Evening journal., 1891-08-14
THE LAST ACT.

great primeYal 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 aud Meridian railroad on the
north. Here the forest breaks away, the
pines become stunted and scattering, and
finally disappear, giving place to live oaks,
magnoias 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 a weak, foolish pride,
such as Is manifested by the society butter
aies 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 a wound that
can only be healed by bath Of blood.
Honor is the first and dearest principle.
Coward is the lowest name that can be
applied TO a man.
Near the junction of Bogue Homo and
Tallahala creek, in the very heart of the
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 gIades 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 spirit of ad
venture and stories Of the vast wealth Of
the unexplored west, had hidden adieu TO
the friends and scenes Of his youth in
North Carolina, aud with his young wife
had penetrnted the untrodden wilderness
and erected his humble cabin among the
tall pines of southern Mississippi Here
the forest king rarely yentured with his
chilling breath and summer sat enthroned
fully nine months Of the year. Naughi
disturbed his peaceful abode and in timt
his clearing had grown to be many acre.
in extent, while around him thrived vast
dr0ves Of stock and q 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, young VirginiaD, highly edu
Gated impetuous and proud. His clearing
was next TO that of the pioneer, John
Shelly.
For some years the families Of Shelly
and Yawn were firm and unllinching
friends. Every turn Of the hand was made
with reference to each others comfort
All was peace and good will.
But this tranquil Tife was brought 20 a
sudden end, and strife was begun which
time only served TO imbitter.
The family supplies of the settlers of that
neighborhood were purchased at a 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. or course old
Billy Evans, the first proprietor, has fol
many years slept, under the shades o
those tall pines, the silent sleep, yet still
an Evans occupies the exalted position O
merchant.
| IL was at this store that farmers of th'
| pine woods would gather every Saturda,
for social day together, which, after tn
advent Of the first barrel Of whisky a
Matakka 1--WE will cali the placel, gradual,
grew into a day OF carousal and gambling
IL was here that the strong bond 0
friendship that had existed between tn
Shellys and the Yawns was broken. A dis
pute arose over play at cards, words fol
lowed words, which, aided by the banefu
effects Of bad liquor soon brought ol
blows. As a result Robert Yawn's lon
hunting knife was buried in the breast Z
his friend John Shelly
Blood had been spilled and by bloc
only was the stain to be washed ava,
} Thus began the fierce vendetta betwee
the Yawns and the Shellys which termil
ated only with the death Of the last Of th'
name.
For years succeeding the feud existe
sometimes raging at a fervent heat, whe
+ q member of either family would be four
/ dead in the swamp with a gaping wour
in his breast, from which issued the bloc
! Of life, and almost dying out when for
period Of years no encounter would tai
place.
.
With the close q the year 1876 came Il
last act Of the bloody tragedy.
e 1t was Christmas day; the sky was owe
a cast. A restless wind blew the fitf
e clouds hither and thither in their unct
o tain way. From all appearances one
J. those long winter rains for which Miss
sippi is famous was about to begin. N
/ AtNhNf usually hulAf NtNAAAt0 AAAlHAN1 nAAA
new life. The young descendant Of Bill
is Evans, the pioneer, drew many q shini
K dollar over his counter in payment for {
T. soul consuming liquid which had been t
IA indirect cause Of the quarrel between {
a Yawns and Shellys The young Miss
sippians partook Of the fiery liquor a
waxed warm and quarrelsome as the VIII
ky few Co their brains.
H. Among the men who filled the crowd
OF barroom stood John Shelly, the last Of I
8. race Never was a grander picture OF
en man beheld by admiring eyes than
es Tall, powerful and magnificent his e,
seeming TO pierce the very breasts Of
associates, he stood as a giant among p,
mics. His ready tongue and quick \
n. provoked a continual strain Of Taught
Finally the conversation turned to the fe
between the families OF Yawn and Shel
on and the only living Shelly was lauded
'e- the victor Of one Of the most bitter, iie
ra and long standing vendettas ON record
UT the history OF Mississippi
hs "Ahl Fate willed il that the name
lp- Shelly should triumph over that Of Yaw
as exclaimed the young man, and he was y
an applauded.
OK A stranger, plainly dressed and wear
Ity a slouch hat, which hid his face from
let gaze Of the crowd. had entered almost