Kentucky Trivia ● Kentucky Tweets
April 15, 1777, according to the Kentucky Historical Society, Natives attacked Fort Boonesborough for the 1st time. Kentucky in Retrospect by L.J. Kingston , pg: 11
April 15, 1779, a party from Harrodsburg left the fort to explore another settlement that would become Lexington . They arrived on the middle fork of Elkhorn Creek after dark on April 16 and stayed the night. They started building the Lexington Fort on April 17. Lexington, 1779 Pioneer Kentucky As Described By Early Settlers by Bettye Lee Martin, pg: 14
April 15, 1861, President A. Lincoln called for 75,000 ninety-day troops to suppress the rebellion . Governor Beriah Magoffin refused, as Kentucky would furnish no troops “for the wicked purpose of subduing her sister southern states.” Kentucky thus faced the question, ‘Secede or join the Union?’
April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln died in the Petersen family’s boarding house at 7:22 a.m . Andrew Johnson took the presidential oath to become the 17th U.S. President.
April 15, 1888, Joe Eversole, his brother-in-law, Nick Combs, and Judge Josiah Combs rode toward Big Creek in Perry County when a hail of bullets came from nowhere as part of the French-Eversole Feud .
April 15, 1892, Lexington native Mary E. Britton spoke to the Kentucky General Assembly Joint Railroad Committee . She represented a delegation of women protesting the Separate Coach Bill. In her speech, she questioned the white supremacists’ assumptions about their monopoly on virtue, intelligence, and aestheticism.
April 15, 1899, Deputy Marshal John Centers, Jackson Police Department , died by gunshot while arresting a man for disorderly conduct. The convict received life in prison but was released after serving only three years.
April 15, 1922, Deputy Sheriff John Taylor, Clay County Sheriff’s Office , died by ambush on his way to Mill Creek while investigating moonshining.
April 15, 1923, Purchase, The Adonis of the Turf , along with forty other horses, died in a barn fire at Harry F. Sinclair’s Rancocas Stable in New Jersey. As a three-year-old, Purchase won the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Southampton Handicap, Stuyvesant Handicap, Dwyer Stakes, Empire City Derby, Huron Handicap, Saratoga Handicap, and the Saranac Handicap.
April 15, 1924, a public address system with a single speaker became operational at Parkway Field for the 1st time at the opening game of the Louisville Colonels 1924 season . “By means of a microphone on the diamond connected by wire with horns that have been installed throughout the stands, it will be possible for a song leader to direct the entire crowd in signing.” The Colonels were part of the American Association Minor League AA Professional Baseball League.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Burkesville native Walter Darlington “Dee” Huddleston , born in 1926.
April 15, 1934, Deputy Sheriff Bige Gross, Harlan County Sheriff’s Office , died on the courthouse steps by another deputy seeking revenge over a previous shooting.
April 15, 1951, Army CPL Lewis P. Howard from Nelson County died in the Korean War.
April 15, 1971, Army SGT Bruce E. Butcher from Lexington died in the Vietnam War.
On April 15, 1974, lightning struck the Old Oak Political Tree at Fancy Farm as a 133-year-old. Governor J. Carroll dedicated a bronze monument two years later to show respect for the Oak. The bronze plaque moved to a granite shrine in 1993.
Localtonians wishes a Happy Birthday to Lexington native Chris Stapleton, born in 1978.
April 15, 1980, the General Assembly ended late in the night, but only after legislators provided judges and future lawmakers a present of higher wages . A provision attached at the last minute to SB 102 gave the state’s 138 lawmakers a 100% pay raise, effective in 1984.
On April 15, 1988, Claude Mills, father of UK recruit Chris Mills, stated that neither he nor his son accepted a $1,000 bribe from the UK . “We are not stupid; we are not going to accept $1,000.” A Los Angles newspaper stated that Chris received 20 $50.00 bills from Kentucky.
April 15, 2000, the Seattle Seahawks drafted Shaun Alexander in the 1st round for the 19th overall pick.
April 15, 2002, State Police arrested Jeffrey A. Morris and Kenneth “Fingers” White . The two allegedly conspired with Danny S. Shelley to kill Pulaski County Sheriff while the Sheriff campaigned on the stump.
April 15, 2006, Marine CPL Justin D. Sims, 22, of Covington , died fighting in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
April 15, 2008, Kentucky passed the Romeo Law . Romeo, a Yellow Labrador, was filmed being viscously attacked. Following the Pulaski County criminal case, which caught state-wide attention, legislators brought a bill named after Romeo to make crimes against animals have harsher punishments.
April 15, 2012, Marine CPL Aaron M. Faust, 22, of Louisville , died in Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations in Operation Enduring Freedom.
April 15, 2016, the General Assembly session closed at midnight . A few bills passed in the last hours included a two-year $21 billion spending plan. Some legislators were eager to see the bill the next day if they did then. Frankfort also let Lexington increase the hotel tax to pay for Rupp Arena’s expansion. They approved scholarship programs and prioritized highway projects with little discussion.
April 15, 2017, a Kentucky bred won Keeneland’s GIII $200,000 Lexington Stakes in a three-horse photo finish. The $2 Keeneland graduate exacta paid $110.60.
April 15, 2018, Governor M. Bevin apologized for saying teachers who protested in Frankfort left their students vulnerable to sexual assault. He made the statement two days earlier.
April 15, 2022, the average U.S. interest on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 5% for the 1st time in a decade. The current average interest rate for the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.70%.