Lincoln County Living HelloFall
WrittenbyJonathanL Smith,Author&Historian
Celebrate 50 years of Lincoln County High School football with this must-read book! Packed with exclusive interviews from coaches and players, detailed stats, and rich history, it’s a treasure trove for every Lincoln County football fan. Relive the glory days and discover the stories behind the stats! Now available to purchase on Amazon
Born in Stanford, Kentucky, Lovell Harrison Rousseau rose from a young boy who buried his father during a cholera outbreak to a celebrated Union Major General, fiery congressman, and ultimately the man entrusted to take possession of the Alaska Territory, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, courage, and fierce loyalty to his roots.
EDITOR'S NOTE
Fall is a season that brings together some of life's greatest pleasures crisp air, the excitement of football, and the joy of reflecting on our community's history
This year, we have something special to celebrate as local Author & Historian Jonathan L Smith has published a book chronicling 50 years of Lincoln County High School football This book captures the spirit and legacy of a tradition that has united our community for generations As the leaves change and the Friday night lights shine bright, there's no better time to delve into the rich history of our local football heroes. Whether you're cheering from the stands or turning the pages of Jonathan's latest work, this fall is all about honoring the traditions that have shaped who we are
Fall is the perfect time to indulge in warm and cozy recipes that bring comfort and joy to the season. Whether it’s White Bean & Potato Soup, Easy Butternut Squash Soup, or Hearty Lentil Soup, these recipes not only satisfy your taste buds, but also create a sense of warmth as the days grow cooler
By Pator, Jeremy Johnson Stanford Christian Church
LifeinWaynesburg,Kentucky,offersapeacefulexistence rootedintheessenceofsmall-towncharmandclose-knit communityspirit.
Written by Jonathan L. Smith, Author & Historian
KAREN MOSES
PUBLISHER - FOUNDER
Fall, to me, is a season of warmth and nostalgia, where the air turns crisp, and the landscape is painted in vibrant hues of orange, red, and yellow. It’s a time that invites reflection and appreciation for the simple joys of life like the crunch of leaves underfoot, the scent of wood smoke on the breeze, and the comfort of a cozy sweater. Fall feels like the world slowing down just a bit, encouraging us to savor the moment.
In a small town, fall is celebrated with a sense of community and tradition that brings everyone together It’s a season marked by festivals that showcase local crafts, foods, and music, creating a lively atmosphere where neighbors greet each other with smiles and warm cider Streets and storefronts are adorned with pumpkins, scarecrows, and bales of hay, while front porches are decorated with mums, gourds, and autumn wreaths There’s something special about how a small town embraces the season, turning it into a vibrant celebration of harvest and homecoming, where every weekend holds the promise of a new gathering, a bonfire, or a hayride.
Fall in a small town isn’t just a season; it’s a feeling a reminder of the beauty of community and the richness of shared traditions. It’s a time when the pace of life slows down, just enough to appreciate the little things, and to celebrate the bounty of the land and the warmth of friendship.
Thank you to all of our loyal readers for helping make *Lincoln County Living Magazine* a successful local magazine Your support and connection to our community are what make this publication thrive, especially during this cherished season of fall
Fifty Years of Lincoln County High School Football
Local Author & Historian - Jonathan L. Smith
NOW AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ON AMAZON
Fall is also about football and Jonathan Smith’s “Fifty Years of Lincoln County High School Football” history book is a perfect reading choice for this fall.
I have worked with Jonathan Smith for many years and did not think he could impress more than he has in the past. However, his new book, “Fifty Years of Lincoln County High School Football” has left me awestruck
He tells the interesting story of the merger of Lincoln County schools with Stanford Independent schools for the purpose of building a consolidated high school It took nine years and five voting efforts to finally pass a tax that would provide for a complete school
That part is just the prelude, as he weaves in the sports history of every high school in Lincoln County, biographical sketches of all of Lincoln County High School’s football coaches, and an encyclopedic summary of each of the fifty football seasons. He has written a big book for a seemingly small audience. That is, the subject matter is extremely local.
