The Portland daily press., 1868-10-20

CARNIVAL OF CRIME AND BLooDsHRD.
GALVESTON, TEXAS, Oct. IL, 1868.
To the Editor of the Press:
Intelligence has reached here to day OF the
brutal murder at Jefferson, Texas, on the 5th
inst, OF Hon. George ". Smith, delegate to
the Austin Convention from Marian Co.,
Northern Texas. 1t seems that Capt Smith
having arrived at bis hope in Jefferson, was
at once marked by the Rebel desperadoes
therein as proper subject tor their murder
Gus hands. The Captain was tracked, thre at
ened and told to leave the town. His very
gang OF rufflsns and its. contents scattered
and destroyed. Being brave man, an ex-
Federal officer and an American citizen, Mr.
Smith would not Yield to Rebe S, paroled pris-
oners of war, whom his own stout heart ha6
helped to sutdue. He therefore remained,
the Convention, and the work accomplished
in that body. He was listened to with atten-
tion. but on starting away, he with his
friends were fired ON in the stree S by an arm
ed mob of Rebel ruffians. With much Diff
Guilty Captain Smith retired. fighting his way
to the headquarters of Major Curtis, U. S. A.,
who commanded small detachment oil
troops at this point. Here it was supposed
that this brave man with his friends would be
protected; that notwithstanding the armed
mobs that ragged defantly in the town, yet no
outrage could o:cur. But these desperadoes
"a part oil the Quantrell gang who have al
along been atrocious. esl ecislly since the
death OF the Iamented Gen. Griffin-have
learned to desplse our Federal soldiers.
they attarked Major Curtis and his gnaru
who were protecting Mr.. smith, and strange
to relate Major Curtis suffered his men to be
dsarned .eiore any were killed. Captain
Smi with his nds-freedmen-were
taken out by the fiendish Ku-Klux mob. Mr..
Snith fought to the last with a desperation
oru OF the brave soul and ready bands OF a
soldier; but unavaiiingly. His body was rid
died with bullets. The freedmen were shot,
murdered in the very presence OF The troops
1t must now be evident even to the unread
and feeble militar, commandant of this DIS
lrict that the tear Of delegates to go bone
was well rounded. Captain Smith, whom the
writer knew well, has been in Texas since
1865, when he came here in the army. He
was iormeriy a resident OF Mi, higan. At Il Il
time OF his death he was only twenty-six yeai,
OF age. Mr.. smith was of quiet gentleman.
ly demeanor and up to the period o. his elec
tion to the Con sention was not part cularI'
disliked b, the Rebels OF Jefferson where ne
| settled after he was mustered out OF the reu'
| eral service. As a merchant Mr. Sm'th mas
| credited goods to the amount OF six or seven
| thousand d,l.rs to many of the Rebel resi-
dents or his adopted town And probably
| seeL,no for cause this may have had as much
\ to do as aught else with the motives for hi
untmely tate. Judge Caldwell OF our Su
preme Court. Republican member of tht
Convention. whom some OF your readers ma!
possibly remember in connection with hi
visit to Washington last summer represe Itns
he cordition and necessities OF unionlsi'
he'e, was also aunoLnced 10 speak at tht
SAM place together with Captain Smltn, Du
he Vas unavoidably absent though his presen
Whereabouts is unknown.
Rev Mr.. Grlsby. another delegate to th
convention. a Iesident OF Texas and a Re
publican, representing the same counties q
Capt. Smith, has fed to Missouri. Lawless
ness and crinse stalk rampant throughout tn