09 January 1875
DIED -- Mr. John D. FLOYD, an old resident of BC on Tuesday last, while walking from the Court House in Bastrop in the company of Mr. BARBEE. FLOYD became dizzy, collapsed in front of Mr. GOODMAN's store, and expired in a few moments, from an attack of apoplexy. On Wednesday his body was carried to his late home for burial A. W. GRIMES elected Marshall for 1875. A. A. ERHARD and A. HASSLER tied in election, each receiving 75 votes. Run off election will be held 14 Jan  1875.[Reports on Council Meetings throughout the year appear in the following issues: 13 Feb, 10 Apr, 24 Apr, 15 May, 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 04 Sep,02 Oct, 06 Nov, 01 Jan 1876]

06 February 1875
The Grangers have appointed Charles KIRK as their merchant at McDade. KIRK's store will be
known as "The Grange Store."

11 September 1875
DIED -- Horrible murder at McDade Thursday last. At 7 1/2 o'clock, Mr. Chas KIRK was murdered by Henry CARUTHERS of Lee County in front of KIRK's wife and family. No reason is known for the killing except KIRK owed CARUTHERS some money which KIRK could not pay. It is reported that the two were on friendly terms earlier in the day.KIRK leaves a wife, and one child, and four step-children, he having
married Mrs. Matt. JOHNSON about a year ago, the widow of Capt. Chauncey JOHNSON, dec'd. KIRK
was buried in the Bastrop cemetery about midnight last night.

18 September 1875
Governor Richard COKE offers a $200 reward for the arrest of H. M. CARUTHERS, the murderer of Mr. Chas. KIRK of McDade, and Mr. John KIRK offers an additional $200. The citizens of McDade are raising money for a reward for CARUTHER's arrest and also for the arrest of the as yet unknown murderer of Mr. CRADDOCK. [Advertisements were also published announcing the Governor's and John KIRK's reward offers.] MURDERS -- On Monday night last, Mr. CRADDOCK, when within one-half mile of his
residence on his return trip from McDade, was shot with a double-barrelled shot gun. He died in his wagon, but the horses continued the trip to his house. Mrs. CRADDOCK found him dead in the wagon. Also published was a statement made by Chas. KIRK  moments before his death in which he identified Henry CARUTHERS as his murderer. James FLOYD, Mayor of McDade, and R. L. UPSHAW, W. B. FLOYD, and H. B.GARDENER witnessed the statement. Henry McDOUGLE, in a sworn statement, said that he was at the house of J. D. NASH when he heard the shot. John G. STEVENS, in a sworn statement, also heard the shot and found the gun. STEVENS said he talked to CARUTHERS earlier in the day when CARUTHERS said KIRK owed him money. Thad McLEMORE, in a sworn statement, identified the shot gun as belonging to CARUTHERS. John McDAVID, in a sworn statement, says he was driving by KIRK's and saw CARUTHERS shoot KIRK. Verdict of the jury (A. W. BEALL, Wm. JEWELL, T. W. SMITH, G. P. SLATON, W. R. JACKSON, H. A. HIGHSMITH, all of McDade): Chas. KIRK died at the hands of Henry CARUTHERS (premeditated murder) about 7 o'clock p.m. on 09 September 1875. Description of Henry CARUTHERS: about 24 years old, 5' 8" high, weighs 140-150 lbs., rather dark complexion, dark hair and
eyebrows, dark hazel eyes. Has a quick flashing eye, rather peculiar. Talks tolerably fast and earnest, with
slight impediment in his speech.

09 October 1875
DIED -- In Weatherford, Col. Chas. A. JAMES, former Commandant of the Texas Military Institute, from hemorrhage. [Much detail on community and Civil War service.] J. W. BELL, Editor of the Giddings Tribune, provided us with a letter from Henry M. CAROTHERS, in which CAROTHERS explains why he was justified in killing Chas. KIRK. He explains the circumstances and negotiation of the debt KIRK owed
him. (It also mentions that CAROTHER's father's farm is in Washington County, where Henry was
raised.) [Much detail.] MURDERED -- Mr. Jas. V. RHOE at his lot in Cedar Creek, about dusk Thursday.
The murderer is unknown. Mentions RHOE's aged mother. Mr. NOEGRATH was on the jury of inquest, which failed to uncover any clues as to the identity of the murderer.

16 October 1875
amey WHITE murdered James ROWE in BC on 07 October 1875. Governor Richard COKE offers a $200 reward for WHITE's arrest. WHITE is 5' 10" or 11" high, 20 or 21 years old, dark hair, dark complexion, large round face, no whiskers or moustache, very large

13 November 1875
KILLING -- On Saturday night last, a German named John RINGE[?] was killed by JoWEAVER at the home of the latter about 10 miles from Bastrop.

20 November 1875
The case of Jo. WEAVER killing Mr. RINGER[?] [see 13 Nov 1875] was tried before Esq. JUNG on Monday and Tuesday last. Messrs. JONES and RUSSELL for the defense; Dyer MOORE for the State. WEAVER was remanded to jail without bail. The case will be brought up on habeas corpus next week.

27 November 1875
I. S. BUVENS, who killed W. H. HARRIS at Houston, was admitted to bail of $5,000 but has not given it, and is still in jail. It is reported that the friends and family of the deceased have threatened to kill BUVENS if he leaves the jail. J. C. HALMARK of HALMARK's Prairie is not dead as previously reported. He
did receive an assassin's ball in the right arm but has recovered. DCBC convened last Tuesday, Hon. J. P. RICHARDSON, Judge 27th Judicial District, presiding. J. M. FINNEY - Clerk of the District Court; J. DUVE -Deputy Clerk; John A. KOHLER- Sheriff, BC; Wm. M. SPITLER and N. A. MORRIS - Deputies; B. TRIGG -District Attorney. Grand Jury members: E. O. WILSON, Frazier TRIGG, C. KLEINERT, J.
L. FREEMAN, Willis CHANDLER, W. M. GLASS, Major SUMMERS, Gilford EPPLER, Henry C. ARCH, H. H. HOUSE, Claiborne OSBORNE, W. R. MILLS, T. J. WILSON, Laud SMITH, Geo. SPAULDING, Chas. HIRSCHFIELD. A. W. GRIMES - bailiff for the Grand Jury. Cases tried: Richard YOUNG vs. Martha YOUNG - divorce granted M. B. HIGHSMITH vs. BC - dismissed at plaintiff's cost J. C. GORHAM vs. O. F. NASH - judgment by agreement against defendant, $247.92 Eight cases against KOPPEL BROS. were dismissed E. GOODMAN vs. E. B. BURLESON - judgment by agreement G. CROW et. al. vs. A E. PHILLIPS et. al. - judgment for plaintiff for premises and produce in controversy Attorneys in attendance: Fred CHANDLER, N .G. SHELLEY, and D. SCHEEKS of Austin; Wm. H. GAZLEY of Alum Creek; H. McLESTER of Lockhart.

04 December 1875
A. W. GRIMES - candidate, Assessor of Taxes, BC Wm. C. BAKER - candidate, County Collector, BC

01 January 1876
City Marshall GRIMES will not seek re-election to this post despite the wishes of many in Bastrop.