New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-03
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
THE ASHLAND TRAGEDY
MAJOR ALIENS STATEMENT.


Allen, made the following statement: The motion,
for change Of venue having been granted by Judge
Brown and the case removed 10 Carter County, an
order was issued directing the Sheriff in connection
with the State Guards TO convey the prisoners back
to Lexington for safe confinement. During that af-
ternoon there were a good many rumors to the ef-
feet that large crowds were congregating at Ash
land preparatory 70 coming to Catlettsburg that
night and taking the prisoners. Craft and
Neal. A telegram was received by Major
Allen from official of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad, stating that mob had taken
possession of the tools of the railroad secton-hands
at Ashland, and the telegram states, evidently
meaning mischief" Another telegram was received
by the Major. stating that the mob had torn up the
track at Ashland. believing that the troops would
return that night with the prisoners Major Allen
had for his command return tickets the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad, and intended TO go back
that way; but believing it 10 be unsafe. he made
arraneements through his quartermaster with the
captain of the Granite State, which went up
to Huntington that evening, to take them on her
return trip to Maysville. That night the troops.
in expectation of an attack from a mob from Ash
land, were under the strIctest guard. Eighteen
men. who were relieved every two hours, guarded
every street approaching the Court House. and
mounted pickets were posted at different points of
the town under the command of Captain Murphy.to
apprse the troops Of the approach of any mob.
Nothing occurred that night except the firing by
some party of pistols and guns in the
neighbOrhoOd of the quarters Of the troops which
caused them to turn out four or five times during
the night, believing attack imminent. On
Wednesday. at noon, the order was gwen for tho
troops TO move down 10 the river front, Major AL
len having learned In the meantime that a mob
from Ashland was on its way to Catettsburg Tho
I
prisoners marching with guard detail and with
two companies to assist in guarding them to the
wharfboat. The remainder of the troops posted
onjthe hill which commands the river front. The
Louisville Light Artillery, commanded by Lieuten-
ant Bligh was placed facing the depot at which the
mob was expected to arrive, and commanding two
of the street leading to the river 'front.' The
McCrary Guards were posted on each side of the
cannon to support the artillery. The Lexington
Guards posted at the corner of another street
at right angles to the river front, to prevent any
flank movement by the mob. The remain
der of the troops placed behind
the Alger House which faces the river, ready to
wheel into line around the corner take the
place of the McCrary Guards in supporting the ar
tllery, in case the latter guards should be DIS
abled.
This position had hardly been taken before O
train arrived from Ashland consisting Of loco
motive engine, or two passenger cars and five
or six fat cars closely packed with mob from
Ashland. This train stopped in full view of the
artillery and McCrary Guards, A delegation OF
some twenty-five or thirty men approached the
troops and called for Major Allen. He ad-
vanced toward them, about 100 yards in front
of the troops. The committee representing the mob
! said to him that they came from Ashland for tho
purpose of taking Neal aud Craft. that they came
| Is
peaceably, if possible; if not then by force; that
they 900 strong In the train and could over
power the troops easily. Their demand per-
emptOrily refused and Major Allen stated that the
troops came simply for the purpose of upholding
the law and in obedience to orders, and
not to bulldoze, or impose upon the rights
of any county that they did not desire difficulty
with anybody, especially Kentuckians, and would
not participate in any difficulty unless 1t forced
upon them and that if any difficulty occurred the
responsibility for the results must rest upon the
mob. The committee then stated that If the troops
escaped from Catlettsburg with the prisoners they
would be met at Ashland by at least 1000 or $500
determined men, supported by boat containg four
cannon. The interview then ended. The troops
were Withdrawn to the steamer Granite state,
under cover of the cannon. which faced toward
the mob until every soldier had embarked.
The boat then started for Ashland with the troops
and prisoners, and at the same time the mob
boarded the train and started toward Ashland.
When the boat arrived within mile OF Ashland
the train came in sight, and ran along the track
which skirts the river front at that point at tho
same speed as the boat. A great number of shots
were fred from the train at the soldiers but the
range was too far and the shots fell too short to
cause any damage. The shots were not responded
to by the troops the commanding officer ordering
that no shot should be fired until 1t became neces-
sary as a means of defence.
As the Granite State approached Ashland ferry
boat containing it Is supposed, about 100 men
armed with muskets. rifles and shotguns. steamed
from the land and approached the Granite State.
The ferryboat whistled signal to stop, which the
Granite State did not heed, but passed on When
nearly opposite to the Granite state, and 200 from
TO 800 yards distant, great many shots were hred
from the ferryboat at the troops, woundng several
of the soldiers The command was then given TOR
quick and spirited conflict ensued for four or i've
minutes The smoke stacks and hurricane-decS
of the Granite State were well-perforated by shd
bullets from the mob. Four or five
soldiers were wounded though none
seriously The fire of the troops was directed en-
tlrelv at the ferryboat containing the mob, not at
the crowd collected on the bank, which was very
large, and apparently very enthusiastic In support
ing the mob on the ferry boat. IL persons standing
on the bank injured. 1t was through careless
ness in being so near To lawless mob attack
ing State troops and not because the troops hred at
them. In the engagement, the Terry DOat was SOON
silenced, and after the mob on her had ceased TO
fire. hot a single shot fired by the troops.
The commanding officer, while regretting that be
was compelled to take such strong and deadly
measures feels that they were forced upon him, and
that the responsibility for the unfortunate results
rests entirely upon the who attempted To take
tho law into their own hands Many shots were
fired before and during the conflict by persons on
the opposite side of the river at short range, but
was by individuals and not by organized bodies,
and their shots not returned by the soldiers
THE STORY TOLD BY THE BOATS CLERK
EFFORTS To AVOID THE MoB-How THE FIRING BE.
GAN-THE ACTION OF THE TROOPS DEFENDER.