The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1919-08-22
MAN KILLED AS
RESULT OF LETTER
DEMANDING $4,000
HLAckMAILER THREATENS MRS.
s. P. FETTER AT ASHLAND
AND GUARDS SHOOT
MAN ON PREMISES.

The following is from the Ashland
:, independent:
Charles Hammond. said to be OF
Flatwoods. KY. was shot and killed by
two armed guards while on the lawn
and proceeding in the direction OF the
18th street side entrance OF the Fetter
mansion about o'clock Sunday
morning,
An unsigned letter received through
the mail by Mrs. s. p. Fetter, which
threatened the lives OF her two chill
drcn, John and Margaret. and the
dynamieing OF the new Fetter mansion
on 10th street and Bath, upon failure
TO comply with demand for 10000,
led 70 the employment OF two men 10
guard the Fetter home and its occu-
pants, and resulted IN the shooting 20
death OF Charles Hammond. age 25.
The two guards, Albert Darby, age
as, and Claybourne Hughes, age 27,
both OF oakview. are charged with the
murder.
Copy Of Letter.
The copy OF the anonymous letter
received by Mrs. Fettcr is given below
verbatim:
''iIrs. Mayo: We arc two young men
with business opportunities but no
money We want you TO loan us sio.-
O00y every cent OF which will be re-
p,Tikd 10 you inside OF three years
fefth ak per cent interest. Have your
negro man leave Il securely wrapped
all old used unmarked bills inside the
fence at the northeast corner OF 14th
street and Carter street Tuesday night,
Aug. " nj . O'Clock, Failure TO com
ply with this request or any attempt
~ detection or deception viii result in
the manning for life OF your son John
or daughter or the dynamiting from
the foundation your home inside OF a
week OF course you can put the
police on the job and get the one that
Toeh for the money but the other win
carry out the above program just the
same. fou can loan us the money
without hurting you a bit and II win
mean a world "a us and you viii not
lose one cent II win all be paid back
n -au or your heirs In case OF your
deaf nd hope you win do this for U.S."
Guards Employed.
Engaged TO guard the home shortly
after the receipt OF the anonymous
letter Albert Darby and Ciaybourne
Hughes, armed with guns, patroiled
the property Of Mrs. Fetter and for the
protection OF the occupants OF the
house.
According 10 statements made by
the guards TO representative OF The
Independent this morning. man was
seen coming from 18th street and Bath
TO 18th street. He crossed Bath to-
ward Montgomery and walked up on
the lawn near the side entrance OF the
Fetter home. He was ordered to halt
but did not heed the command. Both
mon Darby armed with shotgun and
Hughes with an automatic rifle, fired.
NeighnZfB were awakened by the re-
port The guns and hurried TO the
scene.
Police Summoned.
The police were called and Ofricers
Hicks and Stevens arrived shortly af- |
ter the shooting occHrred and placed
Darby and Hughes under arrest.
The wounded man, Inter identified |
a. Charlie Hammonds from F1atwoods, |
KY, was taken to the hospital in New |
love and Mock's ambulance. where he |
died two hours later.
Darby and Hughes were lodged in |
the city Jail charged with murder
Hammond Conscious.
Al the inquest one OF the attending
physicians testified that Hammond |
seemed conscious up until the time he
died; that he declined to make any
statement as to what he was doing on
the premises.
The verdict OF the coroner's jury
was that Hammond died OF hemor-
rhage due TO gunshot wounds.
Letter Revealed.
The receipt OF tho anonymous letter
was revealed at the inquest Chief OF
Police n. B. Payne stated that he had
received Information of threats con-
cerning the Fetter home last Tuesday,
and that plan was made TO appre.
hend the writer OF the letter, should
he come for the money.
Money Plaed There. f
A package which appeared TO con-
lain $4,000, but only contained $2b In
bills, was placed at the spot as di-
|ected in the letter, and Chief Payne
Ind few Of his staff stayed in hid
& from nine o'clock Tuesday night
1fil two o'clock Wednesday morning
ithout seeing anyone come for the
yoney. Il
Or. Fettor Home.
IDr. Fetter was absent from home on
siness engagements in New York
HEN this letter was received. He re-
Aimed Monday Of this week.
M Examining Trial.
I, parby and Hughes had their exam
,.ilg trial before Judge Watson. The
J = !, men waived examiiiation and were j
held In a bond of $1,000 for their
2 tarmce at the next term Of circuit
= The bonds we're signed by ,
2 lrIea Russell. Judge j. w. M. Stew
1Tland II. II. Dysart representing the
Z, lndants, and John #. Coldiron and
y. les w. Burns conducted the prose-
y I'm.
* 4. Body Not Claimed.