George Washington Drake b. 8-22-1961, d. 3-6-1900 was the son of Alexander Drake and Lydia Jane Evans. He was married to Nancy Spencer b. 9-21-1862, d. 9-23-1916. I don't know who her parents were but would appreciate any information. (Annette Walker) "Louisville Courier Journal" - Morning - March 8, 1900 GEORGE DRAKE, THE NOTED MOUNTAIN DETECTIVE SHOT AND KILLED Killing the Result of a Dispute Over a Cow Sale - Another Man Shot Torrent, Ky., March 7, George W. Drake, the noted mountain detective, was shot and killed yesterday by Will St. John, aged twenty-four. the killing occurred at Richwood, eight miles from here, at the edge of Estill County. It seems that Drake bought a cow of St. John several weeks ago and had made a payment of $10 on the animal, when St. John reclaimed possession of her. Yesterday Drake paid the remaining $15 and St. John gave him an order for the cow. They then took a drink at a blind tiger. St. John went to the home of his uncle, Abraham Baker, some distance away, where Drake and his friend, James Ford, followed him. Ford tried to make trouble with St. Johns, saying if he did anything to his friend Drake he would kill him, at the same time starting to draw a pistol. He never got it out, for St. John shot him in the head before he could draw. Drake, who was in another part of the house, came running around the corner, and as St. John supposed he was going to take up his friend's fight, he shot him, inflicting a wound from which he died several hours later. Drake was about forty years old and leaves and wife and several small children. He was for years private detective on the Lexington and Eastern railroad and saved that company much trouble from bad mountaineers. He was Deputy Marshall under Blackburn and made many important arrests. As a man-catcher he had a wide reputation, and the way he ran down and captured the slayers of Deputy Marshal Will Byrd caused him to be mentioned favorable to the department. He was absolutely fearless, and in all his long career in hunting men he was never shot but once and never had to shoot anybody.