The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1890-06-21

in the rear end of the coach: Eyes, L
will protect YOU if die for it," The
tall form of the unknown Texan was
seen rapidly approaching along the
aisle. His eyes shown in the dim light
like those OF the wild beast ready to
snring upon its prey. The keen blade
| of a knife was scen IT, glitter above
his head, and with a mighty blow WAS
| buried to the hiit in the breast of the
black rnffian. With a wild yell he
leaped from the car and fell dead upon
the side track.
The strangerq quietly walkedout of the
coach at the other end. and stepped a
few PAGES away, under cover of the
darkness, to await developments. He
had not long to wait. All the lmps
Of darkness. turned loose could not
have equaled the uproar and tumult
this deed created. Word few to camp
that one of their comrades had been
murdered by Il confederate soldier.
A wild rush was made for the train,
aud for a few moments it looked as
if all on board would be put to death.
Search was made for the murderer,
declaring that if found he should be
shot at once. The stranger stood but
a few feet away, quietly listening to
his death sentence us the soldiers
madly rushed by. AT last one de-
clared he had found the man he
seized one of the officials of the rail
read, and others coming up with
equal positiveness swore TO his
identity. Violent hands were lad
upon the innocent man, while the
drunken mass that crowded around
him seemed as if they would crush
him to death. His vain ~pleadings of
innocence were drowned by the wild
| yelIs Of the surging crowd. He was
being carried away for execution.
Where was the unknown Texan ?
He had shown his courage, now
would he waiver in the face of I'M
mediate death. With his hand he
had protected the person of Il de-
fenseless woman, by dyeing it in the
blood of her assallants. Would he
stand by and see an innocent man
die i'll his stead With calm delibera-
ton, without any emotion whatever,
he made his way to the maddeDing
SloAd, anu With d Iolo ~ SNiN I.
"Turn this man loose, he is innocent.
| am the one who did it-now do
, your worst" This gave new impetus
to the drunken crowd, and he was
harried away to camp. A drumleaG
courtmartial was convened, and he
was condemned to be Immediately
shot. While he was being tried, word
flew like Tightening over the town
| that Il white man Vas to be shot, and
every negro that could possibly go,
came rushing into camp and surround
ed the brave Texan, offering him
every insult and indignity that their
wicked souls could invent. The ne
gro ONE outdid the men in re-
jnicing over the fate of the prisoner,
Even the cruel and bloodthirsty
Queen Esther could not have rejoiced
more over her captives.
At II 80 a spade was given the con
demned and he was ordered to dig
his grave. Selecting a spot neal
the brow of the hill, he commenced
the heartrending task of digging. hi.
own grave. Spadeful after spadetu
was thrown up, till three feet wa.
reached. Then, standing erect ant
stretching ont his arms, he said: -
am ready !" 4 breathless stiffness fol
Il moment prevailed. The command
fire was given-a yolley rung out, ane
the brave Texan falls dead in hi.
grave, amid the d~eafening shouts o
the multitude, leaving behind hin
the grandest tribute to southern
chivalry-that no other land under til.
sun rears men who give their lives t.
protect the honor of unknown wo
men.