Garrard County, Kentucky - Chapter 11, 1854

Chapter 11

Hills receive a hired recruit from Washington county - Dr. Hill's pretended desire, to end the Feud - The Grand Jury indicts a number of the Hills - The Court grants^hem bail - The Evans boys go out to enlist help - Policy and conduct of the Evans party changed - The Evans boys go over the river, and on their return meet Bedster and Jim Hill - They kill Bedster and wound Hill - Contrast between the Hill and Evans parties - The Evans boys tried and acquitted before two justices of the peace - Hills scour the county - Citizens in danger - Public meeting - Dr. Evans proposes to stipulate - Arbitrators chosen, but fail to restore peace - Grand Jury indicts the Evans boys - Joe Murphy's stratagem - The trial delayed - :The sheriff detains the boys - The stratagem of the Hills to kill the Doctor fails - Hills, attack the Evan's party and kill Jesse May - The Court orders the capture of Dr. Hill and Joe Murphy - The Evans boys put in jail - Dr. Hill and Murphy's trial delayed till they run away - The Governor offers $200 reward for them - Dr. Evans's little son shoots a Hill - Murphy captured and lodged in jail - Mrs. Bus Hill appears again - Hills disperse - The Evans boys have fine sport in jail - The Governor places a strong guard around the jail - The Evans boys tried and acquitted for the murder of Bedster.

Not long after the Scott's Fork tragedy, Dr. Hill received a supply of new troops, from Washington county, known as the Washington troops, or Washington recruits. They were a set of low-bred fellows, loafers, and rioters by profession at home, and hired to fight at fifteen dollars per month, with a standing reward of five dollars extra for a scalp of the Evans party.

One evening Dr. Hill mustered his forces, and sent Dr. Evans word that he wanted to quit fighting - that he had never had any hand in the fight, and that he did not wish to have any thing whatever to do with it. In reply, Dr. Evans sent him word that he tvas a liar - that he was the leader of the band, and had pretended for the last three years to have a right to shoot at him - that he was now at liberty to use his pretended right, for there was not room enough on the top of the ground for both of them in Garrard county. They continued their old practice of waylaying the roads, and laying around Dr. Evans's house, shooting at any of the family, or party, whenever seen.

Ti1E Iiill And Evans Feud

jIti May, the grand jury indicted a good many of them for killing Sellars and Chrismon, but the county court granted them bail. After giving bail, they resumed the war with renewed vigor. They watched the fields, and when any of the Evans boys attempted to work, they attacked and drove them home. On this account, they were compelled to keep out a strong guard all the time. Thus, so many sentries were required that few of the party remained to till the crop. Soon, the Hill party increased to such a number that none of the Evanses could work - they could not do more than protect themselves. - - - Hence, they stayed at home, pretty well confined to the house,

One afternoon at dinner, during this inactivity, Sam seemed almost delirious - the augmenting troubles bore so heavily upon his mind. He observed to the other boys, as they silently masticated their cheerless repast : -

Boys, let us wipe up our guns and take a squirrel bunt this evening, for we must drive them devils off somehow ! We . are not able to whip the whole party ourselves, at least, so long as they can hire half of Washington county to help them, so ' we must see who will help us ! "

They put their guns in shooting order, and went over to Capt-. Murphy's. They stayed there all night, and returned next morning with three or four other men - Jack May being one of the number. On Sunday morning they all left except May, and he told the Doctor : -

" I am afraid to stay at home - they have been laying around my house for some time, and shooting at me every chance. You . know I have but an indifferent log cabin - they can go into it anv time, take me out and serve me like they did Sellars and . Chrismon."

