#september 1886

[violetcrownchronicles]

Bull Creek Counterfeiting Scheme

28 SEP 1886. Austin Daily Statesman.

MAKING THE QUEER. DETECTIVE TOM BAILES SCOOPS A COUNTERFEITER. IN A MOUNTAIN FASTNESS AND DENSE CEDAR BRAKE HE COINS SPURIOUS DOLLARS.

Detective and Deputy United States Marshal Tom Bailes, arrested Sunday, some sixteen miles above town, near the mouth of Bull creek, one Phillip Mengie, aged about sixty, on a charge of counterfeiting.

For nearly two years Mengie has vibrated between this city, San Antonio and neighboring towns, and during all that time he has been a “suspect,” and government detectives have shadowed him.

Some months ago he came from San Antonio to Austin, and Detective Bailes, who had been on his trail for a long time, was promptly notified.

Mengie, child-like and blind, and claiming to be both a speculative and operative mason, soon after his arrival set to work as a brick and stone mason, and for a time assisted in putting in the foundation of the residence of Mr. John Houghton.

One morning Mr. Mengie turned up missing.

This bothered the wide-awake detective and he set to work to discover the whereabouts of the child-like mason.

His efforts were rewarded, but he was astounded to learn of the new business in which the wily Mengie had embarked.

The fact is, he had thrown down the trowel and level and plumb and $5.00 a day, to hire to Mr. Theisen, the brickman, to cut wood at about $1.50 per day.

This, of itself, was decidedly suspicious, for men of the intelligence of Mengie don’t often do the like.

The wood was to be cut in the dense cedar brake located among the rocks and cliffs and mountain fastness bordering upon the banks of Bull creek.

This puzzled the astute detective no little.

Mengie apparently liked company and so far as known no widow had determined to marry him. Then what the mischief did he want to bury himself in that cedar brake for?

Mr. Bailes would find out. He called up one of his trusty aides and gave him minute instructions. The aide put on the garb of a wood-chopper and applied to Mr. Theisen for work. He secured it and was sent to Bull creek cedar brake.

Here he accidentally, of course, stumbled upon Mengie, and the two agreed to camp together, and for some three weeks they have chopped wood together, and at night, when the little stars would be blinking away up in the uplifting depths of heaven, they schemed schemes to get rich, and that speedily.

A brilliant idea struck Mengie, sly old fellow. He proposed to his comrade to coin spurious sliver money, and thereby make a fortune. The plan was discussed and finally agreed to. 

Then it was that Mengie showed his hand, and in the shadows of the swaying cedars, and in the fastness of the cliffs overhanging Bull creek, he drew forth the paraphernalia and tools necessary to do the work of coining counterfeit silver money.

He was happy. So was the detective, who promplty notified his chief, Bailes, here in the city, by wood haulers.

Sunday was the day set to commence operations, and the babbit metal and chemicals used were provided. Detective Bailes was posted, and Sunday he and Sheriff Hornsby rode out and to within a short distance of the counterfeiter’s camp. They hitched their horses and made their way through the brush and over the rocks, to within sight of the camp, which was situated in a deep hollow, remote and secluded.

Mengie’s comrade was not in camp. He was off, perhaps, watching for eavesdroppers and chance passer-bys. Mengie was there however, in all his glory and shirt sleeves, hard at work, melting babbit metal and changing it into half dollars and nickles. 

He had made a goodly number, and finished them in the highest style known to the art, and was running more, when Officer Bailes, who had quietly slipped into camp, tapped him on the shoulder. He was astounded, but not so the officer. Mengie with his instinct, in bred, perhaps, in the criminal class of self-preservation, in an instant regained his composure and coolly informed the officers that the whole counterfeiting outfit belonged to his comrade. Of course Mr. Bailes knew better.

Mengie was brought to the city yesterday, and United States Commissioner Garner Ruggles, bound him over in the sum of $2,000, to appear this morning, in default of which, he went to jail.

Mengie, it is alleged, is a pal and bosom friend of the noted St. Louis counterfeiter, Ben Buiest, who is now serving a long term in the penitentiary.

The tools and counterfeit money, much it well executed, were brought to the city. Detective Bailes deserves much credit, for the skill and energy shown, in working up the case.

[violetcrownchronicles]

To the Slaughter

26 SEP 1886. Austin Daily Statesman.

HEATHENISH BRUTALITY. THE FEEJE ISLANDERS TOTALLY ECLIPSED BY AN ALLEGED CIVILIZED HUMAN.

The following story of inhuman cruelty reached the Statesman last night, and it came fully verified:

On Friday a well-known butcher sent two men out to Miller’s pastures for a lot of cattle to be slaughtered.

Driving them to the city, one of the animals, a cow, became unruly, and gave the men much trouble, as Texas cattle frequently do.

On reaching the creek running east of Fairview park, the cattle over-heated and thirsty, ran into the water, and the unruly animal refused to move out.

This angered the eldest of the men and he rode his panting horse into the water, and deliberately cut out the cow’s eyes. He then, with the assistance of his comrade, drove the bunch of cattle to the slaughter pen.

