This was transcribed from The Houston Post, dated Wednesday, April 26, 1905, pages 1, 4 & 5.
PDF | Source: page 1 | page 4 | page 5
TRAGEDY AT HEMPSTEAD
Funerals of Three of the Victims are to Take Place Today.
THE RANGERS ARE IN POSSESSION OF THE LITTLE TOWN.
County Judge Harvey Feared Trouble and Asked Governor to Send State Police Saturday.
STATEMENTS MADE BY ROLAND BROWN, TOMPKINS, HARVEY AND EYE WITNESSES TO KILLING.
—
Roland Brown Has Been Placed Under Arrest and Is at His Home, Attended by Physicians – Asserts That He Did Not Shoot Until His Father Had Been Fired On – Dying Words of Tom Pinckney Were That First Shot Was Fired by the Other Side.
A Summary of the Shooting.
The following is the summary of the number of shots by those claimed to have been mixed up in the affair:
It has been stated by relatives of Mr. Pinckney who were with him when he was dressed that in addition to the wounds received in front.– four – he was wounded three times in the back. This being the case, twelve wounds were inflicted. There were several people who stated that they felt wild bullets pass uncomfortably near them, while a clip was taken from the coat of one of the men at the meeting.
After General Hulen and the Rangers arrived, they began a minute search of the court rooms for bullet holes and found twenty. Some of the flattened leaden missiles were picked up from the floor. There were marks high up on the wall. One bullet crashed through a window to the west, while one struck the facing of the south window. It is the belief that this bullet pierced the body of Mr. Mills. There was one bullet mark in the northeast corner of the stairway landing.
Those who were in the meeting at the time are almost unanimous in saying that from twenty-five to thirty shots were fired.
All those who give their versions of the affair are almost to a man in saying that all of the shooting was done inside the railing.
It is a question with the Rangers and General Hulen, now, who, aside from the parties known and acknowledged to have taken part in the shooting, took a hand in the affair.
(Houston Post Special.)
Hempstead, Texas, April 25. — This little city has been in the throes of grief today. It was long after the sun arose that the business people began opening up their stores, and then it was not for trade, but apparently in the hope of finding employment of the ming which would assuage the feeling of daze which everybody here experienced as a result of the calamity of last night in Waller county's temple of justice, when four of the most highly respected citizens of the community were shot down in their tracks 'mid a pandemonium or noises and a fusillade of firing, during which men fought like demons and women became besieged of panic and lent their heartrending screams to the ping of death-dealing leaden messengers.
Hempstead was buried in gloom today, probably as never any city has been submerged before. Her people walked about the streets as though in a stupor. Even conversations among friends and greetings were carried on in subdued whispers. Very few ladies appeared on the streets throughout the whole day, while the men kept on the move back and forth from town to their homes and back again, continuously on the move, hardly knowing whither they were going or for what.
If there was any factional feeling of feudal strife among the people it was not apparent on the surface – it was buried in grief which was felt alike in every household.
Every train which came to the city brought dozens of weeping relatives to the biers of loved ones whose lives had been snuffed out in a twinkling. Strong men were bearing up weeping and tottering women and clinging to them were wailing children.
These scenes were plentiful, transpiring with the incoming of every train. As they alighted and passed through the crowds at the depot on their way to empty homes a feeling of reverence took possession of these crowds and they silently moved away with bowed heads and with tears standing in their eyes.
The State Rangers appeared on the scene early under the command of Adjutant General Hulen, but there was no disorder for them to cope with. There was stillness and quiet hanging over the city which was appalling.
Scenes at Court House.
The court house was the scene all day of small knots of men, who were inspecting the scene where the work of death was done the night before. Those who had been present in the court room during the time of the deadly work were explaining to those who were absent how they thought it happened.
There was a difference in the stories, but the difference was not important in any instance. Different men had occupied different positions at the time, and they gave their different viewpoints of the affair.
