San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-11-29

on his lips, for he was now some yards
in the rear of us, and out Of hearing.
A Dark Spot and Needed Example.
t0slvssson Nsws.l
It would be interesting to know
how much money the good people
of Texas contributed to missionary
societies lately for the conversion Of
the heather in foreign lands. II is q
fact, however, that the money Of the
Texans finds its way to other shores
to be used as the Judgment of mis-
sionaries may direct in oorraling bar
barians in the fold Of Christ This
loo4s like extravagant remoteness OF
missionary zeal when it is 'remem-
bered that we have 30 much savagery
at home. A little missionary work in
Hill county would seem to be sadly
needed at the present time. It will
be remembered that some time last
March the people Of the State were
shocked by the published accounts OF
q double crime committed by a young
ruffian named Tom Varnell, near
Hubbard city, Hill county. The de-
tails of the crime are familiar. A
father was killed and o daughter out
ragged. The perpetrator OF the crime
escaped, and has not since been cap
tured. To the discredit Of the entire
State in general and the county Of
Hill in particular, no effort appears
to have been made to bring the Grim
inal to justice, and it now seems as
if a well-directed attempt were in
progress to manufacture opinion in
the interest of the (alleged) fugitive.
Abouta month ago one of Varnells
lawyers, named Grain, published over
his signature in o local paper, printed
at Hillsboro, communication in
which he denounced in the vilest
terms the daughters Of the slain man.
This lawyer made trip to Wiscon-
sin, the former home of Jonas Land,
who fell q victim to Varnell's bullet,
for the professed purpose of search
ing for the past record Of the Land
He returned to Hillsboro
and published the alleged results of
his inquiries. He described the two
of the slain man as wan
tons, unfit to associate with civilized
people, and recited o number OF dis
graceful incidents which he claimed
they were connected with during
their residence in Wisconsin. He
gave the names of several prominent
,itizens of Wisconsin as authority for
his statements. The mother of the
girls asked for a suspension Of pub
nc opinion until she could refute the
libel and present facts. The Wis
,onsin men whom Grain gave as au-
thority for his statements, have de-
bounced him as q falsifer, and
threaten 10 tar and feather him If he
10 ever caught in their vicinity again.
They denounce his published state
nents as pure fabrications. This
places Grain in an uncomfortable and
decidedly unenviable position, and
inless he can exculpate himself the
awyers of Texas should refuse fell |
owship with him and promptly expel
lim from their ranks. There is a
rood deal of license allowed crimi- |
lal lawyer in his efforts TO save a ]
.lient, but this license should not de-
cend to unmeasured blackguardism |
II defamation Of unfortunate and ap-
,arently helpless women. In the
anne publication in which Grain de-
lounces the defenceless girls he gives
his certificate Of character to his
lient:
Tom P. varnell citizen of Hill county,
orn and raised bere, though wild, is no
'ilder than O thousand boys raised In Tex
5, who have made good citizens and use
II men. Though wild, and would fight as
I Texas boys viii do, he was never &C
lsed of dishonorable act Was he over
sbarred the society Of the pure here7 No.
ias he not the constant playmate and CON-
anion Of the virtuous girls Of Hill county,
he not respected BY every pure girl who
BOWS him7
Could anything be more insulting
, common sense and decencyf A
lid young man, indeed Juh, Gero- +
imo and Sitting Bull could say the
me about some Of thsir young men,
no make periodical raids in seach Of G
alps. and slaughter youth. old age a
Id innocence, for amusement Grain I
lould be in partnership with the l
10 lamented Dukes, Of Pennsylva
a Their methods seem 10 be fash-
ned after the same plan, and il may
, conceived that in view Of the fate
Dukes. Grain would be more care
] IL the Land girls had o stalwart y
other or cousin in the vicinity. Al
y rate, there VIII be . dark spot on I
e escutcbeon Of Texas until Tom d
srnell is brought 10 justice. Such '
example would powerfully AID IN 4
4 ~ = :