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| Headline from the Paintsville Herald Paintsville, KY August 23, 1928 |
On August 21, 1928, a shootout took place in the Magoffin County, Kentucky community of Carver. When the gunfire was all over, one lay dead and two others seriously wounded; and one of them would die days later.
There are multiple versions of the story, but trouble between the men began over a labor dispute in which miners were on strike.
One version reports that Tony Push, age 28, left a note on the office door of Superintendent J.L. Blevins (also saw the name listed as Sam Blevins) that said, "Do not let the sun go down on you here." In other words, if Blevins didn't leave within a certain number of hours, he would be killed and leave the camp in a coffin.
Blevins refused to comply with the demands and wrote on the same note "The sun may go down on me, but if I go out, others will ride the same train."
At 5:00 P.M., Push and Arlie Cole allegedly visited the superintendent's office to execute the threat, and the shooting followed. Blevins was shot six times. Blevins was able to return fire, shooting Push and Cole multiple times each.
According to reports, Cole was shot several times in the bowels and Push received a wound to the thigh and wrist.
The other version of the shooting is that Blevins had discharged Push, who was a driver and ordered him to put his vehicle in the barn, which he did. Later, another driver was put in charge of the vehicle. Push, accompanied by Cole, went to inquire of Blevins as to why he was discharged. Blevins is alleged to have been drinking. When Push confronted him, Blevins pulled his gun and began firing at Push and Cole, who both returned fire.
Only one other man was alleged to have witnessed the shooting.
The three wounded men were placed on a special train and started to the hospital at Paintsville. Blevins died before reaching the hospital. He was taken to the undertakers at Paintsville Furniture company and prepared for burial.
Cole and Push were operated on by Dr. W.R. Castle and staff of the Golden Rule Hospital.
According to reports, Cole's intestines were perforated in at least three places. They were sewed together in an effort to save him; but little hope was given for his recovery. He died on August 28, 1928.
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| headline from the Paintsville Herald Paintsville, KY August 28, 1928. |
Push on the other hand was expected to make a complete recovery.
I was unable to confirm if charges were filed or were not filed against Push. According to sources, he relocated to Michigan in 1949.
Arlie Cole is buried at the Peter Williams Cemetery in Magoffin County, Kentucky. And according to sources, Blevins' remains were taken to Ft. Gay, WV for burial.
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