Alexander, Willis and Earl Fleming

Men Accused of Stealing Horse; Held on Bonds.
Willis Alexander, accused of grand larceny, was held to the grand jury on a $500 bond, and Earl Fleming was held to the grand jury on a like charge, on a $100 bond. The men were accused in a warrant of stealing a horse from Bill Penrod.
Source: The Messenger October 19, 1933

Bennewitz, Robert & others

Three Are Indicted in Bank Robbery
Three Men Charged With Holding Up and Robbing Citizens Bank, So. Carrollton
Two Women Are Involved
Indictments against three men, charging them with bank robbery in connection with the holdup and robbery of the Citizen's Bank, at South Carrollton, last November 20, and against two women, accusing them of banding and confederating together for the purpose of committing a felony, were returned by the grand jury. The five will be given trials in the Muhlenberg circuit court Wednesday, January 24.

The men indicted for the bank robbery are Robert Bennewitz, 35, and Guffy Childers, 25, both of Muhlenberg county, and Voris Frye, 34, who gave his home address as Memphis, Tenn. The women, who officers believe aided the three alleged bank robbers to get out of Muhlenberg county immediately after the robbery, are Mrs. Ollie Ortkiese, 22, of Muhlenberg county and Clarice McAllister, 26, who gave her home address as Prentice, Wis.

Three unmasked men held up Irvin Barnes, cashier of the bank and Lilburn Noffsinger, bookkeeper, and escaped with about $1,150. Two of the robbers went inside the bank, while the third said to have been Childers, remained on the outside. After taking money, the robbers forced Noffsinger to get into their automobile with them. They carried him about a mile from So. Carrollton, in the direction of Central City, and put him out of the car.

Bennewitz and Childers were arrested last December 2. Bennewitz was at Wilkinsburg, Pa., and Childers was at Martwick, Muhlenberg county. One week later Frye and the McAllister woman were taken into custody at Akron, Ohio, and Mrs. Ortkiese was arrested at Cloverport, January 1.

Bennewitz and Frye were identified as two of the robbers by Barnes and Noffsinger, and Childers was identified by two South Carrollton citizens who saw him standing outside the bank, while the robbery was in progress.
Source: Greenville-Leader January 19, 1934

Blair, Claude

Man Injured By Car On Greenville Highway
Claude Blair, 39 years old, suffered a broken hip and internal injuries Monday evening about 7 o'clock when hit by a hit-and-run driver on the Central City-Greenville highway. He was removed to Central City in the ambulance of E.J. Anderson and Tuesday morning was taken to the Greenville hospital.

Blair was walking from Omaha, Neb., to the home of his brother, C.A. Blair at Dyerburg, Tenn., carrying a suitcase, and was picked up by a car containing several men who offered him a ride. While passing through Central City the party suggested stopping at a restaurant here. Blair alighted the car and as he did so the men drove off taking his suitcase and all of his belongings which he had been carrying. Being stranded, he started to walk along the highway, intending to walk to the home of his brother. On the road near the county infirmary he was hit by a hit-and-run driver, the car passing over his body.
Source: The Messenger, Central City, Thursday October 26, 1933

Burden, Charlie

Charlie Burden Injured in Automobile Crash.
Charlie Burden, of Browder, sustained minor cuts and bruises about his face Saturday on the Greenville pike, near Anton, in Hopkins county. Mr. Burden reported that he was blinded by the lights from an approaching car. Mr. Burden lost control of his automobile and the cars collided. Mr. Burden was taken to the Madisonville hospital for treatment.
Source: The Messenger, Central City, Thursday October 19, 1933

Coots, C. Carl, J.A. Durall, J.N. Hall, Mary Elizabeth McPherson

Four Wills Are Probated Monday
J.A. Durall Bequeaths Farm To His Wife; Is To Go To Their Son At Mother's Death
Coots Property To Widow
Four wills were probated in Muhlenberg county court Monday. J.A. Durall bequeathed to his wife, Sallie Durall, his farm, which is to go to his son, Walter Durall, at Mrs. Durall's death. He also bequeathed to Walter Durall $1,000 in cash; to his son, John Durall, $1,200 in cash; to his son, William Durall, $1,200 in cash, and to his daughter, Marjice May Durall, $200 in cash. The remainder of the estate he bequeathed to his wife. Walter Durall and Edgar Nicholas were named executors of the will, which was written August 29, 1934.

