Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-09


From ne Ns,c York Ylncs.
PHILADELPHIA July 5.-The Kentucky
troops who participated in the national
encampment at Paramount Park expect
to see lively times when they get home
They believe they viii be ordered tc
Rowan county to assist in suppressine
the riot that has been raging there with
more or less yirulence for several months.
The Rowan war is an outgrowth OF the
old Underwood Holbrook feud. An officer
of the Third Kentucky Regiment gave the
following graphic account Of the troubles
10 8 Philadelphia Times reporter:
John Martin, who heads one of the fac
lions, was indirectly at tho bottom Of the
Underwood war, during which thirty
men lost their lives, and the male MEM
beers OF the Underwood family were all
killed Martin is the son of a respectable
farmer, and was at one time clerk Of the
Rowan County Court and the proprietor
of a large store at Moreheed, the county
seat Early in 1877 Martin tell into bad
company, and in a few months dissipa-
ton and cards compelled him 10 give up
his store. Soon after his failure in bust
ness be was accused Of classifying and
mutilating the records of the County
Court in the interest Of rising politi-
clan. who was known to be his friend,
and, the fact being pretty we'll estab-
lished, he was defeated Tor the office at the
next election.
In the spring of 1876 Martin was ar
rested in Mason county for horse stealing,
and, being released on bail, went buck 10
Rowan. Old George Underwood the
father Of the Underwood boys, lived at
Olive Hin, which is just across the line
Ia. al Hfl A
piece OF land, and the latter began 10
make a crop, living meanwhile at Under
woods house, whittier he had brought
his young wife. one might some h0rees
were stolen in the neigbbOrhoOd. and
Squire Elijah Holbrook. who was Under
woods nearest neighhOr, accused John
Martin and Jesse UnderW God Of stealing
them. lie consulted with his friends and,
after several meetings, notice was sent
To old man Underwood that Martin must
go. Martins wife was sick, and Under
wood told him he could stay until she got
better. This defiance 0l the orders of
Judge Lynch incensed the Holbrooks, and
war was declared. Several Of the Under
wood boys were shot down, George I'm
derwood's house was besieped, and Jesse,
his favorlte son, was compelled to take to
the bush.
The section of country in which this
happened IS heavily timbered, rough and
rocky. Bodies of armed men. swearing
allegiance to one or the other Of the two
factions, patroled the country, and Skin
mishes and battles were of daily occur
ence. The Governor ordered two cOmpa-
MES of State troops TO the scene, but they
were p0werless TO quell the disturbance.
The H0lbrOOks insisted that the Under
woods and their friends must leave Ken
lucky, and the latter were equally deter
mined to stay.
For two years the HOlbrOOks kept up
the seige, aud George UnderwO0d's double
log house became famous as Fort I'M
wood" One night in 1850 the old man
Ventured out into the yard to secure an
arntul OF wood. He was fired upon and
severely wounded. Jesse was in the vi
entity, and word was sent 90 him that his
father was wounded. The next night he
stealthily approached the house, but was
discovered by tue Holbruuks and shot
down just as he was entering the door.
The women dragged him into the room
amid a shower OF lead. Before morning
he died, and when his young wife gave
utterance to a loud vail Of agony and the
other women Joined her with loud cries
OF grief, the listening Holtrooks set up an
eXultant shout and, dlscharging their
rifles, they posted notices on the trees
along the road warning everybody oi
pain OF death To keep away from ne.
Underwood, ana no one was found brave
enough 10 dis0bey the mandate.
For three days and nights the weeping
women and children in that old log h0us.
kept guard over the dead body Of their
kInsmGu, and old George Underwood, deB-
perately wounded, cmtched his rife with
firm hand and refused to surrender. On
the fourth night party OF masked men
came TO the door of the house and de-
manded admitt8nce.
I'VE learn that Jesse is dead, - said the
leader, land We want TO see il it is so. II
he Is really dead we viii 20 away, and
there Will he no more fighting"
Old man Underwood would have detied
them, but the women prevailed upon him
70 treat with the party outside, and he
finally agreed to hand out his arms and
open the door TO them. they promising
not TO modest any one il Jesse were really
dead. Seven of the men entered the
house, and one of them, lifting the clCth
from Jesse UnderwOOd's face. identified
him as the dreaded outlaw. Old George
Underwood sat on the bed watching
them His little granddaughter nesCled
beside him, holding his band. The in
NSdlQg party disguised their voices. but
the old man recognized one of them and
called him by name. With an oath the
rufiian stepped up behind Underwood and
emptied both barrels of his shotgun into
tue ueitnsVitab mans poNY. lie Tell Tor
ward into the arms of his grandchild
without groan, and with coarse Jest
and a wild hurrah the murderers fed
from the house.
FOr the time being hOstilitieb were sus-
pended, and the women and children Of
me dead Underw00ds left that section OF
Kentucky. John Martin took up bis head
quarters ~ mOonshIne distillery on
'Possum ridge, overlooking the little viii
lage known as Liking City. He was ar
rested several times for Illicit distilling,
but always managed to eyade the penalty
when brought TO trial. About three
months ago he quarreled with one OF the
Underwood faction at Morenead and shot
him dead. The war TeOpened and since
that time Rowan county has been at the
mercy Of two lawless factions thirsting
for each others blood. The Sheriff OF the
county, and the Marshal OF Morehend
have been killed, and it is estimated that
nine out OF every ten men IN the county
take sides with one or the other OF the
two factions. IL is 10 dispense these
rioters and restore order that the Ken.
lucky troops will march into Rowan. A.
one Of the Louisville men said. "We have
been playing soldier here. When we get
back home Wen 20 at it in earnest"
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