From: Sherri Hall [ldrbelties@earthlink.net] Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 4:13 AM To: KY-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [KYF] NEWS: Tidbits, 1896, Lee & Wolfe Co. Submitted by Norma Adams Hazel Green Herald, May 21, 1896 Jerry South Dies From a Pistol Wound A desperate battle occurred late Saturday afternoon on the Kentucky river below Jackson in which Jerry South, grandson of Jerry South, for many years superintendent of the Kentucky penitentiary was killed. South an dseveral companions, among them John Gillum, were engaged in the unlawful business of seining the river. They were all drining moonshine whiskey and after the fish had been caught, they quarreled over their division. It was not long until all five of the men were blazing away at each other with their pistols. South fell from a bullet believed to have been fired by Gillum. South's grandfather owned fifty thousand acres of land in Breathitt county and the young man inherited a large tract. He has been wayward. Several years ago he was indicted for killing a man, but got clear on some pretext. He was a warm friend of Fult French, leader of the French faction in the Eversole feud and was strongly opposed to evangelists coming into Eastern Kentucky. He has been charged with being one of French's lieutenants and when French's leading killer, Tom Smith, who confessed to having murdered eight men, was on the scaffold, South remarked that Evengelist Dickey who was praying for Smith, ought to be hanged instead of the multi-murderer. WILLIAM MINIX ACQUITTED William Minix, who killed William Ward at Salyersville thirty years ago, was tried in the Magoffin circuit court last week, and the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty". At the time of the murder, Minix gave bond and left the country and was never heard from until he appeared for trial for his deed. He says he could not rest until his conscience was clear and he had stood trial for his deed. He was converted and became a Methodist preacher under an assumed name, married in Missouri and has two children. Minix and Ward were young men about twenty years of age and intimate friends. One night in August, 1866, they were playing cards and drinking socially, when a dispute arose of the game. Minix struck Ward over the head with an old fashioned skillet, fracturing his skull, from the effects of which Ward died a few days later. Minix is a good preach and well educated. LEE COUNTY Miss Smith of Clay City visited the family of E. B. Smith Sunday. Nute Williams is very low with consumption and not expected to live. George Spurlock of Hazard was the guest of W. T. Prater one day last week. Willie Jones is awfully pleased with his big girl because his wife says "it is just like Willie". Revs. J. E. Morris and Stamper preached to a very large crowd at the new church here Sunday. Pistol shooters are getting to be very numerous around here on Sunday. Why don't the citizens do their duty? Married on the 16th inst, George Stull to Miss Lealer Shoemaker at the home of the bride, Rev. M. F. Stamper officiated. Mrs. J. E. Morris and Mrs. W. T. Prater visited Mrs. Soctrates Kincaid last Friday and think the day's topic was on gardening. W. B. Gum died at his home, near this place, last Tuesday afternoon at 5 o'clock, after an illness of two weeks of bowel complaint, and buried Thursday at the Lewis Abner burying ground. Deceased was 77 years old and was well known on the Kentucky River as a great raftsman. ______________________________