John Pierce
Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 21 December 1927, page 1
Three families were routed Wednesday at 4:20 am when the dwelling at 305 and 307 W Fifth st. Newport, caught fire. Families of John Pore and A Erpenbeck, who reside in the dwelling at 307 W Fifth st. and John Pierce, negro, of 305 W Fifth st. were routed by the blaze.
The fire was caused by an overheated gas plate in the attic of the home of Pierce and burned through a partition, which separates the two dwellings and ignited the attic of the home of Pore, a legless war veteran and Erpenbeck. Pore resides on the second floor.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 1 January 1930, page 3
Attempted robbery charges against Robert Craig, 24, of 209 W Second st. Newport and Joseph Henderson, 27, of Saratoga st. Newport, growing out of their alleged attempt Dec 19 to carry out two slot machines from a restaurant operated by John Pierce, Negro, at Fourth st. and Central av. were referred to the grand jury in Newport Police Court.
Pierce testified Craig and Henderson with two other men, entered the restaurant and Craig remarked, "Let's take these machines." Pierce said Craig then reached into his coat as though to draw a weapon. The witness said he obtained his revolver and fired four shots. Two of the bullets struck Craig in the arm and shoulder and another struck Greenwood in the leg. Craig and Henderson denied they attempted to steal the slot machines. They contended they entered the restaurant and purchased sandwiches and while eating them Pierce began shooting. The accused said they did not see any slot machines in the restaurant.