Fayette County WV News Articles from the Past

Desperate Murders Ruled Town
November 11, 1904

The Inhabitants Hid

Three Murders in Quick Succession At Montgomery, West Virginia

Harvey Jackson Killed Sheriff and Citizen with Brother Terrified Residents

Huntington, W.Va. Nov 10 Fayette county is wildly excited tonight over a double murder today, following the murder of Constable W.A. Jackson by Policeman Will Elliott, of Montgomery, late last night. Last night in a quarrel between the two officers. Jackson was shot and killed. Harvey Jackson, brother of W.A. Jackson, and two other brothers armed themselves and started out to "clean up" the entire police force of the town. A telephone message was sent to Sheriff Daniels, of Fayette County to come to Montgomery at once. Daniels reached Montgomery this morning. Just as he stepped from the train he saw Harvey Jackson. The Sheriff walked over to Jackson and told him to leave town under penalty of being arrested.

Instantly Killed.
Jackson without a word fired twice point blank at the Sheriff. The Sheriff dropped to the ground, dying instantly. John Rolf, a prominent citizen, witnessed the talk between Daniel's and Jackson. Throwing up his hands he advanced toward Jackson to help Daniels. Jackson turned and shot Rolf dead. He then defied any one to take him. The other Jackson boys came into town and for half an hour the three paraded the streets, firing revolvers and defying the town. The streets deserted, and not an official dared make his appearance. In the meantime Detective Harrison Ash, reputed to the gamest man in West Virginia, and who lives near Montgomery, was telephoned for

Routed By One Man
He was seen coming down the roadway from Montgomery by the Jacksons, and they started on a run for the mountain's base near by, and escaped in the woods. After Ash had driven the murderers to the mountains citizens plucked up courage and swarmed into the streets heavily armed. A possee of 200 men was quickly orginized, and under the leadership of Ash and other police, they started beating the woods for the Jacksons. The search is being kept up tonight.

Donated by Barb Ziegenmeyer