#april 1885

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Trying to Cut Off His Unaccustomed Attire

30 APR 1885. Austin Daily Statesman.

AT IT AGAIN. The Ruffians Renew Their Devilish Deeds -- New Outrages.

It was hoped that Austin would enjoy a long cessation from this ruffianism that prevailed to so great an extent a few weeks ago. It will be remembered that during a period of several weeks hardly a night passed that some unlawful assault was not made on unprotected females. The shooting of the Swede girl, along with dozens of other brutal attacks, is fresh in the public mind.

For a time it seemed that the reign of terror was over, but from recent occurrences it now looks as if the same miserable work was about to be reenacted. In view of the facts narrated, it would be well to keep guns and pistols where they can be handily got at, and it is also essential to keep them loaded.

At an early hour yesterday morning, a black ruffian entered the sleeping apartment of Mrs. Behnke, the wife of a tailor who resides on West Walnut street. The lady was aroused by his entrance, and sprang from her bed, only to be seized by the scoundrel, who threw her to the floor. A struggle ensued, which, strange to say, did not wake the husband, in an adjoining room. By covering her mouth with his huge hands the screams of the woman were stifled. She succeeded in taking a knife from his hands, with which he threatened to kill her, or else he dropped it before taking flight. Had not Mrs. Behnke been possessed of great strength, she would doubtless have been a victim of the brutal passion of this fiend.

About one o’clock  of the same morning, the colored cook of Mrs. John L. Calloway, residing at 302 Mulberry street, underwent a similar experience. She occupied a room in the rear of the house and was alone. Some dresses were hanging on a line in the yard. Her assailant put on one of these and entered the woman’s apartment. He had his clutch on her throat, ere she was aware of his presence. Drawing out a razor, he threatened to kill her if she screamed. Just at this time two other colored women came in the yard and seeing the open door called to the woman inside. This scared the fellow who rushed out past the women making vicious cuts at them with his razor as he went by. His strange appearance caused them to cry out and the noise awoke Mr. Orlando Caldwell, who lived in the adjoining house. He snatched up a pistol and running out into the yard saw a negro man trying to divest himself of a woman’s dress, and was actually cutting off the sleeves with the same instrument that he threatened to use on the woman. Mr. Caldwell took deliberate aim, but his pistol missed fire -- he had forgotten to load it. The rascal then leaped over a fence into an alley and disappeared. The mutilated garment was found next morning with blood stains on it, which suggested that its wearer had cut himself in trying to cut off his unaccustomed attire.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Torrents for Ten Dreary Hours

23 APR 1885. Austin Daily Statesman.

A WORLD OF WATER, WORKS WRECK AND RUIN IN AND ABOUT THE CAPITAL CITY. Houses and Bridges Swept Away and Trains Delayed -- A Ruinous Rain. 

It was no April shower that of yesterday. The heavy, sullen masses of black clouds that hung like a pall over the city all Tuesday, made good their threats at last. The warm currents of air got in their work of condensation and down came the torrents in one steady unabated stream for ten dreary hours. It must have been ten hours of intense delight to Old Jupiter Pluvius, that is to say if the old watery god has not fled the universe, along with all the other classic deities that modern skepticism has forever banished.

The two principal creeks within the city limits are: Waller on the east side, and Shoal Creek on the west, both emptying into the Colorado. These are what are generally termed “wet weather” branches, and in ordinary time contain but little water. Yesterday they were raging floods. Every ditch and gutter helped to swell the dirty, foaming current as it hurried headlong to the river.

The heaviest damage sustained o Waller Creek was where this stream makes a bend near the intersection of Red River and Mesquite street. On this corner was a store occupied by Mr. S.E. Emanuel, a wooden structure containing a stock of groceries. In the rear were the sleeping apartments of the family. The water surged against this house furiously, and it “went glimmering.” Nearly everything was lost. Heavy articles of merchandise floated off, as lightly as straws, on the remorseless waters. A little of the household furniture was saved, but in such a wrecked and damaged state as to be almost worthless. The unfortunate owner told a reporter that $2,800 would scarcely cover his loss, which from the nature of the cause is not made good by any insurance. The building itself was torn into fragments.

The next sufferer was Green Hamilton, a colored hack driver. His house was just in the rear of Emanuel’s, and it is a wonder that it too, was not borne off. Nearly all he had was engulfed in the destroying element, and a good hack -- his means of subsistence -- badly broken up.

Further up the stream a number of small houses that lined the banks were submerged, and a dozen were counted at one time, bobbing up and down on the mad current, as if seeing which could be first in their race to the Colorado. A good deal of damage was done the railroad bridge of the Capitol Syndicate, the timbers supporting the trestle-work being bulged away out of place. The proprietor of the Circle Skating Rink wore a broad smile. He got off with little loss, only the outside railing, next to the creek, being taken.

