October 20, 1865, the federal government hung Champ Ferguson, a Civil War guerrilla from Spring Creek in Clinton County, for 53 counts of murder. Sometimes associated with Morgan’s Confederate Raiders, he spent most of his time as an independent insurgent. As unlikely as it may seem, Champ was one of only two men tried for Civil War crimes. The Kentucky Encyclopedia edited by John E. Kleber; pg 313
On October 20, 1869, while serving with Company G, 1st Cavalry Regiment , Covington native Thomas Sullivan distinguished himself through gallantry against Native Americans concealed in a ravine in action at Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona Territory. For this, he received the Medal of Honor.
October 20, 1900, Kentucky State College (UK) lost to the Kentucky All-Stars 0-5. Led by first-year head coach William H. Kiler, the Blue and White compiled an overall record of 4–6 with a mark of 0–2 in SIAA play.
October 20, 1910, Town Marshal John T. Skaggs, Clarkson Police Department , died from a gunshot in Henderson while returning a prisoner to the Henderson County Jail. The prisoner faced charges for stealing a horse in Leitchfield.
Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Niagara native Louis Marshall (“Grandpa”) Jones , born in Henderson County in 1913. In 1978, he became a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Hee Haw made him famous.
On October 20, 1947, members of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAAC) opened their investigation into alleged communist elements within the Hollywood film industry . The hearings resulted in the imprisonment of 10 screenwriters and directors, and heralded the beginning of an ugly phase in US political history when anti-Russia hysteria superseded human decency.
October 20, 1952, Army PFC Francis Maloney from Kenton County , Army PVT Otis E. Pingleton from Madison County and Army Roland D. Thompason from Jefferson County , all died fighting in the Korean War.
October 20, 1965, Army SFC Joseph D. Baily from Christian County died fighting in the Vietnam War.
October 20, 1967, Army SSG Carl A. Ballenger from Valley Station died fighting in the Vietnam War.
On October 20, 1968, two Kentucky County Attorneys opposed legislation that severely restricted firearms use and possession . Grant County Attorney Lee Lanter and Fayette County Attorney Armand Angelucci came together when the public began to panic after the deaths of JFK, MLK, and RFK. Neither wanted Washington to put restrictions on law-abiding citizens.
October 20, 1971, Army SFC Billie L. Coleman from Butler County died fighting in the Vietnam War.
October 20, 1973, Muhammad Ali (43-2) fought Rudi Lubbers (12-1) at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. Even though Ali looked ahead to a rematch with Frazier, he easily dispatched the Dutchman in 12 rounds. A crowd of 35,000 watched the fight, and 10,000 showed up at an exhibition Ali gave for his fans.
On October 20, 1983, Rosewood native Merle Robert Travis passed away. His songs’ lyrics often discussed the lives of coal miners . His unique guitar style, still called “Travis Picking” by guitarists, is a syncopated guitar finger-picking style rooted in ragtime. A member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame, his ashes are scattered around his memorial near Drakesboro.
October 20, 1985, taking shelter from the rains at the Mt. Sterling Court Days. Click to see Milford Bivens of Flemingsburg, Tony Wainscott of Lawrenceburg, Gene Gregory of Stamping Ground, Shelby Burgin of Richmond, and John Fortune of Mount Sterling. The annual gathering started in 1794 when the circuit judge came to town to try criminal defendants. People came from miles around to sell crops, trade horses, mules and other farm animals and swap goods and services.
On October 20, 1998, Karen Johnson, from Louisville, won a $13.1 million verdict from Humana Healthcare Plan . The three-year battle with the insurance giant started when she was diagnosed with cancer and Humana refused to cover her treatment and surgery costs.
October 20, 1999, Millersburg native Mae Jones Street Kidd passed away . “The Champion of Civil Rights” had a distinguished career in public relations, served in the Red Cross during World War II, and represented Louisville’s 41st House District from 1968 to 1984 in Frankfort.
On October 20, 2000, Senate President David Williams, embroiled in an escalating feud with Governor P. Patton claimed the governor was “mouthy drunk” during a meeting in the mansion to discuss legislation. Williams clarified that Paul wasn’t “falling down drunk, just “mouthy drunk.”
On October 20, 2007, College Game Day came to Lexington to see the Wildcats and the North Hardin football star, Andre Woodson, take on the Gators. Even though he threw for five TDs, Woodson got sacked six times, and Brook’s Wildcats went down 45-37. T. Tebow threw four TDs and ran for one.
October 20, 2011, America had Muammar Gaddafi killed to prevent the creation of an independent hard currency in Africa that would free the continent from its economic bondage. Dan Kovalik wrote in the Huffington Post the murder created a human rights disaster, as ‘thousands of detainees [including children] languish in prisons without proper judicial review. It also created kidnappings and rampant murders in the capital city. Sec. of State Hillary Clinton on a CBS interview stated, “We came, we saw, he died!”
October 20, 2017, UofL interim president accused former AD Director Tom Jurich of “ineffective management, divisive leadership, and unprofessional conduct.”
October 20, 2018, Glynn Grogan from Arlington caught a state record Blue Catfish in the Ohio River, weighing 106.9 pounds.
October 20, 2019, Justin Thomas won his 11th PGA Tour event and his 2nd in South Korea in three years with a final-round, 5-under 67 for a two-stroke victory over Danny Lee.
October 20, 2020, Governor A. Beshear, quarantined inside his mansion, “Today’s report is grim. We are seeing virtually all our numbers escalating at the same time, which tells us its real, and it tells us that it could surge in the way that is requiring us to make preparations as a state, and should require all of us as citizens to double down or efforts. I’m asking you, I’m pleading with you, I’m begging you, follow the rules.”
October 20, 2021, the surveillance state brazenly asked the Kentucky Supreme Court to decide if police could track people by pinging their cell phones without a warrant. Nine months later, the court barely ruled they could not, with a 4-3 vote.
On October 20, 2022, Governor A. Beshear said he would expand Kentucky’s Medicaid coverage for dental, vision, and hearing care, to improve Kentuckians’ lives and boost workforce participation. Humana and other for-profit health insurance agencies were not happy.
Friday, October 20, 2023, appeared to be a slow news day, so here is some Western Kentucky love.
Kentucky Sunrise 