The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1896-11-14
KILLS THREE MEN.
Cap. Hatfield Uses His Gun
On Election Day With Deadly Effect.
Seven Murders in Mingo County
within a Few Days.
The Murderer Makes His Escape but
Scores Of Men are on his Trail and
He will Probably be Run Down and
Punished for his Crimes.

MATAwAN, w. VA, Nov. 5.--Elee-
ton day seldom passes in this county
but what it has murder record to
mar the occasion. Ten years ago was
the date when Ellison Hatfield was
shot and killed by the Mccoy element.
Three days later, as result of the
murder, and as policy of revenge,
three Mccoy boys were tied to bushes
on the Kentucky side of Tug river,
just opposite the town of Matewan,
which at that time was simply corn
field, and these boys shot and killed.
1t is said that seyenty-six bullets were
shot into their bodies. No more helm
Gus crime Is recorded in savage war
fare than is truth In this case. After
this dreadful occurrence, the real bat
tie between the two factions took
place several being killed on each
side.
One year ago in this town John
Rutherford and John Chain engaged
in shooting contest, three balls lodg-
ing in Rutherford and FIVE balls strik-
ing Chain, both men recovering.
Rutherford was indicted by the grand
jury of Mingo county, but was ae-
quilted on his trial, the jury finding
that Rutherford shot in self defense.
On election day 1896, the voting pre-
cinct of this district was the store
room of II. S. White. The day passed
quietly. There was much drinking
apd many guns and Winchesters were
in evidence, although the crowd was
joyial and every one remarked how
fortunate it was that no quarrels was
taken up. Many Hattields and their
friends were present and voted, and
peace seemed to have been declared.
Many differences were declared off by
the mountaineers' method of smoking
the peace pipe, through the neck of
a whisky bottle, The crowd had dis
persed, and no one of moment re-
manned in town except and save Cap
Hatfield. The election officers were
just in the act of closing the polls,
when, within thirty yards of the bal
lot box, most terrific fasilade of
shots were fired. John Rutherford
was engaged in a life and death con-
test with the famous Hatfield of this
mountain district Rutherford shot
a Al revolver six or seven times at his
adversary, and Hatfield made his
mark with adouble barrelled shot gun.
The two men were not fifteen feet
apart, and both men displayed remark
able courage. But the shot gun proved
deadly, one load being discharged into
Rutherford, tearing away a large por
tion Of his abdomen In horrible
manner.
Hatfield then grabbed his A calibrc
Winchester and shot several times, one
bullet striking Henson Chambers, one
of the election officers, the ball enter
ing his body just TO the right of the
navel and passing through him. Hat
field then took fight and was followed
by Silliott Rutherford, but the fugi-
tive turned and shot Rutherford
through the heart, killing him Instant
ly. By this time the village was wild,
every one running for his or her
guns.
EA-O. -. ludlSlidll .. w ulDc WIS
struck with two large buck shots in
the back of the head, the shots lodg-
ing in the skull, and although not
dangerously injured, the wounds prov
ed rather painful. This was marvel
Gus escape, as Mr.. White was by Cham
bers when the latter was hit. John
Rutherford is the son of Dr. Elliott
Rutherford, the mayor of Matewan,
and most highly respected citizen,
being in his SOS. The other Ruther-
ford boy killed was a grandson of the
mayor, and Chambers, who is yet
alive, but with no chance Of life, is
the son-in-law of the old DOCTOR Hat
field made his escape, and the whole
county is literally in arms. At least
two hundred men are in pursuit, and
every acre of ground is being searched.
1t might be of interest to inform
the rest of the state that seven men
have been shot and killed in Mingo
county within the last forty-eight
hours. Such disgraceful record as
this, occurring In state like ours,
and in this age of Christian influence
is simply appalling. These murders
can be attributed to two causes,
whisky, and the criminal neglect with
which our laws are executed. The
laxity of the courts in enforcing the
statutes, relative to the carrying of
deadly weapons. Winchesters and re-
volvers, can be held largely response
BILE for these murders, for the widows
Il