Nonetheless, I am not native to Lincoln County, but I found the book very entertaining and informative. The attention to details names, dates, dollar amounts, athletic feats helps paint a clear picture of the events described. The book does not contain any actual pictures, but it is jam-packed with interesting facts and details. This book is a major win for sports fans and history fans alike, and I am sure that our readers will enjoy it thoroughly
If you are reading this magazine, you will love reading “Fifty Years of Lincoln County High School Football ”
BY: JONATHAN L. SMITH AUTHOR & HISTORIAN
STANFORD’S BRAVE GENERAL
“From Kentucky Roots to National Honor”
Lovell Harrison Rousseau (1818-1869) was born in Stanford, Kentucky, on August 4, 1818 His father operated a mill on St Asaph’s creek near present-day Somerset Street During a local cholera outbreak in 1833, his father decided to move the family to Wayne County, but the father died along the way. Fifteen-year-old Lovell and a younger brother dug a grave and buried their father because others would not help when they saw the effects of cholera on the corpse.
Easy&Delicious
Lovell obtained what education he could in the Stanford common school and became the wage-earner for the family. He went to work as part of a turnpike construction manual labor crew, grading the roadbed, crushing rock and spreading it for the improved road that would later be known as Highway 27 between Lexington and Stanford He eventually studied law and relocated to Indiana and then Louisville, where he practiced law and served in the state legislatures.
When the Civil War broke out, he served in the Union army, rising to the rank of Major General, and showing great bravery on the battlefields of Shiloh and Perryville. Rousseau was a brave, courageous man with a physically large stature, honed by hard work like farming and roadbuilding. His mind was honed, too. He was known as a very good orator, handling difficult legal cases and explaining them to juries
After the war, he served in the United States House of Representatives, representing the Louisville district. During a House of Representatives debate in 1866, he was insulted by Josiah Grinnell, a Congressman from Iowa A few days later, he crossed paths with Grinnell outside the Capitol, and proceeded to beat Grinnell with his cane He was reprimanded by a majority of the House members and he resigned.
Back in Kentucky, he told his constituents, “I have no regret for my conduct in the matter I would have chastised Grinnell at every hazard, and I would do it again tomorrow under similar circumstances No man shall ever insult with impunity my people or myself, and on this issue, I submit the case to your hands.” The people reelected him to fill the seat he had vacated under the reprimand. Grinnell, by the way, is the person for whom Grinnell, Iowa and its namesake college, are named
Rousseau returned to Congress in December 1866, but left again in March 1867, to receive the Alaska Territory from the Russians and he assumed control of the territory for the United Sates He sold his three-story brick mansion in Louisville, located on the west side of 6th Street, between Green (now Liberty) Street and Walnut (now Muhamma Ali) Street for $15,000 when he moved to Alaska. Later, he succeeded General Phillip Sheridan as the commanding officer of the Department of Louisiana during the Reconstruction Era.
When Rosseau died in New Orleans in January 1869, at the age of 50, the respect for his command was clear. All the city’s businesses closed, at the height of the day, for his funeral procession. The miliary parade stepped off at Canal Street, marched to his residence, then proceeded to accompany the family to Christ Church The pallbearers were all Generals of the military, and the streets were lined with residents paying their respects along the route from his home to the church, then to the cemetery. His remains were later reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery.
The boy born in Stanford, who buried his father on the side of the road during the terrible 1833 cholera outbreak, had a very productive and adventurous life. He is somebody we should know and remember as one of our very own.
3 FALLSOUPRECIPES
I N G R E D I E N T S
2 medium russet potatoes
1 yellow onion
2-3 carrots
2 celery ribs
2 TBSP butter
3-4 cloves garlic
1 TBSP olive oil
2 tsp Italian seasoning blend
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
4-5 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
2 cans white beans (cannellini or great northern) ¼-½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese for topping fresh rosemary, parsley, and/or thyme for topping
DIRECTIONS
Peel potatoes, onion, celery, carrots, and garlic. Dice veggies and mince garlic. For faster cooking potatoes use a ½ inch dice. Carrots can be sliced into thin rounds or diced. Frozen diced carrots work too!
