If anyone is related to a C. W. Bradbury there is a letter written by him for sale on ebay, right now for $1, written in 1900. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=398579045 Tammy Owen Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator Bastropcc@aol.com http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html

--part1_4a.928c13b.26bcf356_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sorry gang, thought the email went to all, but just came to me. Here's a great story about growing up in McDade. At the end, Mr Taylor is looking for old pictures of McDade to pass to his grandchildren and their children. Anyone have any to share with him? Have one to scan so I can put it on the website? Tammy Owen Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator Bastropcc@aol.com http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html --part1_4a.928c13b.26bcf356_boundary Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Return-Path: <rtaylor@tstar.net> Received: from rly-yh05.mx.aol.com (rly-yh05.mail.aol.com [172.18.147.37]) by air-yh04.mail.aol.com (v75_b3.11) with ESMTP; Fri, 04 Aug 2000 19:07:46 -0400 Received: from orion.tstar.net (orion.tstar.net [207.13.78.4]) by rly-yh05.mx.aol.com (v75_b3.9) with ESMTP; Fri, 04 Aug 2000 19:07:19 -0400 Received: from tstar.net (dial10-20.tstar.net [198.68.205.227]) by orion.tstar.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id SAA11674 for <Bastropcc@aol.com>; Fri, 4 Aug 2000 18:07:16 -0500 (CDT) Message-ID: <398B4CBB.F20FEFF4@tstar.net> Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000 18:07:40 -0500 From: Roger Taylor <rtaylor@tstar.net> X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.7 [en] (Win98; I) X-Accept-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Bastropcc@aol.com Subject: McDade Christmas Shoot Out 1883 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I would like to thank every one who had any part of furnishing the information about this incident. I was born in the country about four miles from McDade out toward the Knobbs. All my life I have heard this story but never had the opportunity to read this information. During the 1930s Sometimes I would ride in a wagon with my grandfather to his fields when he worked the crops. As I was a kid at the time, I ask him why he always had a pistol under a tow sack in the seat of the wagon by his side. He would say "there used to be a lot of out laws in this part of the country and there still could be some around and he just wanted a little protection just in case." He told me his father was robbed several times after taking his cotton to McDade and sold it. He would only take one bale at a time to sell for on the way back home you were more likely than not be robbed before you got home. I have no idea if this is true but my grandfather told me the "Masons AF & AM" are the people who finally tamed the area down and brought law and order to McDade. He stated they were the only people in the McDade area who could trust each other. As I understand he and his father were both Masons. I have ancestors from McDade who married members of the Milton and Bishop families mentioned in the story. It was a shame to see McDade go down hill so bad for in the 1930s, when I was a youngster, it was quite a town. There was a cotton gin, two banks, a post office, the Williams jug factory, a lumber yard, a drug store, a mercantile store, two or three grocery stores, a blacksmith shop, a barber shop, a livery stable, a hotel, two or

That was a great exchange of information about McDade. Thanks Mr. Taylor for sharing your information. Hopefully, someone will send you a picture. Want to try another one, more in the myths and legends category? Here's the background on this one. All my young life I heard that a great Aunt had married Frank James and the Hemphill boys held the horses for them. (Not the Hemphill Bend Hemphill's but the Red Rock Hemphill's). Recently talked to my grandmother and got close to knowing who the great aunt was. (Turned out to not be my gr aunt thta married him but her mother). I talked to another Petty descendant last year and she also had the same stories, though she's from another Petty branch. Just seeing if anyone else has James Gang stories that were passed down for Bastrop Co. I'm just curious about these stories, don't what to prove who's buried in who's grave and since there were no children from the following marriage, not claiming kin to them either. Thomas Earl Petty married Elsie Awalt. It was Elsie's mother that was to have married Frank James. I don't know who Elsie's parents are, therefore I don't know the woman that supposedly married Frank. Is this Mae Sanboth someone has listed as his 2nd wife? This was one of three marriages I have found. One being to an indian lady and Frank had children with her. The story I got was that Elsie's mother married Frank in Austin, they were at a hotel, when the possee found out. Frank escaped capture and never came back for her. Growing up I always thought that if he got hold of one of our family, she was probably too much for him to handle. Family history says Jesse James was a close friend of the Petty family. (My relationship calculator says Elsie Awalt is the wife of 1st cousin once removed to Jesse James Petty's father Alfred.) Jesse James Petty's mother (Sarah Ann Riddles who married Alfred Manion Petty), said she didn't know who they buried in that coffin; but it sure wasn't Jesse James because years after Jesse James' funeral, her son, Jesse James Petty b. about 1882, was said to have met the man he'd been named for, living in Texas. Anyone have any more family stories? Here is a picture of Frank James headstone: http://www.findagrave.com/pictures/537.html Interested in Jesse James? Go here: http://www.nursehealer.com/JesseJames.htm Contains Petty family information, also. I also read there was a Red Rock train robbery by the James boys. Is this our Bastrop County Red Rock? Which of the Hemphill boys could have held their horses while they "worked"? Is it true that Red Rock isn't on one of the census years because it was too rough for the census taker? I'll be out of touch next week Aug 7-11. Tammy Owen Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator Bastropcc@aol.com http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html

