Rigsby Home
Submitted by without prejudice Kate Cain Rigbsy Bynum
Purr Andrew Rigsby, along with his first cousin William Robert Rigsby
nicknamed “Jack”, son of Robert Thomas Rigbsy and Elizabeth
Catherine “Cat” Murray, had become involved in an argument with
three men while visiting Winstead’s Camp in Mount Vernon, Kentucky
(see photo in Photos section). The
three men left before Purr and Jack, so they could lie in ambush along the
road. When they come by, Greeley Lear fired his gun and instantly killed
Jack. Purr jumped from his horse to the ground so he could return the deadly
gunfire. Purr killed one man. The others ran down the road with Purr chasing
them. Soon, Armp Roland fell dead, a twenty-one year old victim to
Purr’s smoking gun. Soon, a trail followed. My great grandfather Watt
Rigbsy said his mother and father (Purr and Lucy Rigbsy) hitched up the
horses and wagon to go to the trial each day for several weeks.
Purr never served a jail sentence, for he was judged innocent on
self-defense.
Greeley Lear. On the other hand, served nearly seven years for
murdering William Robert “Jack” Rigsby . He swore that he would
kill Purr when he got out of jail. (Greeley Lear & Purr Rigbsy was both
around thirty years old.)
At this time, Mrs. Maggie Lear’s home was the community post
office and barber shop. As Greeley was released from jail, he spread word
that he still had a grudge against Purr to settle.
Days later, Purr went to the post office, got his mail, and chatted
with the postmaster. He’d been seen by Greeley, who was getting his
hair cut. It is said that he jumped up from the barbers chair and grabbed
his gun, and said, “I’m going to kill Purr Rigsby.” Running
into the post office part of the building where Purr was talking, Greeley
yelled ‘Purr, turn around”! When he did, Greeley shot Purr in the
chest. Purr then ripped open his coat, pulled out a gun he’d hidden
there, and shot Greeley in the bowels. Greeley was taken home by some
friends as Purr rode home on his horse and went to bed.
With little advancement in medicine in the rural areas, surgery could
not be preformed. The local doctor merely shook his head and said both men
would die. Some reason’s given to support this was the hot, dry weather
which usually caused wounds to become rotten. The old doc was half right;
Greeley Lear did die and was buried near Armp Roland. Purr, however,
survived and carried Greeley’s bullet in one of his lungs until he
died, nearing his ninety-ninth birthday.
Purr Rigsby is buried at the Brodhead Christian Church Cemetery in
Brodhead, Kentucky
Paris Greeley Lear is buried at John Moss Cemetery in Hiatt area of
Brindle Ridge, Kentucky
Written By: a Great Great Grandson of Purr Rigbsy
Kate Cain-Rigbsy-Bynum’s note: Article appeared in the Mt Vernon
Signal Ky., newspaper October 8, 1897. Man being charged with William Robert
“Jack” Rigsby's murder was Greeley Lear.Armp Rowland was a cousin
to Greeley Lear, and they were both raised by their grandmother. Greeley
Lear’s tombstone says he died March 17, 1903. This might have been a
"family" type feud since so many Lear's married with Rigsby's.
There is rumor now that the argument might have started over a 'dog."
|
