Co'wealth vs John Forsythe
Presented for beating and wounding Samuel Vance.  The defendant appeared and plead not guilty, and for reasons appearing to the Court his is discharged

Joseph Brann, Infant, (under age 14) by Andrew Brann, his next friend (father), vs Henry Childers & wife
This day came the Plantiff by his attorney and thereupon came also a jury ... to enquire what damages the Ptff hath sustained by reason of the defendant beating and wounding the said Plaintiff, upon their oaths do say that the Plaintiff hath sustained Damages by reason thereof to one penny besides cost.  Therefore it is considered that the Plantiff recover against the Defendant the sum of one penny Damage by the jurors afsd (aforesaid) in form afsd assessed and also his cost by hin in this behalf expended and the said Deft. in mercy &c.

July Term 1804

Vs James, a Negro Slave
At a court of Oyer and Terminer (hearing and determining, legal term) held for the trial of James, a Negro slave, the property of James Wilson, charged with feloney (sic) on Satterday (sic) the seventh day of July 1804.
James, a Negro of the county of Pendleton, who stands committed for felony was led to the bar in custody of the jailor and there arraigned and pleaded not guilty of the felony and for his trial put himself upon God and his country and the attorney on behalf of the Commonwealth likewise.  Whereupon came a jury . . . and having heard the evidence upon their oaths do say that the said James is guilty of the felony aforesaid in manner and form as in the commitment against him is alleged and do sentence him to receive five Lashes on his bare back at the publick whipping post . . . which being done in the presence of the Court he is discharged out of custody &c.  Note:  The crime James was accused of was not mentioned.

February Term 1805

Vs Harrey, a Negro Slave
At a court of Oyer and Terminer held for Pendleton county at the courthouse on the 20ty day of February the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five for the trial of Harrey, a Negro man slave, the property of James Wilson, for felony.
The prisoner was set to the bar in custody of the jailor and it being demanded of him whether he was guilty of the felony afsd. or not and he said he was nowise thereof guilty and for his trial put himself upon God & his country and the Atty. for the Commonwealth likewise, whereupon came a jury to wit:  Charles Colvin, John Sanders, Joseph K. Glinn, Fielding Coppage, Lewis Colvin, Joshua Watkins, Goodrich Lightfoot, Samuel Lockwood, Alexander Caldwell, Jacob Downard, William Stites and Edward Downing, who being elected, "tryed" and sworn the truth of and upon the premises to speak and having heard the evidence upon their oath do say that the said Harrey is guilty of the felony in manner and form as charged against him &c whereupon the said Harrey being again led to the bar and it being asked of him if anything he had to say why the Court should not proceed to Judgment and award execution agreeable to law the said Harrey answered he had not.  Therefore it is considered by the Court that the said Harrey receive thirty-nine lashes on his bare back, which being executed in the presence of the Court he is discharged out of custody.  Note:  The crime Harrey was accused of was not mentioned.

March Term 1806

Among Cases up:

Jacob Downard vs. David Blackburn, slander

Jacob Forsythe vs. James Parmer, on a peace warrant

Samuel Thomasson vs. John Doty, trespass, assault and battery

September Term 1806

Vs Jesse Stewart, At a court called and held on Wednesday, September 24, 1806, for the examination of Jesse Stewart who stands charged with biting off part of William Powers' lip.  Commonwealth ptff. vs Jesse Stewart, deft. on a charge for maiming the lip of Wm. Powers.  The said Jesse Stewart was led to the bar in custody of the jailor, an it being demanded of him whether he was or was not guilty of the maiming aforesaid, he said he was in nowise thereof guilty.  Whereupon came as ? the attorney for the Commonwealth as the said Jesse Stewart by his attorney and the evidence being heard on both sides.  On consideration whereof the Court are of the opinion that the said Jesse Stewart be released from further prosecution.

