Postmaster William Hedger Killed By Brother-in-Law, Garrard, 1874

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[December 25, 1874] -

Horrible Murder in Lancaster! Postmaster Wm. Hedger, Assaulted and Killed by Nese Best and Andy Conn.

On Monday afternoon, last, Wm. Hedger, Postmaster at Lancaster, a quiet, inoffensive citizen, and an efficient officer, was assaulted in his office, in Lancaster, and instantly killed by Nese Best and Andy Conn, citizens of the Paint Lick section of Garrard county, and notoriously dangerous characters.

We were in Lancaster on Tuesday, and found the citizens, as a general thing, afraid to speak of, or express an opinion about the awful tragedy, above a whisper, however, we gathered the following particulars of the killing, from reliable sources. We record the terrible crime, but refrain from commenting upon it, for the reason that it is not always safe for a Journalist to undertake to condemn in adequate terms the perpetrators of a crime, when the people in the locality in which is was perpetrated have not the boldness and true bravery to rise up in their might and protect themselves and their neighbors, officers and advisers, and maintain, at all hazards, the majesty of the law. Without making a diagnosis, or furnishing a prescription for the present case, we will venture to suggest that "desperate cases require heroic and desperate treatment."

Several months ago, Hedger, the deceased, married the sister of his deceased wife, who was also a sister to the wife of Best. -- Best forbade, without the shadow of authority, this marriage, and after its consummation, threatened the life of Hedger. Best being a dangerous character, having taken the lives of some four or five men within the past few years, Hedger has lived in continual dread of his carrying the treat into execution.

On last Monday, Best, in company with Conn, visited Lancaster, and during the day became intoxicated. Hedger, fearing an assault, locked his office and remained concealed sometime, but a few minutes before the arrival of the Louisville mail, he returned to his office to attend to his imperative duties, and just as he entered the door, Conn and Best approached it from different directions and commenced firing. Hedger fell, mortally wounded, if not killed, from the first fire. Other shots were fired after he fell, and four shots took effect. His wife heard the firing and instinctively devined the cause, and she was the first to go to the dead body of her husband. The scene which then ensued beggars description. She was carried away from the scene of the shocking tragedy heart-broken and insensible; while the perpetrators of it walked leisurely away, brandishing their weapons and boasting of the cruel deed.

Writs for the arrest of Best and Conn were immediately placed in the hands of officers Miller and Singleton. As they approached the men, determined to arrest them at all hazards, they were met by the sheriff of the county, Mr. W. M. Kerby, who informed them that Conn and Best had placed themselves in his custody, and he was responsible for their detention. So far, so good; but the sequel shows that these men who had but a moment before shot down in cold blood, a defenseless and inoffensive citizen, were suffered to go from the very clutches of an offended and outraged law, upon the mere promise that they would return the next day for trial!

We simply record this ugly circumstance connected with an awful tragedy that blackens the blood-stained annals of crime in Kentucky, with the ope that it is a mistake. It is a grave charge to make against an officer of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and we disclaim its authorship.

LATER -- AND MORE TROUBLE. -- We learn from a gentleman who came over from Lancaster on Wednesday morning, that Best and Conn had not been arrested, tho' the Sheriff and his deputy went in quest of them Tuesday. We also learn that Best and Conn state that Hedger fired upon them first. A small loaded Durrenger was found in Mr. Hedger's pocket. No other weapons were found upon his person or in his office. Best promises to surrender for trial as soon as the excitement subsides. [1]

