Tag Archives: Murder

A Christmas Lynching

Posted on December 25, 2025 by sdbowling

A long-running feud between two families led to a bloody jail raid and murder on Christmas Day. Learn about the events from this spectacular trial from 1929. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Breathitt High School, Feuds, Jackson, Murder, Politics, Tragedy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wife Shoots Husband – Murder or Suicide?

Posted on December 21, 2025 by sdbowling

Peter Combs was shot on the steps leading to his apartment in 1948 by his wife. She was acquitted of the “suicide” by a Breathitt County jury. Learn about this unusual case, often cited as an example of “mountain justice.” Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Businesses, Jackson, Murder, Tragedy, United States Army | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The End of Cood

Posted on October 3, 2024 by sdbowling

Cood Bowling took a lethal dose of morphine in the Breathitt County Jail allegedly to stop the ghost of his victim from visiting. Learn more about this little remembered Breathitt County tragedy. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Feuds, Middle Fork, Murder, Tragedy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Snake Valley

Posted on March 13, 2023 by sdbowling

Snake Valley was a wild and often dangerous place. Learn more about one of its most notorious places. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Feuds, Murder | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Murder on Old Buck

Posted on February 27, 2023 by sdbowling

Three shootings in three days on Old Buck ended with two wounded, one dead and one in prison. The tragedy of an eye for an eye was still alive. Continue reading →

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The Death of James Cockrell

Posted on January 27, 2023 by sdbowling

James Cockrell is one of the numerous men who died because of their family connections or their own actions during Breathitt’s bloodiest days. Continue reading →

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

The Marcum Family

Posted on January 19, 2023 by sdbowling

The Marcums were once a large and prominent family in Breathitt County, and then the feuds started. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Feuds, Jackson, Murder | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Constable Killed, Shooter Executed

Posted on January 13, 2023 by sdbowling

Three shots rang out from the dark corner of the room. Constable Hiram Smith died instantly.

A year and 12 days later, his shooter was executed by the state for the murder. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Murder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Breathitt’s Health in 1915

Posted on January 10, 2023 by sdbowling

In 1915, Breathitt County had a serious health crisis. Not enough doctors and too many serious illnesses led to poor conditions listed in state newspapers. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Health, Jackson, Medicine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Deputy Clemons Emptied Gun Before Dying

Posted on January 3, 2023 by sdbowling

George W. Clemons and several men went to serve an arrest warrant in 1929. Two men were killed and one wounded in the gun battle that followed. A dying Deputy Clemons emptied his gun before he died. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Feuds, Murder | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments