The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-04
KEENAN, FLEMING FREE.
ACQUITTED or COMPLETELY IN THE
MASSACRE or POUND GAP.
One Of the Most Noted Trials That HAS
Ever Occurred In Wise County-History
of the Bloody Massacre.

BIG STONE GAP. VA, Aug. 3-spe-
cial.-Heenan Fleming, who has been on
trial for two weeks at Wise Z. H., lot tno
participation in the massacre OF the Mul-
Inns family at Pound Gap, this county,
three years ago, was on last Monday ac-
quilted after hard-fought trial ne
trial was one OF the most interesting
that has occurred i'm this section TOT
some time The magnitude or the crime
was so great, ana the skill with whlch
his case was managed. so that the CON-
nciy calth's attorney announced tntt ,hS
jury could bring In a verdict OF acquittai
long before the defence had closed tielr
testimony, or put the prisoner on the
stand. IS the talk Of the day. The only
evidence the Commonwealth produced
was confessions. and this was proved ny
two or three witnesses who openly ac-
knowledgsd on the witness stand tnat
they had been paid TO testify In the case;
that they were fDgitives from justice
In Kentucky
HISTORY OF THr cRIMr.
The crime for which Fleming was tried
is familiar to the readers OF The Times
1t was charged that he, his brother al,
the Mullens family at Pound Gap, in this
county, three years ago. Doe Iayior
was tried and convicted, and paid the
penalty with his life Heenan Fleming
and his brother Calv. we're Immediately
suspected after the massacre. and were
threatened with death. They We're fred
upon and Immediately commenced scout
ing which. in mountain parlance, means
lodging the officers, and for two years
they lived in the mountains ana success
fully evaded arrest Posse after possc
were sent to capture them. but without
success. until a party in which WeIc
John BrannOn and I'd. Hall captured tHsln
at little country store In West virginia
Hall and Brannon were enemies OF tne
Flemings and when they ran upon then
a quick battle with reyolvers was fought
in which John Brannon and Calvin flefn-
ing were killed
The Fleming boys were in the store
purchasing some ammunition when Ia.
Hall walked In and caught Calvin REM
ing from behind. when, quick as nasl,
Heenan drew his revolver and iired, the
ball Just grazing Halls forehead. Inc
firing then became general. Han helu
Calv. at arms le.gth and shot MIN
through the neck. Heenan then faced
them alone and made IL hot. lie shot
Brannon and after emptyng his revolt
YER threw up his hands and SURRENDERED.
Hall brought him Immediately 10 wise
G. II. and lodged him in Jail, where ne
has been for six months.
THEM MASSACRE or POUND GAP.
Tho crime was q most revolving one,
and IS known as the Bloody Massacre
Of Pound Gap" liza Mullins, man OF
considerable means. noted moons inner,
VAS returning from a visit 10 Kentucky
with his family, where he had been lh
the interest OF his mOcnshine business.
While over in Kentucky he sold some
land for 500, and was returning nome
in a large covered wagon, accompanied
by his wife, one OF his sons. Joe Cnappei.
Greenbcrry Harris Wilson Mullins ana
his wife. Jane Mullins They were COM
ing down the Cumberland mountains. on
the Virginia side and were nearly at the
foot when Doc" Taylor and his crowd
opened fire with their winchesters. ] ay-
Tor and two other men were stationed be-
hind a ledge Of rocks concealed from view.
only two of the Mullins party escaped TO
tell the tale. They were John Harrison
Mullins and Mrs. Jane Mullins John
ran at the first fire and got over little
hill. ana Mrs Jane was spared. All the
others were killed instantly. on the
trial OF Doc Taylor this woman testi-
fed that she was positive Doc Taylor
was there, and thought she recognized
Calvin, but could not say that HeeLan
was in IL.
WIZARD or TIE CUMBERLAND.
The wizard OF the Cumberland, as
doc" Taylor was known, was tSe arch
fend who concocted, planned. and exc
cuted the murder. He was Mullins
most bitter enemy. and had tried 10 hire
men to kill him before this occurrence.
The III feeling between Taylor and Null
Inns commenced several years ago while
Taylor was A Deputy Marshal In the
United States Revenue service. Ira Null
Inns was returning from North Carolina
with wagon-load Of mOOnshine whisky.
In order TO reach home he was compelled
to pass through Wise c. H. or Glade
vile. as II was then known. Taylor
happened TO be at Wise G. n. on the day
he passed through, and learning that ne
had unstamped whisky. he summoned
several men 10 help him capture IL.
When he attempted this he met with
very stubborn opposition from Ira and
bis men, and a regular battle was fought
in the street I'm which one OF the Null
Inns was killed and several wounded.
Ira escaped with his whisky. but from
that day down to his terrible death ne
was raylor's mortal enemy. Like all
primitive people. the inhabitants Of the
mountains never forget a friend or for
give an enemy The lives Of both Tay-
Tor and Mullins were constantly in dam
ger. one thought he had 10 have the
other killed I'm order TO save hlmseif.
Taylor was. IN many respects. a most re-
markable man. He unQuestiOnably had
genius, but his moral nature was vile and
mean. lie was noted for his ability as
physician. his courage, and his eccen-
tricities. During the war he lived in a
cave on this side Of the Cumberland
mountains, and there mastered a few
elementary works on materia medica, and
learned, by experiments the practical
use or certain roots ard herbs. BY the
untutored natives he was regarded as
lhialllDle. and, indeed, some OF the cures
he effected were little less than marvel.
J Us. lie was a splritualst I'm faith. ana
believed In his destiny IL is said that
shortly after the massacre while he was
evading arrest he predicted the awful
doom which awaited him. and grew in
different and cespondont. The spirits
which had so long succored him ana
buoyed him up with hope had forsaken
him, ana he made but feeble attempt
10 escape.
KEENAN, FLEMING.
Heenan Fleming. the accused. is
most handsome man with keen gray
eye, Indicative Of great courage, and at
the same time very kindly. lie nad
previous 10 this occurrence, been noted
as peaceable and Industrious young
man, and was very much liked bv MS
neignbOrs and his friends
The Commonwealth did not connect
nm with the crime in any way, ana u
Is the general opinion that ne is innocent
and that the iurV were fusfinpd In frdt,o,