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MURDER IN THE MOUNTAINS.Bloody Foud Between the Howards and Turners in Harlan County[IxjUHvillr Times.JFrom a citizen of Harlan county,ho arrived iu the city this morning, the particulars of a bloody affray which took place last week between two families of the county, among whom a fend has for a long lime existed, wcro learned. The families ininvolved are headed by George 11. Turner, Sr., and Henderson Howard.The former lives with his family in the town of Harlan, and the Howards live about three miles below the county scat. The two fuclions were until late years the wealthiest people iu that part of the country. The two heads were looked upon by everyone us the representative leaders of the two oppositu political parties. Their trouble lias no political significance, but arose about live years ago inconsequence of a difficulty between Wicklifl'e Howard, son of Ilcuderson Howard, and ltobcrt Turner, son of George 11. Turner. They had beon fast friends und boon companions, and were out 011 a lark together, lloth had been drinking and a quarrel ensued over a trivial matter.They separated and left for their homes. Howard procured a musket and went into town with the avowed intention of makiug Turner bite the dust before returning. He came across Turner on tho street. He called to him, and as lie turned and faced him he presented ids musket and shot him dead. For this crime Wickliffe Howard was tried for his life. Vast sums of money were spent by both sides trying to gain their poiut. The Howards were finally triumphant,and mountain justice acquitted the slayer. The dispute had iu the meantime drawn the members of each family into the feud, and as they both were largely connected nearly one-half of the community was arrayed against the other. Last winter Win. Turner, Jr., a son of George 11. Turner, Sr., swore to avenge his brother’s death. Wickliffe Howard had iu the meantime married ami was living along with his wife. Iu the dead of night sometime iu December Win. Turner stealthily approached his house and forced an entrance into his slcepiug-room with the Intention of killing Howard. Howard, fortunately had been aroused a short time before by a disturbance among his stock, and had gone out to see what was the matter. Turner’s presence in the room ills turbed Mrs. Howard, and she awak ened and saw hint standing in the middle of the room in his stocking-feet, his pistol cocked iu his hand. Notwithstanding Turner’s threats she screamed to her husband not to come in, that Turner was there and would kill him. Howard, however, came to the door. There was no light in the room, except aglow made by the dying embers in the fireplace.It was enough to show Turner standing iu the center of the room, and between Howard and the place where lie kept ids pistol.As soon as Howard stepped into the the room Turner began to shoot. lie * ® emptied his revolver without effect, and then tried to grapple with his enemy. I11 the darkness Howard eluded him and secured his pistol and shot him iu the shoulder. Turner escaped from tho house and went home. As soon as he recovered from the effect of ids wound lie fled the country and went to Texas. Both sides seemed satisfied to permit things to remain as they were during William Turner’s absence, but on the night of the Fourth of July he returned. The Howards claim that on Ids return the Turners sent word to them, now that lie was here, they wore ready to renew the conflict. This, however, the Turners deny, and say they wanted 110 further trouble. Sunday, July 5, intervening, all was quiet between the two factions, as far as outside appearances went, although it was said that both sides busied themselves iu preparations and plans for what was regarded as inevitable.Monday morning, July C, was court day, and early 111 the day the Howards came into town. They soon learned that Will Turner was 011 the street, and they posted thcrasclvcs in several places so as to get the drop on him. Wilson Howard, a cousin, and James Howard, a brother of Wickliffe, wont into tho second story of the court-house and stood by the aide of an open window overlooking the yard. They had not long to wait-Very soon William Turner came along the graded walk leading into tho court-hoiiBO. As soon as lie got into range tho two Howards, who wero above him, openod fire, and one of the shots Btruck him in the breast near the nipple, aud went clear through his body. Ho staggered and turned and ran about twenty yards.Tho first shots wero a signal for tho rest of tho Howards, and by this time a regular fusilade had opened 011 Turner. Ho drew a 45-caliber pistol and returned the shots retreating as he fired into a corn-field near by.Two of Turner’s brothers heard of the attack, and they hastened to the rescue in time to take part in the affair, and soon brought the matter to a halt. They formed a guard for their brother and lie was taken home, his wounds properly dressed, and lie is now doing as well as could be expected. Five of tho Howards surrendered themselves to the Sheriff and were each put under $1,000 bond to appear at the fall term of court.Sentiment is about equally divided between tho two families. Thus far their sanguinary troubles have not involved any of their friends who are not related, but it is feared by the conservative, law-abiding people of Harlan that the feud will be continued until 0110 or the other of tho two factious is exterminated or driven out of the county,
Newspaper Details
Hopkinsville Semi Weekly South Kentuckian
Hopkinsville, Kentucky, US
Fri, Jul 17, 1885
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Anc R.
USA 19 Mar 2024
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