Solomon Bradley was the first to die in what later became the Rowan County War, although by reports he was not a combatant, but an innnocent bystander.

Excerpt from "Kentucky Famous Feuds and Tragedies" by Charles G Mutzenber, 1917, R F Fenno & Co, NY

“Another successful instigator of trouble on election day was the free and promiscuous use of liquor with which candidates treated and influenced the voters. Election contests frequently excite the most staid and conservative citizens, but when whiskey is added it is certain to arouse passions which might, otherwise, have slumbered on.
Such were conditions in Rowan County on the day of election, August, 1884.

A hot political race was on between one S.B. Goodan, the Democratic nominee for sheriff of the county, and W.C. Humphrey, commonly known as Cook Humphrey, the Republican nominee. The county being almost equally divided politically, the contest was close. Each of the candidates was wealthy, influential and extensively related. Money was used without stint, barrooms were thrown wide open at More- head, the county seat, and principal town of the county, as well as at most other precincts in the county.

The town was crowded with excited, angry, drunken men and all through the day there were fist fights and brawls. During one of these, the prelude to the conflict which afterward attracted the attention of the American press, John Martin, son of Ben Martin, a wealthy farmer, was struck down and seriously injured. He immediately sprang to his feet, drew his pistol and a general pistol battle followed. When the smoke had cleared away, Solomon Bradley was found dead, Adam Sizemore severely wounded.

The death of Bradley, a good citizen, who had taken no part in the fighting, and the wounding of Sizemore and Martin proved of fatal consequences. Bradley was one of the most influential Republicans of the county. He and John Martin were members of the best families and extensively related even in adjoining counties. The Martins were known to be ambitious and brave men. It appeared that Martin received his wounds at the hands of Floyd Tolliver, a brother of Craig Tolliver, who afterwards attained such unenviable notoriety and bore the distinction of being one of the most cruel, bloodthirsty desperadoes Kentucky ever had the misfortune to own as her son, and whose tragic death on the memorable battle at Morehead some years later was heralded throughout the country.

John C. Day, the then acting Sheriff of Rowan County, was charged with the shooting and wounding of Sizemore.
During the Circuit Court following the murder of Bradley the grand jury returned indictments against John Martin, Floyd Tolliver and Sheriff John C. Day for malicious shooting and wounding and murder. Bail was granted, bonds were readily executed and the cases continued until the next term of court.”

Her death certificate records Leticia Bradley, age 93 years 11 days, born 10 June 1842 near Norton, Va, died 24 May 1935 in Morehead, Rowan Co., Kentucky, residence Main St., widow, father Ezikiel Wells, mother’s maiden name Emma Wells, birthplaces blank, cause of death arteriosclerosis & intestinal hemorrhage cause unknown, informant S. M. Bradley, Morehead, Ky, burial in Morehead.

(Her mother’s maiden name was really Day.)

This is not a complete family group. Solomon and Letitia had five sons and five daughters. (They don’t show up in my tree much, because they were one of the more affluent and educated families in Morehead, while my roots are in the rural simple folk.)

1870 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Morehead precinct, enumerated 2 July, lists on p. 5 as family #31:
Bradley, Soloman, 23, farmer; Letitia, 22; Hiram, 3; Grant, 1; Craiger, Ambrose, 21, farm laborer; William, 19, farm laborer; Rebecca, 16, domestic servant. All born in Kentucky.

1880 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Morehead precinct, enumerated 1 June, lists on p. 7, enumerated 1 June, lists on p. 7 as family #51/53:
Bradley, Solomon, 32, farmer; Lalisha, 30, wife; Hiram, 14, son; Samuel, 12, son; Anna, 10, dau; Sarah, 8, dau; Elias, 6, son; Morgan, 4, son; Louisa, 6/12, b. Dec, dau. All born Ky Ky Ky.

Solomon’s parents are two households above.

1900 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Morehead precinct, enumerated 12 June, lists on p. 9A as family #174:
Bradley, Lattie, 54, b. Apr 1846, widowed, mother of 9 children, 9 living; Saml, son, 33, b. Aug 1866, single, merchant; Morgan, son, 22, b. Aug 1877, salesman; Willie, son, 18, b. May 1882; May, dau, 16, b. May 1884. Holley, John D., boarder, 32, b. July 1867, single, salesman. All born Ky Ky Ky.

The number of children count seems to be low by one. Perhaps Ida is not really a daughter of Solomon and Letisha, as usually reported, but a niece or granddaughter? (Since she was born in 1881, and married in 1899, she does not show up in any census with her parents.)