Slain by his own step son - Finding Bud Rutherford Jr. - Ferguson Creek Kentucky - exploring graves

Episode 4 - Lost lives
We try and find murdered ex deputy sheriff Bud Rutherford Jr, who was shot by his disabled son in 1958. Another example of domestic abuse leading to families destroyed. We also look into some graves and add some of them to find a grave website so others can find them.
Thanks to ‪@ExploringHistoryTogether‬ for the cemetery location help!
Join this channel to help us do more!
/ @thehillbillyfiles

[@andrabarrettcopefocke]

I am a McCoy, Hatfield, Rutherford, Boone and Cherokee. When I watch your videos I'm watching my family history.

[@randomvintagefilm273]

Cool! I'm descended from Rebecca Boone, Daniel Boone's sister. Haven't found any Hatfields or McCoys yet, tho!

[@andrabarrettcopefocke]

@@randomvintagefilm273 Hi, we are related. My 5th great grandmother is Samuel Boone's daughter.

[@renee8437]

Which of the 3 bands of Cherokee are you documented with? I know many from all 3 bands. Most are related. I probably know a relative of yours. What's the name of your family member on one of the many Cherokee Rolls?

[@andrabarrettcopefocke]

@@renee8437 My family came from EBCI NC, Va, WV, Tennessee and Ky. Their surnames are Cane/Cain, Cornett and Miller. They lived in Hawkens Co and Grainger Co Tenn. They lived in Clay Co, Pike co, Madison Co and Rockcastle Co Ky. MY great grandmother was Margaret Miller and my grandmother was Elisabeth Miller. MY 2nd great grandmother was Manvera Cane Cornett

[@andrabarrettcopefocke]

I am not document. I have the blood line of Cherokee native ancestors but I am a descendant. I am very proud of my bloodline from my father.

[@dgmorasco]

thank you for caring for "our" dead. you show such respect. these folks are in a beautiful place

[@marywilcox4516]

Watching your newest video...Reamer Story died from an Epileptic saizure. It read Epilepsy..died in convulsion. Really enjoy your channel!! My father's family was from Letcher cty Kentucky so I enjoy hearing about the area.

[@cynthiacarter514]

This is a beautiful area. There is so much history of tragedy for one area.

[@saferguson6956]

Leo I just love what you do when it comes to the graveyard stories. I do photo request for find a grave web site. I find it so peaceful and calming walking around looking at the stones. My father was old generation and you spent time in the graveyards visiting family. I truly love all your videos you are such a good storyteller with a calm and soothing voice. I love how caring you are about the stories of history and it's people. You are truly magical please keep doing what you do. ❤

[@csiboo]

I came to this channel for Hatfield & McCoy feud info as I am interested in it. Subscribed to the channel because of you both, Heather & Leo. Have been enjoying your videos ever since. Keep up the great work! Also, thank you for bringing us all this info. You are very much appreciated.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Awesome, thank you!

[@kimtravis4386]

Bud Rutherford's grandfather was Doc Elliot Rutherford he was good friends with Devil Hatfield and took care of Devil's brother, Ellison, when the McCoys stabbed him. Devil Hatfield named one of his sons Elliot Rutherford Hatfield and he became a doctor as well.

[@henriettadenzig3825]

Good afternoon everyone hope you are having a good day.

[@michaelbedinger4121]

I wonder if Bud's grave was even marked in the first place. Peaceful, little cemetery. Thank you very much Leo and Heather, for another interesting video. Take care. 😊

[@sandiepartridge889]

My husband and I love your channel!! My mother was born in Hiawatha, West Virginia. We look forward to every upload♥️

[@lorettadurbin4404]

I tend to go graveyard visiting. After storms i go make sure all the stuff on the baby section is set to rights. Dont know any of them but check on them babies ifs strong

[@Everett-eh4nn]

Absolutely incredible. Thank you both again times ten. God bless.

[@MichelleLloydAineysAcres]

Just wanted to say that I love your stories! I've downloaded quite a few books to read up on all the interesting stories you talk about. Thank you for doing all this hard work! I know it's a lot and it is much appreciated!

