San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-10-26

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 20, 1882.

EpITon FREE PnEss: had scarcely
mailed my last to the FREE PnEss when the
loud report of pistol shot in the editorial
room of the Post Dispatch startled the neigh
borhood and like Are the news Of the awful
Slay yback- Cockeral tragedy spread all over
the great city, and an angry throng gathered
about the Dispatch Building frenzied with
excitement and anger. The particulars of
this calamity have doubtless reached your
readers ere this. Alonzo w. Slayback was
the leader of our bar, the noblest and grand
est character in this State, really and truly
loved by all for his numberless charities and
his splendid talents. He went to his death
with scarcely moment of warning or
preparation, and was goaded to his destruc-
ton by the vicious and scurrilous attacks of
man whose life is libel upon the freedom
of the press, and whose coarse and obscene
attacks upon the men and sconsen Of this
community has been cause of shame to
this city and of alarm and indignation to its
citizens. Your correspondent in former let
ters to the FREE PRESS has alluded to this
condition of things, and predicted blood
shed as an inevitable consequence, and let
us hope, in the sentiments of the eloquent
Rev. DR.. Robert that this terrible affair
may teach the citizens of st. Louis the diff
ference between the licence of the Press
and its Gcentiousness
The funeral of Ool. Slayback last Sunday
was the largest ever witnessed In the history
of st. Louis, such an outpouring of all class
es and conditions in the city was never wit
messed before thousands turned away un-
able to approach the vicinity Of the stricken
home. Bearded men wept like children in
the streets, and at the sight of the dead
mans riderless steed following the nodding
plumes of the hearse, brave men utterly
broke down and cries and sobs were audible
on every side. OF the slayer.I will add no
more than to say that he was admitted to
bail in the sum of ten thousand dollars to
answer the charge of murder in the End
degree. Excuse me, Mr.. Editor, for taking
too much of yOnr space in speaking of one
whose,sudden ''taking Off has sorely griev-
ed me in common with every man woman
and child of this city and state, and will
conclude this sad subject by observing that I
have often contrasted the dignity and tenn
perance of language which has characterized
the SAN MARCOS FREE PRESS with the
aggressive personal and insulting tone of
our local newspapers excepting the st.
Louis Republican. In the midst of corrup-
ton and under the bitterest provocation the
Republican never loses its dignity or temper,
or forgets its high mission and reputation as
the most reliable newspaper in the west.
The Commercial Clubs of Boston, New
York, Cincinnati, ore visiting st. Louis to-
day, and are the guests of the Commercial
Club, of st. Louis. They are fine looking
lot of men, and their fraternal visit will be
celebrated by splendid procession through
the lighted streets tonight and the process
sion will be joined by many native and visit
ing organizations, who come to meet in
friendly way to represent the different
branches of trade and to discuss together
those topics of general interest to the CON-
mercial world CARL SMYTHE