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On October 10, 1773, Daniel Boone’s eldest son died in the Boone Massacre in what is now Lee County. Separated from his father’s leading party, James Boone set up camp near Wallen’s Creek. The Natives attacked at dawn and killed James Boone and seven others. The massacre prompted Boone and his party to abandon their 1st attempt to settle in Kentucky and return to NC.
Localtonians wish a Happy Anniversary to Henry Clay, Jr. and Julia Prather, who wed in 1832. The couple had five children. Their daughter Anne Brown Clay married Major Henry Clay McDowell (1832–1899). In 1883, they purchased her grandfather’s Ashland estate from other heirs. Their son, Thomas Clay McDowell, bred, owned, and trained thoroughbreds and won the 1902 Kentucky Derby with Alan-a-Dale.
October 10, 1849, a Lexington court sentenced abolitionist Patrick Doyle to 20 years hard labor for enticing away slaves.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Kentucky’s 33rd Governor William Sylvester Taylor, born in 1853 in a log cabin on the Green River, about five miles from Morgantown, Butler County. He won the original disputed gubernatorial election of 1899, however the Kentucky General Assembly, reversed the election results, giving his opponent, William Goebel, the governorship. Thus, Taylor served only 50 days.
October 10, 1864, Maysville native John S. Darrough earned the Medal of Honor during a Civil War skirmish in Mississippi.
Localtonians wish a Happy Anniversary to Governor William J. Fields and Dora McDavid Fields, who wed in 1893. “Honest Bill from Olive Hill” served as the 41st governor from 1923-27.
On October 10, 1899, the Independent Negro League of Kentucky organized, representing all African-Americans who opposed the state’s Republican administration. They supported Democratic candidate Goebel because he supported the Separate Coach Law. Goebel proposed a 1st-class coach for black women, so they didn’t have to ride in the rear of smoke cars, and a 2nd-class coach for black men. After the meeting, they agreed that Taylor would do nothing as governor to improve the conditions of “Jim Crow Cars” in Kentucky.
October 10, 1903 Kentucky State College (UK) defeated Berea College 17-0 on their way to a 7-1 season losing to their rivalry, Kentucky University, in the last game of the season.
October 10, 1916, Deputy Sheriff Lem Nolan, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, died near the mouth of Buffalo Creek, near Hazard, while attempting to arrest two men for illegal shooting. One of the men opened fire on Deputy Nolan, mortally wounding him. Despite his wounds, Deputy Nolan returned fire and wounded the man.
On October 10, 1938, explorers found a vast new underground section of Mammoth Cave National Park. “The abundance of the various forms of gypsum,” the report continues, “is the outstanding mineral feature in the newly-discovered section. These deposits are certainly far superior to any previously found in this or any other cave in this area, and I believe they will prove to be the best display in the entire US.”
October 10, 1939, A.B. “Happy” Chandler became Kentucky’s 31st Class II Senator by appointment. The day before he was Kentucky’s governor. He would win two elections and stay seated until becoming baseball commissioner in 1945.
October 10, 1943, Chief of Police James W. Smith, Falmouth Police Department, died while responding to a domestic disturbance call on Park Street. When he arrived at the scene, he confronted a male subject armed with a 12-gauge. The Chief attempted to talk the man into putting the gun down, but he shot him in the chest and killed instantly.
October 10, 1945, President Harry S. Truman dedicated the $115,000,000 Kentucky Dam at Gilbertsville and pushed for more projects like “this T.V.A. dam” during his speech. It was the President’s third visit to Paducah in 27 days. On this visit, thousands lined the streets from the airport to the dam.
October 10, 1951, Army PFC Harold K. Norfleet from Pulaski County dies fighting in the Korean War.
October 10, 1953, in Bear Bryant’s last year as head coach, an unranked Kentucky football team tied the 14th ranked LSU Tigers on the road 6-6. The Wildcats finished the season 7-2-1.
October 10, 1966, Marine Corps PFC Lawrence E. Clark from Amba in Floyd County died fighting in the Vietnam War.
October 10, 1968, Air Force TSGT Emmett S. Orr from Ashland in Boyd County dies fighting in the Vietnam War.
October 10, 1971, crews completed Louisville’s Citizens Fidelity Bank & Trust Co. The 31-story skyscraper became Kentucky’s tallest building; however, it didn’t last long; the 1st National Bank building under construction down the road had 40 stories.
October 10, 1992, the GI $850,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park attracts a top-class field. A.P. Indy stumbles out of the gate.
October 10, 1997, Dr. Bill Collins left prison for extorting money from state contractors and disguising kickbacks as political contributions. Martha Layne Collins was in the courtroom when he was sentenced and picked him up when he was released.
October 10, 2001, Santa Anita scratched two horses after officials detected sponges in their nasal passages.
October 10, 2003, Kentucky’s 51st governor Ned Breathitt from 1963-67, collapsed while making a speech at Lexington Community College. He died four days later in the UK Hospital. His final resting place is his hometown of Hopkinsville. His major accomplishment as governor was the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, the 1st desegregation law passed by a southern state.
October 10, 2010, The KFC Yum! Center, Louisville’s $238 million downtown arena opened. “Miracles do happen,” Kentucky Governor S. Beshear told the gathered dignitaries. The 14,000-square-foot lobby, “Host Hall,” is named for Jim Host.
October 10, 2010, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park ended after 16 days. Jane Beshear, competitor and organizer, claimed the event to be successful beyond her wildest dreams.
October 10, 2020, the GI $250,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup dropped their purse by $500,000. A Kentucky bred won 1st prize.
October 10, 2020, Kentucky reported seven deaths; a Hancock County man, 60; a Carter County man, 87; a Hardin County man, 80; a Harlan County woman, 58; a Daviess County woman, 91; and a Union County man and woman, ages 89 and 93, respectively.