1870-1879

The following is a chronological annotated list of all posts on this blog for years 1870 to 1879. See links in navigation bar above for other years available. See About & Contact for more information about this project.

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Within each post you will find newspaper clippings (or other sources) with typed (and therefore Ctrl+F searchable) transcriptions. Please keep the source citations with the articles if you share them elsewhere. I use footnotes to indicate sources. If you're not sure what this means: At the end of each typed transcription is a number like this:[1] If you go to the bottom of a post, you will see a listing of all citations for that post listed together with matching [1], [2], [3] before each one. The citation with the matching number is the source for that article.

If you have comments, corrections, and/or additional info you would like to share, please leave a comment on the relevant post or contact me directly.

If you are particularly interested in a murder case below that contains a Ky Court of Appeals opinion, please see FAQ for Cases with Kentucky Court of Appeals Opinions. Also, see my list of Ky Court of Appeal opinions.

Quick Key:
♦ Homicide
♦ Suicide
♦ 'Law and Order' related, but not about a Homicide
♦ General Info, Non-Criminal Death, or Other
♦ African-American Victim or Defendant, or relates to Race, Slavery, or the Freedmen's Bureau



  • Misc.  (11)
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  • 1870's  (138)
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    • ♦ 1870 Census Mortality Schedule
      Boyle, Garrard, Laurel, Lincoln, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Wayne, & Whitley Counties. 1869/1870. 1 source.
      Full-size images of the 1870 Census Mortality Schedule for these counties. No transcriptions, images only. Contains names reported to census taker of those persons who died within previous twelve months. Columns include number of family corresponding to Schedule 1, name, age, sex, color, married/widowed, place of birth, parentage of foreign birth, month the person died, occupation, cause of death.

    • ♦ Prohibition, Alcohol, and Saloons in 1870's Pulaski Co.
      Pulaski County. March 1872 to December 1879. 20+ sources.
      Collection of article clippings from the 1870's detailing temperance meetings, local option elections, public opinion of prohibition, etc., all relating to Somerset and/or Pulaski County.

    • ♦ Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, & Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s
      Pulaski, Rockcastle and Laurel Counties. 1872 to 1879. 24+ sources.
      Articles detailing non-fatal (as far as I know) shootings, affrays, etc.


  • --1870  (8)
    • ♦ [?][?] Kills Hammons Madison
      Laurel County. January 1870. 1 source.
      Hammons Madison, 27 year-old white married male with Homicide (Killed by a Rock in Fight crossed out) listed as cause of death on the 1870 Rockcastle Mortality Schedule.
      See: No. 1 on the 1870 Laurel Co. Mortality Schedule, Pg 1

    • ♦ Mob Raids Somerset Jail, Removes Four Prisoners
      Somerset, Pulaski County. First week in April 1870. 2 sources.
      "Information has just been received here that Curren and Dawes, who were placed in the jail at Somerset, Pulaski county, on the 1st of April, under the civil rights bill, and Sam Henley and James Joyce, arrested for illicit distilling, and placed in confinement at the same place, were forcibly taken from jail on Wednesday night, by a party of men with blackened faces calling themselves Ku-Klux. The rescued prisoners have not yet been recaptured."
      See: Partial List of Ku-Klux Activities in Kentucky

    • ♦♦ Regulators Hang Man in Baptist Churchyard
      Crab Orchard, Lincoln County. First week in April 1870. 2 sources.
      "On Tuesday night last a negro horse thief named Fox, while walking along the road with another negro near Crab Orchard, was arrested and hung in the Baptist church yard."
      See: Partial List of Ku-Klux Activities in Kentucky

    • ♦ Regulators Threaten Winston Owens, One Regulator Killed, One Wounded
      Crab Orchard, Lincoln County. First week in April 1870. 2 sources.
      Winston Owens stated to some other people that he could name some of the men who hanged [?] Fox. Later, a party of men went to the bar where he worked, intending him harm. Owens fired buckshot at the men, killing [?] Hyatt and wounding [?] Saunders.
      See:Partial List of Ku-Klux Activities in Kentucky

    • ♦ [?][?] Kills Virginious Davis
      Pulaski County. April 1870. 1 source.
      18 year-old white male student with Homicide (Gun Shot Wound crossed out) listed as cause of death on the 1870 Pulaski Mortality Schedule.
      See: No. 9 on 1870 Pulaski Co. Mortality Schedule, Pg 4

    • ♦ Family Ambushed While Planting Corn, One Killed
      near Rockcastle River, Laurel County. May 1870. 5 sources.
      In an ambush, a young lawyer named P. H. Bullock was killed while planting corn with his family. Several members of the Parker family were arrested and placed in jail.
      See: Mob Raids Laurel County Jail, Hangs Four Prisoners

    • ♦ Mob Raids Laurel County Jail, Hangs Four Prisoners
      London, Laurel County. May 1870. 5 sources.
      A disguised mob raided the Laurel County jail and lynched four men under arrest for the ambush of the Bullock family and the killing of P.H. Bullock.

    • ♦ William Owens Kills Henry Langford at County Fair
      Rockcastle County. May 1870. 27 sources.
      Contains sources about four murders: the killings of Henry Langford by William Owens in May 1870, John Griffin by William Owens in 1872(?), John A. Pickens by James Langford in 1875, and James Langford by William Owens in 1879.  Henry Langford was allegedly killed by William Owens in self-defense during the county fair in May 1870. Owens was acquitted, but Henry's brother James vowed revenge.  James killed John Pickens from ambush in 1875, mistaking him for Owens. James Langford was acquitted of Pickens murder.  In 1879, Williams Owens and James Langford met again, and Owens killed Langford, and was later acquitted.
      Related: Jack Adams Jr. Kills Liberty Langford
      Related: Election Day Shootout Involves Sheriff, Causes Langford/Mullins Feud


  • --1871  (7)
    • ♦ John Camden Kills [?] Tuttle
      Lincoln County. 1871[?] 4 sources.
      "John Camden, formerly a citizen of Waynesburg, in this [Lincoln] county, and who shot and killed a young man named Tuttle, some year or two since, at that place, was arrested in some of the Western States, a few days ago, and brought here and lodged in jail."

    • ♦ Fountain Young Kills Nathan Trusty
      Casey County. 1871. 15 sources.
      "Fount Young, accused of the murder of [Nathan] Trusty, in Casey county, and who has been lying in our [Lincoln Co.] jail wounded, for some months, was taken to Liberty last Monday morning to be tried at the present term of the Casey circuit court."
      See also: Man Shoots Another Over Small Disagreement, Pulaski, 1882

    • ♦ L. Jones Shoots Capt. [?] Roberts
      Pine Hill, Rockcastle County. Second half of March 1871. 1 source.
      "...an affray took place between Mr. L. Jones and Capt. Roberts, in which the latter was shot and dangerously, if not fatally, wounded. Roberts was preparing to go to Illinois, and expected to leave that day, and, it is said, had threatened to shoot Jones at sight. This threat coming to the knowledge of Jones, he prepared himself, and, upon meeting Roberts, commenced firing at him. One shot entered near the spine and came out at the hip, and will probably prove fatal."

    • ♦ Description of Stagecoach Journey From Stanford to Somerset
      Lincoln and Pulaski Counties. 30 July 1871. 1 source.
      A Cincinnati Commercial correspondent colorfully describes a stagecoach trip, the desperate need for a railroad in the Pulaski section of the State, and goes on to describe some of the men completing the survey for the Cincinnati Southern, and the resources of the counties through which the railroad will likely pass. "In wicked moments I sometimes wish that those of the Legislature who voted against the railroad were strung along the road from Stanford to Somerset, compelled to breathe all the dust that's kicked up, and hear all the curses that come from the lips of desperate passengers. I should want such one to be located where there was no shade, and about ten miles from water and an equal distance from any still-house. This last provision would be the cruelest of all, and the one most likely to bring them to terms."

    • ♦ Two Killed, One Injured in Affray
      Crab Orchard, Lincoln County. August 1871. 3 sources.
      "A fight occurred ... between Geo. Dollings and Grove Kennedy, in which one shot was fired, but the parties were separated without serious injury. On Thursday night two friends of Kennedy, one named Geo. Best, met Dollings at the Hardin house, Crab Orchard, and a fight ensued, revolvers being used freely. Dollings was mortally wounded and has since died. Frank Smith, who was only a spectator of the affray, recieved two shots and was instantly killed, and Best was severely wounded."

