Louis Raines Kills Andy Burch, Rockcastle, 1878

Previously:

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

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[February 8, 1878] -

NEGROES RAISING -- AT PINE HILL.

The devil got loose down at Pine Hill last Saturday. Louis Rains and Andy Burch, colored breathren, were in Goff's Saloon. Andy had been "setting up" the drinks, and asked Louis to "stand treat," but Louis refused, saying that he had not been asked to join in the drinking when Andy "set 'em up." Thereupon Andy began to abuse Louis about some ploughing, and about something his wife had said. Finally, Louis told Andy, who was advancing towards him, that his (Andy's) wife, had lied. Then Andy struck Louis in the face, and they clinched. Louis got out his knife and used it with telling effect. Six or seven ugly gashes were made in Andy's breast and abdomen. His wounds will probably prove fatal. Taylor Burch a son of Andy, ended the melee by knocking Louis down with a piece of timber. The parties, except the wounded man, were tried yesterday. Louis was held over in a bond of $250, which he gave. Taylor's bond was placed at $50, which he was unable to give. The Court placed him in the hospitable custody of Mr. Crautcher, who furnished him quarters in the first building back of the Court-house. [1]

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[February 15, 1878] -

DEATH OF THE WOUNDED NEGRO.

The negro, Andy Burch, who was wounded by Louis Rains in a difficulty at Pine Hill, (an account of which was given last week) died Sunday evening from the effect of his wounds. [2]

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[May 3, 1878] -

The case of the Commonwealth vs. Louis Rains, was contin[u]ed till the next term. [3]

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[September 17, 1878] -

William Pendleton, charged with killing R. A. McElroy at Pine Hill on the 5th of August last; John Mize, charged with killing O. J. Shrewsbury a few months since, and Louis Rains, an old negro, charged with killing Andrew Burch, another negro, are all under bond of $500 each for their appearance to answer an indictment for manslaughter. [4]

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[September 27, 1878] -

On Wednesday, in the Circuit Court, the case of the Commonwealth vs. Wm. Cundiff for the murder of a negro, was called and contin[u]ed by the defendant. A like disposition was made of the Commonwealth vs. Lewis Rains. [5]

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[May 2, 1879] -

The case of the Commonwealth vs. Lewis Rains, charged with manslaughter, was continued for the defendant till the next term. [6]

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[October 3, 1879] -

Since our last, the mill of justice in our Circuit Court has continued to grind. The case of the Commonwealth vs. Wat Bledsoe for killing Wm. Hicks, was tried last Wednesday and resulted in a verdict of acquittal. Same vs. Lewis Rains, an old colored man, for killing Andy Burch, another negro, in 1877, resulted in a like verdict. Both cases went to the jury without argument, the proof on the part of the Commonwealth almost warranting a peremptory instruction. The case of the Commonwealth vs. John C. Mize, for manslaughter; same vs. Wm. Cundiff, for murder; same vs. same, for manslaughter; same vs. Emmett Snodgrass and J. J. Thompson, for murder, were all continued to next term. [7]

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See also: Lewis Raines kills Edward Anderson, Rockcastle, 1883.


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[1] Excerpt from "Rockcastle County News." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. February 8, 1878. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1878-02-08/ed-1/seq-2/

[2] Excerpt from "Rockcastle County News." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. February 15, 1878. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1878-02-15/ed-1/seq-2/

[3] Excerpt from "Rockcastle County News." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. May 3, 1878. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1878-05-03/ed-1/seq-2/

[4] Excerpt from "Mt. Vernon, Ky." The Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY. September 17, 1878. Page 2. Newspapers.com.

[5] Excerpt from "Rockcastle County News." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. September 27, 1878. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1878-09-27/ed-1/seq-2/

[6] Excerpt from "Rockcastle County." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. May 2, 1879. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1879-05-02/ed-1/seq-2/

[7] Excerpt from "Rockcastle County." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. October 3, 1879. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1879-10-03/ed-1/seq-2/

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