It was remarkable on all sides and was greatly commented upon that the stories of those who were present, with a little compiling of points, fitted. Some men saw some things that other men did not see. Yet with all the pandemonium which must have reigned inside the small inclosure within the railing of the court room it is almost inconceivable how anyone could have told aught of what happened during the few seconds in which the firing was done. But there were men who were evidently in the thickest of it who told stories which fitted those told by others in the thickest of it. The telling of the stories all pointed to one fact, and that was that the firing was all done inside the railing, and that the men mixed up in the shooting were all grouped within the space of a few feet, fighting like mad during this time.
The Post correspondent secured statements from many who were present in the hall and within a few feet of the principals at the time the shooting took place. These are published in another column. They are all straightforward statements, made by men of known reliability.
One of the victims, Captain H. M. Brown, was laid to rest this afternoon, and while no definite arrangements have been made up to a late hour, it is the belief that the three other victims will be laid to rest tomorrow – Congressman John M. Pinckney, his brother Thomas D. Pinckney and Mr. John E. Mills ‐ men whom had been neighbors and the closest of friends through life, and who will be laid side by side in death.
There is not the slightest indication that there will be any further trouble here.
It would appear that the people of the city – all factions – have buried their feuds until they bury their dead.
Adjutant General Hulen does not anticipate that there will be any further trouble, though he will retain the Rangers here for a few days at least.
Grief Stricken Homes.
At the homestead of Congressman John M. Pinckney, where he resided with Miss Sue, and where Thomas Pinckney resided with him, after the terrible tragedy was a scene that would melt the heart made of stone.
Congressman (or Captain John, as he was lovingly called,) Pinckney was laid out in the front room dead, while Tom was in the room adjoining, his life slowly ebbing away. About the dead man were some of the female relatives, being supported by male relatives, all were bathed in tears most galling, and were wailing and bemoaning, as though their hearts would break. Miss Sue, the eldest of the family, was as though one stunned. Her grief was too deep for even expression in tears. Other relatives and friends were about the bedside of Tom, assisting the surgeons, and they, holding back their grief and saying words of cheer to the wounded man, who, rational up to the last, knew that his wounds were such that he could not live.
A few blocks across the way at the Mills home there was another scene of grief. Mr. Mills lived three hours
(Continued on Page Four.)
The Houston Daily Post, Wednesday, April 26, page 4
(Continued from Page One.)
after the tragedy, but it was seen that there was no hope for him. His relatives, there being many, congregated on the scene. There were many women among them, and they gave vent to their feelings in a most heart-rending manner. There had been much of a lull or a suppression of wailing up until 12 o'clock. But when the angel of death had come and claimed the husband and father and relative there was an outpouring of pent-up feeling. The scene was ghastly wierd(sic). Even the surgeon, who has for years ministered to the wounded and dying, many times having been among the mangled in railway wrecks, became heart-sick at the sight and, with choking voice and tears streaming down his face, turned from the scene, stating that he could do nothing more and left the hallowed presence of grief, glad to shut the sight from his eyes and anxious to get far enough away to preclude the sounds of sobbing reaching his ears.
A mile to the west side of the little town, at the home of Judge J. D. Harvey, was the corpse of his father-in-law, Captain Brown and about the bier were congregated relatives, and here was a repetition of the two scenes described above, while a block to the south at the Brown home, were relatives and friends ministering to the wound of Roland Brown, and between their sobs and sighs over the death of their father, sisters and brothers were cheering him up with words of commendation, telling him that he would recover and that, inasmuch as he had only acted in defense of his father, he had done nothing to be ashamed of, and that he need not fear that there would be any harm come to him as a result.
Statement of Tom Pinckney Before He Died.
"Captain Brown struck Tompkins over the head with a pistol. A shot was fired. I think it was fired by Roland Brown. The shooting then opened up all around. I was shot from behind. I don't know who shot me. I wouldn't shoot a man in the back."
Roland Brown's Statement.
