Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-03-10

chain Of evidence the detectives were
gathering against him.
Radtord belonged to a prominent
family and his trial was the most
noted ever held in the county. He
was indicted for willful murder in
March and his trial came off in Sep
TENDER 1885. 1t occupied a week
and the array of counsel was so for
mldable that the speeches occupied
IL hours. Radford was then about
80 years OF age and was a constable
Of his d!str:c. when The crime &c.
Cured. He was a good looking.
young fellow, exceedingly shrew3
and had hitherto borne a good char
acter His kindred rallied to his de-
tense and he had able and eloquent
lawyers to represent him. The pros
ecution also was equally strong.
The prisoner strenuously asserted
his innocence and continues till this
good day to do so. He entered a
plea OF not guilty and the following
jury was empaneled:
j. j. Smith, W. T. Vaughan, Davis
Wilkins, Shaw Gamble, J. E. John
son, Jas. Anderson, Marion Moore. o.
y: Griffin, Jno. W. Courtney, H. Fl.
Lindsay, Nelson Cross, col, and
hobt. Jones, col.
There were numerous Witnesses.
and the defense fought so desperate
ly. for the prisoners acquittal that a
mlstrial was generally expected.
Messrs. A. H. Clark, G. II. Bush, G.
A. Champlin, Jno. W. Mcpherson
and Fenton Sims spoke for the de-
tense and Jno. W, Payne, W. r.
Howell, r. W. Henry and Jas. B.
Garnett for the prosecution. The
jury took the case Saturday after
noon, Sept. 26, and in fifteen minutes
returned a verdict Of guilty and fixed
The punishment at life imprisonment,
The usual attempts to get another
RAJ were resorted to, but Judge
trace refused to reopen the case and
fadtord was taken to the peniten-
'ary at Frankfort to serve out his
bitterly denorncing those
Who had been instrumental in con-
letting him and declaring that he
'as absoIutel y innocent.
His record IN the state prison was
ad from the first. He was vicious,
and Troublesome. Re
BON came to be regarded as one of
he worst, most desperate and most
angerous men in the penitentiarv.
Le was frequently punished with the
sh and in other ways, for fragrant
olation of the prison rules, The
he absorbing idea with him seemed
be to get out. He made numer-
is attempts to escape, but never
lcceeded, His record was such
lat there was no hope of pardon
ID there appeared to be no prospect
hatever that he would ever breathe
e air of liberty.
Years passed away and his fertile
ain finally hit upon plan that in
ne took definite shape Gradually
changed his whole line of conduct.
became by degrees quiet and
!ctaoIe and his obedience to prison
les soon worked big change in
treatment he received. In course
time he became so quiet and docile
1T he was often moody and melan-
by. He gave. himself up to grief
q detection and he grew worse as
years passed away until in the
ing of 1895 his mind gave way lin
opinion of his custodians) and as
part was played for purpose and
yed with all the shrewdness of a
'perate prisoner longing for liberty,
project was crowned with success.
ury was empaneled, he was tried
lunacy and committed to the
'lum after nine years and seven
nth's confinement in the peniten-
y.
lie, was taken to Lakeland and
city and patiently continued to
his part. He took his time ard
ched for an opportunity. Harm
patients are not closely confined
he State asylums and it is not a
lcult matter for man playing the
t that Radford was to get away
n his keepers. He remained at
leland nine months and then
city took his departure one night
January, six weeks ago.
he rest of the story is from Rad
I,s own lips, based on information
lIshed by those who saw him
lie here.
e walked from Lakeland to Bev-
in this county, distance Of 2aaoo ~