Stivers, Covington Kentucky Post, April 20, 1932

Concurrence of Sheriff and Circuit Judge Needed

CONDITIONS ARE CITED

Guard Two Held in Slaying of Manchester Jurist

Special to The Kentucky Post.

FRANKFORT, KY., April 20 – Troops will not be sent to Manchester, Clay-co, Ky., to preserve law and order pending investigation of the slaying there Saturday of C. P. Stivers, police judge, it was learned today from the office of Governor Ruby Laffoon.

The only condition under which the governor will order militia to the scene of alleged lawlessness, is that the sheriff of Clay-co and the circuit judge join in making the request, it was claimed.

The initial request for troops in Clay-co was made following the slaying of Judge Stivers by B. B. Baker, Clay-co attorney, and his brother, F. H. Baker, London, commonwealth’s attorney. They were in Frankfort to make a personal appeal and describe conditions to the state’s chief executive.

Opposes Move

Concerning the provision requested by the governor the Baker brothers were quoted today as saying they could obtain the request of Sheriff G. L. Landson, of Clay-co, but added that W. M. Lewis, circuit judge, was unwilling to make the recommendation.

It was also learned that Judge Lewis, who was in Frankfort today to argue a civil case before the Court of Appeals, opposed sending troops to the stricken coal field area in southeastern Kentucky.

The Baker brothers announced their determination to return to Manchester to resume efforts to investigate alleged conditions of lawlessness there, despite the threat passed to them thru their friends that their lives would not be safe in doing so.

Warrants Issued

Meanwhile warrants were issued at Manchester by County Judge J. M. Little for Tom and Oakey Baker in connection with the assassination of Judge C. P. Stivers.

Judge Little said one of the warrants had been forwarded to the Sheriff of Jackson-co and the other to the Sheriff of Madison-co for service.

At Clay-co jail 11 guards were assigned to protect Frank McDaniels, 24, of Burning Springs, and John M. Quinn, 50, Manchester attorney, held in connection with the Stivers slaying. McDaniels is charged with murder and Quinn with conspiracy.