The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1910-08-03
MORE TROUBLE IN
THE BLACK PATCH
A Confessed Night Rider
Was Shot
WHILE ATTENDING A PICNIC
Alleged ASSaSSinS Arrested
by Troops and Put Under
Strong Guard.
SOLDIERS HOLD PRISONERS

Kuttawa, KY, July 31.-While at
tending a barbecue near Lamasco
precinct in this county, Saturday,
Axiom Cooper, a tenant on the farm
of Milton Oliver, confessed night
rider and witness for the State in
pending trials of DR.. Amos and 9TH
ers in the Christian CircutCour was
shot and fatally wounded Gillian
Mitchell, Alonzo Gray and Brown
Hawkins, young men of that neigh
borhood, were arrested by troops on
the charge of shooting Cooper Seven
or eight shots entered the body of
Cooper.
According to reports by telephone
one man struck Cooper, knocking
him down and when he attempted to
rise, two others are alleged to have
fired the shots which took effect in
the groin.
Two of the balls from the revolver
passed through the thigh and shat
tered the pelvic bone. Cooper will
not live throughout the night.
This morning at o'clock, fifteen
members of the State Guard arrived
double-quick at the home of oliver
a distance of fourteen miles. Several
horses were secured here and al
though no plans of the troops were
made public, it is thought a heavy
patrol will be maintained in that por
ton of the county.
Sergeant Major Gooch was in com
mand of troops at the time of the
arrests and placed the men under {
heavy guard. When Sheriff Cash
County Attorney Hodge and Judge
Gray arrived at the scene of shoot
ing, the Sergeant Major refused t.
release the prisoners or place then
in custody of the three civil author
tiles.
The atmosphere surrounding La
masco for the past few weeks ha!
been deplorable. Reports recently
were to the effect that Oliver was t.
leave the State and would dispose o
all his property. Notices were post
ed by unknown parties, in at leas
two public places, and on trees neal
divers home, warning anyone not t
purchase, the penalty being incen
diarism or death. Such conditions
existing have caused excitement t
run high and is mostly the cause o
the reinforcements being stationed
at Lamasco.
Governor Wilson Wires For Facts
Frankfort, KY, July 31.-Gov
Wilson received a telegram from
Judge Gray, of Lyon county, to-da!
stating that the soldiers had declin
ed to turn over to the civil officers
the men under arrest for the shoot
ing of Axiom Cooper and asked the
Governor to take some action. Gov
Wilson directed the acting Adjutan
General to wire the militia Officer
who is in charge of the soldiers t.
telegraph all the facts in the matter
at once and state why the men were
not turned over to the civil authori
ties. AS soon as a reply is received
giving the facts, Gov. Wilson will
take such action as he thinks the sit
uation demands.
Neither the Governor nor any one
else here knows why the soldiers de
clined to give the men up to the
sheriff or jailer of Lyon county. Gov
Wilson wired Judge Gray that he
had asked for the facts from the
chief militia officer.
Wounded Man Dead.
Kuttawa, KY Aug. 1.-Axtor
Cooper, the tenant on the farm Of
Milton Oliver, confessed night rider
and witness for the State in pending
trials in the Christian Circuit Court
who was shot several times yester'
day, died early this morning.
shortly after Cooper died, however
the troops arrested George Merrich
and James Mercer, who live in the
neighborhood of Wallonia. making
five prisoners who are being held In
connection with the tragedy.