Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-15
THOMAS VERSION,
HE GIVES HIS SIDE OF THE
 WACO TRAGEDY.
Was Attacked in Front and Rear and Believed His Only Hope in Life Lay in Defending
 Himself.

A Speclal dispatch to the Dallas Neaos gives additional particulars and throws new light on the Penn Thomas tragedy at Waco, Texas, ] full account of which appeared if the GRAPHIC yesterday.
 Among other things the Dallas NeaoS contains an interview with Mr. A. B. Thomas, giving a short biographical sketch and his version of the unfortunate tragedy. The Waco dispatch in part says
 Justice Earle viewed Penn's body and took the statements of some ol the witnesses. It was shown that after Penn and Thomas grappled, Murray w, Stewart, an employe of Penn's son, who was calling at Mr. Penn's residence, in defense of his employer, struck Thomas on the head With a stick of stovewood. When he saw Penn and Thomes en- gagged in combat he picked up a piece of wood and rushed on Thom- as. Stewart states that the wounds on Thomas head are from blows he delivered while Thomas was thrust ing the dirk into the body of hls employer. The combat was hot and bloody, Penn struggling to the last. He was a stalwart old soldier and did not appear to feel the mortal wounds until nearly all the blood was drained from his body. When at last he sank to the sidewalk his face was banched and when his corpse was examined it was white as marble, entirely colorless, from head to feet.
 Shortly after Murray Stwert in terfered in defense of his employer, Thomas rushed away from the bloody battle ground and did not stop until he reached his store. Applying the key he went in and quickly emerged with winchester in his hand. He was met by Police Officers c. P. Jones and Belwood Smith, who took him in custody and conveyed him to the county jail. The knife with which the killing was done is dirk with blade about six inches long. Is is in possession of Justice Earle, who will conclude ths inquest to- morrow.
 Andrew B. Thomas is native of Georgia. He served in Hoods di- vision and was wounded at the bat tie of Gettysburg. He conducted a mercantile business at Pine Bluff, Ark, before coming to Waco. For between two and three years Thom as has been resident of Waco. Al ter he was locked up today he men, tioGed to Jailer Costley that he would be glad to see newspaper men and at the suggestion of the jailer the Nears reporter called. MT. Thomas said to the reporter: q was passing MT. Penn's residence on my way to my store, where l re- side. There are many dogs in the neighborhood having the habit of running up to the heels of pedestri ans with annoying barks, and with out looking back l struck to the rear and hit Mir. Penn's dog. This brought on a fight and l was being hammered in front and rear. The bruises on my head were inflicted by MT. Penn, who snatched my cane from my hand and clubbed me heav fly with it. We were neighbors and friends and l depore the trouble. am sorry to have been concerned In such q tragedy. Indeed l wish now 1 had taken the worst eonse- quences of the encounter and not used my weapon, but when l began cutting it was my belief that my on y hope for life lay in the kind of de- fense made.
 The tragedy occurred while the ministers were holding their morn ing services and there were not many people out. It is 8 church going neighborhood. After the re- port scattered, thousands gatherrd and the street remained blocked up by the crowds all the afternoon. Men turned pale when they heard that another tragedy had been enacted in this city.