Somerset Ex-Chief of Police Assassinates Local Newspaper Editor, Pulaski, 1892

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

[May 3, 1892] -

The report comes from Somerset that Tom Scott slipped up behind Editor Rucker and knocked him down with a policeman's billet because he published that the grand jury had indicted him for some of his numerous offenses.  We hardly thing Mr. Scott could have been guilty of so cowardly an act, but if he is the law should put him where he won't be able to assault anybody else soon. [1]

---

[May 10, 1892] -

Editor Rucker, of the Somerset Reporter, who was recently assaulted by Tom Scott, charges the mayor and police with complicity in the matter and rakes them over the coals for it.  He also handles the city council without gloves. [2]

---

[September 20, 1892] -

A BLACK HAT

 

The Clew In the Horrible Rucker Murder.

Ex-Chief Anderson Charged With the Crime.

He Skips With All the Money He Can Secure.

SOMERSET, KY., Sept. 20.--[Special.]-- Joseph B. Rucker, editor of the Reporter, was assassinated on his way home at 8 o'clock last night, a few yards from the Public Square.  The electric lights had just been turned on as Rucker reached the Square.  There was a flash, a report, and a pistol ball passed into his body from the right.

The assassin escaped in the confusion and is unknown.  Rucker ran 75 yards and fell, and was carried to his home near by, where he died at 12:30 a.m., surrounded by his wife and two daughters.  Mr. Rucker was an old and prominent citizen, the editor of an aggressive weekly paper and had some enemies. Detectives are on the ground working every clew, and, if caught, the murderer will be lynched. 

SOMERSET, KY, Sept. 20.--[Special.]-- Ex-Chief of Police Anderson of Somerset, is charged with the bloody assassination of Editor Rucker, of the Reporter, and is not to be found here this morning. 

There is a reward of $1000 offered for his arrest.  Anderson was Chief of Police of this city for over two years, but resigned about two months ago and went into the saloon business with Roberty Coffey, of this city, who says his partner, Anderson, has skipped since last night's tragedy with all the money he could rake up.

A large black hat was found in the garden just back of where the murder of Rucker happened last evening, and it is said to be the hat that the ex-Chief of Police has worn for some time, which he purchased at the firm of Waddle Brothers.

Editor Rucker has criticised the ex-Chief of Police several times for his bad conduct, and the editor received the approval of his criticism from the best citizens of Somerset.

Mr. Anderson has frequently made threats against the editor of the Reporter, and everything points to the guilt of Anderson, and if he is captured it will indeed go hard with him, as it is the most dastardly deed ever committed in the county.  Mr. Rucker's funeral takes place tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. [3]

Q. & C. Brakeman Kills Section Foreman, 1910

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

[January 11, 1910] -

SECTION FOREMAN SHOT AND MAY DIE

Warrant Issued for Brakeman Charging Him With the Crime.

(Special To The Herald.)

SOMERSET, Ky., Jan 10.-- William McKee section foreman was shot four times at Sloans' Valley about 6 o'clock Sunday night.  A passenger train had just pulled in and McKee was standing in the crowd on the station platform, when a man approached in the dark and without removing his pistol from his overcoat pocket fired.  Four shots took effect in McKee's abdomen.  The assassin ran off in the darkness, pursued by Deputy Sheriff Holloway, who fired three times at him but failed to catch him or to wound him. 

A warrant was issued Monday for Luther Sharpe a brakeman charging him with the shooting.  It is said that Sharpe mistook McKee for Walker.

Sharpe and Walker are young men.  McKee is about fifty years old and has been section foreman for twenty years.  He is at his home and is not expected to live. [1]

At Least Two Killed in Adams-Laswell Feud, Rockcastle, 1887

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

[July 26, 1887] -

The Adams and Laswells, living in the eastern portion of the county, between whom there has existed a family feud for sometime, met at Brush Creek, a station on the K. C. road, Saturday evening and opened fire upon each other, one faction on each side of the creek.  They kept up the firing for some minutes, exchanging probably fifty shots.  No one was hurt, so far as can be learned.  It is expected that they will meet again soon and bloodshed is likely to be had any day, as there are men on each side who have been under fire before, and when aroused are not slow to use fire arms or other weapons when the occasion arises.  Up to this writing no arrests have been made or writs issued. [1] 

Lynch Mob Targets the Mayor of Somerset, Pulaski, 1892

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

09/07/2017 update: In the process of adding three Danville Advocate articles. 


