The “Whipping Boss,” A Movie Based on a Real-Life Event, But Totally Changed So People Would Care
How a Murder in Florida Got Set in Oregon
In 1924, the American Legion sponsored a film called “The Whipping Boss.” It was based on an actual event in Florida, where Martin Tabert was jailed for riding a train without a ticket. When his $25 fine wasn’t paid within 24 hours. Martin was sentenced to 90 days hard labor to be served at the Putnam Lumber Company, then based in Clara, Florida, approximately 60 miles south of Tallahassee in Dixie County.
Tabert contacted his parents in North Dakota, who immediately sent him $75 to pay the fine and pay for Martin’s return home. The money didn’t reach Leon County (Tallahassee) Sheriff James Robert Jones in time to prevent Tabert from being sent to the lumber company that paid Sheriff Jones $20 for each prisoner sent them.
Judge Ben Willis sentenced Tabert on December 15, 1921. The bank draft (for which there was a record) arrived on December 21st. Tabert had already been shipped off to the Putnam Lumber Company and could tell all he knew about the scheme benefitting Putnam, Jones, and Judge Willis. Jones returned the money with a note, “Returned by request of Sheriff. Party gone.” Tabert’s family believed Martin had secured his release by other means and awaited…
