| Notes |
- The Time-Dispatch, Richmond, VA, Wednesday, 4 Oct 1911, p. 10, col. 5
https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-three-dead-shot/163383591/
THREE DEAD, SHOT BY MEN IN HIDING
Kentucky Officer Killed While Attempting to Arrest Women in Lee County.
[Special to The Times-Dispatch.]
Middlesboro, Ky., October 3. - James Collins and his two sons, Owen and Sam, were killed this morning at Gibson Station, Va., from ambush, while attempting to serve a subpoena on Jennie Denny, and a asother [sic] woman, wanted as witnesses in the Pineville, Belle county, Kentucky Circuit Court to testify in connection with the murder of Denny Case on Clear Creek, Belle county, six months ago.
James Collins and his two sons lived in Middlesboro, Ky., and are deputy sheriffs of Belle county. Yesterday morning they went to Shawnee, Tenn., where they met W. J. Tucker, sheriff of Lee county, Va., his son and two other men. The women had been located by Sheriff Tucker, of Lee county, and the trio went to Gibson Station last night, about two miles from where the women were hiding. This morning they arose at 4 o'clock, and made their way through the hills to the isolated building.
Collins and his two sons, with the two Lee county deputies, were stationed on the outside of the house while Sheriq Tucker [sic] and his sons broke down the door, and rushed into the house. The women screamed and from every hillside shot poured upon the officers. Sam Collins and Owen Collins were instantly killed, and the father, James Collins, fatally wounded, but he and the two Lee county deputies took refuge in the house, where the elder Collins died a few hours later.
Sheriff Tucker, his son and deputy stayed in the house for some time atter the women had made their escape, fearing to venture out, but soon as it was light enough they made their escape, expecting to be shot every moment.
It is not known who did the shooting, but the officers say they have a clue.
Sheriff Tucker was In Middlesboro today, in conference with Belle county, Ky., officers, and is much excited over his narrow escape. The Belle county, Ky., and Virginia officers are making every effort to find out who the bushwhackers are. It is expected a number of arrests will be made. The women are wanted to testify against Charles Denny, accused of murder several months ago.
Officer Down Memorial Page, https://www.odmp.org/officer/19312-deputy-sheriff-oland-collins
Deputy Sheriff Oland Collins
Bell County Sheriff's Department, Kentucky
End of Watch Tuesday, October 3, 1911
Deputy Oland Collins and Deputy Sam Collins were shot and killed in Lee County, Virginia, as they attempted to serve a warrant on a subject wanted as a witness in a murder trial.
The deputies, accompanied by the Bell County sheriff and the Lee County sheriff, had gone to the woman's home at Gibson Station, Virginia, in order to return her to Kentucky. When the posse was refused entry into the home they attempted to force their way in, but the occupants opened fire.
Witnesses said a 13-year-old boy fired the fatal shots but his father took the blame, was convicted of murder, and sentenced to life on February 12, 1912.
Both deputies, who were brothers, were killed and the Lee County sheriff was wounded.
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1888 - 1911 (23 years)
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