The Stanford interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1911-1912, 1912-02-06
GROVE KENMEDVs
TROUBLES ARE ENDED
Noted Character In Early Life Pas
ses Away At His Home Res
pected by All Who knew Him

Grove Kennedy, one of the best
known men in this part Of the state,
peacefully passed away at his home
in the country, "A few miles out Of
Crab Orchard last Saturday morning
Mr.. Kennedy had been i'll but short
time with double pneumonia, but his
advanced age-he was ~ years old
had weakened his frame and tired
nature was unable to cope with the
disease which attacked him. lie is
survived by his wife, who has also
been in bad health for some time, and
six children, Mrs. Jesse Mershon, of
Livingston, and his sons Will, John,
Ben, Mike, and Faulkner.
Notwithstanding the troubles of
his Tong life. Mr.. Kennedy, died res
pected by all who knew him and at
peace with the world and men. In a
dispatch from Crab Orchard to the
Louisville Post Saturday, a short his
tory of Mr. Kennedy, and his trou-
bes is given in connection with the
notice of his death. The Post NJ
ticle read as follows:
Crab Orchard, Ky. Feb. 3.--Grovc
kenncdy, one of the most noted
characters produced by Central Ken
lucky. died last night at his home on
his farm near this place, after a
short fitness from double pneumonia
Kennedy was in his seventy-third
year and for years had lived
peaceful life, after being pardoned
by Governor Blackburn for the muir
der of his uncle, Eb Kennedy, at
Lancaster in 1879.
His death, while due primarily to
pneumonia, was fastened by n gen.
eral breakdown following the death
of his son. Jim Kennedy. in a hos
pital at Frankfort after an opera
ton for appendicitis.
Kennedy's wife lies at the point of |
death at this time. She and three |
sons, Bill. Faulkner and Ben. were !
at his bedside when he passed away. |
In the early eighties Grove Ken
nedy was the most prominent figure
in kentucky's criminal record. In
1879 he had a quarrel with his uncle.
Eb Kennedy. over the affairs of his
wife. and when the men met in Ian
caster they had n personal encoun-
ter. Later they met in front of the
rourt house and Grove shot his uncle
dead. lie had previously been told
hat the uncle would kill him on
sight.
After the shooting Grove escaped |,
o Crab Orchard. Bill Dillon, of Lon
Ion. tells now and then the story of
Nennedy's escape and says the fact
5 not generally known. but il was in
MS buggy that Grove managed to
wade the sheriff and get away to
lincoln county, where he went into ,
hiding.
After shooting Eb Kennedy Grove
vas captured and taken to the hotel
or Safe-keeping. As he passed |,
long the passage going to room
where he was to be confined his wife
landed him revolver. II was con-
ealed under his coat. and after be-
ne left alone. with one guard. Grove
eld him up and made his way to the :
very stable where Bill billions
orSe and buggy stood. He managed :
. disguise himself and climb into
he buggy beside Dillon. The two s
rove through the crowd and the Of c
Icers, and were soon clear Of Ian
aster, and on their way TO Crab S
richard. Once in Lincoln county, a
.ennedy took TO the bushes and re- I,
aimed an outlaw for months. G
Gov. McCreary offered $500 re- o
ard for his capture. and finally ID
gorge Hunter, Marshal of Bards- T
'wn. undertook to bring him in. r,
unter disguised himself and went Il
to the wilds of Lincoln, and after
any exciting experiences finally vi
u the drop on Grove after waiting c
eeks for his opportunity to catch CT
m alone. The outlaw was constant tl
in company of friends and sup a
'rters. and il was hard matter ca
get him where he would not kill a
e officer. Finally Hunter got the pr
op and forced Grove to surrender W,
he prisoner was taken to Lancaster
ID tried and given life sentence. TO
new trial and change Of venue to wi
'ckcastle county resulted in his re- bl,
living a sentence of 81 years in that III
unity. lie went up about the be- tn
ming of Gov. Luke p. Blackburn's in,
IN, and remained in the peniten- rel
nv until the last few days of Gov. Of
ackburn's services as Governor. th,
e of his last official acts was to sa
mt Kennedy a pardon. III,
After being released Kennedy re- riv
med 10 Lincoln, and for years he
d lived peaceably and with the re- Low
ect of his neighbors. He had many pai
,aI1 aal s.z..lI.. L.. -,