Muhlenberg County Kentucky
News: F
Death of Edward Lee Fulkerson
Note: Edward's name appears as Faulson, Fulson, and Fulkerson.
11 March 1938
Man arrested in Peru,
Edward Lee Fulson, whose body was found by train crew in May, 1937 may have been the victim.
Edward Gabbert, 18, of Owensboro, arrested by officers at Peru, Ind., is repoted to have signed a confession that he and another man killed an unidentified man on the I.C. railroad tracks near Central City one night last November.
After Peru officers had talked with Sheriff Peck O'Neill, they questioned Gabbert further. As a result they quoted Gabbert as saying he was not positive that the killing occurred in November.
Netter Pearson was killed by a train near Central City in November, 1937, but that death occurred during the day, members of the train crews being witnessed.
Mysterious Death in May.
The confession of Gabbert may solve the mystery surrounding the death of Edward Lee Fulson, who was killed Saturday night, May 21, 1937, about a half mile south of Nelson.
Fulson's body was discovered by the engine crew of the fast southbound Illinois Central passenger train No. 103, due in Central City about 1 o'clock. The engineer, it was reported at the time, noticed the man on the track, but it was not definitely decided whether he had been killed by the midnight passenger train or had been killed by a train earlier in the evening.
The fast passenger train was stopped and backed up to the body, the train crew finding the 23-year-old man dead. The train crews, upon reaching Central City, notified local railroad men, who with Coroner Lonnie Bryan, went to the scene. Fulson was reported to have been walking along the railroad right-of-way in the direction of his home when killed.
At the time the following was reported: “If Fulson was killed by the fast passenger train, it is supposition that he sat down on the rail to rest, going to sleep.”
- Source: Times-Argus [Central City, KY], 11 Mar 1938.
11 March 1938
Makes Confession. Peru, Ind., March 9. - Sheriff Robert A. Tillett said tonight Edward Gabbert, 18-year-old transient arrested here as a trespasser, had confessed to aiding in the slaying of an unidentified man in a holdup at Central City, Ky., last November.
Gabbert was arrested by a Wabash railroad detective for trespassing and while being questioned in jail suddenly shouted: “I'll confess and get it off my conscience. I killed a man in Kentucky.”
The sheriff said Gabbert signed a confession asserting he knew his companion in the slaying only by the name of Pate. The confession said Gabbert and his companion were walking along the railroad tracks in Central City and attempted to hold up a man they met. The victim resisted, and Gabbert said Pate struck him on the head with a piece of iron.
Gabbert said he obtained four dollars from the man's pockets, and that he and Pate then laid him across the railroad tracks to make the death appear accidental. Gabbert and Pate then separated.
The youth said he had been traveling around the country since that time. He said he visisted his father at Owensboro at Christmas time. He came here from Danville, Ill.
Gabbert said he had been arrested one time at Henderson, Ky., but was released.
- Source: Times-Argus [Central City, KY], 11 Mar 1938.
18 March 1938
Edward Gabbert held for murder of Muhlenberger
Warrant issued for man held in Indiana for murder of Edward Lee Fulkerson in May.
Edward Gabbert, 18, who confessed to Peru, Ind., officers that he and a man named “Pate” killed an unidentified man near Central City, will be returned to Muhlenberg County, a warrant having been issued for him, charging him with the death of Edward Lee (Fulson) Fulkerson.
Fulkerson's body was found on the Illinois Central railroad tracks. At that time it was believed he had been killed by a train. Gabbert's confession was to the effect that he and his companion “Pate” slugged a man in a robbery and laid his body on the tracks.
Sheriff Peck O'Neill left this morning for Peru, Ind., to return Gabbert to Muhlenberg County to stand trial.
- Source: Times-Argus [Central City, KY], 18 Mar 1938.
25 March 1938
Gabbert waives trial in “slaying” confession case
Waived examining trial when arraigned in Muhlenberg on highway robbery charge.
Edward Lee Gabbert, 18, of Owensboro who was brough to Muhlenberg County last Friday from Peru, Indiana, by Sheriff Peck O'Neill and Deputy Sheriff Chuck Robertson, waived examining trial when arraigned in Muhlenberg county court on a charge of highway robbery and was held to the grand jury on $750 bond. He is in jail.
Gabbert was quoted by Peru officers as saying he and a man named “Pate” robbed an unidentified man near Central City last November, knocking him in the head and placing the body on a railroad track, making death of the victim appear as an accident. Gabbert said he was not certain about the date.
The warrant issued for Gabbert charged him with murder in connection with the death of Edward Lee Fulkerson, near Nelson, last May.
- Source: Times-Argus [Central City, KY], 25 Mar 1938.
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Updated April 6, 2024.