The Horrell Wars: Feuding in Texas and New Mexico

Appendix 2

Appendix 2 The Lampasas Dispatch of August 9, 1877, published Sergeant N. O. Reynolds’ account of the capture of the Horrell brothers. Written a week following the arrests, it serves to dispel some of the misinformation around the event. COMMUNICATED LAMPASAS, TEXAS August 4th , 1877 Editor Dispatch In your last number appeared a brief mention of the arrest of the Horrells on the 28th of July, in which occurs some slight inaccuracies which I believe you will be satisfied to correct by the publication of this letter. As I commanded the scout which made the arrest before mentioned none will doubt that I am posted as regards it. As the sun was setting on the evening of the 27th ult., while in camps on the Sulphur Fork about a mile from your office, Major Jones received information from Mr. Bob Mitchell that the Horrells were on School Creek ten miles from this town. Accordingly under orders I started to that point with six men, leaving camp just at dark, guided by the two brothers Mitchell, whose names are known in the late difficulties, and by William Wren. Afterwards, acting upon later information, I changed the direction of the scout and proceeded towards the residence of Mart. Horrell, on Mesquite Creek, still employing the same guides, who were to act as guides only, and to take no part in making the arrest. At an early hour, about five o’clock on the morning of the 28th ult., while a heavy rain was falling, we “rounded up” the house and 174 The Horrell Wars charged into it, surprising the inmates asleep. The Horrells, thus rudely aroused, and confused as to the character of their early visitors , sprang to their weapons and for a few moments a desperate conflict was imminent. Sam. Horrell seized upon my Winchester, and in wrenching it from his grasp the weapon was accidentally discharged, which added to the excitement, but it is fair and just to the Horrells to state that, though assembled in force, (eleven in number), and in possession of their arms, they surrendered as soon as they learned and fully believed that we were Rangers. After all was quiet, I appointed four friends of the Horrells to aid me as guards and returned to camp on the Sulphur Fork, bringing Sam, Tom and Mart. Horrell as prisoners, having released the others. None of the Higgins party entered Mart. Horrell’s house, nor did they aid in rounding it up. They were not seen by the Horrells until all was settle. Afterwards we removed our prisoners to the court house in this town and guarded them without trouble until all three were released on their bonds. I do not believe that force was necessary to arrest the Horrells, but that they were ready to surrender to proper parties at any time, provided theywere guaranteed protection while unarmed. Since the arrest the Horrells have written a conciliatory letter to the Higgins party, which was becomingly answered, and the public may feel assured against a recurrence of the late disturbances . N. O. REYNOLDS 2nd Sergeant Commanding Detachment ...