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Comanche, Texas, June 8, 1874.

The people of Western Texas,

wearied at length by being domine dominated over by the thieves and murderers,

who had so long exercised their propensity for blunder and blood,

at length rose in their anger and dealt summarily with a whole batch of the rascals.

You have doubtless already received intelligence of the events which have recently concluded the career of no less than 12 rascals in this place and at Belton.

Last Monday evening a week ago, a difficulty arose between John Wesley Harden and Mr. Charles Webb of Brown County.

In this difficulty, Webb met with instant death,

having received three shots, one through the body, one through the jaw, and one through the head.

The shooting was done by John Wesley Harden, James Taylor, and Bud Dixon.

This Hardin is the head of a clan and had a band of

about 20 men always at his command. He had been accustomed to do about as he pleased. To shoot down a man

cause him no more apparent regret than if he had shot a pig. Some 15 murders have been laid to his charge. Mr. Webb,

the victim of this last manifestation of his criminal disposition, was the deputy sheriff of Brown County,

was courageous and prompt in the performance of his duty, and had gained hundreds of friends

among the peaceable and law-abiding people.

His death was universally regretted and the indignation and excitement among the good citizens were at once brought up to fever heat.

The citizens banded together in mass. Armed companies were at once organized, and the whole of Comanche, Brown, and part of Hamilton counties presented the appearance of war times.

Several persons were arrested as accomplices and Klansmen of John Wesley Arden. Among those thus arrested were Joseph G. Harden, W.A. Dixon, and Thomas K. Dixon. The suspected persons

were immediately placed in duress, and a strong guard placed about the place of imprisonment.

On the night of Sunday the 23rd last, a body of armed men rode into town, overpowered

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