French Eversole Feud - Battle of Hazard

Battle of Hazard

The Battle of Hazard occurred on the 4th day of the court on November 8th, 1889. A Campbell was on Graveyard Hill and discharged his gun, he was possibly drunk. A store keeper saw him shooting, took aim, and killed Campbell with one shot. Hearing the shots the people, who were in a session of court in the courthouse, thought it was the feud and scattered away. The Eversole clan took control of the courthouse and French’s men the jailhouse. Jesse Fields and Bob Profitt, both French men, escaped from the second story of the court house and made it to the jail. That night they escaped the jailhouse to the rest of the men. Jesse Fields and Tom Smith then took the high ground on Graveyard Hill. J. McKnight, an Eversole man, attempted to run across the street with a friend to gain some ground and was shot dead by French’s men. The Eversoles retreated across the river after they had run out of ammo. They left Green Morris and one other along the river bank so they could escape safely. When Jesse Fields and Tom Smith pursued Morris opened fire and hit Fields in the arm. The Battle of Hazard was over.