November 22, 2014

Man Kills Own Brother in Botched Ambush Plan, Rockcastle, 1883

Previously:

Click here for a list of my other Pulaski/Rockcastle/Laurel County KY articles

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[November 23, 1883] -

On Tuesday night, a little after dark, Tilford Black shot his brother Bill with a double-barrel shot gun. Young Black is in a very serious condition and it is thought that he will die. We learn that Tilford had had a little fuss with Mr. W. C. Mullins in a few minutes before and went home and got his gun and waylaid for Mullins with the above result. He mistook his brother for Mullins and filled him full of shot. [1]







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[This report differs from the others in that it claims that W. C. Mullins is the one that mistook William Black for Tilford.]

[November 23, 1883] -

MOUNT VERNON, KY., November 22. -- At Pine Hill, Tuesday night W. C. Mullins and Tilford Black had a difficulty, in which Mullins struck Black over the head with an ale bottle. Black ran home, got a double-barreled gun and went about half-way back to the place where the difficulty took place and concealed himself beside the road. In the course of half an hour, William Black, a brother of Tilford's, who was with him at the time of the difficulty, started to go home also. Some one in the crowd called out, "Billy, you had better not go that way." To this William Black made no reply, and had not been gone very long before the report of a shotgun was heard, together with a man's voice. Some parties went down to where the report came from, and found Wm. Black lying on the ground filled full of squirrel shot, and in almost a dying condition. Tilford Black was nearby. Mullins had mistaken his brother for him, and shot him from the roadside. Young Black is not dead, but reported to be dying. His brother was arrested to-day. [2]


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[November 26, 1883] -

W. C. Mullins and Tilford Black quarreled at Pine Hill. Black went to his home and procured a shot gun. Returning to the scene of the trouble, he concealed himself and fired at a man whom he took to be Mullins. His brother Wm. Black, received the full charge and will die from his wounds. [3]



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[November 27, 1883] -

Rockcastle presents a bloody record for the last week. Five men have been killed in five days. William Black was killed by his brother, Tilford Black, mistaking him for W. C. Mullins for whom he wa[s] waylaying. He has been arrested and taken before a magistrate and his examination fixed for to-day, (Monday). William Black died Saturday. [4]




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[November 30, 1883] -

Tilford Black had his examination and was held over under a bond of $500. Being unable to give the bond he was committed to jail. [5]




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[December 4, 1883] -

W. C. Mullins and Tilford Black quarreled at Pine Hill, Rockcastle County, a few days ago. Black went to his home and procured a shot-gun. Returning to the scene of the trouble he concealed himself and fired at a man whom he took to be Mullins. His brother, Wm. Black, received the full charge, and will die from his wounds. Tilford was arrested. [6]



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[January 16, 1885] -


The case of the Commonwealth vs Tilford Black, charged with murder was filed away and the case against Whiter Rice, same charge, was continued. [7]




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[1] Excerpt from "Mt. Vernon Department." Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. November 23, 1883. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052020/1883-11-23/ed-1/seq-2/


[2] Excerpt from "Two Causeless Killings." Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, Cincinnati, OH. November 23, 1883. Page 3. Genealogybank.com.

[3] "State News." Daily Evening Bulletin, Maysville, KY. November 26, 1883. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87060189/1883-11-26/ed-1/seq-2/

[4] Excerpt from "Mt. Vernon Department." Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. November 27, 1883. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052020/1883-11-27/ed-1/seq-2/

[5] Excerpt from "Mt. Vernon Department." Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. November 30, 1883. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052020/1883-11-30/ed-1/seq-2/

[6] Excerpt from "The Commonwealth." Semi-Weekly Bourbon News, Paris, KY. December 4, 1883. Page 2. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069872/1883-12-04/ed-1/seq-2/

[7] Excerpt from "Mt. Vernon Department." Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. January 16, 1885. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85052020/1885-01-16/ed-1/seq-3/

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