Coffey, Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, October 29, 1901

MINE GUARD Killed from Ambush at Empire Mines in Christian County.

Detective Murdered as He Search [sic] for Hidden Marauders.
Three Men are Under Arrest Charged With Having Fired the Fatal Shot.
FIRST BLOOD THAT HAS BEEN SHED

Hopkinsville, Ky., Oct. 26.—Robert Coffey, in charge of the guards at the Empire mines, in this county, was shot and killed this morning while leading a posse in search of a party of unknown men who had previously fired upon the guards at the mines.

This is the first tragedy that has marked the mining troubles in this county.

Early this morning the guards at Empire were fired upon, a number of shots being discharged.

John Fields only escaped being murdered by throwing himself flat on the ground, many bullets passing over him. He returned the fire. Other guards came up and his assailants, who were in ambush, ran.

Three men, Will Anderson, John Phillips and WIll Goldworthy, were arrested [sic] later charged with the shooting.

Robert Coffey, in charge of the guards, left with a posse in pursuit of the assailants. He was fired on from ambush, shot several times in the back and instantly killed.

The coroner went to the scene of the tragedy and held an inquest before the body was brought here.

An officer with additional possemen, will probably be sent to Empire mines at once.

This is the first life that has been lost and the first bloodshed since the mining troubles began in this county.

The matter has caused considerable excitement.

EVERYTHING IS QUIET.
President Wood Does Not Anticipate Any More Trouble With Miners.

Mr. J. D. Wood, president of the Miner’s union, arrived in the city yesterday afternoon from Madisonville enroute to his home at Central City. Mr. Wood says that everything is quiet in Hopkins county, although the operators have a larger number of men guarding their mines than ever before. President Wood does not anticipate any trouble in that county, and said that certainly none shall be started by the Miner’s union. He said that he did not believe it would ever be necessary to have the militia called to that part of the state again.