Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-30
HORRIBLE TEXAS TRAGEDY.
-Four CoIored Persons Brutality Murdered BIZ
Negro Fiepd.
(By telegraph 10 the Dispatch.I


fBy telegraph 70 the Dispatch.l
GALVESTON, September ga spe-
cial to the Neps from Austin says A
horrible tragedy was enacted Sunday
night, in which a colored man and three
colored women were brutally murdered
by having their skulls crushed with an
axe. They were servants to the family
Of W. b. Durham, editor Of the TEXAS
Court Reporter, and occupied shanty
in the rear OF his premises. on Guada-
loupe 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 assas-
sin entered the room where they were
sleeping through window, and before
any Of them awoke succeeded in strik-
ing all four Of them with an axe. Seiz-
ing Gertie Vance, he dragged her
through the window, threw her over the
fence, then pulled her through the weeds
across a vacant lot to the rear Of
stable situated seventy-fye yards from
the shanty. At this place she must
have recovered consciousness, as evil
dences Of a struggle are abundant. He,
however. overpowered her and battered
her head with brick to jelly.
While the fiend was committing this
horror Lucinda Boldly, recovering
somewhat from the effects Of the blow
she had received, arose and lighted a
lamp in the shsDty. The assassin,
seeing the light, returned, and. sticking
his head through the window, cursed
the woman and ordered her to put
the light out. Upon seeing him she
screamed and ran from the building.
He leaped through the window and put
the light out, and then followed and
overlook the fleeing woman just as she
got to the front gate. A desperate
struggle ensued, during which Mr.. Dun
ham. who had been awakened by the
woman's screams, threw open his front
door, and, thinking the disturbance a
simple row, ordered them to cease their
noise. The woman freed herself from
the grasp Of her assailant and rushed to
Mr.. Durham, imploring protection, and
saying that the man had murdered
every one in the shanty. The muir
derer ran as soon as the woman escaped.
Mr.. Durham aroused the neighbour
hood and they started in pursuit Of the
man. who made for thicket few
blocks back Of the house. Several
shots were fired at him without effect
by his pursuers, and he gained the
thicket and made his escape. The Off
GERS think they will succeed in cap
turing him. as they have several clues
and descriptions Of him. If caught he
will be lynched.
Gertie Vance was dead when found.
Orange Washington died at an early
hour Yesterday morning. Patsy Gibson
and Lucinda Boldly are in the hospital.
There are hopes that lucinda will re-
cover, but Patsy will die. All the
victims are terribly gashed in the head
and face.
The entire details Of the crime re-
semblc those Of the murder Of Mary
Raincy and her daughter few weeks
ago, and it is generally believed that the
crimes were committed by the same
person. Two negroes are under arrest
on suspicion. and officers are in pursuit
Of 3 third who answers the description
given by Lucinda Boldly.
Intense excitement prevails among
the whites and blacks over the repeated
occurrence of crimes against servants
Of both races. The authorities are
using every effort to ferret out the
I tends.
Later.-A dispatch from Austin
states that the coroner's jury has re-
turned verdict against Doc" Wood,
negro. He was captured last night by
the officers in Bsird's cotton-tield,
eight miles from Austin. Blood was
found on his shirt and on his sleeves.