March Term 1807

William Hume, plaintiff vs. James Theobald, defendant on an action in trespass.  During the course of the trial the following evidence was heard:
Robert Childers stated that in the winter of the year 1805 he was at the house of Stripling Hume in the county of Pendleton in company with the plaintiff, defendant and a certain Jeremiah Hyfield and hear it expressly agreed upon between the ptff. and deft. that their title to the premises in the ptff's. declaration mentioned were conflicting, and they jointly rented the said premises to the sd. Hyfield who was to hold under their joint titles as their lessee and that their titles were submitted and to referees by them named to be examined into and a day named that he whose claim should be best should derive the advantages & proceeds of the said leased premises, and that the sd. Hyfield immediately made preparation for the cultivation thereof by hauling logs thereon to build and the the sd. Ptff. failed to attend the arbitrators to have his title investigated and the dispute settled.  It was also proven that the said Hyfield never did take possession by residing on the premises; but thta shortly after the time of afsd. conversation and agreement as proven by sd. Childers, the house upon the premises was burnt & Hyfield determined to have nothing to do with them and "payed" no further attention to the place.  (Note:  The logs hauled on the land by Hyfield were later hauled off by defendants and the house burned.  No decision reached at this court.)

June Term 1807

Vs James Littell
At a court called and held in the county of Pendleton on the 15th day of June, 1807, for the examination of James Littell who stands charged with feloniously and with malice aforethought of the murder of William Owen on the 8th day of June, 1807.
The said James Littell was led to the bar in custody of the jailer, and it being demanded of him whether he was guilty or not guilty of the charge aforesaid, declared that he was not guilty.  Whereupon came the attny. for the Commonwealth as well as the said James Littell by his attorney and the evidence on both sides being heard, and in consideration thereof the Court are of the opinion that the said James Littell ought to be tried for the charge afsd. in the next Circuit Court and that he may be admitted to bail on his entering into a recognizance in the sum of $3,000 with one security in the sum of $3,000.  Nathan C. Standeford, his security.
The court proceeded to take the depositions of John Buckley, William Mountjoy, Charles B. Colvin and James Howe.

September Term 1807

Jury:  John Goodwin, foreman, George Taylor, Samuel Lockwood, Joseph K. Glinn, Fielding Coppage, John Ammerman, Nelson Johnson, Lakey Shoemaker, Simon Rice, William Turner, Zachariah Godman, John Thornton, John Baker, John Ackels, William McCray, Richard Mann, Henry McCullough, William Dehart.
The Jury made the following presentments:

Josiah Thrasher, for retailing spiritous liquors by the half pint.

William Mountjoy and Waller Minor, for fighting.

Coleman Asb(ur)y and John Taylor Jr., for fighting.

Price Hume, for offering a challenge to John Ewing to fight with a gun.

Reubin Mullins, for retailing spiritous liquors by the half pint.

Indictment against James Littell for felony, a true bill.

March Term 1808

Jury:  Edward Kemp, foreman, William Caldwell, James S(o) uthard, Isaac Clemmons, Charles Boner, John Thornton, William McCray, John Baker, Elias Duncan, William Monroe, Saml. Stites, Lewis Clark, Charles Love, John Yelton, George Taylor, John Hobday.
Presentments:

Taylor Barton, for assault and battery.

John B. Lightfoot, for retailing spiritous liquors without a license.

Price Hume, for "profain" swearing

Price Hume, for breaking of the peace

Milcah Littell, for assault and battery.

On motion of the Attorney for the Commonwealth and it appearing to the court on the information of William McCray and James Southard of the grand jury that Coleman Asbury has been guilty of a contempt of this court, by cursing and abusing the grand jury after they were yesterday impaneled, and using to them contemptuous language derogatory to the dignity of this court and the institution of the grand juries, it is therefore ordered that an attachment issue returnable immediately to bring in the body of Coleman Asbury to answer said contempt agreeably to law and that subponeas (sic) be issued to said grand jurors to give testimony to this court against sd. Asb(ur)y.

May Term 1808

Jury:  Drummond Wheeler, foreman, William Bryan, Henry Hawkins, Henry McCullough, Joseph Best, John Baker, William Bush, Joseph Hitch, William Gregg, John Earls, Reubin Turner, Simon Rice, John N. Wheeler, William Harrod, De Esting Lightfoot, Francis Coleman, John Carpenter.
Presentments:

Thomas White, for profane swearing

Indictments:

James Owens Sr., James Owens Jr., & George Owens, for a breach of the peace.

