Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-10-29
THE COMSTOCK PATRICmE.
The Father Killed While sitting la HIS
Chnir-The Son Insane.

Chur-Ihe son insane.
Correspondence OF the Gazette.
CHco, TEX, Oct. PA horrible MUIR
der took place two and half miles west
of Chico yesterday morning about sun
rise. Thomas Comstock, aged nineteen
years, shot and killed his father, aged
about fifty years. The facts Of the shoot
ing are about as follows.
Thomas Comstock has been in pecu-
liar state of mind for the past four or
five months. He only came to the house
for his breakfast carly in the morning.
remaining in the woods the reminder of
the time. No difficulty seemed TO
exist between the father aud
son, but the son had
not spoken 10 the father for several
months. While the father, Marshal
Comstock, was sitting in chair this
morning Thomas came up from behind
and fred four pistol shots at him. They
all took effect, one in the arm, one in the
neck, and the other two in the chest,
under each shoulder blade
A jury of inquest vas called by II. +.
Hawkins, Esq, and an opinion was given
in accordance with the foregoing facts.
The murderer is at large. Constable
Stanfeld with posse of men is in pur-
suit OF him. Insanity is the probable
cause Of the murder.
THE MURDERER CAPTURED.
Special to the Gazette.
DECATUR, TEX. Oct 2s-The killing
of Marsh Comstock by his son grew out
of dispute over the settlement of their
crop accounts. For several days father
and son had been quarrcling. II appears,
however, that the old man had not at
tached any Importance To the dispute,
evidently thinking that it was nothing but
little family jar that would be healed in
a day or so. Yesterday morning very
early he was sitting in the house reading,
when Tom came into the house. Passing
by his father he went TO his trunk, took
out his pistol and without n word Of
warning commenced firing upon the old
man. Four shots took effect and proved
instantly fatal, and Marsh Comstock. who
had battlcd successfully against the ills
of life for fifty years, was suddenly
launched into eternity at the hands OF his
own son.
AS soon as Tom discovered that he had
accomplished his fell purpose he left the
house prCcipitatcly, mounted Il horse and
fed. Ere the news of the tragedy could
be spread he was miles away. Officers
Immediately went in pursuit Of him, and
as soon as the telegraph wires could be
reached messages were sent in every d.
rectiOn Ceiling Of the horrible crime that
had been committed, and warning the OH
GERS OF the law to be on the lookout for
the fugitive. About dark last night "a
young man rode Into JacksbOro, and dis
mounting at hardware store he entered
and ordered cartridges.
citizen OF Wise county happened TO
be in the store at the time, and he, rccog-
nizing the young stranger as Tom Com
stock and having heard by wire of the
killing, caused the arrest Of the murderer,
so in less than twelve hours after the
commission OF his crime Tom Comstock
found himself In the hands of the officers.
/ our sheriff has sent after him
and before another twcnty-four hours he
Will be lodged in jail at this place.
Marsh ComstOck, the deceased, had been
living In this county for number OF
years. He owned a good farm and some
stock. He was about hfty years old, and
had raised a large family. 1t is reported
That several years ago lie had a difficulty
with his sOn-in-law, in which he shot his
sun-in-law pretty badly.
Tom Comstock Is mere youth, being
not over twenty or twenty-one years old.
, Immediately after he had shot his father.
and before he had left the house, his Older
brother got a shotgun and attempted Ia
arrest him, but Tom got the drop on his
brother and threatened to elk him The
same way" and so maintained his free.
dom for awhile.