Mitchell, The Courier Journal, The Bourbon News, June 16, 1882
subject: Mitchell James
subject: Mitchell Jim
subject: Charge, Rape
subject: Mob, Hanging
subject: Mob, 500 members
subject: Editorials
description: MT. STERLING Mrs. Thomas, a farmer's wife, outraged by a negro scoundrel, who is arrested. [Special to the courier-journal.] Mt. Sterling, June 14,- To-day about noon as the wife of Robert Thomas, a tobacco man, who lives on Smith Judis' farm, in the country, was crossing a field to visit a neighbor, she met Jim Mitchell, a negro do thiss city, whi secured her, smothering her cries, and outraged her. She succeeded in getting home and related her sad story yo Mr., Stanton, who came to the city and informed Deputy Sheriff Chenault of the affair. He'd immediately went in pursuit of the black fiend, captured him and he is now in jail here. The husband of the outraged woman, when he heard of the rape, procured a shotgun and, but for the interference of the officers, would have killed the deapoller of his home. Mr. Thomas is a poor man, but respectable, and the excitement over the outrage is intense. MT. STERLING, June 14.- A burly black brute named Mitchell, weighing 200 pounds, waylaid a reputable woman, the wife of Robert Johnson, a farmer living about two miles in the country, and committed a horrible rape upon her. She walked a mile and gave the information, and the negro was arrested and I'm jail at 3 o'clock, two hours after the prefpormance of the deed. There will likely be a hasty court held here by Judge Lynch to-night.
description: Jim Mitchell, a negro, was taken from the Sheriff near Mt.Sterling, Ky., while on his way to jail, and hanged. He had outraged a Mrs. Thomas (white), the day before. The mob consisted of about 500 men,
description: MATTERS IN KENTUCKY MT. STERLING A black ravisher receives proper attention at the hands of judge lynch. [special to the courier-journal] Mt.Sterling, June 15.- The negro, Jim Mitchell, who committed the outrage upon the wife of Robert Thomas yesterday afternoon, was taken from the jail during the night by five men, armed with revolvers who compelled the jailer to surrender the prisoner. He acknowledged his guilt, and was fully identified by his victim. His captors took him to a railroad trestle, about half a mile from town, strung him iup for safe keeping and left him. The lifeless body was cut down by the Coroner this morning and planted. The general impression is that Judge Lynch did a very good job, considering the brief time the court had in which to make up its mind.
creator: Lexxi Colbert
source: Newspapers.com
publisher: The Courier Journal
publisher: The Bourbon News
date: 1882-06-16
contributor: Lexxi Colbert
relation: Biography forthcoming.
format: Image
coverage: Mt. Sterling, Montgomery County

Morton, The Evening Bulletin, Mon, October 15, 1894
subject: Morton, Oscar Martin, Oscar
subject: Charge, Murder of one white man and one white sheriff
subject: Mob, Hanging
subject: Mob, unknown number
subject: Mob, unmasked
subject: Editorial
description: A coldblooded Muder Occurs at Lexington LOUISVILLE, Oct. 15. - A special to the Commercial from Lexington, Ky., says: Another lynching was added to the unusually large fall series of Blue Grass lynching bees Saturday. Saturday at the close of the Beattyville fair, Oscar Morton, a prominent citizen of Stanton, in Powell county, went on the warpath. Only two weeks ago Morton killed his man at Stanton and was out on $5,000 bond to appear next week at the Powell circuit court. When Morton arrived at the fair he procceded to get drunk and then went to hunt for Sheriff William Simms, who was his deadly enemy, a feud of long standing existing between the two men. Simms and Morton met near the entrance to the fair grounds, and after a few words both of them drew guns, and a quick exchange of shots followed, Morton using two guns. His first shot broke the sheriff's right arm at the elbow, and John Hogg, a friend of Simms, whipped out his gun and joined in the battle. When the smoke had cleared away it was found that Sheriff Simms was dead, being shot through his breast, one in his abdomen and