The Ouachita Telegraph - Deputy Sage Shoots and Kills Brothers Jessie and Richard Lott Date: Oct. 2000 Submitted by: Lora Peppers ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The Ouachita Telegraph Friday, June 3, 1881 Page 2, Column 2 FEARFUL KILLING Two Young Men Shot to Death in the Town of Floyd, Parish of West Carroll. It is with profound sadness we made a note of the killing of Jessie and Richard Lott, sons of the Hon. H.R. Lott, in the town of Floyd, on Tuesday, the 24th inst. The particulars of this terrible tragedy were brought to town by Mr. Beasley from West Carroll, on the 26th. It seems that considerable unpleasantness has existed for a great length of time between prominent persons living in the upper end of said parish, and several old citizens dwelling in and around the town of Floyd. This hatred, or jealousy, or whatever it may be called, would break out every now and again, with ominous features, especially when some of the parties had indulged freely in the exciting liquid called “Floyd beverage.” Some such circumstances existed on Tuesday last. Too much whisky, abusive language, and the fatal results we refer to. It seems that Mr. Jessie Lott was indulging in violent abuse of Mr. Bill Bradley, sheriff of the parish better known on the hills as “Wild Cat Bradley.” His deputy, Mr. L. Sage, a quiet, and as was supposed, inoffensive, timid young man, expressed himself freely about the abuse heaped up on his principal – styling it as too outrageous to be borne. Mr. Lott overhearing the language, turned upon Sage, and the lie, with the Floyd variations, was freely exchanged, when Lott drew his pistol and began banging away at Sage, who was not slow in returning the fire. On the third shot from Sage, Lott fell pierced through the breast, dying almost instantaneously. Mr. Richard Lott, a younger brother, being in the neighborhood came upon the scene and with frantic haste, began shooting at Sage. He fired three times unsuccessfully, when Sage taking his pistol in both hands, deliberately brought it down on his assailant, and the leaden messenger of death entered a vital part of the younger brother'’ body, and there they both lay weltering in their life'’ blood. A more tragic scene could scarcely be conceived of. Two intelligent, high toned and worthy young men cut off on the very threshold of their manhood. We are pained to learn that they both leave in heart stricken grief interesting families – while the gray hairs of their respected sire is being bowed down with sorrow over the premature graves where they are gone. Mr. Sage, immediately after the killing, mounted his horse and left for parts unknown. We know nothing of the real merits of this double death dealing, but have told it as it was told to us. The bereaved ones have our sincere sympathy in their unexampled sorrow. – Lake Providence Herald. # # #