Near Tragic Shooting
Father Also Shot

Salyersville was the scene of a shooting Tuesday afternoon which came to prove near fatal to two men when George W Stacey, a merchant of Salyersville shot and seriously wounded Henry Conley and slightly wounded his father, Ham Conley.
Ill feeling had existed between Stacy and Henry Conley for some time, and trouble had been expected between the two men, it is reported that Stacy and his young wife had been estranged for some time and that the husband had blamed Conley for their estrangement. Stacey is about 60 years of age and his wife is about 30years of age and they have two children. Some time ago Mrs. Stacey left her husband and Stacey blamed Conley for her leaving.

According to the information from eye witnesses to the shooting the trouble started while Henry Conley was walking down the street with his wife and his sister. When the trio reached the corner of the Magoffin County court house, Stacy approached Conley from behind and dealt him a terrific blow in the back of the head with his fist. When Conley arose and started across the street Stacey pulled his gun and started firing. Conley dodged around an automobile and while in this position received a bullet in each leg.

Stacy then ran to the other side of the car and as Conley stuck his his head out Stacy fired another shot which took effect in the side of Conley's face, the ball ranging downward passing thru the mouth, knocking out several teeth and breaking the jawbone. This was a very serious wound.
While the shooting was in progress Ham Conley, father of Henry Conley attempted to aid his son and threw a rock at Stacy who turned the weapon on the aged father and shot him in the breast but fortunately the bullet hit a rib which deflected its course which probably saved his life. The bullet made only a flesh wound and is not serious.

The Conley's were brought to the Paintsville Hospital for medical treatment. Henry Conley is seriously wounded but will recover, physicians believe. The father was only slightly injured.
Stacy was arrested and brought to Paintsville and placed in jail for safekeeping.

Ben Cottell, a brother-in-law of Stacy is alleged to have participated in the fight and knocked down the elder Conley. He was arrested and placed in the Salyersville jail.
Stacy formerly resided in Paintsville where he conducted a store in Bridgeford Addition.

Henry Conley is married and is about 35 years of age. He operates a busline from Salyersville to Paintsville and is well known here.

The Paintsville Herald
September 1, 1927

STACY RELEASED ON BOND

George W. Stacy of Salyersville was brought to the Paintsville jail from Salyersville last week was released on $5,000 bond. He is charged with shooting with intent to kill as the result of the shooting in which Henry Conley and his father Ham Conley were shot by Stacy. He waived preliminary examination.

Both Wounded men have almost recovered.

The Paintsville Herald
Sept 8, 1927

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