The Stanford interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1911-1912, 1911-12-29
DREADFUL KILLINGS
At CRAB ORCHARD


Crab Orchard was the scene Of
a double killing on Saturday night
just before Christmas which cast a
feeling Of sadness and sorrow over
an who heard of IL during what
should prove the happiest season
Of the year.
Walter wallin, one Of the best
known farmers in the East End,
and Elijah Hoskins, deputy marshal
of Crab Orchard, are the two men
who lost their lives in the unfortu-
nate affair. Wallin was shot thro'
the heart by Hoskins and died al
most instantly, and a few minutes
later Jake wallin pumped four bull
let's into Hoskins, wounding him so
severely that he died a few hours
later, Jake Wallin and his nephew
young Ernest Wallin, son Of bud
wallin, were arrested, charged with
murder. County Judge Bailey APP
pointed Deputy Sheriff W. $. En-
hry as a guard for them until their
examining trial can be held Thurs
day. Judge J. W. Alcorn and his
son, X. $. Alcorn are the attorneys
who will defend them.
Reports concerning the affair
vary, and the true facts will prob
ably not be known until the testi-
mony of all the eye witnesses is in
at the examining trial.
Not until Sheriff W. l.. McCarty
aud Coroner George =. Bright went
up "a Crab Orchard Sunday morn
ing TO make an investigation and
hold an inquest were the details
learned here concerning the fearful
affair. According 10 the informa-
ton gathered by Sheriff McCarty,
the shooting ARRAY Saturday night
had It's beginning one day last week
when John Riddle. proprietor of a
soft drink stand nj Crab Orchard,
had somals slight trouble with ope of
the Wallin men. II is said that
Riddle drew his gun on Wallin,
who was uuarmed at the time and
gave h.u some still talk. The next
day WaIuD is said 10 have return
ed 10 town ready for business. and
this time he got the drop on Riddle
aud made him eat his words of the
day before.
Sheriff McCarty was told that on
Saturday the next day, quite a num-
Der of both the Walhn and Riddle
families came TO town armed and
ready for trouble. II seemed that
news Of the little difficulty between
Wallin and Riddle had become gem
orally known among their friends
and kinsmen, and each side was
determined not TO have to take
anything from the other.
When he saw how things were
going Saturday, bud Walhn, who
lives IN the Cedar Creek section and
IS one of the most respected and
best known members of that fam
lily, being the oldest OF the eight
brothers, went TO John Riddle and
had little quiet talk with him. Mr..
Wallin and Riddle had always been
good friends. He told Riddle that
he regretted that affairs had come
10 the pass that they had; and then
asked him as friend to go home
and stay there until Sunday morn
ing. Mr.. Walhn in said 20 have
told Riddle that his brothers were
an town mad and drinking and he
was unable TO control them and he
believed that the best way 10 avoid
trouble would be for Riddle TO 90
home and stay there for the remain
der of the day. Riddle at first de-
INJURED, il is said. cs the ground
that he could not afford TO leave
his business. but Mr.. Wallin finally
convinced him that it was the SEN
slble thing to do and he went, promis
ing Mr.. Wallin that he would not
come out any more that day.
Later in the day while Riddle was
still nj home, Waiter Wallin. with
who Mr.. Riddle is said to have had
the first trouble, went TO Riddles
house and tried to get him out, but
Mr.. Riddle is said TO have written
him a note, telling him Of the
promise made bud Waliin and re-
fusine 10 come out for trouble.
Towards evening bud wallin,
Walter Wallin. young Ernest Wallin
a son Of bud Wailin and several
other men were in Riddles place,
and were in front of the bar when
Deputy Marshal Hoskins went in.
bud Wallin is said to have remark
ed TO him:
at looks like Won have been fol- |