Burnet County TXGenWeb

Newspaper Names and Stories

Burts, Henry

Sample, Bryan

Smith, Robert

Strickland, Sheriff

Trimble, M. S.

Young, Mr.

Sept. 1, 1876

Mr. M. S. Trimble, a constable of Travis county, in pursuit of a murderer, called on Sheriff Strickland last Tuesday. We learn from Mr. Trimble that on Tuesday, 23d inst., Mr. Robert Smith was found lying dead in the field where he was gathering corn. An inquest was held and the verdict of the jury was that the deceased was stoned to death by one Henry Burts. The evidence, though altogether circumstantial, was strong enough to induce the Governor to offer two hundred and fifty dollars reward for his apprehension and delivery to the Sheriff of Travis county. The murder was committed near Oatmanville, 8 miles southeast of Austin. It seems that the murder was a very cold-blooded one, Burts having slight, if any, cause to commit the horrible deed. Mr. Smith is described as having been a very quiet, sober and inoffensive old man, some 75 years of age. Burts is a very heavy made man, weighing about 180 pounds. He has black eyes and hair, with smooth face; when last seen he was wearing a broad brim black hat; a hickory shirt, dark pants, and probably no cot. It is thought he will go to Erath county, where he has a sister living.

Mr. Trimble, also tells us that an Englishman by the name of Bryan Sample, stole a horse from a Mr. Young, living eight miles from Round Mountain, in Blanco county, about a week ago. The horse was a sorrel, branded y, left hind foot white. Sample is about five feet high, has light mustache, and wears hickory shirt and red duck pants. Mr. Young offers $50 for the thief and horse.

Burts, Mr.

Connell, Dr. W. O.

Hughes, Jim

Leverett, Joseph and Henry

Sept. 1, 1876

Dr. W. O. Connell learns from Mr. Jim Hughes, of Llano county, that Mr. Henry Leverett killed a man by the name of Burts in Llano town last Wednesday, 23d inst. The facts are as follows: Burts was in Mr. Bell's saloon, and had become somewhat intoxicated; he made some remarks derogatory to the character of Dept. Sheriff Joseph Leverett, when Henry Leverett, who was in the saloon, made some reply, and Burts commenced abusing, telling him that he was as much a rascal and scoundrel as his brother. Leverett went out of the saloon and Burts followed him, seeming to be trying to get a fight. Finally Burts drew his pistol and was in the act of shooting when Leverett fired at him with a double barrel shot-gun, breaking his neck and killing him instantly.

Hudson, J. R.

Sept. 1, 1876

Mr. J. R. Hudson, and lady returned from their trip north last Saturday evening. They both seem to be in excellent health and express themselves as having enjoyed the trip very much. Mr. Hudson purchased in St. Louis a large and carefully selected stock of general merchandise at very low figures. The goods will begin to arrive in a few days.

Miller, John

Woods, Wash

Sept. 1, 1876

We learn that Messrs John Miller and Wash Woods, residents of Backbone Valley, got into a dispute a day or two ago, which ended in a regular set-to fist fight. Mr. Woods, being quite a youth, was unable to cope with this man, and, after a hard fight, begged quarter. No one was seriously hut. We trust this will conclude the summer fights in that section.

Moore, Dora

Moore, Tom

Sept. 1, 1876

Just as we go to press we learn of the killing of one Dora Moore by one Tom Moore, in Llano county, on last Wednesday. It seems that Tom Moore was fighting with another man and Dora Moore drew his six-shooter for the purpose of interfering, when Tom drew his pistol, knocked Dora down, and then shot him. The deceased, we learn, was a mere boy

Sims, Capt. W. H.

Sept. 1, 1876

On going to press we learn that Capt. W. H. Sims was taken from his bed, at his ranch on Morgan's creek, this county, last night (Thursday) at midnight, by seven or eight men, and hanged to a live oak tree, some three quarters of a mile distant from his camp. The men were painted and it is not known who they were.

Stewart, C. C.

Sept. 1, 1876

Mr. C. C. Stewart called on us last Tuesday morning, and reports that the worm has made an appearance in his section, doing some damage to cotton. He has been living in this county some twenty-five years, and has seen some warm, dry summers, but he thinks this one is the hottest. One of his neighbors has an ear of pop corn with several grains bursted as though they had been parched in an oven. Mr. S. thinks the grains must have been exposed to the sun and actually got so hot they popped.

Allen, Mr.

Dec. 15, 1876

of Hoover's Valley had his corn crib burned, losing 50-10 bushels of corn

Atwood, Bill

Dec. 15, 1876

injured while preparing a blast in a well

Binkley, W.

Dec. 15, 1876

of Strickling, started a broom factory

Faught, T.J

Dec. 15, 1876

Marriage to Ophelia Sims, 11 Dec

Hadley, Henry

Dec. 15, 1876

injured while preparing a blast in a well

Jennings, Nancy O.

Dec. 15, 1876

marriage to Thomas Popejoy, 13 Dec

Olney, Will

Dec. 15, 1876

indicted for stealing cattle

Popejoy, Thomas

Dec. 15, 1876

marriage to Nancy O. Jennings, 13 Dec

Pullen, John

Dec. 15, 1876

arrested in Austin for cattle theft

Sims, Ophelia

Dec. 15, 1876

marriage to T.J. Faught, 11 Dec