The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-30

come over and try to disuade them from
their purpose. knew his influence at
Lindale was considerable. and felt that he
could actually persuade the mob TO desist.
| drove over home whore | tayed few
moments, and returned 10 John Durs' S
Office, where by previous agreement. met
Judge Russell John Durst Pres Taylor
and Sam Overton and discussed the si'ua-
tion. which they understood. with them.
From that time. about S:i5. We critically
observed every movement and my men kept
close surveillance upon every group IF men
that casually gathered on any street cor
ner but nothing to cause alarm developed.
eXcept the fact that more Llndale people
were in the city than was ii. first up
posed.
Along about 1870 one of the party, a
count official. remarked that there Will
be no mob here tonight, let's all 40 home. ~
| asked the crowd to remain there until l
drove over home 20 see my family for a
few moments, as they We're uneasy. | got
In my buggy and started home, Just as
got opposite the postofiico l met hack
containing three men armed with guns
drove past them, turned down South Bots
Are street and went quichly back to the
party | had just left. In a very few mo-
ments happened to glance up the square,
and saw about seventyfive or 100 men
lui ming lulb illlt alnii1 N--N s'"NN N''' -
the court Of appeals building, the first
real indication OF a mob had seen.
asked MIR. Bostick. tax assessor. TO so and
tell the mob TO wait few moments. that
Judge Russell, who had gone home, aud
for whom | had just sent carriage. de-
sired to talk to them Bostick soon re-
turned ard informed me that the mob an
nounced that although they had great re-
spect for Judge Russell they would not
1. Ia ha,1 tn. IN
case. by this time the mob bad formed in
columns OF louIs, and in response to the
word Of command. swept down the street
at double quick. At the jail the company
halted and divided into t''ree squads-ono
squad lining up across the street east OF
the 1ail. another standing near the railroad
track west Of the jail, making the track
the dead line. and the third squad broke
down the gate and entered the front door
which leads into the Jail Office and which
is never closed Judge Russell here arrived.
and the mob refused TO hear him at first.
but finally consented although they de-
clared they would pay no attention 10
what he had to say. The judges appeals
were earnest and eloquent hut all TO no
avail. and the work went on. About THIS
time we approached the party from the
City National bank corner. but Just az we
crossed the track We were covered win
guns ana Ibl1 lutL II w ''lH' pfN''.''
step We would be shot down In our tracks
The mob ordered me back across the track.
but refused 10 go. Then We asked that
Wig be allowed to go with the mob mo
the jail In order 10 prevent the escape OF
prisoners from tho old Jail. the doors 10
which were being battered down but they
at first refused. Finally. however, they
allowed him to go on condition that he hrst
surrender his arms, which he did. The mo-
ment he entered the old jail a half dozen
or more double barreled shotguns were
thrust into his face aud he was COM
mauded to stand still. Then they demand
ed of him the keys. but Wig refused, tell
ing them 1t was impossible to get them
Then they set about to get through 'ne
seco,ld door, which is solid sheel OF
chilled steel. II seemed that they were
at the point, after time, OF giving up ~.
effort but finally. after WORKING haru Io'
an hour ana fifteen minutes, an entrance
was effected. and 1880.
According to my memory the above
correct statement of all the events lesnins
I'M IA and Including the BnchiHg Of WIN
Jones ] can say in all sincerity ana u'N ~
that my conscience Is perfectly cieal
this matter and that am s'rensth'heo
the consciousness of duty performer "a
eaw II and to the best OF my apliiy, s,.,.,
am aware that a public officer ohI.,'
duty is subject TO criticism by the peop,..
hui | feel that my action In TINS maj
Is uuiustly and harshly condemned py ho ..
people. First. plead guilty TO tns IN
mai never did believe the people o. LA
dale we're aroused TO that point tnht eSe~