C. Carl Coots bequeathed to his wife, Georgia Larkin Coots, all of his property and Mrs. Coots was named executrix of the will, without bond. The will was written December 7, 1916.

Mary Elizabeth McPherson bequeathed to her husband, John W. McPherson, all of her personal property and real estate, to be used by her husband during his life time, but at his death all remaining personal property and the real estate is to be sold, and the proceeds equally divided among their children. John W. McPherson was named executor of the will, without bond. The will was written December 20, 1920.

J.N. Hall bequeathed to his son, Alfred Hall, and to his daughter, Susie Hall, $1 each, and to Lawrence Oates, the remainder of the property. The will was written October 19, 1934.
Source: The Greenville Leader January 4, 1935

Gregory, George

Last Monday a week ago a lad about sixteen years old by the name of Geo. Gregory from Bevier shot one of Elias Hill's little boys who was about ten years old. The ball entered his neck, partially severed the large leader on the right and ranged upward coming out by the side of the nose. Gregory was arrested that night, had his examining trial before Esquire Kimmel and was held over to circuit court, under five hundred dollar bond which he failed to give and was remanded to jail. The wounded boy is getting along very well at present.
Source: The Muhlenberger July 9, 1896

Heltsley, Mary & Mrs. Emma Heltsley Myers

Four Bandits Wound Elderly Woman Near Drakesboro
Men Threaten to Burn Home Near Drakesboro When They Fail to Find Money.
Miss Mary Heltslye, 68 years old, who lived with her sister, Mrs. Emma Myers, on their little farm five miles from Drakesboro on the Paradise road, was shot through the shoulder and hit on the head, inflicting a severe scalp wound by one of four bandits who broke into their home at 1 o'clock Tuesday morning in quest of money the aged women were supposed to have concealed about the house.

The couple were awakened around midnight, Mrs. Myers told officers, by a knocking on their front door and a man's voice asking for water for their automobile. Miss Heltsley refused to open the door, but told them where they could get water. Some time later, the same voice called at the door and wanted to use the telephone to get a teach to come to pull their car out of a ditch. Again they refused to open the door.

Later, Miss Heltsley having dozed, a large chunk of wood was slammed through the front door glass and a man then unlocked it, came in, jerked the telephone off the wall and told the elderly women they were looking for the money they were supposed to have concealed.

Bandits Shoot Victims.

Miss Heltsley told them there was no money about the house, except a small amount in her purse. This was taken, about $2.59, and they were threatened with death if they did not tell where more money was, she said. Miss Heltsley told the man addressing her to shoot, if he wanted to, and get it over with, and he did, wounding her through the left shoulder.

Three of the men then proceeded to search the house. Feather beds were ripped open and their contents thrown about the room, rugs were ripped from the floors and floors demolished in the hunt for the money. One of the bandits, it was said, tore down the ceiling in one of the rooms. All drawers in furniture were emptied and searched. The bandits threatened to burn down the house and Miss Heltsley invited them to use their own pleasure about this, but it did not happen.

Women Are Threatened.

Some one of the bandits struck Miss Heltsley across the side of the head, or fired a glancing shot at her, grazing the temple. Soon after that the bandits left and Mrs. Myers gave the alarm, although they had been warned not to do so by the bandits. Dr. J.P. Walton of this city was called and gave Miss Heltsley first aid and then removed her to his office, where her wounds were dressed and later an x-ray made of the wound in the head to determine if the skull had been broken. Dr. Walton stated he believe Miss Helstley would recover from her wounds.

