BRADLEY WHEELER
1896-1959
The mysterious death of Bradley Wheeler, 63, who was found dead on a
lonely ridge in Magoffin County December 29, remains unsolved after a
week of intense investigation, Magoffin Sheriff Roy Holbrook reported
yesterday.
Wheeler, a native of Magoffin County, was a resident of Paintsville
at the time of his death. A gunshot wound in his chest has been set
as the cause of death, according to Magoffin County Coroner Ishmel
Caudill.
Caudill also stated that an inquest in the case had definitely ruled
out suicide and accidental death.
"We have not found the weapon, but we know that a shot from a .32
calibre pistol killed Wheeler. If it had been suicide we would have
found the weapon nearby since he died instantly. Wheeler was shot at
close range and that rules out accidental death." Caudill added.
Sheriff Holbrook said as yet he and state authorities had uncovered
no clues in the unexplained killing. He said that a news story which
reported that one man had been arrested in connection with the
killing was a mistake.
"We sent a man to Johnson County for lodging since we are building a
new jail. It had nothing whatsoever to do with the Wheeler case,"
Holbrook said.
"Right now we have no suspects and have not found a motive for the
killing. About the only thing we know about the case is that he was
driven over here by a former Paintsville taxi cab driver. At about
11:30 a.m. a woman who lives near the spot where Wheeler was later
found said she heard a shot. He was found at about 2:00 p.m. by a
resident of the area. Coroner Caudill placed the time of death at
around 12:00.
Wheeler was found about 10 miles from Salyersville in the Lacy Ridge
section of Flat Fork, where he was raised.
Ordis Hammond, Paintsville, was later identified as the man who drove
Wheeler to Magoffin County. Hammond yesterday said he was asked by
Wheeler to take him to Flat Fork and did so.
"He didn't tell me what his business was over there and I didn't ask
him. I let him out at about 10:00 and he started walking up a hill
beside the road. I came on back to Paintsville," Hammond said.
Adding a mysterious element to the case was Hammond's statement to
officials that Wheeler showed him an automatic pistol during the ride
to Magoffin County.
"Brad told me that he had traded a fiddle to the pistol. Since I was
driving I didn't examine the pistol closely and I couldn't say what
calibre it was," Hammond added.
The gun which the Paintsville man displayed to his driver was not
found. Police did not say they suspected that Wheeler had been
killed with his own gun.
Wheeler was born Oct. 15, 1896, the son of Sanford and Molly Jayne
Wheeler, in Magoffin County. He was a farmer by occupation and was a
member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge here in Paintsville. He lived here for
three years preceding his death.
Surviving are three children, one son, Ray Wheeler, Oak Hill, Ohio;
two daughters, Mrs. Wilbur F. Morgan, Portsmouth, O., and Mrs. E. L.
Frantz, Santa Ana, Calif.
Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Raymond Sublett, and a brother,
Ernie Wheeler, both of this city. Three grandchildren also survive.
Rites were held Friday, Jan. 1 at the Paintsville Funeral Home, the
Rev. F. F. Rigsby officiating. Burial was in the Jaynes Cemetery at
Staffordsville.
Paintsville Herald
Wednesday
January 6, 1960
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