(An egregious example of a newspaper writing a false story.  There can be no excuse as it was published seven days after the crime was committed and only a few miles distant from Brenham!)

— A very cold blooded attempt at murder was made at the house of a Mr. Lynch who lives near Hempstead.  Lynch was called from his bed at two o'clock in the morning and as soon as he stepped out he was fired upon.  He fell, appearantly (sic) dead.  The house was then set on fire and his children bravely escaped with their lives while he was only able to crawl away.

"A Very Cold-Blooded Attempt at Murder." Brenham Weekly Banner, (Brenham, TX), Friday, September 20, 1878, p. 1, col. 3.