Reader, you have, doubtless, watched the conduct of tlie two : parties, with scrutiny, up to thi3 period. The Hills, you have seen, were perfectly abandoned to all the vices to which the human race is heir - possessed of hearts dead to all the holy principles of humanity and rectitude, and minds regai Hess of the mandates of honor, and uninfluenced by those higher qualifi- cations which are characteristic of a lofty soul. They took every advantage, no matter how low and mean, waylaid the , roads, besieged the house at night, and spread reports that were as false and base as the hearts that gave them birth. On the other hand, you cannot have failed to admire the straightforward and honorable course of the Evans party. By this, it is not intended to be said, that the Evans party never did anything wrong during the war; for it is a moral impossibility for any man, or set of men, to go through such protracted excitement and danger, without doing that which staid and sober men might pronounce blameable. But so far as my information extends, they never condescended to practice the low tricks of which the , enemy were so fond. They never laid in ambush about either house or road ; nor did they begin a fight, or intentionally place themselves in such a situation as would bring on a rencounter, Indeed, it was almost impossible for them to be guilty of such mean conduct, for their number wa3 so very small that they were compelled to act entirely on the defensive, and had not the men to thus vigorously prosecute the war. So far as was practicable and safe, they attended to their different occupations, and never collected in bands, unless forced to do so by an attack of the enemy. But henceforth, you will perceive them act in the offensive as well as the defensive. This -course of conduct was necessary for their safety, and the only, means of bringing the feud to a close. Sam's remark, on an evening previous, that they would have to run the Hills off, led their minds to these conclusions, and marks a grand division in the events of our little history. Hence, from this time forth, they tried to surprise the enemy and kill them at every opportunity, for they knew this was the only way to rid the country of the pest. They did not, however, resort to any contemptible stratagems to deceive the enemy, but often went in companies to give more decisive battles.

A few days after the Evanses had resolved upon their future mode of carrying on the war, the Doctor wanted some of the necessaries of life for his family, and remarked to the boys, as they sat. gloomily around: -

The Hill And Evans Feud

" It is true that you have not an abundance of ammunition, but I will risk the chances of your whipping the whole party when commanded by such a piece of cowardice as Dr. Hill. But you can go through the woods to Richardson's ferry arid cross the river before they can learn that you are out. You must not let them know that I am here alone, for they might storm the house and kill me and the little children, and I know they would not have humanity enough to spare your mother.

" We will go, but dread it. It is certain if we do not go and get something to subsist upon, we will starve. There are only two alternatives - we had better run a risk in getting food than meet the sure fate of starvation."

" Very well, but if the Hills learn that you have gone, they will wraylay the road on your return. For this reason you had better return by way of Teeter's ferry, and thus avoid them."

: The boys went and procured the necessaries as directed by their father. On their return, about dusk, they* met two of the Hill party, Nelson Sutherland, (better known by the illegitimate name of Bedster,) and Jim . Hill, not far from the mouth of Sugar creek, at the junction of Scott's Fork, near 'Squire Level's house. The boys saw them first, about sixty yards distant, a7id as Bedster wras a few paces before Hill, they raised their guns and fired upon him. Bedster raised his gun and vras in the act of shooting when the balls struck him, caus ing him to wheel, run about a hundred yards and fail. Jim Hill leaped into a deep ravine beside the road and fired at them with a double-barrel shot-gun, then wheeled and ran back toward the creek. They gave him a hot chase for about three hundred yards, and shot him in the hip, which brought him to the ground. They shot him again through the thigh as he fell, and would have killed him, but his supplications for mercy stayed the blood-thirsty dagger. They were more than anxious to kill

* The Doctor is rot responsible for these facts, for they -tvere not proven in court, but I can assure the reader that the boys did kill Bedster. I gained the information from a reliable source.

Now look at the contrast between the two parties ! When Chrismon was lying in a helpless condition with a mortal wound in his bowels, he besought them to have mercy, but they told him that they had no mercy, that he must pray to his God for mercy. When the Evanses had one of the enemy in their power, and could have plunged a knife to his heart, his implorings moved them to pity, even after they had sworn unrelenting vengeance.

When Bedster fell, he had a rifle, a Colt's large repeater, two single-barrel pistols, and a very large bowie-knife. The pistols and knife wero worn in a belt, in regular land-pirate fashion. Upon examination, Dr. Hill said that four rifle balls passed through his heart, several went into his neck, and others struck the gun stock.

