Kentucky Feuds – State of War Continues

One more article about the Baker-Howard-White feuds:

BEV. WHITE’S TOUGH DEPUTIES FALL OUT AT MANCHESTER, KY.
———
State of War Still Continues — Town in a State of Intense Excitement — Howard Faction Keeps the Baker’s and Their Friends Out of the Place — Sheriff White Purchasing Ammunition.

London, Ky., June 19. — News of a fight at Manchester between Sheriff Beverly P. White’s numerous deputy sheriffs has just reached this place. Prior to the convening of court at Manchester, Sheriff White swore in 25 desperate characters as deputy sheriffs. Saturday night after they had received their pay several of them got drunk. They met at the upper side of the town and fired off their pistols almost continually until a late hour.

This morning “Bill” Holland, the negro deputy, was missing and it developed that he had been so badly beaten during a fight in which several shots were fired that he is confined to his bed. Holland says Dave Chadwell undertook to get a bottle of whiskey away from him and he struck Chadwell, knocking him down. This angered Chadwell’s friends and he was beaten over the head with the butts of pistols until he was almost dead.

The town is still in a state of intense excitement and the Howards and Whites a hundred and fifty strong keep the Bakers and their friends out of the place. A courier arriving here says he heard after leaving Manchester that Andy Baker and Jason Bowling with a number of friends had come into Clay county and were at Bowling’s house at Begtown. This is where Chris Johnson was attacked by members of the Howard-White faction Friday night and it is feared that Bowling’s house will be the next scene of a battle between the warring factions.

Sheriff White has just returned to Manchester and it is reported that he has secured a large amount of ammunition and a number of guns with which to equip more men in case Governor Bradley attempts to send court there to try him and others on the charge of murdering Tom Baker. John Whitmore, whose horse’s throat was cut at Manchester has arrived here. He says the Whites deny most emphatically that Tom Baker was killed by any of them. Sid Baker and Hiram Bolin, the body guard of John G. White, accompanied him home to Winchester to-day and returned here this afternoon, leaving for Manchester later. It develops that Judge Eversole is related to James Bowling, who is now in the feud and this further complicates matters, allying the judge with the Baker faction. Judge Eversole has gone to Lesile county to hold court. Instead of going via Manchester, which is the usual route, he went via Richmond several miles out of the way. Court is to begin to-day but he cannot reach there before Tuesday. Cale, Robert and Dee Baker are still at the home of Chris Jackson, who will recover from the wound received Friday afternoon at Begtown.

Naugatuck Daily News (Naugatuck, Connecticut) Jun 19, 1899

UPDATE: The Feudin’ Never Seems to Stop:

KENTUCKY OUTLAWRY.

Five Men Killed in the Philpot-Griffin Feud.

Louisville. July 18. — A special from London, Ky., tells of a report reaching there of the outbreak of another feud in Clay county, by which five men lost their lives yesterday. The dead are said to be: Robert Philpot, Ed Fisher, Aaron Morris, Jim Griffin and Hugh Griffin. These fatalities resulted from a pitched battle fought near Little Goose creek, three miles from Manchester.

The feud dates back nearly two years. On Christmas, 1897, James Philpot was killed by Aaron Morris, but before he died he shot and killed William Bundy, a friend of Morris. The Morrises and Griffins were closely affiliated. Since then the feeling between the two factions has been very bitter, and it has been aroused recently by the White-Baker hostilities. The Philpots, which are the strongest faction in the mountains, numbering about 750 voters, openly espoused the cause of the Bakers, while the Griffins took sides with the Whites.

The story that reaches here from Manchester is to the effect that Rob Philpot was arrested yesterday by Deputy Sheriff Wash Thacker. It is said that while Thacker was taking Philpot’s bond the latter was shot from behind by a member of a crowd that had gathered. This precipitated a general fight with Winchesters and revolvers, which was participated in by George, Granville, Robert and Peter Philpot and Ed Fisher on one side, and Aaron Morris, Hugh, Jim and Green Griffin on the other. The battle raged fiercely for ten or fifteen minutes. When it was over it was found that the five men mentioned above had been killed outright, three of the belligerents were seriously wounded, while Pete Philpot was the only one on either side to escape injury. Granville Philpot is said to be one of the most seriously wounded. He is a Union veteran, having lost a leg at Stone River; is an ex-member of the Kentucky legislature, and is said to have killed three or four men. Ed. Fisher was about 23 years old, but was said to have killed three men.

The situation in Manchester is deplorable. The place is in a state of terror, scarcely any one daring to venture out of doors. Business is suspended and the residents are momentarily expecting a renewal of hostilities.

Tyrone Daily Herald (Tyrone, Pennsylvania) Jul 18, 1899

Five Men Are Slain in a Pitched Battle
——-
FEUDISTS AGAIN AROUSED
——-
Philpot Griffin Broil is Revived by the White Baker Hostilities
Their Respective Followers Engaging in a Mortal Combat.
——

[Excerpt]

The story of this battle caused consternation here, notwithstanding the fact that serious trouble has been expected to break out among the mountaineers of Clay county ever since the assassination of Tom Baker several weeks ago. An effort was at once begun to secure deputies to go to the seat of the trouble and attempt to restore quiet, but there had not been enough responses to make up a force that would command respect.

Newark Daily Advocate (Newark, Ohio) Jul 18, 1899

FEUD SPREADING

Kentucky Factionists Gathering and Another Outbreak Feared.

London, Ky., July 19. — The Clay county feud is growing to gigantic proportions. Monday’s battle in which three persons were killed outright and several were mortally wounded is believed to be the beginning of a series of battles.

Armed Philpots have gathered from all sections, 100 strong. The opposing clans, the Morris, Griffin and Chadwell families, are said to be only two miles away fifty strong.

Ed Fisher, who was mortally wounded Monday, died yesterday. Robert Philpot was reported dying last night, but this morning he was not yet dead.

——-

Frankfort, Ky., July 19. — Governor Bradley has taken no action in the Clay County matter. He favors calling an extra session of the legislature as well as sending troops.

——-

London, Ky., July 19. — Details of the ferocious fight between the Philpot and Griffin factions show that Aaron Morris, William and Green Griffin were instantly killed, and Hugh Griffin, Ed Fisher and Robert Philpot were mortally wounded. The dead men were buried at Island Branch graveyard and the wounded conveyed to the homes of their friends.

Messengers from Manchester report the situation more threatening than ever, because of the spread of the feud to families not heretofore directly concerned. The Chadwells and Barnetts are said to be joining the Griffins and Morrises, while the Philpots, in themselves the strongest faction, are gathering their followers from neighboring districts in expectation that their antagonists who were worsted in Monday’s battle, will seek an early opportunity for revenge.

——-

Clay County Officers Criticized.

Frankfort, Ky., July 19. — Governor Bradley received full official particulars concerning the Clay county battle. The governor is more than every worried over Clay county affairs, but has not decided on any plans with reference to the latest outbreak. There is very severe criticism of the Clay county civil authorities in state official circles, and it is hinted that some of the judicial authorities in that district will be made the subject of rigid investigation by the legislature.

Newark Daily Advocate (Newark, Ohio) July 19, 1899

Both Factions Have Quit Work to Prepare for the Tremendous Struggle About to Take Place

———

Arms Said to Have Been Received From Louden — Victims of the Fight the Other Day Escorted to Their Graves by a Heavily Armed Guard.

—–

LONDON, Ky., July 21. — Clay county appears to be alive with armed men; both sides to the feud have suspended all labor and are assembled in their respective neighborhoods. Preparations for war go on. Arms are said to have been received from this point and taken to Clay county. It is believed they were for both sides.

Judge W.L. Brown, London, who has tried many mountain feud fighters, says that he regards this as the most serious trouble Clay county has ever had, and he expects to hear of a desperate fight.

Hugh Griffin and Aaron Morris were laid in the same grave. Harvey Griffin was placed beside them. The funeral procession escorted the corpses to the burial grounds under a heavy guard, armed with Winchesters.

