The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-10-05
OUR SAN ANTONIO LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 2, 1882.
The sensation of the hour is the
shooting escapade of William r.
Lyle, of the EUen,ng Light, brief par
ticulars of which were telegrsphed
on Saturday. From the statement
made to your correspondent by
Charles NJ. Barnes, the wounded
man, and w. Lyle, in jail, it appears
that Lyle, on his way to dinner, at
the Menger, passed the postoffice
just as Barnes was coming out.
Barnes accosted Lyle and asked if he
was the author of an article in the
Light describing his candidature
for justice of the peace as farce.
Lyle said he was and then Barnes
replied, "Well, l don't thank you for
it," Lyle, it is said, remarked 81
don't care whether you thank me for
it or not" On this Barnes struck
at Lyle, knocking his hat and spec
tacles off, and, it is said, repeated
the blow. Barnes has a peculiar
habit of resting his hands ON his
hips, and this, and his angry de-
meanor, gave Lyle the impression
that he was either drawing a wea-
pom or had one concealed behind him
in his hand. Lyle is very short
sighted and is obliged always to
wear spectacies. These were knocked
off by the first blow. He could not
see his assailant, and fearing shot
from Barnes, he fired. Ferris, a po-
lice officer, who was standing within
fifty yards the defendant, declares
that Barnes made no attempt to
draw a revolver, and on searching
Barnes after he was shot, found no
arms of any kind. Barnes on being
shot fell at once, and exclaimed:
"Oh, Lord, 1 am shot," and some
guests at the Menger came up
and assisted the police to carry
Barnes away. On examination it
was found that the ball has passed
through Barnes coat, vest and thick
shirt on the right side, grazing the
last rib, but it has not made an exit.
At first it was feared the wound was
fatal, but there was no internal
hemorrhage, and the pulse indicated
no great shock to the nervous sys-
tenn. Apparently he is doing as
we'll as can be expected, but he is
man of weak constitution and deli
cate health, and there is, therefore,
great danger of secondary symp-
toms.
THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES.
The Democratic primaries were
held on Saturday. The attendance
was the largest ever known in the
city, and the greatest interest was
manifested in them. The main strug-
gle in the whole lies between The
two candidates for the office OF
county clerk, Mayor French and the
present holder of the Office, Mr..
Thad. w. Smith. Both have good
friends who are working with might
and main to secure the election of
their candidate, but 1t may be safely
asserted that the French party are
beaten, as most of the delegates
are Smith men.
OUR BIG BUILDING BOOM.
There is big building boom in
this city, such as has never been
known before, and which is perhaps
unequaled by any city in the
state. The following will give
some idea of its extent. Rock
residences, George Dulling $4,000,
warehouse for T. G. Frost $4,000, L.
V. Mueller's addition to storehouse
$1,000, high class school $4,000, E.
HI. Terrell's four two-story rock
stores $4,000, residence for DIR.
Kearney $4,000, new courthouse
$4,000, residence for E. D. Cunning
ham $4,000, two stores for Louis
Oge $21 500, new store for Landa
adjoining $1,000, w. Fl. and A.
Maverick four three-story rock
stores on Alamo plaza $50, 800, Fow-
Ter & Berliner saloon on Main plaza
$4,000, residence for Ed. Kotulla
$4,000. The figures represent the
actual building. The additional
fitting expenses will be proportion
ately as high. There are also innu-
merable houses going mp In all direc-
tions costing from 800 to $4,000.