Beard, Paducah Sun, July 8, 1905

QUICK VENGEANCE FOR NEGRO BRUTE

Was Being Taken to Shelbyville to Escape Mob.

While in the Smoking Car, a Fusillade Left Him Riddled With Bullets.

ATTEMPTED ASSAULT CHARGED

Taylorsville, Ky., July. 8. – Lon Beard, a young negro, charged with an attempt to criminally assault Mrs. Chester Crawford, of the Normandy neighborhood, was shot to death yesterday afternoon while being taken to Shelbyville on a train for safekeeping. He had been in the jail here and fearful of a mob it was decided to take him away.

When the train made its regular stop at Normandy station, about 25 men got aboard. The negro with the officer, was in the smoking car and before the trainmen or the officer knew what was happening, there was a thunder of firearms and the negro was dead, riddled with bullets and buckshot.

It is generally accepted that he was killed by Chester Crawdord, husband of the negro’s intended victim. 

The negro went to Mrs. Crawford’s home at 11 o’clock Thursday night and forced an entrance through a window. She was alone in her home with the exception of several children and was awakened by the negro springing upon her in bed. She resisted as best she could, and called the oldest child, aged eight, to summon help.

The child ran to go out the front door when the negro left his victim and attempted to stop the child. Mrs Crawford then escaped by a back door and cried for help. Neighbors soon arrived, but not before the negro made his escape. Mrs. Crawford was bruised, but escaped serious injury. The negro was captured on his farm and held until the arrival of officers. When questioned the negro would neither affirm nor deny his guilt.

Crawford is said to have stepped aboard and fired seven bullets into the negro’s body. He at once surrendered to the sheriff and after the coroner’s verdict was rendered, was released on a bond of $1,000, signed (incomplete)