Colonel Sanders Gas Station Shootout

In the late 1920s, Harland “Colonel” Sanders managed a Shell gas station in Nashville, where he feuded with rival Standard Oil station owner Matt Stewart for repeatedly painting over his roadside sign. One day Sanders and two Shell district managers confronted Stewart at the sign, and Stewart opened fire, killing manager Robert Gibson in a burst of gunshots. Sanders grabbed Gibson’s gun and, along with the surviving manager, H. D. Shelburne, shot back and wounded Stewart.

All three men were arrested, but Sanders and Shelburne were cleared, while Stewart was convicted of Gibson’s murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Previous Fact Next Fact