#september 1884

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Confined - An Excited Swede - Hot Tears of Anguish

23 SEP 1886. Austin Daily Statesman.

THE COUNTY BASTILLE. COMPLETE LIST OF THE INMATES OF THE JAIL.

The county jail is now in splendid condition, and has confined within its walls the following criminals:

James Phillips, convicted of murder, appealed; Tom Bailey, theft of horses; Gus Blum, burglary; James Miller, robbing the United States mail; Barry Miller, robbing the United States mail; Tom Brooks, rape; Wm. Reed, theft of horses; Ed. Bowser, theft of horses; Henry Richardson, burglary; Wm. Burton, robbing a money drawer; Perry Scott, working out a fine; Mary Preston, theft; Lottie Stotts, theft; Henry Baisly, theft of horses. He gave bond yesterday morning and was released. C. Ortez, theft of horses; J. Andose, theft; D. Flores, theft of chairs.

A SUPPOSED ROBBER. 

Last night about 9 o’clock a man was seen stealing his way into the yard of Mr. Tobe Driskill. A telephone message was sent to the Central police station, and officers Bracken and Martin were immediately sent out. On reaching the premises an excited Swede employed by Mr. Driskill fired upon them, but fortunately, without effect. Mr. Driskill is away from home, and his family were considerably frightened. The officers could find no trace of the marauder.

THE RAPE CASE. THE PRELIMINARY TRIAL OF JOHN BROOKS YESTERDAY.

Last afternoon, John Brooks, white, a married man, mention of whose arrest was made a few days ago, was arraigned before Justice Von Rosenberg on a charge of rape. The defendant, Brooks, is about thirty-five years of age, has a good expression and conducts himself well. His alleged victim, a girl thirteen years old, is the daughter of Mr. J.H. Mabry, an old and highly respected citizen of this county. The evidence deduced is of such a character that is publication is excluded.

Several witnesses, pro and con were examined, those for the defense testifying that the girls’ character for truth and virtue in the neighborhood is bad, while those for the opposite side were equally as positive that her reputation was far above reproach. During the examination, the plaintiff herself was put on the stand, and to certain questions replied in writing, weeping bitterly as she did so. Her aged father was present, and as the hot tears of anguish streamed down the cheeks of the little daughter, and great sobs welled up from the very depths of her heart, he bowed his grey head in profound sorrow, and the scene was pitiable in the extreme. Brooks was held to answer the charge in the sum of $2,000, in default of which, he went to jail, but says he will give bond today. Brooks was working for Mr. Mabry at the time the rape is alleged to have been committed. 

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Musical Meet - Plenty of Churches - Fierce Dog - She Was Lost

7 SEP 1886. Austin Daily Statesman.

RECENT NOTEWORTHY HAPPENINGS.

The Austin Musical Union will meet at the Avenue hotel tonight, at 8 o’clock. A large attendance is requested.

A new church is being erected at the corner of East Second and San Marcos streets, by the Baptist people in that vicinity.

A saloon on East Third street, known as the Pearl saloon, was purchased by the Methodist people in that neighborhood, and is undergoing a remodeling. In a few days it will be a cozy little church house. “Let us have plenty of churches.”

A negro named Alexander, who lives on Colorado street, has been harboring a fierce bull dog. Yesterday the dog bit a German, who was passing the house, badly, and tore his clothing. Officer Gibson killed the dog shortly afterward.

Three weeks ago, Mrs. Green, the lady whose husband was sun struck about two months ago on the railroad track, and died at his residence on Trinity street, changed her place of residence. Sunday evening just after dark, the reporter, who was taking an evening stroll, met the lady in the vicinity of Hagel’s garden; she was carrying a band box, a smoothing iron and umbrella, she stated to the scribe that she was lost; on being questioned, it was found the lady did not know the name of the street on which she lived, all she did know, was, she lived in a house with a family of the name of Dooley. At last accounts, a gentleman who lives in the vicinity was assisting her to find her home.

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Bonnell Tracts

27 SEP 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

THE MT. BONNELL PROPERTY. Deed of Purchase Filed.

J.B. Reinhardt has purchased from W.H.D. Carrington the Mr. Bonnell property, on which it is proposed to erect new water works. The price to be paid is $2,500 in installments of $100 cash; note for $75 nad $325, payable October 1, 1884, with 12 per cent interest per annum; notes for $50 and $950, payable January 1, 1885, with 12 per cent interest per annum; note for $1,000 payable June 1, 1885, with 12 per cent interest per annum, all with 10 per cent attorney's fees in event of suit to enforce payments, and the usual reservations of vendor’s lien upon the property, which, as described, embraces one tract of eighty acres adjacent to Mt. Bonnell, and another of ___ acres on the western face or front of the mountain, the latter being a one-half interest, excepting a small garden tract of one acre with house thereon. The deed has been filed.

