The Galveston News

submitted by: Linda Harwell

The Galveston News, June 10, 1869
The Kaufman Star has changed its name to The Kaufman News and B. J. Osborne is not its editor.

The Galveston Daily News, July 27, 1869
A contract has been entered into the Police Court of Kaufman County, with Mr. James Brown for the erection of a new courthouse in Kaufman for the sum of $7500, specie, {sic} the work to be thoroughly completed within fifteen months.

The Galveston Daily News, March 25, 1870
Texas from Norway – Mr. C. A. Reierson, of Prairieville, Kaufman County, designs visiting Norway, his native country, this spring, starting possibly about the 15th of April, for that purpose of bringing out a ship load of emigrants. He thinks that Norway, Sweden and Denmark offer the best field for obtaining laborers, In a recent letter he says: Laborers are what the county needs, white laborers. Negro laborers can never develop in this country. Chinese labor I conceive to be the worse; and introduced to any considerable extent would effect society with moral leprosy, and fetter upon it an incubus not easily removed. White labor can be supplied from the Eastern states, but observation teaches us that nearly every white man who comes to this country from the States aspires to farm on his own account, and while they may consent to become a tenants, they have no disposition to become common laborers for any considerable time. Mr. Reierson feels confident he can secure any number of industrious laborers from Norway, Sweden and Denmark for $8 a month, and is willing to bind himself to furnish them at that price. He will also contract for mechanics and house servants, if desired. It will be necessary for those who wish to procure Norwegian laborers to advance money to pay transportation, sums advanced for this purpose to be deducted from wages. Forty Dollars cash and ten dollars on delivery will be sufficient. The usual price for passage from Norway is one hundred dollars, but Mr. R. thinks that by hiring a ship for New Orleans or Galveston direct, much can be saved. Mr. Reierson does not expect to bring out more than 250 or 300 laborers, as that is about as many as one vessel will be allowed to carry. But he seems to expect that even more than this number will be taken to Kaufman alone, we suppose he would engage more than one ship, and bring out a large number of emigrants, if arrangement were made with him for that purpose by the people in different parts of the State. Information can be had by addressing Mr. C. A. Reierson, Prairieville, Kaufman County, Texas.

The Galveston Daily News, October 14, 1870
A train of immigrants for Kaufman and Collins counties, passed through Clarksville, Texas on the 30th ult. They were from Western Kentucky, and form the advance of a large accession to come from that region to Texas this fall.

The Galveston Daily News, August 24, 1875
A newspaper, the Kaufman Telegraph, has been established at Kaufman by T. H. Strong.

The Galveston Daily News, July 28, 1876
The Kaufman Telegraph says: "Law and order reign supreme in our town, as is evinced by the fact that the Mayor has converted the calaboose into a wheat garner."

The Galveston Daily News, December 27, 1977
J. T. Walker is now publishing the Kaufman Star.

The Galveston Daily News, July 02, 1879
Wm. Burgett, who landed in Galveston forty years ago, is in the city and is stopping at the Washington. He has met several old timers with whom he fought his battles o're again. [William Burgett born Nov. 28, 1811 died Aug 23, 1897, buried Hillcrest Cemetery, Forney, TX]

The Galveston Daily News, October 24, 1879
Fifty-six public free schools have been organized in Kaufman County the present year, with 1,043 children.

The Galveston Daily News, November 11, 1879 A. S. Fite, Kaufman County, burglary, seven years, afflicted with bronchial consumption.

The Galveston Daily News, November 26, 1879
Kaufman Times – Three Germans have purchased 100 acres of land five miles west of Kaufman, upon which they propose to settle German families. At this time they are in active preparation improving, fencing, building, inc. Every eighty acres will contain a comfortable tenant house, together with all necessary outbuildings, to contain four hands, the number required to cultivate the number of acres set apart for each farm.

