Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-06-07
THE THunnEn SENSATION
Further Account Of the Troubles.
Charge Against LiRhtfoot.

Charge Against LiRhtfoot.
Colonel II. NJ. Furman. who has been
employed as special counsel TO assist
In the prosecution OF the three men
charged with an unlawful assembly at
Thurber. and also TO defend Captain
Lightfoot. charged with rape. a brief
account OF which appeared in yester-
days Gazette. returned TO his home
IN Fort Worth last evening. A reporter
saw him at his residence and secured
from him the following account OF the
recent troubles at Thurber.
He stated that a short time ago
saloon and gambling house was opened
on the outskirts Of Thurbcr and over
tho line In Palo Pinto county, and
the proprietor advertised free beer be-
tween certain hours and succeeded in
drawing large crowds Of the men 10 the
saloon, where they lmbibed 80 freely
ms 10 seriously Interfere with the work
of the mines. Frequently some OF the
men would 20 TO work IN a half drum
ken condition. which Is very dangerous.
as their work requires them 10 handle
large quantities of dynamite and other
explosives, and any Carelessness or
negligence on their part "a liable to
result IN great loss OF life and dcstruc-
ton of property.
ders that no man should be allowed
to enter the mlnes while In the least
intoxication. This order not having
the deslred effect. the men were called
together and told that all who insisted
In frequenting the saloon must hunt
work elsewhere.
Shortly after this incendiary circu-
lars were scattered through the streets
at night, calling on the miners TO rise
In their might" and throw OF the yoke
OF bondage" and be "freemen." not
slaves. These circulars created con-
siderable talk ard stir In tho town and
among the worlmcn. but Gtill there
were no indications OF any Intention on
the part OF the men TO heed them and
strike
About this time a negro named Par
rott from n mine at Hartshorn, J. T.,
appeared upon the scene and begun
to aEitate Il strike
After considerable agitation by Par
rott and his allies the saloon men an
nounccd free beer from IL o'clock until
o'clock on Friday, and a large NUM-
Der OF miners gathered at the saloon
and Parrot and others made speeches
urging the men to strike. and secret
meeting was arranged for Saturday
night to take action In the matter OF
| ordering a strike,
Captain Lightfoot. who had been en-
ployed by the mining oillclalH. was at
the saloon on Friday whom the secret
meeting for Saturday night was ar
| ranged and succeeded In having II
take place In Erath county ana on the
mining company'g property.
| AT the meeting only eight men were
| present, four miners the negro Parrot,
| two saloon mon and Capt kAghuoot,
| Speeches were made by the negro ana
| Tho saloon men. In which they urged
| the miners 90 strike, and assured them
| Of all the outside nsslAtance necessary,
! telling them that they knew OF lOoV
| men ready to come TO Thurber ana
| drive out by force amy wutlImen who
| should refuse to strike. After all Ind
| spoken, Capt Lightfoot gave the signal
| previously agreed upon, ana the oihceial
| who had In the meantime surrounded
the house. rushed IN aud arroated all
present. but allowed Capt. Lighttout
TO Escape. while the others were be-
ing locked up, Capt. Lightfoot hurried
| 10 the house Of one OF the Erresrcd
men. informed his wife OF the arrest
OF her husband and sought to obtain
| from her some important Information,
Failing In this he returned to the
town.
On Sunday morning when II leaked
out that Capt Lghtfoot was an officer
and had planned the arrest the woman
made the charge of rape against him
and had him arrested.
Preliminary examinations OF Parrot
and the saloon men were held BY q
Justice OF the peace at rhurber Monday
| and the men were all placed under
| bond to appear at the next term Of
the county court of Erath county &c
answer the charge OF holding an "un'
lawful assembly having for It's OBJ
ject the commission OF crime' ono al