The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-12-18
DEsPERADODUM.


condition than reported heretofore. The only
two newspaper men who have made their way
into that county arrived in Louisville today,
and describe depkrable state Of affairs To
reach Breathitt they were obliged to make
horseback journey of $50 miles over the noun
talns. The law of Kentucky is SO 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. NcCreary's mes.
senger accompanied the two CO, 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 q number of men who regard
the civil law almost in the light Of joke.
1t is hard to tell what originated the present
feud Your correspondent talked with several
persons, and each told different story. One
Der 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 as United States
officers; that they collected large quantity of
plumber, and quarrelled about the division of
the srolls. Another account is that boy set
atioat slanderOus story about Miss Cockrill
and that her friends took the matter in hand
resolved to punish her traducer.
Inc trouble first broke out between Capt.
Bill" Strong's party and some men named
Amy. They fought until Strong exterminated
his enemies. Then the Jetts 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 were killed
and many wounded.
Last summer there was otly-contested race
for county judge. Ex.Judge Edward Strong,
EvY-1 Ind P,,f1A r
at law, in jackson, were candidates. The
Llttles, Ackmans, Gambrels, and Aliens favored
Edward Strong, while "Bill' Strong, the two
Freemans, and other persons favored Burnett.
All the candidates We're 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 cent him word that they in
tended to kill him. Burnett was fearless, and
sent word that he intended to hold court at the
regular time, in spite of their threats. When
the day for holding court came Burnett sum-
moned q number of resolute men and proceed
ed to open court. The bold stand seemed to
overaWe his enemies, and he was not disturbed.
A 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 hi wife
AZ oAuCI w MdIIy announcer WOm2n. 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
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
ed court Monday, Nov. Is, at the usual hour.
The belligerents had agreed to stack arms when
they came to court. About o'clock in the
morning Capt. 'Bilp' 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
streets, some with two or three reyolvers
strapped to their belts, and some with Sharp
and Ballard rifles. Shortly before noon the
Little party came in, all well armed. They saw
Strong party armed, and, regarding them in
an unfriendly attitude, opened fire at once,
killing one of the Freemaus and wounding the
other the fight ending without further blood
shed that day. Tuesday Jason Little and
guard were to arrive. Threats were made by
the Little party that they in
tenssdsto rescue Jason, and Judge Bur
netEs o1ed to head g party of fifteen men de-
taileisG 5aEeinforsA Sherlf'ss guard. BUR-
nett aoted with great imprudence. He should.
have known that his action would only add to
the hatred. His friends tried to persuade him
to give up his intention, but could not do SO,
and as soon as he placed himself at the head of
the posse it was evident fight was inevitable.
Burnett marched his guard out and stood in
front of them. Gambrel, Of the Little party,
who was about forty yards distant, remarked,
There's that ---- Burnett again. Bur
nett loweredhis carbine, and Gambrel did like
wise. Some ore cried, Look out, they are
going to shoot!' Burnett turned around to
see what the trouble was, and received car
bine ball in the side. He walked few PAGES,
fell and expired.
Jerry Little and others started to Jail to re-
lease Jason Little. Tom Little, a cousin of the
prisoner. joined and tried to persuade them to
let the prisoner alone, when volley WAS fired
by the guard, resulting in the death of Tom
Little. The prisoner told them from window
that they need not try to release him, for he
would give himself up to the jailer again. A
regular battle was begun at this time, and bull
lets flew like hailstones around the court
house. "Bilr' Strong took position in log
house, the Titles got in the court house. and
the sheriff guard in front of the Jail. When
night came the parties left their barracks, and
to some extent dispersed. 'a,.<
Wednesday morning Judge Randall, without
waiting to adjourn court, jumped upon a horse
and took an uncermonious departure. Many
claims remained unaudited, and the sudden
adjournment will cause much suffering, as the
people needed their money.
1.-THE scene on Tuesday in Jackson" says an
eye WlIness, was awful. Men CraZed with
whiskey charged through the streets afoot and
on horseback, brandishing revolvers and car
bines, and threatening to kill every person who
came in their path. Women and children ran
through the yards and gardens screaming with
fear, and many tainted. Blood flowed freely.
It is not known how many persons were wound
ed, but it is thought great many"
Bill Strong's party swear they will be re-
venged for the death of Burnett and freeman,
while the Littles say they will kill Strong and
his whole posse if they can. Strong informed
ex-Judge Ned" Strong, John Hargis, an old
man, and William Combs, jailor, that he in
tended to kill them to avenge the death of
Burnett. William Day, a citizen living seven
miles from Jackson, has also been threatened,
and is now at his fathers house at Hazel Green.
Ned" strong has gathered about twenty-five
men and is watching ''Bill'' Strong. The Lit
ties are together in force, and there is no tell
ing how soon another collision will occur.
Following two attacks on the Emperor
William and one on King Alfonso, the
attempt of an Italian to assassinate King
Humbert will make monarchs feel that
their positions are just now beset with
peculiar insecurity. Italy is infested