The Philpot-Morris feud can be traced back over eight years. It began in the Pigeon Roost fight, in which the Philpots and Fishers were engaged with a number of alleged followers of Morris. On election day I.B. Philpot was killed, and a young man named Nicholson, a clerk in the pension department at Washington, who had come home to vote, had a leg shot off. George Cole, who last year killed Marshal Roach at Barboursville, and is now a fugitive from justice, was riddled with bullets. Several others were wounded. Sam Philpot, who figured prominently in that fight, was wounded at the battle of San Juan hill.

The next fight was about six years ago. One of the Stuarts and Maj. Jack Downey, of the Chadwell-Stuart forces, were killed. The Stuarts are alleged allies of the Chadwells and Griffins in the present feud. Joe Nance and John Bowling were sent to the penitentiary on account of their participation in this battle, but were afterward pardoned.

The next engagement was four or fives years ago, when Tim Philpot, Ed Fisher and others on one side were engaged by the Chadwells and George Thompson on the other. Thompson was killed, and both Tim Philpot and Ed Fisher were indicted and tried, but they were acquitted.

One other fierce but short battle occurred at Dripping Springs, Clay county, in which Dave, Hugh and Joe Bowling lost their lives at the hands of the Hamptons, who are now in the Morris-Griffin ranks. Others were wounded.

The next battle was fought on Horse Creek, at a saloon, a year ago. In this fight James Crow Philpot shot and killed William Bundy, and was in turn killed by Aaron Morris, Bundy’s son-in-law. Morris was sentenced for 21 years, but on a new trial he was acquitted.

It is charged that the Whites, of the Howard-White-Baker feud, assisted him.

As a result of last Monday’s battle four men, Hugh Griffin, Aaron Morris, Harvey Griffin, of the Morris side, and Ed Fisher of the Philpot faction, have been buried. Two others will probably die.

Lima Daily News (Lima, Ohio) Jul 21, 1899

LONDON, Ky., Sept. 5.

Deputy Sheriff Wash Thacker was found dead on the roadside on the road to Manchester where it is supposed he was shot from ambush. He had recently testified against the Griffins.

Butler County Democrat (Hamilton, Ohio) Sep 7, 1899

KILLING DUE TO KENTUCKY FEUD.

Deputy Sheriff, of Clay County, is Slain From Ambush.

BARBOURSVILLE, Ky., Sept. 6. — [Excerpt]

…Later details of the killing of Deputy Sheriff Thacker, of Clay county, give the surmised reason for his assassination. Thacker had served as deputy sheriff of Clay county for fifteen years, and it was believed he was a favorite. No threats against his life had come to his ears and he felt perfectly secure in the discharge of his official duty. Since his murder it is recalled that he was a witness of the Morris Philpot fight and that his testimony in court was favorable to the Philpots. Sheriff Beverly White’s zeal in pursuit of the murderers with an armed posse of fifty men would seem to indicate that the White faction has no sympathy with the criminal.

Fort Wayne News (Fort Wayne, Indiana) Sep 6, 1899

FEUD ON IN EARNEST AGAIN.

One Faction in Kentucky Making War on Women.

LONDON, Ky., Sept. 11. — The opening of war between the Griffin and Philpot factions in Clay county began last night. The house of Widow Chadwell, wife of Evan Chadwell, brother of Deputy Sheriff Dave Chadwell, the leader of the Griffin faction, was fired into from all sides. She escaped by throwing herself on the floor. All the cattle, hogs and dogs were killed and a notice was posted on her door giving her twenty-four hours to leave or be killed. It was done by a body of horse-men whom the Griffins say were Philpots. The jail here, which has two Griffins in it, is heavily guarded by men with Winchesters.

A rumor is also current here that a battle was fought yesterday in Clay county resulting in killing four men and wounding seven. The rumor locates the battle on Red Bird creek, eighteen miles from Manchester. There have been several killings there of late and the battle may have been either between the Markums and Roberts or the Sizemores and Ashers, which four factions are at war with each other.

The Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska) Sep 12, 1899

Slain from Ambush in Kentucky.

Wash Thacker, a deputy sheriff of Clay County, Ky., has been shot from ambush and killed. A mule on which Bob Smith, who accompanied Thacker, was riding, was slain, but Smith lay motionless on the ground for a couple of hours, feigning death, and thus escaped assassination.

Bessemer Herald (Bessemer, Michigan) Sep 16, 1899

Fear Serious Trouble.

Pittsburg, Ky., Sept. 27. — The situation in Clay county is very serious. The trial of the Griffins, Chadwells and Barnetts for the killing of Wash Thacker was again postponed. Two bands of 40 men each of the Philpots went to Manchester, all heavily armed. An unexpectedly large force of Griffins are near that town well equipped with Winchester rifles. The jail is being guarded by a large force, as the Griffins claim that the jail will be attacked and an effort made to lynch the eight inmates, members of their faction. Law-abiding citizens of Clay county are clamoring for troops.

Newark Daily Advocate (Newark, Ohio) Sep 27, 1899

Kentucky Feudists Tried.

Manchester, Ky., Oct. 2. — The trial of seven Griffin feudists for ambushing Deputy Sheriff Wash Thacker and Jim Smith of the Philpot faction has been held. Eddy and Floy Chadwell, Sol, Jim and Tom Griffin were held without bail, and Charles Burnett, Dan Hampton and Anderson Griffin were discharged.

The Wellsboro Agitator (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania) Oct 4, 1899

KENTUCKY FEUD TRIAL TO-DAY.

LONDON, Ky., Oct. 22. — The Clay County Circuit Court opens to-morrow at Manchester. Five feudists, Eddie and Floyd Chadwell, and Sol. Jim, and Tom Griffin, will be tried for the killing of Deputy Wash Thacker of the Philpot faction.

Gov. Bradley has troops in readiness to go to the protection of the court immediately upon the request of the Judge.

Since the last term of court twenty men and one woman have been shot and there are only five indictments.

The New York Times (New York, New York) Oct 23, 1899

The Clay County Trouble.

Manchester, Ky., Oct. 26. The grand jury impaneled here at the term of court with began Monday has a big task before it. There are 12 murders besides the assassination of Tom Baker to be investigated. The jury has returned true bills against Sol, Jim and Tom Griffin, charging them with the murder of Sheriff Wash Thacker, and Eddy and Floyd Chadwell, charging them with complicity in the crime. Eddy Chadwell confessed that the plot was made and executed by the Griffins to revenge the advantage Thacker had given the Philpots by his testimony against the Griffins after the battle of July 17, in which four Griffins and one Philpot were killed. The town is full of witnesses and feudists. Judge Eversole did not arrive, and C.B. Little is holding the court.

The Trenton Times (Trenton, New Jersey) Oct 26, 1899

INDICT KENTUCKY MURDERERS.

——-

The Regular Judge, However, Fails to Appear in Court — Armed Feudists Await Further Developments.

Special to The New York Times.
MANCHESTER, Ky., Oct. 25. — True bills of indictment, charging Solomon and Jim and Tom Griffin with the murder of Deputy Sheriff Wash Thacker in Clay County on Sept. 4, and against Eddy and Floyd Chadwell with complicity in the crime, were returned by the Grand Jury here to-day. The regular Judge, H.C. Eversole, for some reason has not arrived as yet, but he sent word to two members of the bar to elect a special Judge and go ahead with the court. Judge C.B. Little was chosen, and a Grand Jury empaneled.

The Grand Jury has its hands full, there being about 10 killings and assassinations to investigate, all of which have taken place since the last term of court, in June, and this in addition to the killing of Tom Baker, which Judge Eversole has promised Gov. Bradley to investigate. Troops are being held in readiness at Lexington, and it is believed by members of the bar that Judge Eversole will not come until the Governor agrees to furnish him with military protection. In view of this fact, Judge Eversole’s instructions to try unimportant matters until he arrives is being disregarded, and Judge Little will take up the cases as they are reported by the Grand Jury.

