Post updated July 5, 2021.
I received the following message regarding this case:
"Members of the Phelps family believe the newspaper article in error identifying James Phelps as the shooter of Riley Price. We believe the actual shooter was Andrew Marion (Dude) Phelps, James Arthur’s brother. We believe James Arthur Phelps was the person shot in the shootout described in the October 20th article. James Arthur Phelps’s tombstone states October 20, 1912 as his date of death. Andrew Marion Phelps served a prison sentence and lived to be an elderly man. The family would interested in any articles or court records and/or hearing, trial, and sentencing of Andrew Marion Phelps. This is [sent] by the great niece of both Andrew Marion (Dude) Phelps and James Arthur Phelps."
If anyone has any additional information or documents regarding this case, please reach out to Bill at bsimon1875[/at]gmail[/dot]com.
The Findagrave entry for James Arthur Phelps who died on October 20, 1912 is here.
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[August 11, 1911] -
Somerset, KY., Aug. 10. -- Pulaski county had another killing Wednesday, which makes the third in a month, and another good citizen is gone. J. A. Phelps, it is alleged shot and instantly killed Riley Price Wednesday afternoon near Price's home, about fifteen miles east of here [Somerset].
Price was a school teacher, and was shot while on his way to school. Little can be learned of the killing, as the officers have not brought Phelps here, yet it is known that the two men have been at outs for some years. About a year ago Price shot Phelps in the arm, and Wednesday was the first time the men had met since that time.
Price was County Assessor four years ago, and was one of the leading citizens of the county. His reputation was that of a quiet and peaceable citizen, and the killing has caused much excitement.
Mr. Phelps is also one of the county's leading citizens, being a farmer in excellent circumstances. [1]
---
[August 10, 1911] -
PULASKI COUNTY SCHOOL TEACHER KILLED IN ROAD
J. A. PHELPS, FARMER, IS CHARGED WITH SHOOTING.
GRANVILLE TURNER SHOT DEAD IN BREATHITT.
ATTACKED RAILROAD CAMP
Somerset, Ky., Aug. 9. -- (Special.) -- Pulaski county had another killing today, which makes the third this month, and another good citizen is gone. J. A. Phelps, it is alleged, shot and instantly killed Riley Price this afternoon near Price's home, about fifteen miles east of here [Somerset].
Price was a school teacher, and was shot while on his way to school this morning about 8 o'clock. Little can be learned of the killing, as the officers have not yet brought Phelps here [Somerset], yet it is known that the two men have been at outs for some years. About a year ago Price shot Phelps in the arm, and to-day was the first time the men had met since that time.
Price was County Assessor four years ago, and was one of the leading citizens of the county. His reputation was that of a quiet and peaceable citizen, and the killing has caused much excitement.
Mr. Phelps is also one of the county's leading citizens, being a farmer in excellent circumstances. Officers from here [Somerset] left immediately upon learning of the killing, and are expected in some time tonight with Phelps. [2]
---
[August 11, 1911] -
SLAYER OF PULASKI TEACHER NOT CAUGHT
Sheriff Returns from Unsuccessful Search for J. A. Phelps
(Special to The Herald.)
SOMERSET, Ky., Aug 10 -- Sheriff J. M. Weddle returned at a late hour last night after an unsuccessful attempt to capture J. A. Phelps, who shot and killed Riley Price, a well-known school teacher and local politician, about fifteen miles east of Somerset. Just after the killing Phelps went to a country store some distance from the scene and told the proprietor the store that he had just killed Price and told him where the shooting occurred, adding that Price started to draw a revolver when they met in the road, where the shooting was done. Several men hurried to the place and found Price lying dead in the road near his horse, from which he had been shot, with a large number of No. 2 shot in his head. No one was allowed to disturb the body or come around the place until Judge R. C. Tartar, acting in place of the coroner, who was out of the county, had reached the scene, he having gone at once from here as soon as the notice of the killing was given.
Judge Tartar said this morning that from all the surrounding conditions that all indications showed Price to have been shot with a double barrel shotgun from ambush. He said just opposite where the dead body of Price lay there were tracks leading along a small path back from the road for some fifty feet or such a matter to a tree, behind which tracks were seen, and that along this path he found wads which had been fired from a shotgun, and that some small twigs had been clipped off between the tree and the road, where the body lay and looked as through the shots had cut them off. He also said one large twig, which would have to some degree obscured the view between any object passing along the road from the point of the tree, had been broken and pulled aside so as to leave an open view with no obstruction of any kind to interfere with taking aim from the tree.
Officers are on the lookout for Phelps and it is believed he will soon be apprehended. Price and Phelps had previously had trouble in which Price shot Phelps in the shoulder. [3]
---
[August 11, 1911] -
Alleged Slayer of Riley Prices Eludes Pursuers.
