Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-12-06
A Desperate Fight in Kentucky.
LExNaroN. KY.. Nov. 30.


LExNGToN, KY, Nov. 30.
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 a bad
reputation for lawlessness, and it is not
a great while since detachment of the
State guard was required to preserve or
der. The present trouble resulted from a
collision between two rival bands OF out
laws, one under Capt. Bill Strong of
Home Guard fame, and the other under
Jack Aikman. The Strong party took
possession of the town on Monday,
committing many acts of lawlessness
and getting reckless from drink. Dur
ing 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 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
a little log cabin, about 100 yards from
the court house, where they had pre-
viously stacked their arms. Aikman
and his party sought shelter in the
court house, and a regular interchange
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 attempt
his removal. During this strife hide
Gus yell and shouts of defiance could be
heard from both parties. The next
morning (Tuesday) it was discovered
that Aikman and party had withdrawn
from the court house and quartered
themselves near the river bank, while
Strong and his clan held their fort un.
taken. About ten o'clock Strong re-
tired, and soon thereafter struggling
drunken men, well-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, under charge of the Sheriff
to bring back Jason Little, charged
with wife-murder, would soon return
and an effort would be made to release
the prisoner.
A willing leader was found in Jus
tice of the Peace, named j. G. B. Allen
supported by the Littles, Crawfords
and others, numbering about forty, wh'
loitered about the streets, impatientll
waiting for the guard to appear. judge
Randall, to defeat the aim of the mob
had the Deputy Sheriff and Count,
Judge detail an extra guard of fifteel
men, who went under the leadership o
the County Judge, John w. Burnett
J About three o'clock p. m. they returne,
/ with the prisoner and safely confne,
: him in jail, the guard numbering abou
twenty-five well-armed men. N
i effort at a release was made, but i'm
mediately after the guard returned
from the Jail to the street and began t
dispense, thinking the danger was over
Crawford and Little began an attack o
9 Judge Burnett, threatening to take HI
life. Excitement began to run higf
Yell after yell rent the air and suddenl
, /, a volley was poured in on the guarC
: who, taken by surprise, sought shelte
at every quarter. During the discharg
of this volley, Judge Burnett was she
through the heart and instantly killed
Then a constant fire was begun an
was kept up during the whole evening
}. amid the diabolical yclls of the victor
: Gus mob as it gained the advantag
9 point.
= Allen and his men being in the cour
: house yard sought shelter behind til
= Clerks Office and in the courtroom
n while the guard retreated up the stree
e to the point where Strong and his ella
a were barricaded. The forces now nun
g bered some thirty or forty on each sid
}, The men were all well armed with IL
II latest improved Colts navy repeater
II good shots, could kill their man fro
:, 100 to 200 yards wherever he might a.
q pear. During the picket shooting
G posse of Aliens clan, with axes, q
tempted to break open the Jail do
and rescue the prisoner. At this poi
# Tom Little, of Compton, brother
n Jason Little, appeared upon the seer
y of the conflict, and made an effort
!. quell the riot, but was suddenly sh
# through the body, which caused the jai
~ breakers to desist. The Allen par
"a deserted the court house last night, al
- the sheriff and posse took possessio
If thus commanding the door TO the ia
a No court has been held, and the Circl
p Court Judge suddenly disappeared tt
20 morning, before O'clock, leaving
ar orders as to the disposition of the pr
Ia oner Little.
,s The latest news from Breathitt is
If a special to the Lexington Press, dat
rs Mount Sterling, Nov. 80, which stat
,e that Jackson is still in possession of t
,e mob but that the champions of the Ia
n, are in possession of the court house a
re jail. Picket firing is kept up, and ma
If citizens have been killed and wounde
$. No action has yet been taken by
Governor.