[@brianlykins6663]

Great story, nice attempt at finding a headdtone. It amazes me how ya'll find out as much information as you do. Im not sure which one of ya'll has the hardest job. Both of you have my utmost respect for what ya'll do. I have done enough genealogy research, just on my own family, to know it can be frustrating. And a little digging around trying to find old graveyards. Heather, Leo big hugs and thank you from a fan in Texas ❤. Guys ya'll are amazing. I hope ya'll know how much your appreciated for all that ya'll do and tge stories you bring us. God bless ya'll and stay safe out there diggin up these stories.

[@sherrilee230]

It makes it hard when it's so steep. Thank you for sharing

[@jmorgan5252]

Wow another awesome video they just keep getting better and better Well done Leo and Heather!

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thanks so much!!

[@jodiehuber7273]

I'm Canadian but love the history and stories of these people not to mention your accent secretly a hillbilly at heart your both amazing great story tellers lost art ❤😊

[@jojoelf1]

In case no one figured it out yet, pretty sure it says "found dead - epilepsy - died in convulsion". Thanks for another awesome video.

[@georgedeal62]

Another awesome video. Thank you Heather and Leo for all that you do.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thanks for watching!

[@ritaking8827]

It is very beautiful there! It’s really made rethink cremation, because I think now that I’m older that it’s important to have those grave stones and having stones that will last. I thought the headstone with the aluminum letters was awesome! Great Job Leo and Heather ❤

[@donnaboisen6003]

I’m going to be cremated. You still can be buried and have a grave stone .

[@lisasmith7854]

You can still have all that and be cremated

[@jeffs5093]

What an awesome video, shame you couldn't find the gentleman's grandfather's grave. But great detective work finding the cemetery.

[@debroahisaacs2452]

I love Pikeville and just loved going around the roads and flea markets on the side of hiway 23 on our way to WV.❤ great memories😊

[@Cutter-jx3xj]

My mom's family is in Floyd county. I visit Pikeville every time I am there. Like Armando I live in Texas, Comanche TX. Lots and lots of Rutherfords were and some still are here.

[@lisacooper3991]

Afternoon Leo, wow this is one of ur great videos you've done. Enjoy the ole graveyards with wood or old stones. But sad no names or dates. It's a pretty little place out there though. I often wonder, how like little cemeteries like this, come to be just out in the woods.? With nothing else around, do you suppose they just pick a place back then.? Well, awesome job Leo. Thanks for sharing..

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thanks 👍

[@timothydurochia695]

Great job! Very interesting and sad all those children and unknown Graves

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Theseekerofedification]

😢😢😢 I'm so grateful to u both u Leo and Heather❤❤ I appreciate all your hard work and Im so excited about what you both have done .Love y'all both Thank you guys soooo much ...Thank you.. Im soooo grateful for this 📷 video .❤️💐❤️🙏❤️

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thank you so much!! We did best we could, our reach is limited , but he at least has a memory now online in this form.

[@judypierce7028]

Leo, where else would you be except on the side of a mountain? I get so tickled at times when I tune into your videos because I never know what to expect. You certainly are a go getter Leo always going out of your way to bring the viewers great stories. So, there are 3 cemeteries in one. I am very familiar with the other channel. Thank you Leo,.

[@ExploringHistoryTogether]

Hi Leo and Heather! Wow, I didn't expect to get "noticed" by you guys! I've actually been watching your videos for many months now... loving the whole Hatfield/McCoy series! And those cemeteries up in the Kentucky hills are fantastic. I love the ones that are hidden away. My trip to this particular cemetery 3 years ago was a fluke... I was in KY on some personal family business, and the folks we were visiting actually lived on that street at the bottom of the hill below Road Fork Cemetery. They told me about it, so I grabbed my camera gear and headed up the hill. I would love to communicate directly with you guys, but can't find an email address here on your KZbin. I have one in my YT "About" page, so please ping me. Would love to talk more in depth. Thank you again so much for the shout out here on your great channel. I really appreciate that! ~Jason

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thanks Jason! We sure appreciate you, our email is [e-mail]

[@granvillewooster7673]

I’d love to see you all do a video on sandstone West Virginia where my wife is from we live in New York I’m from Maine never been to West Virginia hopefully next spring love your videos thank you for sharing all the history specially about the hatfields god bless you all 👍👍❤️

[@traciwalls7099]

Reamer's cause of death was epilepsy, died of convulsions.

[@lisalarosa4546]

Looks like, in abbreviation, epileptic seizure.

[@dcwallace9930]

I really enjoy your adventures! Therefore I hope that you are wearing good snake boots. I have never thought much about going to WV but now I would really like to spend some time there and go exploring around.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

You would love it! All sorts of cool stuff here.

