Albert Cosby Kills Frank Jackson Over Insult to His Wife, Boyle, 1876

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[July 14, 1876] -

HOMICIDE AT MITCHELLSBURG. -- Last Monday afternoon a difficulty occurred between Al. G. Cosby and Frank Jackson, at Michellsburg, in this [Boyle] county, which resulted in the former shooting the latter with a pistol, producing a wound which resulted in his death at 11 o'clock, A.M., on Tuesday. We have heard some particulars of the trouble, but perhaps it would hardly be proper to print them inasmuch as the examining trial is set for to-day (Friday). R. P. Jacobs, of this city, has been engaged for the defence, and Mr. Sam. Harding, County Attorney, will conduct the prosecution. [1]

Crab Orchard Town Marshal Kills Crab Orchard Police Judge, Lincoln, 1891

[August 21, 1891] -

THE MARSHAL KILLS THE POLICE JUDGE. -- Crab Orchard is the scene of another killing, and Judge A. M. Egbert is the victim. The circumstances as we gather them from Marshal W. T. Saunders, who shot the fatal shot, and others, are as follows: Nath Woodcock, Jim Gilkerson and others were taking a drink in Lee's saloon, when Nath asked Saunders to join them. While they were drinking Woodcock and Gilkerson got to quarreling, when Woodcock struck Gilkerson. Marshal Saunders interferred and telling Woodcock that he would have to arrest him unless the matter was amicably settled, Woodcock apologized and they were talking it over when Judge Egbert came running in and said he had been disturbed for an hour by the row, which he intended should be stopped right then, at the same time telling the men to consider themselves under arrest, to report at his office next morning. Saunder remarked, "If you are going to assume my duties, I'll go home." What's that you say?" said Egbert. Saunders repeated and added that this was not the first time the judge had usurped his authority. "You are a d--n liar," said the judge, and started towards Saunders, who told him not to follow him. Egbert continued to advance and Saunders drew his pistol and firing sent a ball into the judge's throat at the left, which ranged downward and out at the back. The second shot entered the shoulder.

One of the witnesses say that Judge Egbert did not approach the men in an excited way, but gently told them the noise must cease, that Saunders went out and Egbert following shortly afterwards he heard the shots and ran to find that the judge had been shot.

Judge Egbert was conveyed to his home, where he died in a few minutes. To some one he said he did not know why he was shot. An examination of his person showed that he had no weapon but a small pocket-knife. He was a very excitable and high-tempered man, but withal a clever and courteous one. He leaves a wife and one son, W. C. Egbert, of Bacon & Sons, Louisville, for whom much sympathy is felt.

Saunders made no attempt to get away, and quietly came to Stanford with Deputy Sheriff Dick Newland, who happened to be there. He is now here and his examining trial will likely be held to-day. A bad feeling had existed between the two men for some time, growing out of some business connected with their offices, but they and no one else doubtless had any idea that it would result in so fearful a tragedy.

Saunders had been in bad health for some time and had but recently recovered from a severe illness. This makes the second man he killed, the other when he was quite a young man. Since the first killing he has been quiet and peaceable and had repeatedly been honored with the office of marshal by his townsmen.

LATER. -- In the absence of Judge Varnon, Judge Carson continued the examining trial till next Tuesday and allowed Saunders to return to Crab Orchard under guard. [1]

Granville Prewitt Hanged for Murder of Jarvis and Ellen Buck, Wayne, 1886

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[June 22, 1880] -

1880 census page for Magisterial District 4 of Wayne County, Kentucky, shows:

1. Jarvis Buck, head of household, age 35, white male, farmer, cannot read or write, born in North Carolina, both parents born in North Carolina;
2. Ellen Buck, age 31, white female, sister of Jarvis Buck, keeping house, cannot read or write, born in North Carolina, both parents born in North Carolina; and
3. Lias L. Buck, age 2, white male, (Ellen's son), born in Kentucky, whose father was born in Kentucky and mother in North Carolina. [1]



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[October 31, 1886] -

TWO HORRIBLE MURDERS.

