The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-03-14
a DAY OF EXCITEMENT.

a DAY OF EXCITEMENT.
Death struggle Between Marshal
Oseary and q Suspicious Character
The Party. Afterwards Killed b.
OmeeTs While HesastIag AFrest---
HIS Partner Arreated I'm Round
Roek---The Men Suspected OF Rob-
bIDg John n. RobInaOn,s Resi-
dence Thursday Night.
Marshal Creary Friday had one Of
the hardest tussles for life that ever
tails to the lot of an officer, ana his
narrow escape from death and what
followed created intense excitement in
the city. -Four or five days before two
men came to the city and registered at
the City Hotel as w. Williams and w.
81. Wheeler, New York, and afterwards
they engaged board in the two story
brick building at the end of the Cen
trsl Railroad track, near the Raymond
House. Their general conduct and as
sociations attracted the attention of
Marshal C:eary and his police force,
and Williams and Wheeler were spotted
as professional burglars and dangerous
characters. Williams was up before
the police court on Thursday charged
with committing an assault and was
fined. He paid part of the fine and
owed the balance. Friday the men
attempted to leave on the International
train, but Williams was called on by
Policeman Cheneville for what he owed
the city and he did not get of. After
that they were suspected of rob-
bling Mr.. John II. Robinson's house
Thursday night and steps were taken
to accomplish their arrest. A dispatch
was sent to Round Rock and Wheeler
was secured there. Williams, it seems.
attempted to leave town on foot, and
he was followed on horseback by Mar
shall CrearY and Policeman Chene-
vile. They separated and the Marshal
finally overlook Williams, who. was a
very powerful man, over near Summit
Station and ordered him to halt. Will
liams showed fight, rushing at CIeary
with q drawn knife and cutting the
birdie. Creary struck him with a SIX
shooter, when his herse became IN
manageable and he was thrown vio-
lently to the ground. Williams rushed
upon him before he recovered from the
fall and seized hold of his six shooter,
when a death struggle ensued with
the odds in favor of Williams, the
stronger man. He finally wrenched
the pistol from the marshal, one shot
being fred while both men had hold
of the weapon, the ball making a
slight wound between Creary's right
thumb and forefnger. Williams then
fred at Creary, but fortunately did
not bit him. Creary then jumped
back, and in doing so he fell. The
cylinder of the pistol would not re-
volve, and while Williams was trying
TO manipulate it with both hands,
Creary p cked up stone, but his au-
tagonist jumped behind tree and
took deliberate aim, but missed.
Creary then wisely abandoned the fight,
and started for town on foot, very
weak and completely exhausted, both
hands bleeding and with a wound on
his head, caused from his fall. He was
met by Cheneville, but was too much
exhausted to ride home on the same
horse with Cheneville, who hurried to
town and went back with hack and
brought the marshal home. He was
very faint and sick for q while, vomit-
ing freely, but he soon revived, and hi:
injuries were found not at all serious.
Officers were sent on the trail, but they
could not find Williams. Finally it was
reported that man answering his de
scription had been seen going towards
the boarding house. above alluded to.
Policemen johnson and Denny and the
city clerk were sent there armed to ar,
rest him. He refused to open the
door, and they forced it open. Sc
soon as this was done he fired at them
two or three times, they bowling and
the balls passing harmlessly oyer their
heads. Policeman johnson, as all
rushed forward at Williams, who was
near a bed IN the back part of the
room, fired shot, and then, just as the
two policemen caught hold of him,
Herbert fired also. Williams expired
in about three minutes after this
shot was fired. He was a man
about thirty years old, five feet
nine inches high and weighed about
| one hundred and sixty-five pounds.
He had black mdstache and hair,
| was a man of fair intelligence, vel
dressed in black suit, and bold
enough to attempt anything, and pos
sessing the physical force to back it up.
No one here knows where he and
Wheeler came from, but the police as
sert they are sanguine both were pro-
fcssional thieves and house robbers
They were suspected of robbing Johr
IA. Robinson's house, spoken of else.
where. The ball entered the righ
breast, passing through his body and
coming out below the left shoulder.
johnson testified that Williams free
upon them the moment the door was
forced open; that then Denny seizeC
him and pushed him back over tn,
bed, and while in this position de
ceased reached around Denny anC
fred again, the ball passing the sid'
of his head, and that then, he, John
| son, fred the fatal shot. Williams fel
back instantly and expired without ut
tering word. s-l-s