[@rickmeisch643]

Leo, that graveyard couldn’t be in the shape of a cross on that hillside??

[@edgray2002]

Remer's death certificate "Epilepsy, died in convulsion"

[@bosh7055]

Agreed

[@kerrydennison7947]

Another great piece of forgotten history that has been forever recorded❤,

[@KelliTibbs]

I have been trying to find my great grandfathers gravesite, and this is where he is! I recognized Bud Rutherfords name from the same cemetery on the find a grave website. I’m going to try and dig through your videos to figure out exact location, but feel free to reach out and let me know details! My great grandfather was Fred Dorton. Apparently he committed suicide on Christmas Eve in 1959. My grandfather was one of his 12 (I thought) children.

[@dianneg4873]

How Cool! My father is a descendent of Daniel Boone on his mother’s side. He was not my bio father. Adopted by him when he & my mother married when I was 4. He was a wonderful to me for 50 years. He looked remarkably like Daniel Boone but taller by 3 to 4 inches.

[@Tamibornrex]

Thank you for all you do

[@karenvaughn2248]

Hi. Hope you and heather are doing good. Love your videos. I’m. From ky and I am a hillbilly and proud of it .

[@kimtravis4386]

Bud Rutherford Jr. was my grandfather . Polly was my grandmother. The stepson's name was Paul Scottie Holbrook. It has been 40 plus years since I've been to the grave site. There was a metal marker. I tried to find it a few years ago, but the road was too rough. Bud is buried at the top of Ferguson Creek. You are at a different grave yard. Polly's mother, Margaret Billiter Charles, is buried there.

[@kimtravis4386]

I can try to help you find his grave. You have to go to the main top.

[@cathychilders5109]

I’m related to Mary Katherine DeHart Rutherford from Pikeville, KY. I think she was married to a Wayne Rutherford.

[@SamtheMan0508]

I'm mystified by all the unknowns in such a small area.

[@Theseekerofedification]

Thanks once again you Both are amazing Thank you Both 🙏🙏🙌

[@deborahdavisreyes8589]

Fantastic video Thank You for sharing

[@LorieBurk]

LOVE 💕 THIS VIDEO 📸 I LOVE 💕 ALL Y'ALL'S VIDEOS LIKE HOW YOU N HEATHER RESPECT FOR THE DEAD AT LEAST SOMEONE'S REMEMBERING THM

[@sheryllawson4868]

My great grandpa was murdered by his step son also in Indiana with a big knife so sad because my gr grandpa was a very nice man

[@lisalarosa4546]

Leo, I am sooo allergic to poison ivy and oak. It is amazing, you don't! When I worked for the National Archives in Washington D.C. , I had to dress head to feet covered. Especially, in the spring and summer, when I had to do research.

[@ohmeowzer1]

What a sad story 😢thank you so much

[@cherylschantz9893]

Wow! Very steep cemetery.

[@tinarobinson8855]

Thats my ancestors graveyard thank you for showing this because alot of my melungeon ancestors are not on find a grave like alot of the Collins and Mullens families

[@indycharlie]

With the babies aside . Most of these people didn't live long , at least of the stones that have names . One man lived to 88 though . I am a bit shocked that in 1977 people were using homemade stones ?! But I do understand that maybe Pikesville wasn't close to what it is now , and maybe the families were poor . WTH is Bold Hives ?! Great video , hope this helped the viewer out ! 31:05 Found dead- Epilepsy died in on V----------- ... R.I.P. Bud ...

[@indycharlie]

Yo all you Hillbilly folks out there . Regarding that line at 31:05 in the video on the Death Certificate . Addressing the LAST word in the sentence that seems to start with a V . Anybody know what your kin called a couch , chair , bed , pallet , cot or something a person might have been found dead on ? It "might " be N as the first letter , but IDTS . I thought maybe it was Veranda. But that doesn't work . I "think " the last four letters are L S I N ...... Anybody ? Have a great day sleuths . Who is gonna win ???

[@SamtheMan0508]

Google Bold Hives. It's quite interesting.

