Nunnery had arrested Brown on a charge of creating a disturbance while
under the influence of liquor. Brown resisted the attempts of the officer
to take him to jail. He is survived by his widow.May
20, 1926 - Murder in Magoffin Charged with Murder in
connection with the fatal wounding of a woman whom he is alleged to have
attacked with a knife on May 6, Samuel Miller, 28 years old, was taken
into custody last week by Ashland police. He was captured at the
Chesapeake &Ohio passenger station and lodged in the Ashland jail.
Miller was returned to Magoffin County, Kentucky, to answer a charge of
murder. He is alleged to have slashed the throat of Mrs. George Josephs on
Licking River, inflicting fatal wounds on May 6, during the course of a
violent argument with the woman's daughter. The same day she is
alleged to have been attacked by Miller. Mrs. Josephs gave premature birth
to a child. The child is reported to have died soon after birth and the
mother succumbed to her injuries two days later. Miller was
arrested by Patrolman Robert Hallis, Ashland police officer and Special C
& O officer, Jack Allen of Prestonsburg. He was returned to Salyersville
the next day after the arrest in charge of Deputy Sheriff Joe Wireman of
Salyersville. The cutting occurred twenty-five miles of Salyersville near
the head waters of Licking river.
May 20, 1926-
Lynch in jail Officer George W. Spears of Van Lear was here
last Saturday having in custody Lon Lynch who he had arrested that night
on a charge of attempted rape on a nine year old girl. Lynch is said
to be 46 years of age and the father of four children and has been
employed at Van Lear. He has been estranged from his wife for about four
years and is said to be a hard worker with a good reputation in the past.
May 20,
1926-Johnson Men on Trial in Lawrence Co. Garfield Spradlin, Jackie
Booth and Walter Osborne were charged in the killing of Bert Preston at
Chestnut last year are being tried in Louisa this week. The killing
occurred just over the county line in Lawrence County. The above named men
with another man named Meek went to arrest Preston and a fight resulted in
the death of Preston. Many witnesses from this country are attending the
trial. The court elected to try Jack Booth first and his case in now being
tried. At the last term of the court there the defendants will al be tried
together and resulted in a hung jury
June 24, 1926
LEE DOLLARHIDE SHOT - Lee Dollarhide was shot in Van Lear last Sunday
afternoon by Policeman George Meddings. Dollarhide escaped from the Jailer
here last fall while being held on a felony charge. Meddings went to
arrest him Sunday afternoon while Dollarhide was in a drunken condition.
Dollarhide shot at the officer who returned the fire wounding Dollarhide
in the arm. Dollarhide is now inside the county jail.
July 15, 1926
Evaded, Caught and Tried - Henry Cook who was charges with the murder
of Jesse Caudill near White House, this county, two years ago, was tried
at this term of the Johnson County Circuit Court and was given a sentence
of two years in the penitentiary. The Evidence in this case was concluded
and the case argued by attorneys Monday and given to the jury Monday
evening. After deliberating all night and part of the morning
Tuesday, the jury which was composed of Johnson County men, reached a
verdict Tuesday morning. Cook and "Beedie" Meek were together when
the killing took place. Meek was arrested soon after the killing and tried
and was given five years in the penitentiary for his part in the crime.
Cook made his escape and has eluded arrest for the past two years,
traveling from different of the country under assumed names. Caudill was
shot from a passing freight train and instantly killed by a bullet which
passed thru his head. Meek testified at the trial that Cook fired the shot
with his (Meek's) pistol. At the trial of Cook he testified that Meek was
the man who did the shooting, thinking that Caudill was Shade Cantrell who
claimed that he had killed Millard Meek, a relative of "Beedie" Meek. The
evidence in this case was very conflicting and was hard for a jury to come
to a conclusion. The sentence given Cook is considered light by
many.
July 15, 1926
Prestonsburg, Ky. July 8 Fathers Foe
Slain- When Bill Whitaker, 40 years old failed to shoot
down his brother in law Jesse Hale, 35, after exchanging about 30 shots
with him in a pistol duel on Brushy Fork of Licking River, Magoffin Co.,
his son, Sam Whitaker, 19, coolly asked for his father's weapon challenged
Hale to come on out in the open and put a bullet in his Uncles heart with
one shot, according to reports heard here today.
