REVIEW
Dark Highway
Love, Murder and Revenge in
1930's Kentucky
by Ann DAngelo
Published by Butler Books, 2016
Reviewed by
Cynthia Rigby, MD
L
ate on November 6, 1936, the body
of a prominent and beautiful wid-
ow from LaGrange, KY, Verna Garr
Taylor, was found in a ditch next to
a lonely highway in Henry County,
KY. The person who directed the search to the
location was her fiancé, Henry H. Denhart,
former lieutenant governor and brigadier
general. She had been shot through the heart. The general claimed
she had left their car, walked up the road and committed suicide
with his gun, but his behavior, statements and evidence at the scene
raised many questions, and he was subsequently charged with her
murder. The investigation and local news coverage soon attracted
national and international attention, which continued in the fol-
lowing months. The new discipline of forensic medicine was used
by both sides, but did not provide clarity. The media frenzy lasted
more than a year, but not before a second murder, two trials, and
much controversy.
Ann DAngelo is a licensed attorney with the Kentucky Depart-
ment of Transportation. Her undergraduate degree is in history,
but she was unaware of the famous trial until she read an article in
the Shelby County newspaper in 2007. This sparked her interest,
and led to years of research and interviews from multiple sources,
which allowed her to evaluate the evidence from a legal perspective,
and present her findings in this book.
Henry H. Denhart came from a prominent Bowling Green, KY
family. He distinguished himself in a military career, which included
the Spanish American War and World War I, and is also credited
with helping found the Kentucky State Police. The Bowling Green
Armory was named in his honor. His ascension into politics reached
10
LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
its zenith as lieutenant governor, but not before his leadership of
the Kentucky National Guard during labor riots in Newport, KY
in 1921-22 had made him an object of controversy. As lieutenant
governor under William J. Fields, he led the militia during the
ill-fated attempt to rescue Floyd Collins, trapped in a cave near
Cave City, KY. His candidacy for Kentucky governor ended when
he lost in the primary of 1928. However, in 1931 he accepted the
post of adjutant general from newly elected governor Ruby Laffoon,
who was a friend from western KY. In 1935, as adjutant general, he
led 700 Guardsmen into Harlan County, KY to confront an alleged
voter fraud scheme, which put him at odds with then Lieutenant
Governor A.B. “Happy” Chandler. He was indicted for his use of
force (and later pardoned before trial), at the behest of his governor,
but the negative publicity effectively ended his political ambitions.
His marriage ended in 1932 when his wife of 28 years filed for
divorce. In 1935, he purchased a working farm with a large house
in Oldham County. He moved there in 1936, in retirement from
politics at age 60, with his older sister Bertha as his housekeeper
and most loyal supporter. Shortly after he settled in LaGrange, he
met Verna Garr Taylor.
Verna Garr Taylor was from a well-respected Oldham County
family. She was widowed at a young age, with two daughters, and
operated the laundry in LaGrange, which had been her husband’s
business. She was known as a good businesswoman, a supportive
parent, and a civic leader. She was also quite attractive, and almost
universally described as “sweet” by all who knew her. Henry Denhart
was immediately charmed after meeting her, and began to court her
in earnest. They were soon engaged, with a very expensive ring pre-
sented to commemorate his intentions. As the summer proceeded,
plans for their eventual wedding did not proceed in haste, and there