#december 1884

[violetcrownchronicles]

The Splendid Exertions, and Intelligent Operations of the Firemen.

26 DEC 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

FIERCE FLAMES. THE FIERY DEMON MANAGES TO GET IN HIS WORK LAST NIGHT. B. Melasky & Son’s Big Clothing Store Burned - A Heavy Loss.

This morning at ten minutes past 2 o’clock the cry of fire rang out, and soon the bells were pealing forth the dread alarm. The Eighth ward was designated and a reporter hurrying to the Avenue saw that it proceeded from a house about the middle of the block. Some on cries out that it is the store of B. Melasky & Son, which was the case. In front, however, nothing but a black cloud of smoke could be seen, but in the rear the red flames were hissing and crackling, each minute leaping higher and higher in their demoniacal work of destruction. It is a late hour, only two or three men are present, and they stood and watched the fire, powerless to stop it. But help soon comes. Down the alley comes at a rattling pace the hose cart of Colorado No. 2 and in a minute it seems the men have everything adjusted and the order to “turn on” is given. They were only a few of them back there, but they worked like heroes. They had to, for the flames have already got under good headway and light up the whole alley with their lurid glare. They worked with a will, for adjoining, on the north side, was the wholesale whisky establishment of Houghton & Robinson, with hundred of barrels and kegs of ardent spirits -- it would never do to let the fire reach them. On the other side was the extensive stationary store of A.K. Hawkes and it too must be saved. In the meantime the ladders have been brought and climbing to the top of the house an incessant stream of water is brought to play. The other companies went to the front of the building and a stubborn fight they had with the destroyer. But they won at last though time and again it seemed that nothing could save the adjoining stores. IT was quick work and beautifully done, and again the citizens of Austin are indebted to the splendid exertions, and intelligent operations of the firemen.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Joyous Anticipations of a Better Time

24 DEC 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

Christmas, 1884,

Occurs tomorrow. Most of the Statesman’s readers are aware of it already, but there is nothing wrong about mentioning it in print. Christmas is generally a gala day -- a time of merriment and rejoicing. But this Christmas (not Xmas) that is very close upon us, this affair that comes off tomorrow, so to speak, isn’t liable to pan out half so much fun as some of its predecessors. True, the small boy will make the air of Austin resound with the noise of firecrackers (abhorred forever by the memory of the inventor thereof) and illuminate the streets at night with the whizzing sky-rocket. This, of course, is expected, and must be borne with Spartan firmness. But aside from the small boy, that with a two-bit piece can raise enough Cain and racket to last for a twelve month, who is there that can smile? Verily, there is very little to smile or make a hurrah about this Christmas eve, Anno Domini 1884. If there is any mirth in the fact that the cotton crop this year has been distressingly short, nobody has yet found it out. Neither is it a matter of hilarity that as a consequence of the above announcement, money matters are in the condition generally denominated “stringent.” Nobody is inclined to grow excessively gleeful over the fact that if one wants to take a little holiday trip to New Orleans on account of the great fair now in progress over there it will take $23.30 in bright silver shekels ere the excursion can become an accomplished fact.

Neither is the fact that the cash balance has gone the way of the world a fit subject for jesting. Very little fun can be got out of -- but perhaps a continuation of the theme may suggest gloomy thoughts. May be there is a “silver lining” somewhere, and if there isn’t, why, in accordance with the old song, “tis better to laugh than be sighing,” and rather than bemoan the dull Christmas of ‘84, look forward to that of ‘85 with joyous anticipations of a better time.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Christmas Plans

23 DEC 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

Christmas at St. David’s.

All willing to assist in the Xmas decorations are requested to be at the church this morning at 10 o’clock.

On Xmas day, there will be a celebration of the Holy communion at 7:30 a.m. Morning service and Holy communion at 11, with short sermon by the Rector. The offertory will be for the needy.

Santa Claus has intimated to the Superintendent of the Sunday school that he will make a visit to St. David’s Sunday school to distribute his annual medals and gifts to the children at the church, Friday evening next at 5:30.

On Sunday next the Bishop will preach at the usual morning service; there will be no evening service, but service at night at 7:30, when the Rector will preach and the evening choir repeat their Xmas festival music.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Grand Ball and Tableau

20 DEC 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

BUSINESS MATTERS.

Protection Hook & Ladder Company No. 3 will give a grand ball and tableau at Scholz’s garden, on Saturday evening, Decemeber 20, for the benefit of a new hose truck house. The object of the ball and tableau being a laudable one, we trust that all our citizens will contribute to the enterprise. Good music will be on hand, and those who attend may expect a good time.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Waiting For the Slugging to Begin

17 DEC 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

LILLY’S LITTLE GAME. How He Worked It - A Slugging Match that Failed to Take Place.

