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 2
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" You have not treated me as a neighbor," replied the Doctor ; " had a negro of yours run away and come to me, I would have secured and delivered her to you. But you did not choose to do so much for me. I will immediately prosecute Pollard for this clever trick."
Dr. Evans then turned and rode off about one hundred yards ; -- Hill called to him to stop.
" What evidence have you for the prosecution ?"
" I have the evidence of my mother, -- and if Mrs. Swap- shire is a truthful woman, I will have the testimony to what your niece said."
" I would like to have the negro for the balance of the year," responded Hill. "I will charge you only for the time you have had her. If you keep the right of her services, she may put you to a great deal of trouble and expense."
: " I hired her for the use of my family during the year, and intend to keep her ;- and I will make those suffer who took her away."
The Doctor then rode off, and went to Swapshire's, not far distant. Mr. Swapshire told him all the particulars of the case. He then started to town to get out a warrant against Pollard. The road to town led directly by John Hill's blacksmith shop. As he approached the shop, he saw Hill and the negro standing in the yard.
. " Where did you find her ? " inquired the Doctor.
" After you left, I went out and called her- she came in and I brought her down here."
" What cause had she to run away ?"
" She said she heard that you intended to whip her, and was afraid to stay on that account."
Dr. Evans told the negro to go home -- at the same time giving her a tap on the head with his crutch. She started to
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THE ORIGIN OF THE FEUD.
ward home in a run, he following her. He had not gone more than ten or fifteen steps, when ITill ran up and struck him on the back of the head with a large hickory stick. He fell for- ward on the horse's neck senseless for a few moments, but remained in the saddle. When he recovered from the shock, he found that his horse had not moved, and saw Hill raising a heavy piece of iron to throw at him. He then observed :---
" John, you have done more than I over expected you to do ; you have sneaked up behind a crippled man and hit him. But you are too d -d a coward to look him in the face and strike !"
Hill raised the iron to throw. The Doctor slid down to the ground behind his horse. He was so weak that he had to lean on his horse's neck to support himself. Hill dropped the iron and ran to the house, it is presumed, to get his gun. The Doc- tor managed to mount again and went home. He had the wound on his head dressed, armed himself, and went back to the shop to cancel his account. Hill's partner was in the shop - he called for the account and paid it; then inquired where Hill had gone. He was informed that he had gone down to the mouth of Sugar-creek. As he rode back toward home, he saw Hill and Swapshire sitting near the road beside a trec. He exchanged salutations with Swapshire - then Hill spoke -
" How do you do ?"
" None the better by you, you d -d old rascal!" was the surly reply.
Swapshire kept between them, and made apologies for what he had done. They both made apologies more than any honest men would - in the meantime slandering Mrs. Pollard, laying all the blame of the affair upon her. The Doctor, being very feeble, said but little, and passed on home. In a few days he brought a suit against Hill for damages, or, rather, for assault and battery. Of course Hill could have as many witnesses as he wished to call - those who would prove anything - hence, the Doctor only recovered one cent for a damaged head. Seve- ral months then passed away without any words between them. But during this time, Hill carried a heavy hickory stick ; rumor said he intended to pay another cent for another damaged head. One day as he was going to Lancaster. Hill overtook and rode along behind him some distance. The Doctor drew his- horse- 2
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THE HILL AND EVANS FEUD.
to the side of the road to let him pass, and as he did so rode up beside him and said :---
" Report says you are carrying that stick for me -- that you intend again to sneak up behind me. Now, take a little advice, and let me persuade you not to do so mean and dogged a trick. If you want to strike me, come up boldly like a man to my face and do it!"
" Sir, I have not carried this stick for you, nor have I in- tended to strike you again."
" If you should ever feel like it, it would do your soul good to try that stick upon me. Take my advice and do it speedily, for it will cost you nothing more than the trouble you will have in doing it."
"Then, sir, I extend to you the same liberty. If you should ever want anything out of me, it shall cost you nothing more than your trouble in getting it."
" Do you say that, sir ! I could have it in my heart to give you a sound thrashing now, if I could do it in any way without putting my hands on your dirty, filthy person !"
" Well, you need not do it just now," replied Hill.
John Hill, I want to make an agreement with you. Have you enough native honesty about you to keep sacred your word of honor ?"
1 " Make your proposition. Future deeds shall show my honesty."
" I want you to agree to let my business alone, if I voll let yours alone."