It is now believed that the assassin who killed Tom Baker while he was a prisoner will never be found. Sheriff White, from whose house the fatal shot was fired, is seriously ill and has left the business of his office with his deputies. Commonwealth’s Attorney Isaacs has also failed to appear. He sent word that he would be compelled to be absent during the term because of sickness in his family. In Perry County, County Attorney Turner and B.B. Golden of Barbourville will represent the Commonwealth.

The Griffins and the Philpots are on hand in force, all heavily armed. Every one appears in the best of humor, and they mingle together telling jokes. Valentine G. Philpot came near causing a riot yesterday by stating that he told the farmer who came up with his two-horse wagon and offered to haul off the dead after the Philpot-Griffin fight on July 17, that he only wished they could finish out a load for him.

The Griffins heard of this remark and there was a rush to arms, but through some agreement the matter was settled and no blood spilled. The report that Pete Philpot, the boy who shot three Griffins in the big fight, had been shot yesterday, is untrue. “Tom” Whittamore, a Philpot sympathizer, is dead, the reports to this effect having been confirmed.

Gov. Bradley will be requested to place the whole county under martial law by the citizens who hope to have an end put to the feud at once, but this plan is not considered practicable by the Chief Executive.

The following is a list of the people killed in the Philpot-Griffin feud since the last term of the Circuit Court:

July 6 — James Stubblefield, Deputy Sheriff, killed while attempting to arrest Mart Smith. Smith escaped.

July 17 — Aaron Morris, Harvey Griffin, Green Griffin of the Griffin faction, and Ed Fisher of the Philpot faction, killed in pitched battle. Several other men wounded. Philpot tried and cleared.

Sept. 2 — Bill Lewis, Deputy Sheriff, killed while trying to arrest Mart Smith. Smith again escaped.

Sept. 4 — Wash Thacker, Deputy Sheriff, killed while riding along the road with Jim Smith, a friend. Jim, Tom, and Sol Griffin and Eddy and Floyd Chadwell arrested, and are to be tried for the crime.

Sept. 5 — James Robertson, Philpot sympathizer, assassinated. No arrests.

Sept. 28 — Eli Taylor, a juryman in Philpot cases, assassinated. No arrests.

Sept. 6 — [maybe meant to be Oct 6?] Henry Marcum, a Griffin feudist, assassinated. No arrests.

Oct. 23 — Tom Whittamore, friend of Philpot’s, assassinated. No arrests. Simon Philpot assassinated at Pigeon Roost. No arrests.

One woman was shot and seriously wounded, having been mistaken for a Philpot, and the homes of a number of the factionists riddled with bullets at night.

The New York Times (New York, New York) Oct 26, 1899

Banished From Clay County.

London, Ky., Nov. 7 — Dave Chadwell, father of Eddie and Floyd Chadwell, who are accused of complicity in the murder of Deputy Sheriff Wash Thacker, has been run out of Clay county. He was shot from ambush and almost killed two weeks ago and afterward notified to leave the county. He did this, going to Corbin, but on Sunday he was warned that he was still too close to Clay county to please the Philpots and advised to go farther. Consequently he has removed with his family to Winchester.

The Trenton Times (Trenton, New Jersey) Nov 7, 1899

TROOPS ORDERED OUT

Corbin, Ky., Dec 11. — Governor Bradley ordered the company of state guards just organized here, into service to protect Floyd and Eddie Chadwell, who killed Town Marshal Hartford Saturday night. The town is crowded and an attempt to lynch them may be made.

The two Chadwells are feudists from Clay county, sons of Dave Chadwell, one of the leaders of the Griffin faction in the Philpot-Griffin feud. They said, “We just wanted to show how we have fun back in Clay.”

An attempt at rescue may be made by Clay countians.

The Daily Review (Decatur, Illinois) Dec 11, 1899

 

The Bailey-White Feud Revisited

Bailey’s Blood book cover image from Amazon.com – book description at the link, and the book can be purchased there as well.

Dr. Bailey emailed me some additional information regarding the Bailey-White feud that he had collected while doing research for this book, and another entitled, “The Bailey’s of Southeast Kentucky,” which I believe  is a non-fiction book about the family. Many of these newspaper articles may be repeats of my previous post, Kentucky Feuds: Bailey-White, but he has added some additional information, which is quite interesting. I am presenting it as he sent it, except for a few minor formatting issues that I can’t figure out:

Beverly Prior White was Sheriff of Clay County when the Baker-White feud occurred and in 1899, “Bad” Tom White was shot with a rifle from Sheriff White’s house. Immediately after the shooting, the authorities entered the Sheriffs house and found, next to an opened back window, the murder weapon and a hat with BPW marked on it. Beverly was never charged with the crime. However, two years letter, as part of the truce between the Bakers and Whites, Beverly left the county. I speculate that the Bailey Family favored the Bakers in that earlier feud and a general fear of the Whites ability to get away with murder stemmed from that event.

KENTUCKY SHERIFF RESIGNS.

Bev. P. White Has Located Near Lexington.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) May 6, 1901

Lexington, Ky., May 5. — (Special) Bev. P. White, the famous sheriff of Clay county, is now a resident of Fayette county, having recently located here.

White resigned his position as sheriff of Clay county on April 1st by an agreement with the authorities of that county, and at first intended to take up a home in Clark county, but changed his mind and has secured a lease in the Dabney Carr farm, on the Winchester Pike, eight miles from Lexington.

Sheriff White was one of the leaders in the bitter feuds of Clay county, and his resignation and departure from the county was one of the results of the recent all around agreement reached to abandon bloody warfare and engage in peaceful pursuits. He says he will next year buy him a farm and he may enter the ranks of trotting horse breeders.

FEUD SLAYER FLEES TO HILLS

Locomotive Chases Handcar Seized By Fugitives and Party After Shooting

Special to the Louisville Courier Journal, April 7, 1921

Posses tonight are searching the hills of Clay County for John Bailey who today shot to death Beverley White in Versailles at the Cumberland & Manchester Railroad Station here.  The shooting is an outgrowth of a feud between the White and Bailey families and dozens of friends of the slain man are aiding in the search.  Bailey who was arrested after the shooting, escaped from a Deputy Sheriff who was guarding him while awaiting orders to take the prisoner to Pineville for safe keeping.  The fugitive and a party of friends forced a section crew to give up a handcar and escaped on the car, abandoning it twelve miles from here and taking to the woods.

Deputies Give Chase. Shortly after the escape, twelve Deputy Sheriffs, armed with repeating rifles, arrived to escort the prisoner to Pineville.  The officers gave chase on a locomotive and later were joined by friends of White.  In the meantime, it has been reported that friends of the slayer are arming, and it is feared that an outbreak between the two factions is imminent.  The families have been enemies for many years.  The trouble began when two White brothers of Beverley White were killed by two brothers of John Bailey.

Without Eyewitnesses. The shooting today was without an eyewitness, (was there a cab driver) but it is believed that it occurred without words on either side.  White, a well-to-do Woodland (sic Woodland) County farmer, was on the way to visit his old home in Clay County when he was shot.  Additional apprehension is caused here by the fact that Levi Lee, a friend of the Bailey faction is to be tried here Monday on a charge of killing a member of the White family. It has been announced that a large number of Deputy Sheriffs will be sworn in for the trial.

BAILEYS HOLD UP IN DRY MEN

Special to The Louisville Courier-Journal, Lexington, Ky, April 7, 1921

Mrs. Cassie White, widow of Beverley White, who was slain at Barbourville this afternoon, left tonight with her sons, S.P., W.L., and J.D. White, for Barbourville.  Mr. White removed to Woodford County twenty-five years ago so that, he said, his sons might be brought up free from the danger of conflict with the Bailey family. He had been operated on at a northern hospital and was returning to Clay County to look after property interests here.  The body will be brought here tomorrow or Saturday.

BATTLE FEARED IN HUNT FOR FEUDIST

The Louisville Courier Journal,  Barbourville, April 8, 1921)

A pitched battle is expected to take place when officers, with thirty members of the White faction, reach the rendezvous of John Bailey, who made a sensational escape yesterday after shooting Beverley White.  Bailey’s father William Bailey, and brother, James Bailey, accompanied him in the flight.  They are said to be in hiding near their old home and to be surrounded by friends, prepared to offer armed resistance to the posse, which planned to renew its expedition today.

