Indict Kentucky Murderers  

The Regular Judge, However, Fails to Appear in Court

Armed Feudists Await Further Developments

Manchester, Kentucky, Oct. 25,1899

True bills of indictment, charging Solomon and Jim and Tom Griffin with the murder of Deputy Sheriff Wash Thacker in Clay County on Sept. 4, and against Eddy and Floyd Chadwell with complicity in the crime, were returned by the Grand Jury here today. The regular Judge, H.C. Eversole, for some reason has not arrived as yet, but he sent word to two members of the bar to elect a special Judge and go ahead with the court. Judge C.B. Little was chosen, and a Grand Jury empanelled.

The Grand Jury has it's hands full, there being about 10 killings and assassinations to investigate all of which have taken place since the last term of court, in June, and this in addition to the killing of Tom Baker, which Judge Eversole has promised Gov. Bradley to investigate. Troops are being held in readiness at Lexington, and it is believed by members of the bar that Judge Eversole will not come until the Governor agrees to furnish him with military protection. In view of this Judge Eversole's instructions to try unimportant matters until he arrives is being disregarded, and Judge Little will take up the cases as they are reported by the Grand Jury.

It is now believed that the assassin who killed Tom Baker while he was a prisoner will never be found. Sherrif White, from whose house the fatal shot was fired, is seriously ill and has left the business of his office with his deputies. Commonwealth's Attorney Turner and B.B. Golden of Barbourville will represent the Commonwealth.

The Griffins and the Philpots are on hand in full force, all heavily armed. Every one appears in the best of humor, and they mingle together telling jokes. Valentine G. Philpot came near causing a riot yesterday by stating that he told the farmer who came up with his two-horse wagon and offered to hall off the dead after the Philpot-Griffin fight on July 17, that he only wished they could finish off a load for him.

The Griffins heard this remark and there was a rush to arms, but through some agreement the matter was settled and no blood spilled. The report that Pete Philpot, the boy who shot three Griffins in the big fight, had been shot yesterday is untrue. "Tom" Whittamore, a Philpot sympathizer, is dead, the reports to this effect having been confirmed.

Gov. Bradley will be requested to place the whole county under martial law by the citizens who hope to have an end put to the feud at once, but this plan is not considered practicable by the Chief Executive. 

The following is a list of the people killed in the Philpot-Griffin feud since the last term of the Circuit Court: 
July 6- James Stubblefield, Deputy Sheriff, killed while attempting to arrest Mart Smith. Smith Escaped.

July 17-Aaron Morris, Harvey Griffin, Green Griffin of the Griffin faction and Ed Fisher of the Philpot
faction, killed in pitched battle. Several other men wounded. Philpot tried and cleared.

Sept. 2-Bill Lewis, Deputy Sheriff, killed while trying to arrest Mart Smith. Smith again escaped.

Sept. 4-Wash Thacker, Deputy Sheriff, killed while riding along the road with Jim Smith. Jim, Tom, and Sol
Griffin arrested, and are to be tried for the crime.

Sept. 5-James Robertson, Philpot sympathizer, assassinated. No arrests.

Sept. 28-Eli Taylor, a juryman in Philpot cases, assassinated. No arrests.

Sept. 6- Henry Marcum, a Griffin feudist, assassinated. No arrests.

Oct. 23-Tom Whittamore, friend of Philpots's, assassinated. No arrests. 
Simon Philpot assassinated at Pigeon Roost. No arrests.

One woman was shot and seriously wounded, having been mistaken for a Philpot, and the homes
of a number of the factionists riddled with bullets at night.