Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-06-09


MURDERS Ayp DsPREDATIoEs os TIE FaOETIBR
The following was communicated to the Waco
(Texas) Democrat, Of The 18th b Mr. J. Z. L. Nc.
Cau, of that town:
William L Llsa.ef aud some twelve or fourteen
Others from Pao Pinto county, passed through Cora,
the county seas Of C0manche, Wednesday, of last
week, in pursui. Of some white men who had re
Gently, in copjuaetion with Indians, killed seven
persons ia Jack county, consisting Of James B.
Cameron, vile and thFea chHdrsn, and Thomas Ma
sen aud wife.
From Mr.. Lasa.e- learned that the killing &C.
Cured OF Thursday Of the week before, and in the
day after the murder, The nearesE aFighbor to Co.
meron some three miles distant, happened TO 20 to
his house found Cameron'5 body in the field, and
the body of his wife IN the pen with her infant
alive in her arms. The neighbOr went on 10 the
house Of Mason, found the doors closed, and upon
inquiry, found a little girl, some five or six years
of age inside with the dead bodies Of her parents.
The little girl gave description Of the murdsrers,
some of them white persons, and some Of them In
dams party was Immediately made up and pur-
suit undertaken. Mr.. Lasster followed the trail for
while through the mountains, until it struck into
the settlements and then through thiokets and IN
settled portions Of the country, evidently avoiding
ss much as possible, oil the settlements, except
where they had to in for the purpose Of getting
something 10 eat; and as soon as they could, again
taking a crcditous and winding route, through
lhickets and over m0untsiHs and the bank Of the
streams.
Mr.. Lasater upon his getting Cora, ssoertainsd
that the party consisted OF Willis, Morrison, Upton,
and Jones, ali Of Lampasas county. With two 9TH
ers added to his party, Mr. Lasatec left Cora, aud
on Friday following. (ast Friday arrested them
all. snd had them placed under guard at the Sui
phur Springs came over TO Gatesvills on Saturday,
and there met Judge Battle and myself, on our road
home from Cora court.
Judge Battle issued warraHtfor the arrest Of the
depredstors and directed it to Mr. LasEter, direct
ing also that they be taken to JACK county for trial
Mr. Iasater started back next morning to the
Springs leaving James NJ. Norris, Esq Mr. Cook
and others engaged in raising some men 70 go over
TO the Springs and assist in executing the warrant
and in taxing Willis and his gangto Jack county 1t
was supposed By Mr. Norris, aud mis- party that in
all probability there would be some resistance to
taking the gang back to Jack county, aad they
went prepared for any emergency that might occur.
Mr.. Norris and his party supposed that they would
reach lhe Springs on Monday morning.
It is proper here 10 state that wins aud ms
gang went through Cora on Sunday previous 10 the
day on which the murders we're committed, saying
that they we're going out surveying. They had
lint four horses when they passed through Cora,
and Wien they came back they had some eight or
fen. They told some Two or three persons, (all or
nearly So it is supposedly while they we're scouting
not TO tell Of theR passing that way, that they had
killed an Indian and expected 10 be pursued
Willis is deputy surveyor, but his district Is on
the west side Of the Brszos.
The little girl desert bed it IS said Willis, exactly
IDENTIFYING him, especially his red hair A httle
boy belonging to enc Of the murdered families was
rescued from some Inaiaus above BslknaP BY par
Nv of California emigraHis. The little boy SAID
he was riding behind an Indian, snd the lndisn,
when pursued by the Ciliforniaus. slipped him on
behind
willis and his gang, it is said, have msde con
5icting statements while on their route BACK, ana
,nce their arrest. Mr.. Lasater and his party, anu
hose who are acquainted with tbs whole transact
ion, entertain no doubt as 70 the guilt OF the white
men and there seemed to be 4 settled determine
ion on the frontier, that Willis and his party, at al
hazards, should be made ameDable 70 the law
This, believe, is fair ststemeat Of the whole
fair as learned II from Mr.. Lasater aud others
There may be some lttle inaccuracies but nothing
nsterisl except other circumstances CONTESTED WIN
ne transaction. that tend still further to fasten
-uill upon willis and those With him