Wiliam Sellers, E. B. Kennedy, and The 'Lancaster Riot', Garrard, 1874

This post is a work in progress, but it's been such a long work in progress (picked up and put down again for at least three years if not more) I'm worried about losing all the work on it I've done so far, so I'm publishing it now and I'll work on it more later....

 

this post is related to: Grove Kennedy Kills Elbert Kennedy in front of Courthouse, Garrard, 1877

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Leads I have not had time to follow up on: 

- Separate out the out-of-state articles to insure I have located all Louisville Courier Journal, Danville Advocate, and Stanford Interior Journal articles  (mostly separated out the out of state articles, haven't checked for continuity for each paper)
- Check governor's letters

- check Cincinnati papers prior to Sept 4 for a statement published by Sellers

- look into 1874 U.S. District Louisville suffrage case filed by Luther Jackman against Eb. Kennedy
- check Louisville federal court case files, Sellers sued 20+ people over the burning of his house

- Sellers moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, maybe check Indiana papers
- Sellers father allegedly participated in the Hill-Evans Feud (https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=70793648)
- See: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/KYGARRAR/2010-09/1285606822

- look into this article from an out-of-state paper, four years after the 'Riot', exaggerates many details, but may provide leads on Kennedy family genealogy. "A Family of Murderers." The Stark County Democrat, Canton, OH. January 17, 1878. Page 7. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84028490/1878-01-17/ed-1/seq-7/ 

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[] "The Case of Robt. Salter." The Kentucky Advocate, Danville, KY. October 27, 1871. Page 2. Newspapers.com.

[October 27, 1871] -

THE CASE OF ROBT. SALTER

A Sample of the Suits Brought Against White Men by Negroes

From the Louisville Ledger.

In the United States Court yesterday the case of the United States vs. Robert Salter came up for trial. This was a prosecution under the Civil Rights act of 1866, charging the defendant with having assaulted one Moses Doty, a man of color, in Garrard county, Ky. The only witness introduced by the government was the said Moses, who stated in substance that on the morning of the August election, 1871, just before day, the defendant, with some other person, to the witness unknown, came to his (Moses') house, and brandished a pistol over him, and threatened him with death in case he voted at the election to be held that day; yet, notwithstanding all this, Moses voted.

Upon cross-interrogation witness stated that the stars were shining, and he distinctly recognized the defendant, who stood in the rear of the unknown man, though Salter neither spoke, took hold of or struck him, and there was no light in the house. He stated further that William Sellers, of Garrard county, Ky., had told the witness that if the jury should find a verdict against defendant in this case that the fine would be $5,000, and that Moses would get one half of it. These facts were drawn from Moses with the greatest difficulty, first saying that he did not know anything about it, then that he hardly knew Mr. Sellers, but being hard pressed by counsel for defence he acknowledged in full, and admitted that he knew Sellers well, and that he (Sellers) had been present in court during almost the whole of last week, and witness had had frequent conversations with him about the case during that time.

Defendant introduced four intelligent, honest, good-looking, black men, who all concurred in their testimony, stating that together with Moses Doty and others, they had been together the night of the alleged assault; that during the whole night it was very dark and continuously raining until day-light; that it was impossible for them, they being together, to recognize each other a few feet, except by the voice; two of them went to Mr. Salter's just before day-light and found him at home. Here defendant offered to prove that these witnesses were out watching for Ku-klux; that a party of men came from the direction of Moses Doty's; stopped at John Burdett's, threatened him, went on down the creek, and witnesses followed, keeping the K. K.'s in sight; that the K. K.'s passed Salter's gate; witness went on to Salter's, and found him at home, waked him up, and told him what had occurred, and asked his advice as to what they should do, and Salter told them "it was only an electioneering trick and to go on and vote." To this evidence the District Attorney objected. The court sustained the objection and excluded the evidence from the jury. After being instructed in the law of the case by his Honor Judge Ballard the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty." The jury were evidently impressed with the unfavorable personal appearance of the government witness, and his reluctance to state Hon. Wm. Sellers' connection with the case, (who by the way is the radical representative elect of the county,) and strengthened, no doubt by the bold and manly appearance of the defendant who is one of the first citizens of Garrard. -- W. D. Hopper, of Lancaster, and Harlan and Newman were attorneys for the defendant. []

 

Tracing the Origins of the Political Epithet 'Copperhead', 1860-1861

Tracing the Origins of the Political Epithet 'Copperhead' 

By Lisa Mabrey. Copyright © 2021. This post contains original writing that is not to be reproduced elsewhere online or in print without the author's permission. Contact lamabrey3[a/t]gmail[d/o/t]com.

