#september 1883

[violetcrownchronicles]

Telephone is at the Top - Weighed 200 Pounds

30 SEP 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

A Word About the Telephone.

Editors Statesman -- While it is conceded by everyone that the telephone is at the top notch of all inventions of this age, yet when it does not act according to the programme, how can a subscriber, for instance in the suburbs of the city, refrain from using "cuss words" when his instrument or the wires do not do their duty, and he wishes a sack of flour and receives the answer "the the doctor is not at home."  Or if he wishes a keg of beer, to be answered in a low sweet tone, "Is that you, Tommie dear?"  And when he wishes communication with a certain number and asks in good United States vernacular for his friend, to be answered "Was willst Du" in broad German.

When complaint is made to the office, they often send an "American citizen of African descent" to fix up things, and he generally has just about enough mechanical genius to grease the running gear of a well-regulated hen's nest and no more.

The most useful machine in that line in the city limits is one improvised by the keeper of a small saloon in the suburbs, who rigged up an old bell punch on a shelf, and when any of his customers could not be controlled by moral persuasion, he would with great parade go to his "telephone" and ask in a loud voice for the immediate attention of an officer.  The rowdies disappear immediately and "order reigns in Warsaw."   Blue Jay.

HOW THEY WORKED IT. Two Swindlers Got a Big Haul.

Last night two well-dressed strangers were playing a sharp game, taking in the unwary.  They appeared to be perfect strangers to each other, and the way they worked their game was to get men to bet on the weight of each other.  One of the men did a good deal of blowing as to his powers of guessing on the weights of men, and by his braggadocio created considerable excitement.  He bet several, and they went to get the scales, and the men were weighed and the bragging fellow lost his money in each case.  Then they all repaired to a saloon, and the fellow did more talking than ever.  He finally proposed to bet a hundred dollars to fifty that he could guess the weight of the next man who came into the saloon more accurately than any other person in the room.  There were several cattle men present to considered themselves experts in guessing weight, and two or three of them took him up.  The money was put up and the party waited for some one to come in.

Presently a stranger dressed like a cowboy entered, and stepped up to the bar and called for something to drink.  The men came up to him and said:  "Stranger, we have made a bet that we could guess the weight of the first man who came in, and you are the first man."

"Well, " said the stranger, "I am mighty deceiving, I weigh bad."

"Please do not give any pointer," said the bragging fellow.  "We want everything on the square."

"All right," said the cowboy, and said no more.  Then the men began to feel of the fellow's arms and legs and they made their calculations.  One said 150 pounds, another 145 and another 151.  The bragging fellow was the last to say, and after very carefully feeling of the stranger, and making his calculations he said:  "This fellow is mighty deceiving, he will weigh 200 pounds."  The other men laughed and this seemed to plague the braggart, and he fired up and said he would bet a hundred dollars to seventy-five that he was nearer right than any man that guessed.  This was readily taken, and other bets of the same nature followed.  When the betting was over all repaired to the scales, and the man was weighed, and to the utter dismay of all he weighed two hundred pounds.

"Wall, you are through with me, strangers," said the cowboy, and he walked off and was seen no more.

It is surmised that the two men were in partnership, and that the one who personated the cowboy had leaden soles to his boots and probably lead about his body, fixed in such a way that it could not be detected.

The swindle was well played, and it worked to perfection; but the fellows who were taken in are too proud to own that they have been sold by confidence men.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Whooping Like Satan Let Loose After the Millennium - Fame of the Public Schools - Lost Little Girl - Hen Hawk

28 SEP 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

A Highwayman that Was Not a Highwayman.

One of the most comical things that has happened in this city in a long time occurred night before last.  Three young bloods went to the livery stable across from the Brunswick Hotel, or, rather, one of them went to the stable and engaged a horse and phaeton for a few hours drive.

The one who engaged the rig drove around to the Avenue and his two companions joined him and the three started out for a "high old time."  They drove to several saloons and got enough benzine to illuminate their fancies in good shape and then started for the northern part of the city, running the poor horse like an English courser in a hurdle race.  Over the rough roads and through the by-streets near the university, the running steed was sent with the pony phaeton, and the three "bloods" rattling behind him as if the frail carriage would meet the fate of Holmes' "one-hoss chases" at every jump.  To make the thing look still more dangerous the three bloods kept time with the gallop of the horse by a regular three ply warwhoop every time the buggy went over some rough place.

