Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-09-19

NAANNeS
eral pleas for delay, motions for continu-
snce and change of venue, all OF which
were oyerruled. The selection of a jury
was q tedious process, seventy-two names
yielding only five jurors, the other seven
were, however, more readily obtained, and
the trial began. The prisoner was charged
with the murder of Mrs. Lavonia Holmes.
The prosecution produced forty wit
nesses, whose examination extended
over three days. The facts as proved by
witnesses were as follows: Mrs William
pon "a widow, with her daughters, Mrs.
f.avonia Holmes and Beulah Williamson,
and her son. Ben Williamson, occupied and
owned a small farm short distance from
the town of San Saba Richard II. Duncan
often visited them. In January 1889, he
bought the farm for $500. On or about the
20th Of January, Duncan and man named
Walter LanderS drove up to the deceased 8
house IN a new Mitchell wagon, into which
the Williamson furniture, bedding, etc,
were loaded, and before midday the entire
family drove off, accompanied by Duncan
and Landers. The two latter, however re-
turned in 4 short time and stayed all night
IN the empty hoIse and then again left.
The same day two men, one OF whom was
Duncan, called at smithy near San Saba.
A bys5auuc- remarked: "Well, your
friends, the WilliamsOns, have gone. but
they'll soon be back again." TO which Dun
can replied: NO by God, they never will
come back On the 9th day of February
the defendant rode into the camp of Ranger
Hughes, near Barksdale. and inquired after
some rangers whom he said he knew. Next
nay Hughes met him going southwark on a
bay horse Landers was with him on q
splendid sorrel, 3 PAGER. This horse was
afterwards particularly noticed by many
witnesses.
Following the hOrsenen was new Mitch
ELL wagon drawn h. 4 roam, and bay
horse criycn by a light compleXioned youth.
The women answering TO the description
Of the WilliamsoAs were in the wagon.
Duncan told Hughes that his companion
wa, Picnic Jones from San Angelo.
Two or three days later, Duncan and 4 dark
cnnpieXlOned companion were seen by Tom
Salmon or Tie Nueces. near Bracket.
They were followed by q wagon containing
three women and man answering the de-
scrIptiUu of the murdered family. On
February 10 and II the two men, Landers
and Duncan, were seen in Bracket and
identified by Sheriff Nolan and others.
Inspector Ba!ianyIe saw the two men ride
up 10 4 wagon as il passed the house and
put some things in il. In the wagon he saw
three women and Il man. This was on the
llth. Next day the wagon with the three
women and a man in it, accompanied by the
defendant, We're seen passing Spoford
southIrard. 4 pacing sorrel horse was tied
behind the wagon. The defendant, Duncan,
called at Hobbs store in Spofford. He had
u Winchester with him, in good order. He
talked with George Hobbs and others That
night the party camped at an abandoned
ranch twelve miles south of Spofford. How
ard L2ycrlng also stayed there. He lGenti-
fed the defendant. The following day,
February y, Theodore Wipf, 4 farmer,
met Duncan, L9udcrs and the same family
about twenty miles south of Spot
ford. on i lonely road leading toward
The point on the river where the bodies
were afterwards found. Four days later
Duncan was trying 10 trade Off sorrel
horse IL Eagle Pass. On the nth he was
again in Bracket riding sorrel horse,
aud displayed 10 witnesses a Winchester
the magazine and barrel of which were
bent. Duncan entered Spofford from Eagle
Pass and left going toward Bracket. Next
CsEcar!y, he again rode into Bracket, fol-
lowed by the same wagon in which the
Nilliamsons had Travelled, but the sole oc-
rupant Of ii was Landers. The twain left
Bracket. going North. Two days later
Duncan was once more in Bracket, then
In SpOford. put up his horse at Hobbs sta
Die and took the train for Eagle Pass.
Here he engaged Shad White TO get wagon,
team, burro colt, bedding, etc, across
the river, agreeing 10 give Shad White
for his service credit FOR S35 on sorrel
horse which he was to receive. The goods
Ghre duly crossed and Old man Duncan
with Tap. left Eagle Pass in the wagon in
the direction Of SpoffOrd. Next day Dun
Can was again al SpofIord. He had the
bent Winchester and said he had bent il
over i stupid burrO. He took his horse, but
said he could not pay Hobbs charges. as
he owed Shad White S'5 for getting him
out OF . ''rOokuS'' in Mexico. He would
take the horse 10 Slad and come back and
pay his bill. He took the Eagle Pass road,
but that night rode up 10 Browns ranch,
thirty miles in the opposite direction
north OF Spofford, and asked for
WAGON and team. The defendant
stayed all night at Browns. as did also Mir.
Perry, who said he had seen the wagon and
man, whcreupon Duncan said: He
Landers) did not camp where L told him,
but next time I'll learn him to do it" Dun
can acted queeriy at this ranch, and seemed
AFRAID whenever the door opened. Next
Join Iaudrrs. On the same day the old
man and Tap arrived in Spofford with a
wagon. They SOLD 4 colt to William Hobbs
and left. travelling north. : witness next
day met both wagons. Each party asked
AFTER the other. proving that they had not
met Here Duncan and Landers traded a
uuiit FOR corn aud tried 10 sell 4 feather
bed. and again on the lst of March Sergeant
Aten and Ranger Hughes came upon Dun
can ana LanderS. north of Barhsd dale. III ~
were travelling north. Duncan drove ;
wagon, Landers riding in advance. II
rangers arrested them. They knew La
ers Is Picnic Jones. but upon sea- 4
found upon him letters for W. Lauders. lie
said Picnic was nickname. Duncan &
p,ained that he had been to Mexico with b
mother, Two sisters and brother-in-law. Tn
bruiher-n-law "1hoMpson,n was ac"- ed |
Of cattle theft ana he Duncan haf ken
him 10 Mexico, the mother aud sister |
were with him there and the other |
SISTER had come back by train The
rangers let their prisone- 90 |
10 San Saba, where Duncan was arrested !
Meanwhile. as explained above. the / -
Of The WllliamSons had been found IL =
river. They had all been murdered by |
blows from 4 blunt weapon. Their heads |
were horribly oca' en-, the skulls driven in 4
upon the Drain. At the trial several -eigh- !
JOrS Of the family. who had been struck BY |
The close resemblance of the published de- |
attended and Swore to the iden- |
thy of Mrs. LavOnia Holmes and Ben Will |
Jams. The latter was known by mis- cloth |
IL =. the former by / er false teeth, tooth |
plate and misshupeu feet The defense |
faced the Impossible. attempting 10 break |
his strong chain Of cirrumstantial evidence. |
The only relevant testimony was given by |
The father and brother of the defendant |
They positively swore that they were at |
frrRdJ : ranch. three miles north of Piedras |
Ergras. from February l. TO February l?
and that the defendant came there on the |
9Th and remained till the 10th. the brother
Tan swearing that Dick was J.. NO
."urs absent At = time This evid Is.
,uweIer. fatty contradcted by al
Il