Measure out remaining ingredients for speedy soup assembly. Drain and rinse beans.
Heat a large pot or dutch oven to medium-high heat with butter and oil. Sauté onions, celery, and carrots until edges are lightly golden. 3.
Add garlic and spices (Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper) and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add diced potatoes, broth, and drained/rinsed beans 5
Note: a more stew-like soup opt for 4 cups broth or a little extra for a brothier soup If adding more than 5 cups broth increase salt/pepper/italian seasoning to taste
7.
Bring soup to a boil, then reduce to a low but active simmer and cover. Cook for about 20 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are fork-tender.
Use an immersion blender (my fav soup tool!) to blend about ⅓ of the soup for a deliciously creamy base. For a regular blender/processor, ladle a portion of the soup into your blender, puree until smooth, then return to the pot. 8. Taste and add any additional herbs/spices your heart desires. Portion soup into bowls and top with fresh herbs and optional parmesan cheese. Enjoy! 9.
Leftover soup is AMAZING and can be stored in airtight container(s) in the fridge for easy heat-and-eat meals throughout the week This soup
EasyButternutSquashSoup
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
3 lbs peeled chopped butternut squash
3 cups vegetable broth
1 green apple, peeled, cored, and chopped 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Pinch of nutmeg, optional
DIRECTIONS
1. Place the lid securely on the Instant Pot and move the knob to seal. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes and do a quick release of the pressure.
On your Instant Pot, select Sauté. Add the olive oil and sauté the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic until soft, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the vegetable broth, butternut squash, apple, nutmeg, cinnamon, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if using.
2. Use an Immersion blender in the Instant Pot to puree the soup until smooth If you don't have an immersion blender, you can let the soup cool a little and carefully transfer the soup to a regular blender and blend until smooth.
3 Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm. 4. Enjoy!5.
HeartyLentilSoup
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
14- ounce can crushed or diced tomatoes
2 cups dry green or brown lentils
7 cups vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
3 cups baby spinach, sliced into ribbons or kale
1 lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
DIRECTIONS
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring frequently for about 4-5 minutes 1. Now add the can of tomatoes (with juices), lentils, vegetable broth, cumin, coriander and smoked paprika. Stir to incorporate everything. 2.
Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and the soup has thickened. For a creamier texture, u Alternatively, add 1-2 cups of the soup to a regul
3. Stir in the spinach and lemon juice. It will only ta taste. 4. Enjoy!5.
October-November-December
October 4 & 5 - Bourbon Chase
October 5 - FAll Market at the Depot 9am - 4pm
October 8 - Stanford-Lincoln Tourism Meeting 1pm at the Depot
October 13th Oktoberfest in Waynesburg
Begins @ 12 Food Vendors, door prizes, corn hole & more!
October 18 - FRiday Night Car Cruise In on Main Street 5p - 8p
October 19 - Trail Pleasure Saddle Club Horse Show Event
Rain date for Horse Show Oct 26 Sponsors Needed!
October 29TH- Lincoln County Parks and Recreation Trunk or Treat 530 - 730
October 30th Senior Citizen Center Halloween Lunch 1030-12
Must be over 65 years old and registered
October 31st City Wide Trick or Treat
October 31st McKinney Trunk or Treat sponsored by The Den Prizes and Food at Event 5-7
November 27th Senior Citizen Center Thanksgiving
Lunch 1030-12 - Must be over 65 years old and registered November 12--Stanford-Lincoln County Tourism Meeting at 1:00 pm at the L & N Depot
December 6- Lighting of the Christmas tree at 6:30 pm.
