The Southern Mercury. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 24, No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 28, 1904 Page: 8 of 8
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THE SOUTHERN MERCURY.
#IT
EXAS NEWS
*
*
IN BRIEF
*
San Antonio, Tex., April 21. The
postmasters' convention re-elected the
old officers by acclamation. Austin is
the next meeting place.
Lancaster, Tex., ^pril 21.-Thei Dal-
las district conference of the M. K.
church convened here yesterday for
three a days' session. A largfe attend-
ance is present. Among them are
many Dallas ministers and members.
Austin, Tex.. April 21.—The state
board of medical examiners is in sea.
sion to-day. About one hundred ap-
ulicants are in attendance, who will
make an effort to secure license to
practice medicine and midwifery.
Austin Tex.. April 21.—San Jucinto
,1av is being observed here to-day.
The annual cel'bration of the Austin
jirp department is now in progress at
Fease I'ark. Business is entirely sus-
pended and the state departments
closed.
San Antonio, Tex., A pi 11 21.—P. M.
Dickey an I wife are suing the Gas-
hill carnival company In the Kifty-
v, veilth district court for $25,000 dam-
ages for the death of Henry Clayton
Dickey, killed while practicing the
loop-tlie-loop on a bicycle here on
March 24.
Greenville, Tex., April 21.—In the
district court yesterday W. H. Lax was
allowed to plead guilty to two cases
of assault on young girls and received
a life sentence In each case. There is
a charge of murder against him In the
sixty-second district court, to which
he will plead guilty when Judge Mon-
trose returns and will receive a life
sentence.
Corslcana, Tex., April 20.—A rent
house owned by Shelley Church, the
barn of Rev. Abe Mulkey, and servant
house of Dr. A. C. Sloan \?ere destroy-
ed by Are here enrly this morning, and
two residences damaged. The loss Is
about $3000; Insurance about half.
Postmaster J. W. A. Clark's resi-
dence was slightly damaged.
Waxahachle, Tex., April 21.—At .1
meeting last night of the board of trus-
tees of Trinity University, Dr. A. K.
Turner of Waynesburg, Pa., was elect-
ed president of the university to suc-
ceed Dr. l-i. C. Klrkes, recently resign-
ed. For the past four years Dr. Tur-
ner has been president of Waynesburg
college, one of the leading denomina-
tional schools of Pennsylvania.
Marlln Fire Arms trophy; fifth event.
20 targets, $15 added money; sixth
event. 25 target*, $20 added money;
seventh event, 26 targets, (20 added
money; ninth event, 15 targets. $15
added money; tenth event, team shoot,
three team* of four men, 15 targets,
$15 added money.
Second day—Warm up, 10 targets;
first event, 15 targets, $10 added money;
second event, 20 targets, 415 added
money; third event, 25 targets, $20
added money; fourth event, 20 tar-
gets, winner receives Schmelsser cup;
fifth event, ^0 targets, $15 added
money; sixth event, 25 targets, $20
added ifconey; seventh event, 20 tar-
gets, $15 added money; eighth event,
20 targets, $10 added money; ninth
event, 20 targets, $20 added money;
tenth event, 15 targets, $15 added
money.
All amateurs ore Invited to be pres-
ent und participate in the shoot.
Waco, Tex., April 21.—The initial
steps for a campaign of this county tor
a bond Issue for the Improvement of
the public roads have been taken, and
the Business Men's club of Waco de-
cided at a directors' meeting that this
matter should be pushed as energetic-
ally as possible, believing that It means
more for the county than any other
proposition which could be brought
forward. Many of the farmers arc
anxious for the bond Issue, realizing
that It would mean a comparatively
small outlay for them annually while
'the Improvement of the thoroughfares
would Increase the value of lands, af-
ford facilities for getting to market,
make country life more desirable and
pleasant, and afford better opportunl-
fies for children getting to school, etc.
The chairman of the good roads com-
mittee, President S. P. Brooks of Bay-
lor, nas been asked, in connection with
his committee, to formulate some prac-
tical plan for conducting the campaign
for a bond issue, and this plan will
likely be presented at the next meet-
ing of the dub. It looks as though the
question would not be allowed to lag
but would be pushed forward to settle-
ment. There are many earnest advo-
cates of good roads In this section.
Fort Worth, April 21.—Mineral Wells,
Marlin, 121 Paso and Beaumont ure
candidates for the thirty-second an-
nual convention of the grand lodge of
the Knights of Pythias, with chances
favorable to Mineral Wells securing the
meeting. Mayor Frank Hlghsmlth and
a large delegation of Mineral Wells
citizens will leave for Houston this
week to attend the grand lodge jn
April 26 to secure the convention.
Hillsboro, Tex., April 51.—J.
Stevens, chairman of the Hill county
Democratic executive committee, has
called the committee to meet here on
the 2nd of May to make arrangements
for the primaries to be hel«l July !) and
for any other business which may be
presented. In the call Mr. Stevens al-
ludes to the presidential election and
declares for Hearst, saying: "I belong
to that school of Democrats who be-
lieve In party fealty and that election
Waco, Tex., April 21.—The first con-
crete for the foundations of the Ma-
sonic temple was put clown yesterday,
nnd will be followed at once by the
brick foundations, under direction of
Superintendent of Construction H. W.
