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/3905/mb.ashx Message Board Post: This post concerns the Hill-Evans Feud. This account of the trial appeared in the 27 Sep 1852 copy of the Louisville Daily Journal. A long post but will be interesting researchers of the Hill-Evans feud. Trial of the Hills -- Their Escape -- Attempted Escape of the Evanses -- Two more of the Hills Shot. We noticed in our last number, the trial of Dr. Hill, Joseph Murphy, and Wm. Pearce, before Justices Teeter and Hudson, as an examing court, for the murder of Jesse May, commenced on Wednesday, the 8th inst., and continued till Saturday evening. altogether it was very interesting trial, about one hundred witnesses were examined for both sides, taking the matter back as far 1822 - rather anceient proof - and bring it down to the present time. Judge Saml Lusk, Robert D. Lusk, Esq., and Major Lewis Landrum were the counsel for the defense, and W. B. Harrison , and the Law, were the prosecutors. The court entered a verdict that they should be "sent out" for further trial. This decision, though entirely unexpected, especially in regard to Dr. Hill, was given by the Court, ina manner which showed that they were doing their duty, and that the law and evidence alone had fixed it. The trial of Pierce then come up, and it took but a few minutes to decide it, Dr. Hill testifying that he was at times, almost an idiot, and there being no proof that he engaged in the assault. Pierce was in high dungeon at their not convicting him (Dr Hill), and trying to make him out an idiot. But after all the trial, here was a dilemna, five of the Evanses were in the upper part of the jail, and nothing but a padlock between the two parties, and that in command of the Evanses. Dr. Hill offered to incur all the extral expense for taking them to some other jail. Law books were searched to find some law for such a proceeding, for none wanted to see them or thought it right to go into this jail under the circumstances. During the excitement, a writ of habeas corpus was issued, and the trial was set for Tuesday following. They were both about town all day Monday - the guard being with them - but on Monday night, about 10 o'clock, and while all the guard that were with th! em, they very mysteriously disappeared, none of the guard having the least idea of the manner in which it was effected. Strange, isn't it. Allen Beazley went to Frankfort to see Gov. Powell in regard to it, and he has offered a reward of $400 for the arrest of both, or $200 for either, within one year, and so ends the matter. On Monday morning last, the Evanses made a desperate effort to escape, while Mr. Wm. Miller and Wm. Myers, the jailer, were taking the dimensions of one of the windows of the jail, for the purpose of strengtening it. They were both inside, and two of the guard, George Smith and James M. Sandifer, were on the outside, the door being partly open, the prisoners made a rush for it, but the guard immediately seized it and drew it together and held it. Samuel Evans drew a Colt's revolver from his pocket, and, although he didn't shoot, he said he "came nearer killing than he ever did before, not to do it." The jail has been searched several times, and the prisoners too, but without finding any arms, although the general impression has been that they had them, and now it is confirmed. How they got them is a problem not easily solved. The one spoken of above was taken from him and returned to the place it first came from by the jailer. The difficulty is probably now ended till November, when the different cases will tried. P. S. --- Scarcely had the pen performed the last stroke of the above article, ere the news came of more shooting. Good God, can it not be checked? Shall our county longer bear with patience what has been imposed upon her? James Hill (the boy that was so nearly killed at the time Bedster was shot) and Jesse Hill (both boys) were attacked yesterday morning by several of the Evans party, the names of which we cannot learn and nearly killed. At the time of going to press, we have nothing, but the incoherent account of Mrs. Russell Hill. We shall ascertain the full particulars next week. Wm. Murphy, one of the reputed assailants, has been arrested and is to be tried this morning. He tells that he come to town for the purpose of getting a statement in the Argus that Dr. Evans had been shot at by some unknown person twice during this week. End of post. We have an entire set of microfilm at our local library of the time period 1840-1865, mostly Nashville newpaper but there are a few from Louisville. I'm checking to see if I can find anymore nuggets from Garrard. Sandra Hurt-Norris Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. 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