Boys and men stand around George Baker's dead mule in front of Oneida Baptist Institute. The mule was killed when two men on opposite sides of the Baker-Howard feud clashed and opened fire. Charlie Roberts intended to shoot George Baker, but missed and shot George's mule instead. Bystanders are dressed for Commencement Day at the Oneida Institute in 1915.
Image from University of Louisville Digital Collections. *If the photograph date is correct, this must have been a different George Baker, maybe his son or some other relative.
KENTUCKY BARBARISM.
Barboursville, Ky., April 13. Five more murders resulted from the Baker-Howard feud. On Saturday George Baker was shot and killed by members of the Howard faction while on his way to town. On Sunday Al Baker and his brother went to Howard’s home, called the old man out and shot him to death, and then killed his wife and two children.
Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire) Apr 13, 1898
Howard-Baker Feud Reopened.
BARBOURVILLE, Ky., June 4. — The Howard-Baker feud broke out again Thursday night, when Tom Baker shot and instantly killed Beverly White, a member of the Howard faction. They met on the highway several miles north of Manchester.
Naugatuck Daily News (Naugatuck, Connecticut) Jun 4, 1898
SIX MEN KILLED.
PINEVILLE, Ky., June 4. — (By Associated Press) — Six men have been killed in the past ten days in the Howard-Baker feud. Judge Brown will not be allowed to hold court on Monday, and has sent to the governor for troops. The governor has none to send, and the civil authorities are powerless.
The Massillon Independent (Massillon, Ohio) Jun 6, 1898
HOWARD-BAKER FEUD.
A Collision Is Feared Before Troops Can Come Upon the Scene.MIDDLESBORO, Ky., June 10. — The news from the Howard-Baker feud in Clay county is startling. Howard’s party, 50 strong, has taken possession of the town of Manchester. The Baker following, consisting of 40 well armed men, have rendezvoused three miles from the town. Judge Brown is wholly unable to proceed with holding court. Although he expects troops sent by Governor Bradley it is feared the two parties will come into collision before the troops can arrive.
Eau Claire Leader (Eau Claire, Wisconsin) Jun 11, 1898
Trouble in Kentucky.
(By Associated Press.)MIDDLESBORO, (Ky.), June 10. — The news from the Howard-Baker feud in Clay county is startling. Howard’s party, fifty strong, has taken possession of the town of Manchester. The Baker following, consisting of forty well-armed men, have rendezvoused three miles from town. Judge Brown is wholly unable to proceed with holding court. Although he expects troops sent by Governor Bradley, it is feared the two parties will come into collision before the troops arrive.
A company of State troops arrived at Rowland, Clay county, to-day and left in vehicles for Manchester, the site of the Baker-Howard feud, where Judge Brown is attempting to hold court. Judge Brown is with the troops and has warned the Whites and Howards, who are holding the town, that if a demonstration is made against the troops serious trouble will follow. The Bakers, who are surrounding the town, broke into a warehouse and secured six barrels of whiskey last night and a messenger from the scene this morning says they are all drunk and will attempt to follow the troops into the place. The State troops are new volunteers and are green, having only received their uniforms and guns a week ago.
The Weekly Gazette And Stockman (Reno, Nevada) Jun 16, 1898
THOMAS BAKER KILLED.
Principal in Kentucky Feud Is Shot from Ambush.Thomas Baker, principal in the famous Howard-Baker feud, was shot from ambush and killed near his home at Winchester, Ky. Baker was alleged to have said there were four men in Clay County he was going to kill, after which he was willing to be hanged. Baker has a great number of friends, and the bloody war between his faction on one side and the Howards and Whites on the other is expected to result in other murders.
Carroll Sentinel (Carroll, Iowa) Jun 1, 1899
Troops to End a Feud.
Chicago, June 1. — A special to The Tribune from Frankfort Ky., says: One hundred troops will be sent to Manchester, Clay county, to aid the civil authorities in capturing and bringing to trial the leaders in the Baker-Howard feud that has been carried on with bitterness for several years, resulting in the killing of nine or ten men. Two of the Baker faction are now in jail, and when the troops attempt to arrest the guilty Howards more bloodshed is expected.
The Evening Democrat (Warren, Pennsylvania) Jun 1, 1899
Life in Kentucky.
Lexington, Ky., — June 3. — The Lexington battalion of the first regiment left this morning for Manchester, where the participants of the Baker-Howard feud will be tried. The troops are sent to prevent a possible outbreak during the trial.
All member of the battalion are dead shots. A gatling gun was also taken along. It is feared an attempt to ambush the troops will be made.
Daily Iowa State Press (Iowa City, Iowa) Jun 3, 1899
Tom Baker
Image from Feuds of Clay Co., Ky on rootsweb. They authors provide a good amount of information that is worth reading.
Thomas Baker Killed.
