The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-10
THE MURDER OFA GIRL.
Two Men Lynched and Another Awaiting
Trial for the Crime.

Trtat for the Crtme.
GONZALES, Texas, July 3-This county
was the scene OF brutal outrage and murder,
which was committed on or about the 8th OF
June, near what Is known a. Comanche Ford.
The crime was not discovered until about two
weeks ago. on investigation It was proved to
have been committed by three young men, resi-
dents OF the adjoining county Of Lavaca, named
Stewart Campbell aged about 30 years; his
brother, Tucker Campbell, AGED 10, and James
McLeroy. aged IS. McLeroy was captured about
fifteen miles south OF this place last week, and
brought here and lodged In jail. lie confessed
TO being present at the murder, but declared
that he had no hand In It, II being done entirely
by tho Campbell brothers Tucker Campbell
had already been arrested and was incarcerated
in Jail In Haet.sville, the county seat OF Layaca
county, on come charge OF violation OF law. His
brother Stewart was soon captured and locked
up with him to await the arrival of officers from
this county to bring them here for imprison-
ment and trial. -.S..-. - -
Their victim was girl OF II, daughter OF a
widow named Curry, residing In Hallot,sville.
1t seems that the younger Campbell had en-
listed the affections OF Miss Curry, with whom
he sought to keep company In opposition TO the
wishes Of her mother. About the 4th OF June
Young Campbell induced the girl to 70 away
| from home under the premise OF marriage. He
| Joined by the elder Campbell and McLeroy.
| Here the young men spent their time In drink
| Ing and carousing. and the younger Campbell
| making no movement to fulfil his promise, Miss
| Curry proposed TO go home. After some con-
versation with the Others. young Campbell In.
duced her not to fulnl her threat. by promising
| to take her to Quaro. where they would be mar
ried as soon as McLeroy and his brother should
| start for home.
Shortly after the departure OF his brother and
/ friends, young Campbell and Miss Curry left
fiatonia as she thought, to carry out the object
| for which she left home. A few miles from the
| depot Miss Curry was surprised by again seeing
Sy ssses ths they hSa
| go along as witnesses and see that the marriage
was legally performed. when near the Ford,
which Is In the Peach creek bottom, the young
girl found herself a prisoner. and was made TO
go into the wood where preparations were at
the party remained Tor three days, during which
time the girl was forced to undergo the most
outrage from the three bends, until com pleteiy
| worn out end exhausted. To hide their crime
and prevent the girl from appearing assins,
them, they ended her sunernGs by shooting her
several times with pistol, and then sought to
conceal the murder by throwing her body into
Peach creek and covering II up with logs. Here
toe body had LATIN nearly three weeks, when II
was discovered by person passing the spot
VINO saw one OF tho girls legs protrudlne from
brought forth. and through the vigilance OF the
citizens and authorities the three murderer'
ON Friday OF last week Sheriff Bass OF thlI
county, and sheriff bennett Of Lavaca county
| WIN posbt Ol Neu men, WtTe DllHklHk tut
two Campoells from Hallettsviiie to this place
When near Peach Creek they were surrounded
| by a crowd Of shout three hundred mon, whC
demanded the prisoners. All efforts OF the OH
| GERS to get the men to desist from their purpose
was OF no avail. In the effort to protect then
| Shern Bennett and two men were wounded
| The force OF numbers compelled the surronde
Of the culptits, and without much delay thu
crowd took the prisoners to a convenient spot
and after brief preparation administered tn,
| sentence OF Judge Lynch, and then dispersed
| leaving the brothers suspended several fee
| from the ground. rns crowd that rescued tn'
prisoners from the ofioers comprised citizens o
| this and several Of the surrounding counties
who are determined TO make it a terror TO al
evil doers, and In such cases as this not walt 10
| til Q laws delay. At an carly hour on Saturda,
morpine the thorities, fearing an attempt o
| the vislantes TO secure the person OF McLeroy
took him from the jail and sent him unde
| charge Of two deputy sherins to the Jail at Sc
guin, Ia Guadalupe county. for safe keepin
until the sitting OF court. The Camptelis die
accusing McLeroy With the shooting OF tn
girl. II 10 reported that McLeroy was takei
from the deputy sherins and banged. but the re
| port lacks confirmation.