The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1914-06-09
LANCASTER MARSHAL
SADLY SHOT ov NEGRO
Visitors Here Court Day Tell Conflict
ing Stories Of Affair-Chance
For Recovery.

: Luther Heron, City Marshal Of Ian
caster. lies at the point Of death IN the
hospital there as result OF three bull
let wounds, inflicted by Robert Stran-
&c. a negro with the officers own
pistol. The nrful affair took place
late Sunday Afternoon, and caused a
bt Measurement.
ynDors coming TO Stanford from
Lancaster Monday. told several stor
oil the TRAGEDY. one Of which exoncratcs
the negro to a large extent, while the
other makes the acse look bad for him
According to one story told. the
Marshal was called down to the
"Clmte" the negro portion Of Lancas-
ter, on Sunday afternorm Some one
phoned to the officer that John Gibbs
another negro. had been slappng a
woman. The officer went 20 the scene
al once and found Gibbs with the
Strange negro Both are said 20 be
very worthless characters Marshal
Heron attempted 10 place Gibbs under
arrest. when he ran off. and the Strar-
&c negro is said TO have laughed at the
officer. The latter rcprimandcd him
and upon his becoming insulting ana
abusive. placed him under arrest The
Strange negro protested that ne had
not harmed the woman. but the officer
took him in charge for his insolcnce.
and started to the Jail with him. They
had gone hut a short distance when the
prisoner tried to get away. but the OF
ficer drew his revolver. and subducd
him Mr.. Heron is said 10 have placed
his gun under his lett arm and start
x.sIg
negro grappled with him suddenly,
seized the gun. and stepping back fir
ed four shots in quick succession AT
Mr.. Heron Three bullets struck him
and he wen, down in a heap. One bullet
entered abou, the temple and penetrated
his head. another also struck the head
and the third struck him below the
heart. ranged upward and came ont
undcr the right shoulder blade
According to another story which -
i,o-s here Monday told. the officer be
came angry when a number of negroes
laughed when Gibbs got away and sciz-
inc Strange. the closest 10 him and told
him that he would arrest him. Strange
is said to have tried To get away hui,
the officer drew his revolver and threat
encd to kill him II he ran meanwhile
hitting him over the head with IL. and
is said 10 have threatened 20 take him
IN the allcv and kill him He is said
h have thcrcupon stuck his pistol under
his lief; arm. and started off dragging
the negro with his right hand The ne
gro was scared 10 death. this infor-
nant said. and suddenly whirled on the
officer and grabbed thc-revolvcr him
self and began shooting.
So FAT a. known tie only eyewitness
ses 90 the affair were negroes. and the
exact and true story Of the unfortunate
affair will probably not be known I'M
I'll the trial is held
], is said that Immediately after the
shooting tina, Strange ran to the Jail
and told Taller Ross 10 open no for
him and put him inside: that he had
lev and somebody had better go down
there after him He also handed over
Herron's revolver and was locked IN
Late reports from Lancaster are to
the officer that the Marshal has a good
chance 20 recover. One Of the bul'~'
which struck him in he left temple,
GAME OH, at the right temple, withou,
infl'ciing a mortal injury. il is believed
while the other bullet which struck him
on the head merely caused scalp
wound on top Of his head The hai'
which penetrated his body. went in
under the heart but did not enter 'he
hollow. striking a rib. and being de
Elected around 10 the back. coming out
under the shoulder blade.
Marshal Heron came 10 Lancaster
from Harrodshurv where he had been
chitf of police He has officia'ed ir =
like caoacity in the Garrard capi,al for
n number of wears and was regard
as a first class officer.