Biggs Machine: Old Time Politics in Polk County Tennessee

For the first half of the 20th Century in Polk County, Tennessee, Sheriff Burch Biggs reigned supreme. From 1904 to 1948, the political machine of Biggs was built upon three pillars-election fraud, police brutality, and graft-and while it is true that Biggs was not the first (or last) American sheriff to permit "fee-grabbing", take kickbacks, or stuff the ballot box, the duration and brutality of his tenure makes him exceptional.

Biggs was elected sheriff eight times, and when he was out of office, one of his two sons served in his place. The Biggs Machine tells the story of Burch Biggs, his corrupt empire, and how it all came crashing down following World War II.

Extensively researched, including interviews with Polk Countians who lived during the Biggs regime, The Biggs Machine presents the true story of how "absolute power corrupts absolutely", and a cautionary tale to prevent history from repeating itself.