| Notes |
- ERNEST BASSETT SHOT TO DEATH AT CRAP GAME
17 Jul 1917
He is Killed by Martin Scarbrough in a Boxcar at Maceo
CLAIMS SELF DEFENSE
An argument over a crap game in a box car on a siding at Maceo, resulted in the killing of Ernest Bassett by Martin Scarbrough, late Saturday night. The fact that there had been a killing did not become known at Maceo until early Sunday morning.
Coroner James Gillison was notified, and went to Maceo and held an inquest over the body of Bassett. The verdict of the jury was that the deceased came to this death as a result of being shot by Martin Scarbrough.
Big Play at Game.
It is said that a crap game had been conducted in the vicinity of Maceo for several weeks, as many as thirty men engaging in it at times. J.S. Scarbrough, father of Martin Scarbrough, was said to have been engaged in the crap game Saturday. He and Bassett had a difficulty. Scarbrough was cut on the neck and arm, but not seriously. His son heard of the difficulty and went to the box car. he too it is claimed, was a slo cut by Bassett. Suddenly young Scarbrough pulled a pistol from his pocket. He fired three shots at Bassett, one of which took effect, striking him in the back. The man sank to the floor, dying instantly.
When the shooting began nearly everyone in the box car ran from the place. It was not until Monday that anything was heard of Martin Scarbrough. The officers searched for him on Sunday and Monday morning without success. He surrendered to Constable Pool and came to Owensboro at noon and went before Judge Lancaster. He entered a plea of not guilty, and he was ordered to jail, his examining trail being set for 9 o'clock Tuesday morning.
Leaves Widow.
Bassett was thirty-five years of age. He is survived by a widow, three brothers and a sister. They are Leslie, Thomas and Orville Bassett and Mrs. Agnes Duncan, all of the Maceo neighborhood. Bassett had been farming in that section for the last few years. His remains were taken to Thruston, and the funeral held at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon.
The Scarbroughs are also well known farmers of the Maceo neighborhood. Martin Scarbrough who is accused of the shooting, is twenty-five years of age. He said last night that he would plead self-defense when placed on trial.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1882 - 1917 (35 years)
d. 22 May 1910, Daviess County, Kentucky