Camp Superintendent H. Carl Keith

H. Carl Keith

Camp Superintendent Carl Keith was shot and killed during an escape attempt by nine inmates from the State Prison Highway Construction Camp in Yancey County.

Three inmates escaped before a guard at the camp was able to retrieve Superintendent Keith's pistol from his pocket and prevented six others from escaping.

Two of the three escapees were captured and charged with first-degree murder. The third escapee, suspected of being the shooter, was killed in a gun battle near Asheville.

Superintendent Keith was survived by his wife.