The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-31
sDREADFULs LsTRANsACTION.5 y

fOi &Ilt. OiOOGieSb' IuuSh0lfOnS ever recOTu-l
led % the psge Of crime. We bopedsnl
would turn ou. 4 false rumor, but il is trur!I
lWoillsio heaven The press could be ex-ll
cused from bruiiing such intelligence
abroad.
This horrid tragedy was enacted near
Lancaster, Garrard county, Kentucky.
The following details are from the Banner
OF that place:
A family Of Hills, who reside in this
county. were. on worry unfriendly Terms
with John Sellars and William Chrisman.
who were also residents Of this county.
This hostile feeling had been in existence
for some considerable length Of time. bl,
was recently revived by a difficulty whicl,
is said TO have taken place few weeks
ago. In that difficulty it is stated thi,'
Frederick Hill was waylai1 by Sellars aid
Chrisman. on iher from I'ectersville To-
Hills residence. knocked from his horse
aud severely beaten. and left in that con.
dition. Chrisman called upon Hill to pray
and beg for life whilst lie was down. which
Hill refused TO do, saving that l,e had new
er done either, and did not intend 10 do
so then. 9t' ai9sar ataQ 6f
On Saturday the 18th inst. a company
Of the Hills left their residence with their
wagon for the purpose of moving some
person down the Creek. In going up
Scott's Fork. as they passed tobacco
house on the side of the creek, adjoining
the residence Of Conkey John Warren,
they saw several guns passing betweenthe
dwelling and the tobacco house. .sbut p,ir-
sued iheirway up the creek without any
interruption. In the evening as they were
returning home the slaughter took place.
The Hills numbered about eight. The
road run immediately by the tobacco
I house. the door of which was on the far
side from the ruad. On approaching ihis
! house. they discovered thai since they had
2 passed in the morning the cracks between
the logs had been chined up and small
porl,holes left. A piece OF white cotton
cloth was tied to the. limb Of tree. in front
OF the house. Those OF the Hills who
were in the company were Russell. Isaiah
! Frederick. John. Jr.. William. James.
! Jesse. and Dr.. o. Hill who had fallenin
with them. Before they had arrived At the
point Of the road nearest the house, DR..
Hill told them he was satisfied there was
danger in passing the tobacco house. and
advised them TO leave the road and 60
round another way. This they refused
10 do Russell saying that II was public
4 road-iree TO all, aud that he intended To
travel il whenever he pleased. They then
proceeded until they had arrived in front
of the house. when the report OF rifle ar.
rested their progress. s.e
a shot fired from the house had mortal,
ly wounded Russell Hill, who was behind
Several Of The company then turned and
ran back to him. Russell, who had ial-
len, ,perceiying them. remarked they had
killed him. and told them to do all
they could. Ilr. Hill then told them to
charge the house instantly Or they would
all be- killed. a charge was then made
npon the house, during which time, the
balls Of the rifles were continually pour.
ing from the port.hules. Isaiah Hill, who
led the way, was met near the door bv
y u
breast. which killed Hill in II lew moments
Frederick Hill then rushed forward and
was met at the doorby William Chrsman,
who presented pistol at his breast. 20 The
weapon missing fire. Chrisman struck Hill
in the face with the barrel IIill then
clenched Chrisman. and he commenced
begging Tor his life-saying that he had
told Hill to beg and pray when he had him
in bis power, and he now begged and pray
ed for Hill 10 spare him. Hill observed
that he had better call upon God for mer.
cv. for he (Hi!r) had no mercy then. Hill
! then plunged bowie knife into Chrisman's 5
/ breas, several times. Chrisman was then
! literally cut TO pieces, Selars, after Kill
? ling Isaia5, Hill at the door. attempted to
run around a tobacco hogshcad or cask
! OF some description near The house, and
4 in attempting to discharge a rifle at some
one of the company near. was shot by a
son Of Isaiah Hill, in the body, lie then
started to retreat, and after getting some
thirty or more steps, was again shot in the
back part Of his head by a small boy.
This shot brought him 10 the ground when
the boy approached him and discharged
five shots from, a revolver, each of, which
penetrated his brain.
| Two other men were IN the house with
/ Sellers and Chrisman al the time Of The
| attack, one by the name OF Alyerson, and
tile other Samuel; a brother Of John Sci.
| lers, .4lversoi's hand was nearly taken
of by fife shot from ihe Hills, and hc
viii probably lose his arm. Samuel Sci
1 lers was struck bya ball without patching.
! from rifle, bit was not hurt. These two
| persons, II IS said. made their escape some
| time during lie heat Of tie conflict. and
secfeted themselves ii the dwelling house
OF warren James Hill was Shot through
! the body. bit it'is supposed he win recoy-
er. The firing having ceased..it was dis
| coyered thai four men were killed and
\ three wounded.A The Hills then placed
the bodies of Russell and Isaiah OH i slide
l