newspaperclips1

1847-12-11; Extracted from: Ohio Statesman, published as: The Daily Ohio Statesman

We are indebted to a gentleman from Kentucky, now in the city, for the perusal of a private letter, communicating the intelligence of an extensive fire which occurred at Louisa, Lawrence county, Ky., on Friday night last, by which a row of buildings owned by Mr. Frederick Moore, and occupied by J. M. Redden and Wm. McFarland, dry goods merchants and grocers, and Joseph Pickrell, merchant tailor, - as also the Post office, - was entirely destroyed. The Post-office books and papers, and the money, books and papers of Mr. McFarland, were saved. Mr. Redden saved one half his stock; - all the rest a total loss. There was also destroyed, goods in store for others, amounting in value to about $3,500; of which falls upon Massrs. Miles & Co. of this city. Mr. Moores loss is about $2000; - no insurance upon any of the property consumed. The fire originated about 11 o’clock, in the store of Mr. McFarland, but by what means had not been ascertained. The wind was high, and the adjacent buildings were saved with great difficulty.- Cin Enq.

Capt. Patrick, with 15 men of the Fourth Kentucky, surprised 80 rebels at Quicksand Creek, and

Killed 10 and wounded 11, and captured all their arms, horsed, and all their camp equipage.

1864-11-18; Extracted from: Macon Weekly Telegraph, published as: Macon Daily Telegraph

STEAMERS BURNED BY GUERILLAS – A Cincinnati dispatch of the 7^th, says two small steamers were burned by guerilla on the Big Sandy River yesterday, a few miles above Louisa.

Later special dispatches report numerous cases of shooting and killing in Kentucky . Joe Moore was shot through the head and mortally wounded yesterday at Big Blaine, Lawrence County , Ky. , by a navy revolver in the hands of Ike Thompson, being the end of an old standing quarrel.

Cincinnati , March 9.— A special from Louisa , Ky. , says: News has been received from a lonely farming community on Cat's Fork, In Lawrence County, of a terrible tragedy. Samuel Smith, aged 16 years, who had some difficulty with a neighbor Stephen Hammond, yesterday armed himself with a revolver and went over to Hammond 's, following him into the house. Hammond then reached for his rifle, but Smith fired and killed him. Hammond 's wife and children, a boy and girl_, attacked the murderer, but he soon fatally wounded Mrs. Hammond, and as the children attempted to escape he filled them both with balls. Thinking he had killed the entire family he fled to the mountains and has not yet been caught. Mrs. Hammond will die and the children may not recover. It was hours after the shooting before the neighbors came, attracted by cries of the boy.

James (Pud) Marcum, was hanged in the jail yard today. There was a big crowd in the city. The crime for which he was executed was for brutally murdering his cousin, Fisher Marcum, in a lonely cabin on Catts Fork of the Big Sandy in this (Lawrence) County, on the night of February 10, 1886.

The causes that led to the killing are not well known. The Marcum family ranged among what is known as the “middle class” of farmers and were in comfortable circumstances, as circumstances go in Eastern Kentucky mountain life. Pud was well traveled for one in his station in life and had received a fair education. He was passably good looking and always appeared flashily dressed. In the murder of Fisher Marcum, Pud was assisted by Thomas Carter, his brother-in-law. Carter is now serving a life sentence in the penitentiary, at Frankfort, for his part in the crime. Pud was brought to trial at Louisa, in July, 1886, and, on conviction, was sentenced to be hanged October 22 of the same year. A stay of execution was obtained pending an appeal to the Supreme Court. The higher tribunal refused a new trial, however, and the date of execution was finally fixed for April 29, 1887.

Louisa, Ky., Sept. 20 – This morning Wm. Thompson concealed himself near the house of A. J. Thompson, eight miles from there and shot three members of the family, one of them fatally.

The murderer also shot a school teacher. His victims were his own cousins. He has not been captured.

1888-12-28; Extracted from: Macon Weekly Telegraph, published as: The Macon Telegraph

End of the Leader of the Hatfield gang of desperadoes, died near here last week. He was the worst of the whole Hatfield gang, being the one who ruined a daughter of old man McCoy and one of the leaders in the terrible affair when three McCoy boys were tied to pawpaw bushes and shot to death. He was also concerned in the New Year attack on Randolph McCoy’s house, when his daughter and another of his boys were murdered.

Johnson Hatfield, one of the worst of the notorious Hatfield gang, died last week in Lawrence county, Kentucky.

Charles Fisher and his sister, Minnie and Annie, left Wednesday for Webbville , Kentucky , where they will take charge of a store for his brothers.

Louisville , Ky. , April 30 – At Louisa , Kentucky , Wednesday, Jonathan Wolford shot and killed Frank Francis, near Pokeville , Kentucky . The murderer’s brother was engage in a fight with a man named Phillips. Francis, who was a friend of Phillips, interfered in the latter’s behalf and Wolford’s brother shot him.