Murder Trial Venued. The posse was outwitted yesterday after using a locomotive to pursue the fugitive, who escaped in a railroad motor car and deserted it, fleeing to the hills before the locomotive had time to bear down on him.  Fearing a reign of lawlessness as a result of renewal of the Bailey-White feud, officials here today obtained a change of venue of the trial of Jack Gilbert, friend of the Whites, whose case was docketed in the Circuit Court here Monday.  (error: see April 7 article where participant is a White, that is John Gilbert White, brother of Beverley) An order was issued today transferring the case to Richmond.

Stormed County Jail. Gilbert killed Levi Lee, a member of the White faction, in this city last October. A few nights after the killing a party composed of Baileys and Lees came here and tried to storm the county jail in which Gilbert was confined.  For two hours they shot up the streets with little opposition so unexpected was the attack.  Officers, however, finally drove them away from the jail.  The members of the raiding party were brothers of John Bailey.

BEV. WHITE IS SLAIN

Corbin Times, Barbourville, April 7, 1921

Beverly White, of Lexington, was shot and killed by John Bailey of Clay county, at the Cumberland & Manchester depot here today.  White had just stepped from a train when the two met and the shooting followed.  Five shots took effect.

The shooting is the outgrowth of the White and Bailey feud.  White is a cousin of the two White brothers who were killed several years ago by Jim and Bev Bailey, brothers of John Bailey.  The latest tragedy has aroused much excitement and further trouble is feared.

On Monday, John Gilbert will be placed on trial here for the killing of Levi Lee who was associated with the Baileys and a large force of deputy sheriffs will be sworn in to prevent trouble.

OLD FEUD WAS BITTER

The Louisville Courier Journal, Frankfort, Ky., April 8, 1921

The murder of Beverley White, former Sheriff of Clay County at Barbourville yesterday, recalls the famous Baker-White feud, in which the family of Beverly White and the Howards warred for years against the Bakers and Philpotts.  One of the grounds for appeal in the case of Jim Howard, accused of the Goebel assassination, was the question asked him on cross examination: “If he did not from a window in the house of Beverley White with the curtains drawn, in the town of Manchester, shoot Tom Baker.”  He said he did not.  The Baker-White feud reached its climax in the killing of Sheriff William L. White, brother of Beverley, by Tom Baker, June 2, 1918.  Baker took to the hills, the Whites armed to the teeth rallied at Manchester to take up the pursuit, and soldiers were sent to prevent further bloodshed.  On arrival of troops Baker surrendered and was tried at Barbourville and convicted, but obtained a reversal of the verdict.  White, lying along the road with a bullet hole in his body, true to tradition of feudal lordship in the mountains, called for his wife and called for his gun.  He said he believed he was dying, “but if I do get well, Tom Baker —” and with the name of his enemy on his lips passed away.  A short time before the death of White, Jim Howard had slain George Baker, father of Tom.  It was urged against Howard that he was in Frankfort seeking a pardon at the time Goebel was killed. Howard’s brother, Wilse had been killed and his father, A.B. Howard, wounded in the course of the feud.  (Remember Wilse Howard killed Jonathan Bailey in 1889)  Attempt was made to implicate Tom Baker in this.  John Baker, brother of Tom, Levi Abner and Theo Cundiff were mentioned in Tom Baker’s trial as victims of gun play.

Beverley White Free From Feud. Beverley White, as far as court records here show, caused none of the trouble in Clay and was directly involved in none of them.  He left there about 25 years ago so that his boys would not inherit the feud.  The Baileys were not involved in the old feud and until about six years ago had been on friendly terms with the Whites, it is said. Two of the Baileys killed a member of the White family.  Beverley White, who resided in Woodford, had no connection with the affair.

POSSE ARE SCOURING THE MOUNTAIN DISTRICTS

Posses Searching for Alleged Kentucky Killer.

Marion Star, The (Marion, Ohio) Apr 8, 1921

Lexington, Kentucky, April 8 –

A posse of citizens, armed with high-powered rifles, scoured the mountain districts of Clay and Knox counties, for John Bailey, Clay county farmer, who, late Thursday, scored a point in a lifelong feud between his family and that of B.P. White, wealthy farmer and coal operator of Barbourville, by shooting and killing White as he landed from a train, near Barbourville.

Meager reports reaching Lexington, today, indicate that friends of both families are arming and a battle is feared when the feudists on the White side attempt to take sides with the searching posse.

The situation in Barbourville, after the murder of Beverly White, was indeed problematic.  There was, clearly something going on between the Baileys and Sheriff Black as well as Deputy Sheriff George Perry.  Sheriff Read P. Black did not act adequately to arrest John and was both forced to resign and was indicted as a result.  The Read Black indictment, dated April, 8, 1921 reads as follows, forgive the confusing language.

Read P. Black willfully corruptly negligently and cowardly fail and refuse to do his duty, as sheriff of Knox County, in failing and refusing to take into his custody John Bailey, on a warrant duly issued for the arrest of the said Bailey on a charge of willful murder in the killing of Bev White and upon knowledge that the said John Bailey and had committed a felony, by failing and refusing to arrest the said John Bailey, and by failing to deliver the said Bailey to the Circuit Court of Knox County and did fail and refuse to accompany members of a sheriff’s posse in pursuit to arrest John Bailey, after he himself had summoned the members of said Posse for said purpose and so designating the members of said posse for said purpose and so designating the said posse in which said parties were summoned.  Said Read P. Black being at the time the duly qualified and acting Sheriff of Knox County at the time.

BAILEY GIVES UP TO SHERIFF IN HARLAN JAIL

Middlesboro Dailey News, April 9, 1921

Alleged slayer of Beverly White surrendered last night at Barbourville; feelings intense.

BATTLE FEARED WHEN POSSE REACHES SLAYER’S HAUNT

FEUDIST SURRENDERS ADHERENTS ARRESTED

Special to the Louisville Courier Journal, Barbourville, Ky., April 9, 1921

Surrender of John Bailey, fugitive slayer, and indictment of his father, William Bailey, brother, James Bailey, Deputy Sheriff George Perry, and partisan, John Lee, were today’s developments in the revival of the White-Bailey feud.  John Bailey, who escaped Thursday after killing Beverley White, surrendered last night while a posse of deputy sheriffs and Bailey forces was continuing its search.  He came here with a dozen armed adherents, and agreed to give himself up after Sheriff Black obtained an order to take him to the Harlan County Jail.  His bodyguard said they would die with their boots on before consenting to his being imprisoned here and exposed to an attack by White followers.  Sheriff Black, five deputies and a number of Bailey men accompanied the prisoner to Harlan. Officers have gone to Harlan to serve warrants on the two other indicted feudists.

BEV P. WHITE KILLED BY JOHN BAILEY

Barbourville Mountain Advocate,  April 21, 1921

Another chapter in the Bailey-White life tragedy was added on Tuesday, April 7^th, when Bev P. White of Lexington, died at the hands of John Bailey of Fount.

From the statement of those most familiar with the affair and after much sifting of wild stories, it appears that John Bailey was in the little restaurant at Heidrick depot about 10:30 a. m., Bev P. White appeared to enter.  As he did so a shot rang out, Mr. White started to run around the building, but two more bullets reached him and he fell, dying almost at once.

William Bailey, father of John, was in the courthouse square when the shooting took place.  A man rushed up to him and told him John had shot Bev White.  He went across the street to where Jim Bailey and John Lee were standing by Cole & Hughes store and sought a car to take them to Heidrick.

After the shooting John Bailey handed over his gun to George Perry, deputy sheriff, stating, however that he refused to come to Barbourville jail as his life would not be safe.  His father and brother also refused to let him come.

