The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-09-30
A TEXAS MASSACRE.
Five NEoRoEs Ang BuFcnERED
And a Fourth SIOrtally wounded : One
Woman suffers Terrible Iudlsnltiss
While ia the Throes of Doath-Ths
Murlsrsr, a COiOrsd Man, Captured.

GALVESTON, TEX, Sept. o9.-The Ne'rs'
Austin special says: A horrible tragedy
was enacted last night in which negro
man and three negro women were brutal
ly murdered by having their skuAs crush
ed with an axe. They were servants in
the family OF W. B. Durham, editor of the
Ter0s Court Reporter, and occupied a
shanty in the rear OF his premises of
Guadaloupe street. The names Of the
victims are Orange Washington, his wife,
known as Gertie Vance, Patsy Gibson
and Lucinda Boldly.
From the testimony and surrounding
circumstances it appears that the assaSSins
entered the room Of the sleeping occu-
pants through window, and before any
Of them aw0ke succeeded iu striking all
four Of them in the head with an axe.
Seizing Grace Vance, they dragged her
through window, threw her over fence,
then pulled her through weeds across a
vacant lot to the rear Cf q stable. At this
place she must have recovered conscious
ness, as evidences OF a death struggle are
abundant. She was, however, overpower-
ed and her head battered TO Jelly with
brick, and apparently while she was
struggling between life and death the as
s:Issin outraged her.
While the tiends were committing this
horror, Lucinda Boldly recovering some
what from the blow she had received re-
gained sufficient strength to get up and
light lamp in the shanty. One OF the
assassins seeing ths light returned, and
sticking his head in the window cursed
the woman and ordered her 10 put out the
light. At seeing him she screamed and
ran from the building. He leaped through
the window, put the light out, followed
and overlook the fleeing woman Just as
she got TO the front gate. There was an
other desperate struggle, during which
Mr.. Dunham, who was awakened by the
woman's screams, threw open his front
door.
AN APPEAL FOR HELP.
Not knowing tina. murder had been
committed and thinking the disturbance
was simple row helsveled his gun at them
without the intention of shooting, and
ordered them to cease their noise. The
woman by adesperate struggle freed her
self from the assassin and running to Mf. |
Dunham threw her arms around him and
implored protection, saying the men had
murdered every one in the shanty. The
murderer as Eoon as the wonin ran to
Mr.. Dunham, who at once called his neigh |
bora to assist in catching the murderer,
ran through thicket few blocks back
OF the house. He was followed by several
persops and several shots fred at him
without apparent effect as he gained the
thicket aud made his escape. The officers,
however, think they will capture the
murderer, as they have several clews, and
descriptions obtained from Lucinda Boldly.
II caught he will be lynched. Grace
Vance was dead when found. Orange
Washington died at an early hour yes.
terday morning. Patsy Gibson aud Lu-
cinda Boldly are in the hospital. There
are hopes that Lucinda will recover, but
there are no hopes for Patsy. All the
victims were terribly gashed in the head
and face.
REsEMBLEs OTHER RECENT CRIMES.
The entire details OF the crime resem-
BILE closely the murder Of Mary Rainey
and daughter few weeks ago, and it is
generally believed that the same tisnd
committed both crimes. Two negroes are
under arrest on suspicion and officers are
in pursuit. OF third who answers the de-
scription given by Lucinda Boldly. In
tense excitement prevails among the
whites and blacks at the repeated occur
rences OF this nature in the Capital City,
which seem to be directed against white
and colored servants. The authorities are
using every effort to ferret out the fiends.
At the coroner's inquest the jury rem.
dered verdict against q negro named
"Doc" Wood. He was captured last night
by officers in Baird's cotton field, eight
miles from town. Blood was found on the
lower part OF his shirt aud sleeve.