Freestone County, Texas History Dallas Morning News Jan 29, 1886 edition Page 8 Shooting in the Dark War Between Negroes and Officers In Which an Indefinite Number of the Former Are Put Hors de Combat by the Latter About 8:30 last night Detective Jack Duncan and Deputy Sheriff M. Seely of Freestone County, surrendered themselves to Sheriff Smith, stating that they killed a negro, if not more, in self defense, at a tenant's house on Mr. Zimmerman's farm, about four miles from the city. The circumstances of the killing subsequently detailed as follows to a News reporter who visited Messrs. Duncan and Seely at the jail, where they are held awaiting the action of the authorities: Deputy Sheriff Seely arrived in the city yesterday with a State warrant for the arrest of Jesse Bonner, colored, on the charge of horse theft in Navarro County. He invited the aid of Detective Duncan in making the arrest and he consenting, both stated in a buggy for the tenant house occupied by Bonner where they arrived at about 7 p.m. They found the door open, and entered without drawing their arms, not expecting to encounter resistence; but they had not gone beyond the door sill before three of the inmates opened fire-Jesse Bonner with a Colt's 45 caliber, and two unknown men, one with a sixshooter and the other with a double-barrel shot gun. The officers, as soon as the volley of three shots awoke them to a keen sense of the situation, drew their revolvers, at which Bonner seized Duncan's pistol hand with his left hand, and held it up at the same time leveling his weapon at his face and firing, but without effect. A moment later Bonner had tripped over and thrown the detective to the floor, at which Seely, who stood only three feet from Duncan, shot Bonner in the right side, laying him low. Just then the light went out, but the shooting went on in the dark, after the style of a Mexican revolution, both sides taking aim by the flashes, while the screams of the women and children swelled the din with the sentimentality of indescribable horror. Duncan, before rising, dropped one of the unknown who stood over him, and in the course of the battle a woman yelled, "My child is killed; oh, my child." The firing did not cease till the last round of ammunition was exhausted by the living, and then the crowd retreated into the yard, closing the door in the house. As soon as the officers got out of the house a negro approached, sayng Bonner and a child were killed. He was ordered to throw up his hands, the officers, who suspected mischief, though with their pistols discharged, using this frontier method to protect themselves; but e assured them that he was unarmed, whereupon they turned him loose. Duncan stated that the child, the gender or age of which he was unable to ascertain, was shot by a negro who had gone out and opened fire from the outside. Neither he nor Deputy Sheriff Seely could approximate the mortality, as, being practically without arms after exhausting their ammunition, they did not care to run the risk of making an examination of the premises, not knowing but that there might to be a reserve force on the outside, awaiting the opportunity to take advantage of such a circumstance. He informed the reporter, however, that it would not suprise him if Sheriff Smith, who, on hearing of the tragedy last night at once proceeded to the scene should find as many as five corpses. The deputy sheriff gave color to this remark by stating that as well as he could observe the negroes on the outside after the shooting were principally females. The officers further stated that before arriving at the cabin a dog barked, and their approach was probably observed. Deputy Sheriff Seely's overcoat disclosed four bullet holes, but the detective's wardrobe was not perforated. As stated, Sheriff Smith, upon being informed of the tragedy, proceeded to the ground to ascertain all the facts obtanable, but up to a late hour he had not returned, and no further facts bearing upon the horrible occurrence could be obtained. ------------------------------------------- The Philadelphia Inquirer published in Philadelphia, PA. Saturday, Jan 30, 1886 edition Page: 1 Fight in the Dark. Desperate Encounter between Officers and Horse Thieves in Texas DALLAS, Texas, Jan. 29 -- Detective Jack Duncan and Deputy Sheriff M. Seely of Freestone County, surrendered themselves to Sheriff Smith, stating that they killed several men in self defense about four miles from the city. The circumstances of the killing subsequently detailed as follows at the jail: Seeley and Duncan left Dallas Wednesday with a warrant for the arrest of Jesse Bonner, of Navarro County, on a charge of horse theft. They arrived at his house in the evening, and entered without drawing their arms, not expecting to encounter resistence; but they had not gone beyond the sill before three of the inmates opened fire. Jesse Bonner and one of the two unknown men had revolvers and the other a double-barreled shotgun. The officers drew their revolvers, at which Bonner seized Duncan's pistol hand with his left hand, and held it up at the same time leveling his weapon at his face and firing, but without effect. A moment later Bonner had thrown the detective to the floor, at which Deputy Sheriff Seeley, who stood only three feet from Duncan, shot Bonner in the right side, laying him low. Just then the