July 15, 1926
300 Jurors summoned The case of the Commonwealth against James Foster
for the killing of Attorney J K Wells last February, is on trial this week
in Johnson County Circuit Court this week. It was called Tuesday and
Wednesday morning and the effort was made to get a jury but after many
were examined only two were temporarily accepted. Judge Bailey ordered the
Sheriff to summon three hundred additional men from which a jury will be
selected to try a case. Floyd Bryd of Lexington, Attorney Ed
Picklesimer of Pikeville and Blair Harrington, of Paintsville, are
representing the the defense while John Waugh and Edgar B Hager of Ashland
are assisting Commonwealth attorney Jno. W. Wheeler in the prosecution.
Court adjourned Wednesday morning until the Sheriff could bring in an
extra 300 men from which to select a jury and the court will convene
Thursday morning as The Herald goes to press the jury has yet to be
selected.
July 15, 1926
Stapleton Showdown The case of Clyde Stapleton charged
with the killing of Herbert Stapleton last year, was called for trial on
Monday, and eleven of the jury were accepted and a citizen for jury was
being examined and indicated to the court his feeling in the matter and
the jury already selected were disqualified and dismissed, and the case
continued until the October Court
July 22, 1926
Special Judge to preside this week. Judge W R Shackelford, of
Richmond, Ky., arrived here Monday to preside in the trial of Manual
Fitzpatrick and Frank Caudill charged with the murder of of Bud Brown,
while they were serving on the police force of Paintsville in August 1924.
A special venire of one hundred men from Johnson County was summoned to be
selected for jury service.
July 22, 1926
Slayer gets severe penalty- The case of the Commonwealth
against Jim Bradley of Magoffin Co was called for trial Monday evening
when the taking of evidence began The case consumed all day Tuesday,
arguments were made and the case given to the jury late Tuesday evening.
The case was tried before Judge J F Bailey and it is said to be one of the
most revolting murder cases ever tried in Johnson County.
July 29, 1926-
Verdict Unusual- In the murder case of the
Commonwealth vs Fitzpatrick and Caudill a most unusual verdict was
returned by the jury. W. L. (Bud) Brown was murdered right outside
of town in 1924. But has justice been done?
August
19, 1926
-Man,
Disarmed, Shot After Row
Prestonsburg-
Aug 11- After Kelly Chaffins 25 of Garrett, made a truce with Gold
Howard 23, of Mid, Magoffin County and had laid aside his revolver to take
a drink with his enemy a few moments before, Howard drew his pistol and
shot and killed Chaffins late Sunday afternoon on Salt Lick Creek, two
miles west of Hueysville. this county, a report received her today
advises. The alleged slayer fled into the hill. He had not been
apprehended as of yesterday. Chaffins and Howard engaged in an
argument several days ago, and when Howard saw Chaffins Sunday he called
him a vile name, the report said Chaffins drew his revolver threatening to
kill Howard. Beat to the draw Howard is said to have begged for his life.
The other relented. They shook hands. Chaffins placed his revolver on the
ground beside him as he turned to take a drink. As Chaffins
turned his adversary drew his weapon and fired three times each bullet
taking effect in the victim's head, the report says. Chaffins did
instantly. Within a radius of 100 yards of the spot on which today’s
shooting took place four others have occurred the past year. The
victim was unmarried. He is survived by his parents and several brothers
and sisters. The body was buried near Garrett.
Aug. 19, 1926
Hubert Green Shot
Hubert Green, 26, a son of Mr. and Mrs.
Willie Green of the Tom Creek Section was accidentally killed near the
home of his father Monday Afternoon.
Sept. 16, 1926
Murdered
Arthur Leslie, age 22, a son of Myrt
Leslie of Hager Hill this county was found lying on the road dead by the
side of his car Saturday night and Mushroe Smith it is said is charged
with the crime. The body was found sometime after midnight.
