Clay County AlArchives News.....Fatal Shooting of Deputy James B. Ramsey July 9, 1920
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Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 January 9, 2023, 5:48 pm

Ashland Progress July 9, 1920
Deputy Sheriff J. B. Ramsey, who with a number of other officers raided the barn 
of Northen Lakey a few miles west of Ashland Friday night, was fatally shot by 
Lakey and died Wednesday night about 10 o'clock. It is said that his intestines 
were punctured 11 times and his wrist bone was also fractured. Mr. Ramsey was 
accompanied on the trip by Sheriff J. M. Hamlin and officers J. H. Allen and J. 
C. Stanford and, when they arrived and informed him that they desired to search 
his barn for stored whiskey, Lakey is said to have offered no resistance at 
first, but accompanied them to the barn and let them in. Later he assumed a 
threatening attitude and opened fire on Ramsey with the result as stated above. 
The fire was returned, but Lakey made his escape by running around the barn out 
of range of the shots. He has since surrendered and been placed in jail. 
Realizing that Mr. Ramsey was seriously and perhaps fatally wounded his fellow 
officers hastened to bring him home and summon surgical aid as quickly as 
possible. After the operation necessary to closing the intestinal punctures was 
made, he appeared to get along well and hopes for his recovery were entertained 
until Wednesday when his condition became hopeless and witness-death ensued 
Wednesday night Mr. Ramsey was & brave and fearless officer and enjoyed the 
confidence and esteem of his fellow officers and fellow citizens of the town and 
county. Prior to becoming deputy sheriff, he was on the force as night watchman 
and police for quite a while and he had a splendid reputation tor conscientious 
and courageous performance of his duty. He leaves a wife and three children, 
also a large group of relatives. His untimely death is a great shock to them and 
the entire town and county.

July 30, 1920: 
Northen Lakey, charged with killing Deputy Sheriff Ramsey, was given a 
preliminary hearing before Judge O. B. Cornelius last Friday, resulting in re-
commitment to jail without bail. He was returned to Talladega jail where he had 
been since soon after the killing. The testimony taken described the 
circumstances of the tragedy substantially as was reported by Mr. Ramsey's 
fellow officers immediately after its occurrence. In brief the evidence showed 
the slain man, with Sheriff Hamlin and Officers Allen and Stanford had gone to 
Lakey's to search his barn for whiskey which they had been informed was stored 
there. Upon arrival they old him that1 they wished to search his barn to which 
he readily consented and went with them and opened the barn door.  There was no 
evidence of anger manifested or threatening language used until after the barn 
was entered, but, while the search was being made. Lakey is said to made some 
threatening remarks and after Ramsey replied, telling him in substance that 
there was no need of that and that none of them were afraid of him, he opened 
fire on Ramsey who was in the hall of the barn. Both Hamlin and Allen witnessed 
the shooting, and the fire was returned, but Lakey escaped by running around the 
corner of the barn out of range of the shots.




Additional Comments:
Oct 7, 1921
Northen Lakey drew l7 years at the hands of the jury for the murder of deputy 
sheriff Ramsey. His case was taken up Monday and went to the jury at the close 
of the day Tuesday. Wednesday at noon a verdict of 17 years was reported. A 
negro pled guilty of murder and was sentenced to 30 years.



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