Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-05-29
wILBARGER COUNTY.
Deyilish Work OF the Six. Shooter--Tw0
Men KILLED In Camp--Local
News In Vernon.

/, suit of the barbarian habit OF carrying
six-shooters is to be chronicled again
from this county. Last Tuesday at
Ike Burnett's cow-camp on Wanders
creek, in the northwestern part of this
county, Dick Kane was instantly
KILLED and John Kelley MORALLY
wounded. The circumstances are
about as follows: John Kelley, Will
liam Griffin and Luke Hollenbeck
left the herd for camp. Running their
horses into camp, they began shooting
promiscuously, and in less than n
minute bali from Griflin's pistol
struck Kelley in the back just below
the shoulder-blade, passed through the
right lung and came out between
the first and second ribs
on the right breast. Not
IL struck Dick Kane in the forehead
above the left eye, killing him instant
ly. Kelley was removed to the r. .
headquarter ranch, where he lies with
very little hope of his recovery.
II happened that James Harry, one
of the rangers stationed here, A. Jenk-
ms, a deputy sheriff from some eastern
county, and l.. j. Hensley of this place
were at the camp at the time of the
shooting. Mr.. Harry Immediately ar
rested Griffin, aud brought him to
town and lodged him in Jail,
where he awaits his preliminary
examination, which will take place to-
morrow. Hollenbeck came into town
to-day as witness for Griffin, and
was arrested at once and put into Jail.
His preliminary examination was
commenced this afternoon, and will be
finished in the morning.
The theory of the defense is accident,
as usual. The theory of the prosecu-
ton is that the parties doing the shoot
ing knew of the presence of the
officers in the camp, and conspired to
either drive them away or kill them.
Let either theory be correct, there is one
thing certain-it cost the life of one
man and another is about the same
as dead.
We will take the liberty here to
state that cattlemen are directly, indi-
vidually and personally responsible for
the damnable and barbarous practice
of carrying six-shooters on the ranges,
and In certain degree responsible for
the killing, whether it is done with
malice, by negligence or accident, of
every person who comes To his death
by the siX-shooter on the range or in
most of the western towns. The gov
ernor may issue his proclamation
forbidding the carrying of
the six-shooter; officers may arrest
the offenders, and courts may punish,
but the cattlemen are more powerful
than all combined. They can stop it
at once, and efiectually, too. They can
refuse to employ any man that will
and altar that,
ployed hands with this understanding,
If any man violates his obligation dis
charge him Immediately. Then, and
not till then, will this heathenish and
barbarous practice be stopped, and I'M
til il is done we shall daily read of the
sacrifice of human beings because the
very men who can will not stop it.
Still people are coming to our town
and county. The universal verdict of
all is that Wilbarger is the finest
county in The state. If anyone does
not believe this, let him pay this
county visit, examine its resources
and decide for himself. Thousands of
cattle pass by here on the trail daily.
Mrs. James Drury has opened
school here. Prof. Nights school is
progressing nicely.
Judge Doan withdrew his resigna-
ton. and will still press the wool-sack
until the next general election.
We have had several fine rains DUR
ing the last week, and farmers, cattle
men and all are wearing broad smiles
MIR. Wheeler, who recently moved to
our town, is building dwelling-house.
Mrs. Gordon, the better-half of w.
l.. Gordon, Esq, has gone to Lam
pasas to visit friends.
LATER.
VERNON, May 27.-Word has Just
reached town that John Kelley, who
was shot through the right lung on
the 10th inst. at Ike Burnetts camp,
died at . o'clock this evening at the
RI headquarter ranch. Thus have two
human lives been lost because of the
reckless use of the six-shooter. Luke
Hollenbeck and VIM. Griffin were
allowed bail by Esquire Riddle, the
former in the amount of 81 900 and the
latter $1,000. Hollenbeck gave bail
for two weeks(?), but Griffin will be
very apt to lie in Jail, as it is thought
he cannot give bail.
understand that q petition Is
being circulated this evening for sigma
lures, asking the governor to order the
rangers stationed here to be disarmed
and probably to be removed from this
place. We have not seen the petition,
so as to learn exactly how
1t reads, but we do know
that our best citizens are not vet ready
! Tor the rangers to be disarmed. nor TO
have them removed from this county.
They are a powerful factor in keeping
order In this community, and if it is
necessary counter petition Will be
sent to the authorities at Austin to
counteract the effect of the petition
above referred to. Evil doors do not
like the presence of the ranger bows.
and hence desire them to be unarmed
or taken out Of the county.
This was the day for the public sale
and lease OF school lands. Twenty
seven sections were purchased by
: actual settlers, and five sections
leased In this county, and five sections
leased and one section purchased in
, Hardeman county. 1t rained most OF
the day.
Rev. Kason Is now preaching to a
large congregation at the court-house.
We got acquainted with several men
to-day who have come to this eountv
I homes.
: Esq. Riddle will go out to the r Q
: headquarter ranch Tomorrow to hold
Kelley. ~
/ -