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Mount Bonnell Plans

25 SEP 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

AUSTIN’S WATER SUPPLY. A Mount Bonnell Project -- Feasibility of the Plan.

A project which is not proposed by Mr. J.B. Reinhardt, of this city, to supply Austin with drinking water from Mount Bonnell, involving, as it does, the necessity of first pumping the water into huge reservoirs on top of the mountain, is as feasible, not to say advantageous, as may be first supposed. As the projector of the plan, however, has had considerable experience as an engineer for the water company at Louisville, Mr. Reinhardts’ views are worthy of consideration, especially as he claims to have financial backing to carry them out, and evidently given the subject careful study. Mr. Reinhardt, as an earnest of faith in the enterprise, has already purchased the Mount Bonnell property, including several groups of fine springs at the base of the mount known as the Mormon Springs, on account probably of their having once bee used for mill purposes by a colony of Mormons.

The plan of the company that is to take hold of the enterprise as explained by Mr. Reinhardt is as follows: “An immense reservoir or basin is to be constructed into which the water from the various springs united by the same pipe systems of driving wells as the city of Brooklyn has, will pour unceasing streams of purest water. This reservoir will be built on the side of the bluff where the overflow from the river can’t reach it and it will be sunk to a considerable depth below the springs and the river also. The water from this huge receptacle will be pumped either by steam or water power to the top of Mount Bonnell, into two great reservoirs that will be erected on this height. Thence a big pipe or main will by the most practicable route, convey the liquid to the city limits, and these numerous branch pipes will take it up and distribute it everywhere throughout the town. 

“This is no ill-advised or hastily planned scheme, went on the engineer. The survey was made years ago by a former engineer, Capt. Green, by predecessor at the asylum, and he declared the undertaking not only feasible but an enterprise that would one day be surely carried out. I think that time has now come, and so do score of the most solid and influential business men of this city. All of them who have had the planes submitted to their consideration have given their heartiest approval, and promise their support. My idea in purchasing Mount Bonnell was not to make a big strike by speculation. On the contrary, at any time I will be ready to surrender the property for precisely the amount given by me.”

In this way Mr. Reinhardt estimates that a city of an hundred thousand inhabitants could be abundantly supplied with good water, at a cost he thinks not to exceed $200,000. Whatever the merits of the plan the project is certainly interesting.

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Water Not Catfish

21 SEP 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

CITY REPERTORY.

The latest complaint touching the water company was made yesterday by a gentleman who found a small catfish in a bath tub which was filled from a hydrant. He took the little fellow to the secretary, but was rather brusquely waved off with the reply: “The contract does not specify that we shall furnish trout.” “No, but it calls for water and not catfish,” was the sharp rejoinder of the complainant.

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Comparing the Company to an Octopus

19 SEP 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

WATER WORKS. THE MEETING OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE WATER WORKS COMPANY.

The mass meeting of the citizens at the court house last night being called to order, Mr. T.S. Maxey made a motion to the effect that Gen. N.G. Shelley be called to the chair. Gen. Shelley stated the object of the meeting to be in accordance with a call by a number of citizens for the purpose of deciding whether the exactions on the part of the City Water company were not outrageous as well as their charges for water supply, and also to inquire whether the water company had a right to force the people to take any water at all under the existing contract, and especially the meters furnished by the water company. Gen. Shelley stated that the floor on which his office was situated had been charged with 1,300 gallons per month, and further that it was an absolute impossibility for that amount to escape. The meter in his opinion, was undoubtedly wrong.

City Alderman Pillow, being called upon, said he was one of a committee of seven of the city council to investigate the complaints against the water company. A number of witnesses were summoned before the committee. Some of the parties testified to losses by fire, sustained by them in consequence of insufficient water supply. In one case, it would not force one stream over the top of a small house. In the case of the Sims fire, for some time water could not be had at all, and when it did come the pressure was not sufficient to throw the water thirty feet high, and, as a consequence, some furniture, including a fine piano, was destroyed. Some said they failed to get water, and some that it was too bad for drinking. A plumber said he had found pipes full of gravel, and made a good thing in getting jobs to clean them out. One man couldn’t get a bucket of water in five minutes. One gentleman in the second ward had been advised by some one to get out of the ward, as the company would require them all to get meters, and when he asked they that ward was made an exception, was told that it was because the company thought the city council should have better sense than to refuse to pay the water company’s bill against the city.

Maj. Stewart made a few remarks, comparing the company to an octopus in its outreach and exaction. 

