| Notes |
- Joseph murdered a neighbor in a dispute over a hog and was brought to trial for the crime. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to be hung. However after a series of attempted jail breaks, assisted by friends and relatives, it is not known what ultimately became of him. Carolyn Whittington wrote "One tale I read was that shortly after his escape Joseph died aboard a ship from yellow fever and his clothes & belongings were shipped back to Clara. The source of this story was Mrs. Lorraine Silva mentioned in the Gifford White endnotes below."
TEXAS STATE GAZETTE
February 21, 1854
We understand that a most wanton, reckless and unprovoked murder was committed in cold blood by Joseph White, upon Levi Barrow, both of them old citizens and long residents of Turtle Bayou in Liberty County. The last was highly esteemed by his neighbors. While immediately after commission of the crime [White] made his escape. We understand that more than fifty persons are in pursuit of him, with the avowed intention, if they succeed in capturing him, of calling Judge Lynch, and giving him a short shrift.--Galveston Times
GALVESTON WEEKLY JOURNAL
February 28, 1854
We would call public attention to the offer of $1,000 reward for the apprehension of Joseph White for the murder of Levi Barrow of Liberty County. We understand an additional thousand dollars have been offered; while the amount will probably be still further increased by a proclamation of the governor.
GALVESTON WEEKLY NEWS
April 3, 1855
MAN SHOT - The Liberty Gazette says "the quiet of our usually peaceful little town was disturbed by an attempt being made on Saturday night to rescue the prisoner confined in the jail in this place. At a late hour of the night, between 12 and 1 o'clock, Mr. Isaac White, one of the guards, hearing a noise about the house connected with the jail, opened his door and asked who was there. He saw two men standing close to the door as he opened it and immediately cocked his pistol and before he could fire, one of the men shot him, the whole load of buckshot entering his right arm and shattering it so badly that it is feared amputation will be found necessary. Mr. W. had been ill health for some time, and serious apprehensions are entertained of his recovery. No clue has yet been had to the discovery of the persons who committed the deed. We refrain from comment until further facts are elicited."
Since writing the above, we learn that the shots have been extracted from the arm of Mr. White and that he seems better. It is now thought that he must have received the contents of both a gun and a pistol.
GALVESTON WEEKLY NEWS
April 17, 1855
THE ATTEMPTED RESCUE OF WHITE AT LIBERTY
Editors News--An attempt was made to murder three good citizens of this county by a band of assassins on the 24th or morning of the 25th about 1 o'clock a.m. The object of the assassins was the release of Mr. Joseph White who stands committed for the murder of Levi Barrow, about one year ago. He was guarded by three men, one of whom was badly wounded in his right arm having received two shots-one from a rifle, the other from a shot gun, which have so mutilated it, that it is doubtful whether he will recover. The origin of this bloody work, was an assertion made by Mr. Barrow regarding a hog, which assertion is believed to be true. This gave offence to White, as it intimated to most people in the neighborhood, where they both resided, that White had taken that which did not belong to him.
White not relishing the charge against him, armed himself and rode over to Mr. Barrow who, at the time, was making a fence. White asked him (Barrow) if he said thus and so, about him; Barrow answered in the affirmative when White immediately drew a revolver, and shot him down and rode off. Barrow left a large and respectable family, which depended on his exertions for support and I may say that a more worthy citizen did not live in Cracker's Neck settlement. The White family, also, up to this time, were much respected, being among the oldest settlers in this part of the Texas, and large stock owners.
After killing Barrow, White skulked about from place to place, from thicket to thicket, keeping company with the owls and snakes of the woods, sometimes alone, but mostly in company with a boon companion and friend who was ever ready to assist him, and in whose company he rode boldly into the town of Liberty, and purchased some articles, and was not molested. Thus he spent most of his time, during the past summer, staying about his home a large portion of the time, as is believed. The citizens expecting the proper officers would do their duty and arrest him, remained quiet, but after waiting in vain, they made the attempt themselves; but, for the want of energy, he gave them the slip, and escaped from all danger, and remained unmolested, until he was betrayed at Alexandria, Louisiana by the person who was to escort him to Missouri, and thence to California. He was brought by a guard from Alexandria, via New Orleans and Galveston, to Liberty, in irons, and put in the jail at this place. Here he has shown the utmost lenity and indulgence, by the sheriff and guard, that could be extended to a prisoner confined for such an offence. His friends were always allowed free access to his room, liquor and cegars were there to regale his visitors, and his wife was slept with him a large portion of the time, since his confinement here. The sheriff acting through good and humane motives, has, unintentionally, given every facility for the prisoner and his friends to lay their hellish plans, for the massacre of the innocent men who were doing their duty as a guard. Many persons believed that an attempt would be made for his release before the next term of the Court and have been surprised that he was not ironed to the floor, which his crime demanded. On the night of the attempted rescue, referred to, the parties who sought to release White crawled up to the door of the jail, and made a slight noise to attract the attention of the guards within. Isaac White was standing watch at the time, hearing a noise, stepped to the door of the jail with a pistol in his hand. Upon opening the door, he received two shots, before he had time to shoot, and his pistol fell from his hand. Then his presence of mind saved the lives of all three, by stepping back, and closing the door before the assassins could enter. Finding themselves and their plans defeated, the rescuers beat a quick retreat to their horses, which were tied a short distance off, leaving the blacksmith tools, which they had ready to cut the irons off the prisoner, on the ground. Circumstances go far to confirm the opinion, that the plan has been forming for sometime.