another through his arm. Morton was shot through the neck, while Hogg was unhurt. Before a crowd could collect, Morton was hustled to the county jail and placed under guard. The people became infiuriated and a big meeting was at once held on the public square. Coloneal John Drummond mounted a barrel and made a speech in which he said that the murderer must be hanged, but that the work must be done quietly and with perfect order; Morton had killed two men in less than two weeks time, and he must die by the rope. A mob was quickly formed and marched to the jail. The jailer was overpowered and the keys to Morton's cell obtained. He was found lying in his shirt sleeves on the floor of his cell and after a bitter struggle was seized and dragged out. He then became very imprudent and told the mob he did not care what they did with him provided they did their work quick. After a short parley h…
creator: Lexxi Colbert
source: Newspapers.com
publisher: The Evening Bulletin
date: 1894-10-15
contributor: Lexxi Colbert
relation: Documenting Racial Violence in Kentucky, Oscar Morton
format: Image
coverage: Lexington, Lee County

Pile, The Courier-Journal, May 20, 1877
subject: Pile, Levi
subject: Charge, Attempted Rape and Murder of a White Woman
subject: Mob, Hanged and Riddled with bullets
subject: Mob, Unknown number
subject: Mob, Disguised
description: Negro Taken from Blandville Jail by disguised men, Dragged to the Woods, Hanged, Shot, and His Clothing Burned off. <path fill="#ffcf5f" d="M168 243.6C128.4 243.6 88.8 258 49.2 286.8 78 247.2 92.4 207.6 92.4 168 92.4 128.4 78 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 78 128.4 92.4 168 92.4 207.6 92.4 247.2 78 286.8 49.2 258 88.8 243.6 128.4 243.6 168 243.6 207.6 258 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 258 207.6 243.6 168 243.6Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#e6d65e" d="M168 226.8C128.4 226.8 88.8 246.8 49.2 286.8 89.2 247.2 109.2 207.6 109.2 168 109.2 128.4 89.2 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 89.2 128.4 109.2 168 109.2 207.6 109.2 247.2 89.2 286.8 49.2 246.8 88.8 226.8 128.4 226.8 168 226.8 207.6 246.8 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 246.8 207.6 226.8 168 226.8Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#e6d65e" d="M168 226.8C128.4 226.8 88.8 246.8 49.2 286.8 89.2 247.2 109.2 207.6 109.2 168 109.2 128.4 89.2 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 89.2 128.4 109.2 168 109.2 207.6 109.2 247.2 89.2 286.8 49.2 246.8 88.8 226.8 128.4 226.8 168 226.8 207.6 246.8 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 246.8 207.6 226.8 168 226.8Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <circle cx="71" cy="71" r="71" fill="#dbbc74"></circle> <path fill="#e6cb05" d="M119.5 191.7C91.3 191.7 63.2 196 35 204.5 43.5 176.3 47.8 148.2 47.8 120 47.8 91.8 43.5 63.7 35 35.5 63.2 44 91.3 48.3 119.5 48.3 147.7 48.3 175.8 44 204 35.5 195.5 63.7 191.2 91.8 191.2 120 191.2 148.2 195.5 176.3 204 204.5 175.8 196 147.7 191.7 119.5 191.7Z" transform="rotate(45 119.501 120)"></path> <path fill="#ffed8a" d="M168 235.2C128.4 235.2 88.8 252.4 49.2 286.8 83.6 247.2 100.8 207.6 100.8 168 100.8 128.4 83.6 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 83.6 128.4 100.8 168 100.8 207.6 100.8 247.2 83.6 286.8 49.2 252.4 88.8 235.2 128.4 235.2 168 235.2 207.6 252.4 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 252.4 207.6 235.2 168 235.2Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#f8ffc4" d="M134.3 241C102.7 241 71.2 236.9 39.7 228.6 31.4 197.1 27.3 165.5 27.3 134 27.3 102.5 31.4 70.9 39.7 39.4 71.2 31.1 102.7 2…
description: Cario, Ill, May 22.- "On Sunday night a party of disguised men went to the jail at Blandville Ky., and with drawn pistols demanded and received the keys. They then seized the negro, Levi Pile, who attempted to outrage and murder Mrs. C.R. Pile last week, tied a rope around his neck, tied him to a mule, and dragged him away to the woods. Nothing further is known except that his dead body was found hanging to a tree with several bullet-holes in it, and the clothing burned off. At last accounts the body was still hanging."
