The Lexington Weekly Transcript, Lexington, Kentucky

August 21, 1884

(first paragraph is a synopsis for brevity)

Two escaped convicts, George Alsop and Theophilus Graves, were on the loose. A posse consisting of Capt. S. G. Sharp, George Cadwallader, Mike Gormley, Wallace Marshall, Phil Maguire, Jr., John Offutt, James and Kit Wilkerson rode after the convicts. The group saw the convicts going through a hemp field in the direction of the farm occupied by George Cassell. Sharp rode to Cassell’s farm. Thinking the men were in the cornfield on the property, they placed a picket around the fence. The three men – Sharp, Cassell and James Veal entered the field and almost immediately bullets flew around them. George Cassell aimed and fired at the convicts, and just as he did this a bullet struck him in the bowels and he fell to his knees. Another bullet struck him in the head. Captain Sharp lay on the ground as if dead and when the convicts came close enough shot Graves. Alsop was killed shortly thereafter.

Cassell’s body lay across the corn rows. It was tenderly lifted and carried into the woods. Tom Shelby and another gentleman went to Cassell’s house and broke the dreadful news to the family as considerately as possible, and then the dead man was carried into the home of which, an hour before, he had been the light and life.

Coroner’s Inquest On Mr. Cassell

At the request of Coroner Delph Squire Jewell went out to the late residence of Mr. George Cassell, on Monday afternoon, and impaneled a jury who viewed the body. After returning to the city the witnesses were examined and rendered the follow verdict:

Lexington, Kentucky, August 18th, 1884

We, the jury, find the dead body before us to be George Cassell, a well-known citizen of Fayette County, and after hearing the evidence, find that he came to his death by two pistol-shot wounds; one in the stomach and the other in the head, and that said shots were fired by two escaped convicts, Graves and Alsop, while the deceased and others were attempting to arrest them on the farm of Thomas N. Shelby, in Fayette County, Kentucky, on August 18, 1884.

G. W. Muir, Geo. G. Berry, Thomas P. Embry, James Owens, L. Sharp, John M. Berry, Attest: J. R. Jewell, J.P.F.C.

The Funeral of George Cassell

The funeral service was held at the residence at 3 o’clock yesterday, and was conducted by Rev. Dr. Burrows, Elder J. S. Shouse and Rev. Mr. Bigger, of Walnut Hill. The service was opened with prayer by Mr. Shouse. Dr. Burrows then delivered an able funeral oration i behalf of the ex-Confederate soldiers. His remarks were very impressive and will never be forgotten by the old soldiers present. Elder Shouse delivered the funeral service in his usual touching and impressive manner. The service was concluded with prayer by Rev. Mr. Bigger, of Walnut Hill. Although the hour for the funeral was not generally known, crowds of people came in from all sections. such a crowd is seldom seen at a funeral. The procession started for Lexington at half-past four o’clock. It was fully a mile long, there being not less than one hundred carriages and buggies in the procession. Captain S. G. Sharp, Judge J. D. Hunt, Major R. S. Bullock, Squire W. R. Jones, Asa McConathy and James Veal acted as pall-bearers. The procession reached the Lexington Cemetery at 6 o’clock, where the remains of the lamented George Cassell were laid away in their final resting place. The death of George Cassell has caused universal sorrow in this community. He was a good citizen, a loving and affectionate father, a true husband, and a brave man who had been tried and never found wanting. He lease a wife and seven children to mourn his untimely and tragic death.

Lexington Herald Leader, Fayette County, Kentucky

April 17, 1911

Mrs. Jane Cassell

Beloved Christian Woman Falls Quietly Into Last Sleep as Her Pastor Closes a Prayer

The death of Mrs. Jane Neet Cassell occurred on Sunday morning at 9:30 o’clock at her home, 421 West Fourth Street. She was about seventy-six years of age and had been in failing health for some time, passing away peacefully and beautifully on the glorious Easter morning. The scene was impressive at her beside to those who had watched for a sign of recognition from the mother who had been in an unconscious condition for several hours. The minister, Rev. I. J. Spencer, was just closing a prayer for her when she regained consciousness, turned her eyes towards her devoted daughter, and fell quietly into the last sleep.

Mrs. Cassell was before her marriage Miss Jane Neet, the daughter of the late George Neet and Nancy Keegan Neet, of Jessamine County. They were from prominent pioneer families and lived in a beautiful old country place in the Providence neighborhood. Their daughter, Mrs. Cassell, was the widow of George Cassell, a gallant soldier and well-known farmer, who lost his life several years ago while out with a party of men in search of some escaped State prisoners.

An example of Christian life, self sacrificing, faithful and true, is left by Mrs. Cassell as a cherished memory for her children.

She was the mother of Mrs. J. Tandy Hughes, who has been with her since the family moved from the country a number of years ago to make their home in Lexington, and had three other daughters and several sons, one of whom, Mrs. Abram Hale, died in recent years.

The funeral services for Mrs. Cassell will be held at her residence, 421 West Fourth Street Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock. Rev. I. J Spencer and Rev. Mark Collis officiating. The pall-bearers will be Messrs. W. C. Arnett, George A. Farra, E. A. Farra, R. E. Hughes, Abram R. Hale, Tandy Hughes, E. D. Spencer, J. C. Burnett. The burial will be in the family lot in Lexington Cemetery.

Children of George and Jane Neet Cassell – Orene, Leonard, George, Mary, Annie, Melvina, Sallie, William and Jenny.