Steve Flowers: Inside the Statehouse: The legacy of Looney's Tavern

  A good many of you found last week’s historical column interesting. You seemed fascinated about the vast diversity regarding the folks who settled in South Alabama versus those who homesteaded North Alabama at the state’s origination.

  You found it even more interesting how close the secession from the Union vote was in 1861 with the vote falling in line with regional sentiment with South Alabamians for and North Alabamians against secession. However, the most enthralling passage was my brief mention of Winston County and its legendary stand to secede from Alabama when Alabama seceded from the Union. This bold anomaly really piqued your interest. Therefore, this week I will expound on the in-depth details of the story of the "Free State of Winston."