Read P. Black and deputies arrived on the scene about thirty minutes after the shooting. The Sheriff asked John Bailey to come to town and was joined in his plea by other citizens being assured of his personal safety but he refused on the ground that the Barbourville jail was not a safe place for him and that the Whites from Clay County would kill him there.  He promised to go to another jail as he was willing to submit to the law. Sheriff Black told him he would take him to Pineville and the Baileys agreed to this if the guns of the father and brother were not taken from them.

Sheriff Black then went to town to get an order from Judge Rose for commitment to Pineville, sending the order out with Deputy Sheriff Dan Philpott.  He meanwhile called up Mr. Hollingsworth of the L & N for permission for a freight train to take the party to Pineville.  Philpott served the order on George Perry who had charge of John Bailey, and he promised to see that it was carried out.  H. H. Owens was with Philpott when the order was delivered.  Believing that everything had been arranged, the crowd dispersed.

Before the freight train arrived at Barbourville depot, the Baileys and deputy Sheriff Perry, it is alleged, said they would walk up the track.  They walked about a mile to where a section crew was at work and informed them they had permission to be taken to Fount on the motor car and Mr. McAlester took them there.

When it was seen they had gone sheriff Black enrolled numerous deputies, among them  Judge F. D. Sampson, of the Court of Appeals, but this action was naturally futile.

Judge Sampson, Sawyer A. Smith, Bart S. Reid and others saw to the proper disposition of the body of Mr. White which was taken to Hopper Parlor.

It is a sad affair.  Criticism from the Advocate is useless.  The matter is in the hands of the Circuit Court now in session.  It is their business to act.

BEV WHITE KILLED AT HEIDRICK STATION

Trial of John Bailey, Transferred to Mt Vernon, Shooting reopens, old feud feared

An old feud broke out anew and almost without warning in Barbourville last Tuesday when Beverly P. White, 58 years old, formerly of Clay County, but now of Woodford, was shot and killed as he alighted from the Manchester train at Heidrick by John Bailey, who surrendered several days later upon assurance that he would be transferred to Harlan to await trial.

Change of venue for the trial of the case was entered in the Knox Circuit Court Tuesday and the case transferred to the Rockcastle Circuit Court, the trial to be held in Mt. Vernon.  The trials of James Bailey, William Bailey, John Lee, and George Perry, indicted for conspiracy in connection with the killing will be held also at Mt. Vernon.

White was shot just as he alighted from a train of the Cumberland and Manchester  railroad which operates between Barbourville and Manchester.  Bailey came face to face with White as the latter alighted from the train.  The only person who saw the entire act was a small boy who barely escaped being struck by fire.

White fell, his body pierced by five bullets.  He died almost instantly.  He made no movements.  Following the shooting, Bailey, accompanied by many of his friends who were waiting nearby, seized a handcar from a railroad station crew and fled in the direction of Clay County.  The wife and three sons of Mr. White, S.T. White, W.L. White, and J.D. White Jr. who live now in Woodford County near Lexington came to Barbourville to return the body of the slain man to the Blue Grass for burial.

The slain man, according to his wife moved his home to Central Kentucky almost twenty five years ago to escape any further conflict between himself and the members of the Bailey family.  At that time the two families, both of which have large connections in the surrounding sections of Manchester and Barbourville were on bad terms.  W.L. White said, “Father moved from the mountains down to Central Kentucky to keep us boys from being dragged into the trouble between the families.  He thought that by moving away perhaps the ill feelings would gradually be out.”

The shooting of White Thursday is the first clash that has occurred between the families within the last six years.

A possible cause of the shooting Thursday was given by the three men who said their father had interested himself on the behalf of John Gilbert who is at the present time under indictment in Barbourville for the killing of Levi Lee.  Lee it is said, was closely associated with the Bailey family who are said to have resented the assistance being given Gilbert by White.

The case against Gilbert and also an accomplice in the killing of Lee were transferred recently to the Madison Circuit Court.  Both men had their examination trial heard by Judge Ingram in the Barbourville Court several months ago and were held on the charge.

Shot Dead.

Pulaski News Apr 1921

Somerset, Ky., Friday April 15, 1921.. Mrs. Edward Baute of this city received word last Friday that her father, Beverly White, was shot and killed by John Bailey, of Clay County.  The shooting occurred at Heldrick Depot of the Cumberland and Manchester Railroad shortly after Mr. White arrived at the depot.  Bailey is said to have opened fire without a word being spoken.  The shooting was the outgrowth of a family feud which started twenty-five years ago.  Mr. White moved away from the scene and had not been back since that time.  Bailey had been captured and is in jail at Harlan.  Feeling against him is high.  Mr. White was one of the wealthiest and most respected farmers in Central Kentucky.

The indictment of John Bailey reads:

“In the name and by the authority of the commonwealth the grand Jury of Knox County does further charge that the said John Bailey, did then and there on the day and date above mentioned unlawfully, willfully, feloniously, and of their malice aforementioned did kill and murder the said Beverly P. White, by shooting and wounding him with guns and pistols, loaded with powder leaden balls and other hard and explosive substances, from which said shooting and wounding the said White did then and there die.

“And the grand Jury does further charge that the defendant, Jim Bailey, Wm. Bailey, John Lee, Geo Perry, were then and there and near enough to and did unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously, and of their malice aforethought, aid, abet, assist, council and advise the said shooting of the said Beverly P. White by the said John Bailey, in the manner and form set above.”

The indictment of Read P. Black reads:

“The grand jury of Knox County, in the name and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Kentucky accuses Read P. Black of the offence of Non Feasance in Office.  On the 8th day of April, 1921 aforesaid did unlawfully, willfully, corruptly, negligently and cowardly fail and refuse to do his duty, as sheriff of Knox County, in failing and refusing to take into his custody John Bailey, on a warrant duly issued for the arrest of the said Bailey on a charge of Willful Murder in the killing of Bev White and upon knowledge that the said John Bailey had committed a felony, by failing and refusing to arrest the said John Bailey, and by failing to deliver the said Bailey to the Grand Jury of Knox County and did fail and refuse to accompany members of a sheriffs posse in pursuit to arrest the said John Bailey, after he himself had summoned the members of said posse for said  purpose and so designated the said purpose of which said parties were summoned.  Said Read P. Black being at the time the duly qualified and acting sheriff of Knox County at the time.”

John was tried in Mount Vernon, Kentucky and his trial was reported in the newspapers of the day.

TROOPS CALLED TO QUELL NEW OUTBREAK OF OLD BAILEY-WHITE FEUD IN KENTUCKY FOLLOWING KILLING OF KNOX COUNTY MAN

William Lee Shot Dead by Bart Reid, Former Army Officer, Who Is Said to Have Given Offense by Talk about Indictment of Lee’s Brother — In Family War of Many Years.

BARBOURVILLE, Ky., June 7 – State troops were called out here tonight to stop a threatened outbreak following an affair today in which William Lee, of upper Knox County, was shot and killed by Bart Reid, former army officer.

Lee is said to have threatened Reid because of statements the latter is alleged to have made in connection with indictments returned against Jim Lee, his brother, charged with shooting Josh Faulkner last week. It was feared that Lee’s friends might try to avenge the killing.

Old Feud Feared.

The Bridgeport Telegram

(Bridgeport, Connecticut) Jun 8, 1921

LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 7. – Reports reached here today that the Bailey-White feud had broken out afresh in the vicinity of Barbourville, Ky., today and that one man had been killed.

Another report from Frankfort said Governor Edwin P. Morrow had been asked to send state troops to the scene of the trouble.

Meanwhile John Bailey, who on April 7 was credited with renewing the feud of twenty years between the Baker and White families when Bevereley White was shot and killed in Knox county, remains in jail in Louisville. He was brought here, authorities say, to remove him from the jurisdiction of friendly court influences at Mt. Vernon, which the state said it had reason to believe, would have released him on motion for bail and habeas corpus proceedings.

Reports of a second renewal of the feud are widespread, but verification is difficult owing to meager lines of communication.

COURT GUARDED AS TRIAL OPENS

Kentucky feudist faces jury on Charge of Murder

The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, Mount Vernon Ky., August 8, 1921.