Francis Sterne & Thomas Turner, for an affray.

January Term 1812

Unknown Carpenter, ordered that the clerk of this county bind out the male children of Mrs. Elizabeth Carpenter as are under age to learn some useful trades and the female children until they shall arrive to the age of eighteen years to such persons as will take them, the father of the said children having long since deserted them, and they being in a state of starvation.

Coleman Asby (Asbury), Ordered that Coleman Asby be fined ? shillings for contempt to this court in default of payt, thereof six ? imprisonment, whereupon the said Asbury paid down his fine to the court.

March Term 1814

Jedadiah Ashcraft, Esq., a justice of the peace of this county, produced an account against the Commonwealth of Kentucky, for issuing a state's warrant against John Brumback, Paul Brumback and John Arnold, charged with felony.

The following was submitted by Nancy Bray,
Thanks Nancy!

Murder Trial in Pendleton County, Ky.
The Prisoners Convicted and Sentenced to be Hung on the 23 Day of November

At the recent term of the Pendleton Criminal Court, at Falmouth, Ky., Judge Wm. E. Arthur presiding, Alexander Plummer and James Barns were put upon trial, charged with the murder of Leonard Moss, a discharged Union soldier, in August 1865.  The facts developed are in substance as follows:

About the 20th of August, 1865, a stranger, calling himself Leonard Moss, came to the village of Falmouth and sold a horse for $125 to an officer in Colonel O'Neal's regiment then stationed there.  The next day Plummer and Barnes, and the father of Barnes were seen in his company at several drinking places in the town, drinking with him.  Moses wore a heavy navy revolver in a scabbard, buckled behind him, under his coat.  James Barnes had the last drink that Moses was was seen to take mixed for him, and in a few minutes they all started out of town, Barnes upon one horse and Plummer another, with Moses up behind him.  The road leads immediately down to the ford crossing Licking River, below the bridge, thence under the bridge; between the abutment and the river, then up the bank into the main road.  Before the party had reached the ford, about 200 yards from the last drinking place, the hat of Moss fell the the ground; Plummer jumped off, picked it up, put Moss in the saddle, and got on behind him.  After they had crossed the ford, Moss was seen to make an attempt to turn back, and actually turned the horse around; but Plummer seized the reins, urged the horse up the bank, into the road, and the whole party were soon out of sight.  Here, the road, for five hundred yards runs up, hugging close to the river, separated from it by a skirting of trees and underbrush cutting off the view from town.  At this point within fifteen minutes from the time they were last seem, a gentleman passing found Moss lying insensible near the side of the road, with his skull broken, the wound extending from the outward angle of the left eye horizontally to a point above the ear, about two and a half inches deep, and an inch or more wide;  the skull driven into the brain; still breathing.  In his hand he grasped a metallic watch guard, the watch gone-the ring being broken, and his money and pocketbook gone.  A saddle stirrup was picked up near him corresponding with that upon the saddle that Plummer rode.  His revolver was afterward found some twenty feet distant, where if had been thrown over the fence in the weeds.  

The road from this spot winds up the hill to the top of the ridge, overlooking the town, then winds its way northward toward Foster; Upon this road, about three-fourths of a mile, from the place of the murder, Plummer and Barnes were seen, in a very short time riding rapidly.  Having reached this elevated position, Plummer jumped the fence with his horse,rushed up to the house and asked the young lady standing at the well for a drink of water.  She dipped a glass from the bucket and gave it to him.  He put it to his lips with a tremuleus hand, but spilled it upon his clothes, took a look toward town, said "the rebels and Union men were fighting," and galloped off, joining his companion.  A fourth of a mile further on, they were seen riding a rapidly as their horses could be forced along.  Plummers right stirrup dangling around his horse's breast; Half a mile further on, Plummer rode up to the house of McClanahan, threw his saddle (less one stirrup) over the fence, and said he "wanted the best saddle and best girth:" he took a saddle from the porch, put it on his horse and rode off rapidly.
Mrs. McClanahan alarmed her husband, who immediately came form the field, got a horse, pursued and arrested the party some two miles farther on the road.  McClanahan demanded his saddle.  Plummer replied  that "he was bearing dispatches to Foster; he had authority to press the saddle and the horse too, if he wanted it; that his name was McMath," &c., and galloped off.  The sherrif's posse were soon on their track, but the prisoners had reached the house of old man Barnes, left their horses and taken to the woods, and left the country.  They were afterward arrested at the Ohio and Mississippi Depot in Cincinnati, going West.  

