The age-herald., 1902-02-13
Fight Occurred in Heart of MOun- tains With Law Breakers in.
 Temporary Fort
FIRED ON THF POSSE FROM
 LOOPHOLES IN LOG CABIN
Deputy Finally Reached Unprotected Side of the House and Applied a Torch, Burning 1t to the Ground,
 Several Inmates Perishing.

Knoxville Tenn, February 12.-A special to the Journal and Tribune from its Middlesboro Ky, correspondent. says
 Six are dead and as many more are dying as the result of a battle between of ficers from Middlesboro and noun taineers The battle, which was one of the most desperate and revoltng things of ita kind in the history of mountain war fare. occurred between and o'clock this afternoon at Lee Turner's Quarter House" saloon, three and a half miles from Middlesboro. Last month Turner had some mules and other goods levied in payment for debt. and a few nights ago, it is alleged, he with others went to Virginia where the property had been taken, secured what was formerly his and returned to the Quarter House."
 Today Deputy Sheriff William Thomp- son summoned : posse of ten or fifteen men for the purpose of arresting Turner at his Quarter House" saloon.
 Officers Have to Foot 1t.
 The Louisville and Nashville Railroad refused to convey the officers to the sa- loon. and they footed 1t through the mountains. Turner had heard that an at tempt would be made to arrest him, and he and his men. fifteen in number, gave the officers warm reception. The saloon is well suited for an attack like this. It is built of huge logs and is surrounded by thirty-foot fence, in which loopholes are cut so that the inmates can shoot at outsiders Turner's surrender was de- manded. His reply was a round of shot. Charley c. Cecil of Middlesboro was rid ing palfrey in plain view of the Turner gang. Some one, who is believed to have been Mike Welch, Turner's bartender, raised window of the dive and shot Ce- cil, who fell dead Instantly the murderer fellback pierced by a half dozen bullets. Then the fight began in earnest.
 Officers Hid Behind Trees.
 The officers. scattered and hid behind trees and rocks and poured a fearful fire into the mountain fortress In the fight John Doyle. former railroad man, was badly wounded. perhaps fatally and Sim Bean, another ex-railroad man, was shot fin the hand. The townsmen gathered closer around Turner's place undaunted Rt the shots which whizzed around them. As soon as Cecil was killed his compan- ions determined to burn Turner's rendez- vous and in the midst of the battle a fel- low officer applied torch to an exposed side of the building. few minutes later the building was in flames Several of the mountaineers came to the window and were immediately shot down. The posse surrounded the barricade, determined to let none escape. Lee Turner and several of his followers. however, in some man. ner escaped, and are now at Minge mines, eight miles from Middlesboro. Several of his men perished in the flames.
 People Greatly Excited.
 This has been the most exciting day syer known in .-.udlesboro, notwithstand- Ing the fact that many dreadful battles have been fought within the town limits and in the vicinity. All sorts of rumors are ahoat tonight one being that five Fur nites were killed by the M.nchesters of The attacking men and five more perished In the flames
 It is also believed that the posse lost more men than one and that some of the Middesboro fighters may now be lying Head or dying in some of the hollows sur rounding the Quarter House."
 Some of the deputies came in tonight with their winchesters over their shoul- ders. They state that half of the men are still at the Quarter House and that they will return with endorsements. It ls feared that the trouble is not at an end
 More Trouble Expected.
 Turner, who it is alleged has killed several men, is not one who is easily bowed, and it is believed he will organize A band and avenge the death of his friends and the burning of his saloon. Turner, the handsome proprietor of the saloon graduated at Rose Hill, Va. He was brother of Wild BiI'' Turner who was killed several years ago.
 Lees Quarter House is known far and wide because of the number who have been killed within it's confines. Placing The days number of deaths at only six nfty-nine have been killed there and twice that number wounded.