The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-12
TEXAS JUSTICE.

Hang ng of Cattle Thieves-Dispersion of the
We copy the following from the Galveston
Bulletin:-
By a gentleman who came as passenger on the
steamship Harlan yesterday from Indianola,
welearn the following particulars in relation to
the hanging of a portion and dispersion of
the balance of gang of horse and cattle thieves
in Matagorda county:-lt appears from his
statement that there has been, for the last
twelve months, an organized gang in the
counties of Matagorda, Wharton, and jackson,
who have been engaged in the stealing of
horses and cattle, and who have not scrupled, at
times to put out of the way individuals who had
rendered themselves obnoxious, to the gang.
At first their operations were carried on with
certain amount of secrecy, but at last they be-
came emboldened and arrived at the conclusion
that the entire community stood In fear of them
and would not dare to interrupt them. I'm
scrupulous parties were found who were willing
to purchase the hides of the slaughtered beeves,
and by this means they were enabled to reap an
immediate return from their villainy. Com
plants were, however, at last made against
fhem and warrants were placed IN the hands of
the Sheriff of Matagorda county for their arrest,
which they managed to avoid, being notified of
the fact, by escaping to another county. AT
list, stung to desperation, citizens of the
three counties, numbering one hundred or
more comprising those of the first standing,
determined if possible, to put a stop to their
depredations, and having organized, started in
pursuit of them. The gang having received
notice of their intention, scattered, but on the
Goth ult. they came upon four of the number
with large number of hides in their possession,
whom they made prisoners, and who acknow-
lodged their crimes without hesitation; three of
whom were, after full confession, hanged where
they were taken, and the fourth released after
much pleading or promise of Immediately leaving
in the county. The names of those hung were
B. V. Lunn, Eddie Lunn, and John Smith, a
brother of the latter being released.
The party then proceeded to the house OF
colored man named Joe Grimes, who was
known to be one of the gang, and where they
expected to find w. w. Lunn, also known as
one of the ringeaders. On riding up to the
house, Grimes, who was within, opened the
door and fred upon the party, killing one of
their number. He was, however, captured and
hung. w. w. Lunn is supposed to be still in
the county, having been accidentally wounded
in the knee by the discharge OF his own pistol.
eward of $1,000 is offered for his apprehen-
sion. Two or three members of the gang find
ing themselves pursued, went to the residence
Of the Sheriff for the OF aSaent ragg
home they deemed it imprudent to remain,
and when last heard from were cross
ing the Sabine river into Louisiana. Our infor-
mant states that at points on the Trespalacios
piles of slaughtered beeves have been found,
numbering in one instance as many as eight
hundred head At other points huge piles OF
burned bones have been found that method
having been employed to to destroy the n animals a
palacios too hot for them, they removed their
operations to the Carankaway, where they
erected slaughter-house, pens, ETC., the former
being Immediately over the bank of the stream,
into which the animals were thrown as fast as
killed and their hides stripped from them.
In addition to the stealing above mentioned,
it is known that three colored and two white
men have at different times been killed by the
gang the victim, in one instance, having been
boatman, supposed to have money with him
who was killed, stove attached to his neck
and his body thrown into the creek. Our in
tormant also states that one individual is known
to have purchased five hundred OF the stoleI
is a gentleman of standing in his community
and his statements are vouched tor by gentlemen
of this CITY, well known to us as wholly reliable
he stated to us that Mr.. Conrad Franz, thu
Sheriff of Matagorda county, had used ever,
exertion to capture the gang, but withou
Rnccess. -----