While he was engaged in the FeeJe practice of cutting the eyes of the cow out, the horse, the property of the butcher, over-heated, drank too much water and died Saturday.

The above act of cruelty could only have been committed by one devoid of all the higher sensibilities and attributes which adorn the character of civilized man.

The Statesman regrets it was unable to obtain his name.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Small Houses and Big Rents

24 SEP 1886. Austin Daily Statesman.

QUEER PEOPLE. SOMETHING NEEDED TO MAKE AUSTIN MORE ATTRACTIVE.

There are some queer people in this wide, wide world. There are some here in Austin. They hold real estate and houses and such things, and sublimely hope and expect Austin to grow and make them wealthy. They do nothing, however, to bring this very desirable end about. They do nothing to make the superior advantages of the city known to the outside world. They do nothing save erect small houses and collect big rents. They are making a mistake. Austin can only flourish and prosper when made attractive and a pleasant abiding place for refined cultured men and women. Her splendid churches and her magnificent schools, together with the great university and the vast and beautiful capitol add greatly to her attractiveness, but they are not all that is necessary to insure a rapid and healthy growth. We must have shady sidewalks, well paved and well lighted streets, sewers, and parks, and to secure them money should be expended lavishly but judiciously. No city in the world ever regretted spending money for such things and no word of discontent ever been heard from the people of Austin about the outlay of money by the city fathers for improvements when they added to the comfort of the people, and the attractiveness of the city. By all means, give us good sidewalks, well paved streets and the sooner you do so the better. The people will not grumble.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Found Lying Dead

21 SEP 1886. Austin Daily Statesman.

A TERRIBLE FALL. AN AGED COLORED WOMAN FALLS OVER A BLUFF AND IS INSTANTLY KILLED.

An old negro woman, 65 years of age, named Annie Walker, who lives about seven miles southwest of the city, left home last Tuesday morning and went to the residence of Mr. J.E. Campbell, about two miles, to do family washing. She remained there until about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, when she received her pay and started home. She did not reach home that night, but her husband, who is quite old and a cripple, paid no attention to it as she had frequently remained at Mr. Campbell’s over night. She did not return Wednesday nor Thursday no Friday night and Saturday her husband alarmed went over to Mr. Campbell’s to learn what detained her. Upon reaching there he was told that she had started for home Tuesday evening. The neighbors were then informed that she was missing and quite a number of them started out in search of the old woman, and it was kept up until yesterday afternoon at 1 o’clock, when she was found lying dead under a bluff near Barton’s creek, and it was evident she had mistook a washout for a path which led around the precipice, and walked over it, falling a distance of about sixty feet, breaking her neck and probably killing her instantly. Where she fell over the bluff, the small bushes at the top were broken, and a handkerchief with her money in it was found hanging on a bush. Her body was badly decomposed, and hogs or wolves had eaten the flesh from the bones. The head lay about twenty feet from the body, where it had been dragged by animals of some kind. The old lady had on a good pair of shoes when found. Those discovering her remains left to notify others, and on their return found that someone had found the old woman and stole the shoes off her feet.

Word was brought to the city about two o’clock yesterday, and Justice Von Rosenberg went out to hold an inquest. The jury returned a verdict of death by accidental falling over a bluff.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Eating Ice Cream and Seemingly Happy

17 SEP 1886. Austin Daily Statesman.

A FAMILY MUSS. WHEREIN A WIFE CHARGES HER HUSBAND WITH HOUSE BREAKING.

Mrs. George Brown, of Wheatsville, had a quarrel with her husband some time ago, and the unhappy pair separated. Several days afterward Mr. Brown went back home for his clothing, and finding the house closed and his wife away from home, he procured an axe and “mashed” in one of the rear doors. He then quietly went into the house, got what belonged to him, and went off. His wife on returning home, learned of the occurrence from a neighbor, and she immediately came to Austin and swore out a warrant for her husband, charging him with housebreaking. He was subsequently arrested, and yesterday had a hearing before Justice Purnell, and was acquitted, as he proved that the property belonged to him. Mr. and Mrs. Brown then left the court room, smoke the pipe of peace, so to speak, and afterward were seen together in an ice cream saloon, on the Avenue, eating cream and seemingly happy. 

[violetcrownchronicles]

A Time of It in the Wet Last Night

15 SEP 1886. Austin Daily Statesman.

UNDER THE GASLIGHT. LATE ITEMS CAUGHT ADRIFT WHILE ALL THE WORLD SLUMBERS.

Keep your boys off the streets at night.

The billiard halls did a good business last night. 

Some of the oyster saloons now remain open all night.

The police had a dismal, dreary time of it last night. At a late hour the police hauled in one or two plain drunks.

The vendors of chili and tamales did a poor business last night.

Not a few predicted a disastrous storm southeast of the city last night.

The south bound Missouri Pacific was about four hours late last night.

The rain pour down in torrents last night, and many a belated pedestrian got a good soaking.

Some of the electric lights to out at 1 o’clock, while others flicker at 12, after which hour no electric light is seen in this city.

