December 29, 1776, the Mingo attacked McClelland’s Fort in Georgetown (roughly 30-50 men) led by Chief Pluggy, who died . John McClelland and Charles White also died. Locals abandoned McClelland’s Fort (Royal Spring), and the men returned to Harrodsburg. That left two remaining forts in Kentucky, St. Asaph (Stanford) and Boonesborough. The Squire’s Sketches of Lexington by J. Winston Coleman, Jr.; pg: 15
Localtonians wish a Happy Anniversary to Governor James F. Robinson and Susan Mansell of Georgetown , who married in 1821. It would be the governor’s 1st of three wives. Mansell and Robinson had two children, a son and a daughter before Mansell died in 1835.
December 29, 1838, two Kentuckians, Alexander Keith McClung and John Menifee dueled five miles from Vicksburg, MS. They used rifles at 20 paces. On the 1st fire, Menifee got shot through the forehead, and McClung escaped injury. A dispute over disciplining a child fueled the argument. Famous Kentucky Duels by J. Winston Coleman, Jr.; pg: 141
December 29, 1848, The Kentucky Gazette st newspaper published west of the Allegheny Mountains and also in Kentucky, ceased publication after 61 years. In August of 1787, when the 1st edition came out, around 300 settlers with 40 log cabins called Lexington home.
December 29, 1865, Patrolman Thomas J. McFadden, Louisville Police Department , died when he and other officers investigated gunfire sounds along Fourth Street near the Ohio River levee. The officers encountered two soldiers in the area carrying rifles with fixed bayonets. At least one of the soldiers opened fire.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Willard native Governor William J. Fields, born in 1874 in Carter County. Known as “Honest Bill from Olive Hill,” he represented Kentucky’s 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1911 to 1923, resigning to become Kentucky’s 41st governor and the 38th individual to hold the office.
December 29, 1882, Town Marshal William R. Cruger, Princeton Police Department , died after arresting a man for being drunk and disorderly. As the two men walked up a set of stairs from the street to Marshal Cruger’s office, the prisoner produced a gun, spun around, and shot.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Ashland native Clyde Lee McCoy , born in 1903. The jazz trumpeter’s popularity spanned seven decades. He also co-founded Down Beat magazine in 1935.
On December 29, 1917, Deputy Sheriff Robert B. Eversole, Laurel County Sheriff’s Department , died serving a property levy. When the suspect refused to pay the fine, Deputy Eversole informed him that his property would have to be levied to cover the fine and went to the suspect’s mill to hang a notice. The suspect followed Deputy Eversole with a rifle, and shot him.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Winchester native Claude Howard Sullivan, born in 1924. Mr. Sullivan did Kentucky play-by-play broadcasts for football and basketball games for nearly 20 years for Lexington’s radio station WVLK.
December 29, 1950, Jefferson County Judge Shamburger banned all gambling in the county outside the city “because of the ridiculous incident at the Skyline Club.” Police arrested a Skyline patron for vagrancy and breach of peace when the proprietor would not pay out his winnings.
December 29, 1967, Army CPL Robert O. Graham from Louisville and Army CPL Clifton Henson from Liberty died in the Vietnam War.
December 29, 1970, the Highway Department announced that Kentucky toll booth employees would be on the outlook for drunk drivers and would report them to the State Police.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Augusta native Heather Renee French Henry , born in 1974. Heather won the 2000 Miss. America Pageant, the same year she married Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Steve Henry, 21 years her senior, in Louisville.
December 29, 1984, Jerry Claiborne’s Cats returned to the Hall of Fame Classic Bowl in Birmingham, AL, for the 2nd consecutive year , this time beating Wisconsin 20-19 in front of 47,300 spectators. Kentucky running back Mark Logan earned MVP honors.
On December 29, 1986, more than 19,000 fans filled Freedom Hall for a Kentucky practice to usher in the era of school-boy legend Rex Chapman . The Cats would lose their December 30 game to Georgia in Louisville.
On December 29, 1990, the Cardinals and Wildcats played basketball for the 10th time in the modern era . #18 Kentucky won 93-85 against Crum’s Cardinals in Louisville. Sean Woods (UK-20) and LaBradford Smith (UofL-26) earned high-scoring honors. The modern record stood at 6-4 in Kentucky’s favor.
On December 29, 1999, favored by three points, Hal Mumme’s Cats lost to Syracuse in the Music City Bowl 13-20 in Nashville with 59,221 fans in the stands. UK Quarterback Dusty Bonner gave it his all.
December 29, 2006, Coach Rich Brooks took a Gatorade bath after the Cats defeated Clemson, 28-20, in the Music City Bowl at LP Field in Nashville . A Music City Bowl record 68,024 fans witnessed UK’s 1st bowl victory in 22 years thanks to MVP Andre Woodson’s 299 yards passing and three touchdowns. UK would make another trip to the Music City Bowl the following year, beating Florida State, 35-28 and break another attendance record.
December 29, 2013, the University of Kentucky announced their research on microbes from coal mines to help fight disease. Jon Thorson, head of UK’s Center of Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation, stated the microbes have to work harder to survive underground; they are more competitive, meaning they may be a reliable tool to help fight disease.
December 29, 2018, Calipari and Chris Mack met up for the 1st of three times . #16 Kentucky rolled 71-58. High-scoring honors went to Tyler Herro (UK-24) and Christen Cunningham (UL-20). The Yum Center held 20,882. Coach Mack would get a win later.
December 29, 2019, two teenagers committed Lexington’s 29th homicide , breaking the city’s record for most murders in one year.
December 29, 2021, Governor A. Beshear hyped a 4th coronavirus surge and tweeted, “Folks, it’s clear Kentucky is now in a surge from omicron; this is the most contagious variant we’ve seen. ” Meanwhile, Lexington broke its daily coronavirus record for the number of positive tests as people lined up at Commonwealth Stadium to get tested. The faster the variant spread, the weaker it got.