The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-14
Anarchy in Kentucky.

LEXINGTON, KY, Nov. 80.
JACKSON, the county seat of Breathitt
County, distant about ninety miles from
Mt. Sterling, has been the scene of a
serious outbreak and bloodshed during
the past week. The place has bad
reputation for lawlessness, and it is not
great while since detachment of the
State guard was required to preserve or
der. The present trouble results from a
collision between two rival bands of out
laws, one under Captain Bill Strong of
Home Guard fame, and the other I'M
der Jack Altman. The Strong party
took possession of the town on Mon
day, committing many acts of lawless-
ness and getting reckless from drink.
During the afternoon the Altman par
ty, twelve or fifteen strong, rode into
town and made an attack on the
Strongs. Thirty or forty shots were
discharged, two taking effect on Will
lam and Daniel Freeman, the former
being shot through the body, the latter
through the head. They were removed
late in the evening to their homes, sew
eral 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 court house, where they
had previously stacked their arms.
Altman and his party sought shelter
in the court house, and regular inter
change of shots was kept up during the
whole afternoon. One of the Freemans,
who fell in the middle of the street
when shot, was forced to lie there for
two hours, his friends fearing to at
tempt his removal. During this strife
hideous yells and shouts of defiance
could be heard from both parties. The
next morning (Tuesday) it was dis
covered that Altman and party had
withdrawn from the court house and
quartered themselves 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 defiance
whispered that the guard which had
been sent to Lexington, under charge
of the sheriff, to bring back Jasan Lit
tie, charged with wife-murder, would
soon return, and an effort would be
made to release the prisoner.
A willing leader was found in a
Justice of the Peace named j. c. B.
Allen, supported by the Littles, Craw-
fords and others, numbering about
forty, who loitered 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 detail an extra
guard of fifteen men, who went under
the leadership of the County Judge,
John w. Burnett. About three o'clock
p. m, they returned with the prisoner
and safely confined him in Jail, the
guard numbering about twenty-five
well-armed men. No effort at q re-
lease was made, but Immediately after
the guard returned from the Jail to the
street and began to dispense, thinking
the danger was over Crawford and Lit
tie began an attack on Judge Burnett,
threatening to take his life. Excite
ment began to run high. Yell after
yell rent the air and suddenly volley
was poured in on the guard, who, taken
by surprise, sought shelter at every
quarter. During the discharge of this
volley Judge Burnett was shot through
the heart and instantly killed Then a
constant fire was begun and kept up
during the whole evening, amid the
diabolical ,yells of the, victorious mob
as it gained the advantage point. p
Allen and his men being in the court
house 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 num-
bered some thirty or forty on each side.
The men were all well armed with the
latest improved Colts navy repeaters,
Spencer and Ballard rifles, and being
good shots, could kill their man from
100 to 200 yards wherever ne might
appear. During the picket shooting a
posse of Aliens clan, with axes, at