Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-11-06
A KENTUCKY FBUD.
THE STORY OF THE UNDERwooD-HoL


1t was just at the close of the war that
| first heard of the Underwoods, and
met two of the boys, Jesse and Alfred.
During my outlawry | drifted about
through the mountains, seeking an
avenue of escape, and late in November,
1865, was at Hamilton's s X Roads, Elliott
county. KY. One day, shortly after my
arrival, two young men mounted on
mules and heavily armed were pointed
out to me as "the Underwood boys,n
and recollect the fact quite vividly now
from recent events with which the name
Underwood has been connected. When
| saw them in Elliott county, the WAR
was as yet desultory skirmish. l
think / made some inquiry as to who
and what they were, and was told that
they were from Carter county, Ky, had
been home guards" in sympathy with
the Union, and had distinguished them
selves by several daring raids. Once
they entered Maysville, Ky, from which
this is written. There were thirty-five
of them, and they rode into town in mid
day over the Fleminsburg pike. They
sacked general stores and rode their
horses right through one clothing house
on the corner of Second and Market
streets.
10CJ NClO ~ 2o ldIllly, all M6EG
skilled in the use of firearms; all were
brave and reckless, and it is not to be
wondered that they made enemies. 1t
was only few days after the two broth
ers were pointed out to me at the X
roads that Alfred Underwood, in par
ticular, found the climate of Carter
county unhealthy for him, and, follow
ing the advice of the great ChapDaqua
farmer-editor, 'went West" 1t has
been several times reported that he was
dead, had been killed; but it is pretty
certain that he is alive and still dam
gerous shot with the rifle and revolver.
Some think that if he has not already
returned to Kentucky, he soon will, to
avenge the death of his kinsmen.
In 1867 or '68 Jesse Underwood be-
came involved in quarrel at Owings-
vile, Bath county. Old John Rob-
inson's circus was Eplaying in the
town, and large crowd was in attend
ance. Large quantities of Bourbon
whisky were consumed, and it was in
bar-room that the quarrel began. Words
led to threats, threats to blows, and in
the heat of passion he drew his revolver
and fired, killing young man named
Trumbo. He has always said that he
fired at another man, and had not the
slightest intention of killing Trumbo,
toward whom he bore no ill-feeling
During the excitement over the killing
he escaped from the town and made his
way to Carter county, where he 60 took
the bush and for long time defied the
authorities. Finally he slipped out of
the State, and locating in Iowa, re-
mained there several years
In the winter of 1877 John r. Taber
1rtI taA IN
city marshal of Maysville, KY, between
that place and Cincinnati, charged with
horse-stealing. Taber had at one time
been a prosperous merchant in Hills
boro, Ky. A passion for whisky and
cards soon swept away his property,
however, and it is said that to procure
the withal to crafty these propensities
he several times overstepped the bounds
of law. In 1870 he settled in Morehead,
he county seat of Rowan, and speedily
making friends, was elected clerk Of the
circuit court. In 1874 he became fa-
nous in Kentucky by being charged with
mutilating the records, of which he was
custodian, in the interests of one Of the
present appellate judges. This charge
hanging over his head caused his defeat
at the next election. Shortly thereafter
he became involved in a personal diff
Guilty with hotel proprietor in the town,
and was in consequence compelled to
leave Morehead. 1t was while be was
wandering around that the alleged crime
OF horse stealing was committed. His
companion, John Martin, was at the
| time ofthe arrest under indictment for
killing man named Blair, brother of
Martins brothers wife, for which be
was afterwards acquitted.
| Taber and Martin were admitted to
bail and pending their trial went to Car
ter county, rented few acres of land
from one of the Underwoods and COM
menced hard work to raise crop
| A short distance from where they
were located lived family named
Stamper. One morning some horses
| belonging to the Stanpers were missing
and Martin and Taber were charged
with their theft. They denied the fact,
and no positive proof being had against
them they were not arrested. This did
not satisfy the Stamper party, and they
notified Martin and T tber to leave the
country instantly, at the same time
warning the Underwoods not to harbur
them. Taber LETT at once and, it is
stated. is now in the West. Martin s
wife was sick at the time and he did
not 60. His family were stopping with
one of the Underwoods, who was a
second tim . ordered to send John Martin
l. -.