Rutherford County, TN isn't Deep South or even particularly rural; with a population of more than a third of a million, it's a one of the primary suburban/exurban appendages of metro Nashville and is home to the 2nd largest university in the state.

I don't see any reason to doubt the veracity of the story, though; it seems pretty well investigated and reported.

One town in Rutherford Co re-elected the same corrupt mayor for decades on end; he was the longest serving elected official in state history. Over the course of his administration he stole the contemporary equivalent of millions of dollars from the small town, which had a population of a thousand or so during his tenure. He won his last election (with ~80% of the vote) while actively & publicly embroiled in the lawsuit that would ultimately cause the state supreme court to order his removal from office. After he was forced out, the town's elected council immediately appointed the town manager, his twin brother, as temporary replacement; his twin announced he'd just do whatever his deposed brother told him to do... and won his own election in this platform. One resident, when interviewed about the affair, admitted the former mayor was corrupt and a thief, but defended his record saying he was a good old boy and "never did anything bad-wrong" like murder. One of the town's major thoroughfares is named after this long-(self)serving mayor and he's still revered with nearly saint-like status in that town.

There was an incredible amount of what they call "white paternalism" from the the people in the article. Historically, natives and blacks were seen of as deserving of state backed abuse and destruction in the name of "civilization". Even General Lee wrote in his letter to his wife:

"The painful discipline they are undergoing, is necessary for their instruction as a race, & I hope will prepare & lead them to better things. How long their subjugation may be necessary is known & ordered by a wise Merciful Providence."

when referring to African slavery.