Perry County KYGenWeb

Jackson Times
Dec. 28, 1928

Man is caught 14 years after killing woman

Coley Combs in Breathitt Jail for Murder Committed
years ago  Caught in Perry County

Coley Combs has found that is does not pay to shoot women through the back of the head even though he killed a Mrs. Nix, in that manner 14 years ago and has enjoyed his freedom for the length of time. Combs, who went to North Carolina just after the killing, drifted back to Ky. recently and was put in jail at Hazard for a minor offense.  The jailer recognized him and recalled the murder of the Nix woman. Breathitt officials were called and Combs is now here in jail.        
In recalling the old crime it is said that a group of men and women, including Combs and Mrs. Nix, approached a stream through which the crowd had to wade.  One of the men took Mrs. Nix on his back to carry her across and Combs is said to have remarked,  "Doing that will get you killed."  Shortly after saying this, it is said that he drew his gun and shot her in the back of the head, killing her instantly.

The case was dropped from the court records a few years after the killing, but will be brought up again at the next term of the court. The killing occurred on Long Fork of Buckhorn.

Submitted by Carole Bays
April 2003