"I was seated on a table on the west side of the room, inside the railing. I had been there some time. I don't remember just exactly what had transpired, though there was speaking. My father had been speaking, but had taken his seat, and John M. Pinckney spoke. R. E. Tompkins was speaking and he and father had had some words. I got up from the table and went over to them and caught hold of my father's arm, and was urging him to come with me. About that time I heard a click like that of a gun being cocked, and turning, saw Tompkins and Tom Pinckney with their guns out. I told them that if they would put up their guns I would take the old man out.
"Just about this time there was a shot from behind my father. I pulled my gun and fired at the man who I thought did the shooting. I fired at him three times as he broke to run over toward the east side of the house. I am not sure, but I think the man was John M. Pinckney.
"I then turned and fired at some one in front of me (toward the rostrum) who was doing some shooting. I fired only one shot in that direction. It was the only shot I had. I had done my best to save my father's life and would have fired more shots if I had had them. During the shooting I was struck with a bullet, but I don't know who fired the shot, nor the direction if came from. Some one came to me and I handed him my empty gun. It was still warm then. The shooting was all over by this time."
R. E. Tompkins.
Mr. R. E. Tompkins was seen by a Post representative early Tuesday morning after the tragedy and from him secured a few words relative to the events which transpired the night before at the court house. Mr. Tompkins states that his gun was not empty, and that only three chambers were fired. He was struck on the left side of the head, and was grazed with a shot on the left jaw.
"There is very little that I can remember of the affair. I remember that Captain Brown struck me with his gun. I was dazed and do not know what intervened for a second or two. Some of my friends tell me that I was knocked down, but I don't recollect. The first thing I remember when I came to was that there was general firing. I had fallen off the stand, I suppose, for I was not on the stand when I came to. The last I saw of John Pinckney he was going toward the west side of the room. There was firing over there in that corner, and I am satisfied that he was going over there to stop the firing. I did not see Tom until after he was down and the shooting was over. Young Brown was outside the railing while the shooting was going on. I never saw Captain Brown after he struck me until the time he was sitting on a bench after the shooting was over. I never saw Mr. Mills at all.
County Judge Harvey.
Judge Harvey, son-in-law of Captain Brown, and who stands foremost among the rising young attorneys of the State, was out of the city attending the McDade trial at Halletsville. He arrived home on the noon train today and found that home the scene of grief, the bier of his father-in-law finding a place therein and grouped about it the sorrowing relatives.
Judge Harvey was greatly torn up over the sad calamity that had befallen the community, and especially so since it fell so heavily upon his immediate household, his estimable wife being almost prostrated.
He made a statement to a Post representative which, in substance, was as follows:
"I talked to Mr. John E. Mills, one of the dead men, last week. He was circulating the petition calling for the Rangers, and the announcement was made that a meeting of the league was to be held Monday night to act upon that petition. I told him that, while he was an older man than I, I felt that in this matter conditions were such that I could advise him. I knew that the petitions contained strictures against our peace officers and I found that there would be a clash at the meeting on that account between the signers of the petition and the friends of those officers. I told him that he and I knew how soon this would fall on us all and that it was best to stop it. At that time I little dreamed that my words would come true so soon, or ever. It has fallen upon us both.
"My sole desire at that time was to prevent a clash between the signers of the petition and the friends of the officers.
"Now, this petition, nor the strictures on the officers, had nothing whatever to do with the trouble last night, for the Browns were not sympathizers with the officers. The trouble was brought on by the things which were said in the meeting wholly foreign to the subject matter of the petition.
"Mr. Mills could not see his way to coincide with me. I then on Saturday called up Governor Lanham over the telephone, and urged him to send the Rangers. We wanted the Rangers. There was hardly a man in Hempstead who did not want them. Many people who really wanted the Rangers refused to sign the petition to the governor calling upon him to send them, for the reason that the petition contained strictures against our peace officers, and they did not desire to attach their names to such a document.
"I told Governor Lanham that the people wanted the Rangers, and told him about the petition being circulated. He replied to me that he could not conceive that it was possible that there was a county in the State which had so many patriotic and law abiding citizens as Waller, should deem it necessary to have itself placed under martial law. He finally told me that he would make no move at all until the petition arrived, and he did not hold out any hope that he would comply with the request after the petition arrived.