[@indycharlie]

Ok 0508 I'll do that . I actually meant to after I posted that , but forgot .@@SamtheMan0508

[@rebeccalyons1544]

​@@indycharlie"epilepsy died in convulsion" Whoever made out the death certificate just played fast & loose with hyphens... "Epilep- sy - died in con- vulsion"

[@indycharlie]

@@rebeccalyons1544 Great work 1544 . You nailed it ! Now that you figured it out . Easy to see , now :D

[@Theseekerofedification]

Wait till they see the next couple videos in a coming out next about the twist about what really happened to him!!!😢😢😢😢😢 Thanks to you both leo and Heather 😊 😢😢😢😢🙏🙏🙏

[@marvinjohnson424]

Nice tour thanks 👍🇺🇸

[@thehillbillyfiles]

You bet

[@tammyrobb6384]

I am related to Rutherford's. Kennith Rutherford is my Second cousin. My maiden name is Ruthruff. Just found out I'm related to Hatfield and McCoys. doing my family tree. My family are from west Verginia and Kentucky, some are in Ohio. Granddaddy Homer Burton is buried in West Verginia. He and all my uncles were Cole minors. They moved to Michigan Later on. Granddaddy married my Grandmother Lonnie Roe. They had 8 children.

[@ohmeowzer1]

Very interesting thank you so much ❤

[@thehillbillyfiles]

You are so welcome

[@suzangreenier8387]

O Leo and Heather.....I lived in Jefferson..West Jefferson too

[@MustangMach1696.0]

Ok Leo the lion 🦁great stuff my friend.😊

[@lorieburk6418]

UNKNOWN GRAVE'S ARE SAD IT TELLS YOU SOMETHING BAD HAD TO HAPPEN TO THOSE PEOPLE THNK GOD FOR YOU FOLK'S FINDING THESE POOR UNKNOWN GRAVE'S IT'S HISTORY AND EDUCATIONAL TO ALL

[@markhoezee6292]

That had to be quite a lift getting a casket with a full grown adult up that hill!

[@dontaylor3039]

God bless u for trying

[@pakedermsfavs9080]

Pretty sure we need Leo the mountain goat t shirt ! 😂

[@rebeccalyons1544]

"Leo the HillBillyGoat"

[@deboraadkins-smith2092]

No that is mountains...these are mountain folk...lol i was born in Huntington,WV . Untill you climb one time like Leo . You cant appreciate what he os doing...this is very hard to do ... I appreciate what Leo is doing and admire it! It will keep him healthy for years to come. I looked through 12 grave yards in BlackBerry,ky amd some in and around BlackBerry WV. I felt ot that day...lol

[@badapple65]

They say that you truly die on the very last day that your name is ever spoken.

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

Oh Leo the places you go & the things you do to bring us stories. You deserve a medal. The children make me so sad. Life was so much harder back then. Virginia's story is such a tragedy & unfortunately now that Roe vs. Wade has been reversed that is what we're returning to Women dying from back alley abortions.

[@susanrains284]

That’s so sad!

[@Everett-eh4nn]

Sorry to comment so often but you guys are genius.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Comment any time you like, and thank you.

[@lisabarger574]

A lot of those flat stones are probably unknown 😞🥺

[@gregorygibson5455]

Hello Leo and Heather

[@brianlee784]

Reamers death cert said "Epilepsy- Died in Convulsions"

[@rebeccalyons1544]

31:17 I believe it's "epilepsy - died in convulsion" as cause of death for Reamer Story

[@janiemarcum7401]

Bud is my 3 great uncle

[@user-xe1rv4ow5n]

Leo love your videos !! How many rattlesnakes do you come across???

[@thehillbillyfiles]

A lot! LOL Walked right up on a big one last year. Within a couple feet...

[@lisasmith7854]

Ive got Abshires in my line 😮

[@overtheGarage-ue8lh]

A shame about the Story family. I don't know what could have happened but their story must have been full of heartache.

[@tanya334]

Reamer may have aspirated it looks like they wrote Died in his own fluids???

[@Theseekerofedification]

Hello this Armando Rutherford.

[@kimtravis4386]

We are cousins! I'm Bud Rutherford's granddaughter. My father was Dot Lee Rutherford.

[@Theseekerofedification]

@@kimtravis4386 hey how are you hello

[@Theseekerofedification]

@@kimtravis4386 dot and Lawrence were brothers right oh wow

[@kimtravis4386]

You don't know how happy I am to hear from you! Yes, Lawrence and my dad were brothers. I sent you a Facebook friend request. I would love to talk to you. Have many stories about the Rutherford family. Do you have any photos of Lawrence and his siblings?

