WILLIE FANNIN
1914-1939
  
September 21, 1939
  
A gun battle with fatal results took place at Sambo's Place, a beer
parlor, on the Mayo Trail at Cannel Coal Gap, about three miles south
of Paintsville.
  
During the exchange of shots, four men, all natives of Johnson
County, were killed.
  
The shooting took place about 8 o'clock Saturday night.
  
The dead are: Sambo Nelson, age 50,proprietor of the beer parlor,
Fred Adams, age about 65, deputy sheriff, Willie Fannin, age 25, and
his brother, Hobart Fannin, age about 22. Mrs. Nelson, wife of the
proprietor, received a painful wound in the arm, while her little
girl had the tip end of her fingershot off by stray bullets. Her son
was also shot through the hand.
  
In the absence of an examining trial, particulars as to what
precipitated the bloody battle are lacking.
  
Eddie Sammons has been arrested in connection with the affray. An old
grudge is said to have existed between the Fannin brothers and
Sammons. Sammons a former Constable of Johnson County, had arrested
Willie Fannin while serving as an officer and bad feelings is said to
have existed between the two men.
  
The two men met at Sambo's Place Saturday night and trouble is said
to have started between the two in the beer parlor.
  
One of the Fannin brothers is said to have knocked Sammons
unconscious with a beer bottle. Deputy Sheriff Adams and Nelson are
said to have put the brothers outside and the shooting took place on
the porch of the roadhouse.
  
Nelson was killed instantly, it is said, and it is believed that
Adams shot the two Fannin boys although it is reported that Hobart
Fannin made a statement that Sammons shot him.
  
About 45 shots were fired during the fight, it is said. Although
mortally wounded Deputy Adams emptied a .45 calibre pistol and then
placing the pistol back in the holster, drew a .38 special and fired
a number of shots.
  
He is said to have then walked back into the parlor where he died.
  
Willie Fannin, Nelson and Adams were killed instantly, but Hobart
Fannin was brought to the Paintsville Hospital where he died at 9
o'clock Sunday morning. The bodies of the slain men were brought to
the Paintsville Furniture Company and prepared for burial.
  
The shooting caused great excitement and traffic on Mayo Trail was
blocked for some time. Eddie Sammons has been arrested and charged
with killing Hobart Fannin.
  
His examining trial is set for Friday of this week. Willie and Hobart
Fannin were sons of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Fannin of Thelma. Sambo,
Nelson and Fred Adams resided at East Point. Adams was a son of the
late Hiram Adams who formerly resided in Jennies Creek section of
town.
  
He has served as deputy Sheriff for several months.
  
  
Submitted by: Debra Richard Dunford
----------------------------------------------
Andrew, Curtis, Ernest, Gladys May, Willie Jr. Hobert Fannin are the
children of William Marion Fannin and Mary Essie  Butcher Fannin.