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Lewis County Herald
May 12, 1932
THE CAPTURE OF "SAM HARRIS" IN KNOTT COUNTY, KENTUCKY
Researched and
compiled by: Paula Franke, Reporter, Lewis County History Column,
Sept., 2001 (after running the first article, she had done more
research and this is what she found..)
From the Article: Hoop's Schoolhouse and more Trace Creek History...
Further notes on Trace Creek, Lewis County, Kentucky After
publishing last weeks stories by "Uncle Morris Bloomfield," Paula
Franke, was curious enough
to do further research on the Murder
story of Sam Harris, and Willard Parker.
The crime took place on Cedar Run
of Trace Creek. Through her
diligent research, she found some enlightening News Articles about
the incident in the May 12, 1932, issue of The Lewis County
Herald. the actual date of the
Murder was not in 1918, but occurred on October 25, 1931, and furthermore,
Sam Harris, did not escape arrest
as some have heard, and read in other articles.
Lewis County Herald
May 12, 1932
"SAM HARRIS CAPTURED" IN KNOTT COUNTY, KENTUCKY,"
"WANTED HERE IN LEWIS COUNTY, FOR MURDER"
Deputies: Frank
Hatfield, and Otto Fannin, of Knott County, Kentucky, delivered, Sam Harris, wanted here for the Willful Murder of,
Willard Parker, to local
authorities, Friday, last week. According to: Sheriff W.E. Sullivan, the killing of "Parker" was the result of a Children's quarrel in
which both the "Harris" children
and the "Parker" children participated.
It is said that on the evening of the Killing, which occurred about,
October 25, last year. "Harris"
went to the "Parker" home to continue the quarrel, and was
ordered from the premises by
Parker. Later, the "Parker Family,"
attended a Pie Supper, and upon returning to their home, and was
making preparations to retire for the evening, when a disturbance
caused by the dogs in the yard, caused "Parker,"
to leave inside the House, at which time he was shot and instantly
killed. There were two eyewitnesses to the tragedy. Mr. Sullivan, further stated that he had been tipped off
that "Harris"
was located in a Knott County,
Kentucky neighborhood, and had been
on his (Harris) trail since receiving such information. "Harris," who was a Stone Mason, by trade, was
employed near the scene of the capture, in building a house, and
Officers, fearing difficulties, made their way to the hide out and
gained entrance to his room while he was asleep. He is said to have
grabbed for his gun nearby, but surrounded, when officials ordered
"Hands Up or Else." There was a Reward of $50.00, for the arrest of
Harris. Sheriff Sullivan, is to be congratulated upon keeping on the
hunt of Law Breakers. His persistence in the matter resulted in the
Violator being apprehended. End of Article
Lewis County Herald
June 16, 1932
THE TRIAL OF:
"SAM HARRIS"
The June 16, 1932, issue of The Lewis County
Herald, carried the news of the
Trial at the Old Vanceburg
Courthouse. The Editor gave these
details of the "Harris"
Trial:
"SAM HARRIS SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT" FOR THE MURDER OF "WILLARD
PARKER" NEAR RUGGLES, LAST OCTOBER
BY A JURY IN LEWIS CIRCUIT COURT WEDNESDAY MORNING
After deliberating less then Five
Minutes, a Jury returned the Verdict of Guilty of Willful Murder
against Sam Harris, and fixed his Punishment at Life Imprisonment in the Penitentiary.
The case was called for Trial on
Tuesday Morning, but some delay was caused by the failure to secure
a satisfactory Jury. About 4 P.M., Tuesday, Afternoon, the box was
filled and Court then adjourned until 6P.M.., at which time the
Commonwealth introduced their First Witness. According to the
Testimony, "Parker,"
who was considered a Respectable, Law-Abiding Citizen, was annoyed
in the Afternoon of, October 24,
1931, last at his home at: Ruggles. "Harris,"
was drunk, according to witnesses, and was asked to leave by "Parker,"
which he refused to do, contending that his 13 year old, Son: Denvil Harris, had been the object of Rocks thrown by:
John Parker, Son of Willard
Parker, and: Woodrow Parker, a Nephew. Commonwealth later introduced witnesses
who testified that the "Harris
Youth," as well as his "Father," was Drunk. When "Harris,"
refused to leave the "Parker,"
Home, "Parker,"
is said to have kicked him out, and was threatened by "Harris," that he'd get him before 24
hours had passed." After Supper,
"Mr. Parker," accompanied by his Wife, "Rosa Parker,"
and His Son, and Nephew, attended a Pie Supper in the neighborhood,
and returned to their Home and were preparing to retire, when a
disturbance raised by the Dogs in their Yard, caused them to go the
Porch of the House. When
"Parker," ventured out, a discharge
of a Gun was heard, and He fell Mortally, Wounded. Mrs. Parker and Son: John Parker and
Nephew: Woodrow Parker, testified
that they recognized "Harris,"
at the time as the Man who fired
the Shot. Olive Harris, 15 years
old, Daughter of: Sam Harris, the
accused man, testified that her older Brother, Esten Harris, 18 years old, left his
home on the Fatal Night armed with a Shotgun and returned the next
morning without accounting for his absence, and that Her Father was
at Home during the night. Esten
Harris, had not been seen in the
neighborhood of his home for a Month previous, to the Tragedy
according to witnesses.
