Tutt–Everett War

Tutt–Everett War
Date	1844–1850
Location	Marion County, Arkansas, United States
Also known as	Marion County War Tutt, King, Everett War

The Tutt–Everett War, also called the Marion County War, or the Tutt, King, Everett War, was a politically motivated feud that took place in Marion County, Arkansas between 1844 and 1850 during the politically charged era preceding the American Civil War.

Background

The feud involved the Tutt family, supporters of the Whig Party, and the Everett family, adherents of the Democratic Party. The Everetts had moved to Arkansas from Kentucky, with John "Sim", Jesse and Bart Everett becoming some of the most influential men in the area. The Tutt family, from Tennessee, was led by Hansford "Hamp" Tutt. They were influential in Searcy County, Arkansas, and were bitterly opposed to dividing Marion and Searcy counties. A third family, the Kings, also became involved, supporting the Tutts as Whig Party backers.

Violence first occurred during a political debate in Yellville, Arkansas, which degenerated into an all out brawl. The fighting peaked when Tutt supporter Alfred Burnes struck John Everett on the head with the blade of a hoe. Many fled, thinking Everett had been killed. However, he survived, despite receiving a severe gash in his head. Over the following four years, heated arguments between the factions would often lead to fist fights and brawls.

Violence increases, 1848–50

On October 9, 1848, the first gunfight took place. It happened in downtown Yellville and left John Everett dead. Two days later, the Everetts retaliated, shooting dead "Old" William King and his son Lumis. Billy King (William's son) and a friend called "Cherokee Bob", escaped with non-fatal wounds. Thereafter the rival factions engaged in gunfights almost every month, sometimes resulting in injuries but with no recorded deaths. That year, Ewell Everett was elected judge, and Tutt supporter George Adams became constable, which heightened tensions. Jesse Everett and Everett supporter Jacob Stratton and moved to Texas by the end of the year.

On July 4, 1849, Marion County Sheriff Jesse Mooney, who had a gained a tough reputation by killing or capturing several local outlaws, organized a posse to stop the feud. The same day, the biggest gunfight of the feud took place. The Everetts had gathered in Yellville in a building across the street from the saloon where the Tutt faction was known to be meeting.

Sheriff Mooney interceded and attempted to prevent violence. However, both sides ignored him and a gunfight broke out, with Sheriff Mooney and his posse caught in middle. The gunfight continued for hours. When their ammunition was finally exhausted, the Tutt and Everett men rushed into the street and continued the fight hand to hand with knives and clubs.

When it was over, Jack King, Bart Everett, Davis Tutt, Ben Tutt, and Lunsford Tutt all lay dead. John "Uncle Jacky" Hurst had been shot in the leg while jumping in front of Sheriff Mooney when Tutt supporter S.W. Ferrall fired at him. Others had been wounded. Dave Sinclair, the man suspected of killing John Everett, fled from Yellville. The Everett faction members trailed him and killed him the next day.

Jesse Everett, learning of his brother Bart's death, returned to Arkansas for revenge. Sheriff Mooney sent his son to Little Rock with an appeal for help from Governor Thomas Drew. Thomas Mooney saw the governor, but he disappeared on his return trip home. Although his horse was found, his body was never recovered, nor were killers ever identified.

Governor Drew ordered the militia to organize in neighboring Carroll County, Arkansas. The militiamen relieved Sheriff Mooney and took control of Yellville. Mooney has often been criticized for not stopping the violence, but there is little he could have done by himself. It was even hard to find deputies, since so many men in the county were aligned with one or the other of the factions.

The Carroll County militia arrested several members of the Everett faction, but when the militiamen went home six weeks later, the Everetts broke into the jail and freed their friends.

Hansford "Hamp" Tutt was shot and murdered along the banks of Crooked Creek by a mysterious stranger named the "Dutchman" from Texas who was hired by Everett. Afterwards, "The Dutchman" was never seen or heard from again.Everett and another follower fled to Shreveport, La. Everett died soon after in a cholera epidemic. Tutt and Everett now dead, effectively ended the feud.

Except for the Flynn–Doran Feud of the 1880s, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which preceded the Hot Springs Gunfight of 1899, this is the best known feud in Arkansas. Davis Tutt, who was a child at the time and whose father played a major part in the feud, moved west following his service in the Confederate Army. He was killed by Wild Bill Hickok on July 21, 1865 in one of the more famous Old West gunfights.

External links

Gunfights and feuds in the Old West

Gunfights	Hickok-Tutt Shootout Luke Short – Jim Courtright duel Gunfight at Hide Park Goingsnake Massacre Battle of Bates Point Northfield Bank Robbery Gunfight at Blazer's Mill Skeleton Canyon Massacres Long Branch Saloon Gunfight Variety Hall Shootout Mussel Slough Tragedy Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight Guadalupe Canyon Massacre Battle of the Plaza Gunfight at the O.K. Corral Trinidad Gunfight Vaudeville Theater Ambush Hunnewell Gunfight Frisco Shootout Short-Courtright Shootout Battle of Cimarron Canyon Diablo Train Robbery Wham Paymaster Robbery Battle of Coffeyville Battle of Stone Corral Battle of Tres Jacales Battle of Ingalls Gunfight at Morenci Skeleton Canyon Shootout Blackwell Gunfight Shootout on Juneau Wharf Hot Springs Gunfight Shootout at Wilson Ranch Fairbank Train Robbery Gunfight in Moab Battleground Gunfight Rock Springs massacre Chinese Massacre Cove Big Fight at the Jenkins Saloon Thibodaux Massacre Gunfight at Spokogee Canyon Diablo Shootout Shootout in Benson Naco Gunfight Battle of Eufaula Shootout in Sonoratown Gleeson Gunfight Power's Cabin Shootout Bellevue War Colorado Labor Wars Colorado Coalfield War Idaho labor strike Morewood massacre

Range wars	Johnson County War Mason County War Pleasant Valley War Castaic Range War Colorado Range War Colfax County War Lincoln County War San Elizario Salt War Bandit War Fence Cutting Wars Sheep Wars Sheepshooters' War Stuart's Stranglers Hashknife Outfit Deep Creek Murders Spring Creek Raid Barber–Mizell feud

Feuds	Tutt–Everett War Regulator–Moderator War Railroad Wars County seat war Lee-Peacock Feud Sutton–Taylor feud Horrell-Higgins Feud Brooks–Baxter War Colorado Railroad War Earp Vendetta Ride Dodge City War Las Cuevas War Flynn-Doran Feud Gray County War Jaybird–Woodpecker War Enid-Pond Creek Railroad War Brooks–McFarland Feud Reese–Townsend feud McIntosh County Seat War Deschutes Railroad War Boyce–Sneed Feud

See also	Wild West Duels Big Springs Robbery Lexington Murders Bisbee Massacre Hay Meadow Massacre Baxter's Curve Train Robbery Jarbidge Stage Robbery Placer County Railroad War County seat war Jonathan R. Davis Alfred Packer Fast draw

Further information: List of Old West gunfights, List of Old West gunfighters and List of Old West lawmen

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