    • ♦ Mat Cullens Kills Mike Collins
      three miles from Stanford, Lincoln County. September 1871. 1 source.
      "On Saturday evening last John Moore, of Liberty, accompanied by two Irishmen, Mike Collins and Mat Cullens, were in our town [Stanford] sipping "benzine" rather freely for Good Templars. They left about dark, and after getting three miles ... the two Irishmen got into a fight, which resulted in the death of Cullens by receiving a stab at the hands of Collins."

    • ♦ C. C. Gillispie Kills James Terhune
      Boyle County. December 1871. 3 sources.
      "On Thursday night of last week ... a difficulty occurred between Jas. Terhune, a young man of [Danville], and C. C. Gillispie, a barkeeper for F. L. Shipman, and late of Pulaski county. Terhune was shot, the ball passing through the upper part of the left leg, but could not be traced any further." Terhune died of his wounds sometime before February, when Gillispie was indicted for manslaughter.



  • --1872  (10)
    • ♦ Hannah Sampson Kills [?][?](step-son)
      Laurel County. 1872[?] 1 source.
      "After this they went into trial of the case which created so much excitement some time back in this county, of Commonwealth against Hannah Sampson for the murder of her step-son, who was found not guilty of the charge by the jury after two days consideration of the facts and arguments."

    • ♦ Wood Osborne Kills George W. Price
      Pulaski County. Spring 1872(?). 2 sources.

    • ♦ Caroll K. Humber Shoots William G. Collier
      Lincoln County. 11 March 1872. 2 sources.
      "Mr. Carrol Humber, a young man of Crab Orchard, Kentucky, shot Wm. G. Collier who lives near that place, on Monday last. Several shots were fired, two of which took effect, one in the arm and the other near the neck. The wounds are very slight, as Mr. Collier is out and attending to business. The difficulty grew out of some private misunderstanding. An examining trial will be held in a few days."
      See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

    • ♦ Quarrel in Somerset Bank Prevents Jesse James Heist
      Somerset, Pulaski County. 26 April 1872. 2 sources.
      An 1872 article states five strangers came to Somerset matching descriptions of those that robbed the Columbia (Adair Co.) bank days later on April 29, 1872, and expresses belief these men likely had plans to rob the Somerset bank too.  The Columbia bank robbery was later claimed as the work of Jesse James and his gang. In an 1882 interview with T. T. Alexander, former president of the Bank of Columbia,  Alexander recalls that the Friday before James robbed the Columbia bank that they almost hit the bank in Somerset.  He claims when James entered the Somerset bank, a stock raiser and a mule trader were in a heated argument with pistols drawn, and the bank cashier was between them trying to defuse the situation.

    • ♦ Man Kills Neighbor in Argument Over Hogs Eating His Corn
      12 miles west of Somerset, Pulaski County. 18 May 1872. 3 sources.
      "... Eastham's hogs had been disturbing Roy's corn field and on the morning before the killing, Roy accompanied by a man named Davis, went to Eastham's house to see him but did not find him at home. As soon as Eastham returned his wife informed him of Roy and Davis' visit, and that they had left word for him to come down and see about his hogs. Eastham ... went to the field where Roy and Davis were at work, when a few words brought up the difficulty which resulted in the death of Eastham."

    • ♦ Two Injured in Decoration Day Fight
      Somerset, Pulaski County. 27 May 1872. 1 source.
      "During the ceremonies of decoration day, and near the immense crowd assembled, three men by the name of Burton made an attack upon a man by the name of Muse, the latter in self-defense cutting one of the Burtons with a knife, when a brother of the wounded man struck Muse with a rock, shattering his cheek bone, which settled the difficulty, the gallant Burtons taking to their heels and Muse going for the doctor."
      See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

    • ♦ William Owens Kills John Griffin
      Rockcastle County. 4 July 1872. 27 sources.
      Griffin "accused Owens of infringing on his rights, by cutting his timber for the use of a steam saw mill in which Owens was somewhat interested. The difficulty first occurred a day or two before, and on this occasion it was renewed by Griffin in a very obstreperous and threatening manner, with an attempt to draw his weapons, when Owens commenced firing as rapidly as possible..."
      See: Killing During County Fair Leads To Two More Murders

    • ♦ An 1872 Description of Pulaski County, KY
      Pulaski County. September 1872. 1 source.
      An article printed in the Interior Journal describing farming in various places throughout the county, the Pulaski fair, and the city of Somerset. It reads like an advertisement to increase tourism and trade to the county. It also mentions that the Somerset courthouse is planned but not yet built.

    • ♦  John H. Kennedy Kills Arthur Woods
      Garrard County. November 1872. 3 sources.
      "Woods and another young man were riding along the public highway, when Kennedy, from the roadside, called on Woods to halt. He stopped, and Kennedy asked why he was going to pass him and not speak. A pleasant answer was returned, but Kennedy, who was drinking, said, "We had as well settle this matter here, as we are both prepared," and drew and fired. Woods returned the fire with a small pistol, and was attempting to draw a more effective weapon from under his overcoat, when Kennedy ran up, and placing his pistol against Woods, shot him dead from his horse."

    • ♦ Bystander Shot in Christmas Day Argument Over Alcohol
      Rockcastle County. 25 December 1872. 1 source.
      "A difficulty occurred on the evening of Christmas day, between Wm. Cook and V. Shilpot, at Gresham & Ward's store, over a bottle of brandy. Cook shot at Shilpot, but missed him and hit Thos. Miller, inflicting an ugly wound. The ball was extracted by Dr. Brown, who thinks the wound not dangerous. No arrests."
      See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s



  • --1873  (9)
    • ♦♦ Nick Morrison Kills William Gooch
      near Milledgeville, Lincoln County. Oct 1873. 14 sources.
      "We learn from those who are acquainted with him, that Nick Morrison who, two years ago murdered Wm. Gooch, at Milledgeville, in cold blood, got off the train here on Monday and staid around town the whole evening, apparently as unconcerned as if his hands were free from the blood of his fellow man."

    • ♦ [?] Bodkins Kills [?][?]
      Laurel County. 1873[?]. 1 source.
      "Court being opened and the jury empanneled, they proceeded to business, trying several Commonwealth cases and fining several parties for misdemeanor, and convicting one man by the name of Bodkins of manslaughter sentencing him to the State prison for two years."

    • ♦♦ Men on Drunken Spree Kill Two, Injure One
      Boyle County. 19 January 1873. 23 sources.
      Bill Wilson and Clay Drye reportedly shot at least three men, killing two, over the course of one day. They "rode into Shelby City and stopped at the drug store of J. B. Williamson, where the proprietor and his two sons, John and Robert, were sitting around the stove... The two men were exceedingly boisterous and insulting in their conduct, demanding liquor, which Mr. Williamson declined to sell them, saying that it would be a violation of law. Young Drye drew his pistol and threatened to kill elder Williamson, who grasped the weapon and a struggle ensued. J. B. Williamson attempted to assist his father, when Wilson drew his pistol and fired, the ball taking effect in the head of the young man." "They shot a negro near Parksville, Boyle county, and one near Milledgeville, in the same county, the same day. One is reported dead; the other one recovered."

    • ♦ Man Kills Another With Handspike
      Rockcastle County. 24 January 1873. 3 sources.
      "Finding Arnold overpowering him, Murray reached for his pistol and shot his adversary through the stomach, inflicting a mortal wound. Arnold sprung up, seized a handsp[i]ke and literally beat out Murray's brains with it, killing him instantly."