Louisville, Ky., June 12. — The Howards and Whites have kept their word, and Thomas Baker, the recognized leader of the Baker faction in the Baker-Howard feud, is a dead man. He was shot through the body and instantly killed a moment after he had obtained a change of venue in his trial on the charge of killing one of the Howards. The killing was done in the Court House yard, with a battalion of militia all around at the time. The rifle shot was fired from a window in the house of Sheriff Beverly P. White, directly across the street from the Court House. White is one of the Howard faction.
Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire) Jun 13, 1899
Manchester Courthouse - Clay County, Kentucky
May Be More Bloodshed.
Manchester, Ky., June 13. — Sheriff White has been arrested and charged with the murder of Tom Baker, who was the leader of the Baker faction in the Baker-Howard feud. The sheriff is under the same military guard that was sent here in a vain endeavor to protect Baker’s life, but Col. Williams has taken every precaution to see that his new prisoner, if found guilty, shall pay the penalty without the premature fate of his alleged victim. Nevertheless, blood for blood is the cry of Baker’s relatives, and those who know them say they are sure to get it.
Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire) Jun 14, 1899
SHOT HIM DEAD.
Hidden Assassin at Manchester, Ky., Kills Tom Baker, Leader of a Famous Faction.Manchester, Ky., June 12. — Tom Baker, the recognized leader of his faction, was shot and killed in the courthouse yard Saturday evening. The shooting was done after Special Judge A. King Cook had granted the Bakers a change of venue and the prisoners were to have been taken to Barbourville, bail having been refused. Manchester is wild with excitement. The Bakers and Howards have scores of friends in the country and there is no telling now where the trouble will end.
It has not been ascertained who fired the shot that killed Baker, but the consensus of opinion seems to be that it was fired from the house of Sheriff Beverly White, directly opposite the courthouse.
When the court adjourned Saturday afternoon Judge Cook had rendered his decision and there was no indication of trouble. The crowd was orderly and there was no visible excitement. At 5:30 o’clock the correspondent mounted his horse and set out for London. When about a hundred yards down the road from the courthouse the crack of a rifle was heard and a thin cloud of smoke hovered in the air behind the house of Sheriff White and the courthouse.
There was a sudden quiet. The lull was of short duration. A cry went up that Tom Baker was killed. It was true. Tom Baker lay dead flat on his back in front of the guardhouse tent. There was no need of sounding the assembly.
Instinctively the soldiers loomed up with fixed bayonets and charged across the street and surrounded the White residence. At the same time the gatling gun was hurried out and brought to bear on the place.
Meanwhile the wildest confusion prevailed. A rush was made for the courthouse, but the soldiers were already out and fearing a volley, the crowd hurriedly pushed down the hill again.
Up to the time the correspondent left Manchester no arrests had been made. It will be a difficult matter to ascertain who fired the shot, and the belief that it was aimed from the White residence is itself conjecture, though the position of the smoke seemed tell-tale evidence.
London Depot, Ky., June 12. — The Howards and their allies, the Whites, are in possession of the ground at Manchester in the Baker-Howard feud and few Bakers or Baker sympathizers are left to molest them. After Tom Baker, the head of the Baker faction, met his tragic death Saturday at the hands of an assassin whose deed stands alone the coldest-blooded in the history of Kentucky feudal wars, the state militia, under Col. Williams, with Wiley, Jim Dee and Al Baker, shorn of their arms, left over the mountain road for Barbourville, where there the charges of murdering Burch Storrs and Wilson Howard will be tried on a change of venue granted by Judge Cook.
Baker, when shot, was in his tent and within 75 feet of the assassin who fired from the porch of Sheriff Beverly White’s house, diagonally across the street. Baker told his wife that he was tired and would stand up for fresh air, and when he did so a bullet pierced his breast. Col. Williams sounded the assembly and the battalion of militia charged White’s house. They found the gates locked and the doors barred, but the boys in blue broke the locks and bars and found inside nothing save a stock of Winchester rifles.
Upon examination one of these guns was found to contain a freshly exploded cartridge, and it is this which sent the leaden missile through the heart of the fearless feud leader.
The people of this place and along the road to Manchester are wild with excitement. Sympathy for the Bakers is expressed on every side. The troops are powerless under Kentucky law to protect or execute the simplest duty, being subject to the orders of the county sheriff, who in this case is not in sympathy with their purpose. John G. White, of Winchester, Ky., a brother of Sheriff Beverly White, with two guards passed through here Sunday, going to the scene. It is stated that special Judge A. King Cook will order a special grand jury and attempt to indict the slayers of Tom Baker, but the fact that Judge Cook is not the regularly elected judge may delay this matter.
Barbourville, Ky., June 12. — Since the change of venue was granted at Manchester, Clay county, Saturday for the Baker murder trials to be held here in the Knox county courts, this city has been in a state of excitement. It will be impossible in this place, which has a population of between 2,000 and 3,000 inhabitants, with good officers, for such a tragedy to occur as that at the village of Manchester Saturday under the shadow of the court, when Tom Baker, the principal defendant, was shot dead while a prisoner of the court. As Tom Baker had killed William White, a brother of Sheriff Beverly White, of Clay county, and as the crowd saw the rifle fired from a window in the sheriff’s office at the time Baker fell dead into the arms of his wife it is thought that there may be another trial soon for a change of venue to this place.
