1880-1889

The following is a chronological annotated list of all posts on this blog for years 1880 to 1889. 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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  • 1880's  (125)
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    • ♦ 1880 Census Mortality Schedule
      Boyle, Garrard, Laurel, Lincoln, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Wayne, & Whitley Counties. 1879/1880. 1 source.
      Full size images of the 1880 Census Mortality Schedule for these counties. No transcriptions, images only. Contains names reported to the census taker of those persons who died within the previous twelve months. Columns include number of family corresponding to Schedule 1, name, age, sex, color, marital status, place of birth, parents place of birth, occupation, month the person died, cause of death, how long they were a resident of the county, place disease contracted, name of doctor.

    • ♦ Various Non-Fatal Shootings, Affrays, & Other Criminal Incidents, 1880s
      Pulaski, Rockcastle and Laurel Counties. 1880 to 1889. 50+ sources.
      A collection of unrelated articles detailing non-fatal (as far as I know) shootings, affrays, etc.


  • --1880  (6)
    • ♦ Millard Gilpin Kills [?] Givens
      Pulaski County. 1880[?] 2 sources.
      "A reward of $200 has been offered by the Governor for Millard Gilpin charged with murder in Pulaski." ... "Millard Gilpin, the murderer of Givens has been caught in Pulaski. The reward offered by the State did the business."

    • ♦ [?][?] Kills James N. Decker
      Rockcastle County. March 1880. 1 source.
      James N Decker, white, 22, Mechanic, Shot with pistol in an affray.
      See: No. 23 on 1880 Rockcastle Co. Mortality Schedule, Pg 4

    • ♦♦ [?][?] Kills [?] Jones
      Lincoln County. March 1880. 1 source.
      [?] Jones, black, 21[?], laborer, pistol shot.
      See: No. 12 on 1880 Lincoln Co. Mortality Schedule, Pg 1

    • ♦ W. G. Smith Kills James Hagerty
      Rockcastle County. Last week of March 1880. 1 source.
      "Hagerty advanced towards Smith, who stood behind the counter with a double-barreled shot-gun near him. When Hagerty came opposite to Smith the latter raised the weapon and fired, the muzzle almost touching Hagerty's face."

    • ♦ Two Men Killed at House of Ill Fame
      Roundstone, Rockcastle County. 22 May 1880. 28 sources.
      "In a little while Bishop, who was drunk, left his seat, staggered out to the door and fired off a pistol. Williams went out and begged him not to shoot any more, lest he should frighten the horses.  This enraged Bishop, who began to curse Williams, and to tell him that if 'he had anything to draw it and defend himself....'" This post contains information about 5 murders, those of Wat Bishop, Adam Hysinger, James Rhodus, Mary Sigman, and Betty Sigman.

    • ♦ Another Man Killed at House of Ill Fame
      Roundstone, Rockcastle County. 19 September 1880. 28 sources.
      "Last Sunday a week ago, at the bagnio of that most notorious prostitute, Mary Sigman, Jim Rhodus, of Madison county, and Jim Hardin, of this county, engaged in a difficulty about the woman, which resulted in Rhodus receiving a stab through the heart.  It is supposed that the wound was inflicted by Hardin, though many believe that Mary Sigman herself did the murder..." This post contains information about 5 murders, those of Wat Bishop, Adam Hysinger, James Rhodus, Mary Sigman, and Betty Sigman.

    • --1881  (13)
      • ♦ W. C. Owens Kills Tom Jasper
        Somerset, Pulaski County. 1881?
        "Tom Jasper, who was shot some time ago by W. C. Owens, in Somerset, died Sunday."

        • ♦ John Wesley Gooch Kills Constable Alex J. Killion
          King's Mountain, Lincoln County. 5 January 1881. 13 sources.
          "Wednesday John Wesley Gooch and George Mitchell got into a fisticuff in which it appears that A. J. Killion, Constable, took a hand. Gooch then turned against Killian, shooting him twice and knocking him down, when Henderson Gooch, father of Wesley, ran up and hit him on the head with a rock. A half a dozen or more Gooches came to the front and then Killian and Mitchell had to fall back."

        • ♦ Letter to Editor about Reputation of Somerset, KY
          Pulaski County. 28 January 1881. 1 source.
          An 1881 Letter to the Editor of the Cincinnati Daily Gazette complains that the press only publishes negative stories from Somerset. Since I'm basically guilty of the same, I thought I'd share this letter. The author highlights some positive aspects of Somerset and Pulaski County, providing a nice early profile of the town and its industries.

        • ♦ Columbus Cass Kills William McKinney
          Pulaski County. 31 January 1881.
          "William McKinney and Columbus Cass, of Pulaski county, two leading lights in the Methodist Church, settled an old feud last Mond[a]y, while working the county road. The manner was after the usual style of such settlements. Cass took an ax, and knocking McKinney down, beat his head into a jelly and fled. Cass was Superintendent of a Sunday School, but it is not likely that he will be on hand next Sunday."

        • ♦ W. I. Moore, Jr. Kills his Brother-in-law J. K. McCormack
          Hustonville, Lincoln County. February 1881. 8 sources.
          "J. K. McCormack, a native of the county and a Cincinnati drummer by occupation, visits Hustonville on business. He arrives somewhat under the influence of liquor, and in a short tie has a dispute with one of his brothers-in-law. Later in the evening, W. I. Moore, Jr., arms himself with a pistol as if intent on murder, and passes Mr. McCormack and G. W. Drye, who were talking on the street. McCormack made some remark which Drye did not catch, but which others testify was "I'll cut your heart out;" whereupon Moore, although he could see that McCormack was unarmed, turned and fired at him twice, one ball passing through his heart and killing him instantly."

        • ♦ Bill Gresham and John Read/Reid Kill Cam Rowsey
          between Moreland Station and Milledgeville, Lincoln County. 12 February 1881. 10 sources.
          "Cam Rowsey came up on the train, and soon started down the turnpike toward Milledgeville. Wm. Gresham and John Read went down the Railroad in a direction nearly parallel to his, and getting a little in advance, posted themselves near the pike and at a little distance from each other. When Rowsey had reached a point about equally distant from the two, they opened fire upon him simultaneously from a couple of shot guns. They fired across each other making Rowsey the point in which their lines of fire intersected."

        • ♦ Man Killed and Robbed Near Somerset
          Somerset, Pulaski County. 19 February 1881. 5 sources.
          "Harry Russell was murdered and robbed of $150 and a watch near Somerset. Suspected parties were arrested."

