The Adair County news., 1901-11-06
Officer Coffey Assasinated
at Empire.
Slain While Searching the Woods for
aParty of Strikers who Fired
on Guards.
WAS A ANEpnEw OF MR.. 10 CoFFEY

the 1Orce OF guaIoS StatlOneu d1 Itu-
pire.
On Saturday morning as John ii.
Fields, one OF the guards, was escort
ing a number Of miners to their work
about 6 O'Clock they saw a party of nine
strikers on a hill across the railroad
from the mines about half a mile away.
The strikers opened fire d the
miners quickly got out Of range Of
winchesters. Fields threw himself on
the ground and returned the fire until
reinforcements arrived under Deputy
Sheriff Chas. J. Barnes and Chief
Guard r. Fl. Coffey.
The strikers then ceased firing and
disappeared over the hill. A squad ot
guards under Geo. Lander started in
pursuit on foot. Coffey borrowed a
horse from DIR. Gooch and started
through piece of woods toward them.
Lander called out to him that he had
better not expose himself alone, buthe
did not stop, This was the last seen
of him until be was found dead four
hours later. He was nearly two miles
from the mines when found. near the
house Of Bayless Parker. Soon after
he left, the guards heard three shots
in that direction. AsCoffey's gun was
10 his hand loaded, the probabilities
are that the three shots were fred at
him from ambush, as he rode through
the woods. His body was found lying
on the right shoulder, the gun under
him. The horse was eating grass
probably fifty yards away,
The fatal shot mushroom bullet"
from a rifle. 1t entered the left leg
above the knee, severed an artery aud
spreading out tore out place almost
as large as mans hand on the inside
of his leg. As the horse was unhurt,
Mr.. Coffey had probably dismounted
when attacked. He was lying in pool
OF blood, lifeless. He had bled to
death in very few moments,
Coroner AlleDsworth went to Empire
Saturday and held an inquest. G. w.
Lander was the principal witness, who
detailed the facts given above. He was
corroborated by B. f. Grant.
Deputy Sheriff c. J. Barnes stated
that ]. W. Anderson was suspected Of
the murder, as his shoes found to ft
the tracks leading from the place, aft
er Anderson's s arrest.
The jury returned verdict Of mur-
der from gnnshot at the hands Of
parties unknown.
Before the finding Of the body, VIM.
and Ed Goldworthy, ], w. Anderson,
Geo. Philips, Ellis Dickard and two
tramps named Barton, were arrested.
VIM. Goldworthy resisted violently
and attempted to shoot Deputy Barnes
with pistol snatched from John
Fields scabbard. He was overpower-
ed and disarmed. The men were all
brought to this city Saturday after
noon and lodged in Jail.
The body of the dead officer was
brought to his home in this city. at 2OS
East 18th street. and funeral services
were held at 3 o'clock by Rev. G. Fl.
Nash, of the Baptist church. After.
wards the Masonic Lodge, of which the
deceased had been a member, took
charge Of the body and buried it with
Masonic honors In Hopewell Cemetery
Mr.. 'Coffey was So years old and .
brave and efficient officer. He for
merly lived in South Christian but la
ter entered the servibe OF the L. &. N
Railroad as special detective, which
position he held until his health failed
He located at Guthrie and served /;
term as mayor of that town. Then b,
came to Hopkinsville and having re
gained his health year ago he wa
employed by the Empire Coal Co. L
guards its property. He had been ther
ever since and when the Sheriff's poss
was sent he became one Uf the 30 depu
ties sworn In. lie was the recognize
leader and as such the strikers feare
! and batcd him. lie stated to friend
when here two weeks ago that he wa
marked" for slaughter by the Law
, less element, but be never b. ftated