Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-01-30

guard, etc. On the 18th Of this month
they proceeded to the border, hoping tney
would not meet with the opposing gang
and thereby endsnger the lives OF the men,
but that their presence on the border
would serve to keep the lawless set out OF
our county and serve as protection 10
women, children and property. But IN
this they were sadly mistaken. On the
evening of the 10Th, at q time when tne
guard was divided up and at different
houses st or near the mouth of Grapevine
creek, in this county, Phillips and his
gang, twenty-one in number, armed with
Winchesters, crossed the river, and snort
distance from the mouth OF Grapevine
creek, in this county, began firing on the
guard, who were going to house for their
supper. ,.l..
"The constable then informed them that
he was al officer of this county, that ne
had a warrant for their arrest, and COM
manded them to surrender. Tney contin'
ued to fire until our brave little squad
HAD TO FIGHT OR BE KILLED.
Several shots were exchanged, which re-
suited in the killing of VIM. ID. Dempsey,
one Of the guard, who was shot hrst III the
leg, and when, by a flank movement the
battle ground was changed, six OF the
Kentucky gang rushed upon the dying boy
and while he was praying them not to XIII
him, Frank Phillips shot him through the
head. Frank Phillips afterwards told
man in Kentucky that he made the shot
and intended to do them all that way. The
scoundrsls stole from the pockets OF the
dead boy a silk handkerchief and 81 5O In
money, and also arrested and carried across
the river with them foolish boy for the
purpose of making him tell if johnson
Hatfield was dead.
"After the. battle was over they shot at
French Ellis wife, who was standing IN
the door, and who they took to be the
wife of Capt. Hatfield. They told her II
she did not come to them they would kill
her. This is the second time she has saved
her life at their hands by begging that she
be allowed to live on account of her baby.
THE boys on the West Virginia side
showed good pluck. They
CHARGED THR KENTUCKY GANG,
who numbered five to one, distance OF
about one hundred yards, when the enemy
took shelter behind rock fence, trees and
bank, and then Harry Thompson, Will
Floyd and five others stood in an open
field and fought them, until they were
compelled to retreat on account of flank
movement by the Kentucky gang. OF the
Kentucky party Bud Mccoy was fatally
shot during the encounter.
pike county is entirely at the mercy
OF the desperadOes that infest it. They
have stopped the mails between Pike G.
II. and this place, and lawlessness reigns
supreme"
The Logan county gentlemen who are
in Charleston have not had much to say.
Reported interviews with them are mere
exaggerations. To get the West Virginia
side of the trouble it is only necessary to
look over the files of the REGISTER. Gov
ernOr Wilson and the Logan people say il
is the only paper that has printed anything
like accurate reports of the disturbances,
feeling and true situation OF affairs and
real position occupied by the Haftields o.
West Virginia and the McCoys OF Ken
tucky. The Logan war news has abolished
politics for the present.