The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1907-01-02

Armed Citizens Took Goods
Levied on From Col
Iector's Hands.

here this morning. Inc 1,VVO men
who, heavily armed, forced the depu-
ty tax collector here Monday to sur
render stock OF merchandise which
he had seized for taxes to pay bonds
for a railroad to which the county had
subscribed, but which had never been
built, returned to their homes. after
removing the stock Of goods from the
deputy collectors home and firing a
number OF volleys into the air.
Many threats. however. are being
made, and trouble will break anew II
Collector Peck returns here. All the
hotels and boarding houses have been
warned not to receive him.
Deputy Collectors White and Hall
left yesterday for Winchester. KY.
where 1t is said they went to meet
Peck and arrange for troops to force
the collection Of the railroad tax. It
is not known what arrangements they
made.
The people are determined not to
pay the tax, for the reason that they
claim II is unjust, as the railroad was
never built, and they will resist the
payment with their lives.
The collectors say that they will
collect, and more trouble is feared.
The bonds on which 1t was sought
to secure payment of interest and
principal were issued about sixty
years ago for the purpose of construct.
ing the Lexington & Big Sandy road.
but for some reason 1t was never
built. The bondholders. however were
determined to secure their money, and
recently obtained judgment against
Mr.. Oppenheimer a merchant of o.
i've Hill, and Tax Collector Reed was
forced to levy on his goods. This was
regarded as a test case, and the peo-
pie of Elliot and Carter counties, who
were Jointly liable with Boyd county
for the bonds, determined to act
promptly in order to prevent any FUR
Their seizures. Accordingly, on Mon
day the day advertised for the sale.
1000 men, heavily armed and COM
posed of some of the best citizens Of
Elliot and Carter counties, secured a
wagon and went to the house of the
deputy tax collector. Mr.. Levi White,
where they demanded the immediate
return of the goods which had been
levied upon.
Mr.. White surrendered them, stat
ing that he had his wife and several
children to protect and would not be
responsible for innocent bloodshed.
The mob secured all the goods which
were levied on as a test, returning
them to Mr.. Oppenheimer's store.
Then they marched through the prin-
cipal thoroughfare and vOlley after
volley of shots rang out in the clear
crisp December air, celebrating the
event Many speeches We're made.
John Armstrong Deputy Sheriff,wa
accidentally shot in the foot Anoth-
er man, whose name was not learned,
was also accidentally shot. but his
wound was not serious. About 4!
o'clock the crowd dispersed
The trouble which came to a head
here Monday is of old standing. Six
ty-siX yGlrs ago bonds were issued
/ by Carter, Elliot and Boyd counties
to pay for the construction of the Lex.
ington & Big Sandy railroad. This
road was never built. Tho bonds
passed into the hands of innocent
purchasers for value, and suit was
brought to require special levies of
taxes to pay the interest end princi-
pal on the bonds.
The levy was made. and for many
years the citizens of Carter and ELL
lot counties have been bearing the
burden of the increased taxation,
The generation which voted the bonds
. 10 INV ufdus ht Ollblidl
ers are also dead. and the second gem
eration now attempts to collect the
money from the second generation of
these who voted the bonds
1t is the opinion of the citizens here
that the bonds were a mere specula-
ton. even when originally bought
being sold at low value. The peo-
pie of the counties affected feel that
they owe nothing, as they did not
create the debt, and more especially
do they feel this as the money would
be paid to persons who expended moth
Ing for the bonds, having received
heir interest by inheritance.
WANTED-Gentlemah or lady with
good reference. to travel by rail or
with rig, for firm of $3.50, 100000 cap
ital. Salary S1,O72 90 per year and ex-