HomeMy WebLinkAboutSamuel Hunter and the Bryan Appeal The Bryan Appeal, founded in 1869, had a loose connection with the first
newspaper published in Brazos County, the Millican News-Letter.
Unfortunately, few issues survive of any Bryan newspapers published
prior to 1889, so only fragments of those papers' history are known.
The Millican News-Letter followed the railroad to Bryan, where it was
renamed the Bryan News-Letter. Shortly after the Appeal began
publication, the owners purchased the equipment and supplies of the
News-Letter, which had by then ceased publication. The Appeal was
founded by William Lambdin and John H. Henderson. By the mid 1870s
Samuel M. Hunter owned the paper. During Hunter's ownership of the
paper, it was apparently edited by a man named William Falconer. In
1876 Hunter sold a partial interest in the Appeal to C.W. Crozier, Jr.
and John B. Dale. The name of the paper changed at about that time to
the Bryan Appeal and Post. Dale had previously edited the Bryan Post,
and it appears that the two papers merged. Misfortune soon befell the
Appeal. The first tragedy occurred when Dale died on 28 December 1876,
of natural causes. Although the paper survived this hardship, the next
blow came on 1 March 1877, when Crozier killed Hunter. The first trial
against Crozier resulted in hung jury; the second trial in an acquittal.
A few months after Crozier killed Hunter, the Appeal ceased
publication. Following a common custom among journalists of that time,
Crozier moved several times over the following years, being associated
with a number of papers in different cities.
We have received the first issue of the Bryan Tri-Weekly Appeal, W.
Lambdin and J.H. Henderson, editors. It is printed on new type and
presents a very neat typographical appearance. Its editorials give
evidence of ability and independence. Galveston Tri-Weekly News, 13
October 1869, page 2
Mr. Smith, of the Bryan Appeal, has got married. Daily Union
(Houston), 6 April 1870, page 2
A meeting was held at Bryan on Saturday last, at which it was resolved
that every endeavor should be made to rid the State "of the present
oppressive tyrannical, unconstitutional, corrupt and extravagant
administration." Col. H. Mitchell presided, and W. Lambdin, Esq., of
the Bryan Appeal, was the Secretary. Speeches were made by Col. T.J.
Beall and C.L. Evans, Esq. The meeting convenes again on the 17th.
Organization against Radicalism is going ahead in Brazos County.
Galveston Daily News, 12 August 1870, page 3.
We were gratified yesterday, to meet Mr. Charles J. Evans, of that
excellent interior journal the Bryan Appeal. Mr. Evans is in Galveston
in the interest of his journal. We hope that his visit will be both
pleasant and profitable. Galveston Tri-Weekly News, 17 February 1871,
page 2
Mr. Evans, of the Bryan Appeal, passed through the city yesterday on
his way home from New Orleans, where he had been attending the fair.
Mr. Evans favored us with a call, as also did Mr. J.B. Dale, of the
Waxahachie Democrat, who is visiting our city in the interests of his
paper, which, as its name indicates, is a sound Democratic journal.
Galveston Tri-Weekly News, 8 December 1871, page 1
Mr. John B. Dale, who formerly published the Waxahachie Democrat, which
was one of the best papers in this section in point of news and energy,
is about to commence the publication, at Bryan, of a weekly to be called
"The Post." Mr. Dale is a practical printer, an industrious,
energetic worker, and deserves the support of that community. Dallas
Weekly Herald, 28 November 1874, page 2
The Bryan Appeal is now issued as a daily. Dallas Weekly Herald, 20
February 1875, page 1
Col. Wm. Falconer has become an editor of the Bryan Appeal, already one
of the best of our exchanges. (Austin) Daily Democratic Statesman, 1
April 1875, page 1, col.7
Mr. S.M. Hunter has sold his interest in the Bryan Appeal and Post. It
is now published by Messrs. Dale and Crozier. Brenham Daily Banner, 12
October 1876, page 2, col.1
Col. Falconer has retired from the editorial management of the Bryan
Appeal & Post, and per consequence we notice no long winded and
somnolent editorials in its last issue. Brenham Daily Banner, 17 Oct.
1876, page 2, col.2
The Appeal and Post, in common with the majority of the press of the
State, complains of too much court. It says the expenses of the courts
of Brazos County are simply enormous. The makers of the new
constitution made all these extra courts, and until the legislature
amends the law, the courts will continue to grind, and the people
continue to pay, and at the same time exercise their constitutional
right to grumble. Brenham Daily Banner, 28 November 1876, page 2.
Died, at his residence at Bryan, the 28th ult., Jno. B. Dale, one of
the editors and proprietors of the Appeal and Post. Mr. Dale had a
large circle of friends, by whom he was greatly beloved for his fine
social qualities. Being the soul of honor and embodiment of upright
integrity, he commanded the respect of all who knew him. He was buried
by the Odd Fellows, of which ancient fraternity he was a worthy member.
Peace to his ashes, and honor to his memory! Brenham Daily Banner, 3
January 1877, page 2, col.2.
John B. Dale, of the Bryan Appeal and Post, died in that city, on
Friday. He was a good citizen as well as an accomplished newspaper man.
Galveston Daily News, 4 January 1877, page 2
Bryan, March 2, 1877. Bryan was thrown into a commotion yesterday by
the killing of S.M. Hunter by C.W. Crozier, editor of The Bryan Appeal.
