The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-01-11
a MOUNTAIN FEu1.


crest is almost hidden from sight bs
the dark blue vapor which has hung
there for centuries. TO the ratings on
the north end east side of the hum Die
inn are hitched score OF horses enc
mules About the inn are twelve on
fifteen men, on the steps OF The general
store opposite are as many more, non
residents of the town, but living in the
country. A stranger would tind him
self wondering il the two crowds were
strangers to each other, and. If SO. why
the majority Of the men should nutter
and scrovl as they looked across the
narrow street.
At 1 o'clock p. IN the crowd at thu
ian moves up the street 70 the school.
house. Ten minutes later it is followed
by the other. Now we know what has
brought these men from their homes
Here are the lawyers, principals, and
witnesses in lawsuit. The justice Oh
peace takes his seat with becoming
dignity though his countenance be-
trays anxiety, and court is opened. 1t
is the case of Rives VS.. White, both
small farmers Each has secured tho
best legal counsel he could, and the
number Of witnesses are pretty evenly
divided.
Here are two of the oldest and strong
est families in the county. They have
been friends for three generations.
They have l. proved and lent, set at
each others ta;leS. attended the same
church. looked upon each other as rela-
tiyes. Farmer Elves mule goes astray
and br:,rs up among Farmer Whites
corn. II IS q large field, and the corn
is scarcely worth hauling away to a
market. The damage, therefore, IS not
worth mentioning. Farmer Riyes
comes and dsmans:s his mule. Both
men were close friends up to that mo-
rnent. Human nature has its of
days. Farmer White is ncttled and
asks for damages, and two minutes
later the men are ready to kill each
other. A crowd bound for town rides
up, and blows are struck, and the law
is appealed to. family friendship
which runs back for almost century
is broken BIZ a word Rives and White
fought side by side at Stone river,
Chic,xanauga. Franklin, and on other
fields Of battle Their grandfathcrs
fought siIo be side at Cowpens and
Kings mountain and Yorktown.
Their graa;i,nothers fed the troopers
of Marion, the Swamp Fox, and defied
the rough riders OF Tarleton. All this
is forgotten as the case is opened ana
the witnesses take the stand.
There is no jyry, though the justica
doubtless fervent;v wishes that there
was, that the responsibility might be
shifted from his shoulders The wit
nesses exhibit bitterness Of feeling to
surprise you, The question at issue is;
Who struck the first blow? There IS
rank perjury on both sides, and it IS
with considerable reluctance that the
Justice gives his decision. To an out
slider carefully following the case it
seems just and leyal. Farmer White
is adjudged guilty of the charge of as
sault and battery and finel Il nominal
sum. lie is caasrined and indignant
that the case went against him, while
the other faction is displeasel that no
was let off so easily. Men mutter and
glare at each other across the room.
The lawyers advise that the fine be
paid and reconciliation effected, but
their words are wasted. There is no.
tice of appeal and angry talk, and the
serious look on the face Of the justice
is proof that he realizes what his de-
cision may result in.
The factions do not mix rs they 60
out. The witnesses feel all the hatred
and animosity firing the hearts OF the
principals, and they avoid each other
and look sullen and vindictive. One
crowd rides away, and after half an
hour the other takes the same road.
The storekeeper has sold shotgun,
two revolvers, and half dozen boxes
of cartridges to-day. This is the be-
ginning of the Rivcs- White feud.
Twenty years passes away. Farmers
Rives and White have passed the age
of sixty. They. are white haired and
wrinkled. The one lilnps FROM q bull;
let hole in his thigh; the other has but
little use of his left arm because Of a
splintered bone. Both shots were re-
ceived from ambush and meant to kill.
There have been other shots fred from
behind trees and rocks, but the bullets
Jew wild. bingham was a witness for
Rives. He was ambushed and killed
during the first three months Thatch-
er was a witness for White. He was
and killed week after the
death OF Bingham. Stebbins, Carson,
Parsloe. Williams. Brown, Bebee-all
witnesses and all dead. Rives had two
sons, and they were shot dosH while
at work in the field. White had sen
and daughter The son disappeared
one day and his bones have never been
found. The daughter was shot off her
Iloyae while riding home from town.
Twenty years have not added dozen
houses to the hamlet, The inn stands
here just the same, AID across the
street is the Same store, though khey
may have changed proprietors two or
three times. There are no loungcrs at
either place. 1t is peaceful sumner
day and the struggling street is
clear of all life when two old men ride
mo toun from opposite directions AID
meet in front OF the inn. 1t is an IN
expected meeting. Both seem little
aurried for momens, fNt then they
ride closer and one says
"Let us disinonnt and have 1t oat.@
"I'm agreed" is the ready reply.
They have no firearms, but they have
xeen, cruel knives which have been
Sept sharpened for years. There is
40 waiting. They are no sooner on the
ground than they eagerly advance up
III each other and begin to cut and
T., N<.& ,,fia,.a1 n ar.