The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1916-02-18
.DAMRON dies
with HIS BOOTS ON
THE MAN WHO KILLED VICTOR
cAPERToN IN LoGIsA is
SHOT.

During an altercation early Sunday
morning at Red Jacket, a mining town
near MateWan, eight miles from here.
John Damron, well known miner
OF this section, was shot and instantly
killed. Clarence Lee, of Huntington.
ana Guy Beavers, OF English both
young men scarcely out OF their teens.
are held in custody in the county 1ail
In this city charged with the murder.
The killing caused a wave OF excite
ment throughout this locality, as all of
the participants We're well known To-
cally and the mysterious manner in
which the shots were fired has lent a
deeper air to the situation.
IL Is brought to light by inyestiga-
ton that booze seems to have started
II all John Damron, Charles and Ben
lsaacs. In company with three women.
left Matewan about eleven o'clock on
their way home. 1t being pay day
night. they had evidently INDUCED in
the use of intoxicants and We're feeling
their ter.ns effects. AS they were walk
ing across the railroad bridge a short
distance below the Rcd Jacket postof
hce Lee and Beavers passed them. IL
Is claimed that Lee made a remark that
wSG oyc.hea ] Dy Danron, who in a
moment Of rage struck young Beavers
with his fist, knocking him down. 1t is
said that al this moment that the two
men who were with Damron drew their
pistols and commanded Lee to keep
stun. AS soon as Beavers could regain
his feet again both he dnd Lee fled to
theclub house where they were board
ing.
Arming themselves with couple OF
revolvers they retraced their steps. ev-
identity with the intention OF going TO
MateWan, where the boys spend the
greater part OF their time. At a short
distance below the club house they en-
countered Damron and the Isaac boys
again. Lee is said to have spoken
pleasantly to Charlie Isaac, who replied
in like tone. When opposite Damron.
who was a few feet behind, pistol shots
rang out One witness is reported to
have stated that the firing was begun
by DamrOn. Three shots were fred in
quick succession, followed closely by
two others. Scarcely had the echoes of |
these shots receded when two more
-ang out. One shot took effect in Dam
ron's back, ranging from his right kid
ney and penetrating his heart He ex-
claimed Il am shot thru and thru
When picked up a few seconds later he
was dead
The peculiar manner in which the
bullet took effect promises to lend a
peculiar aspect to the question. II the
hot was fired by Lee il would, from the
ocation that he claims have gone al
most directly through his body. Lee
Idmits that he fired several times but
ays that Damron fired first. AS no
me was scenting danger and the night
vas dark II has not been fully deterrn-
ned who started the firing. Lee and
'eavers claim that all the men in the
rowd were armed. Seven shots were
istinctly heard by various persons.
Lee and Beavers returned to the club /
ouse but refused to commit them 3,
elves. After staying there for while ;
hey went TO Matewan and boarded No. Z
Tor Petersburg, Va but their train /,
'as delayed at Alnwick by wreck ! {,
nd Sher1fr Hatfield. on No. s. caught
y with them and placed them under h
rrest. Sheriff Hatfield returned to this =
ty on "a freight and lodged his pris- a
ners in the county Jail to await their r
reliminary hearing.
Lee comes from a well-known fam n
! in Huntington and Beavers is from 81
ry Fork and related to some OF our N
ost prominent citizens, being a ne
new of ex-senator J. +. Beavers, of fl
atewan. Damron was from Maben,
I'd had had checkered career He :.
I'd served in the United States army y
Id four years ago killed Wick Caper- ~
n at Louisa, KY. He was married
II separated from his wife, who lives ~
Ashland, Williamson News. s.
Damron's remains were brought to "a
'uisa, and on Tuesday deposited in -
ne Hill cemetery. after appropriate ~
neral services conducted by the Rev. a.
NJ. Copley at the residence of Char
: Hogg. brother-in-law OF the de-
ased. The unfortunate man was ii,
out 80 years old and is survived by M
e brothers and one sister, his father pa
d mother having died several years a
o. W,
On the third OF July, 1910, Damron ha
OF and killed Victor Caperton in this KIN
y. for which he was tried and acquit- he
|. Since that time he has been here stl
ry little.
rel