MIDDLESBORO DAILY NEWS
Middlesboro, Bell County, Kentucky May 15, 1923

GEORGE COLSON GIVEN SEVEN YEARS' IMPRISONMENT FOR
KILLING IRA BALL LAST YEAR


DYING STATEMENT OF SLAIN MAN INTRODUCED AS EVIDENCE -
CASE ONE OF MOST SENSATIONAL IN YEARS -
CAUSED SHOOTING IN PINEVILLE MANY LOCAL WITNESSES AT
TRIAL IN RICHMOND

Seven years' imprisonment in the state reformatory was the punishment fixed for George Colson, found guilty today by Madison Circuit Court of killing Ira Ball. This case has been one of the most sensational in the state because of the trouble created at the time of the killing and later at the start of the trial in Pineville when a fight ensued in which one man was killed and three shot. It was because of the bitter feeling existing between the Ball and Colson families that the case was venue to Madison County for trial.

By Associated Press
Richmond, May 15 - The dying statement of Ira Ball, shot to death on the streets of Middlesboro in February a year ago, was admitted into evidence at the trial of George Colson, charged with
killing Ball. This declared Colson fired the first shot. Ball's widow asserted Colson drew two pistols and fired first. Colson testified that Ball fired first at him while Colson was walking away and after the couple had a few words of acrimonious conversation.

The case was venued here from Bell County because of conditions growing out of what is said to have been feud between Ball and Colson.

Ira Ball was shot by George Colson on East Cumberland Avenue near fifteenth Street February 2, 1922, and died ten days later. Colson was indicted by the grand jury on a charge of murder and his trial was set for May 17, of last year.

A change in venue was granted so that the case was scheduled for trial at Richmond. On account of the absence of witnesses, it has been deferred several times.

The trial began yesterday morning and lasted far into the night. Evidence was conflicting. The defendant attempted to prove that he had shot Ball in self defense. The Commonwealth tried to show that the killing was without provocation.

The case was tried before Judge Rhodes Shackleford. The defendant was represented by Attorney James D. Black, ex-governor of the state, and Judge James N. Gilbert of Pineville. The Commonwealth was represented by Joseph Cheuant and Mr. Baxter, assisted by John Howard of Middlesboro.

The jury deliberated long on the verdict, news of which was not received here until late in the afternoon. A number of Middlesboro witnesses were present at the trial, the appearance of these having been assured by a $500.00 bond. Among the witnesses were: Dr. C. K. Brosheer, Andy Moyers, Jeff Moyers, Wallace Gastineau, Floyd Ball, Mrs. Ira Ball and Alva Ball.

Newspaper Article Submission
Article #2, RE: Colson-Ball Feud
by Pat Akers Lacy
nanapat2007@embarqmail.com