Muhlenberg County Kentucky

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News: J

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.

Jackson, Frank

Negro killed. Frank Jackson, of color, shot and killed another colored man on Green river, near Paradise, on Monday last. We did not learn the cause of the difficulty. Walker & Hubbard went today to attend the examining trial for the defense.

James, Corinna

House Party. Miss Corinna James, daughter of Dr. A.D. James, of Penrod, Ky., delightfully entertained a house part this week at her home.

Those included in the part are as follows: Misses Bernice Harden and Anna Russel, Rockport, Ky.; Margaret Bennett, Central City; Rebecca Kennerly, Dunmore, Ky.; Mabel Poole, Chicago, Ill.; Louisa Howard, Russellville, Ky.; Gwendoline James, Louisville, Ky.; Mary Beuley, Penrod, Ky.; Ollie Manley, Rochester, Ky.; Messrs. James Kinnerley, Dunmore, Ky.; U.M. Martin, Greenville, Ky.; Dan Maloney and Will Wilson, Lewisburg, Ky.; Silas Mohon, Bevier, Ky.; Frank Howard, Russellville, Ky.; James Wallace, Arkdelphia, Ark.; James A. Bier, West Virginia. The most delightful feature of the occasion was a trip to Diamond Springs. The party being chaperoned by Mrs. Ed Smith, Penrod, Ky.

James, Mrs. S.M.

Mrs. S.M. James spent last week with relatives in Muhlenberg county.

Jarvis, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin

Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Jarvis of Washington, D.C., were in the city Saturday enroute to Texas where they will be the guests of Mrs. Jarvis' parents, for several weeks. Mr. Jarvis formerly resided in Central City.

Jenkins, Mrs. J.L.

Greenville, Ky., Feb. 27. - Mrs. J.L. Jenkins returned last week from a two-month stay in Avon Park, Fla.

Jenkins, Phil

Alex McClure shoots Phil Jenkins.

Last Thursday night about 10 o'clock Alex McClure shot Phil Jenkins in the breast, puncturing the right lung, and inflicting a wound that is considered very dangerous. Both are colored boys, and had been in previous trouble with each other, it is said. Jenkins was at his home, near the court house, and it is said McClure went there and knocked on the door, and when Jenkins responded to the knock, he was shot. McClure escaped, but in a few hours surrendered himself, and is in jail. Jenkins is in serious condition, and pneumonia is feared as a complication.

Later - Jenkins died at 1 o-clock yesterday afternoon, and will be buried in Fairmount cemetery, in the West End, at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon.

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.

Johnson, Mrs.

Escaped from Asylum. Muhlenberg lady took French leave yesterday morning.

Mrs. Johnson, an inmate of the asylum, escaped from the institution yesterday morning and at last accounts was still at large. She was out on the lawn with other patients and suddenly disappeared, leaving no idea of the route she took. Mrs. Johnson was sent here several years ago from Muhlenberg county for treatment.

Jones, Clarence

Greenville Man Held for Threat to Police Officer
Greenville - Clarence Jones, 22, of Route 2, Greenville, was arrested Thursday at the home of Lloyd Jernigan in Central City by Muhlenberg County Deputy Sheriff Keith Nunley for threatening the life of a peace officer.

Nunley stated that when he went to the Jernigan home to arrest Jones on a storehouse breakin charge, allegedly committed about three months ago, Jones drew a loaded shotgun on him.

Jones entered a plea of innocent to the charge at his examining trial Friday. Jones was committed to the county jail here after failing to post $500 bond on the breakin charge and $200 bond on threatening a peace officer.

The cases against Jones will be heard by a Muhlenberg County Grand Jury when it convenes in March. Jones' wife, Murial Faye and Jernigan's wife, Marie, were both charged with resisting the arrest of another.

Josey, Jim

The residence of Jim Josey, who lives near Powderly, was entirely destroyed by fire last Saturday night. He was very unfortunate, not saving any household goods except a sewing machine.

Updated April 7, 2024.

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