San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-08-28

yesra ago. clerk Of the criminal court
and received II princely salary
Andrew was power then, he could
cause the Legislature to pass an act
10 raise his salary whenever he
wanted. He had immense influence
a host of admirers and followers
Always carried large roll Of money
and treated the boys like a true
prince. But whiskey will tell. Hif
accounts got tangled. His securities
got frightened, investigation develop
ed a shortage Of money tens OF thous
ands. He was removed. He was
indicted. The death Of his chief
deputy saved him from conviction
and to-day he walks the streets, O
wreck and a complete outcast. None
30 low as to do him reverence-yet
more perfect gentleman never lived
good hearted and really honest. His
intentions were good, but a few
hypocrites and political pick-pockets
first seduced him into cornwall habits
and then robbed him and ruined him
before he could awake to the realiza-
ton of his terrible situation.
Your readers remember my account
of the fate of Fred Thornton, clerk OF
our circuit courts. Fred was BRILL
ant young man, and his straightfor-
ward disposition and elegant person
and manners made him a shining
mark for that horde of thieves who
are known as ward politicians in large
cities. Thornton was thrown out,
disgraced and indicted, but escaped
conviction in the hospitality of a
timely grave. I shall drink myself
to death, he said, before next term of
court, and he kept his word.
Your correspondent had occasion
to enter rather stylish saloon on
Pine street some time ago, and whilst
consulting with the proprietor about
his testimony in a criminal case, a
man stepped up from behind some
lace curtains. His eyes protruded
from his head and were red as blood.
His clothes must have been given to
him, he trembled from head to foot.
Your correspondent could not recog-
nize him, and ordering the barkeeper
to fill glass of soda, asked the poor
fellow politely if he would join, and
with trembling hand he drank off a
glass full of whiskey. 1t your cor
respondent did wrong, he begs to
suggest in mitigation the two follow,
ing facts 1t did the poor fellow
good for the time being, and, it made
him believe that he had at least one
friend in the world. Well, this poor
man was Johnny Phelan who was
once acting Secretary of State, and
at various times filled the highest
and most responsible positions in
the city and State Governments
His name and reputation were with
out blemish. A few Sundays age
whilst reading the paper l noticed
his death at a private hospital-and
the attendant in his room told YOU
correspondent that he died a chris
tian's death--repenting bitterly o.
his life and wishing to die.
Mr. Frank Bliss, an old and respec.
ted merchant of st. Louis, committed
suicide yesterday by taking a overdose
of morphine. Your correspondent
saw Mr.. Bliss few moments before
the fatal deed. He seemed in great
DISTRESS he asked for small sum
of money; the modest sum WAS promp
tly given him. Some one present
suggested to arrest him and send
him to the hospital. A few moments
afterwards an ambulance dashed
down the street toward the dispen'
sary. 1t was Mr. Bliss they were
conveying. He died at 5 p. M
He was once prosperous and respecta-
BILE. He became ruined by drinking
He leaves wife and five children.
And so it is with hundreds of our
citizens, which proves beyond a
shadow of doubt that of all the
curses and Affections of this world
the curse of drink is the mightiest Of
them all. CARL SMYTHE.