Muhlenberg County Kentucky

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Walker, John

Providence man killed near Central City Sunday morning
Providence man steps in front of automobile and fatally injured.

The body of John Walker, who was fatally injured about 4:30 o'clock Sunday morning when he jumped in front of a truck belonging to the Jewel Tea Company and driven by William Wood, this city, was removed from the Greenville Funeral Parlor Monday afternoon to his home in Providence, Ky., for burial.

The body was identified by a sister, Mrs. Bud Morton of Powderly, at the Greenville Funeral Home, where it was being held pending identification. The name of John Walker appeared in his suit, and the same name was also engraved on a cigarette lighter found on his person.

Wood, the driver of the car, left Central City a little after 4 o'clock for Evansville. As he approached a section known as “Little Chicago,” about a mile from the city on the Central City-South Carrollton highway, a man stepped on the pavement waving his arms and signaling the driver to stop, according to evidence submitted at the coroner's inquest. Fearing a holdup, Wood swerved his car to pass the man. As he swerved his car, the man jumped with the car and was struck.

A man who was with Walker at the time of the accident fled, Wood told local officers, at the time of reporting the accident.

Wood, it is said, after striking the man, fearing a companion was with him, drove to South Carrollton, where he turned the car around and returned to Central City, seeing the injured man lying in the road. Notifying Patrolmen Herbert Robey and Andrew Wilkins of the accident, removing the injured man to the office of Dr. J.S. Fitzhugh for treatment. Owing to the serious condition of Walker, recommendation was that he be removed to a hospital. The Hopkinsville hospital was suggested by a Jewel Tea representative. He was removed from Dr. Fitzhugh's office, but died before reaching the Hopkinsville hospital.

The body was taken to Greenville where it was prepared for burial, following an inquest which was held by Coroner Lonnie Bryan at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon.

The following verdict was returned:

“We find, to the best of our knowledge, that this man, possibly identified as John Walker, came to his death by shock by being struck by an automobile driven by William Wood, it appearing an unavoidable accident.” Members of the jury were: R.R. Richmond, A. Lovell, G.R. Williams, Ballard Foley, D.L. Hicks and Melvin Murphy.

Walker, it is said, sustained a fractured skull, a crushed nose, all front teeth were knocked out and his left leg was broken in several places.

Walker was a former resident of Muhlenberg county, his father, A.J. Walker, moving from Greenville in 1927. He is survived by his widow and two children.

Walton, Mrs. L.A.

Home from Montana. Mrs. L.A. Walton has returned home after a two months visit with her daughter, Mrs. W.P. Beale and Mr. Beale in Great Falls, Montana. While there they visited Glacier Park, Yellowstone National Park and several places of historical interest in Montana and Wyoming.

Welch, George

Mr. George Welch, while carryig out ashes from his office last Tuesday, received a severe fall. He is reported falling right side up with care and unhurt.

Wheat Crop Projections

James Cate, Muhlenberg county: “The wheat crop will be larger than for ten years, and also the oat crop. Corn is coming up well, but better in McLean than Henderson county.”

[…]

J.E. Mills, Muhlenberg county -“We will have a better crop of wheat than for years. The corn crop is a little backward. Some complaints of the tobacco fly, but the reports are exaggerated.”

White Caps vs. Mormons

White Caps vs. Mormons - Two Mormon elders, Franklin Murray and James Fallon, were driven out of Muhlenberg county, Ky., several weeks ago by the citizens. Two women, Clara Tyng and Maggie Jarvis, were the only converts in that vicinity, and when the elders started northward the two women accompanied them. The four were captured by White Caps in Perry county, Ind., on Thursday night and taken to the woods. The two elders were stripped to the waist and tied to a tree, and each regulator, twenty in number, administered five lashes to each victim. Both men fainted long before their punishment was ended. One of the women was then flogged until she, too, swooned, and the remaining woman was told that unless they returned home they would get a double punishment, and the missionaries would be hanged unless they left the country at once.

Whitmer, D.A.

