Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-10-06
BLOODSHED In KENTUCKY.


Four WelI-knOwn Men Shot Dead Coming
from COurt---Terrible Feud Between the
Maupin Family and Fighting Constable.
a correspondent of the Cincinnati
Enquirer, wrote recently from Rich
mond, KY, as follows: Jasper Maupin
was member of large and wealthy
family living few miles east of here.
The family numbers in all its branches
perhaps thirty or more men, noted for
their horses and hounds, their love of
fox hunting, and for their utter indiffer-
ence to danger.
John Burnam was constable of Glade
township, that portion of the county
where the Maupins lived, and is a typi-
cal Kentuckian. In person tall, broad
shouldered, handsome, quick on the
trigger, but unfortunately quarrelsome,
and indeed, it is said, rather fond of kill
ing people.
In January last quarrel sprang up
between Burnam and Jasper Maupin,
which resulted in the shooting of Bur
nam five times by Maupin. Yesterday
the trial was to have occurred; and Bur-
nam, partially recovered from his
wounds. was in town, evidently with the
determination of having revenge upon
Maupin. He was backed by four of his
friends, the chief of whom were Ballard
and Cornelison, while Maupin was backed
by his relatives, each armed heavily with
heavy revolvers. The party first met in
the corridors of the court house, and re-
volvers were drawn, but by the interven-
ton of friends they were induced to re-
frain from shooting. After the adjourn
ment of the court, however, Burnam,
accompanied by his friends, stationed
himself on the sidewalk near livery
stable, where Maupin must pass to go
to his house. The Maupins, seeing this
action, consulted for moment, but only
for moment, when Jasper, putting his
hand upon his revolver, started boldly
along the sidewalk in the direction OF
the stable. His hackers, many of whom
were already mounted, stopped about
fifty feet away to watch the result.
Maupin walked quietly down the
street till he got opposite and nearly
past Burnam, still having his hand Oh
his revolver and looking back as he
passed. Suddenly Burnam drew heavy
revolver from under his coat, and step
ping quickly toward Maupin, without
saying a word, placed the muzzle nearly
against his forehead, and, before Maupi1
could draw, fired. The ball entered the
brain, and Maupin fell to the sidewalk
Then Maupin's friends opened fire
from the corner, jumped from theil
horses and rushing up toward the party
Lee Maupin ran toward Burnam, and
levelling his revolver, fired. Burnan
fell dead upon the sidewalk, his fee
resting across those of his victim. LIE,
Maupin rushed again to the body O
Burnam, and, STOPPING over it, sent an
other ball through his head.
At the same time the others ha(
opened fire on Cornelison and Ballard
who both received shots through tn,
head, and after staggering few steps
fell dying. The example of Lee Maupil
was followed by his fellows, who deliber
ately approached their victims while the,
were dying, sending the heavy balls from
their pistols through their heads. Then
there being no more of the friends of th
vanquished party re aiming alive, tn
carnage ceased.
The brothers of the wounded Maupil
gathered about the dying man, kisset
his pale face and wept like children
Then he was carried into a store close b,
and expired in a few moments.
Jasper Maupin was about twenty-fou
. years old. He received one shot abov
the left eyebrow, passing through tn
brain.
John Burnam was about thirty-on
years old. He received one shot abov
the left eyebrow, passing through tn
brain, two through the right shoulder
one behind the right ear, and one in tn
right hand.
William Cornelison was about thirty
five years old. He received one woun,
in the right breast, passing out unde
the left shoulder blade, and one shotin tn
back of the right arm, about five inche
below the shoulder blade.
Kit Ballard was about twenty-nin
, years old. He received one shot in tn
; cheek, one in the temple, one in tn
back, ranging through the heart, ant
one in the right rear hip.
The verdict of the coroner's jury was
casper Manpin was killed by pisto
shot from the hand of John Burnam
Burnam, Cornelison and Ballard cam
to their deaths by pistol shots from tn
hands of Lee Maupin, Brutus Maupin
and William GOOch -