The Park City Daily News
Bowling Green, Kenucky
December 26, 1945

Seek Soldier In Slaying

EMINENCE, Ky., Dec. 26 --- (AP) --- Sambo Hardin, 40, Drennon Springs merchant, was shot to death last night and another man wounded seriously in the basement of a roadhouse near Gratz, Henry County Sheriff Gano Herndon reported today.

The injured man, Leslie Harp, 30, Drennon Springs, was taken to a Shelbyville hospital.

Coroner Henry Ricketts said he was told that Hardin left his store yesterday with $700 but had only $1.50 when Ricketts examined the body at the roadhouse, which is across the Kentucky river from Gratz.

Herndon said neither Estill Holcolm, operator of the roadhouse, nor anyone in the neighborhood would discuss the shooting.

Contributor: GenealogyGirl

Lexington Herald-Leader
Lexington, Kentucky
December 26, 1945

Drennon Springs Man Slain In Roadhouse

EMINENCE, Ky., Dec. 26 (AP) --- Sambo Hardin; 40, Drennon Springs merchant, was shot to death Tuesday night and another man was seriously wounded in the basement of a roadhouse near Gratz, Henry County Sheriff Gano Herndon reported today.

The injured man, Leslie Harp, 30, of Drennon Springs, was taken to a Shelbyville hospital.

The sheriff said he was hunting a soldier home on furlough in connection with the shooting.

Coroner Henry Ricketts said he was told that Hardin left his store Tuesday with $700, but had only $1.50 when Ricketts examined the body at the roadhouse, which is across the Kentucky river from Gratz.

Herndon said neither Estill Holcomb, operator of the roadhouse, nor anyone in the neighborhood would discuss the shooting.

Contributor: GenealogyGirl

The Park City Daily News
Bowling Green, Kenucky
December 27, 1945

Plan Examining Trial In Fatal Shooting

EMINENCE, Ky., Dec. 27 --- (AP) --- An examining trial was to be held today for three brothers, one a soldier home on furlough, in connection with the slaying of Sam Hardin, 40, Drennon Springs, merchant, and the wounding of Leslie Harp, 30, farmer, in a roadhouse basement near Gratz Christmas night.

Sheriff C. B. Adcock identified the accused as Gayle Holcomb, 28, New Castle. He was charged with the shootings. The sheriff said Holcomb's brothers, Harvey 30, and Estill, 40, also were held in connection with the case.

Deputy Sheriff Gano Herndon said he received a report Hardin left his store with $700 but only $1.50 was found on his body.

Contributor: GenealogyGirl

Lexington Herald
Lexington, Kentucky
July 10, 1946

Roadhouse Operator Charged With Murder

EMINENCE, Ky., July 9 (AP) --- Henry County Sheriff Gano Herndon said today that Estil Holcomb, 40, operator of a roadhouse near Gratz, is being held on a murder charge in connection with the death Sunday of Leslie Harp, 30, Port Royal farmer.

The sheriff said Harp died of injuries suffered in a shooting at the roadhouse last Christmas in which Sam Hardin, 40, a Frennon Springs merchant, also was killed. Holcomb was arrested at that time on a charge of shooting with intent to kill and released on $5,000 bond, he added.

Herndon said two of Holcomb's brothers, Gayle Holcomb, 28, and Shorty Holcomb, 30, were charged with murder in connection with Hardin's slaying and their trials are scheduled for the September term.

Contributor: GenealogyGirl

Messenger-Inquirer
Owensboro, Kenucky
July 10, 1946

MAN HELD FOR MURDER

Eminence, (AP) --- Estill Holcomb, 40, operator of a roadhouse near Gratz, is being held on a murder charge in connection with the death of Leslie Harp, 30, Port Royal farmer, Henry County Sheriff Gano Herndon reported. The sheriff said Harp died Sunday of wounds suffered in a shooting at the roadhouse last Christmas.

Contributor: GenealogyGirl

The Courier-Journal
Louisville, Kentucky
September 18, 1947

Holcolm Free In Killing
Special to The Courier-Journal

EMINENCE, Ky., Sept. 17. --- A jury in Henry County Circuit Court acquitted Estel Holcolm, 30, of a charge of murder in the slaying of Leslie Harp, December 25, 1945, at a roadhouse which Holcolm owned. In a previous trial the jury was unable to agree and he was released on bond.

Contributor: GenealogyGirl