        • ♦ Tom Donley/Donnelly Kills William R. Gooch, Jr.
          Eubank, Pulaski County. Spring 1881(?). 4 sources.
          "Commonwealth's Attorney Warren made a powerful argument against the defendant, but the evidence of threats made by Gooch and his character for quarrelsome drunkenness weighed with the jury, and the prisoner received the benefit of a 'reasonable doubt' as to murder or manslaughter; hence their verdict was equal to a decision of justifiable homicide."

        • ♦ Man Kills Another In Argument Over Woman
          Somerset, Pulaski County. 22 May 1881. 8 sources.
          "It appears that [William] Durham and James Mulaney became involved in a difficulty at noon. The cause was a notorious woman, called Vick Dobbs, who has figured in one or two killings before this. Durham was badly beaten, and went home. Shortly afterwards his brother, Sanford [Durham], sought James and proceeded to avenge his brother's wrongs, but Mulany proved to be too much for him, likewise. Thus beaten but still determined, he summoned William to the field again, and together they attempted what neither alone could accomplish -- that was to thrash Mulaney. But the latter gentleman concluded that patience had ceased to be a virtue...sent a bullet whizzing through [William] Durham's brain."

        • ♦ Man Recklessly Shooting Kills Another Man 
          Rockcastle County. 18 June 1881. 5 sources.
          "Hasty was arrested and his trial set for Tuesday. He claims that in shooting at a tree he had shot Baker accidentally...."

        • ♦ Man Stabs Another in Argument at Mill
          Pulaski County. July 1881. 5 sources.
          "A feud had been existing between the two parties for many years. Whittaker came by Bolton's mill, and cursed Bolton as he passed. A row ensued. Whittaker left, but soon returned armed with a pistol. He started into the mill; Bolton stopped him; Whittaker drew his pistol out and was about to strike Bolton; the latter drew his knife and stabbed him..."

        • ♦ Harvey Mink Kills Miles Rogers
          Rockcastle County. 2 October 1881. 2 sources.
          "The smoke clears away, a man is seen prostrate on the ground, dead, a bullet-hole through his heart! Such is the sad and untimely ending of Miles Rogers, a young man of about eighteen years of age, killed by Harvey Mink, a young man of eighteen."

        • ♦ [?] King Kills William Roberts
          Reedsville, Rockcastle County. November/December 1881.
          "...a difficulty occurred between Wm. Roberts an old man, and one King, a young man, who had been working for Roberts, over the paltry sum of six dollars. Roberts made at King with his cane, when the latter drew his little pistol and tried to shoot the former, but the pistol happened to be out of tune and failed to fire. The latter (King), then drew his dirk and commenced to carve the old man, cutting him some several times in the abdomen and ribs, the wounds proving fatal in about half an hour."

      • --1882  (11)
        • ♦ Riot at Mt. Vernon Courthouse
          Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. 10 January 1882.
          "The scuffle became terrible. Men were knocked down, tables and chairs kicked over, pistols were drawn, guards rushed in with shot guns, oaths and yells came from the surging mass around the officers, and the rush for the doors and windows was tremendous. Judge Bradley left the bench and shouted, 'I call on every man in this house to help arrest these men, and I will assist, myself.' Some one handed him a pistol, and he advanced into the struggling crowd, rendering what assistance he could...."
          See: Pine Hill Coal Company Worker Kills Former Miner

        • ♦ James Wilmot Kills His Wife, Mother, Two Children, and Himself
          near Lincoln county line, Garrard County. 18 January 1882. 7 sources.
          "We, the jury, find that the bodies now lying before us, are the bodies of James R. Wilmot, Elizabeth Wilmot, his wife, Mattie and Mary, his daughters, and Elizabeth Wilmot, his mother. We find from the evidence before us, that his wife, daughter and mother, came to their deaths from blows from an axe in the hands of James R. Wilmot. We further find that after killing the above named persons the said J. R. Wilmot committed suicide by hanging himself."

        • ♦ William Austin Hanged for the Murder of Betsy Bland
          Garrard County. January 1882. 33 sources.
          "The body of Miss Betsy was still warm when the officers arrived, which, with the fact that she had made a fire in the stove for the purpose of getting supper, goes to prove that she was killed only a short while before. Her head and face bore several deep gashes from an axe, three of which, beside the lick across the neck, which severed the vertebra would have been instantly fatal. Her face also bore marks of a boot heel as if the wretch had stamped her." Of particular interest are the descriptions of the gallows built in Lancaster -- modeled after the one used that summer for Guiteau -- and the description of the crowd that came to watch the execution.

        • ♦♦ Dick Reynolds Kills [?][?]
          Pine Hill, Rockcastle County. 21 January 1882. 1 source.
          "Dick Reynolds, who killed a negro at Pine Hill last Saturday, was brought to town on Monday and tried before 'Squires Pike and Calloway and acquitted."

        • ♦ Mary Eades James Kills Smith Burton
          west of Somerset, Pulaski County. March 1882. 11 sources.
          "Policemen ... arrested a woman named Mary Eades, alias James, at Emma Hedges' bagnio, on North College street, [Nashville] yesterday afternoon, on the charge of the murder of a man named Samuel Burton, near Somerset, Kentucky..."

        • ♦ Man Kills "Scarlet Woman of Roundstone" To Avenge Relative's Death
          Roundstone, Rockcastle County. 6 March 1882. 27 sources.
          "A crime, so atrocious as to be without parallel, was committed in this county last Monday night.  All black with crimes of the very worst sort has been the history of the county heretofore, but the horror of Monday night has added a page of hellish blackness..." This post contains information about 5 murders, those of Wat Bishop, Adam Hysinger, James Rhodus, Mary Sigman, and Betty Sigman.

        • ♦ Man Fatally Strikes Another with Rock During Argument
          near Livingston, Rockcastle County. First half of 1882. 5 sources.
          "the parties mutually agreed to leave the store and fight in the public road. Appellant first left the store room and took his position in the highway, and as the deceased approached he threw a stone at him, but failed to strike him; and the deceased continuing to approach, the appellant picked up a stone, weighing about two pounds, and when deceased was near enough threw it so as to strike him upon the head, and this blow the jury has found caused his death...."

        • ♦ Saloon Keeper Fatally Wounds Coal Miner
          near Newcomb Hotel, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County. 13 July 1882. 4 sources.
          "After indulging in a few sharp words, the parties drew their pistols and began firing, six shots being exchanged. Only one shot took effect, which struck Burton in the chin, making an ugly but not necessarily fatal wound." ... "Burton has since died of his wounds."

