TEXAS FEUD.
The Town of Hempstead in the Hands of Two Armed Mobs.
Special to the Times-Democrat.
HOUSTON, May 22. — News reached Houston to-night that excitement over the recent killings at Hempstead still runs high, and that the citizens have appealed to the Governor for military protection. It is street rumor that the Houston Light Guard have been ordered by the Governor to hold themselves in readiness to take a special train at any moment, but up to this hour (10 o'clock) it has been impossible to confirm the report.
The Hempstead trouble grew out of a published communication from Mr. Steve Allchin criticizing what he termed "A Courthouse Clique." Deputy Sheriff Dick Chambers took up the matter and assaulted Mr. Allchin, shooting and painfully wounding him, but Allchin drew and shot down his assailant as he was running off.
The deputy sheriff's friends vowed to avenge his death, and a reign of terror commenced which reached a climax Saturday evening when Mr. Allchin was shot from his horse and killed while riding along the principal street of the town.
The parties who did the shooting were Deputy Sheriff Dick Springfield and a young farmer named Jack McDade. It was such a cowardly murder that a large number of citizens threatened to deal roughly with the two men, whose friends went to their aid, and two desperate mobs took charge of the town.
This is the state of affairs to-night. Last night the more sober-minded citizens of the place called a meeting and passed the following resolutions:
"Be it resolved, by the people in Waller county in meeting assembled, That the time has come in the history of this county when sober, deliberate and determined action on the part of her citizens is absolutely demanded and to that end we call upon all good citizens to assemble in the City of Hempstead on Thursday, May 24, to take such steps as may be necessary and proper to put an end once for all to the reign of terror and carnival of crime which now exist.
"Resolved, That all persons present at this meeting, and in sympathy with this movement, sign this call and pledge themselves to the fullest extent to secure, at every personal sacrifice, the fullest attendance at said meeting.
"Resolved, That a committee be appointed by the chair to appoint a place for holding such meeting."
These resolutions are signed by seventy-two of the leading citizens of Hempstead and Waller county.
The Johnson Guards are now on the grounds and Adjutant General King arrived at 4 o'clock this evening. The place is in a storm of excitement and serious trouble is feared. Springfield and McDade are in jail.
"The Town of Hempstead in the Hands of Two Armed Mobs." The Times Democrat, Wednesday, May 23, 1888, p. 1, col. 2.