The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-10-21
NO. II

dance tD the exquisite arrangement of Jute
switch San saba has two good schools,
ana Sunday school and religious services on
every Ssbbsth. The killing of people in
the adjoining county of Mason still con-
tinues. Two factions rule the county. They
sleep with their weapons, and eternal vigi-
lance Is the price of their lives. Already
ten men have fallen victims TO this feud.
From the best information that eau be
gathered, the rise and progress ot the
MASON COUNTY TROUBLES
are about as follows, though like all ques-
tions II has two sides: The Germans, who
as a class ara farmers, and have small gentle
stocks of cattle, accused the stock men of
stealing their cattle, and complained that
the courts afforded them NO protection.
The stock men on the other hand assert
that many of them were mahciously in
dicted and prosecuted without cause. They
also charged that Clark, the sheriff of Ma
son county, was using his Office TO perse-
cute his personal enemies. The othe. side
claim that Clark wes a good man and an
efficient officer. Early in March three
men by the name of BAchus were taken from
the Mason county Jail and hung. This decd
was charged upon the party opposed to the
stock men. A MIR. Tim. Williamson, stock
man living in Mason, was under heavy
bond for his appearance at Mason court.
Sometime in May he was met by Mr.. Her.
| ster, one of his bondsmen, and Wohrlie,
deputy sheriff of Mason county, and was
surrendered by Herster to Wohrlie. While
Wnhrlie and Williamson were ON the road
to Mason they were surrounded by an armed
and masked party who took Williamson and
killed him. TINS caused much excitement
and considerable muttering, but everyone
seemed to await the action of the courts.
When the July term Of the court passed
without Indictments against the slsyers of
Williamson or of the Bachus crowd there
came the next scene in the tragedy. About
the last of July party of the Willow creek
people were out hunting stock, when they
were fred upon by some unknown parties
which resulted in the killing of Henry
Doell and the wounding of another man.
This was charged upon the friends of Will
hanson, led by one Scott Cooley Cooley
is y very young man. When boy he was
cared for by Williamson, to whom he was
much attached, and whose death he pro-
poses to avenge with the blood of all those
he thinks had hand in the business. Next
was the killing and scalping of Deputy
Sheriff Wohrne by Cooley. Then came the
murder of Charley Bader by some of Coo
ley's party, supposed by George GLADDEN.
and Moses Beard Soon after this GLADDEN.
and Beard suddenly met Sheriff Clark,
Peter Bader, and others of their friends, at
Kefler's store, about twelve miles from
Mason. A fight ensued which resulted in
the killing of Beard and the wounding of
GLADDEN.. 1t was rumofed that one Cheney
had begulled Beard and Gladdenin this un-
equal fight, and Cheney was next killed by
Cooley's party, Dan Herster was next
killed in the town of Mason by the same
parties. Thus stands the affair at the
present time.i No arrests have been made.
and every nan about Mason is afraid to open
his mouth one way or the other. Neighbors
are afraid Of each other, and will not travel
the road in company with any man. Lieu
tenant Roberts may succeed in restoring
quietness, but the apprehension is that the
worst has not come. Your correspondent
does notvouch for the exactness Of the above
statement In its details, but has his infor-
nation from parties who have been upon
the ground 70 sf4 sdaeit.isgaa IN ~ q
One word political. The people are very
displeased with the act. of the Convention
postponing the next general election. They
look upon 1t as revolutionary, and an as
sumption of power not contemplated by
them. They say that the Convention was
called for a specific purpose, and its author
ity is not absolute. The citizens hereabouts
are rather surprised at the stand Major
West occupies on this matter. They sup
posed he at least understood the purpose Of
his election. If the work of the Conven-
Etion, as this matter stands, is submitted to
the people for approval its defeat is fore
gone conclusion, and the Governor had bet
ter stand from under. All these Western
counties, through which your correspondent
has passed, stand by the STATESMAN, and
are perfectly willing to come up to the help
of the southern and eastern portions of the
State by the restriction of suffrage in loo
elections. PETER.