News 03 - From the MT. Vernon Signal
The following articles were submitted by: Vicky White
JUNE 23, 1899 BRADLEY MEANS BUSINESS
The Governor is Determined to Restore Peace in Clay County Regardless of Cost Frankfort, Ky, June 18
Gov Bradley has not the power to declare martial law in the county of Clay, where a reign of terror exists as the result of the assassination of Tom Baker last Saturday, but he intends to restore order there, regardless of cost. The governor received a letter Friday afternoon from Circuit Judge Eversole denying that he had as reported adjourned court at Manchester because of the fear of personal violence. The judge says that court was adjourned because he realized that justice could not be meted out with affaris in such chaotic condition. He says that he will hold a special session in Clay within the next few weeks. The troops will probably be sent back then. If order can not be restored and those under indictment tried a special session of the legislature would be the only remedy. Under the present Kentucky law the governor cannot even appoint a special judge until the regular judge has refused to sit and the circuit clerk notifies him that the members of the bar have failed to elect. In Clay county the circuit clerk is a member of the White faction, and if Judge Eversole should decline to sit he would practically have the selection of his successor. If an exta session were held the county of Clay would either be abolished and divided up among adjoining counties or the governor would be given power to appoint special judges at will and special grand juries from other counties to go to a lawless county and investigate and find the indictments. The governor Friday night declared to be false the special dispatch sent out from Lexington Thursday that he was equipping soldiers in Eastern Kentucky to go to Harlan county. The condition there is much better than it is in Clay county.
MRS TOM BAKER
She will take her Children and Settle in the Indian Territory-A Peaceful Outlook in Clay County R.B. Lucas of Manchester who is here as a delegate to the democratic convention says the BAKER-HOWARD feud is at an end. He says that Mrs Tom Baker has decided to go to her father who is a prominent farmer in Indian territory. She will take her children with her. Dr Lucas declares that the men who have been corraled and armed in the mountains have laid down their weapons and returned to their homes and to their work. A better and more secure feeling prevails throughout the terror stricken section. Everybody now appears to be satisfied to let the law take its course and the members of to have peace. Leading citizens who have taken the factions are disposed no part in the feud are now edeavoring to get the Howards, Bakers, Philpots, Whites and others involved in the fighting to agree that they will do all in prevent further bloodshed. These men are said to take their power to kindly to this idea and when each faction is one of its side will receive harm at the hands of the assured that no enemy it is thought peace will be permanently restored.
1899, Rockcastle Co A SHOOTING AFFRAY
A Pitched Battle on the Streets of McKee
Senator William Clark Shot Three Times London, Ky Aug 29.. Reports from Jackson county say late Saturday evening at McKee a pitched battle took place between two of the wealthiest families in southeaster Kentucky. The fight was between James Hayes and his four sons on one side, and Senator William Clarke, Sherman Leadford and others. The battle occurred on the streets. Senator Clarke was shot three time. There is no hope for his recovery. One of the Hayes boys had the contents of a double barreled shotgun emptied into him. He will die. Bad blood had existed between the families for a number of years. Clarke is the present senator from the Seventeenth senatorial district. It is feared that this will develop into one of the worst feuds in the mountains.
The following articles were all Submitted by: Cindy Crawford
JIM BAKER TRIAL
The Prosecution Concluded its Testimony by Introducing Four Witnesses Baker claims alibi! BARBOURVILLE, KY, AUG 5, Year not stated---In the Jim Baker trial the prosecution concluded its testimony by introducing four witnesses. A.B. Howard testified that he was wounded at the time his son William was killed. As they were riding along the road they were shot at by persons in ambush. He rocognized Tom Baker and some one whom he thought was Jim. James Robinson, who was working at Baker's house when the killing occurred, testified that soon after shots were fired Tom and Jim came home greatly excited. Just before the shooting he said Tom went down the road in the direction whence the shots came, with what he thought to be a gun. Robinson testified in the examinging trial that Tom and Jim were both at home when the shots were fired. Now he claims that he was forced by the Barker's to swear to a lie as they threatened to him him. Fuller Barrett had testified twice before that Tom and Jim were at home when Wilson Howard was killed. This time he swore that he in company with Jim and Tom and Wiley Baker were together in the road when Howard came up; that Tom fired and Burch Storr fell dead and Bill Howard was wounded. Jim Baker fired and there was a fusilade of bullets. He said the Baker's forced him to swear false the first two times. Barrett was indicted with the Baker's for the murder, but after his indictment had been canceled by the commonweath he turned state's evidence. He is a first cousin to Tom Baker. The defense claims to be able to prove alibi.