[@Theseekerofedification]

@@kimtravis4386 so my mom is your cousin Maryann she the only one left ur my mom's cousin and my grad aunt I Think

[@genniejefferson6588]

Hi Leo. What happened to son after released from prison.

[@lisasmith7854]

Reamer Story 18- epilepsy

[@Theseekerofedification]

This story only gets mariana trench deep😢😢😢😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮!!!! New info update in what really Happened 😢😢

[@fallonbea]

I am a descendant of the McCoys on my Mothers side. Seeing so many unknown only to God is sad💔.

[@karlalphelps9909]

im a rutherford descandant from katherine jane rutherford mine were scotts irish and settled in pa to georgia etc

[@bethbrafford1752]

How do they maneuver the caskets up the hill

[@thehillbillyfiles]

That one was probably by hand. Some of the higher ones were done with oxen, ropes, sleds, etc. Whatever it took to get it there...

[@ExploringHistoryTogether]

I asked that very question in my own video there... when I was standing on that steep hillside on one leg and one knee... it gets THAT steep up higher on the hill. They would have needed some serious muscle to get a several hundred pound casket up that hill.

[@marlenejohnson5461]

Oh my Leo I wished you would wear gloves when you whips those leaves and things away. It gives me chills that there will be a snake there.

[@sharonhartless2436]

I think it says FOUND DEAD EPILEPSY - DIED IN CONVOLSION.

[@MichelleLloydAineysAcres]

What is the cemetery with the most "unknown" grave markers that you've come across? Do you have any theories why there are so many in this graveyard?

[@christopherball7937]

I have a couple of interesting relatives you may want to do stories on. The first was my uncle Hampton Palmer. He was the Sheriff & taxe collector in Beatyville for many years. He busted stills..He stole the taxe money and caught by the FBI then reelected sheriff. The other relative was Rev Bonaparte Ball a direct relative to Gorge Washington's mother. He was a well loved Reverend & teacher. Also was a Traveling Preacher... Hopefully you'll pick one of these two for a story...will be watching. There is both are buried in the Ball family graveyard. Go the the Thorpe Grocery store.ask someone where the Sugar camp is. Land is still in the family but no one lives up there.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

can you send me more details or this info to [e-mail] please, depends how close it is to us

[@truckinfam2207]

How do u dig a grave on a sloped hill like that

[@suzangreenier8387]

I used to live in 10:00 Galax ...I was a RN there.... o that 17 yr old kid that died??......?? Was of epilepsy......if y'all come to Hiawassee Ga. .in the mtns plz plz tell me so I can make u biscuits and red eye gravy.... I wish u were in time to meet my boy....he is soooo dam funny!!! But he took his life last summer.. I know he's. Playing his HS ftball on that other realm........so it wud cheer me up if u came over. I cud show u my confederate stuff ... I'm all french butt brot up in the south so I do relate to them...,...your friend, suzan

[@connie2558]

Sorry for the pain of losing your son. I can tell he brought much joy to your life.

[@suzangreenier8387]

@@connie2558 thank u Connie!!! I used to feel sorry for ppl...then it came to me. Never in my life Connie did I ever think this kind of pain existed ...at least he's here and does wat I taught him since middle school which is: to stay put at the house and wait for me and Dad. And to blink the lights 3 times which was his ftball number. We always ask....." is that u Jimy"? And he blinks 3 more times for ' yes '. We tell him how much we miss him and love him then tell him the news ...like Ga keeps on winning...lol sorry this was long

[@janetrouse8362]

What about the little boy statue that is a crlikeoss from the Jesus statue. The little boy had darkhair, looks like no shirt on buy you can see his blue pants. Wish you had visited his grave site.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

We'll have all that up a little later. There were actually 3 cemeteries there.

[@deboraadkins-smith2092]

We do nred some tee shirts that says.( Leo the Hillbilly mountain Goat ) goat stands for great of all time G.O.A.T.

[@christopherball7937]

How do you bury someone with out knowledge of there name...unnamed babies?

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Modern people saw the graves there, indentations etc and made stones

[@LorieBurk]

THT FIRST TOMBSTONE 🪦 YOU WERE LOOKING AT LEO LOOKED LIKE IT MIGHT HAVE SAID COLLIN'S ON IT THT I COULD MAKE OF IT I MAY BE WRONG BUT THTS WHT I CAN SEE