creator: Lexxi Colbert
source: Newspapers.com <polygon fill="#bfb177" points="168 252 49.2 286.8 84 168 49.2 49.2 168 84 286.8 49.2 252 168 286.8 286.8" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></polygon> <path fill="#e3d881" d="M168 218.4C128.4 218.4 88.8 241.2 49.2 286.8 94.8 247.2 117.6 207.6 117.6 168 117.6 128.4 94.8 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 94.8 128.4 117.6 168 117.6 207.6 117.6 247.2 94.8 286.8 49.2 241.2 88.8 218.4 128.4 218.4 168 218.4 207.6 241.2 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 241.2 207.6 218.4 168 218.4Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <circle cx="71" cy="71" r="71" fill="#dbbc74"></circle> <path fill="#f8ffc4" d="M134.3 241C102.7 241 71.2 236.9 39.7 228.6 31.4 197.1 27.3 165.5 27.3 134 27.3 102.5 31.4 70.9 39.7 39.4 71.2 31.1 102.7 27 134.3 27 165.8 27 197.3 31.1 228.8 39.4 237.1 70.9 241.3 102.5 241.3 134 241.3 165.5 237.1 197.1 228.8 228.6 197.3 236.9 165.8 241 134.3 241Z" transform="rotate(45 134.25 134)"></path> <circle cx="71" cy="71" r="71" fill="#dbbc74"></circle> <path fill="#ffcf5f" d="M168 243.6C128.4 243.6 88.8 258 49.2 286.8 78 247.2 92.4 207.6 92.4 168 92.4 128.4 78 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 78 128.4 92.4 168 92.4 207.6 92.4 247.2 78 286.8 49.2 258 88.8 243.6 128.4 243.6 168 243.6 207.6 258 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 258 207.6 243.6 168 243.6Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#f8ffc4" d="M134.3 241C102.7 241 71.2 236.9 39.7 228.6 31.4 197.1 27.3 165.5 27.3 134 27.3 102.5 31.4 70.9 39.7 39.4 71.2 31.1 102.7 27 134.3 27 165.8 27 197.3 31.1 228.8 39.4 237.1 70.9 241.3 102.5 241.3 134 241.3 165.5 237.1 197.1 228.8 228.6 197.3 236.9 165.8 241 134.3 241Z" transform="rotate(45 134.25 134)"></path> <path fill="#f8ffc4" d="M134.3 241C102.7 241 71.2 236.9 39.7 228.6 31.4 197.1 27.3 165.5 27.3 134 27.3 102.5 31.4 70.9 39.7 39.4 71.2 31.1 102.7 27 134.3 27 165.8 27 197.3 31.1 228.8 39.4 237.1 70.9 241.3 102.5 241.3 134 241.3 165.5 237.1 197.1 228.8 228.6 197.3 236.9 165.8 241 134.3 241Z" transform="rotate(45 134.25 134)"></path> <polygon fill="#bfb177" points="168 252 49.2 286.8 84 168 4…
publisher: The Courier-Journal
date: 1877-05-23
contributor: Lexxi Colbert
relation: Documenting Racial Violence in Kentucky, Levi Pile <path fill="#ffe940" d="M168 260.4C128.4 260.4 88.8 269.2 49.2 286.8 66.8 247.2 75.6 207.6 75.6 168 75.6 128.4 66.8 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 66.8 128.4 75.6 168 75.6 207.6 75.6 247.2 66.8 286.8 49.2 269.2 88.8 260.4 128.4 260.4 168 260.4 207.6 269.2 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 269.2 207.6 260.4 168 260.4Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <polygon fill="#bfb177" points="168 252 49.2 286.8 84 168 49.2 49.2 168 84 286.8 49.2 252 168 286.8 286.8" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></polygon> <path fill="#ffe940" d="M168 260.4C128.4 260.4 88.8 269.2 49.2 286.8 66.8 247.2 75.6 207.6 75.6 168 75.6 128.4 66.8 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 66.8 128.4 75.6 168 75.6 207.6 75.6 247.2 66.8 286.8 49.2 269.2 88.8 260.4 128.4 260.4 168 260.4 207.6 269.2 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 269.2 207.6 260.4 168 260.4Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#e3d881" d="M168 218.4C128.4 218.4 88.8 241.2 49.2 286.8 94.8 247.2 117.6 207.6 117.6 168 117.6 128.4 94.8 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 94.8 128.4 117.6 168 117.6 207.6 117.6 247.2 94.8 286.8 49.2 241.2 88.8 218.4 128.4 218.4 168 218.4 207.6 241.2 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 241.2 207.6 218.4 168 218.4Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#ffe940" d="M168 260.4C128.4 260.4 88.8 269.2 49.2 286.8 66.8 247.2 75.6 207.6 75.6 168 75.6 128.4 66.8 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 66.8 128.4 75.6 168 75.6 207.6 75.6 247.2 66.8 286.8 49.2 269.2 88.8 260.4 128.4 260.4 168 260.4 207.6 269.2 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 269.2 207.6 260.4 168 260.4Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#ffed8a" d="M168 235.2C128.4 235.2 88.8 252.4 49.2 286.8 83.6 247.2 100.8 207.6 100.8 168 100.8 128.4 83.6 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 83.6 128.4 100.8 168 100.8 207.6 100.8 247.2 83.6 286.8 49.2 252.4 88.8 235.2 128.4 235.2 168 235.2 207.6 252.4 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 252.4 207.6 235.2 168 235.2Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#f8ffc4" d="M134.3 241C102.7 241 71.2 236.9 39.7 228.6 31.4 197.1 27.3 165.5 27.3 134 …
