On July 18, 1775, Judge Henderson wrote, “Our salt is exhausted, and the men who went with Colonel Boone for that article have not returned, and until he comes the devil could not drive the others this way.” The entry was another testimonial of the respect the men of Boonesborough had for Daniel. The delay of salt caused increasing hardship for the fort.
July 18, 1826, Kentucky’s 1st governor, Isaac Shelby, passed away at his home in Lincoln County.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Hartford native U.S. Marshal Virgil Walter Earp , born in 1843.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Georgetown native Tom L. Johnson , born in 1854. In 1993, a panel of 69 scholars ranked him the second-best mayor in American history. Two chance events helped spark Johnson’s interest in politics and converted him from a conventional business tycoon to a radical reformer. The first was a book by Henry George, Social Problems , and the other was the 1889 Johnstown Flood in PA. One of Kentucky’s great legends got his start in Louisville when the du Pont brothers gave him a job.
On July 18, 1863, the Union Army captured the Morgan Raiders. The Brigadier General and his small band only lasted a few days longer, surrendering at West Point, Ohio, on July 26. Morgan’s Great Raid lasted a short three and a half weeks but trekked an impressive 1,000 miles. Held captive in the Ohio State Prison, they would escape in November, but things were looking very bleak for the Confederate armies.
July 18, 1882, the Louisville Eclipse’s dashing young pitcher, Tony Mullane, became the 1st pitcher to throw with his left and right hand in a major league game . Down by six runs against the likes of the lowly Baltimores, he decided to change arms. He did this during his 1st full year in the majors.
July 18, 1883, Belle Brezing purchased from Alice and J.R. Jackson a house on North Upper Street , near the corner of Fourth Street. Madam Belle Brezing by Buddy Thompson pg: 51
July 18, 1922, Kentucky took the great leap into radio broadcasting when Credo Fitch Harris announced to all who might have been able to hear, “This is WHAS, the radiotelephone broadcasting station of the Courier-Journal and Louisville Times in Louisville. WHAS is an acronym for: We Have A Signal.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Hazard native Baddie Winkle , born in 1928 and an internet sensation at 85. Her social media tag line—”Stealing Your Man Since 1928″—was a popular saying for teens and young adults.
July 18, 1948, Assistant Chief Clyde Gulley, Middlesboro Police Department , succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained three weeks earlier while arresting escaped convicts from Tennessee.
July 18, 1952, Army PVT William A. Cox from Harlan County and Army PVT James W. Hardy from Estill County , died in the Vietnam War.
July 18, 1953, Army PVT Ernest H. Henson from Harlan County , Army SFC Douglas F. Kelly from Bourbon County , Army CPL George A. Duff from Harlan County , and Marine Corps 1LT Wilson A. Frease from Paducah , died in the Vietnam War.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Cordell native Ricky Skaggs , born in 1954 in Lawrence County.
July 18, 1956, Lieutenant Owen Davenport, Kentucky Department of Corrections , died in the Kentucky State Penitentiary prison yards from stab wounds.
July 18, 1962, a circuit judge ruled Lexington’s city and county police could not arrest violators of the Closing Law . The drug store coalition led the charge against the enforcement.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Paintsville native John Pelphrey , born in 1968.
July 18, 1969, Army 1LT Henry O. Wilhoite from Georgetown died in the Vietnam War.
July 18, 1970, Army SP4 William A. Norrenbrock from Louisville died in the Vietnam War.
July 18, 1972, against the San Diego Padres, Glasgow native Denny Doyle broke up Steve Arlin’s bid for a no-hitter by singling with two out in the ninth inning.
July 18, 1981, 29-year-old Helen Alexander of King Ranch Farm sold her yearling colt by Nijinsky II for $1.7 million at the Keeneland select sales. The Brits outbid the Arabs to set a new yearling record at Keeneland.
July 18, 1985, the public saw an underwater video of the Titanic’s chandelier , while Wal-Mart refused to sell certain rock “n” roll albums.
July 18, 1990, the federal government approved the $6 million airport on the Scott/Bourbon Counties line.
On July 18, 1995, JoAnne Hauser sued Coach Pitino after he gave her job to his old friend Edward “Fast Eddie” Jamiel. She trained the men’s basketball team until Pitino moved her to the women’s team. Pitino offered her old job back, but it was too late.
On Friday, July 18, 1997, Georgetown hosted the Bengals training camp for the first time and invited everyone to participate before August 15. The welcome mat broke the NFL tradition of focusing on practicing, with fans as an afterthought. However, the $15 million 52-acre complex on Georgetown College catered to coaches, players, and fans. The Bengals used the facilities until 2011.
July 18, 2000, Satish Sanan’s Padua Stables paid $3.6 million for a Mr. Prospector filly ; the 2nd highest price paid for a filly at Keeneland. The highest price sold in 1984; a Seattle Slew filly for $3.75 million.
July 18, 2017, Kentucky tourism officials suspended the $18 million incentive package to Noah’s Ark until land details got resolved, while a state ethics panel dismissed charges against Governor M. Bevin concerning his house in Anchorage. In addition, a federal judge told Kentucky citizens they had to pay over $250,000 in lawyers’ fees for Kim Davis’s “executive decisions.”
Sunday, July 18, 2021, Governor A. Beshear confirmed the rumblings inside Kentucky State University’s (KSU) administration over financial concerns. The KSU Board of Regents asked for the governor’s help in recommending an outside auditor.
On July 18, 2023, when FBI agents searched a Mount Washington apartment and found 40 human skulls, spinal cords, femurs and hip bones, they asked the occupant if anyone else was home. “Only my dead friends,” he replied.