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TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

March 22, 1782, in the Battle of Little Mountain, seven of Captain James Estill’s axmen, out of 25, died in desperate hand-to-hand fighting with a band of 25 marauding Wyandots.

On March 22, 1833, the Kentucky Colonization Society sent approximately 100 freedmen to New Orleans, where they embarked for Liberia on April 20.  An affiliate of the American Colonization Society, the Kentucky organization favored the emancipation of slaves but focused its efforts on ridding Kentucky of freed Blacks.

On March 22, 1857, Sheriff James Land and Deputy Jessie Arvin, Estill County Sheriff’s Department, died taking a prisoner to jail near Old Landing.  The murderer hung 68 days later.

March 22, 1871, Governor John W. Stevenson, to protect African-American voting rights, received a bill he requested that offered rewards for “the apprehension of perpetrators of election-related violence.”  Stevenson also recommended that carrying concealed weapons on Election Day be outlawed.

March 22, 1873, the General Assembly passed “an act to provide for a geological survey and mineralogical survey of the state.”

On March 22, 1937, Bill Freeman shot his brother near the barn door.  There are still markings in the wood where the bullet(s) hit.

Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Louisville native Rudy Rucker, born in 1946. 

March 22, 1953, Army SGT Johnie B. Bullock from Pulaski County and Army PFC Charles Coleman from Jefferson County died in the Korean War.

March 22, 1954, Frankfort passed a joint resolution honoring the many contributions of Matthew Lyon (1749-1822).  He founded the town of Eddyville, which he made into a commercial center, mainly through his enterprises.  Matthew Lyon was the 2nd U.S. Congress member to represent two different states in the House, Vermont then Kentucky.

March 22, 1962, Lexington native Hal Price Headley, owner of Beaumont Farm, passed away at the Keeneland Race Course.  He died of a heart attack while returning from the track to Barn Q with his horses and daughter.  Headley was considered the guiding force in Keeneland’s foundation.  The Alcibiades Stakes, named for Headley’s foundation broodmare, was won by his “Rash Statement” in 1959.  He bred 88 stakes winners in all.

March 22, 1968, Army MSG Estevan Torres from Hopkinsville in Christian County died in the Vietnam War.

March 22, 1969, Army SGT Steven D. Hooper from Louisville died in the Vietnam War.

March 22, 1984, Kentucky played Louisville in the NCAA Mideast Regional Semifinals in Rupp Arena.  Joe B. defeated Denny 72-67.  Kentucky would lose to Georgetown in the Final Four.

March 22, 1985, less than an hour after his Kentucky team had been eliminated from the West Regional in Denver, Coach Joe B. Hall announced his retirement.