Somerset,
Ky., Aug. 10. -- County Judge R. C. Tartar and Sheriff J. M. Weddle,
who went to the scene of the killing of Riley Price, a prominent
educator, fifteen miles east of here [Somerset], as soon as the killing
was reported, returned at a late hour last night, but they failed to
capture J. A. Phelps, who, it is said, did the killing. Judge Tartar
went to officiate instead of the Coroner, who was away.
When
seen this morning Judge Tartar said that all indications pointed to the
fact that Price had been shot from ambush. A shotgun was used and the
back and side of the head was filled with shot. He was on his way from
home to the schoolhouse, where he had been teaching school, and had just
ridden into a deep ravine, where trees and thick bushes obscure the
road from either side for some distance , when he was shot from his
horse.
Traces
were found leading from the roadside near the body back into the bushes
for thirty feet to a tree, where anyone could have been concealed and
along the way of these tracks were found gun wads and also a twig which
had apparently been cut from some bushes by the shots that were fired
into Price.
Immediately
after the shooting Phelps went to a store not far away, it is alleged,
and told the proprietor that he had killed Price down the road. He said
that Price had started to draw a pistol and that he shot him. Phelps then hurried away and has not been found. [4]
---
[August 19, 1911] -
Governor Offers Reward.
Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 18. -- Gov. Willson today offered $100 reward for the arrest of Dude Phelps, who is wanted in Whitley [Pulaski] county on the charge of murdering Riley Price. [5]
---
[October 6, 1911] -
Somerset, Ky., Oct. 5. -- The grand jury for the present term of the Pulaski Circuit Court has adjourned after returning fifty-seven true bills, two being for willful murder, one against Andrew Phelps for killing Riley Price, a school teacher, and one against Deputy Sheriff Vanover for killing the son of a Baptist minister. Phelps is at large and there is a reward for his arrest. Price was killed from ambush. [6]
---
[October 7, 1911] -
Caused All the Trouble in Pulaski County the Past Year, According to Dispatches.
Special to The Advocate.
Somerset, Ky., Oct. 7. -- The grand jury of the present term of court returned fifty-seven indictments,two being for murder, one against Andrew Phelps for willful murder of Riley Price and one against Deputy Sheriff Vanover for killing young Ridner, a son of the Rev. Ridner, a Baptist minister of this [Pulaski] county. Price was assassinated while riding through a wooded spot on the public highway from his home to the schoolhouse where he was teaching school. Phelps made his escape and has not been arrested, although there is a reward for him. Vanover is out on bond awaiting trial. A large number of indictments were also returned against saloonkeepers of Somerset for running a game of chance, and quite a number against various parties for illicit whiskey selling and selling to minors.
There were two peculiar features about this term of court. One is that the two weeks assigned to the criminal business were almost entirely taken up with cases from Burnside, most of which were directly or indirectly caused by liquor. Another is that of the men convicted in the Helton and Ellis trials, and those killed by the convicted ones were all officers of the law. [7]
---
[January 30, 1912] -
On application of the County Judge of Pulaski, Gov. McCreary has offered a reward of $200 for the arrest of Andrew Phelps, who is wanted in Pulaski county, charged with killing Riley Price. He is said to have fled. [8]
---
[October 21, 1912] -
ONE MAN IS KILLED AND OTHERS HURT IN RUNNING FIGHT
(Special to The Herald.)
Phelps at once left the country. A reward was offered by Governor McCreary for his arrest. Chief Waddle learned that Phelps had been seen around his old home and he left for there early this morning, finding him at home in company with some others. They took him by surprise and arrested him. He asked permission to telephone his girl, saying that he would then go to jail with them.
Phelps Gives Warning.
--- 
[October 21, 1912] -
ONE MAN IS KILLED AND OTHERS HURT IN RUNNING FIGHT
Relatives and Friends Attempt to Take James Phelps from Chief and His Two Deputies
UNDER ARREST FOR SLAYING RILEY PRICE
Two Unsuccessful Efforts Made But Officers Land Prisoner in Jail
(Special to The Herald.)
SOMERSET, Ky., Oct 20-- A running fight between Chief of Police H. G. Waddle of Somerset, and two deputies on the one side, and a number of relatives of James Phelps, whom they had taken prisoner, took place about 10 o'clock this morning twelve miles east of Somerset, in Pulaski county. Chief of Police Waddle thinks one man was probably killed or badly wounded, as he saw him fall, after he had fired, and while the exchange of shots between the Chief and his deputies and the relatives, who were trying to take the prisoner from the officers was in progress.
Killed Riley Price.
Phelps some months ago, shot and killed Riley Price, one of the most prominent teachers in the county, who also had served a term as assessor of Pulaski county, as Price was riding horseback on the way to the place where he was teaching. The killing took place in a secluded spot, where the road skirted a clump of bushes, and the weapon was a shotgun loaded with buckshot.