Stevens Point Journal, The (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) Jun 17, 1899
Another Victim of the Feud
London, Ky., June 16. — News was brought here late Thursday night to the effect James Howard, a member of the celebrated Baker-Howard feud, was shot from ambush and killed near Manchester Thursday evening. Howard belonged to the White and Howard’s faction of the Baker-Howard feud and has been suspected of having fired the shot last week that killed Tom Baker while under guard in the courthouse yard.
Stevens Point Journal, The (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) Jun 24, 1899
Column of Courthouse at Manchester. Holes and chips off are result of a feud fight in which 5 were killed and a number wounded.
White Disperses Deputies.
Manchester, Ky., June 26. Sheriff B.P. White, Jr., is much disturbed over the turn of affairs in the Baker-Howard feud, because of the killing of Tom Baker while a prisoner in charge of the State troops and the determination of Gov. Bradley to call an extra session of the Legislature which will probably abolish the county of Clay. White had retained twenty-six men as deputy sheriffs, who usually did the fighting. These deputies have now been dispersed, it being the aim of the officials to quiet the town as much as possible until the danger is past.
Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire) Jun 27, 1899
A Cincinnati paper comments on a remarkable coincident in the famous Baker-Howard feud in Kentucky. On June 2 1859, 40 years ago, Gov. Owsley ordered out the state troops to quell the feud between the Baker and Howard factions. ON June 2, of this year, Gov. Bradley ordered out the state troops for the same purpose. Forty years is long enough for any family row, and it is hoped that the end is in sight.
Stevens Point Journal, The (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) Jul 8, 1899
The Watterson idea of ending the Baker-Howard feud by letting the opposing families exterminate each other, is precisely the idea that some folks have of ending a street car strike. The public, however, has rights that both contestants are bound to inspect.
Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire) Jul 25, 1899
The Feud in Clay County Settled.
Frankfort, Ky., July 28. State Inspector and Examiner C.W. Lester, Gov. Bradley’s special agent sent to Clay county to make an investigation of the Howard-Baker feud, has returned and filed his report with the Governor. He states that the feud is at an end and says that the presence of troops is not necessary. Neither does he recommend an extra session.
Portsmouth Herald (Portsmouth, New Hampshire) Jul 29, 1899
No Trial.
London, Ky., Feb. 8. — Owing to the absence of witnesses for the defense, the trial of James Howard for the murder of George Baker two years ago, or of the results of the Baker-Howard feud of Clay county, did not begin.
Newark Daily Advocate (Newark, Ohio) Feb 8, 1900
These are the headlines from the full front page coverage in the Jan 31, 1900 edition of the Atlantic Constitution:
GOEBEL DYING OF ASSASSIN’S SHOT — HE HAS BEEN DECLARED GOVERNOR IN TAYLOR’S STEAD
Climax of a Dark, Well Laid Plot Stirs Kentucky to Its Very Center.
PROBABLY FATAL SHOT FIRED OPPOSITE THE CAPITOL
Senator Goebel Was on His Way to Senate Chamber in Company with Colonel Jack Chinn. Taylor Expresses His Regrets.
“They have got me this time,” said Mr. Goebel. “I guess they have killed me.”
PHYSICIANS ENTERTAIN NO HOPE
MARTIAL LAW WILL PREVAIL IN STATE OF KENTUCKY FROM SIX O’CLOCK THIS MORNING SO SAYS DECREE
The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Jan 31, 1900
JIM HOWARD TO HANG.
Convicted at Frankfort of the Murder of William Goebel.
WEPT WHEN TAKEN BACK TO JAIL
Howard and His Friends De—– Witnesses Who, It is Charged, Were in Goebel Conspiracy and Who Gave Evidence to Save Themselves.
Frankfort, Ky., Sept. 27. — James B. Howard, who has been on trial for the past ten days charged with being a principal in the assassination of William Goebel, was found guilty yesterday, the jury fixing his punishment at death.
The fact that the jury had deliberated all of Tuesday afternoon without reaching a verdict led to the belief that it was hopelessly divided, and this fact made the verdict shocking to Howard and those who hoped for his ultimate acquittal.
Howard did not lose his composure when the verdict calling for the extreme penalty of the law was read in the crowded court room. He glanced at his attorneys and smiled, but said nothing. After the jury had been discharged Howard was taken back to the jail, and here for the first time he betrayed emotion. He called for a pen and paper and wrote a ling letter to his wife, during which tears coursed down his cheeks. He was joined later by his attorneys, who spent a good part of the day in conference with him in regard to the motion for a new trial, which will be filed today, and other matters in connection with the case.
W.H. Culton, who is under indictment as an accessory to the Goebel murder and who gave damaging evidence against both Howard and Caleb Powers, was released on bail yesterday afternoon and his case was continued until the January term. His bond was fixed at $10,000, and his brother-in-law, E.E. Hogg, of Owsley county, and J.F. Halcombe and John Johnson, of Jackson county, became his sureties.
