The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-03-14
Entire Human Fabric Of Carroll
County, Va, Circuit Court
Assassinated
THREE DEAD; SEVERAL HURT
Judge, Prosecutor and Sheriff are
Among Victims
Jurors and Clerk Of Court Also Shot
Demonstrating Occurs as Pris-
oner is Sentenced.

IiliioNilitt AnOANn It'll a
of unprecedented outlawry, the entire
human fabric of the Carroll county
circuit court, in session here today,
was wiped out by assassination. Just
as Judge Thoronton Massie sentenced
Floyd Allen TO one year in prison for
aiding in the escape of a county pris-
oner, two of Aliens brothers and sew
eral friends opened fire with revolvers.
Judge Massle fell dead in his place on
the bench. AT the left the common
wealth's attorney, William Foster
sank TO the floor with several bullets
I'm his brain and death was instantan-
eous. Sheriff Lewis Webb. endeavor-
ing to reach the ring leaders, was shot
dead before he had taken ten steps.
Several jurors, who tried the case were
seriously wounded. ]. II. Blankenship
probably fatally.
Governor Mann has offered reward
of a thousand dollars for the murder
ers. who escaped. The governor also
has ordered two militia companies 10
prepare to protect Hillsville IL required.
1doV t'otS w 'WSaHhoiuos
The Aliens. including the prisoner
and friends, after the killing, backed
slowly out of the court room, holding
all would-be pursuers back at the
point % revolvers. once outside they
made dash for the mountains on
soon In pursuit. and reports have
reached here that one OF the Aliens
vas seriously wounded in pitched
battle, which was fought with the
posse.
Special officers are being rushed in
to the country to help run down the
murderers.
The wiping out of the law officers
left affairs i'm the hands OF unframed
citizens, but nearly every man I'm this
section of the country joined in the
hunt.
The scene OF the wholesale murder
was a quaint little fashioned, red
brick country court house. HillsvilleI
being the seat of Carroll county.
Moonshiners We'll Armed.
The Allen brothers and friends must
have been well armed, for 1t seemed
to the spectators who escaped thai
fully one hundred shots were fired.
When the shooting began there was
a wild rush for tho windows and doors.
Dexter Goad, clery of court. received
a bullet wound in the neck and was
desperately hurt.
Judge Massie was one of the most
prominent jurists of the state and was
being considered for promotion to the
state supreme court.
More Killings Expected.
Roanoke. VT, March lf.-Reports
reached here of the assassination to-
day at Hllsville. Carols ounty of Cir
cult Judge Massic. She T Webb ana
Commonwealth Attorney Foster by a
mob OF mountain outlaws, one OF
whom was being tried today on the
charge Of Illicit dlstilling. A pitched
battle followed the attack and several
citizens are reported seriously wound
ed.
After the murderous assault on the
court officers. the "moonshiners' rode
hard for the mountains and had good
start on the hastily organized posse OF
citizens which is I'm pursuit. More KILL
ings are likely
4 special train has left here WIN
law officers for Hillsville, which is the
county seat, but part of the journey
will have To be made on horseback.
Details are lacking. Floyd Aiien'
one of family of three brothers re-
Gently was brought into Hillsville Tor
trial. There have been reports that
an attempt at rescue would be made
Today the other Allen brothers, with
a score OF cohorts from the mountains
rode into town. One report Is that tne
defendant In the case actually did the
shooting I'm open court
One OF Aliens Wounded.
II is reported from Hillsville that
Juror Douglas also was killed ana
Floyd Allen, one OF the mountaineers'
mortally wounded. Seventeen noun
taineers who escaped from Hillsvlne
amid shower of bullets are said 10
have taken refuge in an old barn IN
mountainous spot and are preparing 10
resist any posse that catches up with
them. They are said TO be pAntliuiiy
supplied with ammunition.