The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-01-14
WisfeAaneuus.
AN ILLINOIS VENDETTA

An ILLINOIS VENDETTA.
never saw before, or during the war,
in the extreme west Or south, state of
affairs that surpassed in the elements of
indecision, doubt and fear, that which
prevails to-day, and has prevailed for the
past year, in the counties of Williamson
and jackson, from the latter of which |
write.
Six years ago there was petty quarrel
between two families living in the west
ern part of Williamson county. 1t was
followed by others, in which the circle
of combatants was enlarged. The chief
leaders in the fights were fined, and one
fed the country, Two years later there
was another conflict, in which the par
ties were again fined, although three days
were occupied in vain attempt to get
jury to try one part Of the mob on
charge of attempted murder. Then APP
peared the inevitable woman. Promis-
ing to marry a Montague, she allowed
herself to be seduCed by a Capulet.
Further fights, and then on the day of
election, Novembe- 6, 1874, regular
pitched battle at the polling-place at
Craneville.
There the record ends, so far as open
fighting is concerned. From that time
resort has been had to bushwacking.
with most deadly results,
On the 18th of December, 1873, "old
man" George Bulliner was shot Just in
side Jackson county, on his way to this
place. He died cursing his unseen foes
On the 2Sth day of March, David Bull
liner, returning from church, was shot
and killed, and Mrs. Stansill seriously
wounded.
On the 18th day of May, James Hen
derson was shot and killed right in front
of his own house.
On the 10Th day of May, Jacob Dit
more was shot and killed. He was sup
posed to have witnessed the killing of
Henderson, and to know "too much"
On the 4th of October, DR.. Vincent
Hinchcliffe was shot and killed in front
of his house, his body being riddled with
bullets.
The above five persons were killed;
but there were other cases where there
was an evident attempt to kill where the
attempt was not successful.
Early in April, 1874, Levidus Rodd
was shot but recovered. Rodd received
six shots in his body.
About four years ago George Sisney
was shot, but not fatally
On the 9th of August, 1874, the same
Sissney, on going to his barn, was snap
ped at three or four times.
On the 18th of December, the same
Sisney was shot and terribly wounded
while sitting in his own house.
On the same day, and at the same
place, George Hindman was also very
dangerously wounded.
The above list is a record of the BUSH
whacking that has been done in conse-
quence of the feud existing between the
families of the Sisneys, Hendersons and
the Russells on the one side, and the
Bulliners, Hinchclifis and Cranes on the
other. There seems to reasonable minds
no reason whatever for such bloody
work, for the causes of difference were
in their origin OF a trivial character.
They have assumed, however, such a
bloody phase that further outrages seem
as certain as the rising of to-morrow's
sun.
The fact that the attempted murder of
Sisney took place on the very anniver-
sary of the murder of ''old man" Bulli-
ner, is something more than mere CO.
incidence. 1t shows, taken in connect
ion with other circumstances, the exist
ence of determination to "get even"
Had the shots taken effect, and killed |
both Sisney and Hindman, the Bulliner
r h., -, NOD fhA
one ahead. Such is the fearful way in |
which, among themselves, the people of
this community talk of what is, perhaps,
the most damnable crime that has dis
graced the annals of this State for years.
Three or four yonng fellows, neighbors,
came to Sissney's house last Saturday
night to spend the evening. The blinds
were drawn and the whole party were |
drawn up about the fire, and Hindman |
and Sisney commenced to play dominoes
Suddenly, crash went pane of glass,
and volley of buckshot was poured in
to the little party. The tiends had evil
dently listened and directed their aim by !
the sound of voices that had reached |
them. Sissney, who had just put down |
the youngest of his eight children, was
riddled with bullets in his right arm,
and Hindman received several in his
body. A scene of terrible confusion fol-
lowed, amid which the midnight assas-
sins escaped. There was no knowledge |
on the part of the murderers whom their
bullets might strike, for the room was
crowded with children and visitors. 1t
seemed sufficient for them to know that
their bullets would strike somebody,
and that in all probability that somebody
would be- member of the Sisney house.
hold.
Unfortunately, this is not all the black
record of crime that darkens this years
page of Williamson county history.
During the year 1874 there have occur
red four other improved murders in the
county. The CHASTITY record thus shows
that within year there have been no
ess than nine murders within William
,on county, the total population ofwhich
: not over as many thousand. !