Mr. Jno. J. Robinson read a pointed address, setting forth very graphically various special causes of complaint. He concluded by saying that he would pay for a correct meter, but the company might cut off his water supply as soon as they pleased, before he would pay for a false reckoner. 

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The Frightened and Maddened Animal

18 SEP 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

FATAL RUNAWAY. Death of Mr. R.W. Walsh and Narrow Escape of Two Ladies.

Mr. Richard W. Walsh, a farmer and storekeeper doing a good business in the neighborhood of the Metropolis ferry, near Austin, left home yesterday morning to come to the city; and on his way overtaking two English ladies, Mrs. Smith and daughter, kindly proposed to them to accept a seat with him in his spring wagon, which they did. As they were approaching the city, some of the gear got loose as the horse, a large, spirited animal, was coming down the incline of East Bois d’Arc street this side of Dr. Cumming’s residence, Mr. Walsh got out and fixed it, but the horse had become restless, and after Mr. Walsh got back in the wagon, took fright at something, and began to lunge and kick furiously. As Mr. Walsh was trying to hold him, and to avoid collision with another vehicle ahead of him, he had to rein him close to a washout on the side of the road, when the horse suddenly jumped across it, and running under the limbs of a large mesquite tree, caused the top of the wagon to be torn away by the limbs. All this time the wagon was jostled by the antics of the frightened and now maddened animal, till Mr. Walsh was finally thrown off and caught in one of the front wheels. Miss Smith either fell or jumped off, but her mother held on while the horse dashed ahead, dangling the body of Mr. Walsh around the wheel till finally it fell almost lifeless from the entanglement, near the end of the long incline at the crossing of East avenue and Bois d’Arc street.

The horse rushed on across the railroad at the intersection of the streets named, when Mrs. Smith concluded to take her chances by jumping out, and in doing so was fortunately not seriously hurt, thought considerably shocked and bruised. Her daughter, it appears, however, had received painful contusions on the head and face. She, too, soon received the attention of a physician.

Dr. McKinley, who was first to reach Mr. Walsh, states that just as he got near him, Mr. Walsh breathed his last breath. His neck was broken, and there were other fatal injuries on the body. A jury of inquest was subsequently held, and a verdict rendered accordingly: The decease was a man of family, noted for his kindness of heart, and a good citizen generally.

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A Girl’s Caprices in Such Matters Are Unaccountable

16 SEP 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

ALLEGED KIDNAPPING. A Deputy Revenue Collector and a Pretty Brunette the Parties Concerned.

Yesterday Capt. Chenneville, of the Austin police force, who went out on the east-bound International train for the purpose, arrested at Duval station, Mr. Dan E. Jones, a deputy collector of internal revenue, who was on the incoming train from Marshal, Texas, on a charge of having kidnapped quite a handsome girl about 15 years of age, who was with him and gives her name as Sallie Belle Knight.

Judge Fullmore had been telegraphed the facts upon which he had issued the following order of arrest: Whereas, Complaint under oath in writing has been made before J.M. Case, justice of the peace of Harrison county and state of Texas, on the 14th day of September, A.D. 1884, one Dan E. Jones did then and there by force, kidnap one Sallie Knight, she being then and there a minor, under the age of seventeen, for the purpose of taking her from the lawful possession of the affiant, W.H. Knight, being then and there the father of said minor, contrary to the statute in such cases made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of the state.

The reporter of the Statesman calling at the police headquarters for information found Mr. Jones and Miss Knight in the office of City Marshal Lee. The former was quite solicitous about the young lady’s getting in print. She had not been arrested, he said, and was with him without any blame attaching to her action. Indeed, to the reporter she seemed as timid and innocent as a fawn. She is an interesting, pretty little brunette, with soft eyes, is well dressed, and has a petite figure. Mr. Jones is apparently double her age and not such a looking person as would be supposed to have captured the young lady’s affections very readily, though a girl’s caprices (especially one so young) in such matters are unaccountable. In conversation, however, Mr. Jones is quite respectful and agreeable enough. He certainly seems more concerned about the young lady than himself, and requested the reporters to spare her from notoriety as much as possible, declaring that everything would be satisfactorily explained by a statement of the facts which he said could not now be furnished.

Miss Knight states that her family are originally from Algiers, just across the river from New Orleans, and that her father was not in Marshall. Mr. Jones is a man of ordinary appearance, with red mustache, florid face and blue or gray eyes. Miss Knight has black hair and eyes, and is of the Creole type of beauty. When asked by the reporter how long she had known Mr. Jones, looking at Mr. Jones as she said it, she replied that was a matter of no importance. She does not seem to be much concerned at the situation. She went with an officer to the hotel, while Jones remained at the police station.