The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-01-28
'UNCLE FLETCH" DEATON GOES
TO FRANKFORT REFORMA.
TORY FOR LIFE.
IS NOT IN GOOD HEALTH
Eouf Men Convicted OF Callahan AZ.
ISOLATION Now in State PEN
itentiary.


big iron gates at the Frankfort Re-
formatory closed at noon today, aft
err admitting Uncle Fletch" Deaton,
as life prisoner, and the last chap
ter in one of the most famous feud
trials in the history of the State was
written. In charge of Sheriff Howard
Gilbert, the famous feudist left VIM
chester this morning at 5 o'clock to
begin his long term.
"Uncle Fletch" has been in poor
health for several months and his
physicians have been uneasy over
condition. 1t is feared that his long
confinement has aggravated an old
trouble in his stomach, which may
be cancer. In fact the old prisoner
declares that he is far from a well
man and several days ago seemed
very much discouraged at the slow
progress made in regaining his
health. In the penitentiary today
he will gree his son, Jim Deaton,
and Andrew Johnson, who were con-
victed here about year ago, and
Dock Smith, who first turned States
evidence, and, after being paroled by
Judge Benton, started out at his old
tricks in Breatitt with theresult that
he was again brought to the pail here
and given trial and sent up to join
his comrades.
Smith Describes killing.
Smith declares that Johnson, Jim
Deaton and he concealed themselves
on the hillside, from where they
could see Ed Callahan in his store
and at the word fired, the noted ex-
Sheriff and feudist, received fatal
shot in the breast. With Uncle
Fletch," who was convicted as the
arch conspirator, Johnson. Smith
and Deaton, are all now serving life
terms for the assassination.
One man, RED Tom" Davidson. is
now thanking his stars that he was
able to prove an alibi. and secure an
acquittal, although several of the
alibi witnesses were indicted for per-
jury in connection with the cases Of
the Deatons, johnson and Smith, and
several indictments are now filed
away here. 1t was claimed by the
Commonwealth that RED Tom" fur
nished the mule for one of the as
sassins to ride, and otherwise aided
them in reaching Galatians the
night before the tragedy. He was
ably defended by the late Judge
Bach. of jackson, It being the only
one Of the cases in which Judge
Bach appeared. and it is claimed
that this astute mountain lawyer
brought "Red Tom" out of what
seemed to be bad hole"
Spends Entire Fortune. q
''Uncle Fletch" has been in jail
here since october. 1912. when the
fifteen defendants were transferred
from Jackson to this county. He was
in Jail at Jackson short time be-
fore being transferred. 1t is said by
those who know, that his defense
and that of the 'boys" has taken
on estate which was valued at sew
eral thousand dollars. and there is
absolutely nothing left.
"Uncle Fletch's" goodbye to Jail
err Mullins today was very pathetic,
as the noted prisoner wept when he
left the Jail, and even Jailer Mullins,
who has handled many prisoners,
could hardly keep the tears back.
The two have became fast friends
since "Uncle Fletch' has been here,
and several weeks ago Jailer Mullins
took him to Louisville to consult a
specialist. and paid the expense, when
it seemed that an operation was i'm
perative. ~ ~