Parties who saw what the young men were doing went to Mr. Ab. Smith and informed him of the manner in which his rig was being treated.  The first one who reported he did not heed, but by the time six or eight had made a similar report he concluded that something must be done.  Accordingly, he mounted one of his best saddle horses and started in pursuit.  He traced them to the vicinity of the insane asylum and waited in the grove this side for them to return.

For about half an hour he heard distant whoops, not unlike these of a Comanche Indian full of fire water and revenge, on the trail of an emigrant, and the galloping of a horse, evidently trying to get away from the sting of a whip in the hands of a dude controlled by more whiskey than sense, while the wheels of a phaeton rattled like the stick of a school boy on a picket fence above the other noise.

Not Ab. Smith is not usually very irritable but the sight of three dudes in one of his best carriages, whooping like satan let loose after the millennium and larruping the poor horse most frightfully too much for even his cool head.  So when they came near where he was he rode into the street and shouted:  "Halt, blast you, halt!" but the dudes did not halt.  Then he drew a long six-shooter, nickle-plated, and covering them with it said:  "Confound you, halt! or I will blow every one of you into mincemeat!"

They halted.

"Get out of that buggy, if you do not want to be made pepper boxes of," said Ab., and two of the dudes flopped out instantly.  The other delayed to inquire what the horseman wanted, and was met by the reply:  "Get out or I will show you what I want," and dude number three lit out lively.

Then Ab got into the phaeton and drove the poor horse home.  The three dudes thought they had been met by a highwayman, and when they had walked to town they each told of the terrible highway robber who had met them in the woods this side of the lunatic asylum with his nickle-plated pistol, and how he had demanded their money and taken all they had and then stole their horse and phaeton and left them to walk back to the city.  When they went to the livery stable and told their blood-curdling tale they began to see more stars in the firmament than they ever dreamed of.

The City Schools.

The attendance at the graded school building in West Austin, is now about 500, presided over by eleven teachers, which number is increasing so rapidly as to necessitate additional room and another teacher, which will be supplied next week.  There is but one of the buildings yet complete in the seventh ward (East Austin) school, which is situated on East Avenue in one of the most picturesque situations in the city.  Here are now six teachers, soon to be increased to eight, with an attendance of about 300 pupils.  At the Sixth ward (North Austin) school there are two teachers, with an attendance of eighty pupils.  At the Tenth ward (South Austin) school, two teachers are on duty, and about 100 pupils in attendance.  The fame of the public schools of Austin extend far and wide and attracted here many persons with children who would otherwise not have come.  The management is admirable, and no care is spared to introduce and efficiently use every improvement.

CITY MATTERS IN BRIEF.

Two hundred wagons were sold in the city during the month of August, as a Statesman representative ascertained by inquiry of the several wagon dealers.

The work on the planing mill just below the city is progressing.  The dam has been repaired and the additions to the building are being pushed forward satisfactorily.

Yesterday Orlando Caldwell's little girl wandered from home and could not be found.  Mrs Caldwell, when she missed her, instituted a search, but no trace of her was obtained for some time.  Quite an excitement prevailed in the neighborhood, but the little thing was finally found near Dr. Wooten's office.

Capt. Roach, who lives on East Linden street, had a very valuable game cock.  Yesterday morning the bird was missing.  He at once instituted a search for him, and a neighbor informed him he had seen a hawk swoop down in his yard, and suggested that probably his game cock had gone up.  On looking further a large hen hawk was discovered just finishing his chicken breakfast off the celebrated rooster.  The hawk was driven away, but nothing was left of the game cock but its feathers.  As this happened in one of the most thickly parts of the city, it is a somewhat remarkable occurrence.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Soak and Get The Needful - Mexican Makes it Lively - Saloon Licenses - Bridge Lawsuit - Heard a Scream

26 SEP 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

The Reward of Genius.

Ben Williams, alias Thomas White, is a genius in his line.  He greatly desired funds, and the problem to be solved was how to get them.  As he was passing by Eck's pawn store the idea was suggested to his fertile mind that if he had something to pawn he could get the funds, but here arose another difficulty -- he did not have a thing that he could "soak" and get the "needful."

