Murder in Rural Hill: The Tragic Tale of Miss Janie Sharp and Swinton Permenter

by W.W. McCully

Janie Sharp had been murdered while walking home along a wooded country lane on a hot July afternoon in 1910 near the backwoods community of Rural Hill, Mississippi. Suspicions fell immediately upon a young man, Swinton Permenter, not yet eighteen himself. A two-year ordeal ensued that included a trial and conviction, a Supreme Court ruling that overturned the conviction, suspicions cast upon others, the murders of two men and a second trial that was a sensation across Mississippi and the South.

150 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2016

Reviews

[Casey Drieling · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Book Review📚
Murder in Rural Hill ••AND•• The Tragedy of Janie Sharp (both) by W.W. McCully

Books 138/23 and 139/23 were 3.5/4⭐️ ONLY BECAUSE I’m such a stickler for closure. However, I knew going into both of these, I wouldn’t get that with these books.

The murder of Janie Sharp occurred in Rural Hills, Mississippi; which is the Winston County area and where our camp is currently located… That’s what prompted me learning about Janie Sharp, and reading these books.

Unfortunately, Janie Sharp’s murder is still a Cold Case (since 1910). These books are written to include pure facts about the case- Janie’s murder, her last known whereabouts, eye witnesses, and other people in the community along with their involvement and/or their knowledge of others’ involvement.

Not only does this story show us into the life of Janie Sharp, but it also introduces us to other community members who also lost their lives for their involvement. We are up to THREE murders; all UNSOLVED! 🤯 Did they know too much? Did the killer think they were closing in on him/her?

As far as an interesting topic, facts stated, vivid descriptions of the murder and trial, introduction and continuation of Rural Hills community members, and the writing style for these books, they would be a 5⭐️! I just hate a Cold Case and an unresolved ending, that’s why I said 4⭐️.

Although it’s been over 100 years since Janie Sharp’s murder, I hope evidence can be brought to light with today’s technology and forensics. However and unfortunately, I don’t think anybody will look back into a case over 100 years cold, and with “not enough” evidence.

Overall, these books were interesting reads and I would recommend them if you enjoy cold cases and a case on a local, Mississippi woman!

Thank you, Jonathan Mills, for telling me about Janie Sharp and letting me borrow your books!

As always,
Happy Reading! 💕

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the facts of this true crime event. I had never heard the whole story.
I didn't care for the writing style with some facts repeated in the book.
Sad the crime may never be solved due to time period it occurred.

[Joelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new!!