Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1895-02-19
ASSASSINATION!
VIM. 3. LYLE, A WHITE ovERSEER.
SLAIN BY A NEGRO.
Pete Mays, the Murderer, Hunts Him
Down and Kills Him While Feeding
Stock-The Tragedy Occurred at w.
Cheatham's, Near Longview.

man mas Deen SnOt down Dy negro,
and there seems to be no room for
doubt that the killing was brutal
assassination.
William B. Lyle, tenant on w. S.
Cheatham's place, near Longview,
was shot and killed by Pete Mays,
COL, last Thursday afternoon. The
facts given below were detailed to the
KENTUoKtAN reporter by eye witness
es, and others conversant with the
bloody details, and may be relied up
on a. absolutely correct.
Lyle lived in cabin in Mr.. Cheat
hams lot, near his house. He was a
married man but his wife did not live
with him. He was about 40 years old
and hard working man, but some
what of drinker. He was overseer
on Mr.. Cheatham's farm.
In another cabin some distance from
Lyle's, John Thompson, a colored
tenant, lived with his family, the
stable being located between Lyle's
and Thompson's houses.
Thursday afternoon Lyle had a
bottle of whisky, and Thompson and
Mays, who lived at j. B. Woods, a
mile away, dropped in to drink with
Lyle. The bottle was passed around,
all three taking drink. While Mays
was in his house Lyle said to him in
playful manner that lock was mis-
sing from one of the doors, and that
one of them must have taken it, and
that he was certain it was not he.
This angered Mays, who said in a
threatening way, Don't you accuse
me of stealing" and ran his hand in
his pocket as if to draw a weapon.
Lyle picked up stick of stove wood
and struck Mays, making slight
bruise on his head and drawing blood.
His hat was knocked off, and Mays,
after running off a hundred yards or
more, came back to get his hat. Lyle
told him to get his hat and go away
and stay away. Mays left and start
ed towards Mr.. Woods, where he liv-
ed. He stopped at the cabin of Allen
Catlett, COL, and tried to borrow a
gun, saying he wanted to shoot a rab
bit Failing to get one he next went
to Hamp Davies cabin and tried to
get gun on the same pretext. Not
securing a weapon he went on to Mr.
Woods and asked for the loan of his
gun. saying he wanted to kill a rab
bit. Mr.. Wood had frequently loan
ed him the gun before, ana not sup
posing there was to be any trouble,
let him have it, loaded in both barrels
with No. shot. He started off, but
turned and asked for some more
shells. These were refused and he
then went down the road toward Mr..
Cheatham's.
When he arrived at MIR. Cheat
hams, Eddy White, neighbor, was
at the gate, having called on bust
ness. Lyle hsd answered his call and
after calling. Mr. Cheatham's young
sen, Joe Cheatham. went to the stable
to feed. He had just gone to the
stable when Mays came up and going
to bis house called, "Mr. Lyle" Not
finding him he went Oh TO tue stable,
abou' fifty yards further and going
up to the open door, leveled his gun
and fired, in full view of Mr.. White.
Joe Cheathsm was just coming out or
the house, and asked: "Pete, what
did you shoot at7" II shot at Bird"
said Mays. White then asked,
Didn't you shoot Lyle?" Mays re-
piled mo sir" and then said he be-
lieved he would go back by Johns
house. He returned to the stable,
took a purse containing SIS or rs from
Lyle's dead body, and then instead of
going to Thompson's house
turned again and went directly home.
Joe Cheatham ran to the stable and
found Lyle dead, and White rode off |
to get assistance soon returning. Lyle
was struck in the left side of the neck
and death was instantaneous. He was
taken into his house and the Cor
oner sent for, who held an inquest
and developed the facts narrated
above.
The verdict Twas that Lyle had
came to his death from a gunshot |
wound at the hands of Pete Mays.
The assassin after reaching home
returned Mr.. Woods gun and asked
him to let him have his pistol. This
request Mr.. Wood refused, and Mays
then went to the stable and fed the
stock as usual de then notified Mr..
Wood that he would not be there to
feed Friday morning and left, his wife
going with him.
Deputy Sheriff Golay went to the
Friday, but not finding
him returned to town. Saturday af-
ternoon he went again, Mays having
been seen in The vicinity. He could
not be found and is still at large. The
chances are that he is still lodging
about the neighborhood, or has pass
ed over the State line into Tennessee
It is not likely that he will attempt
TO do moro than keep in hiding. 1t
,uohf n, he nm easv THING tn rim him |