OLD CAPITOL HOTEL,
Houston, May 17th, 1866.
On Tuesday the case of the State versus Michael Flock was called and brought to trial. Mr. Flock was charged with the murder of policeman Foley in 1860; the evidence, in short, was, that some time in March, 1860, on the occasion of a great fire in Houston, the defendant, having gotten under the influence of liquor, interfered with the deceased while in the discharge of his duty, whereupon the policeman Foley knocked him down with a stick; the defendant, after saying he inteded to kill Foley, betook himself to his home, about seven blocks distant, procured a double barreled shot gun, returned to the market house, the scene of the former occurrence, took his position behind a safe and other furniture, and upon the appearance of Foley, fired both barrels of his gun, killing the deceased almost instantly.
District Attorney Wiley appeared on the part of the State; the defendant being represented by J. H. Manly and Mr. Adams. The defense relied on principally was partial and temporary insanity caused by drunkenness, and appeals to the clemency of the jury. There was no verdict, the jury being unable to agree.
Yesterday the case of the State versus John and William Cotton was disposed of. They were charged with the murder of a negro soldier some time last summer; the testimony showed, that there was great provocation, and the case being submitted without argument, the jury acquitted the defendants without leaving the jury box.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Gen. James E. Harrison, of Waco, who is here for the purpose of attending as a witness in the Baylor case.
The General confirms the accounts before received in regard to the unpromising condition of the cotton crops; but in the neighborhood of Sterling, I learn, that the prospect is good. Much complaint is made on all hands about the unreliability of the negroes. By the way, speaking of negroes, reminds me to note that Freedman's Bureau Gregory and his successor, Maj. Gen. Kiddo, are in the city, stopping at the Old Capitol.
I suppose that the pious, humane and Puritanical Gregory will retire to one of his plantations, as I understand he has several in various parts of the State; thus taking advantage of his position to fill his pockets with gold, and gratify that avarice of his nature, which God has marked his features with. If that man Gregory is a private individual, as I suppose he is, if not, I should respect the office. I have this to say, that his whole course in this State has been marked by oppression, intolerance, insult and downright dishonesty and peculation. He is regarded throughout the State, as a monster in everything that is vile and hypocritical, and those who have seen him are struck with loathsome disgust at the mere contemplation of his features.
His very name is a synonym of hypocrisy, villainy and avarice; and may it soon be the pleasure of God (if God has anything to do with such creatures,) to take him out of this world and consign him where
"The stormy blast of hell,
With restless fury, drives the spirit on,
Whirl'd round and dash'd amain with sore annoy"
The Evening Star is getting to be quite a favorite, especially in the country. The Dimond Brothers will soon have the Houston Dispatch out, and it promises to start under favorable auspices. I have examined the beautiful and imposing monument to the memory of Gen. Chambers, by our fellow townsman and friend, T. E. Byrnes:
The material is white marble, from Rutland County, Vermont. The monument stands fourteen feet in height, and is of fine and symmetrical proportions, and beautifully finished. Surmounted upon the bases rears a round column, upon which is neatly carved a sword in the scabbard, the hilt of which is encircled with a wreath of roses, a sash and tassles falling gracefully, and the Lone Star of Texas peeping out from the midst of the flowery wreath. On the top of the column is an urn half covered with mournful drapery, which falls in natural folds.
The following is the inscription designed for the monument:
THOMAS JEFFERSON CHAMBERS,
Born in Orange County, Virginia,
April 18th, 1802
Departed this life in Chambers Co., Txs., on the 13th of March, 1865.
He was Superior Judge of Texas while under the Government of Mexico, but generously gave up his position and sacrificed a large portion of his fortune to aid his countrymen in their struggle for independence. For his ability, zeal and patriotism, he received the office of Major General under the Republic, a vote of thanks of her Congress and the gratitude of his country.
ULTIMUS.