HILARITY AT HEMPSTEAD

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The Citizens Meet and Invite Persons to Leave Town — Carrying Firearms.

HEMPSTEAD, Tex., June 26. — Lawlessness broke out here again last night soon after dark.  Two men mounted on swift horses appeared on the public streets.  One was armed with a Winchester rifle, the other with a pistol.  They ran through the main streets rapidly firing, not seeming to care whom their bullets might hit.  The full force of rangers and city police were soon on hand, and while many wished to take severe measures in dealing with the outlaws, others advised that no bloodshed should again disgrace the county.  The men were soon recognized as Earnest Nash of Bastrop county, and John Kewley of this county.

They fired one shot at the house of R. M. Hanks, and is believed to have been intended for the residence of one of the attorneys engaged in the late court proceedings.

This morning a meeting of the citizens was called at Armory hall to take such action in regard to enforcing the law and to stop the lawlessness prevailing in the city.  Nearly every business man of the town was present.

M. E. Clew presided and J. D. Montgomery secretary.

The following resolution was passed:

Resolved, that the citizens present proceed in a body to the court-house, where Charles and Earnest Nash are generally found, and demand that they leave the city at once and to remain away or to suffer the consequences.

John Peebles, T. D. Pinckney, T. Johnson, G. W. Swain, R. H. Pinkney, C. C. Williams, J. Stephens, G. Hauser, D. A. Wood, Sam Schwarz, Joe Shiner, L. Kaiser, E. H. Jones, C. C. Pye, W. Haneman, R. A. Johnson, Dr. J. Armstrong, R. C. Watson, E. Crew, Joe A. Peebles, J. Dilger, F. Ephraim, A. Aplewhite, E. P. Alsbury, J. A. Felker, W. W. Urban, W. A. Manly, W. G. Morrison, H. F. Montgomery, J. Blassingame, R. T. Strain, R. M. Hanks, J. L. Clark, J. M. Pinkuly, R. Pittman, J. D. Montgomery, J. r. Davis, G. W. Appleyard, W. J. Poole, E. T. Pinckney, F. F. Thompson, Ed Ambrose, C. Rossman, R. G. White, C. D. Robinson, J. H. Morrison, B. Shindler, E. C. Legroo, J. B. Wilkin, D. W. Armor, J. John, J. F. Hout, F. W. Zadow, W. M. Lupton.

The citizens met the sheriff at the court-house and he stated that Ernest Nash had left the city on one of the night trains, and that Kewley was under arrest.  When the train for Austin pulled out to-day Charles Nash boarded it, saying that he was not afraid of anybody in Hempstead.  These men have been here ever since the late troubles commenced and have been active partisans with the sheriff's officers.  Their reputations are known in many counties of the state.  Charles Nash has been often seen with a 45-caliber revolver on his person, but claiming to be an officer was only molested once.

Ranger George Adams hands your correspondent the following document, which tells its own story:

I arrested Charles Nash about a week ago, took his six-shooter and turned the pistol and prisoner over to Sheriff McDade, who then turned the prisoner loose.  Earnest Nash has been seen nearly every night with a winchester.

Geo. R. Adamson.

Hempstead, June 26, 1888.

Sergeant Durbin and other rangers confirm the pistol and Winchester rifle carrying by the men.  So do the city police.

Sheriff McDade sends the following certificate by his friend, General A. T. Bedell:

HEMPSTEAD, Tex., June 19. — This is to certify that neither Charles nor Ernest Nash have ever been appointed deputy sheriffs by me; and I do not approve of shooting of nights about Hempstead.

F. S. McDade, (sic)
Sheriff Waller County.

The rangers are doing their duty manfully, and are acting impartial toward all citizens.  They have more than once prevented bloodshed by their prompt action.

Governor Ross should by all means let them remain here a long time and thus prevent trouble.

It seems that the outrage last night was a put up job to precipitate bloodshed by the lawless element.

Your correspondent will do Sheriff McDade the justice to state that he believes that he had nothing to do with the outrage.

The citizens are now more determine than ever to put a stop to the lawlessness in Waller county.

"Mounted Riders Shoot up Hempstead." The Galveston Daily News, Wednesday, June 27, 1888, p. 5, col. 2.

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