It was demonstrated to the eminent satisfaction of every one last night this blessed city needs a commodious and comfortable depot.

The Western Union boys, a jolly set, had a time of it last night for awhile, the lightening playing sad pranks with messages moving over the wires.

The wide-awake hack drivers had a time of it in the wet last night, but they took it good humoredly; and as the gave themselves a good shake, sending volumes of water from their rubber overalls, they would crack their jokes. The average Austin hack driver is a jolly, good-natured fellow, anyhow, and takes the world easy.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Good Soaking - The Maddened Creek

14 SEP 1886. Austin Daily Statesman.

RECENT NOTEWORTHY HAPPENINGS.

Quite a number of the young gallants who were out calling Sunday night, depending upon returning home on the street cars, got a good soaking, as the cars on the cemetery and Sholtz lines stopped running at 9 o’clock in consequence of sand and gravel washing over the rails nearly two feet deep in places. On both lines cars were abandoned and left standing where they run off the track until after daylight yesterday morning.

HEROIC CONDUCT. TWO YOUNG LADIES RESCUED FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH. THE COURAGEOUS CONDUCT OF TWO YOUNG MEN CHEAT THE ANGRY WATERS OF BOGGY CREEK.

Sunday morning Mr. Otto Johnson and Mr. Henry Preston hired a carriage and team from the well known livery man, Mr. Scott Weir, their object being to take Miss Laura Ahl and Miss Clara Anderson to Decker’s, a thriving Swedish settlement about eight miles east of the city, to visit friends. They reached their destination in due time, and amid happy surroundings the day swiftly flew by. Indeed, it glided away more rapidly than the young people thought for, and it was late before they started on their return home. They reached boggy creek on their return about 9 o’clock, or about an hour before Mr. Lundell, whose narrow escape is mentioned in another place in this paper. The creek was up about ten feet, but it being dark and the young men strangers to the eccentric and dangerous pranks of seemingly innocent Texas streams, drove boldly into it. The swiftly rushing waters suddenly whirled the carriage around, and fortunately snapped short off the tongue, which freed the horses and they swam ashore. In the carriage all was confusion, with the muddy waters sweeping through it every instant. In the darkness and amid the sullen roar of the seething waters, Johnson and Preston seized Miss Anderson, and plunging into the stream, succeeded in swimming safely with her to the bank.

They then hurried to the rescue of Miss Ahl, but she and the carriage had disappeared. Just then a sudden and vivid gleam of lightning disclosed Miss Ahl bravely struggling against the water some distance below. Johnson immediately ran to a point opposite to where she was seen and at once plunged into the maddened creek, determined to save her life or perish in the attempt. As the lightening would flash, the brave, struggling and almost exhausted girl, would be revealed to her heroic rescuer, and he reached her side just as she was going down to rise no more forever. He saved her life. He saved it at the imminent rist of his own, and far out in the great southwest, upon the banks of the little Boggy, amid the roar of rushing waters, the flash of lightening and the muttering of deep-toned thunder, a deed was performed equaled to thousands that have shed lustre upon human courage in all ages, and which have been entwined about by wondrous song and hallowed poetry.

The young ladies were conveyed to a negro cabin hard by, and yesterday morning were brought to the city. The horses were found and returned to their owner. The carriage was damaged over $100. 

[violetcrownchronicles]

Must Now Congratulate Themselves - Fired the Stable

11 SEP 1886. Austin Daily Statesman.

REMODELING THE COURT HOUSE.

The commissioner’s court met yesterday and adopted the plans and suggestions of Architect A.M.C. Nixon, as recommended by the lawyers at their last meeting to consider the same. The court house sadly needs this improvement and remodeling, which, when done, will give, not only the comfortable requirements of such a public building, but speaks well of the county commissioners, and Hon. Z.T. Fulmore, for the problem has been a very difficult one to solve, namely, how to remedy the great defects in the district court room, and secure the proper acoustics necessary to allow the voice of the person speaking to be distinctly heard. The lawyers have long felt the want of this change, and now must congratulate themselves.

MORE INCENIARISM.

Last night, about 11 o’clock, fire broke out in the stable belonging to “Postmaster” John O. Johnson, in the third ward. The blaze was seen by the men on watch, at the water work’s pumping house, and the whistle sounded the alarm. The central office was not notified, and consequently the bell in the tower was not rung for some time after the fire broke out. The fire laddies responded in good order, and soon extinguished the flames, but not until the roof had fallen in. Evidently, the fiend whoever he was, anticipated some greater crime, probably murder, as Mr. Johnson’s horse was taken from the stable, and hitched several blocks away, in front of Mr. James A. Hooper’s residence, No. 806 Rio Grande street. The man then returned and fired the stable, in order to attract attention while he could commit some dastardly crime, and then return, secure the horse, and make his escape. But in this he was frustrated, as an officer discovered the animal soon after the fire was started, and returned it to Mr. Johnson. This may be simply a theory, but it is feared these attempts at arson will soon lead up to something worse, murder or outrage. The authorities cannot be too vigilant.