After the Civil War ended, many farmers in the region were forced to tenant farming, as they owned no land of their own. This meant that many Rutherford County residents were trapped in debt by predatory crop liens and other economic imbalances. The Rutherford Farmer's Alliance was established by D.N. Caviness in June 1888 to fight for farmer's rights, and had 300 members by 1891. The Alliance's first president was Colonel John L. McDowell. The underlying economic and racial tensions led to events like the Forest City lynching.
After the Civil War ended many farmers in the region were forced to tenant farming as they owned no land of their own This meant that many Rutherford County residents were trapped in debt by predatory crop liens and other economic imbalances The Rutherford Farmer's Alliance was established by DN Caviness in June 1888 to fight for farmer's rights and had 300 members by 1891 The Alliance's first president was Colonel John L McDowell The underlying economic and racial tensions led to events like the Forest City lynching