New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-03-23
Despe raLoes in Texas-Murder OF state
Policemen.


Policemen.
We copy the subjoined report from the
Austin fTexas} JotA-nGl. Of the eighteenth
instant:
On Friday last Captain Thomas Williams,
with force of seven men, reached the
town of Lampasas, IN Ooeulence 10 orders
from the chief of police, to aid the local
authorities in Guelling band OF despera-
does who were committing outrages and
riding over the community. Our readers
will recollect the application for help, alter
the attack of the desperadoes on the sheriff,
signed by the five justices OF the peace and
other officers of the county, published IN q
former issue ef our paper: Upon Captain
Williams arrival he heard OF the presence
i'll the town OF number Oi men mo were
armed. and one man armed with pistol
displayed himself, and then went into the
Lampasas bar-roum. This was evidently d
decOy. Captain Williams sent three OF his
men to different points, and then with four
men, pTivates Wesley Cherry, L. NJ. Dan
iels and Andrew Melville, he went TO the
bar-roOm 20 arrest the man who had been
seen to enter it armed. Williams instructed
his men not to draw their pistols or make
any dem0ustr atiOn. as he preferred to make
peaceabie arrest. lie stepped into the
room, and seeing tie man with pistol, de
surrender, when Williams attempted to
wrest lis pistol from him, the r. st of the
men simply looking on. with their backs
turned to the bar. AT this juncture volley
was fired into the police from behind by It
least eight OF ten men. Captain Williams
and his four men all fell. Williams was
shO: il the back of the head, and turning
about to face / is murderers, was again SHOT
several times. Captain Williams and three
,,i' Hi nI
drew Melville was mertally wounded, and
i, is from his statement these facts are
gathered. Upon the coroners inquest it
seems that no evidence was elected as to
the parties who had committed the murder
The news of the affair was brought to
Adjutant General Brtton by the three
policemen who escaped the horrid massa-
ere; one OF them leaving Friday night. The
mu' der happened about noon the same day.
General Britton organized force Of eight
or ten men, aud IN person has gone 20 the
scene OF the murder, if possible 10 arrest
the murderers.
All Of the parties killed are well known
and good citizens, and lave families TO
mourn their untimely taking of.
Lampasas county has been in terrible
condition lately; tie eivi! authorities PROV
ing p0werless, the law detied. the sheriff
shot down and the reaceable inhabitants
at the mercy Of lawless men. The Governor
had been applied to for help, and in re-
spODse the State police were sent to the
county seat The action Of the Legislature
in failing 70 make appropriations to sup
port the police has caused the force 20 be
greatly reduced, and the operations of this
important branchof the public service have
been rendered almost pOVerless Since the
assem- bling OF the present Legislature the
desperate element has broken loose, appa-
rently stimulated by the belief that the
State authorities were to De deprived Of all
means .! enforcing the laws and preserv-
ing the peace. The law is trampled under
foot. and the officers Of the Law shot down
while IN the act OF its enforcement.
We trust that there are sufficient good
men in the Legislature, Democrats and Re
pub.icans, to aid the State authorities in
crushing this 3nai!cious spirit ont OF the
community.
The JOttrrlGs savs. IL another article:
The murder OF Captain William. will
cause n shock TO our State, and sorrow to
the entire community where he has lived
most Of his life. He grew up in the town
OF LOckhart, and az the time OF his death
was a young man. At the outbreak of The
war he was c0nscripted into the Conted-
crate service, hut escaped TO Mexico. and
from there made his way 70 New Orleans
and joined the regiment then being organ
lied by Governor Davis. For gallantry ne
was promoted to d ieutenantcy, and wa.
known and loved for his bravery and ex-
cellent bearing. After the war he returned
TO his home and settled doWp.
The disturbed condition OF our State
wo,.Id not permit tnan OF such activity TO
remain idle. and Captain Williams has filed
several positions in the public service of the
State. When the presen. State police sys-
TEN was organized. ne offered his services
20 the Governor and for his efficiency was
promoted 20 the position of captain. Du-
ring the recent political canvass Captain
Williams was chosen by the Republicans as
their candidate for the Legislature, but was
defeated At last he has fallen in the path
OF duty, while enforcing the law. and pro
teot;ng life and property. lie leaves a wife
aud young child ihis wife is the daughter of
Senator Baker,. With the bereaved rrls.
tives. We mourn the death of Captain VII
liams-sO gallant, young, brave. generous
he died in the defense OF law and order.
and his name deserves 20 be enrolled among
the heroic dead.