The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1910-05-12

Within a brief time the men were nearly all
back at work doing better than ever before
At various other points Mcdonald or his
Rangers quoted the strikers and prevented
troubles of various kinds Usually Captain Bin
went alone. II was his favorite way OF han
ding mob disorders as We have seen. II is told
Of him in Dallas now he once came alone to
that city in response to dispatch for COM
pany of Rangers. this time to put down a
prize fight.
where are the others?" asked the disap-
pointed mayor. who met him at the depot
Hell. amt l enough" was the response,
there's only one prize-fghtl"
But the San Saba affair was a different mat
ter. II was in 1897 that certain citizens OF
San Saba county petitioned the governor 10
send Rangers 10 investigate the numerous muir
ders which had been committed in that local
ity-the number OF assassinatiOns then aggre-
eating 43 within period of ten years.
In an earlier day a sort of vigilance commit
tee or mob had been organized 20 deal with
lawless characters. but in the course Of time
the usual things happened and the committee
itself became the chief menace of the commu-
nifty. Whatever worthy members IL had orig
inally claimed, either dropped out or we're re
moved and were replaced by men who had a
private grudge against a neighbOr, or desired
his property or were fond of murder on gen
pIlnSlpleS- III lillt luis ucduig otbdhiId-
ton became not only social but a political
factor and as such had gathered into its grue.
some membership-actiye and honorary-coun-
~ officials ranging from the deputy constabu-
larry to the occupant of the judicial bench. In
deed, Il seemed that majority Of the citizens
of San Saba we're associated together for the
purpose OF getting rid-either by assassination
or inumidation-of the worthier element OF the
community.
of u-oII 10
had an active membership OF about 600, with
obligations rigid and severe. Their meeting
place was a small natural pool OF water al
most surrounded by hills. It bore the curious
ly appropriate name OF "Buzzards Water
Hole" and here the Worthy Order of Assassins
assembled once a month, usually during full
moon. to transact general business and formu-
late plans for the removal of offending or SUI
perfuous friends.
Members in good standing would make
bpcvc their desires, setting forth reasons why
citizens in various walks of life we're better
dead and the cases were considered and do
crees passed accordingly.
To break up the Buzzard's Water-Hoie roost,
ard to discourage its practises in and around
San Saba, was the job cut out for Bill McDon-
aid and his Rangers during the summer and
fall of 1897.
Captain Mcdonald began the work by send.
over lnIee OF MS men-JCnn sullivan, Duo
Barker and Edgar Nei-to investigate. The
trail wound in and out In a hundred directions.
and gathered in a regular knot around the seat
OF justice. Perhaps there were town and coun-
ty officials who were not in the tolls of the
deadly membership, but If so they we're not
diseoyerable. Sullivan promptly got into trou-
bic with the sheriff by retailing a man whom
he found outside holding q reception with his
friends. when the state had paid reward for
mis- capture. Sullivan and the sheriff both drew
guns. but were kept apart, and the district
judge. who seems to have been sort of hon
orary "Buzsard," holding his Office by virtue OF
society favor. undertook to get rid of Sullivan
by sending him long way of after some wit
ness supported to be wanted: though why they
should want any witness in a court like that
would be hard 90 guess.
Captain Iiill himself now came down to look
over the field. lie had his hands full from the
start
Mcdonald interviewed the sheriff and the
county officials In general and delivered MS
opinions of them, individually and collectively.