Double Murder Supposed to be Continuation of Feud, Laurel, 1908

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[December 1, 1908] -

KENTUCKY FEUD

IS RESUMED

(United Press Leased Wire.)

London, Ky., Dec. 1.--The Whittaker-Burns [Barnes?] feud is reopened today, following the killing of Will Merritt Barnes, aged 50, and his step-daughter, Mrs. Ellen Taylor, aged 30, last Sunday. Members of the opposing clans are heavily armed today and more tragedies are expected.

Barnes was shot by Will Tyree and Mrs. Taylor by a cousin named Barnes. Nearly a dozen have been killed in this feud within the past 15 or 20 years, all related by blood or by marriage. Three years ago two of the Whittakers were killed and the Barnes brothers were charged with the murder. A year ago a son of Will Merritt Barnes killed a Whittaker in Pulaski county but was acquitted.

Sunday Tyree and Barnes killed a Whittaker in Pulaski county. Barnes went to the home of Mrs. Ellen Taylor, where Barnes, her father was being shaved. When he arose Tyree shot him with a 45-70 Winchester. Mrs. Taylor ran for a shotgun, and Barnes filled her breast with buckshot. Both men escaped. Barnes died at 5 o'clock, and Mrs. Taylor a little later. [1]

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[December 2, 1908] -

Posse Searches For Murderers.

Lexington, Ky., Dec. 1. -- A sheriff's posse is searching the mountains in Laurel county for William Tyree and Robert Barnes, who are charged with the murder of William Barnes and Mrs. Emma Taylor.  The double murder was the result of a long standing family feud between the Whitaker, Mize and Barnes families, in which many people have been slain on both sides. [2]

Man Kills Another Over Card Game, Laurel, 1907

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[July 5, 1889] -

James Barnes and his son Robert were both badly cut by J. W. Woodall, with whom they had a difficulty near the colony Saturday. Woodall was promptly arrested and placed in jail. He has been in several difficulties heretofore. [1]

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[August 6, 1907] -

SIX ARE VICTIM

Brothers, Uncles and Cousins Die in Separate Quarles.

London, Ky., Aug. 6. – Late yesterday evening Lum Whitaker, who belongs to a prominent family was shot and instantly killed by J. W. Woodall near Bernstadt, this county, over a game of cards.  This is the sixth tragedy to occur in that locality within the last few years, in which one of the Whitaker family was killed.  Each of the five who have been killed heretofore were either brothers, uncles or cousins of this man.  There has been no family feud in that neighborhood and each tragedy was the result of separate and distinct cause.

About 15 months ago Ray Whitaker was killed by Robert and James Barnes who now stand indicted for murder.  Henry Whitaker was killed about four years ago by John Farmer. Elihua Whitaker was shot while riding a canoe in the middle of the Rockcastle River five years ago by James Mize and instantly killed.  Mize was sent to the penitentiary for life and got out on parole a few months ago.  Only a few years further back W. L. Whitaker was shot from ambush and killed and Fox Baton was charged with the crime.  About the same date William Whitaker was killed by William Mize.

Friends of the murdered man say that the killing of Lum Whitaker was entirely without provocation.  A posse is searching for Woodall.  Late last night news reached here that the posse had surrounded the house of Woodall's brother, where the fugitive is hiding, among the hills of Pulaski County, and were expecting to bring the prisoner to London today. [2]

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SIX IN FAMILY SHOT IN ONE LOCALITY

LUM WHITAKER KILLED DURING CARD GAME.

FIVE OTHERS BY THAT NAME HAVE MET SAME DEATH.

ALL SEPARATE OCCURRENCES.

London, Ky., Aug 5. -- (Special.) -- Lum Whitaker, who belongs to a prominent family was shot and instantly killed late yesterday afternoon by J. W. Woodall near Bernstadt, this [Laurel] county, over a game of cards.