A Young Man Enticed Into the Mountains to Have His Throat Cut.

His Sister in Turn Shares His Fate, Her Little Son Only Escaping the Murderers.

(Special to the Courier Journal.)

MONTICELLO, KY., Oct. 30. -- One of the most shocking murders that ever happened in this vicinity was committed in the southern part of this county last Tuesday night. Out in the mountains, ten miles from this place, lived a very humble family composed of Jarvis Buck, his sister, and her ten-year-old son. On Tuesday night this family was visited by a man whose name is Grand Prewitt. He ordered supper, which was prepared for him. He then told Buck that if he would go up on the mountain about a half mile that a fellow was up there who would give him a drink of whisky.  They went off together, but Prewitt soon returned and when asked where Buck was by his sister, replied that he would be back soon. Immediately he seized the woman, and the little boy fled to a neighbor's house and gave the alarm. The neighbors immediately went to the house and there found the heroic little boy's mother dead, with her throat cut from ear to ear and her skull terribly mashed in three places.

Search was instituted for Buck's body, but it was not found till Wednesday. When found the body was frightfully lacerated and the head almost 

SEVERED FROM THE BODY.

The scene of these two innocent persons, brother and sister, as they lay in their humble little hut, with their heads almost hacked off, was enough to raise the spirit of mobism in the hearts of the most tender-hearted, and a posse of men searched the country for Prewitt, and found him Wednesday night. He made no resistence, but denied the murder until brought before the little boy, who told him that he was the man who murdered his mother, and that he need not deny it. Prewitt then made a full confession of the whole affair.

PREWITT'S CONFESSION.

He said that he was approached by Jim Tuesday morning and offered a large sum of money to kill Jarvis Buck, and he agreed to do it. That night he went to Jarvis Buck's house and persuaded him to go out after a drink of whisky. When about 100 yards from the house Jim Jones and Bill Simpson met them, and he then cut his throat with a case knife. As soon as he did this Jones rifled his pockets, pulled off his boots and took his hat. Prewitt and Jones then went to the house to kill the sister and her son. He cut her throat and Jones made

JELLY OUT OF HER HEAD

with the washboard. He said they tried to catch the little boy, but could not.

This is the sworn confession of Grand Prewitt. Jones and Simpson deny having anything to do with it, but Prewitt calmly talks of the affair as though it amounted to nothing more than a hog killing. 

Yesterday there was strong talk of mobbing Prewitt, but after he confessed the excitement cooled down. All three of the brutes were brought to town to-day and lodged in jail. The exam[in]ing trial will come off next Monday. At present there is much excitement over the matter, and the universal opinion is that all three will certainly be hanged. They are 

VILLAINOUS LOOKING MOUNTAINEERS,

badly dressed, and judging from their appearance, they are capable of doing any kind of crime. They are poor and without influence or friends; so it is very certain that at least two of them will hang. The evidence is sufficient to convict Prewitt, apart from his confession, and there is strong proof against Jones, also. It is the most atrocious crime ever committed in the county, and the whole people are shocked.

The object of the murder was money. Buck had sold a horse a few days before for $60, and it is supposed that he had a little besides. Besides the money they took several articles of apparel and plunder of the house.

There is no danger of a mob now, as it is quite certain that they will be convicted in court in November. [2]

Beatty Wickliffe Kills Evan Warren, Boyle, 1889

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[July 23, 1889] -

DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED. 

Evan Warren Shot by Beatty Wickliffe, a Negro Hackman, at the C. S. Depot. Wickliffe also Shot by Warren. 

The Condition of Warren is Extremely Critical. 