Here came in the great genius of the man again.  He thought to himself to borrow it.  Again he was in trouble; no one would lend him, but his fertile mind was equal to that emergency also.  He accordingly went to the house of Mr. McLarin, and boldly rang the doorbell.  A servant came to the door and Mr. Ben Williams, alias Thomas White, informed the servant that her master had sent him to get his Sunday suit of clothes, as he wanted to put them on, and did not have time to go to the house for them himself.

The servant got the suit, and after nicely dusting them for his master, wrapped them up and handed them to the waiting genius.  He took them and departed.  Then he went to Mr. Eck's and told him that a white gentleman had requested him to bring the clothes to "soak," as he did not want to be known himself.  This being a very common occurrence.  Mr. Eck negotiated the loan upon the clothes, and the genius took the money and went away a happy mortal.

Up to this point the little business was a great success, but when Mr. McLarin went home with his everyday suit, and his good wife asked him, "Where on earth he had been in his Sunday clothes?" and he replied:  "Nowhere, dear," and she wanted to know "why he sent for them, then?" and he told her he had not sent for them, there was a mystery in family affairs that had to be unraveled.

The police were consulted, and the work of their genius was brought to light.  Officer Oberwetter then hunted up the possessor of that fertile mind, and he was started on the road to Huntsville by the aid of Justice Von Rosenberg.  If the warden does not look out he will borrow the prison and pawn it before he has bee there six months.

A Mexican In Trouble.

A Mexican went to the First ward Monday night and thought he would have a little fun just as a white man would enjoy life.  He washed down his chili con carne with First ward benzine, and then thought he would call on a lady(?).  He went to a place where he thought he could find the one he was looking after, and had not been there very long until he said he had been robbed by that same woman.  He then dropped his American airs and resolved to be a Mexican, so he took out a murderous looking Mexican knife and started to make it lively for the inhabitants of that vicinity.

A gentleman(?) came to the rescue of the terror-stricken women, but he did not like to get too close to that Mexican knife.  One of the inmates raised the window and called for the police.  Officer Morris heard the call and came to the place.  When the Mexican heard the policeman coming, he retreated, gaining the street without the officer capturing him.  The officer, however, gave chase and ran him down.  When the Mexican found he could not outrun the officer, he stopped and picked up a rock to defend himself.  Officer Morris saw that would not do to parry with the desperate man and he took his pistol and shot at the man.  This brought him to time and he was arrested and taken to jail.  The officer did not shoot to hit him, only to scare him.

CITY MATTERS IN BRIEF.

Dr. Tobin will build several new houses which he will rent at a nominal sum to his street car drivers.

The foundation concrete of the western wing of the capitol will be finished today, and that of the whole building by the middle of next month.

The increase of recording business at the county clerk's office is such that two additional clerks have been employed.  This is a good indication of increase of the real estate business.

Next Monday is the first of October and all saloon licenses must be taken out on or before that day.  The license paid by each saloon -- city, county and state -- is $6000.  Some of the saloons took out their permits and paid their taxes yesterday.

John H. Coleman sues the Travis Road and Bridge company, in the district court, but $2679 damages, on account of their cattle being killed or drowned by falling off the bridge of the company across the Colorado river at the head of Congress avenue, on the 23d of last May.  Similar suit for $6150 is filed by Field, Thomas & Raney against the same company, for the loss of cattle by the same cause.  Sheeks & Sneed are attorneys for the plaintiff, and Walkton & Hill for the defendants in both suits.

Last night a woman was heard to scream and cry murder in the vicinity of the African Methodist Episcopal church, but all efforts to find out the cause of it proved fruitless.  The police could not find any clue to the strange outcries, and the matter remains a mystery.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Asleep and Insane - Work Resumes - An Investigation - A Disturbance - A Desertion

25 SEP 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

Police Court.

The following parties smiled at his honor yesterday morning:

John Higgins, charged with being drunk, case continued.

C. B. Sheridan pleaded guilty to being drunk, fined $5 and costs.

Albert Black, charged with assault and battery upon Office Brown, fined $10 and costs.