" Let that, then, be agreed upon our honors."
In this manner they rode side by side some distance, sad separated without blows or very aggravated words.
Thus, reader, you have the origin of a difficulty that has caused much blood to flow ; which has thrown crowds . f orphan children helpless upon the world; and filled the land with breathless anxiety. You have the first actions of the twr. par- ties. I leave it with you to decide who was the more to blame.
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DR. HILL AND THE LAW SUIT.
CHAPTER II.
Dr. Hill's Debut - Slander - The Law Suit - Dr. Hill as Witness --- Perjured - Hills hired to whip Dr. Evans.
TIME rolled round several peaceful cycles, without any words between the two parties, till Dr. Hill began to practice medi- cine. Dr. Hill, notwithstanding the difficulty with his father, had hitherto professed perfect friendship for Dr. Evans. But this shallow and pretended friendship was doomed soon to have an end. Dr. ITill was attending on a sick lady by the name of Ellen Whicker. He had lost all hopes of her recovery, given her up to die, and told her friends that he could do nothing more for her. Dr. Evans was then called in to see the patient. The Doctor knew it iras a delicate point to touch upon, and refused to go at first; but when he was sent for the fourth time, he went, not expecting to do any good more than the gratifying of her relatives. He examined the lady and found that she was curable. Under his prescription she soon got up and was able to go about. From that time forth, only enmity existed between the two Doctors. In a few days they met in the road - Dr. Evans gave the salute, but Dr. Hill refused to return it. This . circumstance happened a second time, which was the first inti- mation that Dr. Evans had of the hostile state of feelings, with- out knowing the cause. Dr. Hill made it convenient to slander Dr. Evans on all occasions, calling him a d -d quack, and all other ugly names, and saying that he would kill every fever case that he chanced to be called to see. But actions always speak louder than words, and Dr. Hill, seeing his good success, could not refrain from saying, " He is a d -- d lucky fellow !" " What luck he has !" "He never gets hold of any bad fever cases !" These slanders became so multiplied and common that several of the neighbors informned Dr. Evans of them, and advised him to put a stop to them, even if he had to kill the perpetrator. The reply was, " Let him alone, he will soon kill
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THE HILL AND EVANS FEUD.
himself. I care nothing about him, and will say nothing about him. He may yelp around as much as he pleases, so he keeps it out of my face."
Affairs continued thus some time, till one day when Dr. Evans went to Lancaster. He met there several of his professional brethren, but none of them deigned to speak to him. This was a mystery he could not solve. He was in town shortly after that, on one court day, when Mr. Quin, a man living in town, called him to see his sick children. He told Mr. Quin that he could not dare do such a thing in the midst of so many profes- sional enemies --- that they would whip him before he could leave town. But, finally, upon further entreaty, he went and saw the children. Dr. Hill saw this, which so infuriated him that he resolved to attack the bold foe who would thus dare to take a bone out of his lair. Dr. Evans returned to the court- yard, and was conversing with Col. Ray, when he heard some one behind him say ---
" Sir, you have got to quit talking about me! I say, sir, a second time, you have got to quit talking about me !" (Dr. Evans turned round and saw Dr. Hill shaking a stick at him.) " You, sir, you -- I say, sir, you have got to quit talking about me !" shouted Dr. Hill at the top of his voice.
" Me, sir ?" replied Dr. Evans in a steady tone.
" Yes, you, sir !"
" I have not been talking about you ; I never thought you worth talking about, nor no such a d-d puppy as you are. I have never said anything good, bad or indifferent about you -- you are below the notice of any honorable man !"
" You have been talking about me and every physician in this town !" at the same time flourishing the large hickory stick over his head.
" You lie, sir ; I have never talked about you or any other physician in this town ! It does no good to be disputing in this manner ; bring up your witnesses and prove what you say. It is a d-d lie, and you can't prove it, save by a low dog like yourself ! "
Old man Baily stepped up to Dr. Evans and told him to go away - that he had said enough to satisfy every body about the slander.
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DR. INLL AND THE LAW SUIT.
"I'll cut your throat, sir ! " shouted Dr. Hill, running his hand into his bosom. 1 This last tragi- comic display produced quite a sensation in the crowd, and an opening was made through which Dr. Evans slipped into the court-house. When he got to the door he ob- served, " You d -d scoundrel, you can't say that when you have not a gang of your puppies around to catch my arm!"
