His death certificate states James William Hardin, age 30 years 9 mos 24 days, occupation farmer, born 17 Aug 1898 in Rowan Co., died 11 June 1929 in Clearfield, Rowan Co., Ky, married, husband of Myrtle Hardin, father Alfred Hardin, mother’s maiden name Elizabeth Pelphrey, both born in Ky, cause of death gun shot wound in right kidney, homicide, burial Craney, Ky, informant Alfred Hardin.

A newspaper article in the Ashland Dailey Independent of 12 June 1929 reported “Willie Harden Dies of Wound - Shot By His Uncle Last Thursday - Willie Harden, 31, died in the King’s Daughters’ Hospital here at 9:15 o’clock last night of a gunshot wound which he received last Thursday near his home at Clearfield, Ky.

Jake Pelfrey, uncle of Harden, is held at Morehead for the shooting. It is charged that he returned from Muncie, Indiana a little more than a week ago and last Thursday shot Harden in the back when he found him working on his (Pelfrey’s) farm.

According to officials a year ago Pelfrey was given a jail sentence for killing some live stock belonging to Harden and he escaped when he was put to work on the county road. It is said that he went to Muncie where he remained until last week. During his absence, according to officials, Pelfrey’s farm was up for sail and Harden bid it in. He is said to have become enraged at the sight of Harden working on his farm.

Pelfrey was arrested two days after the shooting and charged with shooting with intent to kill. This charge will probably be changed to murder, officials announced.”

Her gravestone says Myrtle Hardin McDaniel. None of her husbands is buried with her.

1930 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Dry Creek precinct, enumerated 22 Apr, lists on p. 9A as family #157:
Hardin, Myrtle, 26, widowed, age at first marriage 17; August B., son, 8; Lexie P., dau, 4 6/12; Cecil M., son, 2 6/12. All born Ky/Ky/Ky.