A difficulty took place at the [Danville] depot Monday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock between Evan Warren and Beatty Wickliffe, in which both were probably fatally wounded. Warren was shot through and through twice. Wickliffe received a wound under the right arm and the ball has not been found. So many reports are current regarding the beginning of the trouble that we are not able to give them with any degree of accuracy further than as reported to a representative of the Advocate by Jno. Crouch, who says he saw a portion of the shooting. Said he: "The first of the trouble that I saw was after the first pistol shot was fired. I then turned around and saw Evan Warren with a pistol in his hand and Beatty Wickliffe running. In running, Wickliffe threw a negro boy on the railroad track and the incoming train came near running over him. The next I saw, Bob Mayo and Flem. Murphy had hold of Warren, having wrenched his pistol from him. My attention was then attracted by two pistol shots fired rapidly at Warren while he was held by the two parties mentioned. Warren was shot in the back. He then broke loose and ran and the third shot was fired at him by Wickliffe." Mayo claims that when Warren fired at Wickliffe they grabbed Warren to keep him from shooting, and that when Beatty Wickliffe shot they turned Warren loose. They claim they did not know that Wickliffe was near when he shot Warren. At this writing the doctors are working with the wounded men and both are regarded as dangerously wounded. This is a most unfortunate affair, and from the fact that Warren was disarmed and held while shot down, puts a bad face on the matter for those concerned in it. The difficulty was the termination of a quarrel which the parties had at noon, and in which only fists were used. 

At the time of going to press the physicians stated that Evan Warren's condition is not hopeless, but his wounds are such that his chances for recovery are one in a hundred. One of the balls passed entirely through the body, perforating the liver, while the other struck him squarely in the chest and lodged there. Wickliffe's wound is not considered dangerous. The ball entered the right arm pit and its course was checked after passing a short distance into the flesh. The ball has not been extracted, but the physician says it is near the surface. [1]

Dan Kyle Kills Railroad Clerk E. W. Prentiss, Pulaski, 1876

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[March 24, 1876] -

Last Thursday morning a Mr. Prentiss, the "head clerk" on Smith's work, on the C. S. Railway, was very severely, if not fatally, cut in the abdomen, by a negro named Dan. Kyle. Kyle ran off, but was subsequently captured at King's Mountain, and brought back to this place [Somerset] and lodged in jail Thursday night. Since the above has been put in type, the unfortunate man has passed into another world -- his death occurring last Monday evening, inflammation having set in. We learn that his home was in Virginia. His remains were deposited in the cemetery at this place [Somerset], last Tuesday evening. Rev. J. R. Peeples and Elder D. Wilburn, visited Mr. Prentiss just before his death, and prayed and sung with him. He was asked if he was a christian, to which he replied in the negative, but he had been brought up in a religious family, of the Episcopalian Church. -- [Somerset Reporter.

We were well acquainted with the deceased for several years and can testify to his many virtues. Always unassuming and polite, his death by the hands of a worthless negro, was to us a very great surprise. Mr. Prentiss was from Norfolk, Va., and comes from a time honored family, whose hearts will be wrung at the news of his untimely death. --[Editor Interior Journal. [1]

William Austin Hanged for the Murder of Betsy Bland, Garrard, 1882

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[January 24, 1882] -

Our Lancaster correspondent gives an account of another horrible murder in Garrard. The devil seems to have been turned loose again in that county. [1]

