Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-12-01
KENTUCKY ADJUSTMENTS.
Two Rival Bands OF Outlaws Take Pos
session OF q Town and Engage in
Pitched Battle. During which
Two Men are Fatally Shot-A Week Spent
I'm the Reign of BlOodshed and Out
lawry-Attempt TO Release
Wife-N urderer.
Judge John W. Burnett Killed while
Attempting to Thwart the Schemes
Ofthe Red-Handed DeYiIs-fhe
End Not Yet.

LEXINGTON, KY, November 30.-Jackson,
the county seat Of Bresthitt county, distant
about ninety miles from Mount Sterling, has
been the scene OF a serious outbreak and
bloodshed during the past week. The place
has bad reputation for lawexness, and it
Is not great while since a detachment OF
the State guard was required To preserve
order. The present trouble results from a
collisIon between
TWO RIVAL BANDS OF OUTLAWS,
one under Captain Bill Strong, of home
guard fame, and the other u1der Jack
Alkman. The Strong party took possession
OF the town on Monday, committing many
acts OF lawlessness and getting reckless from
drink. During the afternoon the Altman
party, twelve or fifteen strong, rode into town
and made an attack on the Strongs; thirty
or forty shots were discharged, two taking
effect on William and Daniel Freeman. the
former being shot through the body and the
latter through the head. They were re-
moved late in the evening to their homes,
several miles up the river. Daniel Free
man Is recovering, but William is dead
Strong and his followers received no injuries,
but barricaded themselves in little log
cabin, about one hundred yards from the
courthouse, where they had previously
stacked their arms. Altman and his party
sought shelter IN the courthouse and
A REGULAR INTERCHANGE OF SHOTS
was kept up during the whole of the after
noon. One of the Freeman's, who fell in the
middle of the street when shot, was forced
to lie there for two hours, his friends fearing
to attempt his removal. During this strife
hldeous yells and shouts of defiance could be
heard from both parties. The next morning
Tuesday it was discovered that Altman aud
his party had withdrawn from the court
house aCd quartered themselves near the
river bank, while Strong and his men held
their fort uutaken. About ten O'Clock Strong
retired, and soon thereafter Struggling
drunken men, we'll armed, began to parade
the streets in defiance OF all law and order.
1t was,soon whispered that the guard which
had been sent to Lexington, nnder charge Of
the sheriff, to bring back Jason Little,
CHARGED WITH wIFE-MU RDER,
would soon. return and an effort would be
made to release the prisoner. a willing
leader was found in justice Of the peace,
named J. G. B. Allen, supported by the Lit
ties, Crawfords and others, numbering
about forty, who ioitered about the streets
impatiently waiting for the guard to appear
Judge Randall, to defeat the aim OF the mob,
had the deputy-sheriff and county judge to
detail an extra guard of fifteen men who
went under the leadership of the county
judge, Jno. w. Burnett. About three o'clock
in the afternoon they returned with the
prisoner and safely confined him in jail.
The guard numbering about twenty-five we'll
armed mer, no effort at a release was made,
but Immediately after the guard returned
from the Jail to the street and began to dis
perse, thinking the danger was over, Craw- !
ford and Little began
AN ATTACK ON JUDGE BURNETT,
threatening 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 quarter. During the dis
charge 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 mob as it gained |
advantage. Allen and his men being IN the
courthouse yard, sought shelter behind the
clerk 5 Office and IN the courtroom, while the
guard retreated up the street to the point
where Strong and his men were barricaded. |
The forces now numbered some thirty or forty
on each side. The men were all well armed
with the latest improved Colts navy repeat
ers, Spencer and Ballard rifles, and, being
good shots, could kill man from one TO two
hundred yards, wherever he might appear.
During the picket shooting posse of Aliens
men, 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
quel the riot, but was suddenly shot through
the body, which caused the jai-breakers to
desist. The Allen party deserted the court
house last night, and the sheriff and posse
took possession, thus commanding the door
to the jail. No court has been held In the
circuit court, as the judge suddenly disap
peared this morning before seven O'Clock,
leaving no orders as to the disposition of the
prisoner, Little. A 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 a hasty re
treat. The latest news from Breathitt is
special to the Lexington Press, dated Mount
Sterling. November 30tb, which states that
Jackson Is still in possession of the mob, but
that the champions Of the law are In posses
sion of the courthouse and Jail. Picket
firing Is kept up, and many citizens have
been killed and wounded. No action has
yet been taken by the governor.