Following Evans ' loss to Malcolm R. Patterson in the general election , Sanders assumed control of his political block , and managed to have several political allies appointed to postmaster positions across the state . In 1908 , though he was weakened considerably by illness , Brownlow attempted to regain control of the state party . His friend , William J. Oliver , led an armed mob to Nashville , took control of the state party convention , and had Brownlow allies elected as delegates to the 1908 Republican National Convention . The Sanders faction sent its own group of delegates , however , and they were awarded the state 's seats after the national committee learned of Oliver 's actions
1908 Republican National Convention
1908 Republican National Convention
Walter P. Brownlow