HEMPSTEAD.

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Recapture and Lynching of Two Escaped Convicts — Another "Sensation" for Skeptics.

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[Special Telegram to the Galveston News.]

Hempstead, June 13, 1876.

Wat. Groce, alias Geo. Collins, and Frank Walker, both colored, escaped convicts and notorious horse thieves and desperadoes, were captured on Reid's prairie, near Hempstead, and brought in on Monday morning.  They left in charge of a guard for Huntsville, going through the country by private conveyance last night, and, when four miles from town, the guard was overpowered and Walker and Groce captured.  Walker was hanged on the spot, and Groce is non est, but supposed to have been killed.  The body has not been found.

An inquest was held to-day upon Walker's body, and, after a thorough investigation, the verdict of the jury was that he came to his death by hanging at the hands of parties unknown.

Walker's body was brought to town and given to his friends.  Much excitement prevails.  Citizens deplore the act of the mob, but are determined to rid the county of the thieves who have been depredating on it so long.

"Recapture and Lynching of Two Escaped Convicts." The Galveston Daily News, Wednesday, June 14, 1876, P. 1, col. 5.

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