A LITTLE AFFRAY AT A PRAYER MEETING.

Kumara Times, Issue 884, 31 July 1879, Page 3

A LITTLE AFFRAY AT A PRAYER MEETING.

A prayer meeting, held the other day at the bouse of Mr J. P. Holloway, in Eralh County 1 , Texas, w&s interrupted by a few unpleasant incidents; It seems that Deputy Kirtg,accompaxl : e Iby tb&e citizens —Ross, Kesh, and Robertson—went to Mr Holloway’s house late in the evening, while the prayer meeting was going on, to serve some papers oii the occupier’s soil, Mr Rush Hoi oway, junior, and explained his business. That young gentleman arose at once from a devotional posture, as did also his brother John, who at the same tibie drew a pistol and covered the deputy. Ross, one of the Sheriff’s party, feeling nervous at this ominous action on the part of John, threw up his hands and calh-d for peace. Rush Holloway, however, paid no attention to this request, and immediately began shooting: : The Sheriff and Robbrstdn, seeing that the affair had taken a awkward turn, ran round the bouse. Just as they turned the comer, a bullet struck Robertson, who staggered a few paces atid fell dead. The fight now became furious, and the voice of prayer was drowned by the whiz of the bullets. The two surviving assistants of the Sheriff—-Kesh and Ross—took to their heels amid a gliower of bullets, Ross as he reached a tree fell pierced with & ball ; but, with his six-shooter still in his band, he rose to his knees, and, dittoing to the tree by one hand, tried to shoot with the other. At this juncture Mr Holloway, sen., appeared on the scene, much annoyed at the disturbance, and approaching Ross, angrily demanded the surrender of the six-shooter. Ross told him he might have it provided he would let him take Out the one remaining cartridge. Old Mr Holloway, however, declined to acquiesce in this arrangement, and, wrenching the pistol from Ross’ hand by force, discharged its contents into his body and killed him. Deputysheriff King, wi;h. Kesh, managed to escape. The bodies ot Robertson and Ross were shortly afterwards found Where, they fell by a pos-e of citizens Holloway and his two sons were arrested, and the prayer meeting was brought to an abrupt conclusion.