Hancock County, Kentucky Stories
George Henderson Killed
at dance near Lewisport
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By Wayne Fullenwider
Retyped as it appeared in the Clarion, by
Mary L. Gibbs, George Lee Gibbs, Jr, for non-profit use
The party which Helm Jarred, then 19, and
Oscar Jarred, his 18-year-old brother attended was at the Sheb
Morris home, almost on the spot where Martin Marietta Aluminum
Rolling Mill stands today. At the time in 1900, the Henderson
family lived on the same road, near the Morris family. The
Hendersons were regarded as powerful in Hancock County; due to
the fact they owned quite a bit of property and were wealthy. It
is reasonable to assume the family exerted more than a little
political power. The Henderson boys were quite overbearing not
necessarily means, but rather having grown up accustomed to
having their own way; with a prominent name and money giving them
an advantage. George Henderson was supposedly 36 years of age,
when Helm Jarred'’ bullet ended his life.
The detective hired by the Henderson’s
was said to have come from West Virginia; but he had no success
in locating Jarred: Wayne Fullenwider said Jarred may have
actually died in Missouri, or gone farther west. The family never
heard from him again. His mother and brothers moved to Missouri
in the hope of finding him, and some of their descendants still
live there.
About a year after the departure of Helm
Jarred, Bill Fullenwider was found apparently killed by a heavy
blow to the head, west of Lewisport. His wagon and team had been
run over the riverbank. The crime was never solved.
Fullenwider believes that such violent
incidents as the Jarred Killing of George Henderson may have been
brought about because of the romantic image of Jesse James. James
was running rampant a few years before, robbing banks and
railroads mostly in the western states. The boys of the late 1800’s
grew up idolizing the Dalton Boys and the James Gang.
See Also Helm
Jarred hid-out in room beneath corn crib for more on this story.