Phelps Gives Warning.
Evidently he gave warning over the telephone, as they had not gone far with their prisoner when a brother and some other relatives, or friends, overtook the officers and demanded that the prisoner be released. Chief Waddle says the firing began after one of the men had kicked him, and that a volley of shots were fired. They then proceeded with their prisoner toward Somerset and stopped for a lunch several miles from the scene of the first trouble.
Here they received a telephone message from a friend warning them to hurry on, as a crowd was on their track to take the prisoner from them. Waddle says they had not gone far when they were again overtaken and another battle occurred. It was in this fight, he says, he saw one of the men fall, and he thinks he was killed, while he believes several others were wounded. None of the officers was injured. They arrived here with the prisoner this afternoon and placed him in jail.
The only statement the prisoner made with reference to the killing of Price was that he had to do it. [9]
---
[October 22, 1912] -
PITCHED BATTLE FOUGHT OVER IN PULASKI
Somerset, Ky., Oct. 20 -- A regular running pitched battle between Chief of Police H. G. Waddle, of Somerset, and two deputies of the one side, and a number of relatives of James Phelps, a prisoner, o[c]curred about 10 o'clock this morning, 12 miles east of Somerset, in Pulaski county. Chief Waddle thinks one man was killed or at least badly wounded, as he saw him fall after he fired and during the exchange of shots between the chief and his deputies and relatives, who were trying to rescue the prisoner from the officers.
It is charged that Phelps some months ago shot and killed Riley Price, who was one of the most prominent teachers in the county, and who had served a term as assessor of Pulaski county, as the latter was riding horseback on his way to his school. The killing took place in a secluded spot, where the road skirted a clump of bushes and the weapon was a shotgun loaded with buckshot.
Phelps left the country at the time, it is alleged and had not been heard of. A reward was offered by Gov. McCreary for his arrest. Chief Waddle got news of the fact that Phelps had been seen around his old home place and he left for there this morning, and found him at home in company with some others.
The officers took him by surprise and arrested him. He asked permission to telephone his sweetheart saying he would come to Somerset to jail with them. He evidently gave warning for they had not gotten far with their prisoner until a number of relatives and friends overtook the officers and demanded that the prisoner be release.
Chief Waddle says the firing began after one of the men had administered a hard kick to him and that a volley of shots was fired. The officers then proceeded with the prisoner toward Somerset and stopped for lunch several miles from the scene of the first trouble, and here they received a telephone message from a friend, warning them to hurry on as a crowd was on their trail to retake the prisoner from them.
Chief Waddle says they had not gone far when they were again overtaken and another pitched battle occurred, and it was in this fight he saw one of the men fall, and he thinks he was killed, while he believes several others were wounded. None of the officers was wounded. They arrived at Somerset with the prisoner and placed him in jail. The only statement the prisoner made with reference to the killing of Price was he had to do it. [10]
---
[October 22, 1912] -
When Relatives Try to Take Alleged Murderer Away From Chief Of Police Henry Waddle
Somerset, Ky., Oct. 20 -- A regular running pitched battle between Chief of Police H. G. Waddle, of Somerset, and two deputies of the one side, and a number of relatives of James Phelps, a prisoner, o[c]curred about 10 o'clock this morning, 12 miles east of Somerset, in Pulaski county. Chief Waddle thinks one man was killed or at least badly wounded, as he saw him fall after he fired and during the exchange of shots between the chief and his deputies and relatives, who were trying to rescue the prisoner from the officers.
It is charged that Phelps some months ago shot and killed Riley Price, who was one of the most prominent teachers in the county, and who had served a term as assessor of Pulaski county, as the latter was riding horseback on his way to his school. The killing took place in a secluded spot, where the road skirted a clump of bushes and the weapon was a shotgun loaded with buckshot.
Phelps left the country at the time, it is alleged and had not been heard of. A reward was offered by Gov. McCreary for his arrest. Chief Waddle got news of the fact that Phelps had been seen around his old home place and he left for there this morning, and found him at home in company with some others.
The officers took him by surprise and arrested him. He asked permission to telephone his sweetheart saying he would come to Somerset to jail with them. He evidently gave warning for they had not gotten far with their prisoner until a number of relatives and friends overtook the officers and demanded that the prisoner be release.
Chief Waddle says the firing began after one of the men had administered a hard kick to him and that a volley of shots was fired. The officers then proceeded with the prisoner toward Somerset and stopped for lunch several miles from the scene of the first trouble, and here they received a telephone message from a friend, warning them to hurry on as a crowd was on their trail to retake the prisoner from them.