 

It is conventionally accepted that the political epithet 'copperhead' was first used in the New York Tribune on July 20, 1861.[1] However, this date is based on scholarship that predates modern newspaper archive computer databases. A search on any such database today quickly reveals several political uses of 'copperhead' that predate July 1861, including use in that very same paper, the New York Tribune, in February 1861. The term was also used by a Missouri Congressman in a widely publicized June 1, 1861 speech, which likely fueled its popularity. The epithet appears to have originated in response to widespread Southern use of rattlesnake iconography during the Secession Crisis.

In November of 1860, many Southerners demonstrated their support for secession by creating homemade banners and flags and displaying them publicly.  On November 12, the Charleston Mercury noted, "[t]here is a general demand for flags. Everybody that can make them is hard at work…"[2]  One week later, the Mercury wrote, "there are just so many different styles of handsome banners, hung out on the outer walls, that we confess we are puzzled to discriminate among them."[3]  The Columbus (Ga.) Sun commented, "[m]uch importance seems to be attached to the flag under which the seceders are to fight."[4] A Charleston correspondent for the Baltimore Sun reported, "[t]he raising of Palmetto flags in various sections of the South is becoming all the rage," and that flags were being raised "as soon as they can be manufactured."[5] By mid-November 1860, "nowhere in [South Carolina], except from the forts and the United States Arsenal, is the American flag seen to wave."[6]  A Boston Journal correspondent in Charleston reported that, "the eye is continually arrested by the numerous representations of the palmetto which wave and flutter in almost uninterrupted secession through the whole length of the street."[7] A Boston Herald correspondent likewise wrote, "I have counted one hundred and nineteen banners [in Charleston], and, judging from the number of streets I passed along, the whole number in the city must exceed two hundred."[8]

Violence Relating to Elections, 1867 - 1897

[Per usual, this is not a comprehensive list. Notably missing is info on the violence that erupted in Lancaster in 1874 related to an election there. I'm in the process of making a seperate post on that and it's taking longer than expected.]

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[ROCKCASTLE] [1867] -

Kentucky Senate Candidate Kills Man At Poll Site


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Excerpt from "Pulaski Column." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. May 9, 1873. Page 3. LOC. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1873-05-09/ed-1/seq-3/

[PULASKI] [May 9, 1873] -

In the evening after the voting was about over a spirited debate arose upon the streets between two colored divines which attracted a large crowd composed of both white and black, who were laughing heartily and enjoying the fun until some mischievous fellow threw a large sized fire-cracker into the crowd which exploded dispersing them in double quick, presenting one of the most ludicrous scenes we ever witnessed.

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[GARRARD] [August 1874] -

Wiliam Sellers, E. B. Kennedy, and The 'Lancaster Riot', Garrard, 1874

At the August election of 1874, Elbert Kennedy ran as an independent candidate for Circuit Clerk against J. K. Faulkner, the Republican nominee, and was defeated. William Sellers was also running for some office on the Republican ticket. Kennedy and Sellers exchanged shots at each other in the public square one night following the election, "and that was the commencement of the celebrated Kennedy and Sellers' war. Suffice it to say that all the Kennedy's who had not previously left the country were in it; that the United States troops were put in rout when they attempted to interfere, and that many whites and blacks were killed." Three years later, Elbert Kennedy was killed by his nephew Grove Kennedy on the courthouse steps in Lancaster.

Killing of Walter Saunders and Tuck Ballard, Madison, 1877

Links to images for this post can be found with the citations at the end of the post. Due to Blogger's new interface 'update,' I can no longer nest images beside text without a huge headache.

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[March 8, 1872] -

The Race for Sheriff.

By reference to our columns it will be seen that W. G. Saunders, the present incumbent, announces himself as a candidate for re-election. Rumor is to the effect that we are to have quite a number of candidates for the office of sheriff. Why don't you announce yourselves, gentlemen? [1]

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[March 12, 1875] -

Our former popular Sheriff, Mr. W. G. Saunders, has gone into the Hotel business at Crab Orchard. He informs us that his hotel will be first-class in all its appointments, and that he will run in connection with his hotel, a livery stable, where the fastest horses and nicest turnouts can be procured. We wish him the most unlimited success, and trust that no "Civil Rights" will disturb "the even tenor of his way." Read his card elsewhere. [2]

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[March 12, 1875] -

[Advertisement]
The Crab Orchard Hotel.
Crab Orchard, Ky.,
W. G. Saunders, Proprietor.
Accommodations Unexcelled.
Excellent Bar.
No. 1 Livery Stable
Connected with the Hotel. [3]


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Postmaster William Hedger Killed By Brother-in-Law, Garrard, 1874

Previously:

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

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[December 25, 1874] -

Horrible Murder in Lancaster! Postmaster Wm. Hedger, Assaulted and Killed by Nese Best and Andy Conn.