Cluskey. The foundations will be -of
Waco brick, Mr. Cluskey states, nnd
the first story will be of the dark
gray Norman brick. The other stories
"w ill be of some beautiful brick which
will present a strong contrast with the
first story. It Is thought that If
weather is suitable there will be no
difficulty about getting the work far
enough along to have the corner stone
laying on May 11, the date set.
Waco, Tex., April 21.—City Marshal
John Dolllns has designated, May 10
as the date on which a public meeting
will be held In Waco on the subject of
nu industrial school for boys, the Idea
having been originated by the police
chiefs of Texas, who realized the need
of institutions of this 'character. At
the time mentioned, Kev. Jerome Har-
nlson, an eminent worker in this cause,
will be present and address; the gath-
ering along these lines. In an effort to
Increase and crystallze sentiment.
Orahnin, Tex.. April 21.—The pros-
pects for rain are still good, but no
rain of any consequence has fallen in
this vicinity for several months. Wheat
and oats nre given up entirely and
many farmers have no) planted corn
yet. They are patiently waiting for
rain to put In both corn and cotton;
but all Young county can produce more
tinder unfavorable circumstances than
any county In the state, and the
farmers are hopeful of abundant corn
and cotton crops, when the rains do
come.
McKinney. Tex., April 23.—The store
of J. R. Clemmons & Co. at Frisco, was
burglarized und watches, pistols and
knives to the amount of over one hun-
dred dollars were taken.
McKinney, Tex., April 22.—The Mc-
Kinney fire department has decided to
hold its annual memorial services at
the l'lrst Methodist church the second
Sunday In May. Rev. W. A. Stuckey,
the pastor, will deliver the sermon.
Fort AVorth, April 22.—George C.
Ward, aged llfty-clght years, died this
morning at his residence on Galveston
avenue. He was chief deputy district
clerk, a position that he has Held for
the past twenty years. He was a Con-
federate soldier. The cause of his
deuth was general debility.
•
Fort Wlrth, April 22.—Chapter No.
13, Daughters of the Republic of Tex-
as, Is being organized to-day, the or-
ganization being conducted by M-s. H.
C. Edrlngton and Mrs. E. W. McKIn-
zle, of Fort Worth. It will be called
"Anspn Jones chapter." Members from
outside chapters were present.
Greenville, Tex., April 22.—A num-
ber of Knights of Pythias were here
today lo arrange for the big picnic to
be held here May 25th. It will be the
blggert picnic ever held by them. Rep-
resentatives were here from the Texas
Midland towns from Paris to Ennis,
besides several other places.
Greenville, Tex., April 22.—Miss
Maldie Watkin of Dallas gave a bril-
liant musical recital here in the King
opera house last night. She was as-
sisted by Mrs. T. H. Connelly, Mrs.
W. P. Reeves nnd Mrs. Archie Morris,
local singers. Miss Watkin was the
guest here of Miss Gladys Holmes.
Fort Worth. Tex.. April 21.—The
Texas Veterans, with the Daughters of
the Republic, held memorial services
In the Christian tabernacle today.
Rev. James S. Myers and Attorney
Sidney C. Samuels were the orators of
the occasion. Miss Katie DatTln. in-
troduced a resolution, which was
adopted. e king the legislature to as-
sist In purchasing the Alamo mission.
The concluding session will be Wold
this afternoon, when reports of the va-
rious committees will be received.
The P.ioneers of Texas association
Will be in session this afternoon.
Cleburne. Tex., April 22.—The Odd
Fellows of" Cleburne have purchased
the lot at corner of Henderson and
Wllhlte streets and will soon begin the
erection of an Odd Fellows hall. There
are two Odd Fellow lodges In the city
and both have a large and growing
membership and have how decided to
have a home of their own.
Waco, Tex., April 22.—In a smash-up
on the Citizens' Street railway yester-
day afternoon ivhlle handling crowds
during the base ball and military dis-
plays two boys were hurt. Tom Whlt-
ten was hurt In the hip and Braxton
Wade, whose home Is In Elgin, was In-
jured by having his ankle bone broken,
sustaining a few other minor hurts.
Both are doing nicely at this writing.
Greenville, Tex., April 22.—A ■ dis-
patch as received yesterday from Ok-
lahoma City, stntlng that Mrs. A. I,.
Gee Is dangerously ill there of pneu-
monia. She was visiting her daughter,
Mrs. Booth Clegg. Her children, Miss
Corlno, Charles and Ashley, left this
morning for that place. Mrs. Gee is
widow of Dr. A. I,. Gee and is one
of the oldest and most respected ladles
of the city.
Cleburne, Tex., April 21.—Notice lias
been served on the citizens of Cle-
burne by the mayor, marshal and city
fittorney to tlie effect that the streets
and alleys must be clenned up nnd
kept clean and that the law governing
the throwing of slop and rubbish Into
the streets and alleys will be rigidly
enforced and that the/torlng of bug-
gies, wagons and other, vehicles In
streets- and back alleys will no longer
be tolerated. - .
The new administration has demon-
strated |ts Intention to have a "clean-
er Cleburne."1
Abilene, Tex., April $1.—The fourth
annual shoot of the Abilene Rod and
Oun club will be held at Abilene, May
13 and 14, 1904. The following la the
program: •
First day—Warm up, 10 targets;
first event, 15 targets, $10 added
money; second event, 10 targets, $20
added money: third event, 20 tnrgets,
111 money; fourth event, 2S targets,
Cleburne. Tftc., April 22.—Workmen
yesterday completed the line of tele-
graph being put In between this city
nnd Mexla, a distance of seventy-sev-
en miles. This line connects Clvburn \
Covington, Osceola, Hillsboro. Malone,
Hubbard City, Coolldge and Mexla, .ill
towns along the Texas and Brazos Val-
ley railway.