Sept 23, 1926 Smith Not Caught Shug Bayes and
Harvey Maynard were acquitted at the examining trial held in Paintsville
last Saturday which grew out of the killing of Arthur Leslie on Saturday
night, Sept 11. Bayes and Maynard were with
Mushroe Smith at the time young Leslie met his death and were arrested
shortly afterwards and placed in the Johnson County jail to await an
examining trial. Witnesses at the trial testified that Smith killed Leslie
hitting him behind the ear with his fist. Smith made his escape
after the killing and has not yet been apprehended. The
examining trial was held before County Judge Butcher, but testimony at the
trial was not sufficient to hold the young men.
Oct 3, 1926
TWO ARRESTED ON MANN ACT CASE Whitesburg
Man and Woman in Whitesburg Jail on her Husbands Compliant
John Combs, proprietor of the Silver Moon Taxi, and Daisey Halcomb, wife
of Henry Halcomb of this city, were arrested in Virginia on a warrant
sworn out by her husband, charging violation of the Mann Act. The
defendants were taken to the United States Commissioner Combs, this city,
and later put in Whitesburg jail.
October 6, 1926 OSCAR DANIELS KILLED
News from Pikeville say officials are searching for Robert Newsome,
nineteen year old son of Quillen Newsome, of Robinson Creek, Pike County,
who is charged with the murder of Oscar Daniels, seventeen. The shooting
occurred at Drift, Floyd Co., Tuesday night of last week Sheriff John
Moore said. According to the story learned by the Sheriff,
Newsome was drunk and taunting Daniels. He ended by shooting the lad five
times, the sheriff learned. A relative of Daniels went to Pikeville and
secured a warrant for the arrest of Newsome. Daniels was shot at 9
o'clock on Wednesday and died Wednesday morning. Daniels was a
Johnson Native. This was the second homicide at Drift. Lat Lavis of
Pikeville, was fatally shot while on a business trip to that place. The
Paintsville Herald
Oct 21, 1926
- The conviction are in.. The trial terminated today with the
conviction of Gabe Wright who killed his half-brother Lee Wright. Later
Fred Justice was given a nine year sentence for shooting and killing Fred
Justice at Gillespie and Greasy Creek last winter. The trial for T M Hunt,
a merchant and wealthy land owner is still underway charged with burning
the school on Island Creek.
Nov 4, 1926 Officer
Slain- Tom Blackburn, town marshal of Garrett was shot and killed
almost instantly while trying to arrest a negro at a drinking and gambling
part. The negro was wounded by Deputy Verley Banks and brought to jail.
The sheriffs were called to the scene in regards to another shooting
earlier in the day. All involved refused to give their names.
Nov 6, 1926 Brain shot out he still lives.
Bernie Salyer age 36 of Ivyton, Magoffin Co was shot from ambush last
Wednesday and he was brought to the Paintsville Hospital where an
operation was preformed in an attempt to save his live. Part of his brain
and skull were blown away with a shotgun in the hands of his assailant.
The operation was successful and he is now able to speak to friends. He
described the man who shot him and says he knows him but can not speak his
name. He recognized his wife but when asked to speak to her he could not.
In fact he can not speak his own name. It is one of the
strangest cases ever reported from the Paintsville Hospital. He is
suffering from a form of motor aphasia and until other parts of the brain
are able to supply that portion lost from the wound he will be unable to
speak or remember names, attending physicians say. He converses will
all who visit his room; says he knows the relatives when they call but
cannot speak the name of a single one of them. Efforts will be made to
locate the guilty party who sot him by the description he has given the
officers. He says he knows the man well but can not speak his name. A
portion of his skull and brains are gone but the man is doing well
after his operation and the case is being watched with a great deal of
interest by the attending physicians.
Nov. 11, 1926 Negro Killed Man at Van Lear
Wednesday Callie Harris, colored, shot and killed Joe Szymanski, a
foreigner at Van Lear last Wednesday night. Reports say that Szymanski was
going to the home of a sister in law of Harris when Harris shot him in the
back. Harris was brought to the county jail and will be indicted at this
term of the Johnson County Circuit Court.
