The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-09-15


Nothing has been heard from X. s. Lee,
the absconder. lie is n native of Illinois,
and has been living in this state fifteen
years. 1t is said he served throughout
the war in an Illinois regiment, which was
connected with the army of the Cumber-
land. The reporter has been creditably
informed that in the army he was distin-
guished for GOODNESS and daring in battle
not often displayed by anyone, and had it
not been for an almost Unsuitable desire
for drink, and an ungovernable passion to
gamble, he would have figured on the roll
of honor OF the army of the Cumberland
The STATESMAN reporter, whose home
was almost in the center OF the operations
OF the above army, has often heard Lee
mention the battles and conflicts in
which he had been engaged, and he dis
played familiarity with the geography
of the country, and the positions occupied
by the ccntending forces that could
only have been attained by being on the
ground at che time the events occurred.
He was promoted on the field of battle
for bravery, and printed history of the
conflict In Tennessee mentioned the
fact, but hts propensity to gamble and
drink married his reputation and kept
him from risi..; higher than the rank of
captain. He was known in the army,
and by the citizens where the army was
stationed, rs
"cHUCKLELUCK BOB"
aud it is asserted that on pay days he
won thousands OF dollars, and at one time
in Nashville, Tenn his winning reached
100000, which he spent with lavish
hand in high living. He came to Texas
with the amy. still keeping up his gam
bling operations, and, doubtless, there
are sporting men in Texas who have
oftensmet him around the green cloth.
II Is asserted that In San Antonio, some
time during 1855, in room in a hotel
Kept, We believe, by Captain Tobin,
he played game of poker
for the largest sum of money probably
ever put up at one time In this state. The
game continued all night and all the next
day, and some time during the second
night he cleaned out the party, one of
whom, IL Is said, was connected with the
pay department, and pocketed $4,000.
He got on fearful spree, landed in Cor
pus Christi lost all ofhis money and a short
time after was mustered out OF service.
He says he swore to forever eschew drink
and cards, and came to Austin and went
to work on the farm of Mr.. Alfred Smith
seven miles below town, and so far as
we know, was industrious and steady In
his habits, and well-llked by the neigh
bors. He quit farming, and, for a long |
time was engaged here selling books and |
ago, and we believe went TO Lampasas |
county, where he was appointed deputy |
sheriff. He filed this Office for some |
time and then returned to Austin, and |
last year was appointed by the county |
commissioners constable of this precinct, |
which position he held up to the last cleo |
ton. After this event he read law |
awhile and then took up the business of
collecting, which he was following at the |
time he abseonded. Several months ago, |
having high recommendations, Mrs. Jen- |
ME Robards employed him to attend to |
her business, giving him a power of at |
torney aud complete control of her af- |
fairs. Last Saturday he received 4 check |
for quite large sum of money due Mrs. |
Richards, and got it cashed at the first ma |
tional bank. He then procured money in |
some way from other persons in the city, |
using Mrs. Robards' name. He |
also distracted several bills from |
the office of attorney II. b. Barn.
hart aud collected The same. Major |
D. w. Jones had placed a lot of ac-
counts in his hands for collection but
does not know whether he collected any |
of them or not. On Saturday he packed |
his trunk telling his landlady that he was |
going to have it sent up to a house nearer |
to his business office. He left with it and /
it is said shipped the trunk to Palestine.
He has not been seen since Saturday |
evening, and the detectives, who have
the case In hand, are not positively GER
tain which direction he took when he
left. 1t is believed he got away with
something over a thousand dollars in
money and many valuable papers. His
relations, who are highly respectable,
live, we believe, near Decatur, Illinois.
He was considered an honorable man
was very quiet and had very little to say,
and never mentioned his exploits DUR
ing the war save to those who had heard
him the particulars. His abscond.ng has
been a matter of surprise to all who
knew him.