    • ♦ Rockcastle Circuit Court Clerk's Office Burned
      Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. 15 February 1873. 10 sources.
      "On Thursday night, the 15th instant, the County Clerk's office at Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle county, was discovered wrapped in flames by the railroad employes on the freight train, at a late hour of the night."
      Related: Articles Relating to David P. Bethurum, Rockcastle, 1889-1900

    • ♦ Two Shot in Street Shootout
      Lancaster, Garrard County. February 1873. 1 source.
      "Andy Conn and John Broadus, from the East end of the county, having become surcharged with rot-gut, bust-head, rifle whisky, determined ... to show their contempt for all law and the loathsome depravity of their nature, drew their pistols and commenced shooting at each other on the street. At the first fire an innocent by-stander was shot below the knee-joint, and the bone was badly fractured. Mr. Broadus was shot twice in the body, and it is supposed fatally. Mr. Conn ... escaped unhurt."

    • ♦ ♦ Harriet Clark Called to Door and Shot Dead
      Crab Orchard, Lincoln County. March 1873. 3 sources.
      "On Friday night last, about nine o'clock, four men rode up to the door of a cabin about two miles and a half south of Crab Orchard, occupied by a poor and inoffensive negro woman named Harriet Clark, and seven children, the youngest not ten months old. Calling the unsuspected woman to the door, they immediately fired upon her, one ball taking effect in her left breast, coming out near the spine. Twelve shots were fired at the door and window, but fortunately none of the children in the house were hurt."

    • ♦ Hiram R. Hiatt Kills George/John England
      Rockcastle County. June 1873[?] 7 sources.
      "H. R. Hiatt, of Lincoln county, was arrested in Stanford last Saturday by authority of County Judge McClure, and brought to this place [Mt. Vernon] to answer the charge of murdering George England, in this [Rockcastle] county, in June 1873."

    • ♦ Rockcastle Circuit Court Clerk's Office Burned
      Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. August 1873. 10 sources.
      "The county and circuit Clerks office was burned on last Thursday night a week and all the records devoured by the flames."




  • --1874  (16)
    • ♦ John Saunders Kills his father Robert Saunders
      Lincoln County. 1874[?] 1 source.
      "We learn that John Saunders, who is charged with killing his father, Robert Saunders, in Lincoln county, about two years ago, and who broke jail about four months ago, at Liberty, has been seen in that county, and pursued by the officers of the law, but up to this time has not been recaptured."

    • ♦♦ Wesley McFerran Kills Railroad Hand
      Pulaski County. 1874. 8 sources.
      "Wesley McFerron, who was brought to our town from Mt. Vernon, one day last week, upon a warrant for stabbing a railroad hand in our county, a few months since, made his escape from the guards and is now running at large." ... "McPherson, the reputed slayer of a number of others besides the unfortunate negro, for whose murder he was tried, goes forth again after an imprisonment of six or eight months in jail, to his bloody work."

    • ♦ Walter Saunders Kills Charles Bethurum
      near Hall's Gap, Lincoln County. March 1874. 3 sources.
      "Purcell entered the house first, followed by Sheriff Saunders, who, on entering, drew his gun on Berthurum and told him to set down and hold up his hands and he should not be hurt, as he was only authorized, as a Sheriff, to arrest him. Instead of quietly submitting to this proper request, he sprang at Saunders like a wild tiger and seized his gun, trying to wrench it from him..."
      Related: Rockcastle Circuit Court Clerk's Office Burned
      Related: Genealogy Report of Benjamin K. Bethurum and Descendants

    • ♦ Construction of the Pulaski County Courthouse
      Somerset, Pulaski County. First courtdate in building held March 1874. 27 sources.
      These are articles relating to the construction of the Pulaski courthouse in use from 1874 to 1974. Construction began in 1872 following a fire that year which damaged the previous court building. Includes photo and clips from Sanborn maps.

    • ♦ John Meece Shoots Green Riley Dykes
      Pulaski County. End of April 1874. 1 source.
      "On Tuesday last, John Meece came to our town and obtained a warrant against Green Riley Dykes for making an attempt to shoot him. The warrant was placed in the hands of one of our officers, who summoned a posse to assist him in making the arrest, who, it seems, were accompanied by Meece. The arresting party repared to the house of Dykes, who surrendered without any resistance, but afterwards, perceiving Meece to be in the crowd, he became enraged and made some warlike demonstrations toward him, when Meece drew a favorite little companion in the shape of a pistol and shot the said Dykes; the ball penetrating the forehead, ranging around the head and lodging between the bones. The physician who attended Dykes pronounced the wound a serious but not a mortal one. The ball has not yet been extracted."
      See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

    • ♦♦ Jeff Mercer Kills Hopkins Foster
      Point Isabel aka Burnside, Pulaski County. 25 May 1874. 10 sources.
      A group of men gathered at the Greenwood Hotel in order to investigate a rumor involving a black railroad worker and the daughter of a white railroad contractor named Clark. The meeting escalated into a drunken melee in which at least two people were injured. Factions involved in the fight left to obtain additional arms from different locations and return to fighting. When one party was returning, a man named Hopkins B. Foster who had not been involved in the melee (but worked for the railroad with some of those that were) tried to stop further fighting, but due to his "rashness" was shot and killed by Jeff Mercer.

    • ♦♦ Riley Tartar Shoots Perkins Baker
      Pulaski County. June/July 1874. 1 source.
      "Riley Tarter, accused of the crime of shooting and wounding Perkins Baker with intent to kill, had his examining trial a few days since, before Judges Zachary and DeHoff, who sent him on to further trial, fixing his bail at the sum of $500. It is supposed that Baker will recover, although his wound is a serious one; several of the shot taking effect in his right eye."
      See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

    • ♦ Officer Kills Man Resisting Arrest on Election Day
      Pine Hill, Rockcastle County. First half of August 1874. 1 source.
      "Some outlaws undertook to bully the Sheriff of Rockcastle in his attempt to arrest them on election day, and two of them were shot and slightly wounded. A desperate character named Harper was shot and killed at Pine Hill by an officer for resisting his attempt to arrest him."

    • ♦♦ At Least Two Killed in Riot at Lancaster
      Lancaster, Garrard County. August 1874. 8 sources.
      "Two hundred State militia arrived here at 5:30 a.m. and camped on the Public Square. The negroes all scattered last night and the whites disbanded. All is quiet. A white man named Ward, who was in the Sellers house with the negroes, was shot. Only one negro was killed. There were eighteen of them in the house which was burned, and all would have been killed except that the United States troops protected them, and they escaped under cover of Federal guns. A white man named Foley, of Crab Orchard, belonging to the Kennedy party, was killed yesterday. Only one house was burned, Sellers' house would not have been burned if the negroes had not fortified themselves therein. Sellers himself was not in his house, but was said to be in the camp of the United States soldiers."

    • ♦♦ Railroad Contractor Kills Man Who Had Threatened Him
      Pulaski County. 28 August 1874. 2 sources.
      A column detailing "information of the killing of --- Callahan, by Joseph McCabe...at the residence of Wm. Bryant, in our county, and other disturbances, chiefly among the town negroes and Railroad negroes."

    • ♦ Gunfight in Somerset Public Square
      Somerset, Pulaski County. First half of September 1874.
      "Tuesday night about half-past 10 o'clock, when about 25 shots were fired on the public square of our town, and near the Courthouse..."
      See: Railroad Contractor Kills Man Who Had Threatened Him

    • ♦♦ Joseph Hughes Kills Robert World
      near Stanford, Lincoln County. 17 September 1874. 2 sources.
      "Gov. McCreary has pardoned Joseph Hughes, who was sent to the Penitentiary from this [Lincoln] county, for four years, on a charge of killing a negro man near Stanford, in 1874."

    • ♦ Joseph Ferrell/Ferrill Killed in a Melee
      Milledgeville, Lincoln County. 27 September 1874. 11 sources.
      "A man name Ferrill, was shot and killed at Milledgeville, at the house of Mike Ely. Ely, Gresham and Hall were tried on the charge of homicide. Ely and Hall were acquitted, and Gresham sentenced to the State Prison, from which he is now returned."
      See also: Six Injured in Election Day Row, Lincoln, 1878

    • ♦ Irwin Taylor Shoots David Bails
      near Point Isabel aka Burnside, Pulaski County. First week in October 1874. 1 source.
      "One Irwin Taylor shot and wounded David Bails, a few days since, in the vicinity of Point Isabel, with intent to kill, for which crime he is indicted."
      See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

    • ♦ Lancaster Postmaster Killed By Brother-in-Law
      Lancaster, Garrard County. December 1874. 8 sources.
      Andy Conn and "Ebenezer Best, charged with the murder of S. W. Hedger, at Lancaster about a year since. Mr. Hedger was the Post-Master at Lancaster, and had married a sister of Best's wife, and, it is said, that this marriage greatly incensed Best, because it was done contrary to his wishes."

