BOON Letter From Texas


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Contributed by:  Lillyj57@aol.com

Published in Wabash Weekly Intelligencer, May 17, 1854
BOON LETTER FROM TEXAS
Harris Co, Texas
Apr 1, 1854
Dear Brother,
It's a long time since I have written or received a letter from you. I
have now a matter of deep interest to communicate to you. On the 26th
of February last, it was my misfortune to have to kill a man, in self-
defense. I will give you some of the circumstances attending this
unfortunate affair. To give all the minutia, would require more space
than this letter can afford; I can therefore give the leading facts.
The man killed, (a Dutchman) was staying at a railroad shanty, on my
premises. On the 9 of January last, he made an attempt on my life with
a hatchet and a large club; but fortunately, being on horseback, I got
out of his way before receiving any fatal injury, though the brusies I
got from him on that occasion, caused me to keep my bed for a number
of days. I may say here, that I had never seen the man before, and
that no insult whatever had been given him by me. He was a man of
great physical power, and about 25 or 30 years of age. But with this
he was not satisfied, but continued to destroy my property wherever he
could find it.
About the 15th of February, the railroad hands all left here and went
to Houston, and it was believed they would never return. Of this I was
glad, for I thought I was rid of the fellow. However I was
disappointed, for on the 25th of February, he sent me word that he was
coming back to the shanty and would kill every "damned" hog I had. I
then determined he should not occupy the shanty, on my premises; and
learning that he was to return on the 26th of February, I took with me
two young men, who were living with me, and went to the shanty, to
close it up; but when we got there, he had already arrived. I then
told him he could not occupy the shanty, and what my reasons were.
During all this time, he kept threatening my life, if I did not leave
there in a hurry. To this I paid very little attention, as I had my
rifle in my hand, and did not think he would be so big a fool as to
attack me. But at last he swore he would kill me, anyhow, and sprang
at a piece of a wheel-barrow handle about five or six feet in length,
and came at me. I let him come within eight or 10 feet of me; and just
as he was squaring himself for a blow, I shot, hitting him just below
the nipple, when he fell forward and his club behind him-for he had it
drawn to make the blow. These are all the principal facts in the case;
and were it to do over again, I would do just as I did, without the
possibility of a doubt; for I had never molested him, nor done him any
injury in word or deed.
This matter created more excitement than any that has occurred here in
a long time. The Duthch had me arrested and taken before an Dutch
magistrate, in Houston, who decided that the case was not bailable,
and had me committed to prison, where I had to remain until we could
send 25 miles for the Circuit Judge, when I was taken before him on a
writ of Habeas Corpus and admitted to bail. In the meantime, the
excitement became intense-the American population without exception,
justifying my conduct. The Dutch were nearly all down on me. They are
the lowest rabble that ever came from any country. The large portion
of them have been shipped at the expense of their own governments as
paupers to this country; and a worse population can no where be found.
You will naturally inquire how this matter will end? To this, I can
say, that I have no fears of the result. Should the Grand Jury find a
bill against me, which is very doubtful, it will cost me an attorney's
fee to clear me, and there is where the matter will end; for, as I
said before, there is not a man to be found, so far as I can
bear(except the Dutch) that does not fully justify my conduct. I do
not know that I have anything else to communicate. We are all in good
health. The winter here has been dry and but little cold weather. The
crops, so far, look promising. Today it is quite cool. Peaches promise
well and are nearly as large as partridges' eggs. Texas is settling
very fast and lands are advancing rapidly in price. I shall probably
be in in the fall or winter. Give my respects to all inquiring
friends. Write soon.
Your affectionate brother
JOHN BOON
Sam'l Boon, Lagro, Ind.