HomeMy WebLinkAboutMillican RiotsMillican Riots
All contemporary sources -especially the newspapers -are so biased
that it is nearly impossible to tell what really happened.
1866: May -The Grand Jury indicted Robert Myers for °gaming"and
James Millican for assault with intent to murder [Brazos County District
Court Civil Minutes, Book C, pages 311, 312]
1867: April 6 -The Brazos Co. Grand Jury indicted:
p.409 - R.C. Myers for permitting unlawful card playing at a house
under his control;
p.409 -Robert Myers for unlawfully playing a game with cards at a
public house;
p.410 -Robert Carr, Sam C. Sloan & Maj. Linder for playing at a game
with cards in a public place;
p.410 -Sam C. Sloan for permitting game with cards prohibited by law
to be played in a house under his control
[Brazos County District Court Civil Minutes, Book C]
[It is interesting that all of these men were either known Republicans
or sympathetic to the recently free slaves.]
A report of the proceedings of a meeting of the citizens of Brazos
County, held recently at Millican, was sent us by the secretary, Mr.
A.P. Edwards. Notice of the meeting was given and all citizens,
irrespective of color, class, or former condition, were invited. At the
time appointed the white citizens assembled, and on learning that the
Negroes were gathering at the Freedmen's church, the whites repaired
to that place, and no objection being made, took their seats. Jim
Meeks, a colored man, was called to the chair. Col. McLendon was then
called on to explain the object of the meeting which he did by saying
that it was to unite all, white and black, in considering the important
step now being taken for reconstruction of the state, and for giving
peace and protection to all classes of citizens. Col. R.C. Myers
offered a resolution to the same effect ... [article continues at
length] ... Alfred Venable, a colored man, replied at length in a
speech, the substance of which was, that the blacks needed no council or
advice from the whites, neither Southerners or Yankees; that they
obtained it at the hands of the Almighty God ... and concluded by
calling on his black hearers to subscribe two dollars each to establish
a store in Millican for their own benefit and accommodation ...
Galveston Daily News, 20 February 1868, page 1; also (Marshall) Texas
Republican, 7 March 1868, page 2.
1868: August. 8 -Saturday, Aug. 8, we all went to Millican to a
barbecue. It was democratic, for white and colored; there was a large
attendance. Col. Meyers gave a talk. A Negro, Edward Smith of
Galveston, made an appropriate speech. Also Professor Thomas gave a
very eloquent and appropriate speech. We had a pretty fair dinner ....
(From W.S. South Journal, in Hull Papers, Cushing Library, Texas A&M
University, box 1, file 1-14).
Registered at the Washington Hotel in Galveston: G.A. Wheat, R.C.
Meyers, Millican. Galveston Daily News, 10 November 1868, page 3
[Myers' association with G.A. Wheat, mayor of Millican, is
interesting.]
B.F. Baldridge married Nannie A. Myers, 28 January 1869, Brazos County
Marriage Records, Book B, page 307.
1869: April 15 - G.A. Wheat and R.C. Myers gave a mortgage to Edwin
Stapp on miscellaneous property, including:
2 receiving tubs
5 mash tubs
1 copper still with groveneck worm & copper pipes attached
1 corn shelter and attachments
1 mash tub
1 yeast tub
1 yeast receiving tub
1 groveneck attached to the second still together will all the water,
gas & other pipes attached to the still & also all steam and stop cocks
and other pipes attached or in any way connected with the distillery
the independent pump now made in said distillery with all pipes
attached
witnesses: Jno. M. Wellborn, Batt. Peterson, Milton Stapp
Brazos Co. Deed Records, Book I, page 550
1870: February 6 -William H. Millican was killed. °The best
account of this episode is both partisan and second hand. In May 1870,
C.C. Gillespie wrote to Governor Davis giving the story as he had it
from abrother-in-law living in Millican. Gillespie claimed that prior
to the event [W.H. Millican's death], Millican had under arrest
several white men charged with serious offenses and a black accused of
petty larceny. During the night and with Millican's acquiescence, a
group of men took the prisoners out of jail and hanged the Negro and
released the whites. [Robert C.] Myers insisted on holding an
investigation and Millican and the unnamed members of the lynch mob
debated what they should do. Though the decision was not unanimous,
Millican and some of the others, declaring that °Myers was a damned
old Radical anyhow'," decided that he must die. The group opposed
to this conspiracy warned Myers of his danger and counseled him to flee.
