The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-08
DEATH OF QUANTRELL.
Members of the Guerrilla's Band
Tell When and How
1t Occurred.
By a Fatal Bullet While Pinned
Down by His Dead
Horse.
Belief That Sue Mundy Was a Woman
and Enticed Him from His
Headquarters.

BARpsrowN, Ky. Oct 30.-A special cor
rasponde 1t of the Louisville Courier Jour
nal writes from this place: The recently
published report that Charles William
Quantrell, the once famous guerrilla, had
just died near Birmingham. Ala. and the
blood -curdling stories revived by this pub
lication, put Capt. A. D. Pence, OF Samuels
Depot, this county, in q reminiscent mood,
and he has given the Courier Journal rep
resentative some facts about the life of
this man that have never been in print. In
the first place, Capt. Pence laughs at the
story of the recent death of Qunntreil in
Alabama. No persons know better than
the captain and his old friend and neigh
Dor, Mr.. Isaac Hall. that Quantrell has been
under ground SO long that probably not
handful of dust HOW lies at the bottom of
his grave. II, died and was buried in
Louisville many years ago.
Capt. Pence and Mr.. Hail., by the way,
were members Of the Quantrell band from
the day of its formation up to the day when
the chief died. Capt. Pence was the trust
ed friend Of Quantrel. Capt Fences life
has not been without stirring incidents
also. He was born III Clay county. Mis-
souri,, and was educated at Client, Carroll
county, this state. At the nge Of fourteen
p lie cast his lot with the south, and for two
years was a brave and valiant defender of
it's cause. At the fight at Beulahville, in
Meade county, he had u horse killed under
him, and was himself shot through the
thieh. At this time an incident occurred
that forever made Pence friend of the
notorious Frank James. The confederates
had passed through gate, with the ex-
ception of James and Pence, closely put
sued by tho federals, when the gate swung
- ,,,S TAN tl,ar utr nt
his comrades, turned his horse and, single
handed, hold at bay about 100 Fede-
raj cavalry. just at the time
he started to turn and rejoin
his men the pursuing troops had closed in
on him with II yolley from their carbines.
Fences horse was Killed and he shot. In
falling the horse pinned Capt. Pence to the
ground, Then it was that Frank James,
realizing his danger, rode to his rescue. He
succeeded in reaching Pence and rescued
him from his dangerous position, and,
placing him on the horse he was riding,
carried him beyond harms way. In 1871
Capt. Pence was elected deputy sheriff
and from that time up to two years ago he
has served Nelson county either as sheriff
or deputy. He is now living quietly on his
farm at samuels Depot. and IS one OF the
best and most respected citizens.
MIR. Isaac Hall was one of the party at the
fight at Waketield's barn, in which the noted
guerrilla received the wounds from which
he afterward died, and from him was OBJ.
tanned the account given below of that
fight. Hall and Pence claim that all pub
lished accounts heretofore given ara incor-
rect, and give this as true in every detail
dates and all.
MIR. Pence eaid that the real name of
Quantrell is not, SO far as his knowledge
goes. known to anybody; that he has heard
only member of his band who knew his real
name was George Todd, and, az he was
dead, no one else ever would know.
Quantrell, the name by which he was
known, was born at Hagerstown, Nd, on
the goth day of July. 1886, and he resided
there until he was is years Of age, at which
time he went with his widowed mother to
Canal Dover. Ohio, where no remained only
short time.
Continuing. MIR. Pence said: "Quantrell
the assassination Of his brother and the
wounding Of himself by the Kansas jay
hawkers. over tho body of his dead
brother he took III oath to be re-
venged. Quantrell's depredations were
confined to Missouri and Kansas until
called his men together at the home
OF Mrs. Wigginton, in Lafayette county,
Mo-. and told them of his purpose, at the
same time telling them of his intention to
leave that section, and asking how many
would 90 with him. All agreed to go. On
Quantrell and his followers left that state
and started for Kentucky"
Here Mr.. Pence related an event in the,
history of Quantrell that has never been
given before. He said that Quantrell and
his band read in the papers sensational nc
counts of the career of Sue Mulidy, and
that they were of'the opinion that the dash
ing guerrilla was in reality woman, and,
il I'LL accounts were true, 1t would be a great
thing to join forces with her, or to have her
s.~,s. ~, nAA ~. n.
the cause Of them coming to this state
They came into Kentucky at Cadiz, in Trige
county, and from there finally made theil
way into Nelson county, which county they
afterward made their headquarters. Guam
trell assuming the name of Capt. james
Clark. the name of q federal captain vel
known to him.
The band remained in Nelson county un-
til the 18th day of June, 1861. when they
left for 4 raid into Jefferson county. Guam
trell started from Bedford Russell's, neal
Chaplin. with thirteen men. among whom
was Isaac Hall, from whom the account OF
this attack is obtained. Said Mr.. Hall
1--WE had ridden about an hour when We
saw an immense black cloud rapidly APP
preaching. and We knew that terrific ram
storm was at hand, and knowing of the To-
cation of the Wakefield barn, we turned
our horses in'that direction, intending to
remain tnere until the storm was over. ",
reached the shed just as binding. drcnch-
ing rain came up. and had just tied oai
horses in the shed when one of our men no
ticed the approach of Terrell's men. The
order was Immediately given to mount and
fight our wey through; but before
the horses could be reached, the Federals
had closed in, and both sides were fight
ing for life. Quantrell's horse, q mag
nitcent thoroughbred animal, a gift
from Rob Alexander, had not been hit ched,
and was walking around the stable lot.
Quantrell. in his attempts to catch the
horse was left alone in the lot. Hooker
smith, noticing the predicament of his
commander, went back and assisted him in
catching and mounting the horse, and
mounted behind him. volley at this time
from this federals killed Hockersmith and
the horse, which. in falling. caught Guam
trell, pinning him to the earth, At thi.
moment the volley was fred that gave
Quantrell his death wound. He was re.
moved to the home of Mrs. Wakefield
where he was visited the next day by Mr.
Hall and Frank James, and on the thirS
day was taken. by wagon, to the city hos
pital, in Louisville. where, on the following
day. the 10th Of June, 1866. he died. Hi
body was buried in st. Johns cemetery.
In December, 1887, the mother of QUAINT
reil came from her home at Canal Dover. Il
Ohio to visit Capt. Pence. in order that sh
might hear from Mr.. Pence all about II,
past life of her boy, and the particulars o
his death. and, il possible. secure his ne
mains and take them home with her. Sh