Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-08-09
TRAGEDY IN LEXINGTON
Policeman Lindsay Shot and Killed
Hugh Cummings


afternoon about 5 o'clock when it |
became known that Policeman S. M. |
Lindsay had shot and killed Hugh |
w. Cummings near his home on
lower Main street. Policeman Lind. |
say and Chief Of Police ]. L. Par
rent had gone to Cummings house
to serve a warrant on him sworn
out by his brother-in-law, John r.
Ruley, for abusing Ruley's wife. In
the general disorder attending the
serving of the warrant Cummings
was shot. Ruley got warrant for
Lindsay and he was locked up, but
later bailed out
The coroner's inquest was held
this morning at the Courthouse,
with Justice W. f. Pierson acting
coroner and the following jury; G.
j. Hinty, ], W. Mccoy, J. f. Grow,
W.. S. Zombro, RAIDER Brown and A.
M. Monroe, the latter substituted
for Wallace Ruff, who was objected
to by Lindsay's counsel.
The first witness called was DIR.
o. Hunter McClung, who testified
that he was called to examine the
dead body of Cummings, who had
been shot through the head, the ball
entering near the nose and coming
out at back of head. This testimony
was later corrobo rated by DR.. AID.
Estill.
Chief OF Police Parent was the
second witness He related how he
had been called over phone be-
tween 430 and 5 o'clock and was
wanted at Hugh Cummings house.
Coming up town he met Lindsay
near Sheridan's stable going down
street and said there was trouble
at East Lexington. Started down
street with Lindsay and met John
Ruley, who said he was going after
warrant for Hugh Cummings for
abusing his (Ruley's wife. Justice
Pierson issued the warrant and
Lindsay took it to serve on Cum
mings, Parent and Ruley accom-
panying him to Cummings house.
The door was closed and after
knocking it was opened and saw
Cummings, his wife and d. Cum
mings standing inside, the latter
with an AK in his hand The door
was slammed shut end Mrs. Cum.
mings said her hus band should not
be arrested. D. Cummings said il
officers knew what was good for
them they would not go in Finally
Cummings came out and Lindsay
read the warrant to him and put
him under arrest. d. Cummings
interfered, and Lindsay pulled his
gun. Parent told him TO put it up
which he did. d. Cummings was
arrested for Interfering with officer
and started with him TO Jail, wher
40 or so steps from the house his
father came from around the house
with brickbat in his hand and ap
preached the group in threatening
attitude. Parent ordered Johr
Ruley to take hold of d. Cummings
When Parent let go, Lindsay alsC
let go of d. Cummings and Parren
seeing this took hold again. TIL
+ elder Cummings advanced on Lind
say with brick in hand appraised
, Lindsay pulled his gun, and Par
rent told him not to shot. He pull
ed the trigger and the pistol snap
ped. then pulled a second time an
Cummings fell dead. He was abou
ten feet from Lindsay, and about 4
: steps from the gate. Lindsay an
John Ruley took d. Cummings
Jail. On cross examination Parren
said that when d. Cummings cam
out on the porch he struck Lindsa
several times, when Lindsay struc
him with pistol. He said the brick
Q the hands of Cummings was deaC
ly weapon and if thrown would hav
q proven serious injury to some on
The next witness was John
! Ruley, who is brother-in-law
: Cummings. He testified of Gun
mings abusing his wife and his pr
curing a warrant for his arrest, an
70 said he wanted Parent to serve til
l, warrant. Justice PiersCn issue