In 1920, ten-year-old Geneva Hardman was murdered on her way to school, just outside Lexington. Both civil authorities and a growing lynch mob sought Will Lockett, a black army veteran, as the suspect. The vigilantes remained one step behind the lawmen, and a grieving family erred on the side of justice versus vengeance. During the short trial, tensions spilled over and shots were fired outside the courthouse, leading to a declaration of martial law. Six people died in what civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois described as the “Second Battle of Lexington.” Join author Peter Brackney and delve into this century-old story of murder and mayhem.
Peter Brackney is an attorney who practices law in his adopted hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. He and his wife have three children, as well as a redbone coonhound named Shelby. Peter is a double alumnus of the University of Kentucky and has served on the boards of different local history and historic preservations organizations. His first book, Lost Lexington, chronicled the backstories of Lexington’s landmarks that have been lost to history. He has blogged since 2009 at www.kaintuckeean.com.