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[January 24, 1882] -

The blood had scarcely dried on the axe which murdered the Wilmot family, before the tale of a most brutal murder, scarcely less bloody than its predecessor is brought to our ears. The victim this time is Miss Betsy Bland, aged 85; the murderer, is Wm. Austin, a young man about 24 year old. Jos. Bland, an old widower, lives about one-and-a-half miles from town, near the Danville pike. His sister, Miss Betsy, kept house for him. For about three months, Wm. Austin, a grand-nephew of theirs, has lived with them, helping about the work on the small farm. He is a wild, drunken fellow, and altogether his reputation is not of the best. Friday, January 20th, Jos. Bland came to town on business, and remained till about 5 o'clock. Austin also left home and was seen last (previous to any knowledge of the murder,) at Herring's still house, which place he left about 4 o'clock, for home. As a party of men were returning from town, they were met by Austin at the mouth of a lane leading to Bland's house, and he told them Aunt Betsy (as she was familiarly known,) had been murdered. At first they laughed at his story, but were finally induced to go to the house where they found the old lady lying on the floor with her head nearly severed from her body. They did not disturb it, but hastened back to town to inform her brother and the officers. As soon as they were notified, Sheriff Higginbotham, with Marshal Singleton, and a posse, went out to the scene of the murder, where they encountered Austin standing in the door, apparently very much affected. Suspicion had already pointed to him as the murderer, and when a little scrutiny revealed stains of blood on his pants and boots, he was arrested and put under guard. The Coroner not being convenient, Esquire Boyle, who is the nearest Magistrate, was summoned to hold an inquest. The Court was in session till near 10 o'clock, P. M., at which time sufficient circumstantial evidence had been obtained to confirm the suspicion that Austin was the murderer. The Court adjourned, how ever, without a verdict till next day. In the meantime, Austin's pants and boot had been taken from him. After supplying him with these articles from Mr. Bland's wardrobe, he was mounted behind the Sheriff, brought to town and lodged in Jail. Had the citizens been fully convinced of his guilt it is quite probable an attempt would have been made then and there to administer justice on a speedier plan than the one by which that article is usually obtained. 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. When the Court of inquest convened the next day, several witnesses were examined as to the relative time of Austin's being seen on the way home, and his first appearance after the murder. All this testimony strengthened the chain of circumstantial evidence which, with the addition of another link furnished by his clothing has bound him so closely that his life will no doubt pay the forfeit. When his pants were produced in Court, besides the blood on the legs, the right hand pocket was found to be bloody. An inspection of the boots revealed clinging to the heel of one of them several long gray hairs which corresponded exactly with the hair of the murdered woman. Austin told several tales in regard to the blood on his clothing. One was that when he opened the door his aunt in her death struggle threw the blood on him -- another to account for the blood and gray hair on his boot, was that he caught a rabbit on his way home, put his foot on its head and pulled it off, the blood spurting on his boot, He did not produce the rabbit, however. But one reason can be given for the perpetration of such a cruel murder. It was generally known that Miss Betsy kept some money in the house, never less than fifty dollars, and some time more. This she kept in the drawer of a sideboard, the keys to which she carried. The keys were found lying on the floor near her. The drawer had been forced and it is presumed, robbed as but about two dollars were found which in his haste or purposely, the murderer had left. No money was found on Austin, with the exception of twenty-five cents, which he proved by a negro to have been paid him that day. Austin was not brought into Court Saturday, whether from an apprehension of a mob or not, I don't know. But there was a crowd in town and excitement was very high. A leader could in a few moments have organized a mob, but whether he could have got hold of Austin or not, is another question. Beside putting Austin in a cell, no other precaution against a mob has been taken. The fact that Circuit Court convenes today, and that the Grand Jury might attend to his case as it deserved, may have something to do with preventing an outbreak of popular indignation. [2]

David Lockett Kills Ben Goss, Lincoln, 1875

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[September 10, 1875] -

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

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

Freeman Farris Kills Robert Land, Garrard, 1878

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[May 29, 1878] -

LANCASTER.

Robert Land, of Madison County, Shot and Killed by Freeman Farris -- Farris Taken to Boyle County Jail. 

(Special Dispatches to the Courier-Journal.)

LANCASTER, KY., May 28. -- An unusually lively County Court day yesterday culminated last night, about nine o'clock, in the shooting and killing of Robert Land, a citizen of Madison county, by Freeman Farris, a negro of this place. Whisky had been flowing freely all day, and Land, together with several friends, had imbibed considerable. On leaving town the party encountered a lot of negroes quarreling in the suburbs. Land stopped and held some discussion with them, the rest of the party proceeding homeward. The negro Farris, who did the shooting, addressed some insolence to Land. He replied to him, when the negro struck him across the face with a stick. Land then drew his pistol and fired at him, but missed his aim. The negro fled out of sight. He returned in a few minutes with a gun, and observing Land seated on his horse, fired upon him, killing him instantly. He then fled, but about 12 o'clock last night he came and surrendered himself to the Town Marshal. By order of the County Judge he was taken to the Boyle county jail this afternoon for safe-keeping, violence from the deceased's friends being apprehended. The deceased, Robert Land, bore the reputation of being a bad man when in liquor. He had killed several men, and was generally regarded as dangerous. The negro was also a bad character, coming from Madison county about three weeks ago. He had been in the workhouse during the greater part of that time, and was only released therefrom the day before the shooting. It is reported he too had killed his man previously.

