Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-19
pEsPERADODUM.

DESPERADODUM.
Louisville special of date of Dec. 8, says:
Affairs in Breathitt county in far worse
condition than reported heretofore. The only |
two newspaper men who have made their way |
into that county arrived in Louisville to-day, |
and describe deplorable state of affairs. To |
reach Breathitt they were obliged to make |
horseback journey of $50 miles over the noun |
tains. The law of Kentucky is 81, framed that |
the Governor can only interfere in such affairs |
on eceipt of request for aid from the county |
judge. In the present instance the county |
Judge has been killed. Gov. McCreary's mes |
senger accompanied the two COZ respondents to |
the scene, and has laid his report before the |
Executive, who will now, it is thought act
promptly.
Ever since the close of the war Breathitt
county has been cursed by bitter and relentless
strife between a number of men who regard
the civil law almost in the light of joke.
It is hard to tell what originated the present
feud. Your correspondent talked with several
persons, and each told different story. One
version is that at the close of the war num-
BIER of men resolved to go through the county
and seize the animals, guns, pistols, saddles,
etc.. that had United States brands upon them,
and represented themselves Us United States
officers; that they collected a large quantity of
plumber and quarrelled about the division of
the spoils. Another account is that a boy set
afloat a slanderous story about Miss Cockrill,
and that her friends took the matter in hand,
resolved to punish her traducer.
The trouble first broke out between Capt.
"Bilr' Strong's party and some men named
Amy. They fought until Strong exterminated
his enemies. Then the Jets and Cockrells
took up the quarrel, and the war ragged with
more fury than ever. jerry Little shot and
killed Curtice Jett, and was in turn shot by
Jett's brother in 1874. Fights occurred at not
very long intervals, and several men We're killed
and many wounded.
Last summer there was hotly contested race
| for county judge. Ex.Judge Edward Strong,
Ex-Judge Butler. and ]. NJ. Burnett, attorney
at law, in Jackson, were candidates. The
Littles, Ackmans, Gambrels. and Aliens favored
Edward Strong, while 'BilP' Strong, the two
Freemans, and other persons favored Burnett.
| All the candidates were Democrats except
Burnett, who was supported by the Republic
cans. The election resulted in the triumph of
Burnett by majority of eight. The Little
party claim that Burnett was not legally elect
ed. They swore that Burnett should never
| take his seat. and sent him word that they in
| tended to kill him. Burnett was fearless, and
| sent word that he intended to hold court st the
| regular time, in spite of their threats. When
| the day for holding court came Burnett sum-
| mOned a number of resolute men and proceed
/ ed to open court. The bold stand seemed to
overawe his enemies, and he was not disturbed.
few months ago Jason Little, one of the ia
| nous Little brothers, was arrested for the
/ murder of this wife. He went home drunk,
and the evidence is strong that he shot hi9 wife
/ in order to marry another woman. He was
| taken to Richmond Jail for safe keeping, and
/ was to have been tried at the fall term. The
Littles, Arckmans, Aliens and Gambrels
| threatened to release Jason Little, when he was
1 brought back, and this caused Judge Randall
| to issue an order that sufficient guard be sent
| to bring Little to Jackson for trial.
| Judge Burnett appeared at Jackson, and open
1 al Of
The belligerents had agreed to stack arms when
they came to court. About O'clock in the
| morning Capt. Bill Strong, accompanied by
the Freemans and dozen persons, dashed into
| town, armed to the teeth, and most OF them
under the influence of whisky. Instead OF
stacking arms, as agreed, they went about the
streets, some with two or three revolvers
strapped to their BELTS and some with Sharp
and Ballard rifles. Shortly before noon the
Little party came in, all we'll armed. They saw
StrOng's party armed, and, regarding them IL
an unfriendly attitude. opened fire at once
killing one of the Freemans and wOunding The
other, the fight ending without further blood
shed that day. Tuesday Jason Little anC
guard were to arrive. Threats were made BY
the Little party that they in
tended to rescue Jason, and Judge Bur
nett agreed to head party of fifteen men de
tailed to reinforce the Sherlft's guard. Bur
nett acted with great imprudence. He should
have known that his action would only acid tt
the hatred. His friends tried to persuade hin
to give up his intention, but could not do SO
and as soon as he placed himself at the head o.
| the posse it was evident fight was inevitable
Burnett marched his guard out and stood il
front of them. Gambrel of the Little party
who was about forty yards distant, remarked
| 'There's that - Burnett again." Bur
nett lowered his carbine, and Gambrel did like
wise. Some one cried, Look out, they arr
going to shootr' Burnett turned around t
Ioaa hot bo frouhla and rncaiva1 coy
: bine ball in the side. He walked a few PAGES
! fell and expired.
Jerry Little and others started to Jail to re
lease Jason Little. Tom Little, cousin of tn
! prisoner. joined and tried to persuade them t
let the prisoner alone when a volley was fire
Little. the prisoner told them from windo,
t that they need not try to release him, for b
' would give himself up to the iailer again.
E regular battle was begun at this time, and bul
I let's few like hailstones around the cour
= house. ''Bilp' Strong took position in lo
house, the Littles got in the court house. an
3 the sheriff guard in front of the Jail. Whe
. night came the parties left their barracks an
q to some extent dispersed.
: Wednesday morning Judge Randall, withou
j waiting to adjourn court, jumped upon hors
| and took an uncermonious departure. Man
claims remained unaudited, and the sudde
= adjournment will cause much suffering, as til
i people needed their money.
: THE scene on Tuesday in jackson" says a
8 eye witness, twas awful. Men crazed wit
n whiskey charged through the streets afoot an
= on horseback, brandishing revolvers and ca
d bines, and threatening to kill every person VIII
It came in their path. Women and children IA
o through the yards and gardens screaming wit
4, fear. and many tainted. Blood flowed freel,
l. It is not known how many persons were wount
ed, but it is thought great many"
e 'Bill'' Strong's party swear they will be r,
a | venped for the death of Burnett and Freeman
Il while the Littles say they will kill Strong an
e his whole posse if they can. Strong informe
Q ex-Judge med" Strong, John Hargis, an oil
man. and William Combs, jailor, that he il
tended to kill them to avenge the death
Burnett. William Day, citizen living scve
miles from Jackson has also been threatened
and is now at his fathers house at Hazel Greer
>, Ned" strong has gathered about twenty fly
men and is watching Bill Strong. The Lii
ties are together in force and there is no tel