Author Archives: sdbowling

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About sdbowling

Director of the Breathitt County Public Library and Heritage Center in Jackson, Kentucky.

Money, Marriage, and Dynamite

Posted on February 26, 2024 by sdbowling

A scheme to blow up the Breathitt County Courthouse to inherit $40,000 with a fake marriage in 1927 is foiled by a nosy telegraphy operator and a big mouth. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Jackson, Laws | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Two Killed in Sewer Accident

Posted on February 23, 2024 by sdbowling

Two Jackson Sewer and Water Plant employees died in a tragic accident in 1972, but important lessons were learned. Continue reading →

Posted in Accidents, Breathitt County, Jackson, Kentucky River, Tragedy | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Breathitt’s Oldest Vet Dies

Posted on February 15, 2024 by sdbowling

Wilson Edgar Terry was Breathitt County’s last surviving veteran of the Spanish American War. He died on February 15, 1968. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Military, Spanish-American War | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Raney Chastain Maxey

Posted on February 14, 2024 by sdbowling

Soldier of the Week
Raney Chastain Maxey
5th Kentucky Infantry
Confederate States Army Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War, Confederate Army, Military | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What To See on Hike Two – 2024

Posted on February 6, 2024 by sdbowling

A look at some of the sites to see along the path of Hike Two of the Sheltowee Trace Association’s 2024 Challenge. Continue reading →

Posted in Hiker Challenge, Hiking, Hiking the Red River, Red River Gorge, Sheltowee National Recreation Trail | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Siblings Die in Vancleve Fire

Posted on February 5, 2024 by sdbowling

Was it murder or just an accident that claimed the lives of two siblings in a Vancleve fire in 1961? Continue reading →

Posted in Accidents, Disasters, Fire, Frozen Creek | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Jason Fox

Posted on February 2, 2024 by sdbowling

Solider of the Week
Jason Fox
Spanish American War Continue reading →

Posted in African-American, Breathitt County, Education, Jackson, Military, Rosenwald School, Schools, Spanish-American War | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Cut-Through’s First Test

Posted on January 31, 2024 by sdbowling

The Flood of 1957 was long remembered as one of Breathitt County’s worst. Experts said that the new Jackson Cut-Through helped save much of the town. Hazard did not fare so well. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Disasters, Flood, Kentucky River, Middle Fork | Leave a comment

Quicksand’s Strong Woman

Posted on January 30, 2024 by sdbowling

Rachel Calhoun was a hard-working woman. She raised her two sons by herself and died a sad and tragic death. Continue reading →

Posted in Accidents, Breathitt County, Fire, Tragedy, Women | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jeremiah Plummer

Posted on January 20, 2024 by sdbowling

Solider of the Week
Jeremiah Plummer
5th Kentucky Infantry, Confederate States Army Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Civil War, Confederate Army, Military | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment