Law & Order: Monroe Bratton Killed 1928, Grant Parish LouisianaSource August 2, 1928 Winn Parish EnterpriseSub Greggory E. Davies120 Ted Price LaneWinnfield, LA  71483


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 MONROE BRATTON KILLED SUNDAYA coroner's jury Monday recommended that Clarence Jones, farmer of GrantParish, who shot and killed Monroe Bratton, 35 years old, also of GrantParish, with a .38 caliber pistol on the court house square in WinnfieldSunday afternoon, be held in custody, pending the action of the Grand Jury inSeptember.  The verdict of the jury was that Bratton died as the result of apistol shot would received in the head just below the left eye from a shotfired by Clarence Jones.Bratton was killed during a pistol battle between the Hyde and Meltonfactions, families of each faction residing at Allbright Prairie, 12 milessouth of Winnfield, in Grant Parish.  The shooting is believed to be theclimax of an old feud started by a quarrel regarding the ownership of somecows.  Walker Melton's claim of ownership of some cows alleged to have beenkilled by Sam and Walter Hyde is thought to have been the immediate cause ofthe shooting fray.During a free-for-all on the square, Sam Hyde received a scalp wound from ashot from Jones' gun.  Another bullet from Jones' pistol passed through thehat of Walter Hyde.  Melton was bruised about the head.  Neither Hyde norMelton were seriously injured.Walker Melton and Clarence Jones are said to have come to Winnfield Sundayseeking the hides of cattle alleged to have been killed by the Hyde boys andbelonging to Melton.  The battle began in a fist fight between Sam Hyde andWalker Melton, Bratton, Walter Hyde and Jones interferring, Jones pulled hisgun, killed Bratton and slightly wounded Sam Hyde.Jones surrendered to authorities and was placed in jail by Sheriff BryantSholars.  A pistol was found on the dead man by Sheriff Sholars and MarshalJolley.Bratton was buried near his home in Grant Parish, Monday.  He is survived by awife and five children.  Jones is also married.