The Galveston Daily News, April 11, 1880
Terrell Times- A. Moses was tried in the county court at Kaufman last Monday and Tuesday, for violation of the bell-punch law. He was tried on Tuesday under two similar indictments, which were closed by a compromise of $50 fine each. For the two days the fines and costs imposed were $330 against Mr. Moses for the mistakes of his little punch bill.

The Galveston Daily News, April 12, 1880,
Sheriff Wilson passed through today, en route to Kaufman with Chris Smith, charged with horse stealing. The officer has been on his trail for some time, and finally bagged his game in Erath County. Smith's operation extended over Hunt, Rockwall, Ellis, Dallas and Kaufman counties.

The Galveston Daily News, May 16, 1883
Forney is to have a newspaper. Its first issue will be given to the public between the 15th and the 20th instant, and will be christened the Register. It is to be conducted and published by Craighead S. Wepf, of the Terrell Tribune.

The Galveston Daily News, June 23, 1883
Kaufman county has just bought a poor farm and will build a $20,000 jail at once.

The Galveston Daily News, June 23, 1883
February 6th 1883- Plans for a branch Asylum has been chosen for at Terrell. Plans are to be submitted which should included accommodation for at least 500 inmates. Plans to be sent to John Ireland, Governor.

The Galveston Daily News, August 22, 1883
Since the Terrell lynching, exaggerated accounts of which have got into the newspapers, there have been threats of lynching another Negro charged with rape and in jail at Kaufman, the county seat of Kaufman county. The wildest reports have been flying for twenty-four hours about the rising of Negroes against the whites in Terrell and Kaufman. It is a fact that the colored men of Kaufman county have shown excited opposition to the proposed second lynching, but there is nothing of a bloody nature to report yet, so far as can be learned from parties in from Terrell and Kaufman. They report the threatened belligerent excitement and rumored conflict or war of races as the wildest reports have it, as having quieted down. It is not clear that the colored people's movement has assumed anything like an organized shape.

The Galveston Daily News, September 13, 1883
Bids will be received up to Thursday, the 20th of September 1883 by the Commissioner's Court of Kaufman County for the construction of a stone fireproof jail, to be furnished with a sufficient number of cages.

The Galveston Daily News, October 11, 1883
Terrell Times – Last Monday, in Kaufman, a singular occurrence took place at or near the courthouse door. It was estray-sale day, and some hundred or more men were standing by, ready to bid on the stock. Marshal Riddle of Terrell and other officers were present. Without a warping scuffle or a sign of disagreement, a man cried out that he was stabbed. Several of the officers rushed to him, finding that his neck was bleeding profusely from a wound afflicted by the small blade of a knife. The victim's name of Bill Welch and his wound in his throat is serious, but not fatal. No one can be found who did this.

The Galveston Daily News, January 5, 1884
The Galveston News of the 1st of November last, appeared a dispatch from Waco, in substance as follows:
F. P. Shelton, a news dealer is missing. Investigation develops the fact that he is under bond upon the charge of beating his wife, about two months ago, upon her arrival here, and also that he is in debt for papers sold, for rent and for board, etc. and that he has disposed of everything of value he had. All his clothes were taken from him. He came here about two months ago from Henri [this word blurred] where he had kept the Shelton house for two years. With him came a woman supposed to be his wife, but who, upon the subsequent appearances of his real wife, proved to be Mrs. Kate Bramhorn, wife of a saloonist at Mexia, whom she deserted for Mr. Shelton. Upon arrival of Mrs. Shelton the Bramhorn woman disappeared to Crawford. In this county, Mrs. Shelton says she married her husband seven years ago at Sheldon depot, South Carolina, against the wishes of her father, who was a Baptist minister, Rev. William J. Shelton, and the time of her marriage to F. P. Shelton, who was her first cousin, he was a preacher. She was possessed of a farm and a fortune of $3000, which he has since squandered in his numerous escapades with other women. She has brought suit for divorce in the County Court of Kaufman. When last seen Shelton was in the company of a man named Dickerson, who claimed to have recently opened an establishment in Hillsboro. Shelton is also wanted at Spartensburg, South Carolina for the theft of goods and money about three years ago. Further down the article, it states that Mrs. Kate Bramhorn is a mistake, that is the wife of Sam Bramhorn and is very respectful.

