The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-03-27
SAN ANTONIO.
Special Telegram to The Statesman

SAN ANTONIO.
| Special Telegram to The Statesman.
SAN ANTONIO, March 22.-Joseph
G. Foster, the man aIledged to be shot
and wounded in the leg by the late
Ben Thompson on the night of the
18th of this month, died this forenoon
at II o'clock, after lingering illness.
Great hopes OF his recovery were en-
tertained up to within forty-eight
hours ago, when hemorrhage of the
severed artery set in, followed by
another which rendered a second am
putation necessary, from the effects of
which he died this morning.
From Major T. L. Teel, who was
well acquainted with hin, and from
Capt. Ed. Stevens, 1 learn the follow
ing facts of his history: Foster was
a Missourian, and in the early years
of his life emigrated to California
during the gold fever. From Califor-
mia he went to New Mexico in 1856,
and located at Santa Fe. When the
war between the states broke out Maj.
Teel, inspector-generalo of New Mexico
mustered him into the confederate
service in New Mexico, in Capt. Phil
lips company, who called themselves
the Partisan Rangers. This company
was composed of a most daredevil,
wild and reckless set of fellows, who
distinguished themselves greatly dur
ing the war. In 1862 his company
came here and broke up at Houston.
Foster opened gambling house in
Houston for a short time, and then
came to San Antonio and joined Bob
Shobe's company, and remained here
until the breakup of the war. Then
he joined Mat Woodlief, of Houston,
(who was afterwards killed in Louis
iana,) and John Hagaler, and they
started gambling saloon, which
Foster afterwards became sole owner
of and at this bu sineSs amassed for
tune of some hundred thousand dol
lars odd. He leaves wife and a large
number of friends. He was forty-five
years old, and owned half interest
in the Vaudeville theater, large faro
room, some real estate, and several
fast horses. He was never addicted
to drink to any extent, and was a
shrewd business man. To those with
whom he was friendly, he was warm
and genial companion, but there was
a vindictiveness in his nature which,
even in his last moments, he could
neither eradicate or suppress. That
he should have died without max
ing a full and clear confession,
is greatly to be regretted, as the opin-
ion prevails to great extent that
there are certain facts regarding the
killing of Ben Thompson and King
Fisher which the public are yet in to-
tai ignorance of. If his death will
terminate the trouble engendered by
the murder of the two men named,
the people of this city will have rea-
son to feel thankful for his unexpected
demise; and while there is evidently
portion of the sad story yet untold,
and while there are men as
black in guilt as he who
may never be brought to justice,
for the part they took in the awful
tragedy at the Vaudeville, still 1 think
the unfortunate occurrence has now
been sufficiently atoned for in the lin
gering death of Foster, and the time
has come when all parties to the quar-
rel, and the friends of the dead men
everywhere, should cease their threats
of FIXTURE violence, and bury their
vengeance and their animosities in the
graves where their comrades sleep.
The remains of Foster will be inter-
red here tomorrow, and large funer-
al cortege will, no doubt, follow them
to their last resting place.
SAN ANTONIO, March 22.-The dis
appearance of Fred Fries, manager of
Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express and also
of the Texas Express company, of
this city, was cleared up to-day by the
receipt of a letter from Fries, dated
Chicago. 1t seems he lost package
of $3.50 belonging to the company, and
although his brothers made that good
to the company afterwards, he skipped,
fearing arrest and conviction for en-
bezzlement. 1t is rumored that GER
tain women got large share of the
money. He waltZed away. The same
time young bank clerk disappeared
with $4,000, and it was supposed they
went together.
Joe Fosters funeral occurs to-mor-
row at p. m.
The election to secure an appropria-
ton of $350,O00 for sewerage has been
lost by four to one.
A meeting was held yesterday to
organize union stock yards company
here, and another meeting will be held
soon for the same purpose.
DAN ANIONlO, MdTCu GO.-J dCh
Sommers, formerly partner in saloon
here, is absent from the city and his
partner misses some $500 cash. 1t is
reported Sommers stole this and left
but as he was due more than that
amount from the firm his actions may
have been justifiabIe.
The residence of S. Half, wealthy
merchant, was burglarized last night,
and silverware, clothing and money
taken.
j. r. Emerson a consumptive
stranger, died on the Sunset sleeper
at Richmond, last night while on his
way to San Antonio.
The New Orleans trains are delayed
the past few days on account of wash
outs and levee breakes.
The temperance question is being
vigorously ag1tated here.
The Turner opera hall has been
leased to Tom Howard, present mana
ger, for another term.
A soiled dove in one of our places of
sin here, attempted suicide last night
because of love affair.
j. G. Carr, of Bracket, who killed
Jerry Holmes, has been acquitted.