Tammy thank you for doing this, I thank you so much. I will do as much as I can this week end. I have this article and it is so badly photocopied I could only make certain things out, this clears up a lot of things. Thanks Lisa ---------- > From: Bastropcc@aol.com > To: TXBASTRO-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [TXBASTRO] shootout email #3 (last) > Date: August 3, 2000 9:16 PM > > last part of newspaper article. > > W H KENNEDY > being sworn for the state, says: > I saw some of the shooting at McDade, Dec 25, 1883. I saw Haywood shoot at > Griffin and saw Griffin fall. I don't remember seing Goodman shoot as I was > watching Haywood Beatty. > > G. D. FLETCHER > being sworn for the state says: > I was in the depot when the shooting occurred, in McDade. I saw Haywood > Beatty shoot Willie Griffin. I saw Haywood shoot at Thomas Bishop. I did not > notice Goodman Shoot. I was about 50 yards out. Griffin was standing still, > with pistol in his hand, when Haywood shot him. > > J S BROWN > being sworn for the state says: > I saw the shooting at McDade. I was at Milton's store. Az came up on the > gallery to where Bishop was sitting, put his hand behind him and under his > coat as if to draw a pistol, and said "Tom Bishop, leave this place. G-d d-n > you." Tom said "I won't leave here; what right you have to order me to leave > here, you d-n s-n of a b-h. Az then started towards Bishop and I heard a shot > fire. I stepped to the door as quick as I could and saw them both hold of a > pistol. Beatty backed Bishop off the gallery backwards and continued to back > about 20 feet from the gallery. In the scuffle Bishop got down on his hip, in > the scuffle the pistol went off; Az fell on his right side. About this time > Haywood was standing at one side of Milton's store door with his pistol > pointing in. At this time Jack Beatty came running out to where Bishop and Az > were, and drew his hand up. I did not see anything in it and Bishop then shot > him. When Jack ran out of the store then Milton came out on the gallery. > Haywood ran back towards the stock pen and raised his pistol and fired and > Griffin fell. Haywood then ran towards' Basist's store. Milton fired towards > him and he turned as if he was struck. I then saw Milton shoot up towards the > lumber yard. I don't know who he shot at. When Az started towards Bishop on > the gallery he told Bishop that he would make him leave. Az came on the > gallery about 16 feet distance from Bishop who was seated on the other side. > > WEST WALKER > being swore for the state, says: > I saw Haywood shoot Willie Griffin. Griffin was not doing anything when > Beatty shot him. > > W. B. BILLINGSLEY > witness for the defendants being sworn on oath says: > On the morning of December 25, 1883, I came up town where I saw Milton go > into his store at the side door with a gun. I took the gun he had to be a > Winchester. I then went on up to my store, passing the rock saloon. While I > was at my store I saw Jack Beatty, Az and Bob Stevens ride up. I met Bob and > told him that three men had been taken off the night before. Stevens seemed > to be bery much surprised at the news. We went back to the crowd before the > rock saloon. I think that Oscar Nash remarked that the mob called for Haywood > Beatty. Jack Beatty at this time became very much excited at some one saying > that Milton said that Haywood aided Leff Fitzpatrick who killed Heffington, > to escape. Jack Beatty was very angry and denounced the charges as false, > cursed and went on in the direction of Milton's. I, with Stevens, went on to > my store to exchange a pair of boots for Stevens. While there a gun fired. > Stevens was then looking at a pair of boots. He was then in his shirt > sleeves, He had no arms about him that I saw. He might have had a pistol in > his pants pockets for all I know. We both stepped to the door and Stevens > said 'somebody is shot.' I then saw Bishop and Az shuffling over something I > taken to be a pistol; Beatty was in a sitting position. Tom Bishop succeeded > in securing the pistol and fired. Stevens ran down to where the fight was, or > in that direction, I lost sight of him during the fight. I followed and > walked very slow. Milton was on his gallery and said 'G-d d-n you, don't you > touch him.' Jack Beatty was under the cover of Milton's gun when he made the > remark above. I was then past the rock saloon and where the shooting was. As > soon as Bishop got loos from Az, Bishop shot at Az and Az fell. Bishop then > whirled toward Jack Beatty and he and Milton fired simultaneously and Jack > Beatty fell. I saw Will Griffin run out of the saloon and to where the fight > was with a pistol in his hand. He did not seem to be shooting but had his > pistol up in his hand. Griffin then fell and his pistol fired in the air. > Bishop, Milton and Haywood were all firing when Griffin fell. AFter Griffin > fell I met Hasley running and Bishop pursuing him. I went then to where the > parties were lying. I found two of the dead. I saw Jack Beatty's coat > burning. I went on to the body and put the fire out. I thought strange about > Jack not firing. I pulled his coat back and turned him over on his back. He > was lying on his side and I turned him over. I ded not see any arms about > him. I ddid not examine AZ. His brains were lying out on the ground. Jack > Beatty was shot in the side and in the head. I was not a bit excited. I think > there were 12 or 15 shots fired. As I went down I passed the market about > the tiem the shooting ceased. I left the market about 10 feet to the right > and saw no firing from the market. I saw nothing except from Bishop, Haywood > and Milton. All the reports I heard came from about Milton's store. A? kill > Milton went over ? Bishop went to the lumber yeard. Milton and Bishop seemed > like they were looking for some one. Stevens jumped from a ? and Milton shot > at him. When I first went to the rock saloon in the morning, Milton was > there. The defendants lad not yet come. He was not ? minutes after the > defendants came to town before the shooting commenced. > Crossexamined: When I went down near the shooting I saw a man I looked for be > Goodman going from the shooting towards the ?. I can't say that Jack BEatty > was not armed. he may have had a pistol or knife in his pocket. I think > Griffin fell about the time Haywood shot. I did not see the commencement of > the difficulty. I don't know that Goodman did not shoot before I got there. > Goodman might have shot while I was there and me not have seen ?. During all > of the shooting I was perfectly calm and quite; did not excite me in the > least. Just as soon as the gun fired Stevens and I went to the door and > Stevens at once said 'somebody is shot' and he at once ran down to the scene > of the shootings. I walked very slowly. > Re examined: As we, Stevens and I, looket out Stevens remarked 'sombody is > shot' > > JAMES ALLEN > witness for defendant says: > About 11 or 12 o'clock on Christmas day Chas. Goodman came to my house and he > had in his hand a pistol. He was wounded to the left side of his back. I > found a bullet ball hanging in his shirt. I kept the bullet. Shortly > afterwards I noticed him working with a pistol. I took the pistol and found > two small pieces of lead between the lower end of the clinder and the bud of > the pistol. The pistol was very bloody. I am satisfied in my own mind that > Charles Goodman's pistol was struck by a ball, judging from the appearances > of the pistol. One ball came out on the left side some two or three inches > from where it entered. This was in range with the place where I found the > ball in the clothing, which I am satisfied in my own mind struck the pistol. > > W H HOLLINGSHEAD > being sworn for the state says: > I have had a conversation with Stevens in regard to George Milton. I heard > him say that he would like to catch Milton with about one thousand dollars. > That he would kill him and take it if there was noe one to see it and he > thought he never would be found out on him. There was no one present when he > told me this. > > CHARLES LEMASTER > being sworn as a witness for the state says that he saw Bob Stevens on > Milton's gallery about one minute after the first shot was fired. > > DR J W VERMILLION > being sworn for the state says: > I was at Milton's store when he shooting took place, at McDade, I was > standing on Milton's gallery, talking to Bishop, Az Beatty came down and > stepped on the gallery and told Bishop to "leave there, G-d D-n him' he would > make him do it, very quick.' Bishop said 'you s-s of a b-h what right have > you to tell me to leave? I saw Az put his hand under his coat, as if he was > taking hold of something. I then thought there was going to be shooting, and > I walked back into the store. I passed between Az and Bishop and Bishop > fired. When I got 10 or 15 feet into the store, Milton was coming forward and > asked what was up, I said they are shooting and I crossed in behind the > opposite counter. Jack BEatty came in to the store before Az came down and > called Milton back to the desk. I then heard Jack say, Geore, g-d d-n you , > don't go out there'. Tis was after the first shot was fired. Milton was > moving slowly towards the door with a pistol in his hand. This man who I > afterwards found out was Haywood, said to Milton, "stop (or stand back) or I > will kill you. I then expected shooting in the store and I went further back > into the store. While going back Jack got out of the store. When I turned > around there was a shot fired right close to the door. Then the man who was > in the door turned his head. Then Milton came out from behind the counter; he > then had a shot gun. The man at the door backed behind the door facing but > kept his hand and pistol out. I then went out clear behing the store, > thinking there was going to be shooting, and did not see any more. The man at > the door had his pistol pointed at mIlton at the time he told him not to go > out there and to stand back or he would kill him. > Cross examined: when beatty first spoke. though his language was very rough, > I thought it was in a jest until Bishop's reply. As Jack passed into the > storek, he shook hands with me and did not seem to be excited. He seemed to > be in his usual humor so far as I know Witness heard nothing that passed > between Jack and Milton while at the desk before the first shot. As soon as > Bishop replied to Eatty I then saw both were mad. When Bishop fired he threw > his arm out so as to fire and not hit me. > > J W HOLLMAN > being sworn for the state says: > At the day of shooting in McDade, I was in Milton's store. The first I saw > was when Az came on Milton's gallery to where Bishop was. Bishop was setting > down looking at the medical journal and talking to Dr. Vermillion. Az > approached Bishop and said "Tom Bishop, you leave heare or I'll make you do > it d-n quick. Bishop got up and said something I could not understand what. I > then heard a pistol shot. Before this about 10 or 15 minutes, Haywood came in > Goodman came in and asked for Winchester cartridges. Jack came in the store > not before Az came down and Jack walked in the store and was talking to > Milton at Milton's safe. This was about 10 feet from the front door. I heard > nothing that passed between Jack and Milton. When the first shot fired Milton > not Jack started to the front. Milton being behind the counter and Jack in > frount. Milton asked me as he came by what was the mattrer and I said I don't > know. Jack then said, "George, G-d d-n your, don't go out there. Milton > walked on towards the door saying "don't do it, it won't ? won't do". As > Milton approached the door, Haywood was standing in the door and drew a > pistol and said "Mr Milton stand back, if you come, I will kill you'. Then > Jack ran out this door by Haywood and went to where Az and Bishop were > standing. I then saw Goodman and Bert Hasley standing near the door with > pistol in hand. Milton then walked backwards to his desk and picked up his > shotgun. He then went to the door and cocked his gun on those three boys. > Haywood then ? told Milton "you to leave or he would kill him" Milton went on > towards the door and Heywood left the door and went toward Tom Bishop and Az. > Milton ehtn went out ot the door and the shooting then began general. I saw > Az push Bishop backwards off the gallery, out to the street, He pushed > Bishop about 12 feet from the gallery and then mashed Bishop down to the > ground. Stevens is a brother-in-law to the Beatty's. Felix McLemore married a > sister of Jack Beatty. > Crossexamined: Witness is clerk for Milton and the Beatty's were frequently > in the house and trades a good deal with Milton. It is conceded that there > was some of Haywood's money deposited at Milton's store. When Haywood was > buying the cartridges, I did not notice that he was excited. Up to this time > Jack, Az and Haywood were as far as I know, friendly with Milton. About three > or four weeks before this a deputy sheriff of 1 county was killed in McDade. > I don't know whether Heffington had any relaties in McDade. > Reexamined: The Beattys did trading at other houses in McDade. They traved > with Billingsley and Bassist. > > > End of article. Just for reference, the cuss words in the article are as > were written. I didn't shorten them. I've been told there is another > article where the J. S. Brown mentioned above as a witness was taken out and > hung. I'll see if I can get that article. > The charges were dropped against Jack Beatty. Lisa is going to type up the > other court documents about the charges being dropped and put them on the > website. > > > Tammy Owen > Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator > Bastropcc@aol.com > http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html > > > ==== TXBASTRO Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe, send an email with only the word unsubscribe in the body of the email to TXBASTRO-L-request@rootsweb.com (or TXBASTRO-D-request@rootsweb.com for the digest list) > > ============================== > Genealogy calendars, guestbooks and more: > Visit RootsWeb's Resource Center at > http://resources.rootsweb.com/