Nov 15, 1926 Louisa Truman Ferguson, 21
years old was killed by Bill Coffey at Wheeler Schoolhouse near Skaggs. He
was shot three times. The pie social was no longer jovial once the
shooting commenced. Ferguson knocked him down and when Coffey rose he
fired in the crowd as he dashed for safety. Ferguson fell, shot thru the
temple and twice through the body. He died Instantly. Coffey was from
Eliot county and is said to have escaped from three jails, fled into the
hills. The victim is the son of Joe Ferguson of Arizona and Mrs. Hannah
Ferguson of Skaggs, this county. He was buried in the Holbrook Cemetery
near Skaggs today. Nov, 18, 1926 The Paintsville Herald
Nov 18, 1926
Negro gets 10 years in Pen for Killing "Pole" Chas.
Harris sent to Pen For killing Joe Symansky over Colored Woman Joe
Harris a colored man of Van Lear, who shot to death Joe Symansky a t that
place a few weeks ago was sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary when
tried in court last week. Symansky was a Pole and both men were miners
employed at the Consolidation Coal Company of Van Lear. The
testimony showed that the negro and pole had quarreled over the affections
of a negro woman who was at the house of another Nero miner and the
shooting followed which resulted in Symansky death.
Nov 18, 1926- Court in
session. The second week of court has been a busy one. John Ratliff
was given one year in the penitentiary for breaking into the home of A E
Auxier on Johns Creek. The murder of Herbert Stapleton by Clyde Stapleton
continues. The case of Callie Harris has been called and should be
completed by Thursday.
Nov 25, 1926
Court News Johnson County- John Ratliff given one year in the
penitentiary for breaking into the home of A E Auxier. Brack Wilson one
year fro converting property. Charles Harris ten years fro murder. Many
stiff fines for violation of the whiskey laws also assessed.
Dec 16, 1926
A reward of $100.00 has been offered by the County of Johnson for
the arrest and delivery to the jailer at Paintsville of Vincie Pack and
Deb Justice in Castle Murder
Jan 13, 1927 - Throat slashed
Sunday night Bill Whitaker of Mid was fatally wounded while in a dispute
with a man by the name of Nealy. Whitakers throat was cut severing the
esophagus. A doctor was summoned immediately and after taking a few
stitches directed relatives to take him directly to the hospital. He was
taken to the Stambaugh Bros. Hospital in Martin, Ky where it was reported
that he died the following morning. Details are lacking as to the the
nature of the trouble between the two men.
Jan 13, 1927 -
Mort Coffee who lives on Pricy was shot last Friday Afternoon by Press
Triplett or his son. One ball took effect in the stomach, coming out in
the hip and the other took effect just under the eye. The men had not been
on good terms and been having trouble over their children. Mr. Coffee was
taken immediately to Caney and was put on the train for Jackson. He died
before the train arrived. He is survived by his wife and six small
children.
Jan 20, 1927 - Prestonsburg
Coal Brawl Bill Whittaker of Mid, Magoffin Co was taken to the
Ashland hospital Monday evening in a serious condition as a result of a
fight late Saturday with a neighbor, John Nealy over coal.
Whittaker’s throat was slit and he was stabbed several times. Neally's
skull was fractured. Both may die. The trouble arose when the
two men quarreled which Neally had dug for Whittaker and which, it is said
had not been delivered after the roof of the small mine where he had been
working had dropped. When Whittaker had asked Nealy to clean out the
debris and deliver the coal, the latter replied that he had done so once
and did not propose to do so again. Whitaker threw Neally to the
ground and was beating him in the head with a rock when the stabbing
was done. Bill Whittaker is the father of Sam Whittaker who is
alleged to have shot and killed his Uncle Jesse Halem while Hale while he
was engaged in a gunfight with his father on Licking river Magoffin Co
last fall.
