Reporter finds himself knee deep in murder

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

Humane Society president Ameila “Andy” Anderson whips out her six-gun, the cap pistol variety, as she gamely plays sharpshooter Annie Oakley at the “Murder at the Mansion” event held at Historic Falcon Manor last Saturday. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

It’s not often a reporter gets involved directly in a story he is covering, much less play a legendary character from Warren County history in the process. There are issues of objectivity to consider after all. But all that flew out the window when this reporter attended a performance of Murder at the Mansion at Historic Falcon Manor to benefit the Humane Society of Warren County last Saturday night.

As it turned out, Falcon Manor proprietors George and Charlien McGlothin pretty much insist everyone who attends take a part in the tongue-in-cheek play based on historically significant Warren County residents, including Clay and Mary Faulkner who built the mansion, along with some famous, and some would say infamous, national celebrities thrown into the mix.

This reporter wound up cast as well known local photographer William S. “Dad” Lively complete with a high tech digital SLR slung around his neck, wondering the whole time how Mr. Lively would have reacted to such a machine in his day. Unfortunately, Dad Lively wore another hat during his multifaceted career, that of undertaker, leading to a little more participation than this reporter expected.

The show included several members from the local Humane Society including Roxanne Redmon and society president Ameila “Andy” Anderson who played a mean Annie Oakley to George McGlothin’s Buffalo Bill, and humane society attorney Frank Farrar as the hapless Rev. Sam Jones.

The evening started out with an ersatz dinner party being held at the mansion, hosted by the Faulkners, with a plethora of local society types in attendance. The group, much to Mary Faulkner’s chagrin, also included the town floozy, Nan, who scandalously came on the arm of the fianc? of one of the Faulkner daughters.

In a charming performance by Gallatin resident Teresa Gillham, Nan would deliver a delightfully ditzy “Oh, I know you,” to every male as he was introduced to the crowd by Mrs. Faulkner in the person of Charlien McGlothin. Nan’s questionable morals became a running joke as the evening progressed, and Ms. Gillham played it to the hilt.

Eventually Clay Faulkner exited stage left, ostensibly to bring a pair of his “Gorilla Pants” for the crowd to see, but never returned. However, Buffalo Bill arrived soon after, looking suspiciously like the departed Mr. Faulkner, and George McGlothin for all that, and soon after that, the Faulkner cook, Mag, rushed into the room to announce breathlessly that Mr. Faulkner was “Dead! Drop down dead!!”

Buffalo Bill took on the role of detective at this point, and several guests were examined as suspects, including the strongly protesting Nan.

“Why, I liked him,” she said. “He was nice to me, why would I kill him. But I can identify the body if you like,” she added with a lascivious wink.

In a turn of events contrary to most mystery stories, this time the banker did it instead of the butler. Karl Day, dressed to the nines in period clothes supplied by local artist Monty Wanamaker, played the murderer Jesse Walling, who founded several local banks. Mr. Day died quite convincingly, twice, at the barrel of Buffalo Bill’s six shooter.

And thus the mystery was solved and a great time was had by all, including this reporter. The McGlothin’s wanted everyone to know it’s a different murderer each time, so don’t think you can solve the next one with ease if you should attend.

The event raised almost $1000 for the Humane Society.

“We want to thank the McGlothin’s for their help,” Anderson said. “They have been very generous with the money from these events.”

Individuals, groups or charities interested in staging one of these events can contact Historic Falcon Manor at 668-4444.