Here the quarrel ceased. The reader will perceive that the Hills were well trained to this kind of work ; - there were eight or ten of the young stock standing around, ready to seize Dr. Evans by the arms and disarm him if he had any weapons, then leave him to the merciless foe. Dr. Evans knew their plans of attack, and as he had no weapons, thought it best to make a safe retreat. Thus, it appears that Dr. Hill had been slander- . ing Dr. Evans to the physicians of Lancaster, which explains their refusal to salute him. After this circumstance they treated him perfectly like a gentleman and friend.
The two Doctors had their next rencounter in 1840, when Dr. Hill appeared at court as a witness. Dr. Evans had brought a suit against the heirs of Major Burnsides for medical attend- ance. Through the instrumentality of the Hill and Salter families, the idea of a steam-doctor bringing a suit of indebi. tatus assumpsit on a medical account, produced quite a little excitement in the famous town of Lancaster. It made all the old revolutionary doctors wink and blink and shrug up their shoulders, while the young diploma-pill-bags ogled wisely and pulled down the corners of their mouths, as if to say, " you can't come it, old fogy." The two learned lawyers employed on the opposite side, tried to laugh the case out of court - thus endea- voring to non-suit the Doctor. They are excusable for this ; for, when these precocious giants of the green bag get hold of a quick-sand case, upon which they can build no argument, they generally support their side by " laugh-and -grow-fat " ridicule. They tried another trick - argued that Dr. Evans was not a doctor because he had not a regular diploma, for which reason they argued also that his charges were illegal. But the court ruled out these schemes and proceeded to try the case accord- ing to its merits. The opposition then demanded a review of
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THE HILL AND EVANS FEUD.
the Doctor's public and private life. Ilis lawyers at first objected, saying ----
" Who under heaven ever heard of a person's private char- acter being brought into court for suing on an open account ?"
But the Doctor told them to go ahead - that it was not money but character that he was contending for - that he would have cared little for the money, had they let his reputation alone. They then went into trial with the liberty of investiga- ting his character to the utmost extent. The trial lasted two or three days. On the account the Doctor recovered $175, and a character worth more than gold -- worth more than a whole El Dorado. Not a single black spot was proven in either . his public or private life.
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Dr. Hill stated to the court, in giving his evidence, that Dr. Evans had been attending a certain Mrs. Sherley, a sister of Dr. Dickerson, of Nicholasville - that she had gone deranged under his treatment, and that she had been taken to Mr. Welch's and cured by Dr. Dickerson. He was asked -
" Are you not mistaken ? Did not Dr. Dickerson wait on her and pronounce her incurable ? Was she not then carried to Mr. Swapshire's and cured by Dr. Evans ?"
" I am not mistaken - there can be no mistake about it!" replied Dr. Hill.
" Did you not wait on a Miss Whicker and pronounce her incurable ?"
" I did, and she died soon afterward."
" Did not Dr. Evans wait on her, and did she not recover under his treatment ? "
" Positively not !"
" Did she not recover and bear two children ?"
" She did not."
" Is it not possible that you are mistaken about this case ? " " I am positive - there is no mistake !"
Capt. James Murphy was then called to the bar and sworn. He stated that the lady did recover - that she lived some time after that and bore two children. Thus you see how nicely Dr. Ilill was caught in a falsehood - and that, too, when he desired to blacken the character of another. Seeing himself thus
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DR. HILL AND THE LAW SUIT.
caught in the intricate meshes of a lie, he went back to the court to explain, stating that Dr. Evans might have waited on her twice, or at another time. But Dr. Evans procured certificates from the lady's family and friends that he had attended on her only once, and that at the particular time mentioned.
To further stigmatize Dr. Hill, Dr. Evans intended to publish the evidence and facts of the case, but his friends persuaded him not to do so, that it would look more humane to show an enemy mercy. For the boldness of procuring these certificates, Dr. Hill sent him word that he intended to give him a certificate to h-Il. To which Dr. Evans replied, that he could not do it, for he was too base a coward - that he might get some of .his loafers to do it -- that if he had been aggrieved, he could get personal satisfaction any time. Thence forward Dr. Evans experienced a series of abuses from the lower class of the Hill party. It was soon known that Dr. Hill had hired a number of them at twelve and a half cents per day to whip Dr. Evans. They would often go up to him, curse and threaten him, in hopes of getting a fight. But Dr. Evans knew they were hired tools, and told them they had better work for their money in some other way ; that they could make more any other way than by whipping him. If I mistake not, one of the Hills upon his death-bed, told Dr. Evans that John Hill had offered ten dollars to any one who would whip him, and that he had attempted to get the prize money several times himself, but failed. And in his expiring breath begged pardon for throwing rocks at him on the public square in Lancaster. The Hills had a notorious fame for throwing rocks. Armed with these natural projectiles, they could do far more execution than with fire- arms - so truly and powerful where they hurled. A couple of them to go out on the hills squirrel hunting, would be more successful than as many good riflemen. They were extremely afraid of Dr. Evans, for which reason their efforts at him were not so fortunate -- but they had bravery enough to cast vagrant stones at his back.
