A HEMPSTEAD KILLING.

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They Quarrelled, and Now Hugh Quinn of Reed's Prairie is a Dead Man.

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HIS SLAYER IS IN THE COUNTY JAIL.

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Quinn Fired First — Thomas Kelly a Bridge Foreman on the Aransas Pass Road, is killed by the Cars Passing Over Him.

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Hempstead, Tex, Sept. 13. — "Another man killed in Hempstead" were the words that passed through the streets yesterday at 1:30 o'clock.  Hugh Quinn lay dead on the floor of Crow's saloon and City Marshal A. D. Goss was a prisoner in the county jail.  About a week ago a citizen of this place had a horse stolen from his garden lot.  The animal was found in the possession of Quinn.  He was arrested Monday, charged with horse theft and gave bond and was released.  His defense was that he had bought the animal.  Quinn told Goss yesterday morning that he should demand that his mother and married sister would be summoned as witnesses in the case.  Goss replied that himself and his sister's husband knew the same evidence and that his mother was unwell and urged that they should not be brought in court as witnesses.  A few hours afterward Quinn crossed the street where Goss stood and opened the subject again, insisting on the appearance of the ladies.  Goss then slapped Quinn in the face and the parties separated.  Two hours afterward Goss and Constable Lipscomb suggested that they enter and take a lemonade.  Just as they got to the screen a flash in the faces of both, powder burning them, was encountered and two shots followed.  At first the officer backed out of the saloon, with Quinn following, and then Goss fired, the bullet striking a vital spot, causing death in fifteen minutes.  Goss was then taken to jail.  Quinn lived on Reid's prairie, about twelve miles from here, and was in town making arrangements for defense of the criminal charge against him.  Goss claims self-defense.  At the inquest one witness swore that he was talking to Quinn when Goss and Lipscomb entered, and that Quinn, when he saw Goss, at once pursued him inside and drew his pistol and fired, less than two feet, from Goss' face, and then followed to the sidewalk in front, when he fell dead.

"A Hempstead Killing", The Albany Weekly News, (Albany, TX), Friday, September 15, 1893, p. 1, col. 3.

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