Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1897-11-11
THREE DEAD,
SEVEN WOUNDED,
Frightful Result of a Battle in a
Church in Nicholas County.

Church in Nicholas County.
Deputy United States Marshals At
tempt to Arrest the Notorious Hick.
man Gang at Muddlety-They We're
Attending Services in Methodist
Church and WheH the Fight Was
Over, the Building Was Riddled--
Marshal RAIDER and Hickman Dead
A Woman Shot Through the Neck--A
Child's Arm Shot Of.
The following weird and wonder
full fake comes from the interior 1t
is understood that the Liars League
of West Virginia is in session some
where in the red brush and it is be
lieved that the Parkersburg and
/ Huntington liars have eoneoeted this
tale which has absolutely no foun-
dation as far as can be discovered.
TWAS originally published in the
Cincinnati papers. The yarn is as
follows:
WESTON, w. Va, November s.
Sunday morning, in the little hamlet
of Muddlety, situated deep in the
mountain Businesses of Nicholas coun-
! ty, occurred battle to the death
between United States Deputy Mar
shals and a gang of desperadoes. For
the last three years Milton Hickman
and his followers have been terror
to the two Virginias, and although
pursued constantly, by the aid of
friends they succeeded in evading the
officers. They have robbed many
postfflces, intimidated the natives,
who, through fear, oftentimes shell
tered them when they were holly
pursued.
On Sunday Deputy Marshals II. w.
RAIDER and Arch McClung ascertained
that Hickman was attending pro-
tracted meeting in the village church,
Muddlety, and deputizing a posse OF
eight mountaineers, quietly advanced
on the church and surrounded the
building Just as the preacher was
about to announce the doxology, Mar
shall RAIDER stepped to the door and
demanded the instant surrender of
| Hickman. Hickman and two of his
followers, who were at the altar,
rushed for their Winchesters that
were leaning against the wall, and
Immediately began firing. With the
first volley Marshal Raider fell NOR
tally wounded, but throughout the
conflict that ensued he directed the
movements of the posse. Out Of
sympathy number of mountaineers
in the congregation joined the cause
of Hickman, and as all were armed
the battle was bloody and determined.
At the end of two hours Hickman,
who was foremost in the fight, fell
pierced by several bullets. He expised
in the army of his sweetheart, who
war present and encouraged him
| throughout the battle for his life and
freedom. His follower weakened
Immediately, and after few strug-
Cling shots ceased firing.
The outlaws were placed uuder ar
rest aud are now in jail at Summers
! vile, the county seat.
The excitement in Nicholas county
over the mnrderous work is still in
/ tense, and only the personal efforts of
Rev. Pierce, the pastor, who was re-
ported killed last night, but who was
really unhurt, averted wholesale
/ lvnching of the desperadoes of the
/ Hickman gang to-day. This may yet
be the end of the prisoners, as four are
confined in the jail at Summersville.
Rev Pierce has been there all day,
making personal appeals to the
Grove ol enraged citizens, and so far
has averted mob punishment.
Reports tonight of reliale nature
from the scene of the terrible en-
counter say that the list of casual
ties includes three dead and seven
wounded, and that two of the latter
will die. Two of the dead are Melton
Hickman, the leader of the despera-
does, who was killed almost instantly
after fighting for two hours, and Dep
uty sUnited States Marshal RAIDER,
who died this afternoon. The third
name is not given. The fatally
wounded are Mrs. Hickman, who was
shot through the neck, and her six
year-old child, who had one arm off,
and who was also wounded in the
neck. The other wounded, are three of
Raiders deputies being included in the
number, will recover.