December 7 - Christmas Parade 6:00pm
December 7 –Logan’s Fort/Museum Christmas Open House from 1:00-3:00 -L & N Depot Christmas with Choo Choo Santa and Jingles, the elf from 12:00-4:00 pm. -Old Presbyterian Meeting House Open House from 11:00am3:00pm
December 8- Ottenheim Immanuel Lutheran Church Open House at 2:00 pm
December 8- Jingle Bell Jog will begin at 2:30pm
December 10 -Stanford-Lincoln County Tourism Meeting at 1:00 pm at the L & N Depot
December 14 & 15 - Christmas on the Wilderness Road -18th Century Christmas Open House at the William Whitley House from 1:00-4:00
Notice-
Anyone
YOUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER
JOIN US IN BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS, AND AN INVITATION TO LOCAL BUSINESSES
In small-town communities, local radio stations and magazines aren’t just sources of news and entertainment they’re lifelines that bring people together, preserve local culture, and celebrate our shared stories Advertising on WPBK and in Lincoln County Living does more than promote a business; it’s an investment in the heart of the community. Every ad helps fund the daily operations of our radio station, keeping beloved local voices on the air, broadcasting the latest happenings, broadcasting Lincoln County High School Sports, and offering a platform for community events
Supporting these platforms takes real financial resources, from station operations to paying dedicated employees who deliver quality content tailored to Lincoln County. Without local businesses advertising with us, the station and magazine would struggle to continue providing these essential services. When local businesses choose to advertise here, they’re not only reaching their neighbors and potential customers but also helping maintain the unique character and vibrancy of our town Every advertisement strengthens the bond that holds our community together, making it possible to share local news, promote events, cover local high school sports and keep our community spirit thriving
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the businesses that choose to advertise with WPBK and Lincoln County Living Your support allows us to continue sharing the stories, news, and events that make our community special To those not yet advertising with us, we invite you to join in making a difference. By choosing our local radio station and magazine, your business connects directly with neighbors and strengthens the community we all love. Reach out today call Karen Moses at 606-524-0099 or Heather Brown at 606-879-2451 and discover the impact your support can make Thank you for being part of the Lincoln County family!
2025 LINCOLN COUNTY DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMEN
Alayna Bodner Named 2025 Lincoln County Distinguished Young Woman
Following the completion of all the stage portions of the local DYW competition on Saturday evening, September 28th, Alayna Bodner, the daughter of Berek and Ashley Bodner of Stanford, was given the title of 2025 Distinguished Young Woman of Lincoln County Alayna was the overall winner in both the Interview and Self-expression categories and was a runner-up in Talent with a vocal and piano performance of one of her original songs. As the 2025 winner, Alayna received a cash scholarship of $5,525 along with $1,000 for her top placement in Interview, $550 for winning Self- Expression, and $625 as a runner-up in Talent Alayna also received a $600 “Friends of Lincoln County DYW” award She will represent our local program in the Kentucky DYW competition in January
Ella Franklin, the daughter of Shane and Stephanie Franklin, was named first runner-up on Saturday night. Ella was the overall winner in Talent and placed in Scholastics, Fitness, and Interview. She received a cash scholarship of $4,425 as first runner-up, $775 for Scholastics, $525 for Fitness, $775 for Interview, and $425 as a “Friends of Lincoln County DYW” recipient
As second runner-up, Chloe Pope, the daughter of Jeremy and Ashley Pope, received a $3,425 cash scholarship She was also awarded $1,000 as the overall Scholastics winner, $775 as a runner-up in Interview, $625 for placing in Talent, and $1,000 as the top “Friends of Lincoln County DYW” individual.
Third runner-up in the program was Sara Dunn, daughter of Kenny and Cathy Dunn, earning a cash scholarship of $2,425 Sara placed in Interview, Talent, and Self-expression, receiving $775, $625, and $525 for those categories. She also was the recipient of a “Friends of Lincoln County DYW” award, in the amount of $325 and a $250 Spirit award winner.
