SHOCKING AFFRAY AT A PRAYER MEETING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 846, 28 July 1879, Page 2

SHOCKING AFFRAY AT A PRAYER MEETING.

A Prayer meeting held the other day at the house of Mr. J. P. Holloway, m Erath County, Texas, was interrupted by a few unpleasant incidents. It, seems that Deputy-King accompanied by three citizens— Ross, Kesh, and Robertson — went to Mi. Holloway 's house late m the evening, while the prayer meeting was going on, to serve some papers on the occupier's son, Mr. Rush Holloway. Taking advantage of a " lull m the devotions," the DeputySheriff stepped up to Mr. Holloway, jun., and explained his business. That young gentleman arose at once from a devotional posture, as did also His brother John, who at the same time 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 called for peace. Rush Holloway, however, paid no attention to this request, and immediately began shooting. The Sherift and Robertson, seeing that the affair had taken an akward turn, ran round the house. Just as they turned the corner a bullet struck Roberston, who staggered a few paces and fell dead. The fight now became furious, and the voice of prayer was drowned by the whiz of bullets. The two surviving assistants of the Sheriff, Kesh and Ross, took to their heels amid a shower of bullets. Ross as he reached a small tree, fell pierced by a ball ; but, with his six-shooter still m his hand, he rose to his knees, and, clinging to the tree with the other. At this juncture Mr. Holloway, sen., much annoyed at the disturbance, and approaching Robs, angrily demanded the surrender of the six-shooter. Ross told him he could have it, provided he would let him take out the one remaindng cartridge. Old Mr Holloway, however, declined to acquiesce m this arrangement, and wrench* ing the pistol from Ross's hand by force, discharged the contests into his body and killed him. Deputy-Sheriff Bang with Kesh, managed to escape. The bodies of Robertson and Ross were shortly afterwards found where they fell by a, posse of citizens. Mr Holloway and his sons were arrested, and the prayer-meeting was thus brought |to an abrupt con* elusion.