The Houston Telegraph
March 6, 1873
Five men killed- On last Saturday night in the
southwest part of this county, near
Collinsville, about twenty miles from Sherman,
where the gin was burnt some weeks since, a
party of constable Kelner, went to arrest one
John Noland, on a charge of theft, when they
were fired upon, and young Stark, one of the
constables party, was killed and one Campbell
of the other side wounded; Campbell got away
in the dark, though badly shot, and too refuge
in the cross timbers of Cooke County, where he
was followed, and on Monday afterwards killed.
On last Wednesday night, Brewater and two
others of the outlaws, were killed by a part
of citizens, who are determined to rid that
section of these gin burners and horse
thieves. Considerable excitement exists in
that section, and several parties have been
arrested. One John Hunting, has turned states
evidence and is making some terrible
disclosures. These particulars we learned from
Esq. Wilson and by him from Mrs Sowder of
Whitesboro, who had been near the scene of
action a few days ago.
The
Standard (Clarksville)
Sat Mar 15, 1873
Horse Thieves
From Mr John Hobbs we
learn the following facts, concerning
the breaking up of a band of thieves;
The citizens in and about McComb had
reason for believing that certain
parties living in that section were
connected with a regularly organized
band of horse thieves. Acting under
this conviction, they deputed one of
their number to investigate, and to
Sherman match the suspected parties.
He did so, and found where the thieves
had sold over seventy head of mules
and horses-among them were two mules
that had recently been stolen from Mr
Gossett of Gainesville, also several
head that had been stolen from Sivils
Bend. On Sunday last some of the band
were at Collinsville, in Grayson
County; the constable, with a posse,
went to arrest them and found one
Campbell and John Hunting, who fired
upon the officers party on sight,
(fatally wounding young Stark-A highly
respected young man and a good
citizen) The officer's party returned
fire, wounding Campbell, who made his
escape: and succeeded in arresting
John Hunting. Monday morning Campbell
was found some six miles from the
scene of action and killed.
Hunting acknowledges he was a member
of the band of thieves, and gave the
names of several others, who he said
were also members, that heretofore
were regarded as "above suspicion" by
the community in which they lived.
Among the names is that of Jessee
Gunter, whom Hunting reports as the
chief of the clan. Gunter was arrested
in Sivils' Bend Tuesday last by an
officer from Grayson county, and taken
back to Sherman for trial.
The citizens have determined to break
up the gang, and "suppress,"
effectually and at once, all the horse
thieves in which good work we wish
them God-speed-
[Gatesville Gazette]
Deputy
Stark was shot in the head.He had been with the
agency for ten years and was survived by
his wife and three children.