Several of the Hill party said they were near by and saw the fight, and recognized every one of the Evans party at the distance of three or four hundred yards. Others said they ran three-quarters of a mile to him, after he fell, and that he was yet alive and talked to them, telling that the Evans party killed him, and of whom the party was composed. Now we can scarcely believe this. To believe that he ran even a hundred yards after four large rifle balls had mutilated his heart, is as much as my credulity can support. But it would have been a miracle .had he lived longer than a man could run three-quarters of a mile. What think you, reader ? The Hills immediately swore out a warrant and had the boys tried before two justices of the peace, Kurty and Terrel. The trial resulted in an acquittal, doubtless, for the want of reliable testimony.

The Hills kept pretty closely forted up all summer. They staid principally at Dr. Hill's in Lancaster, but made frequent excursions through the country in search of the enemy. The houses of Fred and Bill Hill were also converted into forts, rendering convenient service as military stations, forts, arsenals, magazines etc., when they chanced to go out on an expedition. Since they thus had possession of Lancaster, Dr. Evans could not go there to prosecute his suits against them, but they could prosecute him, or party, and not even permit him to be at the trial.

While out on these scouting expeditions they were usually drunk, at least the majority of them were, and would shoot at people who happened to resemble any of the Evans party. They shot at a certain doctor several times, supposing him to be I)r. Evans - and a young man, resembling one of the boys, was in imminent danger, for pistols were frequently presented at him, and bowie-knifes often glittered in the light, ready to make sad havoc with an innocent victim. In fact, no one was certain of personal safety in such a condition of affairs. They knew not how soon a ball from some drunken marksman, might sap their heart's blood, nor could their feelings be free from fear that a revengeful assassin might spring from his covert and make a life pay the forfeit of some careless expression, or a just desire to put an end to the feud by bringing both parties rigidly to justice.

In view of these facts, the people held a public meeting in August, at Lancaster, to devise means to put an end to a war so dangerous to themselves, and so detrimental to the character and prosperity of their county. It had such a powerful influence upon the community that several men removed from the county to get rid of the excitement and danger. And its influence was equally as powerful abroad, for if a Garrard man happened to be crowded in a street or any public place, if he wanted elbow-room, all he had to do was to tell those near him that he was from Garrard county. The knowledge of this simple fact would procure him all the room that he could desire, for they feared to be near Garrard people, having heard so much of their wide-spread fame for a warlike and fierce disposition. The meeting passed a resolution that they would henceforth, strictly execute the law on both parties. There were several gaseous speeches on the occasion, but their weight if they had any, was not felt, for buncombe speeches are usually as light as hydrogen.

Dr. Evans then w'rotc a letter to Dr. Hill, proposing to settle the difficulty - stating that if they, the Ilills, would give bond and security to keep the peace, the war should cease. Dr. Hill wrote back in reply that he w'ould not leave the settlement of the feud to Dr. Evans's arbitrary dictation, but that ho would leave it to some of the good citizens to say what should be done. Accordingly, they respectively chose two men to act as arbitrators. This committee wrote several propositions, or articles of agreement, before they could get one to meet Dr. Hill's approbation. They were honest and honorable men. and very anxious to settle the difficulty, hence, they kept changing the propositions till they finally succeeded in getting one that Dr. Hill would sign. They then carried the proposition down to Dr. Evans, to get his signature. When he read it he remarked -

44 1 might as well sign away ray life at once. It only binds us upon our word and honor. Now, you know that these Hills have no veracity, and that they are as devoid of honor as the devil is of righteousness and you know, furthermore, that we will preserve inviolate any stipulation entered into by me. Their pledge is worthless, for they have no honor to pledge ; and if they have, I would not trust them. I want stronger bonds than their mere promise. The article binds us to lay down all arms, and use none under any pretext whatever. From this, their design is very evident - it is a scheme to take my life, while I am totally unarmed. They would not observe it, but would shoot me down at first sight. But if you say I must sign it, I will do so."

