Because of so many vigilante hangings in 1872, Stephenville was placed under martial law by state police. The authorities were able to hold the peace during an investigation and trial, but it was a waste of time. “. . . under the present reign of terror, no citizen, however much he may oppose this mob violence, will voluntarily come forward and give evidence against the mob, for fear it will be his time next (as they term it) to feed the wolves.” The feeding the wolves remark was a reference to victim’s graves being so shallow that wolves or wild dogs dug them up and scattered the bones.

Dan Young, A Calendar of Erath County History, Stephenville: Vanderbilt Street Press, 1987.