On 6 February 1870 Millican entered Myers'saloon, supposedly with a
pistol in his hand ..." [From Paul Scott's, °From Dilapidated
Community to Banner County: The Civil War and Reconstruction," Brazos
County History Rich Past -Bright Future, 1989, page 98; Scott cites a
letter from C.C. Gillespie to Gov. E.J. Davis, dated 27 May 1870, in
Gov. Davis' Papers, 301-64, folder 64, Texas State Archives, as his
source]
Also: William Millican, a white native of Texas who was married, aged
27 years old, was murdered in Feb. 1870. 1870 Mortality Schedule,
National Archives microfilm
Bill Millican was killed by Col. Myers in Millican a day or two since.
Millican had threatened and arranged to kill Col. Myers, but the latter
got warning, and shot Millican with both barrels of adouble-barrelled
shot gun, as he entered Myers' drinking saloon. Col. Myers had
incurred the hatred of Millican by remarks condemning the taking of a
colored man from jail in the night and hanging him not long since.
There is a danger of more bloodshed there. Millican needs to be looked
to by the authorities. We give warning advisedly. Houston Union, 9
February 1870, page 1
2
1870: Feb. 11 - The Telegraph learns that at Millican last Sunday
afternoon Col. Myers shot and killed Deputy Sheriff Millican -the
weapon used was a double barreled shot gun, which was loaded with buck
shot. There had been an old breach between the parties, and upon
Sunday, Millican, being drunk, proceeded to Myers' house armed for the
avowed purpose of killing him. Col. Myers fired as Millican entered,
killing him instantly. Galveston Weekly News, 11 February 1870, p.4,
col.6
At Millican last Sunday afternoon Col. Myers shot and killed Deputy
Sheriff Millican. The weapon used was adouble-barreled shot gun, which
was loaded with buck shot. There had been an old breach between the
parties, and upon Sunday Millican being drunk proceeded to Myers'
house armed, for the avowed purpose of killing him. Col. Myers fire as
Millican entered, killing him instantly. Flake's Bulletin (Galveston),
12 February 1870, page 7
The Hempstead Reporter learns that Bill Millican was shot and killed at
Millican, on the 6th inst., by Col. Meyers. No particulars. (weekly)
Dallas Herald, 19 February 1870, page 3
Bryan, Brazos Co., Texas, Mar. 24, 1870.
To Maj. General Reynold, Commanding 5th Military District, Austin. The
Petition of the undersigned sheweth that Richard Sloan of this county
was in the month of June last appointed by you as one of the County
Commissioners of this city ... [petition accuses Sloan of mishandling
funds allocated to assist indigent African Americans] ... [signed]
Thomas J. Hall, C.C. B.C.; W.T. Neall, atty. for Brazos Co.; W.B.
Forman, sheriff Brazos County; C.F. Moore, Clk D Co B Co; Benj. F.
Boldridge, special Depty Shff; W.J. Peirce, J.P. B.C.; R.N. Mills; Wm.
Haveman, mayor town of Bryan; H. Mordecai, county treasurer.
(Freedmens' Bureau Records; Bureau of Civil Affairs; Letters Recorded in
Vol. 4, C E, frames 415 418).
1870: April 16 -name of case: The State of Texas vs. R.C. Myers,
G.W. Hardy, David Myers
nature of motion: motion for a new trial
when filed: 16 April 1870
action of the court: motion overruled; deft counsel excepts and giving
notice of appeal
[From Brazos County District Court Motion Docket]
Judge J.M. Thurmond, District Attorney for the Third Judicial District,
called upon us last evening. He informed us that at the term of the
Court just closed at Bryan, for Brazos County, Hon. Geo. P. Scott
presiding, Col. R.C. Myers, his on David Myers, and Wash Hard were
convicted of murder in the second degree for killing William Millican at
the town of Millican, some months since, and sentenced to the
penitentiary for six years. The case was prosecuted by Messrs.
Thurmond, Herring, Broaddus and Brietz, and defended by Messrs. Davis
and Bell. An appeal has been taken to the Supreme Court, and the
prisoners were sent down yesterday evening to Galveston to await the
decision of the Court on the appeal. From all we had previously heard
of the case, we had supposed that Col. Myers had acted in self defense.
