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In 1920, a sensational trial, riot, and attempted vigilante justice led to a declaration of martial law in Lexington, Kentucky. W.E. B. DuBois described it as the “second battle of Lexington.”  It all started with the murder of Geneva Hardman, a ten-year-old girl on her way to school.

Accounts of this dark episode in our history have tended to focus on the mayhem and on the trial of the alleged killer.   A new book by Peter Brackney, a Lexington attorney, and author, tries to balance that by delving into the background of the victim and her family.

Brackney has long been interested in history and has served on the boards of the Lexington History Museum and the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation.  He is also the author of “A History Lovers Guide to Lexington and the Bluegrass Region” and “Lost Lexington,” about the destruction of the area’s historic buildings.

He will discuss his latest book, “The Murder of Geneva Hardman and Lexington’s Mob Riot of 1920”, at a meeting of the Jessamine County Historical Society.  It’s scheduled to take place at 7:00 PM on January 26th at the Jessamine County Library at 600 South Main.

The historical society holds quarterly meetings with guest speakers to explore historical topics of general interest.  The talks are always free, and the public is welcome.  Some light refreshments will be served.

The Jessamine County Historical Society is located at 216 North Main Street in Farmer’s Bank Square in Nicholasville, with parking off York Street.  Open houses are every Thursday from 1-3 p.m. and the second Saturday of every month from noon to 5:00. In addition to genealogical research materials and information on local families and cemeteries, they have books, maps, old pictures, and newspapers pertaining to Kentucky history in general and Jessamine County history in particular.