last part of newspaper article. W H KENNEDY being sworn for the state, says: I saw some of the shooting at McDade, Dec 25, 1883. I saw Haywood shoot at Griffin and saw Griffin fall. I don't remember seing Goodman shoot as I was watching Haywood Beatty. G. D. FLETCHER being sworn for the state says: I was in the depot when the shooting occurred, in McDade. I saw Haywood Beatty shoot Willie Griffin. I saw Haywood shoot at Thomas Bishop. I did not notice Goodman Shoot. I was about 50 yards out. Griffin was standing still, with pistol in his hand, when Haywood shot him. J S BROWN being sworn for the state says: I saw the shooting at McDade. I was at Milton's store. Az came up on the gallery to where Bishop was sitting, put his hand behind him and under his coat as if to draw a pistol, and said "Tom Bishop, leave this place. G-d d-n you." Tom said "I won't leave here; what right you have to order me to leave here, you d-n s-n of a b-h. Az then started towards Bishop and I heard a shot fire. I stepped to the door as quick as I could and saw them both hold of a pistol. Beatty backed Bishop off the gallery backwards and continued to back about 20 feet from the gallery. In the scuffle Bishop got down on his hip, in the scuffle the pistol went off; Az fell on his right side. About this time Haywood was standing at one side of Milton's store door with his pistol pointing in. At this time Jack Beatty came running out to where Bishop and Az were, and drew his hand up. I did not see anything in it and Bishop then shot him. When Jack ran out of the store then Milton came out on the gallery. Haywood ran back towards the stock pen and raised his pistol and fired and Griffin fell. Haywood then ran towards' Basist's store. Milton fired towards him and he turned as if he was struck. I then saw Milton shoot up towards the lumber yard. I don't know who he shot at. When Az started towards Bishop on the gallery he told Bishop that he would make him leave. Az came on the gallery about 16 feet distance from Bishop who was seated on the other side. WEST WALKER being swore for the state, says: I saw Haywood shoot Willie Griffin. Griffin was not doing anything when Beatty shot him. W. B. BILLINGSLEY witness for the defendants being sworn on oath says: On the morning of December 25, 1883, I came up town where I saw Milton go into his store at the side door with a gun. I took the gun he had to be a Winchester. I then went on up to my store, passing the rock saloon. While I was at my store I saw Jack Beatty, Az and Bob Stevens ride up. I met Bob and told him that three men had been taken off the night before. Stevens seemed to be bery much surprised at the news. We went back to the crowd before the rock saloon. I think that Oscar Nash remarked that the mob called for Haywood Beatty. Jack Beatty at this time became very much excited at some one saying that Milton said that Haywood aided Leff Fitzpatrick who killed Heffington, to escape. Jack Beatty was very angry and denounced the charges as false, cursed and went on in the direction of Milton's. I, with Stevens, went on to my store to exchange a pair of boots for Stevens. While there a gun fired. Stevens was then looking at a pair of boots. He was then in his shirt sleeves, He had no arms about him that I saw. He might have had a pistol in his pants pockets for all I know. We both stepped to the door and Stevens said 'somebody is shot.' I then saw Bishop and Az shuffling over something I taken to be a pistol; Beatty was in a sitting position. Tom Bishop succeeded in securing the pistol and fired. Stevens ran down to where the fight was, or in that direction, I lost sight of him during the fight. I followed and walked very slow. Milton was on his gallery and said 'G-d d-n you, don't you touch him.' Jack Beatty was under the cover of Milton's gun when he made the remark above. I was then past the rock saloon and where the shooting was. As soon as Bishop got loos from Az, Bishop shot at Az and Az fell. Bishop then whirled toward Jack Beatty and he and Milton fired simultaneously and Jack Beatty fell. I saw Will Griffin run out of the saloon and to where the fight was with a pistol in his hand. He did not seem to be shooting but had his pistol up in his hand. Griffin then fell and his pistol fired in the air. Bishop, Milton and Haywood were all firing when Griffin fell. AFter Griffin fell I met Hasley running and Bishop pursuing him. I went then to where the parties were lying. I found two of the dead. I saw Jack Beatty's coat burning. I went on to the body and put the fire out. I thought strange about Jack not firing. I pulled his coat back and turned him over on his back. He was lying on his side and I turned him over. I ded not see any arms about him. I ddid not examine AZ. His brains were lying out on the ground. Jack Beatty was shot in the side and in the head. I was not a bit excited. I think there were 12 or 15 shots fired. As I went down I passed the market about the tiem the shooting ceased. I left the market about 10 feet to the right and saw no firing from the market. I saw nothing except from Bishop, Haywood and Milton. All the reports I heard came from about Milton's store. A? kill Milton went over ? Bishop went to the lumber yeard. Milton and Bishop seemed like they were looking for some one. Stevens jumped from a ? and Milton shot at him. When I first went to the rock saloon in the morning, Milton was there. The defendants lad not yet come. He was not ? minutes after the defendants came to town before the shooting commenced. Crossexamined: When I went down near the shooting I saw a man I looked for be Goodman going from the shooting towards the ?. I can't say that Jack BEatty was not armed. he may have had a pistol or knife in his pocket. I think Griffin fell about the time Haywood shot. I did not see the commencement of the difficulty. I don't know that Goodman did not shoot before I got there. Goodman might have shot while I was there and me not have seen ?. During all of the shooting I was perfectly calm and quite; did not excite me in the least. Just as soon as the gun fired Stevens and I went to the door and Stevens at once said 'somebody is shot' and he at once ran down to the scene of the shootings. I walked very slowly. Re examined: As we, Stevens and I, looket out Stevens remarked 'sombody is shot' JAMES ALLEN witness for defendant says: About 11 or 12 o'clock on Christmas day Chas. Goodman came to my house and he had in his hand a pistol. He was wounded to the left side of his back. I found a bullet ball hanging in his shirt. I kept the bullet. Shortly afterwards I noticed him working with a pistol. I took the pistol and found two small pieces of lead between the lower end of the clinder and the bud of the pistol. The pistol was very bloody. I am satisfied in my own mind that Charles Goodman's pistol was struck by a ball, judging from the appearances of the pistol. One ball came out on the left side some two or three inches from where it entered. This was in range with the place where I found the ball in the clothing, which I am satisfied in my own mind struck the pistol. W H HOLLINGSHEAD being sworn for the state says: I have had a conversation with Stevens in regard to George Milton. I heard him say that he would like to catch Milton with about one thousand dollars. That he would kill him and take it if there was noe one to see it and he thought he never would be found out on him. There was no one present when he told me this. CHARLES LEMASTER being sworn as a witness for the state says that he saw Bob Stevens on Milton's gallery about one minute after the first shot was fired. DR J W VERMILLION being sworn for the state says: I was at Milton's store when he shooting took place, at McDade, I was standing on Milton's gallery, talking to Bishop, Az Beatty came down and stepped on the gallery and told Bishop to "leave there, G-d D-n him' he would make him do it, very quick.' Bishop said 'you s-s of a b-h what right have you to tell me to leave? I saw Az put his hand under his coat, as if he was taking hold of something. I then thought there was going to be shooting, and I walked back into the store. I passed between Az and Bishop and Bishop fired. When I got 10 or 15 feet into the store, Milton was coming forward and asked what was up, I said they are shooting and I crossed in behind the opposite counter. Jack BEatty came in to the store before Az came down and called Milton back to the desk. I then heard Jack say, Geore, g-d d-n you , don't go out there'. Tis was after the first shot was fired. Milton was moving slowly towards the door with a pistol in his hand. This man who I afterwards found out was Haywood, said to Milton, "stop (or stand back) or I will kill you. I then expected shooting in the store and I went further back into the store. While going back Jack got out of the store. When I turned around there was a shot fired right close to the door. Then the man who was in the door turned his head. Then Milton came out from behind the counter; he then had a shot gun. The man at the door backed behind the door facing but kept his hand and pistol out. I then went out clear behing the store, thinking there was going to be shooting, and did not see any more. The man at the door had his pistol pointed at mIlton at the time he told him not to go out there and to stand back or he would kill him. Cross examined: when beatty first spoke. though his language was very rough, I thought it was in a jest until Bishop's reply. As Jack passed into the storek, he shook hands with me and did not seem to be excited. He seemed to be in his usual humor so far as I know Witness heard nothing that passed between Jack and Milton while at the desk before the first shot. As soon as Bishop replied to Eatty I then saw both were mad. When Bishop fired he threw his arm out so as to fire and not hit me. J W HOLLMAN being sworn for the state says: At the day of shooting in McDade, I was in Milton's store. The first I saw was when Az came on Milton's gallery to where Bishop was. Bishop was setting down looking at the medical journal and talking to Dr. Vermillion. Az approached Bishop and said "Tom Bishop, you leave heare or I'll make you do it d-n quick. Bishop got up and said something I could not understand what. I then heard a pistol shot. Before this about 10 or 15 minutes, Haywood came in Goodman came in and asked for Winchester cartridges. Jack came in the store not before Az came down and Jack walked in the store and was talking to Milton at Milton's safe. This was about 10 feet from the front door. I heard nothing that passed between Jack and Milton. When the first shot fired Milton not Jack started to the front. Milton being behind the counter and Jack in frount. Milton asked me as he came by what was the mattrer and I said I don't know. Jack then said, "George, G-d d-n your, don't go out there. Milton walked on towards the door saying "don't do it, it won't ? won't do". As Milton approached the door, Haywood was standing in the door and drew a pistol and said "Mr Milton stand back, if you come, I will kill you'. Then Jack ran out this door by Haywood and went to where Az and Bishop were standing. I then saw Goodman and Bert Hasley standing near the door with pistol in hand. Milton then walked backwards to his desk and picked up his shotgun. He then went to the door and cocked his gun on those three boys. Haywood then ? told Milton "you to leave or he would kill him" Milton went on towards the door and Heywood left the door and went toward Tom Bishop and Az. Milton ehtn went out ot the door and the shooting then began general. I saw Az push Bishop backwards off the gallery, out to the street, He pushed Bishop about 12 feet from the gallery and then mashed Bishop down to the ground. Stevens is a brother-in-law to the Beatty's. Felix McLemore married a sister of Jack Beatty. Crossexamined: Witness is clerk for Milton and the Beatty's were frequently in the house and trades a good deal with Milton. It is conceded that there was some of Haywood's money deposited at Milton's store. When Haywood was buying the cartridges, I did not notice that he was excited. Up to this time Jack, Az and Haywood were as far as I know, friendly with Milton. About three or four weeks before this a deputy sheriff of 1 county was killed in McDade. I don't know whether Heffington had any relaties in McDade. Reexamined: The Beattys did trading at other houses in McDade. They traved with Billingsley and Bassist. End of article. Just for reference, the cuss words in the article are as were written. I didn't shorten them. I've been told there is another article where the J. S. Brown mentioned above as a witness was taken out and hung. I'll see if I can get that article. The charges were dropped against Jack Beatty. Lisa is going to type up the other court documents about the charges being dropped and put them on the website. Tammy Owen Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator Bastropcc@aol.com http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html

