The sun., 1889-11-29
EAST KENTUCKY IN TERROR.
raE HlTFIELDS lEoUSED BIZ TIE m
PENDING FATE OF FOUR MEN,

others VIII 60 60 Prison for Life-Ths
Hataeids CombininE 10 Save the Prts-
ouers-Court Oaieers Badly Seared-Ths
,Judge Afraid TO Hold Court, and the
ProseoutInG Attorney Resigns.
CINCINNATI, Nov. 28.- The famous Hat
held-McCoy feud that has terrorized tho law
abiding citizens in Eastern Kentucky has
broken out airesh. and another wholesale
slaughter is looked for at any moment. The
Information reached this city to-day through
Government secret service detectives who were
driven out OF the commonwealth by the noto-
rious Hatfield gang. The detectives were in
consultation all day with the United States
authorities at Covington across the river
and left last night to hold another
conference with Gen. Buokner. The stories as
told By the Government officers nre almost in
credible. Judges are driven from the bench,
prosecutors threatened with death. and other
high officials compelled to resign In order to
avoid prosecuting the members Of the gang
now In custody. The scene OF the feud is sew
enty-flve miles from any railroad or telegraph
station, consequently Information is hard to
obtain. The news brought by the Government
officers is the first reliable news for many
months.
On last Saturday the Court Of Appeals OF
Kentucky decided that ono OF the Hatheds
there are signs OF another outbreak among the
outlaws OF Eastern kentucky. Judge Lilly OF
Estill county is afraid to take direct routes to
the courts In his district. for fear Of being am
bushed by some OF the people who have threat
ened TO take his life on more than one occa-
sion. The Judge is now holding court in
Whitesburg. In Lechter county. In order to
escape his enemies ho went over $50 miles out
OF his way to reach that place.
The Commemorative attorney Mr.. Marrs
hes also been threatened with death II he did
any prosecuting, and o few days ago he ten
dered his resignation as Commonwealth attor-
ney In open court. but the Judge declined to
receive 1t. Judge Lilly was afraid to hold
court in Knott county. and the bar declined to
elect special judge to take his place. The
Judge also declined to 60 to Harlan county to
hold court, owing to the numerous threats that
have fleen made against him. A special judge
was elected. and the French Ebersole crowd
broke up court with general fight.
This is only a sample Of the condition OF
affairs In that section Of the State. Said one Of
the detectives: "A number Of men have been
killed by people in ambush. and tho murders
have never been chronicled in the news
papers. There are courts that are seventy
Ave miles from a railroad station.
and people up there have found 1t
profitable and pleasant to keep close
months. The decision in the Hatfield case
probably means moro trouble. They are con-
fined In jail at Pikeville. and since the AFFIRM
snce Of the case threats have been made to
rescue them. In fact party Of their friends
came IN from the country and inspected the
Pikovillo Jail with o view Of rOscuing them.
They have held several consultations about
breaking open the jail. and It is believed they
have abandoned the idea. and will seek to res
cue the prisoners from the Sheriff when he
takes them to the penitontiary. whore they
have been sentdnoed for life"
The persons who have been sentenced for
life arc Valentine Hatfield. Dick Mayburn. and
Plyant Mayburn. convicted Of the murder OF
Joseph Mccoy.
The Hathelds, however. are gathering their
forces and o desperate attempt will bo made to
rescue the convicted prisoners. The will be
taken to the p0nitontiary whom the mandate of
the Court Of Appeals Is filed In the court in
which they were convicted.
The Hatfield crowd are threatening now that
the prisoners will mover see the inside Of the
penitentiary. and there II o probability that
the Sheriff will have to call upon the Governor
for soldiers to land them there. The consulta-
ton Of the Government of1cers was for the
purpose OF securing aid in transferring the
prisoners TO the penitentiary.
PuNvMhE. Ky, Nov. 28.-n Ellison
Mounts. otherwise known as Ellison Hatfield.
tho loW-born son OF Deacon Ellison Hatfield.
late Of Logan county. ". Va, In hanged here
on next Tuesday. Dec. 8. as he was sentenced
to bO. his death will not only be the first execu-
ton according to law for crimes committed
during the Hatfield Mccoy feud that has dis
turbed the mountain communities about the
head waters Of the Big Sandy for years past, as
already described In TIE Sun. but It VIII be
the first lawful execution in the histdly OF
Pike county. That he will be hanged
IL almost beyond doubt. for nothing
his friends In West Virginia can now prevent
It, and neither Is ct ell likely. In fact, raid
Of suflciont strength to effect rescue is out
Of the question, for the reason that the Hat
field gang has been 80 completely broken up
that itS old-time influence over the ordinary
run Of mountain folks is gone. The soldierly
qualities Of old Bad Anso are all needed to
keep his own neck and that Of his son Cap
The crime Tor which Ellison Mounts is to be
daughter Of old Randl Mccoy. the leader Of the
remember that the feud began in q lawsuit
SVHs sTS hSFSM between A. hSSad9p9 MSnyy
clan. and Anderson Commonly called Bad
Mccoy lived on the blackberry branch OF Pond
Creek.In Pike county. Kentucky. and Bad Anse
on the West Virginia side Of Tug RiveEI In Q
dispute over the lawsuit old Randi called Bill
stayton q perjqrer. and Bills con knocked old
Randi down. Then young Bill was murdered
BY two of Rand'ls nephews at Randls instiGa-
After that Deacon Ellison Hatfield was mur-
dered BY Farmer Mccoy at an election on
Blackberry Greek. and the next night Talbot
and Farmer Mccoy and Randolph Mccoy Jr..
we're tied to the pewpaw bushes on the bank OF
Tug River and shot to death by gang con-
eisting Of Bad Anse. JoncO, Cap. and Valentine
Hatfield, Ellison Mounts. Alex. Messer, Dock.
6am. and PLANT Meyhorn. Charles Gillespie.
lated to Bad Anse Hatfield. the brother Of, the
dead deacon. This crime was followed BY
gang such as the beating OF Mrs Daniels and
her daughter. Mrs. allace. in their CABIN at
night. and then Jefi Mccoy was shot to death
by Cap Hatfield and Tom Wallace after he had
escaped across Tug River from them and was
running for his life up the mountain side some
400 yards away.
The oft-repeated raids Of the HatHelds into
the X Kentucky settlements at last reused the
authorities. and offers OF rewards were made
for the capture OF the mon guilty OF the crimes.
Tom Wallace. one OF the gang. was arrested
down near Catlettsburg. where he was at work
on tho railroad. Then. incit6d by the reward.
N