Howard and his friends are very bitter in their denunciation of witnesses, who, it is charged, were in the conspiracy to murder Goebel, and who have since been manufacturing testimony against others in order to obtain immunity for themselves.
Howard was represented by ex-Congressman W.C. Owens, of Georgetown, and Carl Little of Manchester. The prosecution was represented by Acting Commonwealth Attorney Williams, T.C. Campbell, of Cincinnati, and H.E. Golden of Barboursville.
“Jim” Howard as he is commonly known in the mountains, is a strikingly handsome man, 44 years of age, and would be one of the last to be pointed out by a stranger as the man on trial. He had the record, however, of being the leader of the Howard-White faction in the Baker-Howard feud in Clay county, in which numerous lives were taken.
He had killed George Baker, and was suspected of the assassination of Tom Baker, who was killed after the same fashion as the Goebel murder, and Howard’s friends believe that these facts had very much to do with the making of the verdict sentencing him to the gallows.
The trial of Henry E. Youtsey, of Newport, will be called next at Georgetown next Monday.
The Tyrone Daily Herald (Tyrone, PA) Sep 27, 1900
Two Dead and Four Wounded.
Lexington, Ky., Sept. 6. — One of the bloodiest encounters in the history of Kentucky feuds took place on Saxtons creek, in Clay county, and as a result two men are dead and four dangerously wounded. The fight occurred between the Griffin and Philpott factions, the former being allies of the Howards while the Philpotts were identified with the Baker faction in the famous Howard-Baker feud of three years ago.
The Newark Advocate (Newark, Ohio) Sep 6, 1904
HOWARD BEGINS SENTENCE.
Life Imprisonment for the Murder of William Goebel.
(Bulletine Press Association.)Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 2. — James Howard, convicted of the murder of William Goebel, arrived at the Frankfort penitentiary today to spend the rest of his life there, unless some unexpected turn of fortune liberates him. He is one of the most interesting characters that ever crossed the threshold of the penitentiary and his arrival caused considerable stir among the people of this city in general and the prison officials in particular. After spending nearly six years in jail, standing three trials and fighting his case through the supreme court, Howard was defeated in his struggle for liberty and the supreme court confirmed the judgement of the Kentucky courts. Howard never lost his nerve for a single moment. He was as cheerful on his way to the penitentiary and upon his arrival as he was on the first day of his arrest and said he was confident that he would eventually be vindicated and liberated.
In many ways Howard is the most picturesque figure of the Goebel murder cases. The commonwealth represented him as the typical mountain feud fighter and dead shot who went to Frankfort to kill Goebel in return for a pardon for having killed George Baker in a feud. Personally Howard does not fill the idea of such a person at all. He would never have been taken for a desperate man from the mountains. He is handsome and of distinguished appearance, of fine physique and unusually graceful, with easy manners. He looks like a man of fine intellect and a student. Indeed, he has been a student for five years, as during his imprisonment he has devoted his time to perfecting himself in the law.
Howard was born in Clay county forty years ago. His father was a school teacher. Howard lived in the mountains all his life and early became an expert shot, like all Kentucky mountaineers. He was first a deputy sheriff of Clay county, then school teacher, lawyer, general storekeeper in the government revenue service and finally assessor of Clay county, which he held when he became involved in the Goebel trouble.
Howard is a victim of a Kentucky feud, whatever were the circumstances of the killing of Goebel. He was in Frankfort the day Goebel was shot, trying to procure a pardon for killing George Baker from W.S. Taylor, then governor of Kentucky. The prosecution maintained that he was to get the pardon for killing Goebel. Howard has maintained that in this seeming connection he was a victim of circumstances. The Baker-Howard feud broke out in 1897. The Bakers one day ambushed Jim Howard’s father and two brothers, killing the brothers and desperately wounding the father.
Jim Howard, as soon as he heard of it, mounted his horse and rode to the scene. He claims the Bakers tried to ambush him and that he escaped by using his horse as a shield. In the encounter he shot George Baker to death.
Howard was indicted for the murder of Goebel in April, 1900. He was then in Clay county, where he might have remained indefinitely, as the mountaineers are Republicans and would have afforded him protection against an army. But in the month of May Howard went to Frankfort and surrendered. His first trial resulted in a sentence of death, his second of life imprisonment, both being reversed. The third verdict was life imprisonment and was sustained by the supreme court.
The Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, Wisconsin) Feb 2, 1906
*****
This site has newspaper article images covering a variety of items, including this feud and others.
Here is some additional information about the William Goebel assassination and his rival, Governor Taylor.
Tags: 1898, 1899, 1900, 1904, 1906, Baker, Clay County KY, Feud, Griffin, Howard, Howard-Baker Feud, Kentucky, Philpott, White, William Goebel
October 7, 2009 at 11:37 am |
MY GRANDPA WAS SAM BAKER. SHOT AND KILLED IN 1910 AT JARVIS STORE KY. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MOER ABOUT THIS IF ANYONE KNOWS.
October 7, 2009 at 12:54 pm |
I will take a look and see what I can find. Give me a week or so.
