New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-08
JUSTICE DONE IN TEXAS
Hanging of Cattle Thieves
DISPERSION OF THE GANG

We copy the following from the Galveston
Bulletin:
Rva gentleman who came as passenger
on the steamship Harlan yesterday, from
JndianOla, we learn the following partieu-
lars in relation to the hanging OF a portion
and dispersion of the balance of a gang of
horse and cattle thieves in Matag0rda
county: 1t appears from his statement that
there has been, for the last twelve months,
an organized gang in the counties OF Mata-
gorda, 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 a certain amount of secrecy. but at last
they became emboldened, and arrived at
the conclusion that the entire community
stood in fear of them, and would
not dare to interrupt them. Cnscru-
pulous 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. Complaints We're, how
ever, at last made against them, and war
rants 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
last, stung to desperation, citizens of the
three counties, numbering one hundred or
more, comprising those of the first standing,
determined. if possible, to put stop to their
depredatiOns, and having organized. started
in pursuit of them. The gang having re-
ceived notice of their intention, scattered,
but on the twentieth ultimo they came upon
four of the number with II large number OF
hides in their possession, whom they made
prisoners, and who acknowledged their
%o$i of hny
were, after a full confession. hanged where
they were taken. and the fourth released
after much pleading or promise OF mme-
diately leaving the county. The names OF
those hung were B. V. Lunn, Eddie Lunn
and John NJ. Smith, brother of the latter
being released. v
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 ring leaders. On riding
up to the house, Grimes, who was within,
opened the door and fired upon the party.
killing one of their number. He was how
ever, captured and hung. w. w. Lunn is
supposed to be still in the country, having
been accidentally wounded in the knee by
the discharge of his own pistol. A reward
of $1,000 is offered for his apprehension.
Two or three members of the gang finding
themselves pursued, went to the residence
of the Sheriff for the purpose of surrendering
themselves, but he being absent from
home they deemed it imprudent to re-
main. and when last heard from were cross
ing the Sabine river into Louisiana. Our
informant 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 en-
plOyed to destroy the animals killed.
Finding the neighborhood of the Trespa-
laciOs too hot for them, they removed their
operations to the Carankaway, where they
erected slaughterhOuse, pens, etc, the
former being Immediately over the bank OF
the stream into which the animals were
thrown as fast a killed and their hides
stripped from them.
In addition to the stealing above men
toned, it is known that three colored and
two white men have at different times been
killed by the gang, the victim, in one IN
stance, having been boatman, supposed
to have money with him, who was killed,
a stove attached to his neck, and his body
thrown into the creek. Our informant also
states that one individual is known to have
purchased FIVE hundred Of the stolen hides
since the twenty eighth day of May. Our
informant is a gentleman OF standing in his
community. and his statements are yOuched
for by gentlemen of this city. well known
to us as wholly reliable. He stated to us
that Mr.. Conrad Franz, the Sheriff of Mata-
gorda county, had used every exertion to
capture the gang, but without success.