USA > Kentucky > Garrard County > A history of the feud between the Hill and Evans parties of Garrard County, Ky. The most exciting tragedy ever enacted on the bloody grounds of Kentucky > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
1
Gc 976.901 G19t 1702684
N
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01713 6844
١
A HISTORY
Ox
قاله عدة ملكة
THE FEUD
BETWEEN THE
HILL AND EVANS PARTIES
OF GARRARD COUNTY, KY.
THE MOST EXCITING TRAGEDY EVER ENACTED ON THE BLOODY GROUNDS OF KENTUCKY.
BY LIEUT. J. J. THOMPSON.
-
1
CINCINNATI : PUBLISHED BY U. P. JAMES.
A LUISTORY OF
.
F
L
-
treot Fightz, H
THE KILL AND EVANS FEUD."
IT CARMARD COUNTY, KI.
1702684
BY LIEUT. J. J. THOMPSON.
----
-
CINCINNATI: PUBLISHED BY T. P. JAMES.
4.PUISOCA
ime, Natural Het :: , Poetry, laks, &c., Ac., and al out on baisteed and twenty useful
Encravings. One veline, imperial octave, cloth binding.
taining descriptions of all the Cities Togne. and paricipal of jects of interest on the navig .- --
ble waters of the Mississippi Valley, Ilumine west from the Alleghinny Mountains, ca :: from the Rocky Morlaixs and south from near the Northern Takes in looking the rivers of Alle- ne med Pexes Parte into the Gulf of Mexico Also an account of time Sources of the Rivers, with the Tables of Distances, and many inter- eating Historical Battles of the Country. StallaForof Pop aladin. Products, Manufactures. Mineral Restantes Scenery, de Minstrated
gravings. Japer cover, S10.
anlint Destiny meter to all who desire correct
!! ! in the worlertu! 1 - in francion T. in popaiaint and
isp n the vivere - - Cool, In
Mit, Sat Istoute and Marble quar- vice HIN Nene. Ke, And the Kinds of soil- productive of attentive; Descriptions of the sn: lee of the cornery -- mountainous billy av Hasel : Prairie, Thereto wwanny inde; the
latitre ; where the beer and site, am sithe sted; the great Pine forages of the North-west, showing the ineslucciole supplies of lumber ! (- : ing perior at leastvani the river ly
Also, a gredi voll of interesting miller con- needed with the early listing gad sediment of the commethe many hard and Unoly strupries with the In liants. Descriptions of the remul- able and curious antiquities -- mommls. forli- cations, culibary and var implements fri which we have no record ,unul scattered over the country.
An account of the great earthquake of 1911. at New Madrid, on the Mississippi. Battle of New Orleans. D'Derville's and Des to's explorations. The deand, thus, Studies No. Include Cries, Towns, and Places on the fault ccar .- Pensa cola, Write, Galveston, and other
geral relder-this is an invaluable com-
1
" To every person, whether he designs trav. eling over dose waters or not, this is a Braresting link .-- Sar in the West."
How to be Happys or, the Laws of Life, Heelel. and Pomoc
the humblea intelligence. An Whichitery Tasty for general and family perusal, (! Regimes. Expalmer, and Mental 6. Toppen :. By ROBERT J. CUSTERWILL, M. D. Svo. Payer cover.
CONTENTS OF HOW TO BE HAPPY.
statutes it-On In Health- On the Preservation of Health-On Infantile Iva -- Dies from one year of age to tou -- biet from ten to twenty -- Diet from fronty to fifty --- fjet and Beginnen For Advanced rif- Samacary upon Diet-dler in strengthen the HolyDay for the Active, the Sedentary, the Hnutie, and the afment- Air and Exercise- The Philosophy of the Win! -How to straty len De Mind- On the Value of Life -The Imoiruity of Sick Braith - Argimany of tu Spiels
Nerroreess --. Digger of Melancholy -- Party
.. -Or Fruits, Vocale, and Beauty-diving wat to whom. Marly Rising-Help Rating-
&c. - Traveling -- Horse-Dung .. . Per-
ifulucas and Chod Temrer. For of the!
Ammenants -On Marriage, its Arith Family Jars- Embarrassment- Su Hell Muth -Mibirfin lanror of Sonfils --- 0: Smok-
or, what to Int, Drink, and Avoid ; what Ix- ercise to Take, hoy to Control and Pegu !! the Passions and Apperires, as to the genom. conduct of life, where's health may be scared a Happy and ennice! the old age att ing. 3. which is added a popular exposition of Liebig's Theory of Life, Health, and Disease. B; ROBERT J. CULVERWELL, M. D. Sso. Paper cover. Price 25 cents.
