TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

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Monday, September 7, 1778, the Great Siege of Fort Boonesborough began when the best war chiefs of the Shawnee, an estimated 444 Native Americans, 12 Frenchmen, and one Negro, surrounded the fort.

September 7, 1861, the Kentucky state legislature, angered by the Confederate invasion, ordered the Union flag to be raised over the state capitol in Frankfort, declaring its allegiance with the Union.

On September 7, 1889, Governor Buckner finally ordered the troops to Harlan.  He did make it clear the troops were coming only to protect the court, not to intervene in the Howard-Turner trouble or relieve the elected officials of their duty.  The order did not please Judge Lewis, who continued to beg the governor to have the troops clean out the Howards.  The trial went on without interruption.  The county supported both families evenly; however, most locals felt both families were to blame for the county’s troubles.

September 7, 1896, in step with the most popular pastime of 1896, a 100-mile bicycle race between Lexington and Covington occurred.  Cliff Nadaud won in a record 6 hours, 7 minutes, and 56 seconds.

September 7, 1903, Constable William Bolton, Pulaski County Constable’s Office, died from a gunshot wound in Mt. Victory, as he and another constable attempted to serve a warrant on two brothers.

September 7, 1918, Prestonsburg native George B. Martin became Kentucky’s 25th class two senator.

On September 7, 1935, Kentucky held two run-off elections.  Keene Johnson defeated J.E. Wise for Lt. Governor and Chandler defeated Rhea, securing the nomination for governor.

September 7, 1947, Constable William Coop, Clinton County Constable’s Office, died from a gunshot when he and two other constables served a warrant to search a home for illegal liquor.

September 7, 1950, Army PFC Frankie L. Barnett from Hopkins County, Army PFC Billy L. Geary from Muhlenberg County, Army PFC Robert M. Kouns from Boyd County, and Army PFC Alvin C. Williams from Ballard County, all died in the Korean War.

September 7, 1951, Army PFC Cecil E. Page from Monroe County, Army PFC Lloyd W. Reid from Jefferson County, Army PVT Earl E. Roberts from Montgomery County, and Army PFC Robert L. Roberts from Owsley County, all died in the Korean War.

September 7, 1952, Marine Corps PFC Edward E. Rowe from Hansford in Rockcastle County and Marine Corps PFC Edward Harper from Lynch in Harlan County, both died in the Korean War.

September 7, 1956, the Kentucky State Fair opened, with 36,672, more than doubling last year’s opening night count.  Governor and Mrs. Chandler opened the fair at 11:00 a.m. by cutting a blue ribbon.  The governor claimed the Exhibition center is one of the finest in the world.   

Localtonians wishes a Happy Birthday to Golden Pond native W. Earl Brown, born in 1963 in Trigg County.  He is perhaps best known for his roles as Kenny in the film Scream (1996) and Warren in the film There’s Something About Mary (1998).

September 7, 1967, Army SGT James M. Wilson from Utica in Daviess County died in the Vietnam War.

September 7, 1968, Army SSG Edgar J. Grismer from Louisville, Army CPL Charles G. Russell from Louisville, and Army SP4 Carlos D. Vibbert from Louisville, all died in the Vietnam War. 

September 7, 1970, Marine Corps CPL Don M. Justice from Pikeville died in the Vietnam War.

September 7, 1970, William Shoemaker wins on Dares J. at Del Mar for his 6,033rd victory, breaking the record held by Johnny Longden.

September 7, 1978, the Commonwealth of Kentucky opened the $35 million Kentucky Horse Park.

September 7, 1984, Lee City native Edgar Tolson passed away in Campton.  Today, Edgar’s woodcarvings are valuable pieces in the folk art community.

September 7, 1994, Dr. Peter W. Ross is the Kentucky Medicaid program’s first million dollar man, having been paid $1,165,832 for treating Medicaid patients in one year period.  Dr. Ross works 12-14 hours a day and most of his money goes towards paying for his practice’s bills.  None of Kentucky’s 5,000 doctors get rich of Medicaid.  

On September 7, 2001, officials announced that pollution around the Paducah uranium plant is spreading and poses a serious enough threat to human health for the state to warn people about eating fish from Big Bayou Creek, that flows by the plant.  

September 7, 2005, the University of Louisville announced their largest grant in school history when they received $22 million to build a research center to study infectious disease and bioterrorism.

September 7, 2017, Lexington native Walker Buehler made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

September 7, 2019, a Kentucky bred wins the GIII $1,000,000 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes at Kentucky Downs.