        • ♦ Man Killed For Small Sum of Money
          two miles south of Hazel Patch, Laurel County. October 1882. 6 sources.
          "Wardroop was over 60 years old and was murdered for a small sum of money he was supposed to have had on his person at the time. His body was thrown over a cliff into a ravine, where it remained for several days before it was found."

        • ♦ Man Kills Another Over Small Disagreement
          Eubank, Pulaski County. December[?] 1882. 8 sources.
          "All the witnesses agree that he walked up behind his victim (who was drowsy and staggering from intoxication) and shot him, without any cause or provocation, except that he said that Robinson had told a lie on him. But he had no words or quarrel with Robinson and pretended to be friendly at the time of the killing."

        • ♦ Man Killed at Christmas Dance 
          Somerset, Pulaski County. Christmas 1882. 7 sources.
          At a Christmas dance in Somerset, the defendant, Henry Coyle, or a friend of the defendant, John Jewett, took offense when the victim, Lewis Owens, put his arm around a girl whom either Coyle or Jewett preferred.

      • --1883  (19)
        • ♦ Joshua Logsden/Logston Kills John R. Phillips
          Pulaski County. December 1882 or January 1883. 6 sources.

        • ♦ James Mize Shoots Dud McClure
          Skaggs Creek, Rockcastle County. January 1883. 4 sources.

        • ♦ Saloon-Keeper Kills Local Desperado
          Flat Lick Creek, Pulaski County. January 1883. 5 sources.
          "'Wild Bill' Catron, a well-known desperado of Pulaski, was shot and instantly killed by Wash Tuttle, at the latter's saloon, on Flat Lick Creek."

        • ♦ Regulators Kill Ex-Wife of James Acton
          near Lincoln County line, Pulaski County. 25 January 1883. 1 source.
          "On Thursday last the people of this part of Lincoln were startled with the information that the second wife of Mr. Jas. Acton, who lives just over the line in Pulaski, had been taken out of her own house and beaten to death by a Ku-Klux gang. As far as can be ascertained, the gang was composed of old Jas. Acton's two sons, two brothers-in-law of the two younger Actons, the younger Actons' cousins and another brother who lies in this [Lincoln] county, with other lawless ruffians."

        • ♦ Somerset Town Marshal Kills Man Who Resisted Arrest
          Somerset, Pulaski County. 29 January 1883. 6 sources.
          "J. Reynolds was shot and killed to-day by Marshal Hansford. Reynolds became disorderly and Hansford tried to arrest him, but Reynolds resisted and fired at the marshal and then ran. The latter pursued and fired, when Reynolds fell dead."

        • ♦ James Matthews Kills Henry/Bud Allen
          Barren Fork, Pulaski County. April 1883. 6 sources.

        • ♦ Woman Drowned By Her Seducer in the Rockcastle River
          Rockcastle River, Rockcastle County. 6 April 1883. 6 sources.
          "The girl had run out when she saw [Dunegan] coming and gone down toward the branch, where it runs into the river. Dunegan either saw her or her tracks and started after her in a fast run. He had a stick in his hand about the size of a man's thumb; he said he did not want to hurt her, but just wanted to hickory-whip her a little. He was seen to run the way the girl had gone by Ed Redmon and John Bales, who said they would go down there and not let him hurt her if they could help it. There was a point of a hill and some bushes between the house and the branch and Dunegan had got behind these before they followed in pursuit. ... When the men got to this place they saw [Dunegan] coming back about 50 yards from the branch. They told him to come and go back to the house and let the girl alone...."

        • ♦ Man Killed Over Game of Cards
          Greenwood, Pulaski County. 17 April 1883. 4 sources.
          "Last April Will Henry, a big mulatto, 25 years old, killed Louis McIntire, at Greenwood, Ky., over a game of craps."

        • ♦ Man Killed in Drunken Row
          near Burnside, Pulaski County. 24 June 1883. 2 sources.
          "A man named Jim Flynn was killed by a pistol shot near Burnside last Sunday in a drunken row. It is not known who did the killing, but it is charged to Wash and Lee Hollars."

        • ♦ Three Men at Lumber Camp Murdered in Their Sleep
          Point Burnside, Pulaski County. 13 August 1883. 15 sources.
          "Slagel arose, after his companions were all asleep, took an axe and deliberately crushed in all three of his comrades' skulls, and then rifled their pockets of about $60, all the money he could find, taking also a hat and a pair of boots belonging to one of the murdered men, and escaped to the woods..." Slagel reportedly confessed to committing three other murders, and was ultimately hanged in Somerset for his crimes.

        • ♦ Eli Sprague Kills Wiley Sprague
          Pine Knot, Pulaski County. 18 August 1883.
          "Eli Sprague shot his nephew, Wiley Sprague, through the heart, near Pine Knot, last night. No provocation had been given."

        • ♦ Saloon Keeper Kills Man Over a Game of Cards
          Eubank, Pulaski County. 29 August 1883. 4 sources.
          "The County Attorney went up to Eubank's yesterday and investigated the case, and reports that it was a willful murder. So Morgan has been placed in jail to await the preliminary trial. The murder occurred in Morgan's saloon over a game of cards."

        • ♦♦ Saloon-Keeper Kills Antagonistic Patron
          Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. 20 October 1883. 3 sources.
          "...last Saturday, H. J. Mullins shot and killed a drunken colored man who was in his saloon flourishing a pistol and threatening to kill some one."

        • ♦ Serial Rapist Lynched in Burnside 
          Burnside, Pulaski County. 9 November 1883. 4 sources.
          "He was brought back to Burnside, when a mob took him in charge on Friday night and swung him to the Cumberland River Bridge, where he remained till 12 o'clock Saturday."

        • ♦ Man Kills Own Brother in Botched Ambush Plan
          Rockcastle County. 20 November 1883. 7 sources.
          "On Tuesday night, a little after dark, Tilford Black shot his brother Bill with a double-barrel shot gun. ... We learn that Tilford had had a little fuss with Mr. W. C. Mullins in a few minutes before and went home and got his gun and waylaid for Mullins with the above result. He mistook his brother for Mullins and filled him full of shot."

        • ♦ Drunken Man Kills Another Over Insult 
          Tabler's Commissary, Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. 21 November 1883. 11 sources.
          "Owens, who was drinking considerably, went to where Polk and some other men were sitting on a bench, and spoke to the men saying, 'I can whip that man with the straw hat on.' This man was Polk. One of Owens' friends took hold of him and he apologized to Polk for his language and he and Polk went off together toward the commissary, Polk on foot and Owens on horseback.  When they got to the door Polk went inside and Owens got off his horse..."