"As I said before, the trouble of last night had no real source. It was not a fight growing out of the sheriff's race. The sheriff was not there, and few of his adherents were there.
"Captain Brown was not taking up the fight of the sheriff. It was the culmination of trouble which started in the hall over expressions made in the hall, which had no bearing upon the petition whatever.
"J. J. Perry was the democratic nominee. Lipscomb ran independent. Lipscomb was declared to have fourteen and fifteen majority by the county commissioners court. Perry's friends declared that Perry was fairly elected, but counted out, and they instituted a contest. The case came up in the April term of the district court, but was continued on application of the defense until the October term, on account of the absence of a witness,
J. C. Petty's Statement.
From Hon. J. C. Petty the following statement was obtained:
"I was chairman of the meeting. When the trouble came up John Pinckney was seated in front of the rostrum, a little to the right. Mr. Brown was to the left and in front when he was in his seat. He was on his feet often. Tom Pinckney was to the left on one of the benches. Mr. Mills, my brother-in-law, was in front of the window on the south side of the house. Tompkins was on the stand speaking just before the shooting began.
"There was a general disturbance and it seemed to me that all the men came together at the end of the benches (a few feet to the left of the speakers' stand). They were all bunched up together and shooting was going on. I saw Tom Pinckney coming from the crowd back toward the north side, and Captain Brown was following him. Pinckney came around to the back of the rostrum at the wall and I saw him turn and fire. Brown had stopped at the end of the benches, but sank as though he was exhausted and took a seat on the end of the bench. I saw Tom Pinckney fire about this time toward him, but don't think the shot took effect. (There is a bullet hole in the bench about three inches from where Brown was seated, according to this account). After Tom fired this shot he walked over near the south end of the front bench and fell catching by his hands. I ran to him and asked if he was hurt. Don't remember what he said. As I turned back toward the rostrum one of the ladies who had been behind handed me a pistol. I think t was Tom Pinckney's, and that he laid it down after firing the last shot.
"I saw Mr. Mills going out toward the head of the stairway at the north side of the room. There was a man on each side of him and he had his arms around their necks supporting himself. I could not see where he was at the time the shooting was going on. The last time I saw him before that he was near the window at the south side of the room. I saw Roland Brown outside the railing in the aisle, about half way to the entrance to the stairway, after the shooting. I could not see where he was at the time of the shooting.
"When I got to my brother-in-law, Mr. Mills, he told me that he had been shot in the back and asked me if I knew who did it, saying that he did not know who did it nor why it was done. I told him that I did not know who did it, but that I thought he must have been hit by accident. There was no one in the balcony. It looked to me as though twenty or twenty-five shots must have been fired. (There is a bullet print in the window facing about as high as a man's head, and near where Mr. Mills was standing, according to this account, and it is the theory among some that this bullet passed through his body.
Postmaster Rankin's Statement.
"I was on the rostrum leaning against the back stand, while the meeting was in progress. Mr. J. C. Petty was occupying the seat behind the front stand, and two ladies, Mrs. Dr. L. L. Mahan and Mrs. R. E. Tompkins were seated back of the last stand. Mr. Brown was seated to the left in front and Captain John Pinckney was sitting to the right in front. Tom Pinckney was near to the wall on the left (south wall). Young Brown was sitting on a table back of the seats to the left (near the west wall, southeast corner).
John Pinckney had made a talk, and so had Brown, and Tompkins was talking at the time. While Tompkins was talking Brown got up and, walking over to him, caught hold of his sleeve, making some remark with an oath. Tompkins said to him: 'My wife is here and you must cut that out. Turn me loose.' Brown turned him loose and Tompkins turned and began talking again. Brown got up and made a demonstration, as if to draw a gun. I did not see him draw his gun. When he did that Roland Brown got off the table, advancing toward his father. As he did so he drew his pistol. I did not see Tompkins when he was hit. When the men came together I made a run for the rear end of the room toward the stairway to get out. The shooting began simultaneously with the coming of the men together. Everybody was on the move, then. They were all taking care of themselves."