The trial was commenced on Wednesday morning, and submitted to the jury on Saturday at noon.  In about two hours the jury returned into Court with a verdict of "Guilty."  Plummer is twenty-two years old, has been in Metcalf's Kentucky mounted regiment three years, and was discharged about six weeks prior to the murder.  During the trial he seemed exceedingly indifferent, envincing no emotion or feeling when the verdict of guilty was announced; not a muscle of his face was seen to move.  Barnes is nineteen years old.  He appeared to suffer much during the last  two days of the trial.  John N. Farber Esq., of Covington represented the Commonwealth, assisted by Records & Duncan of Falmouth.  Hon. J. W. Stevenson, of Covington; and McManama & Ireland appeared for the prisoners.  

On Tuesday the prisoners were brought into Court, and sentence passed upon them.  Plummer, upon being returned to the jail, remarked that there were three men in Pendleton County that he wanted to kill--that one of them was in the Courthouse.  Then he was ready to die.  The 23 day of November next is the day fixed for their execution.

1911 Newspaper Article 

HIDEOUS CRIME

 E. T. Wood Decoyed to Lonely Spot and Brutally Murdered For His Money. Elijah T. WOOD, one of Pendleton's prominent farmers, was found murdered on the farm of Mrs. Barbara KLEE, one half mile south of town, near the second culvert on the Cynthiana 'pike, Saturday morning last. His skull was crushed in several places, and it is the most hideous and diabolical crime ever committed in our county. Mr. Wood came to town on the afternoon of Monday, Sept. 25th. He put his horse up in the livery barn of A. J. SHEEHAN and told Mr. PENDERGEST at the stable not to feed the horse that he was going home before dark. He returned to the stable later in the afternoon and told those in charge to feed the horse that he would be detained until 10:00 o'clock. Wood jogged about town during the afternoon and made a visit to the home of L. D. HALL, on Fifth street. His movements were mysterious as he was seen in several out of the way places. Mr. PUGH, who lives at the toll gate house at the edge of town, claims to have seen a short heavy-set man with something under his arm, going out the 'pike just after dark on that day, and a short distance behind him a tall heavy-set man followed. John ZEMPTER claims to have passed Wood near the first culvert and spoke to him. He did not see the second party, and it is supposed he hid when he heard the approach of Mr. Zempter's rig. As Mr. Wood did not return home that night, his widowed mother, who made her home with her son, gave out the word that he was missing. His friends about town began to inquire for him and the above facts developed. William Klee found the body of Wood on his mother's place about 50 yards from the 'pike. It was lying in an open field, and presented the most ghastly sight that could be imagined. The body had been lying there four days and five nights in all kinds of weather - rain, wind and sunshine. Decomposition had set in and his head could not be recognized as that of a human being. His skull in several places and jaw bones were fractured, and it was evident that he had been murdered with a slung shot. He was lying on his face and his clothing was in tact, showing that no struggle had taken place. About 15 feet up the hill was a storm apron out of a buggy, and on it was all the blood that he could have possibly lost. Near it was his stiff hat, not in the least broken or dented. Between the apron and the body his watch, which had stopped running at 11:28, was found with a string chain attached. Coroner George FRANK held an inquest and the following gentlemen composed the jury: W. T. MURPHY, A. A. TRUE, John AUSTIN, J. R. MAINS, Henry SCHUTTER, and J. E. HOLMES. A search of the body was made and nothing was found but a pocket knife and a small book containing two notes, which had been renewed at the Citizens Bank, and some other papers. The coroner's jury returned the following verdict: "We, the jury, find that the body before us is that of Elijah Wood, and he came to his death by parties unknown to us." Undertaker S. N. BECKETT took charge of the remains. The body had so decomposed that it had to be wrapped in a sheet just as it was and placed in a coffin. Interment took place in Riverside Cemetery that afternoon. His death is quite a mystery, but robbery was the sole object. It is known that he had as much as $135 on Friday before his death and he secured $100 more by making a note in the Sunrise Deposit Bank. He was decoyed to this lonely spot by supposed friends under the pretext of making some kind of a shady transaction. This is evident from the fact that he kept his