County and local officers were making an investigation of the robbery, but were at a loss for clues as all of the men were masked.
Source: The Messenger, Central City, October 20, 1932

Hopewell Church, Ohio Co., Kentucky

Remarkable Ages of Fifteen Persons
All Reside Within Radius of Nine Miles of Hopewell Church, Ohio County.
Perhaps the public does not know that one section of Ohio county, taking in a small portion of Muhlenberg, holds the record in Kentucky for the longevity of some of its inhabitants. Nevertheless we believe this is true. These old people all live in what might be called one neighborhood.

Within a radius of nine miles of Hopewell church, in what is called the Central Point neighborhood, there now reside 15 old persons whose ages range from 80 to 95 years. The church mentioned is in the southwestern part of Ohio County, about four miles from Rockport, on Green river. The ages of these people given are their nearest birthdays. Their names, ages and post offices are as follows:

Note: Paradise is the only post office mentioned that is in Muhlenberg.
Source: Hartford Herald, 1904
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam

Hunsaker, Isaac

Henry Hunsaker and Anna Meador

Muhlenberg County Man Does Some Chopping on “Tree”
A lot of people have traced their family tree, but Henry Hunsaker of Nelson Creek had to do some chopping on a tree to preserve some of his family's history.

Recently, Hunsaker and his sister, Anna Louise Hunsaker Meador, of Hopkinsville, were visiting the Old Paradise Cemetery, on a hill overlooking the TVA Steam Plant. They noticed that the tombstone of Isaac Hunsaker was almost completely enclosed in a huge beech tree.

Armed with a power saw, sledge wedge and a wood chisel, Hunsaker removed a portion of the tree necessary to expose the name, date and age which were in good condition on the aged stone.

“I'll bet the tree is four feet in diameter and it took me all day to cut into it,” said Hunsaker. “I'd say the tree is over 100 years old.”

Isaac Hunsaker was among the early settlers in Muhlenberg County. He was born April 8, 1779, probably in Fayette County, PA, and died November 28, 1819 in Paradise. Isaac was the son of John Hunsaker. The later John Hunsaker was the son of Hartman Hunsaker, who arrived in Philadelphia, PA on September 10, 1731.

Isaac Hunsaker married Christina Spickeman about 1800 in PA. His father John was a brother to George Hunsaker, great-great-grandfather of Henry Hunsaker and Mrs. Meador.

The tree wasn't planted in the cemetery, according to Mrs. Meador. “A bird must have dropped a seedling there many years ago.”

At any rate, the tombstone of Isaac Hunsaker has been saved from destruction for future generations

Photo caption: Henry Hunsaker and his sister, Anna Louise Meador, are pictured with the tombstone of Isaac Hunsaker, which has been enclosed inside a beech tree. Hunsaker chiseled and cut enough of the tree away so the tombstone is now visible. - Times-Argus photo by Doreen Dennis.

Note: The cemetery to which the article refers is the McDougall Cemetery also known as the Dering/Dearing Cemetery.
Source: Times-Argus, Central City, March 2, 1988, p. 9
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam

Jackson, Ben

Ben Jackson Is Given 21 Years
Charged With Slaying Howard “Cotton” Davis At Dance Near Central City, Last Feb. 11
Full Day Given to Trial
Ben Jackson, 39 years old, charged with willful murder for the fatal shooting of Howard “Cotton” Davis, 19, was tried in the Muhlenberg circuit court Tuesday, convicted, and sentenced to serve twenty-one years in the penitentiary.

The whole of Tuesday was consumed in securing the jury, hearing evidence, and arguments of attorneys. When time came for court to adjourn Tuesday afternoon, Judge Willis allowed the jury trying the case to recess until 7:15 o'clock that evening. When the jury returned into court at the appointed time, it was given the case, and immediately retired to the jury room for consultation. About an hour later the jury reported, with a verdict of guilty, fixing Jackson's punishment at twenty-one years in the penitentiary.