C. F. Limper's Statement.
"I was standing back of the seats on the west side. I don't remember much about what happened during the meeting. I was not taking any part in the proceedings. I could not say anything about how the shooting was done or who started it. It seemed to me that more than thirty shots were fired. After the shooting I felt some one lean against me. The man was about to fall and I grabbed him. He was John Pinckney. I did not see him walk toward me. I did not see him at all until he leaned against me. I grabbed him from the side and he fell over toward his face and his weight pulled me down. He fell resting on his hands and knees and his head dropped to the floor. I turned hm over on his side and straightened him out. His eyes were wide open. I spoke to him, but he never answered. He expired immediately.
"When I looked over toward the rostrum Tom Pinckney was straightened out, lying on his side. I thought he was dead and I stepped over to him, seeing that John was dead. Others got to Tom about the same time I did. Though he appeared to be dead, he recovered enough to groan."
A. J. Dewees' Statement.
"I was sitting on the south end of the seat to the left. From the sound the first shot must have been fired at the gate (the left entrance, near where Petty says the general scramble occurred). I saw a terrible commotion. I did not see anyone hit Tompkins or see him down. I saw him with a gun about the time the commotion began. There was a general shooting right away. Captain John was over to the right. Tom Pinckney was along in front, Mr. Mills was near me at first, but later moved around and I saw him lean over near the mixup, and he came back to me later. Captain Brown came up and was right over in front. He had a made a speech before the meeting was fully organized, and after that up to the time of the shooting he was up and down often. I did not see Roland Brown at all during the whole affair.
Captain Brown's Funeral.
At 5 o'clock this afternoon the last rites over the remains of Captain H. M. Brown were said and his remains were laid to rest in the city cemetery, followed to the grave by a large concourse of mourning friends and relatives.
It was a march of gloom indeed, as the funeral slowly wended its way through the streets from the home of Judge J. D. Harvey in the western portion of the city to the eastern portion, where is located the city of the dead. It was a long line of grief-laden vehicles, passing through streets lined with grief-stricken people.
The last sad rites were pronounced by Rev. H. J. Brown of the Episcopal church, and the Odd Fellows also attended, the captain having been a member of that order, as well as a Maccabee and a Woodman.
Trio of Funerals Today.
Though the hour has not been announced, it is stated that the funeral of Congressman John M. Pinckney and that of his brother, Thomas D. Pinckney, will take place this afternoon.
It is also stated that the funeral of Mr. John E. Mills will take place this afternoon and that all three of the dead men will be buried about the same time in the same cemetery.
A congressional committee, made up from among members of that body in Texas, who will be the most likely able to reach the scene in time, will attend the funeral of Congressman Pinckney.
The following message relative to this was received this afternoon:
Postmaster, Hempstead.
Washington, D. C., April 25, — If true that Congressman Pinckney is dead please communicate with his family and have them wire me date and hour of funeral, so I can appoint congressional committee to attend funeral.
(Signed) Henry Carson.
Sergeant-at-Arms House of Representatives.
The above was immediately complied with by Postmaster Rankin.
News has just reached here that the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Brookshire will be up tonight and attend Mr. Pinckney's funeral in a body.
Officers on the Scene.
Sheriff Anderson arrived about 5 o'clock this morning with four Rangers. They were on a special train, the sheriff having secured the Humble Ranger force, and after securing a special train, made all haste to the scene. The men with him and who will remain under the orders of General Hulen are: Randle, Ransom, Smith and Timberlake.
A few minutes before the arrival Adjutant General Hulen arrived in the city on the regular train from Austin with two deputized Rangers, having sworn in Sheriff Matthews of Austin and Mr. C. N. Bustin, also of that city.
They immediately began working on the case and made every effort to get at the bottom of the affair – what the case, how it happened and who started it. To all appearances the case baffled their best endeavors.
Post's Account Correct.
It was stated time and time again that there was nothing new to tell concerning the case over what had been told in The Post yesterday morning, all those reading the account stating that it was practically correct in every particular in so far as it had a material bearing on the status of the affair and how it happened.