Tried to email 2nd part but it didn't look like it sent so I'm splitting it up. If someday it does show up, please excuse the multiple emails. Continuation of Christmas shootout -Examing Trial as written in the Bastrop Advertisor 1/1884: HORACE NASH. being sworn for the state, say: 'I know Haywood Beatty, Robert Stevens, Charlie Goodman and Bert Hasley. I saw Haywood Beatty, Charley Goodman, Az Beatty, and Bert Hasley come into McDade together on the morning of the shooting. They came from across the railroad by the hotel. They rode up to the saloon and al got down except Az Beatty, who waited a few minutes and then rode back in the direction from whenee he came. In about 10 or 15 minutes Az Beatty came back and Jack Beatty and Robert Stevens came along behind him but they were not together. Robert Stevens and Jack Beatty came up in front of the saloon and got off their horses. When Az Beatty went back he went in a lope. While there at the saloon Jack Beatty and several were talking about the mob the night before and Jack Beatty said there are a G-d d-n lot of s-s of b-s around here accusing boys of doing things they are innocent of. Then Jack Beatty got up and pushed me and took me around the corner of the house, and when he got there he said Capt. Highsmith, d-n s-n of b-h, was who he was hitting at. Then he asked me which way that mob went. I told him that McKinley told me that they went around by John Kennedy's and around by the church. He then said that they went on down to Milton's house. He said that Bishop and Milton had accused Haywood Beatty of helping Fitzpatrick to kill Hefflington and robbing Winn, and that I, or we, intended to kill both Milton and Bishop. Then Haywood Beatty and Oscar and some of the boys stepped up to where we were talking and Jack left. Jack BEatty said Milton and Bishop were g-d s-s of b-s at the time he said we, or I intended to kill them. When I walked around in front of the saloon I told the boys that if they wanted to find out anything the way was to keep quiet and not say anything. I asked then to go and take a drink with me and Haywood and one of the other boys went in. In about five or ten minutes after I left the store and by the time I had gotten up by the Grange store, I heard a pistol shot, and then shooting commenced. When I told them that I would not say anything more about it Haywood said "I won't say a d-n thing more about it". O F NASH being sworn for the state, says: "I was at the saloon in McDade, on the morning of the 25th of December last. All three of the defendants were there; Jack Beatty and Az Beatty were also there. I asked them if they had heard of the hanging the night before and some one of the crowd said they had not heard it. I told Haywood Beatty that some one had remarked that the mob had called for him. Haywood BEatty said that they could get him. I heard Jack Beatty say that there was one s-m of a b-h in town, not far off, who had been talking too much, and if he did not mind he would get killed, and he said there were others in town who would suffer, too. When I told them that I had heard about the mob calling for Haywood Beatty, it seemed to make Stevens and all of them mad. Stevens talked in an angry and excited manner. In about ten minutes after this conversastion I heard the shooting. I saw Stevens again just after the row commenced, going down towards MIlton's store. He was running pretty fast when I saw him. I saw two shots fired. Don't know who fired one of them, but the other was fired by Haywood Beatty at Tom Bishop. Bishop was standing at the time. Bishop's back was to me; can't say whether he was in the act of shooting or not, I can't say whether he had a pistol. TOM BISHOP being sworn, for the state says: I am acquainted with the three defendants. I was sitting on the gallery of MIlton's store the morning of the shooting and reading a medical journal. Mr. Milton was back in the store at the desk writing. While there four men rode into town. They hitched their horses near the saloon by putting the reigns over the horns of each other's saddle. One of them looked down the street and around and then got on his horse and rode out of town. These parties were Haywood BEatty,. Az Beatty, Charles Goodman and Bert Hasley. The one who rode out of town was Az Beatty. He came back in a few minutes with Jack Beatty and Bob Stevens. Some came down to the post where I was sitting and some remained at the saloon. I think Charles Goodman came by and shook hands with me. He came back and went in by the beef market. Haywood and Jack Beatty came into the store. In a few minutes Az Beatty came down the street in a hurry, and when he got to the gallery he put his foot on the step and said "Tom Bishop, you G-d d-d so-n of a b-h, if you don't leave town I will kill you in twenty minutes." He then threw his hand behind him under his coat as if he was going to draw a pistol, and I asked him what right he had to make me leave town. He rushed towards me and said he would show me, and I got up and commenced to point my pistol. He shoved me off the gallery on the ground and I fired. He had hold of my pistol; when I fired he let loose. Several ran up, and commenced shooting at me, Haywood Beatty was one of them and Charley Goodman was one. I was standing up when Haywood BEatty and Charles Goodman shot at me. I had not shot or attempted to shoot at Haywood Beatty or Charley Goodman when they shot at me, Jack Beatty came-running up with a knife drawn on me, and he cut at me. Just as the shooting was about to stop I saw Stevens about the corner of the beef market and he started to run across the street. He ran in the direction of the lumber yard. Haywood shot at me five or six times. Goodman shot at me two or three times. I took it to be Haywood Beatty who shot in the direction of Willie Griffin. While Az Beatty was talking to me Jack Beatty was in the store and Haywood Beatty was in the store or near the front door. When Az Beatty came down to the store he came in a very fast walk or run. He seemed to be angry when he first came to me. Saturday evening before the difficulty at Milton's store, Az Beatty said that the wouldn't leave town until he got away with Tom Bishop. I told him that was as good a time as any. Az Beatty weighed about 165 or 170 pounds. Haywood Beatty asked Az to het on his horse and go home. This was the Saturday before and Az said he would not go until he got away with Tom Bishop. Cross Examined: Willie Griffin ran down from the Nash Saloon while the fight was going on. He was armed with a Colt's 45 pistol. He came up with the pistol in his hand. Can't say whether he fired it or not. Willie Griffin fell six or seven steps south-west and to my left, while Haywood Beatty was a little to the right and back of Willie Griffin. While the fight was going on I saw Stevens with Charley Goodman and Bert Hasley between the store and beef market, and Goodman shot at me. Re-examined: Young Griffin is my wife's uncle. At the time Griffin was killed he was not standing directly between me and Haywood Beatty. He was to the left. If Haywood Beatty had shot at me he would have necessarily missed Griffin four feet or more. Stevens is a brother-in-law to the Beattys. HORACE NASH being recalled for the state, says: I saw part of the shooting in McDade on the morning of the 25th of December 1883. The first shot fired and I looked around and saw Az Beatty and Bishop scuffling then another shot fired and then they stepped off of the gallery and got out a piece from the gallery and Az BEatty fell; both of them had hold of a pistol. Jack Beatty ran up close to where Bishop and Az were. Jack reached out one hand as if to catch Tom Bishop and then stepped back; then Bishop got his pistol from Az and shot Jack Beatty and he fell. The Will Griffin ran up close to where Bishop was, and had his pistol up in his hand, then Haywood shot and Will Griffin fell. Haywood Beatty pointed his pistol at Griffin and shot, and Griffin fell. Haywood Beatty was about 12 or 15 feet from griffin when he shot. There were 25 or 30 shots fired. CAPT M B HIGHSMITH for the state: Was in the saloon when the men rode up on the morning of December 25th; heard Jack Beatty say that "there were some G-d d-d s-s of b-s in the town who had accused Haywood Beatty of being concerned in the killing of Heffington and G-d D-n them some of then had to die and they were not far off'. He saw Haywood Beatty shoot Willie Griffin, don't think Griffin shot anyone but that his pistol went off as he fell;did not see Goodman during the conflict. HENRY CLARK; for the state; Was present when the men rode up to the saloon; they were talking about the hanging; one of them said the man who would take old man McLemore out and hang him was a G-d d-n rascal, and about that time Jack Beatty said, "Let Bishop and Az Beatty come off the gallery at Milton's store and if they were struggling; saw Haywood Beatty with his pistol on the left side of the door; saw Tom Bishop jerk the pistol from Az Beatty, and then thought he heard the report of a pistol; then saw Goodman shoot from the butcher shop; Milton then stepped off the gallery and said, "that won't do boys; that won't do;' hen heard two shots from a shot gun. Haywood Beatty then gegan to back and then he shot towards Tom Bishop and then towards Milton; the third shot that Haywood Beatty made he had his pistol pointed at Will Griffin, and Griffin fell. Haywood Beatty and Goodman both shot at Milton and Bishop before either of them shot at Haywood Beatty and Goodman. MRS. JACK BEATTY for the defendants testified as follows; 'I am the wife of Jack Beatty, deceased. I last saw him at his father's on the night of the 24th of December, 1883. We went over there to stay all night. Robert Stevens and his family were also at old man Beatty's. Jack Haywood and Az Beatty together with Robert Stevens, Chas. Goodman and Bird Hasley left old man Beatty's about 7 o'clock to go to McDade; they would be back by 11 o'clock. Jack Beatty had no pistol and left all the pocket knife he had at home (The knife was here produced in court). Jack Beatty had Horace Nash's pistol borrowed for the purpose of killing hogs. The pistol was at home in the bureau drawer. Jack Beatty had no pistol of his own. J. W. WESTBROOK being sworn for the state, says: I was standing about 80 yards from the store where the difficulty occured; saw Az shove Bishop backwards off of Milton's gallery; shoved him about 25 feet from the gallery. Bishop falling ratherin a squatting position; theywere scuffling over something in the hands of one or the other; while in this position Jack Beatty ran up a few feet of them; about this time there was another pistol shot; Az fell back in a seated position; all this time the firing became general. Directly after Jack Beatty fell I saw Haywood pass around from the direction of the house to opposite side of the parties mentioned at about this time I saw Griffin fall; when Haywood Beatty moved further from the parties and a little to the left and fired in the direction of Bishop. Bishop returned the fire immediately. About this time I saw Milton appear and fire in the direction of Haywood, then Haywood ran in the direction of the stock pen; the second shot seemed to be between Bishop and Az. GOLDSTICKER being sworn for the state says: Goodman came in to Bassist's store, in which I am clerking, on the morning of the shooting in McDade and about 15 or 20 minutes before and bought fifty 44 Winchester cartridges. I have sold these same kind of cartridges for pistol use. W. S. PORTER being sworn for the state, says: I saw some of the shooting at McDade on the 25th of December 1883. I was in the back part of Bassist's store when the shooting occured. I ran out on the front gallery and was there about 100 feet from the shooting. I saw Az down on his knees and he and Bishop seemed to be scuffling over a pistol. Directly Haywood ran aroudn out of Milton's house, about that time Griffin came up and about that time Jack Beatty ran out and at this time MIlton stepped out on his gallery and he had a shot gun. During the fight, Haywood ran up on our gallery and as he came up he was either taking the blank cartridges out of his pistol or reloading it, I can't say which. I told him to get off the gallery and he did so; did not notice him any more. Tammy Owen Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator Bastropcc@aol.com http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html

ok this is basically what happened you'll have to wait to get the details, but this is the substance. And anyone who can further help please say so...... On Christmas Eve, the vigilantes hung Thad McLemore, Wright McLemore and Henry Pfeiffer (Thad and Wright are buried in Baker cemetary Henry can't locate any family descendant or listing for him in any time in bastrop need help on him). Anyway,thad and wright's brother felix married a beaty. On Chrsitmas Day 1883, Jack Beaty, Heywood and AZ beaty went into town with some family members looking for thad and wright mclemore and happened to confront milton and bishop. A shoot out happened and Jack and Az were dead and Heywood although shot 17 times lived. I have collected over 13 articles on the shootings, newpaper articles and several pictures etc.. I will share them with you all when it is presentable. Melba sent me the article but I had already had it, I didn't know it was her grandfather that wrote it. Am honored to have a copy of it signed. She's been great and so have others........wait till you hear the story this is great history. Lisa ---------- > From: Bastropcc@aol.com > To: TXBASTRO-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [TXBASTRO] Christmas Shootout in McDade 12/1883 McLemore letter > Date: August 2, 2000 11:36 PM > > That is wonderful. I was a little worried that I might unintentionally start > an email shoot out as this is still a passionate story for all families > involved. One thing I noticed in the newspaper articles is that all parties > seemed to be friends before that day. Maybe rumors, a missunderstanding, and > hurt feelings that went further then they all expected? > A part of my family went to McDade first in about 1871, after leaving Georgia > REAL FAST, hiding in a chest in the wagon along the way. They went there > because that is where the train took them. Horses, cattle and a killing have > been mentioned for the exodious. They were out of McDade by 1881 though and > just did some moon shining, well except for the one time they stated the > train hit their horse and the court document was against them for making a > false claim. Wonder who all was on the list read at the saloon? > Look forward to reading the article by your grandpa. > > Tammy Owen > Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator > Bastropcc@aol.com > http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html > > > ==== TXBASTRO Mailing List ==== > Search the TXBASTRO-L archives for previously posted messages, > http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl?list=TXBASTRO > > ============================== > Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: > Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. > http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/

