Chester Howard
Harlan, Enterprise
April 14.1922

                      Succumbs to Pistol Wound Inflicted By Deputy Clem At Baxter

   Chester Howard died in a local hospital, Monday at one O'clock, from the 
pistol shot wound he received Saturday night while in an effort to escape 
from deputy Frank Clem at the residence of Esquire H.B. Davis at Baxter. The 
bullets from Clems pistol entered the back of Howard's head and came out near 
the temple and with his brains oozing out, the wounded man yet survived 
almost 50 hours. The tragedy was enacted upon the lawn of Esquire Davis at 
his Baxter home and about eight O'clock in the night while Davis was 
preparing warrants against Howard for alleged resistance of arrest and for 
alleged carrying a concealed deadly weapon and when the warrants were 
finished Clem and another deputy meant to take Howard to Harlan and commit 
him to jail to wait a hearing Monday.
    Clem and his brother and Howard were together on the front porch of the 
Davis home. Another deputy was inside waiting issuance of the warrants. 
Howard was handcuffed, his pistol had been surrendered to Davis and he 
therefore was unarmed. Raising his shackled hands he is said to have given 
Clem a blow that staggered the officer and he started to escape, when Clem 
drew his pistol and fired with deadly aim. Soon after the tragedy a warrant 
was sworn out before Judge Howard charging malicious shooting and wounding 
against Clem who was arrested by a Harlan officer and was held in the sum of 
$300 to await action by the grand jury. Howard was a young man about 22 years 
old. He was the son of John Howard of Leslie County.Clem is perhaps 50 years 
old. Howard was closely related to the Howard's of Harlan and Harlan County. 
The regular grand jury just before their final adjournment returned an 
indictment against Clem with murder and refused to recommend bond, but in 
court Thursday the defendant was allowed bond in the sum of $6000 by Judge 
Forester.  Submitted By: Elva Nolan Morgan   

 
 
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