Public Ledger

A Texas Fight.

[The Austin Statesman of the 26th contains the following:]

"Yesterday the sheriff of Blanco county arrived in this city with warrants for Thomas Pruitt, Mark Pruitt, William Gibson and we believe one or two others who had been indicted for stealing cattle and burning the Blanco county courthouse, and who were driving a drove of cattle over toward Taylor station. The sheriff called on Sheriff Corwin and represented the case, relating that there were eight men in the party, and that he did not believe he could make the arrests, as they would most likely begin firing upon him the moment he showed himself. Sheriff Corwin expressed his willingness to assume the task; the warrants were placed in his hands, and Deputies Morris Moore and Olive Carrington were chosen to go and serve the papers, and Wm. Glasscock, of Oatmanville, Ev. Martin and a man from Blanco, were summoned to go as assistants, and all started yesterday forenoon. As was anticipated, the men were found near Walnut, about six miles from Austin, and it was decided to surround the party and gradually close in on them each officer to select a man. It was soon discovered that the men were expecting that an effort would be made to arrest them, for so soon as the officers began circling in on them some took to flight, and others showed fight. One of the Pruitts, who was the only man that fired, leveled a Winchester at officer Moore, and sent a ball whizzing by him. Moore instantly dismounted, expecting to make his horse a breastwork, but the animal got frightened and ran away. Moore then took steady aim and wounded Pruitt's horse, Pruitt again firing about the same time. Moore then fired and again wounded the horse. Pruitt then dismounted and fired three more shots, but without effect. Moore's third shot took effect in Pruitt's side, from which he died in about half an hour. In the meantime the other Pruitt and Wm. Gibson had been arrested and all the balance, but one of whom warrants had been issued for, had made their escape. The remains of the deceased were taken to a house near by, and the other two men were brought to town and lodged in jail. On the way in, Pruitt said to Moore: "There are five brothers of us, and you will have us all to kill." Pruitt says that his deceased brother had a family in Blanco, and he wanted the Sheriff to start back with him last night, so that he could get the news to them."