Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1877 — A Texas Tragedy. [ARTICLE]

A Texas Tragedy.

Emberry Cannon and his two sons went on a spree in Rockwell, Texas, and made so much trouble that Sheriff Starks decided to arrest them. The drunkards resisted, and were savagely whipping the Sheriff when he shot and killed one of the sons. This happened three years ago. Cannon declared that he would retaliate for the death of his son, and he offered several desperadoes the job, at good pay, of killing Starks. These efforts to hire a murderer were heard of by Starks, and he advertised his farm for sale, intending to move to a safer part of the country. Last September George W. Garner, a fugitive from Texas, but a stranger in Rockwell, called on Starks and proposed to buy the farm. He asked to be shown the premises. Mrs. Starks noticed that Garner carried a revolver, and she warned her husband not to accompany him. Her fear was well-ground-ed. Gamer was under engagement to assassinate Starks, and Cannon had agreed to pay $625 for the deed. Starks was found dead, with several bullet holes in his head. Gamer and Cannon were convicted of murder, a few weeks ago. On the day before the one appointed for the execution, Gamer and his wife, who had been admitted to his cell, were discovered dead. The woman had gone in with her mouth full of morphine, with which they had poisoned themselves. Thus over 4,000 persons, £dio gathered to see the execution, were disappointed.