The Ouachita Telegraph - R. N. Stegall Killed, Noah Tayor Lynched

Date: Oct 2000
Submitted by: Lora Peppers <lpeppers@ouachita.lib.la.us>


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The Ouachita Telegraph
Saturday, December 15, 1888
Page 2, Column 4

CATAHOULA.
Another Assassination.
  Information reached this city yesterday of the assassination on Saturday
evening last, in Catahoula parish, three miles below Harrisonburg, of Mr.
R.N. Stegall, who formerly lived in Natchez.  The report as it came to us,
is to the effect that on Saturday last, Mr. Stegall, who has been residing
at or near Trinity, went to Harrisonburg on business.  He was returning to
his home in the afternoon, and when about three miles below Harrisonburg, he
was shot by some one in ambush on the roadside, the weapon used being a
shot-gun, his right side being torn to pieces by the discharge, and he being
knocked off his horse.  While in the throes of death his assassin stepped up
to him, and, placing a revolver to his forehead, fired two more shots into
the dying man’s head, thus completing his awful work.
 The shots appear to have attracted attention, and the assassin hearing
assistance coming, incontinently fled, leaving his shot gun behind, which it
is hoped may lead to his identification.  Mr. Stegall was a quiet,
inoffensive man, and it was not thought that he had an enemy in the world.
He lived at one time in Natchez, being the engineer at the ice factory and
doing other work here, and was well thought of.  He leaves a large family
who were entirely dependent upon him for support, and they will perhaps
suffer.
 While no motive has been ascribed for the crime, there are certain parties
suspected (said to have gone over to Catahoula from Natchez,) and they will
be arrested when found, if, indeed, they have not already been taken into
custody. – Natchez Democrat.
 Noah Tayor, a worthless negro living at Harrisonburg, was arrested the day
after the murder on suspicion, and the evidence pointing to his guilt, he
was taken from jail and lynched by a mob.

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