Here'es an article from the Bastrop advertiser 1/1884 about the death of Zeno

Hemphill.

ZENO HEMPHILL KILLED.

A special telegram from Abilene, Texas, to the Houston Post, of Jan. 8th,

says: "A deadly encounter with pistols took place today in the Cattle

Exchange Bar room between Zeno Hemphill and the two Collins brothers, Walter

and Frank. Hemphill and Walter Collins are both dead and Frank is not

expected to live. The dispute grew out of the city ordinance prohibiting

gambling in the city. Walter Collins was one of the city aldermen.

Later telegrams state that Frank Collins, as a member of the City Council,

had taken an active part in trying to suppress gambling. For this, Hemphill

attacked Collins, and after passing several hard words at each other,

Hemphill struck Collins in the face with his fist, when Collins' drew a

pistol and presented it at Hemphill's head. At this critical time young

Walter Collins, a deputy marshal, rushed in between them, knocked his

brother's pistol up, pushed the two angry men apart, and commanded them both

to desist and to make no disturbance. During the confusion incident to this

interruption Hemphill instantly drew his pistol and shot Walter Collins

through the breast, just below the heart. Then the deadly combat began

between Hamphill and Frank Collins, both parties emptying their revolvers.

When the firing eased, all three men were found lying upon the floor,

weltering in their blood, Hemphill with five or six bullte holes in his body

one throught the heart, and two in his head, from which he instantly died.

Walter Collins received but one shot, in the heart, and died in half an hour

afterward. Frank Collins received four wounds, one in the breast, one in the

small of the back, one in the hip and thigh, and one through the hand.

Hemphill was shot in seven places, five of which were mortal wounds. He fired

six shots at the two Collins' five of which took effect--one in Walter and

four in Frank.

Walter Collins fired four shots after he fell, and Frank emptied his revolver

making ten shots fired at Hemphill. It will be remembered that Zeno Hemphill

killed Rose Breeding, at the Red Light, in Abilene, last year, was tried at

the last term of court at that place, the trial resulting in a hung jury.

Zeno Hemphill and deputy marshal Walter Collins, were buried Tuesday, a large

concourse of persons following each to the cemetery.

More from the page with Zeno Hemphill's death:

Miss Susie Johnson, we learn, is rapidly convalescing, and much praise is due

Drs. Cunningham and J. D. Oliver for their skillful and successful treatment

of the dangerous wound. The ball has been extracted and the physicians

discontinued their visits last Monday.

S. W. Givens of Cedar Creek, was in town Tuesday, called at the Avertiser

office and arranged for another year's subscription to the Advertiser. He

reports a horse shot on the creek by some unknown parties and that while

every effort will and should be made to find out and bring to punishment the

perpetrators of this mischief, he requests the Advertiser to state that while

the good people of the neighborhood will be sure they are right before

acting, others should be very careful in getting solid proof before accusing

innocent parties of the mischief.

MARRIED: At McDade, January 2, 1884. Mr J. W. Westbrook and Mrs. Maggie Cook,

Rev. W. A. Buchanan, officiating. The best wishes of the Advertiser attend

the couple through life.

Now is your time for a box heating stove, only a few left, and they must be

sold to make room for other goods, EARHARD & CLOPTON.

Esquire J. R. Joyner, of beat No. 8, has changed his residence from near

Caldwell's Mill, to Cedar Creek, near Givens' store. Persons living in that

beat should make a note of the above change.

LAST CHANCE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

As I will remain here only two weeks longer, I would advise all who want good

photographs to call at once. Photographs taken in all kinds of weather, so do

not wait until the last minute. Respectfully, J. Rice, Photo Artist

OBITUARY JAMES F WALTON

James F Walton was born near Aberdeen, MS, February 6th, 1844, and died at

Austin, Texas, January 6, 1884. He came with his mother's family from

Mississippi to Bastrop, and was a short time a resident of this place, where

he made many friends by his kind disposition and genial manners. He was

married 11/15/1872 and has since this time made his hoem in Bell county. We

tender our sympathy to the family of the seceased, Devoted wife, fond mother,

sister, brothers be conforted. Jesus say to his weeping disciples "Let not

your hearts be troubled" and "In my Father's house are many mansions." A

place of one of those mansions has been prepared for your loved one, and free

from pain, sorrow and sickness, he awaits your coming. Another link has been

severed on earth, Another tie binds you to heaven.

Bottom part of article:

We had a small fire on the night of the 6th last, destroying every thing in

the house and furnishing line of Mr. Wm Jones. Mr. Jones was absent from home

at the time of the accident, and his wife, Mrs. Lul? S. Jones, Miss Lillia

Jones and Mr. Tolbert, visiting from McDade, bearly escaped with their lives.

The citizens of Elgin have contributed liberally of their means to the

unfortunate ones and they are again placed in comfortable condition.

Elgin is building up very rapidly and bids fair, ere long, to be a prosperous

little city.

Our school failed to open Monday owing to the severe cold weather but the

prospect is good for a fine school. Prof.A. H. Carter taught the last session

of our public school, giving satisfaction to all its patrons. He will soon

begin another five months session.

Right here it will do well to say that persons having children to educate

would do well to visit the point, where they will find a healthy location,

cheap board and efficient instruction.

With proper enterprise on the part of the people of Elgin we can have a

school, second to no high school in the state.

Elgin though formerly infested with outlaws, has been purged and the place

filled with enterprising citizens.

Our village is well supplied with physicians, there being six residents of

this place. Dr. J. D. Oliver, recently of Red Rock, this county, building a

fine residence, which means that he has come to stay among us.

Elgin, in fact, is keeping apace with the most prosperous small town of the

state, which may be seen at a glance by those visiting us and hearing the

busy clamor of the saw and hammer.

Nor is this progress confined alone, to the town, for we see many beautiful

residences going up in many points of the surrounding country. More Anon.

Tammy Owen

Bastrop CO, TX Coordinator