Switches and note left at his door
Warrants may be issued for alleged “possum hunters” of Muhlenberg.

Greenville, Ky., May 16 - At least a dozen warrants may be issued against citizens of Muhlenberg county, charging them with banding together for the purpose of alarming and threatening to do bodily harm to D.A. Whitmer, an aged citizen who lives near Bremen in this county.

Whitmer and his wife have been separated for a number of years, and it is understood that because he would not vacate his home and let her take possession the “possum hunters” intended to take the matter in their own hands for final adjustment. Whitmer recently returned from the asylum at Hopkinsville. During his stay at the asylum his wife drew his pension and since his mind has been restored the pension has been paid to him.

There were about twelve men in the crowd which Saturday night left a note and a bundle containing twelve long willows on Whitmer's steps. The note was very brief and said that if Whitmer didn't leave home and let his wife have possession of the premises they would hill him. It was signed “Night Riders.”

Whitmer went to Greenville Sunday afternoon and was in consultation with the County Attorney. He took with him the note and switches. Whitmer believes that he recognized some of those in the crowd.

Saturday afternoon Whitmer made affidavit charging one man with breach of the peace, as the result of a difficulty which arose between them Saturday afternoon. No warrant for the arrest of the man had been issued this afternoon.

Whitney, Elijah

Elijah Whitney's body was found yesterday, the head almost cut off with a broad-ax. Allen Tooley being arrested confessed that he murdered Whitney in self-defense.

…more.

Wickliffe, William A.

Fine residence to be built.

Mr. W.A. Wickliffe has received from Joseph & Joseph, prominent architects of Louisville, accepted plans for his new residence, which will be built on his commodious plat of ground on Hopkinsville street. The site will be nearer the street than the present residence, and the site is one that could hardly be improved. The proposed home will be perhaps the finest in the county. It will be two stories and basement, the basement to be of concrete, first story brick veneer and second story concrete veneer, splatter dash finish. All modern conveniences and comforts will be incorporated, and the home will be a delight to the occupants and an object of pride to the town. Contractors are now preparing bids, which will be opened soon.

Wilcox, James W.

Hillside Man Is Shot to Death
Robert Vincent Charged With Murder of J.W. Wilcox, Early Last Saturday Morning
Called Victim to His Door

J.W. Wilcox, 55 years old, was shot, and killed instantly at his home at Hillside by Robert Vincent, 40, about 1:45 o'clock last Saturday morning. A short time later Vincent was taken into custody by Sheriff Herman Vincent and brought here and lodged in jail.

According to Sheriff Vincent, Arthur Wilcox, son of J. W. Wilcox, was arrested last Friday on a warrant charging him with stealing from a common carrier. Following his arrest, Arthur Wilcox signed and affidavit naming Robert Vincent as an accomplice in the looting of the freight car. Vincent evidently learned that he had been accused of taking part in the robbery, and he went to the home of the elder Wilcox, calling the latter to the door of his home.

When Wilcox appeared, Vincent began talking with him about the robbery of the freight car, and finally said, “Don't you believe I'll kill you?” Wilcox, it seems, undertook to explain to Vincent, that he was not responsible for anything which had been done in connection with the alleged robbery of the freight car, but Vincent, refusing to listen to Wilcox's plea, shot him with a .45 caliber automatic pistol, killing him instantly.

A funeral service for Wilcox was held at his home at 11 o'clock Monday morning, and interment was in the Wilcox burying ground, near Stringtown.

Vincent, charged with willful murder for the shooting of Wilcox, waived examining trial in the county court, and was held to grand jury.

Williams, Bryant

The last will and testament of Mr. Bryant Williams was probated in County Court last Monday. Messrs. W.O. Belcher and Newton Belcher being the two subscribing witnesses. Mr. Williams bequeathed to his wife, Mrs. Martha A. Williams all his personal estate and to his son, Clifton Paul Williams a tract of land containing 200 acres on Caney Creek, making the care and support of Mrs. Williams part of the stipulation during the balance of her life and at her death that he shall pay to the following children $100 each: Mrs. Martha Lee, Mrs. Alice Lee, L.P. Williams, G.R. Williams, Joseph A. Williams, Miss Sallie Williams. He shall also pay to Shelly Hendricks, Slaton Hendricks and Paul Hendricks, $33.33 each and to Stella Jernigan, Forest Jernigan, Elbert Jernigan, Howard Jernigan, and Herald Jernigan, $20 each.

