COMMENCED AT HEMPSTEAD.
Dick Springfield and Jack McDade on Trial — Rangers Disarming Trial Auditors.
HEMPSTEAD, Tex., May 29. — The preliminary examination of the defendants, Dick Springfield and Jack McDade, charged with murder, commenced this morning. A large number of witnesses were present.
Captain McMurray commands the rangers.
General King thoroughly understand the situation.
The rangers are in charge of the court-house, and guard the stairways at the entrance to the court-room, permitting no one to enter having arms. The rangers occupy the jail building as their quarter, and alone have the prisoners in charge.
One of the counsel engaged informed your correspondent this evening that the case would probably take until Wednesday night to finish.
Constable John Taylor serves the court papers and is active in the discharge of his duties.
Judge Burkhardt is on hand watching intently the current of events. He states that he has seen nothing thus far wherein he deemed it necessary to issue the mandates of the law. His arrival was hailed with delight by the people, who have the greatest confidence in his conservatism and Jacksonian determination to enforce the laws of Texas.
District Attorney Hannay is crowding the prosecution in his fair, able and courageous manner. Major Boon, leading counsel for the defense, is putting in his best licks for his clients.
Everything is quiet and by the vigilance of the superior officers it is believed will continue.
A section boss near the city came to town last night and filled up with corn juice. He became brave, having a double-barreled shotgun and, it is charged, two pistols. This morning Roadmaster Whyte of the western branch of the Central discharged him from the service of the company. Soon afterward a squad of mounted rangers escorted him to the county jail, where he now rests.
The rangers are now searching for a score or more of brevet so-called deputy sheriffs, who have been taking observations in town during the past three days.
"COMMENCED AT HEMPSTEAD." Galveston Daily News, Wednesday, May 30, 1888, p. 2, col. 4.