Rev. John D. Powers

Shiner Gazette
May 13, 1903

Minister Was Murdered.  The Mexican Who Did The Deed Was Shot To Death.

Gainesville, Texas, May 9. – Rev. Jno. Powers, a Baptist minister at Burns City, this county, was killed by a Mexican about
11 o’clock yesterday morning.  The Mexican having a grudge against Mr. Miller, a neighbor of the preacher, came over to the field and had a fight with Miller, trying to knock him in the head with a piece of iron. The Mexican ran away and Miller, taking his family over to his neighbor’s asked the preacher’s aid. On returning, they found the Mexican in possession of Miller’s house. As the preacher broke open the door, the Mexican hit him with an ax, almost severing his head from his body. Miller then phoned to Gainesville for officers. Sheriff Ware with a posse soon had the house surrounded, and after a hard fight the Mexican was killed. After an inquest, the body of the Mexican was brought to Gainesville. Rev. John Powers was a prominent man of his community, and much feeling was wrought up over the dastardly murder.

The Democrat
McKinney, Tex.
May 14, 1903

Baptist Devine Dead.  He is Hacked To Pieces By A Mexican Desperado. 
Violent Death Of Mexican. Is Slain In A Desperate Battle With A Sheriff Posse
– Was Fugitive From Justice. 

Gainesville, Tex., May 8. – An unknown Mexican entered a farm house while the family was absent, ten miles south of this city today near Burns city, and a near by neighbor, Rev. J.W. Powers, seeing the intruder go into the house and knowing the family was away from home, took his shot-gun and went to the house for the purpose of driving the Mexican away.  Upon opening the door the Mexican, who was standing at the inside of the door, dealt Powers a heavy blow on the head with an ax, knocking him to the floor. He then continued the assault with the ax until he beat the man’s head nearly off, never closing his deadly work until Powers was dead. A man named Miller, who accompanied Powers, retreated and gave the alarm. In the meantime the Mexican barricaded himself in the house, and, armed with Powers’ gun, he stood at bay all the farmers who gathered about the house for the purpose of capturing him. Sheriff Pat Ware of this city was notified, and he and a posse at once went to the scene. Upon reaching the house where the Mexican was concealed the latter opened fire on them, firing several shots, but none of the posse was hit. The Sheriff and his posse returned the fire, and after several shots had been fired into the house from Winchester rifles the battle ceased, and a rush was made on the building. The door was broken in and the Mexican was found dead on the floor with five bullet wounds on his body. A letter was found on the body of the Mexican addressed to Antonio Ramos. Deceased is supposed to be the Mexican who killed a man and his wife in the western part of Texas some days ago, an account of which appeared in last week. The body of the Mexican was brought to this city late this evening. Rev. J.W. Powers was about 50 years of age, and lived in this county many years, and was quite an able and a very popular Baptist minister.

The Southern Mercury
Dallas, Tex.
May 14, 1903

An unknown Mexican killed Rev. J.W. Powers at Burns City, near Gainesville and was shot to death while resisting arrest. The Mexican had gone into a house with the evident purpose of committing robbery and upon being interfered with by Rev. Powers, struck him down with an axe as he entered the door.

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