Jerry Brown Kills John Engleman Sr., Lincoln, 1877

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[September 14, 1877] -

KILLED. -- Mr. John Engleman, Sr., whose skull was crushed on Friday, by a rock thrown by a negro named Jerry Brown, died at the residence of Mr. J. M. Martin, on Saturday evening. The difficulty occurred near Highland, and originated in a jocular suggestion to the negro, as to the proper way to make his balking team pull. The negro made an insolent reply and just then succeeded in making his horses pull out. Mr. Engleman completed his business and rode on to town, but before proceeding far overtook the negro, to whom he spoke in regard to his insolence. The negro was very insulting and Mr. Engleman made a lick at him with his whip. The negro then jumped down and got a rock and threw at Mr. Engleman, who also got off his horse and attempted to get a rock, but while he was bending down the scamp again threw, this time with the force and precision of a bullet, the rock striking the old man a little back of the top of his skull crushing it in. As badly hurt as he was, Mr. Engleman succeeded in getting upon his horse but by the time he reached Mr. Martin's he had become so weak that he was forced to dismount and spend the night. He did not complain much, so the services of a physician was not called till next day, when Drs. Peyton, Craig and McRoberts were sent for, and examination immediately convinced them that the skull was badly crushed and was pressing on the brain. They knew that to relieve this pressure was the only hope to prolong his life but the operation had been postponed too long and Mr. Engleman died in the course of the evening. Meanwhile search was commenced for the negro, who, on learning the condition of his victim, had set out to make his escape; but the determination of those who had attempted his capture was too great for him and on the news being carried to Somerset and a reward offered, Messrs. S. T. Wolsey and J. F. Barker, set out up the railroad and succeeded in finding the negro in a shanty about two miles above town. They took him to town and next day brought him to this place and lodged him in jail; but there being grave apprehensions of summary punishment he waved an examining trial and was taken to the Junction and sent to the Jail at Richmond. The remains of Mr. Engleman were taken to his home and after a funeral sermon by the Rev. Mr. Smith, were consigned to the earth with the honors of Masonry, of which Order he was a consistent member. Deceased was about 70 years of age, and was well known throughout this country, and although possessed of peculiarities, was much liked and respected. His family have our warmest sympathy in their bereavement. [1]

S. Boone Conn Kills Monroe McCoy, Garrard, 1876

[June 16, 1876] -

Boone Conn, a brother of Andy Conn, who was killed recently, by old man Arnold, shot three times and killed a man named Monroe McCoy, at Hyattsville, in Garrard county, last Friday. The man killed was the same one who was at the house of Arnold the night Andy Conn was shot. The accused, who has been arrested, will have an examining trial at Lancaster, next Wednesday. [1]

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[June 23, 1876] -

The case of Boon Conn for killing McCoy, set for trial at Lancaster on Wednesday last, was postponed until to-morrow. [2]

Bill Gresham and John Read/Reid Kill Cam Rowsey, Lincoln, 1881

[February 18, 1881] -

Murder.

A carnival of murder seems to be in progress in the West end of this county, as reference to our Hustonville letter will show. Three men have been killed in one week within two miles of each other, making six in less than a year in one voting precinct! Such a state of affairs is terrible to contemplate, and a sober thought only is necessary to convince any one that a radical change, both in public sentiment and in the administration of the laws, is absolutely needed and at once. 

Let us look at the facts in the murders of one week. 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. This so far as the examining court could ascertain, was the sole cause that lead one brother-in-law to take the life of another. 

The second killing is the cowardly assassination of Cam Rowsie by Bill Gresham and John Read. Rowsie was passing along the road from Moreland Station to his home at Milledgeville, when these two fiends, afraid to give their victim a fighting chance, emerge from a thicket and shoot three loads of buckshot into his body before he is hardly aware of their presence. He dies instantly, and the assassins, confident that they will be acquitted because Rowsie had the reputation of a dangerous man, surrender themselves to an officer. 

The third murder is by a negro, who, seeing his white brethren so handy in taking the law into their own hands and receiving no punishment therefor, stabs another negro to death. This is the startling record of one week in one precinct! Can the law-loving man contemplate such carnage without shuddering to see to what we are drifting? True, McCormack had killed two men and was considered desperate when drinking. It is equally true that Rowsie was a desperado and had shot one or more men, but these are no reasons that they should be killed like dogs; and but for the law enforcement, or rather no enforcement of the laws, their murderers would not have dared to spill their blood. The Courts, the juries, and last, but at no means least, the Governor, are to blame. The people too should come in for no small part of the responsibility. A maudlin sentiment in regard to murderers, entertained by a majority of the masses, and the hero worship which some men give to such cattle is primarily the cause that induces many to dabble in gore. The Courts have lost their prestige, and the juries, which are not often made up of the best men, are swayed either by a fellow-feeling or a bribe, and in nine out of ten cases, they turn loose the human hyena without sense or reason to prey again on unsuspecting humanity. And, if in the tenth case, a jury is found that is faithful to their oaths, our dear old Governor stands with pardon in hand, ready to thwart both law and justice. This is a plain and unvarnished statement of our condition, and we grieve to know that it is so fearfully true. A gentleman, who has been keeping the count, says that in the six years and six months that he has lived in this county, there have been fifty-four murders! No one has been hanged, and only one (a poor devil who confessed) sent to the penitentiary for life. We hope that the murders of this week will awake our people to the enormity of the crimes committed right under their noses, and that a revulsion in sentiment will follow. A few legal hangings would put an end to this reign of the assassin and lift the "dark and bloody ground" to the position of a law-abiding State, which her education and advantages entitle her. [1]

