The sun., 1896-10-05
GUNS READY FOR MonMoNs.
Kentucky MountaIaeers Stirred Up by
Latter Day SANTA.


JACKSON Breathitt County, KY, Oct A.
There are nearly as many Mormons In the east
ern part OF Kentucky as there are citizens and
they are stirring up trouble. Within the past
five weeks over three thousand Mormons have
invaded this part OF the State, preaching here
and there and occasionally making converts.
They are now swarminR over these mou ntains
made historic because the Hatfeds and Nc
Coys did their fighting here. This is an intense
Methodist community, and last week there was
an old-fashioned camp meeting held on Big
Sandy. The Rev. Thomas f. Hicks conducted the
services and was assisted by a nephew or the late
chief OF the McCoys. Many Joined tho church.
and many more perhaps would have been saved
had 1t not been for the proselyting OF the Nor
mons. who set up camp three miles away.
Word was sent the Mormons that II they did
not go away they would regret 1t.
On last Tuesday night there was fight be-
tween tho saints and some enthusiastic young
men OF the mountains with the result that the
Mormons were routed. some OF them being
Runners were then sent to the various strong
holds OF the Mormons In the counties Of Gray
son. Canter, Boyd Elliott. Rowan. and Law
renee. 1t Is estimated that more than two
thousand of them win be in this neigh hborhood
The mountaineers have been notified by .
committee, anthoriEed By the Msth9'hists , and
to hs Dd Of h.s
homes will be burned and their stock will bo
killed.
This organization is called "The Mules" and
is formed on the same lines as the old Ku Klux
Khan Of reconstruction days, which originally
had Its birth IN the Kentucky mountains. Then
there is Meals SaddlelRag College OF Mountain
Evangelsts.", They number hnndrods and were
organized originally toexpel all people from tho
mountains with the exception OF Protestants.
This society is made up Of sturdy noun
fight United States marshals. and pray when
ever tho spirit moves them. No railroad reaches
within miles of this section. II Is wild and
sparsely settled.
The people deny the right OF the Government
to tax them for the few gallons OF whiskey they
male person from ten years up owns rife and
knows how to shoot.
In this .town, which Is :the county seat of
Breathtt county, there have been more than
one hundred persons lied on the public square
within fifteen years. IL WAS here where tho
Iiat6elds and McC'oys had their most desperate
battle six years ago, In which there were twelve
men instantly killed within the space OF an
hour.
Why the Mormons should have selected this
part Of the state for work is not known. IL is
the first time In the history or this mountain
district that they have attempted TO make con-
verts. Many families have Joined tho churches
OF the saints and are preparing to emigrate.
Fifty Mormon elders and assistants got on the
railroad at Ashland a month or more ago. Thoy
separated into pairs and have since been In
creased in number.
They are taking advantage OF the silver ex-
element which abounds in this district, attend
ing each political meeting and working for con-
verts for their religious faith,
A public meeting il called to meet at Grayson,
the county seat of Carson county, thirty miles
away, Tomorrow TO take steps to run the saints
aud their followers out OF the State.