Jan 20, 1927
-ONE
DEAD THREE SHOT IN MAGOFFIN FIGHT
Licking River Section In Magoffin
County Scene of Bloody Shooting Three men were shot, one dying
instantly in a fight which occurred on Salt Lick, a tributary of Licking
River. Kelly Allen was instantly killed, his brother, Ed Allen was
slightly wounded when an altercation arose between Elliot Salyer who is a
son in law of Byrd Allen and had a lawsuit over the possession of the
house which was owned by Allen, but had come to some kind of agreement,
and all the Allen's were moving into the hose with Salyer. Some trouble
rose between the elder Allen and Salyer, and Salyer shot Allen. Kelly
Allen ran to aid his father and was shot, dying instantly. The other son
ran up and was wounded but not seriously. After the fight Salyer
made his getaway and has not been apprehended tho he is reported that he
intends to give himself up within the next day or two.
March 3, 1927-Moonshine Still Captured at Hager Hill-
Glen Blevins was captured near Hager
Hill, three miles from Paintsville late Thursday afternoon with a complete
still and cooper worm. He was arrested by the Sheriff H B Adams and Deputy
Sheriff Grant Daniel and brought to town and was tried before judge Jno.
W. Butcher. He was bound over to await action of the Johnson County
Circuit Court which will convene here next week. A part of the still was
found in his possession and the rest at his home. At the time the still
was found no moonshine was found in his possession. But a short time
before whiskey had been made in the outfit it was said. It is
reported that the still was made by soldering two galvanized wash tubs
together with a round hole cut in the top of the tub. It was a very crude
affair but capable of brewing the deadly liquid called whiskey. It is
claimed that whiskey made in a galvanized vessel is a deadly poison in
many instances creating many internal disorders which prove fatal. This is
a sample of what people who follow these practices of making moonshine
take into their system.
March 10, 1927 - Woman Shot in Neck Dies
Mrs. Adam Wireman of Magoffin county
was brought to the Paintsville Hospital one month ago with a gunshot wound
to the neck died at the hospital last Friday and the remains were taken
back to Magoffin County last Saturday for Burial.
March
10, 1927 - Mine
Supt. Killed by Track Layer
Albert Nichols a mine superintendent
of the Royal Collieries Company of Offutt five miles below Paintsville was
shot and killed last Sunday afternoon by Charlie VanHoose. Offutt citizens
who were in Paintsville Monday say there was no trouble and that VanHoose
was under the influence when the shot was fired. They said the men were
friendly during the day and that they can not account for the shooting.
June 23, 1927 THREE KILLINGS SUNDAY
Aught and Bill Blizzard and Lackey Salisbury lose their lives in Floyd Co.
Three men were killed in this county on account of shootings,
Bill Blizzard was shot and instantly killed near the Water tank at
Garrett, this county, early Sunday morning and his brother, Aught
Blizzard was mortally wounded in the same fray by Jonh Dyer of of
Hueysville two miles below Garrett.
On Turnken Creek, a few miles from Maytown, Lackey Salisbury was shot a
fatally wounded by his brother Tobe Salisbury while they were wrestling
for possession of a revolver. He died early Tuesday morning in the Beaver
Valley Hospital, where he had been taken for an operation in attempt to
save his life.
According to reports of the slaying at Garrett, Dyer was followed down the
railroad from the Barney-Goodwin mine to the spot near the water tank by
the Blizzard brothers, and was attacked by them. It was said that he was
struck by a brick or stone and that he fired after one of the brothers
seized him. Aught Blizzard was shot thru the heart, dying instantly. The
other was rushed to the hospital at Martin, where he died Sunday.
Another version of the affair says that dyers was shooting at Burness Hall
before he shot the others and that Dyer did not shoot in self defense. A
statement made here states in contrast, that Hall first saw Aught Blizzard
holding Dyer from behind.
The brothers were taken to Estill, where both bodies were buried in the
same grave Tuesday afternoon.
Dyer surrendered to Sheriff Kendall Moore and came here Monday morning. He
was admitted to bail in the sum of $5,00 on the same day and after waiving
examining trial Wednesday was released on bond for his appearance before
the grand jury at the September term of court.
Word received here says that the shooting of Salisbury occurred when he
attempted to wrest from the hands the weapon from his brother.