format: Image
coverage: Blandville, Ballard County

Casey, The Ohio County News, October 17, 1877
subject: Casey, Dick
subject: Charge, Assaulting a Married White Woman
subject: Mob, Hanged
subject: Mob, Unknown number
subject: Mob, Unmasked
description: Dicky Casey
description: Ky, Oct. 19,- "Dick Casey, a negro charged with committing rape in a white girl, was taken from the jail at Hardinsurg a few nights ago by a mob and hung. There are times when mob law might be approved, but when the prisoner is in jail with a prospect of punishment to the full extent of the law there is not much sense or reason to it."
creator: Lexxi Colbert
source: Newspapers.com
publisher: The Ohio County News
date: 1877-10-17
contributor: Lexxi Colbert
relation: Documenting Racial Violence in Kentucky, Dick Casey
format: Image
coverage: Kentucky, Breckinridge County

Mayo, St. Louis Globe, April 02, 1877
subject: Mayo, Parker
subject: Charge, Rape
subject: Mob, Hanging
subject: Mob, 2
subject: Mob, Unmasked
description: Lynch Law in Kentucky. Full Particulars of the Lynching of Parker Mayo. Terrible Punishment for a Terrible Crime
description: Cin, Apr. 2.-“ From the Cincinnati Enquirer, Our dispatches yesterday announced the lynching of a colored man Parker Mayo, near Walton, Ky., for the rape of a white child near that place. With a view to obtaining full particulars of the affair and of the crime for which he suffered, an Enquirer reporter took passage on the 3 o'clock Short Line Railroad train yesterday afternoon, and was landed in Walton an hour later. Diligent inquiry in the proper quarters revealed the following facts: Parker Mayo was a -colored mulatto, who was born a slave on the plantation of Mr. Diedrick, near James River, Va. For the past year and a half he has been working off and on on the construction train of the Louisville Short Line Railroad, and living off it when out of work as a sort of hangeron. Last Tuesday, about noon, he presented himself at the cabin or shanty of a railroad laborer named James Murray, which 18 situated just north of the crossing of the Cincinnati Southern and Louisville Short Line Railroads, about a mile and three- quarters from Walton, and close to the place where Allen and Goss fought last September. Murray was absent at the time visiting his wife, who, with her youngest child, is an inmate of St. Elizabeth Hospital, in Covington, undergoing treatment for sore eyes. In the cabin was Murray daughter, Molly, a little girl of nine years, and her two little brothers, one six and half and the other three years old. As soon 38 Mayo entered the shanty he took the little girl by the band and pulled her over to the bed, upon which he threw her, and then putting his hand over her mouth to prevent her outcries attracting attention, he forced her to submit to his loathsome embraces. The human brute compelled his little victim to remain in bed with him all the afternoon, as she, in her innocence told him where her parents were, and be had no fear of interruption. Towards evening he left the cabin, but did not stay away more than an hour or so when he returned, and this time…
creator: Lexxi Colbert
source: Newspapers.com
publisher: St. Louis Globe
date: 1877-04-02
contributor: Lexxi Colbert
relation: Documenting Racial Violence in Kentucky, Parker Mayo
format: Image
coverage: Walter, Boone County

Colson & Smith, St. Louis Globe Democrat, July 3, 1895
subject: Colson, Abithal Colson, Bithael
subject: Smith, Maude Smith, Mollie
subject: Charge, murder of two White men, farmers
subject: Mob, unknown number
subject: Mob, riddled with buckshot