James Rhoades, a young man, and one of the guards, acting from the impulses of a good and benevolent heart, had done all in his power to make the situation of the prisoner and his wife as agreeable as circumstances would admit. He was ever ready to go to errands and perform anything that was requested. In return, the prisoner and his wife manifested a warm friendship for him. The afternoon previous to the attack, Mrs. White had presented Mr. Rhoades with her daguerreotype, as a keepsake, and another to her husband. When the shadows of evening were drawing nigh, and wishing to be at a distance when the rescue was to take place, she urged Mr. Rhoades to accompany her some five miles in the country. Her object in this was double--first, to weaken the guard, and second to save the life of Rhoades, in this she failed, as the jailor, Isaac White refused, positively, to let him go. She was escorted by her nephew John Booth, into the country, to Mr. Edward White's.
Booth was seen leading Mrs. White's horse, during the night, toward Liberty, which is the last known of Booth or Mrs. Whites horse, but one fact is certain, the person did not bear the person away that was intended he should. The prisoner asserted his entire innocence of the whole proceedings, the next morning, declaring by all his saints he knew nothing of what had transpired. But when he found he had to be confined to the floor, altered his tune, and said he did not care what they done with him. What will be the sequel to this first and second act of this tragedy, time will only determine. Only one of the assailants has been recognized, but strong suspicions rest on several more, and I would not be surprised if some of them would come up missing, if they should be caught by those who are on the scout. Should another attempt be made to rescue the prisoner, I have no doubt the citizens will put a stop to it, by taking the prisoner to the same tree that was selected to suspend John Smith and his son William on in 1836 for the murder of Alfred Carroll. All we want is the laws properly executed, and justice done to all parties.
Liberty March 28, 1855 Independence
GALVESTON WEEKLY NEWS
June 5, 1855
The Spring Term of the District Court of Liberty, commenced on the 28th. We learn that the trial of White for the murder of Barrow was set for yesterday.
GALVESTON WEEKLY NEWS
June 12, 1855
Letter from Liberty
Thursday 31st - This day was set by the Court to take up the criminal docket, and many earnestly hope for the trial of White for the murder of Levi Barrow, of which so much has already been said. The excitement is intense, and many will be here to hear the trial; as it is one in which the honor of our county is in some measure at stake, as it has been often asserted, and with some plausibility, that a man with plenty of the dimes, cannot be hung for murder in this county. For my part, I feel no apprehension as to full and ample justice being done the prisoner if the laws of our State are executed with fidelity. The citizens are waiting to see the result with impatience. I have heard some of the most respectable gentlemen of this county, declare that the Regulators were very much needed at this time, and should White's trial not come off, I fear the worst. The cause of these sentiments prevailing, is owing to another attempt for the prisoner's rescue having been made on the night of the 23rd, by some ten or twelve persons. They however chose to leave in a hurry when the signal gun was fired by the guard. They were afterwards seen by a gentlemen between Liberty and Sour Lake, but were without exceptions unknown to him. It is the opinion of many that they were hired for the occasion by White's friends. Booth, the man supposed to have shot Mr. Isaac White, is not in the vicinity having crossed Reason Green's ferry a few days ago. His crossing was notified to the sheriff, but no efforts were taken for his apprehension, perhaps, owing to a rumor that Booth would be in and give himself up. Time will show. I do not wish to see any court in this county with Judge Lynch on the bench, if it can possibly be avoided, but when an armed band is prowling about with impunity, and the laws are inadequate for the protection of citizens lives, who are called upon to guard the jail, it certainly behooves the people to protect themselves, and that too in a summary way. I am free to confess that a person is not very safe who speaks his mind boldly on the subject, as money can hire assassins in any country.
Liberty Co, May 31st, 1855 ****C****
GALVESTON WEEKLY NEWS
June 9, 1855
Convicted--Joseph White for the killing of Levi Barrow has been found guilty of murder in the first degree at the Liberty District Court. An appeal was taken to the Supreme Court.
