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This case and the majority of the articles below were sent to me by Mitch Harris. Thank you!
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[July 21, 1910] -
TOWN MARSHALAt Mt. Vernon Shoots and Fatally Wounds a Prominent Saw Mill Man Today
Special to The Advocate.
Mt. Vernon, Ky., July 21. -- At 10 o'clock this morning, E. R. Ferguson, town marshal of Mt. Vernon, shot and fatally wounded George W. Gentry, a prominent saw-mill man. The tragedy occurred on Main street in this city. Some days ago the marshal arrested one of Gentry's boys on a minor charge and when he met the officer this morning, Gentry slapped him in the face. Ferguson drew his revolver and fired a charge in his abdomen. The ball passed entirely through his body. Physicians say there is no chance for Gentry to recover. The marshal is 37 years old and Gentry about 50. Both have families. The shooting caused considerable excitement in town. [1]
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[July 22, 1910] -
FATALLY INJURED:-- Town Marshall George R. Furguson shot and no doubt fatally wounded George (Pet) Gentry yesterday morning in front of the public room of the Miller hotel. Furguson fired two shots, one which passed through abdomen and liver and another which passed through the left lung. Gentry was taken to the home of his father H. C. Gentry, and Drs. [?] and Denny were called, and [after?] an examination pronounced the case a hopeless one. As best we have been able to learn, the dieing statements of Gentry and the statements of Furguson as to how the trouble started are in the main about the same. The men have not been on friendly terms for some time, on account of Furguson arresting one of Gentry's sons some time back. Furguson asked Gentry for his town tax which started the conversation when Gentry told him he would have to wait and after passing another word or two Gentry walked on to Brown Livery stable, but soon returned. The conversation was renewed in a heated manner, and Gentry struck Furguson, knocking him out of his chair. As stated by Jonas McKenzie, an eye witness, Gentry was standing over Furguson, with his arms around him, when Furgson, in the stooped position he was, fired the first shot. The first shot entered the abdomen and released Gentry's hold and as Furguson assumed his natural position fired the second time, just as Gentry turned to walk away, the second shot taking effect in the back, passing through the lung. Furguson who is now, in the custody of Jailer Langford, has a bruised ear and sore jaw.LATER:-- Mr. Gentry died at 6:30 yesterday evening. He realized that he could not get well and called all his family to his bed and talked freely telling them what to do. He leaves a wife and five children, an aged father and mother and several brothers. The burial will take place at the Moore burying ground to-day.
Ferguson will have his examining trial Monday. [2]
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[July 22, 1910] -
MT. VERNON MARSHAL KILLS MANGEORGE W. GENTRY IS SHOT TO DEATH WHEN HE SLAPS THE OFFICER IN FACE.
Geo. W. Gentry, a prominent lumber man of Mt. Vernon, was shot twice and killed there Thursday by Town Marshal E. R. Ferguson. The affair occurred in the heart of the town and caused much excitement.
A short time ago while [G]entry was out of the city, the Marshal arrested his boy for a trivial offense.
Thursday they met and the Marshal asked [G]entry for his city taxes. Gentry is said to have told the Marshal that he would have to wait, adding: "I don't like you any way. My wife tells me you arrested my boy for nothing while I was away."
Ferguson is said to have replied that was a lie, whereupon Gentry struck the Marshal in the face. Ferguson then pulled his pistol and fired at Gentry twice, both bullets passing through his body, one penetrating the abdomen.
Gentry walked off and sat down, but it could be seen he was mortally hurt, and a physician was speedily summoned. He lived six hours, and then died.
The Marshal was placed under guard by other officials. He is a man about 37 years of age, while Gentry was a man about 50, and leaves a wife and five children. [3]
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[July 22, 1910] -
Shot By Town Marshal.Mt. Vernon, Ky., July 21. -- G. W. Gentry, Jr., a sawyer, was shot through the stomach here at 10 o'clock to-day by Town Marshal G. R. Ferguson, died to-night.
The trouble came up over the Marshal having arrested a son of Gentry some time since. It is claimed Gentry struck Ferguson in the face, when the latter opened fire. [4]
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[July 22, 1910] -
DIES OF WOUND.
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Special to The Advocate.
Mt. Vernon, Ky., July 22. -- George W. Gentry, who was shot yesterday morning in Mt. Vernon by Marshal E. R. Ferguson, died last night from the wounds. [5]
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[July 26, 1910] -
OUT ON BAIL.-------
Special to the Advocate.
Mt. Vernon, Ky., July 26. -- The examining trial of G. R. Ferguson, marshal of Mt. Vernon, who killed G. W. Gentry last week, was held before Judge Bethurum yesterday afternoon. He was admitted to bail in the sum of $2,000, which was quickly given. [6]
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[July 28, 1910] -
Mt. Vernon. -- G. W. Gentry, Jr., a sawyer, was killed by being shot through the stomach by Town Marshal G. R. Ferguson. The trouble came up over the marshal having arrested a son of Gentry some time since. It is alleged Gentry struck Ferguson in the face, when the latter opened fire. [7]---
[August 23, 1910] -
An indictment was returned against Marshall Geo. Ferguson, for the killing of G. W. Gentry but the case will not be tried until the January term. [8]---
[January 13, 1911] -
Sheriff T. J. Nicely was here [Livingston] Monday and summoned 25 jurors in the Furguson case. [9]
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[January 13, 1911] -
Mr. and Mrs. Tyree Gentry, of Lebanon Junction have been here this week attending court. [10]---
[January 13, 1911] -
Atty E. R. Gentry made his first argument before a jury Wednesday for the prosecution in the trial of Town Marshal Furguson and he made a splendid effort. [10]
[January 13, 1911] -
The case against Town Marshall George R. Furguson was called Monday when both sides announced ready and the following jury selected to try the case: Jno. R. Alcorn, E. Cox, Mat Mink, O. E. Gipson, David Hines, Jno. E. Boek[?], C. T. Sigmon, Lee Coffeey, W. M. Napier, Henry Delph, Tommy Jones and Henry Mahaffey. The Jury after being out less than one hour returned a verdict of not guilty. [10]-----------
[1] "Town Marshall." Kentucky Advocate, Danville, KY. July 21, 1910. Page 1. Newspapers.com.
[2] "Fatally Injured." Mount Vernon Signal, Mt. Vernon, KY. July 22, 1910. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069561/1910-07-22/ed-1/seq-3/
[5] "Dies of Wound." Kentucky Advocate, Danville, KY. July 22, 1910. Page 1. Newspapers.com.
Same article as [7] also published in: Excerpt from "Kentucky Intelligence." The Citizen, Berea, KY. July 28, 1910. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052076/1910-07-28/ed-1/seq-3/
[10] Excerpts from "Personal" and "Local." Mount Vernon Signal, Mt. Vernon, KY. January 13, 1911. Page 3. rockcastlelibrary.org.
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