Officer Cornelius L. Fahey, 35 years of age.
Officer Fahey, a native of Cork, Ireland, was shot through the abdomen on an unknown block of Congress Avenue between the hours of 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 1875. His assailant, a "whiskey-crazed" man named Mark Tiner, fled the scene on horseback and was captured in Hancock's pasture approximately 3 ½ miles north of the city. Fahey was able to identify Tiner before dying of his wounds. Officer Fahey, according to local press, "was an efficient officer, and fell while in the discharge of his duty." He is the first Austin police officer known to have died in the line of duty.
After the shooting of officer Fahey, the Austin Daily Statesman carried this article:
March 9. 1875 Austin Daily Statesman
DESPERADOISM
Policeman shot-Flight and capture of the assassin
On last Sunday night between 12 and 1 o'clock another of those events which come under the bead of desperadoism, and which so long have been the curse of this State, occurred in this city. The repose of our own citizens was disturbed by what appeared to be a regular pitched battle, and the sharp peals of six-shooters, and the flashes of fire, smoke and deadly missiles they belched forth, the clattering of horses, feet upon the hard street as the demon incarnate was borne away, all tended to frighten and excite women and children and men as they rushed from their beds to the windows, doors and streets.
Strange thoughts and forebodings were uppermost in the minds of all, and the general inquiry was- what is the matter? The question was soon answered, for there upon the sidewalk was policeman Fahey shot through the abdomen, and other policemen were following after the assassin who, on horseback, was taking flight up the Avenue shooting at every one who would dare to hail him. In a short time, through the hour for hasty action was unreasonable, Marshal Creary had several policemen mounted and sent in pursuit.
Deputy Sheriff Stokes and Mr. Fred Peck who it will be remembered, captured the man who killed colored Paul a few weeks ago, also started in pursuit, and they had the good fortune to finally get on the trail of the man, and come up with him. Deputy United States Marshal Happy and others also started. Until after sun-up those in pursuit must have numbered about twenty. Even the patriotic reporter of the Statesman yawned for glory and thirsted for gore, and was determined to put up his strong arm for law and justice, and, at a late hour in the morning, he started in wild pursuit, arrived with a good buggy-whip and a lead pencil, fully resolved that the man should be taken, dead or alive, if it were in the power of those who were already on the way several hours, and they did it just as well as if the Statesman reporter had been present himself, for after a drive of a mile or two to the north of the city, he saw approaching a wagon, containing three men, and a dozen horseman filing along in the rear. His blood to curdle, and he knew at once that he was getting mad-perhaps desperate. He drew, not a six-shooter, but a whip, and indicated to the quadruped that he wished to be conveyed rapidly where duty called-to the very thicket of the fight and in a minute he was there but not in time as usual, to distinguish himself for bravery and cool daring.
The prisoner had been caught, handcuffed and was being conveyed in the wagon to the lockup. Major Wheeler, Marshal Creary, Messrs. Stokes, Peck, Hopkins, Wads and several others were acting as the rear guard and the Statesman reporter and his equally brave companion fell in line to guard them and to cut off retreat from the rear. But on the march to jail nothing occurred of interest, only that the prisoner was the observed of all observers.
The Prisoner and his Appearance
The prisoner, who gave his name as Mark Tiner, and claimed to be from Rockdale and a cattle driver, is a man of ordinary height, straight and slender, about twenty two years old, with a illiterate dare devil look and small eyes. He had on a Mexican hat with a snake band, a jacket and dark leather overalls. He was not at all conversational, but said that he had been on a spree the night before. His complexion is light, and Marshall Creary and others were of the opinion that his hair, which was dark, and been colored. His appearance is very much the same as that of the man Taylor who was arrested a few weeks ago in this city, and who claimed to be a cousin of the notorious Jim Taylor of the Hardin gang, and some are of the opinion that this man is either the identical Jim Taylor or Hardin.
When first seen, Mark was walking, carrying a bridle in his hand, his horse having somehow escaped from him. When arrested by Messer's Stokes and Peck, he had left the road and was in Hancock's pasture, about three and a half miles north of the city. He made no resistance at arrest, though he was armed with a six-shooter, which had been emptied of four of it's shots. Before being locked up Tiner was taken before Mr. Fahey, the wounded policeman, and recognized as the party who shot him. Other policeman and citizens have also recognized him as the man who did the shooting on the streets.
Our Citizens deeply sympathize with Mr. Fahey, who was an efficient officer and who fell while in the discharge of his duty. Thought shot through the abdomen, there is hope of his recovery. His wife and family also have the sympathy of the public.
Source: Newspaper article located and transcribed by Pink Higgins.
