Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1912 — OUTLAWS SHOOT JUDGE AND AIDS [ARTICLE]

OUTLAWS SHOOT JUDGE AND AIDS

Virginia Mountaineers Kill Five and Wound Others. ESCAPE AS POSSE PURSUES Friends of Convicted Moonshiners Compose Mob —Posse In Pursuit as Band Flees on Horseback into v ■ Blue Ridge Mountains. Hillsville, Va„ March 15.—With sheriffs’ posses of seven counties chasing them over the mountains, seventeen outlaws of the Virginia mountains are endeavoring to make their way into North Carolina after murdering Judge Thornton Massie, of Carroll county circuit court Commonwealth’s Attorney William Foster and Sheriff Lewis Webb, and fatally wounding Dexter Goad, clerk of . the court, J. H. Blankenship, a member of the jury and John Mason, a spectator. It is said* three jurors, the clerk of court and several spectators were wounded in" the battle that followed the appearance of the mountaineers. Dexter Goad, clerk of the court, and Juror Douglas, who were wounded during the fighting, have died. This makes a total of five dead up to this time. After their murderous assault-on the court officers the “moonshiners” rode hard for the mountains and had a good start on the hastily organized posse of citizens which started in pursuit. More killings are likely. A special train has left here with officers for Hillsville, but part of the journey will have to be made on horseback. Floyd Allen, one of a family of three brothers, who were said to have been engaged in illicit distilling In the Blue Ridge mountains for years, had. been arrested and was in Hillsville for trial. There had been reports that an attempt would be made to rescue him, but little attention had been paid to them. The two other Allen brothers, with a score of their hohorts from the mountains, rode into town armed with rifles. One report is that the defend 1 - ant in court began the shooting. Governor Mann has offered a reward of SI,OOO for the murderers. He also ordered Roanoke and Lynchburg militia companies to be prepared tp proceed to Hillsville if their services should be required.

Seventeen of the feudists who participated in the battle in the courthouse took a stand in a barn in tlje mountains ready to give battle to a pursuing posse. It was reported the posse, heavily armed and determined, was rapidly closing in on the feudists. A battle was expected momentarily. War of extermination has been declared against the feudists. They are all heavily armed and have declared they will not be taken alive.