    • ♦ Laborer Killed at King's Mountain Tunnel Work
      King's Mountain Tunnel, Lincoln County. 23 December 1874. 2 sources.
      "Scott Graves, a railroad man from Virginia, was, a few days ago, tried before an examining Court for the murder of one [Buford] Gwinn, a fellow laborer upon the King's Mountain Tunnel work, about the 23d of December last, and was sent on to further trial without bail. Graves now alleges that one Bishop, who has fled the country, did the killing, and has applied to the County Judge to have the body of Gwinn disinterred for post mortem examination..."


  • --1875  (15)
    • ♦ Jim Gillispie Kills [?] O'Brien
      Pulaski County. 1875[?] 2 sources.
      "Jim Gillispie who killed O'Brien, a year or more since, got eight years..."

    • ♦ Josiah Bishop Stabs Father-in-Law Berry Ware
      Pulaski County. 26 February 1875. 1 source.
      "Mr. Berry Ware ... was seriously stabbed by his son-in-law, Josiah Bishop, on Friday last. It seems that Bishop had taken one of Mr. Ware's horses without his consent, and ridden off some distance. On his return ... a rough and tumble fight ensued, Ware getting the better of the young man. It was while Ware had him down that Bishop did the cutting--reaching over and inflicting seven severe wounds in his back."
      See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

    • ♦ Frank Green Kills [?] Kelly
      Point Isabel aka Burnside, Pulaski County. March 1875. 2 sources.
      "Frank Green, alias Frank Endwright, was arrested at King's Mountain Tunnel ... admitted to the officers that he shoved the man Kelley off the cliff at Point Isabel..."

    • ♦ Bill Carrigan Kills [?][?]
      Point Isabel aka Burnside, Pulaski County. April 1875. 2 sources.
      "Bill Carrigan who has finished a course of lectures in the Kentucky Penitentiary, killed a son of Reid & Flannery's foreman..."

    • ♦♦ [?] Payne Kills [?][?]
      near King's Mountain, Lincoln County. June 1875. 1 source.
      "Last week a man named Payne, a watch and jewelry mender, got into a difficulty with some negroes there which resulted in Payne's killing one of the men and slightly wounding another in the arm."

    • ♦ Peter Goff Kills William Lunsford
      Rockcastle County. June 1875. 3 sources.
      "I write you in behalf of their son, Peter Goff, who was convicted of manslaughter in this county about four years ago, and sentenced to five years' confinement in the Penitentiary..."

    • ♦ Aquilla Riddle Kills Anderson Todd
      Pulaski County. 25 June 1875. 5 sources.
      "Two men, Anderson Todd and Aquilla Riddle, living on Buck Creek about four miles from here, had a difficulty on the 25th in regard to some chickens that Riddle had engaged around in the neighborhood, and which Todd had subsequently bought. The affair did not come to anything serious at the time, but the next day Todd had occasion to go to his fathers for a hammer and passing by the house of Riddle, he stopped to talk the matter over with him and make friends, as they were brothers-in-law. Riddle was asleep at the time, and Todd waited at the fence till Riddle's wife informed him that he was wanted. He came out and some angry words followed, when Riddle drew his pistol, shooting him in the side, the ball entering about the third rib, lodging near the back bone from which he died about 10 o'clock on Monday last..."

    • ♦ Two Wounded in Fight Over Lawsuit
      Livingston, Rockcastle County. Last week in June/First week of July 1875. 1 source.
      "We learn from passengers on yesterday morning's train from Livingston; that a serious affray took place yesterday between Wm. R. Dillion and Ben. Goodin and his son, which resulted in the wounding of Goodin's son, by a pistol shot, and the wounding also, of W. R. Dillion, slightly. The difficulty grew out of an attachment suit brought by Goodin against Dillion."
      See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

    • ♦ James Langford Kills Wrong Man In Revenge Attempt
      Rockcastle County. 5 July 1875. 27 sources.
      Contains sources regarding four murders: the killings of Henry Langford by William Owens in May 1870, John Griffin by William Owens in 1872, John A. Pickens by James Langford in 1875, and James Langford by William Owens in 1879.  Henry Langford was allegedly killed by William Owens in self-defense during the county fair in May 1870. Owens was acquitted, but Henry's brother James vowed revenge.  James killed John Pickens from ambush in 1875, mistaking him for Owens. James Langford was acquitted of Pickens murder.  In 1879, Williams Owens and James Langford met again, and Owens killed Langford, and was later acquitted.
      Related: Jack Adams Jr. Kills Liberty Langford
      Related: Election Day Shootout Involves Sheriff, Causes Langford/Mullins Feud

    • ♦ [?][?] Kills Peter Helton
      Pulaski County. 22 August 1875. 1 source.
      Listed on the 1875 Pulaski County Death Records.

    • ♦ Mary Pointer Kills Liz Scarborough
      Paint Lick, Garrard County. End of August 1875. 4 sources.
      "On Monday last, two women of questionable virtue became engaged in a broil at Paint Lick, in Garrard county, when one of them, Mary Pointer, seized a shot gun and pointing it at another named Liz. Scarborough, fired, killing her instantly. Pointer took the first train, expecting that she could escape in this land of telegraphs, but was arrested at Shelby City, and taken back for trial."

    • ♦♦ David Lockett Kills Ben Goss
      Lincoln County. September 1875. 5 sources.
      "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..."

    • ♦♦ Man Struck With Hatchet During Quarrel
      Walnut Flat, Lincoln County. September 1875. 1 source.
      "We learn that a serious difficulty occurred ... between a man named Rout, and one named Russell. They quarrelled, and Rout cut, or cut at Russell, when Russell struck Rout with a hatchet, inflicting a dangerous wound..."
      See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

    • ♦ Bank Robber Thompson McDaniels Killed in Pine Hill, Briefly Mistaken for Jesse James
      Pine Hill, Rockcastle County. 17 September 1875. 44 sources, 3 transcribed.
      In 1875, Jesse James was widely reported (in at least 35 newspapers throughout the country) as having been killed in Rockcastle County. Shortly thereafter, the man was identified instead as another Missouri bandit, Thompson McDaniels. Some secondary sources (with no traceable citations) I've read have claimed James was involved in the Huntington W.V. heist along with McDaniels, but that they took different escape routes.

    • ♦♦ Andy Conn Kills John Arnold
      Ed Todd's grocery, Madison County. October 1875. 2 sources.
      "On Monday evening at Ed. Todd's grocery in Madison county, Andy Conn shot and killed John Arnold."
      Related: John Arnold's Father Kills Andy Conn, March 1876
      Related: S. Boone Conn Kills Monroe McCoy, July 1876

    • ♦♦ John Helton Killed in Fight With Railroad Laborers
      Pulaski County. 15 October 1875. 1 source.
      "Another shocking tragedy occurred in this neighborhood this evening. John Helton and Red Helton and some other white men had some trouble with a party of Cummings' colored men [railroad workers] this morning, in the course of which some shots were fired. The Helton party then started off with the intention--it is stated--of procuring the arrest of the negroes. On arriving at Mr. Bowman's house, on Beaver creek, John Helton, Mrs. Bowman's brother, and Jo. Holloway, her brother-in-law, staid behind at the house whilst Red and his companions pursued on their course to the Squire's. Shortly afterward the negro party came up, the most of them being armed, and surrounded Bowman's house." Jo. Holloway was wounded, John Helton was killed. John Helton was a brother of Peter Helton killed a few months before.

    • --1876  (27)
      • ♦ Macajah Rowsey Kills George Phillips
        Boyle County. 1876[?] 3 sources.
        "Macajah Rowsey, charged with the murder of George Phillips, nine years ago, was acquitted. This was Rowsey's second trial, the first having occurred eighteen months ago, when he was convicted of manslaughter and his punishment fixed at two years in the Penitentiary."