        • ♦ Proposed Fair Fight Ends in Violent Murder
          Livingston, Rockcastle County. 22 November 1883. 3 sources.
          "He got off his horse for that purpose and got ready for a fight.  Rice picked up a rock and Roberts seeing that he would throw, made a motion as if he would draw his pistol..."

        • ♦ Judge Denny Kills Man That Had Threatened Him
          Lancaster, Garrard County. 28 November 1883. 12 sources.
          "The loud, sharp report of a shotgun broke the stillness of this town a little after 4 o'clock this afternoon. The report came from the south side of the Public Square, and two men were seen engaged in a death struggle in the door at the bottom of the stairs leading to the law office of Denny & Tomlinson. One of the men was Judge George Denny, Jr., the well-known, prominent lawyer and politician of this place, and the other was James H. Anderson, also a citizen of this town."

        • ♦♦ Lewis Raines Kills Edward Anderson
          Livingston, Rockcastle County. 1 December 1883. 3 sources.
          "The difficulty occurred in Raines' house. Raines accused Anderson of being on too intimate terms with his wife. Anderson will probably die. Raines is now under arrest. There is great excitement among the colored people, who talk of lynching Raines."

      • --1884  (6)
        • ♦ Escaping Convicts Kill Guard
          Rockcastle County. 8 May 1884. 9 sources.
          "G. L. Ball, who was taking eight convicts across from Mt. Vernon to the K. C. R. R., was murdered by them Thursday evening. One of them pretended that his handcuffs hurt him and while the guard unlocked it he seized the gun and shot and beat him so he died shortly afterwards."

        • ♦ U. S. Deputy Marshal Killed in Battle Between Moonshiners and Sheriffs
          Lily, Laurel County. End of May 1884. 5 sources.
          The articles in this one tell two very different stories.  One side paints a picture of moonshining outlaws fighting to the death to prevent capture by the law. The other claims the U. S. Deputy Marshal or "special bailiff" killed in the fight had held a vendetta against at least one of the men, and that the fight was primarily in regards to that vendetta, and the men had retreated inside the grocery building to protect themselves.

        • ♦  [?] Bowles Kills John Ketcham
          Rockcastle. End of May 1884.
          "John Ketcham, was shot and instantly killed by a man named Bowles, in Rockcastle county."

        • ♦ James Riley Kills John Lloyd
          Pittsburg, Laurel County. 31 May 1884.
          "[A] difficulty occurred between James and Peter Riley and David Jackson on one side, and John Lloyd, Sam Taylor, and John Pressnell on the other, in which James Riley, being pressed by John Lloyd, who had a knife in his hand, drew his pistol and fired, killing him instantly. Riley and Jackson then turned upon Lloyd's two friends with clubs, beating them terribly. They are, however, not thought to be mortally wounded. Riley and Jackson escaped."

        • ♦♦ Neal Beatty Shoots George Delph
          Pittsburg, Laurel County. 31 May 1884.
          "At the same place later in the day Neal Beatty, a negro boy shot and probably fatally wounded George Delph, a coal bank boss, who struck him over the head."

        • ♦ Man Kills Another in Personal Argument on Election Day
          Somerset, Pulaski County. 4 August 1884. 6 sources.
          "At Somerset Jas. Lay, and one Dalton met at the election and renewed an old quarrel, and Lay shot and killed Dalton. Lay was arrested."

      • --1885  (7)
        • ♦ One Killed in Sheriff's Posse Standoff
          Livingston, Rockcastle County. First week in January 1885. 7 sources.
          J. W. Goff was arrested for engaging in illegal whisky traffic. While being transported by sheriff's deputies via train, some of his friends helped him escape custody. Warrants were issued for some of the men for helping a prisoner escape. The men, including James Burton and Fred Shuck, barricaded themselves in Burton's grocery store in Livingston while a sheriff's posse surrounded the store. A negotiation was eventually reached and the men came outside, but Burton decided to attempt an escape and the Sheriff's posse shot and killed him.

        • ♦ [?][?] Kills [?] Smith
          Pulaski County. January 1885.
          "A man named Smith was lynched for attempt at rape in Pulaski last week."

        • ♦ A. J. Hansford Kills James Mulaney
          Barren Fork, Pulaski County. 11 February 1885.
          See: Man Kills Another In Argument Over Woman, Pulaski, 1881

        • ♦♦ Brothers Brutally Kill Man With Axe Over Forty Cents
          near McKinney, Lincoln County. 21 February 1885.
          "Squire James H. Eason ... gave us the particulars of a killing that occurred on Green River Saturday about sundown, which bears considerably the odor of a willful murder. James R. Gragg and Samuel T. Gragg, brothers, were out that day with Robert Prewitt, colored, and together, they went to McKinney, all seeming on the best of terms. Returning from McKinney they stopped at Newt Smith's and got a jug of brandy, of which all partook liberally..."

        • ♦♦ Pinkney White Kills George Brown
          Somerset, Pulaski County. March 1885.
          "Pinkney White, a negro was arrested in Cincinnati for the murder of George Brown, his room-mate, at Somerset, Ky., in March, 1885."

        • ♦ One Killed, One Injured in Row Between Thompson & Lawson Families
          East Bernstadt, Laurel County. 12 June 1885. 5 sources.
          "In row over some gossip among their families, at East Bernstadt, Friday, between George, William and James Thompson, brothers, and Wilkerson and Rufus Lawson, cousins, Wilkerson Lawson was instantly killed and Rufus seriously wounded."

        • ♦ William Parsons Kills Frank Wilson, Two Others Injured
          Beaver creek mines near Somerset, Pulaski County. December 1885.
          "At Beaver creek mines, near Somerset, William Parsons killed Frank Wilson. Charles Gooden and W. A. Owens fatally stabbed two other men, names not known. Parsons escaped, but the other two were arrested."

      • --1886  (14)
        • ♦♦ Charles Jackson Kills William Buzzard
          Pulaski County. Spring 1886.
          "Charles Jackson (colored), who is wanted in Somerset, Ky., for murder, was arrested last evening... The prisoner is accused of shooting William Buzzard, who was working as section hand on the Southern road. The killing occurred last spring, and was the outcome of a quarrel over a game of craps."

        • ♦ Moonshiner Kills Constable in Gunfight at Saloon
          Sparks' Saloon, Lily, Laurel County. First week in May 1886. 9 sources.
          "At Lily, in Laurel county, Constable George Tetters was shot and fatally wounded by Thomas Disney, a notorious moonshiner from Corbin. Disney, in company with one Gibson, visited Sparks' saloon at Lily. After getting intoxicated, Disney, from some trivial cause, took offense at Tetters, drew a 44 calibre revolver and fired, the ball taking effect in Tetters' right breast..."