THE GRIFFITH FACTION
A body of Mounted Men, With Winchesters and Revolvers Are on the Way to Clay County London, Ky Aug 6--- A force of about 15 mounted men, armed with Winchesters and Colt's revolvers and a good supply of ammunition, passed between here and Pittsburg Thursday night going in the direction of Clay county. They were members of the Griffin faction and it is supposed that they have joined those who have gone into Manchester to attend the examining trial of Green Griffin, which is set for Friday. Green is to be tried for the killing of Edward Fisher in the big battle of two weeks ago in Clay county. There is not telling whether trouble will occur or not.
The Testimony Closed
BARBOURVILLE, Ky., Aug 6--The testimony has closed in the case against James Baker for killing Wilson Howard. The witnesses for the defense testified that Tom and James Baker were at home when the killing occurred. Argument commenced Friday. The case will be given to the jury Saturday evening. The case against Wiley Baker will then be called. Although many feudists are here there are no disturbances.
London, Ky Aug 12, (1899)
It is reported here that Dave Chadwell has been shot from ambush near his home in Clay county. Chadwell is deputy sheriff and is said to belong to the Morris-Griffin faction."
AUG 25, 1899
A SURPRISE AT LONDON, KY
London, Ky, Aug 19, Surprise was created here by the reappearance of circuit Clerk Daugh White and Deptuy Felix Davidson from the west, and especially after it was rumored in Clay county Davidson would never again be seen alive. It is said that the Whites are apprehensive of their safety, since Wiley and Jim Baker's release from jail on account of the disappearance of Jim Beverly and Carlo Baker.
Sept 8, 1899
News comes from Clay county that deputy Sheriff Thacker was shot and killed and the mule on which Bob Smith who accompanied Thacker was riding along the road was slain. When the mule fell dead Smith lay motionless on the ground fro a couple of hours by the side of Thacker, feigning death and thus escaped assassination. At the time Thacker was killed he was on his way to where one of the Griffins lived about six miles from town to make an arrest. Thacker had testified in court for the Philpots against the Griffins in the Philpots against the Griffins in the Philpot Griffin killing on July 7. The Philpot faction are up in arms and it is reported that they have sworn vengeance against the Griffins. Thacker is the man who was taking Robt Philpot's bond when the battle took place between the Philpots and Griffins on July 17. Thacker waskilled with a quarter of a mile of the scene of the Philpot and Griffin battle and within one hundred yards of where Dave Chadwell the Griffin faction leader was shot from ambush two weeks ago. Thacker belonged to the Masonic order. The Philpots swear extermination of the Griffins.
OCT 27, 1899
TROOPS ARE READY ??????
London, Ky Oct 23, Caly county circuit court opened Monday at Manchester. The fuedists Eddy and Boyd Chadwell and Sol, Tom and Jim Griffin will be tried for the killing of Deputy Wash Thacker of the Philpot faction. Gov Bradley has troops in rediness to go to the protection of the court immediatley upon request of the judge. Since the last term of court 20 men and one woman have been shot and there are only four indictments
Too Winchesters to Court
London Depot, Ky Oct 24..Court convened at Manchester Monday morning for the trial of the Clay county feudists. All factions were on hand, heavily armed. The records of evidence against James and Sol Griffin, who are in jail there charged with the murder of Deputy Sheriff Wash Thacker have been stolen from the county judge's office. It is believed this was done by the Griffin faction to prevent indictments being returned by the grand jury. About 60 of the Philpot faction armed with Winchester were on hand to prosecute the Griffins
OCT 27, 1899
In Clay County Tuesday Dan parker and Thomas Whitmore were fired upon from ambush while on their way to Manchester. Whitmore was killed but Parker was only slightly wounded and escaped by falling from his horse and feigning death
FOUR MORE FEUDISTS INDICTED
Manchester, Ky Oct 29, ..Four additional indictments were made at Manchester Fridy in the case of the Philpots against the Griffin feudists. They are Green Griffin, Sam Brown, Charles Barnett and Dan Hampton. This makes eight in all with probablitity of more. No outbreak has occurred as yet. Circuit Judge Eversole is expected at Manchester Monday with two companies of state troops
ANOTHER MURDER REPORTED
Manchester, Ky Oct 31...Another murder is reported in this county growing out of the Philpot-Griffin feud. Mark Hall a renter living on Geo Philpot's farm was shot and killed. Hall did not belong to the feud, and it is believed he was mistaken for one of the Philpot's. Green Griffin escaped from jail Sunday night.