~ HISTORY
of the HOME ~
The two-story whitewashed
house in Hinton, constructed in the mid-nineteenth century,
presents a facade of gentile living or afternoon teas.
Not one hint of the dramatic murder on the front lawn remains
but for the inch-round flaw in the clapboard siding of the
home.
Back in the late summer of
1924 (the prohibitionist era), Levi Cape killed his brother,
Hobert, and injured his father Lee Cape (famed Pickens County
Policeman), during an argument.
Hobert was shot near the
steps leading to the front porch. A bullet is still
lodged near the parlor window. And eerie events take
place there from time to time.
In 1927, family patriarch
Lee Cape, legendary lawman dedicated to enforcing laws against
"moonshine" (known locally as "The Moonshine
Wars"), was murdered in cold blood and left for dead
near a still. The suspect, a local man, escaped on the
run and was never brought to justice.
Former owners Pete and Mary
Peterson speculated that Waldo Cape, killed in 1942 in a nearby
Ludville shooting, may still haunt the house.
Currently the estate is home
to the Seventy-four Ranch, a working ranch and historic Bed
& Breakfast, purchased in 1999 by owners Larry and Pam
Butler. Since that time, the Butlers have worked to
restore the home and lovingly furnish it with beautiful antiques
from all corners of the globe.
During your stay WITH US AT THE BUTLER-CAPE
HOUSE, we will be happy
to SHARE more tales about the home's colorful and intriguing
history.
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