The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-09
THE LAST ACT.

Southern Mississippi is covered with a
dense growth of the most magnificent
specimens of yellow pine, comprising one
great primeval forest from the banks of
the Mississippi on the west to the banks
of the Pascagoula on the east; from Lou
isiana and the gulf on the south to the
Vicksburg and Meridian railroad on the
north. Here the forest breaks away, the
pines become stunted and scattering, and
finally disappear, giving place to live oaks,
magnolias and hickories
The inhabitants of this vast pine forest
are an humble set of people, as far as
wealth and power are concerned; but be-
meath their homespun coats beat hearts
made noble by the highest element of man
hood-pride. Not weak, foolish pride,
such as is manifested by the society butter
1es of today, but that higher and holier
pride which leads a man to respect his
own name, and, respecting that name,
scorn to tarnish it by disgrace To South
Mississippian an insult is wound that
can only be healed by a bath of blood.
Honor" is the first and dearest principle
Coward" is the lowest name that can be
applied to man.
Near the junction of Bogue Homo and
CEcch, III Uuo VI UUt
forest, lived two families, distinct in their
likes and dislikes, different in all respects,
except that they were both poor and both
exceptionally proud-the Shellys and the
Yawns.
Early in the history of Mississippi, while
yet the slumbering echoes of the forests
and glades were undisturbed by the sound
of the settlers AK and the whistle of the
locomotive, John Shelly, a young man OF
unusual energy, impelled by a spirit of adj
venture and stories of the vast wealth of
the UNEMPLOYED west, had hidden adieu to
the friends and scenes of his youth in
North Carolina, and with his young wifi,
had penetrated the untrodden wilderness
and erected his humble cabin among the
tail pines of southern Mississippi. Here
the forest king rarely ventured with his
chilling breath, and summer sat enthroned
fully nine months of the year. Naught
disturbed his peaceful abode and in time
his clearing" had grown to be many acres
in extent, while around him thrived vast
droves of stock and a large and happy
family.
In the meantime the woods round about
had sprung miraculously into life On
every hand new clearings were made, and
new families entered upon the scene. The
family of John Shelly had ample and
pleasant association.
Among the newcomers was Robert
Yawn, a young Virginian, highly edu.
Gated, impetuouS and proud. His clearing
was next to that If the pioneer, John
Shelly
For some years the families of Shelly
and Yawn were firm and unfinchine
friends. Every turn of the hand was made
with reference to each others comfort.
All was peace and good will
But this tranquil life was brought to
sudden end, and strife was begun which
time only served to imbitter.
The family supplies of the settlers of that
neighborhood were purchased at small
crossroads store, which, even to this day,
ninety years afterward, remains undis-
turbed by the growth of the world, remote
from the busy whirlpool of advancing civ
ilization-a country store. OF course old
Billy Evans, the first proprietor has for
many years slept, under the shades of
those tall pines, the silent sleep, yet still
an Evans occupies the exalted position of
merchant.
1t was at this store that farmers of the
pine woods would gather every Saturday
for social day together, which, after the
advent of the first barrel of whisky at
Matakka 1--WE Will call the place,, gradually
grew into a day of carousal and gambling
1t was here that the strong bond OF
friendship that had existed between the
Shellys and the Yawns was broken. A dis
pute arose over play at cards, words fol-
lowed words, which, aided by the banefuI
effects of bad liquor, soon brought on
blows. AS result Robert Yawn's long
hunting knife was buried in the breast of
his friend John Shelly
Blood had been spilled. and by blood
only was the stain to be washed away.
Thus began the fierce vendetta between
the Yawus and the Shellys, which termin-
ated only with the death of the last of that
name.
For years succeeding the feud existed.
sometimes raging at a fervent heat, when
a member Of either family would be found
dead in the swamp, with a gaping wound
In his breast, from which issued the blood
OF life, and almost dying out when for
period of years no encounter W take
place.
With the close of the year 1876 came the
last act of the bloody tragedy.
1t was Christmas day; the sky WAS over
cast. A restless wind blew the fitful
clouds hither and thither in their uncer-
tam way. From all appearances one of
those long winter rains for which Missis-
slppl Is famous was about 10 begin. Ma
takka, usually duh, seemed imbued with a
new hie- The young descendant of Billy |
Evans, the pioneer, drew many a shining
dollar over MS counter in payment for the |
soul consuming liquid which had been the |
indirect cause of the quarrel between the
lawns and ShellyS The Young Nissis- |
sippians partook of the fiery LIQUOR and
waxed warm and Quarrelsome as the wins
ky flew TO their brains.
Among the men who filed the crowded /
oarroom stood John Shelly. the last Of the !
ace Never was grander picture of a |
nan beheld by admiring eyes than he. |
Tall, powerful and magnificent, his ewes |
seeming 10 pierce the very breasts of his !
associates, ne stood AS giant among pvC- |
MES His ready tongue and quick wit
provoked continual strain of laughter. |
finally the conversation turned to the feud |
between the families of Yawn and Shelly: |
md the only living Shelly was lauded as /
he victor OF one of the most bitter, fierce !
md long standing vendettas on record in |
he history of Mississippi
Alb! Fate wilIed it that the name Of /