        • ♦Geo. McCarty Kills Presley McCarty
          Pulaski County. April 1886.
          "Geo. McCarty, suspected of the murder of his uncle, Presley McCarty, who was found dead in his yard last Thursday, has left the country. They were both drinking characters and lived in the same house by themselves. The elder man, when found, was shot in the back..."

        • ♦Regulators Whip [?] Cliff and Wife
          northern Rockcastle County. First half of June 1886. 
          "They had whipped one of his neighbors, Cliff, Creger came to town and swore out a warrant charging the parties with ku-kluxing Cliff and wife..."
          See: Two Killed in Northern Rockcastle Regulator Incidents, 1886

        • ♦ Regulators Whip Trib Bryant and Jennie Pruit
          Wildie, Rockcastle County. 5 June 1886. 
          "Saturday night at Wildie, Ky., the ku-klux had another 'hickory tea party.' This time it was given in honor of "Trib" Bryant, Bud Pruit's wife and mother, Jennie Pruit; Bob was not present to partake of the refreshments."
          See: Two Killed in Northern Rockcastle Regulator Incidents, 1886
          Related: Three Men Reportedly Killed While Whipping Old Woman

        • ♦ Regulators Whip Joseph Ramsey and Wife, Joseph Later Found Dead
          northern Rockcastle County. 11 June 1886. 14 sources.
          "Masked men visited the house of Joe Ramsey, who lived near Mt. Vernon, a few nights since, and after seriously beating both Ramsey and his wife, the brutal regulators commanded them to leave the county. Ramsey tried to sell his property so that he could get away, but failing to find a purchaser he went and hanged himself... There is a great deal of excitement through the county about it. Some think there was foul play; that he did not hang himself, that some one else did it.... Even if he did hang himself the men who whipped him are just as guilty as tho' they had done it, for they were indirectly the cause of it."

        • ♦ Man Killed From Ambush After Refusing to Join Regulator Group
          near Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. 6 July 1886. 
          "While P. J. Creger was riding through a lonely woods near Mount Vernon, Ky., yesterday afternoon, he was shot from ambush and almost instantly killed by unknown parties. Creger had sworn out warrants against several parties, charging them with kukluxing, and it is thought that these are the same murderers and that they are the same parties who whipped the man Ramsey..."
          See: Two Killed in Northern Rockcastle Regulator Incidents, 1886

        • ♦ Two Killed in Mt Vernon Street Shootout Involving Former Judge
          Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. 16 July 1886. 22 sources.
          The fearful tragedy enacted here Friday afternoon continues to be the sole topic of conversation. About 6 o'clock Judge G. W. McClure and Lee Carter entered the grocery store owned by the Moore brothers, when a difficulty arose between McClure and Carter on one side and the Moore boys on the other..." The fighting played out on Mt. Vernon's streets and both Jack and Tom Moore were killed.
          Related: Man Kills Another For Alleged Relationship with His Wife

        • ♦ John St. Clair Kills George Inman
          Livingston, Rockcastle County. August/September 1886.
          "John St. Clair, of Jackson county, who is charged with killing a blind man named Innman near Livingston, in this county, about two weeks ago, came to the county one day last week and surrendered himself..."

        • ♦ Fatal Fight Between Defendant and Witness
          Laurel County. Last half of August 1886. 7 sources.
          "The testimony conduces to show that the deceased had been prosecuted by the commonwealth for the commission of a public offense, and the appellant had testified as a witness against him. The deceased then became hostile to the accused, and made threats of a serious nature against him, and on the day of the killing was on his way to the distillery of the appellant, with a musket in his hand and a pistol in his pocket..."

        • ♦ Eb Cooley Kills George Scott
          two miles from Lynchburg, Garrard County. 29 September 1886. 7 sources.
          "Cooley to avoid trouble left the place and went some distance away, but was followed by Scott, who renewed the trouble, when Cooley struck him several times with an ax, inflicting wounds from which he died the next day."

        • ♦ Government Officials Fight Violent Duel in County Attorney's Office 
          Somerset, Pulaski County. First half of October 1886. 7 sources.
          "The ill-feeling that has existed between U.S. Commissioner F. V. Logan and Special Bailiff Henry Bogle since their disagreement in regard to one Baker, culminated Friday in a terrible fight in County Attorney Colyer's room at Somerset between the parties. After few angry words, both drew their pistols and commenced firing at each other.  Three balls took effect in Bogle's body and two in Logan's and the latter's pistol then refusing to work, he seized a hatchet and buried it in the head of his prostrate antagonist, who continued to fire after falling on the floor..."

        • ♦ Granville Prewitt Hanged for Murder of Jarvis and Ellen Buck 
          near Mt. Salem post office on the Little South Fork, Wayne County. 30 October 1886. 15 sources.
          Granville Prewitt brutally murdered Jarvis Buck and his sister Ellen in cold blood. Ellen’s eight year old boy ran from the house and alerted the neighbors. Prewitt was sentenced to death for the crime. At the hanging, "The little eight-year-old boy of the woman [Prewitt] killed was asked to shake hands with him, but he drew back and refused to do so." ... "Just seventeen minutes after the drop fell he was down and put in his coffin. When the guard began to cut the rope from around his neck, the little Buck boy said: 'Let it stay on.'"

        • ♦ One Killed in Quarrel Between Horsebus Drivers 
          Somerset, Pulaski County. December 1886. 4 sources.
          "Still another fatal shooting occurred in Somerset, Beddow, the driver of a rival bus line, firing a centre shot into Hodgecraft, another driver."

      • --1887  (12)
        • ♦ Charles Luker Kills Isaac Nelson
          Laurel County. 1887?
          "Charles Luker was tried the following week for murder, the victim being Isaac Nelson, and given seven years..."

        • ♦ John Hurley Kills Isaac Hyde
          Laurel County. 1887?
          "...John Hurley, for the murder of Isaac Hyde, was tried and found guilty of manslaughter and assessed five years in the pen."

        • ♦ Man Kills Brother-in-Law Over Livestock Eating His Wheat
          near Knox County line, Laurel County. 3 February 1887. 7 sources.
          "Hiram Glass shot and killed Mat Waggoner... A difficulty had arisen over some cattle of Glass', which were breaking into Waggoner's wheat field, when Glass drew an ax upon Waggoner, striking at him..."