-----------

[January 6, 1892] -

JUDGE LYNCH

May Get the Mayor of Somerset, Kentucky.

His Awful Crime On a Demented Girl.

While Drunk He Attempts to Outrage Her.

The Prisoner Taken Out of Court to Avoid an Angry Mob.

SOMERSET, Ky., Jan. 6. --[Special.]--A most revolting attempt to criminally assault a young woman occurred early this morning at the C. N. O. & T. P. Depot by Mayor Barney Higgins. Great excitement prevails, and the accused may be hanged by a mob.

The victim is a young lady of the highest character, and of one of the best families in the State.  She is Miss Vina Woods, about 23 years old, and a sister of the wife of Deputy United States Collector F. V. Logan, of this city.

Miss Woods has been in delicate health for some months, and her mind was seriously affected, so that her family sent her to an infirmary in New York for treatment. She had greatly improved, so that her physicians advised her to visit her friends in Kentucky and Ohio.

She had gone to visit her brother, Humboldt Woods, at Cleveland, O.  She started from Cleveland to visit her sister, Mrs. F. V. Logan, and was expected yesterday afternoon, but missed connections at Cincinnati and arrived here at 2 a.m.

While waiting in the ladies' waiting-room alone, at the depot, for the omnibus to start, Higgins, who was drunk, entered the room, took her by the arm and forced her to leave the room with him, saying he would give her some breakfast.

He took her to the back of a frame house, up a back stairway and into a room, and when there he tried to force her to submit to his brutality. 

The omnibus driver saw what was going on, and, obtaining assistance, went to the room and demanded of Higgins to desist, but he threatened the party, slammed the door in their faces and held the young lady.

Finally further assistance was procured, and the young lady was rescued about 7 o'clock this morning in a demented state of mind--frightened almost to death.  She was taken tot he home of her sister.  As the news spread the people became furious.

The Sheriff with a posse of men went and arrested Higgins and brought him to jail, taking him through a back street.  A mob rushed to the jail, but not until Higgins had been placed behind bars.

He was afterward brought out to the County Court room for an examining trial, but as arrangements were being made for his trial, a report was received that some of Higgins' friends had threatened to come and take him from the Court, and he was then returned to jail to evade the mob.

Higgins was very drunk when in Court, and did not seem to realize the awful nature of his crime, nor the threatening excitement of the people.  The young lady is prominently connected here, having many relatives in the county.

Higgins has been Mayor of this city two years, and has conducted himself very badly.  He is also an employee of the Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific Railway, being the foreman of the wrecking train.

Whether Higgins really outraged the girl or not, has not yet been made public, as she is demented from fright and exposure, and is generally in poor health.

Higgins is about 50 years old and a married man with several children, some of whom are nearly grown.

Mayor Higgins has been removed to Lexington, KY, to prevent a mob from executing him. [1]

Baptist Preacher Attempts Murder-Suicide After Wife's Divorce Filing, 1895

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

This post contains articles regarding three separate but related tragic incidents: 

(1) the attempted murder-suicide of Rev. William G. Capps and his second wife

(2) the fatal shootout involving their respective children, Robert Capps and Jack Adams

(3) the alleged killing of Thomas Capps, another son of W. G. Capps, in Valley City, North Dakota

---
[May 21, 1895] -

A BAPTIST PREACHER'S DEED.--

In Rockcastle county, the other day, Rev. W. J. Capps shot his wife four times with a 44-caliber revolver, fatally wounding her. He then shot himself int he breast, and also cut his throat with a razor.  His wife had just sued him for divorce, and notice of suit was served on him when it Mt. Vernon.  He seemed staggered by the blow, went immediately home and then started on the search for his wife, shooting her on sight.  Capps will not die from his wounds, but his neighbors ought to hang him.

Elder Joseph Ballou, who came from Mt. Vernon yesterday, says that Capps is in jail and is in no danger of dying.  The doctors say there is a bare possibility that the woman will live.  The trial is set for Saturday. [1]

---

[May 21, 1895] -

A PREACHER'S CRIME.