The Galveston Daily News, February 12, 1884
Owing to the continued failing health of the proprietor, the Kaufman Sun is offered for sale.

The Galveston Daily News, February 24, 1884
Terrell, Feb 23rd – A Negro by the name of Wash Brown, has been arrested here yesterday and taken to Kaufman today by Marshal Riddall, where he is wanted for striking the little son of E. E. Douglas with a bar of iron.

The Galveston Daily News, May 11, 1884
The new stone jail at Kaufman is ready for use. The new Methodist church will be completed this month.

The Galveston Daily News, January 22, 1885
Fort Worth, January 31- A peculiar and romantic wedding occurred in the courthouse this afternoon, the contracting parties being Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Wilson, a divorced couple. The divorce was procured last October in Kaufman county, and a reconciliation was effected and today they were married in the county clerk's office by Judge Furman, of the County Court.

The Galveston Daily News, January 23, 1885
Mr. Woods of Kaufman is actively intent upon getting the Terrell Asylum in operation. The cost of inclosing, furnishing and equipping the asylum is estimated at from $50,000 to $75,000.

The Galveston Daily News, January 3, 1886
Dr. {Connor Beuna} Sowell, died at Forney, Kaufman county, September 14, 1885.
Dr. W. C. Peacock, of Kemp, Kaufman county, died of black jaundice, September 14, 1885, age 40 years.

The Galveston Daily News, January 7, 1886
Terrell, Jan 6th –On the evening of January 6, at Lawrence, a bad feeling growing out of a divorce suit pending in District court at Kaufman between Tom Carlock and wife, the parties having been to Kaufman that day, culminated in a sensational affair. Mr. Carlock attempted to kill Mr. Jim Elkins, his step father-in-law. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Elkins were sitting in Mr. Elkins' store quietly talking, when Mr. Carlock appeared in the front door and presenting his pistol. Mr. Thomson dodged his head down as Mr. Carlock fired, the ball grazing Mr. Thompson's head and passing under Mr. Elkin's chin, cutting an opening in Mr. Elkin's beard. Mr. Thompson then seized Mr. Carlock while Mr. Elkins wrenched the pistol from him. Mr. Carlock is to have a preliminary trial before justice at Lawrence on Saturday.

The Galveston Daily News, March 05, 1886
Kaufman, March 1st – The contract for building the courthouse has been awarded to Awdry, Fulton & Lau, of Walnut Springs, Bosque County, Texas for $68, 569. It is expected the work will begin within thirty days and the building completed within eighteen months.

The Galveston Daily News, July 24, 1886
Dallas, July 23rd – A 2-year old boy was abandoned yesterday by its mother on Main Street and picked up by two Negroes. They turned him over to the police, and he was sent to the hospital. The woman arrested today. She gave her name as Annie Stratham; said she was a widow that she is in extreme distress, and only recently arrived from Roberts, Kaufman County. She was sent to the hospital to look after the boy.

The Galveston Daily News, July 27, 1887
Kaufman, July 26th – Saturday morning John Montgomery, superintendent of the county farm, brought in and lodged in jail Crawford Benson, colored, charged with assault with intent to rape a little 10 year old daughter of J. N. Ludom, who lives two miles south of town and adjoining the county farm. Mr. Ludom is dangerously sick and the child's mother sent her to where the Negro was at work for some purpose. When she got there the Negro pushed her down, and drawing his ___[can't read], told her if she made any noise he would kill her, but she managed in some way to get away from him, and ran into the house and told her mother. Last night a mob of masked men overpowered the jailer and took Benson from the jail and hanged him from a tree close by. Benson was about 18 years old, and had just served a term on the county farm for theft of a turkey.

