Ron Bailey shares little known facts about Maysville

Ron Bailey gave a “things you might not have known about Maysville” presentation to the Maysville Rotary Club on Tuesday, May 6.

Bailey has an extensive wealth of information about Maysville and the people who have lived here. He decided to discuss people, places, and things that are in some way connected with Maysville.

Walter Halderman was born in Maysville and left at the age of 16 for Louisville. While in Louisville, Halderman founded the Louisville Courier, later known as the Louisville Courier-Journal. Additionally, Halderman owned the Major League Baseball team, the Louisville Grays. Halderman founded Naples, Florida. His home, the oldest home in Naples, is still standing.

Joshua Bean was the brother of the famous “hanging judge” Roy Bean. Bean was known to be acquainted with Zachary Taylor during the Mexican-American War. He later became the Mayor of San Diego, Calif. Bailey stated that Bean turned City Hall into a saloon, which cut his mayoral duties short. He noted that Bean later died in a gunfight.

Ben Marsh, known as “Big Ben” Marsh, was the first Maysville man to play for the UK Wildcats. In an interesting twist, his sister-in-law Margaret Mitchell was the author of the famous Gone with the Wind.

The Parker Livery Stable was located on Sutton Street near Phillips Folley. Lucille Parker’s parents owned the business. Parker later married screenwriter Admiral Gene Markey. The Markey Cancer Center at UK Hospital is named after her.

Margaret Queen Adams was born in Dover. In 1912, she became the first ever female Sheriff’s Deputy in the United States. She served at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department from 1912-1947.

“To put that in perspective, she could arrest somebody but couldn’t vote,” noted Bailey. Adams was buried with her sheriff’s badge six months prior to her 100th birthday.

Barry McCormick was a professional baseball player. Bailey said that he was the very last player to ever bat eight times in a nine-inning game. He included that McCormick was behind home plate for a 26-inning game.

“He called the game because of darkness, but some historians said he called it because he was hungry,” joked Bailey.

Allen Smith was the second-highest leading scorer in Maysville basketball history. Bailey referred to him as the “best all-around athlete in Maysville High School.” According to Bailey, in 1958, Maysville won the state baseball championship with Smith pitching. Later on, Smith became a first-team All-American.

Chuck Bo Connors still has relatives living in Maysville. The famous trombonist was born on Fourth Street. He moved at the age of 10. Connors attended the Conservatory of Music in Baltimore before traveling with Duke Ellington for 35 years. He later toured with Dizzy Gillespie and was in 17 films.

Walter Hafer was a pro boxer from Maysville. Hafer’s family lived on Front Street in the area that is now occupied by the French Quarter Inn. His most well-known fight was against Ezzard Charles in Cincinnati in 1948. Hafer got knocked out in the eighth round.

Nelson Stacy was a famous racecar driver from Maysville. He won several races, such as the Rebel 300 and the World 600. He also notably participated in the final convertible race in NASCAR history.

From the 1940s-1960s, the game of marbles was very popular in Maysville. Three marble state champions hailed from Maysville: Albert Sydney Johnson, Dwight Murphy and Edward Turner. Murphy even went on to win the National Championship. Coca-Cola sponsored the State Marble Championships when they were held in Maysville.

Bailey’s knowledge of Maysville can be further explored on his Facebook page, “You may be from Maysville, Kentucky if you remember…”.

Bailey holds several “All Things Maysville” discussions at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center that are open to the public. The next one will be held on Tuesday, May 1,3 at 1 p.m. at The Old Pogue Experience.