The End
Following the incidents in Hazard, the courthouse was burned down on July 4th, 1890 though the records were saved. Robin Cornett, an Eversole supporter, finally returned to his home hoping to be done with the feud. He was ambushed and killed in July of 1890 when we went to cut a tree in the forest near his home.
This was the final straw for Judge Lilly. He appeared with state troops for a special August court term in 1890 that would be held in a tent. They quickly brought up each of the accused and sent them to Clark County to be tried. Lilly knew that there is no way any would have a fair trial in Hazard and for fear of another battle. None were allowed bail at first. The jail became so full they had to keep the men in a guarded tent. The “Blanket Court” worked well and there was little to no incidents until 1894.
In 1894, Judge Josiah Combs decided to return to the home he loved, hoping the fighting was all over. He was ambushed and killed while having a conversation with friends outside of town. Joe Adkins, Jesse Fields, and Boone Frazier are believed to be the ambushers. Tom Smith had been sentenced to death row previously and gave up that French was in on the plot with them to have Combs murdered. French was acquitted of the charges, Frazier was never caught, Fields was sentenced to life then acquitted in a second trial, and Adkins received life in both trials, though he only served 8 years before being released.
After the events in Hazard French began wearing a bulletproof vest. Years later in 1913 French came across Susan Eversole, Joe’s Widow, and her son Harry Eversole. He said “Good Morning, Mrs. Eversole” and Harry took out his pistol and shot him in the spleen as he ran. Harry was only charged a $75 dollar disturbing the peace fine since French didn’t die right away, though he did die over a year later from the wound.
Read more about this topic: French Eversole Feud
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