CONTENTS OF M'ASTH AND LONG LIFE,
On Nervous and Delicate Hoyph-For h Live --- What to Ant, Donk, and Avoid 1.00 --
her Vin - Spiritnous Ligne . - Relativ
if Anteles of Del, with the Ture required for 1
1. 0
iraveier m inci and Keinen, with 1.0
!
- tr & Nerven. A.Unitand a
4
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 1
https://archive.org/details/historyoffeudbet00thom
F68334.
-
TO THE
GOOD, GREAT, AND CHIVALRIC PEOPLE
OF
KENTUCKY,
THIS LITTLE VOLUME
13 RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY
THE AUTHOR.
in
---
PREFACE.
WESTERN MILITARY INSTITUTE,
Tyree Springs, Tenn., June, 1854.
THE public may perhaps think that I am imprudent in having so much to do with a difficulty which has caused so much bloodshed. But the fact that I record the events of the Fued, need not necessarily involve me in its intricate meshes.
It must be considered that I do not hold myself accountable for the facts herein contained, since I received them personally from Dr. Evans. My getting the facts of the history is purely accidental. Our Institute having been disbanded at Drennon Springs, Ky., on account of sickness, I went down to Garrard county to spend a short time with my relatives. I had learned much of this Fued from the gossip of the county, and naturally became curious to know more. I had the fortune to become acquainted with one of Dr. Evans's sons, who recounted to me some of the thrilling events. He likewise informed me that Dr. Evans had most of the facts reduced to writing; whereupon I wrote a note to him, requesting an account of the entire Fued, (should it meet his approbation,) and stating that I desired to build from it a romance in the Spanish language. He came up to see me in a few days, and said he would give the narrative only on one condition -- that I should write it in the English language. With the advice of my friends, I consented to do so.
سوفت
iv
PREFACE.
I am aware that this history is imperfect, inasmuch as it is taken from only one of the parties; to render it complete, we should have to obtain a knowledge of the secret plans and designs of the other party, which was impracticable ; for Dr. Hill's whereabouts is not known. But the facts of which we are in possession are true. The reception of facts upon the evidence of testimony is referable chiefly to three heads : that the individual has had sufficient opportunity of ascertaining the facts ; that we have confidence in his power of judging of their accuracy ; and that we believe him to be an honest witness. With respect to the first two elements there can be no doubt, and to substantiate the third, a number of certifi- 'cates will be found in the Appendix from some of the most reliable men in the country. And it is scarcely probable that Dr. Evans would tell that which his neighbors would rise up and contradict. There remains one other source of error-that I may have misunderstood Dr. Evans, or received ideas from his words which he did not intend to convey. But this is a mere probability; and should it prove a reality, the people have a sufficient sense of honor and justice to pass it by. Let it be understood, however, that I have not exclusively used Dr. Evans's words in many instances, but have clothed his ideas in my own words.
From the fact that the Hills appear to great disadvan- tage, some persons may, perhaps, accuse me of being partial to Dr. Evans. But they cannot make this accusa- tion, if they pay attention to the facts -facts speak louder than words. Should I be partial to either, nature would favor the Hills, for I am distantly related to them through the Pollard line. I have much favored the Hills by assuming in many places a calm and argumentative style. What I have said about either party would have been said about any other under similar circumstances.
y
PREFACE.
I am much indebted to my estcemed friend, Major T. C. Downie, of this Institute, for his kind advice and aid in compiling this little work.
Should the public demand a second edition, and the Hill party produce facts to place them more favorably before the world, I shall be happy to do them justice, and receive the requisite information at my residence in Brooksville, Noxubee county, Mississippi.
J. J. THOMPSON.
1
CERTIFICATES.
I Do not know that it is essentially necessary to produce certificates of Dr. Evans's character, but should any one doubt his veracity, and thus doubt the truth of this narrative, he can find sufficient proof in the following. I have many others, but these few will suffice. They are given by some of the first citizens of the county, in whom unlimited confidence may be placed. I am personally acquainted with nearly all these gentlemen, and can vouch for them
STATE OF KENTUCKY, Garrard County, (T'o wit,)
I, James IL Letcher, of the county and State aforesaid, do state that I have been acquainted with Dr. Hezekiah Evans since the year 1816 - he and I havo resided in this county ever since. From my long acquaintance with said Evans, and having frequent business transactions with him, I can say with confidence that lie is very prompt and punctual in all his dealings, and a man of integrity and veracity, and I believe this to be his character with all his acquaintances, except his personal enemies. I should readily believe any statement he would ·make on oath or otherwise.