November 9, 2009 at 2:15 pm |
I am a descendant of the Baker family. My great-grandfather was Hige Baker. I have been curious to know if this feud also affected this branch of the family. My Grandmother married George Burton whose mother was Rhoda Baker his father was Grand Burton. After the death of George Burton, my grandmother married my grandfather who was from Alabama. Just curious if this feud had much of an impact on my Baker family. Deb
November 9, 2009 at 2:51 pm |
Debbie, I did a little looking and couldn’t find much on your Baker/Burton family. Hopefully, someone else who is related will find your comment and be able to help you.
January 17, 2010 at 6:29 pm |
Who were the parents and grandparents of Jim Howard?
Thank you.
January 21, 2010 at 12:52 am |
Ruth,
Sorry, I have no idea. I tried looking on ancestry.com, but didn’t see any obvious matches.
December 30, 2010 at 1:23 pm |
Hello Ruth and All,
The names I have of Jim Howards parents and grand parents are as follows:
Parents: Adrion Ballard Howard & Mary Lewis Howard. Grand Parents: John J. Howard & Elizabeth Howard. A book was written by Jims nephew (Israel J. Howard Jr., “I.J.”) entitled “The Last Mold of Clay,” and beginning on P. 200 lists the family census. Was a limited publication, although if you can find it in the library, or elsewhere, is very informative. My grand mother was Lucy Howard Hensley, and a sister to Big Jim. David.
January 11, 2012 at 7:45 am |
Hi,
My grandparents Lucy Howard and Earl Howard Sr. I have been told that my great granfather shot the governor? If you have any information please contact me
January 11, 2012 at 8:25 am
Donna,
Do you recall the name of the Governor? What was your great grandfather’s name? I thought I had a post that included the shooting of the Governor, but I couldn’t find it when I did a search. I do recall reading articles someone shooting the governor, but don’t recall any names.
January 11, 2012 at 8:34 am
I was told Goebel? I’m trying to confirm my great grandfathers name I just don’t have enough information.
January 11, 2012 at 8:39 am
I’m trying to find the book “The Last mold of Clay” I had an Uncle Jim but I don’t have a last name. I have a picture of my uncle with other family members.
January 11, 2012 at 8:45 am
Ok, I searched my blog with “goebel” and found mention (same post you commented on, haha) of the trial for Jim Howard, in that shooting, so you are on the right track. Sorry, I don’t have more info than that.
January 11, 2012 at 8:54 am
I tried searching for the book you are interested in, and it appears to be out of print. Too bad, that looks like a great book. This link (dated 2002) says the author, Israel Howard is no longer living, but does give a contact for a Blanche Howard, and also the email for the person who left the reply. Maybe try to contact them and see if they can help you?
http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/KYCLAY/2002-08/1028412939
January 12, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Praise the Lord, If your grandfather was jim howard, his grandfather was john jefferson howard of leslie co.
June 21, 2012 at 11:48 pm |
I can assist the howards grandfather is Earl Howard descent from Carolina states if you want you can look up Janice rader daughter of Earl Howard on Facebook
February 11, 2010 at 11:47 am |
My great grandfather was Sheriff Bev white he was murdered in a train station in the 1920′s by the Baileys. Does any one know what happened to the killers? We still have a 45/70 rifle the soldiers left behind after Baker was killed.
February 11, 2010 at 7:57 pm |
Do you know the first names of the Baileys that murdered Bev White? Where was the train station? Any other details that might help me search for articles?
I tired just searching Sheriff Bev White and Bev White, but haven’t found any articles yet. If you have the names of the Baileys, that might help, since White is a very common name.
February 12, 2010 at 5:31 am
The train station is in Barbourville, Ky He was killed by John Bailey on April 7,1921.Beverly Pryor White was sheriff of Clay County in the late 1800′s. It was from his house that Tom Baker was killed. Beverly was born Nov 11,1864
February 11, 2010 at 5:24 pm |
RHODA IDELLA6 BAKER (JOHN HARVEY5, GREEN WARD4, JOSEPH3, ANDREW2, REV. ANDREW1)
was born 10 Mar 1895, and died 24 Mar 1957. She married BEN DONALDSON 19 Jan 1913
in Knox County,Kentucky. He was born 10 Mar 1890, and died 20 Nov 1962.
February 12, 2010 at 12:29 pm |
M. White,
I will see what I can find. Thanks for the additional information.
February 16, 2010 at 9:32 am |
[...] The Whites were involved in the Howard-Baker feuds, which I posted about here. Now, in that post, a Beverly White was killed by Tom Baker. That is a different Beverly White. [...]
July 8, 2010 at 9:22 am |
My Great Grandfather was Johnny Howard. His father was Charles Edward Howard. My great-great grandfather Charles Edward Howard was killed in a car accident in 1933. My great grandfather had another name besides his show name of Johnny Howard. We have reason to believe they were hidden for a reason. Although my great grandfather lived in the limelight he had another alias…
We seem to have a hard time figuring things out if anyone has any help we’d be grateful.