After this exposition of the nature and consequences of such a stipulation, they did not desire his signature. Dr. Evans went to town the next day and tried to get a reconsideration. The arbitrators chosen by the Hill party at first agreed to a reconsideration, but afterward refused, being advised by Dr. Hill. Dr. Evans then consulted his friends to know whether be should sign the articles of agreement as they stood. They advised him not to do it. This circumstance gave the Iiills a favorable opportunity of spreading false reports - making loud pretensions that they were anxious to settle the feud. These reports had some weight with the people, and in some degree turned the tide of public sentiment, for they, apparently, were supported by facts.

Tiie Hill And Evans Feud

;.Murpb.v, one of the Hill party, who pretended that he wished -to become friendly. But the Doctor would hold no conference with him, believing that he w anted only to get a good opportunity to shoot. He told Murphy's friends if they would go his security that he had no malicious design in thus trying to make friends, that he wTould come to terms of conciliation. But liis friends would not go this security. The Doctor then told .them that he did not want Murphy to speak to him, nor come imar enough to shoot. Murphy swore to his friends that he had no weapons of any kind whatever. But this was soon proven false, tor he was seen behind a tree trying to shoot one of the Doctor's sons. Ilis friends told him that he had .better leave the place and go home. lie swTore by G - d if he had to run away from a place on account of Dr. Evans, he .would go home, arm himself, and kill every one of .the Evans .party that he could find. Accordingly he went home, got his jifie, and concealed himself in a cornfield near the road, which it was supposed the Doctor would pass on returning home. But fortunately he did not get to his ambush till the Doctor had passed. *

44 There they are," replied the Doctor, "you can take them. We have been dodging from the Hills, but we do not intend to dodge the law, or its officers."

44 They will go with you now, or at any future day you may propose - they are not afraid of the law. But you must let them carry their arms to defend themselves against the Hills." 44 1 would like to have them on next Wednesday at the trial." 44 Very well, we will meet you in Lancaster on that day, if you will say nothing to the boys about it. To mention it to them 'would do no good, but make them a little uneasy perhaps, and unruly." promise, but the Hills put the trial off till Saturday, pretending not to be prepared to prosecute it. When he found that the trial had been deferred till Saturday, the Doctor asked the sheriff to let the boys go back home with him. The sheriff replied :

" Do you not believe that the boys will return on Saturday ?" " I have not a shadow of a doubt on that point. But rather than be slandered, as I know I will be, if I let them go, I would rather keep them here in the hotel and pay their board myself." " You can let them go home with a guard - I will board guard and all for nothing. The Hills know that I will have to attend the trial on Saturday, and they will attempt to kill me if I venture to come alone. I am afraid to go home by myself, for it is impossible for me to get there without being shot at. Yrou have no reason for detaining them here, for you know they will come at the time appointed, as certain as the decrees of heaven."*

" You know it is not pleasant for an officer to be slandered on account of not perforating his duty. They must not go ! " The Hills expected Dr. Evans to return that evening, and intended to waylay the road, and left Bill Hill, the Doctor's brother, in towm to watch him, and give the signal of his departure, that they might be ready for his approach. The Doctor finally set out for home, but rode so briskly that Hill did not have time to give the warning till he had passed. Thu3, had Bill Hill been a little more expedite, the Hill party would have been ready, and Dr. Evans death would have been almost inevitable. But Providence disposed otherwise.

I am of opinion that the sheriff had no good reason to support his conduct toward the boys. If the boys were subject to his custody, it seems evident that he should have lodged them in jail, instead of in a public tavern. If he had the power to let them remain at a tavern, he had the power to let them go home under a guard. But correct actions could scarcely be expected under such prevailing excitement.

