NEWS: Court House besieged by armed men, 1890, Knox Co., Ky

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From: Terrie L. Lepkowski [mailto:terriethad@home.com]
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2001 10:45 PM


The Cleveland Ohio New and Herald, March 6, 1890
KENTUCKY LAWLESSNESS

Armed Men Besiege a Court House at Barbourville, and Bullets Fly Thick and Fast.

Barbourville, Ky., March 6, - E. Messer with forty armed men of the Slusher party, arrived 
from Flat Creek yesterday, and caused a great alarm.  Circuit Court being in session, Judge 
Boyd place a strong guard around the court house.  But notwithstanding this the factions
opened fire in the court house yard, using Colt's 45-caliber revolvers.  William Day, one of 
the Smith faction, received a dangerous wound in the leg, and Messer;s clothing was
pierced.  The presence of the guards and the falling snow prevented further damage.  Before 
embarking for their return the Messer party threw cartridges into the stove at the depot and 
when asked by the agent to desist, drew knives and carved the stove pipe.