light went out, but the shooting went on in the darkness, both sides taking aim by the flashes from their opponent's weapons. Duncan, before rising, shot one of the unknown men who stood over him, and in the course of the battle a woman cried out "My child is killed; Oh, my child." The firing did not cease until the last round of ammunition was exhausted. Neither Duncan nor Deputy Sheriff Seeley could tell what the result of the fight was, as being without ammunition they deemed it best to make their escape as rapidly as possible. ====================================================== Dallas Morning News February 10, 1886 edition Page: 8 The Habeas Corpus Hearing of Seely, Duncan and Loosely All of Whom Are Admitted to Bail - The Testimony, Oral and Documentary, in the Case. The habeas corpus case of Duncan, Seely, and Loosely, charged with the killing of Jesse Bonner, about ten days ago, was heard yesterday before Judge Aldredge, and drew to the courthouse a large number of people anxious to hear the side of the defense, that of the State having already been published. The accused were represented by Messrs. Gibbs, Freeman, Kervin and Gardner. Mr. Clint appeared for the State. Sheriff W. H. W. Smith deposed as follows: On the night of the killing defendants surrendered to me, saying that they had had trouble down the road. Seely showed a warrant for the deceased, saying that in attempting the arrest of Jesse Bonner he (Bonner) and two other negroes made resistance by opening fire with two pistols and a shotgun as defendants (Seely and Duncan) entered the house, which was met by shots from defendants, resulting in the death of Bonner. At the time of the surrender Seely and Duncan appeared quiet and perfectly sober, with no appearance of liquor whatever. [Here witness showed by reference to diagram the relative position of all the parties and the situation of the house, rooms and surroundings.] I found Bonner dead, another negro shot in the knee and a little girl in the temple. I am Sheriff of this county. Was not called upon by any one to assist in the execution of this writ which I hold. I saw a shotgun which an old negro (Sharp) said he had brought there that evening. I saw pistol cartidges. Neither of the defendants had or held any office in this county that I know of. Neither of them was my deputy and authorized by me. I saw a vest which had bullet holes in it. It was claimed by Henry Johnson, the negro who was shot in the knee. It also showed powder burn. There were bullet holes in Seely's overcoat. He said they were made there during the fight. The walls of the house were decayed, the paper on them mutilated and much worn, and I could not tell much about bullet holes. I found the child in the other room. I only saw the impression of balls in the south side, to the left of the door as you go in. The body of Bonner was in bed when I arrived. He was dead. The bullet holes of Seely's overcoat were about the tail of the coat and the small of the back. Seeley explained that being left handed he reached around and throwing his coat aside, in this way, received the shots as he did in his overcoat. Affidavit of Sheriff H. J. Childs, of Freestone County, was here produced, saying he had been Sheriff for five years and that Seely was his deputy all the while, and is a good, prudent officer, and that Bonner is well known as a law breaker and a desperate pistol carrying character. The capias issued from Navarro County for the arrest of the deceased on the charge of horsetheft was also submitted to the court. John Overrand-- I was acting as deputy Constable that evening and am holding the office now. I first saw Mr. Seely and Loosley that evening. I was called upon by Mr. Duncan that evening to go with him to arrest, as he said, a negro horse thief. I could not go, not having time. The defendants seemed as sober as they are now. Mr. Duncan knows that Mr. Smith is the Sheriff and has been for a long time. Deputy Sheriff Henry Jacoby said: I am deputy Sheriff, was at the time of the killing. I first saw Mr. Seely after 5 o'clock that evening; I saw Seely and Duncan. They were sober. Mr. Duncan told me where they were going, but did not ask me to go with them. I went with them from Wheat's stable to the Union Depot. They said they were expecting Childs, the Sheriff of Freestone County, on the train, who was going to assist them. It was nearly train time then. Henry Woller - I am a police officer. Defendants asked me to go with them to arrest a negro horse theif for whom they said they had a warrant. I told them I did not have time to go. I first met Seely a year or two ago at Wortham, Houston County, Texas. I went with Duncan to Wortham, and delivered prisoners over to Seely as Deputy Sheriff. James Arnold (Chief of Police) - I know the defendants. I saw them on that evening late and after the killing. I took them to be sober. I know Mr. Duncan well as an active detective, and that he has been assisting Sheriff Childs in working up a case against Al Rushing. Seely turned over a prisoner to me about a year ago. He has worked hereofore with Duncan about criminals. I saw the bench. There was no blood on it. I examined it closely. There were no bullet holes in the bench. I saw the defendants' pistols. I found a shell out of the door which I turned over to Freeman. It was not the shell for either of