The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-11-14
THAT BLOODY FIGHT.
Three Men Killed in a Quarrel Over One
Negro Vote In Kentucky.
a DESPERATE ENCOUNTER.

LEXINGTON, Ky, Nov. l2-1hc particu-
lars of the fight at Irvine, about fifty miles
east of this place, on Tuesday OF last
week. have been received here. In the
history of Kcntucky's personal encounters
this fight stands without Il parallel for bar
harty and fcrccness.
John Wilson and DR.. p a. Lilly were
both Young men. The former was strong
democrat and held the Office OF superin-
tcndcnt OF public schools for Esic!i
county, of which Irvine is the county seat.
Iilly was a rising physician and the son
Of Circuit Judge Lilly. The Lillys were
always ultra republicans. About Q o clock
Tuesday morning Dr.. Lilly went to the
polls with Il negro named White and asked
the Judges of election toallow him to vote.
John Wilson was standing close to the
voting window, and challenged Whites
right TO vote. This incensed Lilly, and
angry words passed between the two. In
the mean time the election judges had de-
cidcd the negro could not vote. When
they made their decision known Lilly'>
Wilson roundly for Interfering in what
The lie was passed, and Dr. Lilly started
to draw his pistol Wilson saw his motion,
end tried TO get his revolver out. but the
weapon hung on the edge of his pocket
and one load was discharged, ploughing Il
flesh wound in his thigh. Lilly had not
been so unlucky. for while Wilson was
pulling away at--his pistol he had got his
own weapon out and fired two shots. both
of which entered Wilson's left breast Il
few inches away from his heart. Just a.
the second shot was fired Wilson succeeded
in drawing his pistol, and, taking delibcr-
ate aim ut the doctor, sent a bullet crash
ing through his body within an inch and
Il half of his heart. He quickly shot
again. but this time the missile ilew vide
and struck Judge Lilly, who had rushed 10
thc scene in the calf of his left leg.
Wilson's brother William also came
upon the battlefield, and, seeing both the
Li!lvs advancing toward John. he ran up
behind the doctor, and, grabbing his pis-
toll, icr!;cd it out Of his hand Lily was
now furious and realizing he had been
fatally wounded, he quickly drew a large
pcnknifc from his pocket, and, opening it
with his teeth. rushed at John Wilson and
plunged the steel three times into Wilson :
already wounded breast, when both mon,
weak from the loss of blood, fell to the
ground clcnchcd in each others arms.
They continued their struggle in the
dust and dirt of the pavement. and just as
Lilly Wars in the act OF striking Wilson's
throat with his knife his brother. Grant
Lilly, ran TO his assistance. Wilson
heard him coming, and with supreme
effort freed himself from the doctor in
time to escape the descending knife. Roll
ing over on his left side. he stcadicd him
self on his elbow, and, with his right hand
trembling from weakness and excitement.
took IL quick aim al Grant Lilly and fired.
The bullet lodged in Grants abdomen.
and he, too, fell about eight feet from
Wilson. DR.. Lilly had grown weak from
the loss of blood. and when Wilson looked
around he saw his late antagonist lying
face downward and apparently dead.
Too weak To walk, the wounded school
superintendent, with all the animal in
his nature aroused TO the highest pitch,
crawlcl over to the side Of the PROSTATE
doctor, intent on finishing the work he
had begun He put the pistol against his
head and pulled the trigger; hut the cart
ridge failed TO explode. Then he grabbed
the weapon by the barrel. and, excrtng
all his strength. struck his victims head
Il terrific blow. The hammer OF the pistol
tore Il hole in the skull, and. giving Il few
feeble gasps, Lilly expired, while Wilson
fell over ON his back and lay as if dead.
When his friends picked him up, few
minutes later, he revived, and it was not
until Wednesday noon that he breathed his
last. Grant Lilly fingered unIil late on
Wednesday night. Three by-standers be-
sides Judge Lilly received flesh wounds
from stray balls but none were dangerously
hurt. The affair has caused great excite
mcnt in the mountains. where both men
have large fol!owings, ard some predict
there will he further trouble.
1t seems that the quarrel over the at
tempted voting of the negro WAS more the
result OF an old ieud than anything else.
Wilson had always worked TO defeat Judge
Lilly every time he made the race for the
circuit iudgcship, and Lilly had felt the
force of his cxcrtions. After being elected
Judge Lilly has been unable TO cope with
the mountain dcspcradoes. and on several
occasions Governor Buckner has sent State
troops to protect the judge and his court.
Recently, when the governor declined TO
send troops, Judge Lilly fatty refused to
hold court in Powell county. The news
papers Of the State roundly ccnsurcd the
Judge for his display of cowardicc, as they
called ii, and his two sons who were killed
last week had been up in arms against the
offending editors. The doclot few months
ago rode twenty three miles l." Rich
mond to whip The editor Of paper that
had reprinted structures on Judge l.!li;
Grant Lily drew Il revolver on Editor Me
Cartly, of irvine, and threatened TO kill
him for the same reason not long since.