This is the sixth tragedy to occur in that locality within the last few years in which one of the Whitaker family was killed. The five men who have been killed heretofore were either brothers or uncles or cousins of this man. There has been no family feud in that neighborhood and each tragedy was the result of separate and distinct cause. [3]

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[August 7, 1907] -

Near London, Ky., J. W. Woodall shot and killed Lam Whitaker over a game of cards.  This is the sixth member of the Whitaker family to be killed during the last three years. [4]

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[August 9, 1907] -

Lum Whitaker was shot and killed by J. W. Woodall near Bernstadt, Laurel county, in a fight over a card game. [5]

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[August 16, 1907] -

Kills Winner Over Card Game. 

London, Ky. – Lem Whittaker was shot and killed by J. W. Woodall near Bernstadt, this county, in a fight over a card game.  Whittaker had won from Woodall.  A posse is searching for the slayer, who is thought to be in hiding in Pulaski county. [6]

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[August 13, 1907] -

J. W. Woodall, who killed Lum Whittaker in a card game at East Bernstadt last Sunday, gave himself up to the authorities and is now in jail at London. [7]

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[September 12, 1907] -

Grand Jury's Report.

London, Ky.--Seventeen indictments were returned by the Laurel county grand jury, among them those of J. W. Woodall, for the murder of Lum Whitaker, and of George Drew, for the murder of his sweetheart, Miss Nannie Smallwood.  The latter was admitted to bail.  The murder of Miss Stella Smith, who was shot and placed on the railroad track, will be investigated at the coming term in October. [8]

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[1] Excerpt from "London, Laurel County." Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. July 5, 1889. Page 4. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052020/1889-07-05/ed-1/seq-4/

[2] “Six Are Victim.” The Marion Daily Mirror, Marion, OH. August 6, 1907. Page 4. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88077573/1907-08-06/ed-1/seq-4/

[3] Excerpt from "Six in Family Shot in One Locality." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. August 6, 1907. Page 1. Newspapers.com.

[4] Excerpt from "Latest News." Daily Public Ledger, Maysville, KY. August 7, 1907. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069117/1907-08-07/ed-1/seq-3/

[5] Excerpt from “In Neighboring Counties.” The Interior Journal, Sanford, KY. August 9, 1907. Page 1. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052021/1907-08-09/ed-1/seq-1/

[6] “Kills Winner Over Card Game.” The Montgomery Tribune, Montgomery City, MO. August 16, 1907. Page 6. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90061056/1907-08-16/ed-1/seq-6/

[7] Excerpt from “In Neighboring Counties.” The Interior Journal, Sanford, KY. August 13, 1907. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052021/1907-08-13/ed-1/seq-1/

[8] “Grand Jury's Report.” The Citizen, Berea, KY. September 12, 1907. Page 7. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052076/1907-09-12/ed-1/seq-7/

Brothers Kill Man on Way Home From Church, Pulaski, 1906

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[May 29, 1906] - 

REFUSED TO PRAY FOR LIFE AND WAS KILLED 

Ray Whitaker Murdered By Two Brothers on way Home From Church.

(Special to The Herald)  SOMERSET. Ky., May 28.—Last night near Line Creek, in Pulaski county, Ray Whitaker was killed by James and Robert Barnes.  The Barnes brothers were going home and met Ray Whitaker on his way from church and tried to make him pray for his life, saying that if he did not they would kill him, and upon his refusing to pray one of the boys shot him through the chest and the brother, thinking that the first ball had not taken effect, fired another bullet into his bowels.  The murderers are still at large, but officers are on their trail. [1]

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[May 29, 1906] -

MYSTERIOUSLY MURDERED.

Roy Whittaker Killed While Returning From Church.

Somerset, Ky., May 28. -- (Special.) -- Roy Whittaker, of the Line Creek section, a few miles west of here, while returning for church Sunday night was attacked by two young men said to have been James and Robert Barnes and instantly killed. There had been no previous trouble between the parties. Neither of the alleged slayers of Whittaker has been captured. [2]

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[June 1, 1906] -

Roy Whittaker, living near Somerset, was killed by unknown parties as he was returning from church Sunday night. Two young men of the neighborhood are suspected but no arrests have been made. [3]

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[June 23, 1908] -

James Barnes was acquitted by the Pulaski circuit court of the killing of Ray Whittaker. [4]

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[1] “Refused to Pray for Life and was Killed.” Lexington Herald, Lexington, KY. May 29, 1906. Page 2. Genealogybank.com.