Mahnnk. Tex., April 22.—Since the
securing of the big cotton mill und a
new railroad for Mabunk new enter-
prises are being promoted here almost
weekly. The latest Important enter-
prise to ho talked of now Is another
Independent telephone company, capi-
talized by home people.
Mabank already has an Independ-
ent telephone service and the South-
western. Steps are also being taken
to Incorporate the town.
Hillsboro, Tex., April 22.-^The wa-
ter question has come to the front
again and it is likely that the arteslnn
well which wa started a little over
two years ago by one city administra-
tion and abandoned by the succeeding
one. will be completed. There is *
scarcity of water which has compelled
the city to cease sprinkling the streets
and there are fears that the supply
will be very shdrt in July and August.
The matter Will be determined at the
next session of the city council.
Austin, Tex., April 22.—'The resi-
dence and furniture of W. E. Har-
wood, state agent of a big flour con-
cern here, wet* totally destroyed by
flre yesterday afternoon at 1:10 o'clock.
The residence Is located at No. 1104
Blanco street, and before any of the
firemen reached the scene the house
and furniture was almost a complete
loss.
The flre department responded but
was unable to do anything towards
saving the burning house. Mr. Har-
wood estimates his loss at about $4000
to the house and contents, the house
being estimated at $2500 and the fur-
niture and fixtures at $1500. He car-
ried between $1200 and $1500 insur-
ance.
Austin. Tex., April 22.—The state
board of medical examiners began a
three days' session here yesterday
morning at 9 o'clock at the Eighth
Street Firemen's hall. There are U6
applicants who will stand the exami-
nation and they were busy all day yes-
terday on their papers. •
There are among the number three
women and six colored applicants.
Two of the women are taking the ex-
amination to practice midwifery,
while the other is taking the regular
examination. It will very likely be
next Monday before the result is an-
nounced of those who have passed
successfully.
Most of the members of the board
and many of the applicants have de-
cided to remain In Austin for the an-
nual meeting of the staje medical as-
sociation, which convenes on April 26.
—or
Austin, Tex., April 22.—C. B. Goocli,
a brakeman on tho Houston and Texas
Central railway, had a narrow escape
about 1 o'clock yesterday morning near
Manor. He was going on a "n on a
freight train and while tho train was
going at quite a rapid rate of speed
he accidentally slipped off the caboose.
He fell heavily to the ground and sus-
tained several slight bruises, but was
not budly Injured. The train proceed-
ed, leaving Gooch behind.
He boarded an engine and was
brought buck to Austin yesterday
morning and went to his home.
———
San Antonio, Tex., April 21.—The
nineteenth annual encampment, de-
partment of Texas, Grand Army of tho
Republic, opened here yesterday. De-
partment Commander John H. Botton
and Adjutant A. I. Lock wood were
present, but both vice commanders
absent. Delegates reported from posts
at Sherman, Galveston, San Antonio,
Denlson, Dallas, Brackettvllle, Lam-
pasas, Georgetown, Paris, Belton, Dub-
lin, Mason, Gebtown, Waco, and Beau-
mont.
The delegates were welcomed to the
city at the Empire opera house by
Acting Mayor Vories P. Brown, and
responsive speeches were made by
Commander Botton, Post Commander
Moore and others. Captain D. E.
Grove of Dallas, a Confederate, also
addressed the delegates.
At the business meeting held In Odd
Fellows' hall reports showed thirty-
three posts In Texas, with a total mem-
bership of 665. The Woman's Relief
Corps, an auxiliary organization of
women, Is In session at Knights of
Pythias hall, and Is well attended.
Among those present are Mrs. Sarah
D. Wlnans of Troy, Ohio, national
president, nnd Mrs. Jennie S. Wright,
national secretary.
Austin, Tex., April 22.—To-day, April
the 22d, marks the sixty-eighth anni-
versary of the capture of Santa Anna,
president of Mexio and commander ot
the Mexican army, so nearly annihi-
lated on the 21st, the day previous, by
Gen. Sam Houston.
In this renowned victory the printers
of Texns bore their part, and James
A. .Sylvester, a young printer, had the
distinction of capturing this arch-fiend,
arch-tyrant and urch-enemy of Texas
and Texans.
The story Is, the next day some of
Gen. Ed Burleson's men were out
searching for the few stragglers who
had escaped capture the dny before, In
ull nbout 100, when young Sylvester
noticed a deer watching a tall tuft of
coast grass. He approached the spot
and saw that a Mexican soldier in com-
mon private's dress was the object
which had been interesting the deer.
He was apparently dead, and this be-
ing no unusual sight he merely remark-
ed. "There lies another Mexican that
we killed yesterday; but to be sure
he is dead I'll sertd another ball through4
his body." He raised his rifle nnd was
in the very act of firing when the Mex-
ican sprang to his feet and begged to
be spared, using the best Engilsh he
could command.