Rev. Capps Wife Will Die From her Wounds, But He Will Recover.

Danville, Ky., May 19.-- Mrs. J. R. Capps, of near Mt. Vernon, who was on Friday shot four times by her infuriated husband, cannot recover, and her death is expected at any moment.  Her husband, Rev. J. R. Capps, who, after shooting her, made an unsuccessful attempt to cut his throat, is getting much better, and is in jail.  He made an ugly gash in his windpipe with a razor, after trying hard to do the work with a pocket knife.  They quarreled and separated.  She afterward employed lawyers to sue for divorce and alimony.  He went to her home to try and make up the affair, but she refused, when he drew a pistol and shot her, one ball going into her face, another into her breast and the other two into her left shoulder and arm.  Capps is a Baptist preacher an educated, influential man and a large land owner. [2]

Assassination of Sheriff McHargue and Lynching of Gilliland Brothers, Pulaski, 1891

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

There is a great deal of controversy about this case regarding what may or may not have actually happened. It is a common belief among descendants that the Gilliland brothers had nothing to do with the murder of Sheriff McHargue, but were believable scapegoats due to the poor reputation of their family at the time. Please note that I am not expressing any opinions here, nor making accusations, nor did I purposefully "only represent one side." If the contemporary newspaper reports were one-sided, that is not my doing.  Unfortunately news reports often get it wrong, or don't tell the whole story, back then just as today. As always, feel free to comment below if you want to express your opinion or knowledge of these incidents.

------------


[September 14, 1891] -

ASSASSINATED.

Pulaski County's Sheriff Shot Down At His Own Home.

Two Gilland Brothers In Jail Charged With the Murder.

Guards on Duty To Prevent Violence At a Mob's Hands.

The Assassins Were Recognized By the Sheriff's Wife and Daughters.

OTHER CRIMES AND CRIMINALS

Somerset, Ky., Sept. 13. -- (Special.) -- John H. McCargue, the Sheriff of this county, was assassinated last night. He left Somerset about 6 o'clock p.m., reached home, put his horse up and fed him and went to the house and ate his supper. At 9 o'clock he started to the barn and was shot.

The people of Pulaski county are greater excited over the murder of Sheriff McCargue than anything that ever happened in this county. The news has spread to the adjoining counties and many here have come to learn the facts, which are about these:

For several years that locality has been troubled by thieves and robbers. It was nothing unusual for a man to lose his plow, harness, some wheat or corn, or for some person to be robbed of his money and his house plundered. Four years ago McCargue was Sheriff and at that time did all he could to bring the guilty parties to justice. Since that he has lost heavily by those parties. Last August a year ago he was again elected Sheriff. He was gathering facts to place the guilty parties where they belonged. These parties had heard of these facts and entertained deadly hatred toward him. For the last three months he has been in fear of his life and has so told his friends, but he flinched not from doing his duty. Last evening he left Somerset for his home, five miles out in the country. He reached there about dark, put his horse in the stable, fed him and went to the house. He ate his supper and then told his family that he had met a man down the road that he feared would kill him. About 9 o'clock, he went to the barn to turn his horse out, and about half way between the barn and house he was shot down. The ball entered near the right breast, ranged downward and came out left of the back bone, just below the left shoulder blade.

His wife and two daughters were standing out int he yard about half way between the house and front gate. They saw the flash of the pistol and heard their husband and father exclaim: "O, Lord." They rushed to him and there stood the murderers, one of whom snapped a pistol at them. When Mrs. McCargue raised her husband up and exclaimed that he was dead, they walked off, but it was too late. They had been recognized. One was James H. Gilland, whom McCargue had just a while before met in the road. The other was his brother Joe, a boy eighteen years old.

