Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-11-08
A LIFE FOR so CENTS.
"Bud" WOOsley Receives a
Death Shot

From the Pistol of Man Who Wa,
iOnce His Friend.
Last Monday night, little after
O'Clock, DR.. +. M. Sites was called Ia
the assistance off. L. Woosley, better
known as "Bud,", who had been shot
by Ell All Ricketts, and had fallen on
the bridge which spans the river on
West Seventh street. When DIR.
Sites arrived he found the unfortu-
nate man surrounded by 4 large
crowd, and with the assistance Of a
few Of them he proceeded to wash of
the blood and dust from Woosley's
face. lie readily perceived that the
wound was fatal and that the man
had but q few hours to live. The
ball had passed through the skull
over the right eye and ranging up
ward lodged In the back Of the head.
Both brains and blood were oozing
out from the wound. The piteous
means Of the wife of the then almost
lifeless man, who had been quickly
summoned to his side, touched the
hearts Of the bystanders as they had
never been touched before. A shut
ter was procured and poor Woosley
was carried TO his home in the wes-
tern part OF the city, where he
breathed his last the next day (Tues-
day. at 10 o'clock.
Woosley has been living in the city
a number Of years, and being handy
with all kinds Of tools, made his liv-
ing by doing carpenters work, re-
pairing machinery and occasionally
running stationary engines. He was
originally from the cambridge neigh
borhood and has large number Of
relatives In the county. When sober
no one had much difficulty in getting
alVng with him, but when under the
influence Of whisky he was consider
cd overbearing and abusive aud al
ways ready to pick quarrel, even
with his associates 'or best friends.
He was what is called "plucky"
and was never known to show the
white feather" when he got into a
fight Peaceable men always avoided
him when possible. He leaves no
children. He was about 80 years of
age.
Elijah Ricketts, lives with his faith
err John T. Ricketts,. a well,to do
citizen Of this place, who resides on
West Seventh street. Elijah is about
81 years old.
Woosley and Ricketts, have always
been friends and though Ricketts, is
not as much addicted to drink as his
friend was, they often tipped their
glasses together and up to last Mon
day got along together quite we'll.
But on Monday they quarreled over
a debt Of so cents that Woosley was
owing q man by the name Of Ward,
II seems that Ricketts, had told Ward
that Woosley would not pay him.
This aroused Woosley's ire, and he
at once tackled Ricketts, about what
no had said telling him that he knew
he (Woosley) always paid his debts
and used very abusive language.
Friends of both parties talked to
them and getting them to shake
hands and drop the matter. But
Woosley was not satisfied and time
and againlbrought the matter up, but
friends ss often interested themselves
and prevented q difficulty up to s
o'clock at night. Ricketts, was at
last induced to leave the saloon on
Seventh and Weber streets and got
outside. Woosley then started out
with heavy shovel in his hand and
Ricketts, started home on q run to
avoid Woos,ey, who pursued him.
When Ricketts, got about midway of
the bridge and seeing that his pur-
pursuer was gaining on him, he cried
to him not 10 "crowd him.. Woosley
however did not stop, aud Ricketts,
fearing that he would be overtaken
and Drained with the shovel drew his
pistol, turned and fired, the ball, as
before stated, taking effect In the
foreheard Of his pursuer. The above
particulars were given us by Mr.. w.
b. Davis, q witness Of the affair.
Ricketts, surrendered himself to the
authorities just after the shooting
and was placed under a bond of
5000 for his appearance before
Judge Winfree Wednesday morning,
his father, John I. Ricketts,, becom-
ing his bondsmsn. On Wednesday
the case came up for hearing, and
was continued to next Tuesday, at
the instaece Of the Commonwealth.
The bond being renewed Ricketts, is
now at liberty. IS