Harlan. Enterprise
May 1922 ? Date Clipped
Riley Ball Dead-Frank Ball and John Hurst Near Death
Two Others Wounded
One man is dead, three others are seriously wounded and
a fifth suffering
from a bullet wound in the foot as a result of a pistol battle in the
Bell
Co.,court house at Pineville, 11 O'clock Wednesday morning, between
members
of the Colson and Ball families. The combatants had come to Pineville
to
attend the trial of George Colson on charge of killing, Ira Ball at
Middlesboro in February. Riley Ball was killed instantly and Frank
Ball was
shot twice, the bullet taking effect in the back of his head. He may
die.
John Hurst was shot three times in the face, and back, he is not expected
to
live.. Clay Colson was shot twice in the shoulder. M.L. McDaniel was
shot in
the foot. Frank Ball, Hurst, Colson were taken to the Contental hospital,
where it was reported that Hurst is probably fatally wounded. Hurst
is
reported to be a member of the Colson faction. A man whose name could
not be
learned was arrested and placed in jail. All participants lived in
Middlesboro and came here to attend the murder trial of George Colson.They
met in the corridors of the court house and without a word began firing.
It
could not be determined who fired the first shot. A score of more shots
were
fired in a moment and four of the participants lay on the floor dead
or
seriously wounded when the battle ended..The wounded men were unarmed
by
Sheriff Martin Gr? and Robert Bever and taken to the hospital fifth
man
taking no part in the shooting was lodged in the county jail. McDaniel
did
not go to the hospital. Clay Colson was wounded during a battle with
reputed
members of the Ball faction several months ago.
Researcher:
Elva Nolan Morgan
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