The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1922-08-15
Hardman Is Arrested
For Renaker Murder

Auotcthb1 otdttOt' DVufuoh tOuuty,
was arrested last Thursday night in
Winchester on a warrant charging
him with the murder of Leon Rem
aker, turkey king" He was placed
in the Clark county Jail and later,
in charge of officers, was taken to
Lexington for safekeeping.
The warrant on which Hardman
was arrested was sworn to by Wal
ter Renaker, of Cincinnati, brother
of the slain man Leon Renaker was
found dead in bed at his home in
Winchester July rs. His skull had
been crushed with blunt instru-
ment.
This startling development in the
Investigation of Renaker's death,
which has been carried on incessant-
ly since his body was found by Mrs.
Renaker on her return from a visit
to relatives in Cincinnati, came after
conference attended by Barry and
Kirk Renaker, of Cynthiana; Walter
Renaker, of Cincinnati; Frank Rem
aker, of Prestonsburg; county and
city officials and private detective
of Cincinnati.
Authorities have not disclosed the
specific information on which the
arrest was made Rewards totaling
nearly $4,000 had been offered by
Clark county, the state of Kentucky,
citizens of winchester and the Rem
aker family for information leading
to the arrest and conviction of Rem
aker's slayer.
H. H. Moore, county attorney,
turned over to the conference all in
formation that had ben produced by
investigation of Renaker's death.
Walter Renaker decided this data
was strong enough to form the basis
for placing a murder charge against
Hardman.
Hardman, before being taken to
Lexington for safekeeping, denied his
guilt. He is a son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Lee Hardman, of Austerlitz Station,
which is about ten miles from Win
chester just across the Clark county
line.
Hardman is a former service man
and served in the graves registra-
ton service overseas. After being
honorably discharged he returned
home, where he remained for sever
al months Then he disappeared for
an interval of six months. Then his
whereabout was disclosed in a let
ter to his mother. This letter, which
was printed in a Winchester paper
indicated he had re-enlisted and was
engaged in disinterring bodies of
American soldiers in France for ship
ment home.
Hardman, who presents good
personal appearance, but who is APP
parently not especially well educated,
was engaged in farming before his
enlistment and at one time operated
a truck. Hardman's sister, Mrs.
Clyde Douglas, and Mrs. Leon Rem
aker have been very close friends,
and apparently through this friend
ship Hardman became acquainted
with the Renaker family.
Renaker was one of the most prom
iennt produce merchants in Central
Kentucky, and was widely known.
He left life insurance policies total
ing $4,000, besides considerable es-
tate, all of which was bequeathed to
his widow.
Mrs. Renaker, at the home of her
father, C. C. Quisenberry when In
formed of the arrest of Hardman,
said she did not know anything in
the world about it," She declined to
discuss the arrest.
Hardman is cousin of Geneva
Hardman, nine years old, who was
slain by viii Lockett, negro, near
South Elkhorn, Fayette county in
February, 1920.
Out OF Lockett's trial grew the
Lexington riot of February IL, 1920,
when six persons were killed and
two score wounded when state troops
fired ON a mob that stormed the
courthouse in an effort to lynch the
negro. Following. the riot Lexington
was placed under martial law for sew
eral weeks.
Lockett was found guilty and was
sentenced to death. He was electro
cuted at Eddyville March IL, 1920.