The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-20

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The Assassination Of Willis Russell
: '4'T 4. at Monterey. !s--. 81
From the Louisville Courier-JournaL]+ :
One of the most cowardly crimes ever
perpetrated in the State of Kentucky,
and one which casts a most foul blot up
on the good name Of this commonwealth,
was the assassination of Willis Russell at
Monterey last Thursday night. 1t is tae
probable elimination of the series of
outrages which have occurred in Owen
county within the past three or four years,
and which have kept that county in q
constant state Of outlawry during that
time. 1t is one of the final results OF the
1eud between the Walker and Smoot fam.
lies, in which the Smoot family. com.
bined with certain element of ruffianism
in Owen county, have endeavored to carry
matters with high hand and override
both State and federal authority.
Willis Russell was Confederate sol:
der, as we're also the Walkers. Some
years ago Willis Russell and the Walkers
were employed by the State authorities
as special detectives to investigate the
numerous Ku-Klux outrages which then
occurred, and from that time up to the
date of his assassination he formed a
number of enemies, who were always
looking for chance to put him out of
the way. After fruitless efforts to bring
some Of the criminals to justice, Russell
and the Walkers came to the conclusion
that the authorities of Owen county were
under the influence of the criminals, and
that it would be useless for them to con-
tinue their efforts. They quit the SER
vice of the State. A:out two years ago
Russell was appointed special bailiff of the
United States government in Owen coun-
ty. This created further enmity against
him.
The outrages committed last August
i'll Owen county are still fresh III the pub
lie mind. A number of the Smoot party
conspired to resist the execution of the
processes then in the hands Of Willis
Russell. These processes were against
some of this party who were charged
with the murder Of Jim Walker, an ap-
pointed United States officer when he was
shot and killed in the treets of Monte
rey, and for other outrages committed by
them. On the Sd Of August, Ill, Green
Barr attempted to kill Henry Triplett,
one Of the United States officers belong
ing to Russels posse, who was witness
against the Ku-Klux. This was a week
following the issuance of writs against
him and George Mefert, the Shoots and
others.
Fifty persons were indicted last fall in
the United States Court for conspiracy
against the United States Government.
Of these sixteen were arrested and tried
during the past winter. Four were con-
victed: James Little, Dick New, Sim
Margoyles, and Alonzo Claxton. Bill
Smoot was afterward arrested in this city,
and lies prisoner in Jail, not having as
yet received trial. Willis Russell was
the most important witness against these
parties, and his evidence would have
probably convicted Bill Smoot. The four
persons convicted in the United States
Court were sentenced to the penitentiary
by Judge Ballard. but their sentence was
suspended some time ago by Judge EN-
mons, and they are still in jail. The
sentence Of these prisoners and the trial
of the writ Of habeas corpus in the United
States Court, which released Willis Rus
sci, who had been indicted by the Owen
Circuit Court for the murder of old man
Smoot, rather set back the outlaws in
Owen county, and made them fear and
respect the United States Government,
but the suspension Of the sentence of the
prisoners in Jail inspired them with re-
newed confidence.
Russell has not been United States
officer since last fall, but has been ell
gagged in the tobacco business in Monter
ey. Nevertheless, he was still an imptr
tant witness for the government, and had
documents in his possession which were
dangerous to them. For several weeks
past Green Barr and George Meffert,
against whom writs have been issued,
have been skulking in the bushes around
Monterey with guns, lying in wait, it was
said, for Russell and Charles and Tom
Walker. A number Of citizens saw them
and Russell and the Walkers were advised
of the fact.
Just before Russell was killed on Thurs.
day night he had concluded the reading
| of letter from George Mefert, in which
he was invited to meet that individual
that night at bridge in the neighbor.
hood. The reason for this desire, which,
it is asserted, can be proven by mum.
Der of citizens in Monterey, is this: Mef:
fert wanted to turn States evidence after
the conviction last winter of his four com.
panions, now in Jail, and dictated to a
Mr.. Hill. of Monterey, statement, in
which he declared that certain county of.
rcials and his brother had instigated and
hirel Bill Smoot an HING lf To murder