Dear friends: ok guys you caught me!!!!!!! haha I was going to surprise the list and web site with articles on the shoot out and a whole bunch of other stuff....but it wasn't all together yet, but since the can of worms is opened. I do have quite a bit of info on the shooting and still am waiting for more. When I have the stuff organized and transciped I was going to donate it to tammy and the list and one to the bastrop public library since they don't have that much on it. I wish I had a scanner to scan the articles but I don't so either I can send it via mail, or you will have to wait patiently, the bishop article I was going to type myself but it will take at least a week, cuz i work full time and only have time in the evenings. If you guys would like to chat about it, we could set up a time and chat about it. But in the meantime, still looking for other stuff pertaining to the shoot out. I will help in any way I can. thanks Lisa > ---------- > From: Melba Bishop <melba@nctimes.net> > To: TXBASTRO-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [TXBASTRO] Christmas Shootout in McDade 12/1883 McLemore letter > Date: August 2, 2000 10:36 PM > > My grandpa's article was published in True West and Frontier Times magazines in > 1964. Lisa e-mailed me saying she would post the copy I sent to her for all to > read. > Melba Bishop > > Bastropcc@aol.com wrote: > > > Melba, > > Was the account written by your grandfather published in the newspaper? > > Would be interesting reading and wondering where it might be published. > > > > Tammy Owen > > Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator > > Bastropcc@aol.com > > http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm > > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html > > > > ==== TXBASTRO Mailing List ==== > > BASTROP COUNTY, TEXAS GenWeb, http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm > > > > ============================== > > Personalized Mailing Lists: never miss a connection again. > > http://pml.rootsweb.com/ > > Brought to you by RootsWeb.com. > > > ==== TXBASTRO Mailing List ==== > To send a post to the BASTROP COUNTY, TEXAS list, > send your message to TXBASTRO-L@rootsweb.com > > ============================== > Personalized Mailing Lists: never miss a connection again. > http://pml.rootsweb.com/ > Brought to you by RootsWeb.com.

My grandpa's article was published in True West and Frontier Times magazines in 1964. Lisa e-mailed me saying she would post the copy I sent to her for all to read. Melba Bishop Bastropcc@aol.com wrote: > Melba, > Was the account written by your grandfather published in the newspaper? > Would be interesting reading and wondering where it might be published. > > Tammy Owen > Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator > Bastropcc@aol.com > http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html > > ==== TXBASTRO Mailing List ==== > BASTROP COUNTY, TEXAS GenWeb, http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm > > ============================== > Personalized Mailing Lists: never miss a connection again. > http://pml.rootsweb.com/ > Brought to you by RootsWeb.com.

That is wonderful. I was a little worried that I might unintentionally start an email shoot out as this is still a passionate story for all families involved. One thing I noticed in the newspaper articles is that all parties seemed to be friends before that day. Maybe rumors, a missunderstanding, and hurt feelings that went further then they all expected? A part of my family went to McDade first in about 1871, after leaving Georgia REAL FAST, hiding in a chest in the wagon along the way. They went there because that is where the train took them. Horses, cattle and a killing have been mentioned for the exodious. They were out of McDade by 1881 though and just did some moon shining, well except for the one time they stated the train hit their horse and the court document was against them for making a false claim. Wonder who all was on the list read at the saloon? Look forward to reading the article by your grandpa. Tammy Owen Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator Bastropcc@aol.com http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html

Though some might not be interested in the story itself, this article just about sets out the town tract of McDade and building owners. You could probably make a street map from the descriptions. Bastrop Advertisor 1/1884: Special Telegram to the Post: AUSTIN, TX, January 22-A few days after the recent killing at McDade, which created such a sensation throughout Texas, Marion Beatty, brother of Jack and Az Beaty, killed at that time, left for parts unknown, alleging as his reason that because of his relationship to the dead men, he feared for his personal safety. It now transpires that he had more weighty reasons for his departure in that a charge of robbery was resting against him. His whereabouts remained a secret until a few days ago, when he was discovered at Taylor, in Williamson county. Sheriff Jenkins, of Bastrop, telegraphed the Marshal of Taylor to arrest Beatty on the charge of robbery, which was done, and Beatty was brought to Austin this evening in charge of Marshal Olive. LATER-The Marshal received a telegram asking him to bring Beatty to Bastrop. This he declined to do and neither will he consent to turn him over to any subordinate officer or committee. Sheriff Jenkins must either take him in person or he will turn him loose. Marshal Olive fears violence to Beatty if he should attempt to carry him to Bastrop by way of McDade. Felix McLemore, brother to the men hanged at McDade, is also in the city and was with Beatty when the latter was arrested at Taylor. Milton and Bishop, concerned in the shooting at McDade, were also at Taylor when Beatty was apprehended. The prisoner is held here subject to Sheriff Jenkins demand in person. EXAMINING TRIAL The preliminary examination of Haywood Beatty, Chas. Goodman and Robert Stevens, charged with assult with intent to murder and murder, at McDade, Christmas day began in Justice T. C. Baird's court, at Bastrop, Monday, January 14th, 1884, and was concluded Friday, January 18th, 1884, resulting in placing Haywood Beatty under two bonds, aggregating $7500; Robert Stevens, two bonds, aggregating $5000; Chas. Goodman, two bonds; aggregating $1000 in default of which all three were remainded badk to jail. County Attorney W. E. Maynard represented the state and Messrs. Jones, Johns & Scott the defense. The attorneys for the defense have sued out a writ of habeus corpus, before Hon. L. W. Moore, district judge. We give below the statements of Haywood Beatty and Robert Stevens made in open court together with all the important evidence for the state and the defense: HAYWOOD BEATTY "I, in company with my two brothers, and Robert Stephens, Charley Goodman and Byrd Hasley, went to the town of McDade on the morning of December 25, 1883. I went to get some money I had at Mr. Milton's -thirty five dollars. I carried my pistol with me , so as to get some cartridges to fit it. I did not have but four cartridges in my pistol. I wanted to kill some hogs in a few days; they were running in the woods. I went into Milton's store and was talking to Wilson Hollman, and intended to speak to Milton in a few minutes about the money. I heard a pistol fire out of the door on the street; and thought it was a firecracker when I first heard it. I then stepped to the door and Thomas Bishop and Az Beatty had hold of a pistol and Az Beatty was shot. I says, what do you fellows mean and said stop that now. About that time my brother, Jack Beatty, stepped up and commenced to talk to them. Mr. Milton was coming to the door with a pistol in his hand and I thought from the way he acted that he was going to shoot me. I said "hold up, Mr. Milton''. and he turned around and went back into the house and I went out to where the boys were. I said, "Tommie, what is the row about? and he said "what are you coming out here for with your pistol out?' I then threw up my hands and said, "I ain't got it out.' About that time Milton came to the door with a double-barreled shot gun and said, "get away from there, everybody.' I then started to run in the direction of Bassist's store and the shooting comenced. Both of my brothers were shot down. I was off about thirty steps when Milton shot me twice with a shot gun. I was running' when he shot me. The last time I pulled out my pistol and shot at him twice. I do not recollect seeing Griffin during the fight. If I shot Griffin I did it accidentally. I and Griffin, and Bishop and Milton had always been good friends and on good terms. I had always sold Milton my cotton and traded with him. After I was shot I went below town, crossed the railroad and through Milton's pasture home afoot. ROBERT STEVENS On the 21st day of December 1883, I went down to my place on the Yegua seven miles from where my mother-in-law (Mrs. Beatty) lives, to see Mr. Tannyhill about renting my place to him. I left Mr. Tannyhill's about 3 o'clock in the evening, and went to Mrs. Beatty's. Got to Mrs. Beatty's about sundown. My family was at Mrs BEatty's. I ate my supper there and then went to the Christmas tree, at the Knobs. I went from the Knobs to Baggetts store and remained there about an hour. I went from there to my mother-in-law's and got there about 10 o'clock in the night of the 24th of Dec. 1883. I remained there until after breakfast next morning. My wife told me I had to go to McDade to get some medicine for one of my children and to take a pair of boots and exchange them at Mr. Billingsley's store. When I got there Mr. Billingsley asked me if I had seen anybody hanging to a tree. I told him I did not see anyone. I then asked him if anybody was hung. He said, yes, either hung or killed. I asked him, who it was? He told me that it was Thad McLemore, Wright McLemore and Henry Pfiefer. I then went to the bar where there was a lot of men talking. I stayed there a few moments, then went and untied the boots from my saddle and went up to Mr. Billingsley's store to get them exchanged. While I was looking for the boots I heard a gun or pistol fire. I stepped to the door and looked down the street and saw that somebody was shot. I started down there and saw that it was Az Beatty shot. I then run up to where he was, I asked if he was shot? Jack Beatty, I think, had hold of him under the arms and was holding him up. Jack Beatty said that he (Az Beatty) was shot in the hip. About that time he turned loose of Tom Bishop's pistol. then Tom Bishop says to Az Beatty, "What do you mean by coming here and jumping on me? Az Beatty never said anything. About that time Haywood Beatty stepped up in front of Tom Bishop. Bishop said 'What did you come up here for?' Then Tom Bishop commenced shooting. About that time Mr. Milton came to the door with a double barrel shot gun. He said 'get away from there?' Then I started off looking backward and then they began to shoot; then I met Willie Griffin, close to the beef market; with a six shooter in his hand. I then ran off below the blacksmith's shop and below Oscar Nash's livery stable. There were two other men who ran off down there when I did. I did not know who they were, I told them to go up there and see if the boys were killed. I told them that I was afraid to go back up there for fear they would kill me. They said they were afraid, too. I then went back to the north side of Billingsleys store. I stood there a few moments and then I went up to Mr. Westbrook's lumber yard. I saw Milt. Kennedy. I asked him if the boys were killed. He said, 'yes and Willie Griffin, also'. Kennedy said for me to go away from there. I then broke to run, and Bishop and Milton saw me as I ran and shot me as I run. As well as I recollect there were three shots fired at me. Two shots hit me, one in the left hip, and one in the right leg just above the knee. I was unarmed and in my shirt-sleeves all the time I was in McDade. I went from there home and left my horse in McDade; got home about 2 o'clock, in the evening; my wounds were getting very sore when I got to Mrs. Beatty's. Haywood Beatty was at Mrs. Eatty's when I got there. I knew nothing of any trouble until I heard the shot fired, while I was at Billingsley's store. I thought Bishop and Milton were good friends of mine. I did not think I had an enemy in the world. GEORGE MILTON being duly sworn for the state, says; I am acquainted with the three defendants, Haywood Beatty, Bob Stevens, and Charley Goodman. On the morning of the 25th of December last as I came into my store, I noticed four men ride into town from across the railroad and stop at the saloon. The four men were Az Beatty, Haywood Beatty, Charles Goodman, and Bert Hasley. As they stopped and began to dismount, Az Beatty turned his horse and loped out of town. Directly he came back and in a short time afterwards Jack Beatty and Robert Stevens came in riding from the same direction. Tom Bishop, Dr. Vermillion and Hollman and myself were on my store gallery and some one made the remark, 'wonder what they are coming in so early for.' and I said I suppose it is Christmas times and this is the reason. I went back to my desk and began writing letters and attending to my business. In about fifteen or twenty minutes Jack Beatty came in the store and came right back to the safe where I was standing, he on the outside of safe and I back behind the safe. He began to talk to me about Haywood Beatty being accused of being accessory to the murder of Bose Heffington. He seemed to be considerabley excited, and said some G_d d_d s-s of b-s in McDade had been accusing Haywood Beatty of being concerned in the killing of Bose Heffington, and it was a God damned lie. That he believed old Kige Highsmith was one of them, but there were others that were accusing Haywood Beatty of this. I told him that I had not beard anyone accuse Haywood of being in the killing but that I had heard it reported ar9ound that Haywood Beatty had carried Jeff Fitzpatrick out of town behind him on his horse the night he killed Heffington. Jack Beatty then said that report was a damned lie too; that Haywood had nothing to do with it. Jack BEatty then asked me if Heffington in his dying statement had accursed Haywood with having anything to do with the killing. I told him no. He said, well there have been three men taken out of this town last night, and as he made this remark the firing commenced. I heard the struggling just abut the time the shot fired. I turned my face in that direction and I saw Haywood at the left of the door advancing toward the inside. Charles Goodman and Bert Hasley on the other side of the door. I advanced towards the door from behind the counter. Jack Beatty also advanced toward the door, he being in front of the counter. As I advanced I hollowed to them several times not to do that. When I got to the end of the counter about the middle of the store I turned out from behind the counter, to go towards the door. Jack Beatty was then ahead of me, and he turned on me. Fronting me and said several times that I should not or must not go out. I drew my pistol and told him to back. He wheeled then and run out of the front door. I then discovered Haywood Beatty to the left of the door, and right at the door with his pistol drawn on me. Bert Hasley and Charley Goodman were on the other side of the door with pistols drawn had them up in their hands ready to shoot. I backed then, with my pistol drawn towards the door pointing first to one side of the door and then the other. to keep them from shooting in it. I backed behind the counter to where my gun was, dropped my pistol into my pocket, took up my gun and cocked both barrels and then advanced to front of the store as soon as possible. I kept the gun pointed to the side of the door where Haywood was and would point it to the other side when I would see them poke their heads in. I fired on them at the left of the door before I got to the front of the store. Haywood left thsat side of the door then and ran back out into the street. I then went to the door and Charley Goodman and Bert Hasley were backing off from the store to the left with their pistols drawn. I noticed at this time Bob Stevens about the market house, about fifty feet distant and near my fence. I heard a report at this time from the right and turned my head and saw Az. Beatty fall and I then heard another report to my left and in the direction of Stevens; I then heard a pistol shot to my right, and looking saw smoke coming from Haywood Beatty's pistol. I then saw Griffin down and Haywood Beatty's pistol pointing in the direction of Griffin. He was lowering his pistol and I saw the smoke coming from it. Haywood Beatty was running backwards and firing as he ran back. All this time there was a stuggle going on between Tom Bishop, Jack Beatty and Az Beatty. Bishop and Az Beatty were down on their knees. About the time that Willie Griffin fell a report of a pistol shot came from where Bishop and Az. and Jack Beatty were struggling, and Jack Beatty fell. During this time Haywood Beatty was firing as he retreated backwards. I threw my shot gun down and shot at him. I turned then and fired at the others as they backed off. At the time, Jack Beatty came back in o my store where I was writing I noticed Haywood Beatty, Bert Hasley and Charles Goodman about the front of the store. While talking to me Jack Beatty seemed to be excited and mad. Jack, while talking to me, put his righthand into his left bosom several times. I don't know what he meant by it. The parties at the door with pistols drawn and Jack Beatty seemed to have for their ogject to keep me from coming out of my store. I did not notice anyone else at the place where Robert Stevens was standing at the time I heard a shot fire about where he was. As soon as I heard this shot fire I saw Robert Stevens run in behind the building. If Haywood Beatty shot at me he shot immediately after he shot Will Griffin. At the time Haywood Beatty fired I had my face turned in another direction and when I looked toward Haywood Beatty he was facing me and lowering his pistol, the barrel being pointed towards me and I saw the smoke coming from it. This was before I shot at Haywood Beatty. I saw Haywood Beatty shoot at Tom Bishop. After Haywood Beatty downed Willie Griffin and shot at me he then shot at Tom Bishop several times. Tom Bishop was struggling with Az and Jack Beatty at the time Haywood Beatty shot at him. There were forty or fifty shots fired. When I started to the front door, Haywood Beatty was standing right at the door, with his body behind the door facing, and he would look around and point his pistol in the door, and he then told me that I should not go out there. AT this time there was struggling going on outside. This occurred on the 25th day of December 1883, in Bastrop county, Texas. Continued in next email. Tammy Owen Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator Bastropcc@aol.com http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html