I was for a number of years clerk of the Garrard county court, for several years a justice of the peace, and for three years past, judge of the county court. May 4th, 1854. JAMES II. LETCHER.
Lancaster, Ky, May 4th, 1854.
I certify that I have known Dr. Hezekiah Evans for the last fourteen years, two years of which time I was deputy sheriff of Garrard county, and nine years of the time I have been and am still a practising lawyer in said county. Dr. Evans during my acquaintance with him, has borne the character of a man of honesty and integrity equal to that of any man in the county, and I believe his statements are entitled to as much credit as any other man's. In this county he has borne the character of an honest, moral, upright man.
J. BURDETT.
Lancaster, Garrard County, Ky., May 4th, 1854,
I hereby certify that I have known Dr. Hezekiah Evans of this county for about twenty-five years. He is a gentlemen of undoubted veracity, and a man whose statement I would believe, either upon oath or in conversation, as soon as that of any other gentlemen of my acquaintance. My opportunities have
Vi + Vii
1
CERTIFICATES.
been very good to gain a knowledge of his character and standing, for I lived in his immediate neighborhood several years. I have been sheriff of this county for the last three years, and am still acting in that capacity.
J. A. BEASLY.
I. Paris Teeter, state that I am a minister of the gospel, and have been acquainted with Dr. H. Evans since . his birth, and fully concur in the statements made by James A. Beasly given above. P. TEETER.
I hereby state that I am a practising lawyer and have known Dr. H. Evans for ten or fifteen years, and concur in the statements made by James A. Beasly in regard to his character. G. W. DUNLAP. May 4th, 1854.
:
Lancaster, Garrard County, Ky., May 4th, 1854.'' I, Edward Cooke, of the town of Lancaster and county of Garrard in the State of Kentucky, a native born citizen of said place, aged twenty-four years, and never resident elsewhere, do certify that so long as I have been acquainted with Dr. Hezekiah Evans, personally for many years and by reputation as long as my memory extends into the past, I have never heard aught said by friend or foe that would in the least tend to the disparagement of his character.
Just and upright in all his dealings with man, kind and generous, an unexceptionable companion in the family circle, he has made many friends who will cease to be so only in death
As a physician I testify to the manliness and independence of his conduct. He would scorn to take advantage of any physician, how great soever his 'ignorance. I have been thrown into intimate relations with him as a physician, and have ever had pleasure in contemplating his truly gentlemanly deportment. EDWARD COOKE, M. D.
Lancaster, May; 4th, 1854.
I do hereby certify that I have known Dr. Hezekiah Evans for the last thirty- five.or forty years. He is a man of a resolnte and determined character, and when he forms an opinion of men or things he is not easily changed therefrom. But I have always believed him to be honest and truthful, and believe that to be the opinion of those who are best acquainted with him. If I have heard his veracity or integrity questioned by any one, save by an enemy, it has escaped my recollection.
·
SAMUEL LUSK.
I am well acquainted with Samuel Lusk, and know that he was judge of the circuit court in this judicial district for several years. I have known Dr Hezekiah Evans for several years and fully coneur iu the opinion expressed of him in the above. J W DISMUKE8.
1
V
----
INTRODUCTORY SKETCHES;
THE COUNTRY.
-
The country occupied by the two parties is, geofogically consid- ered, of the transition formation, in which abounds the blue limestone of the Silurian system, of which Cincinnati is supposed to be the axis of upheaval. A little south of Lancaster may be found fragments of the old red sandstone, and perhaps of the sub-carboniferous rocks; but toward the river, the limestone appears in its full wealth. The scenery on Sugar creek is in many places truly beautiful and grand ; and on the Kentucky river, the' high perpendicular cliffs much resemble the sublime heights and palisades of the romantic Hudson. The soil is very fertile, as is its general character throughout Kentucky. The roads usually follow the meanderings of the creeks, to secure levelness.
Dr. Evans's residence is situated on a high hill, or rather, table land, while the houses of the Hills sit humbly in the valley. The accompanying map is not drawn with mathematical correctness, for it is designed to show merely the relative positions of the parties.
The people generally are moral, and well educated, and compose one of the best societies in the world. Their valor is world re- nowned, and one has only to visit them to have a heart throb with gratitude for unparalleled hospitality and kindness.
THE EVANS PARTY.
Gentle reader, permit me to give you a short sketch of the two - belligerent parties.