Baylor Adams, the daughter of Woods and Lezli Adams, was the fourth runner-up in the program, and received a cash scholarship of $1,725 She was the overall Fitness winner, earning $550, and was named as one of the $250 Spirit award winners The full results of the Lincoln County program are:
Scholastics Awards
$1,000 Winner - Chloe Pope
$775 Runners-up – Cayley Thornsberry, Ella Franklin, Gatlynn Lewis, Kylie Jenkins
Interview Awards
$1,000 Winner - Alayna Bodner
$775 Runners-up – Chloe Pope, Ella Franklin, Sara Dunn, Kasey Padgett
Talent Awards
$675 Winner – Ella Franklin
$625 Runners-up – Chloe Pope, Alayna Bodner, Lindsay Bryant, Sara Dunn
Self-expression Awards
$550 Winner – Alayna Bodner
$525 Runners-up – Kasey Padgett, Cayley Thornsberry, Lindsay Bryant, Sara Dunn
Fitness Awards
$550 Winner – Baylor Adams
$525 Runners-up – Kylie Jenkins, Keeley Phillips, Ella Franklin, Alexis Pittman
Jennifer Baker Memorial “Be Your Best Self” Awards - $275
Katlin Rutherford, Alexis Pittman, Keeley Phillips, Savannah Murphy
Phyllis Cooley Memorial Spirit Awards - $250
Lindsay Bryant, Sara Dunn, Keeley Phillips, Baylor Adams
Sheila Underwood Memorial “Character Counts” Awards - $350
Katlin Rutherford, Alexis Pittman, Gatlynn Lewis, Savannah Murphy
Nancy Leedy Memorial “Friends of Lincoln County” Awards
$250 Kylie Jenkins
$325 Sara Dunn
$425 Ella Franklin
$600 Alayna Bodner
$700 Kasey Padgett
$1,000 Chloe Pope
The top winners (second photo) are left to right: Baylor Adams 4th runner up; Ella Franklin 1st runner up; Alayna Bodner 2025 DYW; Chloe Pope 2nd runner up; and Sara Dunn 1st runner up
Alayna Bodner 2025 Distinguished Young Woman Winner
Photos taken and submitted by Betty L. Bridgman
WAYNESBURG
Waynesburg,ahistoriccommunitynestledinLincolnCounty,liesapproximately12milessouthofStanford. Establishedintheearly19thcentury,itfirstservedasastagecoachstopbeforebecomingastationalong theCincinnati,NewOrleans,andTexasPacificRailway.Thetowntakesitsnamefromthedistinguished RevolutionaryWarGeneralAnthonyWayne,whoselegacyenduresthroughtheregion'sproudhistory.The Waynesburghpostoffice,firstopenedin1824,witnessedseveralclosuresandre-openingsthroughoutthe 19thcentury,withthespellingofficiallychangedtoWaynesburgin1894.
WE LOVE OUR TOWN
GeneralAnthonyWayne,oftenreferredtoas"MadAnthony duetohisaudaciousmilitaryexploits,servedwithgreat distinctionasanofficerintheContinentalArmyduringthe AmericanRevolution.Hisnotablecontributionstothecauseof independenceincludehispivotalrolesinthe1777Philadelphia Campaign,theBattleofMonmouth,andthesouthern campaign.
606-379-6944
Wayne'srisetoprominencebeganwhenhebecamecolonelofthe4thPennsylvania Regimentin1776,soonafterwhichhewaspromotedtobrigadiergeneral.His leadershipwasinstrumentalinkeyRevolutionarybattles,includingBrandywine, Germantown,Monmouth,andStonyPoint.
LifeinWaynesburg,Kentucky,offersapeacefulexistencerootedintheessenceof small-towncharmandclose-knitcommunityspirit.Theruralsurroundingsprovide ampleopportunitiesforoutdoorpursuitssuchashiking,fishing,hunting,and camping.Summersbringwarmthtothecountryside,whilethemildwintersinvite thedelightsofsnowsportsandsledding.
Thelocalmarketsbrimwithfreshproduce,andthetown'sdinersservehearty, home-cookedmeals,ensuringthatWaynesburgremainsahavenforbothlong-time residentsandvisitors.Here,lifeiscenteredaroundfamily,tradition,andastrong senseofcommunity,wherethebondsofneighborlinessendureacrossgenerations.
