The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-11-16
VOLUME XVIII.---NO. Is.
A Serious Riot In Kentucky.

On the 1st Instant, while q BODY OF
Kentucky State troops were guarding
two prisoners, Neal and Croft, who were
being transported by boat from Ashland
TO Catlettsburg, the boat was fred upon
by mob having for their object the res.
cue of the prisoners. The troops re.
turned the fire, and five persons, citizens
of Ashland, were killed.
Upon the return of the troops TO Lex
ington, the commanding officer, Major
Allen, made the following statement :
On Wednesday neon the order was given
Tor the troops to move down TO the river
front. Maj Allen, having learned in
the meantime, that mob from Ashland
was on i;s way 10 Cht.ettsburg, the troops
were marched down TO the river front
aud the prisoners marching with guard
detail and with two companies. The re.
mainder Of the troops were posted on the
hill wiiiGh commands the river front.
The different companies had hardly been
placed in position, when train arrived
from Ashland, consisting Of one locomo-
tive engine, one or two passenger cars.
and five or six fiat cans closely packed
with mob from Ashland. A delegation
of some % or 80 men approached the
troops and called for Major Allen. The
committee representing the men said
that they came from Ashland for the
purpose Of taking Neal and Cron, pesce.
ably if possible. if not then by force :;
that they were 1000 strong and coul !:
overpowcE the troops easily. Their de.
mand was poremp;orily refused. The
committee then stated that if the troops
escaped from Catiettshurg with tho pris.
oners they would be met Mt Ashland by
at least 1000 or $500 men supported by
boat containing four cannon. The
troops were then Withdrawn to the steam.
er Granite State which arrived under
cover Of tho cannon, which was fuced
towards the mob until every soldier had
embarked and which was then dragged
down the hill aud into the boat. The
boat then left for Ashland with the
troops and prisoners, and at the came
time the mob boarded the train and
started towards Ashland.
When the boat arrived within a few
miles of Ashlsnd the train came in sight.
and ran along the track which skirts the
river front ut that point. A greet mum.
Der OF shots were fired from tie train at
the soldiers. They were not responded
to by the troops. Just al the Granite
State approached Ashland Is ferry boat
containing, it il supposed, about 100 men
armed with muskeis, rifles and shot guns
approached the Granite State. The ferry
boat whis.led signal to stop. which the
Granite Statc did not heed. When near.
ly opposite the Granite State, and from
200 to 800 yards distant q great many
shots were fired from the ferry boat Mt
the troops, wounding several Of the sol.
uipry The Cnn,D,nnI UNA e. A.
troops to return the fire which they did.
aud quick and spirited conflict cnsued
fer four or five minutes. The smoke.
stack and hurricancdeck of the Granite
State were well perforated by tho bul.
lets from the mob. Four or five soldicrs
were wounded, though none seriously.
The fire Of the troops was directed en-.
tirely at the ferry boat containing the
mob, not ut the crowd collected on the
bank, which WAS very large and enthusi.
astic in supporting tho mob on the ferry
boat. If persons standing on The ta;I
were injured it was through cnrelessness
in being SO near to lawless mob attack.
ing State troops, aud not because the
troops tired at them. In the engagement
the ferry boat was soon silenced, and af:
ter the mob on her had ceased to fire not
single shot was fired by the troops.
The commanding officer, while regretting
that he had to take such strong and
deadly measures, feels that they were
forced upon him, and the responsibility
!"- !he unfortunate results :cs:s cH:;rS!7
upon the men who attempted to take the
law into their own hands.
On the arrival Of the guards from Cat.
lettsburg to Frankfort they were welcom.
ed by formal address, In which their
conduct WAS approved. Gov. Blackburn
says he sent the troops to Catlettsburg
upon the application Of Judge Brown,
aud while deeply sorry for the dead and
wounded, he could not lay the blame on
the troops and if application is made in
February he will send twelve regiments
if necessary to uphold the law.