The father of Dr. Evans was a native of Virginia. He moved to North Carolina while a young man, and married in 1788. He resided there about five years, then removed to Garrard county, Kentucky, and settled on Sugar creek, the theater of bloody trage- dies, where he lived till his death, twenty-three years. He was blessed with twelve children, ten of whom he left living. He was
1X
X
THE HILL AND EVANS FEUD.
truly a pious man, and a class leader in the Methodist church. The country being a comparative wilderness, and the people too few and scattered to build and support churches, his house was ever open to the worship of God, for he strictly taught his children the prin- ciples of the Bible, and there congregated his neighbors at the stated circuit preachings. These meetings often lasted several days, and to support them so frequently, kept him a poor man. . He had plenty to be sure, but his surplus was thus devoted to religion.
Dr. Hezekiah Evans, the general of the Evans party, was born in 1801. At the age of fifteen, when his father died, he was left without a guardian, and little to be guardian for, save to support a widowed mother, and rear and educate four small children. These duties he faithfully performed, for they were the dying charges of his father. The old homestead of one hundred acres was left to his mother, which, at her death, was to be divided between the five younger sons. On this, his native place, the doctor worked very hard and supported himself and dependents in a laudable manner. He had no opportunity of educating himself, except the few minutes he employed in reading by hickory-bark fires before day light. In 1824 he married Miss Nancy Cole, of Indiana. He labored very hard on the little farm till 1829, when he was thrown from his horse and so badly crippled that he was unable to work for five years. During this confinement he studied medicine under a younger brother, and commenced the practice in his own neighborhood - without, however, charging fees for several years. Finally, for the support of his family, he was compelled to make charges for medical attendance ; but soon becoming dissatisfied with the profession, he discontinued it. But his neighbors, being so well pleased with him as a physician, entreated him to continue, which he did, and has since that time enjoyed a liberal practice.
. The Evans party was composed of the Doctor, his five sons, and eight or ten other men. The majority of his sons were quite young, . and could not well manage fire arms. The assistance received from abroad, was not particularly friendly to Dr. Evans, but at enmity with the opposite party. Four or five of the men, before the war,
' . had been his bitter enemies, but their hatred for the Hills was still stronger ; and as the war assumed a general aspect, they united with the Doctor against the common enemy. Thus the Doctor did not know when to confide even in those fighting under his own standard. Had it been his desire, he could have secured the aid of his nu- merous relations, but he would not have them entangled in his reticulated contention - his motto being, " A few valiant hearts can
xi
THE HILL PARTY.
1
withstand a host of the irresolute enemy ; and if we have to die, the fewer the better." Though they did not bear arms, we have reason to believe that they kept his treasury pretty well supplied.
The Doctor is a low, heavy set man, having all the characteristics of a genuine son of Erin. He is a fair specimen of durability, and looks as if he might have crossed the snowy Alps in one of Bona- parte's campaigns. From long and habitual watchfulness, his eyes wear a sleep-proof appearance, and his whole face looks defiance and presumptive brass, Phrenologically, combativeness is doubtless his most prominent trait, which, combined with a considerable quantity of genius, has given him his success in life. I spent nearly a week in his society, but, I must confess, I could not form much attachment for one so blunt and stern. I liked the boys very well, for they are agreeable and intelligent young fellows. And as for Mrs. Evans, there cannot be a finer and more clever lady.
The Evans party were vastly superior to their foes in point of intelligence, for the boys were pretty well educated, and the Doctor, besides his general information, seemed to understand the arts of war as taught in Scott's Tactics. Their arms consisted, of about one hundred and twenty-five barrels of long and short arms (among which was numbered one of the famous Mississippi rifles), with bowie-knives in proportion. The rifle once belonged to the Hill party, but the Doctor knew it was too dangerous a weapon to stand before, and by using some of his cunning, obtained possession of it to do execution in his own cause.
THE HILL PARTY.
I am sorry that I cannot give so favorable a description of the Hill party as I did their foes - the one is to the other as day is to night.
Old John Hill, the progenitor of all the Hills, was a grand old knave and a Tory.
. Jesse Hill, the father of Isaiah, Frederick, Russel, Jesse, Jr., and John, was an illiterate and dissipated man. He was drowned in Sugar creek while ou a drunken spree. The whole band were mere tools used by certain politicians in elections to do their fighting and low dirty jobs. When they wanted a man "knocked down and dragged out," a point of the finger was all that was necessary.
.
xii
THE HILL AND EVANS FEUD.