S. Eguire, a Mexican, for being drunk, fined $5 and costs.

P. Chambers, a colored woman, for using improper language, was fined $5 and costs.

I. R. Moore, charged with assault and battery, pleaded not guilty, case continued.

Jose Innocents asleep on the streets, insane and was discharged.

Tim Sullivan drunk, $5 and costs.

T. D. Riley discharged.

Alex Mack was charged with committing an assault and battery on the 3rd instant.  Drunk, $5 and costs.  An assault and battery case was again continued.

CITY MATTERS IN BRIEF.

A new pump has been put in the fish pond.

E. T. Moore is building a new office on Hickory street, near the city hall.

Yesterday a full force of workmen resumed work on the university after a vacation of some time.  It will be pushed forward now until fully completed.

The authorities at the Insane Asylum are putting in a large well to supply the institution with water.

The work on the bridge across the Colorado progressed rapidly yesterday.

The street cars will run after all entertainments at the Opera House, but the fare will be ten cents.  After the new stables are finished cars will run until eleven every night.

One of the music teachers at Mrs. Kirby's music school was robbed Saturday night, of a quantity of clothing.  The case was put into the hands of Officer Chenneville, and his investigations led to the arrest of a colored woman by the name of Cara Duesse.

Officers Pace and Matt Johnson had a hard time of it arresting a negro by the name of Charles Tyson.  He was found making a disturbance on the streets, and they went to put the fixtures upon him.  He fought like a tiger, but they succeeded in taking him to the cooler.

Quite a sensation was caused by the wife of a well known young man deserting him.  She was a variety actress, whom he married about a year ago.

[violetcrownchronicles]

On Account of the Rain

21 SEP 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

CITY MATTERS IN BRIEF.

The creeks were reported very high yesterday afternoon.

The work on the bridge did not raise the structure very much yesterday -- not near so much as the rain raised the river.

All the workmen at the capitol were obliged to take a holiday on account of the rain.  The same was true of the force working on the Syndicate railroad.

Jimmie Grant, a little colored boy, waded into the creek, west of the city, and finding it deeper than he expected was carried off his feet and would have drowned if a man passing had not seen him in time to rescue him.

It is reported that a negro, living west of the city, is in the habit of shooting buzzards, and that he has several and eaten them.  The fellow ought to be fed by the state for a few years if he is so hard up as that.  He needs looking after.

Lottie Stotts, like Banquo's ghost, will not down.  The other night she took a bottle and tried to break a hole in a poor cripple boy's head.  If Lottie was served as Lot's wife was, she would not be in a worse pickle than she is now the most of her time.

A street car ran off the track in the hardest of rain yesterday, and maybe it did not make the passengers feel good to climb out in the mud and rain and stand there fifteen minutes, until it was put on again.

"Well, that is just the way" said a merchant to a reporter yesterday, as he saw him plodding through the rain, "in this country we get too much of everything.  Too much dry weather and too much rain.  Why don't they mix things up a little?"

About twelve miles north of Austin the late rains washed out a deep gully in the road, and a farmer -- a negro -- who undertook to drive through it, not knowing how deep the water was then flowing through it, was drowned, together with his team.  The name of the man who lost his life could not be learned.

When it was raining hardest yesterday forenoon, a large rat was washed out from under the International depot, and quite a crowd watched its frantic efforts to escape from the torrent that carried it down the gutter to the river; as the spinster said at the theater yesterday night, scientifically speaking, it went to feed the fish in the Colorado, and the fish will go to feed the citizens of Austin.  The may be said to be ratty fish.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Fast Drivers Arrested - Killing The Rats - Very Metropolitan - Extravagant Heaps - Disgraceful Proceedings - Hard Man's Hole

18 SEP 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

CITY MATTERS IN BRIEF.

Two of our most prominent young men were arrested for fast driving on the avenue.

The boys had a good deal of fun Sunday killing the rats and mice that were driven from their holes by the heavy rains.

The attendance at the several churches of the city Sunday was larger than it has been for six months prior, every church is being crowded.

Another new street car -- a beauty -- put in an appearance on the street railroad Sunday.  It is an open summer car and very metropolitan in appearance too.

