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Owsley County Courier, Friday, May 27, 1938
Ex-Sheriff Charles Blount, Barlow Durbin Killed Monday - Two Lee County Deputy Sheriffs Held at Richmond Charged With Murder - Six Others Wounded in Fight
Charles BLOUNT, Ex-sheriff and Tax Collector of Lee County, and Barlow DURBIN, owner of a beer saloon and cold drink stand on the Beattyville-Booneville Highway were mortally wounded on the show grounds of the Haag Brothers Show in this city, Monday afternoon about 2:-5 p.m. Link MOORE, Special Police Officer of the city, Robert ALLEN and John MAYS, deputy sheriffs under Herb McGUIRE, Sheriff; William WALDEN, an employee of Petroleum Exploration and a negro roustabout employee of the show were also wounded. Mr. WALDEN's small son was grazed on the heel.
All of the wounded men were rushed to the Pattie A. Clay Hospital at Richmond except Mr. WALDEN who was taken to Winchester for treatment. Mr. DURBIN died at Ravenna and his body was taken from the ambulance and returned to his home here late Monday evening. Mr. BLOUNT died at the Richmond Hospital at 9:50 o'clock p.m., Monday and his body was returned here to his home early Tuesday morning. Mr. MOORE after receiving treatment and examination at Richmond was returned to his home Monday night where he is recovering. He has a broken right arm and suffered considerable loss of blood, and was also wounded in the side. Deputy sheriffs ALLEN and MAYS are both at the Richmond Hospital where they are recovering from their wounds. Mr. WALDEN who was taken to Winchester is reported as having lost considerable blood from a wound received in the thigh and will be returned home within the next few days. The negro employee of the show was wounded in one arm, but left with the circus.
Deputy Sheriffs Robert ALLEN and John MAYS were arrested Tuesday morning at the hospital on a warrant charging them with the murder of Mr. BLOUNT, and they are being held by the officers of Madison County on that charge.
The funeral services for Mr. BLOUNT were conducted at the Beattyville Christian Church Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock by the Rev. Luther NEWNAM. The body was taken from the church to Riverview Cemetery where Proctor Lodge 213, F. A.M., took charge and held Masonic rites. The great throng of people assembled could not get into the church building and it was taxed with the largest crowd ever assembled in the building in the recollection of church officials. Masons attending the services were here from Madison, Wolfe, Estill and adjoining counties.
The funeral services for Mr. DURBIN were conducted from his home in Proctor Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock by the Reverend W. L. MERRIN in the presence of a large crowd. The burial services were concluded at the White Ash Cemetery where he was buried.
Mr. BLOUNT is survived by his widow and four daughters, Misses Virginia, Phyllis Jane, Betty June, and Mary Belle. Mr. DURBIN is survived by his widow and two small children, Elizabeth Ann and Joseph Curtis.
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