Posse Member Judge Edward Lampley

Judge Edward Lampley

Henderson County Deputy Sheriff Goethry, called on Sheriff Weisiger of DeWitt County for assistance to arrest Joseph Allen. He was wanted for killing a man in Henderson County.

J. Agee, a DeWitt County citizen was deputized by Sheriff Weisiger to take a posse and assist Deputy Goethry in the arrest. This posse included Judge Edward Lampley.

On Monday, February 28, 1876 the posse approached the house and demanded the surrender of Joseph Allen. Special Deputy Agee found Joseph Allen hiding in the house. Allen sprung up and fired on Deputy Agee, grazing his forehead. At this point, several persons in both parties started shooting. Deputy Agee was shot in the leg with a load of buckshot, and Allen was wounded several times. After being shot, Allen was dragged into the residence. It was during this exchange of gunfire that posseman Judge Edward Lampley was killed in this shootout. It is unknown who shot him or where he was shot.

J. E. Lampley's real name was "Judge" and he was not an elected judge. He was 21 years old and was not married.