The trains on the international were on time yesterday.  It is said that this strange phenomenon is due to the late rains doing away with the dust that has been piled in such extravagant heaps in and about the union depot in this city.

Parties were greatly disturbed by persons cursing and using indecent language on the street near the city limits, on East Pecan.  The city council should appoint a policeman to especially patrol that portion of the city, and put a stop to such disgraceful proceedings in the future.

ANOTHER BAD LOVER AND HIS GUN.  John Johnson, from Somewhere, Attempts to Shoot Mamio Blackburn, a Protege of Sallie Daggett's.

John Johnson, whom no one seems to know much about in these parts, came to Austin Sunday, and went first to "Hard Man's Hole," as it is facetiously named, and tried to get up a prize fight.  He finally found a man who was willing to enter the ring with him, but he did not like the looks of the proposed combatant's muscle, and declared the pugilistic contest off.

Then he went across to see his "gal," as her termed her, who, it appears, lives across the street from "Hard Man's Hole," at what is called Sallie Daggett's.  He went to the gate and called, "Mamie," Officer Morris was watching him at the time.  Mamie came to the door and he tried to get her to come to the gate, saying, "Come out here."  The girl did not care to take a walk with the prize fighter, and she told him so in language more forcible than elegant.  Then he drew his six-shooter and told her to "look out, for that thing was likely to go off if she did not do as he wished her to."

The girl evidently did not think he would shoot, and she made some remark that only added fuel to the man's recklessness.  He then took deliberate aim and fired.  The girl screamed and fell.  The man started to run, but officer Morris soon got the drop on him and he had to halt.  He was arrested, and will undoubtedly develop his muscles under the excellent training of the state, and by the time he has got to the end of last Sunday's adventures, he will be able to cope with the best prize fighters in the American ring.

The girl at whom he fired proved to be more scared than hurt, and while she had a close call, she was not hit by the ball.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Everything Has Been So Dull - Dry Weather - Hunters Take Birds - River Rises - Robbers Seen Again

15 SEP 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

CITY MATTERS IN BRIEF.

Yesterday afternoon the streets in this city presented an exceedingly lively appearance, especially Pecan street.  A Statesman representative counted about 100 teams in the city at one time in the afternoon.  The retail merchants did a lively trade and the town presented an old-time appearance once more.  This was in fact a contrast to the two weeks past when everything has been so dull.

Monday the professors of the University will address the students in the senate chamber.

Notwithstanding the extremely dry weather the tree foliage has in no manner been affected.  Neither has the pecan crop.

Our hunters are beginning to take in the unsuspecting birds.  Several were out yesterday and brought in a large number, among them a few ducks.

The Colorado rose about six inches yesterday and was still on the rise last night, indicating that heavy rains have fallen to the north of Austin somewhere.

Bandy & Parker have hung a most attractive sign in front of their new saddlery store.  It consists of a saddled steed, life size, with the name of the firm below in gold letters and the name of the business above.

The stage robbers were seen yesterday in the western part of this county.  They stopped a farmer by the name of James Jones and demanded his money from him.  He had about forty dollars on his person.  This he turned over to the bandits together with a fine gold watch.  When the men had taken all he had they rode away, and left Mr. Jones to contemplate his adventure.  This happened not far from 10 o'clock Thursday night on the public highway.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Flea-Bitten - Baseball Challenge - Unsuspecting Females - Elusive Burglars - Considerable Jealousy

14 SEP 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

LOST -- I lost my flea-bitten mare this morning, branded D on left shoulder.  Return to Statesman office and get reward.  C. Z.

CITY MATTERS IN BRIEF.

The Capital baseball club have challenged the Austin Red Stockings to meet them in a practice game on the Red Stockings' grounds this evening at 4 o'clock.  The Red Stockings accepted, so the game will take place.

The Statesman would remind unsuspecting females in boarding houses of the necessity of closing window shutters, or "pulling down blinds" before commencing to disrobe at night.  Remarks having been made in the hearing of our informant suggest this advice.  Ash street is the locality designated, but, doubtless, this reminder is applicable on other streets.

THE ELUSIVE BURGLAR.  He Enters the Residence of Judge J. W. Smith and Helps Himself to Diamond Rings and A Goodly Amount of Cash.