Officer Fahey, a native of Cork, Ireland, was shot through the abdomen on an unknown block of Congress Avenue between the hours of 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 1875. His assailant, a "whiskey-crazed" man named Mark Tiner, fled the scene on horseback and was captured in Hancock's pasture approximately 3 ½ miles north of the city. Fahey was able to identify Tiner before dying of his wounds. Officer Fahey, according to local press, "was an efficient officer, and fell while in the discharge of his duty." He is the first Austin police officer known to have died in the line of duty.
After the shooting of officer Fahey, the Austin Daily Statesman carried this article:
March 9. 1875 Austin Daily Statesman
DESPERADOISM
Policeman shot-Flight and capture of the assassin
On last Sunday night between 12 and 1 o'clock another of those events which come under the bead of desperadoism, and which so long have been the curse of this State, occurred in this city. The repose of our own citizens was disturbed by what appeared to be a regular pitched battle, and the sharp peals of six-shooters, and the flashes of fire, smoke and deadly missiles they belched forth, the clattering of horses, feet upon the hard street as the demon incarnate was borne away, all tended to frighten and excite women and children and men as they rushed from their beds to the windows, doors and streets.
Strange thoughts and forebodings were uppermost in the minds of all, and the general inquiry was- what is the matter? The question was soon answered, for there upon the sidewalk was policeman Fahey shot through the abdomen, and other policemen were following after the assassin who, on horseback, was taking flight up the Avenue shooting at every one who would dare to hail him. In a short time, through the hour for hasty action was unreasonable, Marshal Creary had several policemen mounted and sent in pursuit.
Deputy Sheriff Stokes and Mr. Fred Peck who it will be remembered, captured the man who killed colored Paul a few weeks ago, also started in pursuit, and they had the good fortune to finally get on the trail of the man, and come up with him. Deputy United States Marshal Happy and others also started. Until after sun-up those in pursuit must have numbered about twenty. Even the patriotic reporter of the Statesman yawned for glory and thirsted for gore, and was determined to put up his strong arm for law and justice, and, at a late hour in the morning, he started in wild pursuit, arrived with a good buggy-whip and a lead pencil, fully resolved that the man should be taken, dead or alive, if it were in the power of those who were already on the way several hours, and they did it just as well as if the Statesman reporter had been present himself, for after a drive of a mile or two to the north of the city, he saw approaching a wagon, containing three men, and a dozen horseman filing along in the rear. His blood to curdle, and he knew at once that he was getting mad-perhaps desperate. He drew, not a six-shooter, but a whip, and indicated to the quadruped that he wished to be conveyed rapidly where duty called-to the very thicket of the fight and in a minute he was there but not in time as usual, to distinguish himself for bravery and cool daring.
The prisoner had been caught, handcuffed and was being conveyed in the wagon to the lockup. Major Wheeler, Marshal Creary, Messrs. Stokes, Peck, Hopkins, Wads and several others were acting as the rear guard and the Statesman reporter and his equally brave companion fell in line to guard them and to cut off retreat from the rear. But on the march to jail nothing occurred of interest, only that the prisoner was the observed of all observers.
The Prisoner and his Appearance
The prisoner, who gave his name as Mark Tiner, and claimed to be from Rockdale and a cattle driver, is a man of ordinary height, straight and slender, about twenty two years old, with a illiterate dare devil look and small eyes. He had on a Mexican hat with a snake band, a jacket and dark leather overalls. He was not at all conversational, but said that he had been on a spree the night before. His complexion is light, and Marshall Creary and others were of the opinion that his hair, which was dark, and been colored. His appearance is very much the same as that of the man Taylor who was arrested a few weeks ago in this city, and who claimed to be a cousin of the notorious Jim Taylor of the Hardin gang, and some are of the opinion that this man is either the identical Jim Taylor or Hardin.
When first seen, Mark was walking, carrying a bridle in his hand, his horse having somehow escaped from him. When arrested by Messer's Stokes and Peck, he had left the road and was in Hancock's pasture, about three and a half miles north of the city. He made no resistance at arrest, though he was armed with a six-shooter, which had been emptied of four of it's shots. Before being locked up Tiner was taken before Mr. Fahey, the wounded policeman, and recognized as the party who shot him. Other policeman and citizens have also recognized him as the man who did the shooting on the streets.
Our Citizens deeply sympathize with Mr. Fahey, who was an efficient officer and who fell while in the discharge of his duty. Thought shot through the abdomen, there is hope of his recovery. His wife and family also have the sympathy of the public.
Source: Newspaper article located and transcribed by Pink Higgins.
Officer Cornelius L. Fahey, 35 years of age.
Officer Fahey, a native of Cork, Ireland, was shot through the abdomen on an unknown block of Congress Avenue between the hours of 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 1875. His assailant, a "whiskey-crazed" man named Mark Tiner, fled the scene on horseback and was captured in Hancock's pasture approximately 3 ½ miles north of the city. Fahey was able to identify Tiner before dying of his wounds. Officer Fahey, according to local press, "was an efficient officer, and fell while in the discharge of his duty." He is the first Austin police officer known to have died in the line of duty.