POPULATION 5,435 TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS 2,312
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME $48,228 EMPLOYMENT RATE 43.8%
SOURCE: 2020 UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREA
Scoring summary:
GC 8:12 1Q Cam Peak 32 run (Zack Dailey kick) 0-7
LC 9:28 2Q Tucker Foster 4-yard run (kick failed) 6-7
GC 8:33 2Q Malichi Simmons 11-yard run (kick failed) 6-13
LC 8:06 2Q Kash Smith 57-yard run (Colby Townes kick) 13-13
GC 3:25 3Q Malachi Simmons 2-yard run (Dailey kick) 13-20
LC 8:30 4Q Foster 1-yard run (Townes kick) 20-20
LC 0:52 8 4Q Foster 8-yard run (Townes kick) 27-20
WHICHMADEFORAGREAT GAMEATMOSPHERE!
Lincoln County 27 Garrard County 20
A huge crowd was on hand to see these two long-time rivals square off in game 2 of the PBK Bank/WPBK-FM Death Valley Bowl In the first game, Green County defeated Casey County 38-0
The Most Valuable Players for each team were Tucker Foster for Lincoln County and Malachi Simmons for Garrard County.
Garrard County won the coin toss and chose to have the ball first It took them only six plays to put together a sixtyfour yard, 3:48 scoring drive Cam Peak scored on a 32-yard run to put Garrard up 7-0
After each team punted, Lincoln County put together their first scoring drive, capped by a 4-yard run by quarterback Tucker Foster with 9:28 to play in the 2nd quarter The kick failed, leaving Garrard with a 7-6 lead.
Garrard came right back on the ensuing drive, moving the ball quickly down the field in big chunks before scoring on an 11-yard run by Malachi Simmons with 8:33 to play in the first half The kick failed and Garrard led 13-6
Lincoln bounced right back, though, with Kash Smith racing 57-yards on the first play from scrimmage after the ensuing kickoff Colby Townes added the kick, and the score was tied at 13-13 with 8:06 to play in the half
After that, the defenses settled in Garrard had two punts while Lincoln had a punt and an interception. The interception came on the Garrard four-yard line with a questionable no-call on a potential pass interference by Garrard. Garrard kneed the ball to end the half after the interception
In the second half, Garrard scored once on a Malachi Simmons run to go up 20-13 Lincoln County then got two unanswered scoring runs by quarterback Tucker Foster to win the game 27-20, with the winning touchdown coming less than a minute to play in the game
Quotes:
“I’m proud of my guys and proud of my coaches. We just battled, battled, battled against a very good Garrard County team It’s a good win for us ” –Lincoln County head football coach Levi Rogers
“It’s a blessing to be out here playing football ” – Junior running back Kash Smith who was injured last season
“It feels great to win!”- Junior lineman Matthew Sneed
“I want to thank my line for blocking and thank Coach Rogers for the play calling ” – Sophomore quarterback Tucker Foster who scored three touchdowns in the game
SCHOOLSNEWSLETTER
Lincoln County Schools is a proud public school district serving over 3,000 students. Our district is home to five elementary schools, a middle school, a high school and a technology center.
Every Student, Every Classroom, Every Day, College/Career & Citizenship Ready! Apply Today
Apply today to become a part of this forwardmoving school district:
Providing our students with a high level of education is our primary goal. We have recently focused on investing in our staff by providing more workplace incentives that will help us retain and recruit the best teachers and support staff This, in turn, will positively impact the quality of education provided in our classrooms
�� HTTPS://WWW.LINCOLN.KYSCHOOLS.US/PAGE/JOBS
Editor’s Note: The following is historical fiction from local historian, Jonathan L Smith, using actual facts and real people from a real-life 1889 crime story. The conversations and the reporter, Rex Ramsey, are made up. The rest is real. Written by
jonathan smith, author and historian
FromtheRexRamseyFiles “BeaverTail’sDemise”
I cover the hard news in Stanford and surrounding environs Thereisplentyofit,too
Not quite the railroad boom town that it was in the decade or so after the first train came in 1866, but Stanfordwasstillaregionalcommercecenter
That makes the newspaper I work for, the InteriorJournal, a regional news source In fact, its name indicatesthatitcoversthenewsintheinteriorsectionof thestate SpringhadnotyetsprunginthefirstweekofApril1889, butthedaysweregettingnoticeablylonger.