While these troubles were in full blast, Dr. Evans chanced to meet John Hill on the creek one day ; and said : --
"Do you remember the agreement we made -- that you
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THE HILL AND EVANS FEUD.
would let my business alone if I would do the same toward you ? I believe you are setting this gang of loafers on me. I believe it, and if I was certain of it, I would whip you right here like a dog ? But I do know one thing - they are your tools --- you have perfect control over them, and if they trouble me any more I will hold you accountable for it. I will not act sneak- ingly about it as you do, but I will catch you in the court-yard, and give you as much of my stick as you are able to pack home. You can stop them and I know it - so look out for the future !" . For some time after this incident, Dr. Evans had no more trouble ~- the Hills all seemed to be perfectly friendly with hira.
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THE BARBECUE FIGHT.
CHAPTER III.
The Election - Barbecue at Fred. Hill's-Dr. Evans drinks and treats -- Stays till after dark --- Hills get drunk -Dr. Evans informed of the plotted mob - He mounts his horse - Hills surround him -Jesse Hill strikes him - His horse knocked down - Confined in a corner -- They shoot at the Doctor --- The horse dashes out of their reach - They pursue- Dr. Evans escapes to Turner's - He arrives at home nearly dead -- Ran- dom thoughts.
EVERY thing went on smoothly and peaceably between the two parties until the fall of 1849, at a barbecue given at Fred. Hill's. Here the war begins with more energy and on a larger scale. An election was soon to come off, if I am not mistaken, for delegates to the convention to revise the constitution of the State. There was considerable excitement -- the emancipation question being warmly agitated.
Dr. Evans did not at first purpose to attend the barbecue, but after dinner having business in that direction, he concluded to stop a few minutes to see what was going on. He met Capt. Price, one of the candidates for the convention, who requested him to go to the barbecue and fill his place. The Doctor at first refused, but upon further entreaty told him he could not fill his place, but would do the best he could. He went, mingled with the heterogeneous crowd, and spent his money freely in treats. As the Doctor had not supped, the Hills' professing great friendship for him, urged him to stay and take supper with them. He stayed till after supper, and every thing went off so amicably that he did not even suspect an enemy on the ground. After supper he invited Richard Robinson to go home with him. A man by the name of Warren was standing near by and observed that he would like to go too, if they would wait for him awhile - that the cream of the barbecue had not come off yet. In a short time the Hill clan seemed to be . getting a little too drunk, waving their hats and quarreling among themselves. These signs began to make the Doctor
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THE HILL AND EVANS FEUD.
feel that all was not right. He observed to Robinson that nothing more could be effected for their party that night, and that it was time to be off. They started to get their horses - at which time the drunken, quarreling squad drew nearer and proposed to leave the decision of their dispute with Dr. Evans. He told them that he knew nothing about their contention, but that he would decide it in this manner-for them to say nothing more about it, and he would treat the crowd to a bowl of mint sling. He then walked to the bar (a low rail pen enclosing a barrel of whisky and the vender), and ordered it. While he was going up, one of the Hills patted him on the shoulder and said : - " Doctor, by G-d, you ought to treat !" The Doctor immediately handed the bowl to him, but he turned and said, - " G-d d-m you, I would not drink to save your life !" He then handed it to John Arnold, one of the candidates, and asked him to drink. Arnold took the bowl, immediately handed it to some one else, and asked him if he had a certain kind of medicine in his pill-bags. The Doctor said he had, and they started out to get it. They had gone only a few steps when John Murphy caught the Doctor by the arin, and said he wanted a word with him.
" You are out of the crowd now," said Murphy, "and don't go back into it again, for they are going to knock you in the head with rocks to-night !"