Another Report of the Affair.

(Special Dispatch to the Courier-Journal.)

DANVILLE, May 28. -- Freeman Farris, who killed Robert Land at Lancaster yesterday evening, was brought here at 3 o'clock P.M. to-day by Town Marshal Singleton, Jailer Eason and others and committed to the Boyle county jail for safe-keeping. This was done by order of Judge M. H. Owsley, of the Eighth Judicial district, because of reasonable apprehension that Land's friends and the indignant citizens would assemble and hang Farris. The murder was a foul one, and the particulars are about as follows: Land, who was a good citizen and a peaceable man, was in Lancaster yesterday, and had started toward his home, about ten miles in the country, out the Sugar-creek pike. He had been drinking a little during the day, and when he reached the edge of town, he stopped and engaged in a conversation with a colored man, who was trying to persuade him to go on home, when Farris came up and advised the colored man to let the son of a --- go where he pleased. Land made some appropriate reply to this suggestion, when Farris struck him violently over the head with a stick. Land retorted by shooting at his antagonist with a pistol, the shot not taking effect. Farris then ran to a negro cabin about fifty yards distant, and seizing a musket returned and shot Land, the latter falling from his horse and dying in twenty minutes. Farris immediately fled, but probably knowing that his chances for escape were rather slim, returned and surrendered to the officers last night about twelve o'clock.

Farris is a mulatto about twenty-five years old. He was raised and formerly owned by Charles Gentry, of Madison county, and has made a record as a desperado, Robert Land being his fourth victim. He had escaped from the work-house, where he was serving a term for a misdemeanor, at the time he killed Land. [1]

Joseph Ferrell/Ferrill Killed in a Melee, Lincoln, 1874

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[October 2, 1874] -

A shooting affray occurred in Milledgeville on Sunday evening. The facts seem to be that a man named Ferrel was behaving boisterously in the village generally, and finally made an an attack on Mike Ely, in the presence of his family. Ely fired upon him, wounding him in the leg with small shot. In the melee, it is said, other parties fired and wounded Ferrel mortally. He died last night at the house of Clint Helm, near Knob Lick creek. [1]

Tom Cain Kills Hiram Tucker, Lincoln, 1878

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[August 9, 1878] -

MAN SHOT. -- The Barbecue at Squirrel Springs, near Hall's Gap Station, last Saturday broke up in a drunken row, in which Hiram Tucker was shot and probably fatally wounded. It seems that 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, which entered the little back of the shoulder and ranging downward to the dorsal part of the spine, produced paralysis of the lower extremities. It is alleged that the shot was fired by Thomas Cain, and although a warrant for his arrest was issued last Sunday and placed in the hands of the officers, we have heard of no attempt to bring him to justice. Dr. Steele Bailey, the physician called upon  to attend Tucker, says that the wound is a most dangerous one, and will no doubt prove fatal. [1]

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[August 23, 1878] -

ACQUITTED. -- Frank Hooker was tried this week on a charge of shooting with intent to kill Hiram Tucker, and acquitted.



