Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1905-04-26
FACTS0FAFFAIR
AT HEMPSTEAD
Terrible Aftermath of Recent
Prohibition Election.-Three
Leading Citizens Dead.

Hampstead, Tex, April 2e.-The fioor
edy by which three leading citizens o,
Waller county lost their lives and an
other fatally wounded occurred at this
place Monday night. The county has
just held a prohibition election in
which the prohibitionists won by n
good majority. On the day of the
election three or four state rangers
were put at the polls at the solicitation
1t seems, of the sheriff. After the cleo
ton several of the most prominent
citizens began the circulation OF a pc
tition to the governor to place q num-
Der of rangers divided out to different
places in the copntry and to remain
indefinitely. II was stated in no un-
certain terms that the county officers
were falling to do their duty, and gave
this as the sole reason for asking this
protection. II was asked that these
rangers be sent by the governor on
the petition of the people, and that
they enforce the laws.
Monday night was the time appointed
for the last meeting of the Waller
County Prohibitiin league to meet and
wind up the affairs of the recent cam
paign and idsband. 1t was proposed
and decided to ratify the petition as a
body. Considerable speaking was dine
over the matter. some IL which was not
altogether along this line. 1t was final
ly moved and seconded that the petition
be Endorsed.
Captain II. NJ. Browne had spoken
at length and had been responded to
by Congressman John NJ. Pinckney.
Captain Browne had taken his seat and
R. f. Tompkins had gained the floor.
Captain Browne continued to try to
gain the floor and, seemingly seeing
that his efforts were In vain. INDUCED
In some improper language. which was
objected to by the gentlemen who were
present and had friends and relatives
among the few ladies who were also
present.
Browne clutched the coat OF Tomp-
kins, and his seemed to be the signal
for a general mix-up. About 100 men
were present. and in a moment all were
in very close quarters when the scuf-
fle began. and almost Immediately fir
ing began from at least half dozen
guns. After order was restored the fill
lowing results were ascertained:
Congressman John NJ. Pinckney was
dead. having been killed Instantly. His
brother, Thomas d. Pinckney. was NOR
tally wounded. Captain II. NJ Browne
was dead. having been killed instantly.
John +. Mills was fatally wounded.
soon expiring. Roland Browne had
been shot. but as he was removed at
once IL could not be ascertained how
badly he was hurt. r. r. Tompllins had
had received flesh wound I'm the right
side of his head.
Governor Lanham was at once notifi-
ed and he ordered the adjutant general
TO the scene with state rangers.
John NJ. PinclIney was elected to
congress at the last regular election by
the Democrats of the Eighth district
2nix -recently. He was about sixty
years of age and bachelor He leaves
a brother and one sister to mourn his
loss. Thomas D. Pinckney is a brother
of the deceased and had been engaged
in the practice of law I'm this county
for over twenty years. He was a few
years the Juiiioi VI the SohSfessiilail'
Captain II. NJ Browne was one of
Hempstead's oldest and most respected
citizens. He too, had been engaged I'm
the practice of law in this county for a
great number of years and had always
been connected with the public life OF
the county. He leaves two sons and
three daughters.
Roland Browne was the son of Cap
tain Browne and young man of about
twenty-five years of age.
r. L. Tompkins is highly respected
citizen and was private secretary TO
Congressman Pinckney.