[2] "Mysteriously Murdered." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. May 29, 1906. Page 6. Newspapers.com.

[3] “In Neighboring Counties.” The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. June 1, 1906. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052021/1906-06-01/ed-1/seq-2/

[4] “In Neighboring Counties.” The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. June 23, 1908. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052021/1908-06-23/ed-1/seq-2/

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Two Killed in Gunfight between Nortons and Arnolds, Rockcastle, 1906

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[January 6, 1906] -

[In] what is said to have been a general battle between the Norton and Arnold factions in Rockcastle county, Ky., "Big Jim" and Harlan Arnold were instantly killed, and Mrs. Arnold was shot in both arms. [1]

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[January 8, 1906] -

GENERAL MIXUP.

Members of Two Kentucky Families Fight, With Serious Results. 

Cincinnati, Jan. 8.—A report reached Mount Vernon, Ky., late last Friday night that in a general fight between the Nortons and Arnolds, near Sand Springs, four miles south of there, big Jim Arnold and son was killed instantly and Mrs. Arnold shot through both arms.  The parties are related by marriage and had been in town attending court, there being a suit pending to get control of a grandchild of Arnold, whose daughter had married a Norton.  Trouble was anticipated before the parties left town.  There was some forty or fifty shots fired.  All county officers went to the scene. [2]

Two Men Killed, One Injured in Road Ambush, Laurel, 1903

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[June 2, 1903] -

SHOT FROM AMBUSH.

TWO MEN KILLED AND ONE WOUNDED BY ASSASSINS.

London, Ky., June 2-- John Farmer and a young man named Whittaker were killed near Bernstadt, this county.  A brother of Whittaker was slightly wounded.  The survivor stated that he was riding some distance behind the two men when he heard shots fired.  As he came up to where his brother and Farmer lay dead in the road some persons in the bushes near the roadside fired upon him, wounding him in the arm.  He fired four shots at them and made his escape. [1]

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[June 2, 1903] -

John Farmer and a man named Whittaker were shot from ambush and killed near East Bernstadt.  A brother of the latter was also injured. [2]

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[June 4, 1903] -

Victims of Assassins.

Somerset, Ky., June 4. -- Further details of the killing of Walter Whittaker and John Farmer, of this county, show that the men were victims of one or more assassins.  They were shot from ambush while passing through a thickly wooded district from London. [3]

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[1] "Shot From Ambush." The Paducah Sun, Paducah, KY. June 2, 1903. Page 8. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052116/1903-06-02/ed-1/seq-8/

[2] Excerpt from "In Neighboring Counties." Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. June 2, 1903. Page 1. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052020/1903-06-02/ed-1/seq-1/

[3] "Victims of Assassins." The Evening Bulletin, Maysville, KY. June 4, 1903. Page 1. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87060190/1903-06-04/ed-1/seq-1/

Also reported in: "Victims of Assassins." Owingsville Outlook, Owingsville, KY. June 11, 1903. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069620/1903-06-11/ed-1/seq-2/

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Robert Whitaker killed by Hampton Mize, Rockcastle, 1901

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[August 30, 1901] -

KILLING. --- Hamp Mize killed Bob Whitaker, yesterday, near Jack Norton’s store on Big Skaggs creek. [1]

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[August 31, 1901] -

KILLING IN ROCKCASTLE.

LIVINGSTON, Ky., August 30. -- Hampton Mize and Robert Whitaker, who live four miles south of here, became involved in a quarrel in which Mize shot and killed Whitaker.  Mize has not been arrested. [2]

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[August 31, 1901] -

Livingston, Ky., Aug. 31. – Robert Whitaker was shot and killed by Hampton Mize.  The men quarreled over a trivial matter. [3]

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YOUNG MAN KILLED IN ROCKCASTLE COUNTY.

