The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-11-25


editorial writings, unfolding the hostile
demonstrations made by the Baylor peo-
pie against Mr. Brann. Col. Gerald
wrote an article. setting forth his views,
ana this article he brought to the Times
Herald for publication. 1t was de-
clined, and when he called to recover the
manuscript, a fight took place between
Coi. Gerald and Editor Harris. in which
Col. Gerald got the worst of it and was
rather severely hurt. Subsequently Col.
Gerald published circular, giving his
account of the event between himself
and Editor Harris. and applied strong
terms of denunciation to Editor Harris.
i mis- circular he scattered broadcast over
the county, and after that it was regard
ed as only question of time when they
would meet and settle the difficulty.
Editor Harris was taken with denpue.
and that circumstance postponed the
matter until today. About twenty shots
We're fired.
Editor Harris Anti-Mortem stnte.
menr.
j. w. Harris made an ante mortem
statement at z o'clock. He was told by
MS physician that he could not live. In
the presence of Justices Earle and
Davis, County Attorney Thomas and
other witnesses, expressing consciousness
or approaching death. he said:
i left my office about o'clock to
90 to a meeting Of the Carnival club,
at the store Of ]. w. higgins. on Fourth
street. When arrived at Fourth and
Franklin I saw Judge Gerald in front
of the Pacific hotel, on Fourth. I
turned and went up Franklin to Fifth,
up Fifth to Austin. down Austin to
Fourth. thence to the club meeting. 1
did this to avoid difficulty. I have al
ways tried to avoid trouble with Judge
Gerald. l did not stay until the club
meeting was over. but excused myself
and started home. I came to the old
Corner drug store, and was standing in
the front door when saw Judge Gerald
drive up to the corner diagonally across
| the street from me, and get out of his
buggy. He walked straight toward me-
and when he got about half way he put
his hand under his coat. or made some
such motion that convince me he was 60
ing to draw pistol. I waited no longer
but drew my pistol and fired. do moi
know who fired first: the first two shots
were almost simultaneous. I fell wher
hit and did not see Judge Gerald any
more. l heard more shots and supposed
he and my brother We're fighting"
The statement was made while tb,
wounded man was seemingly easy ant
perfectly rational. He interjected fire.
| quent inquiries about his brother, but
| his questions were evaded and he does
not yet know that his brother is dead
He has his wife and mother with him.
The Dead and wounded.
w. A. Harris body will be sent to
South Carolina for burial. He was
riddled with bullets and died instantly
on the sidewalk. He is life insurance
man and leaves his wife and children
fairly we'll provided for He was a
near neighbor of Col. Gerald, and the
families, previously to the Baylor Brann
troubles, were particularly friendly. He
espoused the quarrel of the brother, J.
w. Harris, and met death as a conse-
quence.
Col. Gerald's condition may be critical
The nature of the wound in his side can
not be fully determined. He was also
oh hn nv 7 To nd
the bone was shattered. w. A. Harris
bullet entered Col. Gerald's side. His
bearing when under the cross fire of the
Harris brothers was cool and collected.
He walked against the revolvers as if
they had been toys, with the light of
battle in his eyes.
Col. Gerald had just driven down town |
from his residence in north Waco, ac-
companied by his son, Erin, youth. |
Editor Harris firmly believed that Col.
Gerald was approaching to attack him,
it is likely that such was not
the case, as Judge Gerald did not draw
his revolver until Editor Harris opened
fire, and when he shot the editor he
had just walked by him.
Editor J. w. Harris, whose wound is
regarded as fatal, has been prominent
in all great undertakings in Waco. His
,ratory was his distinction, and his en-
,rgy and push gave him high rank with
he business men. He was one of the
thief promoters of the Queen Carnival,
ind was devising a midwinter celebra-
ion. He was new in editorial work,
mt was winning his way to popularity
n his new role. He was brave as
ion. and in the fierce battle this after I
oon he stood up like man against .
crowned fighter and dangerous antag- :
mist.
The unfortunate colored man, Shep- t
erd Jasper, who was shot in the leg and
ad an artery cut, is an Industrious S
rorker and a good man. He lost I
reat deal of blood, and may be in dan :
er D
A Sad Feature of the Affair. &
Col. Gerald's family are around his e
edside watching over him at his resi- p
ence on a cedar covered hill in north I,
Waco. A short distance away the 81
,idow of W. A. Harris and her little g,
hildren are mourning and weeping over az