TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

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June 3, 1781, Captain John “Jack” Jouett, Jr., a Revolution War hero, rode 40 miles from Monticello to Charlottesville to warn Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other legislators British approach.  Jack rest in peace in Bath County.

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Jouett Creek – Clark County

Localtonians wishes a Happy Birthday to Christian County native, now Todd County, Jefferson Finis Davis, born in 1808.  From 1821-24 he returned to Kentucky from Mississippi, where he studied at Transylvania University in Lexington.  In 1835 his first marriage took place in Louisville; however, his wife died three months later in Louisiana.

On June 3, 1877, a Democratic convention was held in Jackson.  It was an ill-tempered gathering, marked by frequent gunfire, at which nothing was accomplished.  Local feuds dominated the scene.

June 3, 1882, George Ellis, a white male, was lynched in Boyd County for rape and murder, the fourth recorded lynching in Kentucky.

June 3, 1909, John Maxey, a black male, was lynched in Franklin County for murderous assault, the 121st recorded lynching, from 135, in the Commonwealth.

Localtonians wishes a Happy Birthday to Paducah native Homer Louis “Boots” Randolph III, born in 1927.  Boots is best known for his 1963 saxophone hit “Yakety Sax” (which became Benny Hill’s signature tune) and was a significant part of the “Nashville sound” for most of his professional career.

June 3, 1927, Louisville’s Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant rolled off their last Model T.  By 1923, the success of the Model T had enabled the small plant to go from 53 employees to 600, and by 1925, continued success enabled Ford to build a second and much larger plant.

June 3, 1939, Johnstown wins the 71st Belmont Stakes, over five others, going the 1 1/2 mile in 2:29 1/3 to win $37,020.  Mr. A.B. Hancock bred the winner.

June 3, 1941, Police Officer Glenn Scalf, Corbin Police Department, was shot and killed when he arrived at a local business to investigate a domestic disturbance involving a man and his wife. As he walked inside the man shot him.

June 3, 1944, Bounding Home wins the 78th Belmont Stakes six others.  Bounding Home was the first horse to win the Belmont after the same horse (Pensive) won the Derby and Preakness; all previous winners of the first two legs went on to win the third.  The 1 1/2 mile went 2:32 1/5 to win $55,000.

June 3, 1957, B.B. Hardin from Mt. Eden caught a Kentucky record White Bass in Herrington lake, weighing five pounds.  He shares the record with Lorne Eli, who caught one in 1943 in Kentucky Lake.

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Localtonians wishes a Happy Anniversary to Martha Layne Hall and Billy Louis Collins, who wed in 1959.  Billy, a Hazard native and Georgetown College graduate, met Martha in her hometown of Bagdad at Cedarmore Baptist summer camp, where they both worked.

June 3, 1961, Miss Lee Willis Grigsby, Miss Louisville, seated, became Miss Kentucky at Transylvania College’s McAlister Auditorium.

June 3, 1961, Sherluck, 65-1, wins the 95th Belmont Stakes over eight others going the 1 1/2 mile in 2:29 1/5 to win $104,900.  Carry Bach had won the first two legs only to finish 7th in New York.  

June 3, 1967, Damascus wins the 99th Belmont Stakes and pays $3.00 to win.  Owner Edith Bancroft’s brother won the Belmont in 1955.  William Shoemaker and Frank Y. Whitley complete the winning connections to earn $104,950.  Damascus finishes the 2nd in the Derby and wins the second two legs.

June 3, 1967, Army CPL Larry V. Sayers from Lick Creek in Pike County died in the Vietnam War.

June 3, 1968, Army SP5 David R. Squires from Louisville died in the Vietnam War.

June 3, 1969, Army SP4 Charles E. Moore from Pine Knot in McCreary County and Army PVT Billie W. Reed from Murray in Calloway County, died in the Vietnam War.

June 3, 1976, a bomb exploded on a Jefferson County school bus in front of the driver’s home.  The bombing happened at the end of the first year that courts ordered busing for desegregation.  The violence put the city of Louisville on high alert.

June 3, 1977, a private investigating team concluded that a short circuit in an electrical cord for a fountain pump caused the Beverly Hills Super Club fire that killed 161 persons on May 28th.

June 3, 1981, three men in their 20s died, and two were injured in a mining accident at a Grays Knob Coal Company about four miles south of Harlan.  Poisonous gas was the suspected cause of the tragic mishap.

June 3, 1993, Lexington country singer John Michael Montgomery made a music video at Austin City Saloon for his song Beer and Bones.

June 3, 2012, the 59th WHAS Crusade for Children raised $5.2 million.  As of 2012, the organization has raised more than $143 million since it began in 1954.  100% goes to special needs children in Kentucky and Indiana.

June 3, 2016, Muhammad Ali died at age 74 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

June 3, 2020, Johnny Boone of Corn Bread Mafia fame was granted release from an Ohio federal prison due to Covid-19.

Kentucky Trivia:  President Obama granted clemency to three Marion County men; all were either directly or indirectly connected to the Cornbread Mafia.  He also granted a pardon to Les Berry, an original member of the alleged “Cornbread Mafia.”