.on the appointed Saturday, for the Hills had all their plans .mature, and all their men well trained in their respective parts of the expected tragedy. Hut at the appointed time several neighbors came in to accompany him, and do the office of guard. His company was also augmented by several witnesses in the pending suit, and those of his party not in the custody of the sheriff. The company was about to set out without their rifles, the Doctor begged them not to be guilty of such folly.

ride into town in this manner ! It will prejudice the people against you, and have an unfavorable influence in the boys' trial." " If you don't take them, I will not go, for we will have bloody work before we get there - some of us will be killed! " " Why don't you take long arms then ? "

" Because I can use short arms better. I cannot yet well .use my wounded hand. If you don't take them, some of us will be killed as sure as the sun shines."

" I know they will shoot at me, but you know they are marksmen not remarkable for precision, and might do a bad piece of work for some of those near me."

The Doctor could not prevail on them to carry any long guns, and they started off with only small arm3. When they had gone a few hundred yards, he called them together to hold a council about the mode of defence, should they be attacked. As they had ever considered him their general, they left the matter with him. He told them : -

" It is far better to fight bravely than to run cowardly. In the one case you have a chance to kill an enemy, in the other, only a chance to get killed yourself. If they attack us, the the first one that sees where the shots come from, must fire in that direction, then the whole party will gallop up near enough to shoot with our small arms. When we get within pistol shot, we must jump down behind our horses and fight with the bravery of the world-renowned Spartans. If we do this they will get the worst of the battle." to Lancaster, within sight of Dr. Hill's house. As they approached, they noticed a considerable stir and excitement about the premises. There were a great many people in the road, going to hear the trial. 'Squire Kurtz, Hackley, and Dr. Tillett were riding along abreast - Dr. Evans rode up on the right hand side, (the house being on the left,) and observed : -

" Good morning, gentlemen ! I believe I will take shelter behind you till we get past the fort. They certainly will not kill three clever men to get one bad one ! "

" Oh, I reckon there's no danger ! " - replied one of them. " Yes there is danger, and considerable danger too. If we give them only half a chance you will hear the battle's roar." When they had passed the house some distance, far enough to be out of danger of balls coming from thence, the Doctor fell back into his own company, with James Brim on his right side and Jesse May on the left. As soon as he resumed his position, he heard a gun fire. The report was very -singular, apparently deadened by being in a hole in the ground. The Doctor thought that it could scarcely be shot at them, but checked his horse and turned to see if he could discover the locality of the shooter. At that instant another gun fired, which convinced the Doctor that they were shooting at him and his company. He then commanded his company to charge on the house - at the same time wheeling his horse in that direction. But to his cons:ernation, when he looked to see if his company obeyed the command, he saw them all running away, save Bill Murphy, who was looking up into a tree, believing them to be up there concealed in the leaves. At that instant another gun fired, and he observed to Murphy : -

The Doctor wheeled his horse and galloped up the road. At that instant two more balls were fired at him. James Brim and Jesse May were riding on some distance ahead. When the Doctor overtook them, May observed : -

Toe Hill And Evans Fedd

They were all in a brisk lope, but; May checked his horse and reined him to one side of the road, and was apparently falling. The D >ctor rode up to his side and caught him as he was falling, but at that moment another gun was fired at him. As Ilackeriv was near bv the Doctor asked him to take care of May, if he pleased. - that they would not shoot him. When Hacked v turned to May another gun fired.

The Doctor's sons at the tavern, heard the shooting and ran down to meet them. The Doctor told them to go back, that they had no arms, but to go back and arm themselves i th. rifles, then hunt for the concealed marksmen. They went back. May was carried into town, but did not speak another word after the Doctor left him, and died in half an hour. James Brim had a bail pass through the breast of his coat, but it did not cut his flesh.

There tf-ere two of the Hill party, Pies Huffman, and one of the young Hills, stationed in an old well, near the road, to shoot at the Doctor as he passed. This accounts for the dead sound of the gun's report. Dr. Hill and Joe Murphy were lying behind the fence, and covered over with weeds that had been cut down a day or two before. Others of the party were scattered along the fence towards town.

