Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-03-29


The central office at Hillsville is 6
room in a private residence. Remote
and unprotected Hillsville has no char
ter Of incorporation, no local govern
ment and no police protection. The
last census gives 1t 445 inhabitants
From outward appearances 1t hardly
seems to have so many. 1t straggles
along much ground, most of it strung
on one street, unpaved except in the
immediate neighborhood Of the court
house and without the slightest sug-
gestion of roadway except the ordinary
mud of the country thoroughfare.
There is no symptom of street
light and people who must go about a,
night use lanterns or feel their way
It has the usual equipment for towns
of its size, a few stores, a livery sta
BILE or two and comfortable, seemly
looking, but unpretentious dwellings
two or three frame churches and two
hotels, one adjoining the court house
yard and the other very small.
It is easy to understand how in a
community like this a few determined
men like the Aliens and their kin and
friends could take possession and hold
full sway whenever they chose. They
could ride and shoot about the streets,
fight their enemies in the roadway OF
on the court house green and feel safe
from interference, except now and
then, when they encountered some de-
termined man like Mr.. Landreth, al
ready mentioned, who made an indi-
vidual fight against them. AS is u.s.
ual everywhere, peaceful merchants
and residents were only too glad to
avoid trouble with invaders so formid-
able and to keep clear Of the antagon-
isms with them. Through ten or
twelve years the Aliens have done as
they pleased.
Cocks of the Walk.
They learned to feel that they were
the cocks of the walk Of Carroll coun-
ty. AS the younger men grew up this
feeling became intensified and the ex-
pressions of it more arrogant and con-
slant. Many of them were given an
education superior to those enjoyed by
the boys around them. They had
money, to an extent. at least. social
prestige and the constantly increasing
terror of the Allen name and clan. 1t
is a characteristic little incident, told
by the young lady in charge of the tel
ephone office, that not very long ago,
when she had trouble in giving a con-
nection from country house, the
mans voice from the other end of the
line remarked, sharply:
II reckon you don't know who I am.
am one of those fighting Aliens. And
you had better give me connection
quick"
To which she responded promptly:
We'll, l am one of the fighting Will
coxes, and if you come about me I'll
be prepared for YOU"
Contrary to usual conditions, how
ever, the women of Hillsville seem to
be in about as much fear Of the Aliens
as any of the men, always dreading
lest some of the men of their families
might be hurt.
Political Complications.
Political animosities bred among the
Aliens deep personal resentments. Sew
eral years ago a son Of Jack Allen, one
Of the oldest of his generation and to
whom the family looked with pride to
win for it new prominence and power,
was a candidate for commemorative
attorney. He was educated at Wash
ington and Lee university, took law
degree and was bright and promising.
He was defeated, however, by Mr.. W.
NJ Foster, after a close and hot fight.
This embittered his whole connection,
especially against the commonwealth's
attorney and the Republican Office
holders around the court house. The
feeling against Hillsville and its peo-
pie became fiercer and more intolerant
than ever.
Should Never Go to Jail.
Among the other family traditions
they had established among them
selves was that none of the Allen kith
or kin ever should wear stripes or go
to jail In other words, having pretty
well tyrannized over the people, they
determined to assert themselves as
above the law and its representatives
Possibly they did not realize that they
were defying the commonwealth, the
country and the world. They never
were people who travelled much ol
looked much beyond their own imme-
diate surroundings and circle. They
viewed the law through its representa-
tives in and about Hillsville and prob
ably acquired more or less contemp,
for it. They fought the local Republi-
can organization, the dominant politi-
cal force in Carroll, on all occasions
They declared repeatedly their purpose
to prevent any of their people being
punished for any offense against state
or United States laws. 1t is related
that Jack Allen once was driving alont
q public road with a wagon load Of
moOnshine liquor. He met a United
States deputy marshal, who stopped
him and inquired with what he was
loaded. His response was with whis'
ky and manhood" and the marshal die
mot care to interfere.
The family took the same attitude
toward the state court. During judge
JackSOn's service on this circuit he wa!
annoyed continually Dy hearing OF th'
defiance and threats of the Aliens. On
one occasion one of the Edwards hoys
nephew of the Older Allen, was con
victed of a misdemeanor and sentenced
to jail Word was sent into Hillsvill'
that the town would he shot up if any
attempt was made tn incarcerate th'
young man. However. the Aliens some
how were recOnciled and the yOuns
man was taken to Jail 10y the sheriff
single handed.
1t is believed that Judge Massie t'
short time before his death was de-
ceived into the belief that the fight
ing Aliens" had been brought to se'
reason and to consent to obey the Law