The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-18
SANGUINARYPOLITICALWAR
"JaybirdS' and "WOodpeckers" Try
Conclusions with Rifles in Texas.
Riot Ruled Supreme, and People Fled for Their
Lives-Three People Killed and Several
WOunded-Militia Ordered to the Scene.

AUSTIN, Tex, Aug. 17.-The-long-looked
for outbreak between the contending pollt-
ical factions in Fort Bend county COM
menced at Richmond, the county seat, last
night about dark. The larger part of the
people of Fort Bend county are divided
into two political factions known as the
"Jaybirds" and the "Woodpeckers." The
former is composed of whites. who are
straight Democrats, numbering about four
hundred, and the latter includes the negroes
and few white Democrats, who are said
to have joined them in order to get Office
The ''Woodpeckers' are in large majority.
The trouble grew directly out of the arrest
of a 'Jaybird" who walked through town
with Winchester rifle on his shoulder.
and although he did nothing else, he was
arrested and put in Jail. Shortly after this
firing began. A scene of indescrible horror
and excitement reigned in the town of
Richmond, from which people were flying
In every direction to save their lives.
While it does not seem that more than a
few persons were engaged on either side;
some seyenty-five shots were fired in rapid
succession, and Sheriff Garvey and j. w.
Blakely, a prominent planter, were killed,
while J. w. Parker, Representative, and
II. 5. Mason, deputy sheriff. were wounded,
1ee peeke afsT pary Ssns H. one f. q Frdst she
Gibson and William Andrus. of
the ..Jaybird" party were slightly
injured. A negro girl was also killed, and
one of the four State Rangers who were in
the town was wounded accidentally. In,
after the tight, but reports say everything
was quiet at midnight. The Houston Light
Guard, twenty-four strong, left that city
about o'clock this morning for the scene
received by Governor Ross, this morning.
stating that everything is now quiet at
Richmond. Troops at Branham and other
places have been ordered to hold themselves
In readiness to move at moments notice.
special from Richmond says: Since the
fighting last evening in the streets here,
things have been supremely quiet. 1t is
the lull after the storm which lasted a
whole day and night. The county officials,
who are among the "Woodpeckers." re-
treated to the courthouse carrying their
wounded and still occupy it, supported
by the Houston Light Guard. who arrived
here about o'clock this morning. twenty
fvest ropg. The wounded in the courthouse
arc Judge j. w. Parker, now member of the
Legislature. and deputy sheriff Mason, shot
badly through the shoulder. One ball
entered beneath the shoulder blade OF
Judge Parker and another through the
groin. The latter is the more dangerous
wound. The bodies of Sheriff jas: Carver
and ex-Sheriff Blakely are still being held
there being no proper officer here to hold
an inquest
The military will preserve the peace bu,
the "Jaybirds" are in possession of the
streets. and no warrants have been sworn
out, nor arrests made. Henry Frost q
leader of the Jay birds" also was shot
down on the streets last night with f0ul
bullet wounds, and is fast sinking. The
'Jaybirds" are undoubtedly prepared fol
trouble at any moment, while the oppo
sition has materially weakened by the loss
OF two of their leaders. There Is u panic
and nearly one hundred have left by raj