Wing Slave Quarters

Old Landmark Is Being Torn Down
Building 100 Years in Greenville Razed to Be Replaced By Another.

Greenville, Ky., April 19. - One of Greenville's oldest houses is being torn down to make room for more modern improvements. The old house stood on East Cross street, next to the negro Baptist church, and is said to be more than one hundred years old. Originally, it was used as a dwelling for slaves belonging to Charles Fox Wing, one of the pioneers of Muhlenberg, and first clerk of the county court.

The old building was constructed of hewn logs, some of which are two feet across the face, and then was, probably at some later date, finished inside with poplar planks, some of these being eighteen inches wide. Weatherboards had also been added, and the old logs were in an excellent state of preservation. The sleepers were made of logs, which had been hewn on one side, only.

The old house has had many owners, and finally, not long since, it was purchased by T.G. Rogers, who is having it removed from the lot.

Withers, Forrest

Forrest Withers Arrested in Butler
Trapped By Fellow Convict; Reward of $1,000 Standing For His Capture.

Located in Grayson county by a former fellow prisoner in the State penitentiary, a man alleged to be Forrest Withers, 44 years old, formerly of Central City, said to be wanted in Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma and elsewhere on bank robbery and other charges, was arrested in Morgantown last Friday.

Withers was taken to the Warren county jail in Bowling Green for safekeeping. Louisville officers have been seeking him in connection with the robbery of the Bank of New Hope, in Nelson county, November 13, 1929, according to officers.

Central City's chief of police, Virgil Gish, said he had circulars that Withers was wanted in a Memphis bank robbery and on a similar charge in Oklahoma. Withers was convicted in a robbery of a South Carrollton bank in 1920.

Delbert Gary, and his brother, Studie Gary, of Butler county, said they enticed Withers into Butler county for a hunting party and aided by a Grayson county deputy, arrested him. Delbert Gary, convicted in a Butler county killing and paroled a year ago, knew Withers in prison, he said. They inquired about a reward.

Louisville police officials said a reward of $1,000 had been offered by the Kentucky Bankers' Association for Withers' arrest in the New Hope robbery in which Daniel Pershing, alias O'Brien; Robert Davenport and Carl Gray were given five-terms in 1931. Withers was in Louisville at the time the others were caught but eluded capture, officials said.

Withers was also indicted in Louisville in connection with the robbery there in January, 1927, of Sam Newman, New York jewelry salesman, of $100,000 worth of uncut diamonds. At the time the indictment was made public, word was received that he had escaped from a jail in Eldorado… [corner of article torn].

Forest Withers Is Killed In Ohio
Killed By Member of Own Crowd at Speakeasy; Burial Will Be In Cincinnati.

Forest Withers and a companion in crime, Robert Stattery, alias Dan O'Leary, shot each other to death last Sunday night in Cincinnati after a quarrel in a speakeasy over a hijacked car of liquor.

Forest Withers grew up in and around Central City. He is alleged to have been in turn bootlegger, petty lawbreaker and twice sentenced to the penitentiary on charges of bank robbery. He served a term in the penitentiary when he held up the Citizens Bank at South Carrollton some 14 years ago. He was serving a term in the reformatory at Frankfort and escaped there by tunneling on Wednesday night of last week. Withers was 46 years of age.

Wood, J.W. & Morris Wilson

Greenville, Ky., Feb. 27. - Messrs. J.W. Wood and Morris Wilson spent the weekend here with their parents, returning to Bethel college, Monday.

Woolsey

Mrs. Woosley the prominent evangelist, who has had remarkable success, will begin a series of meetings here in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The meeting will begin about the 1st. of March.

Updated April 6, 2024.

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