the defendants' pistols. It would not fit either. Boney Gaston, colored - I knew Jesse Bonner, the deceased, well. He cut wood for me the year before last. I had seen him often recently. When cutting wood for me he carried a pistol, a large size. I bought a box of cartridges for him. I paid for having the pistol fixed. He generally arried it in a little sack. I never saw him without it. He said that he had been in trouble. I have not seen the pistol recently, but I saw his little sack not long since. I don't know whether the pistol was in it or not. Sam Welch - I knew Bonner. Saw him day before the killing on the Trinity River. Had oneof the United States guns made into a shotgun. He walked off with his gun. I don't know what he was doing, only that he was carrying a gun. Jessie Scott, colored - I live in this county. I have known Bonner about twelve or fifteen years in Freestone county and here. Was pretty much raised up with him. Saw him after I had a child, living in same with him. I have seen Jesse with arms. A 45 Colt'; here lately. He was in the habit of carrying arms all the time. He said officers were looking out for him, and had a writ for him. Said he got word he had better look out for officers at any tim. I talked to Bob, who was present at the killing. He said Jesse died brave. Said that Jesse said that if they had not double teamed on him he would have got one of them. Said that officers would take him dead. He was nearly always in trouble in court, and was a mighty brave man, and was always ready. He always counted himself "a bad begro". Often made threats about what he could and would do. I knew Mr. Seely well. I worked for him, together with Bonner. We all got along all right Seely. He treated us well, and there was no trouble whatever between any of us. R. M. Love, Sheriff of Limestone County - I live at Groesbeck. I am Sheriff of Limestone County. I didn't know Jesse Bonner personally. I only knew him by reputation as a criminal and fugitive from justice. I have known Seely about twenty years. I know his character. He is a good man and a prudent officer, and not liable to be rash or violent in making arrests. T. A. Hord of Limestone County - I have been Marshall of Mexia twelve years. I know Seely's character as a cautious, prudent man and officer. I know of Duncan's character as a detective, and assisting Childs and other officers in ferreting out crime and making arrests. Duncan's character is good. Jesse Bonner's character was bad. C. L. Watson of Mexia - I live at Mexia, Limestone County. I am a merchant there. I have known Seely, about twenty years. I have known Seely's character to be that of a good and peacable citizen and prudent officer. Duncan stands well as a detective and good man in our section. Seely is a poor man of good character and a peaceable and law abiding citizen. His business as a merchant was a failure. W. Allegre, Justice of the Peace of Freestone County - This is my second term as Justice of the Peace; I am a druggist; I have known Seely since 1867; I know him as a deputy Sheriff, as an efficient officer; he is more inclined to take risk and place himself in danger than to make violent and unwarranted attack he is not a violent officer. Jesse Bonner stands badly on the docket; there are eleven cases against him, most of which are for carrying pistols. Seely's character is the best; Bonner's of the worst kind in our section. Duncan is known and stands well with us. W. E. Bonner - I am a merchant and farmer in Freestone County; I have lived there since 1860; I know Jesse Bonner; he is bad, desperate character; he belonged to my uncle; he worked on my farm. I have known Seely since 1865; he was Mayor of Wortham and a merchant; his character is good as a citizen and an officer. J. J. Stubbs - I have lived in Freestone County thirty-six years. I am a merchant, farmer and stockman. I have known Seely sixteen years. His character is good as an officer, being prudent and cautious. Jesse Bonner's character was bad, desperate, bold and dangerous. He was known as a pistol- carrying negro. Duncan is well known in our section as a detective. His character is excellent among our people, being considered good in ferreting out crime and arresting criminals. Henry Lindly, colored - I have lived near Wortham all my life. I knew Jesse Bonner well. His character was bad. He always carried a pistol. He was a bold man, not scared of anybody. I heard Jesse Bonner say after Mr. Lamb that no one would arrest him unless they got the ends on him and the drop on him. He and Seely got along very well. Bonner worked for Seely and everything seemed agreeable. Seely was considered by black and white as a good man and prudent officer. S. Duncan - I know that Jack Duncan has no property at all, and from what I have heard. Loosely has no property. This closed the evidence for the defense. ... Seely, Duncan and Loosely readily gave bond and were released. On Seely's bond appear: C. L. Watson; R. E. Finch, of Mexia; J. J. Stubbs; W. Allegree and H. B. Stubbs, of Wortham; T. E. Johnson of Freestone; W. E. Bonner, of Bonner, and R. M. Love, Sheriff of Limestone County. Duncan's bondsmen are: B. Gibbs, H. C. Clarke, Richard Morgan, Jr., and S. W. S. Duncan. On Loosely's bond appear: Richard Morgan, Sim Duncan, C. L. Watso, B. L. Wingfield, E. M. DeBerry, C. P. Grizzard, and Carey May.