Sanders, Maysville Public Ledger, March 12, 1917

William Sanders, colored was killed by a large posse, Charles Swisher, seriously injured, and Chief Police James Mackey, Fred Wells, Joseph Owned and Deputy Sheriff Mike Brown were slightly injured, as a result of the dead man stealing an overcoat from the stable of Higgins-Slattery and Dwyer on Market street yesterday morning. The negro was shot after a hunt lasting the greater part of the day, after being surrounded in a barn near Clark Station on the L & N railroad.

Yesterday morning about 8 o’clock, Sanders, the dead negro, went to the livery stable of Higgins, Slattery & Dwyer on Market street to feed his team and there it is claimed he stole an overcoat from the buggy of Walter Grierson of Ripley, which was standing on the street in front of the stable. The matter was reported to Mr. James Dwyer, one of the members of the firm who immediately began to investigate.

Mr. Dwyer as soon as he learned the identity of Sanders, set out for his home on East Fourth street. Upon his arrival there demanded the coat from the negro, who denied stealing the coat. Mr. Dwyer threatened to have him arrested but the man still claimed innocence. Mr. Dwyer then returned to the city and going to police headquarters swore out a warrant for Sanders, charging him with the felony.

Armed with the warrant, Chief of Police James Mackey went to the home of the negro to arrest him. Mr. Mackey did not carry a gun, as it was his habit to go unarmed on Sunday, he going to church and being afraid some accident might happen. Upon his arrival at the house knocked, and the door was opened by Sander’s wife, who inquired his mission. Upon being told she called to her husband that Chief Mackey wanted him. At this moment Chief stepped into the hallway and there saw Sanders. He said, “Sanders, I have a warrant for you.” Sanders reached for his gun, which was standing close to him and raised it to shoot at the officer. Mr. Mackey grabbed at the gun to wrest it from him but the negro shot but did not injure Mr. Mackey further than severe power burns on the chin and neck.

Mr. Mackey then ran from the house and went to the home of a neighbor of the man to borrow a gun. After several attempts he secured a revolver and returned to the scene to capture the armed man.

Sanders saw the chief coming and raised his gun to shoot. The officer flourished the revolver and called to him to drop the gun. The negro shot again, one of the small shot taking effect in the chief’s breast and another in his forehead. The chief attempted to use his revolver but the weapon had become rusty, through disuse and he turned to retreat. The negro shot again, one of the shot this time taking refuge in the chief’s neck. The wounded man turned again tried the revolver with better results. He shot once, the negro yelled and ducked behind a barn.

Charles Swisher, a milkman in the employ of Mr. William H. Newell of the Fleming pike, happened to pass along the road at this time and was ordered to stop by Sanders. The horse, Mr. Swisher was driving became frightened and started to run, when the negro shot at him, the contents of the shell, striking the gentleman in the face.

Sanders then ran out the Fleming like to the crossroads, and started out the Hill City Pike. Mr. Mackey asked Mr. James Dwyer to return to the city and get some arms and ammunition and to sound the alarm. The negro was followed by Messrs. Neal Dwyer and Max Middleman in automobiles out the pike.

Mr. Swisher, who was thought to have been seriously wounded at first was hastily taken to the office of Dr. G. L. Howard on Sutton street where his wounds were dressed. After a thorough examination it was found that he was not seriously injured.

Chief Mackey came to the city and directed a posse which direction to take before securing medical aid. He was taken to the office of Dr. S. H. Harover. After being looked after he summoned a number of men and took up the trail after the negro.

As soon as it was learned that the two men had been shot a posse was formed by Deputy Sheriff Mike Brown and they took up the trail of the negro, going out the Hill City Pike. Mr. Neal Dwyer, who had followed the man with Mr. Max Middleman, was compelled to return but Mr. Middleman kept on. When he arrived at the Coughlin farm on this pike, the negro gave his pursuers the slip and doubled back to the crossroads.