The Death Of Billy Cracker’s Family-For The Cause

By Ammoland

By Major Van Harl USAF Ret

Wisconsin –-(Ammoland.com)- Once upon a bitter time in Kentucky. Billy Cracker’s real name allegedly was William Robert Harle.

To his family and the folks who lived in Hardin County, Kentucky he was known as Billy Bob.

Nobody remembers when the Harle surname was dropped from the story, but I can only assume the name Billy Cracker tended to stick in folk’s memory better after hearing the tale. In 1861 the war of southern rebellion started. Kentucky did not secede, but there was strong “pullings” on Kentuckians to join one side or the other in the coming conflict.

Hardin County is on the northern border of the state. In fact a small part of the county would touch Indiana if not for the Ohio River.

When the war broke out Billy Cracker was 22 years old, with a wife who was seventeen and a three year old daughter. They were poor dirt farmers who survived on hard work, luck and the occasional handout.

Billy Cracker could read and he tried to follow what was happening in the …read more

Source:: AmmoLand