      • ♦ Joe Taylor Kills Dan Design
        Rockcastle County. 1876. 5 sources.
        "Dan. Design, colored, killed by Joe Taylor, colored, for which he was hung."

      • ♦♦ Man Kills Boy Over Canoe Horseplay
        near Livingston, Rockcastle County. 1876[?]. 8 sources.
        "It was in substance that the negro had tried to overturn a canoe in which were Cundiff and some boys. Meeting the negro shortly afterwards, Cundiff accosted him, and after a few words shot him twice. The negro ran a few steps and fell. He died in a few hours."
        Related: Two Killed, Several Injured in Melees at Circus Show

      • ♦ Elisha Sloan Kills Silas Isaacs
        Rockcastle County. 1876[?] 6 sources.
        "Elisha Sloan, who is indicted in our Circuit Court for the murder of Silas Isaacs, in 1876, and who has since been a fugitive ... came into town Monday and surrendered himself to the Jailer."

      • ♦ Fatal Affray in Lancaster Barbershop
        Lancaster, Garrard County. January 1876.
        "A difficulty occurred in the Barber shop of Chas. Prince, colored, of Lancaster, one night last week, between a white man, named Yeakey, and a negro, named Floyd Pierce. The negro was knocked down and shot at twice. The white man was severely cut with a razor, on the side of the neck." Yeakey later died from his wounds. Pierce was removed from the Lancaster jail by a mob and hanged from a tree.
        See: Mob Raids Garrard County Jail, Hangs One Prisoner, Garrard, Jun 1876

      • ♦ Mob Riddles Hiram Dudderar's House With Bullets
        Hall's Gap, Lincoln County. First week in February 1876. 1 source.
        "Hiram Dudderar ... was alarmed last Tuesday night, by the firing of pistols in front of his house. It appeared that a young regiment had opened on it, for the house was riddled with bullets, and the windows shot and knocked to splinters. We have not learned who was suspected of the deed. ... Dudderar, with his wife and children, were in the house, it is said, and the wonder is that some of them were not wounded or killed."
        See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

      • ♦ Mrs. [?] Cook and James Hughes Kill John Murray
        Pulaski County. March 1876. 2 sources.
        "...John Murray, an old man, was murdered on Mr. Flannery's work, on the [Cincinatti Southern R.R.]. It appears that he had come down on the work to collect a bill from a notorious and disreputable woman, named Cook. A difficulty arose about it, and the woman had Murray arrested. There being no officer near, the Magistrate who issued the warrant, gave Murray over into the keeping of James Hughes, and Simeon Davis, who remained with their prisoner, at Mrs. Cook's. About midnight...this Mrs. Cook, determining to make a clean sweep, both of her debt and the old man, leveled a pistol at him, and fired, the ball taking effect. In the scuffle, the woman received a cut across the hand from a large knife held by Murray. Hughes then rushed on Murray, and with a hammer, literally beat his brains out."

      • ♦♦ Dan Kyle Kills Railroad Clerk E. W. Prentiss
        Pulaski County. March 1876. 4 sources.
        "The negro Kyle, who murdered young Prentiss, the clerk of P. F. Smith, Railroad contractor, was sent to the Penitentiary for 16 years. Mr. Denny says that while it was the general impression that the negro should be hung, no stronger case than manslaughter could be made out against him."

      • ♦ John Arnold's Father Kills Andy Conn
        Garrard County. March 1876. 6 sources.
        Andy Conn went to the family home of the man he had killed only a few months before. Conflicting reports about why he was there and what was said, but it ended with "old man Arnold" shooting Andy Conn. At the sound of the gunfire, Conn's friend ran from the house and rode off. He returned within an hour to the scene with neighbors, and they found Conn lying dead on the ground with his head bashed in. Mr. Arnold, Mrs. Arnold, and a daughter were arrested, but after an examining trial were discharged. Conn was defendant in several other cases, including a street shootout with John Broadus (Feb 1873), killing of the Lancaster Postmaster (Dec 1874), killing of John Arnold (Oct 1875), and at least three other murders (all prior to Jan 1875).
        Related: Andy Conn Kills John Arnold, Oct 1875
        Related: S. Boone Conn Kills Monroe McCoy, June 1876

      • ♦ Former Rockcastle Judge Gunned Down on Church Steps
        Baptist Church, Crab Orchard, Lincoln County. 23 March 1876. 15 sources.
        "Judge John E. Carson was on his way to church and had gotten within a few feet of the church-door when he was attacked by one John Smith, a carpenter by trade, and long a resident of this place. Smith advanced toward Carson, coming from almost an opposite direction, and when within six feet of him drew a Colt's revolver and began his deadly work without one word having been passed between them..."

      • ♦ Samuel Williams Kills Thomas Burns
        Casey County. May 1876. 11 sources.
        Samuel Williams kills Thomas Burns in a quarrel over a chew of tobacco. Casey county authorities took him to Garrard for safe-keeping. While in jail in Lancaster, a mob broke in to hang Floyd Pearce, and during the jail break Williams escaped. He was at large until 1879, when he was captured out West and brought back to Kentucky for trial.

      • ♦ S. Boone Conn Kills Monroe McCoy
        Garrard County. 9 June 1876. 16 sources.
        "Boone Conn, a brother of Andy Conn, who was killed recently, by old man Arnold, shot three times and killed a man named Monroe McCoy, at Hyattsville, in Garrard county, last Friday. The man killed was the same one who was at the house of Arnold the night Andy Conn was shot."
        Related: Andy Conn Kills John Arnold, Madison, 1875
        Related: John Arnold's Father Kills Andy Conn, Garrard, 1876

      • ♦♦ Mob Raids Garrard County Jail, Hangs One Prisoner
        Lancaster, Garrard County. 30 June 1876. 11 sources.
        "...about 2 o'clock, Friday morning, a mob, numbering nearly or quite fifty persons, went to jail, at Lancaster, and by force, broke in and took from his cell a colored man named Floyd Pearce, and carried him out of town and hung him. ... Floyd Pearce is the negro man who cut the white man named Yeakey, at Lancaster, some months ago, with a razor, from the effects of which wound Yeakey died. Pearce had an examining trial ... before the death of Yeakey and was acquitted, as the proof showed him to have acted in self defense. After Yeakey's death the Garrard Grand Jury indicted Pearce for murder, notwithstanding the former acquittal, and he having left the State, was arrested in Indiana and lodged in jail in Lancaster, to await a trial..."
        Related: Fatal Affray in Lancaster Barbershop, Garrard, Feb 1876

      • ♦♦ Tom Higgins Kills [?][?]
        Lincoln County. July 1876. 1 source.
        "Tom Higgins, col'd, who killed another colored man last July, at Mr. Wm. Ball's in this county, has surrendered himself to the custody of the Court, and wishes the charge against him investigated."

      • ♦ Albert Cosby Kills Frank Jackson Over Insult to His Wife
        Mitchellsburg, Boyle County. 10 July 1876. 13 sources.
        "Late in the evening [Cosby] approached Jackson, in front of his shop, accusing him of saying something disrespectful of himself and wife. Jackson replied, "I have said no more than what others have said, and I never take back anything I say.'"

      • ♦♦ Several Killed, Injured in Recent Fights Involving Railroad Workers
        Pulaski County. September 1876. 3 sources.
        "It is not often that we can report all quiet along the C. S. R. R. line, for scarcely a day passes that some one is not killed or wounded." This report describes multiple incidents involving one killing and five injuries. Next article: "Report comes from Cumming's railroad work, that there has been an outburst between the natives [white residents] and negroes. Up to the time our informant left, two or three negroes had been killed, and about two hundred and fifty whites had armed themselves and threatened to drive the last negro from that portion of the country. A parcel of negro gamblers got into a fight down at the Willow Tree on Sunday: pistols were used, and the result was one Radical [Republican] vote less for all time come." Third article reports that one of the fights involved a Thos. Griffin (T. R. Griffin?).

      • ♦ [?][?] Kills Robin Hamlin
        Pulaski County. September 1876. 1 source.
        Listed on 1876 Pulaski County Death Records.

