Localtonians wish a Happy Anniversary to Judge Todd and Lucy Washington , who wed in 1812 in the 1st White House wedding. Todd married while an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He moved to Kentucky County from Virginia in 1783 and died in Frankfort. Lucy was Dolley Madison’s sister.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Harrodsburg native Frances Wisebart Jacobs , born in 1843. Frances founded the United Way, one of the many charitable organizations she influenced.
March 29, 1878, Kentucky created Leslie County from Clay County, Harlan County, and Perry County and named it in honor of Preston Leslie, Kentucky’s 26th governor. Hyden is the county seat. Other localities include Asher, Bear Branch, Big Rock, Causey, Chappell, Cinda, Confluence, Cutshin, Essie, Frew, Grassy, Hare, Hell for Certain, Helton, Hoskinston, Kaliopi, Middlefork, Mozelle, Roark, Sizerock, Smilax, Stinnett, Thousandsticks, Toulouse, Warbranch, Wendover, Wooton, and Yeaddis. The 117th county created, Leslie County, covers 404 square miles.
By David Benbennick
March 29, 1914, Deputy Sheriff Beverly Gerome McCowan Floyd County Sheriff’s Office , died while arresting two brothers for selling liquor in Wayland.
March 29, 1923, Sister Mary Settles , Kentucky’s last known Shaker, passed away at Pleasant Hill, ending the historic religious communal village that flourished from 1805 to 1910.
March 29, 1929, Deputy Sheriff Borkan Jones, Perry County Sheriff’s Office , died in the Troublesome Creek area trying to arrest five men for being drunk in public. As Deputy Jones dismounted his horse, one of the men shot him.
Localtonians wish a Happy Anniversary to Louisville native Mariam Robertson and stockbroker Wallace T. McCreary, who wed in 1931. One week before their wedding, McCreary lost $3 million on bad investments. The couple used McCreary’s remaining money to open a dress shop in Beverly Hills. The shop went out of business within months, and Nolan filed for bankruptcy. Nolan divorced McCreary in July 1932. She married once and had no children.
March 29, 1934, seventy-five downtown Louisville businesses and shops closed their doors for two hours so employees could attend Good Friday Services.
March 29, 1953, Marine Corps PFC Stewart W. Long from Louisville died in the Korean War.
March 29, 1960, Patrolman Orville Chancy Trinkle, Jr., Louisville Police Department , died in a motorcycle accident while he and his partner attempted to catch up to two cars they observed drag racing on Eastern Parkway.
On March 29, 1965, the Federal Trade Commissioner (FTC) testified in committee about why his organization mandated cigarette manufacturers place health warning labels on cigarette packs . R.J. Reynolds stated the government should not be involved and would fight the law in court. This battle took place before corporations captured the American government. Today, labels are prominently displayed.
March 29, 1969, Louisville Central High School won a memorable Sweet 16 State Basketball Championship in Freedom Hall by beating Ohio County 101-72 in a close-to-perfect performance. The 1st all-black high school to win the tournament also broke the record for most points scored in a final game. Ron King broke Cliff Hagan’s 20-year record by three and scored 44 points in the finals. Central broke the barrier for all black schools after Lexington’s Dunbar failed twice.
March 29, 1970, Army PFC James M. Furgerson from Evarts in Harlan County and Army PFC David P. Shelton from Louisville died in the Vietnam War.
Saturday, March 29, 1980, the Owensboro Red Devils defeated Doss 57-56 in Freedom Hall for the 63rd Boys’ Sweet 16 Basketball Championship with 11,000 spectators. Owensboro captured its 3rd title. Rod Drake, an All-Tourny pick for this game, coached the Red Devils to the 2015 Boys’ Sweet 16 Championship.
Sunday, March 29, 1987, Clay County outdid itself, celebrating its 1st Sweet 16 basketball title . It was the 1st time in 31 years, since Carr Creek won in 1956, that a mountain team won the championship. “I didn’t know there were this many people in Clay County,” junior guard Richie Farmer said. By the parade’s end, people counted 600 cars, ten miles long.
On March 29, 1994, Bowling Green native William Huston Natcher died while in office . At the time, he was the longest-serving member from Kentucky. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 40 years, seven months, and 28 days.
March 29, 2000, Governor P. Patton signed into law the Pledge of Allegiance to the Commonwealth of Kentucky . I pledge allegiance to the Kentucky flag, and to the Sovereign State for which it stands, One Commonwealth, blessed with diversity, natural wealth, beauty, And grace from on High.
On March 29, 2007, as Governor E. Fletcher promised the Horse Park he would fund $900,000 for a new arena , Toyota in Georgetown announced they would be making a new model car without giving details. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., 300 Tuskegee Airmen, including five Kentuckians, gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to receive the Medal of Honor for fighting in World War II.
March 29, 2012, Army SPC David W. Taylor, 20, of Dixon , died in Afghanistan by an accident at an ammunition supply point during Operation Enduring Freedom.
March 29, 2014, a neck decided the GI $1,015,000 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. The winner missed the Kentucky Derby and raced five more times, winning the Donn Handicap.
Sunday, March 29, 2015, Lexington announced they arrested 18 individuals during celebrations for Kentucky’s ticket to the Final Four in Indianapolis. Who can blame them? The Cats haven’t been back.
March 29, 2017, Police Officer Nicholas Aniceto Rodman, Louisville Metro Police Department , succumbed to injuries sustained in a vehicle crash during a vehicle pursuit over a domestic violence incident.
March 29, 2020, Governor A. Beshear announced 45 more people contracted the coronavirus bringing the total to 439, no new deaths, and nine lost lives. In a dramatic response, the state reduced the number of county jail inmates by 28%.
