Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-02-20
COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA. SATURDAY
AN ILLINOIS VENDETTA.

hUOuI Ouc yeai aSo uisPute diooo
between two families concerning the
measurement of some grain. The diff
ference between them was about fifteen
bushels. Out of this dispute grew a
fight. In this it is said that Sisney
used a shovel. The Bulliners lett, but
soon returned armed with guns. Sisney
ran into field, but was pursued and
shot through the leg. He fell, and his
pursuers retired, supposing that they
had killed their man. Out of this grew
a lawsuit which was indecisive. And
out of this lawsuit grew second fight
with clubs, stones, &c., in which one
party was made up principally of Sis
ney's, Russells, aud Hendersons, on one
side, and the Bulliners, Cranes, and
Hinchecliffs, on the other. At this time
! it is said that Sisney and one Of his
sons were terribly punished. No one
was killed, but spirit of revenge on
both sides seems to date from this time,
the history of which has scarcely par
allel in the annals of crime, and its fu-
ture horrors none can predict.
The first to fall was the old man Bull
liner. He was riding along on the road
from Gainesville TO Carbondale when
shots were fired at him from the brush,
from the effects of which he died few
hours after. Some weeks passed by,
and the next to fall was the old man
Henderson. think he was standing
in his own yard in front of his house.
The assassin had apparently concealed
himself behind the fence, the fatal shot
was fired and the victim fell and died
without a struggle. One had now been
killed on each side. But each had left
a family of grown boys, who were aided
and sympathized with by their friends
and neighbors respectively. The war
had now but just begun.
The next victim was one of the young
Bulliner's. He was walking along the
road. His aunt, an aged lady, was some
distance ahead. The shot, which was
fired by some unknown hand, killed the
young man and seriously wounded the
lady, who, it is said, will be crippled
for lite.
The next man shot was one Dltmore,
who is not known to have been con-
nected with the affair farther tdan he
was supposed to be material witness
as TO the killing of Henderson.
The next to fall was Hinchecliff, who
had identified himself with the Bulliner
side. He was on horseback, riding to-
ward town. He was shot and killed
instantly, and his horse was killed at
the same time.
Time passed on until between seven
and eight o'clock last Saturday night,
when an unknown assassin in stocking
feet crept across the open field aud dis
charged his gun through the front win
dow of Sisney's house. Sisney was, at
the time, seated at the table with a
neighbor's son by the name OF Hind
man, aged about fourteen years, his
wife and children being in the room,
near by. Sisneys arm and shoulder
were badly shattered, but some hope Is
entertained that he will recover; but
poor Hindman, who had taken no part
in the difficulty, fell, his body pierced
with thirteen buckshot.
The next 7ictim in order now will be
on the Bulliner side. In the meantime,
a reign OF terror prevails which is
much easier to imagine than describe.
Throughout that whole section OF
country the inhabitants, without excep-
ton, act and talk as though impending
danger was at their door or on their
track. / said to one man, "What Is
your fear? You say you have never
taken sides nor expressed any opinion.
His reply was "If was to be out after
dark, / might be mistaken for one of
the parties, or if l should happen,
Though ignorantly,) to be in the COM
pany of any of the parties, l would be
in danger of being hit. The safe way
is to stay at home and say nothing, and
not 90 out after dark" That night,
kneeling with his family around the
blazing fire place, while the darkness
without fell like funeral pail upon
surrounding country, the familiar Ian
guage of prayer never impressed me SO
solemnly before. These were his words
"Heavenly Father, Thou hast guided
and protected us through all our lives
to the present hour, and if consistent
with Thy will, guard us from all danger
during the shades of another night, and
bring us safely to see the light OF an
| other morning. ."-Chicago Times.