Of course he was not shot, but his
captor had no Idea of his rank. A gold
button on his Jacket sleeve excited his
suspicion that the prisoner was an
officer. ■ He was conducted to Houston's
headquarters, some accounts say -be-
hind Joel W. Robinson and some claim
behind young Sylvester, on a mule, and
as they passed some Mexican prisoners
they looked In the wildest alarm and
exclaimed, "El Presldente! El presl-
dente!" It was only now that this
young patriot printer knew the value
of his prisoner.- Sylvester was only
nineteen years old. and it Is related
that when he learned that he had cap-
tured the president of Mexico and com-
mnnder-ln-chlef of the Mexican army
he felt himself to be almost as Im-
portant as Gen. Houston.
The scouting party that escorted the
Mexican general to Houston's head-
quarters was composed of James A.
Svlvester, Joel W. Robinson, A. H.
Miles and David Cole.
Austin, Tex., April 22.—Gen. Hare,
t ap). Baldwin and Capt. AHen, of the
United St'ates army, who were detailed
to Inspect the companies composing the
Nntlonal Guard have completed the
work, but have not furnished the ad-
jutant general with reports. When
these reports are made the compnnies
will be scored and official announce-
ments made of which goes to St. Louis
te represent the state during the
World's Fair.
Adjt. Gen. Hulen returned yesterday
from Fort Worth, where he had been
on business connected with the Texas
National guard..
- Information has been received that
the military company at Rogers has
been re-organized nnd will mnke ap-
plication for reinstatement In the Texas
National guard. The company will bo
Inspected when the application Is acted
on.
Adjt. Gen. John A. Hulen Issued the
following special order yesterday:
Headquarters T. N. G., Adjutant Gen-
eral's Office, Austin, Tex., April 21.—
Pursuant to special orders No. 27, A. G.
O., April 14, 1904, Hospital Sergeant
Henry E. Yarborough, hospital corps,
Texas National guard, will appear be-
fore the board of q/TVcers as constituted
by said orders at Austin, Tex., April
26, 1904, for examination for appoint-
ment as first lieutenant and assistant
surgeon of the medical department,
whenever a vacnncy occurs, in the
event thnt he Is recommended for pro-
motion.
Sergeant Yarborough will attend the
meetings of the board without expense
to the state.
Austin, April 22.—One of the most
fiendish crimes which has ever hap-
pened In Travis county occcurred yes-
terday afternoon about 5 o'clock on the
Wilbarger Creel? bridge the New
Sweden road, about one-half mile east
of the town of Manor, this countv,
about UUrteen milM east of Austin on
the Houston and Texas Central rail-
way, wber Miss Lula Bar dberg, a
beautiful a teen-year-old girl, daugh-
ter of a Mrs. Sandberg, was cruelly
murdered after a desperate attempt
bad been made to commit an assault
on her person.
Strong evidence of guilt points to a
negro who has been at Manor a few
days and who now cannot be found.
The terrible crime created great excite-
ment among the people of Manor and
In the adjacent territory and posses are
now scouring the country In every dl-
re^..on 'or ,he fiend in human form.
Miss Sandberg and her mother lived
on a farm about a mile and a half eait
of the town of Manor, and yesterday
afternoon about 4 o'clock Miss Sand-
berg started to Manor In a buggy alone.
In another buggy, her cousin, Gustav
I1 rlfz. started from the Sandberg home,
a few minutes later. He stopped on
the way to talk with the brother of
the dead girl, who has a farm In that
neighborhood, and this made Miss
Sandberg about twenty minutes ahead
of him. After talking some time he
proceeded on his journey to Manor and
when he arrived on the Wilbarger
Creek bridge he saw a short distance
away the horse which had been driven
by Miss Sandberg, still attached to the
buggy, and the vehicle was all tangled
in a lot of barbed wire, but the girl
was nowhere to be found. He feared
at once that something had happened
to his cousin and he began a search in
the vicinity. About fifty yards from
where the horse was standing, In a
clump of bushes In the George Love-
less pasture, he saw a sight that he
will never forget. Lying before him
in a pool of her own blood was the
body of the girl, with her throat cut
from ear to ear. The body was still
warm.
He was horrified at the sight and
at once got into his buggy and proceed-
ed to Manor and gave the alarm. This
at once threw the town Into great ex-
citement and a crowd of citizens, in-
cluding the local officers, proceeded to
the spot. An investigation was at
once started and a short distance from
where the body of tlje girl was lying,
was found a coat and a small grip. In
the coat was, among other things, a
note book which bore the name of
Henry Flmonds. Other articles found
In the coat indicated that it was the
property of Flmonds. The grip con-
tained several razors and other bar-
ber's tools, which.also bore the name
of a negro barber. This settled the
question and search was at once begun
for the negro.
Constable Zack Puckett of Manor at
once notified Sheriff George Matthews
here and the latter left at once for
Manor to participate In the search. As
Travis county luui no blood hounds,
the officers at Elgin, In Bastrop coun-
ty, were notified and asked for some
blood hounds. The blood hounds were
at once secured and they have been
put on the trail and It is expected that
it will be only a short time before the
negro Is captured.
Great excitement prevails at Manor
on account of the outrage, and ad-
vices from there last night were to the
effect that, while the people of the
town were Inclined to let the law take
its course, there was no telling what
the fate of the negro would be if cap-
tured.
It is feared that/ the negro will be
lynched or perhaps meet a worse fate
If captured while the enraged pursuers
are In their present frame of mind.
