THE KENTUCKY POST

SECTION ONE TWO CENTS WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9, 1935

REVENGE SLAYER KILLS SEVEN AND SELF

BLOODY MASSACRE

IN HILL COMMUNITY

WIPES OUT FAMILY

GRUDGE OVER ROADHOUSE RAID BLAMED FOR

DEATH OF WIFE, HER PARENTS AND BROTHER;

REPUTED HENCHMAN OF DILLINGER

DANVILLE, KY., January 9

Apparently crazed by a thirst for revenge, George Collett, 40, reputed henchman of the late John Dillinger, shot to death his wife, her parents, two brothers and two members of another family and then killed himself, earlier today.

The massacre, one of the bloodest in Kentucky feud history occurred on the Rockcastle and Lincoln county line about 30 miels southeast of here. Collett used a revolver in the slayings and his suicide:

The dead;

William Helton, 65, farmer, father of County Patrolman Modam Helton, Cincinnati

Mrs William Helton, 60

Howard Helton, 30, their son, formerly of Cincinnati

Harry Helton, another son.

Mrs. Stella Collett, 25 daughter of the Heltons and wife of the slayer.

Julius Bordes, 50

Mrs Julia Bordes 45

Threatened Revenge

Collett had threatened revenge on his wife’s family since a police raid on Collett’s roadhouse two months ago. Illicit whisky and stolen goods were seized in the raid.

Burgin Bordes, highway patrolman and son of the slain couple, was one of the raiding party. Collett is believed to have suspected his wife or her relatives gave information leading to the raid. He had been a fugitive from justice since then.

Authorities believed that Collett harbored Dillinger in his roadhouse between Crab Orchard and Brodhead, during a part of the time that the gangster was hiding in Kentucky.