunpoint, and used his power to threaten and harm those who opposed him.
Federal Intervention
After Cottrell threatened customs official J.H. Pinkerton, the U.S. government sent the Revenue Cutter McLane to Cedar Key. Captain Thomas S. Smyth and his crew searched for Cottrell, but he escaped up the Suwanee River, evading capture for months despite national attention.
A Bloody Finale
Cottrell resurfaced in Alabama, where he continued his violent behavior. After threatening Montgomery’s police chief, Adolph Gerald, Cottrell was shot dead in a duel in 1890. Newspapers across the U.S. reported his violent demise, calling it “the bloody ending of a bloodthirsty monster.”
Cedar Key’s Quiet Present
Today, Cedar Key bears no signs of Cottrell’s rule. The once-chaotic town is now a peaceful fishing community with a rich history. Local landmarks, like the Schlemmer House—once the site of a shootout—have transformed into serene spaces, erasing nearly all traces of its tumultuous past.
In 1890, Cedar Key, Florida, was ruled by Mayor William "Billy" Cottrell, whose drunken rampages terrorized the town. Armed and volatile, he bullied residents, forced a black man to attack another at gunpoint, and used his power to threaten and harm those who opposed him. pic.twitter.com/ZFArNXwnmG
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