July 22, 2010 at 8:39 am |
[...] right. A failed cattle raid resulted in 130 years of warfare. Hundreds of people and at least one mule were killed in the fighting, with many more people being displaced due to the [...]
July 22, 2010 at 8:41 am |
[...] right. A failed cattle raid resulted in 130 years of warfare. Hundreds of people and at least one mule were killed in the fighting, with many more people being displaced due to the [...]
October 31, 2010 at 10:51 am |
Hello, I have been looking for information on this feud as my gggfather married a womean by the name of Margaret Jane Kerns. As reported in family lore, she was orphaned and raised by the Howards in Frankfort, Ky and talked about the Howard and Philpot feuds. It is suggested that Margaret Jane’s grandfather was killed in one of the Howard feuds. I was wondering if you have any records or information on this and I would also like to get a pdf copy of this post to include in our family history. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for the work you had done here.
November 3, 2010 at 1:45 pm |
Hello, I am also interested in finding out info on this subject. My gggrandfather was James Howard, I don’t believe it to be the same, although he also went to prison for a shooting. He was in the Kentucky State Pen. on the 1900 census. I can’t get past him on my tree, my gggma was a Martha Jane Kinderd. It’s like they vanished. Any info would help.
November 3, 2010 at 7:36 pm |
Hi Deb,
Can you give me a little more to go on? What county were they living in? Is your gggrandfather the James Howard born abt Mar 1868? The census states he was widowed at that time. Anything else you might have on his wife? Or is the what you mean by disappearing? I take it you are trying to find out which Howard and Kinderd families are their families?
Can you tell me if this is their son?
Name Hardin Leo Howard
Gender Male
Death Date 26 Dec 1955
Death Place Lexington, Fayette, Kentucky
Age 68
Birth Date 1887
Father’s Name James Lewis Howard
Mother’s Name Martha Jane Kinder
Indexing Project (Batch) Number I08858-8
System Origin Kentucky-EASy
Source Film Number 1358125
Reference Number n 24534
January 26, 2011 at 10:41 am |
Did Jim Howard get out of prison again and live out his final years in Manchester?
October 2, 2011 at 4:18 pm |
Hello John,
Dont have the exact date off the top of my head, but he was pardoned by a new Governor Augustus Wilson. Am originally from South Texas, and am old enough to have met him, although never had the opportunity. Did manage to dig cousins out of them thar hills, and some very fine folks. Many of those that I met have died since that time. If I can assist you in any way, will go back to the literature that I have and try to find it. Email is leg11b@hotmail.com
Now living in what is referred to as Gods Country, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Best Wishes, David
April 2, 2011 at 9:20 am |
My Great Grandfather was John Brockman, son of Rachel Baker. He was killed across the street from the Manchester Court house in 1932. He was attending a party at Wiley Baker’s house. We know John was there as a bodyguard for the DA, who was also shot. My grandfather was told that John was burried in an unmarked grave. I have found many articles about this shooting. I have found very little infomation on Rachel and what her ties were to the fued. If anyone has more information on Rachel Baker and her family, please let me know. I am hoping to try and track down my great grandfather’s grave or at least the Baker family cemetry
November 19, 2012 at 7:32 pm |
Boston Gap Cemetery up in the hills from Manchester, Ky. Rachel is there as are George, Tom ( the one killed in front of the courthouse) and my father Paul T. and my brother James Alan.
January 18, 2013 at 1:05 pm
Thank you so much!
May 13, 2011 at 12:50 pm |
I believe my great-great-great grandfather was John Herd who was a county judge in Clay County around 1890. He was also a census enumerator and held various other offices. He was married to Mary Gilliam.
Does anyone know anything about him or his involvement?
Is anyone in that area and could tell me about whether court records are available from when he was a judge?
Thanks,
Kevin Harris
kevhar72@gmail.com
or http://arborfamiliae.wordpress.com
July 12, 2011 at 4:33 pm |
My name is Polly S. Brandenburg. My maiden name is
Couch. I know my father’s famiy hails from Eastern Ky. and according to my father we are decendants from a well known feud. The only information that he or his brothers and sisters would share was that our family name is not “Couch”, but Howard. That a Howard family was killed except for one small boy. That he was taken in by a Couch family secretly, without benefit of legal adoption, because the Couch family was fearful. This was always spoken of in hushed tones and we were encouraged not to speak of it. However, this has haunted me all of my life and I would like to know the truth of it. I am aware of the Howard-Baker feud of Clay Co., but can find no connection at all with the name Couch. Would really appreciate any info. Thanks.
