Fact-Check: "Lem Motlow dies because he hit a safe with his foot"
What We Know
Lem Motlow, born on November 28, 1869, was a prominent businessman and politician, best known as the owner of the Jack Daniel's Distillery. He passed away on September 1, 1947, from a cerebral hemorrhage, as confirmed by multiple sources including Wikipedia and The Miami News. There is no credible evidence or historical record indicating that he died as a result of hitting a safe with his foot.
Motlow's death was attributed to health issues, specifically a cerebral hemorrhage, which is a type of stroke. He had suffered a stroke earlier in 1940, which may have contributed to his declining health leading up to his death in 1947 (The Tennessean).
Analysis
The claim that Lem Motlow died because he hit a safe with his foot appears to be a misunderstanding or conflation with the story of Jack Daniel, the founder of the distillery. Jack Daniel reportedly injured his foot by kicking a safe, which led to an infection that ultimately contributed to his death. This anecdote is well-documented in various sources, including HISTORY and Whiskey Lore.
In contrast, Lem Motlow's death was not linked to any such incident involving a safe. The assertion lacks credible support and is not found in reputable historical accounts of Motlow's life or death. The sources that discuss Motlow primarily focus on his business achievements and political career, with no mention of a safe-related incident leading to his demise.
The reliability of the sources discussing Lem Motlow's death, such as Wikipedia and The Miami News, is high, as they are well-cited and provide a clear account of his life and the circumstances surrounding his death. In contrast, the claim about the safe seems to stem from a mix-up with Jack Daniel's story, which is less relevant to Motlow's own history.
Conclusion
The claim that "Lem Motlow dies because he hit a safe with his foot" is False. The evidence clearly indicates that Lem Motlow died from a cerebral hemorrhage, not from any incident involving a safe. This confusion likely arises from the well-known story of Jack Daniel, who did have an unfortunate incident with a safe, but that narrative does not apply to Motlow.
Sources
- Lem Motlow - Wikipedia
- Lem Motlow - The Miami News
- Jack Daniel's Distillery - Heritage
- HISTORY: Lem Motlow’s murder trial was a century ago
- Urban spelunking: Jack Daniel's Lynchburg, Tennessee
- This Is The Safe That Killed Whiskey Distiller Jack Daniel
- Jack Daniel's | Culture Wikia - Fandom
- Ep. 2 - Jack Daniel's Chief Historian Nelson Eddy