Colson & Smith, Owensboro Twice-A-Week Messenger, July 3, 1895

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.