The Automobile Duel of Phelps, Kentucky

 
This is another one of those cases that for whatever reason just jumped out at me. I felt that I had to cover it even though I had very little information on it. So here is the story of the Phelps, Kentucky Automobile Duel. 

The Owensboro Messenger

Owensboro, Kentucky • 

Tue, Sep 20, 1927

Page 4

When it comes to duels, most people don't think about automobiles being used in those.  But on September 18, 1927, that is exactly what happened in the small Pike County, Kentucky town of Phelps.

The conflict between Phelps, Kentucky policeman Blaine Bowling and former Pike County teacher and Army veteran Francis Marion "F.M." Ball began around August 1927 when Bowling allegedly searched Ball for liquor. And the grudge turned deadly on September 18, 1927.

Francis Marion "F.M." Ball

Very little information is available regarding this incident other than two newspaper articles that I found.  But based on what information we found in the Messenger-Inquirer in Owensboro, KY, dated September 19, 1927, the story goes like this:

Headline from the Messenger-Inquirer 
September 19, 1927.

"When their automobiles met on Blackberry Creek, near Ransom, 35 miles from Pikeville Sunday, F. M. Ball was shot and killed by Blaine, after he had shot Bowling through the left arm. 

Bowling is a policeman at Phelps Ky. About a month ago, Bowling is alleged to have searched Ball for liquor, and it is said that this brought about yesterday's affair.

According to reports, Ball stopped his automobile and began shooting at Bowling as Bowling's car came alongside, firing eight or ten times. Only one shot took effect. Bowling emptied his pistol at Ball, the fatal shot penetrating his side and passing through the body. Bowling was accompanied here by Officer Blackburn of Pond Creek and placed in jail.  

Ball was a former teacher in the Pike County schools."

In October 1927, Bowling was tried and sentenced to ten years in prison for the murder of Ball.  He appealed that conviction but on April 30, 1929, the Court of Appeals upheld the conviction and the 10 year sentence. 

Clipped from the Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY
May 1, 1929.

Not much else is known about Blaine Bowling. His trail goes cold after this.  

Ball was buried in the Ball Family Cemetery on Pinson Fork in Pike County, KY.  He left behind a wife and two children. 

The application for the U.S. Government
Headstone for Francis M. Ball.

The Headstone of Francis Marion Ball
courtesy of Paul Phillips / Find-A-Grave