David Lockett Kills Ben Goss, Lincoln, 1875

Previously:

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

-----------

[September 10, 1875] -

On Monday morning last, a little altercation took place between the wives of Ben Goss and David Locket, colored. Goss interfered, either to assist or separate, when Locket struck him with a stone, from which he died in less than two hours. Locket surrendered himself to the proper officer. His trial is set for Wednesday, at 9 o'clock.

LATER. -- The examining trial of David Locket for killing Ben Goss took place Wednesday before Squire Burch and Judge Pollard. He was pronounced guilty of murder, and is now in jail awaiting the sitting of the next term of the Circuit Court. [1]

---

[September 17, 1875] -

David Locket, of color, who killed the negro man, Ghost, at Crab Orchard, the other day, and who was refused bail by the Examining Court at that place, was brought before Judge Lytle here, on the 11th, by writ of habeas corpus, and allowed bail in $400 for his appearance at the October Circuit Court, which was given. Col. W. G. Welch, represented the prisoner, and County Attorney, Bobbitt, the Commonwealth. [2]

---

[October 20, 1876] -

Something over a year ago, Dave Lockett killed Ben Goss, both men of color, at Crab Orchard. The facts are, that the wives of the two men had a difficulty the day before the killing, and the next day the wife of Goss and Goss himself and his mother-in-law had hold of Lockett's wife, whereupon Lockett ran up to them and picked up a very large rock, held it in his hand and struck Goss a violent blow, which resulted in his death in about one hour. Lockett was indicted for manslaughter, and his case was tried at the present term of the court. Lockett was ably defended by Col. W. G. Welch and W. O. Hansford, Esq., and was prosecuted with a [?] by County Attorney Bobbitt and Commonwealth Attorney Denny. The latter made one of the strongest speeches against the prisoner, that we have heard in this county against any criminal. The jury failed to agree, and were discharged. [3]

---

[October 19, 1877] -

David Lockett, colored, who killed another colored man named Yoss, in 1875, was tried on a charge of manslaughter and sent to the Penitentiary for 18 months. This case had been tried before and resulted in a hung jury. [4]

---

[October 20, 1877] -

The Journal says David Lockett for the murder of another negro was sentenced in the Lincoln Circuit Court to eighteen years in the penitentiary. [5]

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

[1] Excerpt from "Lincoln County News -- Crab Orchard." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. September 10, 1875. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1875-09-10/ed-1/seq-3/

[2] Excerpt from "Home Jottings." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. September 17, 1875. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1875-09-17/ed-1/seq-3/

[3] Excerpt from "Circuit Court." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. October 20, 1876. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1876-10-20/ed-1/seq-3/

[4] Excerpt from "Circuit Court." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. October 19, 1877. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1877-10-19/ed-1/seq-3/

[5] Excerpt from "Kentucky News." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. October 20, 1877. Page 2. Newspapers.com.

.