The body of the dead girl was pick-
ed up and carried to her home, where
an investigation was made by two lo-
cal doctors, and, from what was learn-
ed lost night, theyi are of the opinion
that an attempt wasi made to criminal-
ly assault the glrL4iut he did not ac-
complish his purpose. < Her clothes
were badly torn and thene are other
evidences that she had been roughly
handled before being murdered.
The negro suspected of the crime has
been In Manor oniy a few days, com-
ing here from Buda. He Is about
twenty-four years old and a large mu-
latto. He was seen during the after-
noon of the dny before picking dew-
berries with some negro women.
The Sandbergs nre prominent people
in that section and well-to-do farfhers
and have lived in, that section for
many years. Mrs. Sandberg is a wid~
ow.
Up to a late hour the negro had not
been captured.
♦ ♦ ♦
Austin, Tex., April 25.—The black
fiend who outraged and murdered Miss
Lula ^ Sandberg, the sixteen year old
daughter of Mrs. Sandberg, near Man-
or, on the afternoon of April 21, was
captured bere this morning at 9 o'clock.
He was asleep In a barn at the resi-
dence of Oliver Brush, at the corner
of Eighth and Colorado streets. He is
snid to have been there for the past
two days. He was without a coat and
barefooted, and was at once Identified
as the right negro. He wa$ given away
by a negress domestic on the place.
The officers wore at once notified and
Officers Gibson, Plate and several oth-
ers quickly hustled the negro off to
police headquarters, .which Is situated
only across the street. The sheriff's
department was notified and several
officers quickly reached the scene nnd
In a closed carriage the negro was
driven to the county jail, where he
was lacked up.
The news of the capture spread like
wild flre. and In a few minutes hun-
dreds of citizens had congregated in
the jail yard, although so far no dem-
onstration to storm the Jail has been
made.
The people of Manor were advised,
nnd it is feared thnt when they reach
here this afternoon there will be
trouble.
The governor's Cadets and the Aus-
tin Rifles. Austin's two local military
companies, were ordered out at the
request of the sheriff, nnd the officers
are determined to protect the prisoner
at all hazards.
The negro actually smiled and thank-
ed God that he reached the Jail In
safety.
He admits that he Is the man want-
ed but will not talk of the crime. Great
excitement prevails in the city and as
soon as the people from the country
reneh here then It Is that trouble mny
be expected.
Threats of lynching nre heard on
the streets nnd around the courthouse.
Waco, Tex.. April 23,—At a meeting
of the county Democratic executive
committee thls^mornlng It was decided
to comply with the request of the s|at>
committee and call precinct conven-
tions for June 4 and county conventions
for June 11 to select delegates to the
state convention.
Austin. Tex.. April 23.—Judge Julius
Schultz, one of the most prominent
Germnn newspaper men in the South
nnd editor of the Texas Vorwarts of
this city, died here this morning of
pneumonia.' He was born "in Dessau.
Germany, March 21. 1835. He was the
national grand president of the Sons
of Hermann, nnd for years one of the
most prominent men In the Texas
Snengerfest society. .
Nacogdoches. Tex., April 23.—Re-
ports from the farm of Miss Alice
Webb of Redfietd Is that a considerable
storm" occurred there yesterday. The
tenant houses under construction and
the shade over the tobacco field were' aidered. Judge Prouty stated that the
blown down and part of the section 1 matter frould be reviewed by the en-
house of the Houston, East and West i tire oojrimlssioh, and a finding would
Texas railroad was destroyed. be handed down soon.
Fort Worth, Tex., April 23.—A tele-
gram received this morning from C.
W. Woodman, representative ot the
State Federation of Labor under in-
structions of President Gompers,
states that he has succeeded iri settling
the strike trouble among 300 laborers
employed by the Trinity Lumber com-
pany at Groveton. Woodman succeed-
ed in securing a monthly pay day, one
of the contentions. The men have all
returned to work. No further trouble
Is anticipated.
Waco, Te*., April 23.—In making an
effort to fight the boll weevH It looks as
though a large acreage of cowpeas will
be planted in this section. Quite a
number of farmers will try this experi-
ment, it being claimed that cowpeas
and boll weevil cannot Btay in the
same field, or that the weevil dislikes
the peas so that a hasty departure is
made when a meeting occurs. The peas
are fine feed for cows and even if they
do not hold weevil in check they will
do much good by furnishing feed of
the kind mentioned.
Waco, Tex., April 23.—The rains
which fell on Thursday night in this
section were welcomed by all and will
do great good to small grain especially.
As a matter of fact nearly everything
will be benefited, as high winds had
taken much moisture from the ground.
While small grain was not In actuai
need of rain it would have been In a
very short time. The precipitation In
Waco was an Inch and one-tenth, wa-
ter coming down in sheets for a time.
There was some hall, but no special
damage was done. It was general over
this section.
Sherman, Tex., April 23.—The meet-
ing of the Sherman District Methodist
Episcopal conference at Van Alstyne
will be formally opened Monday night
with a sermon by Rev. J. B. Dodson,
pastor of the Memorial church in this
city.
Rev. E. W. Alderson, also of this city,
is the presiding elder of the district
and Revs. P. C. Archer, J. B. Dodson
and R. N. Brown are members of the
conference. /
C. W. McElreath, G. B. Patty and
John R. Davis are delegates from the
Key Memorial church and the Travis
Street church Is to be represented by
W. E. Oxford, E. S. Jones and L. J.
Reynolds.
