New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-29
LETTER FROM TEXAS.
Natural Condition of HOustOn-Rapid
Rise in the Future-RaiIrOads and
Canals-H Omicide of a PhysiciaI-
Attempted Outrage ON Patient-A
Husbands Indignation and Revenge.


Attempted Outrage ON a PATIENT
Husbands Indignation and Revenge
Houston, May %, 1872.
EDITOR REPUBLICAE:
/ have tarried here longer than intend
ed. My curiosity had been excited to SCI
Houston in a more composed condition thar
it presented during the fair, in order to b
enabled to judge the more correctly of tht
present condition and future prospects o
this railroad centre of the South.
Colonel Hatch, of st. Louis, in his ad
dress it the late State fair held in Houston
compared this city to Chicago, and SAID
| that Houston was destined to have in the
next decade of years a population Of
100000. If Colonel Hatch should prove
correct in his representations about the
Bayou City, its rapid rise in the future viii
equal anything that has been seen in the
past in the way Of building up cities. San
Francisco and Chicago have certainly
worked wonders in this respect; and il
Houston jumps from $4,000 or $4,000 inhab,
itants to 2OO, 900 in the next ten years, she
will certainly not be far behind those
lOurishing cities in the great work of pro-
gress.
Since the close Of the fair last Saturday
have had an opportunity to judge Houston
as it is, and am satisfied that it has agri-
cultural commercial, manufacturing and
railroad interest sufficient to make it city
of vast Importance. There are already
eight railroads connecting with Houston,
with prospect of having a canal to con-
meet it with the Trinity river. It is also
proposed to dig a canal to Harrisburg,
which will shorten the distance by water to
that town seven miles, and besides making
the distance that much shorter to Calves
ton, will secure a ship channel for the in
gress and egress of shipping from all parts
of the world to Houston.
Among other large manufacturing es-
adjustments Houston has in close prOx-
unity to it two large cotton mills in success
full operation where large amount of cot
ton goods of the best quality is daily
turned out. The success of these establish
ments will no doubt lead to the erection of
are four daily papers here, the Union, TeLe
graph, Times and Age. Besides these there
are several weekly publications. In view
of the great demand for houses it is as ton
ishing that there is so little building of new
houses going on. 1t would certainly pay
property holders to go into speculations of
this kind in Houston; and, more than tn at,
it would help to add to the growth of the
city by furnishing comfortable quarters at
moderate prices to new comers.
On Wednesday night last Houston was
slightly disturbed by fire, which at first
bid fair to be of considerable dimen ions,
as the wind was blowing rather stiff at the
time, but by the exertions of the fremen
the fire was happily confined to the wooden
building where it originated. 1t was located
on Franklin street, near Main, in the i'm
mediate vicinity Of the immense stores Of
I. w. House, Houston's merchant prince.
Following this little excitement was one
of far more serious import, this morning,
ending most tragcally in the death of DR..
w. P. Riddel, brother of DR.. Riddell, of
New Orleans, at one time postmaster of
your city. The homicide was commi tied
by Thomas J. Atkinson, an employ on the
Central railroad, under circumstances that
must tend to mitigate the terrible crime
that Mr.. Atkinson now stands charged
with. I attended the first hearing of the
case before Justice Mcdonnell, and heard
the evidence of Mrs. Atkinson, the wife of
the unfortunate man who committed the
murder. 1t appeared that Mrs. Adlzin-
son, q young and handsome woman,
was placed under the charge of
DR.. Ridden for medical treatment,
and that during visit to his office for that
purpose, she was grossly insulted by the
doctor, who attempted, while treating her
for womb disease, to violate her person.
She successfully resisted his base overtures
and attempts at violence, and left his office,
deeply incensed at the outrage that had
been attempted on her person.
When this occurred Mr.. Atkinson was
absent from the city, but as soon as he re
turned his young wife was not slow to re
late to him how she had been trea ted by
the physician selected by her hush and to
give medical advice Of course the hus-
band keenIy felt the base insult that had
been offered by a professional man in
whom he had repOsed the utmost conf
dence, and in state of mind which may
well be conceived under the circumstances,
he wrote note to DR.. Riddell, notifying
him to leave the town Immediately. or take
the consequences of refusing to do so.
The insult was offered to the lady last
Monday, the lady's husband returned on
he notified the doctor on w ednes-
day, and the doctor refusing to comply
with his demand, was killed by Mr.. Adkin-
son Thursday morning. N. W.T..