In the stand, "Sam Harris,"
testified that he arose about 4 A.M., on the morning after the
shooting, and went to his Still, which was near his home. A short
time later he returned to the house, informed by his Wife, that
"Parker,"
had been Shot, and that He (Harris),
was suspected. "Harris,"
inferred that his Son, had come in during that time, and together
they made their getaway traveling together a part of the time, until
the "Elder Harris,"
was Arrested in Knott County,
about Two Months ago. His Testimony
seemed to lead to the fact that his Son, rather than Himself Fired
the Fatal Shot. Mrs. Mary
Bloomfield, said on the Stand, that
"Olive Harris,"
showed her a letter from her Father sometime before the Trial,
stating that she (Mrs.
Bloomfield), would testify that she
saw, "Esten Harris,"
on the Day of the Shooting, that there would be some Money in it for
her Mrs... Bloomfield, said she did not See Young "Harris,"
and refused to carry out his request.
County Attorney, Norman Bowman, who
made the opening speech for the Commonwealth, said, "Never in his experience, had he been
confronted with a Father, who wanted to place a Blame of Murder on
his Son." Attorney, Arthur Jarvis,
appointed by the Court to represent "Harris,"
made a stirring speech in his behalf asking the Court and Jury to
consider the Fact, that Esten
Harris's, activities were
unaccounted for. Attorney, D. G.
Diamond, assisted in the Defense.
Commonwealth Attorney, Thomas Nickles, made the closing speech for the State. The
Blood Stained Clothing worn by
"Harris," on the Night of "Parkers,"
Murder, a Picket from the Fence of the "Parker,"
Home, which had been badly burned by Powder as the Powerful Shot
went through it. A Diagram of the House and Yard, the Shot Gun, and
Empty Shells, said to have been owned by "Harris,"
were all brought before the Jury as Exhibits. The following men
made up the Jury: Tom McCleese,
Dave May, Andrew Hamlin, Bill Standard, Alex Webb, Tom Riley, J. R.
Hinton, Russell Hampton, Cecil Polly, Omer Barbour, Omer Hamlin and
Dan Hull. End of Trial Information.
Discussion and
Questions, asked by: Paula Franke to the Readers of the Newspaper:
It would be interesting to know what ever happened to Mrs. Rosa
Parker, and to the Wife of Sam Harris and his Children. Did He
(Sam Harris), actually spend the rest of his life in the
Penitentiary, or was he given early release? A few weeks later
after: Arthur Jarvis, argued
for the defense of Sam Harris,
Mr.
Jarvis, was involved in a
Automobile Wreck, and hurt his Head severely. Sometime later he
left the Company of one of his Friends, and started to walk toward
the home of his Family in Olive Hill. He Never Showed Up At Their
Home, and His Disappearance was a Great Mystery...Some think he may
suffered Amnesia??? Do any of our Readers know if Arthur Jarvis was
ever Found???
I to would like to know also! Transcribed by: Marilyn Harris,
October 3, 2001
I have found in the
Kentucky Deaths 1911-present
Willard Parker
Date of Death: October 24, 1931
Place of Death: Lewis
Age: U/1
Also: Social Security Index:
Sam Harris- SS#400-24-0330
Issued in Kentucky
Born: January 28, 1889
Died: March 5, 1968 Ky.
Resided at: Zip code: 41652 where he received his Benefit Check
Place of Post Office: Minnie, Kentucky
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