We have known him as a peaceful and worthy citizen, and regret his
misfortune. Houston Daily Union, 19 April 1870, page 2
[Alexander C. Brietz, one of the prosecutors, had married Sarah
°Sallie"Millican, daughter of Willis D. Millican, on 1 January
1868 in Brazos County.]
The District Court is in session at Bryan. It was busy nearly all the
week in the case of R.C. Myers, charged with the murder of W.H.
Millican. We have not learned the result. Galveston Daily News, 20
April 1870, page 3
The Millican Murder Case -This trial was completed at Bryan last
Saturday evening, the jury finding Robert C. and David Myers and G.W.
Hardy guilty of murder in the second degree. They were sentenced by
Judge Scott to six years confinement at hard labor, in the state prison.
It is evident that a moral change is passing over the minds of many of
the people of Texas, and that the intention to enforce the laws is
becoming every day more determined and inflexible. (Austin) Daily State
Journal, 27 April 1870, p.2
We are sorry to learn that Sheriff Dirks, of Galveston, thinks it his
duty to place Col. Myers, his son, and Mr. Hardy, convicted of killing
Wm. Millican, in irons. It is known that Col. Myers thinks he acted in
justifiable self-defense, and that he has no thought of trying to escape
from custody. The weather is warm. Col. Myers is an old and corpulent
man, and it does seem to us that this is an unnecessary hardship.
Houston Daily Union, 5 June 1870, page 2
1870: July - "Whereas at the Spring Term A.D. 1870 of the District
Court of Brazos County R.C. Myers, George W. Hardy and David Myers were
tried and convicted of the charge of manslaughter and sentenced to serve
a term of six years in the penitentiary, and Whereas an appeal was taken
to the Supreme Court at Galveston and the sentence above mentioned was
confirmed, and Whereas from a careful examination of the evidence sent
up to the Supreme Court with additional affidavits and statements, I
have come to the conclusion that these defendants acted in the well
grounded belief that Millican the deceased intended to take the life of
R.C. Myers and that the case was a clear one of self defense taken in
connection with the good character of the defendants, testified to by
prominent and good citizens ... do hereby grant a full and free pardon
to R.C. Myers, George W. Hardy and David Myers ... (from Executive
Record Book, E.J. Davis, 1870, page 211, microfilm reel 8)
The Executive has pardoned Col. Myers, his son and nephew, who were
recently sentenced to several years imprisonment for homicide at
Millican. The evidence showed that the killing was in self defense.
(Austin) Daily State Journal, 6 July 1870, page 1
Col. R.C. Myers, who killed W.H. Millican at Millican, Brazos County,
and who with his son David W. Myers, and G.W. Hardy, was convicted and
sentenced to the penitentiary for six years, has been pardoned on
grounds of self-defense. (Austin) Daily State Journal, 7 July 1870,
page 1
B.F. Baldridge was serving as a sergeant in the Texas State Police by
13 July 1870 (online records from the Texas State Archives).
4
Col. Elliott, of the Lavaca Commercial, learned before he left Austin
that the party soliciting the pardon of Col. Myers and his son and
nephew was to receive $5000 in case he got the pardon. Galveston
Tri-Weekly News, 22 July 1870, page 1
Col. Myers returned to Millican on last Wednesday, from an
imprisonment, and on the following day opened his drinking saloon,
announcing to the Negroes that it would be "free drinks" for them until
Saturday, and that on that day they must meet at the African Methodist
Church at that place for important business. The meeting took place at
the appointed time and place, and organized by calling a colored man to
the chair and appointing David Myers secretary. Col. Myers then
announced that the object of the meeting was to recommend some man to
the appointment of Justice of the Peace for that precinct, and moved
that a committee of ten be appointed to select a suitable man. The
committee was appointed and reported unanimously in favor of Col. Myers.
Thirty two Negroes were present, and two white men who took part in the
meeting, Col. Myers and his son, David. The Negroes were drunk and
boisterous during Friday and Saturday, one of them firing his pistol off
in the air, and another firing his into the store of Mr. Swann. These
two later were arrested by the citizens and put into the town jail until
they sobered off. We suppose, as a legitimate consequence, that R.C.
Myers will be the Justice for that precinct. It is unnecessary for us
to say what respectable citizens think of such conduct. Galveston Daily
News, 22 July 1870, page 3.