A Statesman reporter was attracted by a crowd gathered in front of Smith’s opera house last night. On inquiring what it meant he was told that a pugilistic encounter, or, in plain English, a glove fight, was shortly to take place. The pugilists were J.J. Lilly and Al. Kirk. Nobody seemed to know either one of them. A bystander remarked that “both the sports were from Houston.” A rather hard-looking crowd of people were seated upstairs waiting for the slugging to begin. A brass band helped to while away the weary minutes. Still the crowd waited. The band kept on tooting. Finally, the musicians grew tired and ceased their blowing. The crowd got tired, too. Somebody went down to investigate the cause of the delay. He returned and announced that Lilly had gone after his gloves, and would return in a few minutes. The latter statement was not correct. The gentleman never came back. He had also acted as ticket-seller, and had taken in $32 from the spectators. Doubtless he thought it was a good time to skip, and he skipped. Of course the crowd was mad. There was nobody to refund the money. Lilly had taken that with him when he went after the gloves. The band was likewise indignant. They felt that they had wasted their lung power, so to speak, without any compensation. Mr. Smith mourned because he had been promised $10 for the use of the theater. The next time he will collect his money in advance.

It afterwards transpired that the whole thing was a fraud. No such man as Kirk was in the city. Lilly had simply carried out a shrewd scheme of swindling. But no regrets are to be entertained for the victims. All of them had much better have been at home or in attendance on the revival meeting.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Successful Piece of Villainy - Appliances for Increase of Activity and Muscle

13 DEC 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

A Bold Robbery.

Last night as Mr. Abe Williams was returning home after leaving the theater, he was the victim of a successful piece of villainy. He was nearing his residence on Guadalupe street, between Pine and Pecan, near Mrs. Finnin’s boarding house, when a couple of masked men emerged from an alley in the rear of the house, and bidding him halt, threw down on him what Williams supposed to be a six-shooter. He was ordered to throw up his hands, and was then relieved of his purse, containing only a small amount of money, and a fine gold watch and chain. The robber then led him down the alley a short distance and told him to run if he valued his life. As he did put some estimate on his existence, Mr. Williams proceeded to comply with their request, though being a rather fleshy gentleman he was considerably out of wind, when, after heeling it for several blocks, he pulled up at the house of a friend. To him he related what had occurred, and returning to the city also told his story to officer Johnson of the police force. At last accounts the rascally thieves had not been taken in.

DESERVING ENTERPRISE. How the Young Men of Austin Mean to Enlarge Their Muscles.

A Statesman reporter dropped in at Turner Hall last night and a pleasant scene greeted his eye. Some forty or fifty of the leading young men of Austin were enjoying themselves in various athletic amusements, and the spacious hall resounded with their merry racket. It was the practice room of the new gymnastic association. Athletic apparatus of every description lay around -- clubs, sandbags, horizontal bars, ropes, ladders, rowing machines, spring-boards, boxing gloves, trapeze, and various other appliances for increase of activity and muscle, abounded. In fact, Mr. Prade, the enterprising proprietor, could have done the young men of this city no greater favor than the establishment of the elegantly equipped gymnasium. In his usual courteous and gentlemanly manner, Mr. Ed. Steuber showed the reporter over the room. Mr. Steuber is engaged as instructor in these manly sports, and a better man for the place isn’t to be found in Austin. He is not only an accomplished athlete, but a gentleman whose pleasing manner has won for him a host of friends. The club now consists of 135 members and is daily increasing in numbers. It is a credit to the city, and should meet the approbation and support of everybody. On the 26th inst., the night after Christmas, a masqued ball will be given by the club, and a grand time is predicted.

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Ladies Put to Inconvenience - Rotten Eggs and Other Missiles

11 DEC 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

HOME HAPPENINGS

A number of foot bridges are badly needed on the Avenue and Pecan. A couple are particularly wanted at the intersection of Colorado and Pecan streets, just in front of the post office. Every day ladies are put to inconvenience at this point.

There was a cruel joke perpetrated on a couple of Austin men a few days ago. They were enticed by a letter written in a female hand, to the corner of Red River and East Pecan streets, and there saluted with a volley of rotten eggs and other missiles. The jeweler fled for dear life and the knight of the mustachios is not far behind.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Cursed and Threatened to Kill

10 DEC 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

SHOT FROM UNDER HIM. An Austin Youth on a Tear Bids Defiance to the Police, and Gets His Horse Killed.

Early yesterday morning a shooting affray occurred in the first ward that resulted in the killing of a horse ridden by Walter Morgan. The affair in brief, and as related to a reporter by several witnesses, is about as follows: Young Morgan was drinking, and entering the Gem saloon, got involved in a difficulty with a young man named Dooly, in the course of which he threatened to kill the latter. Marshal Grooms Lee arrested Morgan, searched him, but finding no pistol on his person, induced him to leave the place. Mounting his horse, Morgan cursed and threatened to kill several persons in the locality, including a number of officers who were standing around, and who were in that part of the city on special business. He then threw his hands back into some pockets attached to the saddle, and, according to several parties, lowered his arm as if in a shooting gesture but no one could say positively that he held a pistol. Breaking off into a rapid gait he rode toward the avenue, but turning southward circled the block, and was nearing the scene of the first disturbance, when a number of shots rang out and Morgan’s horse dropped dead, pierced through the neck with a bullet, possibly from a Winchester. The young man was extricated from the animal (the property of his cousin) and found to be uninjured. The name of the officer who did the shooting could not be ascertained. No pistol could be found in the saddle-bags, though it was the general opinion that the principal party in the unfortunate affray did have such a weapon. He will be tried in the recorder’s court this morning for carrying a six-shooter.