When the court heard of this affair, it immediately ordered out a writ for the capture of Dr. Hill and Joe Murphy, or rather, sent the sheriff to take them. The sheriff went, but soon returned and said that they would not surrender, and that their number was so great he could do nothing with them. The Doctor told the sheriff to tell the judge to let his boys loose and they would soon trot the defaulters up to justice. The judge sent word to the Hills, by the sheriff, that if they did not surrender, he would turn the Evanses loose on them. This piece of intelligence breathed a spirit of submission into their hearts. This fatal affair caused intense excitement and wild confusion, so much so that the court adjourned, and had no trial on that day. People were running to and fro in breathless excitement, and scarcely knew what they did, heard, or saw.

The Hills, in this action, shot at May and Gordon in particular, for they were the principal witnesses in the pending 6uio. But they did not succeed in their design upon Gordon.

After this event the sheriff admitted that the Doctor knew more about the wiles and tricks of the Hill party than he did, and consented to let the boys return home to attend the funeral of May. lie furnished them with rifles, accompanied them home, left them there in perfect freedom, and went about his business.

Omthe following Monday, the sheriff 'returned and the whole party went to town with as many arms as they could carry. The trial came up on that day. Information was received the next morning before court convened that the Judge had deter mined to throw the boys in jail till the next court. When this was made known, the Doctor asked them if they would go to

The reader cannot fail to notice the injustice practiced here. In a similar case, when the Hills killed Sellars and Chrismon, they were allowed bail and permitted to go at large. But now, as the Evanses were in custody, there was no law to give them bail. The assigned reason for this partiality was, that the officers, prior to that time, had not done their duty, but that thenceforward they intended to do their duty rigidly. I. am of opinion that it is a poor set of officers that will swerve from their duty under any circumstances. But they were not so much to blame in this particular case, for the whole country was in such a fever of excitement that scarcely any one knew right from wrong.

Thus the Doctor was left alone to carry their horses and arms back home. He asked some of his neighbors to help him, but they had justly grounded fears and declined granting such a dangerous favor. Finally, he succeeded in getting two, Joe Ray and Robert Collier, to assist him. His friends tried to persuade him not to return home that night, for they feared he would be killed on the road. He replied that he would return to his family or die in the attempt. When the shades of night became sufficiently dense to afford the Doctor a protecting obscurity, he mounted his horse, and, with a few scared friends, went up the Richmond pike a short distance, to deceive the

Dr. IJiil and Murphy were now in custody; but, as the sheriff had allowed the Evans boys so much liberty, they claimed the same as a right. . Their trial came off the next day before two justices of the peace, and as they both claimed the honor of killing May, both were sentenced to jail. Now, they werj* about to get into a terrible condition - about to be put into the same room with their deadly enemies, or down into the lightless dungeon. But they got out a writ of habeas corpus, and, by some ingenuity, put off their trial from time to time - and, in the mean while, tried to find some law to put themselves into another jail, but could not succeed. Dr. Iliil said he was afraid to go in with the boys, and would pay any expense incurred in putting himself into any other jail. In virtue of the writ of .habeas corpus, and the former leniency of the sheriff, aided by .the desire of the community not to put the two parties together, they were still permitted to stay at home with their arms, till one morning they were numbered among the missing. As soon a3 the Governor was informed of this fact, he offered a reward of $200 for the apprehension of each of the runaways.

