A gray granite monument to Capt. John Grumbles, a well-known early Texas lawman, a citizen of the Republic of Texas, and Austin resident who operated a grist mill on the Colorado River, states that he was killed at San Saba on 25 February 1858.
The tombstone reads as follows:
In Memory Of
CAPT. JOHN J GRUMBLES
born in South Carolina, circa 1804
Came to the Republic of Texas from Alabama, with his wife, Caroline, in 1837
Settled in Travis County in 1840
Owned land at Barton Springs from 1845 to 1855
Operated a ferry and Gristmill on the Colorado River near the mouth of Shoal Creek
An early Texas Ranger
Organized the Crumbles Company Mounted Volunteers in 1846 and 1847 and again in 1849 to 1850.
Killed in San Saba February 25, 1858
[medallion: Citizen of the Republic of Texas]"
From a family genealogy site which quote some local newspapers we can piece together these circumstances surrounding the murder of Capt. Grumbles, and a bit about the man who killed him, Stinnett Mussett: (
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Billy D. Patterson's letter says that John J. Grumbles was killed Feb 1858 in the Hotel Lowe in San Saba, Texas by Stinnett Mussett who was later tried and freed in Georgetown, TX.
From The Southern Intelligencer" (Austin) 3 Mar 1858 p 2, col 1:
"ANOTHER HOMICIDE - News has reached this city that Captain John J. Grumbles of this city has been killed in San Saba County by Mr. Sinnet Mussett. There had been an old quarrel between them. Verily, we live in murderous times."
From OLD TIMERS OF WALLACE CREEK, by Jym A. Sloan, San Saba, TX:
"The State of Texas
County of San Saba
On the verbal information of several citizens of said county an inquest was held on the body of J.J. Grumbles on the 25th day of February, A.D. 1858 at which the following proceedings were had, viz.:
A jury consisting of John H. Brown, F.M. Ellis, William B. Wear, David Matslear, W.T. Murray, and G.B. Cook, good an lawful men of San Saba County, were sworn and empaneled.
After hearing the testimony and examining the body of the deceased, the jury rendered the following verdict, to wit:
"That the said J.J. Grumbles came to his death by pistol ball or balls propelled from a sixshooter held in the hands of Sannett Munsett in the town of San Saba on the 25th day of February, A.D. 1858, between the hours of 3 and 4 o'clock P.M. In testimony whereof as well, of said coroner as the said jury have hereto set their hands, this of the year, just written above.
Signed: (list above) and H. Taylor, Coroner, San Saba County
The said Sennet Munsett not being in custody, a warrant was issued to Constable of Precinct No. 3, or other lawful officer in said county, returnable to John McNeil, J.P. Precinct No. 3, for the apprehension of said Munsett."
"The Southern Intelligencer" (Austin) Wed., 3 Mar 1858 p 3, col 7:
"$500 REWARD
We, the undersigned, hereby offer a reward of
FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS
for the apprehension and delivery of Sinnit Musset to the Sheriff of San Saba county, Texas, to be dealt with according to law, for the murder of Captain John J. Grumbles, who was killed in the town of San Saba, by the said Mussett, on the 25th day of February, 1858.
The said Mussett is a tall, spare-made man, of florid complexion, dark sandy hair, and is about forty years of age. The above reward will be paid to any person who may present to the undersigned, satisfactory evidence that the said Mussett has been placed in the custody of the law, in the proper county, to answer the charge above specified.
Joseph Grumbles, Perry Grumbles, John Grumbles [his sons -- BMB]"
All we could find out about Stinnett Mussett was that he was living in Lampasas County TX at the time of the 1860 US census.