The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-01
SCRANTON PA, SATURDAY MORNING DECEMBER
bullets IN A court ROOM
MOOnshiner DisSents from a Witness
Testimony by Shooting Him.
THE JUDGE DUCKED HIS HEAD
And the Jury, Too, Sought Cover Until the
Cruel war Had Ended in the Fatal
Wounding Of the Bluegrass
Witness.
BY the United Press.

By the United Press.
Pittsburg, Nov. 30.-A special to the
Dispatch from Mt. Sterling, Ky, says:
Tragic scenes, unparalleled in the his
tory of the American bar, took place
THANKSGIVING day in the United States
court room in this city. Court
opened quietly, but with tense
nervous feeling, for half of those
present expected trouble before
the session was over, and adjourned
amid the flying Of bullets and the
frightened cries Of flying spectators
The man whose testimony precipitated
the conflict will die, while his assailant
is now in Jail awaiting trial for his
cold-blooded crime.
Lee Sturgall, of Elliott county, was
on trial for moonshining, and United
States Commissioner Thomas f. Rod
gers was on the bench. The arrest of
Sturgall was brought about through
the enmity Of neighbors. Elliott county
has its feud, and Sturgall is leader
of one of the factions A score Of wit
nesses about equally divided between
the factions were summoned, and
trouble had already occurred between
these men. The feeling was intensely
bitter, and the court room was crowded
with partfsans.
The Battle Commences.
Green Atkins, one of Sturgall's lieu
tenants, the third witness for the de-
fense, mounted the stand, was sworn
and awaited Interrogation. Immediate
ly Charles Watkins, of Carter county,
arose from his seat, and amid death
like stiffness, walked deliberately up
the court room and inside the ratings
taking a position just behind Sturgall
and opposite Atkins, upon whom his
eyes glared in significant manner.
Atkins returned the look of hatred
and smiled contemptuously, but his
hand dropped to his gun pocket never
| theless. He had been warned that Wat
kins would shoot him If he gave GER
tain testimony, but this did not deter
him. He answered promptly the COM
missioner's questions, and was eX-
planning statement he had made
when Watkins, with a cry of rage,
drew his pistol and rushed forward.
Atkins drew also and the bullets flew
| in all directions, causing stampede.
| Lawyers, spectators, the jury and
court went to cover precipitately, while
| the ladies present rent the air with
screams. Atkins and Watkins fought
like demons, overturning chairs and
| tables and scattering stationery until
every bullet was gone. when United
| States Marshal Pat Pouch seized Wat
kins just as Atkins dropped to the floor
unconscious.
Talk of Lynching Now.
Watkins was hurried to the county
Jail, the officers fighting off Atkins
friends while surgeons were summoned
for the wounded man. 1t was found
that one bullett entered his abdomen,
and recovery is impossible. Atkins has
wife and children living in Elliott
| county near the home of Sturgall,
whose witness he was. Watkins is
badly beaten up, but otherwise un-
hurt as yet.
Atkins friends are wild with rage
and swear they will kill Watkins. The
latter claims that the dying man per-
jured himself on the witness stand
Watkins lives near the home of Oscar
Morton, who was lynched at Beatty
vile recently. The Sturgall faction is
talking of another lynching.