St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-11-17
A FAMILY FEUD.
Thirty Years Of Hate and Blood
Wiped Away in an Hour.

u DAOoS
Wiped Away in an Hour.
ss-sS
I had been told that I could save
three miles by making a short cut on
the road to Bibbsf place, and Il had
come within mile Of his house, and
the hour was about four in the after
noon. when l got q sudden surprise. !
was emerging from u ravine to the
main trail when four men suddenly
sprang out at me from behind n mass
Of rock. One was old and white
haired, though still vigorous. while
the others were men Of middle-age.
All had guns and knives. and a tough
looking lot they wers as they surround
ed me. There was moment of silence
as We surveyed each other. and then
one OF the men asked:
''Who be yOu'un?"
told him.
''Oh. yes." he replied. as he held
out his hand. so you'un is he'un. be
it? Glad to see you. "We'uns hev all
heard of you'un."
All shook hands with me and passed
the time Of day. and presently asked:
.'Out for hunt?"
"Yes."
After bear?'
Bigger nor that stranger!"
All chuckled as II highly pleased.
and after enjoying my embarrassment
for q minute the spokesman said:
I'VE mought AK We to mix in. stran-
ger, but it's none o your consider"
What is it?'
Were huntin' Hank Bibbs an his
pap" ...-..-. &
Going to kill them?"
If We kin. That's what we're yere
xur. That's why we're come from
t'other side of the big hill"
why, was on my way to Bibbs."
Reckon ye were stranger. That's
why We stopped We. Didn't want ye to
suffer in the scrimmage."
1t was q feud-a vendetta Ireal-
ized it now. They had set out to kill
men just as you would kill pigeons.
Tell me about this" said. as We
sat down on a rock and passed out
some tobacco.
WALL" replied the spokesman.
''me'n the old man ar Carters. The
others jined in to help. We've bin
down on the Bibbs fur-let's see-how
long is it. pap:"
"A year afo' the wah." answered the
old man.
Call It thirty years." resumed the
son. That's right smart, I reckon.
And. we've killed four on 'em-four of
the Bibbs. And they've killed three Of
us-three Of the Carriers! Thar hasn't
bin any scrimmage of late, cause
Hank Bibbs has been gone and l have
bin gone. and the old folks here got
mOas too old. But Hank has cum back.
and hev cum back. and SO we reck-
oned on gwine over thar and wipin'
the last of 'em out"
''How did this affair start? What was
the beginning?"
The start! Let's see! 1t goes back
too far fur me. Say, pap. what begun
this yere fuss?'
Jim Bibbs pizened my mewl. cause
I bsat him chopin"
Are you sure of it?'' asked.
''Shore? OF course I'm shore! The
mewl was found dead. and il Jim
Bibbs didn't pizen him who did?"
but was he poisoned?"
III not what made him die?"
perhaps he was sick. or got fall.
or died Of old age"
Say. pap" said the son. ''praps
that was the way Of it."
''Mought be, Cyrus I never thort
Of It."
Look here, men."I said after We
had talked q little further. this thing
Is all wrong and I want 10 see it
righted. l want to see Bibbs before
you do any shooting"
"What fur?"
ITO see what he has against you.
and to see II you can't be friends. You
have all been wrong from the star"
But didn't my. mewl die?" asked
the old man.
''Yes. but you didn't know that one
Of the Bibbs' was within . dozen miles
Of him Did you try to find out II
they were guiAy?a
Il hadn't no show. jist took down
the gun and peppeed Bill Bibha!u Then
one OF his brothers peppered my son
Enos. and 30 we've been pepperin'
ever since"
"And all about IN old muler'
''Well, nevis was skace then, and it
was the principle Of the thing, 70 sec.
Meb he we've been too firstly (hasty),
but the Abbs' hain't never cum 70 talk
O.