Though the sheriff knew not their whereabouts, they did not leave their old range, but laid around Dr. Evans's during the night, and kept dark at their forts in the day time. Thu3 they proved as much annoyance to the Doctor as ever. They laid around and shot at the house till they became weary of that sport, then they tried their skill upon the cattle and other stock in the fields. This state of affairs continued several weeks, and -the Doctor thought they would kill him anyhow , notwithstanding his great precaution. But all human action is destined to have an end. One morning, after they had nnade their balls rattle upon the house with more than usual vigor, one of the - Doctor's Jittle' boys, about ten years of age, and the only one left at home, was out in the yard cutting wood. lie was seen to become suddenly restless, as if driven almost to desperation, while from his eyes flashed a reckless passion. It was known .that the oppressive wrongs endured by his family, had wrought his soul to the highest^tl agree of intensity, and that no was determining upon a plan to avenge himself. Ilis mother was watching him. He disdainfully threw down the ax and walked off around the house, whistling a careless air, as if to conceal the emotions that agitated his mind. lie was observed to slip slily into the house and get the large Mississippi rifle, then slip out again cautiously toward Bill Hill's, as if he wished no one to see him. Soon a report of the rifle was heard. He had gone down to Bill Hill's and concealed himself in ambush to try his skill in the arts of war. He had not been in this covert long, before a man. supposed to be Bill, came out of the house and went into a workshop near by. As he returned to the bouse and stepped to the door, Doc, for that was the little boy's name, let old Mississippi loose on him and tumbled him into the floor. When he fell, the women ran out with great alarm, crying " Lord amessy! Lord amessy ! " Doc went back home, cautiously put the rifle into its rack, and went to cutting wood again as calmly as if nothing had happened. Mrs. Evans told the Doctor that Doc had been doing something , that she saw him slip off with the rifle. The Doctor went out to the woodpile and asked -

It is not certain that the wound proved fatal, but not many days after that one of the Hill party was buried. This little incident cured the Hills of the habit of lying around the Doctor's house. It taught them that they were not safe, even if they were in a fort. Joe Murphy thought he would profit by the lesson and leave the country. Accordingly, he left his warlike clan and wound his way to some point on the Ohio liver.

The Hill And Evans Fetid

Dr. Evans learned this fact and sent William May, William Ilogen. and Barnes Pendegrass, to bring him back. They caught and tied him, and delivered him into the county jail - thus securing the §200 reward offered by the Governor. There was only one room in the jail, and that the Evans boys occupied; hence he had to take the dungeon.

About this time, Mrs. Bus Hill came before the public to perform her part of the tragedy. She went up the creek one morning, telling every person she met that one of Isaiah and another of Fred Hill's boj^s had been shot dead in the yard, and that several shots came in at the door and wounded two or three of the little children. There was not a particle of truth in this. But she desired to raise a breeze, and, if possible, excite public feeling against Dr. Evans. She went to town and swore out a warrant against Dr. Evans and some thirteen others. One of the men named in the warrant was in Owen county at the time and never had any hand in the feud. They refused to go to Lancaster to have the trial, for they believed, as the neighbors affirmed, that it was a stratagem played to get a chance to kill the Doctor. To accommodate them, and to save the shedding of blood, Justice Ray held their trial in a little school-house near by, since known, from this fact, as 'Squire Ray's court-house. The accused were acquitted without any trouble, for the Hills had no evidence whatever to substantiate the accusation. When the sheriff went down to get Mrs. Hill to appear at the trial, he examined into the facts of the case and found it utterly false. The two boys were not killed, nor were the children wounded. Sam Hill had a small sore on his arm, which was believed to have been cut by Dr. Hill in order to give the woman's tale some shadow of truth.

Some thoughtless persons may look upon the conduct of Mrs. Hill with admiration, and deem it heroic and chivalric. Now, I am not prejudiced against Mrs. Hill, for I am acquainted with her only so far as her deeds have made her known. I have ever been an enthusiastic admirer of woman, that is, so long as she keeps within her proper sphere. Rut in the present case, I must confess, I do not see much to admire. Women naturally espouse the cause of their husbands, families, and friends, and often do valuable service, as did the women of tho revolution, when they clothed and fed the naked and starving array that was fighting for liberty. In that instance we have much to admire, and much to tune the poet's lyre. Had they taken up arras, entered the field and fought for their country's rights, not only we would have sung their praise, but history would have shone with the splendor of the heroism till the end of all time. But suppose in the stead of thus feeding and clothing the destitute army, they had busied themselves in engendering and spreading false reports about the enemy's cruelty and wanton acts of violating chastity, to urge their husbands and brothers to atrocious deeds and unmitigated vengeance, the world would have ever detested them, for such conduct could leave only a stain upon history's page. We may admire Mrs. Hill for espousing the common cause of her party, but the maimer in which she did it can but call down our bitter detestation. Had she become a modern Amazon, and defended herself and party with open arms, or by more equitable means, the ready pen and willing ink would have been glad to record her deeds ; but since she wielded only the blackest falsehoods and deception, they delineate with the slow solemnity of pity and commiseration. As advocates of morality, and enemies to vice, we should ever praise the one and denounce the other. She and her party would have more nearly accomplished their object by adhering to a straight-forward and honorable course. But i: anything is fair in war," seems to have been their motto.