Since the case of Col. R.C. Myers has been much misrepresented, and as
we think, for political, and perhaps malicious purposes, we give a short
account of it. Wm. Millican was acting deputy sheriff of Brazos County.
He and some others took a colored man out of the lockup at Millican, in
the night, and hung him, making a frolic of it. The colored man was
charged with petty larceny, and was Millican's prisoner. The white
prisoners were turned loose. Next Morning Col. Myers, satisfied that
Millican was the guilty party in this outrage, expressed himself in
strong terms of indignation, declaring that the case should be
investigated. His conviction of Millican's guilty was based on the
fact that he had hung another prisoner of his, a man named Upton,
charged with horse-stealing, and then had appropriated the horses, some
fifty or sixty in number, to his own use. He had also killed three or
four other men, his own brother in the number, and was generally a most
unprincipled, treacherous and murderous man, whom nobody trusted, and of
whom everybody was afraid. Millican, when he heard that Col. Myers
proposed to have his conduct investigated, said confidentially to
several whom he supposed to be his friends, that he intended to put
Myers out of the way. The threat was made known to Col. Myers and he
prepared himself for the worst, keeping arms in his house, and avoiding
assassination at night by shunning his accustomed walks -for it was
known that Millican was way-laying him. On the night of the killing
Millican went to a man and borrowed his six-shooter, telling him he was
going to kill Myers. He left the scabbard behind, and walked into
Myers'saloon with the pistol in his hand. Soon as he appeared, Col.
Myers fired with adouble-barrelled shotgun and killed him. Although
there was not a man in that region who doubted that Millican would
assassinate Myers within a day or two, yet Myers was convicted and
sentenced to the penitentiary for six years, as were also his son, David
Myers, and Geo. W. Hardy, who were with him. This outrage on all
justice caused general indignation. Steps were shortly taken to have
him pardoned, and they were at length successful, Gov. Davis pardoning
all three of them. Col. Myers was a Republican, and the colored people,
whose friend he had long been, and who were more afraid of the murderous
Millican than of the devil himself, greeted him on his arrival at home
after his release, with general rejoicing; in response to which he
opened his saloon and treated them tow hat they wished. A day or so
afterward, a large number of the most substantial and respectable
colored Republicans in that region met together and nominated Col. Myers
for Justice of the Peace, it then being believed that the Governor,
under the Enabling Act, could appoint to vacancies in that office. But
the °old set" wished to have their man in the office, and they
exerted themselves to keep colored men away from the meeting, treating
them to drunkenness and stirring up a general frolic, in which some
drunken men fired their pistols at store doors. They then represented
abroad that these were Myers' men, and sent such representations to
Austin, to do harm among Myers' friends. But it all failed. Justice
has been done, and the men who sought to pander to the bitterness of a
lawless set of men have been put to shame. Let the good people of
Brazos County not be misled by bad men again. We warn them in time.
Houston Daily Union, 2 September 1870, page 2
The Bryan Appeal speaks of Millican as being in his bloody grave, in
the most pathetic manner. What has it to say about the colored preacher
whom Millican murdered, and then gave out that the colored people had
killed him? What has it to say about Upton, one of Millican's
prisoners, whom he hung for alleged horse stealing, and then took the
horses and appropriated them to his own use? What has it to say of
Millican's own brother, whom he murdered? What has it to say of the
colored man, Bill Reynolds, Millican's prisoner, whom he took out at
midnight, and hung in a frolic? Is the Appeal in the pay of the Ben
Brown gang, and other bands of desperadoes and murderers? We must
confess that its conduct looks very much as if this were the case. It
is the open defender of one of the most notorious assassins that ever
cursed Texas. It is a disgrace to Brazos County, and to the State.
Houston Daily Union, 9 September 1870, page 2
The Bryan Appeal says that our account of the case of Col. R.C. Myers
is °a lie." WE happen to have the proof, and that of the most
undoubted character, of the truth of every statement in our article, and
we defy the Appeal to successfully contradict any one of them. When it
does we shall soon see who has told °a lie." We do not wish to
bandy words, and we shall not descend to the use of epithets; but we are
ready to come down to °brass tacks" with the Appeal at any time it
chooses. We happen to hold the trumps -the documents - in this
case. And Millican was not only what we represented him to have been,
but a great deal worse; that we can prove beyond the possibility of a
doubt. We have got the proof. Houston Daily Union, 9 September 1870,
page 2
1870: September - °Boldridge duly informed [Governor] Davis of the
problems getting anything done in Millican because they were unable to
obtain the old town charter or any of the town's records." See
Scott, Paul R., °Civil War and Reconstruction," Brazos County
History Rich Past -- Bright Future, 1986, page 100. Cites as his
source: B.F. Boldridge to E.J. Davis, 17 September 1870 and 19 September
6
1870, both in Gov. Davis' Papers, 301-67, folder 108, Texas State
Archives, Austin, Tx.