With twenty-five national guardsmen from London, and twenty special Deputy Sheriffs on guard, the Rockcastle Co. court-house presented a martial appearance as the case of John Bailey, Jr., slayer of Beverley White, was called for trial here today.  Bailey’s case was brought here on a change of Venue from Knox Co., where the slaying occurred.  Approximately 100 members of the Bailey-Lee clan and the Whites opposing factions in the most bitter mountain feud that has torn eastern Kentucky in recent years, were present for the opening of the trial.

FLAREUP FEARED.  The troops and special deputies were summoned to keep down any possible flareup of the feudal spirit that in the last few years has caused a number of deaths on both sides of the mountain war and which in the last quarter of a century has resulted in possibly scores of murders.

Judge B. J. Bethurum, who is conducting the court here, asked for special guards for the court room.

Major James L. Dillon, in charge of the guardsmen, has issued warning to the clansmen against carrying concealed weapons during the trial.

FATHER TO BE TRIED.  The killing for which Bailey is to be tried occurred on April 7, last at Heidrick’s Station, near Barbourville.  Bailey, with his father, William Bailey, a brother, James Bailey, and a deputy sheriff named Perry, took to the woods but surrendered two days later and was taken to the Harlan Co. jail.  Later he was transferred to Mount Vernon and then to Louisville and finally was granted bail at Mount Vernon.  John Bailey was indicted on the charge of willful murder and for this he is to be tried.  His father, brother, and Perry have been indicted on the charge of conspiracy to murder Beverley White and their cases are set for this term.

Although the best of order is being kept here by the state troops and special deputies, the White and Bailey-Lee clans present somewhat the appearance of wrestlers prepared to leap at one another.  The Whites have made the Rockcastle hotel headquarters for their adherents while the Baileys and Lees are putting up at a boarding house.  On the street one seldom sees a member of one opposing clan on the same side with members of the other.

TRIAL OF BAILEY OPENS TODAY AT MOUNT VERNON

Middlesboro Daily News, Mount Vernon, Ky, Aug 22, 1921,

With 25 National Guards men from London, and 20 special Deputy Sheriffs on guard, the Rockcastle County Courthouse today presented a martial appearance as the case of John Bailey, J.R.., slayer (of) Beverly White, was called for trail.   Approximately 100 members of the Bailey-Lee clan and Whites, opposing factions in the most bitter mountain feud that has torn Eastern Kentucky in recent years are present for the opening of the trial, among them are William Bailey, father of the defendant, several of his sons and a number of his kinsmen and representatives of the White family.

History of the Case; John Bailey was arrested the night of April 9, voluntarily surrendering at Barbourville to Sheriff Byron P. Walker.  Bailey had been at large for two days following the killing on April 7 at Heidrick’s station, one mile from Barbourville, of Beverly D White, of Versailles.

White was killed according to early versions of the trouble, when he stepped into a restaurant to obtain a valise he had left there while he proceeded into Clay County to look after some timber and mining lands he owned.  White had moved out of Knox County many years before to avoid bringing up his children in the atmosphere of the feuds, one of which then was ranging between his family and the Bailey family.  He had lived in Woodford County during that period, making periodical trips into Knox and Clay Counties to look after his property.

The trip that ended in his death started from Rochester, Minn. where White had gone for an operation.  Instead of going home he went to Clay County to look after his interests and was on his way home when slain.

White’s body, according to reports from Barbourville, lay where it fell for some time after the shooting.  Bailey, admittedly the slayer, remained in Heidrick station with his father and adherents of the family, until Sheriff Walker arrived.  The Baileys refused to allow John to be taken to the Knox County jail and the Sheriff returned to Barbourville to get permission to take him to Bell County.  While the sheriff was gone the Baileys left the scene, seized a motor car used by a railroad section gang and fled.

On the night of April 8, Bailey surrendered under guard of his father, William Bailey, his brother, James Bailey and Deputy Sheriff Perry, an adherent of the family.  He was taken to Harlan County Jail.  In Harlan County, Bailey was denied bail and later was removed to Mount Vernon.  Efforts to get bail were renewed and the police judge of Mt Vernon was going to hear the petition when prosecution appealed to the State Court of Appeals for a writ forbidding the hearing.  A temporary writ was granted and Bailey was removed to County jail at Louisville.  He remained there until the County Judge returned to Mt Vernon and on hearing granted bail.

Up to the time of the starting of the trial Bailey was free on bond.

RIVAL FACTIONS GROWING LARGER

Soldiers Keep Disorder Down At Mt. Vernon

John Bailey, Jr., Alleged Slayer of Beverly White, Goes To Jail.

New Castle News (New Castle, Pennsylvania) Aug 22, 1921

MOUNT VERNON, Ky., Aug. 22 – Bailey-Lee and White rival clansmen numbering 100 are under arms here today for the opening trial of John Bailey, Jr., alleged slayer of Beverly White.

A detachment of the London cavalry troops, K.N.G., are camped on the court house grounds, dispatched here by Governor Morrow, upon request of the Mount Vernon authorities who fear trouble before the trial ends.

No trouble occurred yesterday. Incoming trains brought reinforcements of the opposing factions and many other feudists are arriving this morning.

ARMED MEN FLOCK TO FUEDIST’S TRIAL

Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Aug 22, 1921

MOUNT VERNON, Ky., Aug. 22. – With twenty-five National Guardsmen from London and twenty special deputy sheriffs on guard, the Rock Castle courthouse presented a martial appearance, when the trial of John Bailey, Jr., alleged slayer of Beverly White, was called here today. Approximately 100 members of the Bailey-Lee clansmen factions, in the most bitter mountain feud that has torn eastern Kentucky in recent years and which is said to have resulted in a score of killings in almost as many years, were present for opening of the trial.

Major James L. Dillon, in charge of the guardsmen, has issued warning to the clansmen against carrying concealed weapons during the trial.

The killing, for which Bailey is to be tried, occurred on April 7 last at Heidricks Station.

RIVAL FACTIONS GROWING LARGER

Soldiers Keep Disorder Down At Mt. Vernon

John Bailey, Jr., Alleged Slayer of Beverly White, Goes To Jail.

New Castle News (New Castle, Pennsylvania) Aug 22, 1921

MOUNT VERNON, Ky., Aug. 22 – Bailey-Lee and White rival clansmen numbering 100 are under arms here today for the opening trial of John Bailey, Jr., alleged slayer of Beverly White.

A detachment of the London cavalry troops, K.N.G., are camped on the court house grounds, dispatched here by Governor Morrow, upon request of the Mount Vernon authorities who fear trouble before the trial ends.

No trouble occurred yesterday. Incoming trains brought reinforcements of the opposing factions and many other feudists are arriving this morning.

NINE JURORS ACCEPTED BY STATE WITHIN HOUR AFTER COURT OPENED

Middlesboro Daily News, Mount Vernon, Aug 23, 1921

Selection of the jury which is to try the case against John Bailey, famous feudist for the murder last April in Knox county of Beverly D. White, of Versalles, started with the opening of court here today, the court having adjourned yesterday on account of absent witnesses.

In one hour after the court opened nine men were in the jury box accepted by the state. Seated at the counsel table with Bailey are his father and mother and two brothers, Jim and George Bailey (George Lee).  On the opposite side of the room is J. D. White, a brother of Beverly and three sons of the dead man.

Major Dillon, of London, who is in charge of the state cavalry men doing guard duty and Sheriff Lankford have the situation well in hand to all appearances.  Although the town is filled with Bailey, Lee and White adherents of both factions of the famous Clay-Knox county feud, neither side is apparently looking for trouble.  Search of all persons entering court room today failed to disclose any weapons

FEUD FACTIONS MEET IN COURT

Baileys and Whites Face Each Other Today.

Force Prepared To Preserve Order During the Trial of John Bailey for Murder.

Marion Star, The (Marion, Ohio) Aug 23, 1921

Mt. Vernon, Kentucky, Aug. 23 – Baileys and Whites sat facing each other in the drab circuit court-room of Rock Castle County, today.

Had they met under different circumstances, everything might not have been so calm.

