The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-04
HATFIELD GETS THE DROP.
ELIAS, JR., KILLS H. r. ELLIS AT
4 RAILROAD STITION.

Tho Hathelds Had Been "lookingn for
Him, but Young Hatfield Didn't shoot TN
til His Life Was Thre Quicker
with His Gun Than the Other Man.
WILLIAMSON. W. Va. July 3.-Elias Hatfield.
Jr. has killed another man. 1t took place at
Gray. twenty-five miles east of hero to-day
Shortly after 10 O'Clock this morning AZ
the west bound passenger train drew into
the station Mt that place. H. l.. Ellis.
who was on the train. coming from
his home to Williamson. met Hatfield and
they became involved in a heated alteration.
Hatfield had grudgo against Ellis. and his
language was particularly violent and WAS
punctuatcd by motions with IA rifle which he
carried In his hand. the weapon that is the in
separable companion OF each member of the IA
nous Hatfield clan. After the quarrel had lasted
probably two minutes. and while the train was
still at the station. Ellis turned from the ear
steps. walked down the aisle OF the coach.
picked up his rife, went quickly back to the
platform with the gun in his hands. and adj
dressing Hatfield. who stood some thirty feet
away on the platform said:
Now call me that name again"
Immediately the men raised their guns and
fired Hatfield was the quicker and Ellis sank
down on the steps OF the coach dead The ball
passed through his wrist which was support
ing his gun. entered his chin and went through
his head. Hatfield who was untouched
announced to the bystandcrs that he was
sorry he had to do the shooting then walked
quickly down the river bank and crossed Tug
River into Kentucky. sheriff keadle at this
place, was at once notified by telegram of the
killing, and officers went to the scene Of the
tragedy to arrest Hatfield
About six months ago Ellis and number OF
other citizens Of this Mingo county arrested
and conveyed to Kentucky without requsi-
ton papers John s. Hatfield. brother of
the boy Elias. where John was wanted for
the part he played in the historic Hat
field Mccoy feud several years ago. John Hat,
threatened the lives Of Ellis and some OF his
friends. He was subsequently tried in John
onmcnt for the murder OF Alafair Mccoy. The
irregular process by which Ellis and his party
captured John Hatfield and conveyed him to
Kentucky is known here As kidnapping and
is frequently resorted to along the border of
The part taken by Ellis in the capture of
John incensed the whole Hatfield clan at him,
and they only waited an opportunity to kill
and a member Of the Masonic odd Fellows and
knights of Pythas lodges His death caused
Il IS sH H H viii Ras
Elias Hataeld. Who dil the kIIling and Who IS
Ss killed J9sn Kinney tne II
RrothfGr Wpf RreseRt but took no part
were arrested about year ago and confined
await trial Here Elias Hatfield. Sr.. bore the
unique dual position to the prisoners Of being
their uncle and jailer. The two boys in some
mysterious manner escaned from the JAIL and
tried last spring and acquitted. and is no doubt
at this time with Elias helping him to evade
| and resist his pursuers.
The Hathelds for the past fifteen years have
terroriZed three Of four counties D this re-
! gion. They have blockhouses which are nj
most impregnable and hiding places which
Logan EQUITIES, W. Va. and jus, across Tug
River. in Pike county, Ky. and Buchanan
county. Va When one OF them commits a
crime in one OF these States he crosses to an
other State. and with the support Of the clan
sets at defiance the efforts of Sherffs and de-
tectives to capture him
While this is being, written Sherifr's posse
OF twenty men from Logan county is on its way
from this place to Gray on freight train see X
ing the capture OF young Hatfield. Eliss rea-
tives, who are numerous and determined. have
also joined in the pursuit. and it is likely an
encounter will occur between the outlaws and
their pursuerS.