Though the officers worked all day on the case, they were unable to unravel anything to add to The Post's account, and it being certain that there was shooting done by more people than have been accounted for – the physical facts of the marks of bullets on the walls with the number of wounds received by the participants being conclusive evidence that there were many mixed up in the shooting.
During the afternoon Roland Brown was placed under virtual arrest. He was unable to leave his room and there being no shadow of doubt that he would stay in Hempstead, he was allowed to keep his room at his home.
The officers investigated the case of the tall man who was alleged to have done some of the shooting, but without result.
NIGHT OF PANDEMONIUM.
Families Turned to Scene, Thinking Own Members Involved..
(Houston Post Special.)
Hempstead, Texas, April 15, — The scenes on the streets last night after the battle in the court house could not be described. The shots were heard all over town. Mothers and sisters who had husbands, fathers and brothers in the hall, but who were at home themselves, heard the shots. They recognized the sound of death tones, and rushing from their homes they scurried pell-mell to the court house, rending the air with their screams, and calling to everybody they happened to meet in the darkness and asking if they knew what had happened to their dear ones, and if any of them were dead. Some of them found dead and dying ones and then their cries knew no bounds. Others, reaching the court room, could not find those they sought, for the reason that the men were anxious to get back home as soon as possible to warn female relatives that no harm had come to them. Reaching their homes, they found them empty and then they began the search over the city. There were cases where many families became entirely lost from each other, searching in the dark at cross purposes and passing back and forth through the city by different routes, and it was hours after the tragedy before many families became reunited.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Captain H. M. Brown.
Captain H. M. Brown was born in Talladega, Ala., in 1846. His father was a wealthy planter in ante-bellum days. H. M. Brown entered the Confederate service in '61. He was then only 15 or 16 years of age. He fought through the war and rose to the rank of captain, and participated in many battles. After the battle of Iuka he was commended for his bravery and it was then that he was made captain. He was the oldest man in the company at the time, with the exception of one.
He came to Texas in 1870 and settled in Waller county, first as a stock raiser. After a few years he took up the practice of the law, which profession he followed up to the time of his death, having lived continuously in Hempstead since 1872. He had always taken a prominent part in the public affairs of the county and was a leader in matters pertaining to the upbuilding of the place. His wife died three years ago. He was the father of five children – Mrs. Judge J. D. Harvey, Misses Mary and Hallie, Messrs. Archie and Roland. Only one of his children has married, though Miss Mary was to have been married tonight to a prominent young gentleman who resides in the Indian Territory.
Mr. Brown leaves a sister also, Mrs. Mary Kroschel of Halletsville. She had just arrived in the city to be present at the wedding of her niece. He had one other sister, now deceased. She was the wife of Judge W. H. Stewart, also deceased, formerly district judge and who resided in Galveston.
Roland Brown.
Roland Brown is a young man about 22 years of age, son of Captain H. M. Brown, deceased. He is a boy of delicate stature, although considered something of an athlete. He was born and reared in Hempstead and was educated in the public school, and was never away from his father's home, save for a few months, which time was spent in Houston, where he was attending a business college. He
Scene in the court Room: 1. Where Tom Pinckney fell to the seat exhausted; 2. End of bench where Captain H. M. Brown staggered to and sat down. 3. Where Congressman John M. Pinckney fell and expired.
At the end of the front bench is where the general mix-up occurred. No. 4 is the rostrum and two ladies were seated on chairs back of this. Directly in front was the stand of the chairman and directly in front of this the platform on which the speakers stood. Back of No. 3, about three feet, stands the table on which Roland Brown had been seated during the meeting.
Showing the lower hall of the court house with the spot where John E. Mills sank to the floor after having walked down the stairway from the court room above.
(Continued on Page Five.)
The Houston Daily Post, Wednesday, April 26, page 5
THE HEMPSTEAD TRAGEDY
(Continued from Page Four.)
was considered to be somewhat of a leader of the young men of the community, and it is said of him by those who know him, that he is absolutely a stranger to fear.
