The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-12-02
KENTUCKY KU-KLUx.
Four Days of Riotlng in Jackson,
Breathitt County.
Citizens Reported Killed and Wounded
Two of the Rlo.er. Killed the First Day.

Two Of the Rioters Killed the First Day.
LEXINGTON, KY, November Setback
son, the county seat of Breathitt county,
distant about ninety miles from Mt. Ster-
ling, has been the scene OF q serious out
break and bloodshed during the past week.
The place has bad reputation for law
lessness, and II Is not great while since
q detachment OF the State Guard was re-
quired to preserve order.
The present trouble results from COLI
sion between two rival bands OF outlaws,
one under Captain Bill Strong, Of Home
Guard fame, and the other under Jack
Aikman. The Strong party took posses
sion OF the town on Monday, committing
many acts OF lawlessness and getting reck-
less from drink. During the afternoon
the Aikman party, twelve or fifteen strong,
rode into the town and made an attack on
the Strongs. Thirty or forty shots were
discharged, two taking effect on William
and Daniel Freeman-the former shot
through the body and the latter through
the head. They were removed late in the
evening to their homes, several miles up
the river. Daniel Freeman is recovering,
but William Is dead. lg5gl.a .G
Strong and his followers received no in
juries, but barricaded themselves in a lit
lie log cabin about one hundred yards
from the Court House, where they had
previously stacked their arms. Aikman
and his party sought shelter in the Court
House, and regular interchange OF shots
was kept up during the whole afternoon.
One OF the Ereemens, who fell in the mid
die OF the street when shot, was forced to
lie there for two hours, his friends fearing
to attempt his removal.
During this strife hideous yells and
shouts OF defiance could be heard from
both parties.
Next morning Tuesday twas discover
ed that Aikman and party had withdrawn
from the Court House andquartered them
selves near the river bank, while Strong
and his clan held their fort untaken.
About 10 o'clock Strong retired, and soon
thereafter struggling drunken men, well
armed, began to parade the streets, in de-
tiance Of all law and order. !
It was soon whispered that the guard
which had been sent to Lexington under
charge OF the Sheriff to bring back Jackson
Little, charged with wife murder, would
soon return and an effort would be made
TO release the prisoner. A willing leader
was found in Justice OF the Peace named
]. G. B. Allen, supported by the Littles,
C1awfortls and others, numbering about
forty, who loitered about the streets impa.
tiently waiting for the guard to appear.
Judge Randolph, to defeat the aim oi
the mob, had the Deputy Sheriff and
County Judge to detail an extra guard Of
IaH.
ship OF the County Judge, John W. Bur.
nett. About 8 o'clock P. ". they returned
with the prisoner, and safely confined
him in jail. The guard numbering about
twenty-five well-armed men, no effort at o
release was made. But Immediately after
the guard returned from the Jail to the
street and began to disperse, thinking the
danger was over, Crawford and Little be-
gan an attack on Judge Burnett, threaten
ing to take his life.
The excitement began to run high. Yell
after yell rent the air, and suddenly a
volley was poured in on the guard, who,
taken by surprise, sought shelter at every'I
quarter. During the discharge OF this
volley Judge Burnett was shot through
the heart and instantly killed.
Then a constant fire was begun, and
was kept up during the whole evening,
and diabolical yells were kept up by the
victorious mob as it gained vantage
point. Allen and his men being in the
courthouse yard, sought shelter behind
the Clerks office and in the courtroom,
while the guard retreated up the street TO
the point where Strong and his clan were
barricaded.
The forces now numbering some thirty
or forty on each side. The men were all
well armed with the latest improved Colts
navy repeaters, Spencer and Ballard
ffles, and, being good shots, could xii!
their man at from 100 to 200 yards when
ever he might appear. 4
During the picket shooting posse Of
Aliens clan, with axes, attempted to burst
open the Jail door and rescue the prisoner.
At this point Tom Little, OF Campton,
brother OF Jason Little, appeared upon the
scene of the conflict and made an effort to
quell the riot, but was suddenly shot
through the body, which caused the jail
breakers to desist. VI.
The Allen party deserted the Court
House last night, and the Sheriff and posse
took possession, thus commanding the
door 70 the Jail.
No Court has been held, and the Cir
cult Court Judge suddenly disappeared
this morning before o'clock, leaving no
orders as TO the disposition Of the prison
er Little. AZ guard was detailed to dig the
grave for the interment OF Judge Burnett,
and the spot selected was by the side OF
his sweetheart, who died one year ago.
Ladies and citizens who came TO town to-
day TO attend the funeral have beaten
hasty retreat.
The latest news from Breathitt Is in
special to the Lexington Press, dated Mt.
Sterling, November 30, which states that
Jackson is still in possession Of the mob,
but that the champions Of the law are still
in the possession OF the Court House and
Jail. Picket firing is kept up, and many
citizens have been killed and wounded.
M action has vet hpan taken nv the Cow