W. I. Moore, Jr. Kills his Brother-in-law J. K. McCormack, Lincoln, 1881

[February 18, 1881] -

Murder.

A carnival of murder seems to be in progress in the West end of this county, as reference to our Hustonville letter will show. Three men have been killed in one week within two miles of each other, making six in less than a year in one voting precinct! Such a state of affairs is terrible to contemplate, and a sober thought only is necessary to convince any one that a radical change, both in public sentiment and in the administration of the laws, is absolutely needed and at once.

Let us look at the facts in the murders of one week. 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. This so far as the examining court could ascertain, was the sole cause that lead one brother-in-law to take the life of another.

The second killing is the cowardly assassination of Cam Rowsie by Bill Gresham and John Read. Rowsie was passing along the road from Moreland Station to his home at Milledgeville, when these two fiends, afraid to give their victim a fighting chance, emerge from a thicket and shoot three loads of buckshot into his body before he is hardly aware of their presence. He dies instantly, and the assassins, confident that they will be acquitted because Rowsie had the reputation of a dangerous man, surrender themselves to an officer.

The third murder is by a negro, who, seeing his white brethren so handy in taking the law into their own hands and receiving no punishment therefor, stabs another negro to death. This is the startling record of one week in one precinct! Can the law-loving man contemplate such carnage without shuddering to see to what we are drifting? True, McCormack had killed two men and was considered desperate when drinking. It is equally true that Rowsie was a desperado and had shot one or more men, but these are no reasons that they should be killed like dogs; and but for the law enforcement, or rather no enforcement of the laws, their murderers would not have dared to spill their blood. The Courts, the juries, and last, but at no means least, the Governor, are to blame. The people too should come in for no small part of the responsibility. A maudlin sentiment in regard to murderers, entertained by a majority of the masses, and the hero worship which some men give to such cattle is primarily the cause that induces many to dabble in gore. The Courts have lost their prestige, and the juries, which are not often made up of the best men, are swayed either by a fellow-feeling or a bribe, and in nine out of ten cases, they turn loose the human hyena without sense or reason to prey again on unsuspecting humanity. And, if in the tenth case, a jury is found that is faithful to their oaths, our dear old Governor stands with pardon in hand, ready to thwart both law and justice. This is a plain and unvarnished statement of our condition, and we grieve to know that it is so fearfully true. A gentleman, who has been keeping the count, says that in the six years and six months that he has lived in this county, there have been fifty-four murders! No one has been hanged, and only one (a poor devil who confessed) sent to the penitentiary for life. We hope that the murders of this week will awake our people to the enormity of the crimes committed right under their noses, and that a revulsion in sentiment will follow. A few legal hangings would put an end to this reign of the assassin and lift the "dark and bloody ground" to the position of a law-abiding State, which her education and advantages entitle her. [1]

John Wesley Gooch Kills Constable Alex J. Killion, Lincoln, 1881

[January 7, 1881] -

SHOOTING AT KING'S MOUNTAIN. -- 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. Killion is seriously wounded in the bowels, and strange to say nobody has been arrested. Judge E. W. Brown and W. E. Varnon, pro tem County Attorney because of the illness of Mr. Miller, will go out to the scene this morning and see that the law is perfectly respected. There seems to be but little attention paid it there at present. [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]

George Saunders Killed in Saloon, Lincoln, 1879

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[September 1, 1879] -

CRAB ORCHARD.

George S. Saunders, a Troublesome Character, Killed in the Bar-room of the Harris House by

W. S. MYERS AND ASHER HARRIS.

(Special to the Courier Journal.)