        • ♦ Charles Childers Kills Brownlow Townsend
          Pine Hill, Rockcastle. February 1887.
          "Near Pine Hill, Sunday night, Brownlow Townsend was fatally cut by Charles Childers. The circumstances are about as follows: Townsend and Childers had been paying attention to the same young lady a short distance from Pine Hill. Sunday evening they both went to see her but neither remained long. Toward night they returned under the influence of whisky and staid at the young lady's house until about an hour after dark, when they left in the company of another young man. After going a short distance towards the station a difficulty came up between Townsend and Childers, over their sweetheart, in which rocks and sticks were freely used. Knives were drawn and they began slashing at each other, when Townsend received a thrust in the thigh from which he died within fifteen minutes."

        • ♦ Jack Howell Kills Charles Phelps
          Pulaski County. March 1887.
          "Charles Phelps and Jack Howell are the last two Pulaskians to fight to the death over an old grudge. When they met Phelps placed his knife against Howell's breast and remarked: "I've a notion to cut your heart out." How placed his knife against Phelp's throat and coolly replied, "Cut away." Phelps did cut away, but unfortunately for him his knife blade broke off at the second thrust. Howell cut Phelps' throat almost from ear to ear."

        • ♦ Son Kills Father Over Cruel Treatment, 1887
          near Hustonville, Lincoln County. 11 March 1887. 20 sources.
          "Used as the people of this county are to blood-curdling murderers, owing to their frequent perpetration, they were unprepared for anything so diabolical and damnable as that of the midnight assassination of Adam Carpenter, at his home near Hustonville, Friday night. The news created the most profound expressions of horror, which were augmented and intensified by the later report that his own son was the perpetrator of the awful crime."

        • ♦ Three Men Reportedly Killed While Whipping Old Woman
          Wildie, Rockcastle County. 18 March 1887. 6 sources.
          There were articles in papers throughout the country claiming three Rockcastle County men of a prohibition ku klux group were killed while flogging an old woman for selling liquor.  However, another article from a neighboring county claims that these reports were exaggerated and that no one was killed.
          Related: Two Killed in Northern Rockcastle Ku-Klux Incidents, 1886

        • ♦ Willette Vowels Kills Willie Levisay
          Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. Last week of March 1887.
          "Willie Levisay and Willette Vowels, boys aged respectively fourteen and ten years, quarreled in a grocery store and going outside to fight it out, Vowels stabbed Levisay near the heart, killing him almost instantly."

        • ♦♦ One Killed, Another Wounded in Four Person Gunfight
          Pittsburg, Laurel County. First half of April 1887. 4 sources.
          "John Evans, one of the negroes shot in the difficulty between himself and Jim Mullins, on the one side, and John and Tom Stringer on the other, in April last, died Tuesday..."

        • ♦ Gunfight at Brush Creek
          Brush Creek, Rockcastle County. 23 July 1887.
          "The Adams and Laswells, living in the eastern portion of the county, between whom there has existed a family feud for sometime, met at Brush Creek, a station on the K. C. road, Saturday evening and opened fire upon each other, one faction on each side of the creek."
          See: At Least Two Killed in Adams-Laswell Feud

        • ♦ At Least Two Killed in Adams-Laswell Feud
          Brush Creek, Rockcastle County. First week of December 1887. 23 sources.
          Contains articles regarding several gunfights that took place between 1887 and 1890 on Brush Creek reported to be primarily between the Adams and Laswell families, and related court cases.  Several were injured in the fighting, and at least two people were killed: Granville Adams and Garrett Hampton.

        • ♦ Man and Officer Argue, Fall From Moving Train
          near Roundstone Creek, Rockcastle County. Last week of December 1887. 5 sources.
          "Mullins entered the car, and slapping Chumley on the shoulder, told him a man wanted to see him out on the platform quick. Chumley went out, carrying his Winchester with him. After reaching the platform... a discussion ensued, and the report of arms aroused all passengers. Mullins was shot through the hand, and Chumley through the foot. Both fell from the moving train..."

      • --1888  (21)
        • ♦ Henry Worley and others Kill Lee Troxtile
          Pulaski County. 1888?
          "Henry Worley, charged, with ten other persons, with the murder of Lee Troxtile, at Somerset, Ky., has been arrested."

        • ♦ Man Kills His Brother After Argument Over Trousers
          Lily, Laurel County. 10 February 1888. 3 sources.
          "John thought Levi's pants would fit him better than the pair given him, and tried to take them from Levi. [Their] mother the[n] interfered and tried to pacify them. John cursed and abused her. Levi then threatened to kill him..."

        • ♦ Man Killed Over Game of Cards
          Marydell, Laurel County. 19 February 1888. 5 sources.
          "Wm. Crawford shot and killed Hugh Gregory at the latters grocery Sunday night. The parties were drunk and the difficulty I learn came up over a game of cards."

        • ♦ Town Marshal John Stringer Kills Johnson Chumley
          Pittsburg, Laurel County. First week in March 1888. 3 sources.
          "Bill Chumley, a brother of Jons, brought on the shooting by engaging in a difficulty with a man who had garnished his wages. Will Stringer, deputy town marshal, stepped in to separate them when Jons Chumley ran up and grabbing Stringer seized his pistol and was drawing his own when Stringer called to his brother to shoot his antagonist loose. Two shots were fired, one ball entering Chumley's neck and the other his back."

        • ♦ Tennessee Man Murdered and Robbed Near Somerset
          Stanford Rd ~1.5 mi north of Somerset, Pulaski County. Last week in March 1888. 6 sources.
          "A middle-aged man named Tom Wilson, of Oliver Springs, Tenn., was found in an old field near the Stanford road ... dead and cold, lying with his face buried in the mud and his head terribly battered and cut and partially mashed in, and his hands, which he had evidently thrown above his head for protection, were also badly broken..."

        • ♦♦ Mary Jasper and Eliza Jasper Kill Henry Dick
          Fishing Creek, Pulaski County. March/April 1888.
          "Mrs. Mary and Eliza Jasper fired on a negro trying to break into their house, on Fishing Creek, in Pulaski, and brought down Henry Dick, a notorious negro of that section."

        • ♦ Gunfight between Jack Adams, Tip Langford, and Henry Langford
          Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. April 1888. 
          Tip and Henry Langford have a gunfight with Jack Adams Jr., the man who killed their brother Liberty Langford in 1878.
          See: Jack Adams Jr. kills Liberty Langford

        • ♦♦ [?][?] Kills John Riley Ramsey
          Pulaski County. 1 May 1888. 1 source.
          "A negro, whose name is not known, walked into a room where three white men were seated, set down a bottle of whisky, invited all to drink, drew his pistol and said to one of the white men named John Riley Ramsey: 'You have talken about me too much, and I am going to kill you. So prepare to die.'"

