The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-09-04
THE EXCITEMENT IN TEXAS.

HoUsTeN, Texas, Aug. II, 1S6O.-Our city has
been regularly patrolled BY picked men, and many
arrests made by them, which led to the discovery
of plot to burn Houston, as well as the other
towns. Some firearms were also discovered In
the possession of negroes; one or two white men
connected with them, but against whom we could
not prove anything only by negro evidence These
men were sent from the State by the Vigilance
Committee.
| on duty every night, for we do not yet consider
the danger oil over Daily we receive accounts
of more fires, more arrests, and now and then a
hanging or two. There have been some fifteen or
more white men hung, and number OF negroes.
A private letter from a friend in Dallas informs
me that one hundred and forty-seven negroes
have been found to be aceomphces to the scheme
and severely logged, and quantities Of poison
found 10 their possession, with which they were
to poison the wells and springs, to assist them in
killing the whites. They also all admit that
Old Parso, Kinney and his accomplish, Blunt,
who were last fall ordered off, were the planners
of the whole scheme, in revenge for their mild
1ogging of last fall, which shows how much too
moderate was their punishment Hanging would
have been too good for them.
IF common sinners are to be forever punished,
what must be the punishment of these double-dyed
black hearted Williams, who go disguised in the
CLOAK OF TelSlOt, ueFely IHdG IIcy may UetteT
perpetrate the most vile deeds which their corrupt
ed imagiDations can devise. But thanks be to
kind providence, all such schemes are destined
to come to light ere they can become fully deve-
oped aud carried out. 81.
In the early part of the present week. we heard of
the burning of Henderson, Rusk county; and
since of the burning of the towns of McKinny,
Palestine, Tyler and Dangerfeld.
In Tarrant county there wagon load of
six-shooters and rifles intercepted on its way to
the residence of one of their agents, and he was
quietly hang. Many Of the hangings have been
done privately, so that the officers Of the law
would not know anything about it, not that they
feared them, but they wanted the matter settled
at once
The town of Tyler burned this week, was fired
some three or four weeks ago, and the man firing
it shot, so that he died, and was found three miles
distant, and now it appears it has been burned III
spite of all the vigilance of the patrol.
The cause of the late movement being so wide
spread, is only to be accounted for in my opinion
by the leniency with which negroes are treated in
Texas They have their own way and are almost
virtually free in two cases out Of every three.
The portion of the scheme upon which they based
all of their hopes that in the excitement they
would create by the wholesale murders, they were
to form body-Abolitionist negroes, and Indians
and fight their way to Mexico, where they
would be tolerated to live with their uhite slaUes
-(the women)-on an equal with the natives.
About the time town doomed to go, so
strict patrol was kept, several myelf among the
number, did not 60 to bed but one night for
whole week, being on duty every night.
The worst we trust, is over but they may be
awaiting the cessation of the vigilance now kept
up. But the fruit is plucked and cannot rpen.
My letter is no doubt disconnected, but | cannot
rewrite it at present, for the lack of time
Yours, &c, G.
P. S.-SATURDAY, Aug. 18.-Last night our
city visited by very destructive fire, which
consumed nearly block and half-comprising
one of our best hotels, (the Kelly House, steam
bakery, and large public boarding house, tin and
stove store, &c. Loss estimated at $4,000; very
little insurance on anything The origin of the
fire is attributed to the work of an incendiary,
and he supposed to be the proprietor of the board
ing house, who had quarrel with the baker
few days previous, though nothing can be proven
on him.
Two abolition agents are to be hung in Rich
mond to-day, upon whom some very positive docu-
ments were found.
There very strict guard kept during the
fire last night, with orders to kill any one who
refused to answer "hail" in the outer, and especi-
ally suspicious portions Of the city 81 u
Late developments from the upper country re-
port the finding of one hundred bottles of strych-
nine, il possession of negroes, for wells and
springs. They will be taken care Of
WITHDRAwN.-Threeo of the Douglas electors
in Alabama-Messrs Balling Hall, A. E. either
all, and Clemens have declared for Breckenridge
and Lane.
CALIFoRNIA.-Nearly every Democratic jour
nal in the State has come out in support of the
national Democratic candidates, Breckenridge and
Lane.
TEXAs.-The Galveston Civilian mentions the
following accession to the Democratic ranks in
Texas:
"Col. Fitzpatrick, of Marshall, a prominent mem
Der of the Opposition, in public meeting held to
receive Senator Wigfa declared himself for Brock
inridge and Lane, and exhorted his friends to
support that ticket, as the only one worthy OF
Southern confidence" s u. r
Ha5- The Southern Churchman says: "The
Bishops of the Episcopal Church have unanimously
testified that the Church Canon does not forbid
the lending of an Episcopal Church to any respect
able denomination of Christians"
Hon Mr. Miles, NJ G. from South Carolina is
said to be lying i'll now at Newport, r. [. 1t is
hardly expected that he will Letters
from Hon. G. G.. Claw IT, s Senator from A la |