description: Details of the Trigg (Ky.) Tragedy. Special Dispatch to the Globe-Democrat. HOPKINSVILLE, KY., July 2.—Additional details have been received here of the tragedy enacted in Trigg County Saturday evening, which resulted in the killing of three persons at the time and the mortal wounding of John Rhodes, who died yesterday. Colston and the woman, whose name was Maud Smith, were not killed by Frank Jameson, the farmer, near whose house they met their death, as first reported, but by a party of armed men, led by two of Rhodes’ brothers, who had been on Colston’s track ever since the difficulty began earlier in the day. The bitter feeling that led to the tragedy grew out of threats of revenge that Colston, who had lately been released from serving a seven-year term in the Penitentiary for horse-stealing, had made against the men he believed had helped to send him to jail, Hammond and Rhodes being among the number. He had notified several other men of his intention to kill them. There are fears that other tragedies may follow those of Saturday, which have engendered much bad blood among the adherents of the Colston and Rhodes factions, which are composed of many determined persons residing in Western Trigg, between the rivers. <path fill="#e3d881" d="M168 218.4C128.4 218.4 88.8 241.2 49.2 286.8 94.8 247.2 117.6 207.6 117.6 168 117.6 128.4 94.8 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 94.8 128.4 117.6 168 117.6 207.6 117.6 247.2 94.8 286.8 49.2 241.2 88.8 218.4 128.4 218.4 168 218.4 207.6 241.2 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 241.2 207.6 218.4 168 218.4Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#e6d65e" d="M168 226.8C128.4 226.8 88.8 246.8 49.2 286.8 89.2 247.2 109.2 207.6 109.2 168 109.2 128.4 89.2 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 89.2 128.4 109.2 168 109.2 207.6 109.2 247.2 89.2 286.8 49.2 246.8 88.8 226.8 128.4 226.8 168 226.8 207.6 246.8 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 246.8 207.6 226.8 168 226.8Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#f8ffc4" d="M134.3 241C102.7 241 71.2 236.9 39.7 228.6 31.4 1…
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publisher: St. Louis Globe-Democrat, [St. Louis, Mo.]
date: 1895-07-03
contributor: Kailly Oum
relation: Documenting Racial Violence in Kenutcky, Colson, Abithal <path fill="#ffcf5f" d="M168 243.6C128.4 243.6 88.8 258 49.2 286.8 78 247.2 92.4 207.6 92.4 168 92.4 128.4 78 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 78 128.4 92.4 168 92.4 207.6 92.4 247.2 78 286.8 49.2 258 88.8 243.6 128.4 243.6 168 243.6 207.6 258 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 258 207.6 243.6 168 243.6Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#e3d881" d="M168 218.4C128.4 218.4 88.8 241.2 49.2 286.8 94.8 247.2 117.6 207.6 117.6 168 117.6 128.4 94.8 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 94.8 128.4 117.6 168 117.6 207.6 117.6 247.2 94.8 286.8 49.2 241.2 88.8 218.4 128.4 218.4 168 218.4 207.6 241.2 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 241.2 207.6 218.4 168 218.4Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#e6d65e" d="M168 226.8C128.4 226.8 88.8 246.8 49.2 286.8 89.2 247.2 109.2 207.6 109.2 168 109.2 128.4 89.2 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 89.2 128.4 109.2 168 109.2 207.6 109.2 247.2 89.2 286.8 49.2 246.8 88.8 226.8 128.4 226.8 168 226.8 207.6 246.8 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 246.8 207.6 226.8 168 226.8Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#ffcf5f" d="M168 243.6C128.4 243.6 88.8 258 49.2 286.8 78 247.2 92.4 207.6 92.4 168 92.4 128.4 78 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 78 128.4 92.4 168 92.4 207.6 92.4 247.2 78 286.8 49.2 258 88.8 243.6 128.4 243.6 168 243.6 207.6 258 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 258 207.6 243.6 168 243.6Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#e3d881" d="M168 218.4C128.4 218.4 88.8 241.2 49.2 286.8 94.8 247.2 117.6 207.6 117.6 168 117.6 128.4 94.8 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 94.8 128.4 117.6 168 117.6 207.6 117.6 247.2 94.8 286.8 49.2 241.2 88.8 218.4 128.4 218.4 168 218.4 207.6 241.2 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 241.2 207.6 218.4 168 218.4Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <circle cx="71" cy="71" r="71" fill="#dbbc74"></circle> <path fill="#e6d65e" d="M168 226.8C128.4 226.8 88.8 246.8 49.2 286.8 89.2 247.2 109.2 207.6 109.2 168 109.2 128.4 89.2 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 89.2 128.4 109.2 168 109.2 207.6 109.2 247.2 89.2 286.8 49.2 246.8 88.8 …
