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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]
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[January 8, 1875] -
A paragraph is going the rounds of the papers to the effect that Hedger was the sixth man whom Best has killed. I know not how correct that may be as to the number, but it is certain that several have fallen by his hand, the law in every instance, I believe, being on his side. If, as the action of the examining court and the facts seem to indicate, he killed his men in self-defense and justifiably, he has been a singularly unfortunate man. There is nothing about his appearance or manner to stamp him as a bad or bloodthirsty man. Ebenezer, or Nees Best, as he is generally called, is probably between forty-five and fifty years of age, of good medium-sized person, somewhat inclined to flesh, and of agreeable manners and address. He is well-known as a trader in stock through Garrard and the adjoining counties, and is, I believe, looked upon by most of those who have had transactions with him, as well as by his acquaintances generally, as a fair man, and by no means difficult to get along with. -- Lex. Cor. Courier Journal. [2]
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[January 8, 1875] -
Best and Conn have not been arrested. It is probable that Best will come to trial, in course of time, but it is announced that Conn has fled the country. [3]
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[January 15, 1875] -
The card of A. J. T. Conn, one of the murderers of Wm. Hedger, at Lancaster, a few weeks ago, published in this issue, hath an history, which we may relate in future. It seems from his statement, that he, too, has been unfortunate in having to kill several of his fellow-men in self-defence. The suggestion of the Courier-Journal in regard to Best, will apply to Conn, with equal force. The citizens of Garrard ought to hang any man whom fate compels to kill in self-defense, more than one man. He is a bad citizen, and ought to be hung to prevent the further flow of blood. [4]
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[January 15, 1875] -
A Letter from Andy Conn.
GARRARD CO., Ky., Jan. 8, 1874[5?].
Editors Interior Journal:
GENTLEMEN: -- I notice a paragraph in your paper in which I am spoken of as a notoriously dangerous character, and I think it a duty I owe to myself, my friends and relations to state how I came by a reputation so unenviable.
On three several occasions I have been compelled to shoot three of my fellow men; two of whom I killed.
First -- During the war I was fired upon by two Federal soldiers, and in the exercise of the God-given right of self-defense I shot and killed one of the men who were trying to kill me.
Second case -- A darling brother was killed without provocation, and armed with a warrant I went with the Sheriff to arrest the man who had committed the deed. He resisted and fell by my hand.
Third case -- I was fired upon and returned the fire of my assailant, and seriously but not mortally wounded him.
For these offenses I have been tried and honorably acquitted. And all the cases did not cost me fifty dollars. And in regard to the late bloody drama at Lancaster, in which they say I participated, I think the proof will clear me, and am willing to surrender and would have done so before now; and had gone half way to Lancaster, when I was met by friends who told me that the excitement was too intense to obtain justice at that time, and they thought it prudent to wait for the sober second thought.
Respectfully,
A. J. T. Conn. [5]
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[May 28, 1875] -
Eben Best, who shot and killed S. W. Hedger, Postmaster at Lancaster, some months since, made a formal surrender of himself to the authorities of Garrard county the other day, and asked that he be allowed a trial forthwith. He was brought before Justices Doty and Brown, on a writ of habeas corpus, who, after hearing the proof, admitted him to bail in the sum of $5,000, on a charge of manslaughter, which bail was given, and he, Best, is now at large to await his trial at the coming term of the Garrard Circuit Court in July. [6]
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[May 28, 1875] -
Eben Best, who shot and killed S. W. Hedger, Postmaster at Lancaster, some months since, made a formal surrender of himself to the authorities of Garrard county the other day, and asked that he be allowed a trial forthwith. He was brought before Justices Doty and Brown, on a writ of habeas corpus, who, after hearing the proof, admitted him to bail in the sum of $5,000, on a charge of manslaughter, which bail was given, and he, Best, is now at large to await his trial at the coming term of the Garrard Circuit Court in July. [6]---
[December 24, 1875] -
Ebenzer Best Acquitted.
It is well known to our readers in this part of the State, that the special or called term of the Garrard Circuit Court, was held for the purpose of hearing the criminal case of the Commonwealth against Ebenzer Best, charged with the murder of S. W. Hedger, at Lancaster about a year since. Mr. Hedger was the Post-Master at Lancaster, and had married a sister of Best's wife, and, it is said, that this marriage greatly incensed Best, because it was done contrary to his wishes. We are not sufficiently acquainted with the details of the trial to give a decided opinion, and can only say to our readers that after four or five days trial, the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty," and Mr. Best was turned loose. As usual in such trials, when the evidence is "conflicting," the public are divided in their opinions as to the guilt or innocence of the accused. Some people assert that Best should have been hung, others that he ought to have been put in the penitentiary for life, and still others that a term of years in the State prison would have been sufficient punishment for the killing. The jury, however, who were sworn to render a verdict according to the law and evidence, saw proper to acquit him of all crime. The case, hence, rests with the members of that jury and their God. They alone are responsible for Mr. Best's acquittal, and right or wrong, the public must abide thereby. It is a fearful thing to take the life of a fellow being, and the more of those lives a man destroys, the greater the responsibility. We learn that the jury in the case were, at first, unable to agree, and were on the verge of disagreement; but when the court sent them back to their room again, they returned a verdict of not guilty. Thus has ended the trial of one who has taken the life of several of his fellow beings, and the consequences thereof can rest alone with him and the great court from which there is no appeal. In all charity we can only hope that Best is guiltless of his fellow's blood, and that in the great day of reckoning he may be able to stand before the final Bar and show that his hands are not stained with innocent gore. [7]
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[December 7, 1883] -
Ebenezer Best, a prominent farmer and stock trader of this [Garrard] county, died on the 29th, at his residence, near Paint Lick. He will be remembered as the man who killed Hedger, postmaster at this place [Lancaster], in 1875. It is said that he had killed four men, but was acquitted in every case. Whatever his former life may have been, he had of late years become a peaceable and valuable citizen. He was always a staunch friend of the poor. He leaves an estate valued at $50,000. [8]------------ SOURCES ----------
[1] "Horrible Murder in Lancaster!" The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. December 25, 1874. Page 2. LOC. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1874-12-25/ed-1/seq-2/
[2] Excerpt from Column 1. The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. January 8, 1875. Page 2. LOC. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1875-01-08/ed-1/seq-2/
[3] Excerpt from "Garrard County News." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. January 8, 1875. Page 2. LOC. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1875-01-08/ed-1/seq-2/
[4] Excerpt from "Home Jottings." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. January 15, 1875. Page 3. LOC. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1875-01-15/ed-1/seq-2/
[5] "A Letter from Andy Conn." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. January 15, 1875. Page 3. LOC. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1875-01-08/ed-1/seq-2/
[6] Excerpt from "Garrard County News." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. May 28, 1875. Page 3. LOC. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1875-05-28/ed-1/seq-2/
[7] "Ebenzer Best Acquitted." The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY. December 24, 1875. Page 2. LOC. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038328/1875-12-24/ed-1/seq-2/
[8] Excerpt from “Lancaster.” Kentucky Advocate, Danville, KY. December 7, 1883. Page 1. Newspapers.com.
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