Melba, Was the account written by your grandfather published in the newspaper? Would be interesting reading and wondering where it might be published. Tammy Owen Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator Bastropcc@aol.com http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html

This is about the Christmas Shootout. My ancestor is Thomas P. Bishop and he was involved in the incident and the account given in the Bastrop Advertiser is not correct. My grandfather Luckett P. Bishop, the son on Thomas P. Bishop published a complete account of the incident from beginning to end. I have the originial signed copy. Melba Bishop Bastropcc@aol.com wrote: > This is for you Lisa, > > Short Background for others: > Near Yegua Knobbs (Lee-Bastrop Co line) Boaz Heffington, Lee Co deputy > sheriff was murdered when investigating a robbery and double murder in Fedor > community. > Vigilantes formed, a list of names read of suspected cattle rustlers and > horse thieves at the saloon (Henry Pfieffer and Thad and Wright McLemore, > included), and these three men marched out of town and hanged. Heywood > Beaty's name was also read because Milton, the storekeeper, stated that > Heywood had helped Boaz Heffington's murderer leave town. Batey's and > McLemore's were kin. The Batey boys came into town the next day (Christmas > Day) which resulted in a shooting and deaths. > We must remember how it was back then, with the railroad came rough > characters, and Bastrop County was not immune to violance. The land was raw > and still untamed, and so were some of the men. People were scared and > otherwise law abiding men dawned masks for one reason or another and pointed > fingers at their neighbors. Mustangs ran free and everyone seemed to live on > an unfenced prairie, moving cattle to wherever there was grass. > This is just one of the many stories of the time, one that made the > newspapers. > > Bastrop Advertisor 1/26/1884 > The Late Tragedies at McDade From the News > MCDADE. January 14, 1881-Now while the horrible tragedy that was enacted at > this place on Christmas eve and day is going the rounds of the press, just as > correspondents see fit to clothe, and as reporters get it, I, a widow of one > of the victims, claim a hearing. Three weeks have passed since the McLemore > and Batey families received their double blow. Life with its duties and > cares are before us, while behind us lies the shadow of our murdered dead and > heart wounds that time can never heal. > The Bastrop Advertisor, containing an account of the tripple lynching in > Texas, as taken from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, s before me; also the > reported interview with F. H. McLemore. It seems that it was proved at the > inquest that Thad McLemore was under arrest, charged with burglary; that > Wright McLemore and Henry Pfeiffer were under a nominal bond for > cattle-stealing when taken from the saloon. That Jack, Azberry and Haywood > Batey, Charley Goodman, Burt Hasley and Robert Stevens came in town next day > defient, trying to learn the fate of their friends; that all were old > residents, and all were under bad repute except Jack Batey. Thad McLemore > was under arrest through charges by S. E. Walker, as was ascertained > afterward. I hope that Thad died in ignorance of the latter fact, for he > thought Walker a friend. As to Wright McLemore, my husband, being under a > nominal bond for cattle-stealing, there is no truth in it. His accusers have > not, nor can not, come forth! That all were old residents, and under bad > repute, is another untruth. Wright McLemore had only been in the county six > months, was almost an entire stranger. We had been living in McDade only > about two and a half months. My husband was old and badly crippled with > rheumatism, an object of pity to anyone who had a spark of that element. He > felt that his life was nearly over, and came here to spend his remaining days > near his brothers. The southern and north-western couties know W. K. > McLemore; Bastrop did not. Thad McLemore and his brother Felix were > volunteers from here in the Confederate army; served their time, came back, > married and settled down in this county, where they have lived ever since in > good repute; and yet one of those brothers, while in custody, was taken by a > mob from a town he had helped to build, at an early hour, and on an evening > when such a thing would be more difficult to perform than at any other time, > carried out and hanged, and McDade knew nothing of it until the next day. > And that next day! Oh, it is a deed worthy of being handed down to posterity > with the Alamo! > As to the Batey crowd going in armed and defianmt, that is also false. It is > true they went in together. It is a custom of old Mrs. Batey to get all of > her family together on Christmas day. They boys said they would ride into > town to see what was going on; and come back for an early dinner. They were > not drinking; none were armed except Haywood Batey and Charley Goodman; the > latter never used his pistol, it being on his person all the time, and turned > the ball that wounded him. Haywood Batey had only four charges in his, so > that might account for the miraculous escape of Milton and Bishop, as there > were from sixty to one hundred shots! I saw them as they rode into town, and > a few minutes later Azberry Batey rode up to my door to see if the news he > had heard was true. I think the very last rational words he ever spoke were > to me. I saw him fifteen minutes later lying in the streets dead. I see > from the Bastrop Advertisor that it is generally supposed that the lynching > was the outgrowth of a vigilant commitee organized in McDade after the > shooting of Heffington, of Lee County, and that the McLemore brothers were > suspected as being implicated. My husband did not know Heffington. Thad > McLemore left town before the train came down that Fitzpatrick, the accused, > was on. We knew nothing of a man being shot until the following MOnday. The > shooting was done on Saturday night. In a special from McDade to The > Galveston News, dated December 25, it was stated that Wright McLemore > happened to be present when the others were taken out. Since them The News > has come out with an editorial which should elect him for our next governor, > if such a man could be spared from the press. Texas, the empire State of the > Union, has a constitution that demands the right to say who shall and who > shall not be put to death. > The Globe-Democrat reporter, in copying from notes made during his interview > with Felix McLemore, was sadly out of time; but then he had been at the scene > of carnage, and I suppose had caught the infection so it will have to be > excused. Felix is well known in this county and wants it distinctly > understood that he emphatically denies having once said, "I can prove this > and so." He told the reported from the beginning that he knew nothing about > it only what his family and friends had told him; he was not home at the > time, and only stayed a short time when he did go. He made no allusions as to > his dead brother's families being dependent on him for a support. Everyone > in that mob knew Thad McLemore was the father of six children, all under > twelve years of age, and left without a maintenance. The part referred to > where Thad had a conversation with Goodman and Fitzpatrick is all wrong. > Felix has the letter now which my husband wrote him after the death of > Heffington, containing the substance of what he related to the reporter. He > is not staying from home through any fears of killing or being killed. He is > a living flesh and blood man, with perfect organization. and, it is > presumble, he has the power of feeling. I can establish all and more than is > contained in this article and earnestly request that you give it publication. > > Mrs W. K. McLemore > > Tammy Owen > Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator > Bastropcc@aol.com > http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html > > ==== TXBASTRO Mailing List ==== > Search the TXBASTRO-L archives for previously posted messages, > http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl?list=TXBASTRO > > ============================== > Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: > Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. > http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/