      • ♦ Bystander Shot in Gunfight Involving Grove Kennedy
        Crab Orchard, Lincoln County. September/October 1876. 2 sources.
        "There was a shooting scrape at Crab Orchard last week between Grove Kennedy and another man, in which neither was hit, but a shot struck a bystander in the head, inflicting a slight wound. Kennedy and the other man fired five or six times each across a store room, but strange to say either shot took effect. An overcoat hanging at the side of a door had a number of bullet holes in it."
        See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

      • ♦ Three Sisters Arrested For Killing Sister-in-Law
        near Buncombe, Pulaski County. October 1876. 6 sources.
        "The most horrible and bloody murder that ever startled a civilized community, was committed near Buncombe, in Pulaski county, last week. The victim was a woman, and the perpetrators of the awful crime, strange to say, are also women, and sisters-in-law of the deceased."
        Related: Man Shoots Another Over Small Disagreement, Pulaski, 1882

      • ♦ Two Men Stabbed at Pulaski Election Precincts
        Bent and Point Isabel aka Burnside, Pulaski County. 7 November 1876. 1 source.
        "At Bent precinct, a difficulty sprung up between a couple of brothers by the name of Dykes, one is a Democrat the other a Radical. Knives were used, and a gentleman named Burch, in attempting to act the part of peacemaker, received a terrible stab in the abdomen. At Point Isabel, there was another stabbing affray, a man whose name we were unable to learn, getting a scalping gash across his forehead, nearly blinding him."

      • ♦♦ Man Saved from Hanging by Passer-by
        Pulaski County. First week in November 1876. 1 source.
        "In Pulaski county, Kentucky, on the night following the election, three Republican negroes seized a negro who had voted the Democratic ticket and hung him to a tree. The unfortunate man was cut down, just in time to save his life, by a white man who was passing by the locality on his way to Somerset."
        See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

      • ♦ Brad Henson Stabs Alfred Russell
        Milledgeville, Lincoln County. November 1876. 1 source.
        "Last Saturday night, one Brad Henson and Alfred Russell, son of M. T. Russell, had a difficulty in Milledgeville, in which young R. was dangerously stabbed just above the collar bone. Dr. H. Brown is attending on the case, and evidently considers it serious. Henson is thought to have left the neighborhood."
        See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

      • ♦ Stabbing Affray at Jasper's Store
        four miles from Hustonville, Lincoln County. November 1876. 1 source.
        "Last evening, there was an affray at Jasper's store, about four miles from this place, on the Liberty road. The parties engaged were Wm. Cloyd and --- Floyd. They differed in reference to a claim held by F. against C., and after considerable altercation, the former drew a knife and inflicted several wounds, we understand, on his adversary. Dr. Brown, who has charge of this case also, reports the damage serious but not dangerous."
        See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

      • ♦♦ Rev. George Middleton Assassinated Through Church Window
        Crab Orchard, Lincoln County. November 1876. 33 sources.
        "Jim Banks, the negro who was tried at the last Term of the Circuit Court for the same murder was then called and testified that he went on the night of the murder with the party, among whom were Saunders, Ben McRoberts and others, to the Church for a little fun, as they expressed it, the fun being to take Middleton out of Church and whip him, all hands being masked and armed either with buggy whips or switches. Arriving at the Church and not succeeding in getting Middleton out Saunders said he could fix him and then went to the window and fired the deadly shot."

      • ♦♦ Man Shoots Sharecropper In Argument Over Crops
        Lincoln County. November[?] 1876. 3 sources.
        "The trial of David Swope, charged with shooting and wounding, with intent to kill, a negro man, was postponed from last Saturday until next Tuesday." The man he shot, Dudley [?], was raising a crop of grain of Swope's farm and the two men had an argument wherein Dudley "declar[ed] his intention to get more corn than Swope thought he was entitled to, at all hazards."
        See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

      • ♦♦ Roye Beazley Shoots John Wallace
        near Richmond Junction, Lincoln County. November/December 1876. 2 sources.
        "Roye Beazley, a young man from Garrard county, came over here last Monday and indulged freely in liquor, which gave him an appetite for blood. Meeting a negro man in the road near Richmond Junction the two got into a sudden and foolish quarrel, during which profane and rough talk was used by both, whereupon Beazley drew a revolver and shot the negro, John Wallace, twice -- once in the arm and once in the leg."
        See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

      • ♦ Barkeep Shoots Intruding After-Hours Patron
        Pulaski County. December 1876. 1 source.
        "Tom Jeffreys, who keeps a drinking saloon on Section 85, was awakened one night last week by a couple of drunken Irishmen, who wanted to come in and replenish the dying spirits within them. The hour being very late, Jeffrey refused to get up and admit them, whereupon they proceeded with a fence rail to knock the door down. As they were battering against it, Jeffreys put his pistol through a crack in the house and fired, the load taking effect in the abdomen of one of the intruders, producing a wound that will probably prove fatal."
        See: Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, and Other Criminal Incidents, 1870s

    • --1877  (16)
      • ♦♦ Tom Baughman Kills brother-in-law Ben Givens[?]
        Lincoln County. First week in January 1877. 6 sources.
        "Ben Givens, the negro man shot by Tom Baughman, another negro, sometime ago, died this week." Shooting in early January, Givens died from his wounds in late March.

      • ♦ David Dishon Kills George Austin
        Crab Orchard turnpike, Garrard County. 13 January 1877. 6 sources.
        "On Saturday morning a man named Dishon met, and shot dead, George Austin, of this county, on the Crab Orchard turnpike, in front of Mr. John Lusk's residence. A grudge, of some months standing, seems to have made Dishon afraid to move about unprotected, and the affair culminated as above."

      • ♦ Man Kills Neighbor in Right-of-Way Dispute
        Lincoln County. 3 February 1877. 8 sources.
        "Last Saturday a feud that has for some time existed between Povall Sampson and William Martin, culminated almost in a terrible tragedy. The ill feeling grew out of a dispute about the right of a roadway through Sampson's premises."

      • ♦ Grove Kennedy Kills Elbert Kennedy in Front of Courthouse
        Garrard County. 20 February 1877. 123 sources.
        Elbert Kennedy was Master Commissioner of Garrard County at the time of the killing. He had also served various other important positions in Garrard County, and was a main figure in the so-called 'Lancaster War' of 1874 (my post on the 'Lancaster War' is still in progress). Grove Kennedy was Elbert's first cousin by marriage (Grove's wife was also a Kennedy). Due to the notoriety of the victim as well as the fact that Grove managed to escape custody while under a heavily armed guard, this was a high profile case in Kentucky at the time.

      • ♦ [?][?] Kills [?] Griffin, Wounds [?] Griffin
        Chappel's Gap and Waynesburg road, Lincoln County. 20 March 1877. 1 source.
        "The young Griffins stepped to the door, and by some, it is said they hallowed, while others say they shot at the supposed KuKlux, at any rate, disturbers of Mrs. Turner. The riotous parties for a short time withdrew, but soon returned to investigate the conduct of the young men in question, and without a moments warning, opened fire--several shots were said to have been fired--when the attacking parties withdrew a second time, leaving one of the young Griffin's wounded in the arm, the other, with a messenger of death lodged in the brain..."

      • ♦ E. H. Dawson Kills Samuel Nelson
        Stanford, Lincoln County. 12 April 1877. 2 sources.
        "E. H. Dawson today shot and killed Samuel Nelson, who was under the influence of liquor and was pursuing him to force the payment of a blacksmith's bill, which Dawson disputed. Dawson delivered himself up this evening and will have his examining trial to-morrow."

      • ♦ Regulators Raid Mt. Vernon Jail, Hangs Four Prisoners
        Rockcastle County. 30 June 1877. 16 sources.
        A band of men attempt to murder James Bethurum at his home, but fail.  Bethurum managed to kill one of the raiders and wound another. The group then rode on to the Mt. Vernon jail, removed the four prisoners housed there at the time, and hanged them near town. A year later, Emmett Snodgrass, one of the men indicted for participating in the ku-kluxing, shoots and kills James Bethurum.
        Related: Emmett Snodgrass Kills James Bethurum, Rockcastle, 1878
        Related:  Double Fratricide in the Snodgrass Family

      • ♦ [?][?] Kills Henry Vincent
        Pulaski County. 8 July 1877. 1 source.
        Listed on 1877 Pulaski County Death Records.