movements concealed as much as possible. This fact makes it all the harder to solve the mystery. He had considerable money there is no doubt, but where he got it has not been learned, as it is evident he wanted to conceal it. he did very little banking business, and is known to have carried what money he had in his pockets. Saturday morning his mother came to town to offer a reward for her son, and made the remark that if he was dead L. D. Hall was the cause of his death. She claims that Hall made several trips to her home and tried to induce her son to buy some counterfeit money. Wood had a $3,000 mortgage on his place and he was told that he could liquidate this debt with "green goods." Woods was a bachelor and about 52 years of age, and a well-to-do farmer. His farm is estimated to be worth about $7,000. He was of a quiet disposition and a good citizen. He was a well read man and perferred staying at home at nights and reading his books rather than roaming about. Wood was of a nature that he could easily be led into a trap such as he was. His mother said that he was a changed man after Hall got to coming to their home. Wood was known to have drank, but never to excess. He leaves besides a mother one sister, Mrs. W. S. Lawson. Of the accused L. D. Hall but little is known. He came from Virginia and is a brother of J. L. Hall, of this place. He first came to our city as a horse buyer about eight or nine years ago and made periodical visits to our place until he located here with his family some few years ago. He married a Miss FOWLER, of Harrison county, and they have one child. Some years ago Mr. Hall claimed to be buying horses for the Russian government and at one time said that he was bottled in Port Arthur with a cargo of horses during the Russo-Japanese war. His life here has been a very mysterious one and he is still an enigma to our people. For the past few years he has not followed any business here. He is apparantly sixty years of age and of muscular build. Mrs. Wood swore to a warrant charging L. D. Hall with the crime. Sherriff RAVENSCRAFT arrested him at the Fair Grounds, and he is now in jail awaiting an examining trial, which is set for 1:00 o'clock Friday. Early Tuesday morning after the murder Hall bought a pair shoes, trousers and suspenders at J. E. FOSSETT's store and later changed a $20 bill at Joe SIPES confectionery. He went to Cincinnati on the 9:45 a. m. train and returned here Wednesday morning. He changed several $5.00 bills at the Fair Grounds on Saturday. Wednesday afternoon, before the body was found, Hall and Lewis HAMILTON made two attempts to get Wood's horse and buggy out of Sheehan's stable, but the request was refused. Hamilton claimed to have been working for Wood and he said he wanted to take the rig home and wait for his return. Hall said he believed Wood had gone to Cincinnati and he looked for his return at any time. Judge John H. BARKER appeared as Hall's attorney when he was brought before Judge CLARKE Tuesday. On Monday last W. S. LAWSON and J. B. WOOLERY were appointed as executor of the estate of the deceased.

The Following was generously Transcribed & Submitted by Sherida Daugherty, thanks Sherida!

BROAD RIDGE MEETING HOUSE

PENDLETON CIRCUIT COURT

PKG 212

May the 8th 1856

On the 5th day of Jan. 1856 percenlty appeared as a band of robbers At the Meeting house on broad ridge P.C. Ky. And by force took the Stove out of said house and conselled it from the people of Said house the fowloing men to wit T Winn Sen. & J Winn Sen. H. Hawkins, John Tomlin

            Also the above came in the Guise of Nonothings and obtained the key of Said house under the pretenction of Transacting Som business in Said institution for which they did not tuct (?) the business for which they obtained the key for.

Wm Hawkins                                                                         Wm Wilson

Wm Tomblin                                                                          A Revels

Jos Winn Jr                                                                            Jas McGinity

Jas Hopper                                                                             Rile Piercefield

T Duvalt                                                                                 N. Willhite

N Simpson                                                                            Wm McMillian

S Delwarth                                                                             J C Mulfort

Jas Bethel

The names of the witnesses:

C.T. Dnaiel, JL Fisk, AL Race, JR Stephenson, JR Morehead, Wm T. Race, T Laffrity

(This document probably filed as information to Grand Jury)

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