According to previous notice a Republican meeting was held in the town
of Millican on the 15th ult. for the purpose of nominating a candidate
for Justice of the Peace for Precinct No.i. The meeting was organized
by calling Mr. Enick Jefferson to the chair, and Capt. B.F. Baldridge as
secretary. The object of the meeting being explained by the chairman,
Mr. Willis Vanhook put in nomination Col. R.C. Meyers. Mr. A. Burgess
moved that Col. Meyers be nominated by acclamation, which was
unanimously carried. The following preamble and resolutions were
offered by Mr. Christopher Lyons and adopted without a dissenting voice
Resolved, That we recognize in Col. R.C. Myers everything we could
desire - a gentleman of honesty and integrity, and thoroughly wedded
to the principles promulgated in our Republican platform ....
Houston Daily Union, 20 October 1870, page 3
... The Republican candidates were elected by the following vote: for
Justice of the Peace, Precinct no. 1 -Abbott, 238; Prewitt, 24;
Myers, 418; Jameson, 10 ... (Austin) Daily State Journal, 8 December
1870, page 2
1871: February 1 - °On motion of Hon. R.C. Myers John E. Millican
was appointed constable of Precinct No.i..." [See Brazos Co.
Commissioners' Minutes, Book A, page 300]
[This is interesting -did it, perhaps, represent an attempt to patch
things up between the Myers and Millican families?]
1871: February 2 - R.C. Myers, on Main Street, in Millican; John E.
Millican, "on Main Street ... opposite the Rail Road Depot" in Millican,
received liquor licenses. [See Brazos Co. Commissioners' Minutes,
Book A, page 300]
[I wonder, did the fact that the Millicans and the Myers were business
competitors play any role in their difficulties?]
A gentleman down the Central road yesterday reports considerable
excitement in and around the town of Millican, growing out of the feud
between the families of Millican and Myers. Three men have already lost
their lives, and the end has not, in the estimation of well informed
persons, been reached yet. We have no recollection of the origin of the
difficulty, but something more than a year ago Col. David Myers killed
one of the Millicans, for which he was tried, convicted, and sentenced
to the penitentiary, but Gov. Davis pardoned him while he was in the
Galveston jail for safe keeping. On Saturday evening last, John E.
Millican, son of the one that was killed in the first difficulty, shot
and instantly killed Col. Myers, the murderer of his father. Almost
immediately after the shooting of Col. Myers, his son, David Myers,
attacked and killed Millican, making the third victim of this family
feud. Our informant says the friends of both parties are armed and
excited, and that trouble may be anticipated unless the authorities take
immediate measures to prevent it. Daily Express (San Antonio), 11 June
1871, page 2
Col. R.C. Myers, a Justice of the Peace at Millican, was assassinated
on the evening of the 27th ult., on his way home, by a man named John E.
7
Millican, whom the deceased had caused to be arrested for an aggravated
assault on a colored man in his saloon, and bound over to appear at the
District Court in the sum of two hundred dollars. (Corpus Christi)
Nueces Valley, 17 June 1871, page 1
1871: June 20 -Gov. Davis appointed B.F. Boldridge as mayor of
Millican and D.F. Myers, Henry Alexander, Elijah Jefferson, Joseph Scott
and Christopher Lyons as aldermen. Texas Election Registers, Texas
State Archives. [Boldridge declined the appointment, perhaps because
he was soon afterwards appointed postmaster?]
1871: June 26 -Benj. F. Boldridge was appointed postmaster at
Millican. (See Wheat, Jim, Postmasters and Post Offices of Texas 1846
1930.)
R.C. Myers and Others v. the State. Appeal from Brazos ...