      • ♦ Jefferson Denham Kills Fountain Goggins
        near Somerset, Pulaski County. August 1877. 1 source.
        "Fountain Goggins, while under the influence of liquor, attacked Jefferson Denham. Denham, in self-defense, drew a large pocket-knife and cut Goggins twice, the first time across the face and the second time across the throat, severing the jugular vein."

      • ♦ Wesley Gilliland Kills [?] Sykes
        near Salem Church, eastern Pulaski County. 9 August 1877. 1 source.
        "As we learn from the Reporter, of last week, the first occurred near Salem Church, in the eastern part of the county, on the night of the 9th inst. The victim was a half witted, harmless man named Stykes, who was killed by Wesley Gilliland, from an ambush, when the former was going from church to his home with his wife and children. Sykes had a previous difficulty with Gilliland, growing out of an alleged intimacy of the latter with the wife of the former. Gilliland had not been arrested at last accounts."

      • ♦ Madison Co. Officers Kill Walter Saunders and D. L. Ballard
        Richmond, Madison County. Last week in August 1877. 27 sources.
        "...Mr. Sanders. Mr. Ballard, Wm. Kennedy and John Ballard went up to Richmond Monday evening to attend the trial of George Saunders, which was to have taken place the next day. It was understood that an ill feeling was held by the Saunders party against Edwards, the Town Marshal, for knocking down young Saunders with a club in making his arrest. This caused Edwards to be on the look out for trouble, so he armed a couple of his brothers to assist him, should any occur. About 10 o'clock at night Mr. Walter Saunders came up to Edwards, who was standing at the Garnett House, and taking him by the arm, told him he wanted to have a little talk with him..."
        See also: Regulators Kill Maj. James H. Bridgewater, Lincoln, 1867
        See also: Walter Saunders Kills Charles Bethurum, Lincoln, 1874

      • ♦ ♦ Jerry Brown Kills John Engleman, Sr.
        Lincoln County. 7 September 1877. 10 sources.
        "The negro [Jerry Brown] was very insulting and Mr. Engleman made a lick at him with his whip. The negro then jumped down and got a rock and threw at Mr. Engleman, who also got off his horse and attempted to get a rock, but while he was bending down the scamp again threw, this time with the force and precision of a bullet, the rock striking the old man a little back of the top of his skull crushing it in."

      • ♦ William Oakes Kills William Petrey from Ambush
        five miles from Crab Orchard, Lincoln County. 27 September 1877. 7 sources.
        "About a year ago a difficulty occurred between Mr. Petre's eldest son and a Oakes, since which there has been a bad feeling existing between Oakes and the Petres. The Monday previous to the killing the younger son, James, had also a difficulty with Oakes, who swore that he intended to kill him and the whole Petre family. Hearing these threats and believing that Oakes would do violence to his son, Mr. Petre accompanied him while hauling some lumber, hoping by that means to deter Oakes for executing his threat. On Thursday evening of last father and son were returning from Crab Orchard on a wagon and when about five miles from town Oakes raised up from behind a log, where he was concealed and without a moments warning leveled his gun and shot the old man...."

      • ♦ [?] Simpson Fatally Stabs [?] Mincie
        Pole Bridge Church, Pulaski County. 7 October 1877. 1 source.
        "A man named Mincie and one named Simpson, got into a row at Pole Bridge Church... Knives were the weapons used and Mincie was fatally wounded."

      • ♦ Samuel Owens Kills Camillus Montgomery
        McKinney's Station, Lincoln County. October 1877. 1 source.
        "Most of our local readers are apprised of the fact of the killing of Mr. Camillus Montgomery, by his brother-in-law Mr. Samuel Owens, on Friday last at McKinney's Station..."

      • ♦ Joe Taylor Hanged for Murder
        Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County. November 1877. 2 sources.
        "[N]o longer ago than the 10th of last November, a white man by the name of Joe Taylor was hung at Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle county, of whose execution the newspapers seem to have taken but little if any notice. Indeed, no one with whom I have conversed seems ever to have heard of it until a day or two ago, when, looking over the Auditor's books and papers, I stumbled upon the Rockcastle Sheriff's itemized account for services rendered as hangman on that interesting occasion..."
        See also: Joe Taylor Kills Dan Design, Rockcastle, 1876

    • --1878  (14)
      • ♦ Kentucky Farmers Directory, 1878
        Select Counties. 1878. 1 source.
        Excerpts from an 1878 state-wide directory of farmers and their P.O. addresses. This directory does not appear to include Pulaski County.

      • ♦♦ Tom Burdett Kills William Owsley
        Lincoln County. First week in January 1878. 1 source.
        "Wm. Owsley, a 13 year old boy was shot and killed by Tom Burdett, another colored boy last week."

      • ♦♦ Louis Raines Kills Andy Burch
        Goff's Saloon, Pine Hill, Rockcastle County. 2 February 1878. 6 sources.
        "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...."
        Possibly Related: Louis Raines Kills Edward Anderson, Rockcastle, 1883

      • ♦ One Killed, Five Injured in Election Day Row
        Hustonville, Lincoln County. 2 March 1878. 4 sources.
        "...[S]ome year or more ago, a man name Ferrill, was shot and killed at Milledgeville, at the house of Mike Ely. Ely, Gresham and Hall were tried on the charge of homicide. Ely and Hall were acquitted, and Gresham sentenced to the State Prison, from which he is now returned. It is thought a feud has existed between the parties ever since the Milledgeville affair. On Saturday the belligerents, who supported rival candidates, were standing in contiguous lines. An altercation arose, ostensibly from a disputed vote, and immediately Gresham and Ely were fired upon by two of the opposing party. Ely was struck in the breast and disabled by the first fire. Gresham succeeded in drawing his pistol after he had been twice shot at, and soon cleared the street. Six persons are known to be wounded, viz: Mike Ely, through the lungs, dangerously; George Ferrell, in the forearm, ranging from the wrist to the elbow; J. Moore, in the hand; a brother of Gresham, in the arm; ---- Anderson, in the back, and George Frye, Jr., by a straggling ball, in the leg." Ely died about a week later, and a reward was issued for Benjamin Ferrell's arrest.
        See also: Joseph Ferrell/Ferrill Killed in a Melee, Lincoln, 1874

      • ♦♦ Man Hanged for Unprovoked Murder of Barber
        Somerset, Pulaski County. 6 March 1878. 3 sources.
        "On Wednesday, at 1 o'clock, John Parker, who stabbed and killed Ben Franklin, another negro, was hanged at Somerset, in the presence of seven or eight thousand people, whose morbid curiosity led them to witness the fearful sight..."

      • ♦ [?][?] Kills Evermont Renfroe[?]
        Pulaski County. 26 May 1878. 1 source.
        Listed on the 1878 Kentucky Death Records.

      • ♦♦ Freeman Farris Kills Robert Land
        Logan Town, Garrard County. 27 May 1878. 27 sources.
        "Suffice is that Land, who was in liquor, made some thoughtless interference in a noisy difficulty among a group of colored people as he passed by on horseback, and was deliberately shot dead by Farris."

      • ♦ Two Killed, Several Injured in Melees at Circus Show
        near Livingston, Laurel/Rockcastle Counties. 22 June 1878. 12 sources.
        "Thirty persons participated, and every variety of weapons, except the cannon, was used..." The men killed were William Hicks (by Wat Bledsoe) and David Camden (by William Cundiff).

      • ♦ Tom Cain Kills Hiram Tucker, Lincoln, 1878
        Squirrel Springs, near Hall's Gap Station, Lincoln County. 3 August 1878. 29 sources.
        "...Tucker, who is disposed when drinking to be boisterous and troublesome, got into a fight with Frank Hooker. Both used pocket knives, but no serious damage was done further than the carving up of the fighters' clothes. While the fight was in progress Tucker was shot from the bushes by a ball from a large, square barrel navy pistol..."

      • ♦ Man Kills Another in Drunken Argument 
        Pine Hill, Rockcastle County. 5 August 1878. 5 sources.
        "McElroy, who was ... at the time under the influence of liquor, was standing in a crowd bragging of his fighting qualities, when Pendleton came up. He was also intoxicated, and imagining that the bragadocia was intended for him, began to dispute with McElroy..."

