The daily gazette., 1878-11-30
FIFTH EDITION.
CIVIL WAR IN KENTUCKY

LNt CtdHo W DFtUHtL LUuHfH FfIHftfiU
in The Streets-Fdniiy Feuds Cuimi-
ndted-Terribie Wife Murder and the
More Terrible Resuits-Attempt TO
Rescue the Murderer-he County
Judge and Other Citizens Killed-An
Appeal to the Governor.
LEXINGTON, Nov. 20, 9,1S7S.-Breathitt
county, in this State, is in a state of civil
war. Only few years ago the military
had to be sent to Jackson, the county
seat to protect the Circuit Court while it
was in session, and citizens of the place
who We're in Lexington recently declare
1t was the only peaceable session of court
in that place held since the war.
A LAwLEss COMMUNITY.
The people who inhaht the creek bot
toms between the mountains, secure in
their almost inaccessible retreats defy The
law and its officers and wreak their ven
geance upon each other according TO the
code of the assassin. The rifle and the
revolver are their constant companions,
and their feuds frequently take upon them
the character ofpitched battles. In these
conflicts more men are often killed than
in heavy skirmish preceding a battle,
from the fact that the men are dead shots
with the rifle at from one TO three hun
dred yards, and economize their bullets
because of the scarcity of lead.
Jackson, the county seat of Breathitt
county, is located on the north fork of
the Kentucky River, about one hundred
miles from Lexington and seventy miles
from railroad or telegraph office.
THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
IN the last election great bitterness of
feeling arose between the two contestipg
| candidates for County Judge-J. w
Burnett and Ned Strong and their res
pective adherents Captain Bill Strong,
a noted desperate, assisted by the Free
mans, a family of negroes-for there is no
distinction between races up n that coun-
| ltry-championed the side OF Ned Strong
The Aliens and the Littes are the names
of other families who take q hand in
bloody afiray that disgraces the county,
Judge Burnett had also his special sup
porters, and but little inducement was
wanting TO cause an exchange of shots.
Besides these causes of trouble there was
last August a hotly contested election
for school Commissioner, mere nomi-
Dal office, but very desirable to citizen
of pauper country. The opposing can
didates were supported by the respective
friends of Strong and Burnett. The race
for judge resulted in the election of Bur-
nett, and that for commissioner in n
drawn battle and an appeal TO Frank
fort.
HORRIBLE WIFE MURDER
The last addition of fuel to the flame
| was horrible murder. A man named
Jason Little, coming to his home Intoxi-
Gated, attempted to lead his horse into
his house. HIS wife demonstrated, at
which the drunken wretch drew his re-
xFsAl 81. al. Il
killing her and her unborn babe. The
womans brother witnessed the act, but was
| threatened with death if be informed any,
body. Little buried his wife, giving out
that she died in labor. The crime leaked
out, however, the body was exhumed,
the pistol shot wound found, and Judge
Burnett committed Jason Little TO jail
without bail, sending him To Lexington
for safe keeping.
On Saturday last the Sher fl of the coun-
ty came to Lexington for Little, bringing
strong armed guard to conduct the
prisoner back TO Breathitt.
BLooDsHED AND LAwLEssNEss.
He was confronted by his own deputy
named Little. a relative of the murderer,
who also had an armed guard and came
TO demand the prisoner. For some time
1t looked as if a bloody tragedy would be
enacted upon the streets of Lexington,
Dut the presence OF polce ofncerS and
other influences prevailed 10 prevent
this. The prisoner was delivered to the
Sheriff and his party, who openly said
that he expected an attempt at rescue be-
fore he reached JACKSON. Both parties
! started for home by different routes, and
reached there on Monday, when a scene
| OF bloodshed and general lawlessness en-
sued thet almost beggars description.
THE MOB IN CONTROL.
A letter written from jackson, on
"Wednesday, says: =
The town Is under control of a mob
Good citizens are fleeing for their lives.
| Women and children are seeking shelter
from any who will protect them. The
officers of the law are defed, and havoc
and desolatlon prevail. Men, drunk and
wild with frenzy, armed TO the teeth with
pistols aud guns, are walking the streets, i,
yelling at the top of their voices, pro-
Claiming who they intend to kill