' Considerable business ts booked to
come before the conference and an in-
teresting meeting is promised.
Houston, April 23.—The second day
of the English singing societies festi-
val was the last. The concerts were
well attended, and there was much ap-
plause of the numbers on the program.
Houston was selected as the next
meeting place. President D. D. Bryan
was re-elected by acclamation, being
given full credit for the success of the
undertaking.
Fort Worth was a candidate for the
next meeting until the- date was set,
when the invitation was withdrawn be-
cause the auditorium will not be com-
pleted.
El Paso, April 23.—Doubtless the
most destructive forest flre that has
raged in America for many years Is
now sweeping one of the ranges in the
Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico, 175
miles southwest of El Paso. The
flames haye been raging for two
weeks, consuming a tract of timber
about 100 miles in length. In this tim-
ber belt is a part of- the para#se of big
game in America, and deer, bear,
and mountain lions have been driven
out of the forest and down into the
valleys, many of the animals, having
come into the Mormon settlements at
night for food and drink.
The property loss Is enormous, the
timber being oak and pine. At night
the heavens are brilliantly illuminated
from the mountain sides, The forests
are situated principally on the lands'of
Governor Terrazas of Chihuahua, and
the governor has sent many men to
fight the flre.
Vernon, Tex., April 23.—A light rain
fell in Vernon late yesterday evening,
which laid the dust and wet the
ground about two inches. The ground
is very dry and crops are suffering
badly. The wheat nnd oat crops will
be practically a failure in this county.
Corn is coming up on the sandy land,
but will not hold on long unless it
rains. The eastern, and northern por
tions of thfe county have not suffered
so much and the rain yesterday seemed
to be heavier in those portions.
Austin, April 23.—The published re-
port of the marked success of G. W,
Marston, a member of the Louisiana
boll weevil commission, in exterminat
ing the boll weevil pest in. cotton fields
near Lockhart, where he has been con
ducting experiments for the past few
weeks, and the fact that he uses the
cheap and simple method of Paris
green, is causing the greatest interest
to be taken in the matter by the cot-
ton growers throughout the state, ac-
cording to leters received by members
of the Texas boll weevil commission.
It Is very evident that Mr. Marston's
remedy will be given a thorough trial
by many others, and if it possesses the
merits which he claims for it there
will be little damage done to Texas
cotton by that pest in the future.
There is already some discussion as
to whether Mr. Marston will put in a
claim for the reward of $50,000 offered
by the state ■ of Texas to the person
who discovers a successful-and practi-
cal remedy fbr eradicating the pest
should his Paris green discovery do the
work to the satisfaction of the Texas
boll weevil commission. It is the opin-
ion here that the fact that he holds
an official position as a member of the
Ix>uisiana commission need not debnr
him from profiting to the fullest pos-
sible extent by his discovery.
Gainesville, Tex., April 23.—J. C.
Humphreys, aged about 22, yesterday
secured a marriage license to marry
Esther Carpenter, and proceeded to
Burns to marry her. She refused, and
requested thnt the nuptials be post-
poned until the fall.
Humphreys stepped into the yard,
placed a pistol in Ills mouth and pulled
the trigger, blowing the top of his
head off.
Humphreys resides here. Miss Car-
penter resides near Burns. Humphreys
had been In ill-health for some time,
for which cause she wished the cere-
mony postponed.
Denison, Tex., April 23.—The boiler-
makers at the Katy shops nre laying
off pending the settlement of a griev-
ance which they have with the com-
pany. The bollermakers walked out at
noon,yesterday und the helpers were
sent borne by the company. The night
force is also laying off.
The grievance is said to be occa-
sioned by the foreman of the boiler
shops laying off one of tho men with-
out just cause, contrary to the agree-
ment which exists between the union
and the railroad company. The men
are not talking much about the walk-
out, but it is stated that in all prob-
ability the grievance will be satisfac-
torily settled in a few days.
Judge Charles A. Prouty, of the in-
terstate commerce commission, and J.
J McAuliffe, clerk, arrived in the city
yesterday and yesterday afternoon
took up the hearing of the complaint
of the Denlson Electric Light and
Power company against the Missouri,
"Kansas and Texas railroad.
J. P. Crearer. president of the Denl-
son and Sherman railway, on behalf of
his company, also protested against
the coal rate. M. J. Fitzgerald, of the
Denison City Water company, also
Joined in the protest.
P. H. Tobln, of the Denlson Crystal
Ice company and the Denlson Compress-
company, was present
George Stoner, agent of the Katy,
represented the railway. The hearing
was concluded and each side was asked
to send any further statements they
nuty have to make to the commission .it
WMfciaeiMt *nd JUMz would H
Houston, April 23.—The directors of
the Rice association of America met
here yesterday In regular session with
a majority of the directors present.
The secretary's report showed that to
date the sum contributed for the car-
rying on of the rice kitchen at the
World's Fair amounts to $10,045, and
the total disbursements have been
$6926. An additional $7000 is needel
within the next ten days in order to
meet obligations. The building where-
in the kitchen is to be conducted has
been completed.
A committee compc 3 of Messrs.
JJreaux, Vineyard and Allison was ap-
pointed to devise ways and means for
raising the funds necessary to pay off
the contractors and others.