Chief Waddle says they had not gone far when they were again overtaken and another pitched battle occurred, and it was in this fight he saw one of the men fall, and he thinks he was killed, while he believes several others were wounded. None of the officers was wounded. They arrived at Somerset with the prisoner and placed him in jail. The only statement the prisoner made with reference to the killing of Price was he had to do it. [10]
---
[October 22, 1912] -
PHELPS' BROTHER KILLED
Others Wounded in Effort to Release Prisoner.
Somerset, Ky., Oct. 21. -- In the shooting between the officers who had James Phelps under arrest yesterday and the men who were trying to get him away from the officers, Arthur Phelps, brother of the man under arrest, was killed, and it is thought others were wounded. [11]
---
[October 24, 1912] -
Chief of Police Waddle, of Somerset, believes one man either was killed or wounded in a running fight between his posse and friends of James Phelps, charged with the murder of Riley Price, in Pulaski county. [12]
[October 24, 1912] -
Chief of Police Waddle, of Somerset, believes one man either was killed or wounded in a running fight between his posse and friends of James Phelps, charged with the murder of Riley Price, in Pulaski county. [12]---
[February 14, 1913] -
---
[February 20, 1913] -
LIFE SENTENCE IMPOSED ON ANDREW PHELPS
CONVICTED AT SOMERSET OF ASSASSINATION OF RILEY PRICE.
Somerset, Ky., Feb. 19. -- (Special.) -- Andrew Phelps was found guilty in Circuit Court to-day of the murder of Riley Price and given a life sentence in the State penitentiary. The killing took place about eighteen months ago, but Phelps evaded arrest till a few months ago. Price was a school teacher and was on his way to school when he was shot from his horse. A shotgun was used and his head was almost torn from his body.
The case has attracted much attention in this [Pulaski] county, where both Phelps and Price are well known. The case concluded the criminal docket for this term. [14]
-------------------------------
[1] "Third Killing in a Month." Lexington Herald-Leader, Lexington, KY. August 10, 1911. Page 9. Newspapers.com.
[2] "Pulaski County School Teacher Killed in Road." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. August 10, 1911. Page 3. Newspapers.com.
[3] "Slayer of Pulaski Teacher Not Caught." Lexington Herald, Lexington, KY. August 11, 1911. Genealogybank.com.
[4] "Phelps Not Caught." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. August 11, 1911. Page 3. Newspapers.com.
[5] "Governor Offers Reward." The Owensboro Messenger, Owensboro, KY. August 19, 1911. Page 1. Newspapers.com.
[6] "Two Murder Indictments." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. October 6, 1911. Page 9. Newspapers.com.
[7] "Old Red Liquor." The Danville Advocate, Danville, KY. October 7, 1911. Page 1. Newspapers.com.
[8] "Reward Offered." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. January 30, 1912. Page 8. Newspapers.com.
[9] "One Man is Killed and Others Hurt in Running Fight." Lexington Herald, Lexington, KY. October 21, 1912. Page 1. Genealogybank.com.; Also reported in: "Pitched Battle." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. October 21, 1912. Page 8. Newspapers.com.
[10] "Pitched Battle Fought Over In Pulaski." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. October 22, 1912. Page 1. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052023/1912-10-22/ed-1/seq-1/
[9] "One Man is Killed and Others Hurt in Running Fight." Lexington Herald, Lexington, KY. October 21, 1912. Page 1. Genealogybank.com.; Also reported in: "Pitched Battle." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. October 21, 1912. Page 8. Newspapers.com.
[10] "Pitched Battle Fought Over In Pulaski." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. October 22, 1912. Page 1. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052023/1912-10-22/ed-1/seq-1/
[11] "Phelps' Brother Killed." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. October 22, 1912. Page 7. Newspapers.com.
[12] Excerpt from Column 1. Licking Valley Courier, West Liberty, KY. October 24, 1912. Page 4. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069643/1912-10-24/ed-1/seq-4/
[12] Excerpt from Column 1. Licking Valley Courier, West Liberty, KY. October 24, 1912. Page 4. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069643/1912-10-24/ed-1/seq-4/
[13] Excerpt from "Robert Barnes Convicted of Manslaughter." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. February 20, 1913. Page 3. Newspapers.com.
[14] "Life Sentence Imposed on Andrew Phelps." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. February 20, 1913. Page 3. Newspapers.com.
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1 comment:
The family of James A. Phelps believe the article misidentifies the shooter in this event. They believe that the actual shooter was Andrew Marion (Dude) Phelps, the older brother of James Arthur Phelps. They believe James Arthur is the person who was shot and severely injured during the “shoot out.” James Arthur Phelps’s tombstone cites October 20th 1912 as date of death-the date the article describing the ambush was written. Andrew Marion “Dude” Phelps served a prison sentence, moved out of state, and lived to be an elderly man.
The family is interested in any articles and/or court records regarding any hearings, trial, and sentencing of Andrew Marion Phelps.
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