        • ♦Woman Found Shot in the Road
          Four miles southwest of Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. First week in June 1888. 4 sources.
          "This morning Ann Decker, a woman who has been charged with keeping a house of ill-repute, was found in the road not far from her house ... dead, with a bullet through her brain."

        • ♦ [?] Shumate Kills [?] McCarty
          Sinks, Rockcastle County. June 1888.
          "A man named Shumate, from Bardstown, shot and killed another named McCarty, at Sinks, in Rockcastle county, Friday. We depended on our Mt. Vernon man to give particulars, but his letter failed to come."

        • ♦ At Least Three Killed in Church Yard Feud Battle
          Laurel Fork Meeting House, Whitley County. 8 July 1888. 10 sources.
          "The people at worship rushed from their places into the outer darkness to find it filled with curses, prayers and groans. There in the churchyard sturdy mountaineers had met in battle array and life's blood had flown freely. The screams of women and children and frantic actions of men, with the death agonies, rendered it a scene horrid in the extreme...."

        • ♦ Two Men Engage in Knife Fight in Argument Relating to a Woman
          Rockcastle County. 22 July 1888. 18 sources.
          "[John] Proctor was returning from church with some young ladies; Parker followed and desired the company of one of them, Miss Maggie Reynolds, to which she objected, saying she didn't want that fool with her. Hot words passed between them; then Parker shook his fist in the young lady's face.... Proctor used his pocket knife, cutting a deep gash in Parker's breast and two in his bowels." Parker died several months later, possibly from his injuries caused by Proctor.
          This post includes details about a knife fight involving John Proctor in an argument relating to a woman, knife/gun fight at a local circus that also involved John Proctor, and the killing of Wade Purcell by John Proctor. Also, after Editor of the Mountain Signal, W. R. Cress, published the dying statement of Wade Purcell, Proctor had an altercation with Cress in which Proctor discharged his weapon.

        • ♦ Gunfight at Brush Creek
          Brush Creek, Rockcastle County. First week in August 1888.
          "The friends of the candidates for sheriff met there to distribute liquor, etc., to the voters. A row came up over the matter. About 50 shots were fired. Abe Drew fell during the battle with a bullet in his shoulder."
          See: At Least Two Killed in Adams-Laswell Feud

        • ♦ Man Stabbed During Arrest Attempt at Voting Place
          Skaggs Creek, Rockcastle County. (Election day) First week in August 1888. 3 sources.
          "George Nichols, a constable at Skaggs voting place, attempted to arrest a boisterous man when Jeff Nichols, a brother, struck the officer in the breast with a knife. Damage was slight. Others interferred, Jeff was knocked down and had a knife thrust under his shoulder blade, from which he will likely die..."

        • ♦ Man Shoots At Another For Questioning Son's Voting Eligibility
          Rockcastle County. Election day/First week in August 1888. 
          "Another difficulty which occurred on the same day between Mitchell Norton, democrat, and George Pitman, republican, in which Pitman watched the public highway for Norton until the latter returned home from Mt. Vernon, late in the evening, and accosted him with leveled revolver, demanding of Norton why he had so treated his son that morning."
          See: Man Stabbed During Arrest Attempt at Voting Place

        • ♦ Arrest Attempt in Church Leads to Deadly Shootout
          near Greenwood and Cumberland Falls, Pulaski County. 12 August 1888. 14 sources.
          "The Constable committed a sad error in selecting Henry and Van Warman as his deputies, as they were the brothers of the woman who preferred the charge.  Andy and Aleck Hamlin were in the church when Vestal and his two deputies walked down the aisle, confronted the two brothers and demanded the surrender of Andy.  The three started with Andy towards Greenwood, and had gone about a mile, when a crowd of the friends of Andy led by his brother Aleck, overtook the officers with their prisoners..."

        • ♦ Gunfight at Brush Creek
          Brush Creek, Rockcastle County. 16 August 1888.
          "Thursday evening Laswell was ambushed and mortally wounded."
          See: At Least Two Killed in Adams-Laswell Feud

        • ♦ J. E. Powell Kills Allen Hagard/Haggard
          near Brodhead, Rockcastle County. 15 September 1888.
          "Saturday afternoon, between Brodhead and his home, Allen Hagard was found in the road murdered. Indications point to the murdered man's son-in-law, J. E. Powell, as the assassin, as they had been at outs for sometime over the fact of Powell's wife having made application for divorce, charging her husband with inhuman treatment. The parties had been carrying guns for each other for sometime."

        • ♦ Man Kills Neighbor Over Drunken Reckless Gunfire
          East Bernstadt, Laurel County. 16 September 1888. 4 sources.
          "Bossie, an Italian by birth, is a peaceable, quiet, and inoffensive man, and when at his home with his family on a Sabbath day was alarmed by the firing of a gun or pistol from a point not more than 150 yards from his home, the ball passing so near the body of his wife, who was in the yard, as to cause her to cry out to her husband for protection. The man firing the shot was Larkin Byrd, between whom and the accused there had never been any hostile feeling..."

        • ♦ Several Injured in Knife/Gun Fight at Opening of Local Circus
          Rockcastle County. 24 October 1888. 18 sources.
          "The door keeper asked Marshal Parker if Proctor was a deputy, and on Parker's answering in the negative, Proctor called him a liar. An altercation ensued, when other deputy marshals came up and attempted to arrest Proctor. Knives and pistols were drawn and the firing began...."
          This post includes details about a knife fight involving John Proctor in an argument relating to a woman, knife/gun fight at a local circus that also involved John Proctor, and the killing of Wade Purcell by John Proctor. Also, after Editor of the Mountain Signal, W. R. Cress, published the dying statement of Wade Purcell, Proctor had an altercation with Cress in which Proctor discharged his weapon.

        • ♦ Man Kills Another For Alleged Relationship with His Wife
          Joplin House, Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. 3 December 1888. 7 sources.
          "It is thought that the trouble originated Saturday night, when Carter remained over night at Frazer's residence in the east end of town. During the night Frazer woke up and thought he discovered Carter in a compromising position with Mrs. Frazer. He accused Carter of wrong doing and they quarreled for some time, when Carter left the house, followed by threats from Frazer..."
          Related: Former County Judge Involved in Mt. Vernon Street Shootout

      • --1889  (16)

        • ♦ One Killed, Another Injured In Argument On Train
          Pittsburg, Laurel County. January 1889. 2 sources.
          "Wednesday evening, as Conductor O'Mally's south-bound freight train was passing Pittsburg, just above here, James Raines, a brakeman, was fired upon by two desperadoes, Tom Stringer and Sam Graggs. Raines returned the fire, both balls taking effect upon Graggs, one through the heart and the other in the temple, killing him instantly. Raines then started toward the caboose, when Stringer fired at him, striking Raines in the hip."