August 11, 1927 Pipeline Forman and Floyd
Man in Pistol Duel Both Die From Wounds
Saturday morning, Aug 6, 1927 at 1 o'clock, Earl Mayo of this County, son
of Bill Mayo and night watchman on the dither and William Graham Holt of
Huntington, W Va., and superintendent of the Pipeline crew for United Fuel
and Gas Co., engaged in a pistol duel which resulted in the death of both
men. The trouble arose over a misunderstanding over the wages Mr. Mayo was
to receive. He thought he was to receive $4.00 a day but was paid $3.50 a
day. Mr Holt was shot once in the left side and died on the way to town
where he was being rushed for treatment. Mr. Mayo shot three times was
killed instantly. Mr Holt was 47 years old, was a Virginian having been
born near Straton, Va. He had been in the employment of the United Fuel
and Gas Co. for twenty years and was held in high esteem. Messrs. W S
Kelly and John Sublett of Huntington shed tears when they reviewed his
remains at E P Arnolds undertaking establishment and gave personal
attention tot he selection of a casket and grave clothes, asking Mr Arnold
to send the bill to the company who would defray all expense. Mr Holt
leaves a widow and two children. It seems he was universally liked.
Earl Mayo was37 years of age and is well known here where he was reared
and has relatives. His funeral also in charge of E P Arnold & Co was held
near Auxier Sunday and burial in Stratton Cemetery.
Rev. P O Adkins, Methodist minister of Auxier was in charge and a large
attendance was out. All regret deeply this unfortunate affair that adds
two more violent deaths to Floyd county's already long list for 1927. We
are informed that United Fuel and Gas Co. will also defray Mayo's funeral
expenses.
Aug 25, 1927 Court News
The Johnson Circuit Court is still in session this week and will probably
continue over into next week The time being consumed in trial of criminal
cases.
Mushroe Smith, age 22, was given 13 years in the penitentiary by a jury in
court last Saturday. Smith was charged with the murder of Arthur Leslie
last September. The charge was manslaughter.
The murder occurred at night last Saturday during a drinking party the
proof showed. The boys were said to have been good friends, Leslie was
found dead by the side of his car at Hager Hill the morning after the two
with others had been at a party and a short time later Smith was arrested
and charged with the crime.
After the jury had returned the verdict attorneys for Smith announced that
an appeal would be taken.
The case of the Commonwealth against John Elliot Blevins, and his two
sons, Arnold and Glen, charged with the murder of "Shug" Bayes some time
ago was called to trial but the case was passed over till the November
term of the court.
The case of the Commonwealth against Mrs. Harkins Montgomery and her son
Jesse Russell charged with the murder of Harkins Montgomery, was also
called for trial but passed until the November term of court. Russell shot
Montgomery, his step father on Coon Creek, in Magoffin County. The wounded
man was brought to the hospital where he died. The death having occurred
in Johnson County give the Johnson Circuit Court jurisdiction over the
case and the trial will come up at the November term
Montgomery made a statement before he died charging that the stepson fired
the fatal shot and that his mother, Montgomery's wife, was party to the
killing.
Sept 1, 1927 George
W. Stacey Attacks Conley's What ill-fated feelings can cause a man to
attack not only one man but also the mans' aged father? George W. Stacy is
now in jail for shooting members of the Conley family.
Read all about it here!
Sept 22, 1927 Seco Charged with Killing of Jailer
Whitesburg - Sept 19- A warrant charging murder of Fess Whitaker, jailer
of Letcher Co who was killed in an automobile accident Sunday was issued
today against Cicero Seco. Seco was said to have been the
driver of an automobile which ran into Whitaker's car forcing the machine
off the embankment. Whitaker's neck was broken in the fall. Monroe Sexton
was seriously hurt and Mrs. Sophie Sexton, driver of the machine was
uninjured.
The Paintsville Herald
Oct 6, 1927 ~ OSCAR DANIELS KILLED News from Pikeville say
officials are searching for Robert Newsome, nineteen year old son of
Quillen Newsome, of Robinson Creek, Pike County, who is charged with the
murder of Oscar Daniels, seventeen. The shooting occurred at Drift, Floyd
Co., Tuesday night of last week Sheriff John Moore said. According to the
story learned by the Sheriff, Newsome was drunk and taunting Daniels. He
ended by shooting the lad five times, the sheriff learned. A relative of
Daniels went to Pikeville and secured a warrant for the arrest of Newsome.