But here automatic guns of the state troopers helped to inspire a respect for the law and to frown on feud methods of settling conspiracies.

And the enmity of the member of the feud factions was masked behind expressionless faces.

Court routine took its customary monotonous course. Attorneys for John Bailey, accused of the murder of Beverly White, asked for continuance of the trial on account of a witness. Circuit Judge B.J. Bethurum appointed a special bailiff, to be accompanied by two soldiers, to arrest four missing witnesses.

The Whites and Baileys left the court-room and went their respective ways. The London cavalry troopers and twenty special deputies kept a center course. Realization that the slightest dispute, even between minor members of the clans might precipitate a general clash, kept the troops vigilant to keep the factions apart.

Every person entering the court-room was searched. But the warning of Major James Dillon, commanding the troops, had been heeded. Weapons had been left in the rooms.

A few knives were collected.

TROOPS ON GUARD AT MURDER TRIAL

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Aug 23, 1921

Mount Vernon, Ky., August 22.– With twenty-five national guardsmen from London and twenty special deputy sheriffs on guard, the Rock Castle county courthouse presented a martial appearance as the case of John Bailey, Jr., alleged slayer of Beverly White, was called for trial here today. Bailey’s case was brought here on a change of venue from Knox county, where the slaying occurred. Approximately 100 members of the Bailey-Lee clan and the Whites, opposing factions in the most bitter mountain feud that has torn eastern Kentucky in recent years, were present for the opening of the trial. The troops and special deputies were summoned to keep down any possible flare up of the feudal spirit that in the last few years has caused a number of deaths on both sides of the mountain war and which in the last quarter of a century has resulted in possibly a score of killings.

Judge B.J. Bethurum, who is conducting the court here, asked for special guards for the courtroom.

Major James L. Dillon, in charge of the guardsmen, has issued warning to the clansmen against carrying concealed weapons during the trial.

The killing, for which Bailey is to be tried, occurred on April 7 last at Heidrick’s station near Barbourbille.  Bailey was with his father, William Bailey; a brother, James Bailey, and a deputy sheriff named Perry, took to the woods but surrendered two days later and was taken to the Harlan county jail. Later he was transferred to Mount Vernon and then to Louisville and finally granted bail at Mount Vernon. John Bailey was indicted on the charge of wilful murder and for this he is to be tried. His father, brother and Perry have been indicted on the charge of conspiracy to murder Beverly White and their cases already are set for this term.

Although the best of order is being kept here by the state troops and special deputies, the White and Bailey-Lee clans present somewhat the appearance of wrestlers preparing to leap at one another. The Whites have made the Rock Castle hotel headquarters for their adherents, while the Baileys and Lees are putting up at a boarding house. On the street one seldom sees a member of one clan on the same side with members of the other.

When court hour approached this morning, according to officials, there was no indication of a continuance of the case.

MOUNTAIN FEUD CALLS FOR DRASTIC MEASURES

The Kingsport Times (Kingsport, Tennessee) Aug 23, 1921

Mount Vernon, Ky. – The first day of the John Bailey murder trial, growing out of the Bailey-White mountain feud, was productive of nothing more than the search of every person who entered the court room for weapons. Soldiers and deputy sheriffs stopped each clansman as he entered the door. None resisted the search and no weapons were found except a few pocket knives. Even the women were not exempt from search.

When the case was called both the commonwealth and the defense asked for a continuance because essential witnesses were absent.

The prosecution asked for attachments for four and the defense for nine material witnesses. Circuit Judge Bethurum appointed Sheriff Walker to deputize two soldiers and bring them into court, and adjourned court until Tuesday.

The sheriff was also ordered to establish a censorship of telephone wires and instructed to prevent the transmission of any messages which might inform the missing witnesses of his order.

SEARCH AUDIENCE AT FEUD TRIAL

New York Times August 23, 1921

No Weapons Found on Bailey-White Clansmen When Kentucky Murder Case is Opened. Troups Keep Order. Thirteen Witnesses  Still Missing – Judge Issues Writ for Them and Forfeits Bond on One

Mount Vernon, Ky, Aug. 22- The first day of the John Bailey murder trial, growing out of the Bailey-White mountain feud, was productive in nothing more thrilling than the search for weapons. Of every person who entered the court room, even the women not being exempt. Soldiers and deputy sheriffs stopped each clansman as he entered the doorway. None resisted the search and no weapons except a few pocket knives were found

When the case was called both the Commonwealth and the defense asked for a continuance because essential witnesses were absent.  The prosecution asked for a attachments of four, and the defense for nine material witnesses.

Circuit Court Judge B. J. Bethurum appointed Sheriff Walker to deputize two soldiers and bring them into court, and adjourned court until tomorrow. The sheriff was also ordered to establish a censorship of telephone wires, and instructed to prevent the transmission of any messages which might inform the missing witnesses of his order.

Walter Jackson of Corbin, whose absence at a previous calling of the case caused a delay in the trial, could not be found today, and the court ordered the bond of $500 to be forfeited.

With twenty five National Guardsmen from London and special deputy sheriffs on guard, the Rockcastle County Court House presented a material appearance.  Although the best of order so far has been kept in the town by the State troops and special deputies, the White and Bailey-Lee clans present somewhat the appearance of wrestlers preparing to leap at one another.  The Whites have made the Rockcastle hotel headquarters of their adherence, while the Baileys and Lees are putting up at a boarding house. On the street one seldom sees a member of one opposing clan on the same side with members of the other.

The killing of Beverly White for which John Bailey Jr. is to be tried occurred on April 2 at Hendrick’s station near Barbourville. Bailey with his father William Bailey; a brother, James Bailey, and a Deputy Sheriff named Perry took to the woods, but surrendered two days later, and was taken to the Harlan County Jail. Later he was transferred to Mount Vernon, and then to Louisville, and finally bail was granted at Mount Vernon.

John Bailey was indicted on a count of willful murder. His father, brother and Perry have been inducted on the charge of conspiracy to murder Beverley White and their cases are set for this term.

MORE JURORS NEEDED IN TRIAL

Logansport Morning Press (Logansport, Indiana) Aug 24, 1921

MOUNT VERNON, Ky., Aug. 23.– With eleven men in the jury box and no more available for duty until they can be summoned by Sheriff Tip Langford, the trial of John Bailey, mountain feudist, charged with murder of Beverly D. White of Versailles, was adjourned this afternoon until 9 o’clock tomorrow morning. The sheriff and his deputies spent the afternoon and night summoning a special venue of one hundred men, ordered by Judge Bethurum from which to obtain a jury.
Bailey tonight was free under a new bond executed this afternoon before the county clerk.

NEW SHERIFF APPOINTED FOR TRIAL

Tip Langford disqualified on affidavit John White alleging prejudice

Middlesboro Daily News, Mount Vernon, Ky., Aug 25, 1921

Sheriff Tip Langford was today relieved of further duty in connection with the trial of John Bailey, mountain feudist, who is charged with the murder of Beverley White.  Lanford was disqualified on the affidavit of John White, a brother of the slain man, who asserted his belief that Langford was prejudiced in favor of Bailey.  K. J. McKiney of Broadhead, was appointed Sheriff to handle the case.  The temporary Sheriff was ordered to summon a jury from the newly filled jury wheel.  Irregularities in connection with witch caused the jury to be discharged yesterday.

BAILEY BONDSMAN KILLS WATT NORTON AT MOUNT VERNON

Middlesboro Daily News, Mount Vernon, Ky., Aug 25, 1921

At a late hour last night Watt Norton died from wounds received when he was shot by James Winstead at the Norton home ten miles from Mt. Vernon.  Winstead is a bondsman for John Bailey, who is on trial here for the murder of Beverley White.  Winstead surrendered to the officers and is in jail charged with murder.  It is said they renewed an old quarrel growing out of a suit for a roadway across the Norton farm.

BAILEY JURY IS ACCEPTED

Middlesboro Daily News, Mount Vernon, Aug. 26, 1921

The jury which will try the case against John Bailey, charged with slaying Beverly White at Barbourville, was completed just before the noon adjournment of court today.