Jackson shot Davis at a dance near Central City, last February 11. Davis was brought to the hospital here, where he died a short time later.

Jackson claimed that Davis was advancing on him with a knife, and two witnesses corroborated this statement, but other witnesses testified that Davis did not have a knife, and that he merely threw up his hand as Jackson went toward him. The bullet from Jackson's pistol when through Davis' hand, and into his body, it was reported.

It was said the trouble started when Davis and Mozart Jackson, a son of Ben Jackson, quarreled about whether Davis or Mozart Jackson should dance with a fifteen-year-old girl. Davis slapped Mozart Jackson, it was reported, and Ben Jackson took up the quarrel.
Source: Greenville-Leader January 26, 1934

Jernigan, Roy T.

Greenville Man Killed Thurs. After Argument With Miner
An argument between two Muhlenberg men ended in the death of one late last Thursday afternoon in Boggess Heights near Greenville.

Roy T. Jernigan, 43, Greenville was fatally shot by Cary Raymer, 71, a retired Depoy coal miner, as he opened the door of the Raymer car and leaned over to speak to the occupant.

He was shot in the left shoulder just below the neck with a .38 caliber automatic pistol. The bullet struck a large vein and lodged in Jernigan's side killing him instantly.

Raymer, arrested at his home after the shooting by Sheriff Phillip Stone, Deputy Sheriff Arthur Tooley and Greenville Police Chief Jack Nelson, waived his examining trial Monday and will be tried on a willful murder charge before the Grand Jury, March 13, 1961.

He was placed under a $2500 bond which he posted.

According to sheriff's investigation, Raymer followed Jernigan as he was taking Mrs. Margaret Randolph to her home in Boggess Heights. After letting his companion out, Jernigan turned his car around, headed it toward the community ball park, got out and walked over to the Raymer car carrying a shotgun.

Jernigan is said to have opened the front door of the older man's car and told him to “Go on, get away.” Witnesses heard a pistol shot, followed by a shotgun blast.

Tooley said that he believed the shotgun hammer was cocked and [the] gun was discharged as Jernigan fell to the ground after being hit.

Raymer drove off after the shooting, turned around and drove back by the body on the way to his home in Depoy.

Earlier in the day, Jernigan came to the sheriff's office and told Deputy Sheriff Tooley that “Raymer was carrying a gun for him.” He was advised to secure a warrant if he was positive the other man was carrying a gun, but refused saying that he didn't wish any court action.
Note: Roy T. Jernigan died October 20, 1960.
Source: Greenville-Leader October 1960
Contributed by J.P. Johnson

Lam, W.A.

Lost an Arm
W.A. Lam Got Caught in a Corn Shredder
Central City, Dec. 8 - W.A. Lam, one of the most prominent young men in this county, was the victim of an accident this morning which cost him the loss of his right arm. Mr. Lam was operating a corn shredder on the farm of E.M. Gish, several miles below this city, when in some manner his right hand was caught in the machinery and crushed off at the wrist.
Source: Owensboro-Messenger December 9, 1902, p. 4
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam

Reynolds & Noffsinger Divorces

Two Suits For Divorce Filed in Circuit Court
Sylvester Reynolds filed suit for divorce from his wife, Elizabeth Reynolds. They were married, according to the petition, on May 12, 1925, and separated in March, 1929.

Edgar Noffsinger filed suit for divorce from his wife, Alma Noffsinger. They were married, the petition states, on August 31, 1928, and separated October 7, 1932.

John Duncan, Central City, is attorney for the plaintiff in each of the cases.
Source: The Greenville Leader January 4, 1935

Stewart, Homer

Homer Stewart Shoots His Wife
One Bullet Takes Effect In Leg; Another In Hand; Arrested by Local Officers Sunday.
Homer Stewart, arrested Sunday afternoon by Chief Police Virgil Gish and Patrolman Cha____ ______________ charge of shooting __________ was taken to Greenville and continued in the county jail, examining trial to be held today.

