Stephen S. Renfroe was born in Georgia in 1843 the son of JG and MAP Renfroe who had traveled to Butler County, Al. about 1852 or 1853. Stephen at age 18, A good-looking gentleman enlisted for duty in the Civil War, serving in Capt. EY Hill's Jeff Davis Rangers, which later became Company G of the 9th Alabama Infantry Regiment. He served as a private until Jan.30, 1864, when he deserted. On July 9, 1867 Stephen killed his brother-in-law, Dr. Thomas Mills, then fled from Bultler Co.into Lowndes Co., Al. He later came to Sumpter, Co. To the town of Livingston. 1860 Census showed Whites - 5,919; Slaves - 18,091; and freed Slaves - 25 the KKK was becoming a big organization at this time. Also the population of Sumpter Co. Is slightly less than 140 years ago, but the make-up is exactly the same. In 1878 Stephen was elected Sherriff of Sumpter Co. And became a very strong and influential leader in the local KKK, he very soon would become " crooked ". He burned the clerk's office, robbed money collected by other people, committed robbery twice of his own office, embezzled money and trust funds, turned prisoners out of jail, assault with intent to murder, drunk, arson, blackmails and other almost inconceivable outrages. He was arrested and escaped from jail on June 19, 1880, on June 19, 1880 he disappeared and was believed to have joined the famous Harrison Gang, In late 1882 he returned to Sumpter Co.and turned his self in to Livingston in the spring of 1884, In July 7,1884 he escaped again. He reportedly came back to Sumpter, Co.then fled to New Orleans, Texas and Mexico. Then in the Summer of 1885 he decided to returned home to Sumpter, Co. To see his son. He made it to Hickory, Ms. On the train then decided to start to Central America once again. He then stole a horse and headed for Louisiana and arrested in Slidell, then taken to New Orleans and was returned to Jain in Tuscallosa. At the age 42 he was tried and found guilty and faced 5 years in the state penn. On Oct.3, 1885, he and 3 other prisoners escaped, on Oct.10 he met a hobo in Green, Co.walked with him to Sumter, Co and was hiding out in the woods. By Dec.12, 1885 he decided he couldn't stand being alone anymore. He went to Meridian, Ms.and Continued to hide out in the woods. On July 11, 1886 he was captured by 3 farmers in Enterprise, Ms. And was returned to Livingston on July 13. Eight men stormed the jail and seized Renfroe and Marched the Outlaw Sherriff through the town of Livingston. Ms. Temple Scruggs witnessed this parade from her front porch, later said. "We knew something terrible was going to happen and we dropped down and watched them through the railings. They were so quiet." The men took him down near the bridge to the Sucamochee River and hanged him. The current Sherriff and officers got there too late. They cut him down and took him back to town. Many people in town including the jailers knew the men involved in Refroes murder, and no one was ever charged with it. Renfroe's family did not even go to claim his body. ⚠️ No funeral Services were held and his body was in a unmarked grave until later recovered and reburied next to his two wives at Old Side Cemetery.
A big Thanks to John E. Baker, III we now have a photo of his headstone.