Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-12-14
CAPITOL HOTEL.
ALBANY.
The Cattle Suffering The Town Don.
ming Holiday Attire.
Judge Leadbetter, One of the Oldest
Settlers of the Frontier, Dead,
JorreEnondenoe of the nnrotte.

Correspondence OF the Gazette.
ALBANY, TEX, Dec. Il 1t rained
here steadily Tor over three days and
nights and we are now in the midst of
norther. The stock interests in this
section are suffering badly. The grass
in many places is insufficient to ~
tain the number of cattle now grlLing
upon it. A severe frost will 0ndrely
destroy all substance that remAips.
The town already presents Holiday
appearance. The shop windows are
decorated with toys of all descriptions
and the numerous small-boy is heard
from, much 10 the annoyance of old
people, who forget that they were Cnce
young.
A committee OF ladies Ia canvassing
the town with subscription list, for
the purpose of decorating u large
Christmas tree at the courthouse on
the eve before Christmas.
The sad news of the death of Judge
| w. H. Leadbetter, on the night of the
Sth, was announced by courier from
| Fort Griffin. Many were the ex pres
sions OF sorrow heard on our streets
when thu fact became generally known.
No man in Shackelford county Is more
honored aud esteemed tina Judge
William II. LeadGSyue, ~ =.
the oldest settlers on the nSt or. he
has enjoyed the reputation Of hIDg an
honest, brave, hospitable I'D law
abiding citizen, always ready TO lend a
helping hand TO enforce the law. Many
q rowing band Of Indians has been Sc
vereiy punished for atrocity TO the
white settlers by Judge Leadbetter and
his neighbors. The old salt.works,
eight miles southwest of town, which
bear his name, were the scene of many
close contest between him and his
savage foes. The door and window
frames of the old rock building still
bear the marks of bullets fired by the
dusky fiends. Not only cid
.. the Judge suffer loss Of
property from the incursions OF the
Indians. but he also lost son, who
, was carried away into captivity at tn,
age OF nine years, and was never hearC
from until three years ago, when h'
was accidentally discovered by one o
the judges friends and restored TO hi
family, having been thirteen year
among the Indians and renegades, oil
the upper waters of the Pecos.
, Judge LeRdbetter was justice OF TIN
peace at Fort Griffin, when Shackel
ford county WAS attached to Palo Pint
county, and since the county has beel
organized, he has successfully iillet
the Offices of commissioner and count.
Judge. His death will not only be sa'
news at home, but will ind mourner
= in Dallas, Tarrant, Parker, Palo Pinto
Q Jack, Young, Stephens, Erath an
. other counties of Northwest Texas
! for we believe that the maj GRITTY Of OLE
! frontiersmen know him personally
. and appreciate his good qualities.
Notwithstanding the fact that
Tained all morning, the remains OF tn
|, old pioneer were escorted TO the GENE
u terry by the MasoDs, where they weT
4 inferred with mystic rites of the fra
: ternity.
One after another the old pioneer
depart, like the sturdy old oaks this
stand in the farmers field long aftt
the traces Of their native forests haV
, disappeared, withstanding the storm
II and ravages of time until civllizatlo
n surrounds them with all the improve
i ments of the advanced age, silent ser
v tinels, hoary land marks of the pas
{ "The benedietioDs OF these covering HEAVIER
!, Fall ON their heads like dew Tor ihey a
i. worthy
II To inlay heaven with stars -ICymheline.
p The commissioners court convene
3 and passed suitable resolutions
u honor of the deceased pioneers men
DRY.
L Judge Leadhetter leaves a wife an
Z 1--WE children in comfortable circun
10 stances.