Mr. Breaux, on solicitation, is to
stay in Houston some days to canvass
for subscriptions, and his assistant, Mr.
Balache, will canvass the smaller
Louisiana towns.
In speaking of the Gates combine
Mr. Breaux said that the New Orleans
men were not hostile, but intimated
that they were not optimistic concern-
ing its organization.
Secretary Allison said if Hie propo-
sition had achieved no other object it
had brought about a thorough under-
standing between the Texas and Louis-
iana rice men, which was bound to be
helpful to the Industry and sectional
feeling.
Beaumont, April " 23.—The recent
steady advance in the price of oil has
put new life into the development in
the old fields with the result that
Spindleto-* Sour Lake and Batson are
now steadily increasing in production.
Mr. S. W. Pipkin, president of the
Paraffilne Oil companv, the original
company at Batson. has compiled some
figures showing the production of the
Batson field. He finds that out of
about fifty wells being operated there in-
being produced a total of about 16,000
barrels of oil per day.
From a source considered entirely
reliable the production of Sour Lake
is now estimated at 22,000 barrels per
day and reports during the past few
days indicate that some new wells
which have been drilled by the Texas
company are much better producers
than was anticipated. The price of oil
at present makes it profitable to oper-
ate many small wells which were torch-
ed to close down when oil was worth
only 25 and 30 cents per barrel.
It is also estimated by men thorough-
ly in touch with the field that Spindle-
top is producing an 1 average
of about 8000 barrels per day. This
estimate of Spindletop may be some-
what low but it is vouched for by those
who are in a position to know and they
say that 8000 is the figure. This makes
a total of about 50,000 produced in the
three largest fields in this section and
to that may be added a small produc-
tion from Saratoga. So with a produc-
tion of only 50,000 barrels a day it 's
not probable that the price of oil will
go down from the nresent unless some
new field is discovered.
Houston, Tex., April 23.—The Hard-
ware Jobbers' association of Texas has
held Its last session in the city, elected
officers and adjourned. The only thing
that remains* to complete the doings
of the session Is the social feature of
the program, which will be consum-
mated in an excursion down Buffalo
Bayou to-day.
The names which will be at the head
of the organization for the next term
are as follows: J. C. Bering, presi-
dent; Charles Nash, vice president; J.
L. Taylor, second vice president; B. F.
Belt, secretary-treasurer.
The executive committee is compos-
ed of the following gentlemen: F. A.
Heitmann, Ed S. Hughes of Abilene,
James Moroney of Dallas, and W. L.
Sanford of Sherman. The annual
meeting of the association will be held
in Sherman next year.
The afternoon session of the asso-
ciation was called to order by Presi-
dent Bering promptly at 3 o'clock and
continued in "Session until nearly 6.
With the exception of the election of
officers and determining upon the place
for holding the next session, the meet-
ing was altogether executive. Beyond
the meager details already given noth-
ing has been given out for publication.
It is understood, however, that consid-
erable business of great Importance to
the trade was discussed In the session,
and the results of this discussion may
soon be apparent throughout the busi-
ness circles of the state.
In conversation with one of the
members of the association in pttdhd-
ance at the meeting he said that ^tlie
association had never before been call-
ed upon to go into the discussion of
matters of more cohcern to the hard-
ware trade of Texas than was the case
at this meeting, and that it would be
very likely to have a far-reaching ef-
fect upon the trade of the state.
Sherman, Tex., April 25.->-P. W. Ter-
ry, of the firm of Porter & Terry, left
yesterday for Texarkana, where he
goes to assume control of the im-
mense tract of land recently pur-
chased by this firm and other parties.
The transaction which was closed
up only about two weeks ngo, and
conveyed 21,000 acres of Red river
valley land in consideration of $150,-
000 cash in hand, constituted one of
the largest deals of the kind ever re-
corded. and when placed In cultivation
will be the largest plantation in the
world so far as known.
The work of clearing will begin at
once and as nil the timber is to be
utilized, hardwood plants, tramways,
and all else necessary to handling it
rapidly nnd profitably will be supplied.
Work will begin soon on the construc-
tion of ten miles of road and at one of
its terminals will be a large company
store and all necessary houses for the
occupancy of employes. This place
will be known as Terry In honor of the
manager, who will have offices, for
the present In Texarkana.
was completely demolished, and Mra
Majors very seriously Injured and E.
W. Majors and Mrs. C. T. Harp, his sor
and daughter were also injured. Th«
home of W. W. Arnold was shattered
and strewn for hundreds of yards, and
Mr. Arnold, his wife and a young lady
visiting them, were thrown in a heap
in the yard, anl Mrs. Arnold, striking
i on the well, fell into it. All three wer«
| injured.
I H. A. Smith had two houses com-
j pletely wrecked, his residence in town
! and the dwelling at his farm a mile
southwest. The latter was occupied by
J. P. Castlebury, who was seriously, if
not fatally. Injured. •
The dwellings of R. T. Wilkerson,
lawyer, and C. P. Shelby, merchant,
were so badly wrenchei that they will
be torn down.
The barn of J. L. Parchman was de-
stroyed and a buggy horse so badly in-
jured that It had to be killed by the
sheriff.
Evans Wright, colored, had two
houses completely destroyed, and in
one a child's leg was broken.
Trees, fences and telephone wires
were blown down.