There was even more destruction on the west side, along the course of Shoal Creek, on account of the broader channel and greater volume of water. The stone bridge on Plum street, just beyond the Graded School, was forced to go. Lower down a stout bridge in the vicinity of the cotton compress shared the same fate. A couple of hundred yards further down was the International railway bridge. The middle supports gave way, and the central part fell in and hung just a few feet above the boiling tide.

Another loser was Mr. F. Schmitz, a dealer in furniture and mattresses, who does business on East Pecan. His warehouse, situated on the right bank of the stream mentioned above, was full of new goods -- sewing machines and furniture of various kinds. The water rushed through it, carrying off goods by the wholesale, and badly injuring what was left. He puts his loss, including damage done the house and enclosure, at $2000. Three brand new wagons were among the articles washed away. A couple of horses were saved just in the nick of time, being rescued by a servant who imperiled his own life to save them.

Taken altogether, the entire loss, including bridges and houses of every kind, must be somewhere between $6,000 and $7,000.

In the city considerable damage was done and the merchants were put to any amount of inconvenience in the way of removal of goods. In some instances the water rose over the curbs and entered the houses, causing a mopping process to be vigorously carried on.

The site of Col. Driskill’s new hotel presented the appearance of a mill pond. It will have to be drained.

Joe Wood, a boy of twelve rescued a little child from drowning in Shoal Creek yesterday.

The river was on a tremendous tear, and presented a wild waste of madly tossing waves. It had risen fourteen feet at 6 o’clock p.m.

The oldest inhabitant remarked that it was a pretty heavy rain, but nothing like the freshet of 1869 when the water rose, etc. etc.

The report that two children were drowned in Shoal Creek, could not be traced to any authentic source, neither another report that a colored man had been killed by lightning on Robinson Hill.

A citizen stood on the banks of Waller Creek, calmly watching several coops of fine chickens go sailing off. His good wife stood by him, tearfully watching the feathered cargo depart. “Well, perhaps it’s best that they should go this way,” the gentleman remarked, in a sad tone. “Better our fowls should drown than fall into the hands of that great American chicken thief, Oliver Townshend, Esq.”

[violetcrownchronicles]

Bevies of Charming Girls

21 APR 1885. Austin Daily Statesman.

THE BAZAAR. IN AID OF “THE GREYS” -- A FINE ATTENDANCE AND LIBERAL PATRONAGE. The Beauty and Chivalry of the Capital in Attendance.

The Bazaar and Musicale last night was well attended and proved a success in every way. The programme as published was carried out with but a single exception -- the instrumental solo by Miss Palm, who could not be present.

The Quartette Club sang two splendid pieces in their usual fine style and were roundly applauded. The vocal solo by Miss Hume was excellently rendered and greatly admired. The instrumental piece by Miss Blanche Shepard was very finely executed.

The vocal solo by Miss Simpson was sung in her usual good voice of which the people of Austin are so thoroughly cognizant.

The bass solo by Mr. Stacy was deep and well rendered.

Miss Stella Wooten sang exsquisitely and added many admirers to her long list. 

The hall is nicely decorated with flags, evergreens, flowers and moss, and presents a really beautiful appearance.

The flower stands were particularly attractive and were presided over by bevies of charming girls.

Mrs. J.J. Lane deserves much credit for the excellent musical programme. But the audience was disappointed in not hearing one of her finely executed instrumental pieces.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Police Not Against Students - Beer Jerker Said Coin No Good

17 APR 1885. Austin Daily Statesman.

THE OTHER SIDE. What a Policeman Has to Say in Regard to Late Arrests.

Policeman John Bracken writes a communication of some length to the Statesman, giving his side of the recent arrest of students for misbehavior at Scholz Garden. Officer Bracken must not feel aggrieved that his article is not published in full. To do so could scarcely serve any good purpose; but a few points are taken therefrom. He says the police entertain no such idea as banding themselves against the students, and adds, that so long as gentlemanly conduct is observed none of them will be molested. He remarks further, that the night following the disorder at the Hall, two men were arrested for carrying pistols, and fined for the same the following morning. One of them, it is asserted, was concerned in the previous disorder. Both have been temporarily suspended.

COUNTERFEIT COIN. Arrested for Trying to Pass a Spurious Piece of Money.

Wednesday night, a man hailing from Williamson County, was arrested in a first ward bagnio for attempting to work off a counterfeit $5 gold piece, which he offered in payment of some beer, that one of the dizzy females had persuaded him to “set up.”

The beer jerker, said the coin was “no good,” it wouldn’t ring at all and accordingly a couple of policemen nabbed the man who gave his name as J.A. Newling. He said he lived in Williamson County. They found on his person an extra big six-shooter, Colt’s make, 45 caliber, and over $400 in good money.

