Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-07-15
Gen. Lane,s Case.

The Cincinnati Commercial gives fair
summary in the case of the "Jim Lane Ho-
micide." The facts developed are these
General Lane and Col. Jenkins were living
few rods apart on disputed claim. =
Lane had purchased of a man named Chap
man that which he presumed to be the IL
| tie of the land he lived upon. His house
was surrounded by picket fence. In bis
yard close to the house, was well of wa
ter, only capable of supplying his own FAM
lily. A gate led through the fence on
the side of the lot toward the resi-
dence of jenkins. Tho claim case had
been in court few days before the homi-
eide. Jenkins had frequently made use of
offensive remarks about and threats toward
Lane. He said in the manner of an excit-
able and violent man that Lane was cow
ard, and that however, the claim was Ge-
cided in court, Lane should not live on the
land. He (Jenkins) would take him off of
it, dead or alive. .-
Concerning the well of water there had
been several. difficulties. During Lanes ab-
sence jenkins had cut down the gate be-
tween his house and that of Lane, and had
commenced operations on the fastenings at
the mouth of the we'll with an ak, when
Mrs. Lane interfered and caused him to de-
sist. 1t is alleged that the water from
Lance well was to Jenkins an article OF ab-
solute necessity, as the spring in ravine
from which be had used water was impure
and unhealthy. 1t appears, however, that
there was another well near at hand where
Mr.. Jenkins GUILD have had water in peace.
His determination to have water out of
Lanes well was therefore simply declara-
ton of war, and the frequent use of his ak
in hewing away obstacles to that well was
overt hostility.
"The day of the homicide Lane had Or
dered one of jenkins hired men who was
after water, out of the yard, telling him that
if he came there any more he would shoot
him. Upon hearing this jenkins deter
mined to go after water himself, and sent
a boy to Lane to tell him so, and that he
J.) wished him G.) to be there and see the
water taken. Lanes message to jenkins
by the boy, as the boy testified was: "IsN
him for Gods sake not to come. THE on
ly aoay to haze peace as for each of us to
stag on his os0m premises" This certain
ly does not indicate blood thirsty spirit
on the part of Lane, but rather deep anx-
iety to avoid the shedding of blood. Jen-
kins made preparations for visiting Lanes
well, by cleaning up his pistols and Sharp's
rifle, firing off the old loads and putting in
fresh ones, so close to Lanes house that
he could not help hearing every report, and
might observe every movement.
At length the grand charge on the we'll
was made. The arament consisted of two
pals, an ak, Sharpe's rifle, and an indie
finite number of revolvers recently placed
in order for that special service. The inva-
ding force consisted offour men. The gate,
which had on three previous occasions been
cut down by Jenkins and his men, though
the fence was easily crossed by stile, was
found strongly fastened. jenkins, howev-
er, by few powerful blows with his ak de-
molished the fastenings and strobe over the
gate. Lane, from his house, had observed
the party approaching, marching in Indian |
file, and when they assaulted the gate, he
made his appearance and warned them
away, declaring his purpose of shooting
them if they did not go. After the gate
was crushed, Lane entered his house took
up his single barrelled shot gun and con-
fronted the invaders. His warnings were
met with defiance, and it is in testimony
that, before lie fred three shots were fred
at him. The fatal effect of Lanes fire is
known. jenkins fell with half a hundred
mortal wounds, and died instantly, his
wearing in death, as testified
by those who looked on him when he was
cold, a wild, stern, ferocious expression, after
Jenkins fell, his companions continued fir
ing upon Lane, and wounded him in the
Pats5wg Dispatch.