The weather was warming up and so was the friction between Tom Wren and his father-in-law, Joseph Baker
Everybody knew Joe Baker by his nickname, “Beaver Tail” Tom Wren was married to Beaver Tail’s daughter,Mollie
OnApril4,1889,BeaverTailwenttoTomWren’shouse near Crab Orchard where some kind of difficulty took placewhichultimatelyresultedinBeaverTail’sdeath
I wrote a short, timely item right after the killing, giving the sparce details that were known at the time Basically, Joseph Baker went to Tom Wren’s place drunk,raisedarow,andwasshotinthebowels
Judge Varnon held the examining trail on May 11, 1889 Beaver Tail had lingered for about three weeks after beingmortallywoundedbeforepassingaway.
Thatgavehimtimetogiveadyingdeclarationthatwas written up and witnessed by a Justice of the Peace At theexaminingtrail,itwasasifBeaverTailwastestifying fromthegrave
Hisdyingdeclarationwasenteredintoevidence.Hehad been told his son-in-law’s side of the story and the declarationsquarelycounteredit.
He said he stopped by Wren’s place, and they exchanged pleasantries. Then Wren advanced on him, pulledapistoloutofhispocket,andstartedshooting
Beaver Tail said no harsh words had been exchanged before Tom commenced to shooting at him He was outside the house, where he had run, when one of Wren’sshotsfoundhisstomach
Beaver Tail said his reason for stopping by was to get hissupperfromhisdaughter Healsostatedthathehad aclevisconnectorinhishand,notahatchet
Wren’s story was almost completely opposite from BeaverTail’sdyingdeclaration
He said Beaver Tail came to his house and said he was going to kill Wren because Wren had slapped BeaverTail’sdaughter,whowasWren’swife.
Wren defensively used a chair to get away from Beaver Tail who pursued him with a hatchet He claimedheonlyshottosavehislife.
There were no eyewitnesses to the killing other thanWren’swifeandshewasnotallowedtotestify undertherulesofevidence
As is usual in capital cases, the esteemed and talentedStanfordbarputonanentertainingjudicial event
The prosecution was ably represented by J.W. Alcorn and J.S. Owsley, Jr., while Fontaine F. Bobbitt, knownas“CicerooftheMountains”,stoodalonefor thedefense
Finding sufficient evidence to hold Tom Wren over fortrial,JudgeVarnondidsoandsetbailat$500.
There was a trial in November that went much like theexamininghearing Thistime,though,bothsides hadbeefeduptherosteroflawyers
Alcorn and Owsley were assisted by WO Hansford in prosecuting the case The defense had a halfdozen of the county’s best legal minds assisting Bobbitt
The jury deadlocked with some jurors wanting acquittal and some wanting a long sentence in the penitentiary Judge Morrow kept the jury together for three days, but they could never come to an agreement.
AnothertrialwasheldinApril1890,almostayearto thedayafterBeaverTailBakerwaskilled
This time the prosecution was led by General William Jennings Landrum and W.O. Hansford. The defense again had a deep bench of Stanford’s best lawyers
The facts at the third trial, including the examining trial, were the same as before, Wren beat his wife, herfathercameover,Wrenkilledhim
That’s it in a nutshell with the jury having to decide whether to believe that Tom Wren acted in selfdefense.
Theydidnotbelieveitandthistimethejurorswere able to agree and gave him two years in the penitentiary.
IheardthatFontaineBobbittwasworkingupsome evidence for a new trial, so I visited Wren in the countyjail
He was a rough fellow, used to spending short stints in jail for being drunk and disorderly. He was nervouswhenItalkedtohimthroughtheironbars.
Iaskedhim,“Tom,youthinkanewjurywilldobetter foryouthanthisonedid?”
Without looking at me, he replied, “Rex, I’ve been thinkingonthataconsiderable‘mount”
Everybody calls me Rex because the first two stories I covered for the newspaper were about trainwrecks.