Early this morning the chief officers of the county and a large crowd of the best citizens from this and adjoining counties assembled to see if there was any way to catch the murderer who had taken the life of the officer. Suspicion by those present soon fell upon J. H. Gilland, who was present, though the crowd at this time did not know what the women had seen, as they kept it quiet till the Coroner's inquest, when the women told what they knew. At that time Gilland had left and gone to his father's, almost a quarter mile away. The jury soon returned a verdict that McCargue had come to his death by a ball fired by J. H. Gilland or his brother Joe. The judge soon signed a writ and ex-Sheriff Elrod, Chief Police anderson, Deputy Sheriff Jones, Jailer Shipperd, Detectives Bates and Foxe started to arrest the parties. This they soon accomplished. At the time of the arrest Joe Gilland had a red cloth around his neck, as the women testified he had when he burst a cap at them. They also found a large round-barrel navy pistol, which had one barrel empty. The men were hurried to jail for fear of a mob, and at this hour, there is much excitement, and there is great fear that they will be mobbed to-night. The County Judge has secured a special guard for the jail to-night to keep Judge Lynch* from doing his work. [1]

*[a euphemism for a lynch mob]

Man Kills Another Over Alleged Attempted Robbery, Rockcastle, 1890

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

[September 19, 1890] -

A ROCKCASTLE KILLING

Bud Mize Shoots and Kills Big John Minks.

Special to The Interior Journal.

MT. VERNON, Sept. 18, 3 P. M.-- News reached here at noon that Big John Minks was shot and instantly killed by Bud Mize, this morning at 8 o'clock, on Big Trace Fork, 9 miles south of here.  The ball entered the right shoulder and came out in the middle of the back.  Minks had dodged to a stooping position.  There had been trouble between them heretofore.  J.M.  [1]

Joe Denny killed by brother-in-law Robert Harris, 1921

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

[July 22, 1921] -

Joe Denny of the Wiggins section near Brodhead was shot last Sunday by Robert Harris, his brother in law, and died Monday evening.  The affair seems to have been the result of trouble between the wives of the two men who were sisters. Harris came into town Sunday evening and gave himself up.  The examining trial will be held tomorrow. [1]

William Tink Mullins Kills Dan Scott & James M. Singleton, 1902-1903

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

[August 6, 1902] -

Killed at Livingston.

James Tink Mullins and Dan Scott, of Livingston, became involved in a difficulty Monday, in which Mullins shot and killed Scott. [1]

---

[August 8, 1902] -

Surrendered to the Authorities.

Mt. Vernon, Ky., Aug. 5. -- Dan Scott was shot and killed by Bill Tink Mullins near Mullins Station, in this county.  Mullins and his brother came in and surrendered Monday morning.  Mullins and Scott had had trouble before. [2]

L&N Master Mechanic Kills Master of Trains, 1903

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------


[October 26, 1903] -

TRAGEDY IN BATH HOUSE

B. N. Roller Was Killed With His Own Pistol

DISARMED IN THE FIGHT

The Principals Were Officials of the L. & N. Railroad at Livingston and Clashes of Authority Provoked Ill Feeling that Resulted in the Fatal Affray Yesterday.

MT. VERNON, Ky., Oct. 25.-- (Special.)-- B. N. Roller, master of trains of the Livingston division of the Louisville & Nashville railroad, was shot and instantly killed at Livingston this afternoon by A. N. Bentley, master mechanic.  Roller was shot five times and any three of the wounds would have proven fatal.  The first  intimation of the shooting was when Bentley gave himself up to the Town Marshall with the statement that he had killed Roller in self defense.  A crowd of men went to the bath house where the shooting occurred.  No pistol or other weapon was found near Roller.  Bentley claims that he was unarmed when Roller attacked him and that in the scuffle he took Roller's pistol and shot him with his own weapon.

Bad feelings had existed between the two men for a year and a half.  They were continually quarreling over a clash of authority, each claiming that the other was encroaching on his authority.  They first met at the pumping station this afternoon and engaged in a quarrel.  Their discussion was heated, but both calmed down apparently and Bentley went down to the bath house, several hundred feet distant.  He was shortly afterward followed by Roller.  The quarrel was here renewed with fatal results.  Bentley claims that Roller pulled his pistol and in the scuffle he succeeded in getting hold of it and shot Roller.

Roller was 48 years old and was married, but had no children.  He moved to Livingston from Marion county and rose  from section foreman at Lebanon to the position of master of trains.

Bentley  has a wife and five children and is 50 years old.  He will be brought here for examining trial tomorrow morning.

Both men were prominent in railroad circles. [1]

Man Chases Another with Axe, Fatal Gunfight Ensues, Rockcastle, 1904

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

[February 18, 1903] -

FARMER KILLED IN A FIGHT.