Domestic Troubles Alleged Cause of Fatal Shooting on the Highway Near Livingston.

Mt. Vernon, Ky., Aug. 30. -- (Special.) -- Robert Whitaker, aged twenty-four years, was shot and killed on the highway, six miles west of Livingston, yesterday afternoon, by Hampton Mize. Whitaker was the youngest son of the late W. P. Whitaker, who once represented Rockcastle and Laurel counties in the Legislature. Mize, who is thirty years old, has not been arrested.

It is alleged that several months ago Whitaker and Mrs. Mize left together for Tennessee, and that Whitaker returned to Rockcastle county, leaving the woman behind. She wrote to her husband, imploring him to bring her home, and he granted her request.

Yesterday afternoon, Mize claims, he met Whitaker and Mrs. Mize on the highway, and that he was forced to kill the young man in self-defense.

Whitaker's friends claim that he was enticed away from home so that Mize could have the opportunity to kill him. 

Whitaker was married, and had one child. [4]

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[September 20, 1901] -

Hamp Mize charged with murder for killing Robert Whitaker, was allowed bail in the sum of $1 000 which he failed to give and was placed in the custody of the jailer. [5]

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[September 19, 1902] -

WEDNESDAY. 

Mrs. P. J. Hall was fined $20 and cost for selling liquor unlawfully; Mose Adams $25 and cost for carrying concealed weapons. John Burnside, colored, who stole engineer Sturgis' overcoat and other wearing apparel, at Livingston, some several months ago, was given one year in the pen. The case against Hamp Mize, for the killing of Robt. Whittaker, was called and will go to the jury about noon to-day.  A large number of witnesses were examined.  Two speeches were made, C. C. Williams for the defense, closing with Commonwealth’s Attorney Sharp for the prosecution. The jury in the Wyatt Allen case for the killing of Squire Gatliff has been secured and the trial commence about [?] o'clock to day. [6]

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[Mar 5, 1909] -

NOTICE

Of application for restoration to citizenship of Hamp Mize.

 The undersigned, who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the Circuit Court of Rockcastle County, at the September Term 1902, will ask the Governor for restoration to citizenship, and all who object will notify the Governor and state in writing any objections.

HAMP MIZE. [7]

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[1] “Killing.” The Mount Vernon Signal, Mount Vernon, KY. August 30, 1901. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069561/1901-08-30/ed-1/seq-3/

[2] “Killing in Rockcastle.” The Morning Herald, Lexington, KY. August 31, 1901. Page 4. GenealogyBank.com.

[3] Daily Public Ledger, Maysville, KY. August 31, 1901. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069117/1901-08-31/ed-1/seq-2/

[4] "Young Man Killed in Rockcastle County." The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY. August 31, 1901. Page 2. Newspapers.com.

[5] Excerpt from “Circuit Court.” The Mount Vernon Signal, Mount Vernon, KY. September 20, 1901. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069561/1901-09-20/ed-1/seq-3/

[6] Excerpt from “Circuit Court.” The Mount Vernon Signal, Mount Vernon, KY. September 19, 1902. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069561/1902-09-19/ed-1/seq-3/

[7] “Notice.” The Mount Vernon Signal, Mount Vernon, KY. March 5, 1909. Page 3. LOC.  http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069561/1909-03-05/ed-1/seq-3/


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Train Robbery Conspirator Accidently Sends Plan Details to Postmaster, 1861

From the Cleveland, OH Plain Dealer on April 9, 1861:

A Diabolical Conspiracy. 

Plot to throw a Train from the Track and Rob the Express and Mails--A Society of Burglars, Counterfeiters and Murderers Discovered--Letter of one of the Conspirators. 

The Pittsburg Post of Wednesday contained an account of a most diabolical plot to throw an Express from the track of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad, for the purpose of robbing the Express and mails. Information having been received by the officers the company which led them to believe that such a plot existed, the matter was put in the hands of Allan Pinkerton, an accomplished detective officer of Chicago. His investigations led to the discovery of a regular organized gang of thieves, burglars, counterfeiters and murderers--criminals of the darkest dye. 