Tom shifted from one foot to the other, leaned in closer and said, “I reckon two years ain’t bad for killin’aman.”
I let that hang in the air for a moment before replying, “No, it’s not You know, the next jury they selectcouldsendyoutothepenitentiaryuntilyou’re an old man and by the time of the new trial, you would have probably served six months or more of thisshortsentence.”
TomWrenwasdonetalking,heshuffledacrossthe smallcelltothethinmattressonasmallcot Helaid downandstaredattheceiling.
I walked back to Myers House hotel to have my dinner, thinking about the gamble that Tom Wren wastakingwithanewtrial
Before I could finish it, Fontaine Bobbitt was standinginfrontofmydinnertable
“Idon’tknowwhatyousaidtomyclient,Rex,buthe wantsmetodropthemotionforanewtrial.”
“I told him what you should have told him, Bobbitt Hegotoffluckyandwillhaveabigchunkofthetime servedbeforeyoucanhaveanothertrial.”
“Well, right is right, and that man acted in selfdefense IhaveproveditthreetimesandIthinkIcan proveitagainandmakethejuryunderstandit!”
I took a sip of my coffee, cut into my pork chop and resumed my dinner as Cicero of the Mountains relitigatedthecaseforme,thelonejuror
months Herearesomeessentialtips:
IndoorPreparation:
1 CheckandServiceHeatingSystems: -Haveyourfurnaceorboilerinspectedandservicedbyaprofessional -ReplacefiltersinyourHVACsystemtoensureefficientoperation -Testyourheatingsystembeforetheweathergetstoocold
2.SealWindowsandDoors:
-Inspectandreplaceweatherstrippingarounddoorsandwindows -Usecaulktosealanygapsorcrackstopreventdrafts -Considerinstallingstormwindowsforaddedinsulation
3 InsulateYourHome: -Addinsulationtoyourattic,basement,andcrawlspaces -Insulatepipestopreventthemfromfreezingandbursting
4 TestSmokeandCarbonMonoxideDetectors: -Replacebatteriesinsmokeandcarbonmonoxidedetectors -Ensurealldetectorsarefunctioningproperlyandinstalladditionalunitsifnecessary
5 CleanandInspectChimneysandFireplaces: -Haveyourchimneycleanedandinspectedbyaprofessional -Ensureyourfireplacedamperopens,closes,andsealsproperly
6 ReverseCeilingFans: -Reversethedirectionofyourceilingfanstoclockwisetohelpcirculatewarmair OutdoorPreparation:
1 CleanGuttersandDownspouts: -Removeleaves,debris,anddirtfromgutterstopreventclogs -Ensuredownspoutsdirectwaterawayfromyourhome’sfoundation
2 InspecttheRoof:
-Checkfordamagedormissingshinglesandrepairasnecessary -Clearoffanydebristopreventicedamsandwaterdamage
3 PreparetheLawnandGarden: -Rakeleavesandcleanupgardenbeds -Trimoverhangingbranchesthatcouldcausedamageduringwinterstorms -Winterizeyourirrigationsystembydrainingandshuttingitoff
4.StoreOutdoorFurnitureandEquipment: -Cleanandstorepatiofurniture,grills,andlawnequipment -Coveritemsthatneedtostayoutsidewithweather-resistantcovers
5.CheckandMaintainWalkwaysandDriveways:
-Sealcracksindrivewaysandwalkwaystopreventwaterpenetrationandfreezing damage
-Ensureyouhavesnowremovalequipmentandsuppliesready,suchasshovels,snow blowers,andicemelt
6 PrepareforPowerOutages:
-Stockuponemergencysupplieslikebatteries,flashlights,andnon-perishablefood -Considerinvestinginabackupgenerator
AdditionalTips:
1 StockUponWinterEssentials:
-Ensureyouhavesufficientheatingfuel,whetherit’soil,propane,orwood. -Keepextrablankets,warmclothing,andemergencykitsreadilyavailable
2 ProtectYourPlumbing: -Disconnectanddraingardenhoses -Installinsulationonexposedpipesinunheatedareas