Daniels was shot at 9 o'clock on Wednesday and died Wednesday morning.
Daniels was a Johnson Native. This was the second homicide at Drift. Lat
Lavis of Pikeville, was fatally shot while on a business trip to that
place.
Oct. 6, 1927 Escapes in Car Add Hitchcock of West
van Lear, died at the Paintsville Hospital at seven o'clock last Thursday
morning from wounds inflicted by Henry Conley of Hager Hill, Wednesday
night in a street carnival being operated near the city limits of east
Paintsville. It is reported that both men were drinking
and had trouble in the afternoon. Hitchcock was attending the carnival and
was under the influence of moonshine whiskey it was alleged. Conley
appeared on the carnival grounds and went directly to Hitchcock and
without a word dealt him a terrific blow in the back of the head with the
butt of a heavy revolver. Hitchcock fell unconscious. While he was down it
was alleged that Conley placed his knees on the unconscious man's breast
and struck him time and time again with the butt of the revolver. Conley
then made his way to his car which he had left running and escaped.
Conley, it is said, accused Whitaker of stealing his whiskey.
Hitchcock was picked up and taken to the Paintsville Hospital for
examination and it showed his skull had been crushed and he died the next
morning without regaining consciousness. Add Hitchcock was the
son of Milt Hitchcock of Van Lear Junction. Conley was the son of the late
German Conley who was killed at his home at Hagar Hill a few years ago by
Charlie Blair. As in most cases in this section, moonshine whiskey
was a direct cause of the killing. Hitchcock is survived by his
parents and several brothers and sisters. Funeral services were held
Friday and internment took place in the family cemetery. The Paintsville
Herald
Oct 13, 1927-FOUR MEN DEAD TWO MORE DYING
According to the news reaching here from Beaver Creek in Floyd county,
four men are dead and two fatally wounded as result of gun battles staged
in that section last Sunday afternoon and night. Bill Lou Osborn,
chief of police in Martin and his son, Joe Ed Osborn are two of the slain
men, two Mullins brothers of Jacks Creek were also killed. Felix Flanery,
35 years of age, a farmer of Buriek Branch, it is said, was angered
because Bill Lou Osborn had shot and wounded his uncle, Hi Bradley, while
attempting to arrest him a week before, and came to Martin County Sunday,
Hunting for Osborn and opened fire on sight, killing the older Osborn and
fatally wounding his son, Joe Ed. After the youth was shot down, he raised
up on his elbows and shot Flanery. He then collapsed and died twenty
minutes later. Flanery is in the hospital paralyzed by a shot thru the
chest and spine. Wes Hall said to have killed the Mullins brothers is not
expected to survive a wound in the chest and body, according to reports
received here. Officers of Floyd County are investigating a report that
Wes Hall staggered into the home of a relative late Sunday night and said
he had killed Jim Roe Mullins and his brother. "I guess I am done for
too," Hall is reported to have said. He made no further explanation of the
shooting. Bill Lou Osborn was 50 years old and the father of twelve
children and is well known in Johnson County. He was known as a fearless
man and had slain many men in his time, mostly while on duty as an
officer. An unprecedented amount of deaths from violence are reported each
week from Beaver Creek each week.
Oct 13, 1927 - Court is now in Session
Court in session Frankfort, Ky., Oct 14 - Four men given sentences ranging
from five to 17 years on murder sentences while a fifth, given a 10 year
sentence for criminal attack, was granted a new trial by the Court of
Appeals today.
W D Haywood, a constable for Carter County who, it is charged shot into
a speeding automobile killing Martha Yahaus, must serve a 17 year sentence
given by the court. Evidence given at the trial indicated that Haywood was
under the influence of liquor when he fired the shot.
Elmer Tipton, a 17 year old lad must serve 10 years as a result of the
killing of Hood Moss, in a drunken Brawl in which Topton, it is charged,
struck Moss over the head with a broken bottle. The case was appealed from
the Estill Circuit Court.
