The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1916-05-05
LETCHER COUNTY
AND WHITESBURG.
What is Happening in this
Rich Coal Territory
of Kentucky.

WHITESBURG, KY, May AFTER
holding up an automobile in which she
was riding, James Thompson, aged %,
an electrician formerly of Middlesboro
shot and instantly killed Miss Lula
Blanton, aged 20, his sweetheart, near
tbs Fleming ball grounds at late
hour Saturday night the ball from
32 automatic pistol passing through the
young woman's neck. A short time be-
fore the killing they We're together at
the Amburgy hotel in Neon presumably
on the best OF terms. but it is said
Thompson threatened to kill the young
woman before daylight. Thompson at
length left the hotel. Later at about
nine-thirty the Blanton woman and
three other friends started riding in
automobile toward Fleming. They had
gone only a short distance when round
ing the ball ground the car was or
dered stop. A Young man known as
SLEEPY" from Jenkins driving the car
obeyed Thompson's orders without
thinking anything serious. Thompson
then leveled his pistol upon the Blan-
ton woman and without word shot
her. She Strengthened back and died
without a murmer in her seat in the
auto. Miss May Cook, a friend riding
with her in the car distracted fell for
ward and pitched out of the car mar
rowly escaping injury.
Soon afterward Deputy Sheriff Henry
Bentley pursued Thompson at New
mans boarding house in Fleming, He
CThompson) was found in the second
story and attempted to jump out of the
window upon the sight of the officer.
At length Thompson was overpowered
and was returned to Neon where he
was closely guarded until Sunday
morning when he was brought to the
Whitesburg Jail pending an examining
trial. Miss Blanton came to Fleming
some weeks ago. Her home is near
Salyersville. She is said to be a mem
Der of a prominent Magoffin county
family. Friends were notified by wire.
The affair is deeply regretted.
4 I
Some time Friday night a Baltimore
& Ohio coal train ran over and killed
near No. barn Immediately below
jenkins Paris Fitzpatrick, aged about
80 of near Paintsville. Fitzpatrick was
employed at Jenkins, it is said, and on
the night OF the tragedy was perhaps
drinking. according to the informa
ton received here by telephone.
The remains were sent to Paintsville
for interment. He had many friends
throughout the Big Sandy valley.
TT
Constable Joe Collier of Cumberland
river arrested Scott Bingham near the
Virginia border line Saturday even
ing charged with robbing the store OF
Arch Sergent and the postoffice at
Oven fork a few days ago taking 2
quantity OF goods, cash and stamps
Bingham was brought to Jail here
pending trial. Joe Neice, young man
II, was arrested last week. He CON
fessed to the charge and will be com
mitted to the Reform School at Green
dale owing to his youth. 1t is believed
that a third party will be arrested. Of
ficers being close on the trail.
~
One OF the busiest terms OF circuit
court held in Letcher in several years
closed few days ago, there being
four or Ave penitentiary sentences at
this term, and thorough Investigation
into the Illegal whiskey traffic result
ing in nearly one hundred and fifty in
dlctments being returned. Judge John
f, Butler passed the cases till the Aug
ust term of the circuit court,
ttf
After fifteen years of continuous ser
vice the Letcher County Company Ma
tional Guard We're dsbanded here Sat
urday and goes out OF service. Fifteen
years ago April the company was or
ganized. the fifty men walking across
the mountains to Stonega, Va, TO be
mustered into service, for the purpose
OF quelllng the disturbances due to an