GALVESTON WEEKLY NEWS
June 12, 1855
"Post Script" to the letter of our Liberty correspondent informs us that the Grand Jury found a true bill against Booth for the murder of Isaac White, who it will be remembered was guarding the jail in which the other White was confined, on the charge of murdering Barrow. An officer accompanied by a few men had gone in search of Booth but our correspondent thinks there was little chance of affecting his arrest.
GALVESTON NEWS
February 7, 1856
We learn from the Texian that three prisoners made their escape from the jail in Anderson the other day namely White of Liberty, Cooper of Navarro, and Burleson of Grimes county. They were soon after captured and restored to their cells. The Sheriff and his deputy were slightly wounded by a pocket knife in the hands of White.
GALVESTON NEWS
MARCH, 1856
ATTEMPT TO LIBERATE PRISONERS - The Anderson (Grimes Co.) Texian says that Burleson, a prisoner in jail at that place was discovered filing off his irons--saws and files of the finest workmanship having been furnished him from the outside by some unknown persons. It is presumed that the tools were passed to Burleson to be afterwards passed by him to White, the convict from Liberty Co., and it is reported that White's accomplices have determined to fire the town of Anderson near the Court House and during the confusion which will ensue break open the jail.
The Texian says the matter is understood, and so soon as such an alarm is given, White will be shot.
GALVESTON TRI-WEEKLY NEWS
April 12, 1856
JOE WHITE - Our readers are probably aware that Joe White, who had received the sentence of death for murder in Liberty County, was sent to Anderson (Grimes County) jail for greater security, pending the appeal to the Supreme court. This court at its recent session in this city, confirmed the judgment of the court below. We now learn by gentlemen who arrived here this morning that a guard of six or eight men started a few days ago from Liberty, to go and bring said White to Liberty to be executed according to the sentence.
The guard, we are told, apprehending an attempt at rescue, left at Liberty secretly and at night and took WHITE from Anderson jail also at night, in order to prevent White's friends from being apprised of their movements. But while on their return with White near the San Jacinto crossing, the were met by a dozen men all blackened as negroes, who immediately presented their guns at the guard, and at the same time, told White to go as he pleased. He, of course, not slow in obeying. We cannot learn that the guard made any resistance.
THE CIVILIAN AND GAZETTE
April 15, 1856
To Be Hung---
The NEWS of Saturday announced a rumor that Joseph White, the Liberty County murderer, had escaped from the guard on his way back to Liberty from Grimes County jail. He also, was to receive his sentence at Liberty Court. We learn that the rumor of his rescue is true. He was guarded by six or eight men who yielded him up to twelve men, disguised as negroes, it is said without resistance. The affair has been badly managed, and someone is to blame, who, we know not; but if money has triumphed over virtue, it is a sad commentary upon public justice.
GALVESTON TRI-WEEKLY NEWS
APRIL 19, 1856
ESCAPE OF WHITE - There appears to have been something wrong, or some gross negligence in permitting White to escape. The Houston Telegraph says:
The sheriff Liberty County, with his deputies, we learn from the Gazette, had all returned home, without being able to retake White, the prisoner who was rescued from them near the San Jacinto. From all accounts things appear to have been very badly managed in this affair. It seems very little effort was made to prevent the escape of the prisoner.
THE CENTRAL TEXIAN
Anderson, Grimes Co., Texas
June 6, 1856
GRIMES COUNTY
June 5, 1856
Editor Texian: In the Liberty Gazette of the 26th ultimo I notice an advertisement over the signature of F.G. Waring of rather extraordinary character. Now sir, I have this to say, that while at Livingston, a gentleman from Liberty conversed with me in regard to Jo. White's escape, and that gentlemen told me that there was great excitement in regard to it in Liberty county-that the Sheriff, Mr. Waring, had already been involved in several personal difficulties growing out of the escape of White; that in one of these recontres, young Maton caned Waring and in the other a brother, (possibly a cousin) of Levi Barrow had cut Waring severely. Such was the statement made to me, according to my recollection. I can readily give the name of my informant and will do so upon proper application. With no unkind feeling toward Mr. Waring but merely as an item of news in regard to a matter exciting public interest, I wrote to the Texian in regard to the difficulties which it was told to me he had been engaged. Writing to a paper printed in the town where White had been confined in jail, it was perfectly natural that I should communicate all items of information in regard to his escape and public feeling upon the subject. The matter complained of in the other portion of Warings's advertisement I know nothing of, and am in no wise responsible for.
Mr. Waring pronounces the statement which I made a "lie." Not having made it upon my personal knowledge I can take no exception to his harsh language. Nor can I speak knowingly of the truth or falsity of the statement but leave the matter between Mr. Waring and my informant. I shall exceedingly regret if my desire to write something to interest your readers should be the means of doing injustice to any one, or of getting up a difficulty in any quarter. If Mr. Waring wishes my name you are perfectly at liberty to give it to him. Yours, etc. VIATOR
|
1826 - 
