Age: 50

After the United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, Kentucky National Guardsmen were posted at the 11th Street Bridge across the Licking River to Covington.  On July 11, 1917, near daybreak, three soldiers, John Short, Matthew White, and James Powell, were caught stealing milk from a saloon at Hodge and Brighton Streets.  The saloon owner, Frank Bahlman, held the three at gunpoint and called Newport Police Headquarters.  Sergeant Christopher Kolhoven, Patrolman Charles Mullen, and Patrol Chauffer Thomas Hollihan responded.  After arresting the three, they found a fourth, Private George King (24), Company C, Second Kentucky Infantry, National Guards, at 9th and Patterson Streets.  Sergeant Kolhoven got out of the car to arrest King and King leveled a rifle and shot him in the abdomen.  He then held the other officers at bay with the rifle, then fled. Sergeant Kolhoven died before doctors could reach him.  His body was taken to his home at 1109 Central Avenue. 

Private King fled to the National Guard camp on the Licking River where he reported to his officers that he had killed a man.  He was then taken to Newport Police Headquarters where he was charged with Murder.  When word got out that Sergeant Kolhoven had been murdered, groups of men began to gather at the jail.  Newport Mayor A. J. Livingston quickly took action and ordered Private King removed to Covington. 

The other three soldiers were brought to court in the morning and each was sentenced to one year in jail.  King pleaded guilty to Murder, but his father, Simon King, petitioned the United States Attorney to file for a writ of habeas corpus.  The Federal court determined that, since the United States was at war, Private King would be tried in a military court.  Incredibly, he was acquitted at his court martial, claiming self-defense.

Sergeant Kolhoven was survived by his father and sister and is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery on John’s Hill Road in Wilder.

The research for this narrative was provided by Pamela Casebolt. If you have further information, artifacts, or pictures of this officer, please contact the Museum Director at Director@GCPHS.com.