San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-04-15
BEXAR. BUTCHERY.
Murder and IncendiariSm--AF ien-
dish Murder for Money!
Two Victims.

About O'Clock Saturday night word was
brought to Sheriff Mccall, of this city, that a
horrible tragedy resulting in the death of one
victim and the fatal wOunding of another
had occurred on the st. Hedwlg road, some ID
or IS miles out from the city. The victims
were James Mcdonald and wife, aG aged
couple 70 and 70 years Of age. respectively,
who have kept small country store for
years; On Friday night light about nine
resides short distance from the store
was awakened by cry of fire. He hurried
out and found McDOnald's house in flames.
No water was avalabl and the man VINO gave
the alarm and himself were unable to render
any aid. Not seeing either of the old people.
it was feared that they had persisted, but the
flames were too fierce TO permit them to enter
and they could only stand idly by and see the
entered the house and found one body burned
to d crsD. Soon afterward grOans were heard
coming from the brush and following the
sound Mr.. Martin walked into the under
brush about 40 yards from the house,
and came upon the unconscious body OF Nc.
Donald, who was breathing heavily. OBTAIN
ing light, he discovered that the old mans
head terribly battered, and there were
two severe wOunGs, one over his ear and one
at the base of the skull. Near by was mes
quite club clOtted with blood and hair, the
bludgeon, no doubt. with which the deed was
done, and near by a spoon and can Of soda.
The wounded man was taken to Mr.. Martins
house. together with the club and other arti
ces. The wounded man was brought TO this
city and now lies in an unconscious and criti-
cal condition in the city hospital.
The theory of the neighbOrs is that Mr. Nc
Donald, who is something of horse dOclo
was called out of the store TO attend Il
sick horse and took the soda
with him: that on reaching the
brush he was struck down and left for dead,
his assaant then returning to the store killed
the old woman, rotbed the house and set fire
TO II tC cover uD his deed.
Suspicion rests upon young cOlOred man
who came to the store on last Thursday, upon
a gray horse, which he sold to Mcdonald for
SIS together with the saddle, bride, and
gum coat Mr. Martin who was present ad
Yised Mcdonald to be ca etul, as the probable
tiles were that the horse was stolen, the ami
NAL being worth double what was asked. Nc
Donald took Martins advice and refused to
pay more than half down, the balance in thirty
days This was agreed to, the colOred man en-
tered and signed his name to the bill of sale as
Will Evans, but seemed unable to spell
Evans" and asked Martin TO spell it for
him. Mcdonald, in paying the man, showed
a wallet well filled with Rrhenbacks which he
took out of trunk and the negro pressed for
the full amount, as Mcdonald lad the money.
This the Cd man refused and the negro left
saying he was going to Seguin. He was seen
however the next morning within few
miles of McDOnaId's and it is supposed that
on Friday night he returned and committed
the horrible deed.
1t has since transpired that the horse sold
by Evans was the animal stolen from Pound
master CassianO of which mention was made
at the time in the LIGHT, and every effort
will be made to capture him The sheriff has
his description as near as can be remembered,
and though there is no certainty that the
man who sold the horse was the
murderer suspicion very naturally points
that way. In the meantime every effort is be-
ing made to restore Mr.. Mcdonald 10 con-
seriousness that his testimony may throw light
upon the affair.
Mr.. McDOnald's condition today ia un-
changed. He is still unconscious, aud re-
manned so all last night.