Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-05-26

mot death bravely. tearfully bidding
his friends goodbye and repeating
prayers with Rov. Father Emory OF
the Catholic church. The crime for
which Brown was hanged was the as
sasslnation last February OF ex-Police-
man Anderson Harris, who was de-
ooysd Into the suburbs and shot.
Browns love for his Victims wife was
the motive OF the crime. The woman
is In jail.
The Crime.
The crime for which Austin Brown
paid the death penalty was one OF the
most atrocious and prsmcditated as
sassinations in tho criminal annals OF
Bexar county. He Rmbushed and shot
down in cold blood on the night OF
February Anderson Harris cdiorsd
hackman md ex-police officer. The
victim was enc OF the most popular
members OF the negro population OF
San Antonio. His life had been an
open book during his long residence m
San Antonio and nothing could be said
against him. He was at all times hon
est and upright and had the confidence
an< Iespcut Of mot only the colnred
PEOPLE OF the city, but the whites who
knew him as well. He was u kind hus-
band and a loving and indulgcnt
father.
He lived with his family In mod
est. but comfortable home at 806 In
d!hnola Htreet He was always "A good
provider for his wife and chiidrn and
nothing came between him and the
happiness OF his home until about two
years age, when Brown FORMED the nc-
quaintanee OF Mrs. Harris and aoot be-
gan calling at the house These vista
were made frequently and generally
during the absence Of Harria. who. hHy-
ing implicit trust In his wife's faith
fulness 20 him, saw nothing out ~
place In THESE calls OF his pretended
friend, Brown,
Matters continued TO rrc gross In this
manner until Hnrris finally received
hint from one or his friends that Brown
would bear watching and that his visits
10 his home were likely TO cause ttpu-
BILE. Harris was slow 70 realize the
pOrtcnt Of thene words OF warning.
but he began 10 take "a closer view Of
the situation. which resulted In him or
deflng Brown TO discontinue his visits
10 HIS home. The command was given
Brown onN Il few DAYS before tho
tragedy Brown ~ said to have vowed
vengeance upon Harris at that tiiuc
and began deliherltiug us to the beet
method Of removing him. Thnt he had
cunning, stenlthy uud fottlle imagina-
lion Is shown by the diabulical plot
which he hItched and arranged TO put
Into practice.
\ Deliberate Murder.
According TO the testimony given on
the trial OF the accused. Brown, after
laying out the manner In which the
murder OF Harris was 10 be accom-
pished, turned To the selection OF some
one who would asalat him to carry out
The work ON Saturday evening prcvl-
aus To the crime he met a young Next
can named Elola Vidal, Who was em-
ployod by Guonther Bros. Brown, ac-
tVrdinE to NidnfH statement, told the
after that he wanted HIN to 20 To
Alamo Plaza on Tuesday about $50
o'clock aud hire Hickman Harris to 10
down 10 house near the FIRST mission
and bring back Go town a had of
women. who were down there spending
The evening, Vidal agreed to do na
requested and received the money with
which to pay Tor his services aud the
Use OF the hack,
Vidal went with Brown To Alamo
Plaza Just after dark and the latter
pointed out his intended victim 20 that
~ mistake would be made Vidal went
,ver to Harris aud made arrangement
Win him for the trip, telling him that
le would meet the hack ~ the mill
bridge and accompany him TO the
tuuse
N".W' VlnVh h1lIle lrlt the plaza
ma drove TO the MN bridge, whore ha
net VIDAL, and the latter claims Ia
lave got inaldc the hack and Harris
'esumed the Journey to hik death.
Brown, after satisfying hlmHelf that
Everything was working Tor the sue.
ieHsful contamination Of his horrible
plane, went hurriedly to his home on
virginia street and then proceeded L.
aeoluded spot In Gohnd lane, a shert
alstanes east OF South Prcdro street
mroag 81, which Which d hs knew herrlg musl
wrapped hts shoes In heavy cloth
md carefully examined his pistol. Whici
was TO be used In sending the dealt
messengers through the body OF IN,
innocent and unauspectinr man
swiftis Arrested.
About $50 o'clock the hack wal
heard entering the lane and Brown
could see from his hiding place by IN,
side OF the road that Harris was ON Ia,
box. Just AS the hack came oppost;,
him Brown halloed 10 Harris TO stop
The latter obeyod aud Brown steppe,
upon the wheel OF the hack and
thrusung the listol into the face o
Harris, nred, the bullet taking cfrec
lust back OF the left ear and iodgln,
under the skin two inches above AMI
back OF the right ear, lilo fired another
shot, which passed through the uppci
part OF tho body. Harris rcll over IA,
lifeless body hanging half way on lii,
ieat OF the hack
After satisfying himself that he I'm,
lone complete Job Brown atruclk ON
icross the opcn lots and fields. nccotn
panled By Vidal whom he forced 1,
AXE the pistol with which the dee,
iad been committed The two me,
fnde their way back TO the city by
oundabout route md separated Brow
going. II Is alleged, TO the home OF IA,
murdered man, where he inquired 10
nm. ana gave some signal In Spanish
which Mrs, Harris understood. lie thei
proceeded 10 his home. but returned I,
he home OF his victim at an earl,
iour the following morning aud Rgali
INQUIRED for Harris, Brown, who w,l
tmployed AS driver for sidney Il
Mood, resumed his work and was M
eeied early IN Ia" afternoon hy sher
n Camnbell at tho Arkansas Pass do
Dot, Detective shoaf and two deput,
iherins were also present when tho an
'esl was made the former having beci
aigeiy Instrumental In working I'M IN
;ase. Tho body Of Harris was fopn,
n the hack carly In the morning afte
he murder.
Irint ana Conviction.