Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-07-06
SHOT FROM AMBUSH.
MIR. Geo. W. Ratliff Killed by Moon
sinners.

On last Friday morning the intelligence
reached Tazewell that MIR. George w.
Ratlif, well known citizen of Richlands,
had been killed by moonshiners on Swords
Creek in Russell county. Very few par
ticulars were then given as to how the
crime was committed.
From gentleman, who has talked with
the only person who was near when Mr..
Ratliff was shot. we have learned the fol-
lowing particulars: On Wednesday night,
the 18th inst, at 10 o'clock, Mr.. Ratliff in
company with Mr.. Wayne Ferguson, who
is special agent in the revenue service,
left Richlands, with the avowed purpose
of destroying some illicit stills located on
Swords Greek. They arrived at their des-
tination on Thursday morning, and
shortly after daylight succeeded in raiding
and destroying one small still. They
then proceeded in the direction of another
still, which was located not very far from
the one which had been destroyed. After
going about one-fourth of a mile they dis
mounted from their horses, and Ferguson
stopped to tie them. RathG began to adj
vance in tie direction where the still was
located, and, when at distance of some
thirty or fifty yards from Ferguson, was
shot by unknown parties from ambush,
and was almost instantly killed. There
were several shots fred, but the fatal shots
were sent from double barrel shot gun,
loaded with rifle bullets or huckshot. Six
of these bullets struck Mr.. Ratlif in the
face and six in the breast. Tie place at
which the shooting was done was Il wild
one. covered with thick brush. When
Ferguson heard the reports of the guns he
followed for Ratliff but got no reply. The
assassins. however, yelled back that they
had killed Ratlif and would give Fergu-
son the same kind of Il dose if he would
advance. Mr.. Ferguson was, of course,
discreet enough not to 60 any furth er,
but returned to Swords Creek station, and
securing assistance, a posse went to the
place, where they found Mr. Ratltf cold
in death. An inquest was held and it was
decided that he had come to his death by
gun shot wounds inflicted by unknown
parties. The shooting occurred on Swords
Greek, about four miles above where it
empties into Clinch River.
The remains of Mr.. Ratiiff were brought
to his home at Richlands. and on Friday
the 30th ut., funeral services were held in
the Methodist church, conducted by Rev.
Webb, pastor of the church. An immense
congregation was present to show respest
to the deceased. He was Mason and an
Odd Fellow, but was buried with Masonic
honols. He was member of Cedar Bluff
Lodge, No. 26O, A. F. & A. NJ. The cere-
monies were conducted by that lodge, as
sisted by number of visiting brethren.
Mr.. Ratlif was in the prime of life, being
only thirty eight years old. He left a
wife and five small children. The de-
ceased had a great many friends, and was
an unusually brave man. His death will
be regretted by many. 1t is understood
that the Government will take prompt
steps to discover the perpetrators of the
foul deed, and bring them to trial and
punishment.
We are informed that Mr.. Ratliff would
have received in few days, if he had
lived, valuable appointment in the reve-
nue. service.