July 23, 2011 at 7:18 pm |
My Baker family came up from Breathitt, Owsley, and Wolfe Co KY after leaving Lee Co Virginia, and what once was Johnson County Tennessee (Once North Carolina -)
Heard my grandfather left Kentucky during Medical School because of a shooting, and he ended up in Northern WI along with a lot of others who trace back to Kentucky. Along with him came another man Thomas Baker who we knew as an outlaw who also fled Kentucky area. He was killed by a posse Nov 2nd of 1900 and is buried near out Baker plot in Bryant WI (Langlade Co) unknown if he is really related or if he was using his real name up here. My grandfather dropped out of medical school but his father was a graduate of Transylvania and Louisville Medical school, and died here in 1926. He married America Strong from Breathitt Co. I read that a Strong came to the aid of the Bakers in the Clay co wars. I knew Tom had a shootout with 5 Angel (sp?) brothers and killed 3 of them. Big bragging time for out family till one day I met a man who saw me at the cemetary admiring the tombstone of Tom Baker. He asked me if I knew of Tom. I told him the story and he said yes he was there, showed me a scar on his belly from a Tom Baker bullet. He said it really wasn’t much of a gun fight as he and his four brothers were all unarmed and just kids. That was in the 50′s when I was young. Been wondering ever since just who Tom Baker was.
July 23, 2011 at 8:16 pm |
Does anyone know if any Bowling men were involved in the Baker/White Feud?
September 12, 2011 at 4:49 pm |
…. My name is Barbara Elaine Howard, My father, Elijah Wick Howard, His parents John and Flora Howard (green). I am looking for my relatives. Everyone is gone except a cousin Irene Moore. I also remember an Aunt Orabelle. They were from Pineville last I understand. Would like to get any sort of information.
Thank you,
beh462001@yahoo. com
October 3, 2011 at 5:25 am |
Thank you, David. My Father remembered Old Jim Howard living in Manchester in a Ms? Markhams boarding house with a mongaloid man as he put it. I always heard from family that he always carried a large black case and it was said to have been carrying a gun. I had just heard or read conflicting stories and wanted to get some others takes on it. Thanks again.
October 17, 2011 at 4:12 pm |
mt great grandmas family is from scalf kentuckey her name was mary baker
April 17, 2012 at 7:29 am |
I am a Howard decendent and had no idea until recently about the feud. My great-grandfather was William Woodson Howard and he actually was married to one of the Whites. Her name was Cena Elizabeth White. My grandmother would never talk about the past and was hard to actually come across much until now.
May 23, 2012 at 12:02 am |
micah baker says the baker-howard feud restarted according to my family stories over a bar fight where a baker killed a howard by beating him to death in 1940 i am a clay county true blood baker is there any truth to this!!!!
May 29, 2012 at 6:08 pm |
My grandfather was James Howard, he married Edna Browning. They are from Clay county. Would love to learn more about the Howards. I understand, we are part of the Baker/Howard feud.
May 31, 2012 at 4:33 pm |
Do you know how many children they had and there names? I was told that James is my great grandfather!
May 30, 2012 at 3:48 pm |
My name is John C Howard,MY grandfather was Joseph Howard 1894-1963 and two brothers were orphaned from the feud, that all I know my uncle’s and one aunt are in FLA,all the Howards as my great uncles,one die from wouned the great war,the other die some place in ALA.
May 31, 2012 at 4:24 pm |
Hi my name is Donna Jackson,
My fathers name was Earl Howard Jr. Grandfathers name was Earl Howard Sr. I was told my great grandfather shot goebel. I still have family living in Manchester Kentucky. I would like to find more about Great grandfather and his family if you have that?
July 17, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Jimmy Burchell’s mother was a sister to Earl and a daughter of Jim Howard. He lives in Manchester and has much knowledge. Jim Howard was my great uncle. To my knowledge, he never admitted guilt even to his death. I believe if he were guilty, he would have said so.
July 19, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Do you have any other information you can share? I’m trying to work on my family tree.
Thank you,
June 3, 2012 at 6:21 am |
Hi all, My name is Ervan Roscoe White Jr.
There has been a lot of confusion on where my blood line runs. If anyone can help trace back and see where my family lines up I would appreciate the help. My father grew up in Manchester County.
June 3, 2012 at 7:20 am |
Can you give a little more information to go on? I found an Ina Sparks, father Earvan R. Sparks, who had 3 children, Ervan, Charles and Janice, all surname WHITE. Is that Ervan you or your father? Can you give any of your grandparents’ (or great-grandparents) names to help narrow it down?
June 3, 2012 at 8:17 am |
Ina Sparks was my Granny Ervan is my father I am Jr to Ervan.
June 5, 2012 at 8:25 pm |
my grand father was john howard a decendant to the howards im looking for the books tht I. J. howard wrote his wife has passed away who had the scrips to it and i am wondering if there kids had it or anyone in the family maybe we could get enough people together and make more copies please write back to me my email is Jcolville89@yahoo.com i am looking for any leads and if you have a copy of the book im willing to pay good money for it
June 18, 2012 at 12:40 pm |
My grandfather was William Barrett of owsley county his father is the Barrett named in burns of the mountain. Burns was the founder of the oneda school and was involved as peace maker in the feuds
June 18, 2012 at 1:26 pm |
The suit that gobels was wearing the day he was assented is at the kentucky military history museum I have actually touched the Bullard hole, well I knew the curator and colonel George chinn. I have relatives still living in owsley clay Booneville I know a number of stories from that era and earlier. Do you know the st
June 18, 2012 at 1:32 pm |
You should really try to write up the stories you know. Lots of people would be very interested in them!