SLOWLY DYING. -- Mr. Hiram Tucker, who was shot so severely at Foster's Barbecue, is gradually sinking, and the end must soon come. We learn from those who have talked with him that he is perfectly resigned to his fate. His cowardly assassin, alleged to be Tom Cain, is still at large. [2]

Ansel Frederick Kills Thomas Hatfield, Lincoln, 1879

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[November 21, 1879] -

MALICIOUS WOUNDING. -- Gillis Frederick, charged with maliciously shooting Thomas Hatfield, six miles South of Crab Orchard, was lodged in jail here on Wednesday night. Hatfield is painfully tho' not necessarily fatally wounded. Ansil Frederick, charged with being an accessory, has not been apprehended. [1]

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[November 28, 1879] -

ASSASSINATED. -- Thomas Hatfield, who was waylaid and shot by Gillis Frederick, near Crab Orchard, about ten days ago, died Saturday night from the effects of his wounds. He is spoken of as having been a very poor and inoffensive man, with a very dependent family to support. Frederick, as already reported, was lodged in jail here last week, but his brother, who was an accomplice, is still at large. [2]

Father and Son Murder Witness Against Them, Hanged by Mob, Boyle, 1866

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[April 12, 1866] -

FOUL MURDER OF AN OLD LADY NEAR PERRYVILLE. -- We yesterday received the startling information that Mrs. Polly Bottoms, and old and highly respected lady, residing near Perryville, in Boyle county, was foully murdered on Tuesday night last, by a man named Bill Taylor. Our informant states that some time ago the murderer and two other men committed a robbery at the house of Mrs. Bottoms, for which two of the perpetrators, having been caught, were tried and convicted and are now undergoing sentence at the Frankfort penitentiary. Taylor, the guiltiest of the wretches, made his escape at the time of the robbery, and has been at large ever since. Recently he was recognized as one of the robbers by a little daughter of Mrs. Bottoms, whereupon he visited the house about 10 o'clock Tuesday night, and deliberately murdered the old lady. He could have had no other object in perpetrating this cold blooded deed than to silence an important witness against him. We fervently hope that speedy and terrible justice will overtake the unmitigated demon. [1]

Men on Drunken Spree Kill Two, Injure One, Boyle, 1873

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[January 24, 1873] -

Murder in Boyle County.

On last Saturday evening, about two o'clock, a most brutal murder was committed at Shelby City, in Boyle county, about eight miles west of this place, on the Knoxville Branch railroad, the particulars of which are about as follows: Two men, Bill Wilson and Clay Drye -- the former a notorious desperado and outlaw -- 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 engaged in social converse. 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. Drye, being released, also shot young Williamson. The two men were total strangers to the Williamsons. The first shot killed young Williamson instantly. It is reported that the two murderers also shot a negro man on the road from Shelby City to Hustonville, after leaving the store of Williamson. A party of men are out in pursuit of the murderers, and, it is hoped, will be able to secure their arrest. We have no sympathy for the dastardly villains who committed this brutal murder, but deeply sympathize with the bereaved friends of the murdered man and the relations of young Drye, who are among the most respectable families of our county. This is another case to swell the terrible docket against the traffic of ardent spirits. [1]

Preacher Kills Another Preacher, Whitley, 1910

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This post was made at the request of Alice, a great-granddaughter of Rev. Robert Vanover. If you have any further information on this murder, please contact me at papershake.blogspot[at]gmail.com. 


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[June 18, 1910] -

PASTOR KILLED IN HIS PULPIT

Rival Ministers Fight in a Kentucky Church.

CONFLICTING TALES OF CONGREGATION

Tragedy Will Cause Church to Be Broken Up.

Rev. Robert Vanover is Excluded from the Meeting of Church Trustees and Following This He is Ordered Out of His Pulpit -- A Fight Results in His Being Knifed To Death -- Arrests Made.

Williamsburg, Ky., June 18. -- Following the killing of Rev. Robert Vanover in the pulpit of the Rock Creek Baptist church, Friday night, Rev. Isaac Perry and his cousin, Blaine Perry, are in jail here under indictment charged with the killing of Vanover, and five other men are being sought by officers in connection with the affray. Vanover was excluded from a meeting of the church trustees, Friday night, when they met to act on his request for a new trial on serious charges which had been filed with the trustees against him. 

Following this, he attempted to conduct the regular Friday night services, but was ordered out of the pulpit by Rev. Perry, who had been acting as pastor following the filing of the charges against Vanover. When he refused to leave, Perry is said to have shoved him, and the fight started, causing a panic among the congregation, who tell conflicting stories of the fight.

