Grayson County TXGenWeb

Dallas Morning News
Sherman Shavings
August 9, 1889

Sherman, Tex., August 8 - Tom Fletcher had a preliminary hearing this morning for slashing "Smokey Joe." He waived an examination and gave bond in the sum of $500 to answer to the next term of the district court.

A rather bold case of robbery took place in the railroad cut between Travis and Walnut streets last night shortly before 12 o'clock, in which Ned Poleman, a well known young man of this city, was the victim. Poleman's story to The News reporter this morning was in substance about as follows:
"Robert Barlow and myself were talking near the corner of Walnut and Mulberry streets and had been separated but a few minutes when
I was robbed. I left Barlow and went north to the cut and started up the cut to Travis street. I had gone through there on dark nights and apprehended no danger with the moon shining brightly, as it was last night. I had just gotten into the cut well when I saw someone coming out from under the railroad wharf on the side of Fielder's grain house, next to the railroad. I walked on carelessly but was
brought to a sudden halt by having someone thrust a nickel mounted pistol against me, at the same time commanding me to "Give up what you have." I lost no time in going into my pocket and shelling out. I gave him $7.50, all that I had. He then backed off from me for a little piece and I lost sight of him as he ran behind a warehouse. I called out to Barlow, who had not gotten over a block away. He came and we went down into the railroad yard. We were looking around among the box cars when Barlow said: "You say he had a pistol when he robbed you?"
"I replied in the affirmative and Barlow then suggested that it would not be a good idea to corner him, inasmuch as we were both unarmed. I concluded Barlow was right and we went uptown and notified the police of the affair. I have not heard yet what success they have had in hunting him up. He was about 5 feet 6 inches and was, as near as I could tell, a negro."
Chief of Police Blain and Policeman Wallace were the officers notified by Poleman and Barlow, and they lost no time in repairing to the scene and making the most careful search possible under the circumstances. He had ample time to leave before the officers were notified of the affair and no doubt did so. A News reporter hearing of the affair visited the scene of the robbery, but no one in the vicinity could give any information whatever on the subject.

This is the first day of the old setters' annual reunion and the day opened up bright. It waxed warmer, however, as the day progressed.
Down at the park where the reunion is in progress there are a great number of shade trees and the heat there has been greatly tempered - in fact it has been very pleasant even at high noon. The crowd gathered slowly, but at 10 a.m., when Hon. J. S. Porter, mayor of Sherman, arose to make the welcoming address there was quite a concourse comfortably filling the seats which were conveniently arranged in front of the speaker's stand. The speaker said it was with the greatest pleasure that he gave the keys of the city to the association and bad them welcome one and all to the city.
The Germania band of this city occupied a few minutes in discoursing some very pretty airs adapted to the occasion.
Capt. J. D. Woods, president of the association, replied to Mayor Porter's address of welcome. In behalf of the old pioneers of Grayson county he said the welcome of their capital city was received in the same spirit of good feeling in which it had been extended by the chief official of the city.
Capt. Woods closed his remarks about noon, when it was announced from the stand that an old-fashioned basket dinner was then in order.
It was now the turn of the old settlers, many of whom are camping on the grounds, to become hosts, and most hospitably did they entertain all their guests, and if any failed to partake of a most excellent dinner it was because they failed to take advantage of the kind invitation so generously extended to acquaintance and stranger alike.

Dallas Morning News
Sherman Shavings
August 14, 1889

Louis Turntrue, who says he was sleeping in his wagon about five miles northwest of the city last night, came in this morning and reported that he was set upon by thieves and robbed of about $8. He says that they could not get their hands into his pocket and shortened their method of proceeding by cutting a hole in the same and taking it. He gives no accurate description of the parties who
did it.