| Notes |
- From the Ky. Commonwealth.
Tragedy in Booneville, Owsley County, Ky.
William Moore, John Moore, and John Reece were brothers –in-law, and a difficulty arose between the parties respecting the estate of the father of the Moores. The father willed to his sons his lands at his death, and what money he had on his hands be willed to his daughters. The whole seems to have fallen into the hands of his sons. Reece it is said charged his brothers-in-law, and his mother-in-law with secreting his wife’s part. At once there sprung up a hard feeling between the Moores and Reece. Three of the Moores threatened to whip Reece, and if he brought a suit against them to break the will or sue them for the money, John swore he would kill him. Reece threatened in return, if they ever jumped on him, he kill as many of them as he could. On the 12th of May, which was election day, the parties had an interview, late in the evening. John Moore and John Reece were talking over the old difficulty in a narrow alley in town. While talking, William Moore walked up and told Reece if he proved that, he would prove a d—n lie, and drew a rock and threw it at Reece, who dodged it. Then the fight commenced. While the Moores fought with sticks and rocks, Reece fought with a large butcher knife. Both parties seem to have fought with a determination to conquer. William Moore received a stab near the right nipple, and John received a stab just under the shoulder blade, ranging towards his heart. Reece was badly bruised about the head, shoulders and hips, but is now recovering.
When the parties were separated, the Moores cried out that they were killed. One fell, and the other was assisted to his place of rest. The scene that here transpired is enough to cause the hardest heart to feel. The sun had disappeared and darkness was gathering around. – The two men were taken and carried into an entry between two houses, and laid down together – tow unfortunate brothers. The blood upon the walk was in puddles, and the railings were sprinkled, which the war-clubs were also smeared with blood – there lay the huge butcher knife, dyed with human gore. Both had families, and very soon their wives and children were sent for. They came like angel messengers come – They came to see their dying husbands – calm and composed they came. They came with a heavenly countenance, beaming with religion and truth. Both the men were very wicked, but one had been in the church and turned out bad. The wife of this one went to him and kissed his cold and waning cheek, and said to him, “William you can’t live, you must die” – and he turned to her and said: “Emma, bring here my little children.” She brought them to him, and he took each and kissed them, requesting them to remain by him until he died. They remained. He then expressed his doubts as to his future destiny. When Emma heard his mutterings, moaning, and doubtful lamentations, she kneeled down and commenced praying for her dying husband. She must have been inspired at that heart-rending scene. Her beauty, her wild strains of sweet voice, her language and her feeling style – were above all conception. Thus the scene closed. Both the men died, living about ten hours from the time they were stabbed.
The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio. Sunday, 15 June 1851, page 2.
[4]
- Adams Sentinel, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 23 June 1851.
Tragedy in Kentucky. The Frankfort Commonwealth gives an account of a tragic affair at Booneville, Owsley county, Kentucky on the 12th of May last. There had been some difficulty between Wm. Moore, John Moore and John Reece, brothers-in-law in relation to the division of some property. On that day they met in the open street and had some conversation which resulted in blows. The two Moores attacked Reece with sticks and stones, and he defended himself with a large butcher knife with which he stabbed his assailants in such a manner that they died in about ten hours. The deceased each left a wife and family. Reece was severely beaten, but is expected to recover.
[4, 5]
- A correspondent of the Frankfort Commonwealth gives the details of a terrible tragedy that occurred at Boonville, Owsley Co., on the 12th ult. A quarrel between William and John Moore, and Jno. Reece, their brother-in-law, in relation to the settlement of an estate, resulted in a fight; the Moore's using rocks and clubs and Reece a butcher knife. The Moore's were so badly injured that they died in a few hours. Reece was badly hurt but will recover.
The Louisville Daily Courier, Louisville, Kentucky. Thursday, 11 June 1851.
[4]
- Oral history of the death of the two Moore brothers by Reece.
Michael G. Horton, 21 April 1898.
I came to Owsley Co. Ky. in Oct. 1846. I went into Mercantile business. I was twice Sheriff of Owsley, once appointed, afterward elected. I married September 1850, Catherine Frances Garrard, sister of Gen. T.T. Garrard, daughter of Col. James Garrard. I removed to Clay county in 1852, I was twice elected Sheriff of Clay County. I was school commissioner (also) of Clay Co. when Dr. Manning came here to teach. I kept a saloon in Booneville. A man named Reese killed two brothers named Moore at the door of my saloon. Reese got a change of venue to Breathitt.
John Jay Dickey Diary Roll 3, Section 2245.
Transcribed by Ruth B. Carr. Page 161.
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1822 - 1861 (39 years)
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