The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-03-17

morgue with Constable Sam Tate Ia tho
rear with pistols In hand. keeping the peo-
pie away from tho wagon as its ghastly
lead moved down the street
Toler was shot through the brain and In
the breast. either being mortal.
Hart was frat shot through the head
and after he FELL three bullets were fired
into hts body.
uoslce was The first man killed, John
Williams firing three shots into his body.
Tho riot Is said to have commenced
when Gosiec. meeting Williams after the
trouble with his father. offered TO shake
hands and be fricuds. Goslee fred as he
fell and died. believing he had killed WI
liams at the time, out Williams lived nm
~ o'clock tonight. lie was shot through
Ithe head the ball cntering above The left
ear and lodging In tho brain. Hinklc was
shot through the head and body, the hui-
let's supposed TO have come from Ed
Spcar'a weapon. who was shooting at
Hinkle
Governor Jones has boen telosranhed by
prominent citizens OF Hot Springs, re-
guessing that he como hero tonight and he
will probably arrive on special train.
citizens believe hat his presence VIII
paolfy the situation.
Little Rock. Ark, March IS Tho news
OF the bloody shooting between sheriff
Robert Il. Williams and Policeman \. H.
Goslce at Hot Springs came to Little Rock
about . o'clock today and several hours
later the reports of the most serious
men We're wen known here, Chief OF Police
man OF great courage, He was absolutely
fearless Of danger. lie had lived in Hot
Springs about twenty-five years and had a
somewhat stormy career. lie subsequently
served as chief of police. A dozen years
or more ago he made Wyatt carp, n no.
torious Western character, walk out OF
Hot Springs, About fifteen years ago Toier
had some trouble with Ed Howell, gam
bier. Howell threatened TO kin Toler and
started out with double barrolcd shot
gun for that evident purpose. Ho stopped
| in a saloon and placed his shotgun against
the counter. About that time Toler stepped
| in seized the gun aud shot Howell, killing
him instantly. He was acquitted in the
courts.
AT times. wnen not engaged as an officer,
| Toler was Identified with saloons and
gambling houses. When John Loughran
was mayor, Tuler became angered at MIN
| because Loughran closed down gambling.
| one day Loughran was IN ED Sales SALOON
with a party OF friends, and roler, who had
been drinking, walked in AS soon Us ne
spled Loughran he whipped out n revolver
| and was about TO make target ont OF
| the mayor when the crowd seized Toler
| and with great difficulty prevented a
sanguinary affair. Nobody ever accused
| Tom Toler OF cowardice. With all his faults
he had HIS good qualities and as an officer
he was cool, courageous and diliBent. lie
was appointed chief of police by Mayor
| Gordon in 1891
James r.. Hart another Of the dead, had
been connected with the Hot springs de-
partment for many years. He was chict
| from 1887 to 1889 under the administration
| Of J. d. Kmball. Hart made many enemies
| then because OF his zeal and the mayor
was repeatedly urged to depose him be-
cause he was deemed by many to have been
overzealous in the discharge OF his duty
| But he had his friends AID supporters.
| II was during the prohibition era at the
| SPRINGS, when Blind Tigers" were in evil
dance and they were stormy days that he
| served as chief He had number OF
personal difficulties growifg out of his Of
| fetal duties. 80
Thomas 4. Goslee. who also lost his life
today. has lived Ia Hot Springs something
like thirty years His regular avocation
was that OF printer. lie was n man OF
grit and was mover known to hipch or
hesitate in the performances oil any uuly
assigned 20 him.
Louis Ilinkle grew TO manhood in Hot
Springs. For several years he was In the
saloon business
John Williams, son OF the sheriff. II. H..
williams. was 81 years old, and Young
man OF great promise. When his father
was elected sheriff last fall he took charge
ttff1I a. .rtNf uia
some OF the reports conflict as 10 the
origin of the trouble. Some reports say
Goslec and John Williams met after the
first shooting between the sheriff and
GosIoe. and that the latter tried TO be
friendly. Hiukle and Spear were present,
and they became involved In dispute
which eliminated In al attempt by Hinkle
to cut Spear, but tho latter shot Hinkle
dead Some one then shot John Williams
in tho head. inflicting a wound which
caused death in few hours Toler and
Hart arrived on the scene and the shoot
Ing became general.
Various causes are assigned for the
trouble. One report is that the hot mu-
niclpal political campaign now going on at
the Springs IL responsible for the affair.
and this is considered the correct version.
as tho democratic party has for some
years been divided ia municipal affairs at
Hot Springs Sheriff Williams was elected
at the last election az an independent cam
didato In opposition to the regular demo-
cratic nominee. and has since been looked
upon as the head OF very strong faction
In politics.
Governor Jones will leave for Hot
Springs on the o'clock train, and hopes
TO find things auieting down. News re-
ceived late tonight states that the citizens
have the situation well in hand and are
determined to prevent further trouble at
all hazards.
Politics aud Murder.
ST Louis Mo-. March 16-In a fight