Kentucky's Famous Feuds and Tragedies: Authentic History of the World Renowned Vendettas of the Dark and Bloody GroundMutzenberg, Charles Gustavus
History
Kentucky's Famous Feuds and Tragedies: Authentic History of the World Renowned Vendettas of the Dark and Bloody Ground
Mutzenberg, Charles Gustavus
Crime -- Kentucky; Vendetta -- Kentucky
Boone Logan had faithfully kept his word and retaken his fireside. The
sinking sun witnessed his return to the home from which he had been
banished. His enemies had crossed over the great divide.
For the first time in many months the town was quiet. The yells and
defiant curses of the drunken desperadoes were heard no more. The lips
that had uttered them were still. Peace entered Morehead once more. It
had been purchased at the price of much blood.
The battle of June 22nd, 1887, was the last bloody clash between the
various factions of Rowan County. The Tollivers, deprived of their
leader, gave the town a wide berth after this. It soon resumed its
former appearance of thrift and prosperity. Many of those who had
removed from the county, now returned and took possession of their
abandoned property. Business houses, closed for many months, were
reopened, the illegal saloons closed tight, and law and order have been
reasonably well maintained in the county ever since.
Several of the Logan men were indicted for murder, Hiram M. Pigman, who
had been Logan's right hand man, and of whom the latter spoke as the
bravest and most circumspect man on the field that day, was indicted
jointly with Apperson Perry. They were tried by a jury of Fleming
County and promptly acquitted. Logan was never tried.
"The court was held under the protection of State troops. The trial
lasted for seven days. Pigman and Perry were shown to be men of
excellent character, neither of them had been parties to previous
killings in Rowan County. The evidence being concluded, the court
instructed the jury. Briefly summarised, these instructions were
'Convict these defendants.' The jury, however, were really 'good men
and true' and to the evident surprise of the court, and the chagrin
of the prosecuting attorney, returned a verdict of not guilty. These
jurymen had been summoned from the adjoining county of Fleming. Their
names deserve the thanks of all good citizens of the Commonwealth.
Obedience to the law and protection from the law, are reciprocal rights
and duties, and this jury really decided that where those to whom it
is delegated to administer the laws, and to protect the lives, liberty
and property of the citizens, wilfully disregard, or timidly refrain
from discharging their duties, the citizen has the right to protect and
defend himself." (Capt. McPherson's report. Documents 1887. No. 23.)
The glaring partiality of the court and corruption of most of its
officers he illustrates in the following language:
"Not infrequently a witness would apply to an attorney the epithet of
liar, and when questioned relative to some crime charged against him, a
witness would defend his credibility on the ground that his questioner
was guilty of offenses similar in character, which he would proceed to
enumerate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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