The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-21
FEUDIST HATFIELD
 ESCAPED LYNCHING Clever RuSe of Sheriff Quieted
 Virginia Mob GIVEN FIGHTING CHANCE Had Reputation as Dead Shot and Weapons Were loaned by offi-
 cer Under Promise Not to
 Fire Unless Necessary.
GIVEN FIGHTING CHANCE

Topeka, IIan.-The recent death of Elias Hatfield the noted feudist closed for all time one of the many cases in which cit .Eens of various communities have tried to take the law Into their own hands and administer the Biblical injunction, An aye for an eye, a tooth for tooth, life for a life" Once before In this notorious mans life he figured as the leading char acter In an attempt on the part Of the citizens of Cabell county, West Virginia, 10 rid themselves of his presence. but the affair had nn abrupt termination without nhe accomplishment of the object.
 Hatflelds neck was saved by the fore sight of Sheriff W. O. Walton of Cab Il county. and the reputation of his pris- oner as d desperate man. It was a case tn which there were no battering rams used, no angry howls from the mob Haunted in the face of the prisoner and no shots fired. Through the doors of the jail the crowd glanced once within and Immediately withdrew.
 Immediately after the shooting of H. E. Ellis, on June 1, 1899, Elias Hatfield Nearing the violence that he knew would break out on all sides, took to the noun tains in Mingo county and remained lh hiding until his voluntary surrender 10 Governor Atkinson, a few weeks later, This took place in a secluded spot In the wilderness of the mountain regions, the governor personally placing Hatheld uh- der arrest. As a man the officials placea great confidence in Hatfield, and' with small escort, designed to attract as little attention as possible, he was hurried at once to the jail in Cabell county.
 Chance for Ills Life.
 Although the incident took place within a few hours and Hatfield was safely land ed in strong county jail some miles from that in which lived the friends of the murdered man, 1t became generally known within few hours Talk of mob violence at once arose, and day or so later Sheriff Walton received an unsigned message stating that a "necktie' party would be held that night.
 The sheriff, however, was not man to be influenced by the crude ethics of the rougher element of Mingo county or any other county. There was little time left him for official action, although the militia could have been hurried to the scene soon enough to prevent the capture of the prisoner. As a precaution, however, he secured two reVolvers and rifle and took them to cell facing the main cor ridor of the Jail Then going to Hatfields 
 threatened.
 Hatfield took the matter quietly, but said he would like to have a chance for his life at least.
 You shall have it. the sheriff told him as he unlocked his door and led him to the other cell. Then motoning him in- side he added: We are soon to be in a tight place, Elias. You know these peo- pie, and unless l am mistaken they know you. Therefore, l am giving you what l think best in my power, the chance you ask. In return l want your word that not a shot shall be fired unless 1t is ab- so1utely necessary And the word was given.
 Saved by Reputation.
 That evening there was an unusual sl- lence about the town; so unusual, in fact, that 1t was a bit ominous And one could have easily seen that men were gathering in a large crowd at a point several blocks away from the jail, with a determination about their movements that gave an indication Of something about to happen. Over in the jail one guard sat near Hatfeld's cell and quietly talked with it's occupant, while Sheriff Walton sat in his office half reading. half expectant and ready to act on the slight est provocation. Eight o'clock came and went with no signs of trouble. They had almost begun to think the affair had been ADdnuODeu Wnen lne SllllltSS WAS DIOhtll by the sound of many feet and the hoarse murmur of gruff voices outside.
 A loud knock brought Sheriff Walton to his feet. Who is it?" he asked, slowly unlocking the door of the main corridor What do you want?"
 We represent the citizens of Mngo and Cabell counties, sir was the reply. We want that prisoner!"
 The sheriff smiled at the angry faces before him. 'I hope, gentlemen, you will fully appreciate the situation before you make attempt to take him. I believe you understand what l have done. The cor ridor is short, but l doubt if any man can reach the end under the present cir cumstances."
 The leaders stopped on the threshold and gasped. Calmly sitting in his cell at the other end Hatfield faced them, hold ing in his hands two vicious looking, shining Colts pistols and on his knees lay the Winchester rifle. One glance and those in front turned about, others came and looked and passed on, and in a few minutes the mob had disappeared. No one in that crowd was willing to face the steady hand and sure aim of Elias Hat field.