1. When the evidence on a trial for murder was such that the only
legal conclusion must be either justifiable homicide or murder in the
first or second degree, it was no error for the Judge below to omit any
instruction to the jury on the law of manslaughter ... [legal opinion
continues at length] ... Galveston Tri-Weekly News, 3 November 1871,
page 4
1871: November 20 -State of Texas vs. John E. Millican; Millican
defaulted on his bond by not appearing in court. [Brazos County District
Court, Civil Minutes, Book E, pages 28, 29 (Microfilm reel 1010040)]
The following telegram has been handed us for publication:
Millican, March 11, 1872
D.F. Myers:
John E. Millican has given himself up, and is in jail at Bryan.
[signed] John Myers
It will be remembered that about the 28th of May, 1871, R.C. Myers,
Justice of the Peace at Millican, bound J.E. Millican over to the
Criminal Court for striking a Negro. After Millican had given bail, it
is charged he shot Myers with a double barrel shotgun and killed him.
It will be seen by this telegram that he has given himself up and was
put in jail. From later advances we learn that he has been allowed bail
in the sum of $5000. Galveston Daily News, 17 March 1872, page 2
Millican ... John E. Millican was shot last night and died in an hour
and a half. He was on his way home from a temperance meeting, and when
within thirty yards of his own door, was shot down, two shots being
fired in quick succession, and a third in half a minute or less; nine
shots penetrated his body; he was carried to his house, and remained
conscious until near his death. He accused Allen Myers and Mrs. B.F.
Baldridge with the shooting. The parties are both under arrest.
Millican had at the time of his death a case pending in court for the
killing of Robert J. Myers, father of the two prisoners, over a year
ago. A preliminary trial will take place this morning, when more light
may be thrown upon this sad affair. Galveston Daily News, 31 August
1872, page 2
Millican, Sept. 2. The coroner's inquest in the case of John E.
Millican (murder case), brought in their verdict that the deceased came
to his death at the hands of Allen Myers and Mrs. B.F. Baldridge. The
examination before the justice was set for this afternoon, but it was
waived and the prisoners held in $7000 bonds each for their appearance
at the District Court to answer the charge. Galveston Daily News, 3
September 1872, page 2
Millican, Aug. 30 -John E. Millican was shot last night and died in
an hour and a half. He was on his way home from a temperance meeting,
and within thirty yards of his own door, was shot down, two shots being
fired in quick succession, and a third in half a minute or less; nine
shots penetrated his body; he was carried to his house, and remained
conscious until near his death. He accused Allen Meyer and Mrs. B.F.
Baldridge with the shooting. The parties are under arrest. Millican
had at the time of his death a case pending in court for the killing of
Robert J. Meyers, father of the two prisoners, over a year ago. A
preliminary trial will take place this morning, when more light may be
thrown upon the sad affair. Cleburne Chronicle, 7 Sept. 1872, p.i
Bryan ... The celebrated murder case of the State vs. Mrs. Nannie
Baldridge and Allen Myers was commenced in our district court on
yesterday, the Hon. Spencer Ford presiding by special commission from
the Governor. It will be remembered that J.E. Millican was killed on
the night of 29th of August, 1872, in Millican, in this county, and that
defendants were indicted for the murder at the fall term of the court
thereafter. Prior to the homicide of John E. Millican, he had killed
Col. Myers, the father of defendants, and Col. Myers had killed Wm.
Millican, brother of John E. Millican. Yesterday evening and most of
this forenoon was consumed in obtaining a jury. The evidence is now
being introduced. The trial is attracting considerable attention.
Galveston Daily News, 6 August 1875, page 1
Bryan ... The case of the State vs. Mrs. Baldridge and Allen Myers, is
being argued. The District Attorney, Capt. Henderson, opened for the
State, and Col. Page, of this city, is now addressing the jury. He will
be followed by M.D. Herring, of Waco, for defendants, when Capt.
Hutcheson, of Houston, will close for the State. The court-house is
crowded with ladies and citizens. Galveston Daily News, 7 August 1875,
page 1
Bryan ... The argument in the case of the State vs. Baldridge and Allen
Myers was continued this morning. Col. Herring spoke two hours and a
half and Capt. Hutcheson one hour and a half, when Col. Ford specially
submitted to the jury a clear and comprehensive charge, embracing the
full law of the case, and adjourned the case till half past two. During
the forenoon session the courthouse was crowded with ladies and
citizens. Soon after the reassembling of the court, the jury brought in
a verdict of °not guilty," which seemed to meet with general
approbation. Galveston Daily News, 8 August 1875, page 1
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