thanks tammy you're wonderful! Lisa xo ---------- > From: Bastropcc@aol.com > To: TXBASTRO-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [TXBASTRO] Christmas Shootout in McDade 12/1883 McLemore letter > Date: August 2, 2000 12:31 AM > > This is for you Lisa, > > Short Background for others: > Near Yegua Knobbs (Lee-Bastrop Co line) Boaz Heffington, Lee Co deputy > sheriff was murdered when investigating a robbery and double murder in Fedor > community. > Vigilantes formed, a list of names read of suspected cattle rustlers and > horse thieves at the saloon (Henry Pfieffer and Thad and Wright McLemore, > included), and these three men marched out of town and hanged. Heywood > Beaty's name was also read because Milton, the storekeeper, stated that > Heywood had helped Boaz Heffington's murderer leave town. Batey's and > McLemore's were kin. The Batey boys came into town the next day (Christmas > Day) which resulted in a shooting and deaths. > We must remember how it was back then, with the railroad came rough > characters, and Bastrop County was not immune to violance. The land was raw > and still untamed, and so were some of the men. People were scared and > otherwise law abiding men dawned masks for one reason or another and pointed > fingers at their neighbors. Mustangs ran free and everyone seemed to live on > an unfenced prairie, moving cattle to wherever there was grass. > This is just one of the many stories of the time, one that made the > newspapers. > > Bastrop Advertisor 1/26/1884 > The Late Tragedies at McDade From the News > MCDADE. January 14, 1881-Now while the horrible tragedy that was enacted at > this place on Christmas eve and day is going the rounds of the press, just as > correspondents see fit to clothe, and as reporters get it, I, a widow of one > of the victims, claim a hearing. Three weeks have passed since the McLemore > and Batey families received their double blow. Life with its duties and > cares are before us, while behind us lies the shadow of our murdered dead and > heart wounds that time can never heal. > The Bastrop Advertisor, containing an account of the tripple lynching in > Texas, as taken from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, s before me; also the > reported interview with F. H. McLemore. It seems that it was proved at the > inquest that Thad McLemore was under arrest, charged with burglary; that > Wright McLemore and Henry Pfeiffer were under a nominal bond for > cattle-stealing when taken from the saloon. That Jack, Azberry and Haywood > Batey, Charley Goodman, Burt Hasley and Robert Stevens came in town next day > defient, trying to learn the fate of their friends; that all were old > residents, and all were under bad repute except Jack Batey. Thad McLemore > was under arrest through charges by S. E. Walker, as was ascertained > afterward. I hope that Thad died in ignorance of the latter fact, for he > thought Walker a friend. As to Wright McLemore, my husband, being under a > nominal bond for cattle-stealing, there is no truth in it. His accusers have > not, nor can not, come forth! That all were old residents, and under bad > repute, is another untruth. Wright McLemore had only been in the county six > months, was almost an entire stranger. We had been living in McDade only > about two and a half months. My husband was old and badly crippled with > rheumatism, an object of pity to anyone who had a spark of that element. He > felt that his life was nearly over, and came here to spend his remaining days > near his brothers. The southern and north-western couties know W. K. > McLemore; Bastrop did not. Thad McLemore and his brother Felix were > volunteers from here in the Confederate army; served their time, came back, > married and settled down in this county, where they have lived ever since in > good repute; and yet one of those brothers, while in custody, was taken by a > mob from a town he had helped to build, at an early hour, and on an evening > when such a thing would be more difficult to perform than at any other time, > carried out and hanged, and McDade knew nothing of it until the next day. > And that next day! Oh, it is a deed worthy of being handed down to posterity > with the Alamo! > As to the Batey crowd going in armed and defianmt, that is also false. It is > true they went in together. It is a custom of old Mrs. Batey to get all of > her family together on Christmas day. They boys said they would ride into > town to see what was going on; and come back for an early dinner. They were > not drinking; none were armed except Haywood Batey and Charley Goodman; the > latter never used his pistol, it being on his person all the time, and turned > the ball that wounded him. Haywood Batey had only four charges in his, so > that might account for the miraculous escape of Milton and Bishop, as there > were from sixty to one hundred shots! I saw them as they rode into town, and > a few minutes later Azberry Batey rode up to my door to see if the news he > had heard was true. I think the very last rational words he ever spoke were > to me. I saw him fifteen minutes later lying in the streets dead. I see > from the Bastrop Advertisor that it is generally supposed that the lynching > was the outgrowth of a vigilant commitee organized in McDade after the > shooting of Heffington, of Lee County, and that the McLemore brothers were > suspected as being implicated. My husband did not know Heffington. Thad > McLemore left town before the train came down that Fitzpatrick, the accused, > was on. We knew nothing of a man being shot until the following MOnday. The > shooting was done on Saturday night. In a special from McDade to The > Galveston News, dated December 25, it was stated that Wright McLemore > happened to be present when the others were taken out. Since them The News > has come out with an editorial which should elect him for our next governor, > if such a man could be spared from the press. Texas, the empire State of the > Union, has a constitution that demands the right to say who shall and who > shall not be put to death. > The Globe-Democrat reporter, in copying from notes made during his interview > with Felix McLemore, was sadly out of time; but then he had been at the scene > of carnage, and I suppose had caught the infection so it will have to be > excused. Felix is well known in this county and wants it distinctly > understood that he emphatically denies having once said, "I can prove this > and so." He told the reported from the beginning that he knew nothing about > it only what his family and friends had told him; he was not home at the > time, and only stayed a short time when he did go. He made no allusions as to > his dead brother's families being dependent on him for a support. Everyone > in that mob knew Thad McLemore was the father of six children, all under > twelve years of age, and left without a maintenance. The part referred to > where Thad had a conversation with Goodman and Fitzpatrick is all wrong. > Felix has the letter now which my husband wrote him after the death of > Heffington, containing the substance of what he related to the reporter. He > is not staying from home through any fears of killing or being killed. He is > a living flesh and blood man, with perfect organization. and, it is > presumble, he has the power of feeling. I can establish all and more than is > contained in this article and earnestly request that you give it publication. > > Mrs W. K. McLemore > > Tammy Owen > Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator > Bastropcc@aol.com > http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html > > > ==== TXBASTRO Mailing List ==== > Search the TXBASTRO-L archives for previously posted messages, > http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl?list=TXBASTRO > > ============================== > Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: > Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. > http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/

