Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-02-14
TRAGIC DEATH OF HUGH GRIFFIN.

ARhpiC oEh IN Vt mum tNlr
occurred soon after the county was es-
tablished between the Amies and Gala
hans, two strong factions who had be-
come enemies on account of a dispute
between them over grazing cattle on the
mountain range.
On summer day the factions met UP
at the ford on the east fork Of the Ken
tucky river and without ceremony began
firing into ench other. Four or five men
were wounded and half a dozen horses
killed. This matter was taken to court.
The courthouse at that time was large,
low structure located on Goose creek,
near the present site of Manchester, the
county seat Both factions, heavily arm
ed. came in early on the day Of trial and
stacked their guns in the courtroom.
John Amies of the Amies faction was in
the witness box testifying. when Jehn
Elkins of the Callahan faction took ex-
ceptions to the testimony he was giving,
seized his rife and with deliberate aim
shot Amies through the lead, splnttering
his brains over the judges stand and the
walls of the courtroom. When Amies
fell from the witness chair, he was the
first man ever killed in Clay county. The
fight that followed between these fac
tions caused the courts adjournment sine
die. Elkins was hanged.
DR.. Abner Baker. who killed John
Bates was the next man to be hanged in
that county, and to this day his friends
and relatives assert that he was insane
at the time and wns hanged by Judi
cial mob"
The feud spirit and feeling have been
handed down from father to son as her
itage through these 90 years.
The White -Garrard feud, in which two
of the largest and wealtbiest families of
Clay county figured has lasted for half
century. 1t was brought on by politics.
The Philpots, the most formidable fac
ton now in Clay county, numbering more
than $50 fighters that can be mustered at
two hours notice from their leaders, have
within the past few years engaged in a
number of important feud battles, among
them the famous fight at Pigeon Roost.
where several men were killed and
wounded. Among their recent battles
may be mentioned that against the Grif-
lin fNction last July, in which three of
the Griffin side were killed and one
wounded and one of the Philpot faction
killed and two wounded, 1t is the boast
of this faction that mo man who kills Il
Philpot can live" and they have had
many of their clansmen slain. This feud
is still on.
The White-Hownrd- Baker feud sprang
up two years ago. and many battles have
been fought TO the death among them.
The leader of the Baker faction was
Thomas Baker. He was charged with
killing n number OF men, was captured
and taken to Manchester last June under
up pl pf ION cnlIia.c 10 hn al ;oJ o.,
der. While standing In his tent ip the
courthouse yard surrounded by soldiers
he was shot through the heart by an I'M
known assassin concealed In the house of
Beverly p. White. which stood across the
street in front OF the courthouse. White
was and is yet the sheriff of Clay county
aud the alleged leader of the White
Howard faction. The feud still exists.
The present courthouse at Manchester
is n brick building, around which many
fcud battles have occurred and in which
several men were killed. Great chips Of
brick and stone that have been sho. out
by the heavy guns used in these battles
are missing from the walls,
In the early history OF the county 1t
was the practice Of the feudists to stack
their arms In the courtroom when attend
ing court But now when opposing fac
tions are called to town. each side secures
u suitable building In convenient place
and near the courthouse, which are used
as arsenals. guard is placed over
these, so that the opposing faction may
not get possession OF the arms. Now tie
feudlsts of Clay county do not enter the
courtroom with anything larger than .45
caliber Colts reyolyers buckled around
them. The latest improved guns are
used, which shoot combustible cartridges.
1t is safe to say that there is not regi.
mcnt in the United States army that is
more finely equipped with modern fire.
arms than are the Clay county feudists,
A conservative estimate places the
number OF men killed in these feud bat.
hes at considerably more than 100
Twenty have been killed and twice that
number wounded within the past six
months -Four have been killed and six
wounded there in the pnst ten days. Yet
there has been no conviction for any OF
these within the past year. There have
been no arrests for the last few KILLINGS.