STANFORD, KY., Aug. 31. -- George S. Saunders was killed at Crab Orchard last night. He was five times shot and once stabbed, and died immediately. W. S. Myers, who did the shooting, went at once to Lancaster and surrendered himself, and was brought here today and is now in custody. Asher Harris, who is supposed to have done the stabbing, has not yet been arrested, but is expected to surrender himself to-morrow. The killing was done in the bar-room of the Harris House, no persons being present except Myers, Asher Harris and Saunders, and the immediate circumstances are not known. There had been ill-feeling between the parties for some time, and during the afternoon previous to the difficulty Saunders is said to have gone to the Harris house and behaved badly, and threatened to kill  Myers, who lives at the house, and is a son-in-law of old man Harris and a brother-in-law of Asher.

Saunders has been a troublesome character in this county for some years past. He has been regarded as the worst of the Crab Orchard outlaws, and there are numerous indictments for felonies pending against him. A Rockcastle county jury acquitted him last spring of the murder of Geo. Middleton, of color, when it was the unanimous opinion of every body in the county that he was guilty. He is supposed to have been the ringleader in the robbery of Buchanan's store in December, 1877, and was strongly suspected of connection with the party who set fire to the Harris House last Thursday night and of robbing the post-office at Crab Orchard last Friday night.

Myers was some years ago Marshal of Crab Orchard, later Deputy Sheriff, and for the last few years has been engaged in farming and in assisting to keep the Harris House at Crab Orchard. Myers' trial is set for next Wednesday. [1]

Rev. George Middleton Assassinated Through Church Window, Lincoln, 1876

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[December 1, 1876] -

A negro man named George or John Middleton, after attending a festival at Crab Orchard week before last, was shot at and wounded while sitting in his cabin the same night after the festival. The shot was fired through the window, and took effect in his breast, but the wound is not thought to be fatal. No clue can be found to the dastardly would-be-assassin. [1]

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[January 26, 1877] -

Sam Humber and James Banks, two negroes, charged with the murder of Geo. Middleton, a man of color, at Crab Orchard, some months since, have been in prison here ever since the examining trial. They were brought before Judge Lytle, of the County Court, yesterday, on a writ of habeas corpus, asking for bail, or a full discharge from custody, which was refused them by the examining Court. After hearing the proof and arguments of counsel, Judge Lytle refused bail to the prisoners, and remanded them back to jail. [2]

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]

Eb Cooley Kills George Scott, Garrard, 1886

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[October 5, 1886] -

On last Wednesday about two miles from Lynchburg, this county, Eb Cooley killed George Scott with an ax. The particulars as we learn them are as follows: Cooley and Scott were at the home of a neighbor and became engaged in a difficulty, probably over a woman. 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. There were no eye witnesses to the deed and the above is Cooley's own version of the affair. He surrendered himself to Esquire Walker and will have his examining trial Tuesday, when it is quite likely he will be acquitted. Both men were drinking at the time of the difficulty and both were reputed to be fearless men. Coroner A. O. Burnside held an inquest on the remains last Friday, when the jury returned a verdict that George Scott came to his death from wounds inflicted by an ax in the hands of Eb Cooley. [1]

James Wilmot Kills His Wife, Mother, Two Children, and Himself, Garrard, 1882

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[January 19, 1882] -

BUTCHERED.

A Garrard County Farmer Kills His Wife, Mother and Two Daughters

With An Ax, and Then Swings Off Into Hades at a Rope's End.

Worry Over the Payment of a Security Debt the Cause of the Dreadful Crime.

...

(Special to the Courier Journal.)