One of his detectives gained the confidence of some of the members of this organization, and was admitted to their meetings. It was discovered that divisions of the gang existed at Loudonville, Lakeville, Massillon, Mansfield, Bucyrus, Upper Sandusky, Crestline, Galion, Columbus, Cleveland, etc., and that they were bold and reckless men, fit for any crime. Also, that the parties suspected of the murder of Mr. Whit[??], a respectable citizen of Loudonville, Ohio, who was brutally killed and robbed about four years ago, and of assaulting a breakman of the railroad, were connected with the association. One of the principal conspirators and directors lives at Loudonville, and has manufactured large quantities of counterfeit money, by which means he has supplied his associates with funds. 

While the detectives were engaged in this investigation, and were waiting to get the conspirators fairly in the clutches of the law, the officers of the road were notified by the postmaster of Pittsburg of the contents of a letter intended for a member of the gang, but by accident addressed to the Postmaster. We give the extraordinary document entire: 

"Galion, March 21, 1861. 

"Dear Bob: I am just in receipt of yours, and have glanced hurriedly over contents; find every much to my liking. 

"Can't imagine why Potevine acted so d----d foolish. I think Banty will answer the place much better." 

A MURDER HINTED AT. 

"You should have burned the body--think you had better do it soon, and be certain. You must send Berry necessary instructions. But how will we do in regard to that letter you know Buck wrote to him some time since, and, I think since he left?

"It won't do to have it go the dead office--cant you send and get it out soon?" 

THE RAILROAD PLOT. 

"I am in great haste, so you must excuse me for touching everything lightly. We have had a special meeting to take into consideration our railroad scheme. We have agreed upon a plan at last--the originated by Thompson. He has just returned from New York, and has brought us some small batteries--some rockets, disguises, &c. We are to sink powder under the track and ignite it by means of the batteries. Between Lakeville and Loudonville is the place we selected for the mail train, and between Crestline and Upper Sandusky for the freight train. Then we are to destroy the nearest bridges and telegraph, to prevent any possibility of assistance reaching them, and then we are to illuminate some of the nearest towns, so as to cause a general confusion. We can then operate with perfect safety. We have another meeting on the 20th, at headquarters, to select suitable men; you must come up without fail, and send word to all your boys.-- You must excuse me for being so brief as I have about twenty letters to write, and want to call in boys that are out. 

"I am going down to Mansfield this evening to mail some of my letters, and I will just drop a line to the postmaster at Pittsburg, and have him forward Potevine's letter, and that will be better than to send for it. I went to Mansfield last Friday, and made some inquiries about that fellow you wrote about. I saw him, and from your description and his knowledge of you and some of our men, I think I can say positively he is the same man. He told me himself that it was currently reported that he was dead. He told me he had been in prison several years, and that he had sworn off. Said he felt no ill will towards you or any one else--thought he would remain home this summer. I think you had better go and see him yourself, and you will have more influence than any one else--believe him to be a flint, steel pointed. Davy and Jess made a little effort here a few nights ago, but only got a few empty letters. Jess has gone to Newark and Davy is in Mansfield waiting a chance. I shall be in Crestline until the 30th; don't leave Massillon unless you first inform me. Thompson and Fred and Jerry will stay at Cleveland. I will see Jess and get you some money by Saturday; you can see your own men, and go with them to Lakeville, but do not inform them of our business; you can stop with Bill Wolf--he is one of our Bride men--but don't be seen in daylight; and before you do anything else select some appropriate names for our men, so we can distinguish them. I had not time to use cypher, as it is so tedious and I am so busy now. I will see Jimmy again, and see if he can be come at, and let you know. 

"We have enough boys on trains now, and shall not trust any more--plenty of girls now in every place. George Cline visits Mansfield pretty often. Mrs. Shaw is his darling, but don't tell him I said so, or he may hustle that Bag business out. 

"Yours, in fidelity,

"CHARLEY GRIMES."