Garfield Spradlin and Walter Osborn, constable and deputy constable of
Lawrence Co., must serve five years each as a result of the killing of
Bert Preston. The Officers with two other en were indicted in the slaying
of Bert Preston which resulted from a shooting scrape when they went to
arrest Preston. Testimony showed the officers opened fire.
Oct 15, 1927 - Irvine, Ky Hung Jury in
Conley Murder Trial After five hours of deliberation, the jury in the
case of Calvin Conley, charged with the murder of Calloway Morris October
1 at Ravenna railroad station, reported it was unable to agree and was
dismissed. Conley will be tried again at the nest term of the Circuit
Court. The last ballot of the jury was reported at being 10 for acquittal
and 2 for conviction. The commonwealth asked for the death penalty while
Conley's defense was on the "unwritten law." The shooting occurred
when Mrs. Conley and Morris alighted front a train in the Ravenna Station
and were met by Conley. Stray bullets from Morris' gun killed deceive
Henry Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Conley were injured.
Dewey Victor given a 10 year sentence charged with attacking a woman
was given the right of a new trial as the court held. the that the Greenup
court erred when it did not let the estranged husband of the woman
testify, as he was charged with aiding and abetting the crime.
November 24, 1927 Court In Session The case of the Commonwealth
against Charles VanHoose was tried last week for killing Albert Nichols.
superintendent of the mines at Offutt, this county. The Killing occurred
last summer.
Van Hoose was employed at the mines and brought evidence out had
trouble with a son of Nichols a few days prior to the killing, and when
Nichols went to the pump house on the day of the killing VanHoose was
there and was drinking and the killer took place. Nichols was shot in the
back, the ball coming out of the front after it pierced the heart, killing
him instantly. Vanhoose was given fifteen years in the penitentiary for
the murder which is considered very light considering the nature of the
crime.
At the trial of the case Attorney Ed Picklesimer of Pikeville and
Attorney Milford Arms of this city had charged the defense while the
Commonwealth's attorney Jno. W. Wheeler and Kirk & Wells represented the
prosecution.
Ora Preston a native of Lawrence County, was tried last week with
disserting his family and given the limit of the law, five years in the
penitentiary.
Herbert VanHoose was given two years for detaining a woman.
Special Judge John Hopkins of Prestonsburg is now hearing the evidence
in the case against Glen Blevins for the murder of Shug Bayes at Dawkins
last April. John Elliot Blevins and Arnold Blevins are charged with aiding
in the murder. John Elliot Blevins is the father of the two boys. The jury
has been secured and the taking of evidence started Tuesday morning. The
Blevins are being defended by Attorney Jack May of Prestonsburg and
Attorney Milford Arms of this city. The prosecution is represented by
Commonwealth's Attorney Jno. W. Wheeler, assisted by Attorney Daughtery of
Pikeville and Blair Harrington of Paintsville.
The case of Clyde Stapleton charged with murder of Herbert Stapleton a
few years ago was set for trial this week, also the cases of Ben, John and
Brown Mollett who killed a Mr. Stephens and shot Kelley E. Patrick of
Offutt a few months ago, and the case of Deb Justice who was indicted in
connection with the killing of Mrs. Harry Castle by her son-in-law, Vincie
Pack, were all set for trial this week but were continued until the
Blevins cases are disposed of.
Juries at this term of the court are disposed to do their full duty as
jurors and good citizens and are assessing heavy fines to all classes of
violations and the court is fast clearing the docket of all criminal
cases. The juries and the court officials should have the solid backing of
every peace loving citizen of the county in their efforts to put down
crime. Such terms of court will soon make Johnson County one of the most
peaceable in the state. This can easily be done by rigid enforcement of
the law and without showing and mercy to the habitual criminal or killer.
We commend Judge Bailey for the firm handed methods he has used in the
present term of the Johnson County Circuit Court and the good people of
the county should speak a word of encouragement and lend him their aid in
his efforts to suppress crime in the county.
A forty all man jury found Dewey Castle guilty and was sentenced to life
in the penitentiary. Punishment was swift and just. The defendant was
represented by Ed King and William Johnson. The Commonwealth was represented
by J. B. Clark, Commonwealth Attorney assisted by J. L. Harrington.