The Galveston Daily News, March 12, 1890
Kaufman, March 11th - Yesterday at noon when Deputy Smith entered the jail, a prisoner named Dugger requested him to pass his pocketknife into the cage that he might trim his fingernails. Having received the knife, Dugger opened the largest blade, and having requested Smith to send his body and effect to his daughter, rapidly made three ghastly wounds in the region of his heart and then attempted to sever an artery in his wrist before the knife could be taken from him. The knife struck a rib, which probably saved his life. The prisoner was formerly tried for murder in Lampasas, but was acquitted. He has been in jail about two years, being charged now with theft.

The Galveston Daily News, October 8, 1890
Lawrence, Oct 7th – James Washington, colored, got his hand caught in Irvin's gin saw, pulling the arm in up to his elbow, lacerating the hand and wrist so terribly that amputation will be necessary. He was a new hand and had only worked half an hour when it occurred. His parents reside in Longview.

The Galveston Daily News, October 25, 1890
Kemp, Oct. 24th – At Tolosa, five miles south of Kemp, John Williams and Will Perkins became engaged in a difficulty, both being under the influence of whisky. Perkins struck Williams just above the temple with a black smith's hammer, smashing his skull. Williams made his escape, with the officer in pursuit, going in the direction of Athens, his former home. Willams is the son-in-law of W. Almow, a prominent farmer.

The Galveston Daily News, February 12, 1892
Terrell, Feb. 11th – Miss Julia Townsend and, the daughter of J. A. Townsend of this city, eloped with a young man from Greenville, Texas this morning. They left on the Central train for Kaufman where a license was procured and the parties married. The parents of the young lady were not favorably disposed to the match.

The Galveston Daily News, August 15, 1892
Terrell Aug 13th – The trail of John Hargraves and wife for the theft of G. W. Reaugh's phaeton and trunk continued the entire day in the justice court. Mrs. Hargraves was discharged, but her husband was convicted and bound over till the next term of the district court. His bound was fixed at $500 failing to give, which he was taken to the Kaufman jail this afternoon.

The Galveston Daily News, February 20, 1893
Kaufman, Feb 17th – F. W. Henderson, Deputy Sheriff, this morning, arrested Lum Richie on a charge of theft of cattle in this county five years ago.

The Galveston Daily News, March 11, 1893
Little Rock, Arkansas March 10th – A sensation was created here today when J. E. Mathis of Kaufman, Texas went before the authorities and claimed the remains of a little 16 year old girl who was accidentally drowned in the Arkansas River at this place, September 14th last, and who was buried at Minnie Ortego. Mathis says that in 1891, his wife separated from him, taking Minnie with her. She came to Little Rock, and not until the receipt, a few days since, of a box containing Minnie's photograph and some childish playthings, together with a note telling of the girl's ending, died he know what had become of his wife. The father left for Texas with the remains.

The Galveston Daily News, March 23, 1893
Paris, Tx. March 22nd – A self-confessed wife murderer was placed in the county jail this morning. S. T. Freeman who lives in the neighborhood of Tigertown, twenty miles northwest of this city, beat and choked his wife to death. Freeman is a low heavyset man, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds; have very red hair, beard and complexion. He has a very shapely head, and his forehead indicates a man of at least average intelligence. He stated he came to this county about a month ago from Fannin County. He was born in Kaufman County in 1857. About six months ago he married a Mrs. Smith, who had previously been married to a man named Biddix. She had three children-a girl of 9, a boy of 6, and a girl of 3. The two oldest were by the man named Biddix. She was about 37 years old and weighed about 125 pounds, came from Tennessee or North Carolina. I had been married before and have two children by my wife, a girl of 10 and a boy of 8 years. About two months ago I had several group pictures of myself and my children taken at Bonham. My wife said if I sent one of them to my sister, Mrs. C. J. Cullimore, who lives at Vernon, Wilbarger County, she would not have one of them, and besides she got her hands on them. So I kept them. She found out about the pictures and began to call me names, etc. [more detail of the arguments] I caught her by the throat and choked her until I knew she was dead. [very detailed confession]

The Galveston Daily News, April 10, 1893
Terrell, Apr 8th – The addition to the Texas Midland depot is nearing completion. The annex is 16 feet in length and two stories in height and will comprise four offices.