In this manner they had whipped and driven off some fifteen good citizens before they got hold of Dr. Evans. They could whip a: man, then "law" him for it and prove any thing they desired, so. expert were they in the art of lying : and their relatives and friends were so numerous that they could not fail to have a superfluity of witnesses. "Crowds of them would often go to elections and keep. decent people away from the polls ; if they could not do it by other' means, an abundance of rocks would do the work. Any land is truly unfortunate to be cursed withi such a low, rowdyish clan.
I will here introduce another line of the Hill party. They, through pride, do not claim relationship with those above spoken of, but in reality some of them are as near as second or third cousins.
William Hill, the grandfather of Dr. Hill, was a drunken, dissi-" pated old man.
John Hill, the Doctor's father, during the first part of his life, was as destitute of good character as any man could be. IIe married old Capt. Pollard's daughter - as fine a girl and as clever a woman as ever lived. She gave him all the enviable reputation he ever had, and a considerable amount of property. By these means he got to be constable awhile, and by management, intrigue, gambling,' etc., he accumulated a little more property.
Dr. O. P. Hill's character was as bad as it could be till he married into the Salter family. He enjoyed a liberal education, but this was the more to the disadvantage of his neighbors, for his knowledge was employed to deceive them and breed discontent. After his marriage he got an extensive practice among his newly mde relatives, and seemed to do well for a few years. But he was con- stitutionally so mean that he could not help falling back into his old dirty tricks, notwithstanding, on his mother's side, he had a numerous train of respectable connexions. All the respectable portion of his relatives were friendly to the Evans party, but all the ignorant, trifling and vagabond rabble were invariably their enemies. Dr. Hill was an extremely handsome man - tall, well proportioned, and very athletic.
The Hill party was comprised of near fifty men, supplied with as many arms as they could carry. They had force enough to' demolish their enemies in a movement, but they were cowardly, and their leaders were as timid as school-girls. But nothing better. could be expected of a people so ignorant and tutored in such dis- solute habits. The majority of them spent their time in idleness, fishing, drinking, and gambling. They would idle away the week, or lie drunk in the most comfortable places, and when Sunday:
R
--------
xiii
THE HILL PARTY.
came, they would shoulder their fishing-poles, jugs of whisky, and decks of cards, and drive down to the creek to have a gambling and drinking frolic with the neighbors' negroes. They would first get them drunk and then cheat them out of their money, or steal it from them.
I will give you a specimen of their ignorance. Before the court, upon trial, one of the young stock, a lad of eighteen years, was asked, in substance, as follows : --
" Will you ever be punished if you swear a lie ?"
"Not as I knows on !"
" Do you know how many months there are in a year ?"
" Don't know, sir; 'bout fifteen, I spose."
" How many days are there in a week ?"
" Don't know, sir."
" What month do you plant corn in ?"
" Don't know, sir ; reckon may be in January."
١
THE HILL AND EVANS FEUD.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FEUD.
CHAPTER I.
Dr. Evans hires a negro woman from John Hill - Hill induces her to run away - Hill attacks the Doctor -- The Law Suit - The Interview - The Agreement.
OUR story, reader, like the monarch oak of the forest, that disdains to bow to the tempest's wrath - like the mighty river that pours its wealth of waters into the deep, has a small begin -. ning; and, like them, may not fill you with admiration at first, but will elicit your attention as, it grows in magnitude.
On the Christmas before Dr. Evans was crippled, in 1829, he hired a negro woman from John Hill, the Doctor's father, who was then acting as guardian for some orphan children .. During the following spring, John Hill concluded that he wanted the negro's services himself, and thought of no better way of securing them than by inducing her to run away from Dr. Evans. Accordingly, he sent his niece, Hamilton Pollard's wife, on that mission. The next morning the negro ran away and went to Hamilton Pollard's house - Pollard went with her to Captain John Hill's. The timid light of the new morn had scarcely chased away the gloom of the night, when. Mrs. Pollard went to Swapshire's and told Mrs. Swapshire that the negro had run away, and that Mr. Pollard had taken her to John Hill's. Mrs. Evans, the old lady, happened to be at Swapshire's and heard what was said, and told the Doctor, when she went home, which . was the first intimation he had of the negro's leaving. Dr. Evans mounted his horse, with his crutches, being scarcely able to ride, and went to see John Hill, and inquired if he had seen the negro ? Hill answered -
" I have not; nor do I know anything about her.'
16
THE HILL AND EVANS FEUD.
" Did not Hamilton Pollard come here with her this morn- ing ? My mother told me he did."
" Yes -" replied Hill, hesitatingly, and feeling a little un- comfortable with a falsehood resting upon his tongue, " they came to my residence before I arose from the bed, and told me that she had run away. I told her to clear herself off, that I didn't want her about me."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.