        • ♦ Robert Johnson Shoots Andrew Telfry
          Copper Creek, Rockcastle County. January 1889. 1 source.
          "The first shooting affair on record in the Copper Creek district took place one day last week between Robert Johnson and Andrew Telfry. The parties had been at outs for some time. They met, when Tilfry asked Johnson if he was ready to whip him. Johnson replied no. Tilfry had a gun. Johnson drew pistol. Tilfry ran. Johnson fired three shots, one striking Tilfry in the arm above the elbow. Johnson fled the country."

        • ♦ Tom Hansford and others Kill John Hardick
          East Bernstadt, Laurel County. March? 1889.
          "Tom Hansford, three other men and a cyprian named Lizzie Tucker, were tried for the murder of John Hardick, who was found dead by the railroad near East Bernstadt 2 months ago."

        • ♦ Swiss Man Killed in Fight at Bernstadt
          Bernstadt, Laurel County. 7 April 1889. 4 sources.
          "A general fight, participated in by half a dozen Swiss, occurred at Bernstad, the Swiss colony in Laurel County, the other night. Cheese-knives and pistols were freely used. John Christian was so severely stabbed that he died next day."

        • ♦ Man Killed Resisting Arrest At Sunday School Picnic
          Oak Grove meeting house, near Lincoln/Pulaski County line. Prior to May 1889. 16 sources.
          "There was a Sunday-school meeting held at Oak Grove meeting house, and during the meeting Watson and Gastineau fired their pistols within a short distance of the meeting-house, which created a disturbance.  The minister requested the appellant Doolin, who was a constable in good standing, to arrest the persons creating the disturbance; and, in obedience to the request, he, together with Cope, who was summoned to assist, started out to make the arrest..."

        • ♦ One Killed in Gunfight between Hamlins and Warmans
          Pulaski County. Summer 1889. 
          "During the summer the Hamlin boys and Warman boys, three on a side, engaged in a row, one of the Warmans being killed. The Hamlins were arrested, and one of them tried, and is now serving a term in the Frankfort penitentiary."
          See: Arrest Attempt in Church Leads to Deadly Shootout, Pulaski, 1888

        • ♦ J. W. Woodall Stabs James and Robert Barnes
          near Bernstadt, Laurel County. 29 June 1889. 
          "James Barnes and his son Robert were both badly cut by J. W. Woodall, with whom they had a difficulty near the colony Saturday. Woodall was promptly arrested and placed in jail. He has been in several difficulties heretofore."
          See: Man Kills Another Over Card Game, Laurel, 1907

        • ♦♦ Beatty Wickliffe Kills Evan Warren
          Depot, Danville, Boyle County. 22 July 1889. 41 sources.
          "Mr. Evan S. Warren, who was a brother of Hon. R. C. Warren, was shot by a negro named Beatty Wickliffe at the Danville depot, Monday afternoon and died that night at 10:30. He and the negro had had a difficulty in the morning when the latter remarked that he would see him again. He was as good as his word...."

        • ♦ Seduced Woman Commits Suicide
          Wolf Creek, Pulaski County. 22 July 1889. 3 sources.
          The woman "had been engaged to a young man, who, through false representations ruined her.  Fearing disgrace, she resolved to commit suicide." One of the leading causes of family feuds in Kentucky was the seduction or rape of a female family member.  Since this blog is essentially a study of the violence within the vicinity of these three counties, I want to make note where possible of other deaths that resulted from seduction or rape.

        • ♦ Constable Kills Man in Election Day Fight
          Rockcastle County. 6 August 1889. 18 sources.
          "Wade Purcell, who was shot here on election day by John Proctor, died at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning. In an anti-mortem statement Purcell said that he did not know that Proctor was anywhere about and that the row had subsided when Proctor ran in and shot him without saying a word...." Other sources conflict.
          This post includes details about a knife fight involving John Proctor in an argument relating to a woman, knife/gun fight at a local circus that also involved John Proctor, and the killing of Wade Purcell by John Proctor. Also, after Editor of the Mountain Signal, W. R. Cress, published the dying statement of Wade Purcell, Proctor had an altercation with Cress in which Proctor discharged his weapon.

        • ♦ Murder of Tom Collins
          Dyer's Mill near Pulaski/Rockcastle County line. 18 August 1889. 8 sources.
          "Tom Collins, a desperado ... was found dead near Dyer's mill, in Pulaski, with a bullet hole through his head.  A revolver with an empty chamber was clutched in his hand creating the supposition that he was killed in a fight with some unknown person..."  A few months later A. M. "Killis" Price kills James T. Shiplett. Because the suspected murderers of Collins are related to Price, many of the articles contain information about both murders, so I have combined them into one post.

        • ♦ Henry Goodman Kills D. J. Sharp
          Pulaski County? August 1889.
          "Henry Goodman plunged a knife to the hilt into the breast of D. J. Sharp in a magistrate's court in Pulaski, when he made at a sister of Goodman who had called him a liar. Sharp expired immediately."

        • ♦ Man Killed From Ambush
          one mile below Greenwood, Pulaski County. 9 November 1889. 
          "Evan Hamlin was shot from ambush yesterday evening...and was instantly killed."
          See: Arrest Attempt in Church Leads to Deadly Shootout, Pulaski, 1888

        • ♦ Man Shot and Killed at Train Depot
          Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle County. 16 November 1889. 7 sources.
          "Hugh McHargue attacked William Bloomer at the L. & N. depot with a pocket knife, cutting a gash in his side close to the heart. Bloomer pulled a pistol and shot McHargue, the ball entering his right eye. McHargue fell from the four-foot platform to the railroad track."

        • ♦ A. M. "Killis" Price Kills James Thomas Shiplett
          Dyer's Mill near Pulaski/Rockcastle County line. 20 December 1889.
          See: Murder of Tom Collins.

        • ♦ Robert Spears Kills Robert Miller
          Pittsburg, Laurel County. Last half of December 1889. 1 source.
          "At Pittsburg, Laurel county, Robert Miller was shot and killed by Robert Spears, Tuesday evening. The parties had been at outs for some time over the shooting of Will Miller in the arm at a church in that place some time since by Spears when attempting to arrest him for disturbing worship, Spears being town marshal at the time."


        • -------
          1880 - 1889 leads (my pending/drafts file)
          1880 - 1889 tangents

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