This is for you Lisa, Short Background for others: Near Yegua Knobbs (Lee-Bastrop Co line) Boaz Heffington, Lee Co deputy sheriff was murdered when investigating a robbery and double murder in Fedor community. Vigilantes formed, a list of names read of suspected cattle rustlers and horse thieves at the saloon (Henry Pfieffer and Thad and Wright McLemore, included), and these three men marched out of town and hanged. Heywood Beaty's name was also read because Milton, the storekeeper, stated that Heywood had helped Boaz Heffington's murderer leave town. Batey's and McLemore's were kin. The Batey boys came into town the next day (Christmas Day) which resulted in a shooting and deaths. We must remember how it was back then, with the railroad came rough characters, and Bastrop County was not immune to violance. The land was raw and still untamed, and so were some of the men. People were scared and otherwise law abiding men dawned masks for one reason or another and pointed fingers at their neighbors. Mustangs ran free and everyone seemed to live on an unfenced prairie, moving cattle to wherever there was grass. This is just one of the many stories of the time, one that made the newspapers. Bastrop Advertisor 1/26/1884 The Late Tragedies at McDade From the News MCDADE. January 14, 1881-Now while the horrible tragedy that was enacted at this place on Christmas eve and day is going the rounds of the press, just as correspondents see fit to clothe, and as reporters get it, I, a widow of one of the victims, claim a hearing. Three weeks have passed since the McLemore and Batey families received their double blow. Life with its duties and cares are before us, while behind us lies the shadow of our murdered dead and heart wounds that time can never heal. The Bastrop Advertisor, containing an account of the tripple lynching in Texas, as taken from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, s before me; also the reported interview with F. H. McLemore. It seems that it was proved at the inquest that Thad McLemore was under arrest, charged with burglary; that Wright McLemore and Henry Pfeiffer were under a nominal bond for cattle-stealing when taken from the saloon. That Jack, Azberry and Haywood Batey, Charley Goodman, Burt Hasley and Robert Stevens came in town next day defient, trying to learn the fate of their friends; that all were old residents, and all were under bad repute except Jack Batey. Thad McLemore was under arrest through charges by S. E. Walker, as was ascertained afterward. I hope that Thad died in ignorance of the latter fact, for he thought Walker a friend. As to Wright McLemore, my husband, being under a nominal bond for cattle-stealing, there is no truth in it. His accusers have not, nor can not, come forth! That all were old residents, and under bad repute, is another untruth. Wright McLemore had only been in the county six months, was almost an entire stranger. We had been living in McDade only about two and a half months. My husband was old and badly crippled with rheumatism, an object of pity to anyone who had a spark of that element. He felt that his life was nearly over, and came here to spend his remaining days near his brothers. The southern and north-western couties know W. K. McLemore; Bastrop did not. Thad McLemore and his brother Felix were volunteers from here in the Confederate army; served their time, came back, married and settled down in this county, where they have lived ever since in good repute; and yet one of those brothers, while in custody, was taken by a mob from a town he had helped to build, at an early hour, and on an evening when such a thing would be more difficult to perform than at any other time, carried out and hanged, and McDade knew nothing of it until the next day. And that next day! Oh, it is a deed worthy of being handed down to posterity with the Alamo! As to the Batey crowd going in armed and defianmt, that is also false. It is true they went in together. It is a custom of old Mrs. Batey to get all of her family together on Christmas day. They boys said they would ride into town to see what was going on; and come back for an early dinner. They were not drinking; none were armed except Haywood Batey and Charley Goodman; the latter never used his pistol, it being on his person all the time, and turned the ball that wounded him. Haywood Batey had only four charges in his, so that might account for the miraculous escape of Milton and Bishop, as there were from sixty to one hundred shots! I saw them as they rode into town, and a few minutes later Azberry Batey rode up to my door to see if the news he had heard was true. I think the very last rational words he ever spoke were to me. I saw him fifteen minutes later lying in the streets dead. I see from the Bastrop Advertisor that it is generally supposed that the lynching was the outgrowth of a vigilant commitee organized in McDade after the shooting of Heffington, of Lee County, and that the McLemore brothers were suspected as being implicated. My husband did not know Heffington. Thad McLemore left town before the train came down that Fitzpatrick, the accused, was on. We knew nothing of a man being shot until the following MOnday. The shooting was done on Saturday night. In a special from McDade to The Galveston News, dated December 25, it was stated that Wright McLemore happened to be present when the others were taken out. Since them The News has come out with an editorial which should elect him for our next governor, if such a man could be spared from the press. Texas, the empire State of the Union, has a constitution that demands the right to say who shall and who shall not be put to death. The Globe-Democrat reporter, in copying from notes made during his interview with Felix McLemore, was sadly out of time; but then he had been at the scene of carnage, and I suppose had caught the infection so it will have to be excused. Felix is well known in this county and wants it distinctly understood that he emphatically denies having once said, "I can prove this and so." He told the reported from the beginning that he knew nothing about it only what his family and friends had told him; he was not home at the time, and only stayed a short time when he did go. He made no allusions as to his dead brother's families being dependent on him for a support. Everyone in that mob knew Thad McLemore was the father of six children, all under twelve years of age, and left without a maintenance. The part referred to where Thad had a conversation with Goodman and Fitzpatrick is all wrong. Felix has the letter now which my husband wrote him after the death of Heffington, containing the substance of what he related to the reporter. He is not staying from home through any fears of killing or being killed. He is a living flesh and blood man, with perfect organization. and, it is presumble, he has the power of feeling. I can establish all and more than is contained in this article and earnestly request that you give it publication. Mrs W. K. McLemore Tammy Owen Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator Bastropcc@aol.com http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html

Vanessa, My name is Cassie and I'm african american. I have family in Bastrop cnty(Slider,Hyder,Blaylock,& White) Mostly in Hills Prairie and Shiloh. I'm writing because I recognise some of your names. We are related to the Clemons and the Veals from Hills Prairie. Also there is a funeral home in Smithville that has been around for quite some time. It is Pendergrass Peoples Mortuary. The owner is Mrs. Clinton Wright, a very nice lady. Her assistant is Eulene and she is very helpful but there was no real filing system until she started there . She has offered to search for some funeral programs for me. This could take a while because they are not on the computer. Cassie ccassiegal@aol.com

Thanks, Tammy. I look forward to viewing any additional information that you can find. My family in that area were the Alcie (many spellings for both first and last names) Clemons', mainly. They married into the following families: Anderson, Marshall, Wilson, Hills, Veal, Wesley, Flemings, Hodges, Jones, Nelson - among others. If anyone has the name(s) of funeral home(s) that would have been available to African-American families during the late 1800's through the turn of the last century, I would appreciate your help. Vanessa ---------- >From: Bastropcc@aol.com >To: TXBASTRO-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [TXBASTRO] oak hill cemetery smithville >Date: Mon, Jul 31, 2000, 8:31 PM > >First, I'm still typing up from the tapes of Saturday's and Sunday's visits >so if you're checking, it's not up to date yet. >Vanessa, >I'm not sure if there are African American's buried in there yet. I've only >completed one and one half sections of many sections and it was older graves. > I do know there are Hispanic's buried there. When I go back I'll drive to >the other side and see. Sometimes there are pictures on the headstones that >

hey tammy my charlie goodman, jim floyd are buried there......thanks for doing more then you should.....i bet you've helped many on this list....thanks again Lisa ---------- > From: Bastropcc@aol.com > To: TXBASTRO-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [TXBASTRO] oak hill cemetery smithville > Date: July 31, 2000 11:31 PM > > First, I'm still typing up from the tapes of Saturday's and Sunday's visits > so if you're checking, it's not up to date yet. > Vanessa, > I'm not sure if there are African American's buried in there yet. I've only > completed one and one half sections of many sections and it was older graves. > I do know there are Hispanic's buried there. When I go back I'll drive to > the other side and see. Sometimes there are pictures on the headstones that > I can look at to see what race they are. > You probably know that the races were separated in death, with each being > sectioned off from the other, some just with fences, some by distance. I've > noticed this segregation changing but don't know exactly when it began. > There are a couple of other cemeteries in the area, one being the Colorado > Community Cemetery which is African American. So if I don't see any African > American graves in Oak Hill, I can look at that one next though it would have > been a long walk or wagon ride for those that died before the automobile came > along. There is also Mt. Pleasant right out of Smithville (might be white) > The Bunte Cemetery is behind Oak Hill and workers of the Bunte Family are > buried there. I also haven't been to the Sweet Hill Cemetery which is > African American and in Upton (10 miles SW from Smithville). > I've rambled. I'll check when I go back Saturday. > > > Tammy Owen > Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator > Bastropcc@aol.com > http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html > > > ==== TXBASTRO Mailing List ==== > List problems? Contact Gaylon L Powell at gaylon@flash.net > > ============================== > Ancestry.com now has more than 200,000 subscribers! To celebrate, > access to ALL of Ancestry.com will be free from July 18 to July 31! > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/freepromo.asp?sourcecode=A11AM

Tammy, Are African-Americans in this cemetery? I think what you are doing is great! Vanessa ---------- >From: Bastropcc@aol.com >To: TXBASTRO-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: [TXBASTRO] oak hill cemetery smithville >Date: Sun, Jul 30, 2000, 2:14 PM > >I'm continuing the survey of the Oak Hill Cemetery in Smithville. Instead of >sending emails with the survey, I've set up a file (no links to it, so save >this address if you're interested). >The address is: >http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/cemetery/oakhillsmithville.html >When I'm done, I'll sent it to the cemetery project page. > >For the person interested in Milton Joseph Bishop, he was in the first >section (from the front gate go all the way to the back far left side, and in >that section, come back 3 rows. There was one other grave. There is a small >infant's grave of his child, b. 1910, with a small headstone and cement >curbing in a small rectangle to show it's an infant. At the foot of this >curbing is the large headstone for Milton, facing the same direction as the >infant's, with cement curbing in a large rectangle showing it's an adult size >grave. There are no other headstones close enough to indicate other family >members. > >Most of the family sections have cement curbing to show each family section, >with most having the last name spelled out in tile. As I complete the survey >I will start dividing the sections and adding the family name so you can >figure out who goes with whom. >I can only do this one on weekends so it will be a while before I'm done. I >went yesterday and today and am still typing up what I got so you might look >again later. I take a tape recorder with me and say the information into it, >then come home and type it up at night. Just a hint for those that want to >try surveying a cemetery. I spell names out that are spelled different ways >and make sure I spell last names that are not common. Most are old >headstones and difficult to read and many have inscriptions that I can't >read. Also, there is a mold or fungus that grows on some kinds of headstones, >looks like moss and some looks like rust. That also makes it hard to read. > > >Tammy Owen >Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator >Bastropcc@aol.com >http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm >http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html > > >==== TXBASTRO Mailing List ==== >List problems? Contact Gaylon L Powell at gaylon@flash.net > >============================== >Ancestry.com now has more than 200,000 subscribers! To celebrate, >access to ALL of Ancestry.com will be free from July 18 to July 31! >http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/freepromo.asp?sourcecode=A11AM > >

First, I'm still typing up from the tapes of Saturday's and Sunday's visits so if you're checking, it's not up to date yet. Vanessa, I'm not sure if there are African American's buried in there yet. I've only completed one and one half sections of many sections and it was older graves. I do know there are Hispanic's buried there. When I go back I'll drive to the other side and see. Sometimes there are pictures on the headstones that I can look at to see what race they are. You probably know that the races were separated in death, with each being sectioned off from the other, some just with fences, some by distance. I've noticed this segregation changing but don't know exactly when it began. There are a couple of other cemeteries in the area, one being the Colorado Community Cemetery which is African American. So if I don't see any African American graves in Oak Hill, I can look at that one next though it would have been a long walk or wagon ride for those that died before the automobile came along. There is also Mt. Pleasant right out of Smithville (might be white) The Bunte Cemetery is behind Oak Hill and workers of the Bunte Family are buried there. I also haven't been to the Sweet Hill Cemetery which is African American and in Upton (10 miles SW from Smithville). I've rambled. I'll check when I go back Saturday. Tammy Owen Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator Bastropcc@aol.com http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~txtammy/bastrop/bastropmain.html