Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-08
A REIGN OF TERROR.
The First Court Held in Perry County,
Kentucky, in Two Years.
FIVE HUNDRED MURDERS THERE.
And Only One Person Ever Brought to
Justice for the Crime.
MILITIA NOW GUARDING THE JUDGE
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPArcz.r

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPArcHr
P1NEVILLE, KY, August Z. j. A.
Martin has arrived from Hazard, Perry
county, where Judge Lilly is holding the
first court in session in two years, guarded
by three companies of militia. Martin says
700 people, 400 of whom are armed outlaws,
are in and about the town. There is great
uneasiness and no one need be surprised if a
massacre occurs. Court is being held in a
tent. There is great excitement over the
Judges charge to the grand jury. In his
charge he said among other things:
"Mr. Foreman of the grand jury and gentle
men and the people of Perry county: As you
mere witness am again here to hold court.
nave missed several terms of my court in your
county, and for reasons best known to myself
l was satisfied that a court could not be held.
ana, having had my life threatened, had every
reason to believe
I WOULD BE ASSASSINATE
If came to Perry. Now, it all lies with you.
DO you want court that you may bring Of
tenders to justice? I know the reputation Of
Perry too well, and when the people learn thas
mans life is more valuable than that of .
morse men will be punished more severely for
murder than for horse stealing.
People seemed to be amazed at the judges
stern remarks, for he had never before
talked SO plainly. Several tough-looking
characters walked hurriedly out of the tent
as If anxious to inform some faction that
Judge Lilly was getting too severe. Con-
Timing, Judge Lilly said:
Why, gentlemen this county is over 20 yeara
Old. and but one man in all that time has been
convicted of murder, and he sentenced to a
small term OF years in the penitentiary, though
5OO men have been murdered in the county.
This is appalling and again ask you. do Won
want Justice? The records show you these
things. have called this extra term of court
to give you
ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY
to show that you want 1t. Now, do your duty.
will be frank to say that il this court amounts
to nothing there will be no use of ever again
danger.
The sellers of rum and ''moonshine" are
hldlng In the mountains almost within a
stones throw of where court is being held.
Judge Lilly will order Captain Gather to
seize all whisky in Hazard and destroy it.
A building used BY saloon keeper was taken
charge of to-day by the troops to be used for
storing away goods belonging to the COM
missary department. A citizen walked into
the door shortly after it had been broken
open, and made some remarks about the
brandy left there by the fleeing saloonist.
Lieutenant Walcutt ordered him hustled
out at the point of the bayonet, which was
done.
The social situation in Perry among men
is not exaggerated Many honest citizens
are afraid to make a move toward indicting
outlaws for fear of consequence after the
troops are away.
ONLY ONE PUNISHED.
OF the great number of people killed
within the past few years not one has ever
been punished. Few, if anv, have ever
been arrested. Social lines have been so
drawn through political means and other
wise that outlawry reigns unmanagesble.
There is not church in Perry county nor
a school house. Rev. J. j. Diekey, Of
Jackson, was here when Joe Eversole was
killed and offered a prayer at the grave
when he was buried.
This action of Rev. Mr. Dickey incensed
another faction and his life was Threatened.
He has never been in Perry SINCE Women
and children have not only been threatened
but shot at. and live in daily dread of their
lives Judge William Hurst has been en-
ployed by Mrs. Everson to assist in bring
ing to justice the murderers of her husband.
He was shot while In bed at night with an
explosive ball, but fortunately for him the
ball had spent its force before it reached his
body.
WARNED BY A LETTER.
The next day he received letter from
Fulton French, the leader of the French
faction. saying: "You get, and that mighty
quick" Captain Hurst was brave soldier
in the civil war and lost an eye az Mission
Ridge, and he knew what Freneh's warning
meant, and he left Hazard at once.
Shots are fired into the town every night.
and at any moment 400 men, about equally
divided into factions, are liable to begin a
battle, in which Judge Lilly is sure to be
killed. The outlaws, armed with Win
chesters, are building earthworks and pre-
pairing for siege, if necessary
-AzikS s.... -, ---.--