Allen, Earlington Bee, November 17, 1914

Henry Allen Hanged to a Tree Near His Home – Was Under Indictment

“Possum Hunters” Outrages Meet With No Hindrance

REWARD OFFERED FOR MEN WHO TOOK PART IN HANGING

Hillside, Ky., Nov. 14. – Finding of the body of Henry Allen, hanged to a tree near his home here yesterday was the climax to a series of depredations committed in Muhlenberg and Butler counties last night by bands of night-riders, so-called “possum-hunters.” At Central City a negro settlement was shot up and at Rochester ten negroes were lashed.

Allen was called from his home after night by a party of men, according to the statement of his father-in-law, Charles Daniels, before a coroner’s jury. Nothing was heard from him until early yesterday morning, when a passerby on the road found the body swinging from a tree with the hands tied behind the back.

Sheriff Robert Wickliffe of Muhlenberg county declares he will break up the present reign of lawlessness and with deputies is patrolling the county. Allen was under indictment in connection with recent depredations by the “possum hunters.”

No one has been reported wounded at Central City, though it is claimed from 500 to 1,000 shots were fired into houses. Warning had been given at Rochester, it is declared.

The First Case of Arson

Island, Ky., Nov. 15. – The “Possum Hunters” selected a new field for their activities when early today they invaded McLean county and set fire to a coal tipple.

So far as is known, this is the first time the “regulators” have resorted to arson, their outrages heretofore consisting of murder and the whipping of men and women in at least four counties of Western Kentucky.

Shortly after 9 o’clock the report spread that the “regulators” intended to pay a visit to the little town. Women and children were advised to remain indoors. Up until midnight the “Possum Hunters” had not appeared and even the male residents of the town treated the report as an idle rumor and went to bed. A few hours later they were awakened by a rush of men through the streets. On leaving their homes they found the coal tipple in flames. The raiders escaped under cover of darkness without a single one of them being identified.

It is reported that the majority of the “Possum Hunters” who took part in the burning of the tipple came from an adjoining county.

Besides McLean county, nightrider outrages in the past few weeks have occurred in four other western Kentucky counties, Muhlenberg, Hopkins, Christian and Butler.

The self-constituted “regulators” have taken two human lives and have whipped scores of men and women without any apparent reason. 

McLean county will send a delegation to attend a mass-meeting to be held next Tuesday afternoon at Greenville, when it is expected steps will be taken by indignant citizens of Muhlenberg county to curb the lawlessness now sweeping the section.

Reward of $400 Offered

Frankfort, Ky., Nov. 14. – Rewards aggregating $400 will be offered for the arrest of the unknown persons who hanged Henry Allen near Hillside, Muhlenberg county, last night. After a conference with County Judge J. J. Rice and County Attorney W. H. Gray, of Muhlenberg, who came here by appointment today. Gov. McCreary offered a reward of $200 in the name of the Commonwealth, which Judge Rice said would be duplicated by the county.