R. E. Tompkins.
Mr. R. E. Tompkins, the private secretary of the dead congressman, and who was present at the meeting and went through the scourge, is a rising young attorney. He is 35 years of age and removed to Waller county from Alabama with his parents in 1874, his parents living in the country until 1873, when his father was elected county judge and moved to Hempstead. He held that office for eight years. Judge Tompkins, the father of R. E. Tompkins, is still living. R. E. Tompkins took up the practice of law early in life and was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he held for two years. He then taught school for seven years, after which he resumed the practice of his profession. When John M. Pinckney offered for the unexpired term of Congressman T. H. Hall in 1903, Mr. Tompkins took an active part in the campaign, being with Judge Pinckney on all of his tours. After the judge was elected to office he appointed Tompkins his private secretary, which position he held at the time of the congressman's death.
John E. Mills.
Mr. John E. Mills was born in Georgia in 1843. His parents removed to Texas and to Waller county when he was 13 years of age. It was during the year that cholera was raging in Houston, and his parents were stricken with the disease and died at their home, a few blocks from the Mills residence of today. After he grew up and married he removed to Milligan and lived there until 1872. He was an old Confederate soldier, having served during the war with Marclay in Green's brigade, going all through the war. He was later with McNally's scouts and served for a time as a Texas Ranger on the frontier. Coming back to the life of a civilian, he moved back to Waller county. This was in 1879, living in the country for a couple of years and then removing to town. All the time since he followed the avocation of a farmer. He served as justice of the peace a couple of terms and was county commissioner for a couple of terms. He was considered one of the stanchest men of the community and reared an interesting family – Mrs. Lonnie Dickson, who resides in California, Mrs. Thomas McDade, residing in Dublin, Mrs. Perry Morgan, residing in Beaumont, Miss Jennie Mills, and Messrs. George, Johnny, R. Ollie, Robert P. and Frank, two of the sons being married and the remaining single members of the family being left, with the wife, a most estimable lady.
Thomas D. Pinckney.
Thomas D. Pinckney, one of the victims of the tragedy, was about 56 years of age. He, too, went to the army in defense of the South when a mere lad, fighting with distinction to the end. He had been married, but his wife died many years ago. He had no children. He was also considered as a leader among the prominent men of the county and was a practitioner at the bar.
Richard H. Pinckney.
Richard H. Pinckney, the surviving male member of the Pinckney family is 57 years of age. He has resided in Hempstead and vicinity all of his life, save when he was fighting ont eh Confederate side for the honor of the South. He is married and has five children, most of whom are small. He has been one of the best citizens of Hempstead all his live and is beloved by all who know him and he is known from one corner of the county to the other.
Miss Sue Pinckney.
Miss Sue, the only sister of the two dead men, is past 63 years of age and she is very feeble. She was the mother to her brothers, having sacrificed pleasures of her life for them, caring for them while they were young and dependent, as only a mother could. Her whole life was devoted to making the home life happy for the four brothers – John, Tom, Dick and Tucker. The latter was the youngest, and when he met an untimely death some months ago his sister became prostrated. He was her baby boy. Ever since that time she has been in feeble health.
Miss Sue, up to yesterday, had not begun to realize the enormity of the blow which has been struck. Her grief is too poignant for expression in tears, and she is as one dazed. It is feared that she will never survive the shock of having two of her brothers in the grave on the same day, and the friends and relatives dread the homecoming from the cemetery today, lest the shock prove more than the aged lady is able to withstand.
A TRIBUTE.
—
:Paid by Congressman Henry to Dead Colleague.
(Houston Post Special.)
Waco, Texas, April 25. — The news of the shocking tragedy at Hempstead was received here with a great deal of interest. Congressman Pinckney, one of the men killed in the encounter, was well known in this city and had many friends. Congressman R. L. Henry, in speaking to a Post representative, said:
The death of my colleague, Hon. John M. Pinckney, is shocking and deplorable to me. Nothing of the controversy out of which his death was precipitated is known to me, and I do not pretend to pass upon the merits of that matter.
