The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-06-03
BULLETS AND BOWIEs.
Famous Florida Family FenS Rero
cionsly Tinfahed

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, May CA few
years ago Colonel West and Captain
I.angford we're the two most prominent
citizens in Madison county. this State
A dispute over land matters caused
feud between the two families, hns no
violence resulted Both of the men
died few years ago, each leaving three
sons The family antipathy still sur
Vived, however. Last fall it was inCen-
sified by a series of bitterly personal
political articles published by William
LangfOrd and John West, respectively,
in the two rival political papers of Mad
lson After the campaign the Vests and
Langfords held friendly conference a
Thomasville, Georgia. for the purpose
of adjusting their family differences
in manner compatible with the honor
of each. 1t was believed in the conf
munity that the conference had sue
cessful result. Yesterday, however, the
feud eliminated in fatal encounter be-
tween the three Langford brothers on
one side end the three West brothers on
the other. The scene of the conflict was
the greensward in front of
HICKORY GROVE CHURCH,
TWENTY-FIVE miles from Madison, in a
part of the country not reached by rail-
roads or Geographic communication.
Sunday school was in progress within
the church when the battle began, and
the members of the rival families were
among the teachers. The three Lang
ford brothers were standing beneath a
tree in front of the church when John
and Eugene West came driving up in a
buggy. William I.angford arose and
went to meet the vehicle, as if to speak
to the occupants. A minute later pistol
shots rang ont in the air. Reports as to
who fred first are conflicting, and 1t will
probably never known. Those who
rushed out of the church to learn what
was the matter saw Eugene West leap
up in his buggy and fall over the wheels
to the ground in dying condition. a
| bullet had entered his back and passed
entirely through his body, lodging Just
! beneath the skin of the right breast
His left shoulder was terribly hacked
with a knife At this juncture the
| third of the Vests joined his brothers.
Two OF three men rushing out of the
Sunday school eSsayed to check the Im-
pending conflict, but a fusiliade In winch
all the combatants took part compelled
me WOUlO-Dt w oOOHA NtAA@St
in fight. A panic seized the women
and children. and they 81
FLED. SCREAMING N EVERY DIRECTION.
Thirty-fYe or forty shots were fred by
the belligerents at close range as rapidly
as they could pull their triggers. VIM
Langford was pierced bs seven bullets,
and expired on the ground while the
conflict was still progressing. Babe
Langford was shot through the bowels
| kidneys and right arm, and fell to the
ground. but continued firing with his
left hand until the chambers OF ms
weapon were emphed. Taft Langforo
was shot through the head, but the
physician SAYS that he may survive thC
wound though death Is probable: john
West was terribly cut about the hip:
with a knife. to disembowel him appar
entity being the aim o. his antagonist
/ Abraham Vests back shows a. serie'
OF stabs from the shoulders to the hips
but he will recover. News of the aftail
was brought TO Madison this morning
and the coroner has gone to hold an in
quest. Each OF the families has Tid'
circle of relatives by marriage, and Their
are fears that the affair may lead to ST.,
more serious encounters.