A Policeman Murdered
The Crime of a Man Driven Crazy by Strong Drink

New York Times
February 9, 1886
Page 5 Column 4

Houston, Texas, Feb 8.–This city was shocked this morning at the report of another murder right in the heart of the town and under peculiar circumstances. For several days past Mr. Kyle Terry, a handsome man 28 years old, whose home is near Richmond, in Fort Bend County, has been visiting friends in this city. He has been indulging in liquor pretty freely, and last night became somewhat intoxicated. Officer Henry Williams arrested Terry, much against the latter's protests, taking him to the station, where the Sergeant subsequently released him on a pledge that he would appear at 9 o'clock before the Mayor and answer the charge of being disorderly. At the appointed hour Terry, who, it seems remained up nearly all night, appeared at the Police Court to answer the complaint. He was still suffering from his night's spree and as Justice Breeding was slow in appearing Terry told the officers present that he would go down and get a drink and return in a moment.

He had only proceeded half a block toward the saloon when he came upon Officer Williams, who was going toward the court room. The very sight of Williams seemed to drive Terry crazy. He sprang toward the officer, uttering a terrible oath. Williams saw that he was confronting a man crazed with drink, and jumped behind a passing colored man. When the negro saw Terry advancing, pistol in hand, he became frantic and tried to run, but Williams cling to his back with deadly tenacity. The colored man from sheer fright, it is thought, fainted, and with Williams still clinging to him rolled off the sidewalk into the gutter. Terry followed, becoming apparently more excited at Williams's efforts to escape. Bending over the prostrate negro Terry emptied his self-cocking six-shooter into the body of his victim. He literally pumped lead into Williams without moving his arm. As each ball entered the body of the unfortunate man its effects were noted by people who witnessed the deed from a distance, and who say that the body seemed to jump a few inches from the ground each time a bullet penetrated it. The fifth ball passed through the heart, and Williams rolled over dead, one hand still grasping the negro who lay in an almost comatose condition, an unwilling witness to the crime.

Terry was immediately arrested, without resistance, and taken to jail. Intense excitement has prevailed here all day, and an extra guard is placed inside the jail to prevent a possible attempt at lynching. Officer Williams was a general favorite on the force. He leaves a widow and three children. By this deed one of the noblest escutcheons in Texas is indelibly stained. The Terrys have been for three generations among the most honored citizens of the South. The prisoner is a son of Gen. Frank Terry, of Confederate renown. "Terry's Rangers" were far famed in war days. He comes from a fighting family, being a nephew of Judge A. W. Terry (sic) of California, the slayer of Senator Broderick. Other members of the family have achieved distinction in legislative halls and on the Bench of Texas. A first cousin of the prisoner is a member of the most prominent law firm in Texas–that of Ballinger, Mott & Terry, of Galveston. This relative arrived in the city tonight and is in consultation with the prisoner.

In a brief interview Terry stated to-night that Williams was in the act of drawing his pistol when he (Terry) in self-defense drew and advanced. William's pistol was found on the sidewalk, where it seems to have fallen when he came in contact with the negro. Owing to the prominence of the prisoner's family the killing causes a great sensation.

Article provided by Bill Page.