RENEWAL OF FEUD LEADS TO KILLING

The Kingsport Times (Kingsport, Tennessee) Aug 26, 1921

Mount Vernon, Ky. – Watt Norton died last night, after having been shot by James Winstead at Norton’s home, ten miles from here.

Winstead is a bondsman for John Bailey, on trial for slaying Beverly White. Winstead surrendered and is in the county jail, charged with murder.

The tragedy is the renewal of an old quarrel growing out of a suit to locate a roadway across Norton’s farm.

The jury to try John Bailey was completed before the noon adjournment of court today.

WHITE KILLED WITHOUT CAUSE

Is what prosecution attempting to prove in trial at Mount Vernon

Middlesboro Daily News, Mount Vernon, Ky., Aug. 27, 1921

The taking of testimony intended to show that John Bailey, the mountain feudist, shot Beverly White without provocation and was a part of a prearranged plot of the Bailey family continued as the trial of the case was resumed today.  Squire Bate of Pineville was on the stand today and said he saw Bailey open fire on White and that at no time did White make any demonstration toward the slayer.

BAILEY’S FATE IN JURY’S HANDS LATE TODAY

Prosecution Introduces Rebuttal Testimony After Bailey Tells Own Story

Middlesboro Daily News, Mount Vernon, Ky., Aug 29, 1921

The fate of John Bailey, mountain feudist, who shot and killed Beverly White, last April, is expected to be in the hands of the jury late today or early tomorrow morning.

The defense closed its case at 11 o’clock and the state prepared to introduce rebuttal witnesses.

When court convened today the defense had a number of witnesses present and the prosecution is reserving several for rebuttal purposes.

Taking the stand in his own behalf Saturday, John Bailey, feudist, stated he shot Beverly  D. White, of Versailles, because he feared for his life and White was trying to draw a pistol, Bailey told the Rockcastle County Jury which is hearing evidence on the charge of murder placed against Bailey as a result of the killing at Heidrick’s Station, Knox County, last April. Bailey was the first witness for the defense.

The state closed its case unexpectedly after court reconvened at 1 o’clock Saturday afternoon.

B.P. Walker, Sheriff of Knox County, introduced into evidence the clothes White wore the day he was slain and explained the various bullet holes in the clothing.  The bullets that killed White and which were taken from his body also were introduced.

Mrs. Cassie White, widow of the slain man, testified as to her husband’s physical condition immediately prior to the killing.  She said that he was in very bad health and immediately prior to the shooting had returned from Rochester, Minn., where he underwent an operation.

After hearing Mrs. White, the state rested and the defense opened with the defendant on the stand.

Bailey’s Story. Bailey told the jury that he had made two trips to the restaurant owned by Hugh Hammond, a cousin.  The first trip was to see Hammond about some money the latter owed him, Bailey said.  The second trip was to ask Hammond, who usually took his meals at the boarding house of John Riley, and where the Baileys always boarded when in the village, if he was going to dinner.

Bailey said he had been standing inside the lunch room drinking a bottle of soda while he waited for Hammond.  When he sat down the bottle, Bailey said, White was standing inside the door reaching for his suitcase which stood inside.  Bailey said he tried to go out the door and White turned to him and said, “What the hell are you doing here?” at the same time putting his hand on his pistol in the side pocket of his trousers.

Bailey said that the pistol apparently would not come out, but feared that White would get it out and shoot him, so he opened fire.  White was facing him when the firing started, Bailey said, but turned immediately with his left side toward the gun.

Asked why he kept firing after White turned away, Bailey said that he was frightened and that it looked like White would get his gun out.

Bailey denied speaking to White on the train approaching Heidrick’s station.  He said, however, that he saw White there.

Why So Many in Town. Explaining the presence in the town of so many Bailey adherents, the defendant said he promised Sawyer Smith, of Barbourville, to come to that place some time early in court week and was on his way to that place.  He said the reason he did not go was that the taxicab in which he had expected to ride to Barbourville was gone when he left the lunch room the first time.  His father was accompanying him to Barbourville, Bailey said, and George Perry, a Deputy Sheriff, had been in the village serving papers on some witnesses.

Bailey underwent a stiff cross examination by A. Floyd Byrd, of Lexington, a special prosecutor in the case.  Bailey stuck to his statements throughout.

Other Evidence. Thomas E. Cockman, a railroad man, who was on the second floor of the railroad station when the shootout occurred, testified for the defense that White had his overcoat on his left arm, as he approached the lunch room instead of the right as several state witnesses testified.

C.C. Cobb and John Williamson testified they saw Louis Munholland take a 32-caliber automatic pistol out of White’s pocket and that Munholland had to insert his fingers in the pocket to untangle the gun.  They admitted on cross-examination that the right leg of the body was drawn up and that this might have prevented the pistol being easily removed.

The defense is expected to make an effort to read the testimony of Munholland, who is now dead, given at earlier hearings of the case.

Closing of the case by the prosecution and the speed with which the defense was conducted came as a surprise and court attaches tonight were of the opinion that the case might reach the jury Monday night.  Defense attorneys, however, were unwilling to say how many more witnesses they would introduce and the state was not prepared to say what witnesses they would use in rebuttal.  Several hours will be given over to arguments by attorneys before the jury gets the case for final action.

ATTORNEYS ARGUE IN BAILEY CASE

Prosecution Asks he be Sent to Electric Chair While Defense Asks Acquittal

Middlesboro Daily News, Mount Vernon, Ky., Aug. 30, 1921,

With no time limit placed on the arguments for either side, attorneys for the defense opened the address to the jury in the case of John Bailey, charged with the murder of Beverly White, in the circuit court here today.  Defense attorneys pleaded for acquittal on the grounds that Bailey shot in self defense, stressing the claim of the defense that White was attempting to draw a pistol when the defendant opened fire.

Commonwealth Attorney Flippin, for the prosecution, followed Owen and arguments closed just before noon.  Flippin flayed Bailey as a cold blooded murder and asked that he be sent to the electric chair.

BAILEY GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER SAYS MT VERNON JURY

Motion for New Trial Postpones Execution of Sentence for Sixty Days.

Bailey taken to Danville for Safe Keeping

Middlesboro Daily News, Mount Vernon, Aug 31, 1921,

John Bailey, the mountain feudist, was found guilty of murder in the first degree by the jury in Rockcastle circuit court here today.  Punishment was fixed at life imprisonment in the State penitentiary.  He was convicted of the murder of Beverly D. White last April.  Motion for a new trial was immediately filed, thus suspending execution of the sentence for sixty days.  Bailey was ordered taken to the County Jail at Danville for safe keeping.  Bailey took verdict calmly.

KENTUCKY FEUDIST IS GIVEN LIFE SENTENCE

Eau Claire Leader (Eau Claire, Wisconsin) Sep 2, 1921

MT. VERNON, Ky. – John Bailey, mountain feudist, who has been on trial here for more than a week, on Wednesday was found guilty of murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life.

Bailey shot and killed Beverly D. White, last April. The tragedy was the outgrowth of a feud of 20 years between the Bailey and White families, whose kin and clansmen gathered here in large numbers for the trial.

State troops guarded the courthouse.

COURT PUT UNDER ARMED GUARD

Precautions Taken as Kentucky Feudists Go on Trial

MACHINE GUNS ARE POSTED

Baily Family Accused of Plot to Kill B.D. White

Lima News (Lima, Ohio) Dec 6, 1921

FRANKFORT, Ky. — (By Associated Press) Thirty Kentucky national guardsmen and three commissioned officers, armed with pistols, rifles and two machine guns, today went on duty at Barbourville to guard the Knox circuit court during trial of members of the Bailey family on the charge of conspiring to murder Beverly D. White of Versailes.

White was killed by John Bailey, who now is in jail at Danville, Ky., awaiting final disposition of his life sentence by the court of appeals.

Orders for the guardsmen to proceed to Barbourville were issued here. This is the third time that the militia has been called out in connection with the Bailey-White feud.

Baker-Howard Feud

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.