format: Image
coverage: Trigg County, Higgins Landing, Cadiz

Colson & Smith, Louisville Courier Journal, July 2, 1895
subject: Colson, Abithal Colson, Bithael
subject: Smith, Maude Smith, Mollie
subject: Charge, murder of two White men, farmers
subject: Mob, unknown number
subject: Mob, riddled with buckshot
description: SHOT-RIDDLED. Four Alleged Bad Characters Brought to Earth. TRIGG COUNTY TRAGEDY. The Bloody Affair Started By An Ex-Convict. Prospect for Lively Times in Carter County. THE RAILROAD TAX AGAIN. Hopkinsville, Ky., July 1—(Special.)—News reached here to-day of the murder of four persons last Friday in a remote section of Trigg county. All are said to have been very undesirable citizens and among the better class of people there is little mourning over their removal. It seems that several years ago one Abitahl Colston was sentenced to the penitentiary for horse stealing and that among the witnesses against him were four brothers named Rhodes. Colston swore that when released from prison he would kill some one for helping to send him up, and when his term expired a few days since, he began looking up the Rhodes boys.The first one he met was John Rhodes on Friday afternoon, and after a few words he shot and instantly killed Rhodes. Leaving his body in the road, he moved on and soon came upon Ab Rhodes and “Chat” Hammond at a well. Hammond was in the act of hanging Rhodes a cup of water and this so frenzied Colston that he forgot his feeling toward Rhodes and shot and killed Hammond. Evidently little affected by his crime, he proceeded on to the cabin of his mistress, one Mollie Smith, and the next morning the bodies of Colston and the woman were found stiff and cold and riddled with shot. There was a great deal of excitement over the murder of Rhodes and Hammond and it has not been found whether Colston and the Smith woman were killed by the Rhodes boys or their friends. <path fill="#e6d65e" d="M168 226.8C128.4 226.8 88.8 246.8 49.2 286.8 89.2 247.2 109.2 207.6 109.2 168 109.2 128.4 89.2 88.8 49.2 49.2 88.8 89.2 128.4 109.2 168 109.2 207.6 109.2 247.2 89.2 286.8 49.2 246.8 88.8 226.8 128.4 226.8 168 226.8 207.6 246.8 247.2 286.8 286.8 247.2 246.8 207.6 226.8 168 226.8Z" transform="rotate(45 168 168)"></path> <path fill="#ffe940" d="M168 260.4C128.4 260.4 88.8 269.2 49.2 …
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publisher: The Courier-Journal [Louisville, Kentucky]
date: 1895-07-02
contributor: Kailly Oum
relation: Documenting
format: Image
coverage: Trigg County, Higgins Landing, Cadiz

Colson & Smith, Wilmington Morning News, July 3, 1895
subject: Colson, Abithal Colson, Bithael
subject: Smith, Maude Smith, Mollie
subject: Charge, murder of two White men, farmers
subject: Mob, unknown number
subject: Mob, riddled with buckshot
description: FOUR PEOPLE SLAIN Result of a Row Caused by a Kentucky Desperado. HIMSELF WAS ONE OF THOSE KILLED Abithah Colston Shot Down One Man and Then Another Who Was Bringing the First a Drink of Water—Lynchers Then Killed the Murderer and a Woman. LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 2.—Four lives is what a row cost in Trigg county on last Saturday evening, near a place called Higgins Landing. The fatalities were caused by Abithah Colston, an ex-convict and desperado, who was himself one of the victims. He had recently been released from the penitentiary, where he had served seven years for killing a farmer, John Crump, on the edge of the Tennessee and Kentucky line. Colston was a quarrelsome man, and soon after his return was involved in rows with the neighbors. On Saturday afternoon he appeared at Higgins Landing armed with a double-barrelled shotgun. John Rhodes, who had before incurred the ill will of Colston, came up in time to be used as a mark for the ex-convict’s abuse. They quarrelled [sic] and then began fighting. Rhodes was getting the better of the rough-and-tumble match, and Colston finally broke away, snatched up the gun, and shot his antagonist down. The wound was fatal, and Rhodes fell to the ground. Colston went to a saloon near by, but returned in a few minutes, and was greatly enraged to find Chat Hammond bringing a drink to his victim, who was still alive and begging for water. Hammond was a friend of Rhodes, and angrily threatened the ex-convict with arrest and hanging. Colston did not reply, but finally raised his gun and fired at a short range. Hammond was killed instantly. A dozen men had come up, but had not foreseen the second tragedy. They were unarmed, and Colston threatened to kill the first man who should molest him, and backed off slowly till he got to a safe place, and then broke into a run and escaped. He went only a short distance away to the house of Molly Smith, a woman of ill-repute. She persuaded him to go with her, and the two went to the house of a …