Another alternative would be to find someone who will do an oral history, where you can just tell what you know and they will record it, and maybe transcribe it.
Future generations will continue to fascinated by them.
June 18, 2012 at 1:37 pm |
Sorry I am typing on I Phone I live in Bonnieville Kentucky you can call or e-mail me if you want 270 524 3522 or fax 524 3524 .
June 18, 2012 at 2:26 pm |
I am related to bakers, abners, barrett callihans, Parkers, . Old IDE callihans use to tell me stories while sitting under a tree back in the 1960s he was in his 90s back then. We were in island city on island creek. My grandfather bill Barrett lived at the mouth os wolf creek on the south fork.
July 2, 2012 at 5:06 am |
My Ggrandfather was David Houston Hopkins of Knox and Clay Co.
He left Clay Co. in 1900 or 1901 and at least one family member reports that it was due to his service in the Union Army and the Hatfield-McCoy feud. I feel it may be due to the Baker-Howard feud but can find no connection with either family. The Harris family (my grandmother’s side) stayed in the area and I have seen mention of Bowlings on this blog. She would have been related to them through Linzy C. Harris wife. Any info would be helpful.
Thanks
Michael Barr Hopkins
July 11, 2012 at 7:58 pm |
My Grandfather was born in Johnson City, Tenn, in 1888. He grew up in that area and southwestern Virginia. Around 1908 or 1909, he and two brothers(unknown names) rode mules to Michigan to leave the area. He would not let family members trace geneology, because he said there was bad blood and “bad doin’s” back then. His name was Joseph A. White. Would anyone have any info on this? He had logging experience, and went to work logging camps in Mi. He would never speak of any details.
July 14, 2012 at 7:49 pm |
My G Grandmother was Lillie May Howard from KY. She was an orphan, I am not sure if it was because of the feud. I am told she talked about the feud and resulting deaths,injuries, and sadness, as reasons why she married and left. I think she may have had an older sister and I know she had younger siblings she often sent money to when she could. She was raised by relatives, also Howards. Does anyone know of her, her parents, her siblings,or other family? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Melissa May
July 15, 2012 at 11:05 pm |
My great grandfather is Jesse Fuller Barrett. He as indicted for a killing in the Baker, Howard feud he was cousins to the Baker family. I see there was a Jesse Fuller Baker listed in the Baker clan. I have a original post card from about 1905 of him and his wife. What all do you know about his family and their involvement in the feuds?
September 17, 2012 at 1:30 pm |
I know the grandson of Tom Baker and he is eager to tell anyone that whats to know about the fued he’s name is Paul Baker he does not have an e-mail or anything but you can contact me at r.sturgill63061@hotmail.com he also has many pictures and i will let him know just send me an e-mail address thanks he is a very interesting man
November 19, 2012 at 7:57 am |
I am the grand-daughter of the Tom Baker that was shot at the courthouse. His wife, my grandmother, was pregnant with my father at the time of the shooting. She gave birth on June 20th, about a week after the killing. Would love to hear more and meet some cousins!!!!
November 19, 2012 at 7:50 pm |
I am Linda Bakers little sister. Our Grandfather Tom Baker was shot and killed on the courthouse steps with the militia standing at his side. Sherif Bev White did not want the Judge to exonerate Tom according to the “Code of the HIlls” as expected but he took it upon hisself to carry on the fued. The judge declared “code of the hills” no longer applys and from that day forward Federal law will apply to any killings. This did not finish the fued but only served to push it underground. Our father Paul Thomas Baker, born June 10 1899, 10 days after his father Tom was killed fled Manchester as a teen under mysterious circumstances some say. He left his brother Bryan at home with their Mother Emily Lyttle Baker. Their 12 older brothers and sisters long gone already. Years passed when the Bakers invited the Whites to a Baker Family reunion in June up at Jess White’s Possum Creek KY compound ( His mother was a Baker) to publicy bury the hachet 100 years after Tom was kilt. One of the descendants of the White family attending the picnic brought the gun Bev White used to kill our Granpa to the party. How unhappy and heartbreaking for us to read the inscription on the gunstock, “This gun killed Bad Tom Baker.” I don’t think we;ll invite them back.
November 22, 2012 at 8:17 pm |
William M. Atchley ( Great grand son of Jesse Fuller Barrett)
5475 Hammonsville Road hwy 357
Bonnieville, KY. 42713
e-mail dreamscometrue@scrtc.com
November 25, 2012 at 5:05 pm |
Vivian
My grandfather the son of Jesse Fuller Barrett was also murdered. I never got to meet him. He was murdered near the mouth of Wolf creek on the south fork of the Ky. River near Island creek. I have been to the location where your grandfather was murdered. I have been all over the hills and hollers we probably know a lot of the same people.
November 25, 2012 at 5:12 pm |
Vivian
My grandfathers name was William M. Barrett he married Daisy Parker.