This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: CabinSue Surnames: Hill, Evans Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kentucky.counties.garrard/3923/mb.ashx Message Board Post: >From this time forward, the Hills went in a crowd, armed to the teeth for the avowed purpose, as they insisted to diverse responsible citizens, of taking my life. The went neither to court, to muster, nor any other public place, nor did they even pass though the neighborhood unless several of the were together and had their rifles on their shoulders. I could not pass to a neighbor's house in safety, and not unfrequently, when attending to the duties of my profession among the sick, had to be guarded. My stock was found shot dead upon my farm. My servants and little boys were repeatedly shot at and run from the field when at work. My dwelling-house was on diverse occasions beseiged and shot into, as its walls and windows now testify; and finally, to protect myself and family from outrage, I was forced to keep almost constantly a standing guard, composed of my neighbors, who kindly volunteered their services. This state of affairs continued until the March county court, 1850. On that day, Jesse Hill was in Lancaster - was drinking, and was a very violent, dangerous man when in that conditon - who was always seeking difficulties, and had had many bloody fights. He had sworn to several persons in town that morning that he would kill some man on that day; and not more that fifteen minutes before he was killed, had his pistol out in the tavern and drank, and said at the same time that was the last drink he would take until he had killed some one, and started for the courthouse, where Judge Robertson was making a political speech. He came into the house and caught at a boy about twelve years old, who, as the witnesses stated, resembled in size and appearance as my little son who gone to town with me, but, as they did not know my son, they could not state positively that he was the same. The boy aimed to run within the bar, but could not get through the crowd and went out the door! . Hill followed on out, and, not finding the object of his pursuit, he spit in the face of an old man and drew his pistol to shoot him. He was caught by a man and led off some ten feet and struggled loose and made an attempt to shoot the man who held him. Just at this moment a gentleman came to me and told me Hill was at the door drunk, and that my boys were there - that I had better go and see to them. I walked to the door, and as soon as I got there, Hill saw me and advanced toward me. I beckoned to hm with my hand and told him two or three time to go away. He exclaimed that he was not afraid of hell, at the same time drawing his pistol out of the pocket of his pantaloons or from under the skirt of his coat, when I drew my pistol and fired, and he fell with his pistol in his hand pointed toward me, and he trying to pull it off. He expired in a few seconds. I immediately went into the courthouse intending to surrender myself into the hands of the law when the commotion of the crowd subsided. This I could not do with any degree of safety. The cry of kill him arose, and between one hundred and two hundred persons collected on the public square, and, as myself and two sons galloped out of town, they followed in hot pursuit with pistols, rocks, etc. One of the crowd in advance of the rest came within a few feet of my son, who was behind - presented a pistol, and demanded his surrender. My son turned on his horse and advised his pursuer to desist - he heeded the admonishment and the pursuit was abandoned. End Part 2 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.