LANCASTER, Jan. 18. -- This town was shocked this morning by the reception of the news of the most horrible tragedy that has ever taken place in Garrard county, or, in deed, in the State of Kentucky. About 7 o'cock a negro man came to town bringing the information that Jas. A. Wilmot, a farmer living about two miles and a half from Lancaster, near the Danville pike, had murdered his wife, mother and two daughters and then culminated the awful act by hanging himself. Esquire R. Boyle, acting as Coroner, immediately repaired to the scene of the tragedy, accompanied by a large number of people eager to gratify their morbid curiosity with a glimpse of the horrible sight. On arrival several of the nearest neighbors were already found there, but none had dared to touch the dead bodies of the parties named; and the truth of the information was substantiated by finding the lifeless body of Jas. R. Wilmot hanging in his barn, the dead bodies of Elizabeth Wilmot, his mother, aged eight-nine years; Mattie and Mary Wilmot, his daughters, aged about nineteen and fifteen, lying in their beds, with one awful cut across the neck and breast of each, made by terrible blows from a sharp, new ax, found lying on the floor of the room, and also the body of Elizabeth Wilmot, his wife, lying on her face on the floor with three or four horrible gashes in her head and back, made by the same death-dealing ax. A jury was immediately impaneled by 'Squire Boyle, who, after taking all available testimony, rendered the following verdict:

VERDICT OF THE JURY.

"We the jury find that the bodies 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, daughters and mother came to their death from blows from an ax in the hands of James R. Wilmot. We further find that, after killing the above named persons, said Wilmot committed suicide by hanging himself. J. H. Bruce, Foreman. January 18, 1882."

MISS CALVIN'S TESTIMONY.

The first wintess was a yong lady of the neighborhood, Miss Alice Colvin, who had been doing some work for Wilmot, and was sleeping in a room up-stairs during the commission of the deed. Her testimony was that the family retired last night as usual, Mr. Jas. R. Wilmot, his wife and little boy, about eight years old, occupying one bed in the family room, and his two daughters another in the same room. In an adjoining room slept the man's aged mother, and in one room upstairs a son, Jas. I. Wilmot, in the other the witness. About 5 o'clock this morning she was attracted by some noise below, and, going down, met Wilmot coming out of the room where his mother slept. It was too dark for her to see any of the objects distinctly, but she noticed something in his hand, supposed to be the ax. She asked Wilmot what he was doing. He replied that he had killed the whole family and was going to kill himself. Horror-stricken, the young girl rushed through the other room and meeting the young boy caught him an took him out of the house with her and went to a colored man's house near by. Just as she was leaving the family room the older son, James I., who is about twenty years old, attracted by the noise below, came down stairs in his night clothes.

HIS SON'S ESCAPE.

He testified that, as he reached the foot of the stairs, he came in contact with his father, who had a gun in his hand. He asked him what he was doing, and his father replied that he was going to kill himself, and would kill him, too. Instantly his son grappled with him and threw him down, but was unable to hold him. The old man rose, grabbed the gun, aimed to shoot, but his son knocked it up and the ball went into the ceiling. The young man then broke loose, and ran for his life, the old man followed him to the steps over the yard fence, then turning toward the barn. The boy continued running until he had aroused some of the nearest neighbors, who hastily repaired to the scene. None were bold enough to enter the house until daylight revealed the dead body, dressed only in a shirt and drawers, of Jas. R. Wilmot swinging under the shed of the barn. He had taken a plow-line, fastened it around his neck, climbed up the side of the crib, fastened the other end to a beam or joist under the shed, and then jumped off. The hanging was carefully done, and showed a determination to avoid failure. The horrible act which ushered so many souls into eternity in a few brief moments was undoubtedly that of an insane man. For some time past Wilmot has been brooding over a security debt of $450, which he had to pay for a brother-in-law, and this had so worked upon his mind that it is believed he finally went crazy. Day before yesterday he talked rather strangely to his family, saying the stock was all going to die, and himself and family also, of starvation. Two or three times in the last few days he expressed a fear of death from starvation, and acting under this hallucination, it is believed that he arose from his bed this morning, took the ax and with a single stroke to each of his daughters struck them dead in in their beds, they never knowing from whence the blows came. His wife, [n]o doubt, was awakened, and getting out of bed doubtless attempted to restrain him, but was knocked down and terribly mutilated. He then went into the adjoining room and, there raising the bloody ax on high, sunk it deeply into the breast that had nurtured him in infancy, taking away from her that she had given him -- life. Happily that aged and devoted mother never awoke to realize from whom the cruel blow came.

WHO HE WAS.