The Galveston Daily News, April 11, 1893
Kaufman, April 10th – At Ramsey's gin Saturday evening Lee Hannah's foot was caught in the belting and severely crushed near the ankle. His leg was afterward amputated and it is feared his injuries are fatal.

The Galveston Daily News, May 21, 1893
Nacogdoches, May 20th – Mr. W. G. Mullins of Burke, Angelina County and Miss E. E. Dows of Kaufman County were married here on the 18th.

The Galveston Daily News, June 26, 1893
Terrell, June 24th – Carson Perry was arrested at Roberts yesterday morning charged with an attempt to out rage the 12 year old daughter of Joe Taylor of Poetry. Several weeks ago Taylor had employed Perry to work on his farm. He was taken to Greenville by the officers. Perry was a former inmate at the Terrell insane asylum.

The Galveston Daily News, December 22, 1893
Forney, Dec 21st – The little daughter of J. S. Sheltman accidentally put out the eye of her 3-year-old brother this morning. The children were heating an iron rod in the fire, and the little girl turned to take it to the yard, when she stuck it in the child's eye, putting it out.

The Galveston Daily News, May 24, 1894
Terrell, May 23rd – Charley Patterson, who is charged with an assault on a daughter of Dan Fisher, who lives about seven miles north east of this city, was arrested near Elmo on the 18th instant. He was held in the sum of $1000 , in the default of which he was remanded to jail at Greenville.

The Galveston Daily News, July 6, 1894
Pensions-Washington July 5th- lists Widow Indian Wars: Jane Frances Dickey, Kaufman, Tx.

The Galveston Daily News, October 23, 1894
Pension – Washington, Oct 22nd – Hugh Montgomery, Kaufman [does not state what kind of pension]

The Galveston Daily News, March 27, 1895
Kaufman, Mar 26th – Another case of smallpox has developed at the quarantine camp here and Terrell yesterday afternoon. Sam Hawkins has been sent to the pest house for treatment. There are now five at the pest house.

The Galveston Daily News, May 13, 1895
Terrell, May 13th – Dr. C. H. Daughtry, a doctor of Kaufman, was found in his room at the European hotel this morning in a dying condition. He was suffering from the effect of strychnine. He first came here Thursday night and registered for a room, but had no money to pay his fare. He wanted to pawn his ring to the proprietor for payment. This letter was found in his room. "Dr. C. H. Daughtry. Kaufman, Texas is my home. I am on my way to Paris, Texas. Now I am on my way back to Kaufman. May 7, 1895. Mr. Joe Keller have a wagon to carry me back home." Another letter was also found "Mr. Joe Keller, will you please send me to Kaufman to my wife and have me put by the side of Susie, my daughter that died at Kaufman." His remains were taken to Kaufman this morning.

The Galveston Daily News, August 31, 1895
Kaufman, Aug 30th – Miss Finley from Walker County, was adjudged insane here this morning and sent to the Terrell asylum.

The Galveston Daily News, December 2, 1895
Terrell, Dec 1st – George W. Matthews, a saloon keeper, was arrested last night, charged with shooting Will Bracy, colored, last night. The first shot entered Bracy's body a little below the left nipple, passing near the heart, through the left lung and lodging in his back. The second shot entered his back below the left shoulder and came out on his left side. Bracy is in a precarious condition.

The Galveston Daily News, December 23, 1895
Terrell, Dec 22nd – A triple wedding ten miles southeast of this place took place. William Barnes and Miss Emma Haynes, Zeb Bynum and Miss Josie Swann, James Loveless and Miss Lucinda Mitchell were married.

The Galveston Daily News, March 6, 1896
The Pilot, a colored journal, is published at Kaufman and Dallas

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