On Monday afternoon, last, Wm. Hedger, Postmaster at Lancaster, a quiet, inoffensive citizen, and an efficient officer, was assaulted in his office, in Lancaster, and instantly killed by Nese Best and Andy Conn, citizens of the Paint Lick section of Garrard county, and notoriously dangerous characters.

We were in Lancaster on Tuesday, and found the citizens, as a general thing, afraid to speak of, or express an opinion about the awful tragedy, above a whisper, however, we gathered the following particulars of the killing, from reliable sources. We record the terrible crime, but refrain from commenting upon it, for the reason that it is not always safe for a Journalist to undertake to condemn in adequate terms the perpetrators of a crime, when the people in the locality in which is was perpetrated have not the boldness and true bravery to rise up in their might and protect themselves and their neighbors, officers and advisers, and maintain, at all hazards, the majesty of the law. Without making a diagnosis, or furnishing a prescription for the present case, we will venture to suggest that "desperate cases require heroic and desperate treatment."

Several months ago, Hedger, the deceased, married the sister of his deceased wife, who was also a sister to the wife of Best. -- Best forbade, without the shadow of authority, this marriage, and after its consummation, threatened the life of Hedger. Best being a dangerous character, having taken the lives of some four or five men within the past few years, Hedger has lived in continual dread of his carrying the treat into execution.

On last Monday, Best, in company with Conn, visited Lancaster, and during the day became intoxicated. Hedger, fearing an assault, locked his office and remained concealed sometime, but a few minutes before the arrival of the Louisville mail, he returned to his office to attend to his imperative duties, and just as he entered the door, Conn and Best approached it from different directions and commenced firing. Hedger fell, mortally wounded, if not killed, from the first fire. Other shots were fired after he fell, and four shots took effect. His wife heard the firing and instinctively devined the cause, and she was the first to go to the dead body of her husband. The scene which then ensued beggars description. She was carried away from the scene of the shocking tragedy heart-broken and insensible; while the perpetrators of it walked leisurely away, brandishing their weapons and boasting of the cruel deed.

Writs for the arrest of Best and Conn were immediately placed in the hands of officers Miller and Singleton. As they approached the men, determined to arrest them at all hazards, they were met by the sheriff of the county, Mr. W. M. Kerby, who informed them that Conn and Best had placed themselves in his custody, and he was responsible for their detention. So far, so good; but the sequel shows that these men who had but a moment before shot down in cold blood, a defenseless and inoffensive citizen, were suffered to go from the very clutches of an offended and outraged law, upon the mere promise that they would return the next day for trial!

We simply record this ugly circumstance connected with an awful tragedy that blackens the blood-stained annals of crime in Kentucky, with the ope that it is a mistake. It is a grave charge to make against an officer of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and we disclaim its authorship.

LATER -- AND MORE TROUBLE. -- We learn from a gentleman who came over from Lancaster on Wednesday morning, that Best and Conn had not been arrested, tho' the Sheriff and his deputy went in quest of them Tuesday. We also learn that Best and Conn state that Hedger fired upon them first. A small loaded Durrenger was found in Mr. Hedger's pocket. No other weapons were found upon his person or in his office. Best promises to surrender for trial as soon as the excitement subsides. [1]

Elisha Sloan Kills Silas Isaacs, Rockcastle, 1876

Previously:

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

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[September 13, 1878] -

SURRENDERED.

Elisha Sloan, who is indicted in our Circuit Court for the murder of Silas Isaacs, in 1876, and who has since been a fugitive from justice, came into town [Mt. Vernon] Monday and surrendered himself to the Jailer. He was committed to jail and will have his trial at the September Term of Court. [1]

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[September 17, 1878] -

A difficulty occurred in 1876, between Silas Isaacs and Elijah Sloan, resulting in the death of the former. Sloan was indicted for the murder, but was never captured. His whereabouts were a mystery, though no vigorous search was made to discover them. Last Monday morning he surprised everybody by coming into town and surrendering himself to the Jailer. He says he is innocent, and wants a trial at the approaching term. [2]