A wreck occurred on the Ohio and Big Sandy road last night, about 30 miles south of here, near a station called Walbridge. The train, which consisted of two coaches, four box cars, engine and tender, was derailed while rounding a curve by the spreading of the rails.

Phil Montague, conductor, left arm badly crushed, which may necessitate amputation, lives in Ashland , Ky.

J. D. Quaron, chief engineer, of Ashland , Ky. , hurt internally and considered in a dangerous condition.

Steve Hammond, a section employe, of Richmond , Ky. , slightly bruised about the shoulders.

The coach, which rolled down an embankment of thirty feet, contained about fifty passengers. It was partially burned.

1892-04-07; Extracted from: Bismarck Tribune, published as: Bismarck Daily Tribune

Louisa, Ky., April 6 – “Captain” Hatfield, the notorious leader of the Hatfield gang, whose record of murders is second to none in the country, was killed in the mountains of Logan county, W. Va., by one of his gang while engaged in a game of cards.

Louisa, Ky., April 22 – At a wedding last night, Henry Davis, an uninvited boy, nineteen years old, walked into the house, and without provocation or warning, struck Noah Mead, aged twenty-one, in the temple with a knife. Mead was sitting in a chair, but raised up and knocked Davis down with his fist. A scuffle followed, and while on the floor Davis stabbed Mead in the heart. Mead died immediately. Davis fled, but the officers and citizens are out searching for him. The wedding halted awhile, but was continued after the excitement was over. Mead is a son of one of the best known justices in this city. The trouble was an old feud.

1892-08-27; Extracted from: Charlotte Observer, published as: Daily Charlotte Observer

Huntington, W. Va., August 26 – At Louisa, Ky. , a street sewer caved in last night burying five men. The sewer was 11 feet deep and very narrow. It took an hour to recover the bodies. Oscar Hughes was dead. Abe Webb was rescued more dead than alive with both legs broken. He will probably die. Lion Wilson is believed to be fatally injured.

1894-06-23; Extracted from: Omaha World Herald, published as: Morning World-Herald

Near Louisa , Ky. , Jacob Jones was fatally injured and his son, Robert, age 15, instantly killed by the explosion of a sawmill boiler.

Andrew Cole, wife and four children were brought to Lexington Monday from Louisa , Ky. , and placed in the insane asylum, all suffering from rabies except the mother.

1895-03-10; Extracted from: Duluth News-Tribune, published as: The Sunday News Tribune

SOUTHERN SHOOTERS

Several Dead Men Lying Around After a Rail at Jeff McKenzie’s

Ashland , Ky. , March 9 – Tom and Will Rose and Miles Belfrey were today brought to Louisa , Ky. For the assassination of W. Ison . Ison, while at a social gathering at the residence of Jeff McKenzie, pretended to be a United States marshal inquiring after moonshine business. Miles Belfrey’s daughter, who was present, left and spread the alarm. Later in the night a gang approached the house, calling McKenzie and Ison out. Ison was killed by William Belfrey. McKenzie was badly wounded but secured his gun and seriously wounded William Belfrey who is still at large. McKenzie is also hiding, fearing Belfrey’s friends.

1895-01-28; Extracted from: Philadelphia Inquirer, published as: The Philadelphia Inquirer

THEY BARK LIKE DOGS

Two Brothers, Afflicted With Hydrophobia, Act Exactly Like Canines

Louisa , Ky. , Jan. 27 – Andrew Cole and wife, of the western part of this county, yesterday brought to Louisa their four children, two of whom, at least, have hydrophobia. The eldest, a boy of 15, was bitten by a rabid dog in 1889, but showed no symptoms of the disease until two months ago, when he began to have queer spells. They grew more frequent and violent, until two weeks ago, when he bit a younger brother. The younger boy is in terrible condition. The brothers bark, snarl and snap exactly like dogs.

The other two children are girls and show symptoms of the same disease. The children will be sent to a Pasteur institute.

Williamson, W. Va. , May 23 – Deputy Marshal Sam Smith has arrived here with John Jones and John L. Ackey, who robbed the postoffice and jewelry store at Louisa , Ky. They were captured in the mines at Algoma and had a large quantity of stamps with them. They confessed to the robbery and turned up the booty.

Inez, Ky., June 3 – Yesterday at this place “Rebel Bill” Smith, the noted mountain detective, arrested John Damron, who stole a team of cattle in West Virginia, drove them into his State over a year ago and sold them. He has been at large ever since until captured here. Smith took him this morning to Louisa , Ky. , to answer the charge.

Louisa , Ky. , Aug. 22 – At Zelda, this county, John Lett killed Brack Hensley by cutting him in the abdomen. While drunk Hensley went into the store where Lett works and raised a row, finally assaulting him. Lett then used his knife and Hinsley died in eight minutes. Both were married and considered good citizens.

Louisa , Ky. , Sept. 17 – In a saloon at Thacker a negro miner was killed and his body robbed of $100 by unknown parties.