Stewart, it is alleged, shot his wife at their home on West Fifth street last Sunday morning. Officers, however, were not notified until [the] afternoon who placed Stewart under arrest. Stewart, it is said, fired twice at his wife, one bullet from a .38 caliber revolver taking effect in the leg and another in her hand.

Dr. J.P. Watson dressed Mrs. Stewart's wounds and according to reports, are not believed to be serious unless complications arise.

Stewart, according to reports, had been drinking, and jealousy is believed to have been the motive.
Source: The Messenger September 28, 1933

Wilcox, James W.

Hillside Man Is Shot to Death
Robert Vincent Charged With Murder of J.W. Wilcox, Early Last Saturday Morning
Called Victim to His Door
J.W. Wilcox, 55 years old, was shot, and killed instantly at his home at Hillside by Robert Vincent, 40, about 1:45 o'clock last Saturday morning. A short time later Vincent was taken into custody by Sheriff Herman Vincent and brought here and lodged in jail.

According to Sheriff Vincent, Arthur Wilcox, son of J.W. Wilcox, was arrested last Friday on a warrant charging him with stealing from a common carrier. Following his arrest, Arthur Wilcox signed and affidavit naming Robert Vincent as an accomplice in the looting of the freight car. Vincent evidently learned that he had been accused of taking part in the robbery, and he went to the home of the elder Wilcox, calling the latter to the door of his home.

When Wilcox appeared, Vincent began talking with him about the robbery of the freight car, and finally said, “Don't you believe I'll kill you?” Wilcox, it seems, undertook to explain to Vincent, that he was not responsible for anything which had been done in connection with the alleged robbery of the freight car, but Vincent, refusing to listen to Wilcox's plea, shot him with a .45 caliber automatic pistol, killing him instantly.

A funeral service for Wilcox was held at his home at 11 o'clock Monday morning, and interment was in the Wilcox burying ground, near Stringtown.

Vincent, charged with willful murder for the shooting of Wilcox, waived examining trial in the county court, and was held to grand jury.
Source: Greenville-Leader January 12, 1934

Withers, Forrest

Forrest Withers Arrested in Butler
Trapped By Fellow Convict; Reward of $1,000 Standing For His Capture.
Located in Grayson county by a former fellow prisoner in the State penitentiary, a man alleged to be Forrest Withers, 44 years old, formerly of Central City, said to be wanted in Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma and elsewhere on bank robbery and other charges, was arrested in Morgantown last Friday.

Withers was taken to the Warren county jail in Bowling Green for safekeeping. Louisville officers have been seeking him in connection with the robbery of the Bank of New Hope, in Nelson county, November 13, 1929, according to officers.

Central City's chief of police, Virgil Gish, said he had circulars that Withers was wanted in a Memphis bank robbery and on a similar charge in Oklahoma. Withers was convicted in a robbery of a South Carrollton bank in 1920.

Delbert Gary, and his brother, Studie Gary, of Butler county, said they enticed Withers into Butler county for a hunting party and aided by a Grayson county deputy, arrested him. Delbert Gary, convicted in a Butler county killing and paroled a year ago, knew Withers in prison, he said. They inquired about a reward.

Louisville police officials said a reward of $1,000 had been offered by the Kentucky Bankers' Association for Withers' arrest in the New Hope robbery in which Daniel Pershing, alias O'Brien; Robert Davenport and Carl Gray were given five-terms in 1931. Withers was in Louisville at the time the others were caught but eluded capture, officials said.

Withers was also indicted in Louisville in connection with the robbery there in January, 1927, of Sam Newman, New York jewelry salesman, of $100,000 worth of uncut diamonds. At the time the indictment was made public, word was received that he had escaped from a jail in Eldorado…[corner torn].
Source: The Messenger November 16, 1933