WILLIAM JASPER BLAIR

Jasper Blair Killed Friday In Legion Hall
Veteran Shot Seven Times
Three To Face Grand Jury
  
Jasper Blair 28, Veteran of World War II was killed Friday when he
was shot seven times in the American Legion Hall here.
  
Junior Dean Conley, stepbrother of Blair, Press Ratliff and
Ratliff's son, Reece Ratliff, 24, have been arrested and bound over
to the grand jury in the slaying. Conley was taken to the
Prestonsburg jail for "safe-keeping" and the two Ratliff men who
waived examining trial, and were held under $10,000 bond each, were
removed to the jail at Salyersville.  Conley also waived examining
trial.
  
An autopsy performed Sunday showed that Blair had been shot with a
.38 caliber gun. Only one bullet was removed from the body.
  
It was stated that Blair and Conley had an argument over a small
amount of money that morning, and Blair had threatened Conley with
a knife at that time.
  
According to Chief of Police W. B. Bailey, Conley then left town
but returned later. The three being held were inside the Legion
Hall when Blair came in.  There was very little argument between
Conley and Blair before the shooting began and Blair was unarmed
except for a small knife he was carrying Bailey said.
  
After the slaying Conley started walking back to his home and was
arrested on the way.  He did not implicate the Ratliffs in the
shooting, it was stated.
  
Eight witnesses in the Legion Hall at the time confirmed that the
two other men were with Conley.  The two Ratliff men were arrested
on Monday.
  
Blair is survived by his wife Mrs. Beulah Blair, one small daughter
Linda Lou, his parents, Greene Blair and Mrs. Mary Jackson Blair,
city, two brothers and five sisters; Walter and Frank Blair, city,
Mrs. Ruby Hamilton, and Mrs. Sylvia Roberts, both of Thealka, Mrs.
Lizzie Collins, Mrs. Cora Cantrell and Mrs. Betty Stumbo, (error
Stambaugh), all of Paintsville.
  
Funeral services were held at the Preston Funeral Home for the
victim on Monday afternoon with the Rev. Leonard Walters in charge.
  
Burial was made in the family burial lot in a Paintsville cemetery
by the Preston Funeral Home.
  
Both Conley and Reece Ratliff are World War II veterans.  Blair was
a carpenter by trade. Atty. E. L. Allen of Prestonsburg has been
retained as legal counsel for Conley.  M. O. Wheeler will assist
the Commonwealth in the prosecution.
  
Paintsville Herald
Thursday
1-29-1948
     

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