      • ♦ Man Stabbed to Death While Supervising a Juvenile Fair Fight
        Rockcastle County. First week in August 1878. 6 sources.
        "...a 15-year old son of O. J. Shrewsberry and James [Mize], a youth of the same age, attending the same school, had a difficulty, which old man Shrewsberry and John C. [Mize] agreed should be settled by a fair fight between the boys. Accordingly a ring was formed, and the fight began. It was soon seen that the [Mize] boy was getting the best of his opponent, when old man Shrewsberry became excited and started toward him with a cane...."

      • ♦ Henry Cattron Kills Thomas Lewis
        10 miles west of Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. 7 October 1878. 6 sources.
        "We could not hear how the difficulty originated, but it resulted in Cattron's shooting Lewis with a double-barrelled shot gun, giving him the contents of both barrels, which were loaded with buckshot. Lewis' body was terribly mangled...."

      • ♦ Jack Adams Jr. Kills Liberty Langford
        Rockcastle County. 7 November 1878. 9 sources.
        "The difficulty began in the store, and Langford started out, drawing his pistol as he come. At the door he turned and fired and Adams' shot followed almost instantly.  Langford's shot did no damage, but Adams' aim was better, and Langford dropped..." Liberty Langford, son of James Langford. Also includes an article detailing that two brothers of Liberty, Tip and Henry Langford, have a gunfight with Jack Adams ten years later in April of 1888.
        Related: Killings of Henry Langford, John Pickens, & James Langford, 1870-1879
        Related: Election Day Shootout Involves Sheriff, Causes Langford/Mullins Feud

      • ♦ Emmett Snodgrass Kills James Bethurum
        Rockcastle County. 19 November 1878. 13 sources.
        Emmett Snodgrass, one of the men indicted for participating in the ku-klux group that hung four Rockcastle jail prisoners in 1877, shoots and kills James Bethurum. "A great many people were attracted to the trial [of Jack Adams Jr. for killing Liberty Langford], among them Emmett Snodgrass, a school teacher, and James Bethurum, "a famous desperado." These two left town together, the teacher riding one horse and the "famous desperado" riding behind a friend on another. About a mile out of town a difficulty arose, and Snodgrass shot Bethurum in the head.
        Related: Ku Klux Group Raids Mt. Vernon Jail, Hangs Four Prisoners

    • --1879  (12)
      • ♦ Shoemaker Murdered and Robbed Near Crab Orchard
        near Crab Orchard, Lincoln County. January 1879. 15 sources.
        "The body of George W. Sutton was found in the road four miles from Hall's Gap, near the house of Mr. John Warren, on Wednesday last, with a load of 10 d. nails in his head, evidently fired from an old musket. Ike Stapleton and a man named Ferrill, have been arrested for the murder, and it is said that Sutton's watch was found on one of them. Sutton is from Tazewell, Tenn., is a shoemaker by trade, but frequently goes out peddling liniment, and was on this errand when killed. He is spoken of as an unoffending and sober man."

      • ♦♦ Joe Johnson Kills James Sneed
        Point Isabel (Burnside), Pulaski County. March 1879. 1 source.
        "In a drunken quarrel at Point Isabel, to-day, a negro named Joe Johnson, shot and killed James Sneed, a white man. They quarreled over a raft of logs on the Cumberland River. The negro escaped."

      • ♦ [?][?] Kills William Butcher
        Laurel County. July 1879. 1 source.
        William Butcher, 35 year-old married white male blacksmith listed as killed by a pistol shot on the 1880 Census Mortality Schedule for Laurel County.
        See: No. 6 on 1880 Laurel Co. Mortality Schedule, Pg 2

      • ♦♦ Bettie Fish Kills Henry Alford
        Stanford, Lincoln County. July 1879. 4 sources.
        "Henry Alford, a well known colored boy of [Stanford], died last Saturday under suspicious circumstances. Coroner James P. Goode was notified ... and an inquest held, which resulted in a verdict that Alford came to his death from a blow on the side of his head from a stick or stone in the hands of Bet Fish, a colored prostitute, with whom he had been intimate. The blow was inflicted two weeks before..."

      • ♦♦ [?][?] Kills [?][?]
        near Tatesville, Pulaski County. July 1879. 1 source.
        "A negro was murdered near Tatesville last Saturday, and the murderer, another negro, it was thought, had made good his escape, but he was captured last Tuesday, near the trestle West of town, and is now safely lodged in jail."

      • ♦ John Johnston Kills brother-in-law Joseph Lucas
        near Hustonville, Lincoln County. August 1879. 6 sources.
        "J. B. Lucas was shot and instantly killed by his brother-in-law, J. C. Johnston, appears to have had its origin in some alleged mismanagement of the estate of Mr. Wm. Lucas, which J. B. Lucas, as agent for his mother, who is executrix, without security, was closing up, and as to the guardianship of Mrs. Twidwell's two children, for whom Mr. Lucas was guardian."

      • ♦ George Saunders Killed in Saloon
        Lincoln County. Last week in August, 1879. 6 sources.
        "The wild, reckless life and the tragic death of George Saunders, is an example of the results of whisky, evil associates and idleness, and is a terrible warning to the rising generation. Belonging to a good family, and starting out in life with fair prospects, he had the opportunity to make a man of himself had he gone to work and fixed his aim higher than to drink whisky and swagger around a country town, with pistols buckled around him, imagining that to be a man at all, it was necessary to be a 'h--l of a man.'"

      • ♦ James McLain (or Macklin?) Kills William Floyd
        Pulaski County. September 1879. 2 sources.
        "James McLain, a sixteen-year-old boy, shot and killed his brother-in-law, Wm. Floyd, in Pulaski, a few days ago. Floyd had separated from his wife and McLain took up for his sister in the trouble, hence the tragedy."

      • ♦ Pine Hill Coal Company Worker Kills Former Miner
        Pine Hill, Rockcastle County. 11 November 1879. 5 sources.
        "Price had been employed as a miner by Diamond to dig coal, and a few days since was discharged by Randall for some cause not stated. Since that time Price has borne considerable ill feeling against Randall, and yesterday evening, being somewhat on a spree, made some threats about Randall..."

      • ♦ Ansel Frederick Kills Thomas Hatfield
        near Crab Orchard, Lincoln County. 13 November 1879. 11 sources.
        "Ansel Frederick, who had been threatened by T. Smith, borrowed a pistol to defend himself while wagoning in his neighborhood. After dark one night he met a man that he supposed was Smith, and, being a timid man, fired on him before he ascertained that it was not he. The shot was fatal, and after some time both the Fredericks were arrested, and have both been in jail since."

      • ♦ Murder Suspect Marries Victim's Daughter Immediately After Acquittal
        Skagg's Creek, Rockcastle County. 25 December 1879. 4 sources.
        "While they were under the influence of liquor, McKinney shot Smith and killed him. ... McKinney was arrested and held to answer by the Examining Court.  He was indicted by the grand jury at the last term and tried for murder. His trial resulted in an acquittal. Immediately after the verdict William and Nannie ... marched arm in arm into the Court House, and, standing just outside the bar, Judge McClure went through the usual legal ceremony, and pronounced them man and wife..."

      • ♦ William Owens Kills James Langford
        Pine Hill, Rockcastle County. 27 December 1879. 27 sources.
        Contains sources regarding four murders: the killings of Henry Langford by William Owens in 1870, John Griffin by William Owens in 1872(?), John A. Pickens by James Langford in 1875, and James Langford by William Owens in 1879.  Henry Langford was allegedly killed by William Owens in self-defense during the county fair in 1870. Owens was acquitted, but Henry's brother James vowed revenge.  James killed John Pickens from ambush in 1875, mistaking him for Owens. James Langford was then acquitted of Pickens murder.  In 1879, Williams Owens and James Langford met again, and Owens killed Langford, and was also later acquitted.
        Related: Jack Adams Jr. Kills Liberty Langford
        Related: Election Day Shootout Involves Sheriff, Causes Langford/Mullins Feud



      • -----

        1850 - 1879 leads (my pending/drafts file)
        1870 - 1879 tangents





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