Yesterday morning, his honor the Recorder imposed a fine of $100 and costs, on account of the pistol, and he was then turned over to Deputy United States Marshal Tom Bailes. His preliminary trial for passing counterfeit money, will come up before Commissioner Ruggles this morning. 

Newling is not a bad-looking man, somewhere i the neighborhood of thirty, and denies all knowledge that the piece was counterfeit. 

[violetcrownchronicles]

Interesting Rite - Policemen Prohibited

12 APR 1885. Austin Daily Statesman.

TOWN TOPICS.

The interesting Hebrew rite of circumcision will take place at the residence of Mr. Phil Abraham’s at 10 o’clock this morning. Dr. Heidingsfelder, a prominent Isrealite of Houston, will conduct the ceremony and in accordance with the historic usages of the race, the occasion will be celebrated with the usual conviviality.

STRICT ORDERS.

Have lately been issued from headquarters prohibiting policemen from entering saloons or houses of ill repute, and also forbidding special policemen to carry pistols when not on duty. There is some complaint among the men at the last requirement. 

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Girls Never Allude to Stream - Fishing Poles Fashionable - Meant to be Playful

11 APR 1885. Austin Daily Statesman.

HOME HAPPENINGS.

A jolly crowd of young gentlemen and ladies -- some twelve couples will picnic today on the banks of Bull Creek. It is said the girls never allude to the aforesaid stream by its full name.

Fishing poles are getting to be fashionable. Nearly every day amateur sportsmen can be seen promenading the Avenue with long tapering canes. The only fish to be seen, however, are behind glass windows. On the whole it is cheaper to get them that way.

Last night a spotted calf astonished a policeman by attacking him from the rear without the least provocation. The officer was at the time coming up Pecan street, on his way to roll call. He at first thought he had to deal with a human assailant, and drawing out his six-shooter prepared for action. Then the calf, after a parting butt, retreated. It was probably a pet and meant only to be playful.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Using His Teeth As Weapons

10 APR 1885. Austin Daily Statesman.

HARD TO TAKE.

Quite a lively scrimmage took place on the Avenue yesterday, near Melasky’s clothing store. A reporter was told that Giles Burdett, a well-known farmer living on Walnut Creek some miles from the city, was drinking and perhaps conversing in a loud tone of voice. He was approached by Policeman McDaniel and asked to desist, whereupon an altercation ensued. The officer then with the assistance of Policeman Richardson, tried to effect Burdett’s arrest. He resisted, and the men grappled. Presently a son of the man who was resisting came along and was about to interfere when McDaniel threatened him off with his revolver. Then the fight waxed hotter. The old man had his knife and was also engaged in trying to choke McDaniel, who, using his teeth as weapons, bit the hand of his antagonist till it looked as if it had gone through a machine. But the cops proved too much for Giles in the end and led him away to the bastille. He will have a hearing on several charges this morning.

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Screams Alarmed the Neighborhood - Lady Fired Upon Him - Seemed Rather Offended and Left

8 APR 1885. Austin Daily Statesman.

OVER THE CITY.

T.C. Dick, an ex-hack driver, living near Scholz Hall, must be a tough citizen if the complaint made against him in the Recorder’s Court is true. He is charged there with beating his wife, and sister-in-law, Emma Christmas, the other day, till the screams of the women alarmed the neighborhood. He will have a hearing this morning.

Last night Mrs. Chenneville (wife of the sergeant of police), hearing a noise in her yard, went to the gallery and observing the outline of a man, called to him to leave. He replied that “he didn’t have to.” Thereupon the lady fired upon him with a six-shooter. She did not hit him, however, and he was soon after caught and carried to the calaboose. The fellow was a drunken Irishman named Salgers, who was too intoxicated to know that he had run a very narrow escape by making an impolitic answer to the question put to him by Mrs. Chenneville.

A LIVELY TIME. A Crowd of Students Raise a Big Racket at Scholz Hall.

Last night during the performance of the Mexican gymnasts, at Scholz’ Hall, a party of University students numbering perhaps fifteen or twenty, by loud talking and boisterous cheering made such a racket that the proprietor went to them and begged them to desist. Afterwards Officer Henderson, who was on duty there, went to the young men with the same request. They seemed rather offended and left the garden in a body. On gaining the street they set up a regular chorus of yells that would have done credit to a band of Comanches. On this the officer blew his whistle and set out in pursuit of the yelling students, who took to their heels in the direction of the University. After considerable chase he captured one of the fugitives. Four others were subsequently arrested, and all of them taken to the police station. A kind-heated gentleman, disliking to see the boys occupy one of Uncle Dick’s private boudoirs, kept them from being locked up for the night by going on their bond. They will be tried before Recorder Johns this morning for disturbing the peace.