After the shooting of officer Fahey, the Austin Daily Statesman carried this article:
March 9. 1875 Austin Daily Statesman
DESPERADOISM
Policeman shot-Flight and capture of the assassin
On last Sunday night between 12 and 1 o'clock another of those events which come under the bead of desperadoism, and which so long have been the curse of this State, occurred in this city. The repose of our own citizens was disturbed by what appeared to be a regular pitched battle, and the sharp peals of six-shooters, and the flashes of fire, smoke and deadly missiles they belched forth, the clattering of horses, feet upon the hard street as the demon incarnate was borne away, all tended to frighten and excite women and children and men as they rushed from their beds to the windows, doors and streets.
Strange thoughts and forebodings were uppermost in the minds of all, and the general inquiry was- what is the matter? The question was soon answered, for there upon the sidewalk was policeman Fahey shot through the abdomen, and other policemen were following after the assassin who, on horseback, was taking flight up the Avenue shooting at every one who would dare to hail him. In a short time, through the hour for hasty action was unreasonable, Marshal Creary had several policemen mounted and sent in pursuit.
Deputy Sheriff Stokes and Mr. Fred Peck who it will be remembered, captured the man who killed colored Paul a few weeks ago, also started in pursuit, and they had the good fortune to finally get on the trail of the man, and come up with him. Deputy United States Marshal Happy and others also started. Until after sun-up those in pursuit must have numbered about twenty. Even the patriotic reporter of the Statesman yawned for glory and thirsted for gore, and was determined to put up his strong arm for law and justice, and, at a late hour in the morning, he started in wild pursuit, arrived with a good buggy-whip and a lead pencil, fully resolved that the man should be taken, dead or alive, if it were in the power of those who were already on the way several hours, and they did it just as well as if the Statesman reporter had been present himself, for after a drive of a mile or two to the north of the city, he saw approaching a wagon, containing three men, and a dozen horseman filing along in the rear. His blood to curdle, and he knew at once that he was getting mad-perhaps desperate. He drew, not a six-shooter, but a whip, and indicated to the quadruped that he wished to be conveyed rapidly where duty called-to the very thicket of the fight and in a minute he was there but not in time as usual, to distinguish himself for bravery and cool daring.
The prisoner had been caught, handcuffed and was being conveyed in the wagon to the lockup. Major Wheeler, Marshal Creary, Messrs. Stokes, Peck, Hopkins, Wads and several others were acting as the rear guard and the Statesman reporter and his equally brave companion fell in line to guard them and to cut off retreat from the rear. But on the march to jail nothing occurred of interest, only that the prisoner was the observed of all observers.
The Prisoner and his Appearance
The prisoner, who gave his name as Mark Tiner, and claimed to be from Rockdale and a cattle driver, is a man of ordinary height, straight and slender, about twenty two years old, with a illiterate dare devil look and small eyes. He had on a Mexican hat with a snake band, a jacket and dark leather overalls. He was not at all conversational, but said that he had been on a spree the night before. His complexion is light, and Marshall Creary and others were of the opinion that his hair, which was dark, and been colored. His appearance is very much the same as that of the man Taylor who was arrested a few weeks ago in this city, and who claimed to be a cousin of the notorious Jim Taylor of the Hardin gang, and some are of the opinion that this man is either the identical Jim Taylor or Hardin.
When first seen, Mark was walking, carrying a bridle in his hand, his horse having somehow escaped from him. When arrested by Messer's Stokes and Peck, he had left the road and was in Hancock's pasture, about three and a half miles north of the city. He made no resistance at arrest, though he was armed with a six-shooter, which had been emptied of four of it's shots. Before being locked up Tiner was taken before Mr. Fahey, the wounded policeman, and recognized as the party who shot him. Other policeman and citizens have also recognized him as the man who did the shooting on the streets.
Our Citizens deeply sympathize with Mr. Fahey, who was an efficient officer and who fell while in the discharge of his duty. Thought shot through the abdomen, there is hope of his recovery. His wife and family also have the sympathy of the public.
Source: Newspaper article located and transcribed by Pink Higgins.
Officer Fahey, a native of Cork, Ireland, was shot through the abdomen on an unknown block of Congress Avenue between the hours of 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 1875. His assailant, a "whiskey-crazed" man named Mark Tiner, fled the scene on horseback and was captured in Hancock's pasture approximately 3 ½ miles north of the city. Fahey was able to identify Tiner before dying of his wounds. Officer Fahey, according to local press, "was an efficient officer, and fell while in the discharge of his duty." He is the first Austin police officer known to have died in the line of duty.
