THE HEMSTEAD (sic) HORROR.
Terrible Venditta (sic)
John Steele was shot and instantly killed, at Hempstead, on the 4th inst., by Col Jared E. Kirby, of Brenham, mention of which was made in our columns at the time. The killing took place at the Methodist church, just as the congregation were leaving. Fourteen years ago Steele killed Kirby's father in Houston. Col. Kirby surrendered himself after the killing, and is now in custody.
The causes which led to this tragedy will be better understood by the following particulars of a murder that occurred in Houston immediately after the close of the war, and which led to the present assassination :
Every confederate soldier knows what the words "home guard" meant, and how thousands of valorous warriors exhibited, on peaceful plains and in the ranks of the "guard," that high-toned chivalry which would have been such a help to the South's defenders on the battle-field. One of these companies of valorous knights roamed the prairies in this section of Texas, and was commanded by one James McMahon, who, in his turn, is said to have been under orders from Col. Jared E. Kirby, a wealthy and prominent citizen, residing in the fine two-story mansion, Alta Vista, near the railway, seven miles east of Hempstead.
About six miles east of Alta Vista, Kirby's residence, that of John Steele, and in the same neighborhood that last year acquired such an infamous notoriety in connection with the awful massacre and burning of the Lynch family. Steele, whether a Union man or not, and that does not sufficiently appear, fell under the displeasure of McMahon and his home guards. Wherefore, by order of Col. J. F. Kirby, it is asserted, McMahon and his marauders one night surrounded Steele's house, frightening his family, which consisted of several children, and took him prisoner. They carried him out of sight of his weeping wife and children, into the woods some distance, and, with great solemnity, held a sort of a drumhead court-martial.
The question was, should the prisoner be executed forthwith? It seems they decided to spare Steele, but they ran him away from his family and the settlement, he taking refuge in Houston. This was about the third year of the war.
John Steele was naturally indignant at the treatment he had received at the hands of both McMahon and his master, Kirby and determined on revenge. This was known to both Kirby and McMahon, and both accordingly went prepared against a probable attack. At length Steele got a chance at McMahon. A friend went to him one day, in Houston, and told him, "there goes McMahon," and offered him a $75 pistol, of English make. Steele, however, produced his own pistol, which he said he thought would do. Walking out on the sidewalk in front of Cushing's store, on Franklin street, he met his enemy. Both drew and fired about the same time. Several shots were exchanged, when friends of Steele rushed in and separated them, McMahon being only slightly hurt.
This was the prelude to another fight Steele had with his enemies, which resulted more seriously. — The war was now over and the Federal forces in full possession of the State, and a provost marshal's office was established in Houston, as at other places. The office was located in Wilson's two-story brick building, where the National Exchange bank now is, corner of Main and Congress streets.
The old feud had not been laid between Kirby and Steele; each hated the other with an intensity that could scarcely be conceived by those of the rising generation who had no personal or active participation in this war and its acrimonies. Each went prepared for the other; both were well aware that is was kill or be killed, and nerved themselves for the hour of meeting, which would come soon or lats. It was said that Kirby intended to kill Steele, who seems to have been informed of his enemy's design. He, therefore, determined to get the drop on Kirby, and he did. In an evil hour the latter came to Houston, and having some business in the United States provost marshal's office, ascended the stairs and spent some time with the officer in charge. Steele repaired to the office of the provost, and like-wise ascended the stairway, and reaching the landing at the head of the steps, awaited the appearance of Kirby from within. The door opened. These two bitter enemies were face to face. Kirby's face was blank with amazement; hell gleamed from the glittering eyes of Steele. Kirby started to retreat, Steele, drawing his weapon, deliberately fired. The ball went home. Kirby, throwing up his hands, staggered backward, and fell within the door and expired.
Long years wore away. John Steele knew the Kirby connection too well to believe he was safe from their revenge. While in Houston he went continually armed, believing some friend of Kirby was watching an opportunity to assassinate him. The idea haunted him. A few years ago he was arrested by the police of Houston for carrying concealed weapons, but the jury becoming acquainted with the matter promptly acquitted him.
Some year or two ago Steele went to reside at his old home in Cypress. Strange to say, he was one of the jury of inquest in the Lynch family cremation last year, and foremost among those who attempted to stifle investigation in that horrid crime. Now this same old man has himself fallen by the hand of a cowardly assassin.
Saturday evening old man John Steele came into Hempstead to purchase supplies for his family in the country. He remained over till to-day in order to hear a certain minister preach. The Sabbath stillness reigned throughout Hempstead, and its inhabitants — ladies, children, old and young men — quietly wended their way to the holy sanctuary, not thinking their devotions were to be disturbed by the foul tread of the cowardly assassin and the crack of his cowardly pistol. The exercises were over, the last prayer offered up, the last hymn sung. Then came the assassination.
The congregation was dismissed and breaking up, were just starting for their homes. The first or second man that emerged from the doorway of the church was John Steele. There stood before him Jared E. Kirby, the son of the Kirby he had killed in the provost marshal's office in Houston. If the account your correspondent has of it is correct, no word was spoken either by the murderer or his victim. Kirby fired, the first ball striking Steele in the breast and near the region of the heart. Steele staggered backward and fell within the church portals. After he fell the murderer deliberately fired two shots into the brain and his devilish work was complete. One shot is reported to have struck in the walls of the church inside, whizzing in the midst of women and children, in no way connected with either of the parties and innocent of the difficulty.
"John Steele killed by Col. Kirby.", Norton's Union Intelligencer, (Dallas, TX), Saturday, May 31, 1879, p. 1, col. 2-3.
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