Person:Isaac Callahan (1)

Per Carolyn Davison: Isaac was hanged for the murder of David Newberry. The motive behind the murder was robbery. He along with 2 other men killed and then got only a quarter for their efforts. One man turned states evidence and was spared hanging. Evidently nothing happened to him. The other man was also hanged for the crime.

In 1816, Thomas Begley Jr., his brother-in-law Achilles Gibson, and Isaac Callahan were arrested for killing and robbing David Newberry, a cattle buyer. The crime was committed at Red Bird on Newberry Hill. They got 25 cents for their efforts. The trial was held in the July term, 1816, of the Clay Co. Court.

It was the influence of the Wilson's (Isaac's wife Mahala Wilson), the Davidsons, Strongs, Begleys and teh Callahans that a law was passed that winter grantinga change of venue from Clay to Knox Co. KY for the trial. (Littell's Laws of KY, Vol. 5, p.425). They (Isaac and Thomas Begley Jr.) were hung anyway in Barbourville, KY Saturday May 17, 1817. Achilles Gibson tetsified against them and turned "states evidence" to escape hanging.

From Jess Wilson's book, "When They Hanged the Fiddler" Isaac, "The Fiddler" played the fiddle for the crowd before he was hanged. He challenged someone else to play the tune, but when no one offered - he broke the fiddle.

Achilles Gibson, brother-in-law to Thomas Begley JR. is found on the 1831 tax list in Morgan Co TN. Apparently he escaped punishment for his part in the killing.