The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-11-29
MACK CROOKS.
A Noted Criminal Case of Pro
found Interest IN North
Texas.
Rehearsal of the Facts of the In
famous Assassination of
Sheriff Black.
Special Telegram to the Statesman.

oPeCldl Telegram TO tne statesman.
SHERMAN, November 22.-The famous
Crooks Harris murder case, on q change
of venue from Lamar county, which went
to trial in this city on last Monday, is still
progressing slowly. The readers of THE
STATESMAN will remember that James H a..
Black was elected sheriff of Lamar county
on the first Tuesday in November, 1884,
and was assassinated on the night of the
16lh of that month at his home at Bios
som Prairie by being called to his door
and shot by an unknown posse. Mack
Crooks, the incumbent sheriff of Lamar
county, was Sheriff B ack's opponent in
he race, and short time after the mur-
der circumstances disclosed led to the
belief that an escaped prisoner from the
Lamar county Jail, named Jno. Middleton,
had committed the deed at the instigation
of Mack Crooks and his deputy, Newt
Harris.
Middleton is known to have died a shor
time after the crime. They obtained a
change of venue to this county and Louis
Holman, charged with being an accom-
plice, was also arrested and turned states
evidence. Crooks and Harris have had
three trials in this city, resulting in hung
juries. About twenty witnesses for the
prosecution have been examined since
Monday, producing about the same evil
dence with one or two exceptions. A new
witness named Thomas Christopher was
introduced to-day and testified as follows:
l reside in Paris, Tex, and lived there in
1884 and 1886. l first knew John Middle
ton number of years ago and was in
prison with him in 1884, when they I'D
me charged with forgery, of which charge
was cleared. While was in Jail Sheriff
Mack Crooks came to me and asked me
if fellow would set 'em up to 5000 or
$500 if would do up Mr.. Black, or some
thing to that effect Middleton was In
the cell with me and smiled and said that
he would do it. Middleton made his es-
cape from jail some time after was re-
leased. The next night after Sheriff
Black was killed I met Middleton on
horseback on one of the streets
IN Paris. He told me that he
had killed Sheriff Black and asked me if 1
would rot help him kill man by the
name of Nelson. told him that would,
which did in order TO get chance to
capture him, as 1 knew there was big
reward for him. l told Sheriff Gum
about il several days RfterWaI5, and we
Ggfeed 60 seer the matter dark and try 20
catch Middleton. have never testified
i'll this case before. The defense had me
summoned, but never pat me on the stand.
Lewis Holman, the accOmplice who
turned states evidence, testified this after
noon as follows: Mack Crooks and ] are
on good terms. I was his deputy antil he
went out of Office. After that went TO
work in a store at Emberson's Prairie.
On the 18th day of February, 1885, MIR.
Yates, who bad also been one of Mr..
Crooks deputies came out and told me
that Mr.. Crooks wanted me TO come to
PGris. went TO Paris and found Mr..
Crooks tending bar in his saloon. He aud
she o1er. piaus5.p cf Imeraa end q stake
Of $4,000. O'CGnuor rowed IL spiendit
fJrI and led from the stErt tC the hnish
/ Ieemer ~ no time being able TO oYartas'
him. OCOnnOr will nov so q
Australia TO bottlo with Sealy for tht.
cham pi0uship of the world. The 2reeer
race grew out OF = quarrel made in Se'
York between Teemgr and George Lee
trainer OF O'Connor. Intellectual effort
had been made before shat t.m- 10 brlni
/ ,he two Oarsmes iuto q race rJt after th
/ q lar1ci both raep acre arN.ogs 70 Usc
/ zach other, and they we're q1.ce'5 ne'oha'
for ti. contest ut Washto ,on 20 DAY,