" Who are ? "
" The Hills ! They have been following you around some time with their hands full of rocks ! "
" I reckon not ! "
" It is certainly true -don't you go back into the crowd any more. Have you any weapons to defend yourself with ? "
" I have none. Have you any to lend me ? "
" I have not," responded Murphy.
When the Doctor was called away, Jesse Hill took his place and walked off with Arnold to a large tree near by. The Doctor got the medicine and was returning to Arnold when he heard Jesse Hill remark : ---
" I'll be d-d if I don't do it !"
" I'd rather you would not," replied Arnold.
" I'll be G-d d-d if I don't ! " exclaimed Hill.
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THE BARBECUE FIGHT.
The Doctor then approached and said : - " Are you talking secrets, gentlemen ? "
"No, no !" both replied, and IIill walked off to a group of his fellows, a few steps distant. "Here is the medicine, Mr. Arnold," observed the Doctor.
" I did not need the medicine - I merely wanted to get you out of the crowd, and tell you to get on your horse and leave immediately, for the Hills are going to mob you, and I don't want to see it."
The Doctor started to get his horse, which was hitched to the limb of a tree not far distant. As he pulled down the swinging limb to loose the bridle, he saw two men, supposed to be Bill Ware and Jesse Hill, follow him in a brisk gait and dart behind the tree. He thought they were trying to shoot and got behind his horse. They then turned and walked off rapidly toward the house. The Doctor mounted, rode out a few steps into open ground, found Warren there, and asked, " Are you ready to go ?"
" No!" replied Warren. " Where is Robinson ?" " Gone to get his horse, I suppose ; get yours, and let us go - but stop, stay with me till he comes ; I am afraid to stay alone. I have learned that the Hills are going to mob me, and I don't want you to leave till Robinson comes ! "
Warren walked immediately off without saying a word, and was seen no more that night. Bill Ware who was a perfect stranger to the Doctor, then went up and spoke :
" Are you going home to-night ?"
" Yes, sir, I am," replied the Doctor.
" Hold down your head." said Ware, taking hold of his hand, " I want a word with you. I understand that you intend to knock me in the head with rocks to-night."
" Good Lord ! " exclaimed the Doctor, " who could have told that lie ! "
As these last words were falling from the Doctor's lips, Jesse Hill struck him on the side of the head with a square bar of iron. Hle snatched his hand away from Ware, and asked -
" Who is that throwing rocks at me ?"
" No body," replied Ware.
" Some one hit me, and there's the man !" - pointing to
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THE HILL AND EVANS FEUD.
Jesse Hill, who was standing in a throwing position not far distant, in the direction the blow came from.
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" I did'nt do it, sir," responded Hill.
" I think you did Jesse, and I would like to know what you did it for ! "
'. Upon my honor I did not throw. I have nothing against you, and I did not throw ; but I can do it if you want me to !"
" I don't want you to do it, Jesse ! "
'. By G-d, we'll give you a few any how ! " exclaimed Hill. . During this conversation, the Doctor cast his eyes around to sce who was near, and the best way to get out. He saw not less than twenty-five of the party surrounding him, and advancing in platoon order, so as to form a hollow-square. When Hill said " we'll give you a few any how," the Doctor wheeled his horse and sprang him toward a gap in the fence. As he did this, the rocks began to fly. His horse ran about ten steps and was knocked down. About the time the horse fell, the stones knocked the Doctor perfectly blind ; though he retained his seat-and indeed it was impossible for him to fall, for the rocks came as thick and fast as hailstones. When one would knock him in one direction, another would knock him as far the other way, in such a manner as to keep him vibrating like a pendulum. . They ran the horse up between the tobacco- house and fence, and having them thus confined, beat both horse and rider nearly to death with rocks, rails, boards, and poles. The Doctor, though yet blind, besought them to have mercy on him - but the more he begged, the harder and faster the pelting missiles flew. The horse finally got cut; but how he did it, is a mystery, for the fence was close to the house and very high, and strongly staked and ridered, while behind, the enraged mob stood as thick as forest trees. When the horse got out and had gone about half round the house, the Doctor's eyesight returned. He still clung to his saddle, though the shower of pelting stones did not abate its fury. When the horse got back to the place from which he started, the Hills shot at the Doctor twice, with a small and a large pistol. The horse being easily frightened, scared at the report and dashed away beyond the reach of the stones. As the pistols were fired, one of the formest of the pursuing party fell over a stump, and
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