They had an interest in the paper; had been quarrelling once or twice
about something concerning their interest, and the supposition is that
they were in a dispute about the same matter when the deed was done.
They were in the editorial room by themselves at the time. Mr. Hunter
has always been known as harmless and inoffensive, and was very highly
respected by all the citizens. Mr. Crozier has not been here very long,
but since his stay has made many friends, and was regarded as a
gentleman by all those who know him. The affair has caused a great deal
of comment. Mr. Hunter was buried today with Masonic honors, and the
firemen also turned out to attend the ceremony. Galveston Daily News, 3
March 1877, page 1, col.4
Mr. S.M. Hunter, of the Bryan Appeal, who was shot and killed by C.W.
Crozier, was insured in the Alabama Gold Life for twelve hundred and
fifty dollars. Dallas Weekly Herald, 10 March 1877, page 3
C.W. Crozier, Jr., editor of the Bryan (Texas) Appeal, who killed
Hunter, his former partner, was a native of Knoxville, Tenn. Hunter
opened a private love letter of Mr. Crozier's during his absence, and
showed the same on the street. Mr. Crozier, when he returned,
confronted Mr. Hunter and informed him that he intended to take action
against him for opening his private letters. Hunter replied by cursing
and striking, and Crozier returned the blow. Hunter then put his hand
on his hip pocket, and as Crozier had been told that Hunter had
threatened his life, he at once put his hand on his pistol. When Hunter
began to draw out his hand Crozier fired and killed his antagonist.
Knoxville Courier. San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin, 29 March 1877,
page 1
Bryan ... C.W. Crozier, for three days on preliminary trial before
Judge Ford, for killing S.M. Hunter, with a view to determining whether
it was a bailable case or not, and, if so, in what amount, was admitted
to bail in the sum of $3000 for his appearance at the next term of the
District Court. The following names are those of the gentlemen who
became his bondsmen: J.G. Horner, Dr. J.L. Fountain, J.W. Johnson.,
T.P. Hamilton, Robert Sojourner, L.D. Stockton. At the time of the
commission of the deed there was much adverse excitement against
Crozier, but at the time of the trial this had all died away, and, if
anything, there was some interest manifested in his behalf. Galveston
Daily News, 3 April 1877, page 2, col.3
Bryan ... The Bryan Appeal, the first paper ever published in this
county, suspended and the material was sold at trustees sale the other
day for one hundred dollars; Messrs. Davis, Beall and Taliaferro being
the purchasers. Galveston Daily News, 25 May 1877, page 1
Brazos County — The Bryan Appeal has suspended. Dallas Weekly
Herald, 2 June 1877, page 3
Brazos County ... District Court convenes here to-day in regular
session of four weeks. There are some very important cases to come this
term — among others those of C.W. Crozier, for killing of S.M. Hunter
... Galveston Daily News, 7 September 1877, page 4
C.W. Crozier, formerly editor and proprietor of The Bryan Appeal, has
gone to Uvalde, where he intends starting a newspaper. Galveston Daily
News, 10 November 1877, page 2
Bryan ... [The case of] State vs. C.W. Crozier was continued on account
of the absence of an important witness for the defense. Galveston Daily
News, 22 September 1878, page 3, col.2.
Bryan ... In the district court, the case of C.W. Crozier charged with
the murder of Samuel M. Hunter, is set for the 17th. Galveston Daily
News, 4 September 1879, page 1.
Bryan ... C.W. Crozier, tried in our district court for the murder of
S.M. Hunter, was acquitted. Galveston Daily News, 23 September 1879,
page 1
C.W. Crozier, tried at Bryan for the murder of his partner, S.M.
Hunter, was acquitted. (Austin) Daily Democratic Statesman, 23
September 1879, page 3, col.1
C.W. Crozier, tried at Bryan for the murder of S.M. Hunter, was
acquitted. The killing occurred some two or three years ago. Brenham
Daily Banner, 24 September 1879, page 1, col.1.
Letter from Bryan ... Mr. Crozier, who had the misfortune to slay Dr.
Hunter, two or three years ago, whose case excited unusual interest from
the first, and who had a mistrial at the last term of the court, was
acquitted on Saturday. How things change. When he killed Hunter the
feeling was so intense and adverse that it became necessary to carry him
to Robertson County jail for fear of a mob, and now he goes quit of all
blame in the premises on the very spot where the deed was done.
(Austin) Daily Democratic Statesman, 25 September 1879, page 4, col.3.
C.W. Crozier has purchased the Jacksboro Guide. Galveston Daily News,
6 April 1880, page 2
C.W. Crozier, now of the Weatherford Review, formerly of the Jack
County Guide, was in Jacksboro. Rural Citizen (Jacksboro, Texas), 22
October 1880
Mr. T.G. Andrews, having sold out to Mr. C.W. Crozier, has retired from
the Big Springs Pantograph. The new publisher promises to labor to
improve the paper and benefit its patrons. He shows a proper
understanding of the importance of hard work and prudent management.
Galveston Daily News, 29 June 1883, page 2
The Public Opinion, published by Carrick W. Crozier, has made its
appearance in San Antonio. Houston Daily Post, 6 February 1887, page
4.
The following out-of-town visitors registered at The News office
yesterday ... C.W. Crozier, Waco Times-Herald .... Dallas Morning News,
28 March 1901, page 8