  MT. VERNON, Ky., Feb 17. -- Information reached here this morning from Cooksburg in the eastern part of this county, that Abe Drew, a farmer, was shot and killed in a fight with Henry Hellard. [1]     ---   [February 20, 1903] -  

KILLING IN ROCKCASTLE -- Abe Drew, a farmer, was shot and killed in a fight with Henry Hellard near Cooksburg, Rockcastle county. [2]

Murder of Tom Collins and James Thomas Shiplett, Rockcastle/Pulaski, 1889

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

[August 23, 1889] -

Tom Collins, a desperado of Rockcastle county, was found dead near Dyer's mill, in Pulaski, with a bullet hole through his head.  A revolver with an empty chamber was clutched in his hand creating the supposition that he was killed in a fight with some unknown person. [1]

---

[August 23, 1889] -

It was at first thought that Tom Collins, who was found dead last Sunday near Line creek with a pistol ball through his head, a pistol in his hand and a bottle of whisky by him, had committed suicide, but a coroner's inquest found it to be murder. William McGraw has been arrested charged with committing the dead. Examining trial to take place to-day (Thursday) before 'Squire Renner. [2]

Woman Kills Teenage Girl Over Suspected Affair With Husband, 1920

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

[November 5, 1920] -

Stabbed With Knife.  

Stella Cato, a colored woman living at Tateville, Ky., stabbed a fifteen year old girl by the name of Ross, also of color, with a knife Sunday afternoon.  The Ross girl died within a short time.  The knife penetrated the heart.  The cutting followed a quarrel between the parties. The Cato woman came to Somerset and gave herself up to the authorities and was placed in jail. [1]

---

[December 1, 1920] -

FEMALE KILLING CASE

Somerset, Ky.--The trial of Stella Cato, charged with having slain Dessie Ross, 15, whom she accused of alienating her husband, was continued to the next term of court. [2]

Fatal Fight Between Defendant and Former Witness, Laurel, 1886

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

[August 31, 1886] -

Sam Barnard killed Frank Harris in Laurel last week in a most cowardly manner and escaped. [1]

Man Killed in Republican Primary Row, Pulaski, 1890

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------


From Scott Parkey: "I'm a direct descendant of William Ping mentioned.... Charles Z. Jones' maternal grandmother was a Barnes, as was John L. Ping's maternal grandmother--so there was a bit of cousin killing going on there."



-----

[May 19, 1890] -

In an election difficulty which they were trying to settle Saturday near Somerset, Ky., Esquire William Ping was badly wounded and his son John was killed by Thomas and Charles Jones, two of the principals in a row. Frank Hines was also seriously wounded by the Jones boys.



---

Jellico Smallpox Quarantine Leads to Violence, 1898

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

-----------

[February 22, 1898] -

The small-pox situation in the mountain towns is growing intense, although but few new cases are reported and those at Middlesboro and Jellico.  All the towns in Knox, Whitley and Laurel have quarantined each other and the world generally and will permit no person without a doctor's certificate to enter them either by private or public conveyance.  The trains are watched for people getting off and at London Conductor J. W. Rose, who stopped at the fair grounds and let some passengers off, had a writ issued against him, but as he was headed this way it was not served.  No steps have been taken by our authorities with reference to vaccination.  They are probably waiting for the horse to be stolen before locking the stable door. [1]

---

[February 24, 1898] -

Mrs. Ben W. Robinson, of Halsey, Ky., was here for a few hours Tuesday, between trains, coming from Hopkinsville to bring Master Marvin Evans home.  The left Halsey with the smallpox scare raging around Jellico, through which place they had to come, and where they found difficulty in getting through.  Miss Elizabeth Hopper is still at Halsey, but will not remain if the disease continues to spread.  A letter from Mr. Robinson dated February 21, says the situation is getting serious with numerous cases at Jellico, Proctor mines and other points.  When his letter was written vaccination had not been made compulsory but nearly everybody at Halsey and taken that precaution. [2] 

---

[February 25, 1898] -

Smallpox is still in Middlesboro, Jellico and other points.  All stations in Whitley county are quarantined.  One death at Middlesboro and a few new cases.  It is reported that telegraph operator, Brownlie, was brought from Middlesboro to East Bernstadt and was taken home and doors locked.  It is supposed he has the disease. [3]