But I did know John Pinckney well. No truer friend, no knightlier soldier, no more patriotic citizen ever lived. Peace to the ashes of this grand old Confederate soldier. His death is a loss to his neighbors, his friends, his State and his country.
The loss of any honorable citizen is regrettable, but the death of a noble man possessing this quality and all the others above numerated can not be repaired.
In congress Judge Pinckney had the respect and friendship of all the members who knew him. He was devoted to the interestes of his district, and the welfare of his people never suffered at his hands. This removes from the sphere of human action another one of the members of the immortal Hood's brigade, and well may Texas, his native State, mourn the loss of this old soldier and citizen of stainless name and record. I shall attend the funeral.
RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT.
To the Memory of the Late John M. Pinckney.
(Houston Post Special.)
Austin, Texas, April 25. — The following resolution of respect on the death of Hon. John M. Pinckney of Waller county was adopted by the house of representatives by a rising vote.
Whereas, the death of Hon. John M. Pinckney of Waller county, representative in the congress of the United States from the Eighth district, has been announced; therefore be it
Resolved, by the house of representatives, That we feel deeply grieved at the death of this distinguished patriot and statesman and leader to his family and friends our sympathy and condolence, and that a page of the journal be and the same is hereby set aside for this resolution.
Hagan,
McKinney,
Bryan of Harris,
C. C. Glenn,
G. J. winter,
Hoskins,
Dean,
Nelms.
MILLS WAS KNOWN
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And Greatly Liked at Brenham, Where He Married.
(Houston Post Special.)
Brenham, Texas, April 25. — The Hempstead tragedy has been the sole topic of conversation here. John Mills was raised in this county and married the daughter of the late George W. Petty, a San Jacinto veteran, and had a host of friends here who learned of his death with deep regret. All the victims were well known here.
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(Houston Post Special.)
Bryan, Texas, April 25. — Mr. J. E. Mills, who was killed in the Hempstead tragedy last night, was a former citizen of Millican, this county.
DAUGHTERS OF MILLS
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Live at Beaumont; Have Gone to Hempstead.
Beaumont, Texas, April 25. — The terrible tragedy at Hempstead yesterday was the topic of the day in Beaumont and the columns of The Post were eagerly perused, containing, as it did, a full report of the tragedy.
Two daughters of John E. Mills, one of the victims of the Hempstead tragedy, reside in this city. They are Mrs. Perry N. Morgan, who resides on Milam street, and Miss Jennie Mills, who resides with her sister. The news of the mortal wounding and subsequent death of their father reached the two daughters last night and they left this morning via Houston for Hempstead. Mr. Morgan also accompanied his bereaved wife and sister.
A TRUE SOLDIER
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Is Cowart's Tribute to the Dead Congressman.
Houston Post Bureau,
926-7 Colorado Building,
Washington, April 25.
The tragedy at Hempstead, Texas, is discussed among Texans here today as a most deplorable affair. The late Representative Pinckney is remembered in Washington as a man of the highest qualities of honesty and courage.
Colonel Robert Cowart of Dallas today, speaking of the dead representative and veteran Confederate soldier, said: "I served in the same brigade with him and I have seen him in battle. There never was a truer soldier. He was as brave as a lion."
LEFT FOR HOME.
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Hempstead People Were Attending Court at Halletsville..
(Houston Post Special.)
Halletsville, Texas, April 25. — On account of the large number of people here from Hempstead the killing there last night created considerable excitement here. H. M. Brown formerly resided here and is a brother of Mrs. Mary Kroschel of this place.
A number of the Hempstead people left last night for home, while other could not go until today, when the McDade case was ended. The terrible tragedy is greatly deplored here, where all the parties have friends.
This was transcribed from The Houston Post, Wednesday, April 26, 1905, pages 1, 4 & 5.
PDF | Source: page 1 | page 4 | page 5
"TRAGEDY AT HEMPSTEAD: Funerals of Three Victims.", The Houston Post, Wednesday, April 26, 1905, pages 1, 4 & 5.
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