The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-01-05
DEAD DESPERATE.
SEQUEL TO A CONSPIRACY.

A a
OF THE WORLD - HOW 1T WAS ACCOM-
PLISHED.
The Lebanon correspondent of the Gin
cinnati Commercial of yesterday says: The
air of Lebanon is lighter tonight. Il is no
longer contaminated by the breath of one of
those monsters in human shape that make
the heroes of our nursery tales seem harm
less. 1 reached here in time to-day to wit
ness, or at least to hear, the end of one of
those bloody strifes which would better fit
a story of the Black Hills than the civilized
commonwealth of Kentucky. You may
never have heard of George Northcrsft, but
he has been for some years the terror OF
the order-loving citizens of this COM
munity. He is known to be guilty OF the
murder Of three inoffeDsive men; y ct such is
the fear that he inspires that men dare not
prosecute him, lest their homes be burnt
and they be murdered in their beds. When
a reward was offered for his capture he rode
bodily about, and no man dared to touch
him. To-day men refused to express an
opinion of him, lest he might hear of it and
avenge it. Yet, now that he is dead, prObs-
bly, some of these stories are exaggerated,
because of the very relief from fear which
the news brought. For some years, how
ever, this community has stood in dread OF
his anger. Witnesses could not be induced
ITO appear against him, while a single threat
any assertion he might choose to make.
Some years ago, in consequence of a most
brutal murder he had committed, a reward
of $500 was offered by the state for his cap
ture, and a company OF militia WAS
SENT UP TO SECURE HIM.
For weeks he eluded them simply because
he inspired such fear that no one dared re-
fuse him assistance. Finally, he delivered
himself up to a comrsde, who claimed the
$500 reward, gave it to Northcrsft, and with
it he paid the expenses of his trial, which,
through witnesses procured by the dread of
his vengeance, resulted in an acquittal.
For year or two there has been a feud be-
tween him and his brother, who, like all
his companions, was his tool, and the Fogle
brothers-.wo men who know no fear, but
who prefer to settle such scores by their
own hands, rather than appeal to the la Y,
which, indeed, under the circum-
stances, was powerless. They met
last spring in saloon, and sew
eFal shots We're exchanged, and one or two
Of the parties wounded, but none fatally,
after whit b the hostility seemed To die out.
Thomas Cband er has been for several years
marshal of Lebanon, aud is described as
one of the bravest, as well one of the
most discreet and orderly men in this part
OF the state. For some time Northcraft has
bore grudge against him for the manner
in which he discharged the duties of his
office in his (Northcraft's) prosecution
About two weeks ago, Northcrsft, in order
Gas il now appears) 10 get an opportunity to
Kill Chandler, revived the quarrel with the
Fogle brothers, and Tor a fortnight the COM
munity has been in daily expectation of
bloodshed. When reached town this af-
ternoon these
BULLIEs WERE ON THE STREET;
their immense revoivers scarcely concealed,
and whisper omen seemed hardly to trust
their thoughts to words) soon spread that
the quarrel was to be settled to-day. Many
people were afraid to 60 about their bust
ness for fear of stray shot, whenever the
melee should begin. Attention for a while
was diverted by fight between some sol
diers aud negroes, in which four or five sho' g
were fired, but nobody hurt. By and by it
began to oe noticed that the threaten ng
party, Northcraft and hackers, seemed least
anxious for close quarters, and Chandler Pc
marked tn q friend: "Is's me they are after;
not the Fozles." By dark there was a ru-
NOR, soon confirmed, that treaty of peace
had been signed; both parties plsdging
themselves 70 drop the quarrel and be
strangers to one another; and all but
those who understood the true pur-
pose of Nortbcraft went home
| thinking that all was well. About quar-
| ter after 9 seven or eight shots were heard
in the upper part OF town, aud In a few
minutes the main street was deserted and
stores closed, except here and there a door
opened to admit q straggler or hear the
news. / stepped into baIf-open door of a
hardware store, whose shutters had been
quickly adjusted, and there found ten or
twelve excited men anxious to hear the re-
suit of the firing, but afraid to venture out.
In the course OF half an hour, however, the
street was again filed with excited men and
wild rumors, which finally sifted down into
the following facts, as nearly as can gather
them: After the Truce had been signed tine
Fogle brothers and their friends went home.
and Northcrsft and hackers, consisting of
his brother and two men by the name of
Brent, set about
THE REAL PURPOSE OF THEIR CONSPIRACY,
aud began creating such disturbance as
hay knew would necessitste the interior
ence of the marshal. It wasn't long till he
responded, Temsrking to friend: swell
we have to arrest them," and with a posse
OF three or four men approached them.
Coming up to Northcratt, Chandler pre-
sented a shotgun and ordered bim to sur
Iender. Whether he refused to do so or not
is not known. AT any rate, Chandler fred
and killed Northcratt, and at the same time