When the excitement subsided, Vanover was lying dead on the pulpit, his throat cut from ear to ear. Some witnesses say Blaine Perry held Vanover while his cousin cut Vanover's throat, and others declare Vanover drew a knife first. 

The church, it is predicted, will be broken up because of the tragedy and the church building abandoned. [1] 

Shoemaker Murdered and Robbed Near Crab Orchard, Lincoln, 1879

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[January 17, 1879] -

MURDERED AND ROBBED. -- 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. [1]

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[January 24, 1879] -

MURDERED AND ROBBED. -- When we went to press last week, John Ferrell and Ike Stapelton were under arrest for the murder of George W. Sutton, a shoemaker who, for the last four years has plied his trade at Crab Orchrd. A Coroner's verdict was held on Friday, and the facts elicited were enough to shock even those who are accustomed to deeds of violence and murder. It was proved that Sutton, Ferrell and Stapleton, spent the night at John Weaver's, some five or six miles distant from Crab Orchard, a frail damsel being the object of their visit. Next morning Sutton left and in a short time after his departure, Ferrell followed with an old musket, ostensibly to hunt rabbits. At first, he went in an opposite direction, but soon circled around and stepping in Sutton's tracks, came up behind him and emptied a load of shot and broken nails into his head, tearing a hole nearly two inches in diameter. The pockets were then rifled and left turned wrong side out, and the body dragged from the road to the woods and covered up in snow behind a log. A short time after the shot was heard, Ferrell returned to Weaver's, and in answer to an inquiry in regard to the blood on his coat, said that it came from a rabbit he had killed, and proceeded to wash out the stains. As there was no direct proof of the guilt of Stapleton, he was introduced as a witness and swore that the Friday previous, Ferrell had told him that he intended to kill Sutton for his watch and money, and that he had borrowed not quite a load of squirrel and bird shot from him (both kinds of shot were found in Sutton's head.) Ferrell was held without bail and lodged in jail here, Saturday. The indignation against him at Crab Orchard, was very great, and threats of lynching were loudly made. It is one of the most brutal murders that ever cursed this blood-stained county, and the fiend being a poor man, is sure to pay the penalty for it with his neck, a death far too good for the perpetrator of so foul a crime. In jail, Ferrell acts like a wild man, pacing his cell ever and amen, apparently fearful that a moment's rest would be too much for his over-burdened conscience. He protests his innocence, and says that there is a conspiracy against him, but his story is so badly constructed as to leave but little doubt that he is not wrongfully accused. He claims that he is a native of Lee county, Virginia, and that Sutton was also from that county, but both have since lived in Tazewell, Tennessee. In appearance, Ferrill is not the looking person that one would think capable of such a deed, being a young man of pasably fair exterior, but the facts and the evidence seem too direct even to admit a doubt of his guilt.

LATER. -- Ferrell has confessed to the murder, but says he had an accomplice who got the money, $250 in cash and two checks of $70 and $80. The watch taken from the body was found by Sim Roberson, Deputy Sheriff, at a point designated by Ferrell. [2]

Joe Taylor Hanged for Killing of Dan Design, Rockcastle, 1876

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[November 3, 1876] -

KILLED. -- A man named Jones, while in a drunken condition, went into the house of a colored woman, at Mt. Vernon, last week, and seeing a pistol on the table commenced fooling with it. The woman attempted to take it from him, and in the scuffle it was discharged, the load taking effect in the abdomen of Jones, killing him in a short time. The coroner's verdict was in accordance with the above facts, and exhonorated the woman from any blame in the matter. The woman is the wife of the man now in jail under a sentence of death for the murder of another colored man. [1]

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[November 4, 1876] -

Interior Journal: A man named Jones, while in a drunken condition, went into the house of a colored woman at Mt. Vernon last week, and seeing a pistol on the table commenced fooling with it. The woman attempted to take it from him, and in the scuffle it was discharged, the load taking effect in the abdomen of Jones, killing him in a short time. The woman is the wife of the man Taylor, sentenced to be hung in Rockcastle county next Friday. [2]