James R. Wilmot, the man who, by his insane act, sent four of his nearest and dearest kin on earth to their eternal home, was about sixty years old, a farmer by occupation. He was an honest, close, economical business man, and had owned a farm of about 250 acres, on which he lived. He was in good circumstances -- being worth $8,000 or $10,000 -- and it seems strange that he should have become so worried over a small debt of $400. He was kind and affectionate to his family, and to his old mother he was the most devoted of sons. It is supposed that with the hallucination in his mind that all his family were to die with starvation he resolved to murder them and kill himself to avoid that fate.

It is singular that the little boy escaped his insane purpose, but it is supposed he hid while his father was engaged in the awful work. The bodies of the four victims, with that of the murderer, will be buried tomorrow in the family burying-ground, a few hundred yards from the house where the awful tragedy took place. [1]

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]

One Killed, Five Injured in Election Day Row, Lincoln, 1878

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[March 3, 1878] -

HUSTONVILLE.

Bloody Affray at the Primary Election Yesterday--Two Men Mortally Wounded--Another Shot Through the Arm--Others Injured.

[Special Dispatch to the Courier-Journal.]

SHELBY CITY, KY., March 2. -- At the primary election in Hustonville, Lincoln county, this afternoon, two men, Ely and Anderson, were shot and mortally wounded. Mr. James Moore was shot through the arm. Some others, whose names are not known, were injured in the row. [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]

Judge Denny Kills Man That Had Threatened Him, Garrard, 1883

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[November 29, 1883] -

TO SAVE HIS LIFE.

How George Denny, Jr., Shoots and Kills J. H. Anderson, at Lancaster,

After Being Warned that the Latter was Patrolling the Street in Front of His Office

For the Purpose of Executing Public Threats of Vengeance Made Against Him.

Awful Scenes Behind a Closed Door on a Dark Stairway, Where a Life Went Out.

GRAPHIC DETAILS OF THE AFFAIR.

(Special to the Courier-Journal.)

LANCASTER, KY., Nov. 28. -- 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. Anderson's right hand grasped a revolver, and a shotgun with one barrel empty was lying at Judge Denny's feet. It was evident that the shot which had been heard had done no damage, and that the men were struggling over the pistol in Anderson's hand. Mr. J. H. Brown, the County Attorney, was present, and for a moment tried to part the combatants. He did succeed once in getting hold of the pistol, but it was immediately wretched from him by Anderson, and almost simultaneously the two men backed into the stairway, a steep, dark and narrow one, and the door at the bottom was closed, leaving Brown on the outside. Probably a hundred axious and excited people had now reached the vicinity, and once Brown put his hand against the door behind which the two men were struggling, when some one called out to him to look out, and at that instant the report of the revolver was heard in the stairway. This was followed in a few seconds by another, and that by another and another, until five shots had been counted by the breathless spectators. Every one was asking himself the question, are the two men shooting each other to death, or it only the work of one, and if so, which? After the fifth shot there was quiet in the stairway, and two men walked up and pushed open the door.

THE DEAD BODY OF ANDERSON

was lying against it. They picked it up and laid it out on the pavement. His right hand still clutched in a death grip the pistol to which he had clung so tenaciously and not a chamber had been discharged. There were four ghastly wounds on his person; one in the head, one in the neck, and two in the left breast. Dr. F. O. Young, who was present in the crowd, made a hurried examination, and announced that life was extinct. Either of the three last mentioned wounds was fatal. Mr. W. G. Dunlap, who had rushed up the stairs as soon as the door opened, returned in a moment with the information that Judge Denny was unhurt. Town Marshal Easton arrived and to him Denny surrendered. The body of Anderson was conveyed to his home, and shortly afterward Judge Denny, accompanied by his law partner, Mr. R. H. Tomlinson, was taken before County Judge W. E. Walker and his examining trial set for Friday, the 30th inst. Until that time he was committed to the custody of Sheriff Higgenbotham and a guard.