After the shooting of officer Fahey, the Austin Daily Statesman carried this article:
March 9. 1875 Austin Daily Statesman
DESPERADOISM
Policeman shot-Flight and capture of the assassin
On last Sunday night between 12 and 1 o'clock another of those events which come under the bead of desperadoism, and which so long have been the curse of this State, occurred in this city. The repose of our own citizens was disturbed by what appeared to be a regular pitched battle, and the sharp peals of six-shooters, and the flashes of fire, smoke and deadly missiles they belched forth, the clattering of horses, feet upon the hard street as the demon incarnate was borne away, all tended to frighten and excite women and children and men as they rushed from their beds to the windows, doors and streets.
Strange thoughts and forebodings were uppermost in the minds of all, and the general inquiry was- what is the matter? The question was soon answered, for there upon the sidewalk was policeman Fahey shot through the abdomen, and other policemen were following after the assassin who, on horseback, was taking flight up the Avenue shooting at every one who would dare to hail him. In a short time, through the hour for hasty action was unreasonable, Marshal Creary had several policemen mounted and sent in pursuit.
Deputy Sheriff Stokes and Mr. Fred Peck who it will be remembered, captured the man who killed colored Paul a few weeks ago, also started in pursuit, and they had the good fortune to finally get on the trail of the man, and come up with him. Deputy United States Marshal Happy and others also started. Until after sun-up those in pursuit must have numbered about twenty. Even the patriotic reporter of the Statesman yawned for glory and thirsted for gore, and was determined to put up his strong arm for law and justice, and, at a late hour in the morning, he started in wild pursuit, arrived with a good buggy-whip and a lead pencil, fully resolved that the man should be taken, dead or alive, if it were in the power of those who were already on the way several hours, and they did it just as well as if the Statesman reporter had been present himself, for after a drive of a mile or two to the north of the city, he saw approaching a wagon, containing three men, and a dozen horseman filing along in the rear. His blood to curdle, and he knew at once that he was getting mad-perhaps desperate. He drew, not a six-shooter, but a whip, and indicated to the quadruped that he wished to be conveyed rapidly where duty called-to the very thicket of the fight and in a minute he was there but not in time as usual, to distinguish himself for bravery and cool daring.
The prisoner had been caught, handcuffed and was being conveyed in the wagon to the lockup. Major Wheeler, Marshal Creary, Messrs. Stokes, Peck, Hopkins, Wads and several others were acting as the rear guard and the Statesman reporter and his equally brave companion fell in line to guard them and to cut off retreat from the rear. But on the march to jail nothing occurred of interest, only that the prisoner was the observed of all observers.
The Prisoner and his Appearance
The prisoner, who gave his name as Mark Tiner, and claimed to be from Rockdale and a cattle driver, is a man of ordinary height, straight and slender, about twenty two years old, with a illiterate dare devil look and small eyes. He had on a Mexican hat with a snake band, a jacket and dark leather overalls. He was not at all conversational, but said that he had been on a spree the night before. His complexion is light, and Marshall Creary and others were of the opinion that his hair, which was dark, and been colored. His appearance is very much the same as that of the man Taylor who was arrested a few weeks ago in this city, and who claimed to be a cousin of the notorious Jim Taylor of the Hardin gang, and some are of the opinion that this man is either the identical Jim Taylor or Hardin.
When first seen, Mark was walking, carrying a bridle in his hand, his horse having somehow escaped from him. When arrested by Messer's Stokes and Peck, he had left the road and was in Hancock's pasture, about three and a half miles north of the city. He made no resistance at arrest, though he was armed with a six-shooter, which had been emptied of four of it's shots. Before being locked up Tiner was taken before Mr. Fahey, the wounded policeman, and recognized as the party who shot him. Other policeman and citizens have also recognized him as the man who did the shooting on the streets.
Our Citizens deeply sympathize with Mr. Fahey, who was an efficient officer and who fell while in the discharge of his duty. Thought shot through the abdomen, there is hope of his recovery. His wife and family also have the sympathy of the public.
Source: Newspaper article located and transcribed by Pink Higgins.
Inscription
Sacred to the memory of Cornelius Fahey whose life was sacrificed in the faithful discharge of his official duty at Austin ,Texas Mar 9, 1875. Born at Cork Ireland, A.D. 1840 Aged 35 years.
IN EARLY MANHOOD GONE TO HIS DEATH. FAITHFUL TO DUTY. DREW HIS LAST BREATH TO DEEDS OF GOODNESS, HIS LIFE WAS GIVEN. DYING WITH GLORY, HE LIVES IN HEAVEN.
Gravesite Details
First Austin, Texas Policeman to be killed in the line of duty.
Advertisement
Advertisement