Eugene Spires Kills Henry Lovings, Rockcastle, 1905

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[June 2, 1905] -

Colonel Lovings was shot and killed by a man by the name of Spires last Tuesday near old Providence church. There was a celebration in the grove near the church and the best information we have been able to receive is, that Lovings and Spires met up at a spring near the church and the trouble followed. It was the result of an old grudge. [1]

Daniel Selby Kills Thomas Black, Laurel, 1903

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[September 19, 1903] -

Accidentally Killed.

London, Ky., Sept. 18. -- [Special.] -- Thomas Black was shot and instantly killed at Pittsburg, two miles from this place, this evening. Andrew Patterson and a man named Feltner were scuffling over a pistol, when the weapon was accidentally discharged. Black was a bystander. [1]

William Oakes Kills William Petrey from Ambush, Lincoln, 1877

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[October 5, 1877] -

A COWARDLY MURDER. -- On Thursday evening last, Mr. Wm. Petre was waylaid and killed by one Wm. Oakes, in the woods about five miles from Crab Orchard. The facts as we gather them from his son, Jas. B. Petre, are as follows: 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. He died from its effects in less than an hour. Immediately on firing, Oakes threw down his gun and ran and the weapon which proved to be an Enfield rifle, was picked up by the son who in his excitement and frenzy broke it to pieces over the log. Oakes told some of his friends what he had done and then fled the country. Mr. Petre, the murdered man was about 49 years old and was a highly respected gentlemen. It is thought that Oakes has either gone to Campbell county, Tennessee, where he has two uncles living, or to McLean county, Kentucky, where he also has relations. The County Court in session last Monday, petitioned the Governor to offer a reward of $500 for his apprehension, and Mr. James B. Petre, authorizes us to say that he will give $50 for his delivery to the Jailer of Lincoln county. Oakes is thus described: He is about 5 feet 10 inches high, has no beard, has sandy, curly hair, walks erect and proud, has a peculiar grin, and talks through his nose. We hope the officers and others will keep a look out for him. [1]

Jonathan Damron Kills Hayes Mullins, Rockcastle, 1897

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[December 14, 1877] -

At the last Term of our Common Pleas Court, Charles Damron sued out a writ for the body of his son Jonathan, an infant of two years, charging that said Jonathan was unlawfully detained by its great-grandfather, Liberty Langford. Upon the hearing of the case, Judge Breckenridge gave the child to Langford, deciding that "while it was hard to deprive a father of the custody of his child, yet in the discharge of his sworn duty, the Chancelor must consult the interests of the child, which in this case impelled him to take the child from its father." [1]

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[February 1, 1897] -

SAYS IT WAS ACCIDENTAL.

John Dameron Shoots and Kills Hayes Mullins Near Mt. Vernon.

Mt. Vernon, Ky., Jan 31. -- (Special.) -- Last night, three miles from this place, John Dameron shot and killed Hayes Mullins. The story, as Dameron tells it, is that they had removed the cartridges from the pistol and had been snapping the weapon at each other. Later Mullins replaced the cartridges and laid the weapon down on a table. Dameron picked the pistol up, pointed it at Mullins and snapped it. The cartridge fired and Mullins was killed almost instantly, the ball passing in just below the neck. Dameron came in this morning and surrendered. He declares  the killing was accidental.

At the Coroner's inquest to-day it appeared from evidence of witnesses that it was a case of murder. Dameron and Mullins were at the house of Liz. Merricks. A dispute arose, when Dameron seized a pistol from a table and fired at Mullins, killing him instantly. The pistol with which Mullins was killed was his own, which he had laid down on the table. Further developments go to show that Dameron had been a suitor to the hand of a sister of Mullins and had met with considerable objection from all the family and particularly from Hayes Mullins. Dameron for the last four months has carried a commission as notary public. [2]