Daviess County Public Library is set to host Charlie Cosgrove, author of “They Both Reached for the Gun,” for a presentation on the life and legacy of Owensboro native Beulah Sheriff Annan, whose1924 trial inspired the iconic story of “Chicago.”
The event will take place on October 30, from 1-3 p.m. in the Public Lounge at DCPL. Following his talk, Cosgrove will sign copies of his book, which was released earlier this year after 15 years of research.
In “They Both Reached for the Gun,” Cosgrove dives deep into Annan’s story, tracing her rise from Owensboro to her infamous trial in Chicago, where she was acquitted of murdering her lover in her South Side apartment.
Annan was married three times — first at age 15 — and eventually found herself in Chicago, where her romantic entanglements and eventual trial intrigued the public. She was accused of shooting her lover, though she claimed self-defense.
Despite the scandalous nature of the case, she was acquitted. She died just four years after the trial after battling tuberculosis in a Chicago sanatorium at the age of 28.
The high-profile trial captured public attention with sensationalized headlines, most penned by journalist Maurine Watkins. Bolin said most believe Watkin’s coverage eventually inspired the play “Chicago,” along with countless other cinematic takes.
Annan’s life and trial were portrayed in various adaptations, including a 1920s silent film, a 1940s movie, and Bob Fosse’s Broadway musical Chicago, which has since become a movie-musical starring Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
“Beulah Annan’s story is a remarkable yet often overlooked piece of Owensboro’s history,” said Emily Bolin of the Daviess County Public Library. “Many don’t realize her strong connection to Owensboro, where she grew up and is ultimately buried in Utica. Her story is not only part of our county’s past but also part of a cultural phenomenon that reached audiences worldwide.”
Cosgrove’s presentation will delve into the lesser-known aspects of Annan’s life and trial, drawing from new sources, including court transcripts, police records, and personal interviews with Annan’s surviving relatives. Cosgrove is a retired professor and researched extensively in Kentucky, utilizing the Kentucky Room’s resources at Daviess County Public Library.
Bolin said the event is part of DCPL’s effort to celebrate historical figures connected to Owensboro and is open to the public.
