The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-03-19
DICK DRANNON.
The Alleged confederate Of Yesser
On TrisI or Mail Robin


On Trisl or Mail Robin
Yesterday the trial of Rlchard Bran
non accused of having, on the 10tn
of last December, robbed the postof-
flee at Smithwick, in Burnett County,
began in the Federal Court. This is
the identical offence for which the no.
torious Yeager received a life Sen
tence. Yeager, in desperation, as is
known to every reader of THE
STATESMAN, rather than submit to the
verdict, took his life in his hands, and
together with the even more desper-
ate Pitts, after the fierce and bloody
fight in which Col. Gosling was slain,
made wild leap for liberty. He was
recaptured and if the gallows
is not cheated of its legitimate victim,
the rest of his natural life will be
spent behind the dreary walls of the
prison at Chester.
Dick Brannon, the man charged
with assisting him in the robbery
above mentioned, is u rather tall,
slender young fellow of twenty-three,
with horid face, blue eyes, and
light hair. His attorneys, Messrs.
Pendexter and Burleson entered a
plea of not guilty for their client and
the case opened. Mr.. Pendexter made
the point that number of the jury
mensat in the trial of a Yeager, and had
therefore already formed an opin-
ion as to Brannon's guilt. On
being asked the question, four
of the jurors rose and
acknowledged that they had formed
such opinion, whereupon judge
Turner excused them.
Mr.. A. M. Cox was the first State
witness. He told clear and straight
forward story about as follows:
1t was growing late in the day on
the 10th of last December. l had left
my store, though it was not quite
dark. l am also the | o itmaster at
Smithwick and the postotfice is kept
in the store. A man came up the
gate ard called me out. He wanted
to buy some things, and / walked
with him to the store. Here the man
sits (pointing at Brannon,) am sure
he is the same man. We went in and
he ordered some crackers, oysters etc.
Presently another man entered.
1t was Yeager. 1 did not know either
one of them. After each had selected
a pair of boots, Brannon suddenly
threw down pistol on me and told
me to throw up my hands. My peck
cts we're then searched and Tifled of
purse and keys, one Of which opened
the safe that stood behind railing
which separated the poSt-oflice from
the rest of the store. Defendant said:
"Open the safe, d-n you, and quick
too, else I'll Kill you" He kept his
weapon levelled at me, and 50 did
Yeager. l unlocked the safe and
Yeager proceeded to take out the
papers and money that were within.
But, for some cause, Brannon
didn't like his method of procedure,
and changing positions made Yeager
guard me while he finished the job.
Among the things he took were two
registered letters, (here the witness
described them) although forbade his
doing so. This was all the postoffice
matter taken. / allowed it to be taken
because my life was in jeopardy. Both
men had pistols and l was afraid if
did not submit they would kill me-
The above is in substance the gist
of Mr., Cox'5 testimony. 1t was cor
by that of other witnesses,
and taking it all together Brannon's
chances for acQniJtal look very
slim. But he Is represented
by able and experienced
attorneys who will leave no stone I'M
turned to secure his freedom. His
conviction Of he is coDvicted) will I'm.
sound the knell Of the era OF
the highwsyman in Texas. With the J