From that time, Dr. Evans began to stir about - before, lie was afraid to leave home, for no one would have been there to protect his wife, had an attack been made. But there was little danger now, for the Hills had nearly all dispersed, and Dr. Hill was afraid to show himself. Though Dr. Hill was missing, he was not many miles distant, for one of his friends told Dr. Evans that he laid concealed in an old barn near Lancaster, and wa3 fed by a negro.

The boys had quite a jolly time in jail. One day, to liavo a little sport, they showed the jailor where they could get out. He, to keep his prisoners safe, got some workmen with their sledge-hammers and went into repairing. While they were hammering away, creating a very disagreeable dust, one of the boys asked if they were going to close the window. They unthoughtedly replied in the affirmative. One of the boys then said, " Well, I'm going out of here ! " - at the same time taking hold of the door, and pulling it open. The jailer jerked the door, and they had a desperate, struggle. lie struck at Jack May with a knife, but Sam Evans drew a pistol and told him if he dared to cut Jack, that he would shoot him down. When they saw the pistol, the boys let loose the door and seized Sam, and all hallooed, "Don't shoot! don't shoot!" Quiet was soon restored, and Sam gave the pistol to the jailer. Before the trial was over, Tom Evans put the pistol into his boot-lef, and when he went to jail they did not search him on that part of his body, and he did riot feel accommodating enough to inform on himself, so he carried it along. After they finished the repairs, the boys went to a log, raised it up, and showed another place through which they could escape, but the jailer thought they were safe enough as long as they remained thus honest. Some people believe they did this for mere sport, but others are of the more plausible opinion that the boys really intended to make their escape. I coincide with tne latter, for about that time the Hills were committing great depredations on the Doctor's farm. This attempt to escape gave the Hills a fine theme for gossip, and aided by the influence of the Saul ter family, they induced the jailer to send to the Governor for forty or fifty muskets and a strong guard to guard the jail. The Governor readily sent the guard, for it was represented to him that a mob was threatening to pull down the jail and take the boys out. There was a good deal of truth in this, for the people, not only in Garrard county, but in adjoining counties, talked seriously of demolishing the jail, for they believed it unjust to keep the boys thus imprisoned while Dr. Hill was roving at large. Many of the ladies too (God bless them) began to fire up with indignation at this apparent injustice, and said if the gentlemen did not pull down the jail that they would do it themselves. But Dr. Evans persuaded them not to be guilty of such a rash deed, lie told them that the trial would soon come off, and the boys would then be free again ; that since the opposite party had resisted the law in every instance, he had resolved to pursue a different course ; that he feared nothing but the law, for it could not protect him, and pro- vented him from protecting himself. Bat the boys had quite a fine time, even if they were confined by double bolts and grating hinges. They employed their time principally over books, cards, newspapers, etc. The ladies, ever ready to soothe the sorrows of man, kept them well supplied with the dainties and luxuries of life, and not less with presents that fill the heart with gladness, and stir up the tender emotions of the soul.

The boys had their trial at the sitting of the November court. Before the trial came up, the Hill party and friends made a violent effort to adjourn the court, reporting that cholera had broken out very malignantly in town. But in spite of this effort the court continued - the boys were tried and acquitted. During the trial it was proven that Bedster had been hired to fiafft at fifteen dollars per month, with an extra pay of five dollars for every scalp taken from the Evans party. Bedster's mother threatened to sue Dr. Hill for his pay for services in this unholy war, but he went to see her and compromised the matter.