The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-11-14
PERRY PRISONERS.
The Trial Of tho Frcnch-Eversolo Factions
Now Progressing at Winchcster,Ky.
and Much Bitterness Disclosed.
THE TESTfM ONY.

WIScuEsTER, KY, Nov. II There is now
in progress here one of the most noted
cases ever tried in Kentucky, that grow
ing out of the French Evcrsole fcud of
Perry county. Hon. CD. 3ronston. Com
monwcalth's attorney for this district, is
absent as member of the Constitutional
Convention, and Hon. James +. Vim, of
this city, was appointed in his stead.
There is an array Of legal talent rarely
seen ut our bar. The Evcrsolc side is
represented by Judge b. T. Buckner, OF
Louisville; Hon. ". =. Bentley, of Hydcn:
S F. Johnson, of Kansas City, Mo-; II. c.
Eversoe, of London, Ky; |. n. Cardwcll
and Leland Hathaway, of this city. The
French side is represented by S. n French,
of Harlan Court House; W. ". Baker and
J. NJ. Bailey, of Hindman, Haggard Ben
ton, of this city. and Hon. George Denny,
of Lexington. The Commonwealth is rep
resented by Commonwealth Attorney pro
tenn. Hon James +. VIM and County At
torncy Ed. $. Jouctt ir.
The EversoIcs were ready for trial. but
the French faction dcmurred Their OH
icctions were ovcrrulcd and trial was
ordered.
Both factions have been confined in Jail
together since August. and ii has been
compromised. and that they would make
common cause in their mutual defense.
Such is not the case. They hate each
other with the same bitter. unrclcnting
hatred that animated their breasts when
they lay in wait for each other in the
woods of Perry county or shot each Other
like dogs in the streets OF Hazard. Each
side is giving the attorneys for the State
all possible aid TO secure the conviction OF
the other A, an evidence of the feeling
existing in the Jail. Bob Profit, who is
charged with the murder OF Robert Cor
nett tried to kill Judge George Fvorsolc
and Frank Polly, two other prisoners, with
Il razor. and was only prevented by the
interposition of other prisoners.
1t having been determined TO try the
prisoners separately. Joe Davidson. one of
the worst of the French faction, was Sc
lectcd and placed in the dock. he was
defended by the French attorneys, and Is
being prosecuted by the attorneys for the
State, assisted bv the Evcrsolc lawyers.
The court house is crowded at all times,
the local interest being great, and hun
drcds of people from Perry and adjoining
counties being present. Davidson, the
prisoner, was indicted jointly with num-
Der of others of both factions for the MUIR
der of Ed. Campbell and John Mcknight,
and was also indicted separately for the
murder of Campbell The latter was killed
at Hazard on the Sth Of November, last
year.
At the November term of the Circuit
Court, presided over by the Hon. ". H.
Hearst, of Brcathtt county, both sides
came to town armed, expecting trouble.
They mingled together on the streets,
talked with each other and drank together
from Sunday until Thursday, when series
of minor quarrcls eliminated in general
fight between Henry Davidson, Jesse Fields
and others of the French faction; in the
jailcr's residence. and number of the
Evcrsoles, in houses and other places on
the outside, in which Ed. Campbell, an
Evcrsolc man, was killed. Campbell was
standing by Il large poplar tree, firing into
the jailcrs residence. and was killed by
Joe Davidson, who shot him from the door
of his residence, 200 yards away, with a
Winchester rifle The ball entered Camp
bells side, killing him instantly.
The firing was kept up at intervals dur
ing thc night, and the next morning John
Mcknight. another Evcrsolc adhcrcnt, WAS
killed as he opened the door to step out.
The case for the Commonwealth was
opened by Hon. W. p. Bentley. who gave
Il lucid and glowing account of the rise
and progress of fcud in which 50 much
blood was shed, and which tcrroriZcd whole
counties for years He was present at the
time of the fight, and gave i graphic de-
scripti0n Of the whole scene, claiming that
the prisoner was not in danger and could
not have known that his brother was an
inmate of the house. and that the killing
was not therefore. in his defense. David
son ran saloon in open violation of the
law, and the fiery liquid dispensed over the
bar had much to do with irtiamng the al
ready heated passions of the murdcrous
factions.
The Commonwealth proved conclusiycly
that Davidson killed Ed. Campbell on the
date alleged ut Hazard. The State having
finished its testimony. Davidson was put
upon the stand His testimony occupied
most of the day. He told plausible
story, which it was generally thought,
would go far in securing his acquittal. lie
said that Il large number of the Evcrsolc
faction came To town heavily armed, and
were waiting for Fulton French, the leader
of that faction. to come in, 50 they could
! Kill him and then cXtcrminate his follow
crS; that few of ihat faction had gathered
al the residence OF Jesse Fields. the jailcr.
for protection, his brother Henry being
one of the number The EycrsocS were
posted in several houses, 50 as IL COM
mand this house. and simultaneously fired
upon it from several directions. Joe
! Davidson lived moi tar of, and when the
! firing began some one informed him that
his brother Henry was being killed, and
he seized his gun and killed Campbell,
who was standing beside tree and firing
iuto Il window
Whispcrings of Whitney.
Springfield unun)
Gov. Hill is naturally delighted with the