The cause of this terrible tragedy dates back to last Monday night, and the particulars, as I gather them from reliable sources, are as follows:

On Monday night Judge Denny and Mr. Anderson were in the public room at the Lancaster Hotel, when Anderson began to use insulting and offensive language toward Judge Denny about his connection with some suits in the Federal Courts concerning the electrion riot at Bryantsville last August. His remarks became so abusive that Judge Denny finally asked him what he meant, to which Anderson responded by saying if he did not like it he could take it any way he G-d d--d pleased. Judge Denny got up and

LEFT THE ROOM,

and as he had on one or two former occasions had sharp words with Anderson, though they afterwards became friendly, he resolved that he would quit speaking to him, and so announced publicly, in order that Anderson might hear it. Anderson did hear it, and it seems to have incensed him. He has been drinking considerably for several days, and this afternoon he began to curse and abuse Denny at various places in town. He let it be known that he was armed, and announced his intention of settling the matter with Denny. Four or five persons went to Judge Denny and warned him that Anderson would attempt to kill him, and he had better be on his guard. Anderson passed in front of the office several times, and seemed to have a fondness for staying in that part of the town. Judge Denny remained in his office till the afternoon, until shortly after 4 o'clock, when he was compelled to go down. As he went down the stairway, armed with a shot-gun and revolver, Anderson passed in front of the door. Mr. Tomlinson, who was with Judge Denny, urged him to go back, and he would probably have done so, but at that moment his wife came to the foot of the stairs and called him. He went down, and reaching the door, saw Anderson standing a little to the right, facing him, with his right hand in his pocket. Mrs. Denny, who was standing with her little daughter between him and Anderson, spoke to her husband and asked him what was the matter. He said to her, "Get out of the way." Again she asked him what was the matter, and again he said to her, "Get out of the way." She then turned, and seeing Anderson, spring into a store door at once. Anderson started toward Denny, who was still standing in the doorway,

DRAWING HIS WEAPON

as he went. Denny attempted to throwdown his gun and fire, but the weapon was discharged before it reached a level, and the [charge] passed over Anderson's head. The latter, with the pistol presented, rushed at Denny, who, finding that he could not use his gun, dropped it, seizing Anderson's right hand with his left the two men closed in that awful struggle which resulted so disastrously to Anderson. After the door closed on them in the stairway, Denny drew his own revolver, and still retaining his hold on the weapon of his foe emptied the five chambers at Anderson, four of the balls taking effect.

Judge Denny is well known throughout the State as an able lawyer and a prominent Republican politician. He served a term as Judge of this [Garrard] county, and also a term as Commonwealth's Attorney for this district. He is now an applicant for the United States District Judgeship in Dakota. He is about thirty-four years of age, and has an interesting family, his wife being a daughter of the late Hon. George W. Dunlap, of this place [Lancaster.

James H. Anderson was a young man about twenty-eight years of age, and belonged to one of our best families. He began life with bright prospects, but had become addicted to drink. When sober he was a very pleasant gentleman; in his cups he was disposed to be quarrelsome. He leaves a young wife and two bright little children. His wife is a daughter of H. Clay Jennings, one of our most prominent and substantial citizens. His widowed mother survives him, and she and his wife are both prostrated with grief over this unhappy affair.

JUDGE DENNY'S STATEMENT.

I called at a late hour this evening on Judge Denny and asked him if he desired to make a statement of the affair for the readers of the Courier-Journal. He answered that he was perfectly willing to do so, and premising his remarks by saying that he deeply regretted having to take a life to save his own, he made the following statement:

"On Monday night last I went to my law office to meet my partner, Mr. R. C. Tomlinson. We stayed there some time, and when we left crossed over to the Lancaster Hotel. Mr. Tomlinson went on home and I entered the public room. James H. Anderson, Wm. Arnold, James Hamilton, John Marrs and a number of others were sitting around the stove. I sat down back of them. Anderson noticed me and at once began to talk about my bringing suits in the United States Court. He referred to the Bryantsville election riot, and asked me if I was going to bring a suit against the men who killed the negroes. I told him I had been employed for that purpose and intended to bring the suits. He then began to use rough and insinuating language toward me. Some of the gentlemen present tried to change the conversation, but he persisted in talking about me. Finally I said: "Jim, what do you want a difficulty with me for? What have I ever done to you?" He said: "By G-d are you mad about it?" I said: "I don't like it, and want to know what you mean." He then said: "You ought to understand it, but if you want to get mad about it, take it any way you G-d d--n please." I said: "All right." He then said to some one else that he wanted to

BULLDOZE ME.

