Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-04
, the Register

kDeclal TO iHc IlSS-StOA-
GREY, w. VA, July AT noon To-
1 dav when No. IL N. & w. passenger
3 train pulled into the station here from
the South on the rear platform OF the
brain stood H. E. Ellis, deputy sheriff
I Mingo county.
LII Elias Hatfield, an eighteen-year-old
J son of Devil Anse" Hatfield, came
1 walking mn to the train with a Win
chester on his shoulder. he began
carsing the deputy sheriff for having
arrested his brother, John S. HATFIELD,
q few years ago and raised his VIM
chester off his shoulder preparing to
take aim at Ellis.
The deputy Sheriff sprang inside the
car and grabbed his W winchester
and a moment later faced the youthful,
but already notorious Hatfield. Both
raised their winchesters and fired at
the same instant.
Hatfield had taken the better aim.
The ball from his Winchester penetrat-
ed the deputy sheriff's skull and he fell
to the car platform a corpse without ut
tering a word.
The bullet from the deputy's Win
chester penetrated Hatfield's arm, MAX
ing only a flesh wound. Hatfield ran to
Tug river and crossed over into Ken
lucky. After reaching the Kentucky
shore. he brandished his Winchester
and yelled: Il have accomplished my
aim at last"
1t is said that the young murderer
promised his aged mother years ago that
he would kill Deputy Sheriff Ellis be-
cause it was he who captured his broth
er, John Hatfield, who is now serving
a life sentence in states prison.
A posse of twenty or more men was
o formed who are now securing the
hills of Kentucky for the young des-
perado. If he is captured, which he is
not likely to be without bloodshed, all
indications point to a lynching bee.
Fl. E. Ellis, the murdered deputy,
was one of the influential citizens of
.Mingo county. He was a Mason and an
Odd Fellow. and to-day's tragedy may
cause an uprising in this county such
as was never before witnessed.
The Hatfield clan will, of course use
every effort to prevent the capture of
Elias and that great trouble is just
ahead is a f~oregone conclusion.
Sheriff N. j. Keadle. the most fear
less officer in the State, is leading the
posse in pursuit of Hatfield. With Kea-
dies posse is William Bevins, a man
who knows no fear and who has
brought 10 justice a number of both
Hatfelds and McCoys.
(By Associated Press.)
WILLIAMSON, w. VA, July 3.-The
old Hatfield-McCoy feud, which has
been ~slumbering for a few years,
broke u afresh to-day when H. E.
Ellis was killed by Elias Hatfield and
the two factions are arming for a re-
newal of the old-time struggle.
A few years ago John S. Hatfield,
enc of the conspicuous leaders against
the McCoys was captured by Ellis.
and after trial sentenced to life i'm
prisonment. At that time Elias Hat
field, brother of John, declared openly
that he would some day kill Ellis.
The opportunity was offered to-day
when Hatfield saw Ellis standing on
the rear platform of a passenger train
as it pulled into Grey station, a few
miles south of here. Hatfield secured
his Winchester and began abusing the
deputy and said: Now is as good a
time as will get to blow your brains
out Deputy Ellis, whose bravery had
never been questioned, thrust his hand
into his pocket, pulled a huge revolver
n aimed at Hatfield. Both guns fired
at the same instant, but young Hat
field had taken the better aim and Ellis
fell to the car platform a corpse. He
never uttered a word. Hatfield. the
desperate, Immediately fed across the
river into Kentucky, and from blood
spots visible along his trial, it is evil
dent that he bullet from the lead Off
GERS revolver had taken EJECT. Sheriff
N. j.. Keale lost no time in organizing a
posse and started in pursuit. At sun
down no capture had been effected.
but tonight the baying of the blood
hound can be heard echoing in the
mountains along the Tug river: and
they are no doubt warm on the muir
derer's trail. Ellis, the murdered depu-
ty, was one of the influential citizens
OF Southern West Virginia. His
friends are thoroughly enraged and
swear that Hatfield will never be
brought back to this State alive. The
Hatfelds are on the alert. Word has
been passed along the line, and they
are organizing to protect Elias and if
possible prevent his capture. Elias is
a son of Devil Ans Hatfield and a
brother of the notorious Cap" He is
but Is years of age, but he has been
pplicated with his clan in a number
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