source: Newspapers.com
publisher: The Morning News [Wilmington, Delaware]
date: 1895-07-03
contributor: Kailly Oum
format: Image
coverage: Trigg County, Higgins Landing, Cadiz

Colson & Smith, Maysville Public Ledger, July 6, 1895
subject: Colson, Abithal Colson, Bithael
subject: Smith, Maude Smith, Mollie
subject: Charge, murder of two White men, farmers
subject: Mob, unknown number
subject: Mob, riddled with buckshot
description: GAVE THEMSELVES UP. The Slayers of Colston Claim to Have Acted in Self-Defense. Hopkinsville, Ky., July 6.—The latest information received from the scene of the Trigg county tragedy, which resulted in the death of four persons, was to the effect that the persons who killed Beth Colston and Maude Smith had gone into Cadiz, the county seat, Thursday, and had given themselves up to the officers of the law and been taken to jail to await their examining trials, which are set for Monday. Their plea will be that the killings were done in self-defense, as they were trying to arrest Colston for the murder of Hammond and the fatal wounding of John Rhodes. Two of Rhodes’ brothers, whom Colston had threatened to kill, led the party. So intense is the feeling of the public towards the Colston faction that the slayers of their leader and the woman will be acquitted without even the formalities of an examining trial. There are fears of serious troubles when their cases are called.
source: Newspapers.com
publisher: The Public Ledger [Maysville, Ky.]
date: 1895-07-06
contributor: Kailly Oum
format: Image
coverage: Trigg County, Higgins Landing, Cadiz

Colson & Smith, Owensboro Twice-A-Week Messenger, July 3, 1895
subject: Colson, Abithal Colson, Bithael
subject: Smith, Maude Smith, Mollie
subject: Charge, murder of two White men, farmers
subject: Mob, unknown number
subject: Mob, riddled with buckshot
description: FOUR OF THEM DEAD. A Bad Man in Trigg County Goes Killing and Then Gets Killed Along with a Notorious Woman Who accompanied Him in His Devilment. A Ghastly Story from Western Kentucky That Reads Somewhat Like a Tale of the Mountains. OTHER STATE NEWS OF INTEREST. Hopkinsville, Ky., July 1.—News has just reached here of a terrible tragedy in Trigg county, late Saturday evening. Frank Colston, a desperado, residing in that county, had a difficulty with and shot and severely wounded John Rhodes a farmer of this neighborhood. Another farmer named Hammond, who was present, and who was a friend of Rhodes, attempted to assist Rhodes. Colston then shot and instantly killed Hammond before he could render any assistance to his wounded friend. For some reason Colston, after wounding Rhodes, did not shoot him again, probably thinking him already dead. Colston did not attempt to escape, nor did any one attempt to arrest him, but he went on where he was going when the difficulty was begun. A few hours later Colston, in company with a prostitute, went to the house of another farmer. The farmer ordered the desperado and the woman to leave his place. They refused to do so and attacked the farmer, who, securing a weapon, succeeded in killing both Colston and the woman. Later information gives the following version of the story: Colston had just been released from the penitentiary for horse stealing and at once went gunning for the witnesses against him. He shot and killed John Rhodes and Chat Hammond. He then went to the house of his mistress, Mollie Smith, and next morning Colston and the Smith woman were found in the road, riddled with bullets, presumably by friends of the dead men. All were tough characters.
source: Newspapers.com
publisher: The Twice-A-Week Messenger [Owensboro, Ky.]
date: 1895-07-03
contributor: Kailly Oum
format: Image
coverage: Trigg County, Higgins Landing, Cadiz