Youth Slays Father's Foe
Ends 30 Shot Battle With one Bullet in Row over Land in Magoffin Co
July 15, 1926 . Prestonsburg, Ky. July 8
When Bill Whitaker, 40 years old failed to shoot down his brother in law Jesse Hale, 35, after exchanging about 30 shots with him in a pistol duel on Brushy Fork of Licking River, Magoffin Co., his son, Sam Whitaker, 19, coolly asked for his father's weapon challenged Hale to come on out in the open and put a bullet in his Uncles heart with one shot, according to reports heard here today.
The youth was taken to Salyersville Monday morning by his father and another Uncle W B Shepard, and released Tuesday under $20,00 bond for his appearance at an examining trial set for July 26. The trial was postponed according to Sheriff Wallis Bailey, because Commonwealth's Attorney Grover C Allen had not time to collect evidence. Sheriff Bailey said today he would leave for Licking River section tomorrow morning to get testimony of witnesses.
Hale and Whitaker according to reports, disputed some time ago over land which both claimed to own. Sunday according to a witness Hale and his son came on the Whitakers and a crew of workman constructing a road through a tract of land. The elder Hale it is claimed, immediately opened fire and a dozen men including the Whitakers scurried to safety behind trees and rocks.
Hale and Whitaker, the brothers-in-law, posted behind trees, and started to shoot it out. There defenses proved impenetrable and Sam Whitaker, reports say, got tired of watching shots bury themselves in trees.
"You're doing no good," one of the Whitaker faction claims Sam told his father after the parent had fired about fifteen shots.
Sam then challenged Hale. It is said to step out in the open and see who would fall first. Hale accepted the gauge and stepped from behind his protection. The two fired. Hale died within five minutes.
Hale is survived by his widow, nine children, his mother, two brothers and a number of sisters.
The Paintsville Herald
July 15, 1926 Thursday