User:Retired username/craddock

Paschal Craddock was a notorious criminal in Jefferson County, Kentucky found dead on August 26 1856 on a country lane leading to the Bardstown Turnpike (later renamed Bardstown Road). The mutilated body of the 65-year-old had three bullet wounds in his thigh. A coroner's report eventually concluded he died from a broken neck after being thrown from his horse.

Born in Virginia, Craddock made his way to Jefferson County by the 1830s. He associated with local criminals and his home became known as a hangout for them. When two horse thieves were found hiding there in early 1856, his already outraged neighbors held a public meeting in February 27th at a house on Bardstown Road. The residents issued a demand for Craddock and his associates to settle any business and leave Kentucky "within six months".

Craddock's associates left, but he remained, openly defying the order. Two days before the ultimatum came due, Craddock was summoned by the slave of his neighbor, Andrew Hikes. Craddock rode off to meet Hikes in the night but was ambushed and killed by three men along the way. Hikes' slave was charged as an accomplice but released due to a lack of evidence. Although the affair was widely reported, little of substance would be known about it for over a year.

In November 1857, John Miller, a Mexican-American War veteran, allegedly confessed and named two other men, also veterans, who had been hired by neighbors to assassinate Craddock. On the basis of the confession, several notable residents, including Andrew and Frederick Hikes, were indicted for murder. It became a nationally hyped trial, shocking readers as those charged included wealthy landowners and one of Kentucky's military heroes, Colonial Jack Allen.

All were acquitted on December 4 1857. The confession of Miller was the strongest piece of evidence against the accused, but was still mostly hearsay, and all accused were able to produce strong alibis. Miller was released shortly after the trial. Few had sympathy for Craddock, and the Louisville Courier reported wild applause and congratulation from a large crowd after the verdict was announced.