I said: "You can't do that, as I shall bring any suit I think proper." He continued to talk about me and said he was a fine pistol shot, and that he had killed all those negroes at Bryantsville. Finally I got up and left. On Tuesday I didn't see him. This morning as I went to my office I walked on the opposite side of the street to avoid meeting him. I had made up my mind not to speak to him. He had attacked me several times before, and I felt that I had borne much from him. As I went to my office this afternoon just as I reached it I met him. He tipped his hat to me and said, in a tantalizing way, "Good evening, Mr. Denny." I did not speak nor look at him, but walked on up in my office. In a little while my brother-in-law, W. G. Dunlap, came into the office and told me Anderson was cursing me on the street and I had better be on my guard. Then other gentlemen came up to the office and told me the same, among them, Mr. J. H. Brown, County Attorney, who studied law with me. One of the men told me he knew Anderson was armed. One of the gentlemen told Mr. Tomlinson hat Anderson was watching my office door to raise a difficulty when I came down. Mr. Brown told me that a friend of mine had sent him to tell me that Anderson was watching in front of my office

TO KILL ME

when I came down. I had some business on the street, but would not go down, because I wanted to avoid a difficulty. Finally I was compelled to go down to see Mr. Wm. Kerby, and arose to go. Mr. Tomlinson asked me to wait a minute. He went down, and I know he was looking to see if Anderson was in the vicinity. He came back and the County Attorney with him, and we all went down together. When we got within four or five steps of the bottom Anderson passed, walking slowly in front of the door. Our steps on the stairway attracted him, and he looked out from under his hat toward me. Tomlinson said, 'Hold on,' and I stopped. He then said, 'Go back to the office.' I said, 'No: I can't be made a prisoner in my own office; I must go down.' But I was just on the point of yielding to his entreaty when my wife and little daughter came to the foot of the steps, and my wife spoke to me saying, 'I want to see you a minute.' I went down, carrying a shot-gun which I had brought from the office. As I reached the doorway I saw Anderson standing to the right, with his face toward the door, nervously clutching his pistol in his right hand pants pocket. My wife and child were between me and him, and it was so awful a moment for me. I knew the crisis had arrived in my life when

I MUST KILL OR BE KILLED.

I feared Anderson would shoot, and hit my wife or child, and I said to her, 'Get out of the way.' She said to me, 'What in the world is the matter?' I said, 'Get out of the way.' She asked Mr. Tomlinson, 'What does all this mean?' He said nothing. She then turned, and seeing Anderson stepped into a store door. My little girl was slow in following her, and before she had hardly gotten out of the way Anderson started hurriedly toward me, drawing his pistol. I tried to throw my gun down on him, but my elbow struck the door-framing and the weapon discharged, the contents passing over his head. He rushed on toward me, and I tried to pull off the other barrel, but it wouldn't go. I dropped the gun and caught his pistol with my left hand. Brown caught at the pistol, but if he caught it, Anderson quickly wrenched it from him, and we two engaged in the struggle. I backed up the stairway two or three steps. I was trying to prevent his shooting me, and in the struggle hurt my left hand severely. Finally seeing that I couldn't hold his weapon much longer, I drew my pistol, and, putting it against him, fired until he fell." Mrs. Denny, who listened to the latter part of her husband's statement, said to me:

"As I turned from my husband at the office, I saw Mr. Anderson with a terrible expression on his face, and his hand on his pistol. I knew then what was the matter, and ran in at the store door. As I went in, Mr. Anderson started toward my husband." [1]

Samuel Douglass Killed at his Mill, Lincoln, 1860

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Thank you to Julie for sending in the articles for this case.


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[April 23, 1860] -

SHOCKING MURDER. -- We learn from the Danville Tribune that on Tuesday night last, Mr. Samuel Douglas, of Lincoln county, was found dead in his mill, three miles from Crab Orchard, near the turnpike leading from Stanford.  He had left his house, on that evening, for the purpose of attending to his mill, which was running, and a short time afterwards the attention of the family was attracted by the noise made by the mill, as if the grain had exhausted.  On going to the mill they found Mr. Douglas lying upon the floor, dead, his head much bruised as if by blows from a club.  A negro man of Mr. D’s had been arrested, charged with the murder.” [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]

---

[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]