WHO SHOT M'DADE?

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Further Particulars of Waller County's Latest Killing — It is the Outcome of the Killling of Allchin.

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An Honored Citizen Shot Down in Cold Blood — An Arrest Made on Strong Circumstantial Evidence.

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WHAT LED TO THE DEED.

Special to the Gazette

HOUSTON, TEX., Nov. 27,

The assassination of ex-Sheriff Thomas S. McDade near Hempstead last night has caused considerable comment in this city where the deceased is well known.  From all that can be learned it aseems that the murdered man had left the bedside of one of his children who was sick for the purpose of going to the cistern to get the little sufferer a drink of water.  He had hardly closed the door as he went outside when the cowardly wretch in concealment turned his gun loose on the unsuspecting victim who fell mortally wounded and very soon afterward died.  The assassin must have left the scene of his terrible deed immediately after firing the fatal shot as a number of citizens hastened to Mr. McDade's home upon hearing the report of the gun, but no trace of the assassin could be found.

This morning at 1 o'clock Sheriff George Ellis received a telegram from Deputy Sheriff Thornton of Waller county asking for the loan of bloodhounds to trail the murderer.  Sheriff Ellis wired back that he had no hounds, but they could doubtless be obtained either at Cunninghams or Ellis' sugar plantation in Fort Bend county.  A reporter called at the county jail this morning and visited Jack McDade, a nephew of the murdered man, who, with Dick Springfield, is under indictment for the killing of Allchin in Hempstead some months ago.  Young McDade was a deputy under his uncle towards the close of the latter's administration.  To the reporter he intimated his belief that the assassinatoin (sic) of his uncle was instigated by thirst vengeance on the part of Allchin's friends.  Be this as it may, however, the murder of poor McDade was cowardly, cold-blooded and most dastardly in all its hideous bearings.  He was elected as sheriff fourteen years ago and for seven consecutive times the people of Waller county evidenced their confidence in him by re-electing him sheriff.  In September last he resigned the position and retired to private life.  He was known as a brave and efficient officer and commanded the high respect of his fellow citizens.  He was essentially a man of peace and during his official career he seldom went armed.  While firm and fearless in the discharge of his duty, he never became involved in difficulties or fueds (sic).

From a passenger who came from Hempstead on the afternoon train it was learned that a young man named James Blossingame had been arrested on suspicion.  Blossingame had been living some months at the home of Mrs. Allchin whose husband was killed by Jack McDade and Dick Springfield some months ago.  A horse was tracked from McDade's residence to the Allchin residence and upon this the young man was arrested.

WALLER COUNTY'S LAST TRAGEDY.

Special to the Gazette

HEMPSTEAD, TEX., Nov. 27. — Joe Blossingame, jr., was arrested here this morning on strong circumstantial evidence for the assassination of ex-Sheriff T.S. McDade last evening.  The assassin was mounted on horseback and riding up to the back garden fence dismounted, knocked off two pickets, walked through the garden and concealed himself near the well.  Captain McDade went to the well to get water for his son who was sick in bed.  As he stepped out a shot was fired, filling him with buckshot.  This morning the horse was tracked to where Blossingame lived, three-quarters of a mile from the scene of the tragedy.  Also the foot prints were measured and corresponded with the boot worn by the party arrested.  A double-barrel shotgun was found in the home with one barrel freshly discharged.  The load of the other barrel was drawn and the shot compared exactly with that taken from the body of the decease.  Blossingame's examining trial comes up to-morrow.

BLOODHOUNDS WANTED.

Special to the Gazette.

WACO, TEX., Nov. 27. — At 12 o'clock last night the sheriff received the following telegram:

HEMPSTEAD, TEX, NOV. 26, 1888

Sheriff:

Come or send your bloodhounds with a man.  Captain McDade was assassinated to-night.  A good trail.  Come or send at all hazards.  Answer.

R. M. THORNTON, Sherriff.

"WHO SHOT M'DADE?", Fort Worth Daily Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 148, Ed. 1, Wednesday, November 28, 1888

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