The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-10
PURSUIT OF CAP HATFIELD.
THREE sHERIFF's ISL AFTER
THE ESCAPED OUTLAW.

nuuor or an Encounter in west virEinta Bo-
tween His BAND OF Outiaws and n Posso In
which Fivo or tho Purruers Were KILLED
and several or the Hatncids Wounded.
WILLIAMSON, w. Va, Aug. 9.-Cap Hatfield,
who broke Jail hero some ten days ago, In still
at largo, despite the vigorous efforts which
Gov. Atkinson, all tho officers Of this and Logan
county, and man.hunters galore have exerted
TO place him again In the tolls. He and his
party, consisting of his brothers, John. Elias,
and Troy. Clark Smith. Henry Harmon and
brother, and one Payne. have from time to time
been sighted by tho Shoriff's scouts in the
mountains of this and adjoining counties.
The men are all desperate characters, and
there Is scarcely one Of them that has not slain
moro than ono fellow creature. Sheriff's posses
have been pressing them 30 closely In the last
few days that they have been forced to dodge
from one stronghold to another to avoid an en-
counter which. owing to the superior numbers
Of the posses, would prove disastrous to the
fugitivos. They are trying to reach the Virginia
border and there seek a hiding place In the
mountains Of that State. Sheriff Keadle. in an
ticipation OF this move, has secured a rcquisition
for tho three Hatields from Gov. oFerrall. and.
20 where they may, the daring clan cannot long
evsdo arrest.
At times wild rumors have reached this place
| Of encounters between the desperadoes and Off.
GERS, but they lack confirmation. A highly OK.
cited mountaineer to-day came into town and
told OF o bloody encounter on Beech Creek, this
county, between the Hatields and . Sherih's
posse under Deputy johnson, In which john
son and four others were killed and sew
eral Of the Hataelds wounded. possibly killed.
According to his story tho Hatfelds were
strongly intrenched In a mountain pass. where
thanking was practically impossible, hence the
great loss to the officers. The story is believed
to be Exaggerated, II Is known. however. that
three separate parties OF officers yesterday left
from different points to surround and capture
or kill the fugitives.
with a party OF ten men. Deputy sheriff Music
left Matewan with ten more, and Deputy John
son left Wharncliife with twenty-five. The
whole country 10 aroused. and 1t is q fight to tho
dozen Of the most notorious outlaws In the coun.
Judge Doolittle Of this circuit 10 very firm in
his determination to recapture Hatfield. going
70 the fund 70 defray the expenses, incident to
the pursuit. A party of the Ruther,
ferds is forming to 90 IN pursuit Of
turning them over. Il. captured, to the Kentucky
authorities, where they are wanted on many
murder charges. Only last November three o.
tie Ruthesfords were killsd In 2 ST. street dus iis,
that time the most bitter hatred has existed he
tween the two families, and this bloody feud ii
likely to be reopened.
Hatfield. was hero to-day. but disclaims AM
connection with tho Jail delivery or any knowl
edge Of Caps Intentions. He says Cap did no
f SsreI tf 5St on STot ts9 3.; Hh anS f. sSf f wf fsar he he w was de s
sent to Kentucky. which 10 the last place h
wants to go to.