By Stephen D. Bowling

The presence of state troops on the courthouse square in Breathitt County was not an unusual site. During the tumultuous years of the Breathitt County’s feud, various governors of the state of Kentucky sent militia troops to Breathitt County several times between 1873-1908. Breathitt County continues to hold the distinction of having been occupied by peace-keeping forces more than any other Kentucky county.

The troops were dispatched from Louisville, Lexington, Cynthiana, and other parts of the state to maintain order, keep the courts open, and defend public property and officials. For the most part, the soldier’s trips to the mountain were peaceful. Much of their time was spent chasing “phantoms” through the hills, owing to the mountaineers’ ability to fire a “few shots and then disappear” into the undergrowth. The soldiers made few arrests and served primarily as a “deterring force” and a means of “intimidation to do the right thing.”

Controversy surrounding local elections brought troops to the county the majority of the times they were deployed. A hotly contested election for the office of Circuit Judge in 1909 saw threats of assassination and election tampering. Governor August Willson received numerous complaints about the activities in Breathtit County and, in late October 1909, made the decision to send several companies of troops to “Bloody Breathitt” to oversee the election in several voting districts, especially the Crockettsville Precinct.

The full slate of the Breathitt County Democratic ticket had challenged voters in every precinct and promised to continue to support their candidates. David B. Redwine, former Circuit Judge and leader of the Democratic ticket, joined forces with William H. Blanton in opposition to the Republican Ticket headed by Judge James P. Adams and others. The races for every count and circuit office were contested, and tensions were high that “the former troubles would be reignited” and more bloodshed would be visited on Breathitt County’s people. Governor Willson, who was away at a national conference, made the quick decision to send in the troops.

STATE TROOPS FOR BREATHITT CO. ELECTION

JACKSON, Ky., NOVEMBER 1 – Because of ominous signs of trouble in Jackson and Breathitt counties on election day tomorrow, members of the Lexington militia are encamped here, and Governor Willson is hurrying to Frankfort from the waterways convention in New Orleans.  It Is said in Jackson that the message from Frankfort to the Governor was laconic and startling: “Hell has broke loose in Breathitt.”

As some of the bloodiest affairs in the history of Kentucky have been fought here in Jackson on political occasions, the state authorities here wasted no time in putting the town under military surveillance.

Detachments of the militia were sent to Crockettsville, War Creek, Oakdale, and other precincts where trouble is feared.  This will be the second election in Breathitt County under the protection of troops.

Jackson today is full of armed men watching every movement of the handful of militiamen sent here by the acting Governor.  In expectation of trouble in tomorrow’s election, more troops are expected tonight.

The present trouble began when a band of men took the ballots for tomorrow’s election from the officials.  The band fled in the direction of Crockettsville.  Sheriff Crawford pursued them but returned empty-handed.

An armed force, declaring themselves supporters of D. B. Redwine, took possession of the courthouse Saturday night, but hostilities were prevented thus far by a truce between the Democrats and Republicans. 

The principal struggle is over the office of the Circuit Court.  Redwine being the Democratic candidate, and Judge Adams, the present incumbent, Republican, opposing.   Adams is reported to have been particularly severe with the “blind tiger” element.

The Olympia (Washington) Record, November 1, 1909, page 1

The election proceeded on November 2, 1909, and turnout was high. One estimate, by The Louisville Courier-Journal placed voter participation at nearly 74%. Heavy turnout was reported in Breathitt County and across the 23rd Judicial District, which included Breathitt, Lee, Wolfe, and Estill Counties. When the votes were tallied, the Democratic Party swept the entire election, including the races for the City of Jackson. Judge David B. Redwine, at the head of the ticket, defeated James P. Adams by 490 votes in Breathitt County and by 623 votes across the four counties in the 23rd District.

The supporters of Judge Redwine flooded into the streets of Jackson on election night. The streets of Jackson were filled with revelers who yelled and shot into the air and the Courthouse clock in celebration. One Cynthiana Militia member reported in a letter to his mother the “schrills and bellows of drunken men and women who celebrated the election of old John Barleycorn for every office.” The celebration continued through the night, and the last shots were heard at about 9:00 a.m. the next morning.

The Lexington Herald‘s reporter in Jackson wrote in the paper’s November 4 edition about the strange change in the mood of the town and the conditions after the celebration ended.

The streets of the town presented a strange contrast this morning to what they were last night. People were scarce in the town, and business was resumed as though nothing had happened the night before. The only evidences of the shooting of the night were countless cartridge hulls on the pavements and sidewalks and bullet holes in several buildings, among them being the Methodist church, a millinery store, and Judge O. H. Pollard’s headquarters.

The store belonging to M. S. Crain and the building just across the street, had every window in them broken out by a dynamite explosion.  As Wednesday advanced, people began to come into the town and to make preparations for tonight’s celebrations.

The Lexington Herald, November 4, 1909, page 1

Judge Redwine told the Lexington Herald that “I won on an honest platform, and my election is chiefly due to the untiring efforts of Judge O. H. Pollard, county campaign chairman, and the assistance my true friends have given to me.”

Breathitt County Sheriff Breck Crawford dismissed his special force of deputies and sent them home saying, “I have no use for them while the militia is here under the control of Judge Adams, as I cannot afford to have my men mixed up with the state troops in any trouble.” Judge Blanton called for a meeting of the Democratic supporters on the night of November 3rd and “urged them to go home and refrain from further disturbances, to cease defying the authorities, and shooting on the streets.” After the meeting, The Lexington Herald reported that the crowd “seemed to take the matter seriously and disbanded, and only a few can now be seen, and only an occasional shot can be heard.”

With the election concluded and no major trouble in sight, the Lexington company of the militia left their station at the Crockettsville Voting House and encamped on the public square at the Breathitt County Courthouse. The State Militia troops from Cynthiana boarded a train and left Jackson to return to their homes. The Lexington company would remain for some time until it was “nearly certain that no violence was imminent,” and then they, too, left Bloody Breathitt for home.

Elections today do not have the excitement of a feud-era electoral challenge. A large voter turnout might bring 25% of eligible voters to the polls. The violence that once played a prominent role in elections has faded, and the days of Bloody Breathitt are only memories. Generations of Breathitt County citizens braved gunfire, threats, intimidations, and uncertainty to make it to the polls to vote. Today, our elections are free from violence and far from the raucous affairs of the past, yet very few choose to exercise their right and privilege to vote.

If we are not careful, “Bloody Breathitt” might just lose its wild and dangerous reputation.

© 2023 Stephen D. Bowling