Again we are called upon to write another chapter in the career of the gang of burglars who have been plying their nefarious trade in the capital for some time.  Indeed, so frequently have we been called upon to record the burglar's work in our midst that it hardly sounds like a news item to write another account of his exploits.  The man or men who are at work in Austin are truly old hands at the business, for they can follow their work undetected from week to week in this grand capital, under the very eyes of our vigilant police force, robbing house after house, and yet not leave the slightest clue to who they are or in any manner as to their identity.

They no doubt mingle with the public during the day, talk with men upon the streets or in public places and visit their bedsides at night and rifle their pockets undetected.  Men who can do that week in and week out are well-trained in their lawless profession.

This last act is probably the most expert of any of the many they have performed in this city.  Yesterday morning, or some time after midnight, these men, or some of them, entered the residence of Judge J. W. Smith, the well-known attorney, and walked all over the house among the sleeping inmates, without the least suspicion on the part of any person in the dwelling of their work.  The judge and his wife sleep on the gallery, but there were several persons in  the house besides them, none of whom were awakened, they first went to the bedside of the judge and his wife, and took his pants and rifled them.  They next passed to the room where Robert, a son, was sleeping, and taking his clothes from his bedside, went through the pockets, taking from all the money they contained.  They carried the clothes from the room and left them on the outside.  Then they went to the sleeping room of Miss Rosa Pendexter, a sister of Robert's wife, and stole her valuable engagement ring and several other articles of jewelry also about $20 in money, and after opening sundry bureaus and trunks and helping themselves to whatever they wanted left as quietly as they had come.

It was not until the judge arose in the morning that he discovered the fact of the burglary by missing his pants from the place where he had left them.  He aroused the other members of the household, and it became known that the house-breakers had completely rummaged the entire premises.  In an interview with the judge he state that he would not believe it possible that any man could do what these burglars did, and not make noise enough to arouse any member of the family.  They did do it, however, and have been doing it for some time, too, right here in Austin.

ONCE AGAIN.  The Little Pistol Does its Deadly Work -- A Little Woman, Considerable Jealousy and a Deal of Whiskey the Cause.

Yesterday morning about half-past one o'clock that delightful spot, the first ward, was the scene of another tragedy.  There is a place known as the "gem," and there is another place called "the hard man's hole," and between these two delightful spots there are numerous other places where Moody and Sankey would find a field of golden grain waving in gentle undulations most inviting for the sickle of these gospel reapers.

Here it was that the tragedy of yesterday morning occurred.  One of the golden grains in this wheat field is Miss Anna Hamilton, a lady (?) who is unfortunate enough to have been the moving cause of the tragedy.  Bob Lotterdale, a roving blade from Dripping Springs, was deeply smitten by the charms of this gentle Anna, and it is said the object of his visit to the capital Wednesday night was to pay court to her, but when called upon "my lady," it is reported, she was basking in the sunlight of George Sharp's smiling countenance.

It appears that Bob Lotterdale did not like that.  Just why he should not like it, we do not know, but it appears he took deep offense at finding that so Sharp a man had been going to see "his Anna," as he called her, and he is said to have hinted that two fellows could not court one girl at the same time; not if he was one of them.  He went away, however, but returned later, and he met George and Anna on the street.  He ran up against Sharp in an insulting way and Sharp resented it.  This appears to be just what Lotterdale wanted, and the two men began to use the most profane and indecent language towards each other.

When this had reached a certain point, Lotterdale drew his pistol and put the muzzle, as he supposed, right over Sharp's heart and fired.  The ball struck a rib and followed it round, and so only inflicted a flesh wound.  If it had gone straight through it would have been the last of Mr. Sharp.  Lotterdale fired two other shots at his man and then fled.

The police heard the firing and went promptly to the scene of the deadly affray, but Lotterdale had made his escape before they reached the place.  The wounded man was taken in a hack and carried to where medical aid could be given him, and Dr. Swearingen was called, who dressed his wound.  It is said that he may possibly die, but the chances are that he will recover.

It is about time a good, broad, flat foot of justice was set down on this shooting business, and set down hard, too.  Human life is a trifle too sacred -- even human life in the first ward -- to be set up for a target; and the sooner "the halter is made to draw, the better, far will be the law."