Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-03-28
MOUNTAINEERS.
The kentucky Highlands Present
Strange Scene.
The Feud Costs Four More Lives With SIX
Wounded-Outbreak of Reform School
Boys-Moses W. Field Said to Have
Been Poisoned.

men armed with Winchesters are in the
mountains watching each other. They
are composed of the Sowder, Turner and
other factions and several sheriffs' posses
determined TO break up the lawless gang
Near Salt Trace last night in a fight four
men were killed and six wounded. This
city has for years made the reading W orld
shiver once or twice a year by the des-
perate deeds of some of its numerous
clans of desperadoes. For two years,
however, comparative quiet has
reigned- The last killing that has
any direct connection with factional
disputes occurred little over q
year ago when General Sowders deliber-
ateiy shot Lee Turner. Since then Sow.
ders, who has killed eight men. has been q
fugitive from justice. The feud between
the Sowders and Turner's began several
years ago, when Marsh Turner, who was
member of posse sent to the mountains
to arrest a near relative of Sowders, was
literally shot to pieces. General Sowders
was accused of the deed and feud that
was intensely bitter began. Sowders
himself married a Miss Turner, but never
theless he has killed Marsh Turner, her
c'usin; Lee Turner, her uncle, and Tom
Turner, her own brother. As a result of
this Sowders-Turner feud it is said that
forty people have been killed.
A little over two years ago seven men
were killed in single fight at the court
house here over the capture of a man
named Harley. member of the Sowders
gang. About the same time, at Baptist
meeting house on Yellow creek, twelve
miles from here, five people, including
woman and small boy, were killed in the
church. Three years ago Jonah Hoskins,
a man named Napper and little girl who
was with them, We're shot by Andy
johnson because they ventured over
dead" line that had been
mutually agreed upon. These are but
few of the most fatal fights. Among the
more quiet killings were those of Tom
March, Jack Carroll and Tom Turner. As
result of this feud there are said to be
5000 Winchester rifles in Bell County, and
the "Bellicans" declare they could whip
the United States army. James Birch
is one of the Sowders' faction, and
Tuesday night posse under Albert
Turner, boy not over twenty, went to
his house on Yellow creek and arrested
him. At Barbourville the hostilities are
maintained by the Smith and Turner
factions, and early this week a
~
said more than 500 shots were fired and
number of people were wounded, but the
injured were spirited away and the num-
ber can not be learned. A sheriff's posse
was sent to arrest the rioters, but they
were fired upon and driven back to Bar
bourville. 1t was then that Judge Gull
himself headed a posse and made
for the mountains. Another pitched
battle resulted. but the judges party,
strong and well armed, We're victors, and
succeeded in arresting five of the despera-
does, among them two of the Messers and
Galloway Carnes. a brother of the deputy
sheriff of the county. The sheriff IS posse
is still in the mountains after others of
the outlaws, and before the month ends it
is like dozen lives will be lost in the
effort TO enforce the laws. Nobody ven-
lures out unarmed and few unaccompanied
by friend.
Last nj ght word was received by courier
that in fight near Salt Trace four men
were killed and half a dozen wounded.
REFORM SCHOOL RIOT.
CINCINNATI. March %. - Yesterday
morning an exciting riot occurred in the
house of refuge in which 200 boys were
engaged. Some days ago three or four
boys returned to the institution after an
absence Of some weeks. They were sullen
from the start. This morning while play
ing ball the ring leaders made a dash for
the gates followed by most of the
boys. The guards fought them back,
while some of the best boys
spread the alarm through the building
and all the officers and teachers rushed to
the spot The boys, finding themselves
repulsed, turned their attention to de-
stroying all the property possible, smash
ing windows, breaking doors, tearing up
beds and demolishing flower beds. Major
Oliver, the superintendent finally re-
stored order and the boys were sent to
their rooms. The boys confess they had
no grievance against the institution, but
wanted to get out.
SUSPECTED POISONING.
DETROIT, Mich, March 25.-Prominence
was given by a Detroit paper yesterday
to the rumor that Moses w. Field was
poisoned. The article says the body will
be disinterred. 1t does not intimate who
did the poisoning. The report says that
Mrs. Field had her suspicious aroused
from the first, and this is why she refused
to heed Mr.. Fields wish that his re-
mains be cremated. Last July Field
made over a $1,000 life insurance policy
to Mrs. Mary Goring, and two days before
he died he gave her $4,000 note. The
paper says that the insurance company
will demand an investigation. DR.. Dom
aid Mclean says Field died from the
effects of an apoplectic stroke, and John
Goring, Mrs. Goring's husband. says that
if Field, who was taken sick at the Cor
ings', had stayed there he would be alive |
to-day.