Bill Marrow amused himself by shooting the candles off the Christmas tree at Kavanaugh Chapel, in Lawrence County , and when George Pack remonstrated, Marrow shot him in the abdomen and escaped on horseback.

Louisa, Ky., Nov. 6 – Albert White accidentally discharged a revolver and the ball passed through Will Caine’s leg, and after striking the floor hit little Ray Butler on the arm, bruising it slightly. The accident occurred while White and Caine were examining the pistol, and was deplored by all.

Louisa , Ky. , Nov. 6 – One of the most generally deplored accidents and deaths that ever occurred here was the drowning this week of Will, the seventeen-year-old son of Dr. L. Y. Gray, of Fort Gray , nearby. He fell from a steep bank into a deep hole of water and was drowned before assistance could reach him. The body was recovered in about twenty minutes, but life was extinct.

Louisa, Ky. , Jan. 26 – John Sammons, aged 76, met a horrible death at his house, six miles south of this place. He owned a vicious jack, and went to the stable to give it a bucket of water. The animal is kept tied, but had broken the halter, and when the old man went in he was immediately attacked. The jack caught him by the shoulder with its teeth and struck him to the ground with its fore feet, and then jumped upon him with its knees, crushing his breast-bone. The beast kept up the attack until the old man’s wife reached the scene and thrust a pitchfork into it. Several bones were broken in Sammon’s body, and he was severely bitten in many places. The calf of the leg was almost torn off by the animal’s teeth. The old man died within a few hours.

Grayson, Ky., March 17. - (Special) - In Lawrence county, fifteen miles south of this place, six men engaged in a battle with rifles today. Three were arrayed on one side and three on the other. It was a resumption of the famous Adkins-Hensley feud which broke out in that section several years ago, and in which several persons have already been killed. The members of both families are among the wealthiest and most prosperous citizens of Lawrence county, one of the wildest counties in the mountains of Kentucky.

For several weeks trouble has been brewing, and last week John Adkins, the father of the Adkins boys, who have been involved in the feud, was dangerously shot by one of the Hensleys. This was the signal for a general arming on the part of the belligerent families, and every male member of them equipped himself with a rifle.

The first engagement took place in Lawrence county today, when the six men met. Fifty shots were fired, but the combatants were so far apart that nearly all the balls went wide of the mark. William Adkins, one of the leaders in the feud, was shot through the groin and fatally injured. Old man Adkins and his son will die.

Transcribed from: Charlotte Daily Observer Dec. 6, 1908

MOONSHINER'S LEADER KILLED

In Desperate Fight in the Mountains of West Virginia Man Who Had Defied Arrest is Laid Low. But Not Until He and His Friends Had Killed a Deputy Sheriff.

Huntington, W. Va., Dec. 5. - In a fight between a dozen deputy marshals and a gang of alleged moonshiners to-day 40 miles south of here, Deputy Sheriff Litteral and William Vinson were killed. Litteral was killed by William Vinson, who was himself shot and killed by the officers. The deputies arrested Joseph Vinson, Morris Bates, and William Vinson, Jr., and are now en route to this city. Vinson and his men have been defying arrest for several months.

About a month ago, Joseph Vinson was captured in Lawrence county, Kentucky, by an officer from Louisa, Ky., who started with him for the Louisa jail. On the way there they were overtaken by a party of Vinson's friends who held the officer up at the point of revolvers and recaptured Vinson. They put him on a horse and took him into the mountains of West Virginia, where they have since been defying Kentucky, West Virginia, and Federal officers.

Vinson and his friends were all heavily armed and jut such a fight as occured had been expected and all declared that Vinson should not be taken alive.

1908-12-06 Transcribed from The Sun (New York)

In a battle between moonshiners and a posse of revenue officers on the Kentucky and West Virginia border this morning Deputy Sheriff Wiley Litreal of Louisa, Lawrence county, Kentucky, and Ben Vinson, a noted outlaw, were killed.

The fight took place at Webb, forty miles above Ashland, on the Kentucky side of the Big Sandy River. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the perpetual moonshiner war. A searching party was after Joe Vinson, son of Ben Vinson, and came upon the outlaws early this morning.

Instead of surrendering, as ordered, Vinson and his crowd, twenty men and half as many women, opened fire on the officers. Deputy Sheriff Litreal was the first to fall from a bullet fired by the elder Vinson. The fire was returned and Vinson fell dead.

Several arrests were made later, but Joe Vinson was not captured. He was arrested several weeks ago in Lawrence county, Kentucky, on a warrant from Wayne county, West Virginia, but was rescued by friends before a jail was reached. Since then he has been hunted by revenue officers. The raid today was led by Dan Cunningham, United States Deputy Marshal.

Extracted from the Lexington Herald September 30, 1913 (Selected counties extracted)

MORE CONFEDERATE PENSIONS ALLOWED

Frankfort , Ky. Sept. 29 – The pensions allowed by the board at a meeting today follow:

Lawrence – F. C. Cochran, T. B. Ellswick, Jordan Hinsley, Alamande Hicks, and Rilas F. Reynolds.