BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- This story went like this:
In 1903, deputy A.J. Lockhart was working an event on Christmas Eve in Cedar Bluff in Cherokee County when John Parsons, a local miner, pulled a knife on him, slashing his eye before Lockhart firing five shots at Parsons, killing him on sight.
In an article printed in The New York Times about the shooting, one point was highlighted: Lockhart was dressed as Santa Claus.
Media reports at the time provided a broader context: The shooting happened at Davis Creek Church on Christmas Eve. From there, things quickly started to go south.
"It appears that during the progress of a Christmas tree there was a disturbance on the outside," according to an account from the Montgomery Advertiser. "As Lockhart was on the committee to keep order, he went out and spoke to the disturbing parties, and on searching them found several bottles of whiskey."
The Tuscaloosa News reported that after the first encounter, Lockhart was called outside again after the group, including John Parsons, began causing more of a commotion.
"Later as the crowd was going home some cursing was heard and Lockhart stepped up to the party and told them it must stop," the News reported. "Lockhart was then struck in the face by John Parsons, it is said, and was cut severely across the eyes. He said his assailant slashed at his body and he pulled his pistol and fired five times."
The News reported that Parsons, who was instantly killed in the shooting, had a bloody knife next to him.
By October, a jury had acquitted Lockhart, who had claimed self defense.
"It will be remembered that in trying to preserve order, Lockhart became involved in a difficulty with Parsons, whom he shot, he claimed, in self defense," an article printed in the Montgomery Advertiser on October 7, 1904, read.
This was the last time the shooting was ever mentioned.