Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1858-07-14


TIE Cincinnati Commercial gives fair
summary in the case Of the "Jim Lane
Homicide" The facts developed are these /:
General Lane aud Col. jenkins we're living
few rods spart on @disputed claim
Lane had purchased Of q man named
Chapman that which be presumed TO be
the title Of the land be lived upon. His
House was surrounded BY q picket fence.
10 bis yard close to the bouse, was q we'll
Of water, only capable Of Supplying bis
own family. A gate led through the fence
on the side Of the IOt toward the residence
Of jenkins. The claim case had been 10
court 9 few days before the homicide
Jenkins had frequently made use Of Otfsn.
sive remarks about and threats toward
Lane. He said in the manner Of au sEci.
table and violent man that Lane was 9
coward, and that however, the claim case
was decided in court, Lane should not live
on the land. He (Jenkins) would take him
(Lane) of Of il, dead or alive.
Concerning the well of water there hsd
been ssveral. difficulties. During Lanes sb
senceJenkins had cut doWnebe gate between
his house and that Of Lane. and had com.
menced operations on the fastenings at tue
mouth Of the we'll with an az, when Mrs
Lane interfered and caused him to desist.
1t is alleged that the water from Lanes
well was to jenkins an article Of absolute
necessity, as the spring in a rayiue from
which be had used water was impare and
unhealthy 1t appears, however, that there
was another well near 1T hand where Mr..
jenkins could have had water in peace
His determination to have water out Of
Lanes well was therefore simply decIara-
ton of war, and the frequent use Of bis sx
in bewing away obstacles to that well was
overt hostility.
"The day ofthe homicide Lane had or.
dered one Of jenkins hired men, who was
after. water, out of the yard, telling him
that If be came there any more be would
shoot him. Upon hearing this jenkins
determined to go after water himself aud
sent a boy to Lane to tell him so,and that
be (Jeukins) wished him (Lsne) to be
there and see the water taken. Lanes
message to jenkins by the boz, as the boy
testified was; Tell him for Gods sake mol
to come, not to come. The only acdy to
have peace Is for each Of as to stay on lis
own pren,ise5.' This certainly does NOT
indicate blood, thirsty spirit OD the part
Of Lane, but rather deep anxiety 10 avoid
the shedding Of blood. jenkins made
preparations for visiting Lanes well, by
cleaning up bis pistols and Shapes rife,
firing of the old loads and putting iH fresh
ones, so close to Lanes house that hs
could not help hearing every report, and
might observe every movement.
At length the grand charge on the well
was made. The armament consisted OF two
pals, an ak, a Sharpe's rife, and an 10.
definite number of reyolvers recently plac-
ed in order for that special service. The
invading force consisted of four men,
The gate, which had on three previous oe-
casions been cut down BY Jenksns aud bis
men, though the fence was easily crossed
by a stile, was found strongly fastened
jenkins, however, by few powerful blows
with bis axe demolished the fsstenings aid
strobe over the wreck of the gate. Lane,
from his house,had observed the party ap-
preaching, marching in Iudian file, ans
when they assaulted the gate, be made hi'
appearance and warned them away, declar'
ing bis purpose of shooting them If they
did not go. After the gate was crushed
Lane entered bis house took up bis single
barreled shot gun and confronted the in
vaders. His warnings were met by def
ance, and it is in testimony that before ht
fired, three shots were fired at him. The
fatal effect of Lanes fire is known. Jen'
kins fell with half a hundred mortal wounds
and died instantly his countenance wearing
in death, as testified by those who lOOkeC
on him when be was cold, a wild, stern
ferocious expression after jenkins fell. hi
companions continued firing upon Lane
aud wounded him in the leg.-PittsbargI
Disp Gtck.