A telephone message was received
for a doctor to go to Old Saltillo, about
six miles southwest to attend some one
injured there, but the extent of the
dumage In that section could not be
learned.
The path of the storm was very nar-
row and passed over a thinly populated
part of the town or the damage would
have been soniethie«; appalling.
At Wi sboro.
Winn ro, Tex., April 25.—A cyclone
of c< n arable se\ icy struck the
eastern part of 111 in town yesterday af-
ternoon about 4:30 o'clock, the wind
coming from the south.
The Gorman gin was the first prop-
erty it struck, tearing away the seed
house and all the flues and elevators
and doing some damage, to the main
building. The residence of Charles Cal-
licaath was completely demolished.
Grandma Callfcaath and Mrs. Sill
Calllcaath were sick In bed, and sev-
eral neighbor' ladies were there -at the
time of the storm. ,
Mrs. Thompson was severely injured
and.several others slightly. There were
in alf about sixteen houses wrecked and
more or less damaged.
This ia the worst storm that has been
here for several years Savcral ladies
are prostrated from the shock.
Mrs. Sill Callicaath is r.i?t expected to
live and Mrs. Clemton is In a very bad
condition.
At Mount Pleasant.
Mount Pleasant, Tex., April 25.—A
cyclone passed about five miles north-
west of this place last evening, cover-
ing a wide scope of country.
Wallace Reed's house was blowc
down, and although a number of peo-
ple were in the house, none were hurt.
Six persons were reported injured
Two of W. B. Mason's children are se-
riously hurt. A little child of Dick Kel-
ly is badly hurt, Mrs. Joe Fessell it
seriously injured and not expected tc
live. Several others whose names coulfi
not be learned are more or iess injured.
The damage to property is estimated
at about $2000.
Willis Ellis' hou.;e was destroyed and
Bridges chapel was blown from its
foundation.
Mt. Vernon, Tex., April 25.—The worst
cyclonb ever known in this section
struck Mt Vernon from the southwest
about 3:30 yesterday afternoon. Sleven
houses were blown down. f
The residence of J. H. Majors, vice
president oC the First National
Austin, Tex., April 25.—There are .10
records touching the early history of
Texas that give a clearer insight to the
conditions that prevailed In the early-
days, than the private letters address-
ed to the president of the republic, and
governors, after Texas became a state.
After the successful war the United
States had with Mexico in 1846, Texans
had no cause for alarm so far as a
foreign power was concerned, her only
source of trouble was from the num-
erous tribes of Indians In the coun-
try.
How to protect the people from their
murderous and thieving depredations
was the subject of much perplexity, as,
owing to the habitat of the Indians and
their manner of fighting the power ot
■the government could not be used
in the ordinary ways.
This state of affairs taxed the In-
genuity of the people, and called forth
many suggestions, one of the most
novel of which is contained in the fol-
lowing letter which was discovered,
during the week, among the archives
in the adjutant general's department;
Parker County, January 14, 1860.
Governor Houston:
My Dear Sir—The old adage th-it
experience keeps a dear school, and
fools will learn In no Other does not
apply to Texas of late, for that we are
not all the fools can be admitted and
hence the conclusion Is Irresistible that
smart men do not learn In that schoo";
for we know by long experience and
sad disappointment that our maraud-
ing Indians can not be chastised and
cured of their thieving by the old plan
of operations. Then why is it that
some new plan is not made and exe-
cuted? It is truly attonlshing.
Here the Indians are prowling among
us like so many wolves nearly all the
time, and by their cunning and vigi-
lance elude our most experienced fron-
tiersmen. Now sir, living as I do in the
southwest corner of our county and
much exposed, I still take Interest in
public affairs, Investigate matters In
general, and more especially such as I
have a direct interest in. I have arrived
at a conclusion, and will suggest a
plan which if put into execution will
secure peace on the frontier. I pro-
posed it when at the time our people
were at war on the Brazos reserve in
order to determine the question of their
guilt, but no one would adopt It.
My plan Is to bring blood hounds
Into the service, particularly along the
border settlements where there must
be a perpetual service of ranging. It
Is very plain that hounds would show
the whereabouts of the Indians.
Here Is a case in point; Just a little
west of me the Indians have been
skulking for a month or two. and three
or four companies of rangers moving
around and about without getting a
glimpse of them, and only day before
yesterday the rangers grot close enough
to get some of their robes but the
cedar brake in which they were hidden
secured their escape.
Now sir. I hope you will for once
drop the old plan and try something
new. one more likely to effect some-
thing and bring peace and security to
the frontier.
One thousand, or even five hundred
bloodhounds, added to a small border
force, would accomplish more good
than thousands of men to flounder over
the earth In the usual way. *
Why. sir if every time they come
upon our border the, found the dogs
were after them, they would ere long
be scarce.
I here drop the subiect, hoping you'
and the legislature wilt think, look, ex-
amine matters and take them for what
they are worth. My son, Joe, is 'now
suffering from a severe wound in the
knee Inflicted by the Indians one month
ago. Yours very trulv
SAMUEL SMITH.
I
''
San Antonio. Tex~ April 25.—Three
men were injured in an explosion of
an oil burning engine in the Southern
Pacific round house this morning.
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Park, Milton. The Southern Mercury. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 24, No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 28, 1904, newspaper, April 28, 1904; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth186045/m1/8/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .