How Noble of you, Charlie, to not reveal the name of your source.
Indeed, "The Cheddar Haunts me Still" is a clever turn, worthy of note. It seems to be a derivitive of an old Kentucky murder song called "Chester Haunts my Still", which is still played by various obscure musicians in the Wallins Creek area of Harlan County. A similar tune, which was born in the 1930's, is "Lester Taunts Me Still". It is also a murder song, whose melody is loosely based on "Chester Haunts...".

Interestingly, the actual murder of Lester was a copycat murder of the actual Chester murder, of which was written "Chester Haunts...". Some humorous soul decided to write a copycat song (Lester Taunts...) of a copycat murder. I believe one of these was performed by Wiley and Zeke Morris.

The murder of Chester near Harlan, Kentucky supposedly took place around 1890. Chester Dowell was murdered by "Judge" Ball, who was not a judge. Ball was a moonshiner whose daughter was involved with Chester. Ball told authorities the location of a still, which was, in fact, one of Ball's stills. Ball had sent Chester to tend the still that day, knowing that the "revenoors" would raid it. As Ball had hoped, Chester Dowell was killed defending the still.
Though the killing of Dowell was a legal act, the locals knew he was murdered by Judge Ball, who used the law as his murder weapon.

The murder of "Lester" was similar, but different. I'll tell it later, if any are interested.

Both songs are worthy of a listen, though I do not know where they may be found. My dad had them when I was a child, but the recordings have been long lost.

MK