The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-02
KENTUCKY CLANS RIOTING.
DISPENSING a COURT AND ASSAsSINAT-
ING THE COUNTY JUDGE
Three Days and Nights of Terror In the Cap
ltal Of Breathitt County-A Drunken and
snnzuinary Mob In Possession of the Town.

FrpH The Mount Stirling Democrat
JACKSON, Breathitt Co., KY, Nov. IL
Jackson. the county seat OF Breathtt County is
on the north fork Of the Kentucky River. Owing
to feuds growing out Of the late war. this county
has suffered from an internecinc war with
Jackson as headquarters. and there many san
culinary tragedies have been enacted. Among
the many causes Of detection that arc iniu-
encing the people is a feeling Of hatred that
sprang up in August last between tho friends
Of the two contestants for tho Office Of County
Judge. This race resulted in the election OF
Judge j. w. Burnett promising young law
yer OF this town, defeating ex-Judge Ned Strong
Of the J 20 ,reek precinct.
Folio .ng this was the bitterly contested cleo
ton for School Commissionership. in which
principally tho same persons-that is. the mu-
tual friends Of the candidates for Judge-wero
the contestants.
Chief among the causes. however. that added
fuel to the flame that has gradually consumed
the morals the industry the business and
prosperity OF the county is the action Of Capt.
Bill Strong Of home guard fame. who has been
sustained and supported by the Frcemans and
others. comprising clan Of some twelve or NJ
teen men who are notorious In their defiance OF
civil law and mixed with all these is the con-
duct ofthe Titles. Aliens. and others who. each
in turn sought revenge for any and all imaR-
mary wrongs. and never resorted 10 the strong
arm Of the law for protection. All these differ
ent influences have finally eliminated in one Of
the blOodiest dramas that any civilized COM
mmnity ever Witnessed.
The town Is under control Of a mob. Good
children are seeking shelter from any who Will
protect them The officers OF the law are detled,
ana Wild havoc prevails in all quarters. Mon
drunk and wild with frenzy. armed TO the teeth
with pistols and guns, are walking the streets.
Yelling li at ne top q their voices procaiming
your life is worth to appear in the streets for
you are liable 10 bo attacked by either or both
parties at any moment. This Is the third day OF
As usual. Judge VIM. Randall convened the
Brsathltt Circuit Court on Monday morning,
instructed the Grand Jury. and adjourned until
afternoon. In the afternoon John Altman.
leading about dozen men, dashed into town on
horseback, armed with pistols and guns. dis.
mounted. and furiously attacked Capt. Bill
Strongs clan. who were standing in front Of
Breeding's store. Thirty. or forty shots were
discharged two taking effect upon William and
Daniel Freeman the former shot through the
body, the latter through the head. They were
taken. late In the evening. TO their homes. sew
eral miles Up the river and 1t Is said to-day
that Daniel Freeman is recovering, but William
I1ad strong ana ms bo0wers sqesed no
Log cabin about 100 yards from the Court House.
where they had previously stacked their arms.
Altman and his party sought shelter in the
Court House. and an interchange OF shots was
kept up during the whole afternoon.
One Of the Frccmans, who fell in the middle
Of the street when shot, lay there for two hours
his friends fearing TO attempt his removal
During this strife hideous yels and shouts Of
defiance were heard from both parties. The
court was paralyzed the officers OF the law
dumbounded: civilians watched from q dis
lance. and not single effort was made 10 qucll
the riot. At last With night came hope and all
was quiet. save the bedlam whoOp, Of tho
drunken rabble. There was no sleep nor rest !;
everybody lived in dreading expectancy of the
morrow and slowly next morning Tuesday
| as light was thrown upon the scene, It was seen
! that Altman and party had withdrawn from
the Court House and quartered themselves
near the river bank, ana that Strong and his
| clan held their fort untaken
One 10y one citizens made their appearance on
| the streets, congratuhting themselves that the
| war was over. At about 10 O'Clock on the second
| Cling. drunken men. well armed, began 10 pa
| rade the streets. 1t was soon whispered that
| the guard that had been sent 10 Lexington under
| charge Of the sheriff 10 bring back Jason Little
accused OF wife murder. would soon return and
an effort would be made to release the prisoner
| To the credit. however. OF John Aikman. be u
said, he refused to participate In this crime and
started for home. willing leader was soon
| found In Justice Of the Peace named J. c. b.
| Allen. supported by the Titles Crawforls and
| others. numbering about forty. who llrered
about the streets. impatiently waiting for the
| guard 20 appear Judge Randall. 10 defeat the
aim Of this mob. had the Deputy Sheriff and
County Judge detail nm extra guard Of fifteen
! County Judge. John W. Burnett. AT about
! o'clock J.. ~ they returned with the prisoner
! and safely confined him IN Jail. the guard mum
| bcring about twenty-five wc-armed men. No
! EFFORT AZ a release was made; but Immediately
] after the guard returned from the Jail TO the
| street and began 70 disperse. ianryng that the
/ danger was over Crawford and Little began an
attack upon Judge Burnett. threatening to take
Excitement began 20 run high, Yell after yell
! rent the air, and suddenly Voley was poured
/ in upon the guard and they. taken hy surprise.
| sought shelter AZ every quarter. In the dis
! charge 81 this Vollcy Judge Burnett was shot
through the heart. and instantly killed. Then
| the whole evening. and diabolcal yclls were
! made by the mon as II gained a vantage
| point Allen and his men. being In the Court
! House yard, sought shelter behind the Clerks
| office and in the court room, and the guard re-
treated ny the street 10 the point where strong
| hered now some thirty or forty on each side.
! The men were all well armed with tho latest
| improved Colts navy repeaiers, Spencer and
Ballard rifles and being good shots. could
| XII their man from 100 TO 200 yards. wherever
During tie picket shooting n posse Of Aliens
| clan. with axes. attempted TO burst open the
| Jail doors and rescue the prisoner. Al this
| point Tom Little OF Campton, brother Of Jerry
| Little. appeared upon the scene OF the conflict.
| and made an effort 10 qucll the riot, but WAS
shot through the body. and then the jail break;
| ers desisted. Intense feeling was manifested
at the fall of Mr.. Tom Little. and many persons
swore vengeance Little to-day "wednesday at
| noon Is lying at the point Of death.
! The Allen party deserted the Court House last
night. and the Sheriff and posse took posses
sion. thus commanding the door TO the iail. No
suddenly disappeared this morning before
| O'Clock, leaving no orders rs 10 the disposition
| Of the prisoner Little. The County Court Judge
| is dead The court has departed without
making any provision for the keeping Of the
| county paupcrs and idiots or allowing any Of
the thousands Of claims. leaving hundreds OF
| persons almost destitute.
A guard was detailed to dig the grave for the
| tntermcnt OF Judge Burnett and tho spot Sc
| lected was 10y the side OF the body OF his sweet
| heart. who died a year ago. Ladies and others
| who came to town to-day to attend tho funeral
| have beaten a hasty retreat. Lawlessness and
| disorder are so rife that the remains OF the late
M W hn "a IA q
| Everybody Is going out Of tho town, and the
| visitors who have been here swear that they
| will never return again. There is no hope Of a
speedy Cancellation Of these troubles.
BROOKLYN'S NEW HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
The Dedication of the Roman Catholic Church
| OF the Visitation.