A TEXAN DESPERADO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5490, 21 June 1879, Page 7

A TEXAN DESPERADO.

Pctblic opinion m Texis, says one of the American papers, "strongly d^approves" of the shooting of Mr. Benjamin Porter, an actor, by a man named Currie, at Marshall, in that State recently. This disapproval of Carrie's conduct is certainly ju«tifiaile. for the " tragedy," it is stated, "is one of the moat revolting that has ever been enacted in Texas." Mr. Porter was one of a troupe of actors who have been performing " Diplomacy" in various towns in the United States. They had been giving a performance at the Opera Hall at Marshall, and when it was concluded three of them—Mr. Porter, Mr. Barrymore, and Miss Baker—went into a restaurant to hive supper, before leaving Marshall by an early traiu in the morning. While there, a man known as " Jim Currie" entered, and made some offensive remarks respecting Miss Baker, which led to a remonstrance from Messrs. Porter and Barrymore. Cnrrie, remarking that "he did not like to be spoken to in that way," drew two repeating pistols, and began a murderous lire upon the party. Miss Baker escaped, bnt Mr. Porter was killed; and Mr. Barrymore, at whom Cnrrie fired no fewer than five shots, was seriously wounded. Currie in now in prison, and faint hopes are entertained that he will actually be hanged for this unprovoked and atrocious murder ; for the people at Marshall are said to be very indignant, and fears are entertained that the incident will "hurt the State."